Issa Rae is exploring the independent route in television following the cancellation of her show Rap Sh! on Max. In a conversation with Net-A-Porter, Rae revealed Black stories are “less of a priority.”
“You’re seeing so many Black shows get canceled, you’re seeing so many executives – especially on the DEI side – get canned,” Rae said. “You’re seeing very clearly now that our stories are less of a priority.”
She added, ” I can’t force you to make my stuff. It’s made me take more steps to try to be independent down the line if I have to.”
As reported by Deadline, the music comedy Rap Sh!t, executive produced by Insecure creator and star Issa Rae, and Hip Hop duo The City Girls, is ending on Max after two seasons. The show may have been collateral damage after challenges caused by the writer’s and actors’ strikes. The work stoppages caused significant barriers where the actors and producers could not promote the show’s sophomore season. That caused the season premiere to be pushed back to November. Even with the understandable problems from the strikes, Max let the show go to reduce their on-air slate.
Max’s official statement said, “We are extremely grateful to Issa Rae for creating Rap Sh!t, a one-of-a-kind comedy with compelling social commentary that reached viewers in a way only Issa’s talents can accomplish,” from the spokesperson. “A huge thank-you to Issa, showrunner Syreeta Singleton and the teams at Hoorae and 3 Arts Entertainment for introducing us to Shawna and Mia, a duo whose journey fans have invested in and who they have continued to root for through everything. We’ll never get Seduce and Scheme out of our heads, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Kanye West is tired of the paparazzi games. While strolling in L.A., Ye was asked if Bianca Censori had “free will,” which led to the rapper snatching an iPhone.
“People want to know if Bianca has her free will. Some people say you’re controlling her,” the TMZ reporter said.
Kanye then grabbed her phone and addressed, “That dumb ass shit,” he was asked.
He said, “You think cause you a white woman that you can walk up on me like that and ask me some dumb ass shit like that? Ask me about my wife?”
You can see it below.
While Kanye West allegedly prohibits his 29-year-old wife Bianca Censori from using social media, he himself earns colossal sums from it. We became interested in how much the singer earns for his tracks on music platforms per stream per month. By analyzing the number of listens on the popular music platform Spotify, it was revealed that in the last month there were 64,423,853 listens. The comparison team at CasinospotDK estimates that the old tracks still continue to earn, for example, he has already earned $257,695.41 on Spotify. Interestingly, on YouTube Music, the most popular track became “I Love It” because it is the only one that managed to gather 713,000,000 listens, which monetizes to $1,247,750.00.
Chris Rock is sliding into the director chair for Another Round, a film based on the Thomas Vinterberg comedy that won the Best International Feature Film Oscar.
According to Deadline, the film will have Leonardo DiCaprio stepping in as a producer for Appian Way, which will team with Makeready production for Fifth season.
This is the latest film with Rock as a director, following the forthcoming King: A Life, which pulls from the Jonathan Eig book about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Yasiin Bey, the rapper formerly known as Mos Def, hit Instagram on Monday to talk about Drake once again. This time, Bey stated he was not attempting to slander or clown The Boy.
After saying he doesn’t hate anyone, Bey revealed, “I have reached out to him, I have no responses yet. I’m not keen to talk about people or to them through a screen, I prefer to talk to people directly.
“The young man is very talented, he’s been able to be very successful with that talent, and I have no issue with his success or anything that he’s been able to achieve as a result of his talent.”
Later in the video, Bey referred to Drake as a “very talented MC” and added that he reached out Dave Chappelle to attempt to get in contact.
Drake took an online shot at Yasiin Bey following the “Ms. Fat Booty” rapper claiming the Certified Lover Boy makes Pop Music.
In case you missed it, Bey was on The Cutting Room Floor podcast and compared Drizzy’s music to strolling through Target.
“Drake is pop to me,” Bey said. “In the sense, like, if I was in Target in Houston and I heard a Drake song… It feels like a lot of his music is compatible with shopping.
“Or, you know, shopping with an edge in certain instances.”
Yasiin Bey(Mos Def) says Drake’s music is pop and is compatible with shopping at Target.
Former Disney Channel star Orlando Brown may not be allowed in Tao again. The actor was tossed from the restaurant after shouting at other diners.
Footage obtained by TMZ shows Brown recording people with his phone while screaming “child molester” and “fucking demon.”
As he excited, Brown had an alarming statement: “Everybody enjoy your night, I’m sorry for fucking up y’all shit. My name is Orlando Brown, I am Satan and Lucifer’s son, fuck everybody.”
Former NBA point guard Rajon Rondo was arrested on Sunday in Indiana on gun and drug charges.
According to WDRB, Rondo’s car was searched after a traffic spot in Jackson County revealed a smell of marijuana. Inside his car was a gun, a personal amount of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Rondo was charged with misdemeanors: unlawful possession of a firearm, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana. Rondo was not supposed to have a firearm because he had a no-contact order placed on him in court.
Rondo posted a bond, and there was no mug shot posted online.
Raising Awareness of Financial Health and Wellness in the Black Community
In an effort to shed light on the critical issue of financial health and wellness within the Black community, ABC Owned Television Stations are set to premiere a groundbreaking documentary series titled “Our America: In the Black.” This special aims to delve into the challenges faced by individuals and communities of color in achieving economic prosperity and offers insights into leveraging technology to bridge the wealth gap.
The series follows the journey of Darrell Booker, a specialist from Microsoft Philanthropies, as he embarks on a national quest to raise awareness about financial literacy and empowerment. Through engaging narratives and compelling stories, Booker explores how technology can serve as a catalyst for change, offering solutions to mitigate disparities and pave the way for economic mobility and generational wealth creation.
The documentary spotlights the experiences of three individuals, each representing a unique perspective on the journey toward financial empowerment:
1. “Hannah” – Viewers are introduced to Hannah, a young foster care youth in Los Angeles, who harbors dreams of attending Howard University and pursuing a career as a mechanical engineer. Through her story, the documentary highlights the importance of education and opportunity in breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving financial independence. Renowned actress and dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University, Phylicia Rashad, also makes an appearance, emphasizing the role of education in empowering young Black minds.
2. “Angel Mercedes” – From New York, the series showcases the nonprofit organization RISE, dedicated to educating and empowering the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination and champion social justice. Through the lens of Angel Mercedes, viewers gain insight into the transformative power of community-driven initiatives in fostering social and economic equity.
3. “Meagan Naraine” – The documentary travels to Atlanta to highlight the work of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), which leverages the city’s vibrant ecosystem of Black enterprise and innovation. Meagan Naraine’s story exemplifies the potential of entrepreneurial endeavors in creating pathways to economic empowerment and dismantling systemic barriers to success.
“Our America: In the Black” is set to air on Hulu’s Black Stories Always hub and across the ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms, as well as linear television. Viewers can catch the premiere on Saturday, Feb. 3, with subsequent airings scheduled throughout the following weeks. The series aims to spark meaningful conversations about financial health and wellness within the Black community and inspire actionable steps towards building a more inclusive and equitable future.
Air Dates:
Saturday, Feb. 3
12:30 a.m. EST – 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
3:00 p.m. PST – ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles
8:30 p.m. PST – ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco
11:30 p.m. CST – ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston
10:00 p.m. PST – ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno
Sunday, Feb. 4
12:30 a.m. EST – ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham
11:00 p.m. CST – ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago
Monday, Feb. 5
8:00 p.m. EST – ABC Localish
Saturday, Feb. 10
5:00 a.m. EST – ABC7/WABC-TV New York
Monday, Feb. 12
8:00 p.m. EST – ABC Localish
“Our America: In the Black” serves as a testament to the power of storytelling in driving social change and underscores the importance of collective action in addressing systemic inequities. Through these powerful narratives, viewers are invited to join the conversation and take proactive steps towards building a more prosperous and inclusive society for all.
Rolling Loud California 2024 has amped up its already stellar lineup by adding hitmaker Ty Dolla $ign to the list of performers. The Los Angeles native will take the stage on Saturday, March 16th, filling a previously undisclosed slot on the initial lineup poster. The festival, headlined by Nicki Minaj, Post Malone, and Future X Metro Boomin, is set to return to Hollywood Park, near SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, CA, from March 15th to 17th, 2024.
In a diverse musical showcase, Rolling Loud California 2024 introduces regional Mexican artists such as Fuerza Regida, Natanael Cano, Junior H, and Chino Pacas. The festival boasts an impressive lineup with established stars like Don Toliver, Chief Keef, and Big Sean, alongside emerging talents like Sexyy Red, That Mexican OT, and Flo Milli. Notable West Coast representatives such as YG & Tyga (in a special joint set), 03 Greedo, Larry June, and others will also grace the stage. This edition of Rolling Loud California highlights R&B with performances by Summer Walker, PartyNextDoor, and Bryson Tiller. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the festival marks a decade of ascending from humble beginnings to global dominance.
Yasiin Bey and Drake have been embroiled in a bit of a feud as of late. Overall, it all started when Bey came out and said that Drizzy’s music is “compatible with shopping.” Although what he said made sense, there were many fans who were a bit offended. Furthermore, Drake himself was pretty upset with the comments as he went on more than a couple of Instagram story rants. Having said all of that, it seemed like the two men were past all of this. After all, Drizzy has other fish to fry as Megan Thee Stallion is dissing him now.
Well, on Monday night, Bey came through with an apology for the Canadian MC. While speaking in front of his phone, the legend rapper offered some nice words for Drake, while clarifying that he wishes the artist would use his talent for more politically-charged raps. “Drake, if you’d like to speak to me directly, you can at any point,” Yasiin Bey began. “I reached out to [Dave] Chappelle, actually reached out to you. I DM’d you. You are a very talented MC, but for me, I require more of myself and others than just talent or charm or charisma — particularly in times of urgent crisis. And what I would like to see in terms of creators or creative people in the world, as it relates to our culture, is for people to connect with us beyond the jukebox or the dance floor.”
He eventually finished off the apology by saying, “A fair-weather friend can hardly be called a friend at all. The people who party with you — that’s cool. But will they show up for you when you’re at the triage?” Subsequently, fans began to clown on the apology due to Bey’s presence in front of the camera. The angle and the tone of the apology seemed forced in the eyes of some. This led to all kinds of jokes about how Drake put in a call to J Prince. Below, you will find a bevy of tweets in which fans joke about J Prince standing behind the camera, watching Bey’s every last move.
Fans Sound Off
It is highly unlikely that this is what happened, however, Twitter does not care. The jokes are going to fly, regardless. Let us know what you think of this apology, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on your favorite artists.
The Cutting Room Floor) 
(@big_business_) 
josiah (@jk3rd_) 
(@jahiye1)