Today in Hip-Hop History: Freaky Tah Of The Lost Boyz Shot And Killed In Queens 25 Years Ago

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It was a Sunday morning in 1999, where Raymond “Freaky Tah” Rogers of the legendary Lost Boyz was attending a party for a friend. Tragically, while leaving the party hosted at the Sheraton Hotel in Queens, NY, Tah was shot in retaliation for another murder he had nothing to do with.

According to a report on the case, published by MTV News at the time:

The feud that resulted in the death of Freaky Tah (born Raymond Rogers) can be traced back at least to the November [of the previous year], when a member of the Lost Boyz was robbed.” It continued with, “After the robbery… someone police believe was a ‘hanger-on’ in the Lost Boyz camp attempted to retaliate by shooting a man named Michael Saunders, who was a member of the Hellraisers camp. But Saunders, who was killed in the December shooting, actually had no involvement in the robbery.”

Twenty-two years later, Freaky Tah is still remembered and missed by the Hip Hop culture while the LB Fam sans DJ Spigg Nice, whose still serving his 37 years for armed robbery, recognize and commemorate the crew’s fallen soldier. Salute to Mr. Cheeks, Pretty Lou, his son Freaky Kah and the rest of the Lost Boyz family.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Freaky Tah Of The Lost Boyz Shot And Killed In Queens 25 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

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Megan Fox Confirms Engagement With Machine Gun Kelly Is Called Off

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Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox broke the internet when the lovebirds revealed they were officially a couple. Fans quickly showed their support, as it seemed their love kept growing stronger as time went on.

Most recently, Megan went on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast to reveal that her engagement with the Ohio recording artist is called off — but she still calls him her “twin soul.”

Megan states, “I think that what I’ve learned from being in this relationship is that it’s not for public consumption. As of now, I don’t have a comment on the status of the relationship, per se. What I can say is [he] is what I refer to as being my ‘twin soul’ and there will always be a tether to him, no matter what.”

The couple originally got engaged in January 2022, but things have since gone up and down within their relationship.

Megan adds, “I can’t say for sure what the capacity will be, but I will always be connected to him somehow. Beyond that, I’m not willing to explain.”

MGK and Megan began dating in June of 2020, initially sparking dating rumors as Megan made a standout appearance in the MGK’s “Bloody Valentine” music video. US Weekly recently reported that the two are also no longer living together.

Listen to the podcast on Spotify below:

The post Megan Fox Confirms Engagement With Machine Gun Kelly Is Called Off first appeared on The Source.

The post Megan Fox Confirms Engagement With Machine Gun Kelly Is Called Off appeared first on The Source.

FDA Faces Scrutiny Over Mifepristone Decision: A Threat to Women’s Health

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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.

Watch below. Thoughts?

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Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Dropped His Debut Album ‘Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous’ 29 Years Ago

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On this date twenty-nine years ago, Big L dropped his debut and only full-length studio album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous, on Columbia Records.

Aside from, eloquently stated by The Source Magazine at the time, “[coming] with ill animated lyrics, combined with metaphors that stun; a combo sure to have suckas on the run,” Big L also ushered in two emcees that are very prominent in the culture today: a then-unknown Killa Cam and a semi-established Jay-Z.

Produced primarily by the legendary Lord Finesse with Showbiz and Buckwild on the help out, this was a Diggin’ In The Crates album. According to “Funky Technician” Lord Finesse, who had a hand in some of the album’s production, in an interview commemorating the album’s 15th anniversary, he said this about the posse track “8 Iz Enuff”, With that [song] L just thought he had to do a track with the rappers from his hood. And he definitely wanted to put on [those particular emcees]… We looking like, ‘How you gonna put eight niggas on one track?’ [And he was like], ‘Don’t worry, I got this.’”

He definitely had it too.

Unfortunately, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous would be the only album released by L in his life as he was fatally shot in Harlem in 1999.

Salute to Big L kaka Lamont Coleman(RIP), Lord Finesse, Jay-Z, Cam’ron, Grand Daddy I, U, and everyone else who helped make this album a piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Dropped His Debut Album ‘Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous’ 29 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Dropped His Debut Album ‘Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous’ 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Cassie Issues Statement Amidst Diddy’s Federal Raids

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The entire world tuned in as Diddy’s three homes across the States were raided by the Feds. Now, Cassie has come forth to issue her own statement on the matter.

On Nov. 16, 2023, Cassie filed a lawsuit against Diddy in federal court, accusing the media mogul of rape and abuse that began a decade ago when she was just 19 years old. The “Me and You” singer was previously signed to Diddy’s label Bad Boy Records, meeting him back in 2005. Since then, she alleges he took control of her life and accused him of acts of sex trafficking, human trafficking, sexual battery, sexual assault, and more.

In light of recent events, Cassie is hopeful Diddy will finally get the justice he deserves.

Her attorney issued a statement to Good Morning America: “We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct.”

Fans have expressed their support for Cassie on her Instagram page, addressing her bravery and strength for all that she’s been through. Some even thanked her and credited her for coming forward so that the truth could unfold.

The post Cassie Issues Statement Amidst Diddy’s Federal Raids first appeared on The Source.

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Today in Hip Hop History: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Released Their Second Album ‘He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper’ 36 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip Hop history, the rapper turned actor Will Smith along with DJ Jazzy Jeff released their second LP, He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper. This was the first double album in Hip Hop in its original vinyl state and is certified platinum by the RIAA.

It can be said that without this album, Will Smith would not be where he is today. The success this album provided for Smith gave him the exposure to take his talents from music to the screen. This was also a breakthrough album for the career of DJ Jazzy Jeff. Critics and consumers alike cited Jeff as the more musically inclined of the duo, although Smith was the obvious crowd favorite and frontman. Jeff’s ability on the turntables and the boards allowed him to be the unsung hero of the album and gain a lot of respect in the Hip Hop community.

The album received positive reviews from critics of countless publications. The Source even selected this album as one of the 100 Best Rap Albums list in 1998. The album peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 chart and #5 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart. Overseas it peaked at #68 on the UK Album chart. The album’s most popular single, “Parents Just Don’t Understand” won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Released Their Second Album ‘He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper’ 36 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Released Their Second Album ‘He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper’ 36 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Will Smith Doesn’s Confirm or Deny He Is Worth $350M in Recent Interview

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Will Smith spoke Complex’s Speedy Mormon regarding the Bad Boys actor’s net worth. The question is a bit intrusive but fair, although there’s no easy way to answer that.

Net worth can include many factors, and the average top 1 percent American probably can’t answer it without his or her accountant or investment banker standing there. Even still, Smith took the net worth question. After Mormon pressed Smith a bit, they deflected rather than getting into dollars and cents. 

Will seems to laugh it off, saying, “He didn’t really keep track of that stuff.” To be fair, this isn’t a confirmation or denial. Will went further, saying that when he was coming up in Hollywood, he was all about making money. Not so much now, though.

Interestingly, he said he is in the downsizing phase of life now, but now all he wants to do is “give, give, give” in the second half of his life. He said, “worldly things no longer fulfill them,” being people after they hit 50. 

Here’s when he got deep. He said this part of his life is scary because, as he puts it, Smith realized “no relationship, no money, not even his kids, can make him truly happy anymore.”

The philosophical Smith unpacked further, saying, “That happy is internal, full frontal contact with your dark knight of the soul, and you reconcile that you gotta make happy in here. You gotta make happy in here with none of that stuff. You gotta take happy to the people you love — you can’t try to get it from them. … It’s not for the faint of heart.”

I guess money isn’t everything if you believe Will Smith. 

The post Will Smith Doesn’s Confirm or Deny He Is Worth $350M in Recent Interview first appeared on The Source.

The post Will Smith Doesn’s Confirm or Deny He Is Worth $350M in Recent Interview appeared first on The Source.

Post Malone and Miley Cyrus Rumored as Features on Beyoncé’s ‘Act II’

Beyoncé Announces 'Act II' Album, Releases Two New Singles

Beyoncé’s Act II just got even bigger. Pop Crave reports that Miley Cyrus and Post Malone will be on the Act II: Cowboy Carter album.

Beyoncé’s debut country album, Act II: Cowboy Carter, will be released tomorrow at midnight on all platforms. The 32-time Grammy winner just released the tracklist before its highly anticipated March 29 release date.

Beyoncé dropped the news on Instagram as she has in the past to preview the tracklist. Notable songs include “Jolene,” a record Dolly Parton previously teased, which may appear in Beyoncé’s second Renaissance installment. Another title that stood out was “The Linda Martell Show,” a notable reference to one of the first commercially successful Black artists in country music, not to mention the first to play the Opry.

Now, get this: It’s not clear if “Dolly P” and “Smoke Hour Willie Nelson” are telltales that two of the biggest names in country music are featured on those records, so we’ll have to wait and see. Reports have shown that Travis Scott may appear in a cameo, but that has not been confirmed. 

ICYMI, Beyoncé jump-started her move into the genre back in February when, out of nowhere, she released two singles, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” both during the Super Bowl. 

In a previous post on Instagram, Beyoncé explained why she began studying the origins of country music. “It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed… and it was very clear that I wasn’t,” she said. “But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive.”

Whether you’re a country music fan or not, the queen is about to drop, and we’re here for it. 

The post Post Malone and Miley Cyrus Rumored as Features on Beyoncé’s ‘Act II’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Post Malone and Miley Cyrus Rumored as Features on Beyoncé’s ‘Act II’ appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard Released ‘Return Of The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ 29 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip-Hop history, Wu-Tang Clan’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard released his debut solo LP, Return of the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. Released by Elektra Records, Return of the 36 Chambers was only the second solo LP by any Wu-Tang member. Largely produced by fellow Wu-Tang emcee RZA, the album had a mostly positive commercial reception.

Peaking at number seven on the Billboard 200 and number two on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart, Return of the 36 Chambers sold 81,000 albums in its first week and was certified gold later that year. The album was also nominated for “Best Rap Album” at the 1996 Grammy Awards.

Coming off such a successful group debut, there were few critics could say to discount the record. The Source, Rolling Stone, and Allmusic have all given the project four out of five stars. In 1998, The Source selected the album to be a part of its 100 Best Rap Albums list.

Following Return of the 36 chambers: The Dirty Version, ODB went on to release one more solo album, Nigga Please, before his untimely demise in 2004. Ol’ Dirty will forever be remembered as one of the most talented and unique emcees to ever grace the mic.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard Released ‘Return Of The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ 29 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard Released ‘Return Of The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Beyoncé’s ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter’ Tracklist Released With Songs “Jolene” and “The Linda Martell Show”

The Backlash Against Beyoncé is Further Proof of the Need to Teach History

Beyoncé’s debut country album, Act II: Cowboy Carter, will be released tomorrow at midnight on all platforms. The 32-time Grammy winner just released the tracklist before its highly anticipated March 29 release date.

Beyoncé dropped the news on Instagram as she has in the past to preview the tracklist. Notable songs include “Jolene,” a record Dolly Parton previously teased, which may appear in Beyoncé’s second Renaissance installment. Another title that stood out was “The Linda Martell Show,” a notable reference to one of the first commercially successful Black artists in country music, not to mention the first to play the Opry.

Now, get this: It’s not clear if “Dolly P” and “Smoke Hour Willie Nelson” are telltales that two of the biggest names in country music are featured on those records, so we’ll have to wait and see. Reports have shown that Travis Scott may appear in a cameo, but that has not been confirmed. 

ICYMI, Beyoncé jump-started her move into the genre back in February when, out of nowhere, she released two singles, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” both during the Super Bowl. 

In a previous post on Instagram, Beyoncé explained why she began studying the origins of country music. “It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed… and it was very clear that I wasn’t,” she said. “But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive.”

Whether you’re a country music fan or not, the queen is about to drop, and we’re here for it. 

The post Beyoncé’s ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter’ Tracklist Released With Songs “Jolene” and “The Linda Martell Show” first appeared on The Source.

The post Beyoncé’s ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter’ Tracklist Released With Songs “Jolene” and “The Linda Martell Show” appeared first on The Source.