Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Breaks Streaming Record, Passes Cardi B and Taylor Swift
"Not Like Us" broke a record by having almost 100 million streams in its first seven days.
The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar is fueling heated discussions among hip-hop fans and setting records. Lamar’s last entry in the verbal sparring, “Not Like Us,” has broken a streaming record previously held by Cardi B.
“Not Like Us” debutedon the Billboard 100 at No. 1 with 70.9 million official streams, 5 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 15,000 sold in the U.S. over five days. It is now the most streamed song in a seven-day period, garnering more than 96 million streams, surpassing “Fortnite” Taylor Swift and Post Malone, which was released earlier this year.
It also surpassed Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” which initially held the record when it debuted in 2020.
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ broke the record for most streams in a week for ANY song in the U.S. this decade with 96m streams in its first 7 days 🔥🏆
It dethroned Cardi B’s ‘WAP’ & Taylor Swift’s ‘Fortnight’ which previously held the top 2 spots. pic.twitter.com/66RRMf8BSi
According to Forbes, Lamar’s “Euphoria” went from No. 11 the previous week to No. 3 on the current week’s Hot 100. The song garnered 49 million streams, up from 28.9 million. The song that sparked the current beef, “Like That,” The Metro Boomin and Future single featuring Lamar, rose from No. 8 to No. 6 after being No. 1 for three weeks.
Three of Lamar’s songs appeared in the top 10. One of Drake’s songs, “Family Matters,” streamed 38 million times and debuted on the Billboard 100 at No. 7.
Interest in Lamar’s music is rising, as past albums from the Compton lyricist are re-entering the charts. Lamar’s 2017 album, Damnreached new heights on last week’s Top Streaming Albums Billboard chart, a weekly ranking of the country’s most-streamed full-length albums.
The album came in at No. 36, up from its previous high on the charts at No. 44.
Georgia Man Given 10-Year Sentence After Licking 7-Year-Old Boy’s Feet
Caurey Rollins pleaded guilty to criminal attempted child molestation and will serve seven years in jail and three more on probation.
A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years in jail for licking a boy’s feet at a trampoline park in Georgia last January.
According to police, Caurey Rollins, a former teacher’s aide, asked the child to remove his socks and after doing so, sucked on his toes. The incident took place at a Richmond County Urban Air Adventure Park in Augusta around 4:36 p.m. on January 14, 2023.
Rollins was arrested and originally charged with the sexual exploitation of children.
The park’s owner contacted the police and told them that Rollins told him he was at the park visiting with family. A woman informed the owner that a 7-year-old boy she escorted to the park told her that Rollin tickled his feet, asked him to take off his socks, and licked the feet of the boy.
While out on bond, Rollins was once again arrested on charges that he approached a boy in Columbia County and asked to see his feet. The incident took place in Grovetown,GA, according to a police report from a Columbia County deputy.
A 12-year-old boy was in the driveway of his home playing basketball when Rollins approached him, according to the boy’s mother. Rollins allegedly showed him a picture of feet on his phone. He asked the boy if his feet looked like the one in the photo. After telling the man no, he ran into his home and told his mother.
She remembered the foot-licking case and showed Rollins’ photo to her son and he confirmed that it was the same man.
Rollins was also accused of molesting three fourth-grade girls at the school where he worked, Glenn Hill Elementary, according to WSB-TV. On April 11, he was indicted on seven more counts of child molestation.
Rollins is banned from Columbia County and must register as a sex offender after his release.
Atlanta Police Officer Charged In Killing Of Lyft Driver
Koby Minor allegedly killed 35-year-old Reginald T. Folks, who was driving him home.
A police officer on unpaid administrative leave in Atlanta was arrested after allegedly killing a Lyft driver who was taking him home.
According to WSB-TV, Koby Minor, an officer for the Atlanta Police Department, has resigned from the police force after being arrested. Minor allegedly shot and killed 35-year-old Reginald T. Folks. Union City police are investigating the May 15 incident.
Police officers arrived at South Fulton Parkway after Folks had been shot. The Lyft diver was pronounced dead on the scene. Investigators do not know what led to the shooting, but Minor was reportedly still at the scene when officers arrived. Folks had been giving the former police officer a ride to his home.
A Lyft spokesperson released a statement to the media outlet about the incident:
“Our hearts are with Mr. Folks’ loved ones as they confront this unspeakable tragedy, and we have reached out to offer our support during this difficult time. We stand ready to assist law enforcement with any investigation and have permanently banned the rider’s account from the Lyft community.”
A press release by the Atlanta Police Department statedthat although Minor was an Atlanta police officer, he was on unpaid administrative leave after he was arrested in Milton in December 2023. Fulton County Records reveal that he was arrested on Christmas Day and charged with the purchase or possession having control of any controlled substance in schedule III, IV, or V and drugs not in the original container. His service weapon was taken from him after his arrest, and it has been in the custody of the police department.
Before his resignation on May 15, he has been with the APD since July 2018.
FAMU VP Of Advancement, Shawnta Friday-Stroud, Steps Down Amid Donation Scandal
President Larry Robinson accepted the resignation of Friday-Stroud, who was thanked by Gerami for her "hard work" with the donation.
Shawnta Friday-Stroud has resigned as Florida A&M University’s Vice President of Advancement amid the institution’s recent donation controversy.
Her resignation came ahead of an emergency meeting of the university’s board of trustees, according to HBCU Sports. Rattler Nation informed the FAMU community of Friday-Stroud’s status on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a statement from President Larry Robinson. “Earlier today, Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud tendered her resignation as VP for Advancement. After careful consideration, I accepted her resignation. Dr. Friday-Stroud will return to serve as the Dean of the School of Business and Industry.”
From Pres. Robinson: "Earlier today, Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud tendered her resignation from her position as VP for Advancement. After careful consideration, I accepted her resignation. Dr. Friday-Stroud will return to serve as the Dean of the School of Business and Industry."
— Rattler Nation Blog (@RattlerNationFL) May 15, 2024
The resignation follows scrutiny over a record-breaking $237 million donation from Gregory Gerami of Batterson Farms Corporation on May 4. As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Robinson put the gift on hold and announced the decision during an emergency meeting with FAMU’s fundraising foundation on May 9.
HBCU Sports noted that last week, Robinson, Friday-Stroud, athletic director Tiffani-Dawn Sykes, and Board of Trustees Chairperson Kristin Harper signed a non-disclosure agreement with Gerami regarding the controversial donation. Robinson addressed concerns on WTXL, admitting “…missteps were made.” He assured of a more transparent process for large gifts going forward, with the board’s guidance.
The historic donation was initially set to fund student initiatives, athletic programs, scholarships, and recruitment. “This donation will have a far-reaching impact on our academic and athletics programs,” Robinson stated at the time. However, the lack of information on Gerami’s background and access to such resources raised red flags. During the May 4 graduation ceremony announcement, it was claimed the money was already “in the bank” in a video from WTXL.
In a previous video posted by the outlet, Gerami told FAMU staff the gift was “…the first token of our relationship with FAMU and there is more to come over time…as we achieve our success, so shall FAMU.” He thanked Friday-Stroud and the FAMU team for their hard work.
Google Launches AI Essentials Course To Promote Racial Equity And Economic Opportunity
Google launches initiatives to promote the racial equity and economic opportunity of AI.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to grow in power and availability. With the expansion of tools like Open AI changing the digital workspace worldwide, there’s growing concern about where the average person can fit in.
The increasing discussions on the impact of AI on economic mobility has led to questions on how it will impact the Black community. A recent study from the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility examines the potential AI could have on widening the racial wealth gap.
To ensure an inclusive move into AI, Google is working to bridge the gap through two new initiatives that promote racial equity and economic opportunity for historically overlooked communities. On Friday, April 26, Google launched the AI Essentials Course and Google.org AI Opportunity Fund.
“Research shows that employers are increasingly looking for AI skills, but not everyone has access to AI training,” Maya Kulycky, Google Research’s vice president of strategy and operations, tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“We created the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund to help make AI training universally accessible throughout the U.S. Through the fund, we’re providing grants for best-in-class workforce development to organizations—like Goodwill—that have great reach in local communities and a track record of helping diverse workers upskill.”
The AI Essentials Course, developed by AI experts, provides foundational AI skills for a flat fee of $49. It provides participants with the best practices and responsible use of AI to enhance productivity and decision-making across various industries. Google’s aim for the course is to expand economic opportunities for individuals and communities alike.
The course serves as “a great entry point for anyone looking to learn more about generative AI and how to use it effectively and responsibly,” Kulycky says. The online course can be completed in under 10 hours and provides lessons that can be applied across all generative AI tools.
“By taking the course, you’ll get practical, hands-on experience using AI to help with work through videos, readings, and interactive exercises,” she explains.
“The course will help people-—regardless of their job or industry—use generative AI to develop ideas and content, make more informed decisions, and speed up daily work tasks,” Kulycky adds. “For example, if you’re a marketer, you can use the course to draft a marketing outline, research audience insights, and produce creative content ideas. After completing the course, people will earn a certificate from Google that they can share with their professional network.”
Maya Kulycky, Google Research’s VP of strategy and operations. (Photo courtesy of Google)
The Google.org AI Opportunity Fund aims to provide free AI training across a diverse array of sectors. With a goal of targeting underrepresented groups—including Black, Latinx, Indigenous, AAPI, people with disabilities, rural residents, and veterans—this initiative seeks to democratize AI education and foster widespread technological engagement.
“Google has always believed that the opportunities created by technology should be available to everyone,” Kulycky shares. “That includes ensuring digital skills training is available to people in all communities throughout the U.S.—regardless of their zip code or background.
“Providing AI training to diverse workers is essential to leveling the playing field and helping everyone experience the economic benefits of AI,” she adds.
When it comes to America’s racial wealth gap, Black Americans hold about 38 cents of every dollar of new household wealth, despite representing 13 percent of the U.S. population. If this trend continues and projections for the growth of Black households are accurate, by 2045, the racially disparate distribution of new wealth generated by AI could widen the wealth gap between Black and white households by $43 billion annually.
Google hopes its new AI initiatives will help combat any fears or concerns the Black community might have about the growth of AI.
“When people begin using AI technology, they start to see that it’s beneficial, assistive, and helpful to their everyday work. When people haven’t had the opportunity to learn about a new technology, that often results in concern with the unknown,” Kulycky says.
“We believe Google’s AI Essentials course and AI Opportunity Fund will help,” she says. “Our aim is to break down barriers to using AI, so that everyone can become comfortable with the technology and start to benefit from it.”
Serena Williams Fourth Woman To Host The ESPYs: ‘This Is A Dream Come True’
Tennis champion Serena Williams is set to host the 2024 ESPY Awards, which take place at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre July 11.
Tennis legend Serena Williams will host the 2024 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood July 11.
Williams will become the fourth woman to host the popular sports award show, the Associated Press reports. “This is a dream come true for me, and something I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember,” Williams, who has 12 ESPYs, said in a statement.
Danica Patrick was the first woman to host the award show. She did that in 2018, shortly after she retired from auto racing. Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird co-hosted the virtual 2020 show with Russell Wilson during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Williams is only the second woman to host the ESPYs by herself. The annual award show recognizes individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performances throughout the year.
The show comes one night after the ESPN+ eight-part series on Williams’ career, In the Arena: Serena Williams. The Compton, Los Angeles, native is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. She held the world No. 1 singles ranking by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for 319 weeks.
She enjoyed a record-tying 186 consecutive weeks as the world No. 1 singles title holder and finished as the year-end No. 1 five times. In her 20-plus years of competing, Williams claimed 23 major (Grand Slam) women’s singles titles, the most in the Open Era and the second-most in history.
Notably, she is the only player to achieve a career Grand Slam in both singles and doubles.
Williams retired after the 2022 U.S. Open and has focused on raising her two daughters, Olympia and Adira Ohanian, and other business endeavors. She launched her makeup line in April and runs Serena Ventures, a capital firm that invests in women and founders of color in early-stage companies.
Atlanta Radio Host Frank Ski Announces Son’s Death From Chronic Illness
Frank Ski has been open about his son's health journey in the past.
Atlanta media personality Frank Ski has announced his son’s death following a long-term liver illness. The young man, Jarrett, suffered from Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.
Frank Ski revealed the news to his social media on May 12. Alongside a montage of photos from Jarrett’s life, Frank Ski touched on the “unwavering courage” of his eldest son.
“As many of you know, Jarrett bravely battled health issues with unwavering courage and grace,” shared Frank Ski, whose real name is Franklin Rodriguez. “Despite his challenges, he brought immense joy and love into our lives and touched the hearts of all who knew him. He will be forever cherished and remembered for his strength, resilience, and the light he brought into the world.”
He added Jarrett’s last words to him on May 10, which were, “Dad, Hold my hand. I love You.” However, his final days occurred at Johns Hopkins hospital, where he entered the Intensive Care Unit.
Frank Ski has documented Jarrett’s health journey in the past. In 2021, the then 31-year-old desperately needed a new liver as his health declined. He received an emergency liver transplant in 2022, where his father posted about his recovery from the procedure.
Liver disease continues to disproportionately impact Black men. According to the Office of Minority Health, Black men are 60% more likely to have liver or intrahepatic bile duct cancer. The health source also detailed how Black people make up the largest minority group in need of transplants.
Despite his untimely death, Jarrett is remembered by his father and loved ones. The radio show host also wrote a message to his eldest child.
“My first son. Though you are no longer with us, your spirit will forever live on in our hearts,” wrote Frank Ski. “You brought joy, laughter, and love into our lives, and your absence leaves an indelible void in our family. Rest peacefully, son, until we meet again.”
The designer has made the Cowboy Carter ZAZA handbag available for purchase after Beyoncé was seen carrying it at Coachella.
Wilglory Tanjong’s luxury handbag brand Anima Iris has again received Beyoncé’s approval.
The Grammy Award-winning superstar flaunted one of Tanjong’s creations in several Instagram photos, posing confidently at Coachella with the accessory that complemented her casual yet stylish outfit.
The designer, who crafted the bag specifically for Beyoncé, excitedly announced the sighting on Anima Iris’ Instagram, stating, “ANIMA IRIS IS BEYONCÉ APPROVED… AGAIN !!”
The words accompanied reposts of Beyoncé as she held tight to Tanjong’s accessory, which tied together an outfit of a Willie Nelson T-shirt, denim shorts, and American flag-printed platform boots and jacket.
On May 8, Tanjong delighted fans by revealing they could own the same bag. “I know y’all will ask, so YES, I’m releasing the bag we made just for Bey, and I’m naming it the Cowboy Carter ZAZA,” she wrote.
Tanjong’s handbag collection launch in 2020 captured the attention of thousands of social media users and fashionistas. As the designer pursued her MBA in 2022, having already grossed over $700,000 within two years of her February 2020 debut, BLACK ENTERPRISE noted she was generating over $100,000 monthly, with earnings projected to exceed $5 million by 2023.
Tanjong previously explained her motivation to CNBC, “I realized that there was a significant gap in the market…Women of color, and specifically Black women, have always been excluded from the luxury narrative. Building a brand that centers these women while also bringing forth African culture into the global landscape was like a bingo moment for me.”
She added, “For so long, Black people have really defined the culture in America, but I’ve never actually gotten to reap the benefits of it…It’s so wonderful to see so many Black creators finally being able to actually build their businesses and grow their businesses and for people to have other options outside of the options we’ve typically had that actually have excluded us.”
Tanjong’s Beyoncé-approved handbag is available online for $450. The mini fold-over purse is made of 100% leather and includes an interior pocket and crossbody strap.
Florida A&M Vs. Norfolk State To Launch NCAA Football Season In Week Zero
Week Zero marks the kickoff of the college football season in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.
In January, the NCAA Division II Council voted to allow Division II programs to participate in Week Zero. Although the measure was opposed by the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, it passed by a vote of 89-80, clearing the way for HBCUs to participate in Week Zero alongside Division I schools.
Week Zero marks the kickoff of the college football season in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, featuring a limited number of games to start the regular season. It occurs one week prior to the widespread commencement of games in “Week 1.”
Florida A&M, as The Tallahassee Democrat reports, has been busy loading its roster with transfer talent built through the NCAA transfer portal. James Colzie III, who is replacing Willie Simmons after the latter departed to be a running backs coach at Duke University under Manny Diaz, has been emphasizing that this is a reload, not a rebuild.
To his point, the Rattlers have been busy during the transfer window, bringing in a platoon of players from FBS programs like Florida, North Carolina, and the resurgent University of South Florida. Many of the players, like quarterback Daniel Richardson and wide receiver Amani Johnson, also played their high school football in Florida, so the move represents a chance for the players to return to the Sunshine State.
RB Levontai “Bo” Summersett breaks free for a big gainer during Florida A&M spring football game pic.twitter.com/khknPyUiTP
— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) April 14, 2024
Colzie told reporters following FAMU’s spring football game that he loves coming to work everyday, and that he wants to remain at the university as long as they want him there. “This is one of the top jobs in the country, and I love coming to work every day. The expectation is to win and ensure the product is great on the field. Making sure we’re graduating our players and those guys are properly representing the university all the time. People ask me how long I will be here. It’s up to how long FAMU wants me here.”
His players, like FAMU cornerback and 2023 Boxtorow All-American, Kendall Bohler, already feel like he is making an impact on them. “He’s a very, very, very good head coach,” Bohler told The Democrat. “He’s a lot stricter because it’s a whole team instead of five or six players. Come to meetings and workouts on time. If you’re late, that’s on you. He isn’t playing about nothing.”
Rattlers running back coach and a member of the university’s eight-person search committee that recommended Colzie, as well as the 2023 Celebration Bowl Offensive MVP, Kelvin Dean Jr, insists that Colzie has found his stride. “He’s got total command. Everybody’s paying attention to detail, the small details that he wants,” Dean said. “Even campus-wise, meal-wise, and helping the players out. I can see us going in the right direction. I think it’s going to be really good in the near future and coming up real soon.”
Colzie, meanwhile, believes his squad will get every team’s best shot, which includes the tilt against Norfolk State University to open the season, in a primetime time slot.
“The pressure is not just on the quarterbacks and the defense. The pressure is on me as well. What keeps me motivated? I understand this job is a high-profile job. If you got to see the ring we received, it’ll show you how much support we have from the university.“
Colzie continued, “As a champion, you wake up like that every single day. The only people that are going to make us not be champions is going to be us. We got to be able to put it together. Great job, great players, great people that I’m surrounded by every single day, and a great opportunity to be the 19th head football coach here at Florida A&M.”
Ben Carson Is Back And Calling For A National Abortion Ban
He reveals his stance on abortion in his new book, 'The Perilous Fight.'
Failed presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson dropped a bomb in his new book, calling for a national abortion ban.
Often siding with his ex-boss, Donald Trump, the former Housing and Urban Development Secretary, is going a different route, seeking to “guarantee the right to life.” “What is needed is legislation that guarantees the right to life for all American citizens, including those still in the womb,” Carson wrote in his book, “The Perilous Fight.”
“Therefore, we must be boldly vocal about saving our fellow human beings through the legislative process. They are counting on us!”
This isn’t the first time the retired pediatric neurosurgeon has issued a stance against abortion. In 2015, during his presidential campaign, he compared women who terminate pregnancies to “slave owners” while making an appearance on NBC News‘ “Meet the Press.” “During slavery — and I know that’s one of those words you’re not supposed to say, but I’m saying it — during slavery, a lot of the slave owners thought that they had the right to do whatever they wanted to that slave, anything that they chose to do,” he boldly said.
“And what if the abolitionists had said: ‘You know, I don’t believe in slavery. I think it’s wrong, but you guys do whatever you want to do’? Where would we be?”
He does, however, believe abortion should be available if it’s a life-or-death situation for the mother, but exceptions for rape and incest are off the table. “Rape and incest — I would not be in favor of killing a baby because the baby came about in that way,” he said.
Along with calling for a federal abortion ban in his book, released on May 9, Carson is urging for a return to conservative values, including men set to “assume the responsibility of leadership” in families and ways to combat the “decline of the American family.”
Part of that includes an end to no-fault divorce laws in the U.S. First signed in 1969 by then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan; the law has allowed millions of people to file to end their marriages for “irreconcilable differences” without having to prove spousal misconduct, such as adultery or domestic violence. Carson is one of many conservative politicians, like House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), arguing that no-fault divorce laws degrade the American family unit.
As Carson’s name has been whispered as a potential Trump running mate, his stance on abortion could potentially change things as, according to Newsmax, Trump said the hot topic issue should be a decision for the states. “You don’t need a federal ban,” he said.
“Roe v. Wade … wasn’t about abortion so much as bringing it back to the states. So the states would negotiate deals. Florida is going to be different from Georgia, and Georgia is going to be different from other places.”
The Trump campaign has yet to select a running mate. The four-time indicted businessman and his top aides have been focused on his criminal trial in New York City, taking up four days a week.
