MGM+ has unveiled a first look at actor Rome Flynn in his role as rising crime boss Frank Lucas in the hit drama series “Godfather of Harlem.” Flynn joins the critically acclaimed series in its fourth season, stepping into the prominent role previously held by Denzel Washington in the 2007 film “American Gangster.”
Created by Chris Brancato and the late Paul Eckstein, “Godfather of Harlem” is inspired by infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson, portrayed by Forest Whitaker. The series explores Johnson’s return to Harlem in the early 1960s after 11 years in prison, only to find his neighborhood in disarray and new powers rising. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, the show delves into the collision of the criminal underworld and politics of the era.
The released photo captures Flynn exuding a potent mix of charisma and danger, perfectly encapsulating Lucas’ rise to power during the 1960s and 1970s. With Flynn stepping into the role, the show promises to expand its rich depiction of Harlem’s tumultuous history.
In Season 4, Bumpy Johnson continues his bloody war for control of Harlem against New York’s Mafia families, while contending with the emergence of a potential rival in Frank Lucas. Following Malcolm X’s (Jason Alan Carvell) tragic death, Bumpy must also grapple with his daughter Elise’s (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) involvement with the Black Panthers. The new season is set to deepen the show’s exploration of power, loyalty, and survival in a changing world.
Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta is having quite the hectic season so far, with a particularly viral moment leading the spicy and salacious charge. Moreover, Bambi and Amy Luciani recently experienced a very heated argument on the show, as Luciani initially called Bambi “fake” and sparked a spat. The insults and back-and-forths are pretty par the course if you’re a fan of the show, and while things didn’t turn violent or physical, they certainly threatened to take it there. What’s more is that Amy even brought up all the drama around Bambi and Lil Scrappy, which definitely doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season as far as amicability goes.
While folks thought that they reunited following their messy split, Bambi and Lil Scrappy took to Instagram Live to explain their current status. Most importantly, they clarified that they still maintain a healthy coparenting relationship when it comes to their three children: Xylo, Breland, and Cali. In addition, they also made it clear that they will stay on L&HH: Atlanta after ten-plus years of tenure, and even joked about how they didn’t care about how MTV wanted them to progress their relationship. As such, it seems like they’re on pretty good terms right now, although it’s clearly still not safe from Amy Luciani’s jabs.
Regardless, this follows a lot of animosity in the past, such as Lil Scrappy accusing Bambi of not really treating him seriously as a partner when it comes to her fidelity and consideration. “What I’m not finna do though is let a motherf***er make me an option,” he ranted on Instagram Live. “I did that when I was married, I did that before I was married, I did that even after I was married for a little bit until I went crazy. I really went crazy and lost my mind. But I’m learning that I already know what I want.
“I want somebody that’s gonna take accountability,” Lil Scrappy said about the Bambi situation. “That’s knowledgeable about life, God… With or without kids already.” We’ll see whether or not Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta‘s new season contains any more fiery reflections on this story, and who will nearly throw hands next.
50 Cent has emerged victorious in a $1 billion lawsuit filed by an ex-drug kingpin who claimed the entertainment mogul stole his life story to create the hit series Power, All Hip Hop reports. The legal battle began in 2021 when Cory “Ghost” Holland filed a lawsuit against 50 Cent, Courtney Kemp, Starz, and Lionsgate. Furthermore, Holland asserted that the show’s character Ghost, played by Omari Hardwick, closely mirrored his own experiences. He also claimed that 50 and the show’s creators used his story without his consent for profit. However, the court has now ruled in favor of 50 Cent, dismissing all claims against him.
In 2021, Cory “Ghost” Holland initiated a billion-dollar lawsuit against 50 Cent, Courtney Kemp, Starz, and Lionsgate. Holland alleged that the character “Ghost” in the series Power unlawfully reflected his life without his consent. He detailed his life story in a 2007 CD titled Blasphemy, which he claimed to have sent to the father of series co-creator Courtney Kemp as a plea for help to exit the drug trade legitimately. Additionally, Holland accused 50 and the show’s creators of exploiting his story for profit without his permission.
Court’s Ruling On Defamation Claims
(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
50 Cent denied all allegations. Judge Analisa Torres sided with 50 and dismissed the claims in each case. In the first case, it was decided that the character “Ghost” in the show Power did not directly refer to Holland, which is necessary for a defamation claim. Despite similarities in family structure, the court found these to be mere coincidences.
Holland’s second lawsuit accused 50 Cent of sending goons to harass and threaten him. He specifically alleged that 50 Cent showed up in his neighborhood with an entourage in a fleet of vans and SUVs, looking for a man named “Ghost.” In another incident, people associated with the rapper allegedly played a threatening song near his house, which Holland felt was an attempt to send a clear message to him. The legal battle took a treacherous turn when Holland threatened violence against 50 and his legal team. In a letter obtained by AllHipHop, Holland warned of potentially fatal consequences if 50 Cent or anyone associated with him confronted him again.
Dismissal Of Claims & Conclusion
Judge Torres dismissed the harassment claims against 50 Cent, citing that one of Holland’s claims was past the statute of limitations and that the assertion about the threatening song didn’t hold up in court. “There is no indication that this conduct constituted a threat, much less an ‘imminent threat of harmful contact’ as required for an assault claim,” Judge Torres explained. Holland’s third lawsuit claimed Lionsgate should pay $300 million for not controlling the G-Unit boss since the movie studio produces the Power franchise. However, the negligent supervision claim against Lionsgate and Starz was dismissed as Holland failed to demonstrate a duty of care owed to him by the companies. The cases have been closed, and judgment has been entered in favor of 50 Cent, bringing an end to the legal battle.
As you can imagine, 50 Cent didn’t hesitate to flaunt his victory online. Sharing a screenshot of a HotNewHipHop article to his Instagram page, he wrote, “Fool thought he was GHOST da fvck wrong wit these [ninja emoji]’s man LOL.” We’ll keep you posted on anymore updates surrounding 50 Cent and Power.
STARZ has released a gripping trailer and first-look photos for the highly-anticipated part two premiere of “Power Book II: Ghost.” The second part of the final season is set to debut on Friday, September 6, at midnight ET on the STARZ app and at 8:00 PM ET/PT on STARZ in the U.S. It will air at 9:00 PM ET in Canada on linear.
Part one of “Power Book II: Ghost” left fans with numerous unanswered questions and high-stakes drama. Part two promises to intensify the action, embodying the adage “Like father, like son.” Tariq St. Patrick, portrayed by Michael Rainey Jr., finds himself in a predicament strikingly similar to that of his late father, Ghost. Tariq must decide whether to exit the game or seize control, all while being ensnared by Detective Carter.
The Tejada family, led by Mary J. Blige’s Monet, faces new threats to their safety. Monet is determined to reunite her family, but obstacles loom large. Noma, played by Caroline Chikezie, is on a ruthless ascent to power, complicated by her daughter Anya’s dangerous proximity to the criminal underworld.
The stellar cast also includes Cliff “Method Man” Smith as Davis MacLean, Gianni Paolo as Brayden Weston, Woody McClain as Cane Tejada, Lovell Adams-Gray as Dru Tejada, LaToya Tonodeo as Diana Tejada, Alix Lapri as Effie Morales, Larenz Tate as Rashad Tate, and Michael Ealy as Detective Don Carter. Recurring actors include LightSkinKeisha as Brushaundria Carmichael.
“Power Book II: Ghost” is the flagship series in the expanded “Power” Universe. Brett Mahoney serves as showrunner and executive producer for season four. Courtney A. Kemp, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and Mark Canton executive produce the series, which Lionsgate Television produces for STARZ.
Catch the explosive premiere on September 6 and witness the thrilling continuation of the St. Patrick and Tejada saga.
Joe Rogan took aim at COVID vaccines and trans people during his newest comedy special for Netflix, Burn the Boats, which hit the streaming platform on Saturday. Towards the beginning of the special, he joked about being known for spreading misinformation before getting to his skepticism of COVID-19 vaccines.
“COVID was just so strange,” he said, as noted by Variety. “And we lost a lot of people during COVID, and most of them are still alive. There’s a lot of people that I don’t f*ck with anymore. Before COVID, I would have told you that vaccines are the most important invention in human history. After COVID, I’m like, ‘I don’t think we went to the moon. I think Michelle Obama’s got a d*ck. I think Pizzagate is real. I think there’s direct energy weapons in Antarctica.’ I’m just kidding — I don’t think Michelle Obama’s got a d*ck, but I believe all of that other sh*t.”
PASADENA, CA – APRIL 17: Comedian Joe Rogan performs during his appearance at The Ice House Comedy Club on April 17, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images)
Later on, he channeled the likes of many other comedians who have targeted the trans community in recent years such as Dave Chappelle. In doing so, he discussed the growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in the United States. “I’m open-minded,” he said. “I just want to know what happened. It’s almost like a pervert wizard waved a magic spell on the whole world. ‘With a wave of this wand, you can walk into the women’s locker room with a hard c*ck, and anybody who complains is a Nazi, Abracadabra!’ And it just works! And everyone just accepts this new reality, and it’s f*cking weird. I just think we need standards. You can’t just put lipstick on and now you can sh*t in the women’s room!”
Rogan’s Burn the Boats is available to stream on Netflix. It marks Rogan’s first stand-up special since 2018’s Strange Times. Be on the lookout for further updates on Joe Rogan on HotNewHipHop.
Skip Bayless is easily one of the biggest names in the entire sports broadcasting world. However, the last year or so has not been fruitful. Overall, he lost Shannon Sharpe and his Undisputed ratings began to tank. Recently, it was reported that he would be leaving FS1 as it just wasn’t working out. Bayless had largely remained silent on all of this. He wasn’t providing fans with any updates, and no one knew when his last day at the network would be.
Well, today, Skip Bayless officially clocked in for his last day at Undisputed. It was revealed this morning that this would be his last episode. He had Lil Wayne on to celebrate, and it was all very low-key. Following the episode, Skip took to Twitter to offer up his final goodbye. Furthermore, he teased his supporters by noting that this is not the end of his career. In fact, there is more on the horizon for him right now.
Today was my last show on Undisputed. I’m leaving FS1. I’ve been planning to pursue other opportunities for several months. I had a great 8-year run with a lot of great people at FOX, but now I’m excited for what’s coming up. Stay tuned.
“Today was my last show on Undisputed,” Bayless began. “I’m leaving FS1. I’ve been planning to pursue other opportunities for several months. I had a great 8-year run with a lot of great people at FOX, but now I’m excited for what’s coming up. Stay tuned.” Bayless will surely be announcing a new venture soon enough. Whether or not people are going to want to tune in, is a different story entirely. Bayless has always done well with a co-host, but by himself, he is much less appealing.
Let us know what you think of Skip Bayless leaving Undisputed, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that he is going to land on his feet, or his career over at this point? Will you be following Skip to his next venture? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Reggie Watts is the former bandleader/in-house musician for both Comedy Bang! Bang! and The Late Late Show, a comedian with a new special available to stream on Veeps, a musician, a writer, an improviser, and creative force of nature. Pushing back on the expected is Watts’ forte, crafting 2024’s most unique special, a comedy and music filled period piece set in the hopeful pre-internet mid-’90s.
Below, in our latest quick check-in with the most interesting voices in comedy culture, Watts talks about the benefits of growing up in the tech/social media pre-dawn, who he’s listening to, his comedy and music heroes, what he’d tell young comics about finding their own unique voice, and not being afraid of failure.
What was your first concert?
My first concert was Fugazi in Missoula, Montana.
What are the last 3 records you bought or albums you listened to?
Gosh, that’s a really good question. I’ve been listening to the song “My City” by Juliet Mendoza on repeat. The Marias Submarine, that’s an amazing album. And “Flight FM” by Joy Orbison.
Who are the artists across comedy and music that you grew up loving?
There are so many. I grew up with a lot of Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor. I loved watching them when I was younger. Carol Burnett, Prince, Michael Jackson, Ministry, The Smithereens, just so many.
As an improviser, is there still a fear of failure when you are on stage, and if so, how do you use that energy?
I don’t really have a fear of failure when I’m onstage but I do have a fear of letting an audience down if I’m not connecting to them and I think I like using that as my energy source. And the constant newness is what’s exciting and new for me onstage.
What was behind the decision to base this latest special in the ’90s?
Yeah, I just wanted to base it in the ’90s because I wanted to recreate some of the hopefulness that we felt in the mid-90’s about the future and about the internet and just the absurdity of pretending it’s another time period on stage.
What are the bits from ‘90s culture that you think have had the most influence on your work and on culture in general?
I think the counterculture movement of the ’90s — especially growing up in Seattle — [has] always had a big effect on how I’m perceiving the world and how I’m creating things. I think just the camaraderie that I had with my friends back then kind of motivated me to always put friendship first. And just the ability to have the freedom to think and do what I want to do.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of being someone who has lived pre-internet and within the internet era?
Well, I think there’s really only benefits. You know, I got to live my childhood and teen years with no phones but with computers and computer games and things like that because the internet thankfully came along after high school. It really allowed me to have a normal, organic, human based upbringing. And then the internet came around at exactly the right time, for me, and I loved the expansion of the technology and where it’s gone since. I think I’ve experienced the perfect technological curve in my lifetime.
What advice do you have for aspiring comics and performers when it comes to experimentation and expectations?
I think just try not to self analyze. Try not to just do the things that people expect from you. I think it’s important to kind of adopt like a “fuck it” kind of attitude. As long as you’re caring about your audience, that’s really the main thing. Just have a good time with it.
Who is your dream collaborator and why?
Dream dead collaborator would probably have to be Prince — I would’ve loved to do something with him. I don’t know if our styles would have matched because he definitely seems pretty… writer-ly and structure-ly and super rehearsed but I bet you he could definitely get on board with where I’m coming from.
Dream alive collaborator I think would be Björk. I think she’s just a polymath, you know? She does so many things, she’s multimedia and I think she just has a vision for all forms of media that she’s involved in and I really like that.
Check out Reggie Watts’ special, ‘Never Mind,’ on Veeps here.
50 Cent has one of the most expansive and rapidly growing media empires in hip-hop, and it seems like it got a big boost today. Moreover, the G-Unit mogul announced the launch of a new television network in partnership with Lionsgate, which should be a very exciting endeavor for him. “Excited to officially announce my brand new Live TV FAST Channel created in partnership with Lionsgate, 50 CENT ACTION,” he captioned a recent Instagram post. “Get ready for non-stop action, exclusive content, and your favorite movies and shows all for FREE! Sign up now to stay in the loop and get the latest updates. You won’t wanna miss this! Tap the link in bio for more info. Let’s get it! #50Cent #50Action #FreeTV 50CentAction.com.”
However, this comes amid a difficult and sad time for 50 Cent, as his grandfather Curtis Jackson Sr. recently passed away at 91. “You do know none of this s**t really matters, [winking emoji] we can’t take it with us,” he wrote of the loss. “I lost my Grandfather last night, now he can go everywhere with me. My old man is tuff act to follow, he sacrificed for all of us. He made me smile every time I saw him. The Last time he went to the hospital he was dehydrated so the nurse couldn’t find a vein. I came in, I said pop you alright? He said no, she stick me again and I’m a start shooting. LOL I almost fell out! South Side we out side WTF!”
Elsewhere, though, 50 Cent has also reflected on his storied career recently, remarking on how he regrets certain rap beefs going too far for too long. “Look, I think we wasted too much time arguing,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “Me and Fat Joe, me and Cam’ron. There’s other guys like Jada [Jadakiss], we cleared it up easier. But we wasted time because it was just the competitive nature. It wasn’t like we crossed paths and had real heat for each other. It went on more with Joe because he’s more like me, he’s closer in character to me. When we’re at odds, we are at odds, and we did that for a long time. And because of his loyalty to Irv [Gotti] and Ja [Rule], because he worked with them, I was seeing him not be happy from the things that were making me happy.
“It’s easy for me to say, ‘F**k you’ if what makes me happy makes you unhappy,” 50 Cent concluded. “Then, we’re not on the same page and it turns into some s**t, and I couldn’t pinpoint what exactly happened. When you look back at it, you go, ‘Wait, what happened?’” 50 Cent concluded. “Because we didn’t even have no altercation or no specific thing that created it. Now he’s like my friend. I don’t care that he has relationships with people that I don’t. Because he’s always had those relationships.” Hopefully he doesn’t regret this new TV network.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) has announced that A&E Networks’ documentary “Exposing Parchman” has been nominated for the Outstanding Writing: Documentary category at the 45th Annual News & Documentary Emmy® Awards. Produced by Roc Nation, Good Caper Content, and Red Summer TV, the documentary sheds light on the dire conditions of Mississippi’s Parchman Prison.
The prestigious awards ceremony is scheduled for September 26 at 7:30 pm ET at the Palladium Times Square in New York City. “Exposing Parchman” will be competing against notable nominees in the Outstanding Writing: Documentary category, including HBO | Max’s “Great Photo, Lovely Life: Facing a Family’s Secrets,” National Geographic’s “Nazis at Nuremberg: The Lost Testimony,” Frontline PBS’s “Netanyahu, America & the Road to War in Gaza,” and Apple TV+’s “The Pigeon Tunnel.”
Directed by Rahman Ali Bugg, “Exposing Parchman” delves into the brutal history of Mississippi’s correctional system and the appalling conditions at Parchman Prison. The documentary highlights Team ROC’s efforts, alongside multiplatinum musician Yo Gotti and several attorneys, to improve conditions and protect the incarcerated population. It features commentary from Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez, Yo Gotti, and affected families, offering a rare glimpse into the prison’s interior.
The alarming conditions at Parchman Prison gained national attention in December 2019 after riots led to multiple deaths. Reports revealed inmates lacked access to clean water, adequate food, electricity, heat, healthcare, and other basic needs. These revelations prompted JAY-Z, Yo Gotti, and Team ROC to secure legal representation for over 200 incarcerated men, leading to lawsuits against the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The U.S. Justice Department’s subsequent investigation found the facility violated the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
“Exposing Parchman” continues to amplify the voices of those affected by the inhumane conditions, striving for justice and reform within the correctional system.
Twitch streamers Kai Cenat and Fanum are part of a YouTube video creation team called AMP. AMP recently moved into a penthouse in New York City after spending several years in Atlanta. However, they were evicted for unspecified reasons just a few days later. Cenat and Fanum are both from The Bronx, so a move back to New York City doubled as a homecoming for the two.
During the Dominican Day Parade, NYPD pointed a gun at Fanum and seized his car, a purple Lamborghini Urus. His driver, Walton, was handcuffed. Fanum later claimed that he had a permit to ride along the parade route. Fanum’s own livestream captured footage of the arrest, and he confirmed his intent to sue on his Instagram story after safely arriving home. The NYPD later said that the vehicle was stopped because there were no license plates on it. Cenat reacted to the arrest and subsequent NYPD officer photos posing with the seized car on his stream.
“NYPD is a gang. Do you hear what I’m saying to you? NYPD be moving like a gang, and nobody will listen to me,” said Kai Cenat. “Not even the GTA V cops do this sh*t, dude.” He also mocked the officer’s photo op, asking what his badge number was since it was not visible in the Instagram posts. Cenat also argued that pulling a gun on Fanum was excessive, since Fanum was not doing anything that would necessitate such an escalation.
Of course, people might remember that this is not the first time Fanum has been arrested. In August 2023, the NYPD took both Fanum and Cenat into custody. What started as a PS5 giveaway quickly turned into a riot in Union Square. They were not in custody for very long, though their arrest sparked debates over what responsibility content creators have in managing their fans. Hopefully, this latest situation gets resolved quickly. If nothing else, fans are very happy that nothing worse came from such a potentially harmful situation.
da fvck wrong wit these [ninja emoji]’s man LOL.” We’ll keep you posted on anymore updates surrounding 50 Cent and Power. 
(@nojumper)