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JAY-Z Faces Backlash for Hosting Oscars After-Party at Hotel Amid Boycott

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All that glitters isn’t gold.

JAY-Z is once again set to host his annual Oscars after-party, dubbed the Gold Party, at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood on Sunday. This comes amid an ongoing boycott of the famed Sunset Strip hotel over its alleged treatment of employees, including claims of racial discrimination and sexual harassment. The boycott, led by the hotel workers’ union, has received the backing of Hollywood unions and celebrities including Gabrielle Union, Spike Lee, and Issa Rae.

“For JAY-Z to choose the Chateau Marmont for their Gold Party is shockingly insensitive,” Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, told The Hollywood Reporter. “They must move their event and choose an after-party hot spot that treats its workers, especially Black women, with dignity and respect. JAY-Z has a responsibility to do better.”

Added Petersen, “We hope JAY-Z joins Gabrielle Union, Spike Lee, Issa Rae, Robin Thede, Quinta Brunson, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Roxane Gay, Ashley Nicole Black and Samira Wiley in boycotting Chateau Marmont.”

A 2020 investigation, published by The Hollywood Reporter, documented the Chateau’s “culture of prejudice,” including its treatment of Black and Latino visitors who were stopped and questioned on arrival at a higher rate than their white equivalents.

Thomasina Gross, a former server at the hotel who is Black, sued the Chateau for racial discrimination and sexual harassment in 2021, alleging that she had been repeatedly passed over for higher-paying roles in favor of white hires.

“I’m a huge fan of Beyoncé and JAY-Z, so working at their Gold Party year after year was such an honor and pleasure. They made it a point to acknowledge our hard work and treated us like human beings, not just servers,” Gross said. “As I allege in my lawsuit I faced sexual harassment as a Black woman while working other events at Chateau. I can’t help but think if JAY-Z knew how Chateau treats their workers, they wouldn’t ignore this fact and continue to throw parties there.”

The Gold Party is set to be held at the Chateau’s lounge space that was once home to Bar Marmont. Rihanna, Diddy, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and Travis Scott attended the 2020 event, which was held in the hotel’s parking garage.

The union plans to organize a picket line outside of the party on Sunday at 8 p.m.

Beyoncé is slated to open Sunday’s Oscars telecast with her Oscar-nominated song “Be Alive” from King Richard. The performance will reportedly take place at the Compton tennis courts where a young Venus and Serena Williams practiced with their father, Richard.

Latto Drops Funk Flex Freestyle

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Just days before the release of her new album, Latto brought her fiery flow to Funkmaster Flex.

Over UGK’s “International Players Anthem,” the 23-year-old rapper proved why she’s one of hip-hop’s most promising MCs.

“I was on ‘The Rap Game,’ now I’m about to run it, keep watching,” raps Latto, who got her break on Jermaine Dupri’s reality competition series “The Rap Game.” “Feel good to be the one these bitches gunnin’ for / Y’all ain’t ever heard a verse from me that I ain’t fu**in’ wrote.”

She continued to show out with her freestyle. “I’m a GOAT in the making / They say the kid is amazing / I’m cuttin’ rap bitches time short like daylight savings.”

On Friday, Latto is set to drop her second studio album 777 featuring Lil Wayne, Childish Gambino, 21 Savage, Lil Durk, and Kodak Black.

She is also releasing a remix to her top 20 hit “Big Energy” featuring a mystery female guest, which some speculate is Nicki Minaj. “I will say this, I’m super excited about it,” Latto told Big Boy on Real 92.3. “It’s been real hard for me to keep my mouth shut, ’cause I know it’s up when it drops.”

R. Kelly Serenades Inmate’s Daughter in Prison Phone Call

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R. Kelly is sending a love letter from jail.

The incarcerated singer gave one fan a special serenade from behind bars. According to The Shade Room, a woman visited her father who is incarcerated in the same prison as Kelly. After meeting the disgraced star during her visit, her dad offered to get him on the phone. In the jailhouse call, which circulated on social media, the woman asks Kelly to sing his 2010 single “Love Letter.”

“I wanted to ask you something, can you sing a song for me?” she asked Kelly, who responded, “Which one?”

She started to sing before Kelly chimed in with the rest of the lyrics. “Did you get my card? / Did you read my love letter?” he sang in his unmistakable voice.

The woman was excited and thanked Kelly for the impromptu serenade. She also says that the moment was not in exchange for money or commissary.

Kelly remains in jail after being convicted on charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and the sexual exploitation of a child. He faces anywhere from 10 years to life in prison when he’s sentenced in May.

He has since hired Bill Cosby’s lawyer and asked a judge to overturn his convictions, citing issues with his previous legal team and weak evidence.

Kelly is also facing charges of child pornography and obstruction in Chicago. The jury trial is slated to start Aug. 1, 2022 and is expected to last three to four weeks.