Source: Brian To/WENN.com / WENN Mendeecees Harris enjoyed notoriety as part of the popular Love & Hip Hop: New York cast alongside his partner Yandy Smith, but he was sentenced to eight to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking. According to an exclusive new report, Harris will see freedom next year and will have served just over half the time of his original sentence. Bossip exclusively reports : [Yandy Smith-Harris’] incarcerated husband and former co-star Mendeecees Harris is set to be released from federal prison next year after being sentenced to at least eight years for drug trafficking. Mendeecees’ release date is now November 2020, which means he’ll serve a little more than half of his actual sentence, according to records from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Under a plea deal, Mendeecees admitted that from 2006 to 2008, he helped to ferry hard drugs from New York City to the Rochester, NY area. In 2015, a federal judge sentenced Mendeecees to eight to ten years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking ring that flooded upstate New York with heroin and cocaine. Harris, now 40, is currently housed in a medium-security prison in New Jersey after initially being jailed in Pennsylvania. — Photo: WENN
Source: Courtesy Netflix D on’t expect a third season for the Spike Lee’s original series She’s Gotta Have it , well at least on Netflix . Deadline reports the streaming service is canceling the scripted show based on the 1986 feature film of the same name. It centered around Nola Darling ( DeWanda Wise ) and her decisions as a rising artist and her love life with multiple partners. ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ To End With Season 2 On Netflix https://t.co/1TGo7N0lEZ pic.twitter.com/ZpdqAlZ2d6 — Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 18, 2019 The show described as “a seriously sexy comedy and a rousing celebration of female empowerment,” was met positively when it first premiered. It would appear it wasn’t popular enough for Netflix to keep around. The service’s Chief Content Officer, Ted Serandos, had nothing but kind words to say about Lee and the show despite the bad news. “Spike Lee is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time and we’re thrilled he brought the series She’s Gotta Have It (1986, based on his first feature film) to Netflix,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix. “While this is our last season, we’re very proud that it will be on our service for years to come and excited to be working with Spike on his upcoming Netflix film Da 5 Bloods.” This might not be the end for the show as Deadline also reports that it is allegedly being shopped around. Netflix is also still going to continue it’s working relationship with Spike Lee, so that’s good news for fans of the iconic director. The show’s star Dewanda Wise took to her Instagram account to share a cryptic message following the announcement that She’s Gotta Have It was canceled. View this post on Instagram “Once you start to speak, people will yell at you. They will interrupt you, put you down and suggest it's personal. And the world won't end. And the speaking will get easier and easier. And you will find you have fallen in love with your own vision, which you may never have realized you had. And you will lose some friends and lovers, and realize you don't miss them. And new ones will find you and cherish you. And you will still flirt and paint your nails, dress up and party, because, as I think Emma Goldman said, “If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution.” And at last you'll know with surpassing certainty that only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth. And that is not speaking.” #AudreLorde Saying “Until” to Nola Darling today A post shared by DeWanda Wise (@dewandawise) on Jul 17, 2019 at 5:12pm PDT This news also comes on the heels of Netflix blaming its regional price increase on l osing paid subscribers . They might be on the way to losing more if they keep dropping shows that people love. Photo: Courtesy Netflix
Source: Peter Cade / Getty Instagram Might Be Getting Rid Of Their Public Like Count Sometime Soon Some of us like to act like we don’t care about Instagram likes–and some of us actually, really don’t care. But others have built entire careers off the number of likes they can pull in per picture, so there’s definitely something important about the number under that little heart icon on all of our pictures. While the number of people who double tap certain photos seems pretty arbitrary, a lot of people are starting to think more and more that the attention we pay to social media can be harmful to our self-esteem, mental health, and other factors in our real life. That’s why Instagram could be getting rid of this feature for good. Instagram is expanding its test of a feature that hides their public “like” counts. The test began in Canada in back in April, and, starting on Wednesday, the test expanded to Ireland, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. At this point, this is still just an experiment, and Instagram hasn’t said whether or not the feature will come to the US–but this gradual implementation into different areas could be the platform’s way of introducing a really big change. As for the tests going down in these 7 countries, Instagram users can opt out of the test, but it’s on by default. “Likes” aren’t shown in any public part of the app, including on public-facing grids or on the main feed, but the person who posted an image can still see the “like” count privately. We’re currently running a test that hides the total number of likes and video views for some people in the following countries: Australia Brazil Canada Ireland Italy Japan New Zealand pic.twitter.com/2OdzpIUBka — Instagram (@instagram) July 17, 2019 There have been a lot of positive and negative reactions to this newly implemented test run, with most of the concern being for the livelihood of Instagram’s influencers. After the initial idea was announced, Elle ran a story titled “Instagram Is Experimenting With Hiding Likes, Which Would Make It Much Harder to Be an Influencer,” which points out that brands care a lot more about hiring influencers with high engagement rates (a high percentage of likes compared to their follower count) on their posts than they do about how many followers someone has. On the contrary, marketing blogger Charles Tumotto Jackson argued that influencers would be fine — probably just pivoting to a higher reliance on Instagram Stories. That’s where they can use the swipe-up feature to link directly to purchasing pages, and “everything becomes measurable and even more transparent than it used to be.” Plus, like mentioned above, the influencers themselves can still see how many likes are being brought in, which is something they can show to a brand just like the back-end analytics already provides–proving once more that their business and livelihood probably won’t be affected by this change as much as people think. Whether you’re trying to build your influencer game or you just frequent the platform to see what your friends are up to: how do you feel about public “like” counts possibly being no more?
Source: Peter Cade / Getty Instagram Might Be Getting Rid Of Their Public Like Count Sometime Soon Some of us like to act like we don’t care about Instagram likes–and some of us actually, really don’t care. But others have built entire careers off the number of likes they can pull in per picture, so there’s definitely something important about the number under that little heart icon on all of our pictures. While the number of people who double tap certain photos seems pretty arbitrary, a lot of people are starting to think more and more that the attention we pay to social media can be harmful to our self-esteem, mental health, and other factors in our real life. That’s why Instagram could be getting rid of this feature for good. Instagram is expanding its test of a feature that hides their public “like” counts. The test began in Canada in back in April, and, starting on Wednesday, the test expanded to Ireland, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. At this point, this is still just an experiment, and Instagram hasn’t said whether or not the feature will come to the US–but this gradual implementation into different areas could be the platform’s way of introducing a really big change. As for the tests going down in these 7 countries, Instagram users can opt out of the test, but it’s on by default. “Likes” aren’t shown in any public part of the app, including on public-facing grids or on the main feed, but the person who posted an image can still see the “like” count privately. We’re currently running a test that hides the total number of likes and video views for some people in the following countries: Australia Brazil Canada Ireland Italy Japan New Zealand pic.twitter.com/2OdzpIUBka — Instagram (@instagram) July 17, 2019 There have been a lot of positive and negative reactions to this newly implemented test run, with most of the concern being for the livelihood of Instagram’s influencers. After the initial idea was announced, Elle ran a story titled “Instagram Is Experimenting With Hiding Likes, Which Would Make It Much Harder to Be an Influencer,” which points out that brands care a lot more about hiring influencers with high engagement rates (a high percentage of likes compared to their follower count) on their posts than they do about how many followers someone has. On the contrary, marketing blogger Charles Tumotto Jackson argued that influencers would be fine — probably just pivoting to a higher reliance on Instagram Stories. That’s where they can use the swipe-up feature to link directly to purchasing pages, and “everything becomes measurable and even more transparent than it used to be.” Plus, like mentioned above, the influencers themselves can still see how many likes are being brought in, which is something they can show to a brand just like the back-end analytics already provides–proving once more that their business and livelihood probably won’t be affected by this change as much as people think. Whether you’re trying to build your influencer game or you just frequent the platform to see what your friends are up to: how do you feel about public “like” counts possibly being no more?
Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz Every once in a while, the internet can be a beautiful place and not just ground zero for drama. A video of a producer by the name of DJ Track Addict making its rounds on Twitter set him up with an opportunity of a lifetime to work with Meek Mill . Wednesday (July 17) the video of the producer working on speaker knocking on his MPC machine went viral on the social media network. Users put out the signal for the Dreams and Nightmare to hop on the beat that — they felt was perfect for him — and he answered the call. I had 1000’s of people @ me in this …. now where is it https://t.co/6DZpZM5EMm — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 17, 2019 Where is thing guy at … the game needs you!!!! https://t.co/vPHf5tyf2L — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 17, 2019 The producer soon responded to Meek Mill letting the Philly rapper he is ready to work. I'm right here g! #Practice https://t.co/tv8mNqAddf — Tr!zzyTr@ck (@DJTRACKADDICT) July 17, 2019 Meek followed that up by extending an invite to the rapper to link up in the studio and to bring more heat in the form of beats of the same quality. From there it would seem two immediately got to work and a new song by the name of “Free Meek” being the product of the session. Ima make some fiya from scrolling on twitter watch lol — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 17, 2019 I am fucking this beat uppppppppp — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 18, 2019 It’s called #freemeek — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 18, 2019 From there the “24/7” rapper shared some lyrics from the forthcoming track and even shared a snippet of what fans could look forward to when the full song drops. It’s deceiving when they give you probation you think you leaving but in get technical when they giving violations for even breathing — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 18, 2019 I took my pen and pad and turned it into businesses… this ain’t no cap I used to trap now my business lids… now I can’t tell you mind ya business cause my business is …really on ya mind where ya fitted is — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 18, 2019 View this post on Instagram #meekmill jumped on the track with that producer we posted earlier A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akadmiks) on Jul 17, 2019 at 8:26pm PDT Sounds like Meek has a serious banger on the way to add to the hits currently being played from latest album Championships . We just hope the rapper makes sure the producer is well taken care of financially. This all comes on the heels of the Dream Chasers general’s lawyer asking his 2008 conviction be overturned at a July 16 appeals court appearance. His team is requesting that a new magistrate presides over the case and the office District Attorney Larry Krasner is in agreement. — Photo: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz
Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz Every once in a while, the internet can be a beautiful place and not just ground zero for drama. A video of a producer by the name of DJ Track Addict making its rounds on Twitter set him up with an opportunity of a lifetime to work with Meek Mill . Wednesday (July 17) the video of the producer working on speaker knocking on his MPC machine went viral on the social media network. Users put out the signal for the Dreams and Nightmare to hop on the beat that — they felt was perfect for him — and he answered the call. I had 1000’s of people @ me in this …. now where is it https://t.co/6DZpZM5EMm — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 17, 2019 Where is thing guy at … the game needs you!!!! https://t.co/vPHf5tyf2L — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 17, 2019 The producer soon responded to Meek Mill letting the Philly rapper he is ready to work. I'm right here g! #Practice https://t.co/tv8mNqAddf — Tr!zzyTr@ck (@DJTRACKADDICT) July 17, 2019 Meek followed that up by extending an invite to the rapper to link up in the studio and to bring more heat in the form of beats of the same quality. From there it would seem two immediately got to work and a new song by the name of “Free Meek” being the product of the session. Ima make some fiya from scrolling on twitter watch lol — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 17, 2019 I am fucking this beat uppppppppp — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 18, 2019 It’s called #freemeek — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 18, 2019 From there the “24/7” rapper shared some lyrics from the forthcoming track and even shared a snippet of what fans could look forward to when the full song drops. It’s deceiving when they give you probation you think you leaving but in get technical when they giving violations for even breathing — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 18, 2019 I took my pen and pad and turned it into businesses… this ain’t no cap I used to trap now my business lids… now I can’t tell you mind ya business cause my business is …really on ya mind where ya fitted is — Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 18, 2019 View this post on Instagram #meekmill jumped on the track with that producer we posted earlier A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akadmiks) on Jul 17, 2019 at 8:26pm PDT Sounds like Meek has a serious banger on the way to add to the hits currently being played from latest album Championships . We just hope the rapper makes sure the producer is well taken care of financially. This all comes on the heels of the Dream Chasers general’s lawyer asking his 2008 conviction be overturned at a July 16 appeals court appearance. His team is requesting that a new magistrate presides over the case and the office District Attorney Larry Krasner is in agreement. — Photo: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz
Source: Joshua Lott / Getty 4 Chicago Cops Fired For Cover-Up Of Laquan McDonald Murder For once there appears to be some justice when it comes to police who killed Black people . As we previously reported, the Chicago cop who killed Laquan McDonald , Jason Van Dyke, has been convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 6 years and 9 months in prison. Today, we are happy to report that the cops who tried to help Van Dyke cover-up his murderous intent have all been fired from the Chicago Police Department according to NBCNews . Chicago’s superintendent of police, Eddie Johnson, in 2016 had recommended that Sgt. Stephen Franko and officers Ricardo Viramontes, Janet Mondragon and Daphne Sebastian be fired for violating rules of conduct after the shooting, according to the board’s decision released Thursday. Franko, who was the first on-scene supervisor in the October 2014 shooting, approved reports that “contained several demonstrable and known falsehoods,” including that Van Dyke was injured by the 17-year-old, who had been carrying a knife, the police board wrote in the decision. The other three officers, all of whom were on the scene, gave statements about the shooting, and the board found that “each of the three officers failed in their duty — either by outright lying or by shading the truth.” We kinda wish these cops would be charged criminally and imprisoned too because they definitely deserve it, but at LEAST they lost their jobs. Good riddance.
Source: Michael Tullberg / Getty Luenell Talks Accepting Her “Auntie” Status, Announces Vegas Residency Congratulations are in order for Luenell, an entertainment veteran , and respected comedian. She just scored a run of shows in Vegas. While visiting The DL Hughley Show this week, Luenell talked about many things, including being comfy with being called “auntie”. Towards the end of the podcast, she spilled the good news to viewers. View this post on Instagram Tune in Tonight for the EXCLUSIVE!!! @realdlhughley @tvonetv @georgelopez @officialjessicacaban @brunomars @officialalbsure @calinanita @ogjuspeachie @snoopdogg @tgo1225 #IfYouWishUponAStar A post shared by Luenell (@luenell) on Jul 18, 2019 at 5:42pm PDT Earlier this year, Luenell joined Mo’Nique during her run of shows at Las Vegas’ SLS Hotel . The show ran from January until March and got 5-star reviews. Luenell’s solo Vegas run starts on August 4th through September 29th. She’ll be at the Jimmy Kimmel Comedy Club at The LINQ for 8 weeks straight. View this post on Instagram A post shared by realdlhughley (@realdlhughley) on Jul 18, 2019 at 9:51pm PDT Well, the cat is out of the bag! Congratulations Luenell on getting those Vegas checks!
Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty New Music: Beyonce Releases Album Inspired By ‘The Lion King’ Reboot Queen NalaYONCE was inspired by the 2019 reboot of the classic Disney film The Lion King and she gave us a full album! It’s called The Lion King: The Gift and it’s blowing up the internet. Beyoncé says the project was meant to be “ a love letter to Africa ” in a recent interview. Although curated by Nala herself, this is far from a solo project. Executive producer Bey solicited contributions from artists from various parts of the globe including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and South Africa. In the features, you’ll find Mr Eazi, Yemi Alade, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, and Tekno sing in multiple languages. She also does duets with Donald Glover and Kendrick Lamar. Even though The Gift is a separate project from the film’s official soundtrack, that doesn’t stop Beyoncé from telling that timeless story of the Pride Lands through each track. Are YOU excited for it yet? Check it out below!
All children are a blessing. We’re not here to argue this point. But some men and women are simply incompatible and, yes, even dangerous together and they really should not share any kids. Yes, we’re looking at you when making this statement, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and Jen Harley. The on-again/off-again/on-again/off-again/holy-crap-are-they-really-on-again?!? couple is already parents to an adorable daughter named Ariana. She was born in April of 2018 and her parents have spent every other week since fighting, arguing and alleging that the other assaulting him or her. We’re barely even exaggerating here. And yet… Ronnie just admitted that he and Harley remain a couple and MTV viewers watched in shock on Thursday night when Ronnie dropped a different kind of bombshell: He said Harley might be pregnant again. On the latest installment of this revived reality series, the group took a trip to Lake George, New York in order to help Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino get his mind off his recent jail sentencing. And this mission was quickly accomplished once everyone was sitting around a bonfire and Ronnie said his sperm may have fertilized Jen’s egg for the second time. “You might be pregnant?” replied Jenni “JWOWW” Farley. “Shut the f-ck up. Ronaldo, are you serious?” “Maybe,” he responded. “She’s late. … She wants to take [a pregnancy test] now, but I told her to wait. I want to be there when she does it.” “My mind is blown right now,” Mike confessed. Vinny Guadagnino, meamwhile, won the night with the best reaction, offering his friend some life advice while also asking the question on everyone’s minds: Pull the f-ck out. What the f-ck is wrong with you? Ronnie didn’t let these responses get him down, however. Yes, he and Jen have had their problems — and then some. It was only a few months ago that Ronnie claimed Jen assaulted him with an ashtray and Jen claimed Ronnie ransacked her Las Vegas apartment. However, “I love being a father,” he said on air last night, adding of the possibility that Harley is expecting again: “I mean, I did it once. Second time will be the same thing, if not better.” Continued the muscular veteran MTV personality: “I’m excited about it, you know. “I would rather have another child with Jen than have another child with another woman. Why would I want to have three baby moms? It’s like, let’s have kids, get one baby’s mom, and that’s what it is.” In their interviews with producers, though, other cast members weren’t quite so optimistic about the situation. Remember, they think Jen totally sucks . “It’s definitely crazy to think Jen’s pregnant again, because we just never know where they are in their relationship – if they’re happy, if they’re fighting, if she’s dragging him with a car,” said Snooki. “I just want them to be good before they bring another baby into the world.” Farley echoed this sentiment: “I feel like they need about five years of therapy before another child. It’s my opinion, I’m allowed to have it. But apparently, they’re fine. As he’s sitting there with another black eye.” And Pauly D? Let’s have your thoughts… “Like, what the f-ck, dude? You haven’t learned yet? “Their relationship is a roller coaster. The last thing they need to do is have another baby. Ron says he’s fine with it, but we all know it’s only a matter of time before he falls apart.” Watch Jersey Shore: Family Vacation Season 3 Episode 2 Online Ronnie did check into rehab earlier this year for alcoholism and depression. This either means he’s at a healthier place than ever before… or that Harley drove him to seek professional help and his pals are right, she’s a very bad influence on him. In the end, the question of Jen’s pregnancy was not resolved on the episode. But it was filmed months ago and there’s been no talk of her being with child since, so it’s safe to assume this was a false, very scary alarm. After all, Ortiz-Magro talked to Us Weekly just a few days ago and said his relationship with Jen is actually great, never bringing up an impending baby. “Things are good and I think it’s because I made a change and I stopped doing the same thing over and over again,” he told this tabloid, concluding: “I started just focusing on myself and stopped worrying about what other people wanted from me, and what I want for myself. So right now things are good.” View Slideshow: Ronnie Ortiz-Magro Reveals Rehab Stint, Admits Hitting Rock Bottom
