Otis Redding Biopic Set With John Boyega, Danielle Deadwyler To Star

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Here’s some news in the world of iconic adaptation from the culture. John Boyega and Danielle Deadwyler are set to lead the biopic Otis & Zelma, which will portray the life of soul legend Otis Redding and his wife, Zelma. The project, directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples and written by Donnetta Lavinia Grays, was first reported by Variety. The film is being produced by Fifth Season, Homegrown Pictures, and Kinfolk Management + Media, and is fully supported by Zelma Redding and the Otis Redding estate.

Here’s the story that they will tell. The film will reportedly focus on the couple’s love story, which spanned just 10 years before Redding’s tragic death in a plane crash in 1967, at the age of 26. According to an early synopsis, the film “celebrates the 10 short years Otis and Zelma had together, and their eternal love story after his passing.” It also emphasizes Zelma’s efforts over the past 56 years to preserve her husband’s musical legacy, which she continues to uphold.

If you’re not well versed, Redding’s career left a lasting impact on music, earning him two Grammy Awards, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Black Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame, and Songwriters Hall of Fame. His legacy will be further honored with a posthumous induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 4. Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies, stated, “The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is honored to dedicate a star to the legendary Otis Redding, whose music continues to inspire generations.” The ceremony will include speeches by Killer Mike, with Jimmy Jam serving as emcee, and Redding’s daughter, Karla Redding, accepting the star on his behalf.

Get this, in an interview last year with BMI, Zelma Redding reflected on the importance of preserving Otis’ legacy: “He left so much special music for everybody. But I really have to commend my family and myself to continue this legacy because you cannot have a legacy if you don’t work it. We have everything we need for Otis Redding and that’s why we work so hard to preserve and protect his legacy. We wouldn’t know any way to do it without it.”

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Controversial New Docuseries ‘Tupac: Cover-Up’ Gets Pressure To Make Changes, Instead Finds Home On Xumo Play

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Once word was out that a new documentary series, “Tupac: Cover Up,” was released for the late rapper’s death anniversary on September 13, 2024, a panicked group of individuals began to call major platforms, making false claims about the show in an attempt to have it taken off the air.

In fact, the docuseries’ producers were contacted about the matter, and one of the platforms made an unprecedented request; “Remove certain content, or we will remove the documentary.”

One need only look at the docuseries as a whole- NOW AVAILABLE ON XUMO PLAY to understand why certain groups are creating pressure on these platforms to silence the filmmakers: the documentary focuses on the life and death of the Grammy-winning artist Tupac Shakur, but also focuses on the moments following the unsolved shooting. The series makes the claim that from five minutes after the shooting until charges were returned from a Las Vegas Nevada Grand Jury last year, a group of self-interested individuals, some of which were alleged to be informants for the Federal Government, have carefully planted and cultivated a 27-year narrative that in truth has not one shred of physical evidence attached to it—just “hood lore” which they have perpetuated.

Tupac: Coverup” features new and unheard interviews with celebrities (Mykelti Williamson, of Heat and Forrest Gump fame) Death Row Insiders (Kevin Black, Mike Nixon), Industry Insiders (Billy Johnson, Jr., Cynthia Horner, Janie Jennings), Law Enforcement (FBI Special Agent Phil Carson, who lead the Tupac/Biggie investigations for the FBI) as well as unheard and unreleased material from former Tupac bodyguards, friends and family. Athena Bond is the Executive producer, and Edna Sims is the film’s producer.

“We have had documented communications with the platforms showing that individuals with- shall we say- clear conflicts of interest didn’t follow the platform procedures for making claims against a show,” says Producer Richard “RJ” Bond, known for his previous works on the matter: 2020’s “Last Man Standing” and the beloved “Tupac Assassination” trilogy of movies.

“They did stupid stunts like calling the platform customer service departments and screaming at the poor representative on the phone.  In our current “squeaky wheel” culture, extreme acts and rhetoric get moved to the front of the line. The platforms don’t always want to support Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Speech. This form of “consumer terrorism” and resulting censorship- is a big problem for everyone.”

The “Tupac: Cover Up” producers took last week to decide: Do they leave the story out—which has received incredible reviews from fans who viewed an estimated 400,000 minutes of the show for its premiere date—untouched? Or do they make politically correct changes to cave to trouble with radical individuals?

“Well, let’s take a look at how Tupac viewed pressure; he went after C Delores Tucker and the entire government over trying to suppress his message. How would we honor him by silencing voices to serve a convenient and popular narrative?” added Bond.

Bond has put together a block-busting list of Former FBI agents, former Vegas law enforcement, Death Row “insiders” and music industry leaders that give credible and damning information regarding the motives behind the “False Narrative”. “Tupac: Cover Up” uses Vegas’ police files, grand jury testimony, and impeachable statements to demonstrate how flimsy the Vegas case is. This is a problem for those with less-than-clean agendas.

“After the documentary dropped, I was contacted by the family of Mr. Davis, the man charged in the murder of Shakur. They are understandably interested in the show’s talking points and feel we adequately addressed the situation. I hope to be in better contact with his defense team, whom I intentionally did not speak to until the show’s release.”  

And the docuseries?

“We elected to partner with Xumo, an upcoming internet streaming venture owned by Comcast and Charter networks. Xumo got the situation right away, realized the foolishness, and agreed to keep the show as it was and not compromise our artistic vision, said Bond.

“Time to step up to the bullies who control media by threats and extreme rhetoric.”

“Tupac: Cover Up” is available on Xumo Play.  

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[WATCH] R. Kelly’s Daughter To Unveil “Heartbreaking Secret” In Upcoming Documentary

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Screenshot 2024 10 01 at 12.59.54 PM

R. Kelly’s daughter says that she has a “heartbreaking secret” to reveal that will come to light in her new documentary about her troubled father.

Buku Abi aka Joanne Kelly is slated to drop her doc titled R. Kelly’s Karma: A Daughter’s Journey, which will air on October 11 on TVEI streaming service. The new documentary will feature interviews from Buku herself, her brother Robert Kelly Jr. and R. Kelly’s ex-wife Drea.

In the doc’s trailer, Buku tearfully admits, “For a long time, I didn’t even want to believe that it happened. I didn’t know that even if he was a bad person that he would do something to me. I really feel like that one millisecond completely just changed my whole life.” Buku adds, “Nobody wants to be the child of the father that is out here hurting women and children.”

His ex-wife says in the trailer, “What he did to me, he did to me, but you didn’t have to do it to my kids.”

Meanwhile, R. Kelly has been trying to have the convictions for his sexual crimes overturned, petitioning the United States Supreme Court in July on the basis that his alleged crimes occurred decades ago and the charges therefore fall outside the statute of limitations.

The Supreme Court will decide whether to hear the appeal in the coming months.

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Kendrick Lamar Caught Filming Scenes For “South Park” Creators’ New Movie

Kendrick Lamar was spotted in California, this week, filming scenes for South Park co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s next project. In a video circulating on social media, the “Not Like Us” rapper gets to work on the highly anticipated live-action comedy. He and his collaborator, Dave Free, are serving as producers behind the scenes. It’s slated to hit theaters on July 4, 2025.

In a statement provided to Variety, earlier this year, Paramount CEO Brian Robbins said: “This script is one of the funniest and most original scripts we’ve ever read and it’s certain to create some fireworks.” According to Entertainment Tonight, it will “depict the past and present coming to a head when a young Black man who is interning as a slave re-enactor at a living history museum discovers that his white girlfriend’s ancestors once owned his.”

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Teaming Up With South Park Creators For New Original Comedy Film

Kendrick Lamar Accepts Best Rap Album Grammy Award

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 05: Kendrick Lamar accepts the Best Rap Album award for “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Lamar previously collaborated with Stone and Parker on his “The Heart Part 5” music video in 2022. They helped him work on the deep fake technology used to switch his face between Kobe Bryant, Will Smith, Jussie Smollett, and OJ Simpson. It’s unclear whether Lamar will be making an appearance in the film, but if he does, it won’t be his first time stepping in front of the camera. He acted in 50 Cent’s hit series, Power, as well.

Kendrick Lamar Collaborates With Trey Parker & Matt Stone

The film with Matt Stone and Trey Parker continues a busy year for Lamar who has already dropped one of the most popular songs in the last several months in “Not Like Us.” Additionally, the NFL announced that he’ll be headlining the upcoming Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. Be on the lookout for further updates on Kendrick Lamar on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Scores This Milestone For Feature On “Like That”

[Via]

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[WATCH] Investigation Discovery Unveils Trailer for Chris Brown Documentary, “A History of Violence”

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nvestigation Discovery (ID) has released the trailer for its upcoming documentary, Chris Brown: A History of Violence, which delves into the troubled legal history of the controversial pop star. Set to premiere on October 27, the documentary will be part of ID’s third annual “No Excuse for Abuse” campaign, spotlighting issues related to domestic violence and abuse.

The documentary examines the various legal issues Brown has faced throughout his career, with a particular focus on his infamous 2009 assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna. The incident, which resulted in severe injuries requiring hospitalization for the pop star, brought Brown’s violent behavior into the public eye. Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault and accepted a plea deal, but the legal troubles didn’t stop there.

Since the 2009 incident, Brown’s history has been marked by other troubling encounters, including a separate guilty plea to an assault charge and a sexual assault lawsuit that was eventually settled out of court. The documentary will explore these incidents and more, offering a deep dive into the darker side of the singer’s career.

Brown, known for hits like “With You,” “Forever,” and the viral sensation “Under the Influence,” has often made headlines for his chart-topping music. However, his legal issues, which include domestic violence, assault charges, and multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, continue to cast a shadow over his success.

Chris Brown: A History of Violence joins other hard-hitting documentaries from ID, which previously produced Quiet on Set, an exposé of child abuse allegations within Nickelodeon. By spotlighting Brown’s troubled past, the network aims to continue its mission of raising awareness about the ongoing issue of abuse and reinforcing the message that there is “No Excuse for Abuse.”

The release of the documentary comes at a time when discussions around accountability and the treatment of survivors remain critical in the entertainment industry. A History of Violence promises to shed light on the singer’s long history of legal troubles, offering viewers an unflinching look at the complicated legacy of Chris Brown.

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Keegan-Michael Key Reflects on Drift from Jordan Peele: “It’s a Tragedy”

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Comedian Keegan-Michael Key has opened up about the changing dynamic between him and his former comedy partner, Jordan Peele, admitting that they don’t see each other as much anymore—a situation Key calls “a tragedy.”

Speaking with People, Key, 53, fondly recalled the early days of his partnership with Peele, 45, which began when they both starred on MADtv in 2004. “It was a thrilling time in my life,” Key said. “We were sharing a mind.” The two bonded over their mutual comedic influences and their time at Chicago’s Second City, which created a unique synergy that would later fuel their Emmy-winning sketch comedy series Key & Peele.

“When we were on camera, it was alchemy,” Key explained. “It was just like, ‘Why is this working?’”

However, in the nearly ten years since Key & Peele ended its run in 2015, their paths have diverged. “We don’t see each other that often anymore, which is, to me, a tragedy,” Key revealed. While they’ve reunited for projects like the 2016 action-comedy Keanu and voiced characters together in Toy Story 4 and Wendell & Wild, life has taken them in different directions. Peele has found success in horror, while Key has pursued more dramatic roles.

“His desire was to start exploring the horror genre, and my desire was to do more dramatic work,” Key said. With Peele based in Los Angeles and Key living in New York City, the physical distance also plays a part in their separation.

Despite this evolution, Key acknowledged that the foundation they built with Key & Peele was crucial for both of them: “We needed that first platform.” Although their personal and professional journeys have led them down different paths, their collaborative magic remains a huge part of both their legacies.

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Operation: Aunties Starring Tisha Campbell, Melissa De Sousa, Amiyah Scott Set at ALLBLK

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ALLBLK is stepping up their feature film slate. The streamer just unveiled its new original movie Operation: Aunties, starring Tisha Campbell, Melissa De Sousa, and Amiyah Scott. Directed by Wendy Raquel Robinson, this dramedy explores the challenges of a “longtime friendship” put to the test when a cautious cryptocurrency expert and her retired detective best friend turn vigilantes after uncovering a cyber-crime ring in their city.

Here’s the official synopsis:

“After an attempted trafficking incident strikes her family, blockchain expert and professor Dr. Carol Cleavers (played by De Sousa) uncovers a dark web operation that uses modern technology to assault and traffic women through a rideshare app. Realizing the authorities won’t act quickly enough, Carol joins forces with her best friend, retired detective Sharon O’Hara (Campbell), and her tech-savvy niece, Aminah James (Scott), a talented hacker.”

Together, this trio embarks on a high-stakes mission, taking on a criminal network that puts them directly in harm’s way.

Here’s what Brett Dismuke, Head of Content for ALLBLK & We TV, expressed about the film, “while addressing “real issues affecting our society today.”

“Melissa, Tisha, and Amiyah expertly bring these strong, Black female characters to life, showcasing resilience, empowerment, and tremendous heroism — keeping the laughs coming along the way, all of which resonate deeply with ALLBLK subscribers,” Dismuke remarked.

Behind the camera, writer and executive producer TJ Ali also shared her thoughts on the significance of the film, stating, “Black women are always saving the day. Our culture thrives because of the everyday change agents — those who consistently rise up and uplift our society. For me, those agents of change have always been women from across the diaspora.”

As her debut project on the network, Ali added, “I’m incredibly proud to partner with ALLBLK, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Big Little Sis Media, and our incredible cast to bring this vision to life — a story for us, by us. The culture deserves to see our aunties as the vigilantes they already are — our heroes.”

Don’t get too excited as Operation: Aunties does not yet have a confirmed release date, but it is slated to debut exclusively on ALLBLK in 2025.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Netflix Announces ‘Countdown To Paul vs. Tyson’ Premiering November 7

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Ahead of Netflix and Most Valuable Promotion’s Paul vs Tyson on Friday, November 15th, COUNTDOWN: PAUL VS. TYSON, a three-part follow-up doc leading up to the mega-event, is set to premiere November 7th.

The much-anticipated July 20 heavyweight fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was rescheduled for Friday, Nov. 15 after Tyson had to pause his training on doctor’s orders after an ulcer flare-up. On Sept. 26, Netflix announced Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson, a three-part follow doc chronicling the journey to the fight, which will take viewers behind the scenes of Paul and Tyson’s respective training. The doc will also follow the lead-up to the Taylor vs. Serrano rematch, one of the most anticipated women’s fights in history.

Jake “El Gallo” Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) and the Baddest Man on the Planet, Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) as they prepare for Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions’ (MVP) highly-anticipated Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson heavyweight boxing mega-event, airing live on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. 

The documentary series will take viewers behind-the-scenes of Paul and Tyson’s respective training camps to capture the incredible grit, determination and physical demands needed to prepare for what will be an explosive, can’t miss professional boxing mega-event.

COUNTDOWN will also follow the lead up to one of the most anticipated women’s fights in history, the rematch between undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) and unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs), as the two train to face off for the undisputed super lightweight championship title in the co-main event. 

Episodes 1 + 2 will premiere on November 7; Episode 3 will premiere on November 12. 

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See It: Hair Raising First Trailer For ‘Sinners’ Starring Michael B. Jordan and Directed by Ryan Coogker

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Finally! Warner Bros. has officially released the first trailer for Sinners, the latest film from acclaimed director Ryan Coogler, marking another collaboration with Michael B. Jordan.

We have been tracking this movie from the first cryptic announcement in a while details about the plot have been kept under tight wraps since the project was first announced, the action-packed trailer gives only a broad glimpse into the film’s premise. The official logline remains cryptic:

“Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.”

Now onto the trailer. It offers an ominous line: “You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home.”

Behind the camera, Coogler serves as both writer and director for the film, with Jordan taking on a dual role as the twin brothers. The cast also includes Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, and Delroy Lindo.

Produced by Coogler’s Proximity Media, longtime collaborators Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler also serve as producers. The executive producing team includes Ludwig Göransson, Will Greenfield, and Rebecca Cho. Many of Coogler’s frequent collaborators have also joined the project, including Autumn Durald Arkapaw as director of photography, Hannah Beachler as production designer, Michael P. Shawver as editor, Göransson composing the score, and Ruth E. Carter as costume designer.

Sinners is set to hit theaters on March 7, 2025. You can check out the trailer below.

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Bad Boy: Ride or Die Coming to Netflix Soon

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One of the summers, biggest blockbusters, Bad Boys: Ride or Die—the fourth installment in the Bad Boys franchise, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence—is set to make its streaming debut on Netflix. Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who previously helmed Bad Boys for Life (2020), the film was first released in theaters on June 7, where it became a major box office success over the summer.

Following its super successful theatrical run, Bad Boys: Ride or Die transitioned to digital streaming via premium video on demand on July 23. Now, Netflix has confirmed that the movie will be available to stream on its platform starting Tuesday, October 8. Viewers will need a Netflix subscription to access the film on SVOD. Just so you know SVOD means subscription video on demand.

Let’s take you back to the beginning. The Bad Boys franchise began with Smith and Lawrence in the original Bad Boys (1995), directed by Michael Bay, followed by its sequel, Bad Boys II (2003).

But it’s clear Bad Boys has become a serious franchise. And there’s no sign it will be slowing down anytime soon.

Here’s the synopsis for Bad Boys: Ride or Die:

The movie follows Miami Police detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) as they work to clear the name of their late mentor, Commander Lt. Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano), who has been falsely framed as a corrupt cop after his death. To uncover the truth, Mike must join forces with Conrad’s assassin, Armando Aretas (Jacob Scipio)—who is revealed to be Mike’s long-lost son.

The star studded cast also features Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Eric Dane, Paola Núñez, Ioan Gruffudd, and Rhea Seehorn, who plays Conrad’s daughter.

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