#MAGFAB: Erykah Badu covers ELLE Brazil
On the cover of the print edition of Volume 12, the American singer Erykah Badu spent a day with ELLE on her most recent visit to Brazil. She was photographed by the creative duo MAR+VIN, alongside her daughter Puma, in a carefully planned shoot with fashion editing by Suyane Ynaya and Maika Mano, which evokes healing rituals and Afro-Brazilian religions — which Badu has come to know closely on trips to our country.
#RHOA: Recap: Kenya Threatens to Call Cops After Marlo Bangs on Door and Ladies Get Kicked Out of Event, Plus Kandi’s Text is Leaked, and Roi Makes His Debut
Sunday’s episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta is titled “The Buck Stops in Birmingham.” We will learn how to buck and how not to be bucked off this cast trip. Hold on, and let’s watch!
Kenya is getting Monyetta to help choreograph her dance number for the Magic City Classic Football HBCU game. She hopes to improve her dance skills after her disastrous attempt at dancing at BravoCon. Kenya is looking forward to incorporating a marching band to advertise her hair business. She does not want a redo titled “Rookie at the Apollo.” Kenya is afraid the other ladies are going to embarrass her. She is not telling the girls about her halftime show so she can surprise them.
Monyetta shares that she got to dance with Prince during her career, and I am VERY impressed with that! Roi calls during their practice and Kenya is just giddy talking with him — but she now just calls him a friend. Kenya is still trying to divorce Marc, but she will not let this handsome man disappear.
Sanya calls her brother-in-law Tyrell, who is her assistant, and there is a struggle with their unusual dynamic. She is a news correspondent for sports and has been getting a lot of opportunities thrown her way. Sanya shares that Ross wants to have their house to themselves. Mama Sharon and sister Shari think that Sanya is self-centered with this decision since they help so much with her career and care for her son, Deuce. Sanya tells them she is not trying to hurt their feelings, but I do not know how that cannot hurt.
Marlo is taking William and Michael to do her annual Halloween shoot. They are getting their makeup done. Marlo wants to get her record expunged so she can get a gun to protect herself after an attempted break-in. UGH, whose idea is it to keep bringing Courtney around? She has the most annoying voice, and her only connection to the cast is Ralph, who will most likely be gone after this season.
Marlo shares the story of when her nephew was shot by his roommate. She thinks that Kandi has never acknowledged it after he used to work at her restaurant. Marlo thinks Kandi is selfish, and she throws out Marlo’s past after being called out for not caring. She wants Courtney’s help so she can help get her rights restored.
Sheree is visiting her gynecologist about her fibroid tumors. She has pain from them and excessive bleeding. Sheree must protect her lady parts because Martell has been inserting his big d*ck energy. Sheree is concerned about removing the uterus since she cannot have sex for six weeks or work out. Side note: Sheree needs to care for herself and not worry about how it will affect Martell and his sex drive.
Sanya is having a photoshoot, and sister Shari is allegedly sick, so she is on her own and it shows. She mentions that her brother-in-law Tyrell has quit working for her. Sanya thinks that this situation has put a strain on her relationship with her sister. She is clueless thinking that they would be okay with how she treats them.
The ladies are taking a cast trip to Birmingham. We have a time counter on the bus, and I can already predict who will be late. Kandi cannot come since she has another commitment and she is receiving an award. Drew is home with the flu, so she cannot attend the trip. Marlo finally arrives, and you can see for yourself where the drama is going to come from this episode. Kenya tells the ladies they are first going to a dance class. She tells them they will attend a charity event later in the evening. Kenya and Marlo are both hacking into this bus. Side note: Nothing is worse than being trapped on a bus/train/plane with someone hacking their pathogens into the air while I am trying to breathe.
Sanya then asks the other ladies about eating booty. Kenya admits to having eaten booty before. Miss USA was EATING a*s? I swear these all-cast trips give us a lot of information and mostly things I cannot unsee. The ladies are learning a dance called Bucking. Kenya shares that she and Monyetta are judging a buck off for the best dancer. Marlo calls Monyetta Kenya’s emotional support person. Kenya says the winner is Sheree for the buck off, and she will get a bigger room at the hotel. Kenya realizes that Courtney’s ex, Bryce, was in a movie with her. She would not answer the producer when they asked if she dated him in the past.
We arrive at the hotel, and Kenya and Marlo are already getting started. Kenya is already calling Marlo a clown. Marlo is complaining because she got a baby-sized bottle of champagne in her room. She is not cheering for Team Twirl. Marlo must request that the concierge bring her some booze and snacks. Sheree is annoyed that, for all her bucking, she did not receive a suite.
Kenya has brought Brooklyn with her nanny to care for her. She shows some mommy realness when Brooklyn does not want Kenya to leave. Monyetta gets the stink eye from Kenya when she comes downstairs in her sparkled booty shorts set. Kenya insists that this will be an elegant affair since it is a charity event. Monyetta offers to change clothes, but Kenya will not wait for her. She will need to catch up with them along with Sanya and Marlo.
Monyetta changes her dress to something more appropriate. Kenya keeps reminding them that this is a classy upscale event. The number of times she says that makes me see the writing on the wall. The ladies arrive, and this is not what Kenya described. Sheree thinks the van dropped them at the wrong location. Sanya and Marlo arrive, and they are disappointed that this is not the Met Gala. Marlo thinks Kenya is a low-rent Carrie Bradshaw. Production lets Kenya know that the event organizers do not want them there anymore since they are a distraction. Kenya sees to it that production gets kicked out and not her. They head back to the hotel and call it a night — at least Kenya does.
Marlo and the other ladies head to Kenya’s room, where Marlo proclaims that summer is over and winter is coming. She starts pounding and kicking Kenya’s door. Kenya starts screaming that her baby is in the room and to stop being so disrespectful. She calls Marlo a psycho f*cking a*shole and she is going to call the police. We then get a to-be-continued for this non-eventful episode…
Next week, Kenya calls an ambulance since she seems to be ill. She wants the ladies who are not her core group of friends to hit the road. Happy Memorial Day, Blurbers. and thank you for hanging in there with me on this snooze fest called RHOA.
#NewMusic from Angie Stone Releases New Album “Love Language”
Legendary R&B singer Angie Stone returns with the release of her brand new album “Love Language”.
The new album is a statement of Angie’s historic past, legendary present, and iconic future.
Featured on the project is the first single “The Gym” featuring Musiq Soulchild.
STREAM HERE
This is the first new full length album from Angie Stone since she released “Full Circle” back in 2019. This is her tenth album overall.
#HipHopNews: Future Links With Jay-Z At Beyoncé Show In Paris Despite Recent Shade
Future has ruffled a few feathers in the past after throwing subtle shade at JAY-Z — and to a lesser extent, Beyoncé — but it now appears to be all love between the three superstars.
In a series of photos posted to Instagram on Monday (May 29), Roc Nation photographer Lenny S. reflected on a series of special guest visits during the Paris shows of Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour.
And in the fourth photo, the “Mask Off” rapper can be seen enjoying a private conversation with Hov, who was all smiles.
Other celebrities in attendance included Italian rapper-producer Vegas Jones, Kris Jenner’s sometimes boyfriend Corey Gamble, Hidden Cities lead singer Daniel Plenge, talent manager (and Kelly Rowland‘s husband) Tim Weatherspoon, and The-Dream.
Back in 2021, Future sparked a debate when he fired off a series of tweets where he claimed that he was bigger than JAY-Z.
“I’m the only one can get YE to pull up whenever wherever…tuh,” he wrote, referring to Kanye West’s surprise appearance during his Rolling Loud California set. “Everything I do is legendary or it won’t get done..tuh.”
Future then added: “In the streets I’m bigger then jigga. Ima run me a B up easy,” referring to JAY-Z’s billionaire status. “100Ms not the goal anymore. What’s on your Xmas list?? Mines getting everything they want…Ima save the rest for 2022. LOVE.”
The backlash was swift, with many wondering what Future was smoking to make such “ridiculous” statements. As Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Damon Lloyd said: “Y’all on herr saying Future catalog better than Jay-Z’s? Yea I’m off for the day.”
Another tweet read simply: “JAY-Z= BOSS. FUTURE=WHO?” and included a video clip of someone rapping a JAY-Z song word-for-word with the caption, “In honor of y’all losing y’all minds and saying Future is better than JAY-Z.”
Future then upped the ante last year when he claimed that he’d shoot his shot at Beyoncé if he and Jigga weren’t “cool.”
The Freebandz leader teamed up with Real Boston Richey on his “Bullseye 2” track, and after previously blessing the Atlanta rapper with an FBG chain, Future detailed his thoughts on not only hollering at Beyoncé but also being able to sleep with his ex-fiancée, Ciara.
“If my n-gga wasn’t Jigga, I’m the type to go after B,” he raps. “And I still smash on C, I got two-fifth on me, like the quarterback of the Chiefs, I’m in the field wit’ no cleats.”
But, apparently, it seems as though Future and JAY-Z have put aside their differences to support Beyoncé.
Tina Turner’s hometown shares plans to build statue in her honor
While millions continue to mourn the death of Tina Turner, who is widely regarded as the Queen of Rock and Roll, her hometown of Brownsville, Tennessee, is sharing plans to keep her memory alive. As previously reported by REVOLT, the “Proud Mary” singer passed away at the age of 83 on May 24.
In an article published by TMZ on Saturday (May 27), Mayor Bill Rawls Jr. told the outlet he intends to have a statue in Turner’s honor placed in Brownsville’s Heritage Park. The outdoor area is near Carver High School, where the “Private Dancer” was enrolled during her time living in the city. “When Tina stepped on stage, she owned it. We want this statue to represent that passion. Tina was an inspiration to the entire world… She showed the people of Brownsville no matter where you start, you own your story about where you end up,” Rawls declared.
Born Anna Mae Bullock, the “Nutbush City Limits” songstress took on a different moniker as she rose to fame as one half of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Their abusive relationship was portrayed in the 1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It? starring Angela Bassett. Together, the duo won a Grammy, but Tina’s success saw greater heights as a solo artist as she later won eight of her own. She also earned several American Music Awards and a host of other notable accomplishments.
Before her death, her hometown recognized her achievements with the Tina Turner Museum, which opened in 2014. “Haywood County has lost a legend. Please join us for a twilight memorial to honor her legacy,” the building’s official website said in a statement. According to the post, it was held on Sunday (May 28) at 7 p.m. “on the grounds of the Tina Turner Museum.”
Ugandan president signs one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ bills into law
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has signed some of the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world, the speaker of parliament said, defying international pressure.
The bill includes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality’ which includes sex with a minor, having sex while HIV positive and incest.
The bill criminalizes sex education for the gay community and makes it illegal not to expose what it calls perpetrators of aggravated homosexuality to the police. It calls for “rehabilitation”– widely discredited conversion therapy – for gay offenders.
Museveni sent the bill back to parliament for revisions earlier this year. The latest version of the bill passed earlier this month.
Uganda’s longtime president has already faced extensive criticism from Western governments, including the US, over the law.
A similarly homophobic law was struck down by the courts in 2014.
The speaker of the parliament Anita Annet Among celebrated the bill’s signing, saying parliament had “answered the cries of our people.”
“I thank His Excellency, the president, for his steadfast action in the interest of Uganda. With a lot of humility, I thank my colleagues the Members of Parliament for withstanding all the pressure from bullies and doomsday conspiracy theorists in the interest of the country,” she added.
Henry Mukiibi, an activist who assists LGBTQ Ugandans, told CNN that he fears people will take the law into their own hands: “I think this is so so horrible. We didn’t expect this – we thought he would be advised against it. We are going to be tortured. I am just scared now about what is next. People have been waiting for the bill to be signed and then they will work on us. We are going to die.”
Civil society groups are already looking to challenge the law.
“This is hardly surprising for anyone following the events closely, but it is still deeply concerning that the country is viciously discriminating against its sexual minorities. The battle lines are drawn and the next stage of the contestation will be in a court of law,” Nicholas Opiyo, a prominent human rights lawyer told CNN.
“The civil society in Uganda together with the LGBTQI community are prepared to take this to the courts and challenge the law. Because this law is a deeply discriminatory and repressive law that doesn’t meet any international human rights and local standards.”
He added that Uganda’s development partners need to hold the Ugandan government to account.
‘The Little Mermaid’ Makeup Artist Responds to Criticism About Drag Influences: ‘Why Can’t I Do as Good a Job as a Queer Artist?’
Whenever Disney announces a new remake of a classic animated film, it gives grown-up fans an opportunity to revisit the property with a critical perspective they may have lacked as children. When it came to Rob Marshall’s new take on “The Little Mermaid,” much of that discourse revolved around the influence of drag culture on the original film. Many fans were quick to point out the fact that the character of Ursula was shaped by iconic 20th century drag queens like Divine — something Melissa McCarthy happily acknowledged when she signed on to play Ursula in the remake.
“There’s a drag queen that lives in me,” McCarthy said. “I’m always right on the verge of going full-time with her… To keep the humor and the sadness and the edginess to Ursula is everything I want in a character — and frankly, everything I want in a drag queen.”
When the film hit theaters this weekend, certain fans and influencers took to social media to question why the film didn’t take more steps to include the drag community in the character design process. Many felt that makeup designer Peter Smith King’s job should have been given to a queer artist. But in a new interview with Insider, King made it clear that he disagrees with those criticisms.
“I find that very offensive,” King said. “Why can’t I do as good a job as a queer makeup artist? That’s ridiculous. That’s trying to claim it and that’s fine, if that’s what they wanna do. But don’t put people down because they’re not what they want it to be.”
King also clarified that, while he is a fan of drag culture, he didn’t pull directly from any existing performers when designing the live-action Ursula.
“We discussed everything. I mean, we both laughed about how much we love drag queens and drag makeup and stuff,” said King. “It wasn’t based on any drag acts at all.”
While Marshall’s remake topped the box office this weekend, reviews have generally been critical of the film’s inability to establish its own aesthetic and recapture the magic of the original.
“So, does it look real? Sometimes, sure, but that’s a strange worry for a story that is — again, again — about mythical sea creatures,” IndieWire’s Kate Erbland wrote in her review. “Disney’s obsession with turning some of its most beloved properties into live-action offerings simply for, what, the realism? the technology? the money? stumbles into both flashes of brilliance and moments of sheer nonsense (the latter was more of an issue with the studio’s recent ‘Lion King’ remake than in this Marshall joint). That trend will likely continue to be true for the foreseeable future, but until the House of Mouse cracks the real problem at hand, these films will never become classics on their own merit.”
Rescue crews work to find trapped residents after Iowa building collapses
Yesterday (May 28) evening, just before 5 p.m., a six-story apartment building partially collapsed in Davenport, Iowa. Since then, eight residents have been pulled out by rescue crews as teams work to determine if anyone else could still be stuck in the rubble.
Davenport Fire Chief Mike Carlsten believes “no known individuals are trapped in that facility,” according to CNN. For now, no fatalities have been reported, but rescue teams equipped with search dogs are on site. “The building is structurally unsound [and] is posing a risk to responders,” Carlsten shared with members of the press. Officials are still working to figure out if all of the apartment building’s residents have been accounted for and how many will now be displaced due to the collapse.
The Quad-City Times spoke with a resident named Robert Robinson, who lived on the building’s second floor. He’d just stepped outside for a smoke and was returning when the collapse happened. “When we started to go back in, the lights went out. All of a sudden, everybody started running out, saying the building collapsed. I’m glad we came down when we did,” Robinson told the newspaper. “This is horrible. We don’t have anywhere to go. Nothing to eat,” the Iowa tenant disclosed.
At a news conference, Mayor Mike Matson said, “This is an active scene. We will continue to work, continue to evaluate, with the whole purpose of trying to find people and trying to get them out.” Matson noted it “will be a lengthy process” to assess the situation. Adding to their list of concerns, Carlsten also told the press that the collapse caused “a large natural gas leak.” Anyone looking to locate family members can check in at a “patient care area” at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Davenport, Iowa, at 417 N. Main St. Nearby buildings have been evacuated out of precaution as emergency responders continue their search.
Roger Waters Condemns 'Disingenuous' Attacks After Criticism Of Nazi-Style Costume At Berlin Concert
Roger Waters, a founding member of Pink Floyd, is speaking out after receiving backlash — and becoming the subject of a German police investigation — for wearing a costume that resembled a Nazi uniform during two recent concerts in Berlin.
The musician, who is currently on his "This Is Not A Drill" farewell tour, denounced the "bad faith attacks" that have been made against him by those aiming to "smear and silence me because they disagree with my political views and moral principles" in a statement on social media on Friday.
"The elements of my performance that have been questioned are quite clearly a statement in opposition to fascism, injustice, and bigotry in all its forms," he wrote. "Attempts to portray those elements as something else are disingenuous and politically motivated."
Waters donned the costume and fired a dummy machine gun at the crowd while performing Pink Floyd's 1979 song "In the Flesh," which centers around a rock star who envisions themself as a fascist dictator. As the New York Times notes, the names of both Anne Frank and Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed last year, were displayed onscreen during the event. The concert has since sparked a criminal investigation by Berlin police "for fulfilling the offense of incitement to hatred," per CNN.
In his statement, Waters, who has worn the satirical outfit for decades, said that "the depiction of an unhinged fascist demagogue has been a feature of my shows since Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' in 1980." Fans also pointed out that similar outfits were featured in the band's 1982 film Pink Floyd — The Wall.
"I have spent my entire life speaking out against authoritarianism and oppression wherever I see it," Waters said. "When I was a child after the war, the name of Anne Frank was often spoken in our house, she became a permanent reminder of what happens when fascism is left unchecked. My parents fought the Nazis in World War II, with my father paying the ultimate price."
He concluded, "Regardless of the consequences of the attacks against me, I will continue to condemn injustice and all those who perpetrate it."
Waters is a proponent of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions ("BDS") movement, which calls for boycotts and sanctions against Israel, and has generated controversy over his remarks about the country over the years. He has repeatedly denied being anti-Semitic.
Still, his concert in Frankfurt was nearly canceled earlier this year over claims of anti-Semitism.
Anita Baker speaks about Pain Surrounding Birth Mother and Family Secret
*Anita Baker has revealed that she was nearly wrecked by a family secret, but has since been able to overcome it.
In a new interview with Essence, the songstress said she was given up for adoption soon after she was born, and her mother’s decision has made her question her worth and the purpose of her life.
“It started with the fact that my mother gave me up when I was a baby,” she told the outlet. “Not because she was a bad person or because she was some monster or something. She was just a child and could not care for me. It has taken me a long time to find peace within my own heart.”
According to JRank, Anita was 13-years-old when she was told that Mary Lewis, the woman she had always believed was her mother, was actually her foster parent. Baker was told the truth upon Lewis’ death. The publication also stated that after Lewis passed, a beautician named Lois Landry told Baker that she was not her older sister, but in fact her aunt, and that she was given away by her birth mother, to Mary.
Afterwards, Lois and her husband, Walter Landry, officially adopted Anita and raised her as their own. Anita now refers to Lois as her “earth Mother.”
“That child believed her mother abandoned her,” Baker said, “because there was something bad about her. Something terrible that made her unlovable. And until Walter [Baker’s then husband], that is how I felt about me—that I was not good enough. Not good, period.”
“It started with the fact that my mother gave me up when I was a baby,” she said, per JRank. “Not because she was a bad person or because she was some monster or something. She was just a child and could not care for me. It has taken me a long time to find peace within my own heart.”
That peace, however, came with more problems after her adopted mom grew ill.
“Every time I would leave to do music, my mother would go into the hospital,” Baker said. “And eventually I decided, you know what, I’m not leaving, because it’s just not worth it to me to leave her.
Believing she’d found the perfect solution, Baker said she built a studio in her home. “My producer would be flying in, and we’d be in the middle of something, and I would get a call from the hospital, and I’d have to go.”
Now, she said those feelings of pain and not being good enough are behind her.
JPMorgan Chase Plans To Create “IndexGPT” To Enhance Financial Advice
JP Morgan Chase has recently submitted an application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for an artificial intelligence (AI) capability to aid in the selection of securities and assets.
As reported by CNBC, JPMorgan Chase has filed an application for a service trademark called “IndexGPT.” The application was sent to the USPTO approximately two weeks ago.
The bank aims to secure a trademark for various purposes related to “IndexGPT.” The activities the trademark will include are “compiling, providing and updating an index of securities values”; “business consultation regarding securities investing”; and “financial investment in the field of securities.”
Another potential utilization of “IndexGPT” was also apart of the application. Additionally, the trademark will be used for “providing temporary use of on-line non-downloadable cloud computing software using artificial intelligence for use in computer software selection of financial securities and financial assets.”
In his letter to shareholders, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon emphasized the significance of artificial intelligence. Dimon stated that it would be “essential” for the bank’s future achievements.
“We already have more than 300 AI use cases in production today for risk, prospecting, marketing, customer experience and fraud prevention. And AI runs throughout our payments processing and money movement systems across the globe,” he says.
According to the letter, Dimon adds that JPMorgan Chase is exploring new methods to enhance and enable employees using AI. This involves the utilization of human-centered collaborative tools and workflows, leveraging powerful language models like ChatGPT.
Too much soda
Stop abusing your soda.
