Month: August 2022

A legendary actress who was known for her expansive career is being remembered. Although Pat Carroll’s resumé hosts dozens of appearances alongside well-respected entertainers, she is most widely known for being the voice of Ursula in 1989’s The Little Mermaid. Before she was etched in Disney history as one of its most celebrated animated Sea Witch villains, fans could find Carroll’s voice in various animated series including Pound Puppies, Garfield, and Yogi’s Treasure Hunt.

Carroll’s daughter, Kerry Karsian, confirmed the actress’s death with The Hollywood Reporter. The comedian passed away at her Massachusetts home after succumbing to pneumonia. She was 95.

Aside from her voice-over credits, Carroll was known for her quips as a bubbly personality and brought her sketch comedy talents to The Ceasar Hour. In 1957, she won an Emmy for her performance in the series.

Among her accolades is a Grammy win for Best Spoken World Album in 1981 as well as a nomination for a Tony Award. In her elder years, Carroll would rarely make appearances, but she would host events where she read The Little Mermaid books to children. Unsurprisingly, her talents and accomplishments are being revisited by those who admired her work.

We send our sincerest condolences to her loved ones. Check out a few tributes below.

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Earlier today, Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games at the recommendation of Judge Sue L. Robinson. This judgment came just weeks after the NFL concluded its investigation into Watson stemming from upwards of 30 sexual assault allegations against the Browns quarterback. 

This is a story that many were awaiting the conclusion of, and now, it seems like the NFL and Watson can finally put this behind them, for better or for worse. In the aftermath of today’s ruling, there are plenty of people out there who believe that Watson deserved a much stiffer punishment, although, at this point, it seems like the NFL will just go with what the judge has recommended.

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In fact, just moments ago, the NFL issued a statement on the suspension, saying that Watson will be able to appeal. The NFL also noted that they can do whatever they want with this recommendation, although a definitive decision has yet to be made.

Per NFL:

“We thank Judge Sue L. Robinson, the independent disciplinary officer, for her review of the voluminous record and attention during a three-day hearing that resulted in her finding multiple violations of the NFL Personal Conduct Policy by Deshaun Watson. We appreciate Judge Robinson’s diligence and professionalism throughout this process.”

Pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the NFL or the NFLPA on behalf of Watson may appeal the decision within three days. In light of her findings, the league is reviewing Judge Robinson’s imposition of a six-game suspension and will make a determination on next steps.”

This is still a developing story, so stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest news and updates from around the NFL.

Veteran Detroit rapper Icewear Vezzo has had an illustrious but low-key career, having recorded with the legendary Motown Records and amassed millions of streams from songs like “Know The Difference” featuring Lil Baby and “Champions.” He just got a big win, signing to Quality Control and getting a QC chain from the label’s CEO, P, following the release of Rich Off Pints 3. 

Quality Control is an Atlanta-based label that has propelled the careers of the Migos, Lil Yachty, Lil Baby, and many more. Icewear Vezzo was welcomed into the QC family during Lil Baby and Chris Brown’s show for their ‘One of Them Ones” tour in Vezzo’s home city, Detroit. 

Given the fact that Icewear Vezzo has been making music for a decade, it’s gratifying to see all his hard work pay off. We’ve been covering his releases and videos as early as 2013’s “Word of Mouf” remix with SAYITAINTTONE, Boldy James, and Oba Rowland. He’s also been incredibly prolific, with five projects in the last five years that have defined his street-savvy and hard-hitting approach to his craft. His most recent hit with Key Glock, “Whatever,” adds to a long list of standouts features on his tracks from the likes of Future, Lil Durk, fellow Detroit riser Babyface Ray, and the previously mentioned Lil Baby.

The 31-year-old rapper has also not been shy about his own struggles and personal life, revealing last year that he’s off probation for the first time in his adult life. He’s also had a few choice words to say about the rules of the rap and street game and how they’ve all been broken. After all the years of hustle, big congrats to Icewear Vezzo for signing to one of the hottest labels in the game and continuing to establish himself as a rapper to watch.

KRS-One has brought in Slick Rick and Big Daddy Kane to join The Hip Hop Alliance, a union seeking fair wages, royalties, and health and retirement benefits for artists in the hip-hop and R&B industry.

“Welcome to The Hip Hop Alliance. Hip Hop’s first official union. We fighting for rights!” KRS-One says in an announcement video for the non-profit.

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A caption for the video shared on Instagram adds, “Shout out to those who work behind the scenes to make Hip Hop Happen! Managers, Artists, Agents, Engineers and Producers, what is the retirement plan, healthcare plan, and fare commission standards for us? What is a fare wage for what we do within ‘Hip Hop’ as an industry?”

“Those that drive and assist artists, those that protect artists, those that promote the show, and those that sell merchandise, among other roles and responsibilities that make Hip Hop happen; Who speaks for us? What brings dignity and respect to the work that we do? the statement continues. “Answer. The Hip Hop Alliance! With the knowledge, the skill, and the power of our collective voice, there is no reason why we cannot protect ourselves and our future! Find out more @thehiphopalliance.”

Chuck D and Kurtis Blow will serve as the president and vice-president of the organization.

The Hip Hop Alliance teamed up with SAG-AFTRA back in February in an attempt to educate artists about the importance of collective bargaining to avoid being exploited by record labels and studios.

Check out The Hip Hop Alliance announcement below.

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Crystal Renay posted a clip of herself jamming to GloRilla and Hitkidd’s “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” on her Instagram, following her accusation that her husband, Ne-Yo, has been unfaithful throughout their relationship. In the video, Renay can be seen listening to the hit song while adjusting her hair in the passenger seat of a car.

She also posted the ominous statement, “Can’t compete where you could never compare” on her IG Story. 

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Renay originally accused Ne-Yo of cheating in a lengthy post on social media over the weekend. 

She wrote at the time: “8 years of life and deception. 8 years of unknowingly sharing my life and husband with numerous women who sell their bodies to him unprotected … every last one of them. To say I’m heartbroken and disgusted is [an] understatement. To ask me to stay and accept it is absolutely insane. The mentality of a narcissist.”

Ne-Yo responded to the allegation in a statement on Twitter, Sunday, remarking that he had hoped to keep things private: “For the sake of our children, my family and I will work through our challenges behind closed doors. Personal matters are not meant to be addressed and dissected in public forums. I simply ask that you please respect me and my family’s privacy at this time.”

Ne-Yo and Renay married in 2016 and share three children together. They had previously announced their intention to end their marriage in February 2020 but reconciled soon afterward.

Check out Renay’s Instagram video below.

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Among all of the music industry’s power couples, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys are making their case for one of the strongest and cutest pairings. The legendary producer shared a post on Instagram commemorating their 12-year anniversary on Sunday.

Swizz Beatz first met the 41-year-old R&B star in the ’90s, when he was still with longtime partner Mashonda Tifrere. They share a 13-year-old son, Kasseem Dean Jr. While Beatz and Keys were not attracted to each other at first, they began to form a strong bond that made headlines in the press when Tifrere accused Swizz Beatz, real name Kasseem Dean, of cheating.

“Honestly, I didn’t really like him that much,” Alicia Keys told Marie Claire UK in 2013. “I thought he was too ostentatious. Swizz will have the fastest car, the biggest jewelry, the loudest jacket. Everything with his is really over the top. I used to see him and think, ‘He is so annoying.’”

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Beatz’s ex-wife released a statement on Twitter addressing the situation. The statement also came over a year after news broke that Dean fathered a daughter with Jahna Sebastian.

“My concern with [Alicia Keys] is no longer the fact that she assisted in destroying a family but that she has the audacity to make these selfish comments about love and wanting to be with someone, even after knowing their situation. I feel that after [one] and a half years of you hiding this affair and acting like it [doesn’t] exist, that now is the time to confront it, since you talk so openly about it now… You have no idea how much pain I was caused because of this affair.”

The 43-year-old producer filed for a divorce in 2009 and got married to Keys just months later in 2010 in a grand ceremony. Despite the turbulent history that preceded the relationship, it seems the two are incredibly happy together and have been for some time. Swizz recently gifted an opulent Egyptian chain to his wife and dismissed rumors that he had cheated on her. He also talked about meeting her for the first time in a 2021 interview.

Congrats to the couple, especially to Keys, who recently went independent.

With Youngboy Never Broke Again’s new project, The Last Slimeto due out this Friday, YB seemingly confirmed that he just inked a multi-million dollar deal. Youngboy’s label shared a message revealing that he signed a $60M deal with Atlantic Records ahead of his upcoming album, which he deemed a “classic” with a surprising feature on it.

“August 5th this Friday pre-order now ‘the new lil top with surprise feat/don’t wanna miss this classic with @atlanticrecords @artistpg now we came in the game @mikecaren I appreciate you for that phone call @itsep I am on now 60 million dollar n***a you lil puppies August 5th ‘The Last slimeto’ pre-order now,” he wrote.

In response, Kodak Black explained that he similarly wanted to get out of his current deal in order to secure a similar bag as NBA Youngboy. “I definitely can’t let him be out his deal and moving on and getting to that real, real bag and I just be sitting back and still in my fucking deal. No! I’m done too,” he said. “I see jit come out with a $60M shit. I need my $60M.”

Some believed that Kodak Black was sounding like a hater when he shared the message, so he hopped back on Instagram Live to discuss his comments. He explained that a lot of people have counted him out over the years. Despite the setbacks, he said that he’s always prospered in the face of adversity. Ultimately, he said he just wants to get his recognition and the money he feels he deserves. 

Check his latest post below.