Arizona's Taking It Back To 1864, The Legacy of O.J., RIP DJ Mister Cee, J. Cole Apologizes, Ice Spice Meets Spike Lee & Louis Vuitton Dawn Supremacy
catching you up on this week's news + reads & vibes for your weekend.
Greetings friend. No deep thoughts, but a few announcements before we get into the news and vibes for the week.
First off:
Go Gamecocks!
Also a reminder: Episode 2 of “Creative Canvas,” my new podcast with
is out now! This week we asked the question: Can you successfully transition a platonic friendship to a romantic one? Plus - reviews of some of the latest music, reads, and trending topics. Listen: Podcast Site | Spotify | Apple PodcastsLet’s dive in.
CNN: Biden administration finalizes rule to close ‘gun show loophole’ in effort to combat gun violence
Duke Chronicle: Duke ends full-ride scholarship program for select Black students in wake of affirmative action ruling
HuffPo: Mississippi 'Goon Squad' Officers Sentenced On State Charges For Torture Of 2 Black Men
NYT: 2 Men Fined $1.25 Million for Robocall Scheme to Suppress Black Vote
ABC: OJ Simpson, former football star acquitted of murder, dies at 76
In the wake of his death, Washington Post explores what O.J. Simpson’s murder trial told us about race in America. [Read]
Trigger warning: Danielle Ayoka, an R&B artist and popular astrology influencer, killed her partner and threw her kids from a moving vehicle before crashing and taking her own life after sharing concerns about the spiritual implications of this week’s eclipse. [Read]
Hip-Hop legend, DJ Mister Cee, passed away at age 57. He’s credited with discovering The Notorious B.I.G., and was widely known for his legendary mixes on New York’s famed Hot 97. [Read]
Essence Magazine has revealed their “Sexiest Men of the Moment”: Usher, Russell Wilson and Damson Idris. To that, I say, yes. [Read]
Rihanna is on the spring cover of Interview magazine and spoke to Mel Ottenberg about everything from her music, to motherhood and her relationship with ASAP Rocky - who she says she didn’t begin dating until 2019, although they’d known each other for a decade prior. [Read]
Megan Thee Stallion is on the cover of Women’s Health’s Body issue. She credits pilates and 40 minutes on the stairmaster or elliptical for her current physique. 40 minutes on the stairs is crazy. I’m crying after 10. [Read]
After investigation, the Feds have determined that baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter stole more than $16 million from the baseball star. How much money do you have to have to not notice $16 million missing? [Read]
A judge has ruled that Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant acted in self defense when he punched a teenager after a 2022 pick up basketball game. Good for him! [Read]
Sue Bird, the women’s basketball legend that I affectionately refer to as the shoe gawd, sat with Harper’s Bazaar to discuss her new documentary, life with her partner Megan Rapinoe, and staying busy in retirement. [Read]
Dawn Staley’s team will run through a brick wall for her, because she will run through a brick wall for them. Owen Pierce from Winsidr profiled Staley after a historic 38-0 season & NCAA women’s championship win. Is it the beginning of a dynasty? [Read]
Ice Spice is set to star in Spike Lee’s new movie “High and Low” alongside Denzel Washington. Never thought that I would see these names in the same sentence. [Read]
Commedian Mark Phillips rose to fame online impersonating LeBron James. Now, he’s taking his talents to Hollywood, and hoping to create a Black Anime empire. [Read]
On this week’s Culture Canvas podcast, we discussed Jerrod Charmichael’s new reality show. For Vulture, writer Matthew Jacobs spoke to the star about how the show is forcing him to battle with his own morality. [Read]
For all of my fellow fans of Tha Pynk, P-Valley is casting background actors for Season 3. The important part of this is that the show is scheduled to shoot this month through November, meaning that we’ll likely have a 2025 release on a new season. [Details]
The trailer for the next season of Bridgerton is out now. Season 3 focuses on Penelope and part 1 will be released on May 16th:
There’s been a lot of beefs in the hip-hop streets lately but one star is gracefully bowing out. Last weekend from the stage during his headlining set at his Dreamville Festival, J. Cole apologized for dissing his friend Kendrick Lamar on the track “7 Minute Drill”. This sparked the question - can you have hip-hop without competition? NPR explored it. [Listen]
Speaking of J. Cole, he’s featured on Future & Metro Boomin’s new project “WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU”. This is their 2nd album in 3 weeks, and this on takes a more R&B vibe. The Weekend is also on the project and everybody’s throwing shots at Drake. LOL. Listen on Spotify | Apple Music
Chloe Bailey hopped in her pop bag with her new single “Boy Bye” - check out the video below:
There’s new music from Chris Brown, Tanner Addell, Tinashe, Willow Smith and more on The Update Weekly playlist! Grab it: Spotify | Apple Music
That’s all for this week friends. Enjoy your weekend. Hope you can catch the sun!
