by Daniel Johnson

October 22, 2023

Michael Irvin Calls Out Son For Faking His Raps: ‘You Grew Up In A Gated Community’

Serial yeller Michael Irvin described his son’s rap career during a discussion about NBA superstar Ja Morant on the Oct. 20 episode of the Shannon Sharpe-free version of Undisputed.

“I got a son,” Irvin said. “He raps. His rap name is Tut Tarantino. If you ever listen to some of his raps. I’m like, ‘Oh my god.’ Where does this come from, son? You grew up in a gated community your whole life. But he’s rapping my life. Because we romanticize and fantasize about that old thug life, ghetto life, and all of that stuff. When…we used to work to get away from. Now, we’ve gotten to a place somehow where we’re running back towards it. In the music, in everything.”

Irvin, a former star wide receiver with the Dallas Cowboys before, has talked about growing up in Miami as the 15th child of 17 children. Today, Irvin is worth an estimated $12 million and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On Tut Tarantino’s Apple Music page he has songs dating to 2018. Among the titles are “Bab Season,” “How the F**k,” and Poppin.” Hi YouTube page has just under 300 subscribers. The video with the most views is for a track called “Whip Work,” with just over 4,000.

https://twitter.com/shannonsharpeee/status/1715552611867541630?t=oq4ONiODS6oOVUwfWFDfPw&s=19

According to Complex, Irvin has previously talked about his son, whose real name is Elijah, on other shows. During a 2019 appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, Irvin made similar comments, telling Patrick, “He raps about some of the hardest stuff in the world. I say to him, ‘Son, you grew up in a 20,000-square foot. gated community! Where does this stuff come from? I worked hard to get you out of this, and you’re rapping right back to it.'”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 22, 2023

Brian McKnight Changes Name To Match Infant Son’s, Facing Criticism For Alleged Abandonment Of Older Children

Brian McKnight isn’t winning any dad points with his older children.

The famed singer is facing backlash for changing his name to match his newborn son’s amidst claims from his older children that he has abandoned his fatherly duties with them.

The “One Last Cry” artist shared to social media on Oct. 27 of his newest son being of his “legacy.” The 9-month-old’s name, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr., was displayed alongside his face, as posted to the musician’s official accounts.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brian McKnight (@brianmcknight23)

McKnight also announced that he has legally changed his own name to match his youngest son’s. And that wasn’t all.

“To the world with the release of my new album lovingly created for him. JR,” said the 54-year-old. “Because I am also proud to officially announce that I have legally changed my name to exactly match my legacy’s.”

The multi-Grammy nominee’s legal name is now Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. However, McKnight already has a son named after him, thus the move signals that he is disassociating himself from his original legacy and family, his critics say, according to Page Six.

McKnight has reportedly been estranged for years from his older children and has been called out publicly before for prioritizing his step-kids lives’ over his biological children’s.

He married his current wife, Leilani Mendoza, in 2017. Mendoza has three children from a prior relationship. McKnight shares sons Brian Jr. and Niko with ex-wife Julie McKnight and daughter Briana McKnight from a past relationship. He was married to songwriter Julie McKnight between 1990 and 2003.

“I’m not ashamed of the name my ancestors had,” Brian Jr. replied to comment on Instagram. “I’ll never change the name my own son now has.” And, in a comment perhaps targeted at his father, he wrote, “We are witnessing an obscene level of self hate, that has reached mental illness status at this point.”

He added, “Legacy isn’t in the name. It’s in the character of the people. It will all be quite clear soon, just who’s on the right side of all this, because there’s no escaping what’s coming.”

Standford Universit, African American studies

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 22, 2023

Stanford University Approves Department Of African and African-American Studies

Stanford University, through its Board of Trustees, has officially approved the creation of a department of African and African American Studies. The department will open in January.

The department will take over the program already in place for the subjects within its School of Humanities and Sciences, according to Stanford Report.

The latest effort to transform the AAAS program into a department was sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement and murder of George Floyd in 2020. While the AAAS program has been a part of Stanford’s curriculum options for over half a century, its departmentalization was at a standstill before the outcry of social justice nationwide.

“Events since 2020 have made it increasingly apparent that the time has come for Stanford to put our work in AAAS on a permanent footing,” said R. Lanier Anderson, the J.E. Wallace Sterling Professor of the Humanities at Stanford.

A task force initiated by the university in 2021 also recommended the departmentalization of the program. Ato Quayson, a professor of English and interdisciplinary studies at the school, will be the department’s inaugural chair.

The university will allow tracks of African, African American, and Global Black Diaspora Studies to be available for interested students. The inclusion of courses associated with Black studies will also be provided, alongside a collaboration with the Institute for Diversity of the Arts, as students within the department will have the opportunity to connect their learning through creative means.

Quayson commenced the vote for the AAAS department with a reading from Toni Morrison’s classic novel, Beloved, which was met with much applause.

The news comes as Stanford has made additional changes to better the experiences of its student body, including an advancement to better accommodate disabled students’ needs and expansion within the arts.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 22, 2023

Rihanna’s $2,900 Super Bowl Jumpsuit Sells Out Within 24 Hours Of Retail Debut

Rihanna can “Talk That Talk” about her impact. Within a day of her Super Bowl halftime show outfit hitting retail, the now-iconic red jumpsuit designed by Loewe had sold out.

The fashion house announced on Oct. 19 that they would sell a $2,900 “special edition release” of the red ensemble she wore in February.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LOEWE (@loewe)

“The cargo jumpsuit and trousers feature a range of utility details drawing upon flight gear and the halftime show’s dynamic scenography,” said Loewe. The outfit was available on their website in black and red color options.

While the red version was gone the day it dropped, the black was in limited quantity before the collection was swiped from the online shop. Loewe has a whole page dedicated to the outfit.

Rihanna made her a big return to performing at the halftime show, garnering five Emmy nominations. Not only is the outfit now forever recognized with her show-stopping act, but also with her second pregnancy announcement as Rihanna showcased her belly as she rocked the stage to over 121 million viewers.

“When you become a mom, there’s something that just happens where you feel like you can take on the world. You can do anything, and the Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages in the world,” she said, according to People. “So, as scary as that was… there’s something exhilarating about the challenge of it all, and it’s important for me to do this this year. It’s important for representation. It’s important for my son to see that.”

For many wanting to emulate the global pop star as a fashion muse or to win a Halloween contest in couture, the jumpsuits are still available in select Loewe stores worldwide.

Simone Ledward Boseman, Chadwick Boseman

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 22, 2023

Simone Ledward Boseman, Widow Of Chadwick Boseman, Releases Debut Album

Chadwick Boseman’s widow, Simone Ledward, has released her debut album, the mornings, under the stage name sahn.

Ledward Boseman has been writing songs since childhood, but her entry into the music space is one she feels ready to share now. However, sahn is not Ledward Boseman’s alter ago, but a “version” of her being that she strives to uphold.

She spoke to Vibe about what her music under this persona means to her.

“Elevated. She’s Simone, elevated, ” she said. “Simone without the ego. I’m always striving to just respond in a space that is that higher version of yourself. She represents who I am when I am at my best. She’s always growing, always a point I can reach up to.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Simone LB (@s11mone)

The widowed artist is notoriously private, and has been since the beginning of her relationship with the late Black Panther star. According to Blavity, the two met at a James Brown tribute concert in 2014; the actor played the famed singer in the biopic Get On Up released that same year. They married in 2019 and were together until Boseman died of colon cancer in August 2020.

The first track on the 9-song project references her late husband, titled “chad’s prayer.”

“Any artist’s work is about the experiences that they have had, but myself as an artist is not encapsulated in grief,” she explained. “I have more to say, and I have more to contribute to more conversations than solely about the grieving process and loss.”

Ledward Boseman, though, is ready to forge ahead.

“I think that sahn is how I move forward, how I forge a path that is my own,” shared the California Polytechnic State University alumnus. “This is how I now take the influence of someone else’s legacy because I don’t think that I am his legacy…Taking everything that I learned and how I was influenced by his legacy is how I’m able to move forward and to continue to carry his spirit with me in my own work.”

The accompanying visual for her first single, “angelsxdemons,” is available to watch now, with the rest of the compilation on streaming as well.

by Daniel Johnson

October 22, 2023

Son Of Nashville Police Chief Wanted For Allegedly Shooting Two Nashville Area Cops

The estranged son of Nashville police chief John Christopher Drake is accused of shooting two officers outside of a Dollar General in a Nashville suburb.

According to KIRO 7 News, the incident occurred in La Vergne shortly after 2:20 p.m. on October 21. Police have asked residents to stay in place as Drake is at large and considered armed and dangerous.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn that my estranged son, with whom I have had very minimal contact over many years, is the suspect in this afternoon’s shooting of the two La Vergne police officers,” the elder Drake said in a statement.

The Police Chief of La Vergne, Christopher Moews, said during a press conference that the officers were pursuing a possible stolen vehicle and attempting to question Drake, who pulled out a handgun and shot the two officers during a struggle.

One officer was struck in the left shoulder. The other was shot in the right groin and right shoulder. At press time, both men were at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center where they were listed in stable condition.

“Despite my efforts and guidance in the early and teenage years, my son, John Drake Jr., now 38 years old, resorted to years of criminal activity and is a convicted felon,” Drake Sr. explained. “He has not been a part of my life for quite some time. He now needs to be found and held accountable for his actions today. I hope that anyone who sees him or has information about him will contact law enforcement immediately.”

Drake is 38 y/o. He’s 5’11”, weighs 195 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen in LaVergne in the area of Stones River Road near Lake Forest Drive, wearing back t-shirt with hockey mask graphic.

Call TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND if you know where he is. pic.twitter.com/tjNeDBAKjb

— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) October 22, 2023

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations issued a statement announcing a Blue Alert for Drake Jr. following the shooting.

“Drake is 38 y/o. He’s 5’11”, weighs 195 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes,” according to the statement. “He was last seen in LaVergne in the area of Stones River Road near Lake Forest Drive, wearing back t-shirt with hockey mask graphic.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 22, 2023

‘The New Norm’: Hip-Hop Artist Chingy Discusses His Recent EP, ‘Chinglish’

Early 2000s superstar Chingy joined BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Selena Hill on this week’s episode of The New Norm, where he discussed his most recent EP and his legacy in the hip-hop industry.

In June, the rapper debuted a new EP, his first major project in over a decade, since Chingology (9 Year Theory). The newest EP, Chinglish, pays homage to his Missouri roots.

“I just decided to call it Chinglish because it’s my truth, my outlook, the way I view things. So it’s pretty much all about me, my terminology, and in St. Louis we have our own little slang,” Chingy shared.

Chinglish covers an array of topics, from honoring veterans to chronicling the musician’s journey into spiritualism. The tracks, particularly its lead single “Can’t Blame Me,” offer a look back at Chingy’s life and extensive career as he dealt with negativity and rumors.

This project is slightly different from Chingy’s earlier records. On Chinglish, he discusses his rough upbringing, with hopes of connecting with his listeners on a more personal level.

“A lot of people get used to the party music, feel-good music so I felt that I needed to bring them into my world and let them know that I’m just like them,” he said. “It ain’t like I grew up with a silver spoon and wealthiness all around me…Everyday is a struggle. I had to let them know I relate to their pain.”

Chingy also revealed what it was like performing for servicemen and women across the world.

“I’ve been to Iraq, performing,” he said. “I’ve been to Alaska, Hawaii..It was beautiful. They gotta have entertainment too. They’ve got to go out, build a concert, and have fun, so for me, it was beautiful just to perform for the people that are over there serving this country and we had fun.”

The music industry’s ever-changing landscape can make it difficult for experienced performers to keep up with the times. Chingy shares the challenges he’s faced, including the increased use of artificial intelligence.

“Now somebody can just have your voice, make a song, and put it out there. They need to really kill that because it can really destroy music. These are people’s careers and jobs and we can’t have that,” he said.

Watch Chingy’s full interview on The New Norm with Selena Hill below, where he also offers advice to aspiring music artists.

by Lauren Nutall

October 22, 2023

‘THE NEW NORM’: Hip Hop Artist Chingy Discusses His Recent EP ‘Chinglish’

Early 2000s superstar Chingy joined BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Selena Hill on this week’s The New Norm, where he divulged his most recent EP and lasting legacy on the Hip Hop industry.

In June, the rapper debuted a new EP, his first major project in over a decade, since Chingology (9 Year Theory). The newest EP, titled Chinglish, pays homage to his Missouri roots.

“I just decided to call it Chinglish because it’s my truth, my outlook, the way I view things. So it’s pretty much all about me, my terminology, and in St. Louis we have our own little slang,” Chingy shared.

Chinglish covers an array of topics, from honoring veterans to chronicling the musician’s journey into spiritualism. The recording, particularly its lead single Can’t Blame Me, offers a look back at Chingy’s life and extensive career as he dealt with negativity and rumors.

This project is slightly different from Chingy’s earlier records. On Chinglish, he discusses his rough upbringing, with hopes of connecting with his listeners on a more personal note.

“A lot of people get used to the party music, feel good music so I felt that I needed to bring them into my world and let them know that I’m just like them,” he said. “It ain’t like I grew up with a silver spoon and wealthiness all around me…Everyday is a struggle. I had to let them know I relate to their pain.”

In his interview, Chingy also revealed what it was like performing for servicemen and women across the world. The musician’s military tour encompassed several countries and regions, from South Korea to Guam. “I’ve been to Iraq, performing. I’ve been to Alaska, Hawaii..It was beautiful. They gotta have entertainment too. They’ve got to go out, build a concert, and have fun, so for me, it was beautiful just to perform for the people that are over there serving this country and we had fun,” he said.

The music industry’s ever changing landscape can make it difficult for experienced performers to keep up with the times. Chingy shares the challenges he’s faced amidst the changing circumstances, including the gradual use of artificial intelligence.

“Now somebody can just have your voice, make a song, and put it out there. They need to really kill that because it can really destroy music. These are people’s careers and jobs and we can’t have that,” he expressed.

Check out Chingy’s full interview, where he also offers advice to burgeoning artists who hope to make it in the music industry.

by Daniel Johnson

October 22, 2023

Key Suspect In 2021 Assassination Of Haiti’s President Arrested

After nearly two years on the run, one of the main suspects in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse has been arrested in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.

Joseph Badio, a Ministry of Justice ex-employee, was arrested Oct. 19, the Associated Press reports. Badio was in the Haitian government’s anti-corruption unit until he was fired for alleged ethics violations a few weeks before Moïse was shot 12 times in his bedroom by Colombian mercenaries.

According to the BBC, the mercenaries who have been arrested or killed. Within hours of the murder, Badio was named by at least one mercenary as the person who ordered the hit.

The murder sent the country into social and political turmoil.

Haiti was beset by gang violence, which resulted in Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry petitioning the United Nations to send troops to Haiti. The UN’s Security Council voted in early October to authorize a deployment of troops. Kenya, the country supplying the bulk of the forces, has not yet set a date to deploy the troops.

Several people were arrested in connection with the killing, including Badio. Eleven men are also in the custody of the United States, including former Haitian senator John Joël Joseph, who are alleged conspirators in a plot to remove Moïse so they could benefit from another administration.

Joseph has already pleaded guilty to charges relating to the assassination of Moïse; his sentencing date is Dec. 19. Joseph was extradited from Jamaica to the U.S. to face charges of conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States as well as providing material support resulting in death.

Two others, Haitian-Chilean citizen Rodolphe Jaar and former Colombian soldier German Alejandro Rivera Garcia, have also pleaded guilty, Jaar was sentenced to life in June 2023, and Garcia will be sentenced on Oct. 27.

According to the Brookings Institution, Haiti’s police and politicians are deeply connected with the gangs currently terrorizing the country’s capital. As its report notes, the will of other countries to send armed forces has been non-existent, evidenced by Kenya’s efforts.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 22, 2023

Candiace Dillard Talks Colorism In Reality TV And Teases “RHOP” Season 8 Drama

The Real Housewives of Potomac is back for Season 8, and Candiace Dillard-Bassett is teasing what’s in store for viewers!

With her music career gaining momentum, Candiace is busy touring the country and filming television shows simultaneously. The new season shows how her non-stop schedule is taking a toll on her and Chris’ marriage. A recent health discovery further heightens her stress level as she works to figure out her next move. Regarding her dynamic with the group, she and Wendy Osefo are still a double team, as Candiace returns to battling it out with Ashley Darby ,while rocky relationships are issues for Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon.

“It was the Twilight Zone in a lot of ways,” Candiace told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“I left this season more grateful for real friendships and more sure that friendships that don’t matter just don’t matter.

In addition to RHOP, Candiace is also a star on the All Blk series Hush, where her former co-star and fellow reality star Erica Mena got herself ousted for making some colorist remarks on Love & Hip Hop ATL.

Candiace finally broke her silence on her co-star’s recent controversy and addressed the colorism debate we saw her bring to the table on RHOP last season.

“When I saw the clip, I was very hurt,” she said of Mena. “I do wish that Erica were able to see things differently.”

But she looked at the “teaching moment” that came from the controversy and said the conversation of colorism should “never fall to the waste side” in reality television. When it comes to issues of colorism on her own show, the conversation was had during the RHOP season 7 reunion.

When asked if her co-stars have changed their tune since facing criticism last year on the issue, Candiace seemingly insinuated that only some have gotten on board.

“I think that those in our group who wanted understanding were purveyors of that, and those who didn’t want understanding were purveyors of that,” she declared.

Candiace also addressed the massive brawl that broke out while filming RHOP over the summer and responded to criticism from fans over her history of grabbing objects during heated exchanges.

“Walk in my shoes for a day, and then let’s discuss,” she quipped.

Press play, below, for the full interview. The Real Housewives of Potomac premieres on Bravo on Sunday, November 5 at 8 pm.