For fans of the Power television universe, they might be sad to see a conflict between one of its main stars and one of its key behind-the-scenes players. Moreover, Omari Hardwick and 50 Cent are currently at odds over claims from the latter that he wasn’t paid enough as the lead actor on the show. The G-Unit mogul recently spoke on The Breakfast Club about how they’re still not cool with each other, and expressed his belief that the entertainer overvalues himself. Now, one of Hardwick and Fif’s Power collaborators, the former’s costar Naturi Naugthon, threw her hat into the ring via a TMZ interview on Wednesday (October 30).
“That’s insane to me,” Naturi Naughton told the outlet concerning 50 Cent’s criticism of Omari Hardwick. “Omari is literally the epitome of Power. Omari Hardwick started this amazing journey and I don’t know all of what happened with 50 and O. But I’ll say this: I love Omari Hardwick. He’s an amazingly talented human and he’s also a good person. But there would be no Power without Ghost.” “I hope that they can find love and peace between each other,” she expressed in addition.
Naturi Naughton Speaks On 50 Cent & Omari Hardwick
All the way back in 2022, Omari Hardwick claimed that he only received a payment of $150K per episode for his Power stint, and claimed to have borrowed money from 50 Cent in order to account for this. In response this year, the Queens rapper posited that there would be more demand for him if he was such a star, and questioned why he hasn’t supported the new Power projects if this passion is true. For those unaware, Hardwick also took issue with how his character’s story turned out, which is another part of his frustration. At the end of the day, 50 maintained that they paid him more for nightclub appearances than for the show itself, so this shouldn’t be as much of a complaint as it is.
Like Naturi Naughton said, hopefully they can work everything out between themselves. Elsewhere during 50 Cent’s Breakfast Club interview, he discussed ghostwriting for Diddy with Jay-Z and a whole lot of other curious topics.
50 Cent recently reflected on the making of his hit Starz series, Power, during an interview with Steve Stoute at UnitedMasters’ SelectConNYC event. In doing so, he revealed that the network only paid him $17,000 per episode of the hit show.
“In the Power series, I was receiving $17,000 to be an executive producer, to be a reoccurring character, to be almost a music supervisor, to create the theme song for the show,” 50 Cent said, as caught by AllHipHop. “$17,000 per episode — I get paid more to go to the nightclub and wave.” From there, he discussed how he remained motivated to continue working on Power despite the low paychecks. “I just wanted them [STARZ] to get pregnant with the idea that we have to have this baby,” he said. “I wanted to make the show. No one in our culture has made any television and produced what they wanted to make.”
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 28: Curtis “50 cent” Jackson performs onstage during the Starz “Power” The Fifth Season NYC Red Carpet Premiere Event & After Party on June 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Starz Entertainment LLC)
Power ended up being extremely successful for Starz and has launched multiple spin-off shows including Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and Power Book IV: Force. When United Masters shared 50’s comments on Instagram, fans of the show praised the legendary rapper for sticking with the idea. “SOMETIMES it makes sense when it doesn’t make cents,” one user wrote. Another added: “The things we do, when you believe in yourself!!! The didn’t believe!”
50 Cent Explains His Passion For “Power”
Check out the full comments on the early seasons of Power below. They come as 50 has begun working on his next project, a documentary for Netflix centered around the allegations Diddy has faced over the last year. Authorities arrested the Bad Boy mogul for charges of alleged sex trafficking and racketeering, last month. He’s already pleaded not guilty. Be on the lookout for further updates on 50 Cent on HotNewHipHop.
Shoe Palace is honoring the iconic HBO series The Wire with an exclusive apparel collection, paying tribute to one of television’s most critically acclaimed shows. Premiering in 2002, The Wire captured the gritty realities of Baltimore’s narcotics scene and has only grown in popularity.
The Shoe Palace x The Wire collection features a range of items, including tees, hoodies, and joggers. Each piece showcases memorable quotes, images, and art from the groundbreaking series, perfectly capturing the essence of the HBO classic.
Fans of The Wire can purchase this exclusive collection at Shoe Palace stores and online at shoepalace.com.
Shoe Palace, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, has grown from humble beginnings in a Bay Area flea market to one of the most respected names in retail. With partnerships including Nike, Jordan Brand, adidas, and New Balance, the company continues to expand nationwide. Visit shoepalace.com for more details.
Ray J and Princess Love’s relationship has had many ups and downs, and they’re currently on the latter of those modes. But while some fans might hope that they keep things amicable, it seems like – at least for the TV cameras – another suitor has put that possibility at risk. Moreover, Amara La Negra recently confessed her desire for Ray on Love & Hip Hop: Miami, wording it in a very lewd way that we’ll let the Instagram embed below handle. Apparently, Princess wasn’t too happy with this, as she struck Amara while filming the show. However, it’s unclear if they were actually arguing about Ray, so this is more building off of the context that promotional material and footage offers.
As for Ray J and Princess Love’s relationship, their latest scuffle online was the latter blasting the former for roping their kids into a domestic altercation. “This is the only time I’m going to address this,” she wrote on Instagram earlier this year. “I’ve been trying my best to be the bigger person and just walk away peacefully. But what you’re not going to do is traumatize, manipulate, and gaslight my kids when you can’t do it to me anymore. I’ll save my videos for the judge…”
Elsewhere, Ray J was in the headlines recently for very different reasons, but things were not that much more measured or friendly. You may have heard Jaguar Wright’s allegations about Ray’s bond with Whitney Houston and how he allegedly might’ve been involved in her death. He was appalled by this, and went on The Reality Check to eviscerate her for what he calls completely false speculation. In addition, the singer also took aim at her claims against Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
As Ray J and Princess Love continue to settle their differences, whether romantically or otherwise, Amara La Negra is just speaking her mind. Last year, she addressed rumors that she and Safaree were dating, and she’ll probably do the same with this Ray situation. We’ll see if this whole debacle’s eventual resolution happens on camera or through other means. After all, this could escalate beyond its original scope.
Sex And The City was one of the signature TV shows of the late ’90s and early 2000s, and its legacy continues today with the new series, And Just Like That…. Megan Thee Stallion, though, only just got on board, and she’s upset nobody told her sooner how great the original show is.
In an interview on The Tonight Show last night (October 23), Megan explained, “Nobody told me Sex And The City was this good. I’m pissed. Nobody said, ‘Megan, you should be watching Sex And The City. Girl, this… for the culture. You know, watch it.’”
She continued:
“I don’t even know how I stumbled upon it. I think I just kept seeing pictures of Sarah Jessica [Parker] looking pretty as f*ck. […] Her hair, her shoes, her outfits were always so beautiful. And I was like, ‘What is this show? Let me just — let me watch it. Let me get into it.’ Because nobody put me on. So I start watching the show, and I’m like… I cannot look away. I’m watching it while I’m working out. I’m watching it while I’m in glam. I’m watching it when I don’t have nothing else to do, and I’m a busy girl. I’m squeezing Sex And The City in there, and I’m asking everybody, ‘Have you seen Sex And The City?’”
Meg goes on to discuss the show further and give her thoughts on each of the main characters, so check out the video above.
Netflix’s rap competition show Rhythm + Flow has been teasing its second season for a while (it was originally scheduled for 2021), and while its release date had been a mystery for most of the year, today, the streamer finally announced when fans can catch the rise of the next potential rap superstar: November 20.
The show will return with a new slate of judges — DJ Khaled, Latto, and Ludacris — as well as a new location: Atlanta. Along with the new panel, the newly released trailer for the second season also teases its guest judges, which will include Big Sean, Busta Rhymes, GloRilla, and Remy Ma, as well as a return of the season one winner, D Smoke, who has since carved out a successful indie rap career that included a Grammy nomination and roles on the Paramount+ series Mayor Of Kingstown and the Peacock series Bel Air.
For those unfamiliar with the premise of the show, it’s very similar to other music competition series like American Idol and The X Factor, albeit focused on rappers rather than singers. The winner is awarded a cash prize rather than a record deal; in season one, the prize was $250,000. That’s enough to kickstart a career and promote at least a couple of solid singles.
You can check out the trailer for season two of Rhythm+Flow above.
During the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards, IWillVote.com played a prominent role, encouraging viewers and attendees to make a voting plan ahead of November’s election. As part of a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the platform provided a seamless voter resource, offering access to polling place information and voter education.
“With the election just a few weeks away, Democrats are meeting Black voters where they are with the information they need to make sure they know when, where, and how to vote,” said Brencia Berry, DNC National Political Director. “We know so much is on the line for Black voters this November and we have the power to decide this election. The ‘I Will Vote’ activation at BET’s Hip Hop Awards is just one way Democrats are getting information to Black voters, delivered by trusted messengers through creative tactics, to break through the noise.”
BET, a longstanding pillar in the Black community, used its reach across TV, streaming, and live events to highlight the importance of voter engagement. Throughout the awards show, viewers at home were prompted to visit IWillVote.com via QR codes displayed on the screen, while celebrities like host Fat Joe underscored the significance of voter turnout.
In-person attendees experienced an interactive “I Will Vote” lounge, where they could take photos and record messages about why voting matters. Rep. Steven Horsford, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, delivered a passionate message, urging voters to elect officials committed to improving their lives.
Tubi, Fox Corporation’s ad-supported streaming service, announced the premiere of its new original talk show, WE GOT TIME TODAY, hosted by sports icon Deion Sanders and Emmy Award-winning media personality Rocsi Diaz. The show, produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, is set to debut in November and will feature 20 one-hour episodes airing every Tuesday.
WE GOT TIME TODAY promises a lively exploration of news, culture, entertainment, and sports, with Sanders’ larger-than-life personality taking center stage. Co-host Rocsi Diaz will complement Sanders with her authentic and dynamic presence. Each episode will offer candid interviews with trendsetters, celebrities, and influential figures and vibrant discussions on the latest happenings across various industries.
The talk show aims to deliver engaging and topical conversations, entertaining segments, and playful games. Executive producers for the show include Sanders, Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Madison Merritt, and Elaine Metaxas of Jesse Collins Entertainment. SMAC Entertainment spearheaded the deal on behalf of Sanders, along with Sam Harowitz, Senior Vice President of Tubi’s Content Acquisitions and Partnerships.
“I’m stepping into the studio to have REAL conversations with people from ALL walks of life,” said Sanders. “This show is about tapping into the CULTURE. We’re going to LAUGH, DEBATE, INSPIRE and most importantly, we got time to TALK LIFE into our viewers while keeping things 100. I couldn’t do this with anyone else except for THE Rocsi Diaz, who I’m sure will keep me on my toes, and of course my friends over at Tubi, who I’ve been a BIG fan of for a long time now.”
Rocsi Diaz shared her excitement, “I couldn’t be more excited to co-host this new talk show with such a legend. Deion and I definitely have unique POV’s that we’re excited to bring to the table when we interview guests and engage with audiences. I can’t wait to explore everything and have real, authentic conversations that the culture is missing, from fun to serious and like Deion said, you can count on us to keep it 100.”
“We are excited to partner with Tubi to bring such an exciting new show to viewers,” said Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon & Madison Merritt, Executive Producers, Jesse Collins Entertainment. “With the dynamic pairing of Deion and Rocsi and captivating conversations with incredible guests, the series will no doubt be one the audience will enjoy.”
“At Tubi, we’re committed to delivering engaging content that resonates with viewers by reflecting the diversity of our audience,” said Adam Lewinson, Chief Content Officer at Tubi. “WE GOT TIME TODAY rejuvenates the traditional talk show format with a loose energy that showcases Deion’s dynamic personality along with his stellar chemistry with Rocsi. This mix of real talk with the pulse of pop culture is very much on brand for Tubi and we expect it will surely spark conversation.”
Fans can catch the premiere of WE GOT TIME TODAY on Tubi this November, as Sanders and Diaz lead unforgettable weekly conversations with culture’s most talked-about stars. With a unique blend of humor, insight, and celebrity guests, the show promises to be a must-watch for fans of all genres.
There are very few television shows that have captured the hearts of hip-hop heads like Power. The 50 Cent-led production has become more of a universe at this point with three spin-offs that have continued to keep fans at the edge of their seats. Most recently, the Power universe brought an end to Power Book II: Ghost, which included a cameo from Lil Durk, who made his acting debut. However, he’s far from the last musical artist to appear on the show. Throughout the original series and its spin-off, 50 Cent and Courtney Kemp have been selective with the star cameos from hip-hop’s elite. Of course, we’ve seen lyrical heavyweights like Joey Bada$$ and Method Man grace the screen in prominent roles, along with R&B icons like Mary J. Blige and Jeremih. Below, we’ve done a round-up of every hip-hop and R&B star to appear in the Power universe.
50 Cent – Kanan Stark (Power, Power Book III: Raising Kanan)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 20: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson attends the “Power” Final Season World Premiere at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on August 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Without 50 Cent, Power would not be as successful as it is. As a showrunner, he’s played a significant role alongside Courtney Kemp in bringing this story to life. However, he also played one of the best roles of his acting career as Kanan Stark. He served as Ghost’s and Tommy’s former mentor-turned-rival in the original Power series. However, his story was explored even further in the spin-off series, Power Book III: Raising Kanan,though Fif primarily appeared in flashbacks.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 15: Joey Bada$$ attends the “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” New York premiere at the Hammerstein Ballroom on July 15, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/FilmMagic)
A revered MC in his own right, Bada$$ delved into acting in the years that led to his role in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. In the show, he took on the role of Unique, who initially served as the primary antagonist and later, became an anti-hero. He was a streetwise kingpin who inherited a drug empire from his incarcerated brother. The role came for Bada$$ after he already won an Oscar for Two Distant Strangers and appeared as Rebel/Inspectah Deck in Wu Tang: An American Saga.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 12: Method Man performs onstage during the Strength of a Woman’s MJB “Celebrating Hip Hop 50” Concert in Partnership with Mary J. Blige, Pepsi, and Live Nation Urban at State Farm Arena on May 12, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit)
Meth took on the role of the suave criminal defense attorney Davis MacLean. In the first two seasons of the spinoff, he serves as Tariq St. Patrick’s defense attorney while also aiding Tasha before forming a professional bond with Cooper Saxe. Though Meth has undoubtedly built a strong resumé as an actor, his appearance as MacLean will undoubtedly serve as one of the most notable roles in his career.
Mary J Blige – Monet Stewart Tejada (Power Book II: Ghost)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 14: Mary J Blige as Special Guest Judge for Strength of a Woman’s “Purpose Ball: Bridging the Gap” in Partnership with Mary J. Blige, Pepsi, and Live Nation Urban at The Bank on May 14, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit)
In the first spin-off in the Power universe, Mary J. Blige takes on the role of Monet Steward Tejada–the second-in-command in the Tejada cartel. As Lorenzo Tejada’s husband, she serves as the queenpin of the organization, recruiting her three children, Dru, Cane, and Diana, to keep the family business afloat. Mary J. Blige’s portrayal has earned her great acclaim on screen and two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Kendrick Lamar – Laces (Power)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Kendrick Lamar performs in the Pepsi Halftime Show during the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Perhaps, one of the most surprising rapper cameos in a television series, Kendrick Lamar stepped onto the TV screen as Laces, a neighborhood “crackhead” that helps Kanan track down a few henchmen. It was truly a shocking and splendid display of his acting chops, which was a selling point for Courtney Kemp. In fact, she admitted to rejecting several rappers who hoped to appear on Power.
“He wanted to play something crazy,” Kemp told EW. “You would never put in Kendrick as a gangster anyway; he’s not really that guy. He wanted to come in and play a part and really act. Most people don’t really wanna act. They wanna, like, ‘Yeah, I wanna be in that s—. I wanna have a gun, I wanna…’ and they don’t wanna act. Kendrick wanted the challenge. He wanted the next level of his artistry and his creativity to be challenged. He really wanted us to give him something.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 11: Redman attends DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live! at Prudential Center on May 11, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
Redman appeared as Theo Rollins, MacLean’s incarcerated brother. It was an interesting dynamic, considering it marked one of the first times since Method & Red that the Blackout! Collaborators appeared together on TV. Unfortunately, Redman’s appearance on the show lasted one season. Method Man later revealed they had to recast Rollins’ role because Redman refused to get the COVID-19 jab.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 23: Freddie Gibbs attends the Spotify and Hulu “RapCaviar Presents” Premiere Celebration at Ysabel on March 23, 2023 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kayla Oaddams/Getty Images)
Just as Freddie Gibbs began getting his feet wet in the acting world with films like Down With The King and a supporting role in Peacock’s Bust Down, he returned as Cousin Buddy in Power Book IV: Force. In the show, he portrayed the cousin of Marshall Cranon, a cross-eyed kingpin in Gary, IN who links up with Jenard Sampson to further expand his operation.
Jeremih – Elijah Linden (Power Book IV: Force)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 28: Jeremih attends “Power Book IV Force” Dinner at on January 28, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
A high-ranking member of the CBI organization, Elijah Linden serves as a street-smart ally to the Sampson brothers who eventually meet his demise. Jeremih hasn’t necessarily built a strong filmography over his career but it was still an impressive outting. No doubt that his long-standing relationship with 50 Cent played a major role.
MC Lyte – Jelani Otombe (Power)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 07: MC Lyte visits SiriusXM Studios on August 07, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)
The legendary MC delivered an impeccable but brief performance in the season 5 finale of Power as Jelani Otombe.
Rotimi – Andre Coleman (Power)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 19: Actor Rotimi visits BuzzFeed’s “AM To DM” on August 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Serving as part of the main cast from the second season onward, Rotimi portrayed Andre “Dre” Coleman. Though once a close affiliate to Ghost and Kanan, he eventually begins to try and make a mark for himself. However, his efforts ultimately lead to his own death.
LeToya Luckett – Kenya Pierce (Power Book III: Raising Kanan)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 13: LeToya Luckett attends the 2022 Soul Train Awards presented by BET at the Orleans Arena on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
LeToya Luckett plays Kenya Pierce in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Kenya is introduced as the long-lost mother of Jukebox (portrayed by Hailey Kilgore), who abandoned her as a child. After years away, Kenya re-enters her daughter’s life, attempting to form a relationship with her. The former Destiny Child star crushed her role as Kenya.
Lil Durk – Bronze (Power Book II: Ghost)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 09: Lil Durk attends PrettyLittleThing: Teyana Taylor Collection II New York Fashion Week on September 09, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for PrettyLittleThing )
In his acting debut, Lil Durk took on the role of Bronze who portrays a cousin of the Tejada family. It’s a full circle moment for Durk, who previously contributed to the “Power Powder Respect” theme song alongside 50 Cent and Jeremih. Durk didn’t necessarily receive a standing ovation for his efforts. However, he deserves his flowers for proving that drill has no limits.
LightSkinKeisha – Brushaundria Carmichael (Power Book II: Ghost)
LightSkinKeisha at the season 4 premiere of “Power Book II: Ghost” held at The Hammerstein Ballroom on June 6, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images)
Expanding her filmography further, LightSkinKeisha takes on the role of Brushaundria Carmichael, a classmate of Tariq.
Yung Bleu – Stokely (Power Book II: Ghost)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 12: Yung Bleu attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
The Mobile, AL star took on a small role in the latest season of Power Book II: Ghost.
ICYMI, Vice President Kamala Harris was on a recent 60 Minutes interview. The Democratic presidential nominee disclosed that she owns a Glock handgun and has had it for “quite some time.” Harris shared this detail with Bill Whitaker during their conversation, adding that she has fired the weapon at a gun range.
This may not be much of a surprise, as Harris was in law enforcement for years, her admission about being a gun owner follows a previous revelation during her debate against former President Donald Trump. At the time, she had stated, “I own a gun for probably the reason a lot of people do — for personal safety.” This marked one of the earliest moments when she publicly acknowledged her firearm ownership, which she initially mentioned while serving as a U.S. Senator in 2019. An aide clarified that Harris had purchased the handgun years prior and that it was securely locked away.
The gun toting newscame out during a campaign event with Oprah Winfrey on September 19, Harris joked about her gun, saying, “If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot.” While the comment was made in a lighter context, it underscores her position on personal safety.
What’s interesting is this revelation came against the backdrop of a different legal situation involving former President Trump. Following his conviction on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records, Trump’s concealed carry permit in New York was suspended in April 2023. Although the specific details regarding Trump’s license and weapons are not publicly available, the revocation followed standard state protocols for individuals facing such convictions.
The sprawling 60 Minutes interview highlighted the blend of traditional and non-traditional approaches both Harris and Trump have taken in their outreach efforts to voters. Harris’s appearance on the long-standing news program contrasts with her more unconventional recent appearances, such as her interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, which aired on Sunday. Before that, she had appeared on the All the Smoke podcast hosted by former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson.
