Aretha Franklin’s Granddaughter Auditioned For ‘American Idol’ But Got Rejected

Plenty of people making their way through the music industry have some family members who have already fared well in it. Among those is 15-year-old Grace Franklin, whose grandmother is the iconic Aretha Franklin. She auditioned for the current season of American Idol, but, despite her lineage, she did not make it past the audition stage.

In a pre-taped segment, Franklin said, “I feel like people expect me to sing exactly like her, but I am my own artist and I have my own voice.” She then got to showing off that voice with a rendition of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly” (inspired by the Lauryn Hill cover). While Lionel Richie was happily reminiscing about Aretha before Franklin sang, he commented on her perceived nervousness after the song. Meanwhile, Luke Bryan thought the performance was “sleepy and subdued” and Katy Perry called it “soft.”

Perry encouraged Franklin to take another crack at it, so she tried again with her grandmother’s “Ain’t No Way,” which she sang with more force than she used for “Killing Me Softly.” Perry was more receptive of that performance and so was Bryan, although he wasn’t completely swayed. Both Richie and Bryan encouraged Franklin to develop her voice more.

When it came time for the vote, Perry gave Franklin the go-ahead, while Richie and Bryan both passed, even after Perry’s fervent campaigning and playfully storming off set in disagreement.

Check out the audition above.

Big Sean Responds After Allegedly “Leaking” Explicit Pictures of Himself On Instagram

Big Sean

Big Sean is trending on Twitter after allegedly accidentally leaking explicit photos of himself online. The Detroit rapper allegedly uploaded a picture of his “situation” to his Instagram Story to show his width, length, and girth as compared to a Nintendo Switch.  In the picture, Sean is seen holding the Nintendo Switch against himself with […]

ArrDee Taps Lil Tecca For “Flowers (Say My Name)” Remix

ArrDehe’s quick flow and charisma have put him in a position to be the next big star to emerge out of the UK. Without an album out, he’s continued to build up a significant buzz in his home turf, as well as in North America, and other markets across the world. However, it seems like 2022 could be a big year for him, especially after the slew of recent releases that he unleashed out of his vault.

In late 2021, he came through with the release of his massive single, “Flowers (Say My Name)” that includes a familiar sample from Destiny’s Child hit record. Now, he’s keeping the momentum high with the release of the remix featuring Lil Tecca, which you could check out below.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics
She want benefits, I’m down too
I wouldn’t be trippin’ without you
I’ll be good regardless, baby, even if I never found you
Put in my hours

Jason Lee & “Hollywood Unlocked” Explain Why They Falsely Reported On Queen Elizabeth’s Death

After breaking the internet with an untrue report that 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth had passed away last week, Jason Lee and Hollywood Unlocked are acknowledging the incident and explaining exactly what lead them to believe, and post that the monarch had died.

It was on Tuesday, February 22nd that the report was uploaded to the publication’s channels, prompting countless social media reactions to flood in as people not only shared their condolences but questioned how someone like Lee could get insider information about the British Royal Family before anyone else.

The rumour mill began turning after Lee was contacted by “a source who was in attendance at the wedding of British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful,” claiming to have witnessed “a call in which news of the Queen’s death had been confirmed to a high-profile attendee,” also outlining the dismay that allegedly followed suit at the star-studded event.

The story goes on to point out that Enninful is a prominent fashion figure in the UK, and he has connections with many royals, so the attendance of associates closely related to the family isn’t something to be scoffed at. Next, it’s noted that the Queen was last publicly seen on Wednesday, February 16th – four days later, she tested positive for COVID-19 and cancelled all in-person meetings.

Seeing as Lee knew of her Majesty’s illness, and had a credible first source, he reportedly spoke to another source who’s familiar with the British military, who directly confirmed that “the palace had been locked down and all the top generals had been summoned to Windsor Castle ‘for an undisclosed reason'” approximately four hours before HU shared their story.

Elsewhere, it’s been pointed out that earlier this month, Queen Elizabeth announced that, upon Prince Charles’ ascension to the throne, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will become known as “Queen Consort,” illustrating that “her mortality was an ongoing discussion that could not be ignored as she celebrates an unprecedented 70 years on the throne.”

Lee also referred to “Operation London Bridge” in his official explanation, sharing that the information he was receiving from sources was lining up with the extensive game plan that’s to be carried out upon the monarch’s passing.

Lastly, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis and the world’s state of political unrest are brought up, before the outlet reminds readers of their reputation and validity. “As a matter of record, up until this point all of our sources have delivered us accurate accounts that have later been substantiated by larger publications,” they wrote.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

“So breaking stories before anyone else is not uncommon or atypical for us. All news outlets get it wrong sometimes despite their best efforts and we will always take full accountability when that happens.”

On a final note, a quote from Lee himself, who said, “Although I’ve never been wrong when breaking a story because this involves The Queen this is one time I would want to be.”

“And based on Wednesday’s report from the Palace, I can say my sources got this wrong and I sincerely apologize to The Queen and the Royal Family.”

[Via]

Young Thug Calls On Rappers To Help Africans Escape Ukraine

Young Thug

Over the last week, over 500,000 people have fled Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded the country.  Among these are African students who state they are facing racial segregation and discrimination as they attempt to pass through borders.  Young Thug wants the rap community to help. Young Thug Asks Fellow Rappers To Support Africans […]

Pooh Shiesty Slams Snitching Accusations From “You Lame Ass Dudes”

Pooh Shiesty shot down accusations of cooperating with authorities in a lengthy statement on Instagram, over the weekend. Wack 100 had previously claimed that the Memphis rapper snitched during a clubhouse session, last week.

“‘Omertà.’ It will never show in no paper that I set down with the government and gave a statement on no one on the case for something in return in that case I will not be here,” Shiesty wrote on his IG Story. “A factual proffer is not a government proffer where the weak will sit down and tell they sole. No the difference before you use my name in vein.”

Pooh Shiesty
Prince Williams/ Wireimage/Getty Images

Shiesty continued: “Before I bit some cheese I sit down and keep quiet. Anyone that enters a negotiation plea agreement it will be a factual proffer of the factual basis that the government will use in court to prove of the guilt they trying to show I want all you lame ass dudes keep the same energy I stand on business.”

Shiesty pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to possess a firearm back in January. In return, prosecutors agreed to seek a 97-month prison sentence, removing the likelihood of a life sentence.

The 22-year-old could still face a maximum of 20 years in prison.

[Via]

Dumped The Whole Clip: Man Gets Gunned Down During A Road Rage Dispute!

ILLINOIS — A man identified as 46-year-old Scott Mattison was shot to death following a road rage incident in Streamwood.

The shooting took place near the corner of Bartlett Road and Briarwood Drive on Sunday evening, near the entrance to Bartlett Park, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Streamwood police said someone is in custody, but no charges have been filed as of yet.

The road rage shooting was captured on video.

Scott Mattison was pronounced dead at around 6:30pm.