January 18, 2024

Katt Williams Reveals Upcoming Album, Including Unreleased Tupac Tracks

The controversial comedian states there will be eight featured guests on the album, including Tupac & Cardi B

With all the attention in the entertainment world being on Katt Williams, he continues to make moves and shock audiences as he prepares for his tour. The latest revelation from Katt is an upcoming album by slain rapper Tupac Shakur.

The controversial comedian appeared on Suge Knight’s ninth episode of his ‘Collect Call’ podcast, which he is doing from prison. Knight is serving a 28-year sentence after pleading no contest to a charge of voluntary manslaughter after he was involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident in 2015. In the episode released on Tuesday, Jan. 16, Williams revealed plans to release a posthumous album by the Death Row recording artist.

During the conversation, Knight mentioned the various projects done on Tupac, even bringing up an unreleased “failed” project by Eminem. The co-founder of Death Row Records stated that Katt cared for Tupac and led with the question: “What you got going on with some of those unreleases (sic) with ‘Pac, sh**, you got me excited. The different people you said you’re gonna put on there. I don’t wanna let the cat out the bag, but, you know, it’s unbelievable.”

Katt then said the album would have eight guests, the “only the best of the best.”

Knight mentions one of the guests slated to appear on the album: “I heard Cardi B on the project with you. Is that true?”

To which Katt admits it is true: “Absolutely.”

Suge concludes the discussion: “I always say she’s the female version of Tupac.”

Katt replies: “We love Cardi B. She’s going to mix with him nicely. Everybody that’s on it is a piece of him, in a way, so, it will bring it all together.”

Katt has been the hot topic of discussion ever since he appeared on Shannon Sharpe‘s podcast, “Club Shay Shay,” where he spoke his truth about many topics, specifically when he name-checked several known comedians, which started an uproar. That interview resulted in reactions from Cedric the Entertainer, Kevin Hart, Michael Blackson, and even a response from “Fast & Furious” rapper and actor Ludacris.

4 Ways To Help Loved Ones Dealing With Financial Hardships

by Tarra Jackson

January 18, 2024

4 Ways To Help Loved Ones Dealing With Financial Hardships

When a family member is in financial need there are more ways to help than just monetarily.

Originally Published Feb. 1, 2019.

Approximately 1 in 5 Americans do not have emergency savings to cover a $500 emergency, according to personal finance website Bankrate. This statistic became a heartbreaking reality when real-life financial hardship stories recently surfaced due to the federal furlough.

Unexpected emergencies like medical bills, the death of a family member, job termination, or an unwarranted furlough are common causes of most financial traumas. The reasons people do not set aside money for these unexpected emergencies range from unlivable wages; sluggish salary raises with rapid inflation, unfair wage gaps, or even poor financial habits.

When a loved one is dealing with a temporary financial hardship, there are ways to provide assistance or relief.

4 Ways to Help Loved Ones Dealing with Financial Hardships

Lend money

If you can lend money to a loved one and are confident you will be repaid, offer a short-term loan. Treat the loved one with compassion, but explain that the offer is a loan expected to be paid back.

Write up and sign an agreement between you (lender) and the loved one (borrower) to clarify the financial transaction as a loan.

Debt.org shares that a loan agreement between loved ones should include:

The date of the loan agreement
The amount borrowed (principal)
Interest rate (if applicable)
Repayment terms (monthly payments over a specific period or a lump sum on a certain date)

In the event of nonpayment, the loan agreement should also include:

Modification of loan terms
Taking ownership of collateral
Possible legal action

Hard feelings and arguments between relatives and friends occur when money is lent in good faith but not repaid. So, take the advice I give to my clients who consider lending a loved one cash …

“If you can’t afford to give the money, don’t lend it.”

Give money

Instead of lending the money, give the loved one the amount of cash you can afford as a gift. Giving money as a gift releases the possible future tension if the loved one does not pay you back. Consider it as a few early birthday or Christmas gifts.

When giving money, do it privately, discreetly, and without pity. Many loved ones suffer in silence financially because they do not want their business to be shared.

Assure the loved one that you will not share the monetary gift with anyone. Respecting the loved one’s need for privacy is important, especially if they are a very private or prideful person.

Pay a bill directly

Consider paying a specific bill or expense directly if you prefer not to give a loved one cash or if they do not want to accept your loan or a monetary gift.

Paying utility, car, insurance, or even a rent or mortgage payment will release a significant financial burden.

Some companies, like PECO, formally Philadelphia Electric Company, allow people to help out and pay a bill on behalf of their customers.

Provide a service

Perhaps you may be unable to give a loved one money.

An act of service will go a long way when it comes to helping a loved one experiencing financial hardship. Sometimes, taking time to do something for someone is more helpful than giving money.

Some amazing acts of service can include:

Care for the kids

Offer to babysit or care for their elderly family member who requires special attention. This will free up time for the loved one to work another job or get some much-needed rest.

Cook a few meals

You may be aware of a loved one struggling to feed their family. Cook and deliver meals for a few days to offset their grocery bill and relieve the burden of cooking.

Chauffeur

If a loved one does not have transportation, be their chauffeur for one or a few days. Driving them to appointments, running errands, or taking them to their job will be much appreciated.

Clean up the house

Clutter can sometimes cause just as much stress as financial trauma. To eliminate that responsibility from their list, offer to clean a loved one’s kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, or the entire home. Often, a clean environment can calm our consciousness to better deal with difficult situations.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 18, 2024

Kanye West To Release 40-Minute Apology To Jewish Community Ahead Of Album Release

Kanye West isn’t done apologizing for his antisemitic past. He reportedly has a 40-minute video apology on the way.

Sources say the Yeezy founder assembled a camera crew to record a lengthy apology video to the Jewish community, TMZ reports.

Insiders say Kanye was “rambling” and made it nearly impossible to understand what he was saying. The recording is rumored to be released around the time of his album Vultures, to be released February 9.

The collaboration album with singer Ty Dolla Sign has been pushed back a few times since the pair first started teasing songs from the album last year. In the album’s first single, “Vultures,” Kanye combats his antisemitic reputation with the lyrics, “How am I antisemitic? I just fu*ked a Jewish bi*ch.”

Last month, he took to social media to post an apology to the Jewish community in Hebrew.

“I sincerely apologize to the Jewish community for any unintended outburst caused by my words or actions. It was not my intention to hurt or disrespect, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused,” the statement read.

“I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future,” he continued. “Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.”

The apology was so lackluster that many accused Kanye of using ChatGPT to craft the message. Now, the “Stronger” rapper has another apology on the way that could further hurt his reputation with the Jewish community.

Kanye experienced a drastic fall from grace in 2022 following a series of antisemitic attacks on social media and in interviews that resulted in him losing billions in business deals. With new music on the way, Kanye looks to be practicing damage control..

Tyrese Abandons $1M Lawsuit Against Teddy Pendergrass’ Widow Over ‘Derailed’ Biopic

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 18, 2024

Tyrese Abandons $1M Lawsuit Against Teddy Pendergrass’ Widow Over ‘Derailed’ Biopic

Tyrese Gibson apparently had a change of heart about his $1 million lawsuit against Teddy Pendergrass’s widow.

Tyrese Gibson has had a change of heart about his $1 million lawsuit against Teddy Pendergrass’s widow.

The singer/actor’s company, Voltron Entertainment, recently filed to dismiss the lawsuit it filed against Joan Pendergrass last year over a derailed biopic about Teddy’s life, Radar Online reports. A Notice of Voluntary Dismissal was filed on Dec. 26, which dismissed the case without prejudice.

Tyrese can refile the lawsuit later if he wants.

The Fast and Furious star initially filed the $1 million lawsuit in September 2023 over the rights to a biopic on the late singer, TMZ revealed.

According to Tyrese, Joan Pendergrass gave him her blessing in 2011 to release a book and biopic on her husband’s life in exchange for funding and promotion for the projects. Tyrese agreed and claimed that he and his company invested around $450,000 into the project that he’s been trying to push for a decade.

However, in 2022, Tyrese claimed Joan Pendergrass changed her mind about giving him exclusive rights to Teddy Pendergrass’ life story. He learned she was “still promoting and shopping the project within the motion picture industry” while using his name and “excluding him” from the biopic.

The “Sweet Lady” singer argued she was harming his reputation by “making representations to third parties that Mr. Gibson is attached to star in the Project.”

He sued her as an individual and as the executor over Teddy Pendergrass’ estate for how she “irreparably harmed” the biopic and “significantly harmed Mr. Gibson’s and Voltron’s professional reputations after they staked their names, efforts, and money on the Project to promote it in the industry for nearly a decade, only to have it derailed just as it was getting off the ground with Warner Bros.”

Joan Pendergrass denied any wrongdoing, citing Tyrese’s company assigning Teddy’s life story rights to Warner Bros in 2019. She also accused Tyrese of being a “poor businessman” who was “incapable of getting a movie made.”

She also demanded that the lawsuit be thrown out.

by Derek Major

January 18, 2024

Former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer Mulling Mayoral Run Against Eric Adams

Former New York City Comptroller and 2021 mayoral candidate Scott Stringer said Thursday he would form a committee and begin raising funds for a possible primary challenge against Mayor Eric Adams.

Former New York City Comptroller and 2021 mayoral candidate Scott Stringer said Thursday he is forming a committee and beginning to raise funds for a possible primary challenge against Mayor Eric Adams.

The New York Times reports Stringer is the first Democrat to move toward contesting Adams’ re-election bid.

If Stringer decides to challenge Adams he will have his work cut out for him. The last time an incumbent was defeated by a challenger in a New York City mayoral race was 1989 when David Dinkins defeated Ed Koch.

Adams, the city’s second Black mayor after Dinkins, has had a rocky first term. The former NYPD officer has made several missteps concerning the migrant crisis, budget cuts to schools and libraries, and the FBI investigation into his ties with Turkey. Adams currently has a historically low approval rating of 28%.

Stringer’s announcement could lead to more challengers for Adams, who won a contested race that included Stringer, former Citi executive Ray McGuire, former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, former Bill de Blasio aide Maya Wiley, and former HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.

According to Stringer, New Yorkers are facing a crisis of confidence and are concerned about City Hall’s ability to manage the budget and the migrant crisis. Stringer believes he’s an experienced alternative who plans to increase affordable housing construction island who can turn the tide of falling revenue and budget cutting.

“Let’s be blunt: Stuff ain’t getting done,” Stringer said, according to the Times, a dig at Adams’ “get stuff done” motto. “I know how to lead. I know how to manage. And I know the finances of the city like the back of my hand.”

Stringer, however, has his own issues. In 2021, an associate of the former comptroller accused him of groping her and pressuring her to have sex with him when he was running for public advocate. Stringer denied all allegations, and sued his accuser, Jean Kim, for defamation, but the claims were enough to all but end his hopes of becoming mayor.

Stringer has planned listening sessions and fund-raising events across the city in the coming days and says he will make a final decision on his candidacy in the second half of the year.

Other potential challengers to Adams include State Senator Jessica Ramos; former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who resigned under allegations of sexual harassment; Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Garcia, who is currently the New York State operations director and finished second in the 2021 Democratic primary.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 18, 2024

Elon’s Muff: Chicago Drivers Stranded As Tesla Charging Stations Falter In Cold

"I have seen at least 10 cars get towed away from here because the cars, they died, they've run out of battery."

If electric cars replace gas-based vehicles in the future, some kinks need to be worked out first.

According to ABC 7 News, with the Chicago area in a cold snap, many charging stations are not working properly, inconveniencing drivers who need to recharge their batteries.

“Our batteries are so cold it’s taking longer to charge now, so it should take 45 minutes; it’s taking two hours for the one charger that we have,” said Brandon Welbourne, who owns a Tesla. “I have seen at least 10 cars get towed away from here because the cars, they died, and they’ve run out of battery. It’s too cold; it uses too much of the energy to try to keep the car somewhat reasonable temperature, so everybody is getting towed away, and we have nowhere to charge.”

Other drives became stranded waiting for other drivers to attempt to have their batteries recharged in the cold weather.

“Right from outside the highway, there’s a whole line of cars, about over 20 cars, all Tesla cars, and you can look around here. Every single car is a Tesla car, full with Tesla cars this whole parking lot. And we’re waiting and waiting for over an hour,” said Sajid Ahmed, a Tesla driver. “It’s unfortunate that these cars are sitting dead in the spots.”

Fox 32 Chicago received some advice for owners of electric vehicles from Mark Bilek of the Chicago Auto Trade Association.

“Like any new technology, there’s a learning curve for people. It’s not plug-and-go. You have to precondition the battery, meaning that you have to get the battery up to the optimal temperature to accept a fast charge,” Bilek said.

He added that all-electric vehicles can have issues when dealing with extremely cold weather.

Tesla did not respond to Fox 32’s request for comment.

Defense Submits Tape In Tupac Murder Case Alleging Diddy’s Involvement

by Rafael Pena

January 18, 2024

Defense Submits Tape In Tupac Murder Case Alleging Diddy’s Involvement

Duane 'Keefe D' Davis claims that hip-hop mogul Diddy offered him a million dollars to assassinate Tupac.

In the ongoing court case related to the murder of iconic rapper Tupac Shakur, defense lawyers have submitted a tape featuring the key suspect, Duane “Keefe D” Davis, claiming that hip-hop mogul Diddy offered him a million dollars to assassinate the West Coast legend, according to The Source. The tape, submitted on Jan. 11, reportedly has Keefe D laughing about his alleged involvement with Vegas police, while Diddy’s voice is absent in the recording.

According to The U.S. Sun, the submitted tape reveals Keefe D‘s assertion that Sean Combs, known as Diddy, wanted Tupac and rival Suge Knight eliminated due to escalating tensions between the East Coast and West Coast factions in the hip-hop industry. While the clip lacks Diddy’s voice, it forms part of the defense’s strategy to introduce various suspects into the case.

This latest accusation against Diddy adds to a series of longstanding rumors and speculations regarding his potential involvement in the Tupac murder case. In 2011, LAPD Detective Greg Kading alleged that Diddy played a role in the conspiracy to commit the murder, based on Keefe D’s statements during their investigation. Kading explained that the conspiracy was said to have developed in Los Angeles during conversations between Keefe D and Puffy Combs.

“We got Keefe D’s back up against the wall,” Kading recalled, detailing how they began to piece together the information. The detective emphasized that protecting Keefe D as a witness was crucial to advancing the investigation and tying it to other alleged conspirators. Diddy has consistently denied any involvement in Tupac’s murder.

The accusations and speculations surrounding Diddy’s role in this historical case have persisted for years, contributing to ongoing discussions and gossip within the hip-hop community. As the court case unfolds, the defense’s submission of the tape adds another layer to the complex narrative surrounding Tupac Shakur’s death, keeping the spotlight on the enduring mystery that has captivated the music world for decades.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 18, 2024

Fourth Grader Wins MLK Day Oratory Competition In Houston

Nine-year-old Montoia Murray wins Houston's Oratory Competition centered on Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech.

A fourth grader won Houston’s Independent School District Oratory Competition in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Montoia Murray won out of 165 fourth- and fifth-graders across 20 schools in the area in the Jan. 12 MLK competition.

The competition showcased students’ speeches in reflection of Dr. King’s famous words. This year’s theme was “How Would Dr. King Reflect on the 60 Years Since His ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech” for all students to incorporate into their performance. The competition has been in place for months, with its finale event taking place in the weekend ahead of the federal holiday, Houston Public Media reported.

Its series of rounds were held in fall 2023, leading to 12 finalists to take the stage. Murray ranked the highest on account of her delivery, stage presence, and content interpretation, among other factors. The nine-year-old won the top prize of $1,000, with all participants winning a backpack and iPad for their hard work.

Of the importance of this annual event, one of its sponsors spoke of how it carries on King’s legacy.

“This weekend is about remembering Dr. King,” said Claude Treece, a partner at sponsoring law firm Foley and Lardner. “We think it’s important to do something that takes that into account and to get kids to think about him. Then to get speeches where they are out there and people hear them and they think about them. They hear how Dr. King continues to matter in our kid’s lives.”

While the competition initially started in Dallas in 1993, it expanded to other cities such as Houston in 1997, with a Chicago contest founded in 2020. For nearly two decades, it has been a time-honored tradition and event for young students to sharpen their speaking and writing skills, while also remembering the history and advocacy of Dr. King.

With her win, Murray is making her parents proud as she honors the words of the civil rights icon through her own speech.

“I’m elated,” said Chadanet, Murray’s mother. “I knew she was a star. I knew from very young.”

X formerly known as twitter, charging, social media, engagement, initial. tagging, sell, over post, social media, management, NYPD

by Kandia Johnson

January 18, 2024

How To Respond To Negative Customer Feedback On Social Media

Nowadays, if you're a business owner, your customers expect and demand an immediate response. Meet the answers to their prayers: social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter or review sites like Yelp. So, do you know how to respond to customer complaints on social media?

Originally Published Apr. 19, 2018

Long gone are the days when customer complaints went directly to a customer care call center or cluttered email inbox. Nowadays, if you’re a business owner, your customers expect — and demand — an immediate response. Meet the answers to their prayers: social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter/X or review sites like Yelp. So, do you know how to respond to negative customer feedback on social media?

From losing money and potential customers to not getting investors and positive media coverage, ignoring comments can be a recipe for disaster for your business. And take note, this rule applies to businesses of all sizes. Even mega brands and companies such as Delta Airlines have adapted to the new way of responding to customer complaints. On top of everything else, most customers make purchasing decisions based on reviews found online. Even if the review is negative, when customers see that management is responding in a professional and timely manner, it may humanize your company and influence them to still invest in your services.

Embracing customer feedback is a priceless way to improve your services, get new product ideas and set innovative trends in your market. Look at it this way; customer complaints are simply insights to help you level up in business — especially when it comes to recurring feedback regarding quality or level of service.

How to Respond to Negative Customer Feedback: Four Tips

Monitor when your business name is mentioned online

Simply set a Google Alert for your name or business name and you’ll receive an email when your name is published in the news. Mention is another insightful business and media monitoring application that collects data from social media. Beyond providing a list of when your name, business name, or product or service is mentioned, it can also analyze competitors, and generate reports.

Have a short statement prepared

Use a prepared statement to respond to customers via social media as well as a sentence, which directs them to continue the conversation offline (e.g., customer care number or Direct Message). In a customer’s eyes, a lack of response is a decision to ignore them. So try to respond within an hour. For instance, “Hey Danielle, thanks for letting us know! Can you… Apologies for the inconvenience.”

Own your mistakes publicly

In extreme cases where something went terribly wrong and a customer complaint has gone viral on social media, apologize and communicate with specific ways that you will improve. Lack of accountability sets the foundation for distrust and can create a domino effect of failure for your business.

Update your audience on progress

Now more than ever, people buy into people, not companies, So it’s incredibly important to engage regularly with your audience. Whether you tweet, hop on Instagram Live with updates, or send newsletters to your audience, make sure there is a plan to show how the key players behind the scenes of your business are committed to providing customer service excellence

Levar Burton, Finding Your Roots, Louis Gates

by Rafael Pena

January 18, 2024

LeVar Burton Kept It Cute After Discovering His White Ancestry On ‘Finding Your Roots’

In a surprising revelation on Jan. 16 episode of "Finding Your Roots," renowned host LeVar Burton discovered a previously unknown aspect of his family tree – his part-white ancestry.

In a surprising revelation on the Jan. 16 episode of Finding Your Roots, Rolling Stone reported that renowned host LeVar Burton discovered a previously unknown aspect of his family tree – his part-white ancestry. Known for his roles in PBS’s Reading Rainbow and iconic series like Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Burton was stunned by the unexpected findings during the genealogy exploration led by Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Burton, who was raised by a single mother, Erma Gene, alongside his two sisters in Sacramento, CA, approached the show with questions about his family history. Dr. Gates, the host of the PBS genealogy series now in its tenth season, provided Burton with insights into his lineage. The revelation unfolded on his mother’s side, where Burton’s great-great-grandfather, James Henry Dixon, was discovered to be white.

Dixon had an extramarital relationship with a Black woman, a former slave, resulting in the birth of Burton’s great-grandmother, Mary. The revelation left Burton visibly shocked, exclaiming, “I’d have fought you five minutes ago if you had told me that I had a white great-great-grandfather… What?! Kunta has white ancestry. What?! Come on now, Skip!”

Amidst laughter and surprise, Burton, when asked by Gates if he had ever considered having a “white direct ancestor,” responded with a resounding, “No! No, I had no idea! So, granny was half-white?”

Adding to the complexity of the revelation, it was unveiled that Dixon, born in 1847, served as a teenager in the North Carolina Confederate Junior Reserves – a subset of the Confederate Army that fought to defend slavery.

The episode showcases the profound impact of genealogical exploration on individuals’ understanding of their heritage, with Burton’s journey taking an unexpected turn and shedding light on the intricate tapestry of his family history. Finding Your Roots continues to uncover compelling stories and connections, providing a deeper understanding of the diverse backgrounds that shape the lives of its featured celebrities.