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R.Kelly’s Legal Team Suggests He’s Unfairly Targeted, Cites Elvis Presley Dating 14-Year-Old

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R. Kelly’s legal team asked a federal judge for a short sentence in his Chicago case and claimed they unfairly targeted him. The convicted star could serve decades behind bars. His team wants the judge to reduce the sentence of his Chicago conviction to 11 years. Also, Jennifer Bonjean asked U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber if Kelly can serve that sentence during his 30-year sentence. Furthermore, the latter stems from a 2021 federal racketeering case in New York.

According to his legal team, the R&B artist’s Chicago case could have rolled into the New York one. Instead, Bonjean alleges her client unjustly faced a “piece-meal prosecution by the federal government.” The request appeared two weeks before the singer’s sentencing date on February 23 on charges of child pornography and criminal sexual activity with a minor in Chicago. As officials determine whether to add to his 30-year sentence, Kelly, 56, might sit behind bars until at least his late 70s. Moreover, Kelly’s trial in Chicago began right after his New York sentence for exploitation, bribery, racketeering, and sex trafficking.

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Top: Jerry Lee Lewis and his 13 year old cousin/wife

Middle: Singer Elvis Presley dating 14 year old Priscilla

Bottom: Filmmaker Woody Allen and his adopted daughter who became his wife

Kelly’s legal team also argued the precedent set by other high-profile music-related cases. For example, Elvis Presley started dating his wife Priscilla when she was just 14 years old. In addition, Bonjean cited David Bowie, Jerry Lee Lewis, and several other musicians who received similar accusations with no prosecution. In a 34-page sentencing memo, the lawyer claimed that prosecutors and society took particular aim at Kelly. Moreover, she referenced “a unique, unprecedented contempt for Kelly that is wanting as to his similarly situated white counterparts.”“[Kelly] was a damaged man in his late 20s with an extraordinarily traumatic childhood that he failed to confront,” she stated. Also, she mentioned his abuse at the hands of a family member and friend, suffering gunshot wounds, and helplessly watching a childhood girlfriend drown.

The post R.Kelly’s Legal Team Suggests He’s Unfairly Targeted, Cites Elvis Presley Dating 14-Year-Old appeared first on The Source.

Not So Fast Vegans: New ‘Plant-Based’ Chick-Fil-A Sandwich Contains Milk And Eggs

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Chick-fil-A is the latest establishment to step into the meat-alternatives to please customers. But not so fast- the new Chick-Fil-A sandwich isn’t plant-based as it contains milk and eggs, a huge no-no to those looking to eliminate animal products.

According to reports, the popular fast-food restaurant Chick-fil-A has plans to release a meatless “cauliflower sandwich” that is being tested in three cities beginning next week. This new menu item is the chicken chain’s first-ever plant-based sandwich, which will imitate Chick-fil-A’s famous fried chicken sandwich. Social media users were retweeting reports and vegans wondered if the new sandwiches would be cooked in the same grease.

The company also disclosed to people with strict dietary restrictions that its restaurants don’t have “vegetarian-only preparation surfaces.”

But despite the sandwich being made from a “tender filet cut” of cauliflower that’s marinated and breaded in the chain’s seasoning, Chick-fil-A isn’t labeling their new addition vegan because milk and eggs are used during the breading process. The plant-based chicken alternative is pressure cooked and served on a buttery bun with pickles.

It will be available on Feb. 13 for a limited time in three cities: Denver; Charleston, South Carolina; and the Greensboro-Triad region in North Carolina. The starting price is $6.59, but it varies by market, according to a company spokesperson.

Do you think there should be a vegan option as well?

The post Not So Fast Vegans: New ‘Plant-Based’ Chick-Fil-A Sandwich Contains Milk And Eggs appeared first on The Source.

Swizz Beatz And More Pay Tribute To Slain South African Rapper AKA

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One of South Africa’s top rappers, known as AKA, was murdered outside a restaurant in the city of Durban.

Kiernan Forbes was killed along with his close friend, the chef and entrepreneur Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.The pair are thought to have been on their way to a nightclub for a performance as part of Forbes’ birthday celebrations when they were shot.

Forbes began his musical career as part of the rap group Entity before he launched his solo career, winning several awards in South Africa for his music.

He was also celebrated internationally, with several nominations for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award in the US and an MTV Europe Music Award.

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Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda has told the BBC that the rapper and his friend were walking to their car when they were approached by two armed men who shot them at close range.

The assailants then fled the scene on foot. Hours before his death, the 35-year-old posted about his upcoming album, Mass Country, which is set for release later this month.

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world and recent shootings have been happening more often.

Celebrities Somizi, Nandi Madida, Tbo Touch, Thando Thabethe – as well as United States producer Swizz Beatz – have all taken to social media on Saturday to pay tribute to Fela in Versace rapper AKA. Swizz took to his Instagram story to remember his South African friend.

He wrote: “Damn King, rest easy. One of South Africa’s greats.”

American rapper Bas also paid tribute to AKA: “Damn this fu**in tragic as hell. South Africa, I’m so sorry for your loss. @akaworldwide always showed me love and hospitality every time we crossed paths. Always welcomed me with open arms. Rest easy king.”

The World Is Yours rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes’ death has sent shock waves through South Africa, who woke up to the news that he had been killed in cold blood in Durban on Friday evening.

The Megacy, as well as celebrities such as Nandi Madida, Donald, Da Les and Black Coffee, flooded Twitter with condolence messages.

Nandi Madida wrote: “Rest my brother … this hurts. Thinking about your beautiful daughter and loved ones in general. Thank you for the good times and laughs … I always enjoyed working with you.”

The post Swizz Beatz And More Pay Tribute To Slain South African Rapper AKA appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Retired Football Vet Shannon Sharpe Confronts Paparazzi At LAX

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Former Denver Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe recently snapped on paparazzi for recording him while he purchased a dog at the airport.

The 54-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer was spotted at LAX receiving a puppy from a dog handler when he noticed he was being filmed.

Sharpe purchased the dog for $10,000, according to X17Online, whose cameraman watched the transaction unfold.

Shannon wasn’t happy with the outlet for filming the transaction. He looked at the camera and said, “Really? Why?” to which the paparazzi replied, “Why not?”

Sharpe then angrily stormed off with his pedigree dog.

Friday, Shannon quoted someone who tweeted the video of the transaction.

“F–k wrong wit dude just recording Unc Shannon sharpe like that?” the person tweeted, to which Sharpe replied: “SOME PPL have become really weird looking for paydays,” with a clown emoji.

Watch the video below.

The post [WATCH] Retired Football Vet Shannon Sharpe Confronts Paparazzi At LAX appeared first on The Source.

Nia Long Reveals Her Youngest Son Is Having A Hard Time Following Split

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In a sit-down interview with New York magazine’s The Cut, actress Nia Long revealed her recent breakup has been hard on her youngest son.

Nia admitted she is exhausted by the life change and assuming the roles of both parents to her youngest son. Long says it’s difficult raising her youngest son without his father, Ime Udoka. The 52-year-old actress split from Udoka after he cheated on her with a Boston Celtics employee. 
Udoka was suspended from his job as Celtics head coach for a year in 2022. Long packed her bags and relocated to the Los Angeles area with their 11-year-old son, Kez Udoka and her eldest son, Massai, 22.

“For the last 22 years, I’ve been pouring out. But at a certain point, you’re like, Woo, I’m looking a little tired,” she says. “Even if I can’t see it, I can feel it. So I try to pour into myself and let everyone know this is a ‘do not disturb’ period.”

“My only focus right now is my youngest son ’cause he’s having a really tough time. I’m sure I have some things that I’m suppressing, but I have to do that to take care of him first. That’s the giving. It’s natural. I’m sure I’ll have to circle back with myself several times to reconcile things. But the one thing I’m trying not to harbor is anger.”

The post Nia Long Reveals Her Youngest Son Is Having A Hard Time Following Split appeared first on The Source.

Charges Dropped Against Terrell Owens’ Racially Charged Neighbor

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Last year retired football player Terrell Owens went live on Instagram to detail his neighbor who policed his driving, cursed him out, and then burst into tears when the cops arrived. The neighbor was charged with filing a false police report for calling the cops on him after a racially charged incident. Now we find out the charges against her have been dropped.

TMZ Reports:

TMZ Sports has learned Caitlin Davis’ misdemeanor charge stemming from the incident has been dropped.

A spokesperson for the Broward State Attorney’s Office tells us the case was dismissed on Feb. 2 — after prosecutors said in documents they “would not be able to prove the elements of the charged crime with the facts that were presented.”

Davis had initially been charged with one count of misdemeanor false reports after Owens said she lied to cops following an Aug. 3 argument they had gotten into in a Deerfield Beach, Fla. neighborhood.

Watch the video below.

The post Charges Dropped Against Terrell Owens’ Racially Charged Neighbor appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Jay-Z Seen Trying To Calm Down Denzel Washington At Lakers Game

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At the game between the L.A. Lakers and the OKC Thunder, NBA living legend LeBron James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time leading scorer record in front of a host of celebrities, including Denzel Washington and Jay-Z.

Sometime after the game, Hov is seen attempting to gain the attention of Denzel, who seemed to be engaged in an argument with someone else, ignoring Jay-Z’s attempts to get Washington to calm down. From there, Washington doubled back to Jay-Z, and the two began to laugh.

See the entire exchange below.

The post [WATCH] Jay-Z Seen Trying To Calm Down Denzel Washington At Lakers Game appeared first on The Source.

DJ Twitch Died Without a Will: Wife Files For Control Of All Assets

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Last year, mental health was a major topic when Stephen “DJ Witch” Boss from The Ellen Degeneres Show died by suicide. Now reports are saying that the multi-talented exec passed without a will.

OK Magazine reports:

Allison Holker has filed for half of her late husband Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’ estate after he devastatingly died by suicide — without a will — on December 13, 2022, at the young age of 40.

The mother-of-three has asked for a Spousal Property Petition at the Superior Court of California in an effort to formally request that all of Boss’ assets be put in her name.

Holker is looking to obtain “confirmation of property belonging to the surviving spouse” and “determination of property passing to the surviving spouse,” according to documents obtained by a news publication on Thursday, February 9.

Thoughts?

The post DJ Twitch Died Without a Will: Wife Files For Control Of All Assets appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Remembering J Dilla 17 Years After His Passing

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J Dilla

On this date in 2006, James Dewitt Yancey better known as J Dilla lost his battle with Lupus and died from cardiac arrest in his home in Los Angeles. The Detroit beatmaker extraordinaire was only 32 years old.

He passed away just three days after his 32nd born day, but managed to release his final album, Donuts, to the public, which received its name because of Dilla’s love for the sugar-saturated pastries.

Dilla has produced classic tracks for several Hip Hop legends including A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Common, MF Doom and a host of others.

J Dilla will forever be etched in the history of Hip Hop, with the unofficial “Dilla Day” holiday that is celebrated on his birthday every year in his honor for his contributions to Hip Hop.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Remembering J Dilla 17 Years After His Passing appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Common Revisits “The Light” Video For Vevo Footnotes

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Common Denies Jaguar Wright's Sexual Allegations: 'I Don’t Know What She’s Going Through'

Academy Award, Grammy and Emmy-winning artist Common takes fans behind the scenes of the official music video for “The Light,” in the latest installment of Vevo Footnotes, premiering today. The exclusive content is part of Vevo’s celebration to honor the historic 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop – more details here.

“Thank you Vevo for always supporting my work, this is dope to be a part of Vevo Footnotes. This is the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, and man…hip-hop has changed my life in ways that I can’t even fathom. I thank God for hip-hop, and thank y’all for celebrating ‘The Light’ and including it in Footnotes for the celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. Peace.” – Common

In the episode, Common pays tribute to J Dilla, delves into how Erykah Badu influenced the song’s message about the different dimensions of love and shares how, as a Southside Chicago dude, he initially felt uncomfortable about not wearing socks during the music video shoot. Additionally, Common discusses “The Light” being one of his greatest videos, his favorite line in the song and how proud he is that so many people have told him they’ve played the song at their weddings. 

The post [WATCH] Common Revisits “The Light” Video For Vevo Footnotes appeared first on The Source.