Gospel Singer Erica Campbell of Mary Mary is Accused of Fraud, Hit with a Lawsuit Over Royalties!👀
Erica Campbell has been hit with a lawsuit. The gospel artist and Mary Mary reality star is being accused of owing her record distributor $70k.
Campbell is a Grammy winner urban contemporary gospel, Christian R&B and contemporary R&B recording artist, musician and radio host. She started her music career in 1998 with her younger sister, Tina Campbell, as part of the gospel music group, Mary Mary. Her solo music career began in 2013, and has since released two albums with Entertainment One Music. Since May 2016, she serves as the host of Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell with comedian Griff, that currently airs on Urban Gospel, which is owned by Radio One.
Here’s the backstory: According to our friends over at The Jasmine Brand. Last year, Campbell sued record distributor Entertainment One. In the suite she says that her husband’s — Warryn Campbell — record company, My Block Records, had a deal with Entertainment One. In the deal, they agreed to distribute two of her albums, “My Help” and “My Help 2.0”.
However, Campbell claims in the suit that despite writing several songs on the albums, she was not paid. She points out that E-One collected her music royalties and she believes that the sales were in excess of $2 million. She says that E-One explained not paying her, allegedly informing her that they didn’t make any profit and the money that was made, covered her album expenses.
In the lawsuit, it is also claimed that My Block entered into a separate deal with E-One. The agreement was to produce an album for Musiq Soulchild. In the suit, it is alleged that they were not properly compensated. My Block and Campbell sued seeking in excess of $500,000.
Here’s the latest: This month, Entertainment One denied Campbell and My Block’s allegations. The company counter-sued both accusing them of fraud.
E-One says that they signed the contract back in 2013. At the time, they say that the singer promised them that she was not under any restriction or prohibition, contractual or otherwise.
However, they say that after they released the albums, Sony Music informed them that Sony had not granted to Block any licenses over Campbell. They say that claims for unpaid songwriting royalties against E-One are false pointing out that at the time, Campbell was engaged in an exclusive publishing agreement with Sony and Bock had failed to secure the licenses.
E-One says that because of the deal, Campbell was legally obligated turn over a portion of songwriting monies she was paid directly to Sony as her music publishing designee.
The company insists that because Campbell did not inform them of the arrangement with Sony, they have had to pay $70,000 to Sony in mechanical royalties since 2015 in order to avoid any legal action by Sony.
E-One is suing Campbell and Block for fraud and seeking in excess of $70k in damages
Gospel artist and reality TV star Erica Campbell, of Mary Mary, has snagged her own radio show. Reach Media/Radio One has confirmed that beginning May 10th, her new 4-hour morning show will be called GET UP! MORNINGS WITH ERICA CAMPBELL and air 6-10a.
Erica Campbell confirmed the news, stating,
"I’m grateful to REACH MEDIA, RADIO ONE, DAN OTERO of GLOBE STAR MEDIA and WARRYN CAMPBELL, CEO of my BLOCK RECORDS, for believing in me and my ability to inspire America to Get Up!"
Reach Media’s David Kantor added,
"ERICA has mastered her craft in music and she’s winning in reality TV and even social media. I’m glad REACH MEDIA and RADIO ONE can provide her access to syndicated radio–another media to dominate and share her inspirational voice."
Erica’s new show comes on the heels of the end of Yolanda Adams morning show. Last week, Yolanda Adams confirmed that her show would not continue.
Erica Monique Campbell is an American urban contemporary gospel, Christian R&B, and contemporary R&B recording artist and musician. She started her music career, in 1998, with her younger sister, Tina Campbell, as half of the gospel music group, Mary Mary. Her solo music career began in 2013, while she has since released two albums with Entertainment One Music, where they both charted on the Billboard magazine charts. She won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album at the 57th edition of the event.
Andra Day Gives Us All The Life on Her First ESSENCE Cover
Soulful singer, retro beauty and ESSENCE Festival performer Andra Day graces the cover of our June issue, where she opens up about her journey to stardom and where she gets her signature style (hint: She loves to channel her inner Lucille Ball!).
“I like to say I was established in the cities, dragged through the decades and picked up a couple of things [from every era],” she said.
It’s her love of vintage artists—think Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday—that has turned her into one of today’s most recognizable voices. Her debut, jazz-infused album, Cheers to the Fall, immediately garnered critical acclaim—and it landed a permanent spot on our Spotify playlists.
“A lot of people think that Cheers to the Fall is about making a toast to the autumn season,” she said. “But the title itself means ‘Cheers to the possibility of criticism and cheers to the possibility of failure.’ I’m basically saying that I’m going for it without allowing fear to keep me from being who I’m really supposed to be.”
Also, wants to inspire people to rise up while drinking a Coke.
The Grammy-nominated singer's image and lyrics from her standout single "Rise Up" will appear exclusively on more than 40 million Coca-Cola cups at select McDonald's throughout the country, Coke officials told The Associated Press on Monday. Day's appearance on the red-and-white cups is an extension of the recently launched "Share a Cup and a Song" lyrics program.
The cups will be available May 2.
Super Tuesday! Hillary Wins 4 Bernie wins One!
Hillary Clinton beat Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in Pennsylvania’s Democratic presidential primary, nabbing the biggest prize in Tuesday’s elections and further widening her delegate lead over Sanders.
She also won Tuesday’s primary contests in Delaware Connecticut and Maryland, while Sanders won Rhode Island. “With your help, we’re going to come back to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention — with the most votes and the most pledged delegates,” Clinton jubilantly told a crowd at her election night party in Philadelphia. “And we will unify our party to win this election and build an America where we can all rise together — an America where we lift each other up instead of tearing each other down.”
Clinton won Pennsylvania in 2008 as well, in part because of her deep ties to the state. Her grandfather worked in a mill in Scranton, her father was born and raised there and Clinton herself often visited. It was a welcome win after she faced a string of losses to Barack Obama.
The former secretary of state brought up those local ties during a Friday rally in the northeastern part of the state when talking about her support for gun control measures.
“I want to be really clear about this, because I learned how to shoot a gun behind our cottage in Lake Winola. And I know how important gun ownership and particularly hunting is here in northeastern Pennsylvania,” she said. “And I want you to know that we can’t ignore the Second Amendment and we can’t ignore that 33,000 people a year die from gun violence. And I think we are smart enough to figure out how to do that.”
Clinton also had the backing of Democratic officials in the state, including the mayors of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the governor and the Democratic U.S. senator.
Clinton had been leading in the polls in the run-up to Tuesday, although it was by a small enough margin that many Sanders supporters hoped he could pull off a win there by winning over many of the state’s rural, white, working-class voters — some of whom may have supported Clinton over Obama in 2008. He attracted big crowds to his rallies and called the state’s contest “enormously important,“ stressing, as he often does, that he would do well if turnout was high.
Sanders spent election night in West Virginia, which holds its primary on May 10. He gave no indication that he intends to bow out before the convention, maintaining that he is best positioned to beat GOP front-runner Donald Trump in the general election
#RHOA: Sheree Whitfield Writing A Novel Based On Real Housewives Of Atlanta
Who gon check her Boo? Sheree Whitfield is currently occupying her time writing a dishy fictionalized novel about her experiences on Real Housewives Of Atlanta. Now you know the She By SheBroke shade is going to be epic, and you also know that Sheree needs that check, boo, so I’ll be sure to buy (and review – in fact I feel my heart palpitating at the thought!).
So just how based in reality will Sheree’s novel be? About as realistic as you average Real Housewives show! “Basically what I have done is created a reality show in print,” Sheree describes, and promises, “realistic situations, and at the same time, dripping with drama.”
“I wanted to take those very things – characteristics/issues/feelings/emotions/trials and tribulations that play out before viewers’ very eyes,” explains Sheree, “and form characters and situations around them.” Naturally there will be “plenty of shade being thrown in the pages of this book.”
So I see a MeMe character, and a Pam Z of Wigs-N-Cigs Manor, and Astraea, an attorney by day, a Machiavellian super villain by night, and a Nairobi Boore twirling near the axis of the sun trying to grab hold of the truth.
Rumor has it that Sheree’s book proposal spawned a bidding war between publishing houses so she walked away with a very lucrative deal. The novel will be set in Atlanta, of course, and will definitely feature some familiar settings and situations.
“You know how Law & Order describes their episodes as ‘ripped from the news headlines‘? Well, let’s just say the story line of my novel was ripped from reality show headlines,” Sheree tells Bravo’s Daily Dish. “And if you’re wondering if I’m referring to RHOA, let’s just say if you pick the right Georgia peach, it can be quite juicy.”
Unlike other Bravolebrities with books, Sheree is not writing a memoir, “Well, heck, you get to see my life play out every week, so there is no need for me to recap that, right? But it’s those things you don’t get to see that I’ve used as a template for this book.” So does that mean we will get behind the scenes dirt on her issues with Bob Whitfield, or the drama with Chateau Sheree?
Sheree’s novel will be released in Fall 2017 – right about the time she moves into Chateau Sheree…
#TEAMJUSSIE: Jussie Smollet congratulate his Sister Jurnee on her renewal of ‘Underground’
Yesterday we found out Jurnee Smollett’s new hot show "Underground" hit show just got renewed for a second season.
The WGN America runaway hit have people singing the revolutionary show's praises everywhere, and having a cult following has paid off. While Jussie was in Australia he got the news and sent his Sister a Tweet congratulating her. He said via Twitter: Congrats to my baby @jurneesmollett & the entire cast/crew of @UndergroundWGN 4 season 2! Well deserved👏🏿 #BreakFree
#NEWMUSIC: Fantasia – So Blue
Fantasia‘s new album “The Definition Of…” finally has a release date! The “Rock Soul” singer will be releasing her fifth studio album June 10th. The album is the follow up to her latest CD “Side Effects Of You” which came out in in 2013.
So far, Fantasia has provided us with different sides of her artistry as her latest single “Ugly” showcases a country flavor whereas her lead single “No Time For It” was a lot more progressive and modern.
LISTEN HERE
The new song “So Blue” has vibes that reminds us of the “Rock Soul” sound that Fantasia was trying to create with her last album. She is currently on the road with Anthony Hamilton as they headline their joint tour together.
YESSSSSS Fanny is back!
#HIPHOPNEWS: The Game Reveals Why Prince Collaboration Never Happened
The Game missed out on a chance to work with Prince. Over the weekend, after dropping his ode to the late icon with “Rest in Purple,” the Compton spitter revealed that he and the Purple One came close to collaborating.
“I wanted him to get on a song and he was down to do a song,” Game told TMZ. “He heard the song and there was one curse word in it. He was like, ‘Yo, I can’t get on that. It’s got a curse word in it.'”
But despite the opportunity to work with Prince, Game wasn’t willing to change his lyrics. “Prince became a Jehovah’s Witness and he cut out all that so we didn’t do the song because I needed that curse word,” he added. “I definitely needed it. I don’t even remember it but I just know that Prince wasn’t feeling it and I was and we laughed about it again when I saw him [at a later date].”
Prince died on Thursday (Apr. 21) of unknown causes. Since then, many have paid tribute to the Purple One, including Usher, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, and Frank Ocean.
Michael Strahan Apologized to Kelly Ripa For ‘Live’ Misfire
Cohosts talked over the weekend as daytime host drama unsettled network brass
Kelly Ripa has heard a lot of “I’m sorrys” in recent days, including from her cohost Michael Strahan.
Ripa, star of ABC’s morning chat show “Live with Kelly and Michael,” is due to return to the program Tuesday after sitting out most of last week. She was said to be upset that she was kept out of the loop for the network’s plan to switch Strahan to “Good Morning America” later this year. On Friday, staffers received an email from Ripa saying that she would come back to work on Tuesday.
In the meantime, she got apologies from Strahan and ABC boss Ben Sherwood, among others, for how the “GMA” affair was handled and for not telling her sooner.
“They talked over the weekend,” a source close to the show, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said of Ripa and Strahan. “I think Kelly appreciated the apology.”
Now, it may be Ripa’s turn to apologize. The cohost intends to say she’s sorry to fans who were puzzled by her absence and the attendant backstage drama, according to the insider.
Fans of the cohosts may want to savor their remaining days together. Buzz on the “Live” set is that Strahan’s exit, initially timed for sometime this summer, could happen as early as next month, to take advantage of the May “sweeps” ratings period.
Prince’s Sister, Tyka Nelson claiming Prince Had No Will Files Documents for his Estate!
WOW, it appears as though Prince really did NOT leave a will — according to new legal documents filed by his sister, Tyka Nelson.
According to TMZ: They have obtained documents filed in Minnesota, asking that she be appointed to probate Prince’s estate. She’s asking the judge to appoint her as a “special administrator.” Under Minnesota law, a special administrator is someone who is appointed when there is no executor named in a will.
Tyka says in her docs, “I do not know of the existence of a will and have no reason to believe that the decedent executed testamentary documents in any form.”
If Prince did indeed die without a will, the estate is divided equally among his siblings.
Tyka lists the people who are potential beneficiaries … all of whom are half brothers and sisters. They are John, Norrine, Sharon, Alfred and Omar. They are all living siblings of Prince. She also says she’s an heir.
It’s interesting … Tyka names Lorna as a deceased half sister who left no kids. Under Minnesota law Lorna’s out of the game when it comes to getting assets. But Tyka never even mentions Duane, reportedly Prince’s half-brother, who is also deceased.
Tyka then names Bremer Trust, National Association, which she wants to serve as the official administrator of Prince’s estate. Tyka says she wants Bremer Bank because they have provided financial services to Prince for years, and they are well versed in his affairs and best suited to protect his assets.
Hopefully, The family doesn’t spend the next few years fighting over his estate.
Wendy Williams says Rachel Roy must be getting paid by Beyoncé and Jay Z for ‘Lemonade’ drama
Wendy Williams thinks Beyoncé is a beautiful liar who concocted the freshly squeezed drama surrounding her new album “Lemonade.”
The always vocal daytime host believes Queen Bey and husband Jay Z may have paid off Rachel Roy to ignite infidelity rumors and suggest she’s “Becky with the good hair.”
"So Rachel Roy, first of all, you're not this fighting girl," Williams said Monday morning on “The Wendy Williams Show.”
Wendy Williams took issue with Bey's release date of "Lemonade."
“Unless you’re on Beyoncé's and Jay Z's payroll and they paid you to mix it up and add, for I guess, sales for the ‘Lemonade,’” she continued.
The fashion designer has faced renewed scrutiny the past two days from Beyoncé's infamous Beyhive amid speculation she’s the subject of Beyonce’s cheating anthem “Sorry.”
The singer’s lyrical dig at beau Jay Z’s rumored affair suggested: “He better call Becky with the good
Beyoncé seemed to address Jay Z's long speculated cheating in her song "Sorry" and fans decoded the track as an attack on Rachel Roy.
Roy, who was previously linked to the rapper in 2014, stirred up the swarm by seemingly responding in a now-deleted post, writing “good hair, don’t care.”
Aside from defending Roy, Williams also took issue with the “Single Ladies” star dropping her highly anticipated album on the heels of Prince’s death.
Beyonce and Jay Z appear to be very much Drunk in Love! The couple only had eyes for each other as they enjoyed another date courtside at the Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles on March 2, 2016. While it's rare to see the couple pack on PDA, at one point the rapper could be seen adoringly holding onto his love’s ankle. Scandalous, we know!
The singer later shared a series of family snaps from Halloween to her website on Nov. 9, 2015.
"Quite frankly, I wish Beyoncé had held off on the album after Prince. Like, the weekend had blown over,” the host, fittingly wearing purple, said.
“And Bill Cosby, don't get beside yourself. Long after Prince is gone, and Beyoncé and Jay Z are still together, we are going to circle back around and still deal with you,” she added.
Brittney Griner Agrees to Pay Child Support to Glory Johnson
*Brittney Griner and Glory Johnson have reached a child support settlement regarding their twins, born last year. If you recall, Griner wanted nothing to do with the babies, as she thought they may have been conceived via Johnson’s relationship with an ex boy toy.
According to Bossip, Brittney – who banks $1.1 million a year – will pay Glory a little over $2,500 a month, as well as cover 90% of the twins’ expenses – or an extra $2,835 a month for two nannies. The child support is part of a larger settlement package that the pair agreed to, which will also cover medical expenses and childcare for their daughters, Ava Simone and Solei Diem. Griner will start paying support beginning May 1.
Griner’s childcare contribution will decrease as the girls get older, according to the hearing minutes. She’ll also have to pay Johnson $8,505 in back childcare expenses.
As previously reported, Johnson announced her pregnancy just days before Brittney filed court docs seeking an annulment to their marriage of 28 days. The WNBA star’s baby girls were born prematurely last October, but were originally due in February.
Brittney cited “fraudulent statements” made by Johnson as the reason for seeking an end to their marriage. She also told ESPN that she had doubts about tying the knot since the two had been involved in a domestic dispute just weeks prior to walking down the aisle, but she felt pressure to move forward and start a family. “I went along with it and I knew I shouldn’t have and it was a huge mistake,” Griner said.
Griner admitted she and Glory agreed to have a child with the help of a fertility clinic. Johnson claims Griner wanted to play the role of father to the children, but changed her mind and refused to pay support until tests determined the babies weren’t fathered by Glory’s ex-BF.
Erica Campbell gets a Radio Show
Gospel artist and reality TV star Erica Campbell, of Mary Mary, has snagged her own radio show. Reach Media/Radio One has confirmed that beginning May 10th, her new 4-hour morning show will be called GET UP! MORNINGS WITH ERICA CAMPBELL and air 6-10a.
Erica Campbell confirmed the news, stating,
"I’m grateful to REACH MEDIA, RADIO ONE, DAN OTERO of GLOBE STAR MEDIA and WARRYN CAMPBELL, CEO of my BLOCK RECORDS, for believing in me and my ability to inspire America to Get Up!"
Reach Media’s David Kantor added,
"ERICA has mastered her craft in music and she’s winning in reality TV and even social media. I’m glad REACH MEDIA and RADIO ONE can provide her access to syndicated radio–another media to dominate and share her inspirational voice."
Erica’s new show comes on the heels of the end of Yolanda Adams morning show. Last week, Yolanda Adams confirmed that her show would not continue.
Erica Monique Campbell is an American urban contemporary gospel, Christian R&B, and contemporary R&B recording artist and musician. She started her music career, in 1998, with her younger sister, Tina Campbell, as half of the gospel music group, Mary Mary. Her solo music career began in 2013, while she has since released two albums with Entertainment One Music, where they both charted on the Billboard magazine charts. She won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album at the 57th edition of the event.
Congrats to her!
Sam Bradford demands trade after Eagles' move for No. 2 pick
The Philadelphia Eagles have been informed that quarterback Sam Bradford wants to be traded and will not be showing up for their offseason program any longer, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Sam Bradford's reaction may not have been part of the Eagles' careful plan for their quarterback situation. It probably should have been.
Bradford is upset at the Eagles' trade last week for the No. 2 overall pick to draft a quarterback.
Bradford, who re-signed with the Eagles earlier this offseason, "is mad and wants to show everyone who's best," a source told Schefter last week.
Executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman told Comcast SportsNet on Monday that he wanted "to reiterate our support for Sam Bradford and go back to our statements last week -- that Sam is our starting quarterback.
"His agent and Sam know how we feel about him. These workouts are voluntary. We look forward to seeing Sam again in the near future."
The Eagles acquired the No. 2 overall pick from the Cleveland Browns last Thursday in a blockbuster trade, using draft picks acquired in two previous trades. Roseman said the Eagles had been trying to move up ever since January and acknowledged that the team intends to take a quarterback with the No. 2 pick.
The Los Angeles Rams had already acquired the top overall pick from Tennessee for a slew of picks and have indicated they will take a quarterback. The Eagles will likely take either Cal's Jared Goff or North Dakota State's Carson Wentz, whichever is not taken by the Rams.
The Eagles made the trade despite signing Sam Bradford and former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel this offseason, doling out $34 million in guaranteed money to the quarterbacks ($22 million to Bradford on a two-year deal and $12 million to Daniel on a three-year contract).
Bradford, 28, started 14 games last season after the Eagles acquired him in an offseason trade with the Rams. The Eagles went 7-7 in his starts. He completed 65 percent of his pass attempts, throwing for 3,725 yards with 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
GOOD DAMN RIDDANCE!
Oh? Nicki Minaj's Brother Accuses Victim of Having Multiple Lovers
Last week rapper Nicki Minaj's older brother Jelani Maraj was indicted on felony child sex abuse charges after he was accused of repeatedly raping a 12-year-old girl
Jelani claims some other adult is to blame...
According to Bossip lawyers for Jelani have requested phone records, text messages, social media passwords and other evidence that they feel will prove the evidence of sexual assault being used against Jelani.
The legal docs read,
“Our firm has a good faith basis to believe that the complainant in this case has had intimate physical contact with a man who is not the defendant in this case and who is older than 17 years of age and who may have caused there to be physical evidence of repeated vaginal and anal penetration of the complainant.”
Oh wow and how would you know all that and not report them to the authorities since they were over the age of 17.
He might as well put the damn handcuffs on his self idiot.
#EGGPLANT NATION! Meet That Boyee in Da the Hood!
Meet That Thug Luva and he wants you to see his SCHLONG! Well Do you? Then GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSWF!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
ENJOY!
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES?
Your FABULOUS First Look: "Black Panther" From Ta-Nehisi Coates
Given The Honors bestowed on journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates in the past year—a MacArthur “genius” grant for his writing on race and politics, a National Book Award for his best-selling memoir, Between the World and Me—it’s a pleasant surprise that his next major project is a comic book. But the Atlantic magazine correspondent is an avowed Marvel fanboy, and the fact that he’s writing a new series for Black Panther, comics’ first mainstream black superhero, feels like the perfect pairing of subject and scribe. Black Panther debuts today, with art by Brian Stelfreeze, and in May the character joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain America: Civil War. (A stand-alone movie, helmed by Creed’s Ryan Coogler, is due in 2018.) Coates shares his take on comics’ newest claws célèbre.
The folks over at WIRED sat down for an interview. See below!
What sold you on the Black Panther gig?
I mean, it was Marvel and it was a comic book. I would have written anything for them. When I started reading comics, there was no Black Panther series in motion, and he wasn’t in the Avengers at that time either, so I wasn’t as up on him as other people. Once I went back and did the really heavy research, I began to feel like I had my particular take on the character.
The plot involves a terrorist attack on Black Panther’s kingdom of Wakanda, which spurs a popular revolt. How influenced were you by the ongoing war on terror?
A lot. I was also influenced by the recent wave of revolution through the Middle East and the American Revolution. Once these revolutions are done they might be perceived as heroic, but it doesn’t always look heroic at the time. It might look downright villainous. I mean, the American revolutionaries tarred and feathered people.
What’s your take on the politics of Wakanda?
Wakanda is the most advanced nation on earth—in certain renditions of Black Panther, these guys came up with a cure for cancer—and yet it has the most primitive form of governance on the planet: absolute monarchy. The one case an absolute monarch can make is “I keep the people safe.” What happens in a country where that’s no longer true? How do the people feel about that? That’s the story we’re telling.
Writing for comics has to be very different than writing Between the World and Me or one of your Atlantic pieces, like “The Case for Reparations.” What were the biggest challenges in tackling a new genre?
In prose, you can tell people what you see. In comic books, you have to imagine what the thing looks like and give some sort of direction to the artist—and then on top of that, you have to be extremely open to the artist. A very specific example of this is the powers [Black Panther’s alter ego] T’challa has. We knew he has this Vibranium-weave suit, we knew he could absorb punches, but Brian came up with this idea of really using that notion of absorption: What if he could push [the kinetic energy] back out? That’s a kind of synergy that doesn’t exist when you’re writing a book and doesn’t exist too much when you’re writing an article.
What else came out of your collaboration with Brian?
Brian came up with this idea of tech bracelets that all Wakandans are born with. You can use the tech bracelet to text, but you can also use the tech bracelet to throw up a video projection. And throughout the course of the life of a Wakandan, you get beads that differentiate you. The idea is so creative, so big and beautiful, that I’m struggling with ways to use it. I never would have thought of that, ever.
Did you ever feel you were getting too didactic?
Not really—I have a venue to express my political thought. This isn’t my chance to talk about #BlackLivesMatter in comic book form. This is not a propaganda sheet. This is supposed to be exhilarating, fun to read. The politics are in the background. What’s in front is people punching each other.
Do you think you’ll continue doing the comic after this yearlong series?
I’d like to. It’s like being a kid again; it’s like playing in the sandbox. I love it.
And we agree! Black Panther will make his debut in the upcoming Captain America: Civil War film !
Black Panther is available for viewing NOW!
#RHOA:Did Cynthia Bailey go back to LEON?
Cynthia Bailey has made it obvious that her and not so fan favorite Peter are no longer together.
Speaking with Bravo Cynthia gave a quote stating that her and Peter Thomas were “definitely not together” right now.
Per Cynthia: “The status of our relationship is we are not in a good place. Peter is in Charlotte, and as you can see, I’m in New York. We’re definitely not together. I have been taking some time for myself to just kind of figure out how I would like to move forward. We haven’t officially done anything at this point, but we are definitely talking about taking steps to officially move forward in a different direction.”
I don’t think this surprised many people as Cynthia and Peter seemed to have an awkward relationship from the start! Between the cheating rumors and the distance between the two- there didn’t seem to be much hope for their relationship.
With a divorce seeming inevitable – fans have been raising eyebrows at who she has been seen with around town and rumors are swirling that the two are dating.
Who is the new mystery boyfriend? None other than her daughter’s father, ex-fiancée Leon Robinson! Cynthia has hinted at this, as she has recently called not husband Peter – but Leon her soul mate! She even told Peter when they first got together that Leon was part of the package.
Leon is an actor who has starred in movies such as The Temptations and a personal favorite of mine – Cool Runnings!
While it’s easy to say that Cynthia is just hanging out with him because they share a child together – Cynthia seems to recently keep bringing him up in interviews and as she is separated from Peter it does seem suspicious. Maybe we will get to see Derice Bannock next season on RHOA (Cool Runnings reference!)
Do you think Cynthia is secretly dating Leon?
#EMPIRENEWS: Jussie Smollett and Serayah has new tracks 'Like My Daddy' and “Look But Don’t Touch,”
All is not well in the Lyon’s den on this week’s episode of Empire.Just after Hakeem turned on Lucious to take control of Empire Records in the midseason premiere, it appears as if Jamal, too, might soon reach his limit with the Lyon patriarch. In “Like My Daddy,” premiering exclusively on EW, Jamal (Jussie Smollett) takes shots at Lucious in a song unlike we’ve ever heard from the normally soft-spoken singer.
With biting lines like, “It’s hard to love the devil, he’s a hater,” and, “You sing of loyalty, but you the snitchin’ ass bitch,” it’s clear that Jamal has had enough of Lucious’ machinations. On the show, Jamal’s songs are usually more polished and uplifting, but “Like My Daddy” is a clear departure from that norm. Smollett shifts from singing to almost screaming over a distorted piano and percussion synth, erupting in gunshots during the chorus. Listen to it HERE
In other Empire soundtrack news, the network also released “Look But Don’t Touch,” a solo venture from Serayah McNeill as Tiana. The sleek pop song was produced by Jim Beanz, and as McNeill previously told EW, the track gave her “a little taste of being on tour and going solo. … It’s so catchy; I feel like the fans will love it.”
Listen HERE
Both songs will appear on “A Rose By Any Other Name,” airing Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. ET on Fox.
New Music: Monica – Hustler’s Ambition (Remix) Featuring Akon & Young Jeezy
Monica has made the
tune “Alone In Your Heart” the next single off her album, but she’s also decided
to drop a remix to her duet with Akon.
The new version of
“Hustler’s Ambition” features a verse from Young Jeezy. The original version of
the song can be found on Monica‘s album which came out late last
year.
No word on whether “Hustler’s Ambition” will be officially released as a single sometime in the future, but it doesn’t look like she is finished promoting the album.
LISTEN HERE
Monica wrapped up the first leg of her “Code Red” tour back in December and she’s announced that she’s currently working on a second part. Stay tuned for tour dates!
#HOTNEWHIPHOP: New Music: Phife Dawg – ‘Nutshell’
Phife Dawg lives on. Nearly two weeks after his passing, a new song from the Tribe Called Quest MC has been released.
The J Dilla-produced “Nutshell” dropped today as a reminder of some of Phife’s greatest qualities. “Undefeated, unblemished, underrated,” he rhymes on the track. “Unfiltered, unafraid, unaffected / Undaunted, unabashed, and undeniable.”
The song is set to appear on a posthumous album called Give Thanks, which his family plans to release. “Phife loved his fans, and was so excited for them to hear his new music. I feel like he would have wanted it this way,” said his wife Deisha, while his manager, Dion Liverpool, added, “The single displays Phife’s legendary wordplay as he describes himself, in a nutshell, so to speak.”
Phife’s family will donate 50 percent of proceeds from the song to the American Diabetes Association and the National Kidney Foundation.
Download “Nutshell” on iTunes and watch the video HERE
R.I.P Phife!
Erica Campbell Shares Exclusive Pics from Hair Line Photoshoot
If you keep up with the MaryMary show on We TV, you know Erica Campbell loves wigs. That’s why her teaming up with celebrity hair stylist Vernon Martin didn’t come as a surprise.
Campbell was tapped a few months ago to be the ambassador of his VeMa Couture Hair company. And the partnership extends way beyond a few photos and endorsements; they’ve actually created a 100% Indian hair line called “Erica by Erica Campbell,” which carries unique hair extensions and wigs.
Check out the photos below:
From the looks of Instagram, EC is in Baltimore doing another shoot for a few new pieces coming to her hair line. She’s been in the DMV area performing in Evangel Art’s “More Than Triumphant” spring production alongside Kim Burrell, Donnie McClurkin and Travis Greene, clearly, keeping busy…
Tamar Braxton Previews ‘Tamar Collection’ & Is Honored With Her Own Day In Arkansas
Tamar Braxton headed to Little Rock, Arkansas with her sister Towanda over the weekend, where she previewed her clothing line, “Tamar Collection,” and was also honored with her very own day.
“Yes, I was recently honored in the great state of Arkansas and I’m proud to say guess what. April 2nd is officially Tamar Braxton Day!” the singer and reality star shares, while chatting with her fellow The Real co-hosts.
She brought her plaque on set to show to the ladies and the crowd. “Yes, oh my God. It’s right here,” she excitedly says. “Yes, me and my sister went to Arkansas for a fashion show. And you know, unbeknownst to me, the Secretary of the State came out with this award and was like, [Snaps.] “It’s Tamar Braxton Day today!” And I said, “Look at God!”
She also shared photos on Instagram from the event, which show the models rockin’ the runway in her pieces. From a sexy blue mini dress, to a green jumper, and a breezy white dress that’s right on time for spring.
“I recall when i just wanted to sing,” she added on Instagram. “Now I have my OWN day April 2nd in Arkansas.. I’m not even from here.. I’m so full.. Thank you so much Jesus.”
Congrats Tamar!
A Speedy Gonzalez movie is reportedly zooming into theaters
Warner Bros. is reportedly working on an animated movie version of the famous Looney Tunes character who's touted as the fastest mouse in Mexico. Eugenio Derbez would voice the lead role.
"In Mexico, we grew up watching Speedy Gonzales," the actor told Deadline. "He was like a superhero to us, or maybe more like revolutionario, like Simon Bolivar or Pacho Villa."
Producer Dylan Sellers tells Deadline the film will be an "origin story." He also name-dropped a certain tawny-haired politician who's been known to spew anti-Mexican rhetoric as partial inspiration.
“In a time when Donald Trump is gaining momentum, the world needs Speedy more than ever," he says.
The cartoon has a contentious place in history, however, because of its offensive Mexican stereotypes. On the DVD box set for Looney Tunes, a disclaimer appears before Speedy portions.
“The cartoons you are about to see are products of their time," it reads. "They may depict some of the ethnic and racial prejudices that were commonplace in American society. These depictions were false then and are still false today."
Some took to Twitter to voice their disapproval of the news.
Think about how much a Speedy Gonzales feature film will cost & then think about what other idea the money could instead be invested in.
— Shadow And Act (@shadowandact) April 4, 2016
"So about this movie with Latino leads..."
"It won't sell. Not mainstream enough"
"Hey, how about a Speedy Gonzales movie?"
"SOLD!"
— Film Fatale NYC (@FilmFatale_NYC) April 4, 2016
"We want more diversity in Hollywood"
"Hmm what if we do a Speedy Gonzales movie?" https://t.co/SS3oI3KWsV
— Arielle Thode (@ariellefrancey) April 4, 2016
But on the flipside, some pointed out that the character still has fans, especially in Mexico.
So... they announce a Speedy Gonzales movie and people cry racism... totally ignoring that HERE IN MEXICO he is a really popular icon.
— Hugo Arrambide (@Avencri) April 4, 2016
It's odd seeing U.S. reports snicker at the SPEEDY GONZALES movie while the Mexican actor/producer is like "This is REALLY beloved here."
— Bob Chipman (@the_moviebob) April 4, 2016
LOL!..Well what are your thoughts?
Timbaland Wins Legal Battle Accusing Him of Stealing Music
Timbaland scored a victory in the legal battle accusing him of stealing a musician’s work and using it as his own for a Michael Jackson track, with the artist who filed suit against the music producer dismissing all claims against him without being paid.
A musician named Sidney Swanson filed a federal lawsuit against MJJ Productions – the company in charge of releasing the Michael Jackson’s music, Timbaland and Sony Music.
The man explained he released a song entitled “On the Move” back in 2002. He accused Timbaland of stealing his music for the song, “Chicago” – which he produced and was featured on Michael Jackson’s posthumous album “Xscape” – and he filed suit for copyright infringement.
He demanded damages for the copyright infringement along with an injunction against MJJ Productions, Timbaland and Sony from continuing to distribute the song.
Timbaland fired back at the unknown musician’s allegations that he stole music for Michael’s song, “Chicago”. The music producer denied all claims he infringed on the man’s copyright.
He explained that he produced MJ’s song by himself and created it independently. He even said the musician doesn’t even own a valid copyright to his 2002 song and therefore he cannot even sue for infringement.
Timbaland demanded the entire lawsuit be thrown out and the man be awarded NOTHING.
Then on March 24th, docs were filed in the case by Swanson explaining he is dismissing all claims against Timblanad and Sony Music and he will not be able to re-file the suit ever again.
Swanson says he is dismissing his entire lawsuit against the music producer and label over claims they infringed on his copyright. Further, he has agreed with the defendants to not seek any money from them for his court costs. He also acknowledges under oath that even though he is dismissing his lawsuit he is not being paid a dime from Timbaland or the label.
Paris Jackson gets tattoo tribute to her late father Michael to celebrate 18th birthday
Paris, who celebrated her milestone birthday on Sunday, had the words 'Queen of My Heart' tattooed on her wrist in her father's handwriting.
'To everyone else he was the King of Pop,' she captioned the image. 'To me, well, he was the king of my heart.'
Paris got her inking at Timeless Tattoo 738 by LA based artist Justin Lewis.
The tattoo artist wrote on his own Instagram account: 'Paris Michael Jackson got her tattoo today, letters from her father, so sweet'.
June 25th will mark the seven year anniversary of the King Of Pop's death.
Michael passed away in 2009 at the age of 50. He left behind three children, including Paris.
The tattoo artist wrote on his own Instagram account: 'Paris Michael Jackson got her tattoo today, letters from her father, so sweet'.
June 25th will mark the seven year anniversary of the King Of Pop's death.
Michael passed away in 2009 at the age of 50. He left behind three children, including Paris.
She is the only daughter of the late King of Pop, and has 19-year-old brother Prince Michael and 14-year-old brother 'Blanket' (whose real name is also Prince Michael).
Stevie J Upset About MiMi's Lesbian Storyline on LHHATL!
On the season premier of Love and Hip Hop Atlanta MiMi Faust has a coming out party to introduce Atlanta to her new lesbian lover Chris
MiMi's baby father Stevie J does not approve...
Stevie J tells TMZ he doesn't want his daughter with MiMi raised in a lesbian household.
Stevie also accuses MiMi of only pretending to be gay for her Love and Hip Hop storyline.
Stevie tells TMZ he plans to talk to MiMi about his concerns before he decides wether or not to take legal action.
Beyonce Lawsuit Filed Against Ripoff Company Called ‘Feyonce’
*You would think that since Beyonce is an ultra-high profile person that no one would be stupid enough to try and jack her name to promote their business.
Yep, you think that. But, that’s exactly the case for a company that now finds itself in the legal cross hairs of the singer and cultural phenomenon who is known all over the world.
Beyonce, according to TheWrap, filed a lawsuit against a company that’s selling products branded with the word “Feyonce.” Of course the claim is that the products infringe on her trademark. And she’s right.
The suit, filed Tuesday in federal court in New York, takes issue with a line of clothing bearing the phrase “Feyonce.”
The company selling the products, Feyonce Inc., also offers a mug with the phrase “He put a ring on it,” a play on the lyrics to Beyonce’s hit “Single Ladies.”
The suit claims that the Feyonce brand “is nearly identical to Plaintiffs’ famous Beyonce trademark.
“Despite letters from Plaintiffs to Defendants demanding that they cease and desist from selling their infringing activities, Defendants continue to sell unauthorized products and to trade upon the goodwill associated with Plaintiffs, all for Defendants’ profit,” the lawsuit reads.
Feyonce has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.
As the complaint points out, Beyonce owns numerous trademark registrations for her mark, including for “entertainment services, clothing, mobile digital electronic devices, fragrances and makeup.”
The suit claims that the alleged infringing products are “causing irreparable harm” to the singer. Well, we don’t quite buy that, but we get her point.
Trust, it won’t be long before we’re reporting that this “Feyonce” entity is either out of business or at the least has been forced to change their name and/or made to stop ripping off Beyonce.
#EGGPLANT NATION: GRRRRRL! BEARD PATROL!
Yeah he isn’t your Dad’s Grizzly Adams. Yeah, I know you wanna see more. Well GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSWF!
Thank Me Later!
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
