Ashanti Says She Never Dated ‘Narcissist’ Irv Gotti In New Tell-All Interview
Ashanti is clapping back at her former music partner Irv Gotti and denying his claims of carrying on a romantic affair while working together in the early 2000s.
On Wednesday, the “Happy” singer didn’t hold back while appearing on Angie Martinez’sIRL podcast and giving her side of what she had with Irv during her time on Murder Inc Records.
“Let’s clear this up,” Ashanti said. “We dealt with each other, but was Irv my boyfriend? Was I his girlfriend? Never.”
“Irv had several girlfriends, so I’m a little confused by the label and the description.”
Irv spoke openly about his private relationship with Ashanti that took place while she was an artist on his label. In an August appearance on Drink Champs, Irv dished about his intimate moments with Ashanti and even claimed she recorded the song “Happy” after they had sex.
He openly admitted to dating his artist while married and continued his reveals in the BET docuseries, The Murder Inc Story, that Ashanti opted out of participating in. The “Foolish” singer called Irv a “narcissist” who often spoke down on her and would tell her he made her “fu*k-able.”
“It’s a little sad to see a grown man conduct himself in that manner,” Ashanti told Martinez.
Ashanti called out the “lies” in Irv’s claims and expressed her lack of surprise at his actions.
“It wasn’t surprising to me,” Ashanti said of Irv bringing up the two-decade-old dirt. “Irv has flat-out lied about a lot of things.”
“I think Irv definitely has his side, his version,” she continued. “You know, like, you may think that it’s something and the other person knows that it’s not.”
“And you manifest this thing into something big and it’s really not that. And when that person finally realizes that it’s not that, it turns them into a completely different person.”
Ashanti is on the heels of celebrating her 42nd birthday and setting the internet on fire with her steamy bikini photos.
Tracee Ellis Ross Might Be Single But She Enjoys Eye-Candy, Like a Good Looking Black Man
Tracee Ellis Ross shared some of the enjoyable views that she witnessed during a recent travel venture.
Ross posted a short video to her Instagram story and gave her followers a quick glimpse of all the pleasant-looking Black men she saw on her flight to an undisclosed destination.
“Listen, I’m on the plane. I love a Black man. There are some hot Black men on this plane,” Tracee said.
According to Ross’ Instagram story, her fascination did not stop there.
“And then I looked out the window and there’s more hot men out there. Can you see them? I keep knocking on the window, seeing if they’ll say hi,” the actress said. “Look at these Black men, get outta here!”
“And then there’s one across the aisle and I asked one to help me put my bag up,” Ross said. “Hmm too early for this!”
The Girlfriends alum wrote, “body language of hot men, just saying…” in a photo of Black men on the tarmac following the video.
Pure Wow reported that the Black-ish star sat down with actor and comedian Kevin Hart in an August episode of his Peacock series, Hart to Heart, to discuss her views on dating. She revealed that she was unwilling to settle, especially at this particular time in her life.
“I would love a relationship that makes my life better than it is. I have no interest in just being in a relationship,” she said in the clip.
Ross shared that when it comes to lovers, she takes what she likes and it’s “goodbye–for now” for the rest.
The actress is living a successful, single life as of now. She recently appeared in TheHair Tales, a documentary she executive produced alongside Oprah Winfrey and Michaela Angela Davis that celebrates and explores Black hair.
Get Ready—Rihanna Has Recorded A New Song! ‘Lift Me Up’ Set For Black Panther 2
Fans have been anxiously awaiting RiRi’s return to music.
Rihanna is making an official return to the music industry with the lead single on Marvel’s upcoming blockbuster sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The track titled “Lift Me Up,” written by Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, and director Ryan Coogler, is a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, the leading star in the original Black Panther film. Boseman, who played the memorable role of King T’Challa, battled colon cancer and died in 2020 at the age of 43.
“After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life,” Tems said in a statement about the song.
“I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them… Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor,” she added.
On Wednesday, Rihanna released a teaser of the song, which will be released by her own Westbury Road label in partnership with Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings, and Hollywood Records.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the “Lift Me Up Track” may not be the only track RiRi recorded for the film. Another track from the artist is rumored to run during Wakanda Forever’s ending credits.
The song release for the film follows her most recent news of headlining the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show. The track marks Rihanna’s return to the music industry since 2016 when she released her Anti album.
Marvel revealed that the song will officially be released tomorrow, October 28, ahead of the film, which is set to premiere in theaters November 11. The rest of the movie’s soundtrack will be available on November 4.
Millionaire Jumps Off Stage Mid-Interview to Honor Wife Who Almost Died During Childbirth
A Black married millionaire has gone viral after a video captured the moment he decided to jump off stage during a live interview to show his dedication to his wife.
Keenan Williams, known as Papichulo Dreaded on Instagram, became emotional while speaking on stage about his love for his wife. The couple came from poverty together before building a $20 million empire that has created over 50 millionaires, Hollywood Unlockedreports.
Williams ended up hopping off stage after being asked, “What would you do if you lost it all?”
“Ain’t nothing more important to me than loving life with the woman that gave me life when we was in low-income housing,” he shared in an Instagram post of the heartfelt moment.
“My wife @lady_livii and I been through so much this year…”
“The fact that I get to roll over and see her and my daughters face as they sleep is another reason for me to get up and grind,” he wrote.
“The love of a great women created this 8figure earner,Best selling author,philanthropist etc I wouldn’t be here without her..Share Not just Black Love but Love in its purest Form ❤️ 🎥 @traefirstclass_productions”
His followers applauded him for not being afraid to celebrate his wife and life partner publicly.
“I love how Keenan truly loves & honors his wife ❤️🔥… Nothing but God,” one viewer wrote.
“Nothing but respect. Some will never understand this level of love. I know first hand,” said someone else.
Williams uses social media to promote his business and celebrate his wife and family.
Last month, Williams shared a testimony alongside his wife showing their journey of manifesting their rise as a family.
“We drove by mansions before we could afford to go look in one (POF) Me & @lady_livii our kids pick out houses while driving in the 2009 Nissan Altima,” he shared.
This Black-Owned Condom Company Led By a Morehouse Grad, Leverages Instagram To Teach Sexual Wellness
A Black-owned condom company invites you to take action in more ways than one.
Through the power of social media, b condoms has built a tremendously loyal following on Instagram. Currently reigning over Trojan’s and Durex’s U.S. accounts, the revolutionary brand stays active, The New York Times reported.
People are drawn to the company’s teachable, yet explicitly bold content. From oral sex advice to educating about consent, b condoms take pride in its intentional efforts to better sexual health practices and protect the culture.
“Unlike other condom companies that sit on the sidelines and stay mute on health disparities, b condoms are here to initiate conversations, be relevant, and lead discussions that give all people a seat at the table,” according to the company’s website.
Morehouse graduate, former attorney, and b condoms founder Jason Panda launched his company in 2011. He created a solution toward not only ending the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS and unplanned pregnancy but the lack of ownership and representation in the sexual wellness space.
That ambitious effort is a premium line of PH-friendly, odorless, and vegan condoms. Now available in over 8000 locations, b condoms leans into social media marketing to increase its direct engagement with potential customers.
“We believe culture is uplifted when we are all part of the discussion. We partner with nonprofits, donate thousands of condoms and work to reduce sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy, and human trafficking in the Black community.”
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, “the sexual health education and resources provided by condom brands have significant reach and positive reception.”
In over 200 posts, b condoms’ Instagram page features posts with titles like “8 signs you’re using the wrong condom size,” “Porn is not sex education,” “Sis, you are responsible for your own orgasm,” and “Let’s normalize laughing during sex.” The final slide of each post is always consistent with informing potential customers on the need to know about b condoms.
“You may not know about us, but when you go through those slides because they’re interesting, they’re captivating, they bring you in,” Panda told the newspaper. “When you hit that last slide, you’re like, ‘Oh wow, they’re a Black-owned company.’”
As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, the letter b in b condoms allows the business some flexibility when connecting with various partners.
“You can say ‘b Latina, b African American, b gay or bisexual, b the Bronx, b Harlem, b what you are,’” Panda said.
Exclusive: Arkansas Governor Candidate Chris Jones Talks Fragile Democracy and Beating An Inaccessible Adversary
When Chris Jones, the Democratic candidate for Arkansas governor, was 8 years old, his father, a preacher, took him on an unforgettable trip.
“Early on, my dad took me from my hometown to Little Rock and I met then-Gov. Bill Clinton,” Jones tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“I was fascinated by the interaction and talking with him and I asked my dad ‘what does he do?’ and my dad said, ‘Well he’s the governor.’ I asked what’s a governor and he said, ‘Go look it up.’ So I went home and got the encyclopedia and found out that the governor solves problems and makes a difference in people’s lives.”
Solving problems and changing lives is exactly why the Morehouse College and M.I.T. graduate is running for Arkansas governor. According to Jones, Arkansas is at the crossroads of challenge or opportunity and he wants to steer it in the right direction. Additionally, he was motivated by his Republican challenger Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
“It turns out not too long after I made my decision to start putting things in place, I found out my opponent was jumping into the race and it made it all the more important and relevant for me to be running at this time.”
Jones, a scientist, engineer, and minister, spent three years as the executive director of the Arkansas Innovation Hub. During his campaign, Jones visited all 75 counties in the state and one thing he knows is Arkansas residents want PB&J—preschool, broadband, and jobs—across The Land of Opportunity.
“The first part is really about spreading PB&J across the state and for us it’s preschool, broadband, and jobs,” Jones tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“What folks are telling us is that they need real quality education and we have to start with the foundation, which is preschool. Folks have also told us what they need is broadband and high-speed internet to be connected to the broader world, have access to telehealth, and have a whole new avenue of opportunities for economic development. The “J” is about jobs; regardless of anything else, we need jobs. We need jobs where you can work 40 hours a week and still keep a roof over your head and still take a vacation and save a little money.”
Huckabee Sanders has largely avoided the media during her campaign, although she did participate in the governor’s debate. According to Jones, avoidance is part of her plan.
“That’s 100% her strategy, avoidance, it’s to hold the ball and run out the clock and she’s done that from the outset,” Jones tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“I don’t think she’s publicly yet to say my name as the person she’s running against, she’s acting like the race doesn’t exist and I don’t care, I don’t need her to acknowledge me, but when I think about what that means for Arkansans, what she saying is, your vote doesn’t matter. What she saying is, I don’t care about you and the issues that you want to change. And what she’s saying is, that if you don’t support me, you don’t matter. And that’s what gets my blood boiling is that she would do that to Arkansans who are struggling, who were fighting and dealing with their own challenges and issues on a day-to-day basis.”
In, addition to infrastructure, education, and healthcare, Jones wants to improve protections for renters in the state, who can face criminal charges for a failure to vacate. Arkansas is ranked dead last in states ranked by legislation for renters.
Jones is also a supporter of voting rights for all and fair elections. The HBCU graduate has committed to the institution of Democracy by signing the Safe and Fair Voting Pledge.
“Democracy is at risk, Democracy is fragile and part of the strength in Democracy is having safe and fair elections and that has been challenged,” saysJones. “The twice-impeached former president had a direct result on democracy by inciting an Insurrection, by not actually embracing a peaceful transfer of power, and by talking about election fraud. My opponent Sarah Huckabee Sanders is mirroring those things, she’s been silent on the insurrection that was an attack on democracy and law enforcement. She’s been silent on fair elections.”
One of the things that Jones is keenly aware of is how many Black people are involved in this election, whether its HBCU students organizing and registering people to vote, the number of Black candidates running, or the voters who are telling Jones he has their support.
The quality of Black candidates running for elected office this November is inspiring, he says.
“You have Stacey Abrams who is a force, she graduated Spelman the year I got to Morehouse,” Jones says. “You’ve got Wes Moore who is dominating, he’s also a good friend and to see him with a national 30-point lead in Maryland, so yes it feels amazing, it feels almost like we’ve got Avengers coming out of nowhere who are saying it’s time to come together because even though we’re in different states were fighting for the same thing.”
Ava Raine, Dwayne Johnson’s Daughter, Makes WWE Television Debut
Simone Johnson, the daughter of Hollywood movie star and former wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who made her professional debut earlier this year. A few days ago, she made her television debut earlier for WWE.
According to Sports Illustrated, Johnson, who is professionally known as AvaRaine, was announced as the latest member of the Schism, which is led by Joe Gacy. Other members of the team are Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid. Raine is the fourth member and only woman.
Raine is the first fourth-generational wrestler after following in the footsteps of her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
According to Essentially Sports, she debuted in Orlando this summer as “The Final Girl.” Her great-grandfather was Peter Maivia, who went by the moniker, “High Chief” Peter Maivia. As a professional wrestler, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008 by his grandson, The Rock.
Her grandfather was known professionally as “Soul Man” Rocky Johnson. In 1983, along with “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas, they became the first Black champions in WWE history when they won the World Tag Team Championship. Rocky is also in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Her father, who is possibly the most popular wrestler in history, is a behemoth in Hollywood. He made history when he became the first third-generation Superstar in WWE history. He has won eight WWE championships during his wrestling career.
After announcing she had signed with WWE in July, The Rock spoke to Entertainment Tonight.
“She’s made history becoming WWE’s first fourth-generation wrestler,” he said. “Very, very proud of her. She is fiercely independent. It’s very important for her to make her own way, blaze her own trail, blaze her own path. She doesn’t come to me looking for a lot, which I respect that. And I’m here watching and supporting.”
Dany Garcia, who is Raine’s mother and business partner to The Rock, proudly acknowledged her daughter’s NXT debut via social media.
It’s The Cover We Didn’t Know We Needed When Toni Braxton Sings Beyonce’s ‘Cuff It’
There’s just something about the female singers who can hit those lower-range notes.
R&B legend Toni Braxton was getting ready for the weekend when she dropped a video on her Instagram singing to Beyoncé‘s “Cuff It,” one of the fan-favorite songs from Bey’s 2022 album, Renaissance.
The video shows the iconic singer dancing in the mirror with a black and white hoodie, matching baseball cap, and her phone in hand to record the magic. The Instagram timeline was graced with a new take on the song as Ms. Braxton took the notes to a whole other level, literally.
“Getting dressed and ready for the weekend… tryin’ to cuff it up @beyonce,” she captioned the video.
The “Unbreak My Heart” singer is known for singing in a lower register, and the ToniTigerz, the name used as the Instagram story title where she reposts her fans, are always waiting to learn of the next venture for the singer..
According to Hello Beautfiul, comments from followers rolled in back to back.
The video which now has over 1 million views and users posted their thoughts for collaborations and remixes from the singer.
One user wrote, “I’m literally screaming!!! This is what I needed Toni, singing Beyoncé… umm we SO NEED A TONI BEYONCÉ COLLABORATION!!!” and another requested, “Can we get a remix please .”
“We need the Toni mix NEOOOOOW,” another user added in the comments.
Other celebrities including her mother, Evelyn Braxton, also expressed their amazement.
“You betta’ sing baby! Look at God,” Miss Evelyn commented underneath the video, while comedian D.L. Hughley commented with three fire emojis.
During a 2022 interview with Good Morning America, the award-winning artist discussed her newest movie, Fallen Angels Murder Club, that premiered in May. Braxton executive produced and starred in the film that she dedicated to her sister, Traci Braxton, who died earlier this year.
Controversial Diamond Company De Beers Names Lupita Nyong’o As Global Ambassador
Although diamonds may be forever, Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o is showcasing its “transformative power” for an impactful cause.
From cosmetics to fashion, Nyong’o has displayed her alluring Black woman prowess in major brands throughout her career. Now she has been tapped by global diamond luxury brand, De Beers, as its first-ever global ambassador, National Jeweler reported.
She will also stun in its new brand campaign, “De Beers: Where It Begins.”
De Beers takes pride in being the “only Diamond Jewellery House at source,” indicating its ethical responsibility to sourcing most of the diamonds for jewelry from their own mines in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada.
However, De Beers has been called out by human rights groups for “unethical” practices in mining diamonds and buying illicit diamonds from African rebels to fund wars, the NYTimes reports.
On Tuesday, the Wakanda Forever star took to Instagram to share a photo of herself adorned in diamonds. She also announced the celebratory news about her newest ambassadorship on social media.
“I’m honored to be the first-ever Global Ambassador for @debeersofficial,” Nyong’o began in the caption.
“This campaign brings to life the transformative power that I feel when I wear De Beers’ diamond creations, and the pride in knowing where they come from and the good they do. Even more importantly, my partnership with De Beers allows me to extend my advocacy for women and girls around the world.”
As she steps in her new role, Nyong’o is passionate about supporting De Beer’s Building Forever project, which aims to improve health and education outcomes and increase livelihood opportunities in diamond communities across southern Africa and Canada.
The brand committed to forging supportive partnerships to “engage 10,000 girls in STEM, support 10,000 women entrepreneurs, and to invest at least $10 million across southern Africa,” according to Vogue.
“Their focus on creating opportunities for women and girls in southern Africa is an effort clearly very close to my heart,” Nyong’o said, per the magazine.
Named one of Forbes’ Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women, Nyong’o has devoted to various philanthropy efforts across the world, including Mother Health International (MHI), a nonprofit organization in Uganda that strives to reduce perinatal mortality rates by providing full-spectrum reproductive healthcare to women in underdeveloped regions.
‘I Ain’t Listening to This Damn Generation’: Marlon Wayans Refuses to Let Cancel Culture Control Him
Cancel culture has been a scary thing for comedians, but Marlon Wayans says he will not be deferred.
In a time when people are being canceled for anything others don’t agree with, Wayans feels that movies like White Chicks are needed, but said the film would probably be canceled today.
In a discussion with Buzzfeed about his latest Netflix comedy, The Curse of Bridge Hollow, Wayans commented on the climate that people, especially entertainers, are facing these days when it comes to cancel culture.
“I don’t know what planet we’re on, where you think people don’t need laughter, and that people need to be censored and canceled. If a joke is gonna get me canceled, thank you for doing me that favor.”
“It’s sad that society is in this place where we can’t laugh anymore.”
The comedian also said that this generation is too critical, and that he knows his audience wants the type of humor that straddles the line between crude and funny. He expressed that he will not let detractors stop him from saying what he feels his crowd wants to hear.
“I ain’t listening to this damn generation. I ain’t listening to these folks: These scared-a** people, these scared executives.”
“Y’all do what you want to do? Great. I’m still gonna tell my jokes the way I tell them. And if you want to make some money, jump on board. And if not, then I’ll find a way to do it myself. I know my audience. My audience comes to my shows every weekend and they leave feeling great and laughing.”
“One thing about the Wayans, we’ve always told the worst joke the best way.”
According to Deadline, the White Chicks comedy starring Marlon and Shawn Wayans, and directed by their older brother, Keenan Ivory Wayans, shows the Black brothers playing FBI agents who go undercover by disguising themselves as white women.
