Tag Archives: festival

‘The Hangover’ Actor Dies From Apparent Suicide

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Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news.  ( Terms and conditions ). Source: Patrick McMullan / Getty Actor and comedian, Brody Stevens was known for his appearance on “The Hangover,” Chelsea Lately” and more. According to Crime Online , Stevens was found dead in his Los Angeles home from an apparent hanging. Sign Up For Our Newsletter! Close Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. Email Submit The 48-year-old was known for being a regular at comedy clubs in Los Angeles. His representative said, “Brody was an inspiring voice who was a friend to many in the comedy community. He pushed creative boundaries and his passion for his work and his love of baseball were contagious. He was beloved by many and will be greatly missed. We respectfully ask for privacy at this time.” SEE ALSO:  Kristoff St. John’s Ex-Wife Blames His Death On The Hospital Where His Son Committed Suicide Two days prior to his death, Stevens performed at Festival of Friendship in Burbank as well as the Comedy Store that evening. On Twitter, he wrote about how excited he was about the event. I’m ready to get back on the festival circuit. — Steven BRODY Stevens (@BrodyismeFriend) February 21, 2019 Several celebrities including, Bob Saget sent condolences to his family and spoke about what an amazing person Stevens was. He said on Twitter , “Brody Stevens ~ Such a funny man. Such a good man. We need you and your comedy. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Loved Brody. Rest In Peace kind soul. @BrodyismeFriend.” Brody Stevens ~ Such a funny man. Such a good man. We need you and your comedy. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Loved Brody. Rest In Peace kind soul. @BrodyismeFriend — bob saget (@bobsaget) February 22, 2019 Reports state that Stevens suffered from bipolar disorder and depression. In 2011 he was hospitalized for his mental illness. We will continue to keep the family, friends and fans of Brody Stevens in our prayers. Celebrities that have committed suicide below. ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : Jussie Smollett Turns Himself In Over Disorderly Conduct Charge [PHOTO] Wendy Williams To Return To Her Talk Show After Long Break Barack Obama Spent His Presidents’ Day With John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, And Ayesha & Stephen Curry [Photos] [ione_media_gallery src=”https://rickeysmileymorningshow.com” id=”1777313″ overlay=”true”] Follow @TheRSMS

‘The Hangover’ Actor Dies From Apparent Suicide

SMH: It Looks Like Kendrick Lamar & SZA Won’t Be Performing “All The Stars” At The Oscars

Source: Scott Dudelson / Getty SZA & Kendrick Lamar Won’t Be Performing Oscar-Nominated “All The Stars” According to an exclusive report from Variety , Kendrick Lamar and SZA won’t be performing at The Oscars this year. Despite efforts from The Academy to secure the TDE labelmates for a performance of the their Oscar-nominated collaboration, “All the Stars” on the upcoming Oscars telecast. The reason for the two not performing their track from Black Panther Soundtrack , according to a source close to the situation, is both logistics and timing. Lamar was also noticeably absent from Grammys this year, after reports that he declined performing for that broadcast, as well. All four of the other nominated songs–“When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings” from “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (Gillian Welch and David Rowlings), “The Place Where Lost Things Go” from “Mary Poppins Returns” (Bette Midler and Marc Shaiman), “I’ll Fight” from “RBG” (Jennifer Hudson) and “Shallow” from “A Star Is Born” (Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper)–will be performed. A previous plan for The Oscars was reportedly to showcase only “All the Stars” and “Shallow,” but that was quickly changed in the face of backlash and nominee solidarity, also following a report from Variety about that plan. “All the Stars” was nominated for four Grammys this year, including nods for both record of the year and song of the year. “King’s Dead,” another one from the Black Panther Soundtrack , earned Kendrick Lamar and his partner Jay Rock a Grammy for best rap performance, while Ludwig Göransson’s original score won a Grammy for best score soundtrack for visual media. Even though their lack of performance has been confirmed, there’s still no word on whether or not Kendrick Lamar and/or SZA will be in attendance at the Oscars ceremony.

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SMH: It Looks Like Kendrick Lamar & SZA Won’t Be Performing “All The Stars” At The Oscars

Deathrace for Love: Juice WRLD Teams Up With Cole Bennett To Drop A Visual For “Robbery” [Video]

Source: Matt Jelonek / Getty Juice WRLD Releases A Music Video For “Robbery” Juice WRLD just dropped off his latest music video and this time, it’s for his track “Robbery.” The Chicago native released the visual just 24 hours after the single itself, which shows the rapper spending his Valentine’s day seeing an ex-lover get married to someone else. Starting February 21, Juice is going to accompany Nicki Minaj as a supporting act on the European leg of her Nicki WRLD Tour. Check out the visual for “Robbery” below:

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Deathrace for Love: Juice WRLD Teams Up With Cole Bennett To Drop A Visual For “Robbery” [Video]

Rapper Mystikal Free On Bond After 18 Months In Jail

Source: Bennett Raglin / Getty After 18 months of being behind bars, he is coming home. Rapper Mystikal is free on a Three million dollar bond. The cash reportedly came from an advance after the Louisiana rapper signed a new record contract and family funds. Mystikal, real name Michael Tyler has been in jail since August 2017 due to charges including  first-degree rape  and second-degree kidnapping. Mystikal’s lawyers believe that he will eventually be cleared of all charges. His lawyer, Joel Pearce told TMZ “Based on all of the evidence we have, we strongly believe that an amicable resolution is not only possible but probable as an outcome in this case and that Michael Tyler will never be made to return to jail for a crime he didn’t commit.” Mystikal was sentenced to six years in state prison in 2004 after pleading guilty to forcing his hairstylist to perform sex acts.

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Rapper Mystikal Free On Bond After 18 Months In Jail

Seen On The Scene: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx & More At SBIFF’s Cinema Vanguard Award Presented By Belvedere Vodka

Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx & MORE at SBIFF’s Cinema Vanguard Award Presented by Belvedere Vodka Source: Andrew Toth / Getty Belvedere Vodka presented Michael B. Jordan  with the Cinema Vanguard Award at the 34 th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the historic Arlington Theatre. The Cinema Vanguard Award recognizes actors who take artistic risks and making a significant and unique contribution to film.   Source: Andrew Toth / Getty MBJ  was surprised onstage by Jamie Foxx, who presented him the award. Jamie Foxx brought the house down with his introduction of the 2019 SBIFF Cinema Vanguard Award recipient. Michael B. Jordan assured fans there’s going to be a “Creed III”, despite reports that Sylvester Stallone has said “Creed II” was his last Michael B. Jordan’s arrival was “the biggest and loudest” in SBIFF history, according to the festival’s organizers, “they’d never seen or heard so many fans”, some of whom had been waiting all day! Following the screening, VIP guests were invited to the Arlington Theatre Courtyard for an after-party presented by Belvedere Vodka, including a show-stopping bar with dozens of illuminated Belvedere bottles and signature cocktails including the Belvedere Classic Martini and the Belvedere Espresso Martini which were paired with light bites. For more photos of Michael Bae and more, hit the flip!

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Seen On The Scene: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx & More At SBIFF’s Cinema Vanguard Award Presented By Belvedere Vodka

2019 Sundance Film Festival Nudity Recap

The 2019 Sundance Film Festival wrapped up this weekend in Park City, Utah, and we’ve got the skinny on some of the nudity seen at the festival!… read more

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2019 Sundance Film Festival Nudity Recap

Wu-Tang Ain’t Always For The Children: RZA & Ghostface Killah Are Developing A Horror Film Inspired By True Events

Source: Phillip Faraone / Getty Ghostface Killah And RZA Are Developing A Horror Movie RZA  and  Ghostface Killah  are making some major moves in order to expand their filmography. According to reports from Deadline , the hip-hop legends along with producer Shaun Redick (from films like  Get Out and BlacKkKlansman ) are teaming up to develop a film titled  Angel of Dust.  The movie is said to be a “suspense horror thriller” that RZA himself will direct. The film is reportedly inspired by true events the members of the Wu-Tang Clan experienced while growing up in the Staten Island Projects. Ghostface developed the story idea along with his manager Caruso. Matt Leslie and Stephen J. Smith were tapped to write the modern-day adaptation of the script. Angel of Dust  is supposedly going to center on an exceptionally smart teenager and talented rapper named Casey, who is forced to grow up in the streets of Shaolin following the mysterious death of his parents. The boy ends up being confronted by gangs, crooked cops, junkies, along with “a serial killer with seemingly supernatural powers.” “It’s hard to fathom a better way to celebrate the Wu-Tang Clan’s 25th anniversary as rock and rap creative icons than producing a cutting-edge suspense thriller loosely based on true events that though terrifying helped shape one of the greatest groups of all time,” Redick said. “The writers, Leslie and Smith have taken this original idea to seismic levels.” But of course, any film wouldn’t be complete without some music–especially one being made by rap legends. The Wu-Tang Clan will provide the  Angel of Dust  soundtrack, which is going to be produced by both Ghostface and Caruso. RZA will score the movie. “The creative collaboration of RZA and Ghostface has stood the test of time through our music,” RZA explained. “Now the opportunity to put our creative energies together onto the silver screen has arisen and I’m turbo charged. Bong Bong!” Angel of Dust ‘s release date has not yet been announced.

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Wu-Tang Ain’t Always For The Children: RZA & Ghostface Killah Are Developing A Horror Film Inspired By True Events

A Rap Tour: Earl Sweatshirt Drops Short Film ‘Nowhere, Nobody’ Before Announcing North American Tour [Video]

Source: Scott Dudelson / Getty Earl Sweatshirt Releases Nowhere, Nobody And Announces Tour Earl Sweatshirt’s  latest and long-anticipated project,  Some Rap Songs,  is now becoming a rap tour. Earlier this week, the rapper announced that he is embarking on the a tour beginning in March, which will also feature his “friends” MIKE, BbyMutha, Na-Kel Smith, LIV.E and Black Noi$e. In addition to the exciting tour announcement, Thebe also released a short film titled  Nowhere Nobody , directed by Naima Ramos-Chapman and Terence Nance. Throughout the feature’s eight minutes, the audience is introduced to none other than Earl Sweatshirt himself, who plays a basketball coach who uncovers a man wrapped in ivy, among many other things. Check out the short film for yourself down below along with dates for Earl’s upcoming tour.     A Tour Starring Earl Sweatshirt & Friends: March 23 – New Orleans, LA @ BUKU Festival March 25 – Charlotte, NC @ Underground March 26 – Washington, DC @ Fillmore March 28 – Baltimore, MD @ Sound Stage March 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ TLA March 30 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza March 31 – Providence, RI @ Fete April 2 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club April 4 – Montreal, QB @ Corona Theatre April 5 – Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix April 7 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall April 9 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cabooze April 10 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada April 11 – Denver, CO @ Cervantes Masterpiece April 14 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox April 15 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom April 16 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom April 18 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades April 19 – San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom April 20 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst April 21 – San Luis Obispo @ The Fremont Theater April 23 – Pomona, CA @ Glass House April 24 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo April 26 – Las Vegas, NV @ Vinyl April 27 – San Diego, CA @ SOMA April 28 – Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red May 1 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s May 2 – Dallas, TX @ Canton Hall May 4 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Ballroom May 5 – Birmingham, AL @ Saturn May 6 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Heaven)

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A Rap Tour: Earl Sweatshirt Drops Short Film ‘Nowhere, Nobody’ Before Announcing North American Tour [Video]

This Day In Black History: February 1st- Actress Ruby Dee In Shakespeare Festival

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Source: Anthony Barboza / Getty   Here’s some key events that happened on this day brought to you by Black Facts 1. 1997 – First 24-Hour Black Movie Channel BET Holdings and Encore Media Corp. launch BET Movie/Starz the first 24 hour Black Movie channel. 2. 1997 – Black Facts Online Goes Live! Black Facts Online, the premiere spot for Black history goes online. 3. 1990 – Original Sit-In Revisited In Greensboro, North Carolina, Joseph McNeil, Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair), Franklin McCain and David Richond repeated the original sit-in of 30 years prior, by having breakfast at the Greensboro Woolworth store. 4. 1990 – Ida Wells Postage Stamp Issued Ida Wells, a black reformer who compiled records on lynching, is the subject of a United States Postal Service stamp. 5. 1978 – The first stamp of the U.S. Postal Service’s The first stamp of the U.S. Postal Service’s Black Heritage USA series honors Harriet Tubman, famed abolitionist and “conductor” on the Underground Railroad 6. 1974 – Good Times premieres “Good Times” premieres on CBS. 7. 1967 – Poet Langston Hughes dies Poet Langston Hughes dies. 8. 1965 – Selma Demonstration Ends in 700 Arrests More than seven hundred demonstrators, including Martin Luther King Jr., arrested in Selma. 9. 1965 – Actress Ruby Dee in Shakespeare Festival Ruby Dee was the first African American actress to play a major role at the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford Conn. 10. 1960 – Sit-in Movement in Greensboro, North Carolina Four students form North Carolina A&T College started Sit-in movement at Greensboro, N.C., five-and-dime store. By February 10 movement had spread to fifteen Southern cities in five states. 11. 1952 – Singer Rick James born Rock/Funk singer Rick James is born 12. 1937 – Actor/Comedian Garrett Morris born Actor/Comedian Garrett Morris, formerly of Saturday Night Live, born in New Orleans, Louisiana. 13. 1926 – Negro History Week Begins What is now known as Black History Month, was first celebrated on this date as Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson. It became a month long celebration in 1976. 14. 1902 – Langston Hughes One of the most famous poets, Langston Hughes was born in the year 1902. Hughes came from the Harlem Renaissance, the early stages of the Black Arts Movement. Hughes was well known in the streets of Harlem, making him one of the greatest poets of all time. Before his death in 1967, he wrote fifteen collections of… 15. 1887 – J. Robinson patents food carrier Robinson, J. Dinner Pail Feb. 01, 1887 Patent No. 356,852 16. 1871 – 1st Black to Speak in US House of Representatives Jefferson Long of Georgia became the first Black to make an official speech in the House of Representatives. He opposed leniency to former Confederates. 17. 1870 – Jonathan Jasper Wright Jonathan Jasper Wright is elected to the South Carolina Supreme Court. He is the first African American to hold a major judicial position. 18. 1865 – First African American Before US Supreme Court John Sweat Rock (1825-1866), a noted Boston lawyer, became in 1865 the first African-American to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the first Black person to speak before the U.S. House of Representatives. 19. 1865 – Ratification of the 13th Amendment The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, was adopted by the 38th Congress. Ratification was completed December 6, 1865. 20. 1834 – Henry McNeal Turner Born Henry McNeal Turner was born on what is now Hannah Circuit, near Newberry, which was then in Abbeville County, South Carolina. Young Turner was “bound out” to the hardest king of labor in the cotton fields and the blacksmith’s trade in Abbeville until his “manhood” at age 12. He possessed an insatiable craving for…

This Day In Black History: February 1st- Actress Ruby Dee In Shakespeare Festival

Michael Jackson: Child Abuse Documentary Amounts to "Public Lynching," Family Claims

Earlier this month, millions of viewers were stunned by the Lifetime docuseries Surviving R. Kelly — which focused on the decades of sexual assault allegations against the singer. Now, it seems Michael Jackson is receiving the same treatment, via a four-hour documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival Friday night. The film, Leaving Neverland , focuses on the stories of two of Jackson’s accusers, Wade Robson and James Safechuck. As the doc has yet to secure a distributor and a wide release, it has thus only been seen by a select group of festival attendees. But if their reactions are any indication, Leaving Neverland may contain another scathing new information for the King of Pop to be forever stripped of his crown. “It only takes about two minutes into the four-hour documentary Leaving Neverland to realize that Michael Jackson’s legacy is never going to be the same again,” wrote Benjamin Lee in his review for The Guardian . “spoiler alert: Michael Jackson 100% sexually abused a lot of children,” tweeted IndieWire’s David Ehrlich. Shortly after the film’s release, Jackson’s estate issued a strongly-worded statement that was published in full on Rolling Stone ‘s website: According to Jackson’s reps, the film constitutes “the kind of tabloid character assassination Michael Jackson endured in life, and now in death.” The statement continues: “The film takes uncorroborated allegations that supposedly happened 20 years ago and treats them as fact.” Now, Jackson’s family is also hitting back with a statement that questions both the integrity and the intentions of the filmmakers. “The truth is on our side,” writes the family. “Go do your research about these opportunists. The facts don’t lie, people do.” The statement continues: “We are furious that the media, who without a shred of proof or single piece of physical evidence, chose to believe the word of two admitted liars over the word of hundreds of families and friends around the world who spent time with Michael, many at Neverland, and experienced his legendary kindness and global generosity. “We are proud of what Michael Jackson stands for. “People have always loved to go after Michael. “He was an easy target because he was unique. But Michael was subjected to a thorough investigation which included a surprise raid of Neverland and other properties as well as a jury trial where Michael was found to be COMPLETELY INNOCENT.  “Michael Jackson was and always will be 100% innocent of these false allegations.” The Jackson family’s statement can be read in its entirety here . Sexual assault allegations followed Jackson throughout his career, but none of the many accusers were able to help secure a conviction. The Jacksons have decried the film as a “public lynching” of a man who is no longer here to defend himself, while others feel that Leaving Neverland might finally provide a modicum of justice and peace of mind to the singer’s victims. Many are concerned about the effect the film might have on Jackson’s children, particularly his troubled daughter Paris, who reportedly refuses to watch the documentary. We’ll have further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available. View Slideshow: Michael Jackson Accused of Grotesque Child Abuse in New Documentary

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Michael Jackson: Child Abuse Documentary Amounts to "Public Lynching," Family Claims