M otown Records will forever be embedded in the fabric of music and its founder is ensuring that the record label’s legacy prevails for generations to come. According to Crain’s Detroit Business , music mogul Berry Gordy has donated $4 million towards the expansion of the Motown Museum. Motown founder Berry Gordy makes $4 million gift for museum expansion https://t.co/8QoVZA0Hbk pic.twitter.com/83IrCMZde5 — Crain's Detroit Business (@crainsdetroit) September 4, 2019 The museum—which is housed inside of the record label’s first headquarters—captures the history, impact and influence that Motown has had on the music industry and beyond. It highlights Gordy’s entrepreneurial start and features the narratives of legendary artists like The Jackson 5 , Stevie Wonder , Marvin Gaye , and The Temptations who were instrumental in the success of the label. In October 2016, the museum revealed plans for a $50 million, 50,000-square-foot expansion. As part of the project, there would be more interactive exhibits, a performance theater, recording studios, retail shops and meeting spaces added. So far there has been $18 million raised and Gordy’s contribution is the largest from an individual donor. “I’m excited about the future of Motown Museum and happy to support it,” 89-year-old Gordy said in a release. “Not only will the expanded museum entertain and tell the stories of talented and creative people who succeeded against all odds, but it will also inspire and create opportunity for people to explore their dreams the way I did mine. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of that.” Other donors include the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, DTE Energy Foundation, and Ford Motor Co. Leaders of the museum say they want to expand their impact in the local community by fostering job creation and economic growth. Robin Terry —who serves as the chairman and CEO of the museum—says that with Gordy’s contribution the institution can move forward with solidifying itself as a world-class entertainment and educational destination. SEE ALSO: Motown Museum Expansion To Bring More Cultural, Economic Opportunities To Detroit Songwriters Hall Of Fame To Induct Jay Z, Berry Gordy, Jimmy Jam And Terry Lewis [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3886893″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Victor Boyko / Getty Another Twenty88 Album Is Reportedly In The Works Big Sean and Jhene Aiko’s relationship is confusing, to say the least. The two have been collaborating on music for years now, but they released their first collaboration album under their name Twenty88 back in 2016. Though rumors were flowing before that, this is the same year they went public with their romantic relationship, as well. Things got so serious that Jhene got Sean’s face tattooed on her, but fans started to suspect that they broke up once she got it covered about a year later in 2018. Their break-up wasn’t confirmed by either of them until more recently, as Jhene released a freestyle about Sean titled, “Triggered” and Sean followed that up with a single aptly titled, “Single Again.” Though this is about as much confirmation as someone needs to know these two are broken up, things got even more confusing once fans realized Jhene was the one singing on her ex’s song about being single. This suggests that the two are still good friends post-break-up and want to put their personal feelings aside to keep their working relationship alive–which Sean seems to have confirmed on Friday. Once again causing some confusion on the status of their rollercoaster of a relationship, the two were seen having lunch together at Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills on September 13. Though they reportedly dined together, they left separately, and paparazzi caught Sean as he was driving away. When The Hollywood Fix asks Sean if another Twenty88 album is coming, the rapper smiles and gives a big nod. See his confirmation of new music with Jhene for yourself:
Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Megan Thee Stallion Signs With Roc Nation Management Hot Girl Meg has her own bag, but now she’s in Jay-Z’s too! The Houston rapper just announced she’s now a part of the Roc Nation family. Last week, Megan was seen hanging with Jigga at a Puma event in NYC and now we know they were probably sorting out their business dealings. “I would like to announce that I am officially a part of the @rocnation fam,” Meg revealed on Instagram. “The grind don’t stop!” View this post on Instagram I would like to announce that I am officially apart of the @rocnation fam!!! The grind don’t stop ! #realhotgirlshit A post shared by Hot Girl Meg (@theestallion) on Sep 13, 2019 at 1:18pm PDT According to Complex , Meg will continue to release her music through 1501 Certified Ent/300, but Roc will give her a huge push as part of their management team. Shortly after the deal was revealed, Megan reflected on her career and her late mother. “After my mom passed I promised myself I was going to keep going hard bc not only is music my dream but it was her dream for me too,” she wrote. “I have days where I want to go hide and cry bc she’s not here but i kno that ain’t what she would want me to do! I kno she’s proud of me !” After my mom passed I promised myself I was going to keep going hard bc not only is music my dream but it was her dream for me too. I have days where I want to go hide and cry bc she’s not here but i kno that ain’t what she would want me to do! I kno she’s proud of me ! — HOT GIRL MEG (@theestallion) September 13, 2019 It’s been a huge year for Thee Stallion already. Congratulations to her!
Source: LukaTDB / Getty Florida Teen Charged With Trying To Put A Hit Out On Her Own Parents According to CBS Miami , a Florida teen was arrested this week and charged with attempting to have her parents killed. Alyssa Michelle Hatcher,17, allegedly stole nearly $1,500 from her parents’ bank account to pay for the murder-for-hire plot. According to the place records, Hatcher used $400 to pay a close friend to have her parents killed, and when the friend failed to carry out the attack, she paid another person $900 to do it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The girl’s boyfriend reported to investigators that he had seen her at “a known drug house” where she told him she wanted to kill her parents. When an investigator at her home interviewed her, Hatcher said that in addition to paying two people to kill her parents, she also used the money she had stolen from her parents to buy cocaine. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Hatcher has been officially charged as a juvenile with two counts of criminal solicitation for murder.
Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Two Of London On Da Tracks Baby Mamas Allege He’s An Ain’t Isht Daddy Messy. Music producer London On Da Track thought he was flattering by proclaiming his urge to knock up his current lady Summer Walker, but that backed fired. Now, TWO of the mothers of his existing kids are calling him out for not being present. London posted a coupled-up photo of him and Summer Walker. Smitten, the father of three kids already wrote in the caption, “ we could go half on a baby ?? on purpose ?” View this post on Instagram @summerwalker we could go half on a baby on purpose A post shared by
Source: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty Fetty Wap’s Daily Essentials Include Champagne And Some Serious Ice Just like any other rapper, there are a few simple things Fetty Wap can’t live without when he hits the road. From his 18 carat gold chain and Rémy Martin Champagne to his AirPods and Clive Christian cologne, the New Jersey native stopped by GQ to gives fans an inside look at what he needs by his side on a day-to-day basis. Here’s ten things Fetty Wap can’t live without:
Source: OGUT/Star Max / Getty Despite Rumors, Tinashe Is Not Signed To Roc Nation Those rumors that Tinashe is signed to Roc Nation are getting squashed just as quickly as they made headlines. TMZ caught up with the singer as was leaving Craig’s in West Hollywood Thursday night, which is when they asked if it’s true she’s joining Jay-Z’s legendary label. Unfortunately for those hoping for a deal, she tells paparazzi that she’s an independent artist and still hasn’t signed anything. As the publication points out, Tinashe’s wording is very interesting here, because she seems to hint that there is an offer out for her–but she’s just not signing any deals until she puts out some music on her own first. Interesting. Even though the notion of a big signing bonus couldn’t sway her right now, the roster of artists on a label like Roc Nation sure does sweeten the deal. Tinashe makes it clear she’d be excited to work with the company that boasts artists like Rihanna sometime in the future. Maybe we’ll see a partnership between Roc Nation and Tinashe someday down the line, but for now, we’re getting a healthy helping of independent Nashe. We’re here for it.
Source: Hello Beautiful / Courtesy of Hello Beautiful and Madame Noire On Wednesday evening, Madame Noire and Hello Beautiful held a screening for ‘ The Weekend ,’ a new screenplay written and directed by Stella Meghie. The rom com is about a comedian named Zadie, played by Sasheer Zamata, who spends the weekend at her judgmental mothers’ (played by Kym Whitley) bed and breakfast with her ex-boyfriend (played by Tone Bell) and his new girlfriend (played by DeWanda Wise). The movie begins with Zadie doing a stand-up routine essentially discussing how stupid it is to think she could actually be friends with her ex-boyfriend before leading us directly into the movie. The trailer for this movie doesn’t do the actual movie justice. I was pleasantly surprised when watching this movie at the painfully honest, relatable moments that many Black women can feel when fully trying to let go of an ex. The movie is beautifully shot and the lighting for the movie is extremely well done. I loved that Meghie cast two dark skin women to play the lead and illustrate that they are desirable by men whether it’s with their natural hair or their weaves. The movie shows the range of DeWanda Wises’ acting and Sasheer Zamata will leave you gasping for air with laughter. At the screening, actor Tone Bell was in conversation with Madame Noire culture editor Veronica Wells and admitted that out of all the actors’ Zamata ad-libbed the most. He further revealed, “We had a lot of fun with this movie but many parts were cut out, I realize, if they left it in, it would have been a totally different movie.” I’m glad it’s the movie it turned out to be. It was refreshing and relatable and easily can become a cult classic in the Black community. I haven’t felt anything so authentic since Awkward Black Girl back in its YouTube days. Zamata is undoubtedly the star and in future I want to see everything and anything she’s involved in. The movie releases Friday, September 13th and will be available in select theaters and on demand. This is definitely one to watch! Keep clicking to see images from the screening party in New York City hosted by Madame Noire and Hello Beautiful .
Source: GEOFF ROBINS / Getty Keke Palmer is living her best life! When the 26-year-old triple threat isn’t busy sharing co-hosting duties on Strahan, Sara and Michael , she’s working on other projects in TV, film and social media. Her most recent foray onto the big screen is Hustlers , female-helmed stripper revenge drama that also stars Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, Constance Wu, and Lizzo. Palmer plays Mercedes, a crafty comedic vixen who is down with the #GirlGang of strippers hustling unwitting clients out of money. Hustlers is in theaters today, and we got to briefly chat Palmer about preparing for the film, her NYFW debut, comedic aspirations, and how the Marvel Universe would be a good look for her! Hello Beautiful: Tell me about Mercedes and what attracted you to the role? Keke Palmer: What attracted me was that when I read some of her lines, I felt like she was a bit of a comic relief, and I really love and have been excited in the past few years with just my skits on my [social media], and just really going into comedy and embracing that aspect of myself. So, I was excited about the opportunity to showcase some of that, but then also just the entire group of women that I would be working with. The director was great. This is a movie that’s very gag-worthy where it’s like, strippers and Jennifer Lopez! Yes! But then to meet her and to know that it’s a movie that had depth, that the production also put women in a very powerful position and that it was going to be very cinematic; I was like, okay, I really want to be a part of this! HB: Your character didn’t have any pole routines, but I heard you went and took some classes at Foxy Fitness in Manhattan. Is that true? KP: Yes. HB: Did you train with Ashley Fox? KP: I did go there but I feel bad that I don’t remember the girl’s name, but I did go there. I know that Foxy Fitness is where we went and did a training class. I just wanted to try it because so often people at say that it’s such a good workout and there’s also so much fun. So I was just like in my life. I’ve been trying to make time to go to one and when I did the movie I said, they’ve got somebody that’s doing classes. I might as well just go and so me and Lili [Reinhart] went and we had a blast, but it was not easy. HB: Did you learn anything about the pole community that you didn’t know before? KP: I think I really understood that pole dancing is a true art. Even if you are a stripper in the club, it doesn’t mean you know how to pole dance. That’s something that some girls never learn or never play with. So for me, I was just like, if you’re a pole answer you are dope! HB: Okay, so you had a big moment at NYFW. You walked your first runway with cornrows and red lipstick. So what did that mean to you? What does that mean for the brown girls out there who might still be afraid to wear red lipstick or think that brains can’t be chic? KP: We got to step into ourselves and own ourselves, which I think many of us do! This is the thing, people might have comments about your hair being this way or being that way, but I think the real point is that it’s about what you think. So if you’re not into something then cool, that’s your prerogative, but we can’t do it based off of what other people think about us. And I think the most beautiful thing about you is what is uniquely you. I did the big chop a couple of years ago and embracing my natural curls and finding ways to compliment them has been such an amazing and empowering journey for me because don’t nobody have this hair! This is my journey. Just don’t get to a place where you feel like what you have already isn’t good and like you have to fix it. HB: So speaking of hair, I heard you know how to do hair like with sewins and what not! KP: Yup, I do! HB: Do you know how to braid too? KP: Yep. HB: With extensions? KP: I do know how to braid with extensions, but I need to get better at tucking. HB: So let’s say you’re going on vacation soon and don’t feel like dealing with your hair. What would be your go-to braided style? KP: I would just do two braids. HB: With hair added or just natural? KP: I would do it with my natural hair, especially if I’m on vacation. Who the hell I’m tryna impress [laughs]? I’m on vacation love, two braids! And then if I had somebody do it, I might do individuals. Braids are always a perfect go-to. HB: Absolutely and they last forever. Well not forever— KP: But they do, somewhat! HB: Going back to red lipstick, what’s your favorite red right now? KP: I used to feel like yuck about dark colors, but not because of my complexion, because sometimes I felt like it aged me. I always try to keep a very youthful type of look, but I’ve learned different ways to rock red lips that have made me feel like, okay, this is a moment. This is how I pull the look together. I think really figuring out, you know, maybe I don’t go heavy on the eyeshadow, maybe I do something lighter, or maybe just an eyeliner is what I need and sometimes I’m not going to go too heavy on the contour but I’ll go heavier on the lip. It’s about finding different ways to enhance it. I think because a red lip, I don’t care what comes out you are. It’s always strong color in matching it and figure out what it looks good with. HB: Back on a more serious note, how do you feel about black female visibility in the media right now? I feel like It’s always changing. It’s always Ebbs and flows. I feel like sometimes it’s what you seek out. It depends on what you’re looking for; if you’re looking for something that’s commercial. We don’t always see that Black Panther moment [but] I want to be the kind of person that says I’m happy we’re getting a Harriet Tubman film. I’m happy that Viola Davis has her own hit show. I’m happy that Will Smith broke the record on Netflix. There are great people out there that are representing and getting major platforms to do it, but of course, at the end of the day, the more people that we can have of color, of more diversity, the better. We can have men and women, young and old, Black and White. That way, more our stuff is going to look realistic to the world. If we only have certain people that are putting the movies together and putting the music together, putting the Fashion shows together, they’re not going to relate to as much to the other groups that are being ignored. I want more representation to be behind the scenes because if they’re behind the scenes then we’re going to see it in front. HB: It’s funny you mentioned a Black Panther moment because I high Key want you to be part of the Marvel Universe. I want you to play Madam Slay or something! KP: O h my God! I would love to be a part of Marvel! And you know I’m with Disney now, girl! That would be a dream. I would love to do an action movie. HB: What are some other types of roles are you looking forward to? KP: I’m definitely in the bag of comedies and action. I’m loving to do that kind of thing or a coming of age story, like to put you in the mind of an everyday movie. So often, especially as black people, we either do something very dramatic or it’s just funny, but it’s never like Bridget Jones’s Diary or the kind of movies that Jennifer Aniston. We don’t often get those kinds of things from the perspective of, I’m just a Black woman living life and that’s why I’m excited for Issa Rae’s new movie, The Photograph because I think it’s going to be just a day in the life. You know, I want to see Black women, just everyday Black women. I also really love Taraji’s What Women Want. I love those kinds of movies where it’s just like this just a story, that’s just how life is, it’s just a vibe. That’s something I’m very interested in giving especially to the millennial, young adult a generation. HB: You mentioned the sketches you do online earlier, and I’ve seen some on Instagram. It’s so unique because you only have a certain amount of time to convey your message so talk about why you’ve opened yourself to that lane as an actress? KP: [Social Media] is a very powerful tool because in this industry, especially knowing how it is with traditional talent, it’s kind of hard because there’s only so much you can do when it comes to people seeing you for a role. And, wanting to produce things takes a lot of time. When I produced Pimp, that took us almost six years. So social media is something that you can do quick and fast and you can create an avenue for yourself that maybe the industry doesn’t see for you and you can actually accumulate data and proof that it works and you can learn your audience and then it becomes easier when you go to knock down the door. A s a creative rebel was just saying that this is what I want to do. I had no platform to really do it other than this one so I’m going to do it. And at first, people didn’t know what was going on when I did, “The gag is!” or when I did, “Southern Belles.” It was something that they didn’t expect but it’s just me expressing myself, following my audience and just really trying to entertain and also have fun doing it. RELATED POSTS GET THE LOOK: Keke Palmer’s Black and Neon Style Won’t Set You Back One Month’s Rent Money! Cardi B Cast In Stripper Revenge Drama With J-Lo And Keke Palmer
