Daughter Of Former NYPD Officer Says Malcolm X Assassination Confession Letter Is Fake

After previous reports that a letter penned by former NYPD officer Raymond Wood on his deathbed included a confession to being involved in a ploy from the police department and the FBI to assassinate Malcolm X, the daughter of the officer is claiming the letter is a hoax. Kelly Wood came forward to debunk the authenticity of the letter in an interview with NY1 on Friday (February 26). 


Richard Saunders/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The children of the late civil rights leader teamed up with the cousin of the officer, coming forward last week at the scene of the murder in Harlem to make the letter public. In the letter, Wood alleges that he was tasked with luring members of Malcolm X’s security into committing crimes so he could arrest them, making him an easy target for the gunmen. Wood’s daughter is saying the letter was forged by her father’s cousin to gain publicity for himself. 

“I know that my father did not write this letter,” Wood told the news station. “I know that is not his signature and I know the envelope they’re using to somehow justify that the letter was mailed is also a fake.” She also disputed the claim that he only publicized the letter after his death to avoid facing consequences. 

“My father is not a coward. He would have never, ever asked anyone to speak on his behalf after his passing. If he had something to say, he would have said it when he was alive,” she told NY1. She added the signature on the letter did not belong to her father. 

Three members of the Nation of Islam were arrested for the assassination, but many have long doubted they were actually behind the murder. Manhattan DA Cy Vance said last year that his office would reopen the case to investigate if they were wrongly prosecuted and in wake of the letter noted its “review of this matter is active and ongoing.”

The NYPD told the Post they were cooperating completely with the investigation. We’ll keep you updated on further developments. 

[via]

Big Sean Details His Battle With Suicidal Thoughts

Big Sean is one of the most established rappers on the planet, but even he struggles with mental health on a daily basis. He has gone through periods where he’s suffered in a deep state of depression. Other times, he’s opened up about his battle with anxiety. The 32-year-old celebrity has become an important voice in the fight to raise awareness for mental health, and he’s detailing his struggle with suicidal thoughts on a new episode of One Question, One Mike with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson.

Asking Big Sean about his experience dealing with mental health, the rapper spoke about how he had thought at length about killing himself, even going so far as to say he’s held a gun in his hand and calculated finances to see how much money his loved ones would receive if he ever died.

“I for sure contemplated suicide a lot of times,” said Sean. “Having guns in my hands and really just… feeling it, for real. Not even trying to be dramatic. Even planning it out to the point where, hey, if I do kill myself, at least my family will get this amount of money. I’d have done this already. All these things. Because I just was stressed out and not happy and I realized that I need to stop everything I’m doing and figure this out or I’ma self-destruct.”

Sean says that he took the necessary time off, went to therapy, canceled his tour, pushed back his album, and connected more with his religious beliefs. Thankfully, he didn’t do anything to permanently harm himself. 


Jim Spellman/Getty Images

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

[via]

Soulja Boy Called WWE ‘Fake’ And Now Wrestlers Really Want To Beat Him Up

Every now and again, Soulja Boy makes headlines for one reason or another, although in recent years, those reasons haven’t been related to music. He’s sold controversial video game consoles, had a thriving soap business during the pandemic, and now he’s making wrestlers, a famously muscular and confrontational group of people, mad at him.

Towards the end of February, Soulja tweeted, “Rap game faker than WWE,” which served as a rallying cry for wrestlers to express their discontent. Raw wrestler T-Bar fired back, “Does the rap game take years off your life and leave you with countless injuries and debilitating pain? Oh well maybe just stick to super soaking hoes or whatever it is you did 15 years ago.”

That prompted Randy Orton to chime in, “Fake? Dare this prick to step up. He dont like movies? Consider us actors that do stunts, without pads 200 days a year and don’t b*tch when we get surgically repaired and come right back. Consider us 100 times tougher then anyone you’ve come across. Aint nuthin but a bitch ass…” He then added, “Ps [Bad Bunny] would beat the f*ck outta you. Why? How? Because he’s seen our world. Respects it and knows what it takes and finds himself lucky to be a part of it. You wanna talk fake? Pawn that cheap ass chain and come work for it you one hit wonder ass mutha f*cka.”

Soulja didn’t back down, responding, “Do u know who the f*ck I am. I’ll bring the REAL to wrestling don’t play with me. Randy Ortonnnnnnnn??????????” Orton responded, “‘Crank that’ came out in ’07 you had a hell of a year. Serious $. Hats off to ya my dude. Here’s the thing tho… I like rap. I bump that sh*t all day whether it’s tunechi, meek, JZ…but you call what I do to survive, fake? F*ck that. Come to my world and say that. Dare ya.”

Soulja then fired back, “If you mad because I spit facts just say that. What you do is FAKE and I stand on that. What I do is REAL. Come to your world? Lol welcome to Soulja World.” Orton responded, “U spittin facts? Seems like all you spittin is the same mess you rap about. Nut. Clear your throat my dawg, and be there. Enough talk. Back it up.” Soulja then said, “Cap wrestler [laughing emoji] If u really want big draco to pull up say less.”

While WWE may not be a competitive sport, there’s no denying that its wrestlers are uncommonly strong, athletic people. So, to state the obvious, if Orton and Soulja ever did get in the ring, it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see the 20-plus-year wrestling veteran make light work of the “Crank That” rapper.

Check out the tweets below.

Noname’s Book Club Secures A Physical Headquarters For Food Drives, Classes, And More

Never say Noname doesn’t put her money where her mouth is. The outspoken Chicago artist, who in recent years has repeatedly called out the failings of America’s mainstream social system, found a way to help educate fans with the Noname Book Club, which she came up with one day when she was “really high.” However, that idea has since grown into a real political activist network that has a tremendous impact on communities with branches, and recently, Noname took a huge step in increasing that impact in more material ways.

On Instagram, Noname shared the first photos of the official headquarters of the Noname Book Club, which currently undergoing renovations. She also shared her plans for the physical space, which include holding food and book drives, free art showing and film screenings, and political education classes. She noted that “Everything provided in this space will be FREE. We service the community. We cannot wait for Biden or any other white supremacist political to provide for the people. Capitalism doesn’t end by itself. We have to start building a worker-led solidarity economy. The government would rather bomb Somalia than pay your rent.”

Noname also recently shared her first song of 2021, “Rainforest.” You can listen to it here.

Jhené Aiko To Host Grammy Premiere Ceremony, Performances By Burna Boy & More

Ahead of this month’s upcoming 63rd annual GRAMMY Awards ceremony, the Recording Academy is revealing some more details for what to expect at the preceding Premiere Ceremony. Set to take place on Sunday, March 14th at 12 pm ahead of the annual GRAMMY telecast later in the day, the Premiere Ceremony will be hosted by the Los Angeles bred songstress Jhené Aiko, and feature performances by current nominees Burna Boy, singer-songwriter Poppy, and more.  


Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

The event is planned to kick off with a tribute performance in celebration of Marvin Gaye’s iconic 1971 track “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology).” The tribute will feature an all-nominee ensemble performance. The event will stream live internationally on the awards website here

Burna Boy, who is nominated for Best Global Music Album, is set to hit the stage during the ceremony to perform, standing as the only rap act. XXL Freshman Chika is set to present some of the first GRAMMY Awards of the day at the event as well. 


Joe Maher/Getty Images for Bauer Media

Nominees for this year’s GRAMMY awards include Beyoncé, who received the most with nine, followed by Dua Lipa, Roddy Ricch, and Taylor Swift with six each. Megan thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Freddie Gibbs, and Nas all received nominations in major categories for this year’s ceremony. 

Now infamously, Superbowl Halftime headliner The Weeknd, did not receive any nominations at this year’s ceremony despite having an irrefutably colossal year musically. The show is set to air on Sunday, March 14th at 8 pm. Let us know down in the comments if you’ll be tuning in. 

Patrick Paige II Of The Internet Drops Solo Single “Whisper (Want My Luv)”

The Internet’s Patrick Paige II has officially come through to announce his upcoming solo album If I Fail Are We Still Cool?, due out for release on May 21. And though the project is a few months away, Paige has come through to unveil the project’s lead single “Whisper (Want My Love), which arrives complete with some new visuals.

As expected given his Internet affiliation, the instrumentation is lush and dynamic — particularly where the bass and percussion are concerned. Vocally, Paige isn’t afraid to take risks, conjuring up some strange and unconventional harmonies throughout the ballad. There’s a vintage sensibility throughout, particularly drawn from the classic funk sound, realized deftly by a live band arrangement. With an assist from Steve Lacy, Allen Love, and Durand Bernarr, “Whisper” certainly bodes well for the remainder of If I Fail Are We Still Cool?, a seventeen-track effort with features from Westside McFly, Bowie, Syd, Paco, and more.

Check it out now, and sound off if you’ll be tuning in when the project drops on May 21st.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

1, 2, 3, to the 4
You say something, we give and go
A, B, C to come and go
I approach, now she coming home

Adidas & Tommy Cash Unveil World’s Longest Superstar Sneakers Ever

Estonian rapper TOMM¥ €A$H recently bounced around the idea of creating the longest-ever Adidas Originals Superstar shell-toes, designing a model of the iconic silhouette that would be more unique and innovative than any former designs. While it seemed unlikely that he would actually land an official collaboration with Adidas to create the shoes, crazier things have happened and, as Hypebeast reports, we’re about to get Tommy’s unnecessarily-long sneakers as a limited release.

We’re not sure who Tommy Cash and Adidas are marketing to with their ultra-long Superstars, but they’ve officially been unveiled and they’re just as ridiculous as many had imagined. “WHEN I SAID TO ADIDAS THAT I WANT TO MAKE THE LONGEST SHOE IN THE WORLD AS OUR COLLAB THEY WERE LIKE WTF TOMMY,” said the rapper on Instagram. “BUT 5 MONTHS LATER HERE WE ARE.”

According to Hypebeast, these will be the final installment in Adidas’ SUPERSTAR campaign. The Superstar has been elongated to the max for this collaboration, resembling the footwear that clowns rock during their performances. One shoe is offered in white and the other is black.

The draw for these sneakers is extremely limited and anybody who wants a pair should head over to the Adidas app to try their luck as it begins tomorrow, on March 3. Cash’s autograph is included as an element of the design, and the two different colors represent something larger for the artist.

“Both the ‘angel’ and the ‘devil’ live in me at the same time — two opposites that are constantly fighting with each other,” he said, explaining the white and black theme. “So why hide one side of your personality when they can perfectly coexist with each other. Shouldn’t be too good or too bad. Balance is needed. As two opposites of Yin and Yang, forming one whole. Yes, these sneakers are different colors. After all, they reflect my mood, which changes every day. And I will proudly wear both versions of the iconic silhouette at the same time.”

What do you think of these?

[via]

6ix9ine Sued For More Than $75K In Unpaid Security Fees: Report

Things have not been looking too hot for Tekashi 6ix9ine, née Daniel Hernandez, in the legal department recently. Just last week, TMZ reported that a Miami stripper was suing the 24-year-old for injuries she sustained after allegedly being caught in the crossfire of an altercation he initiated after being called a “snitch.” In 2018, around the time he was arrested in connection to his high-profile federal RICO case that earned him the “rat” title, the troubled rapper had a pretty bulky crew of guards around him. According to a new lawsuit filed by the security company, it seems like he forgot to pay the tab for the people protecting him. 


Bob Levey/Getty Images

Per TMZ, Hernandez is being sued by Metropolitan Patrol, who claim they provided security for him, particularly 11 days in November of 2018. In some of that time, he was seen parading around Los Angeles 6 bodyguards deep. In the legal documents obtained by the publication, Metropolitan Patrol claims Hernandez signed a contract with them where they agreed to provide 24-hour armed security for him. They even included a detailed schedule of the shifts they worked in the suit

The rate was set at $85/hr during the day, while night shifts cost about $127.50 an hour. They also claimed they provided him with armored vehicles, including a fully-loaded Yukon with ballistic panels and 2 police-style Ford Explorers complete with lights, sirens, and everything. 

The company says his tab totaled over $75k, but he has simply refused to pay. They’re requesting a judge step into the situation now, and are requesting what is owed on the contract plus late fees and legal fees. In total, they’re asking for upwards of $88k. 

The rapper’s lawyer has said that his booking agency at the time, MTA Bookings, is responsible for covering the tab, not his client. He added the suit was “meritless.”

We’ll keep you updated on further developments in the case. 

[via]

DJ Khaled Shares 3 Rihanna Bikini Photos On Instagram

DJ Khaled might have some explaining to do when his wife logs onto Instagram because, on Monday, the mega-producer and music boss spent much of his time re-posting Rihanna’s latest thirst trap-y photos to promote her latest Savage X Fenty lingerie line, singing her praises in his captions.

At the time of publication, DJ Khaled has posted three different photos of Rihanna wearing a floral bikini, which she deemed to be “Savage AF”. “It’s gorgeous beautiful,” said the 45-year-old about the snaps. “Light attracts light.”

DJ Khaled recently worked with Fat Joe and Amorphous on the release of “Sunshine”, which uses Rihanna’s vocals sampled from her hit record “Kiss It Better”. The two also have an extensive history of collaborating together, most notably on “Wild Thoughts” with Bryson Tiller. It’s unclear why DJ Khaled is sharing all these pictures of Rihanna in her bikini, but he’s showing love, and there’s never anything wrong with that. He just probably has to have a long talk with his wife about what’s going on.


Johnny Nunez/Getty Images

This isn’t the first time Khaled has done this with Rihanna. A few weeks ago, he flooded his main feed with over six posts for Rihanna’s birthday. Find you a friend that goes as hard as DJ Khaled goes for Rih… Do you have someone that gasses you up like this?