Grammy Award winning artist, producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, global cultural icon T-Pain has released his powerful new single, “On This Hill.”The song about self-love and standing up for yourself, which showcases the innovative artist’s powerful vocals and dynamic voice, comes during Mental Health Awareness Month, and the artist has teamed up with Talkspaceto provide free therapy to his fans for up to a year. The visual below finds T-Pain at a raw, fireside jam session in the middle of nowhere, playing into themes of vulnerability and renewal that come up in the song.
“This song is really about refusing to be gaslit anymore,” said T-Pain.“It’s about coming to a realization that I have to stand up for myself. Over the years, that has just been something I’ve had to open my eyes to and learn how to deal with it. So yeah, I’ll die on this hill, ha!”
At the end of this month, T-Pain will hit the road for his Mansion In Wiscansin Party Tour. Taking its name from the now iconic lyric “Put you in a mansion, somewhere in Wiscansin” from his 2008 hit“Can’t Believe It,”the series of dates kicks off in Houstonon May 29thand highlights include a special Juneteenth CelebrationatThe Hollywood Bowl with Color of Noise Orchestra, his third annual Wiscansin Festat The Rave/Eagles Clubin Milwaukee, a headline show at Central Park SummerStage and more. Later this summer, he’ll join Pitbull on the Party After DarkTour.
MANSION IN WISCANSIN PARTY TOUR DATES:
May 29 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall *
May 30 –Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom *
June 4 – Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall * SOLD OUT
June 6 – Windsor, ON – Caesars Windsor The Colosseum *
June 8 – Milwaukee, WI – WISCANSIN FEST @ The Rave/Eagles Club ^ SOLD OUT
June 11 – Columbus, OH – Kemba Live! * SOLD OUT
June 12 – Pittsburg, PA – Stage AE * SOLD OUT
June 13 – Doswell, VA – Meadow Event Park *
June 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Juneteenth Celebration @ The Hollywood Bowl
June 21 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony SummerStage * SOLD OUT
June 23 – New York, NY – Central Park SummerStage *
June 25 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion *
June 26 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre *
June 27 – North Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery Lawn *
June 29 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre *
June 30 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company * SOLD OUT
July 2 – Jacksonville, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre * SOLD OUT
BLK, the number one dating and lifestyle app for the Black community, proudly unveils their new endeavor: The BLK MBA (Master of Black Affection) Program. Created to empower and support recent graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) facing post-graduation employment challenges, this innovative initiative seeks to redefine both professional and dating dynamics, while providing financial support to young job-seekers.
At its core, the BLK MBA Program creates an opportunity for recent HBCU graduates to navigate the journey from academia to the workforce. Despite improving graduation rates, systemic and cultural obstacles often obstruct the path to employment for Black graduates. African-Americans with college degrees are twice as likely to be unemployed as other graduates, with 12.4 percent of Black college graduates being unemployed, a rate significantly higher than the 5.6 percent average for all college graduates. BLK recognizes the need for solutions to fix this gap.
Enter the BLK MBA Program – a purpose-driven initiative designed to empower and support recent HBCU graduates struggling to find employment after college. But this isn’t your traditional MBA program – there will be no coursework or thesis statements. Instead, BLK will select three outstanding graduates from HBCUs, inviting them to embark on a summer of growth and discovery. These participants will immerse themselves in the vibrant BLK community, exploring networking and connections on the app. Along the way, they’ll share feedback to make the user experience even better, working alongside the brand to gain a deeper understanding of how Black Gen-Z approaches dating, networking and creating connections. Each participant will be awarded a stipend to support them during their journey.
“Our commitment to the Black community transcends the realms of just dating,” says Jonathan Kirkland, Head of Marketing at BLK. “The BLK MBA Program showcases our dedication to creating opportunities for professional growth and personal development for recent HBCU graduates. Through this initiative, we hope not only to address the employment challenges faced by Black graduates but also to enrich our platform with diverse perspectives and experiences.”
The application process for the BLK MBA Program commences in May, inviting recent HBCU graduates to apply. Applicants will be required to submit their resumes and a personal statement that showcases both their desire and need to be a part of the program. A panel of judges, comprising BLK brand team members and Black leaders from the BLK Advocacy Council, will evaluate applications to select three participants based on academic achievements, personal statements, and potential contributions.
Selected participants will embark on a transformative journey throughout the summer, immersing themselves in the vibrant BLK community to hone their networking skills and forge meaningful connections with other Black singles, recent graduates, young professionals and Black business leaders. Participants will proactively network, arrange meetings, and go on dates with the goal of fostering relationships that could lead to meaningful relationships and valuable job opportunities. As they navigate the digital dating landscape, participants will not only shape the future of dating experiences for Black Gen-Z individuals but also gain invaluable insights into effective networking strategies.
For further information about the BLK MBA Program and details on how to apply, please visit https://www.theplugbyblk.com/blkmba2024. Stay tuned for updates and announcements via our press releases, social media channels, and in-app notifications.
Many celebrities have openly discussed navigating Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This ranges from diagnosis to managing diverse symptoms like lean PCOS without weight gain. This is a hormonal disorder affecting around 1 in 10 women of childbearing age, according to the Office on Women’s Health. Symptoms like irregular menstrual cycles, acne, excess hair growth, weight gain, and fertility issues can vary in severity from subtle signs to severe complications.
Further, PCOS is caused by hormonal imbalances with high androgen (male hormone) levels, insulin resistance, and genetics. It’s also reported that having a family member with PCOS increases one’s risk. Though incurable, symptoms can be managed via medications and lifestyle changes. Celebrities’ candid PCOS stories raise crucial awareness about this widely underdiagnosed yet common condition impacting 8 to 13 percent of reproductive-aged women globally, per the World Health Organization. Open conversations destigmatize PCOS, help others feel understood, and encourage symptom recognition and treatment.
After announcing her PCOS diagnosis in 2020, Keke Palmer has openly discussed her journey of coping with the hormonal disorder’s diverse symptoms. These include acne, excessive facial hair, weight fluctuations, irregular periods, and infertility concerns. In a candid interview with Tamron Hall, the actress revealed her severe acne and facial hair prompted her to “zero in” on PCOS as the root cause. She also explained dealing with such symptoms well past puberty despite trying medications like Accutane and dietary changes. Palmer learned PCOS manifests differently for everyone after her sister also struggled with it, especially during pregnancy.
It took examining her family’s history of diabetes and weight issues before the celebrity received her PCOS diagnosis. She says it was delayed for years despite her family’s efforts. Now, she hopes opening up empowers herself and others. She declared on Instagram, “My skin has made me sad many nights but I do not give up on myself … MY ACNE AINT NEVER STOPPED ME.”
Lea Michele
Actress Lea Michele has been candid about her journey with PCOS, opening up about being diagnosed after experiencing severe acne and fluctuating weight. “The minute she looked at me, she was like, ‘Oh, you have PCOS.’ It explained everything,” Michele told Health.com of her doctor’s assessment. The Glee star also suffered from “terrible skin” growing up. She revealed she used birth control to help manage it until going off the medication in her late 20s caused a resurgence of acne along with weight gain – classic PCOS symptoms.
Michele also acknowledged she is “very fortunate” that diet changes have allowed her to manage her PCOS. She also added that it isn’t as “intense” as it is in some cases. Yet, Michele shed light on the condition’s brutal potential side effects like cystic acne and significant weight struggles. “There are way more extreme versions of PCOS that women have a lot of difficulty with,” she empathized.
Singer Victoria Monét has candidly discussed the challenges of dealing with PCOS, revealing her honest perspective on weight fluctuations. The “We Might Be Falling in Love” artist took to Instagram Stories to share a performance photo, playfully commenting “Welp…I gained a lot of weight and it went a lot of places lol face, arms, tummy and most effectively…datassss.” Monét admitted she often feels “critical and frustrated” by PCOS-related weight gain, but tried to maintain an optimistic outlook, joking “at least now there’s two moons on the stage.”
Despite the lighthearted tone, her openness sheds light on the very real struggle many women face with hormonal conditions like PCOS impacting their bodies in various ways. By embracing her curves with humor, Monét normalizes these experiences while inspiring others to approach their own health journeys with self-compassion.
Victoria Beckham
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 13: Victoria Beckham is seen at the “Today. Show” on October 13, 2022, also in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)
While fiercely protective of her privacy, fashion icon Victoria Beckham has candidly discussed her personal battle with PCOS. The former Spice Girl went public with her diagnosis after struggling to conceive her youngest child, Harper Seven, amid irregular periods and infertility challenges. Beckham shed light on the intense pressures of expanding her family while in the spotlight. She admitted to Now magazine, “Every time I go out, someone asks if I’m pregnant.”
Initially deflecting with vague responses, she eventually opted for “brutal honesty” about undergoing fertility treatments due to PCOS. She continued, “I keep that big smile and say something like, ‘Actually, I’m struggling with infertility because of my PCOS, so my husband and I have been through several fertility treatments. No baby yet, but it’ll happen soon!’”
Daisy Ridley
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 13: Daisy Ridley attends the EE British Academy. Film Awards 2022 at Royal Albert Hall on March 13, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images)
Actress Daisy Ridley candidly addressed her battle as a celebrity with PCOS on Instagram. She shed light on the condition’s diverse symptoms like the severe acne she struggled with. The Star Wars star revealed she was first diagnosed with endometriosis at 15. She underwent surgery and consultations over eight years as the pelvic pain persisted. When her skin then became “THE WORST” despite trying various treatments, Ridley realized something more was going on. “Finally found out I have polycystic ovaries and that’s why it’s bad.”
Her journey involved cutting out dairy and sugar under a dermatologist’s guidance to manage hormonal acne. Through it all, Ridley advocated for others dealing with any health issues to persist in seeking specialist care, get thorough testing done, and pay close attention to their body’s needs without dismissing potential concerns. “From your head to the tips of your toes we only have one body, let us all make sure ours are working in top condition, and take help if it’s needed,” she empowered followers.
Nikki Bella
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 05: Nikki Bella visits SiriusXM at SiriusXM. Studios on December 05, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images)
Former professional wrestler Nikki Bella has been open about her PCOS diagnosis and fears it would impact her ability to conceive. “I go to the doctor, I find out that I have very high testosterone and very low estrogen and I have PCOS. They told me that the day I would want to have babies, I probably would actually need help,” Bella revealed on her Total Bellas podcast. Moreover, doctors advised her to consider egg freezing at age 36 due to PCOS. Bella was resigned to needing fertility assistance until getting unexpectedly pregnant with now-husband Artem Chigvintsev.
“I was in the discussion of freezing my eggs. It was right around Halloween, a day or so after, [and Artem Chigvintsev and I had unprotected sex] because I’m like, ‘I can’t get pregnant. I need help,’” she candidly shared. Despite her PCOS struggles with symptoms like acne, weight fluctuations, and hair loss, leaving her “devastated” about her fertility, Bella defied the odds by giving birth to a son, Matteo, in July 2020 without medical intervention.
Happy 4/20 Day. To commemorate cannabis culture, it’s important to understand the strides that the agricultural business has made. Marijuana is still considered illegal on a federal level, but get this: it is legal in most states for medical or recreational use.
Just in November 2023, voters in Ohio chose to make cannabis the 24th state to approve recreational use of marijuana. What’s interesting is the conservative state of Florida will vote on recreational use in November. In 38 states, including Washington, DC, voters and/or legislators have approved some form of cannabis program.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed a law in late March to legalize medical use in the deeply red state, which will remain in effect until 2025. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have passed adult recreational use policies as law.
There is a lot of gray area regarding legalization policies across medical and recreational. There is much variance between the states regarding the complex nature of regulation and taxation. For example, when it comes to D.C., Congress stopped legal sales, so possession is allowed, but sales are not, technically. That’s weird, but some say it is progress. Now, other states are rolling that way, pun intended, and allowing for small amounts for medicinal use, under strictly mandated situations.
California was the first state to legalize medical cannabis. But it wasn’t until 2012 that Washington and Colorado became the first states to approve legal recreational use.
Since then, the majority of Americans have been increasingly supportive of legal cannabis measures. In 2022, President Joe Biden pardoned a wide range of individuals convicted for simple possession under federal law. He also ordered an official look at marijuana’s status as a Schedule I drug. Schedule I drugs, under federal law, do not have legitimate medical use. If the federal laws reverse this, then that will be a game changer that some believe is long overdue.
South Florida rap standout Kodak Black took to Instagram to talk about his road to recovery, telling his fans and followers that he’s back in the driver’s seat when it comes to his abuse of prescriptions pills, specifically the opiate Percocet.
“I remember a point in my life when I was chewing a lot of Percs,” he said. “Bro, I’m proud of myself. I’ve never been this happy in my life, bro. I don’t know where this came from, what the fuck going on. I ain’t even going to say I’m anti-Perc. Like, I never took a Perc since I been home. But bro, my dosage so low that I can’t believe it myself. Man, I’m telling y’all, bro.”
Kodak Black openly discusses his past drug use, saying he was taking at least 100 Perkinson per session before going to jail#kodakblackpic.twitter.com/cvYo0IHnhe
Yak added, “Before I just went to jail, bro, I was taking… I can talk about this because it’s my testimony. Bro, I’m hollering at y’all, ain’t no shame in my shit. I was taking, bro, at least 100 Percs. Bro, my average was 40 Percocets. I’m telling y’all this man. I ain’t know, to the point where I look at this shit and be like, what the fuck was wrong with me, bruh? I listen to my music and be like, bro, what the fuck, fam?”
Prescription drug overdoses are the third leading cause of all deaths in the United States and Europe, only second to heart disease and cancer.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in charge of safeguarding the safety of our food and drugs, finds itself embroiled in a legal battle as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in a lawsuit against the agency. At the heart of this legal dispute lies the FDA’s decision regarding mifepristone, a high-risk drug used in medication abortion procedures. This decision, made despite acknowledged inadequacies in the supporting data and studies, has raised serious concerns about the welfare of hundreds of thousands of Americans impacted by its ramifications.
Mifepristone’s FDA-approved label warns of its potential dangers, with approximately one in 25 women facing the prospect of ending up in the emergency room after taking the drug. Recognizing these risks, the FDA initially instituted stringent safety measures, including mandatory in-person medical care with a licensed physician before and after taking the drug. These precautions aimed to detect life-threatening conditions like ectopic pregnancy and monitor for complications such as severe bleeding and infections.
However, in both 2016 and 2021, the FDA controversially eliminated these requirements, allowing for the distribution of mifepristone without ongoing in-person medical supervision. This decision came despite the drug’s Black Box warning highlighting the potential for “serious and sometimes fatal infections and bleeding.” What’s alarming is that the FDA based its decision on data and studies it openly admitted were unreliable and inadequate.
The FDA’s reliance on its Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database to justify the removal of in-person requirements raises serious questions. The agency itself acknowledges that FAERS data alone are insufficient to determine a drug’s safety profile. Additionally, the FDA’s failure to address the absence of reporting requirements for non-fatal serious adverse events leaves a critical gap in monitoring and responding to potential risks associated with mifepristone use.
Moreover, the FDA’s reliance on studies evaluating mail-order dispensing of abortion drugs, despite their limitations and red flags, further undermines the credibility of its decision-making process. These studies revealed alarming rates of hospitalization and unplanned clinical encounters associated with mail-order dispensing, directly contradicting the FDA’s rationale for removing in-person requirements.
In light of these deficiencies, the FDA’s decision to authorize self-administration of mifepristone poses a grave risk to women’s health, exposing them to serious and life-threatening complications without adequate medical oversight. The agency’s failure to engage in reasoned decision-making, as required by the Administrative Procedure Act, highlights a troubling disregard for public safety.
The lawsuit challenging the FDA’s actions, supported by Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys and a coalition of doctors and medical associations, underscores the urgency of holding the agency accountable. These healthcare professionals, who witness firsthand the harms inflicted by the FDA’s recklessness, are advocating for the restoration of common-sense health and safety standards.
As the case heads to the Supreme Court, the American people deserve a federal government committed to evidence-based decision-making and prioritizing public health above all else. The FDA must not be allowed to jeopardize women’s health with insufficiently supported conclusions and inadequate rationales. It’s time to ensure that no agency is above the law, and that the FDA fulfills its duty to protect and promote the well-being of all Americans.
Three years after his harrowing experience with a brain aneurysm, music producer and rapper Dr. Dre has revealed that he also suffered three strokes while in the hospital. In a candid interview on SiriusXM’s This Life of Mine with James Corden, Dre reflected on the ordeal and how it transformed his perspective on life.
Recalling the onset of the ordeal, Dr. Dre described waking up with a strange sensation behind his right ear, which quickly escalated into excruciating pain. Despite initially attempting to brush it off and rest, he soon found himself rushed to the hospital by his son’s friend. Opting for an urgent care facility first, Dre was swiftly redirected to the hospital as doctors deemed his condition critical.
During his two-week stay in the ICU, Dre experienced moments of consciousness interspersed with blackouts, a testament to the severity of his condition. Reflecting on the experience, he recounted hearing doctors remark on his luck, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
At the time, Dre wrestled with questions about whether the aneurysm could have been prevented through better focus on his physical health. Despite his dedication to fitness, including weightlifting and running, he was blindsided by the diagnosis of high blood pressure, a condition often termed the “silent killer” due to its asymptomatic nature.
Ultimately, Dre learned that the aneurysm was hereditary and beyond his control, underscoring the importance of regular health check-ups, particularly for conditions prevalent in Black men like high blood pressure.
Make sure you stay on top of your health—that’s the true wealth.
On the most recent episode of The OGs Podcast hosted by Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, former NBA star John Wall revealed how he struggled with his mental health and even put a gun to his own head on two separate occasions.
Wall said that after the passing of his mother in 2019, the depth and severity of his struggles with mental health became so acute that he sought help at his lowest points.
The loss of his grandmother and a year-long recovery from surgery for a ruptured Achilles made Wall’s struggles even more difficult. Despite his challenges, Wall found motivation in his two sons, realizing that taking himself away from them would mean failing them. He was adamant about the significance of seeking help, especially for Black men, encouraging anyone struggling to reach out for support.
When nepo babies, or naturally blessed children of the rich and famous come up in conversation, it’s all too easy for conversations to take turns filled with envy and greed around their luxurious lifestyles. However, even the wealthiest among us are still human too, and just like anyone else, they fall victim to the ups and downs of life. Most recently, it’s been Snoop Dogg’s 24-year-old daughter, Cori Broadus, who’s been detailing how a serious health scare is impacting her this winter.
Early on Thursday (January 18), the singer’s Instagram Story lit up with a heartbreaking announcement. “I had a severe stroke this [morning] ,” she wrote over an image taken from a hospital bed. “I started breaking down crying when they told me,” Broadus further confessed, making it known that this time hasn’t been easy for her mentally or physically.
24-Year-Old Cori Broadus’ Health Struggles Continue
In the past, the “Daddy’s Girl” hitmaker has been vocal about her healing journey from Lupus, an autoimmune condition in which the body suffers from severe inflammation flare-ups. She’s also used her social media platforms to condemn anyone suggesting that her partner is only with her due to her proximity to the Doggfather, making it known that they’re together out of love, not his ambition. Snoop has yet to speak on the emotional situation unfolding in his family, though it’s not unreasonable for the Broadus’ to take some time out of the spotlight as they support CHOC.
Snoop Dogg’s Daughter Feeling Emotional Over Latest Setback
“Like I’m only 24, what did I do in my past to deserve all of this?” Cori Broadus publicly vented on her IG Story early on Thursday (January 18) morning. It’s unclear how having a severe stroke will impact the young woman’s day-to-day moving forward, but we’re sending her nothing but good vibes and strength as she fights to move through this season of life with grace. Check back in with HNHH later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Hip-hop icon DJ Kid Capri took to his Instagram page to share the uplifting news of his victory in a private battle against cancer. The revered DJ and party maestro revealed that he is now cancer-free, expressing gratitude for the positive outcome.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, DJ Kid Capri shared the good news with his fans, emphasizing the greatness of God. He disclosed that he had been dealing with cancer throughout the year while simultaneously contributing to the hip-hop scene, notably celebrating 50 years of hip-hop.
The DJ icon, known for his influential role in shaping the hip-hop landscape, opened up about undergoing two surgeries during the course of the year. Despite facing such a challenging health journey, he chose to keep it private, not seeking attention or pity.
In his Instagram post, DJ Kid Capri expressed his humility, stating, “I’m not an attention whore, so I didn’t want to say anything, so that it didn’t look like I wanted pity.” Now, with the battle behind him, he decided to share the news with his fans and friends, expressing happiness and gratitude for overcoming the health challenge.
Looking ahead to 2024, DJ Kid Capri is ready to turn up the energy even more, promising his fans a year filled with excitement and music. The announcement garnered an outpouring of support from fans, and the hip-hop community continues to send prayers and well-wishes to the legendary DJ.
As DJ Kid Capri embraces the new year with renewed strength and resilience, fans are eagerly anticipating the incredible contributions he will undoubtedly make to the hip-hop culture in the coming year.
Kid Capri