News

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/don-lemon-kanye-west-is-not-very-bright-not-clued-in-watch/

*CNN’s Don Lemon has slammed Kanye West for being “not very bright” after the rapper went on a Chicago morning radio show to dish about his Donald Trump support and how 45 can connect with the community.

West said Trump “cares” about how black people feel about him and “he would like for black people to like him like they did when he was cool in rap songs.” He also believes Trump can’t be the “greatest president” without the support of Black folks.

“He cares about the way black people feel about him and he would like for black people for him like they did when he was cool in the rap songs and all this, and he will do the things that are necessary to make that happen because he’s got an ego like all the rest of us… he knows that he can’t be the greatest president without the acceptance of the black community,” West said Thursday.

On the Thursday broadcast of his CNN show, Lemon likened West to a character on the sketch comedy show “In Living Color.”

“Do you remember on In Living Color, Oswald Bates?” Lemon asked guest Angela Rye. He then did a presentation of the unintelligible Bates.

“If you listen to the entire interview that’s what it sounds like,” Lemon said of Kanye West. “It’s like a word salad where you realize that Kanye West, entitled to his own opinion, but is not very bright and not very — he — when — I’m talking about this issue, not overall, but when it comes to these issues, he’s not clued in.”

“Ohhh,” Rye reacted after the ‘not very bright’ comment.

“He needs to read about it before he speaks about it. I’m not saying he’s not a bright person. I take that back. It’s not what I meant,” Lemon said in an attempt to clean up his original statement.

“Okay, I hear you,” Rye said calmly.

“When it comes to this particular issue he needs to, like, look at a book, read some history and understand what he’s talking about,” Lemon finished.

While Kanye believes Trump cares about black people, Rye isn’t so convinced.

“I believe that Kanye West believes that Donald Trump cares about what black people think about him,” she said. “That does not mean that Donald Trump cares about black people, right.”

“What we know is what Donald Trump actually does,” Rye added. “So what I would encourage Kanye to do — Kanye, if you’re listening, please go back and read all the things that exist. It doesn’t even have to be a book. It can be the articles, it can be the tweets, it can be the timelines that we’ve all put out since the campaign showing that Donald Trump does not care about black people. If he cares about what black people think about him then he should start doing right by black people.”

“We can respect his opinion, but we don’t have to respect his ignorance,” Lemon later said.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/i-have-to-do-better-evelyn-lozada-apologizes-to-basketball-wives-cast-member-for-racist-comment-watch/

*Evelyn Lozada filmed a two-part apology to her “Basketball Wives” costar CeCe Rodriguez after making a racist reference to her on this week’s episode.

Taking to her Instagram page on Tuesday afternoon, Lozada addressed the incident, which took place during an argument at dinner while the ladies were in Amsterdam.

After CeCe called Evelyn “EVIL-lyn”, Lozada responded with “I have a problem with you. I have a problem with you, Lee-Lee.”

CeCe was confused by the term, until cast member Malaysia Pargo explained that it was a reference to a nail shop technician, which CeCe immediately labeled as racist.

Watch below:

Many viewers also took offense to Evelyn’s comment and a petition has since been crafted pushing for Evelyn’s removal from the show.

Evelyn took to her Instagram on Tuesday, two days after the episode aired, to issue her apology in a 2-part video, as well as a pre-written statement.

“In the heat of a verbal battle, things are sometimes said that are hurtful, untrue and totally out of character. It’s not cool- but regrettably it happens,” she wrote. “I understand why many are upset by derogatory, stereotypical reference of another woman of color-and for that I’m so sorry. To intentionally add to a pot of racial divisiveness is not reflective of my heart. I extended a heartfelt apology to my castmate CeCe Gutierrez a few weeks ago back in which she graciously accepted. Moving forward… I have to do better!”

The statement was followed by two separate clips about the incident. “Hi guys, I wanted to make this video following my statement because I know how impersonal statements can be sometimes,” she said in part one. “I wanted to publicly apologize to CeCe, her son, her family, my friends and family, the viewers of this show, anyone that was offended by my comment during a heat of the moment argument. Regardless of what was being said behind the scenes and how I felt, what I said was wrong and I should have never said that. That’s not even who I am and how I was raised.”

“I don’t want to add, you know, the world is already divided and I don’t want to be a part of that,” she continued in the second part. “That’s not even who I am, so… I’m work in progress and I apologize to anyone who was offended again. I apologized to her for a few weeks ago, we talked about it, she apologized for things she said and we both moved on. But, I felt I had to apologize to anyone else that watched the show that was offended. That will never happen again.”

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/ariana-grande-mistaken-for-a-taco-bell-item-at-aretha-franklins-funeral/

*Aretha Franklin’s family tapped Ariana Grande at the last minute to join the esteemed group of artists who performed at the Queen of Soul’s homegoing Friday morning.

Grande took the stage at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit in a black dress so short it sparked conversation across social media.

“#ArianaGrande don’t know the below the knee rule for the pulpit in the black church. Somebody hand her a lap hanky and a choir robe. Bless her heart,” tweeted Tenisha Taylor Bell.

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: DJ Khaled Launches ‘We the Best Home’ Furniture Lin

Grande’s ex-boyfriend Big Sean was among those attending the funeral, and the rapper gave her a standing ovation, HuffPost reported. 

Following her performance, Bishop Charles Ellis III, who was presiding over the service, brought the singer over to the podium for some remarks.

Watch below:

“I’ve got to apologize because I have to brush up,” Ellis said at the podium, while Grande laughed. “My 28-year-old daughter told me, ‘You are old at 60.’”

“When I saw Ariana Grande on the program, I thought that was a new something at Taco Bell,” he added. “Girl, lemme give you all your respect.”

Social media, of course, reacted to the dig…

Grande met Franklin earlier on in her career, as she recalled on “The Tonight Show.”

“I met her a few times. We sang at the White House and she was so sweet and she was so cute,” she told host Jimmy Fallon at the time. “I was like, ‘How are you a real person?’ It’s an honor to have met her and we’re gonna celebrate her.”

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/aretha-franklins-funeral-where-to-watch-live-finalized-program-chaka-khan-to-sing-going-up-yonder/

*The funeral program for Aretha Franklin has been revealed, showing the addition of Ariana Grande to the lineup of singers set to pay tribute during the star-studded service on Friday (Aug. 31), at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple.

Here are all the ways you can watch the service live:

Bounce TV will televise the service, and its Brown Sugar channel will carry the livestream. Bounce and Brown Sugar will partner with Bounce’s local Detroit affiliate, WXYZ-TV, to air and stream WXYZ’s hometown coverage and commentary nationwide.

The Word Network, the largest African American religious network, will air the service in its entirety starting at 10 a.m. via television and live-stream on their website. (Detroit-based audiences can watch on Channel 2, Channel 4 and Channel 7.)

Detroit’s local news channels WDIV-TV, WJBK-TV and WXYZ-TV will carry the funeral live, and will stream on their respective websites. CNN , MSNBC and (yes) Fox News will air portions of the event nationally.

The Detroit News will provide live coverage for the service via its social media.

The Associated Press will carry the entire service on its livestream YouTube channel.

Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Khan, The Clark Sisters, Shirley Caesar, Ron Isley and Marvin Sappare also among the performers listed on the program, which was revealed online Wednesday.

Below, Chaka tells TMZ that she will sing the Tremaine Hawkins gospel classic “Going Up Yonder” at the service.

Watch below:

Below, view the full list of speakers and performers for Aretha Franklin’s funeral on Friday:

9:30-9:50 a.m.: Musical Prelude: Aretha Franklin Orchestra
9:50-10:00 a.m.: Lighting of Candles: Swanson Funeral Home, Inc.
10:00-10:20 a.m.: Processional: Clergy, Ministers and Family
10:20-10:25 a.m.: Prayer of Comfort: Dr. E.L. Branch, Pastor, Third New Hope Church
10:25-10:40 a.m.: Scripture of Comfort:
10:25 a.m.: Old Testament: Bishop T.D. Jakes, Potter’s House, Dallas, TX
10:30 a.m.: New Testament: Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Triumph Church
10:35 a.m.: The Psalm: Bishop P.A. Brooks, Pastor, New St. Paul Tabernacle Church
10:40-10:45 a.m.: Musical Tribute: Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir
10:45-10:49 a.m.: Musical Tribute: Faith Hill
10:49-11:03 a.m.: Remarks:
10:49 a.m.: Brenda Jones, City Council President
10:51 a.m.: JoAnn Watson, Detroit City Council
10:53 a.m.: Mike Duggan, Mayor, City of Detroit
10:57 a.m.: Governor Rick Snyder, State of Michigan
11:03-11:08 a.m.: Musical Tribute: Ariana Grande
1108-11:13 a.m.: Musical Tribute: The Clark Sisters
11:13-11:18 a.m: Acknowledgements and Condolences: Barbara Sampson
11:18-11:23 a.m.: Musical Tribute: The Williams Brothers & Vanessa Bell Armstrong
11:23-11:40 a.m.: Family Reflections: Vaughn, Cristal, Victorie & Jordan Franklin
11:40-11:45 a.m.: Family Musical Tribute: Edward Franklin
11:45-11:50 a.m.: Obituary: Sabrina Owens
11:50-11:55 a.m.: Musical Tribute: Alice McAllister Tillman
11:55-12:00 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Audrey DuBois Harris
12:00-12:15 p.m.: Personal Remarks:
12:00 p.m.: Eric Holder, Former U.S. Attorney General
12:05 p.m.: Senator Gary Peters, State of Michigan
12:10 p.m.: Former President, William (Bill) Jefferson Clinton
12:15-12:19 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Pastor Shirley Caesar and Tasha Cobbs-Leonard
12:19-12:36 p.m.: Personal Reflections :
12:19 p.m.: Greg Mathis, Retired Judge, 36th District Court, Detroit, MI
12:23 p.m.: Brenda Lawrence, State Representative, 14th Congressional District
12:27 p.m.: Rev. Donald L. Parsons, Logos Assembly Church, Chicago, IL
12:31 p.m.: Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder, National Action Network
12:36-12:41 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Chaka Khan
12:41-12:51 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Ron Isley
12:51 p.m.: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Founder/President Rainbow P.U.S.H. Coalition
1:00 p.m.: Dr. William J. Barber, II, Pastor, Greenleaf Christian Church, Goldsborough N.C
1:05 p.m.: Rev. James Holley, Retired Pastor, New Light Missionary Baptist Church
1:10-1:15 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Fantasia Barrino-Taylor
1:15-1:30 p.m: Personal Reflections :
1:15 p.m.: Tyler Perry
1:17 p.m.: Cicely Tyson, Actress
1:20 p.m.: Clive Davis, Chief Creative Officer, Sony Music
1:25 p.m.: Smokey Robinson, Recording Artist
1:30-1:34 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Bishop Paul Morton and Yolanda Adams
1:34-1:53 p.m.: Personal Reflections :
1:34 p.m.: Mildred Gaddis, Radio Personality
1:38 p.m.: Isaiah Thomas, Former NBA Player, Detroit Pistons
1:42 p.m.: Ron Moten, Personal Friend, Franchise Owner, McDonald’s Restaurants
1:48 p.m.: Michael Eric Dyson, Professor of Sociology, Georgetown University
1:53-2:00 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Bishop Marvin Sapp and the Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir
2:00-2:05 p.m.: Sermonic Selection: Jennifer Hudson
2:05-2:35 p.m.: Eulogy: Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr., Pastor, Salem Baptist Church, Atlanta GA
2:35-2:45 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Stevie Wonder joined by National Artists
2:45-3:00 p.m.: Recessional: Jennifer Holliday and the Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/tyga-takes-credit-for-success-of-kylie-jenners-make-up-line/

*Tyga was a guest on Nicki Minaj’s Queen Radio yesterday and made headlines for claiming that he had “a lot to do” with the success of his ex-girlfriend Kylie Jenner.

The “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” who now calls Travis Scott her baby daddy, was the youngest person to make Forbes’ annual list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women earlier this year after her make-up line, Kylie Cosmetics, was revealed to be worth nearly $800 million.

Tyga insists that he had something to do with her amassing that fortune. He claims his three-year relationship with the star between 2014 and 2017 helped put her on the map.

“She always had a platform and she was always destined to be what she was going to be regardless, but, when I stepped in, there was a lot of codes being taught,” the 28-year-old explained on Minaj’s Apple Music Beats 1 show Queen Radio on Thursday. “It was like, ‘you could do this, you should start this, you should start doing your hair like this’.”

The “Taste” rapper went on to insist that he played an influential role in the creation of the make-up mogul’s signature Lip Kits and helped Kylie pick shades and names in the production process.

“I had a lot to do with all that, which I don’t need credit for,” he shared. “I don’t need to go online and tell people I did this and I’m the one helping her coming up with these colors and names on her lip line. It was a lot of stuff.”

During the chat, Tyga, who is now rumored to be back with Playboy model Carla Howe, also addressed the breakdown of his relationship with Kylie and denied rumors that he has beef with Travis.

“I’m not a bitter person… if we break up, we break up. We had a good time and kept moving, and we went our separate ways and we’re both doing good,” he smiled. “(Me and Travis) ain’t got no beef. It’s his time right now. You gotta let it ride. I ain’t got no beef with him.”

Asking if he missed Kylie, he replied: “Nah, I’m good. I’m good, love. Enjoy.”

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/kevin-carroll-says-facebook-watch-best-platform-for-sacred-lies/

*Kevin Carroll stars in the Facebook Watch series “Sacred Lies” as a forensic psychologist. Based on the Grimm Brothers’ tale “The Handless Maiden” and Stephanie Oakes‘ novel “The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly,” the drama is about a handless teen who escapes from a cult and finds herself in juvenile detention, suspected of knowing who killed the cult leader.

In an exclusive interview, Carroll explained why Facebook Watch watchers get a more in depth experience seeing the series on Facebook.

Kevin, how did you get involved in this project?

To be honest, Marie, sometimes you find projects and sometimes projects find you. And I think for me the stars aligned at the right time. It came through at a time when I had a few different auditions. But this one seemed very interesting in terms of a black forensic psychologist and the passion Raelle Tucker (Blumhouse Televisionexecutive producer and showrunner) had for the project. It was so all consuming.

Do you relate at all to your character?

Oh for sure. The notion of giving strength to those that come after you to do better than you did. It is something that has always been a part of who I am; the notion of responsibility toward your fellow-person.

What’s the importance of having this series on Facebook Watch?

Who would be brave enough to produce a show like this where you have the main character being a disabled heroine that has no hands. Then thee’s the Blumhouse team with the idea of moving culture forward, using a different voice outside of the expected, outside of the norm, and what is comfortable. Facebook galvanizes the notion of community. They’re not policed the same as with some of the platforms like ABC, NBC, or CBS. And we can talk to the fans.

“Sacred Lies” can be seen Fridays at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST on Facebook. Cast also includes Elena Kampouris, John Malkovich, Kiana Madeira, Ryan Robbins, and Toby Huss.

Facebook.com/TheFilmStripTM       Twitter: @thefilmstrip     Instagram.com/thefilmstriptm

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/09/the-pulse-of-entertainment-tv-one-airs-dinner-for-two-sam-ruckers-sax-sing-on-redemption/

*On Sunday September 2, 2018 TV One premieres an original movie “Dinner for Two” starring and executive produced by Grammy nominated Tristan Wilds (Red Tails) and Chaley Rose (“Nashville”) at 7 p.m. ET with encore to air at 10 p.m. The film is written and directed by Orlando Bishop and follows Chris (Wilds) as he deals with a break-up from someone he believes is his soul mate Angela (Rose).

The storyline, which Orlando said was taken from a personal experience of love lost, finds Chris using alcohol to diminish the pain of his lost. Fate however would give him a chance at one last dinner for two with her to only discover why he loved her in the first place.

“I lost my mom in March and wanted to get that feeling into a film,” Orlando said about the film that took 12 years to make.

“Dinner for Two” may have taken 12 years to make but it took only 12 days to shoot.

When I asked Wild and Rose what they would do if they where in the same situation as Chris and Angela Wild said, “The biggest thing…to allow yourself to grieve…get your feelings out…the good moments and bad moments they are lessons. Take a step back and see how I got to this place…be more reflective.”

Wise words for a man who has successful conquered the music industry as well as the acting arena. Tristan, in the music industry, is known as Mack Wilds. As a singer he garnered a Grammy nomination for the album “New York: A Love Story”. He recently signed with Roc Nation so expect big things from him musically. He debuted as an actor in a Spike Lee film project, “Miracle Boys”, followed by guest appearances on “Cold Case” and “Law & Order”. In a recurring role in HBO’s “The Wire” Tristan found the recognition he needed that led to a starring role beside Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Sakota Fanning in The Secret Life of Bees in 2007. He returned to television after that before obtaining a starring role in the George Lucas film Red Tails about the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American US Army Air Force pilots that also starred Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terence Howard.

Chaley said she would go crazy if she lost a soul mate, “I think I would drink away my sorrow. Let myself cry…write it in my journal.”

Rose is known for her role in the ABC drama “Nashville.” She is also a singer. Her music can be found on the soundtracks of “The Music of Nashville: Seasons 2, 3 and 4” and “Christmas with Nashville.” Chaley also had a role in the CBS series “Code Black.”

The TV One original movie “Dinner for Two” airs Sunday September 2^nd at 7 p.m. ET and is a complicated love story about love and sacrifice. www.TVOne.tv/show/dinner-for-two

Saxophonist Sam Rucker makes his sax sing on his third solo album “Redemption” (Favor Productions). His outstanding skills have allowed him to work with Peter White, Norman Connor and Phil Perry. He has opened up for Will Downing, Norman Brown, Eric Benet, Ben Tankard and Candi Staton to name a few.

For this album the Virginia native wanted to give the message of “true love.”

“It’s about the courses of my life,” Rucker said about the “Redemption” album. “Been lots of downs and I felt like I reached a low point…This album is about redemption…feels like my life did a come back. It’s so good you could not have planned it yourself. Sit back and let Him (God) work.”

The album offers 11 selections with Lucy Kilpatrick on piano; Carlton Savage, John Calisto and Justin Taylor on guitar; Donnell Smith on bass; Steven Kroon on percussions; JP Lilliston on drums, and vocals by Wanda Jay, Sheila Madanat, Joselyn Best and Regina Blackwell. The first single, “True Love,” was released July 16, 2018.

“My life turned around so much I knew this album was going to musically move people,” he said. “I want my music to be encouraging and make you feel good. The message…keep the faith…feel good in the Spirit.”

For me it was inspiring and uplifting. My favorite songs on the “Redemption” album include #2 “Down on the Inside” because Rucker’s sax playing is sweet and combines well with the vocals of Wanda Jay and Sheila Madanat – with the piano playing of Lucy the cherry on the cake; #3 “True Love” because Sam is playing that sax in a sassy way that matches the vocals of Joselyn Best and because guitarist John Calisto brings a Latin flavor to it to top it all off; #4 “Overcome” because it personifies what Smooth Jazz is, and #8 “Follow Me” because Sam Rucker is perfection on the sax and I love the support of Kilpatrick on the piano. www.SamRucker.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. ;EVENT:  19^th annual “Uplifting Minds II” Free Entertainment Conference Sat October 20^th 1 – 4pm at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood) with EURweb.com publisher Lee Bailey, talk show host Melody Trice, television executive Tiaunte Kelly and singer Emmanuel Withers. Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/09/weekend-watch-little-stranger-has-intrigue-and-a-twist/

*“The Little Stranger” has intrigue and a twist, but is it a ghost story or astral figments of the imagination? “The Little Stranger” is the story of Dr. Faraday (Domhnall Gleeson), a country doctor. During the long hot summer of 1948, he is called to attend a patient (Liv Hill) at Hundreds Hall, where his mother once worked as a maid.

The Hall has been home to the Ayres family for more than two centuries. But it is now in decline and its inhabitants—mother, son, and daughter—are haunted by something more ominous than a dying way of life. Once there, Faraday becomes entwined in the family’s fabric of intrigue.

Unsettling happenings occurring in the house brought about the patient’s feigned illness. The war veteran brother always smelled smoke and the Hall’s matriarch believes her long deceased daughter makes appearances at the Hall. Dr. Faraday told them all that they are slaves to their imagination. But what about the annoying young guest mauled at a dinner party? Was it the friendly house pet that was unfortunately put down for the attack or an evil supernatural entity?

The gothic tale moves slowly to effectively drag audiences in as they hang onto each frightening frame. The twisted ending, however, is a sorrowful let down to the extremely heightened moments leading to its climax. Either this is lazy writing or a loss of concrete ideas.

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson, “The Little Stranger” also stars Ruth Wilson, Will Poulter,  and Charlotte  Rampling, with an appearance by Christian Wolf-La’Moy as  the Vicar.

Facebook.com/TheFilmStripTM       Twitter: @thefilmstrip   Instagram.com/thefilmstriptm

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/mokelly-and-roland-martins-unfiltered-look-at-america-audio/

*September 4th marks the launch of the highly-anticipated daily digital show, “Roland Martin Unfiltered” which will feature news and cultural commentator Roland Martin at his best; breaking down the issues of the day. The former host of “News One Now” wanted to make sure that not only will he be unlimited in his reach in the digital age, but also unfiltered in his content.

I had the opportunity to take a deep dive into both the present state of America as well as its complex history with Martin; as we give context to the dysfunctional state of American politics and the coarse rhetoric which surrounds it.

You will not make it to end of our extended conversation without feeling something, learning something and most importantly being moved to do something; be an active participant in American democracy.

For more information on Roland Martin and “Unfiltered,” please visit RolandMartinUnfiltered.com

The Mo’Kelly Show airs Saturdays and Sundays on the #1 news/talk station in America KFIAM640 and iHeartRadio. For more: visit Mo’Kelly’s website at mrmokelly.com

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/09/gladys-knight-clarifies-she-doesnt-have-cancer-aretha-franklin-had/

*It was incorrectly reported by several media outlets that Gladys Knight has the same kind of cancer that Aretha Franklin succumbed to, pancreatic cancer. However, the singer’s spokesperson set the record straight with a statement to the Detroit Free Press.

“She’s healthy. Someone must have misinterpreted,” said Javier Delgado, a publicist with JDS PR, which represents the onetime Motown star.

The issue regarding Knight’s health started trending online after the 74-year-old singer spoke to reporters about Franklin before entering Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple for Friday’s funeral.

Knight talked about the last time she had spoken to her “sister” Franklin while staying at the same hotel:

“So we got to talking and everything, and at that time we shared the fact that we had the same disease,” said Knight. She did not elaborate and that’s what started the speculation. This is another instance that shows how words matter.

RELATED: ARETHA FRANKLIN’S HOME GOING SERVICES ON EURWEB – WATCH AGAIN NOW

Later, Knight’s publicist, Jay Schwartz, put out a statement from Knight explaining the earlier comment.

“I’d like to clarify that Aretha and I discussed both of us having cancer, mine was stage 1 breast cancer and hers was pancreatic. Due to early detection, I am cancer free and grateful for that. It is unfortunate that on a day we should be celebrating Aretha’s life and massive contribution to our world, a reporter who did not relay accurate information has missed the message. I send my love to the entire Franklin family and my gratitude to them for sharing such an extraordinary person with us.”

USA Today notes that Knight was an unannounced addition to the funeral proceedings, and performed two songs near the end of the services: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/t-i-thinks-his-sht-dont-think-says-arresting-officer-on-body-cam-watch-listen/

*Well now, isn’t this interesting. According to TMZ, the officer who busted rapper/actor T.I. back in May outside the guard shack of his gated community talked major trash about the rapper and his level of fame … and it was all captured on the officer’s body cam.

The footage was obtained from the Henry County officer who busted T.I. for public drunkenness and simple assault of the security guard. The video shows the officer talking to the guard, who had refused to let T.I. enter when he didn’t have his key.

The guard’s supervisor tells the cop, “That’s T.I., the rapper.” The cop repsonds, “He thinks his s**t don’t stink” and then laughs. The supervisor agreed with the officer.

TMZ broke the story, T.I. says the guard — who was eventually fired over the incident — had also cursed out Tiny when she called to say it was okay to let her husband enter their gated community.

T.I. was heated about the arrest and argued with cops after they took him into custody. He’s been charged with 3 misdemeanors … but most likely won’t face any jail time if convicted.

READ THIS/LEBRON JAMES: ‘TOOK ME A WHILE TO ADJUST TO WHITE PEOPLE’

T.I.’s attorney, Steve Sadow, was contacted about the about the body cam footage, however, he declined to comment.

Here’s more on the aftermath of T.I.’s arrest …

He has pleaded not guilty in the criminal case stemming from his run-in with a security guard outside his gated community in Georgia.

T.I., also known as “Tip,” filed the documents last week, according to The Blast. He reportedly requested that his case go to trial, believing he can win the case if a jury hears the full story.

He’s also sought to dismiss all three charges, and argues that there was no “true threat” that fits the bill to warrant prosecution.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/verna-myers-joins-netflix-as-vice-president-of-inclusion-strategy/

*Los Gatos, Ca based Netflix Inc. has announced  that Vernā Myers is joining the company as Vice President, Inclusion Strategy. In this newly-created role, Vernā will help devise and implement strategies that integrate cultural diversity, inclusion and equity into all aspects of Netflix’s operations worldwide. For the past two decades, through The Vernā Myers Company, she has consulted with a wide range of major corporations and organizations on how to help eradicate barriers based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and other differences and to make more just, compassionate, and productive work environments.

“Having worked closely with Vernā as a consultant on a range of organizational issues, we are thrilled that she has agreed to bring her talents to this new and important role,” said Jessica Neal, Netflix Chief Talent Officer. “As a global company dedicated to attracting the best people and representing a broad range of perspectives, Vernā will be an invaluable champion of our efforts to build a culture where all employees thrive.”

“I have been a longtime fan of the inclusive and diverse programming and talent at Netflix, and then I got a chance to meet the people behind the screen. I was so impressed by their mission, their excellence, and decision to take their inclusion and diversity efforts to a higher level,” Vernā Myers said. “I am so excited and look forward to collaborating all across Netflix to establish bold innovative frameworks and practices that will attract, fully develop, and sustain high performing diverse teams.”

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Vernā is also the author of Moving Diversity Forward: How to Go From Well-Meaning to Well-Doing and What If I Say the Wrong Thing? 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People. She has been an active speaker at TED and has also contributed to numerous publications including Refinery29, The Atlantic, Forbes, and the Harvard Business Review.

About Netflix
Netflix is the world’s leading internet entertainment service with over 130 million memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/slick-rick-and-the-black-eyed-peas-share-new-song-and-video/

*NEW YORK –– Slick Rick, hip-hop’s greatest storyteller, and The Black Eyed Peas – whose crossover over appeal has generated sales of more than 40 million units worldwide – share a new song and video, “Constant Part 1 & 2,” released globally today across all DSPs. Rick, who celebrates the 30^th anniversary of his landmark The Great Adventures of Slick Rick in November, appears in the video.

“Constant Part 1 & 2” is the fourth Black Eyed Peas (sans Fergie) single this year. Directed by will.i.am and Ernst Weber, the clip marks the first Slick Rick-Black Eyes Peas collaboration. In the past, the band sampled the emcee’s song “The Ruler’s Back” for (2005’s “Don’t Lie,” as well as “Children’s Story (2010’s “The Beginning) and “The Show” (2015’s “Yesterday”). “Constant” interpolates a line from Rick’s classic “La-di-da-di,” and a conscious message is delivered via warm, jazzy boom-bap and hip-house.

Earlier this year Kanye West and Nas exchanged verses about police brutality over Rick’s four-word sample from “Children’s Story,” (“Cops shot the kid…”), which has become the most sampled song in hip-hop history.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/patti-labelle-performs-you-are-my-friend-at-aretha-franklins-memorial-concert-watch/

*Aretha Franklin’s pre-funeral concert in Detroit took place last night and Patti LaBelle gave an incredibly moving performance.

LaBelle sang her hit song “You Are My Friend,” and belted what turned out to be one of the best tributes of the night. Other acts including The Four Tops and Johnny Gill also hit the stage at Chene Park Amphitheatre.

As we reported, 23 acts were originally slated to perform Thursday, including big names like the Four Tops, Gladys Knight, Johnny Gill, Ron Isley and lots of others. Gladys’ rep later clarified she wouldn’t be performing, but would be in attendance.

READ THIS: MLK’S NIECE SAYS HE WOULD’VE LAUGHED AT CARDI B’S ‘HOUSEWIVES OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT’ SPOOF

The Four Tops performed “Bernadette,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” and “Reach Out, I’ll Be There.”

What’s noteworthy is that these stars committed to the show as they’re all took care of their own travel and lodging expenses, according to a document obtained by TMZ.

Aretha’s actual home going service is happening today, and features additional headliners including Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande, among others.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/bow-wow-breakdown-rapper-attacks-crew-camera-equipment-at-tv-shoot/

*Oh wow, we can only wonder what set Bow Wow off last night. According to TMZ, the rapper and unemployed actor went left while shooting a segment for “Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta.” He attacked his camera crew and damaged thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

Production sources say a shoot for “Growing Up Hip Hop” was going down Thursday night at the Westside Cultural Arts Center when he allegedly snapped. The report says Bow Wow shifted from calm cool and collected to a person no one recognized … and it’s unclear why.

Sources say in a fit of rage, Bow Wow started shattering gear … busting three cameras in the process. The rapper also attacked anyone who tried to step in and stop him.

Yes, cops were called to the scene, but no word yet if anyone was arrested.

The event at the Cultural Arts Center was a party for Da Brat — who recently got off of probation — we’re told she may have been involved in the melee too.

HipHopDX reports that acording to production sources, the apparent meltdown took place at Atlanta’s Westside Cultural Arts Center during an Off Probation Party for Da Brat (who arrived in inmate garb and handcuffed!).

READ THIS: ‘QUEER EYE’ STAR KARAMO BROWN REVEALS HE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN 2006

You might be interested to know that in a post uploaded to his Instagram stories on Friday (August 31), the 31-year-old addressed the incident.

“Stop fucking over reacting and stop with the sympathy texts to my [phone],” he wrote. “Yall are not the therapist so stop acting like one. I got this. Thanks.”

By the way, the rapper has a previous public breakdown in his recent past.

Just about a month ago, he threatened to quit his career to work at GameStop. Bow Wow then revealed he was “cash apping all my money away today” for those who want “free money.”

There’s got to be video of him going off. It’s only a matter of time before it’s releasde.

Story developing …

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/aretha-franklins-going-home-service-is-streaming-live-on-eurweb-watch-now/

*Earlier (on 08-31-18), EURweb is provided live coverage of Aretha Franklin‘s home going services at Greater Grace Temple in her hometown of Detroit.

Now, you can watch it again. In its entirety.

Speakers at her services included former President Bill Clinton, Rev. Jesse Jackson and the legendary Smokey Robinson.

Her services included performances by stars as Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill and Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande (see below). Franklin handpicked Hudson to play her in an upcoming biopic. Faith Hill performed a duet with Franklin for 2011’s “A Woman Falling Out of Love.” And Stevie Wonder, a dear friend of Franklin’s for decades, was among the final guests to visit her before she died of pancreatic cancer on Aug. 16.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/09/gladys-knight-clarifies-she-doesnt-have-cancer-aretha-franklin-had/

*It was incorrectly reported by several media outlets that Gladys Knight has the same kind of cancer that Aretha Franklin succumbed to, pancreatic cancer. However, the singer’s spokesperson set the record straight with a statement to the Detroit Free Press.

“She’s healthy. Someone must have misinterpreted,” said Javier Delgado, a publicist with JDS PR, which represents the onetime Motown star.

The issue regarding Knight’s health started trending online after the 74-year-old singer spoke to reporters about Franklin before entering Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple for Friday’s funeral.

Knight talked about the last time she had spoken to her “sister” Franklin while staying at the same hotel:

“So we got to talking and everything, and at that time we shared the fact that we had the same disease,” said Knight. She did not elaborate and that’s what started the speculation. This is another instance that shows how words matter.

RELATED: ARETHA FRANKLIN’S HOME GOING SERVICES ON EURWEB – WATCH AGAIN NOW

Later, Knight’s publicist, Jay Schwartz, put out a statement from Knight explaining the earlier comment.

“I’d like to clarify that Aretha and I discussed both of us having cancer, mine was stage 1 breast cancer and hers was pancreatic. Due to early detection, I am cancer free and grateful for that. It is unfortunate that on a day we should be celebrating Aretha’s life and massive contribution to our world, a reporter who did not relay accurate information has missed the message. I send my love to the entire Franklin family and my gratitude to them for sharing such an extraordinary person with us.”

USA Today notes that Knight was an unannounced addition to the funeral proceedings, and performed two songs near the end of the services: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/02/are-black-women-salty-about-taye-diggs-dating-white-women-or-taye-diggs-no-more-white-women-who-cares-tho-or-taye-diggs-swears-off-white-women-listen/

*He’s TMZs self-proclaimed resident Moor.

And this week he launched a new podcast on SoundCloud.

“The Red Pill” with Van Lathan confronts the brutal reality of truth without social media noise or mainstream bias. Episode one features his buddy Taye Diggs divulging deets about salty Black women and why he’s confused about swearing off White women.

Van Lathan: The entire time you were coming up [in Hollywood] you were dating or married to Idina Menzel. And I remember the moment my mother realize your wife was white. She saw a picture and said, ‘that’s his wife?!…Oh!…’

When you go from being the love interest of people like Angela Bassett and Sanaa Lathan…did that impact your career?

Taye Diggs: I don’t know. I would like to think it didn’t.

VL: Did you feel like Black women were salty?

TD: Yes, but I don’t think it got in the way of anything. Although, to this day I don’t read Instagram, Twitter or what people post. I always felt fully supported career-wise but when it came to my social life people always made assumptions…

These days there’s no excuse so I have no time for it …

VL: Because you’re dating a black lady (Amanza Smith Brown) now…

TD: Uh, yes. She’s mixed.

When I was 13, I was reading a magazine and there was a picture of a Black woman and I said, ‘oh she’s pretty, I want to marry her.’ And my mom said, ‘oh honey, you’re going to marry a White woman. It hurt my feelings but she was right. To this day, whether I’m out at the club or whatever I still get, ‘I thought you only liked white girls?’
It’s been a life lesson of realizing you can’t kowtow…People didn’t know me. People didn’t understand me. It’s part of what comes with this business. A certain side of you is seen and you kind of have to accept the judgments that come with the business. It took me a minute to not be offended or feel the need to justify things. Because at the end of the day it doesn’t matter how many times I explain myself there is always going to be somebody talking.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/03/lil-wayne-seeks-court-sanction-birdman-targets-mogul-new-track-vizine-listen/

*Lil Wayne is reportedly demanding that a judge sanction Birdman for allegedly refusing to turn over documents relating to Nicki Minaj and Drake in his $50 million lawsuit against the mogul’s Cash Money Records.

The suit sought to have his record deal voided over non-payment. He accused the label of owing him tens of millions, including an $8 million advance for “Tha Carter V,” plus $2 million once the album was finished.

On Feb. 21, Wayne filed a motion to compel production of documents in the ongoing legal battle. According to The Blast, Wayne accuses Birdman of misleading the court by pretending to have turned over all documents in their possession. Weezy says Cash Money produced 121,000 pages of documents but calls them mostly tedious accounting reports prepared by Cash Money’s parent company Universal Music.

The rapper claims that Cash Money has earned over $200 million in cash flow, but has no accounting records, no general ledger, no bank account records and no tax returns at all.

Wayne says his legal team has demanded all records pertaining to Nicki and Drake, but Cash Money claims to have no documents available, despite Nicki releasing albums with the company since 2011.

Weezy’s motion also accuses Cash Money of not turning over records of payments the label made to Birdman and his brother, Ronald Williams. Further, he says they refuse to hand over all tax returns from 2011. He says, “Unless Cash Money admits to criminal failure to file tax returns for 2011 to present, Cash Money must produce these returns.”

The judge has yet to rule on the motion.

In the meantime, Wayne has dropped the new track “Vizine,” birthed from a music/shoe partnership with clothing brand Ethika.

Wayne is one of many rappers on Ethika’s “RGB Mixtape 2,” the follow-up to the first tape released in February 2017 featuring Meek Mill, Lil Durk, 21 Savage and others. According to Billboard, each song comes with an artist’s signature pair of Ethika sneakers.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/03/keiynan-lonsdale-talks-love-simon-and-his-journey-as-a-queer-man/

*“Everyone deserves a great love story.” That’s the line the new film “Love, Simon” has coined to send the message that no matter who and how you love, your love is just legitimate as the next.

“Love, Simon” tells the story of a high school boy named Simon who is struggling with telling his friends and family he’s gay, and in the midst of it falls in love with an anonymous classmate online. That online classmate is named Bram and is played by actor Keiynan Lonsdale.

“The subject matter was something I was something I was instantly drawn to for personal reasons because I had been through similar situations. Even if I hadn’t got through it I hoped that I would be just as passionate. But yeah, as soon I as I got the email for the audition I was kinda like whoah, this hasn’t even been made yet?”

Bram is just like any other kid struggling with telling the world that’s gay. Like Bram, Keiynan shares a similar story as he just recently came out to the world himself. However he kept his secret from his cast until the film was finished and came out during the “Love, Simon” wrap party.

“I was so nervous about it, and I felt like really disappointed in myself. I thought I’d made a lot of progress. But the fact that I was in such a situation with a gay director with a gay, with this gay love story. Couldn’t be more accepting, it couldn’t be a better film situation to be on. And here these characters are, and we’re all fighting for like people to embrace themselves and I was like I’m not even fully embracing myself,” said Lonsdale.