Source: Radio One/ CS The Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin has died at the age of 76, after years of health complications. Friends of the Franklin family say she’s been ill for a long time. RELATED : 10 Hip-Hop Songs You Didn’t Know Sampled Aretha Franklin Reports surfaced that Aretha Franklin’s health took a turn for the worse over the past weekend and the family has been anticipating her death. Aretha Franklin retired from music last year, leaving a music legacy that will last a lifetime. The legendary American singer and songwriter is survived by her four children. RELATED: The World’s Most Influential Diva: Aretha Franklin [GALLERY] The Latest Music, Celebrities and Interviews: Follow @majicatl 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
C athy Hughes , the Founder and Chairperson of Urban One, Inc. , who counted Aretha Franklin as a close friend, issued the following statement following the announcement of the Queen of Soul’s death on Thursday: Today I join my community, my industry and the world in mourning the loss and celebrating the life of my dear sister, friend, and ally, Aretha Franklin. I send my love and offer prayers of grace and peace to the members of her family, her friends and colleagues who walked alongside her and shared her with tens of millions of fans around the world. I have so many fond memories of Aretha. Throughout her career, I was blessed to share her music and her iconic story. I am humbled to have been a part of her journey and to have served as an eyewitness to the evolution of her artistry and the formation of her legacy. For more than 60 years, Aretha Franklin shared her gift and touched the world. She was a musical pioneer whose voice defines an era, amplifies a sound and reflects the range of who we are as black people. It is no wonder that Rolling Stone Magazine listed her as number one on its list of “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.” Aretha’s music commanded “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” and that song not only became a rallying cry during the civil rights movement but also served as an anthem for women who still identify with its message, today. Her timeless classics also became historical markers in our personal journeys and our collective story as a community. She understood her progress was our progress, her success was our success, and when the door opened for her, it opened for us as well. Aretha was unapologetically black. She was committed to black music and black radio. She understood its role in her career and remained loyal to our company across the years. Like many of our musicians, Aretha’s musical roots are embedded in the black church, and gospel music was at her core. Her talent transcended genres and not only earned her the title of the “Queen of Soul” but also the distinction of being the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And while many will remember her for all of the titles she has received, I believe, Aretha Franklin, in her own words, said it best, “being a singer is a natural gift. It means I’m using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I’m happy with that.” And Aretha Franklin, so are we. Rest in peace my sister. With total love, respect and appreciation, Cathy Hughes Chairperson [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3821346″ overlay=”true”]
James Gunn has been fired as director of Guardians of the Galaxy 3. The decision to remove Gunn from the project arrived on Friday after conservative uncovered old tweets by Gunn in which the filmmaker joked about controversial topics such as pedophilia and rape. Gunn has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump over the past several months and, some believe, had been targeted by Republicans such as Jack Posobiec. But that doesn’t change the fact that Gunn did write the Tweets in question. “The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’ Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values, and we have severed our business relationship with him,” Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said in a statement announcing Gunn’s departure. Gunn directed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and was hired awhile back to helm its follow-up. The very old Tweets at the center of this scandal have since been deleted, but Internet users posted screenshots that appear to show the director had written jokes about assault and other subjects. A sample: “Laughter is the best medicine. That’s why I laugh at people with AIDS.” Another: “The best thing about being raped is when you’re done being raped and it’s like ‘whew this feels great, not being raped!'” On Thursday, in response to this growing scandal, Gunn Tweeted: “Many people who have followed my career know, when I started, I viewed myself as a provocateur, making movies and telling jokes that were outrageous and taboo. “As I have discussed publicly many times, as I’ve developed as a person, so has my work and my humor.” He continued: “It’s not to say I’m better, but I am very, very different than I was a few years ago; today I try to root my work in love and connection and less in anger. “My days saying something just because it’s shocking and trying to get a reaction are over.” Most of the inappropriate messages were sent in 2008 and 2009. They were dug up by conservative outlet The Daily Caller. Gunn issued a statement on Friday afternoon, saying that he “regretted” the tweets in question and stressed that “they don’t reflect the person I am today.” The director added in his lengthy response to the flap: Regardless of how much time has passed, I understand and accept the business decisions taken today. Even these many years later, I take full responsibility for the way I conducted myself then. All I can do now, beyond offering my sincere and heartfelt regret, is to be the best human being I can be: accepting, understanding, committed to equality, and far more thoughtful about my public statements and my obligations to our public discourse. To everyone inside my industry and beyond, I again offer my deepest apologies. Love to all. Gunn has been penning the script for Guardians 3, and the film was expected to begin shooting in Atlanta in the fall for an expected 2020 release date. He had been keeping fans apprised of his progress via social media messages such as the following: Marvel has not yet announced a replacement for Gunn. Do you think he deserved to be fired for these Tweets?
Source: Dan MacMedan / Getty Mary J. Blige will be seeing ghosts in her next movie project. According to Variety , he Mudbound star has just signed on for the new flick Body Cam. It’s a horror-thriller that tells the story of several LAPD officers who are haunted by a malevolent spirit. Their haunting is tied to the murder of a Black kid by two White police officers — all of which was captured on body cam footage that was destroyed in a cover-up. Mary J. will play a police officer who starts to see visions and investigates the cover-up. Malik Vitthal , who directed the John Boyega- led Imperial Dreams , is set to direct Body Cam , while the script has gone through rewrites from John Ridley ( 12 Years A Slave ) and Nick McCarthy from a script originally penned by Richmond Riedel. The Get Out -esque movie could be another big move for Mary J. Blige following her Oscar nomination for her role in Mudbound. Along with Body Cam , she’ll also be starring in the Netflix show The Umbrella Academy. Seems like M.J. is taking on the industry full steam and we’re totally here for it!
Source: David Livingston / Getty Jada Pinkett Smith swears she knew when her eldest child lost his v-card. On her new show Red Table Talk, she tells her daughter Willow Smith “I knew the night— the night!— Jaden lost his virginity.” The famed actress credited her own “intuition,” but we think Jaden most likely made it hot when he walked into his house (late) looking like a brand new man. Hit the flip for 5 photos that depict how we imagine he rolled up to his mama’s house after getting some for the first time.
Source: Unique Nicole / Getty Karen Civil is the latest celebrity to stop by The Breakfast Club , and she was there to promote her new series on Complex titled, Good Looking Out . Throughout her interview, Civil talks about meeting new up-and-coming entrepreneurs, why she’s single and what she looks for in a man, and how she goes about strengthening her brand. Being behind the scenes for huge names like Nicki Minaj and Nispey Hussle , Karen definitely knows her way around the industry, and she reveals some of her secrets to success along the way. If you’re someone who is into the behind-the-scenes of business or you’re looking to make yourself and entrepreneur, this interview is a must-see.
Alan O’Neil, a veteran actor best known for his role on the final two seasons of Sons of Anarchy, was found dead on Wednesday night. He was 47 years old. According to TMZ, O’Neil’s body was found in the hallway of her Los Angeles apartment this week, with all appearances indicating that he died very suddenly. The actor reportedly had a history of heart problems and was also a heavy smoker. Moreover, TMZ reports, O’Neil struggled over the years with alcohol and drug abuse. An autopsy will be conducted at some point in the near future to determine cause of death, but law enforcement sources say no foul play is suspected at this time. A veteran actor who has made a living in this industry since the 1990s, O’Neill is likely best known to American audiences for the role of Hugh on the aforementioned FX hit. He portrayed this excommunicated member of the IRA for seven total episodes and even appeared on the series finale in 2014. However, O’Neil’s longest run on a series took place in Ireland’s Fair City, on which he portrayed a main character named Keith McGrath. He had just been cast in a horror film called Charlie Lives: The Family’s Return prior to his tragic passing. “My good friend Alan O’Neill died today….we worked together on The Sons Of Anarchy…my condolences to his family,” actor Timothy V. Murphy Tweeted in response to O’Neil’s death this evening. “So sad to hear of the passing of Alan O’Neill who played ‘Keith’ in Fair City,” actor Seamus Power wrote, continuing: “Always enjoyed working with him. Rest In Peace old pal.” “Thinking of him, his family and friends…and all his fans. Rest easy,” added a fan on social media. This very sad loss comes just one month after another Sons of Anarchy star, David Labrava, revealed on that his 16-year-old son, Tycho Spelis Chiusano, had taken his own life after battling depression . “Never in a million years would I think I would be posting this,” he wrote on Instagram in mid-May, adding at the time: “This is my boy Tycho. He took his life a couple of days ago at 16 years old. “He suffered from a depression we couldn’t see because he was a happy young kid. I am broken.” Elsewhere, back in 2012, Sons of Anarchy Johnny Lewis was found dead at age 28. View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Died in 2018: In Memoriam
As far as I’m concered, Bella Thorne is the most interesting character on Social Media, I would say she’s the most influential girl besides the Kardashians. She gets paid a ton of money to post bullshit. She has been able to manipulate the music charts with her music that I will avoid listening to but that I appreciate because she’s gaming everyone. I like a girl exploited by her mom who gets how the industry works, and brings it….tell a story, show a raw and real side of you, even it is contrived and you will excell…I mean as long as you show off your body, which is a great body, fake tits or not, man face or not, repetitive or not…she’s the real deal….the instagram success story of an otherwise fifth tier actress. Good hustle! I respect all hustle….with tit. TO SEE THE REST OF HER PICS CLICK HERE People fucking love her. TO SEE THE REST OF HER PICS CLICK HERE
As far as I’m concered, Bella Thorne is the most interesting character on Social Media, I would say she’s the most influential girl besides the Kardashians. She gets paid a ton of money to post bullshit. She has been able to manipulate the music charts with her music that I will avoid listening to but that I appreciate because she’s gaming everyone. I like a girl exploited by her mom who gets how the industry works, and brings it….tell a story, show a raw and real side of you, even it is contrived and you will excell…I mean as long as you show off your body, which is a great body, fake tits or not, man face or not, repetitive or not…she’s the real deal….the instagram success story of an otherwise fifth tier actress. Good hustle! I respect all hustle….with tit. TO SEE THE REST OF HER PICS CLICK HERE People fucking love her. TO SEE THE REST OF HER PICS CLICK HERE
Source: Sebastian Prudent / GlobalGrind After being called “illiterate,” a “caricature” and more by Azealia Banks this week, Cardi B took the steps to secure her peace of mind leading up to the birth of her baby. Cardi B Carefully Pens (& Proofreads) IG Note For “All The Akeelah & The Bees Out There” Cardi deactivated her Instagram and made her Twitter private Saturday, explaining in a tweet, “I’m tired of the bullshit. I need to enjoy my pregnancy, family, new projects and my partner. Listen to Invasion Of Privacy .” Saturday, she wrote, “I speak how I speak. My mom speak broken English my dad speak Spanish and i use a lot of hood slang. That’s that!” Her final IG post addressed Azealia’s critiques of her in more detail, and with carefully proofread grammar and punctuation “for all the Akeelah And The Bees:” ”You think because someone uses a lot of big words and long sentences that makes them smart!? How smart are you if you don’t know that the meaning of illiterate means to not know how to read or write. I can do both, and speak two languages fluently. Just because I mix a few words up, forget to use commas, or misspell a few words doesn’t make me illiterate, and doesn’t make me stupid. And, because I laugh a little harder or talk a little louder doesn’t make me a caricature!” Cardi B deactivates her Instagram and makes her Twitter account private: “I’m tired of the bullsh*t. I need to enjoy my pregnancy.” pic.twitter.com/nzsnzDZ96Q — Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 12, 2018 You can see Banks’ latest comments on The Breakfast Club below, but she’s been publicly critical of Cardi since last September when she called her “a poor man’s Nicki (Minaj) .” At the time, Cardi responded by sharing a clip of Banks dancing to “Bodak Yellow” with the caption, “One of the reasons Bodak Yellow went #1 cuz even the HATERS LOVE IT!!” Azealia Banks addresses why she called Cardi B an “illiterate untalented rat” on The Breakfast Club pic.twitter.com/hPVCLCCdhM — Muse Buff (@MuseBuff) May 11, 2018 Banks claims that Cardi’s glow up is driven by colorism, and the industry’s desire to derail intelligent conversations about racism and sexism. She told The Breakfast Club , “There was just this really, really, really intelligent conversation going on nationally and then everything just kind of changed, and then it was, like, Cardi B.” Banks added that she was “talking about this caricature of a black woman that black women themselves, would never be able to get away with.” On The Breakfast Club , she argued, “If my spelling and grammar was that bad, I’d be canceled… I just don’t understand the extreme lack of couth. I’ve never seen that at the forefront of rap. I didn’t know that the standards…the bar…would be lowered so much.” Banks wasn’t impressed by Cardi’s recent responses to the interview: She wrote, ”You and whoever wrote this reply for you don’t have the intelligence to engage in this not-so-complex discussion.” She added, “I spoke about it for all of two minutes in an interview and you respond by calling me unattractive, mentioning my bleaching my skin, and telling me to ‘suck your ass’, immediately proving yourself to be exactly who I thought you were.” On her newly privatize Twitter, Cardi retweeted the latest streaming numbers, which put her at 11.8 million streams this week. Most streamed female artists on global Spotify (May 11; via castle13) #1 @iamcardib 11.8m #2 @DUALIPA 10.7m #3 @ArianaGrande 8m #4 @taylorswift13 7.9m #5 @rihanna 6.7m — chart data (@chartdata) May 13, 2018 The numbers back up Cardi’s point, but the skintones of the all the other women on the list suggest there’s some truth to Azealia’s bigger point.
