Kanye west, north west, rap, vulture, ye, concert, perform
by Stacy Jackson

December 13, 2023

North West Rocks The Mic With Daddy Ye At ‘Vultures Rave’ Listening Event In Miami

North West performed her featured rap during the "Vultures Rave" listening event for her dad's collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign.

Ye and Ty Dolla $ign gave fans a live preview of their new album, Vultures, during a Dec. 12 “Vultures Rave” listening event in Miami. Also making a special appearance was Ye’s 10-year-old daughter, North West, who is featured on one of the album’s songs.

According to videos circulating on social media, North took the stage with the A-list artists to perform her featured lyrics. In one video posted by X user @Viralcontentz, the child rapped, “I love it here, we gonna take over the year for another year.” North’s verse continued with, “Don’t try to test me. It’s gonna get messy.” 

The audience cheered North on as she vibed out in an all-black outfit. 

Fans responded under a clip posted to Instagram by The Neighborhood Talk. “Wait, she kinda ate that up a lil bit,” an Instagram user commented. 

It appeared the video made some users happy to see the tween bonding well with her father. “She loves her dad real bad. I love it,” another user wrote.

Another added, “North has BEEN letting us know she don’t play about her dad and that SHE IS THAT GIRL.”  

Joining Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign at the album preview event were Chris Brown, Offset, Lil Durk, Kodak Black, and Freddie Gibbs. In a Dec. 8 Instagram post, Ty Dolla $ign teased what appeared to be a hint to an 18-track album.

The “Vulture Rave” listening event ended around 3 a.m., but it didn’t end without some criticism. After he entered the stage with a black hood that resembled the one associated with the Ku Klux Klan. Ye whipped out the hood during the performance of his “Vulture” track in which lyrics include, “How I’m anti-semitic? I just f*cked a Jewish b*tch.”

As previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Ye’s new song, released in early November, rubbed the Jewish community the wrong way. Brown was pulled into the criticisms after he was captured enjoying the song in Dubai.

RELATED CONTENT: Kanye West Wears Black KKK Hood While Hosting ‘Vultures’ Listening Event

Operation HOPE
by Lauren Nutall

December 13, 2023

Operation HOPE Hosts 10th Annual Hope Global Forum In Atlanta

The 2023 HOPE Global Forums Annual Meeting took place at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta and featured an array of participants and speakers.

The 2023 Operation HOPE Global Forums Annual Meeting took place on Dec. 10-12 at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta and featured a wide array of participants and speakers. With more than 5,000 attendees from around the world and a star-studded guest list, the event was one for the books. It showcased some of the country’s leading voices as they considered the global economic sphere, financial empowerment in today’s age, and the future of the working class in America. HGF also included a slate of interactive workshops and inspiring panel discussions. 

This year’s theme was “Making the Case for Optimism.” John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation Hope, said, “Optimism is not just a state of mind; it’s a call to action to be a catalyst for change. In a world full of adversity, we believe the power of optimism can inspire action, innovation, and progress. Our Annual Meeting serves as a dynamic platform for leaders to identify shared values to drive positive transformation in America and across the world.”

The event featured a host of speakers and community leaders, including U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, Mayor of Atlanta Andre Dickens, CNBC news anchor Frank Holland, and other prominent names. It was also the first time Sam Altman, founder and CEO of OpenAI and ChatGPT, spoke publicly about the rise in AI and its future implications. 

“This is a moral moment in our country, so making the case for optimism – for all people – is now more urgent than ever,” said HGF Co-Chair, Ambassador Andrew Young. “HOPE Global Forums offers a unique opportunity for collaboration, partnership, and knowledge exchange.” 

Since its inception in 1992, Operation HOPE has transformed the country’s economic landscape through financial literacy, empowerment, and education for all age groups. Through its initiative to bridge the gap between the private sector and middle to low-class households and strengthen underserved communities, Operation HOPE’s mission has always been one of equity. With this year’s Global Forums Meeting, the organization continues to be a driving force behind narrowing the economic gap on a global scale. 

TikTok ban, Universal Music Group, SZA, Drake, Taylor Swift
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 13, 2023

Texas’ TikTok Ban On State-Owned Devices Upheld By Federal Judge

Judge Robert L. Pitman ruled against the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University.

A law that bans the use of the social media platform TikTok on state-owned devices in Texas was upheld in federal court on Dec. 11 from a challenge that it violated the Constitution’s First Amendment.

According to The Associated Press, Judge Robert L. Pitman of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas ruled against the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University.

The institute argued that the ban violated the First Amendment by prohibiting the use of TikTok on public university Wi-Fi.  But, in his determination, Pitman stated that the state’s ban on official devices is not a restraint on speech and said that faculty at the public university, as well as state employees, could access the platform on their own devices.

When the institute initially filed the lawsuit in July, it argued that the ban on the school’s official devices was preventing academic freedom and compromising the ability of the professors at the Knight First Amendment Institute to teach and conduct their research about TikTok.

The Hill reported that Pitman wrote, “While the Court recognizes the importance both of protecting academic freedom and supporting public employees’ right to free speech, the Court finds that these important ideals do not dictate the appropriate framework for this case.”

“Restricting research and teaching about one of the world’s major communications platforms is not a sensible or constitutionally permissible way of addressing legitimate concerns about TikTok’s data-collection practices,” Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the the Knight First Institute, said in a written statement.

There has been widespread concern nationwide that the China-based company poses additional security or privacy threats. Earlier this year, Montana outright banned the app from being accessed in the state, but a November ruling, according to PBS News Hour, by a federal judge blocked the state’s effort to apply a blanket ban.

Shortly before Montana’s attempt to ban TikTok, Florida banned the popular social media app from school-owned devices at state universities “due to the continued and increasing landscape of cyber threats.”

MEAC, SWAC Champions Howard And FAMU To Faceoff In 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl
by Derek Major

December 13, 2023

MEAC, SWAC Champions Howard And FAMU To Faceoff In 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl

HBCU Conference Champions Howard and Florida A&M will battle in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 16.

The Howard Bison and the Florida A&M Rattlers will battle in the Cricket Celebration Bowl, the annual HBCU National Championship game, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 16.

Both Howard and FAMU will bring strong running games featuring multiple runners to the Celebration Bowl.

Howard qualified for the Celebration Bowl for the first time in school history after defeating Morgan State 14-7 on Nov. 18 to finish with a 6-5 overall record and a 4-1 record in the MEAC, as its only loss came to South Carolina State.

Howard’s football coach, Larry Scott, who has been named a finalist for the 2023 Eddie Robinson Award, said to come away with the win, the Bison must play their game and simultaneously force the Rattlers into uncomfortable situations.

“We have to take care of the football, possess the football, be good on third down, do things that force them to come out of character offensively, and maybe do things they don’t do well, so I think we’re going to have to dictate the pace and tempo of the game, and we’ll do that throughout physicality,” Scott told Black Enterprise. “We have to be able to stay on the field on critical downs and possessions, and then when we get into the red zone, we have to come away with touchdowns and not field goals, so it’s going to come down to just playing really good situational football, being good in situational downs, possessing the ball and coming away with touchdowns.”

FAMU went undefeated in the SWAC (8-0) on its way to an 11-1 overall record, winning 10 straight games since losing to the University of South Florida in September.

The Rattlers feature a multi-tier rushing attack. Running backs Terrell Jennings, Kelvin Dean, and Jaquez Yan all have at least 70 carries, 300 yards rushing, and three touchdowns this season. Quarterback Jeremy Moussa is also having a solid season with 2,6904 yards passing, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions this season.

The Rattlers also have a stout defense featuring Anthony Dunn Jr. and Gentle Hunt, who both have five sacks this season. Defensive backs Eric Smith and Javan Morgan have both had three interceptions this season.

“I think every game comes down to some basic things for us; offensively, it’s always about being able to establish the run, control the line of scrimmage, and get first downs; that’s our number one goal on offense,” FAMU Coach Willie Simmonds said.

“Defensively, it’s real simple; we have to stop the run. Howard is a team that prides itself on being able to run the ball, and they have some dynamic running backs, so we need to stop the run and control the line of scrimmage up front on the defensive side; that means filling our gaps and as we always tell our defense make them snap it again, which means eliminate the big plays.”

Simmons added that the kicking game will also be a big factor.

“In the last few years in the Celebration Bowl, you typically see a huge special team play that can swing the game, so we have to make sure we’re the ones making those plays and not giving them up. That means great coverage and great protection on our kicks; those are typically the recipes for success for our team.”

The Celebration Bowl has occurred yearly in Atlanta since 2015, beginning at the Georgia Dome before moving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2021. In last year’s Celebration Bowl, North Carolina Central defeated Jackson State University 41-34 in Deion Sanders’ final game with the Tigers. The game was played in front of a Celebration Bowl record 49,670 fans, and another record-setting crowd is expected this year.

The game will also feature a battle of the bands halftime event between the FAMU Marching 100 and Howard’s Showtime Marching Band. The full event schedule for the Celebration Bowl can be seen here.

Nicki Minaj, arrest, The Netherlands, drugs
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 13, 2023

Nicki Minaj Addresses Controversial COVID-19 Vaccine Claims: ‘I Like To Make My Own Assessment’

Nicki Minaj addressed her 2021 statements on the COVID-19 vaccine and credited her remarks to her independence in decision-making.

Nicki Minaj briefly addressed her controversial 2021 statements on the COVID-19 vaccine and credited her remarks to her independence in decision-making.

The “Anaconda” rapper covers the December issue of Vogue where she opens up about motherhood, her musical return with her newly released Pink Friday 2, and the stresses that come with being a high-profile celebrity. She knows firsthand how a celebrity’s opinion can become headline news, as Minaj faced international backlash two years ago for expressing her skepticism about the COVID-19 vaccine.

At the time, Minaj took to Twitter/X to share an alleged vaccine experience of her cousin’s friend who reportedly became “impotent” as a result of the vaccine.

“My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent,” she wrote.

“His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied.”

She would go on to change her tune shortly after by encouraging her fans to get the vaccine and “wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one.”

However, her initial vaccine remarks became a trending topic on major news networks and even prompted Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh to issue a public statement saying there was “absolutely no reported such side effects or adverse event of testicular swelling in Trinidad.”

Now looking back on the incident, Minaj explained her stance when it comes to handling public issues that impact the masses.

“I’m one of those people who doesn’t go with a crowd,” Minaj told Vogue when recalling her initial vaccine stance. “I like to make my own assessment of everything without help from everyone.”

She’s also never publicly supported a presidential candidate and tends to remain mum during elections, which is a sensitive topic she knows can get her into trouble.

“Every time I talk about politics, people get mad,” she said. “I’m sorry, but I am not going to be told who I should get on social media and campaign for. There’s a lot we don’t know that’s going on in the government, and I don’t think it changes whether you lean to the left or right.”

RELATED CONTENT: Nicki Minaj Dragged for Story About Her Cousin’s Friend’s Swollen Private Parts Due to COVID-19 Vaccine

wu-tang clan, Shaolin, Las Vegas, the saga continues, residency, superbowl weekend, rza,
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 13, 2023

Wu-Tang Clan To Swarm Las Vegas For First-Ever Hip-Hop Residency

Wu-Tang Clan is bringing Shaolin to Las Vegas as the iconic rap group headlines the city's first-ever hip-hop residency.

Wu-Tang Clan is bringing Shaolin to Las Vegas as the iconic rap group headlines the city’s first-ever hip-hop residency.

On Tuesday, Dec. 12 Wu-Tang announced they will begin a Las Vegas residency the weekend of Super Bowl LVIII, Forbes reported. “Wu-Tang Clan: The Saga Continues… The Las Vegas Residency” will take place at the Theatre at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Feb. 9 and 10 and continue on to March 22 and 23.

The residency will serve as “a Wu-Tang experience like never before,” that will offer fans “a tribute to their prolific careers as individuals and as the most storied group in hip-hop history,” Virgin hotels said in a statement.

The group’s leader and producer, RZA, told The New York Times that the residency has been five years in the making and the nine members are proud to help set the stage for a future in hip-hop residencies in Vegas.

“Hip-hop is rich in its content and what it offers creatively to an audience,” he said, and Wu-Tang wants “to put it on flagpoles to show that hip-hop can go where any other art form has gone before.”

As a result of the residency, Rza is hoping Wu-Tang will be able to “eventually invite more hip-hop artists to come and play in this sandbox with us.”

Artist pre-sale for the shows (code: CREAM) started noon Tuesday on AXS’ website, the group shared in a tweet. AEG and AXS pre-sales begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday and general public tickets will become available Friday at 10 a.m. PST.

Wu-Tang joins the likes of U2, Carrie Underwood, and Adele who will perform Las Vegas residencies in 2024. The group was busy throughout 2023 celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary with Nas in Australia, Europe, and North American on the N.Y. State of Mind Tour.

The group’s founding members consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard (who died in 2004). The hip-hop legends have continued touring together since their 1993 debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).

RELATED CONTENT: Wu-Tang Game Rumored To Be In Development For Xbox

Kanye West Wears Black KKK Hood While Hosting ‘Vultures’ Listening Event
by Iman Milner

December 13, 2023

Kanye West Wears Black KKK Hood While Hosting ‘Vultures’ Listening Event

West also used the controversial imagery back in 2013 in the visual for his track 'BLKKK SKKKN HEAD.'

Ye, (or Kanye West as he is best known), never shies away from sparking outrage, and his latest fashion choice has raised eyebrows. During a Dec. 12 listening event for his upcoming collaborative album with artist Ty Dolla $ign, the “Donda” rapper donned a Black KKK hood while surrounded by celebrity guests, including daughter North West, Vibe reports.

West opted for the garb, which, when worn in a white color, is largely associated with the white supremacy group, during one portion of the event that also featured the official release of the “New Body” track with “Pink Friday 2” rapper Nicki Minaj that leaked online last year.

West descended upon South Beach during Art Basel to give an early listen to his and $ ign’s anticipated collaboration, “Vultures,” and the two were joined by the likes of Chris Brown, Offset, Kodak Black, and Lil Durk. Guests were also treated to a surprise performance by the Chicago-born rapper’s 10-year-old daughter, North, who is featured on a track titled “Slide.”

West also used the controversial imagery back in 2013 in the visual for his track “BLKKK SKKKN HEAD,” which featured a trio of the Black conical hoods in the opening scene; however, on the heels of recent antisemitic remarks made by the rapper, the decision appeared pointed.

“How I’m antisemitic? I just f*cked a Jewish b*tch,” rapped West on the title track of the collaboration project.

Last year, the “Touch The Sky” rapper was banned from X, formerly known as Twitter, for posting a swastika inside the Star of David following an interview with the alt-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, in which he praised Adolf Hitler. “Well, I see good things about Hitler, also,” said West.

“I love everyone, and Jewish people are not gonna tell me… ‘You can love us, and you can love what you’re doing to you with the contracts, and you can love what we’re pushing with the pornography.’ But this guy that invented highways, invented the very microphone that I use as a musician—you can’t say out loud that this person ever did anything good, and I’m done with that,” West said. “I’m done with the classifications, every human being has something of value that they brought to the table. Especially Hitler!”

RELATED CONTENT: North West Takes The Stage To Perform At Ye’s Controversial’ Vultures Rave’ Listening Event

livestreamed murder, Birmingham, young mother, three charged
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 13, 2023

New York City Sued By Formerly Incarcerated Man Exonerated After 27 Years

Thomas Malik is suing NYC and two detectives for $50 million after his wrongful conviction

A man who spent almost three decades in jail and was recently exonerated of the crime he was

A man who spent almost three decades in jail and was recently exonerated of the crime he was accused of committing is suing the city of New York as well as two detectives.

According to ABC News, on Monday, Dec. 11, Thomas Malik, who was convicted of killing a New York City subway token booth clerk in 1995, filed a lawsuit against New York City and two detectives who worked on the case. He stated that “a wanton and reckless” law enforcement culture forced him to suffer grave psychological damage due to decades of wrongful imprisonment.

Malik is one of three men who spent 27 years in prison before prosecutors disavowed the convictions of the men for the killing of Harry Kaufman. He is looking to get at least $50 million. His co-defendants, Vincent Ellerbe and James Irons, also have sought compensation for the wrongful imprisonment.

His attorneys, Ronald Kuby and Rhidaya Trivedi, stated: “Thomas Malik seeks redress for the official misconduct that caused him to spend nearly 27 years in prison, and the mental and physical injuries he sustained while incarcerated.”

The legal paperwork also stated that a “wanton and reckless culture” among the police officers and Brooklyn prosecutors let them violate citizens’ rights with impunity. The notoriety of Malik’s case subjected him to become a target for abuse and assaults while he was in prison.

On Nov. 26, 1995, the 50-year-old Kaufman was set on fire during an attempted robbery while he was working overnight in a Brooklyn subway station. The people who attempted the robbery squirted gasoline into the tollbooth coin slot and used matches to light the fuel.

is suing the city of New York as well as two detectives.

According to ABC News, on Monday, Dec. 11, Thomas Malik, who was convicted of killing a New York City subway token booth clerk in 1995, filed a lawsuit against New York City and two detectives who worked on the case. He stated that “a wanton and reckless” law enforcement culture forced him to suffer grave psychological damage due to decades of wrongful imprisonment.

Malik is one of three men who spent 27 years in prison before prosecutors disavowed the convictions of the men for the killing of Harry Kaufman. He is looking to get at least $50 million. His co-defendants, Vincent Ellerbe and James Irons, also have sought compensation for the wrongful imprisonment.

His attorneys, Ronald Kuby and Rhidaya Trivedi, stated: “Thomas Malik seeks redress for the official misconduct that caused him to spend nearly 27 years in prison, and the mental and physical injuries he sustained while incarcerated.”

The legal paperwork also stated that a “wanton and reckless culture” among the police officers and Brooklyn prosecutors let them violate citizens’ rights with impunity. The notoriety of Malik’s case subjected him to become a target for abuse and assaults while he was in prison.

On Nov. 26, 1995, the 50-year-old Kaufman was set on fire during an attempted robbery while he was working overnight in a Brooklyn subway station. The people who attempted the robbery squirted gasoline into the tollbooth coin slot and used matches to light the fuel.

mc hammer, questlove, 50, anniversary, hip-hop
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 13, 2023

MC Hammer Explains His Absence At Hip-Hop 50 Events: ‘I Don’t Have Patience For The Fakeness’

MC Hammer was noticeably absent from the "Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop. A previous speech he made might explain why.

MC Hammer was noticeably absent from the “Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop” and a previous speech he made might explain why.

Questlove produced the aforementioned special that aired on Sunday, Dec. 10, and took to Twitter for a Q&A where he expressed his sadness with MC Hammer turning down the event.

“We begged him to open,” Questlove told one fan who asked about Hammer’s absence.

“Of all the “No’s”….Hammer hurt the most. We really wanted him to have his flowers,” he added.

“Of course everyone was asked but Hammer’s “no”…..ugh man that woulda been amazing,” he told another fan.

Questlove’s reveal ignited a conversation on Twitter among hip-hop fans who shared their theories on why MC Hammer has been absent from all of the hip-hop 50 events throughout the year. One fan resurfaced a clip of Hammer’s speech last month during the street naming ceremony for Tupac Shakur.

While celebrating the iconic late rapper, MC Hammer went on to acknowledge his no-show at the hip-hop anniversary events despite being invited to all of them.

“You ain’t heard me go to none of these hip-hop 50’s and just for the record I got invited to every one,” Hammer said. “But I really don’t have the patience for the fakeness. I’m really 60 years old. So I can’t get with the fakeness of it all. I can do it with the young cats but I can’t come around old cats and still be pretending.”

The clip got hip-hop fans talking about the criticism MC Hammer faced throughout his career from his hip-hop peers for his style of music along with the money woes he faced.

“I think there probably a lot of resentment left over from when he was on top and his peers were critical of him,” one fan wrote. “Some of it was fair but a lot unnecessary and hurtful. I think that’s probably the fake attitudes he’s talking about.”

“He was hiphop… no one could perform like him during that period,” added someone else.

During his hey day, MC Hammer was mocked in music videos by 3rd Bass (including a rap battle with MC Serch), The D.O.C., DJ Debranz and Ice Cube. Later in 2010, Jay-Z offended MC Hammer when a lyric on “So Appalled” referenced Hammer’s 1996 bankruptcy filing, according to Rap Radar

RELATED CONTENT: Hip-Hop’s First Newspaper Cover Collection Compiled In New Book

Benjamin Crump Leads Appeal For Black-Led Grant Program Caught Up In A Civil Rights Controversy
by Stacy Jackson

December 13, 2023

Benjamin Crump Leads Appeal For Black-Led Grant Program Caught Up In A Civil Rights Controversy

The American Alliance for Equal Rights sued the Fearless Fund in arguing its grants reserved for Black women violate civil rights laws.

Legal representatives for a Black women-led Atlanta grant program filed an appeal on Dec. 6 countering a racial discrimination lawsuit. The American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER) previously sued the Fearless Fund in federal court, arguing its venture capital grants reserved solely for Black women violate civil rights laws.

In the appeal led by renowned civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump, the Fearless Fund founders contend they acted lawfully to address systemic discrimination.

“The Alliance seeks to halt a program designed to bridge glaring funding disparities facing Black women entrepreneurs due to historical inequities,” the appeal states, according to 11 Alive.

The news outlet reported a statement released by the Fearless Fund to defend its actions: “Women of color-owned businesses are a vital, growing sector to our economy yet received less than one percent of venture capital funding,” said Arian Simone, CEO and founding partner of Fearless Fund. “Our legal team filed a brief in support of our First Amendment right to voice our view that these women of color-owned businesses need to be supported and that we are aligned with them through the Fearless Foundation’s Strivers Grant Program. We will fight fearlessly to protect these businesses, the dreams of their founders, and our right to express this viewpoint against any and all legal challenges.”

The Fearless Fund aims to counter racial and gender biases that limit venture capital for women of color-owned startups. However, the AAER lawsuit reflects a broader national debate over affirmative action policies. Fearless Fund general partners Simone and Ayana Parsons created the grant and mentorship program after struggling to access capital for their own ventures. “As Black women, we faced more obstacles to financing our dreams than other demographics,” Simone explained.

The appeal cites 2019 Census Bureau data showing 12.7% of women-owned firms were Black or African American-owned, demonstrating a need to nurture this demographic of entrepreneurs. It argues the Fearless Fund’s targeted approach does not violate First Amendment or federal civil rights protections. The legal document makes a moral case for boosting opportunities for Black women entrepreneurs facing systemic barriers.

“Our grants aim to empower innovators who might lack networks and resources to transform their ideas into thriving businesses,” Parsons said. “We welcome the chance to defend this mission in court.”

The pending litigation has already disrupted grants for 2023, forcing the Fund to revise official rules. Oral arguments are scheduled to commence on Jan. 31, 2024.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Entrepreneurs Face Increasing Opposition From Conservative Groups

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