Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images for Queerty / Getty Gay Rapper Blames Blac Chyna For Stalled Music Career Is Blac Chyna to blame for robbing gay rapper Andre Xcellence of his big break? Xcellence told Page Six the duo were planning to make music, but that Chyna ghosted him after he spent thousands putting the project together. “I was her gay. We were friends for a couple of years. I have a recording studio. She came in for some sessions with her team and we became fast friends. She knew my music and was a big supporter,” he told Page Six. Xcellence says Chyna came to him about her music career when she was “blacklisted” by the Kardashian family. “I was there the day that the Kardashians sent her a ‘frenemy’ cake to her house. She was so upset and talking about how mean they were to her and I believed it. I believed her and all of her nonsense,” he said. WAYMENT… A “FRENEMY” cake? Andre says he recorded a song with Chyna called “What Would Yo Momma Say” and the two were planning to shoot a video. “She came up with the treatment and idea. She wrote herself into the concept. I went ahead and found investors and I spent $35,000,” he claims. “She showed up for rehearsal but never came to the shoot. It was supposed to be a big breakout moment with her and we would’ve been doing LA Pride and then she backed out,” he said. “She disappeared and told me months later she’s not doing music right now.” Soooo basically Chyna ditched ol’ boy and went to LA Pride with Wendy Williams instead. “I thought she was my friend,” lamented Xcellence. “She wouldn’t do this to a straight rapper. Because I’m the ‘gay artist,’ the little guy, she thinks there are no repercussions,” he said. Meanwhile, Xcellence says he’s planning to drop another video for a track he recorded called, “Break A Bi**h” which makes Kardashian references like “I’ll break a bi**h like Chyna did Rob/like Caitlyn did Kris.” “I am going to release the video . . . Chyna specifically asked me not to because it would damage her relationship with the Kardashians even further,” he said. Sounds like a hot a** mess. Chyna didn’t seem to be sweating the situation at all this weekend. Hit the flip for photos of her on the LA party scene.
Source: Dave Bedrosian/Future Image/WENN.com / WENN Tyra Banks To Executive Produce Body Positive Mini-Series Tyra Banks has her next creation in the works. The America’s Next Top Model creator is set to star in and executive produce Beauty, a new docuseries for Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman’s short-form video platform Quibi. According to reports from Deadline , Beauty “is going to serve as a mirror for us to question societal standards that have defined us – going deep to tackle compelling topics head on in every episode, making you question everything you ever thought was beautiful… nothing will be off limits. Beauty ‘s mission is to break down barriers and challenge traditional notions, all while captivating, inspiring and exploring beauty revolutions and evolutions across the globe.” Banks also spoke about the project, saying, “As I look into the future, I see radical changes in both how people ‘attain beauty,’ and how the world perceives beauty.” She continued, “Our docu-series aims to expand and redefine the definition of beauty as we know it, challenging why we accept certain beauty parameters and reject others, and examining the beliefs behind those judgments.” Tyra will both star in and executive produce the series, which is produced by Network Entertainment for Quibi. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) on Jun 14, 2019 at 4:22pm PDT
Source: Larry Busacca / Getty Fantasia ’s seventh album is complete and she decided not to record this one alone. The American Idol alum confirmed via social media that her next LP will feature tracks with R&B gems Jazmine Sullivan and Brandy . “So Thankful for you [Jazmine Sullivan] & [Brandy],” she on Instagram. “This is an independent Album and we DID IT!!!” She didn’t reveal when the album will be available, but the project will be titled Sketchbook because she sees “her life as a painting.” The post implies that this is a joint album between Fantasia, Sullivan and Brandy but since her first single “Enough” is a solo track, it’s uncertain. Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. ( Terms and conditions ). So Thankful for you @jsullivanmusic & @4everbrandy this is an independent Album and we DID IT!!! @von_cocapt #RockSoul pic.twitter.com/YqB8jmYFAl — Fantasia (@TasiasWord) June 15, 2019 “Sketchbook has many sounds,” she said on IG. “Good Music, Its Young and Fresh, Musical, Hip, Soulful, Rockish, Popish and So Fantasia.” Now that Fantasia is an independent artist, she is free to do her music how she wants and with whom she wants to do it with. In a recent sitdown with Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, she said she jumped at the chance to collaborate with two of her favorite singers. “I turn into a little groupie when I see Jazmine,: she said. “I love her, and I love Bran. I wanted to kind of reach back and touch some different eras when it came to that girl group. “I was like, ‘Wouldn’t it be dope if we had a girl group where it was Jazmine, Fantasia and Brandy?’ Let’s just put it on an album.” Sketchbook will also feature tracks with T-Pain and Meghan Trainor. 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 This story was originally published on MadameNoire.com . ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : Sasha Obama Graduates High School [PHOTOS] Tami Ever After: Tami Roman Lands ‘Basketball Wives’ Spinoff Show Aoki Lee Simmons Stuns At Senior Prom [PHOTOS] Follow @TheRSMS
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Khloe And Kim Kardashian Support Lamar Odom’s Book They. Are. Fam-i-ly. Lamar Odom has not completely fallen out of favor with the Kardashian klan and evidence of such lies on his Instagram page. Recently Lamar posted a picture of his New York Times best-selling memoir Darkness To Light to celebrate his literary achievement. He thanked the fans, friends, family, his publicist, the book publisher, and…Khloe Kardashian. View this post on Instagram Wow don’t know where to begin. We did this! We made @nytimes best sellers list for my first book, Darkness To Light! What felt like a lifetime of writing and working on this project finally came to Light and I am grateful to YOU ALL! Your continued support and love is appreciated! It took a lot of courage for me to get so raw and candid with you all but I wanted you guys to get MY true story! I want to thank the best kids in the world @iamdestinyodom and Lamar Jr. ya’ll are my rock. Thanks for sticking with me during my hardest times. My true fans, my friends and family love ya’ll, @khloekardashian , @benbellabooks and my entire publishing team, my co-author Chris Palmer and last but not least the best publicist in the world @evesarkisyan for always doing your thing. #darknesstolight #nytimesbestseller A post shared by Lamar Odom (@lamarodom) on Jun 14, 2019 at 3:11pm PDT The warm regards didn’t fall on deaf ears (or thumbs as it were) Khloe Kardashian double-tapped the post and even left an uplifting comment for her former flame: “Look at God!!! Congratulations Lammy! Keep shining” She wasn’t the only K to leave Lamar a good tidings, Kim Kardashian also double-tapped Lammy’s grateful ‘gram. When asked about a potential reconciliation with Khloe on Jenny McCarthy’s SiriusXM show, Lamar replied: “I hope. I wake up hoping that, but you probably would have to ask her,” he said. Awwwww, poor thang.
Source: DJ Aktive / DJ Aktive DJ Aktive Releases New Single “The City” From ‘The Tour EP’ Philadelphia’s dopest disc jock DJ Aktive is preparing to release The Tour EP featuring some of the most influential artists in the game who also happen to be artists for whom he DJ’s when they go on tour. Hence, the title of the project. View this post on Instagram It’s always a pleasure working with Legendary #BossLady @janetjackson She’s the definition of hard work and dedication thanks for an amazing experience #metamorphosis #residency #Tour #Leg1 #July24th-#August17th #Leg2 Joey A post shared by DjAktive (@djaktive) on May 27, 2019 at 7:04am PDT To get a taste of what Janet Jackson’s favorite DJ is bringing on July 5th (on all streaming platforms), check out the single “The City” featuring Common, Freeway, Bri Steves, and Jazzy Jeff. Keep an eye out for all DJ Aktive content on his Instagram @DJAKtive .
Source: Jessica Alexander/Future Image/WENN.com / WENN The Hip-Hop world lost one of its most talented acts in Mac Miller last year, and the void left by the Pittsburgh artist has been massive. Jet Life Creative Director CJ Wallis announced he was putting together footage for an upcoming documentary to honor the life of the late rapper. Deadline reports : Filmmaker and Jetlife Creative Director CJ Wallis announced today via Twitter that Margrette Bird Pictures, a film company he found with Mallory Kennedy, is working on a documentary about the late rapper Mac Miller. “So, over the next year I’m going to start collecting interviews & content to make the definitive @MacMiller documentary for his family, friends & fans,” he tweeted Monday morning. Wallis then encouraged everyone to share the post and tag anyone who would be good to interview for the docu. The outlet adds that Wallis, who has worked alongside Curren$y and Jet Life affiliates Wiz Khalifa among others, wanted to put out the film via New Orleans-based Margrette Bird Pictures at an upcoming later date. However, the family has asked Wallias and Margrette Bird Pictures to hold off on the project. UPDATE: We tweeted our intentions to begin developing a doc on Mac over the next year. At the same time, we reached out to all those closest to him to begin the process of making it official. 1/4 — FORTYFPS FILMS (@fortyfps) June 4, 2019 We heard back from @christianclancy & The Estate who said the family has requested we hold off on the project at this time. We immediately compiled as the last thing we'd want is to negatively impact anyone involved, quite the opposite. 2/4 — FORTYFPS FILMS (@fortyfps) June 4, 2019 We felt comfortable announcing our intentions in advance of receiving permission because they were just that – intentions. The concept was peers telling their one favorite Mac story & cutting them together as a motivational & positive picture. Not a life story. 3/4 — FORTYFPS FILMS (@fortyfps) June 4, 2019 The outpouring of support for the doc and that it was us trying to make one was humbling, and in time perhaps we will get to see it through. For now, we have hours of incredible music and thats always been more than enough. Respect/Love…. #ripmac — FORTYFPS FILMS (@fortyfps) June 4, 2019 — Photo: WENN
B lack barbershops have been a central part of Philadelphia native Antonio Johnson ’s life. From childhood to adulthood, they’ve always been intertwined in his journey. He has vivid memories of his early experiences in the barbershop. As a child he would arrive there at 6:00 a.m. to get his haircut by his uncle—who at the time was DJ Jazzy Jeff ’s barber. There were hats on the coat hooks that marked your place in line. He remembers the scent of the alcohol going across his forehead when his haircut was completed and the feeling of invincibility when he left the barber chair. It was in a Philly barbershop owned by a local named Mr. Leon where Johnson—a Morgan State University graduate—picked up a magazine as a teen and learned about the cultural importance of historically Black colleges and universities. While traveling abroad to places like Cuba he learned firsthand that the impact of barbershops transcended geographically and culturally. The culmination of those experiences led to the creation of Johnson’s “You Next” project. For Johnson, Black-owned barbershops nestled in neighborhoods across America have far more value than simply being places where you can get a cut. Barbershops are embedded in the fabric of Black culture. They’ve become safe spaces for crucial conversations and have evolved into establishments for Black wellness. Through his photo project, You Next, Johnson visually captured the influence and impact that these businesses have on the lives of Black men and women. Bringing this project to fruition was no easy feat for Johnson. He came up with the concept for You Next two years ago and made the brave decision to leave his corporate job behind to pursue this project. He knew that You Next was something bigger than himself and wholeheartedly believed that it would be an important contribution to Black culture. “It was really tough. There were a lot of long nights where I thought about whether what I was doing was smart. It took a lot of faith to step out on that limb,” he told NewsOne. “I found inspiration in the journeys of barbers. When you start barbering you have to be confident and trusting of the process. You have to have faith that the community you’re servicing will support you. That’s what pushed me to move forward with the project. The project went through a few iterations. I wanted to create something that was new and reflective of the time that we’re in.” With the help of a Kickstarter campaign that he launched, he was able to move forward with making You Next a reality. College students from the nearby Atlanta University Center share a moment at Philly’s Finest Barber Shop in Atlanta. Credit: Antonio Johnson Johnson has had many memorable experiences along his journey. He’s witnessed toddlers get their first haircut—which he calls a rite of passage—and has been present for some heated barbershop debates about everything from sports to politics. He also got the opportunity to meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ’s former barber. Through the project, he’s been to 16 cities—including New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Oakland—and has highlighted over 100 barbershops. Johnson has transformed his photo project into a coffee table book that will feature 250 black and white images that he’s captured and poignant essays from individuals in the barber community, cultural critics, and leading voices in the literary world. The written pieces will cover entrepreneurship, gentrification, faith, and sexuality. It will be published by the Chicago Review Press and is slated to be released in September 2020. An elderly man sits in Atlanta’s Philly’s Finest Barber Shop. Credit: Antonio Johnson At a time where there is a lot at stake for Black folks socially and politically Johnson says that barbershops are needed now more than ever; especially with the 2020 presidential election approaching. He wants them to be utilized as tools to increase votership among the Black community. Going beyond politics he hopes that discussions about ownership, economic empowerment and wellness practices are brought to more barbershops. Barbershops are often a key to economic freedom for individuals who have been incarcerated. “Barbershops have cultivated a sense of community,” he said. “They are the most important small businesses in our country and when we invest in them the return is strong. The You Next project stands on the shoulders of Black barbers that started their own businesses and have allowed us to look fresh for important life milestones like birthdays, weddings, and even job interviews. You Next celebrates the most important business in our community.” Stay updated about the You Next project through Instagram and visit Antonio Johnson’s website . SEE ALSO: Barbershop Books Empowers Black Boys To Read Amid Go-Go Fight, D.C. Gentrification Threatens Important Black-Owned Bookstore [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3845233″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Prince Williams / Getty The sequel to Drake and Future’s collaborative effort What A Time To Be Alive might be closer than we think according to recent social media posts. Freebandz producer ATL Jacob shared a photo in his Instagram stories that have many believing the project will be releasing very soon. Rumblings about What A Time To Be Alive 2 began earlier this year when both Drake and Future got their fans buzzing by hinting at the album in a video with Drake saying “What’s that? We gotta cook that up. That two,” said while holding up two fingers. Future then follows the OVO general saying, “It’s already cooked. Top secret.” Drake and @1future got something coming…. #FBGOVO pic.twitter.com/fTghpOXoj6 — Word On Road (@WordOnRd) April 5, 2019 ATL Jacob’s photo he shared on Wednesday at 4:20 a.m added even more fuel to fire showing off Jacob’s hard drive with 20 freshly down audio tracks from May 23 allegedly and are labeled “FUT X DRA,” alongside files labeled “FBG” aka “FreeBand Gang.” Drake and Future’s ‘What a Time to Be Alive’ sequel teased on Instagram Excited or nah? pic.twitter.com/pbbAeZRwGc — All Love Hip Hop (@AllLoveHipHop) May 29, 2019 Future’s Instagram page is also strongly hinting that some new music is on the way as well. The “March Madness” rapper has wiped his page clean, leaving up just one post that features some new music playing in the background. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Future Hendrix (@future) on May 23, 2019 at 8:37pm PDT Whatever the case might be, whether there is definitely some new heat on the way. Future first teased at a WATTBA sequel when he shared an unreleased track featuring the Raptors’ biggest cheerleader . On the two are going back and forth with Future kicking things off with “I got 20 damn Kylies,” and Drake following up with “I got 20 damn Kendalls / Young slim baddies, and they’re in Vogue / I got 20 fuckin’ Gigis.” What A Time To Be Alive was released in September 2015 and featured production from Metro Boomin and Southside. The album reached no.1 on the Billboard 200 charts and featured standout tracks such as “Big Rings” and “Jumpman.” — Photo: Prince Williams / Getty
Lela Orr has built a career on being eco-friendly. The Project Runway star sits down with The Madd Hatta Morning Show to discuss her career, how she made the leap to shoot for Project Runway since the show’s move to Bravo, her brand FERRAH, designing Beyoncé for the Floyd Mayweather/Manny Pacquiao fight and more! Join Our Text Club To Get The Latest Music, Entertainment, Contests And Breaking News On Your Phone. Text BOX to 24042 to join! “I don’t design for a certain kind of body type, a certain kind of style,” Orr says. “It’s really any woman who wants to look elegant and fabulous.” Before Ferrah took off, Orr interned for brands such as The Row , Mary Kate and Ashley Olson’s brand as well as Harbison where she got a bird’s eye view on designing items for some big stars, including Beyoncé . “I had a lot of hands on experience working for Beyonce,” Orr exclaimed. “That was incredible, we designed a custom made piece for Beyonce for the Mayweather/Pacquaio fight in 2015. It was beautiful! It was this insane. She had a cape and the turnaround that, the actual concept started a month prior. Her team worked with Charles (Harbison) a lot and they have a bit of a relationship.” You know, the Beyonce jumper pictured below! Source: Al Bello / Getty Hear Orr talk about her favorite designs, being eco-friendly and her rise to Project Runway and more!
F ood insecurity has become an ever-growing issue within underserved communities across the country. Research showed that in 2017 nearly 40 million Americans—including over 12 million youngsters—lacked access to food. NBA star LeBron James is determined to reverse that alarming trend. According to CBS Sports , he joined forces with Walmart for a campaign to spread awareness about hunger in America. ICYMI: @KingJames teams up with @Walmart to help feed the hungry https://t.co/EIKtBKVcuE pic.twitter.com/SKvJvSMBoP — ABC 7 News – WJLA (@ABC7News) May 18, 2019 The campaign—which is called Fight Hunger Spark Change—was created to benefit the nonprofit Feeding America. Through its initiatives, the organization works to combat hunger faced by communities of color, children, senior citizens, and those living in poverty. They also address the hunger gap in rural communities. The end goal in this collaborative effort is to provide 1 billion meals for the hungry. As part of the Fight Hunger Spark Change initiative, Walmart will contribute to the pantry for underserved families at LeBron James’ I Promise School in Akron. Since the inception of this specific campaign, Walmart and Feed America have served over 975,000 meals and James has stepped in to push the project goal forward. Overall over 749 million meals have been served through Walmart’s partnership with Feeding America. “It’s an honor and a privilege for me in my community and what I’m doing here to partner with such a heavy hitter in Walmart,” said James. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon is thankful to have James participate in this initiative and believes that his platform will help amplify the campaign’s message. “What we hope to accomplish together with LeBron is to magnify each other’s efforts. We would love to help this model that he’s creating lead to a situation where it could help even more people,” he said. “Walmart has a responsibility to help strengthen communities.” James has continually lent his voice to social and political issues impacting underserved and disenfranchised communities. Check out the story behind the campaign below. SEE ALSO: Students At LeBron James’ I Promise School Show Impressive Academic Improvement Simone Manuel Talks Water Safety At LeBron James’ I Promise School [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3852563″ overlay=”true”]
