We all marveled over Keke Palmer as Akeelah and the Bee and have witnessed her growth. The actress has become a force to reckon with in Hollywood since the early 2000s.
So, when she announced that she was having her first child on Saturday Night Live in 2022, it seemed like all of us welcomed the birth of our new little cousin.
Now, the multi-talented Virgo has it all: a healthy relationship, a beautiful baby, and even credits her baby with clearing her acne. Now she’s busting out on the gram boasting her new voluptuous body.
The former talk show host took to Instagram to show off her new natural curves, courtesy of her fitness instructor and her new son Leodis Andrellton Jackson,
She captioned the post: “Hips? NEVER HAD EM’! Boobs? Never had em’! Booty? BARELY. Thanks son.”
In a video, she says, “Last time I spoke to y’all. I was letting you know that my son cleared my skin up. Skin is still skinning!”
Adding, “And now I’m about to let y’all know that he gave me something else: Body down! Get into it … Get into it …because period period period period period period!”
On this date in 1992, Dr. Dre took the first step in his successful solo journey and released this single 31 years ago today
On April 9th, 1992, the premiere single from the silver screen blockbuster Deep Cover was released and it featured the former producer from “the world’s most dangerous group” and a fresh 21-year-old Crip from Long Beach known then only as “Snoop”.
After the very public and messy break up of N.W.A., Dr. Dre and his behind the boards prowess were invited to create the musical score of the dirty cop flick starring Larry Fishburne. He brought along one of his little brother Warren G’s homies and the rest was history. The song became a hit and the track continues to be recognized as one of the best-crafted tracks in Hip Hop history. Fat Joe and the late Big Pun even created a classic remix of the joint that featured Dre and Snoop in the video entitled “Twinz”(Deep Cover ’98).
Salute to Dre and Snoop for this timeless gem and look forward to another one from them in another 29 years! Peace!
The intricately talented musician H.E.R.—one of the fastest rising young stars has labeled her favorite rapper –of all time. H.E.R. crowned Q-Tip the Abstract of the infamous group A Tribe Called Quest her number one emcee.
Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest
Currently showcasing an immense creativity holding an Academy Award, an Emmy and five Grammys, she has also recently launched her acting career, starring as Belle in the recent ABC special Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration. She will join the all-star cast of “The Color Purple” musical film adaptation as “Squeak” later this year.
H.E.R. at Disney Dreamers Academy 20023
H.E.R. recently lended her time to inspire 100 students from around the world at Disney Dreamers Academy 20023 and surprised three teens pursuing music with an autographed guitar.
H.E.R. Surprises Disney Dreamers Academy Students
The Source Magazine caught up with the singer/songwriter and asked her what artist she relates to the most. In true fashion of someone with an old soul, the 25-year old instrumentalist revealed more.
“I don’t know who I relate to the most, but one of my favorite rappers of all time is Q-Tip…. I actually got to meet him one time and he put me onto so much music. And I didn’t realize how much music he was inspired by outside of hip hop. He to me just focuses on having fun with the music and making people feel something without kind of trying.Just kind of being him.”
Powerhouse singer/songwriter LaTocha from the multi-platinum selling group Xscape releases her music video for her latest single “Afraid,” out today. The video showcases a vulnerable LaTocha in rare form as she calls out for God to help her in her most dire time of need.
The self-directed visual (co-directed by JMo Horton & Rich Laru) begins with LaTocha returning home from a night out, wearing what has now become known as the “infamous” green dress. As LaTocha enters her home on an incredible high, her spirit is instantly deflated as she begins to receive an overload of notifications with the headline “LaTocha Scott sends Xscape into a fashion frenzy,” followed by another that proclaims her husband has a secret love child on the way.
“I’m afraid to trust again, I’ve been lost so pull me in, I still need you, so don’t move, ‘cuz I can’t live this life by myself,”LaTocha professes in the chorus.
She is seen almost in a state of spiritual surrender, questioning why God has put her through so much and how she is going to make it out alive. As LaTocha sings, her frustration and pain is palpable, and her words take on a new level of meaning. She pleads with God to help her through her most difficult time – to provide strength, courage and resilience.
According t several reports, the father and son who was allegedly recorded beating and robbing disgraced Brooklyn rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine have been released from jail.
43-year-old Rafael Medina Jr. and his 23-year-old son Octavius Medina have been released on house arrest in Palm County after signing a promissory note with a bail bond company. Rafael was released on a $52K bond while his son was cut loose on a $22K surety bond. Their co-defendant, 25-year-old Anthony Maldonado, signed a $22K surety bond as well, but remans in custody at Palm Beach County’s Main Detention Center, according to court records.
All three were charged with battery and robbery of the “Gummo” rapper and are slated for court appearances next month.
Tekashi gave a statement to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s investigators, telling them that his attackers took the key fob to his Lambo, Balenciaga sneakers and an iPhone.
Rumors have circulated that the attack was due to 6ix9ine’s allegiance to Mexico over Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic last month, but authorities say that Medina Jr. is a high ranking member of the Latin King, which is an ally to the Bloods gang. Tekashi famously aided federal prosecutors to convict several of his Blood co-defendants of racketeering and violent crimes, resulting in a sentence of jail and house arrest.
As part of the conditions of release from jail, the three defendants signed papers agreeing to obey all laws, not possess weapons, and appear for scheduled court hearings. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s website says its house arrest program allows participants to obtain employment and requires them to wear an ankle monitor.
On this day in Hip Hop history, Biz Markie (real name Marcel Theo Hall), one of the most respected and successful DJs in Hip Hop, was born. Growing up in Harlem, New York, The Biz has been moving the crowd with his unique style of rhyming since he was 14. From his earliest gig as Roxanne Shante‘s beat boxer to a headliner at Grammy Awards after parties, he’s done it all. Whether it be on screen, on the mic, or on the 1s and 2s, The Biz has remained a consistent brand in entertainment booking, averaging 175 shows a year across the globe.
Over the past four decades, Biz Markie has established himself as one of the most prolific rappers/DJs in music. Since his 1988 debut Goin’ Off (which peaked at #90 on the Billboard 200), he has grabbed hold of the hearts and ears of Hip Hop lovers everywhere. His second album, 1989’s The Biz Never Sleeps, contains his timeless hit “Just a Friend,” which has made a permanent impact on pop culture.
During the ’90s, The Biz retained his place as an icon. His third LP, I Need A Haircut, unintentionallychanged the scope of Hip Hop forever. The closing track from the album, “Alone Again,” contains a sample of the song “Alone Again (Naturally)” by Gilbert O’Sullivan, which had not been cleared by Warner Bros. Records. In turn, Warner Bros. sued The Biz for his unlawful use of the sample, causing the courts to rule all samples must be cleared by the owning party before reuse from then on. The lawsuit prompted the title of Markie’s fourth LP All Samples Cleared!.
As the new millennium approached, Markie never saw much of a decline in popularity. In 2002, he made his first major motion picture appearance in Men in Black 2. From then, he continued to make a plethora of television and big screen appearances. From Nick Cannon’s Wild N Out to Grand Theft Auto, The Biz is seen and heard throughout visual media.
During this decade, he also started his endeavors as a child educator through the children’s program Yo Gabba Gabba. Through entertainment, Markie has helped educate young children on music and artistic expression on the Nick Jr. hit show.
Biz lost his battle with diabetes in the summer of 202. He was 57 years old. Even though he is gone physically, the music and legacy of the human orchestra will live on forever!
An 18 year-old man, Raiden K. Hagedorn, was arrested in Highland Park, IL for breaking into Michael Jordan’s estate.
LMCS reports:
Police arrested and charged a Mundelein man after receiving a burglary in progress call at Michael Jordan’s seven-acre estate in Highland Park Tuesday.
Residents reported seeing numerous Highland Park police officers responding with emergency lights activated around 4:10 p.m. Tuesday.
Officers arrested Raiden K. Hagedorn, 18, of Mundelein, in connection with the incident, according to a police report.
Hagedorn was charged with criminal trespass to occupied residence and two counts of criminal damage to property. All three charges are misdemeanors.
Three years ago, up and coming New York rapper Pop Smoke was killed during a home invasion in Hollywood Hills. Rumors circulated that accidentally showing his address on social media hours earlier led to his untimely demise.
One of the underaged invaders has just been sentenced to four years in a Youth Treatment Center.
LA Times reports:
A 20-year-old charged in the killing of Pop Smoke pleaded guilty in juvenile court Thursday, admitting he entered a Hollywood Hills mansion as a teenager in February 2020 intending to rob the rapper, who was shot to death in a struggle with his assailants.
The defendant pleaded guilty in an Inglewood courtroom to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery; he was the first to admit guilt of four defendants charged in the death of Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson.
Judge J. Christopher Smith sentenced the defendant to four years and two months in the Secure Youth Treatment Facility but warned he could remain in juvenile custody until he was 25. The judge declined to apply the two years and eight months he has already spent in juvenile hall toward his sentence.
Three others are charged in Jackson’s death: two juvenile defendants, 15 and 17 at the time of the homicide, and Corey Walker, who was 19. A judge has issued a court order barring the media from identifying the juvenile defendants.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Hilary Williams told a judge at a hearing in August that the defendant who pleaded guilty Thursday was no minor participant in the crime: He scouted the mansion, helped Walker recruit three other juveniles to rob Jackson and, after entering the home, remained in “constant communication” with Walker, who waited in the getaway car.
From a wiretap on his phone, detectives learned he’d committed other robberies, Williams added.
Martin Lijtmaer, the attorney for the defendant who pleaded guilty Thursday, argued his client was intellectually disabled, sparking a years-long series of examinations and hearings over his competency to stand trial.
Jody Ward, a psychologist who examined the defendant on behalf of the prosecution, testified in August that he appeared to be faking the disability.
After he was arrested, the defendant showed a familiarity with the judicial process that belied his alleged disability, Ward testified. He planned with his cellmate — a plant for the police, who were secretly recording the conversation — how to glean information from detectives without giving anything up himself, Ward said.
“OJ was able to beat his case even though there was blood on his socks,” he told his cellmate, according to Ward. But if all else failed, “I still got that Regional Center s—,” he said, a reference to the facility where he’d been diagnosed as disabled.
After handing down the sentence, Smith addressed the defendant. “I don’t know how you and your friends even came to the idea to rob someone, someone whose life was taken unnecessarily.”
The judge noted the defendant will one day return to his family. “Mr. Jackson is not. His life is done because of what you and your friends did. You owe. You owe.”
Rapper Cardi B just revealed she’s still earning “millions” of dollars from her debut album, Invasion of Privacy.
The Bronx beauty celebrated with her team who congratulated her on the success of the fifth anniversary of her Grammy-winning debut LP.
In a video posted to her Instagram Stories, Cardi is seen in the studio with her producer, J. White Did It, and engineer, Evan LaRay, as she reacts to receiving a bottle of wine, strawberry-laced cupcakes and a cake reading: “Happy 5th Anniversary!”
“What my team got me, guys!” Cardi exclaims in the clip. “Yeah! Five years! I’m still getting booked for millions of dollars with one muthafuckin’ album, bitch! Yeah, wassup? Ain’t nobody can tell me nothing,” she adds with a laugh.
On this date in 1987, Philly’s most celebrated Hip Hop duo released their first album.
Famed rapper and actor Will Smith, also known as “The Fresh Prince” and his hilarious on-and-off-screen partner Jeff Townes aka DJ Jazzy Jeff, dropped their first project on the Jive/RCA imprint.
As two of the pioneers of Philly Hip Hop, Dj Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince were the first artists from the “City of Brotherly Love” to perform at the coveted Union Square, which prompted the live title track. They were there during a time when if you were wack, not only did you get booed, but the Brooklyn kids would end up leaving the Square with something you came there with. “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” was a storytelling anthem that was only rivaled by the likes of the great Slick Rick. This ten-track LP was just the tip of the iceberg of what this dynamic duo had in store for them in their future.
Salute to Jazzy Jeff, Will Smith and Ready Rock C for this classic piece of Hip Hop history!
