Bernie Madoff, Man Behind $65 Billion Ponzi Scheme, Dies In Prison

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Bernie Madoff has passed away at age 82. The notorious fraudster is infamously known as the mastermind behind a $65 billion Ponzi scheme, which remains the largest in history. He reportedly died of natural causes.

Madoff pleaded guilty to eleven federal felonies in 2009. He was sentenced to 150 years in prison, the maximum sentence. He spent his final moments at the Federal Medical Center in North Carolina. His legal team attempted to have him released from prison last year because of the pandemic but he was shut down. Madoff also reached out to President Donald Trump while he was in office, hoping to get a lightened sentence from the White House.


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The former financier was previously the non-executive chairman of the NASDAQ stock market before it was revealed that he was in charge of a massive Ponzi scheme. His fraudulent ways affected thousands of investors who ended up losing out on billions of dollars. Approximately $14 billion was recovered from the scheme, as reported in December 2020.

Just a week ago, small-time actor Zachary Horwitz was arrested for his own involvement in a similar kind of Ponzi scheme, allegedly swindling more than $227 million. Obviously, that number pales in comparison to the extent of Madoff’s damage. Read more about that here.


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Questlove Analyzes 50 Years Of Pop Culture In His Upcoming Book, ‘Music Is History’

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Thanks to his bookish knowledge of pop culture and gift for storytelling, The Roots drummer Questlove has become one of music’s foremost historians — albeit, an informal one, in most cases. So, it’s fitting that his next book is titled Music Is History and will take on the task of examing the last 50 years of pop culture through the lens of the music that inspired it and was inspired it. The book is due in October through Abrams Image.

According to a press release, in the new book, Questlove will choose an “essential” track he believes defines each year, and “unpacks each song’s significance, revealing the pivotal role that American music plays around issues of race, gender, politics, and identity.”

Choosing the year 1971 as the book’s starting point, Quest gives it a link to his own personal history — he recently celebrated his own 50th birthday — and will also include personal anecdotes to highlight the way grand themes like race and politics can have a huge impact on the individual, as well. Topics will include the blaxploitation era, disco, and “the secret ingredient in all funk songs,” which will also be the theme of one of the playlists Questlove is curating to promote the new book. He’ll also be recording the audiobook version, releasing it through Recorded Books.

Chris Brown Is Being Sued By His Housekeeper Over An Alleged Dog Attack

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TMZ reports that R&B star Chris Brown is being sued by the sister of his housekeeper, who claims that his dog mauled the housekeeper while she was cleaning his home in Tarzana, California. According to the plaintiff, Patricia Avila, the two had been hired to clean twice a week for $600 a day under the condition that the dogs would be kept in a separate part of the property while they cleaned.

However, Avila says that when her sister went into the backyard to empty a vacuum cleaner, one of the dogs, a Caucasian Shepherd Ovcharka, had found its way there and attacked. Avila says that her sister was bitten on the arm, face, and leg. Eventually, the dog was removed and Brown called an ambulance for Avila’s sister, who she says was treated at the hospital for several days, including at least two surgeries. She says that her sister now has PTSD and panic attacks.

She is suing for damages, although the report doesn’t specify how much, saying that Brown failed to protect the sisters from the risk of attack by his dogs. There is no information on a separate suit from the actual alleged victim or a response from Brown.

Lil Uzi Vert Hits Wheelies While Riding A 4-Wheeler Through The Streets Of Philly

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Lil Uzi Vert has been having the time of his life in 2021. After getting a massive pink diamond implanted on his forehead, he finally made his relationship with City Girls’ rapper JT official, and although their relationship has seen its fair share of antics and drama, the two artists seem to be as happy as ever. With the promise of “bangers” on the way, it looks like Uzi’s eventful year is only getting started.

In addition to his love life, musical output, and dynamic fashion choices, it now appears that the Eternal Atake artist is already up to something else. In a recent Instagram post, the Philadelphia-born rapper shared a clip of himself riding a four-wheeler through the streets of his hometown, showing off his wheelie-popping skills.

Simply captioned, “It was a nice day in Philly,” Uzi’s new Instagram video shows him riding out and popping several daring wheelies in succession, and the “Drankin N Smokin” artist does appear to be having a good time. In the video, you can hear a young person reacting to Uzi’s tricks in awe and even refer to him as “the Wheelie Man.”

Check out Uzi’s four-wheeler theatrics and stay tuned for more news regarding the Pluto x Baby Pluto artist.

Bobby Shmurda Busted Flexing W/ New White Girlfriend?

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New York rapper Bobby Shmurda has the gossip blogs buzzing right now. The hip-hop star is sizzling across the Internet courtesy of footage showing him apparently boo’d up with a new lady. Bobby Shmurda Busted Flexing W/ New Boo New footage is circulating online showing Shmurda possibly off the dating market. While details are still […]

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Lil Nas X Criticized Over Alleged Video Of His Mother Begging For Money

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Some fans are calling out Lil Nas X for allegedly refusing to help his mother as she struggles with homelessness after a video was shared of her begging for money on the street.

The pop star is one of the biggest artists in the music business right now. He continues to make big moves to shake up the industry, most recently releasing his latest #1 single “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”. In previous interviews, Lil Nas X has spoken about his relationship with his mother, who struggles with drug addiction. “I never really talk about my mom,” said the rapper in January 2020. “She’s an addict so we don’t have the closest relationship. Even trying to get her better – things didn’t quite work out. But there’s still love…” 

 
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A fan-posted video allegedly shows Lil Nas X’s mother begging for money to buy food in Atlanta, Georgia. “This is @lilnasx mom holding a feed me sign,” wrote the fan. Many have been calling out the 22-year-old multi-platinum artist and making assumptions about his relationship with his mother, which he has openly discussed in the past. He claims that he attempted to help her, but to no avail. 

Lil Nas X has not commented on this video yet. We will keep you posted if he does.

This week, the rapper revealed that his new song “MONTERO” would be taken down from streaming services following multiple controversies surrounding the video. Critics have commented loudly about the message Nas X is sending in the video, in which he seduces the devil by giving him a lapdance. The drama was amplified when the artist announced he was releasing a limited number of sneakers that included drops of human blood.

Watch the music video for the song below. Read our new article “Lil Nas X Mastered Viral Success” here.

Juvenile Recieves Key To New Orleans

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Legendary Cash Money rapper Juvenile, real name Terius Gray, recently received a high honor in his home city of New Orleans. According to a new report from WDSU, Juvenile was officially granted a key to the city of New Orleans, presented by New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

Mayor Cantrell offered a few kind words about Juvenile, taking to social media to share a photo from the ceremony. “So this morning, we’re taking over for the 99 and the 2000s!” she writes. “Today, we honored New Orleans’ very own Teruis Gray, but we all know him as Juvenile. It was indeed an honor to present a Son of the City with a Key to the City of New Orleans.”

On his own Instagram page, Juvenile expressed gratitude to the mayor. “Thank you to @mayorcantrell and New Orleans city for presenting me with the Key to my city I am truly honored,” he captions, alongside an image of his new plaque. He also took a moment to share a bit of footage from the post-ceremony celebration, in which he kicks a few dance moves to the soundtrack of a jazzy street band. “Thank you everyone for the support they got me with this one,” he writes. “@mayorcantrell Thank You again.” 

We’d like to extend our congratulations to Juvenile for this major honor, and it’s certainly welcome to see him recognized for everything he’s done for New Orleans’ vibrant arts and culture scene. On that note, it’s been a while since we saw some new music from Juve The Great. Last we heard from the Cash Money veteran, he was reuniting with Birdman for their collaborative album Just Another Gangsta — stream that right here. 

Lil Wayne’s Chasing Relationship Goals W/ His Ex-GF Again

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Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne knows true love. The hip-hop superstar has alerted the world he’s back-back with his on-again, off-again ride or die Denise Bidot. Lil Wayne’s Chasing Relationship Goals Weezy F. Baby went to his social media pages to share a super heartfelt clip. The footage reveals Wayne and Bidot are back in each […]

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