Joaquin Phoenix calls BAFTA out on “systemic racism” in film

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Joaquin Phoenix attending the after show party for the 73rd British Academy Film Awards. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 2, 2020. See PA story SHOWBIZ Bafta. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/PA Wire

Joaquin Phoenix received the best leading actor award at the British Academy Film Awards on February 2, 2020. As he received his award he gave a scathing speech that called out the film industry on it’s biases.”We send a very clear message to people of color, that you are not welcome here. I think thats the message were sending to people who have contributed so much to our medium and our industry and in ways that we benefit from.” said Phoenix

Phoenix is shining the light on an ongoing problem in the film industry. In 2016 the Oscars were called to task when an #OscarsSoWhite movement/boycott was started. In that year all 20 actors nominated in the lead and supporting acting categories are white.

The biases that exist in the film industry are engrained in the fabric of white supremacy. Phoenix addresses this in his speech “We have to really do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism.” he said. He also mentions he has been part of the problem.

The Oscars seemed to be headed down the same road this year when the nominees were being announced for the 92 annual show. Cynthia Erivo quickly shifted that narrative with her best actress nomination for Harriet. That helps the Oscars avoid the shutout but still does not fully address the lack of diversity. Many actors have require inclusion riders in their contracts to address diversity on the set before they take roles. This is a direct response to business as usual and holds studios accountable.

Actors and actresses like Ben Affleck, Frances Mcdermott, Matt Damon and Michael B. Jordan have all adopted this practice to create a more equitable and fair industry. On March 7, 2018 Michael B Jordan announced from his instagram that his company Outlier Society would be adopting the inclusion rider. “In support of the women & men who are leading this fight, I will be adopting the Inclusion Rider for all projects produced by my company Outlier Society. I’ve been privileged to work with powerful woman & persons of color throughout my career & it’s Outlier’s mission to continue to create for talented individuals going forward.” posted Jordan

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgCi2dEBKzd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Take a look at Jaoquin’s speech below.

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Mahomes and the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV during Black History Month

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It has been 50 years since the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl. They can finally say they are Super Bowl Champion again in 2020 with a 31 -20 win over the San Francisco 49er’s. The 24 year-old Patrick Mahomes from Tyler Texas becomes the 3rd Black quarterback to win the Super Bowl. It’s even more sweet because it happened at the start of Black History Month. Mahomes can now add MVP and Super Bowl champion to his list of accomplishments. He is the youngest player to win MVP in the Super Bowl.

San Francisco had the momentum for most of the game but Kansas city would not be counted out. The 49er’s were winning the 3rd down conversion war until they were stopped on a crucial conversion that swung the momentum. Mahomes drove 65 yards down the field and found Damien Williams for a 5 yard touchdown reception. The 49er’s got the ball again and Garropolo got sacked. The Chiefs got the ball back and Williams closed the deal with a 31 yard touchdown.

The score is not indicative of how close the game actually was. This was definitely one for the ages. Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Kelis says Pharell and The Neptunes stole her publishing

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Kelis – (Photo source instagram @kelis)

Kelis is pulling no punches as she readies a tour for the 20 year anniversary of her album Kaleidoscope. In an interview with The Guardian she shares how she didn’t get paid for her first 2 projects that were exclusively produced by the producing duo. The publishing deal did not work in her favor. “I was told we were going to split the whole thing 33/33/33 which we didn’t do” she continued “Their argument is “Well you signed it” I’m like: “Yeah I signed what I was told, and I was too young and too stupid to double-check it” Kelis story is one that is quite prevalent in the music industry.

When asked why she isn’t angry about the situation Kelis states “To be honest with you, I think if it were not for my faith, I feel like that would probably be the case. It’s very clear to me, especially being on a farm, that whatever you put into the ground that is what’s going to come back to you. 

Kelis life in the industry has been extremely public. Her ex-husband is the legendary rapper Nas. They were married from 2005 to 2009. She has one child with him. In 2018 Kelis made claims of Nas abusing her mentally and physically. Nas has since denied all of those claims on an Instagram post. Kelis addresses why she is so outspoken in more detail during The Guardian interview “Well I’m a very private person and whether it’s the stuff with the Neptunes and being assaulted in the home, I fought so hard to have my own voice, even with the umbrella of these men looming over what I was trying to do. I’m not broken. But I don’t feel like protecting the sanctity of the Black man anymore.” she said

Kelis will be starting The Kaleidoscope tour on March 3, 2020 in Europe.

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Mase calls Diddy out because of his shady business

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Mase at V 103 Block Party in Chicago 2019 (Photo credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre)

Mase will always and forever be associated with Bad Boy Records. Sean Combs aka “P Diddy” aka “Puffy,” created a cultural swell of unforgettable music and moments during the 90s that rolled over into the millennium. The tragic death of Biggie represented a major loss to the culture of hip-hop, rap music and Bad Boy as a label. Mase came on the scene and provided a much-needed jolt to the label. He resurrected Bad Boy during the shiny suit era. 

Everything seemed to be working out for Bad Boy until contract disputes were made public by The Lox and Mase. In Nov. 2005, The Lox orchestrated a “Free The Lox” campaign. They aired Diddy out on Hot 97 while guests of the Angie Martinez’s show. Mase did something similar when he pulled up on Diddy at Atlanta’s V103 radio station so that he would release him from his contract. 

It seems evident that Diddy’s business dealings have not always been in favor of his artists. Earlier this year at Clive Davis’ 2020 pre-Grammy party, Diddy was honored with the Icon award. He gave an impassioned speech about being for the artists and putting The Academy “on the clock” with regards to being fair with Black artists. Mase witnessed this speech and took to Instagram to call Diddy out on his hypocrisy. 

Mase posted a picture of Meek Mill asking why all of the Black artists are in racist contracts with “different race men”  on his Instagram, then took it a step further. Read the post below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7_enI5jxlg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Mase has an axe to grind and in this social media age, the entire world will know.

“Your past business practices knowingly has continued purposely starved your artist and been extremely unfair to the very same artist that helped u to obtain that Icon Award on the iconic Bad Boy label. For example, u still got my publishing from 24 years ago in which you gave me $20k.” he posted.

He continued stating that he offered Diddy two million dollars for his publishing, but it was declined.

Let’s see how this new Sean “P Diddy” Combs, the new icon, responds to this.

Do you think Diddy is fair? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Megan Thee Stallion, G Herbo and DaBaby bring fire to WGCI Big Jam 2019

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WGCI brought out all of 2019 heavy hitters in the world of urban music for Big Jam. The Migos, DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Jacquees, Wale, and hometown favorite G Herbo made up the major lineup. The Heavy Steppers, Tink… Continue reading →

Rapper Juice Wrld dead at 21

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Juice Wrld (Photo source: instagram @juicewrld999)

Juice Wrld whose real name is Jarad Anthony Higgins died while suffering a seizure at Chicago’s Midway airport. The Chicago born rapper gained his notoriety in 2018 with the release of  the singles “All Girls Are The Same” and “Lucid Dreams” His album Goodbye and Good Riddance released in 2018 charted at number 6 on the Billboard 200. His second album Death Race For Love was released in 2019. It charted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and has been received with much critical acclaim.

According to TMZ Juice arrived on an early flight from California to Chicago. Witnesses say he suffered a seizure while walking through the airport.

Juice Wrld represented the standard when it comes to the new crop of millennial rappers that have come out recently. He turned down a spot on the coveted XXL Freshman cover and his star continued to rise after signing with Interscope.

Higgins joins an unfortunate list of rappers who have passed away in their early twenties within the past 2 years, This list includes Lil Peep, Mac Miller, XXXtentacion and Fredo Santa. All but one of the aforementioned artists have had public bouts with drugs and depression. “I dropped prescriptions to make me feel a ok, I know its all in my head” raps Juice Wrld on his song “Lucid Dreams”

Juice Wrld just turned 21 on December 2, 2019

Take a look at the video for “Lucid Dreams” below.

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Kanye West premieres his ‘Closed On Sunday’ Video

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The world has stopped for Kanye once again as he drops another video from his latest release Jesus is King. Being that today is Thanksgiving this release seems fitting. It’s a family driven song that asks the listener to put the gram away and be with your family.

The visuals are stunning and it looks like Kanye has found himself a home.

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Lupe feeds Chicago “Food and Liquor” at The Riviera

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On November 21, 2019 Lupe Fiasco came back home to Chicago to celebrate his classic debut Food and Liquor. The celebration was held at The Riviera Theatre courtesy of The Red Bull Music Festival. Take a look at a few … Continue reading →