The New York Times Magazine! Presents The Music Issue!
It usually takes a while — a decade or two — before we can look back at a particular era of American life and see it as something coherent, something whose every aspect is marked by one overarching mood. It takes a certain amount of hindsight to notice how all the wildly different reactions people had to the moment were still, in the end, reactions to the same thing; all the different poses they adopted were still being struck against the same backdrop.
But this era — this year, and the last one, and one or two before that — might be an exception. There’s an oddly strong in-the-moment consensus on how everyone is feeling these days, and it is not good. At some point it became a routine conversational tic for all sorts of people, of all sorts of persuasions, to express, with an incredulous gesture, that things feel a bit grueling and frantic lately, don’t they? Musicians are no exception. “Life is pretty tumultuous right now for all of us,” said the crossover country star Kacey Musgraves, while accepting a Grammy for the Album of the Year. The Swedish singer Robyn acknowledges that “pop at the moment is depressing” in an interview midway through this issue. “The music kids are listening to is heavy! Maybe it’s hard to be positive and optimistic at the moment.”
Get more HERE
#RHoA: Did you see Eva Marcille’s New Super Short Haircut at the Season 11 Reunion?
Eva Marcille has proven that she can rock just about any hairstyle — from a chic, choppy lob to super long hip-grazing braids. So, when The Real Housewives of Atlanta beauty arrived at the Season 11 reunion taping with a brand new haircut, you better believe the new look was fierce. Watch the video above to see Eva's very short new 'do.
"I just cut off my hair. I'm just getting used to it," the model told The Lookbook backstage of her pixie. Fashionable and low-maintenance? What's not to love about Eva's short cut?
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8/7c.
#Empire: Jussie Smollett makes court appearance 'to show confidence in his innocence'
"Empire" actor Jussie Smollett on Tuesday appeared at a hearing in Chicago on whether cameras would be allowed in court for the criminal case over his allegedly staging a racist, homophobic attack on himself.
He was not required to appear before a judge, but a representative for Smollett told NBC News he chose to “to show confidence in his innocence.”
“He will do everything he needs to do,” Anne Kavanagh said. “He will go the extra mile to cooperate with the process.” Neither the state nor Smollett's defense team objected to cameras being allowed in court.
Judge LeRoy Martin of the Cook County court said media would be allowed at Smollett's hearing Thursday morning at which time a judge will be assigned to his case. That judge will make a decision on media coverage for the duration of Smollett's case, he said.
Smollett's attorneys, Mark Geragos and Tina Glandian, neither of whom is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, filed motions Monday requesting to be allowed to represent him in the case. The judge on Tuesday approved Glandian's request.
Smollett, who is free on $100,000 bond, went through security at the court without answering questions reporters shouted at him.
The actor, who is black and gay, was indicted last week by a grand jury in Chicago on 16 felony counts for allegedly falsely reporting to police that two men hurled racist and homophobic slurs before beating him.
Smollett told police on Jan. 29 that his attackers poured a chemical, possibly bleach, over him and put a noose around his neck.
Police initially treated the incident as a hate crime, but later said Smollett paid two brothers, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, $3,500 to carry out the assault.
After Smollett's arrest, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson said the actor was unhappy with his salary on Fox’s drama series “Empire” and sent himself a letter containing racist language, and when that did not work, he allegedly paid the two brothers to orchestrate the attack.
An attorney for Smollett said in a statement Friday that the indictment was “prosecutorial overkill” and “redundant and vindictive.”
“Jussie adamantly maintains his innocence even if law enforcement has robbed him of that presumption,” Geragos said.
#NewMusic from Angie Stone – Dinosaur
R&B/Soul veteran Angie Stone returns to the limelight with the brand new single, “Dinosaur.”
On the sultry track, backed by hard-hitting hip-hop drums, Stone schools women who can’t seem to let go of the past to move forward and trust again. And when sister Angie sings, we listen!
“You’re going to find what you’re looking for / Keep doing that research / And when it surfaces, it’s going to hurt,” Stone delivers. “And now you’re trying to figure out what’s worse / Look at you mad again / But you can’t be mad at him.”
LISTEN HERE
“Dinosaur” will most likely appear on Stone‘s next studio album, which will be her eighth. She released her seventh studio effort back in November 2015 via Shanachie Records in collaboration with Conjunction Entertainment and TopNotch Music. The set debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top Hip-Hop/R&B Albums chart.
#HipHopNews: Lil’ Kim Announces New Album ‘NINE’
It’s been nearly 14 years since Lil’ Kim released an album. But the Queen Bee is finally ready to make her return.
During a visit to Funkmaster Flex at Hot 97, where she reflected on the 22nd anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.’s death, Kim revealed the title of her long-awaited fifth album—Nine.
“It’s called Nine and there’s a lot of meaning behind that,” said Kim.
As fans pointed out, the number nine has a lot of significance to Kim. March 9 is the day Biggie died and June 9 is the day her daughter Royal Reign was born. This is also her ninth project, including four albums and four mixtapes.
Nine marks Kim’s first album since 2005’s The Naked Truth, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. Last month, she dropped her new single “Go Awff,” for which a video is expected to debut soon.
During her interview with Flex, Kim also revealed that she’s planning a “super special” event in honor of Biggie’s birthday in May, which may include a reunion with Junior M.A.F.I.A.
“If we’re all going to come together as a family again, everybody has to feel like there’s a respect there,” said Kim. “What I would like to see happen in my perfect world is me, the whole Junior M.A.F.I.A., Un [Lance Rivera], Faith [Evans], Ma$e… If Puff would be willing to be a part of what we want to do, it would be amazing.”
Felicity Huffman, Lori Loughlin among 50 charged in college admissions scam for unworthy kids, prosecutors say
Hollywood actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin have been charged in a nationwide college-entrance cheating scam, according to federal court records unsealed on Tuesday.
Huffman, Loughlin, and 48 other individuals — including a slew of wealthy executives and attorneys — engaged in “large-scale, elaborate fraud” to create a “rigged system” at elite American universities like Yale, Stanford, USC, and UCLA, according to prosecutors. In some cases, they allegedly used imposters to stand in for the children at exams or bribed athletic recruiters to recruit their children, even if they didn’t end up playing that sport in college.
Federal prosecutors cited one example where parents paid a $400,000 bribe to Yale’s women’s soccer coach so that their daughter could attend the school. She didn't play soccer.
The investigation is ongoing, and more parents and coaches are believed to be involved.
"This case is about the widening corruption of elite college admissions," United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Andrew E. Lelling said during a press conference Tuesday.
Huffman, best known for her role in “Desperate Housewives,” and Loughlin, known for her role as Aunt Becky in the wholesome sitcom “Full House,” have both been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud, which means the defendants deprived worthy individuals of honest services.
Officials said 38 defendants were already in custody, including Huffman and Loughlin. Seven other defendants are expected to turn themselves in, and authorities are still in pursuit of one individual.
Huffman made a phony charitable contribution of $15,000 “to participate in the college entrance exam cheating scheme on behalf of her eldest daughter” to correct their incorrect test answers after the fact, according to charging documents. She later attempted to make the same arrangements for her younger daughter, though ultimately decided against it, according to the documents. Federal agents recorded phone calls between Huffman and a cooperating witness.
Loughlin and her husband, the fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, paid half a million dollars to have their two daughters recruited as members of the USC crew team — even though neither girl ended up rowing crew, according to the documents. Prosecutors charged Loughlin and Giannulli based on emails as well as a phone call in which she appeared to agree to lie that she and her husband gave money as a charitable donation instead of an alleged bribe on their daughters’ behalf.
“So we just have to say we made a donation to your foundation, and that’s it, end of story?” Loughlin said during a recorded phone call with a cooperating witness, according to the charging documents.
“That is correct,” the witness responded. “OK,” Loughlin said.
Numerous coaches and athletic department officials were also implicated in the alleged scam. Yale women's soccer coach Rudy Meredith is facing wire fraud charges, and Stanford sailing coach John Vandemoer has been charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering.
Other alleged offenders include Jane Buckingham, the CEO of a boutique marketing firm, and Manuel Henriquez, the CEO of Hercules Capital.
One of the scheme’s alleged ringleaders, William Rick Singer, would take "staged photographs" of children playing sports — and even photoshopped their faces onto the pictures of other athletes, according to prosecutors. Parents paid him between $100,000 and $6.5 million to participate in the scam, prosecutors said at a press conference. Singer has been charged with racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the U.S., and obstruction of justice.
Mail fraud charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years, though offenders often get probationary sentences.
Kim Kardashian Will Reportedly Pay Former Inmate's Rent For Next Five Years
Ever since Kim Kardashian West stepped into the prison reform and criminal justice realm by assisting with Alice Johnson's case in May 2018, the mother-of-three hasn't been able to slow down.
The most recent case that Mrs. West has decided to add to her plate is the story of former inmate Matthew Charles. Similar to Johnson, Charles was sentenced to prison for a nonviolent drug offense. The Tennessee native served 20 years of his 35-year sentence and was released under the new First Step Act.
Charles was released on Jan. 3 and was successful in purchasing a car as well as finding a job, however, he has struggled up until recently in finding a home due to his criminal history and lack of credit. Now, thanks to Kardashian-West, Charles will have a place to call home and, reportedly, will not have to pay rent for the next five years, Buzzfeed reports.
"I just received the most wonderful news tonight that I just had to share with everyone," Charles shared in a Facebook post. "Kim Kardashian-West, through Tracy, said they heard about my situation. Was moved and has decided to help me. And to me in an unbelievable way."
"Kim did not do this for attention or publicity," he continued. "but I had to share it because it's to [sic] good not to, and my heart is about to burst with happiness, that I wish you to rejoice in this news with me."
The beauty mogul's team heard of Charles' story this past Sunday (March 10) after seeing a USA Today story disclosing the former inmate's housing struggles. Charles hopes to find a home by the end of the week in Nashville, Tenn., while details are still being worked out financially with Kardashian-West's team.
Over the next five years, Charles hopes to save up enough money to purchase a house of his own.
It’s The Roots Picnic 2019: H.E.R., 21 Savage, Raphael Saadiq and More!
The Roots have announced their annual Roots Picnic music festival, set to take place at the Mann Center at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia on June 1. In addition to a headlining performance by the Roots, celebrating the 20-year anniversary of their album Things Fall Apart, the fest will also feature sets by H.E.R., 21 Savage, Blueface, Raphael Saadiq, Queen Naija, City Girls, Lil Baby, and others. Joe Budden will deliver a live taping of “The Joe Budden Podcast,” while Roots bandleader Questlove will also hold a taping of his “Questlove Supreme” podcast.
Tickets for the 2019 Roots Picnic go on sale March 15. Find more info on those here
Wendy Williams Launches Drug and Substance Abuse Hotline
Wendy Williams is looking to combat the nation’s ongoing drug and substance abuse epidemic with the creation of her very own hotline, 1-888-5HUNTER (6837). The talk show host’s Hunter Foundation teamed up with T.R.U.S.T., a case management organization, to provide a wide variety of resources to those in need.
“We must all come together to respond to this crisis of addiction and substance abuse,” Williams said in a statement.
Accessible 24 hours a day, the hotline will led by certified recovery coaches who will provide assessments and match callers with corresponding treatment facilities including detox, rehabilitation, sober living and outpatient centers.
The hotline will also provide resources to loved ones and family members of those suffering from drug addiction or substance abuse. Members of the general public can call the hotline for education and awareness information.
Highlighting the severity of the epidemic, Williams continued, “Everyone is at risk from the inner cities to more affluent communities. My family and I are very proud to partner with T.R.U.S.T. to get people the help that they so desperately need, especially if they or their families have given up hope. There is hope.”
Founded in 2014 by Wendy Williams, her husband Kevin Hunter and their son Kevin Jr., the Hunter Foundation is a non-profit that provides grants for drug education, prevention and rehabilitation programs.
Visit the www.hunter-foundation.org/help/ for more information.
Jennifer Lopez Shares Photos of Alex Rodriguez's Proposal
Jennifer Lopez is sharing pictures of a very special moment!
The 49-year-old superstar posted pictures of her now fiance Alex Rodriguez proposing to her on her Instagram on Tuesday (March 12).
“3.9.19✨♥️” she captioned the sweet series of images depicting Alex on bended knee at the beach presenting Jennifer with her giant engagement ring.
“Locking it down. 💙 #futuremrsrodriguez,” Alex wrote on his own Instagram.
Jennifer and Alex have been together since March 2017 and made their red
#FASHIONNEWS: Kimora Lee Simmons Buys Back Baby Phat, Plans Relaunch
Even though her husband Tim Leissner is in a slew of trouble after being accused of money laundering and stealing from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, it doesn’t look like it’s affected Kimora Lee Simmons Leissner’s focus any.
Because on Friday, March 8, the former model and current businesswoman announced the return of Baby Phat, the fashion brand that was everywhere in the early 2000s and worn by multiple celebrities.
The brand was also an offshoot of her then-husband Russell Simmons‘ menswear label Phat Farm, which was under his company Phat Fashions. In its heyday, Baby Phat reached sales north of $1 billion.
In a recent interview, Leissner said she recently brought back the brand, which will be re-released this spring, but kept what she paid for it under wraps. The 43-year-old also announced the relaunch will include her two daughters Ming & Aoki Lee Simmons, ages 19 and 16 respectively.
“We had to hunt around to find it,” Leissner told WWD.
In 2004 the brand was sold to Kellwood, and from 2000 to 2010 Leissner served as the company’s creative director and eventually became the president. She left Baby Phat after it began to suffer financially.
The new line, she said, will have a touch of its “retro” designs coupled with a 2019 look, and it’ll be a “mainstream sportswear” collection geared towards millennials.
“We’re working fast and furiously and have a lot up our sleeves,” she said. “It’s perfect timing for this. Over the past several years, we realized the brand resonates with people and lives deep in their souls.”
Other big brands from yesteryear that made a recent comeback include Von Dutch, which became popular again once Kylie Jenner posted a photo of herself wearing one if its jackets.
Juicy Couture, made popular by Jennifer Lopez, also came back last year.
Additionally, FUBU, started by “Shark Tank’s” Daymond John, Keith Perrin, Carlton Brown, and Alexander Martin, relaunched on March 1, and its items can be purchased online and at the Century 21 store in lower Manhattan.
Steven Spielberg Denies Claims That He Wants To Ban Netflix Movies From The Oscars: “I Absolutely Did Not Say That'”
Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg deny claims that they’ve been trying to block #Netflix movies from competing for Academy Awards.
According to recent reports, DreamWorks founders, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, have been planning to have Netflix films banned from the annual Post-Oscars meeting. However, according to Katzenberg, himself, the rumors are false.
“I talked to Steven about this yesterday. I asked him very specifically — I don’t have any skin in this game anymore — he said, ‘I absolutely did not say that,'” Katzenberg said, per The Hollywood Reporter. “He actually said nothing.”
“What happened is a journalist was onto a story about this and had heard a rumor about Steven,” Katzenberg added. “They called a spokesperson to get a comment and honestly, just twisted it around. One, Steven didn’t say that, and two, he is not going to the academy in April with some sort of plan. But he has not opined at all, nor has he aligned with some specific thing.”
The hearsay all started when Spielberg said he felt streaming-only movies don’t “play by the same rules” as traditional studio films, and therefore do not deserve to be submitted for Oscar consideration. Additionally, Spielberg was not happy about Netflix’s “Roma” – which was nominated for 10 Oscars – not following the 90-day theatrical window to apply to be considered for an Oscar. The film instead sought a three-week exclusivity release before its debut on Netflix.
Apparently, the rumor that Spielberg was for a Netflix ban was further pushed by a spokesperson from Amblin Entertainment, the film and television production company co-founded by Spielberg, who said: “Steven feels strongly about the difference between the streaming and theatrical situation.”
“He’ll be happy if the others will join [his campaign] when that comes up [at the Academy Board of Governors meeting]. He will see what happens,” the spokesperson added.
However, during an interview with ITV News in 2018, Spielberg did mention that Netflix films are better suited for the Emmys. “Once you commit to a television format, you’re a TV movie. You certainly, if it’s a good show, deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar,” he said. “I don’t believe films that are just given token qualifications in a couple of theaters for less than a week should qualify for the Academy Award nomination.”
Britney Spears Broadway musical “Once Upon a One More Time,” will open in Chicago!
in Chicago has a new jukebox musical featuring the song stylings of Spears, sometimes described as the Princess of Pop.
Titled “Once Upon a One More Time,” the new, Broadway-bound project will feature an original story that involves “fairy tale princesses gathering for their book club,” only to be handed a copy of “The Feminine Mystique” by “a rouge fairy godmother.” Thereafter, presumably, Cinderella, Snow White et al have an awakening, all scored by Spears hits, many of which walked a fine line between empowerment and objectification.
With a book by Jon Hartmere, “Once Upon a One More Time” is to be directed by Kristin Hanggi (Jerry Mitchell is no longer attached to the project). Choreography is by Keone and Mari Madrid, a duo known for working with Justin Bieber.
The show will bow at the James M. Nederlander Theatre (formerly the Oriental, 24 W. Randolph St.) on Oct. 29. Opening night is Nov. 13 and performances runs through Dec. 1, before heading to Broadway at a yet-unspecified date.
The Britney Spears show single tickets go on sale Aug. 4; the show also will be part of the Broadway in Chicago subscription series, which goes on sale April 7.
R. Kelly Says His “Spirit” Encouraged Him To Share His Truth in CBS Interview
Amid overwhelming allegations, damning evidence and an indictment on sexual abuse charges, R. Kelly says his “spirit” encouraged him to speak out and tell the truth.
Last week, the self-proclaimed Pied Piper sat down with Gayle King to address “old rumors, new rumors, future rumors” pertaining to his alleged relations with young and underaged girls. The interview served as Kelly’s first public comments since his arrest on 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse, and provided an opportunity for Kelly to plead his case.
However, shortly into the interview, Kelly lost it – which, in turn, sparked speculation of either a mental breakdown or a hoax. But, despite the negative reception, Kelly said he gives “zero f*cks” about the court of public opinion because he has spiritual guidance.
According to TMZ, sources close to the singer say he is in touch with his “spirit,” and even listens to it more than the people around him. In fact, Kelly reportedly credited his “spirit” for encouraging the sit down with King, as he believed he owed it to himself and his fans to tell his side of the story.
Steph & Ayesha Curry Launch STEM Scholarship Program for Girls
Ayesha and Steph Curry announced on March 8 the launch of a STEM scholarship program for young women from San Francisco’s Bay Area.
The program will target girls interested in science, technology, education and math (STEM) careers. It was inspired by 9-year-old Riley Morrison, who sent a letter to the NBA superstar in November 2018, expressing disappointment as a fan that his Under Armour sneaker was unavailable in girls’ sizes.
Steph collaborated with Morrison for the design of his latest sneaker, the Curry 6 United We Win, released on International Women’s Day. The profits from the shoe will help fund the scholarship program.
“Inspired by a nine year-old Riley Morrison, who had the courage to speak out against gender inequality, The Stephen & Ayesha Curry Family Foundation is funding an annual scholarship that’s given to a college-bound female student from the Bay Area who has shown an aptitude for overcoming adversity, catalyzing change within her community and demonstrating excellence in a STEM-related field of study,” according to a statement about the program.
Statistics show that there are low numbers of women in the scientific research industry. According to Catalyst.org, “Women accounted for less than a third (28.8%) of those employed in scientific research and development (R&D) across the world in 2014.”
The Golden State Warrior point guard previously addressed the issue of gender inequality in a personal essay for The Players’ Tribune in August 2018.
According to the foundation, the money will be paid over two years and the criteria for the allowance includes maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA and taking two or more STEM-related courses each semester.
The first recipient of the $30,000 scholarship is Vivian Wu, a senior at Oakland Tech with a 4.2 GPA and more than 300 hours of community service on her resume.
“Just a reminder that one small gesture can lead to something truly special!” Steph posted on Instagram. “From a handwritten note to a $30k scholarship for Vivian Wu to pursue higher education in STEM. Riley Morrison changed the game.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES?
‘HOOP IT UP’
Look at you Mr. Tough Guy with your leather jacket & kilt. Bet my daughter could out hula hoop you any day.
#EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Juan!
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ENJOY!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
