SWV Was Initially Named TLC, Says Group’s Singer Coko Clemons

We’re often confronted with tales of Rap beefs in the industry, but some of our favorite R&B girl groups weren’t as friendly as we think. We recently watched as SWV and Xscape shared the Verzuz stage to relive some of those classic hits that fans have loved for decades, and because many of those ladies have been longtime friends, their performances were filled with celebratory moments.

SWV singer Coko Clemons recently chatted with Carlos King and during the interview, he asked if there were girl groups that had beef with one another. Coko said, “Yeah, of course, we all had beef with somebody.” The host wanted the details.

SWV, TLC
Jason Kempin / Staff / Getty Images

“You, know, when SWV first came out, our name was TLC. Honey, we got a cease and desist real fast,” she revealed while laughing. “So, we had to change our name… We had to change our names so fast, so, you know, we weren’t too happy about that. That’s how we went from TLC to SWV.” For them, TLC would stand for their names, Taj (Tamara Johnson), LeLee (Leanne Lyons), and Coko. However, that name was obviously already taken.

That wasn’t the only run-in they had with a girl group. “We had a little something with Jade back in the day,” Coko added of the “Don’t Walk Away” hitmakers, noting that none of these small beefs never got physical. “We were so ghetto,” she joked. “So ghetto! So I don’t really think—but it wasn’t that deep that we would throw hands or something like that.”

Check out Coko’s full interview below.

Nicki Minaj Helps Boosts Mall Cop’s IG After He Lets Her Fan Rap In Store

An impromptu moment caught Nicki Minaj’s attention after a video went viral. It all reportedly went down at a Zara store in a shopping mall after a dedicated Barb named Zha Chanel took a speaker and a microphone into the store and put on a surprise solo performance of “Whole Lotta Money (Remix.” Nicki Minaj recently appeared on the updated version of BIA’s viral hit, and the song has been running up the charts since it hit streaming services.

In Zha Chanel’s video, immediately after beginning the performance, a security guard is seen telling them that they can’t record and rap in the store, but he doesn’t enforce the rules. 

Nicki Minaj, Zha Chanel
Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / Getty Images

Nicki and her Barbz appreciated him not getting authorities involved or kicking Zha out of the mall, so the rapper reached out to thank him for being kind to her fan. TMZ caught up with the security guard, Michael, and he revealed that Nicki not only reached out to him, but she helped his online following by tagging him in her Instagram Stories.

He revealed that his manager has contacted Minaj and he received a late-night call from the rapper who told him that she wanted him to appear on Instagram Live with her. “I didn’t believe it,” said Michael. “I was buying pizza. I didn’t believe it… Like, yo, I’m talking to Nicki Minaj. I don’t know what’s going on.”

Minaj told him that she would like one of his photos so he should be prepared to receiving more attention, and she was right. “My phone is still buzzing,” said Michael. He added that he wasn’t sure if he would get into any trouble over the incident, but he said he “respects positive vibes.” 

Michael also revealed that Nicki promised to send him a gift, and while he has no idea what it is, he’s appreciative of anything she gives. Check out Michael speaking about the incident along with Zha Chanel below.

 

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50 Cent Wants Teairra Mari To Pay Additional $6K In Ongoing Case: Report

The court battle between 50 Cent and Teairra Mari continues to evolve as the years move forward. It was back in 2018 when the singer filed a lawsuit against Fif for revenge porn after he allegedly posted a clip of a sex tape involving Teairra and her ex. He fired back and later the courts awarded him $30K from the Love & Hip Hop star.

Since that time, there has been news about court sanctions and additional judgments, and 50 Cent has come to collect at every angle, but it seems that Teairra Mari has yet to pay up. The pair previously engaged in a back and forth tit-for-tat where they trolled one another about the judgment, and while Fif has continued to demand his money both publicly and legally, Mari has staved off payments.

Teairra Mari, 50 Cent
Frederick M. Brown / Stringer / Getty Images

According to a new report by Radar Online, 50 Cent is once again coming to collect, and this time, he was another $6,000. The outlet states that Fif alleges “Mari has been blocking his attempts to collect on $37,000 she owes him.” A judge previously awarded Fif $7,000 in interest and fees after Mari refused to pay the Rap mogul. Recently, 50 Cent demanded information regarding Teairra Mari’s finances but she never responded to the June 24 deadline. He previously attempted to seize her VH1 checks but that didn’t seem to work out.

“Mari’s failure to provide any responses to Jackson’s Discovery Requests is a prime example of Mari’s misuse of the discovery process, and her overall gamesmanship permeating this entire lawsuit and the judgment enforcement proceeding,” the “Power” creator’s attorney reportedly wrote in court documents.

50 Cent is asking for the court to sanction Teairra with another $6,385, making his grand total judgment a little over $40K. A judge hasn’t yet ruled.

Check out a few past posts about this controversy below.

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Dwayne Haskins Allegedly Asks Woman For $20K For Gifts He Sent Her

Over the weekend, Dwayne Haskins found his name entangled in controversy after it was revealed that his wife was arrested. We previously reported on Kalabrya Gondrezick-Haskins being taken into custody in relation to charges that she assaulted her Pittsburgh Steelers husband earlier this month. Sports fans discussed the alleged domestic violence incident on social media, especially after reports stated that Kalabrya allegedly knocked out or chipped one of Haskins’s teeth.

The football player later came forward to deny that he had problems with his dental work, and while he’s been handling things on the homefront, a woman shared screenshots of her alleged conversation with the Steelers star. She claims that Haskins previously sent her gifts and was asking for them back, but if they couldn’t bereturned, he would take $20K.

“I’m Not petty fr you can send what you know I spent but 20k cool respectfully,” he allegedly wrote to the woman. “If you not about to stand on what you saying just gone head about your business send what you know I spent if you have any good person in you if not just send me $20k. Apple Pay to the number I sent you because that’s going straight to family so stand on what you saying or just gone head.”

She told him she “laughed at that request” and told him he would have to “get that sh*t back in blood.” He allegedly replied, “Never cared we good over here stand on what you say or keep it pushing lol take care.” After posting the screenshot to her Instagram Story, the woman added a few more thoughts.

“Dwayne Haskins mad at the world right now. He want the money back he spent on gifts [goofy face emoji].” She added, “After reconsideration, I will be Apple paying the exact amount of $L,MAO,OOO,OOO.OO.” Check out the exchange below and let us know if you think she should give him money for the gifts he previously purchased for her.

Kanye West Raps He “Escaped From Calabasas” On “Donda”: Report

We haven’t heard much directly from Kanye West since his divorce from Kim Kardashian was announced, but the former presidential hopeful has been quietly working on his next project. The talk of Hip Hop at the moment is Kanye’s album Donda, a project that was teased last year. Rumors circulated about Donda’s arrival in 2020 but after months passed with no further updates, fans believed that Donda was just another phantom project.

However, Justin Laboy reignited Donda discussions after he revealed Ye screened the project and let both him and Kevin Durant received a sneak preview. Then, photos surfaced at ChurchLV in Las Vegas, showing that West hosted a listening party over the weekend.

With all of this Kanye West news comes reports about what fans can expect, including a rumored track titled “Welcome to My Life.” The Sun reported that they spoke with a “source” who was allegedly at the church listening event and they claimed that on the track, West allegedly rapped, “Tell the assassins I escaped from Calabasas.”

The source also said, “It’s a very deep, sad song about Kanye, with him reflecting on his marriage with Kim… He talks about the kids and mentions her taking everything. After he played this song he paused for like, two minutes, and cried. It was really somber.”

On Thursday (July 22), another listening party will be held in Atlanta and it is expected for West to release Donda on Friday. However, he has yet to officially confirm the album’s release date.

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Megan Thee Stallion Makes SI Swimsuit History

Is there anything Megan Thee Stallion can’t do these days? Fresh from earning her first-ever platinum-selling and certified album with 2020’s Good News, she’s continuing to reach career milestones not just for herself but for women around the globe. The newest edition of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue comes with some pretty mind-blowing Black Girl Magic. […]

“American Idol” Alum Ron Bultongez Faces Sex With A Minor Charges: Report

Just months after Cecil Ray Baker was taken into custody after allegedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home, another American Idol alum has been arrested. The long-running singing competition series has featured thousands of hopefuls looking for their big break, but with that many people comes the possibility of scandals to arise in and outside of the series.

On Monday (July 19), TMZ reported that Ron Bultongez, a singer that appeared during the 2018 season of American Idol, was arrested in Grapevine, Texas after turning himself in just days ago.

According to the outlet, there is little information known about Bultongez’s case, but it looks as if the Lone Star State native “is facing multiple counts of sex with a minor.TMZ reportedly read through court documents and learned that the singer has been “charged with 4 counts of sexual penetration of a minor under the age of 17.” The alleged incidents are said to have occurred on four different occasions between December 2020 and February 2021.

Bultongez has reportedly posted his $50K bond and has been released from custody. He will return to court soon to answer to the charges against him. Details regarding the alleged victim or victims have not yet been shared. 

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Donda West: Here’s 5 Timeless Pics Of Kanye West + His Mom

Hip-hop legend Kanye West might finally be releasing Donda. The long-anticipated project, which is wholesomely named after his late mother Donda West, is rumored to be dropping this week. Whether it releases this week this Friday, sometime soon, or never, it’s worth noting the close-knit bond the rap icon had with his English professor mother. […]