Solange Knowles for Harper's Bazaar - Fall 2020 (Digital Cover)!
Harper’s BAZAAR enlists Solange to pose and share a series of personal essays and poems for their
Singer Solange Knowles takes the cover story of Harper’s BAZAAR‘s Fall 2020 Digital edition lensed by fashion photographer Naima Green. In charge of creative direction was Solange herself, with beauty from hair stylist Kendall Dorsey, and makeup artist Miguel Ramos. Set design is work of Tim Ferro.
I truly hope that every Black spirit does whatever they need to do during this time to hold themselves up. Whatever it may look like. Honor your grief, however you are led to. Hold on and go all the way into your power, however it calls to you. – Solange
My mother loved me a million different ways. One of the ways my mother loved me was by surrounding me with many a tribe who could care for me; my mom’s deliberate choice to make “the shop” my after school care.
All of the women had their own stories to tell. Women from every background, name, and face in Houston, Texas came to transform within the safety of themselves. Boyfriends and husbands waited in their cars or in the front reception, and women ran the show. They talked shit, cackled, shrieked, cried, or read and contemplated quietly—thrilled to escape their lives as mothers, sisters, teachers, and healers. Regulars would greet me with a big hug and ask me how school was, to get them a glass of wine from the back, or ask me to show them the latest dances. I took dance classes weekly, but it was in that shot that performance really began. The theater of the shop and I. It was there that my storytelling became more vivid, elaborate, and exaggerated! It was there that my gestures became language. I watched and studied my favorite women—the way they walked, dressed, moved their nails when they turned pages. They paid attention to me, celebrated me, and always made me feel safe. My dances soon turned into monologues, and soundtracks soon followed. It was there that performance thrived and became alive. It was there. The shop became my theater. I was raised by a beauty salon. – Solange
Photographs by Naima Green
Creative Director: Solange Knowles
Entertainment Director: Nojan Aminosharei
Fashion Features Director: Kerry Pieri
Accessories Director: Kathy Lee
Fashion Editor: Kia Goosby
Styling Assistant: Julio Delgado
Hair: Kendall Dorsey
Makeup: Miguel Ramos
Set Design: Tim Ferro
Shoot Assistant: Curtis Morton
Special thanks to Home Union
#RHOA: Marlo Hampton Pays Off $13,000 Tax Debt
“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Marlo Hampton has settled beef with the IRS over an unpaid tax bill.
According to court documents, the Internal Revenue Service has filed a release of a federal tax lien. The official document states Marlo has paid off the entire $13,418.55 debt.
The lien was originally filed last year and was over an unpaid bill from 2017. The IRS warned Marlo if she didn’t pay up quickly, they could begin the process of seizing her property and assets to collect on their money.
Marlo appears to be living her best life after paying off the bill. She recently posted a photo decked out in Gucci on her Instagram.
Marlo is set to appear on the next season of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” without her BFF NeNe Leakes, who decided she will not be returning for another round. Tamara Tattles reported NeNe tried to negotiate a $125,000 check from Bravo in exchange for attending Cynthia Bailey’s wedding to Mike Hill. Bravo and producers reportedly rejected the offer and NeNe did not show up to the wedding.
#MusicNews: Brandy Performs With Ty Dolla $Ign At Billboard Music Awards!
Twenty-five years since she won her first Billboard Music Award, Brandy hit the stage at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards.
Backed by music director Adam Blackstone, the R&B icon delivered a spellbinding medley of old and new hits during Wednesday’s show at L.A.’s Dolby Theatre, starting with “Borderline” off her latest album b7.
She then welcomed Ty Dolla $ign for the debut performance of their collaborative single “No Tomorrow Part 2.” The two showed off their chemistry as they brought their new duet to life.
“I’m a huge fan of Ty Dolla $ign. I think he’s a brilliant artist,” said Brandy. “He’s always shown a lot of respect for my music so I just felt like the sound of our voices would be great.”
For the finale, the 41-year-old singer took it all the way back to 1998 with her classic “Almost Doesn’t Count” off her sophomore album, Never Say Never.
In July, Brandy released her first album in eight years, b7, featuring appearances from Daniel Caesar, Chance the Rapper, and her daughter Sy’rai.
WATCH
In addition to Brandy, the Billboard Music Awards featured performances from Alicia Keys, Post Malone, Doja Cat, Khalid, Swae Lee, Sia, and En Vogue.
#HipHopNews: Ludacris Animated Musical Series ‘Karma’s World’ Ordered at Netflix!
Netflix has given a series order to an animated musical kids series from rapper and actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, the streamer announced Tuesday.
The series, titled “Karma’s World,” is created by Bridges and was originally inspired by his oldest daughter, Karma, and her namesake educational website.
The series follows 10-year-old Karma Grant, who is described as “an aspiring musical artist and rapper with big talent and an even bigger heart.” The show will deploy original music to tackle issues including “self-esteem, body positivity, discrimination, creativity, expressing emotions, friendship, family, leadership, celebrating differences and more,” according to Netflix.
Bridges will serve as an executive producer on the project, which is produced by his Karma’s World Entertainment banner and “Blue’s Clues” producer 9 Story Media Group. Additional executive producers include Vince Commisso, Cathal Gaffney, Darragh O’Connell, Angela C. Santomero, Wendy Harris and Jennie Stacey.
“I’ve had a lot of accomplishments in my life, but everything that I’ve experienced seems to have led up to this point to where I can leave a legacy for all my daughters,” Bridges said in a statement. “Karma’s World is one of those legacies. I hope this series will show kids that there are many ways to overcome difficult situations. This show is going to move hip hop culture forward, and show young girls that they have the power to change the world. This project has been a long time in the making and I can’t wait to bring Karma’s World to the entire world.”
Santomero, 9 Story’s chief creative officer, added, “It has been an absolute privilege to work with Chris to bring his vision of Karma to life. Karma is a character who does not yet exist on kids’ TV. She is a powerful, empowering role model who uses her words and music to bring about change in her community. Kids who watch Karma’s World will be inspired to use creativity as a vehicle for self-expression, and the series furthers 9 Story’s commitment to creating diverse content for children that encourages them to find their voice and follow their dreams.”
Ice Cube Clarifies His Role in Developing Trump Campaign's 'Platinum Plan' for Black America!
Fans were confused after White House senior advisor Katrina Pierson thanked Ice Cube for his "willingness to step up and work with" the Trump administration, and the rapper took to Twitter to clarify his involvement following some criticism.
"Facts: I put out the CWBA. Both parties contacted me," he tweeted on Wednesday (Oct. 14). "Dems said we’ll address the CWBA after the election. Trump campaign made some adjustments to their plan after talking to us about the CWBA."
Ice Cube, Ariana Grande & More Artists React to the Police Officer Charged with George Floyd's Murder
Back in July, Ice Cube called on politicians to sign his "Contract with Black America," which laid out 13 areas for improvement related to police reform, prison reform, bank lending and more.
“The problems facing America are too deep and wide to simply reform one area or another,” the contract reads. “Long-lasting solutions demand a comprehensive thorough ‘rethink’ of America so that each new approach in each area supports the success of the others. This Contract with Black America will provide conceptual approaches in several areas.”
The president’s administration absorbed some of the CWBA into the White House’s “Platinum Plan,” with Ice Cube's help. Trump’s “Platinum Plan” aims to “increase access to capital in black communities by almost $500 billion” by creating 500,000 black-owned businesses and 3 million new jobs for the black community, plus strengthening immigration and policing policies.
Rihanna Makes Forbes' Richest Self-Made Women List For The First Time Ever!
Rihanna has landed on Forbes' list of the richest self-made women in America for the first time ever.
The 32-year-old entertainer made the list at No. 33 with a net worth of $600 million. The singer accumulated most of her wealth from music and her cosmetics line, Fenty Beauty, which she co-owns with luxury goods group LVMH, according to the outlet.
The Barbados native also co-owns the Savage X Fenty lingerie line with investors such as TechStyle Fashion Group, an online fashion company.
Rihanna previously spoke to Vogue about the success of her makeup line. She said, “We have this amazing emotional connection with customers who’ve never been able to find their shade of foundation before — women crying at the [makeup] counter — it’s crazy to even think about."
"The first woman I saw put makeup on her face was a Black woman — my mom — and when I think of my customers, I want everyone to feel like they can find their color, that they are represented as part of this new generation," she added.
Rihanna is also involved in every aspect of Fenty Beauty. She told TIME magazine, "I have 100 percent involvement in this process, which is what makes this so special and very fun. I have so much creative freedom from products to packaging, and that’s really the only way this brand will stay true to my vision for it."
During the pandemic, Rihanna has been one of the most charitable celebrities, donating more than $8 million toward relief efforts.
Sweetie Pie’s Tim Norman Pleads Not Guilty to Murdering His Nephew!
Earlier this year Welcome to Sweetie Pies co-owner Tim Norman was charged in a murder for hire plot to kill his nephew, Andre Montgomery, for the insurance money
Tim has pleaded not guilty...
From WLBT
A Mississippi man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal charges alleging he was involved in a murder-for-hire plot that led to the shooting death of a man whose grandmother’s St. Louis-area soul food restaurant was the setting for the reality show "Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s.
Norman, 41, entered the plea during a court appearance Tuesday.
Norman became the sole beneficiary of of his nephew’s life insurance policy in 2014, according to prosecutors. Montgomery was shot to death on March 14, 2016, near Fairground Park in St. Louis.
'L.A.'s Finest' Canceled by Spectrum Originals After Two Seasons
L.A.’s Finest has been canceled. It was announced on Wednesday (October 14) that the cop drama starring Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba has been canceled by Spectrum Originals after two seasons, Variety reports.
News of the cancellation comes after Fox announced back in May that it had acquired the rights to air both seasons.
The show first started off as a pilot order at NBC during the 2018 pilot season, but the show was ultimately passed over. Spectrum then picked up L.A.’s Finest as its first original series, and it premiered on the streaming site in 2019. After strong reviews, it was renewed for a second season.
The first season of L.A.’s Finest is currently airing on Fox, with season two debuting on Spectrum Originals back in early September.
L.A.’s Finest is a spinoff series of the Bad Boys films, which focused on Drug Enforcement Agent Sydney Burnett (Union).
Neither Jessica or Gabrielle have addressed their show’s cancellation yet.
Cardi B Explains Why She Took Offset Back!
Just a month after she filed for divorce from her estranged husband, the couple reunited during Cardi’s 28th birthday in Las Vegas over the weekend. The two were seen partying together and showing plenty of PDA, fueling speculation that they’re back together. While it’s unclear if Cardi plans to call off the divorce, she opened up about her decision to let Kulture’s father back into her life.
“I just be starting to miss [him]… It’s hard not to talk to your best friend. And it’s really hard to have no dick,” Cardi told fans during an Instagram livestream on Tuesday.
She also shot down a suggestion that she’s bipolar. “I know I’m not bipolar ’cause I took a test.”
Offset surprised his wife for her birthday with a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Birkin bag, and even a billboard, which seemed to go over well. “I do like material things,” admitted Cardi. “What do you want me to do, the ni**a gave me a Rolls-Royce and I snub him? And I really wanted some dick for my birthday.”
Cardi explained that she and Offset go through ups and downs, just like other young couples. “We’re some really typical two young motherfu**ers, got married early, that’s what we are,” she said. “We’re not no different than y’all fu**in’ dysfunctional ass relationships. We’re the same way. We’re just more public. And I’m more retarded.”
On Tuesday, the “WAP” rapper accidentally posted a topless photo of herself on Instagram Stories. She later revealed that she was in bed with Offset when she shared the nude pic with her millions of followers.
“I’m leaning in the fu**ing bed, right? And I’m telling Offset, ‘Yo I feel like…,” she said, according to Page Six. “I’m taking the fu**ing picture and then I fu**ing press and I see that it’s loading and I’m like ‘Oh my God! Oh my God, Offset! Oh my God, the picture’s loading,’ and he was like, ‘Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa.'”
She told Offset to check her Instagram Story from her phone to see if she uploaded the photo, but it was too late. “By the time I turned my phone on and deleted that shit, everybody and their mom saw. They were all over the internet.”
Cardi filed for divorce from Offset after three years of marriage, but all signs point to a reconciliation. Offset even celebrated their reunion in an Instagram post, writing, “I won.”
“They aren’t back together but [it’s] just a matter of time,” a source told E! Online. “She loves the attention from him and he’s trying really hard to win her back.”
Azelia Banks Suspended From Twitter For Posting Transphobic Messages + She Says Pandemic Is A Scam!
Twitter has suspended rapper Azelia Banks after she posted a series of messages on Twitter including transphobic statements as well as her personal thoughts about the pandemic.
According to Twitter, users can be temporarily or permanently suspended but aren’t necessarily told which of their tweets were the cause of suspension.
While it’s unclear which tweet specifically caused the suspension of Azelia Banks’ account, she went on a tangent about “luxury transgender health care rights”, violating Twitter’s “hateful conduct policy“. Read her tweets below.
Banks went on to allegedly violate another one of Twitter’s policies, when she wrote:
“OPEN SH*T UP. THIS PANDEMIC IS LITERALLY A F*CKING SCAM.”
Twitter has updated their “misleading information” approach to target anyone using language that is considered falsified or misleading to the public. Banks continued on,
SORRY. GUYS BUT ITS LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER TRUMP 2020 VOTE FROM AZELIA BANKS.
Azelia Banks has been no stranger to airing out her feelings on Twitter. In early August, she had her fans alarmed after posting messages that some of her fans believed to be alluding to taking her own life, seemingly because of the pandemic. At the time, she wrote:
Yea, I think I’m done here. This pandemic, extreme lack of social interaction, no intimacy, combined with constant public ridicule is making life harder than it’s worth.
Amy Coney Barrett Ruled N-Word Use Does Not Make A Workplace Hostile!
A supervisor calling an employee that word wasn’t proof of an abusive environment, Barrett wrote.
Using the “n-word” does not create “a hostile or abusive working environment,” according to Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
A report from The Independent notes that just last year, serving on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Barrett wrote an opinion upholding the dismissal of Smith v. Illinois Department of Transportation, a case in which fired Black state employee Terry Smith filed a workplace discrimination lawsuit. Among Smith’s assertions is that Lloyd Colbert, his White supervisor, called him the n-word.
Smith didn’t make a strong enough case that harassment was occurring, Barrett asserted.
“The n-word is an egregious racial epithet. That said, Smith can’t win simply by proving that the word was uttered,” she wrote. “He must also demonstrate that Colbert’s use of this word altered the conditions of his employment and created a hostile or abusive working environment.”
Ironically, even Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a previous appointee of President Donald Trump, disagreed with her ruling on the matter — before it materialized.
Back in 2013, while a Washington D.C. federal appeals court judge, Kavanaugh wrote: “No other word in the English language so powerfully or instantly calls to mind our country’s long and brutal struggle to overcome racism and discrimination against African-Americans. In short, the case law demonstrates that a single, sufficiently severe incident may create a hostile work environment.”
Barrett is the mother of two Black children adopted from Haiti and five biological children.
The confirmation process to appoint Barrett to the highest court in the land is currently underway. Barrett was tapped by Trump to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the court less than two months before the national Election Day.
Barrett, a staunch conservative, has been pressed on her personal views about abortion, gay marriage and the Affordable Care Act, all cases soon to appear before the court.
Further, Barrett was asked if she would recuse herself if a case contesting the U.S. election appeared before her in the coming months.
In her avoidance of an actual response, she noted the word of the late Justice Ginsburg, replying, “Justice Ginsburg, in explaining the way recusal works, said that it’s always up to the individual justice, but it always involves consultation with the colleagues — with the other eight justices. So that’s not a question that I could answer in the abstract.”
NFL Cancels Pro Bowl Game For 2021 But Voting Will Still Occur for All-Star Rosters!
Today the NFL announced its decision to cancel the 2021 Pro Bowl Game due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but they did state that fans can still vote for their favorite players.
According to Bleacher Report, the league plans to still hold a voting process to recognize the best players, but won’t have them take the field for the Pro Bowl.
“The NFL will continue to recognize the players’ outstanding seasons and welcome fans to demonstrate their passion for their favorite players when voting for the 2021 Pro Bowl Roster begins on November 17th. The full Pro Bowl rosters will be revealed in December, where the players are determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group’s vote counts as one-third toward determining the 88 All-Star players who are selected to the Pro Bowl roster.”
The 2021 Pro Bowl was originally slated to be played in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium on Jan. 31. Now the 2022 Pro Bowl will be awarded to Las Vegas, as per the league.
The NFL also announced that it is working with the NFLPA and other partners to create other virtual activities to serve as alternatives for the actual game. Fans will still be able to vote for players to the Pro Bowl roster starting Nov. 17, with the full rosters revealed in December.
“MTV Cribs” International, U.S. Reboot Set For 2021 Return!
“MTV Cribs” is making a comeback through MTV International in 2021. The original show “Cribs” debuted in 2000 and lasted for 13 seasons. For over five years the show showcased over 180 homes of multiple celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Destiny’s Child, and Mariah Carey. In 2010, the show restarted, then revived again as a short-form series on Snapchat Discover in 2017.
A U.K. adaptation was launched in September 2019, followed by “this summer’s “MTV Cribs: Footballers Stay Home,” which was filmed remotely during the global pandemic.
“As we spend more time at home this year, our fascination with where and how others live is growing,” said Craig Orr, vice president of original content and development for youth and entertainment at ViacomCBS Networks International. “’ MTV Cribs continues to connect our worldwide audiences with their favorite stars as they welcome us into their homes for an exclusive tour. This is pure property porn escapism at its most fabulous.”
Among the celebrities guest set to make an appearance on the reboot includes singer JoJo Siwa, Caitlynn Jenner, British singer Stefflon Don and “Glee” star Kevin McHale.
“I’m pumped to bring MTV fans into the colorful world of JoJo — complete with my most memorable outfits and the slime game room of my dreams,” said Siwa.
The new show will be produced by Viacom International Studios U.K. and executive produced by Kate Amarani of Viacom International Studios U.K., and Craig Orr and Rebecca Hewett of MTV International.
According to Variety, a U.S. version of the show is expected to premiere in early 2021.
Other celebrities to be featured in MTV Cribs” are “Selling Sunset’s” Christine Quinn, “The Vamps” member Bradley Simpson, “RuPaul’s Drag Race’s” Alyssa Edwards, and British reality star Gemma Collins.
“What a dream to be included in this iconic classic,” said Quinn. “As a top-selling broker I’m always spotlighting other people’s homes to the world, but now MTV International is giving you an exclusive look inside my newly redone home — and let’s get one thing clear — in my house, it’s my rules. Expect the unexpected.”
“MTV Cribs” will debut on the network’s international channels on Oct. 26 at 8 pm EST.
Twitter Accounts Claiming To Be Run By Black Trump Supporters Suspended For Manipulation, Spam!
Twitter Inc. on Tuesday said it had suspended a number of accounts that claimed to be owned by Black supporters of President Donald Trump and his re-election campaign, saying the accounts broke its rules on spam and platform manipulation.
“Our teams are working diligently to investigate this activity and will take action in line with the Twitter rules if tweets are found to be in violation,” a spokeswoman for the social media company said.
Chris Hadfield on Canada’s role in living on the moon
A review by Reuters of some of the suspended accounts showed they often used images of real people that did not match their names and posted identical language in their messages, including the phrase: “YES IM BLACK AND IM VOTING FOR TRUMP!!!”
The accounts sometimes claimed to be owned by military veterans or members of law enforcement.
Darren Linvill, a social media disinformation researcher at Clemson University who said he had been tracking the accounts since Saturday, found more than two dozen accounts that collectively had 265,000 retweets or Twitter mentions. He said the accounts ranged in size but some had attracted tens of thousands of followers.
Twitter declined to specify the number of accounts suspended or to comment beyond its statement.
Twitter’s policy against platform manipulation and spam prohibits coordination among accounts to artificially influence conversation, including the use of multiple or fake accounts.
Linvill said some of the accounts used photos of Black American men that had appeared in news articles. Some used identical images of Trump as their header image.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the investigation, which was first reported by the Washington Post.
Twitter imposes restrictions, more warning labels ahead of U.S. election
Twitter on Tuesday for the first time tagged Donald Trump's tweets about unsubstantiated claims of fraud in mail-in voting with a warning prompting readers to fact check the posts.
Amid feud with Twitter, Trump to sign executive order on social media Thursday, White House says
Linvill told Reuters that most of the accounts were created in 2017, but had become more active in the past two months. He said all the accounts he had been tracking in the group had now been suspended by Twitter, but the damage had already been done.
“It doesn’t matter if Twitter’s shutting you down in four days, they’ve already had their impact,” Linvill said.
Twitter declined to answer Reuters’ questions about the origin of the accounts.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘#CANCELLED’
Buddy, you aren’t Justin Trudeau, you aren’t going to get away with black face in 2020.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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