All posts by ilosm

(L) Will Smith; (R) Michael Jackson

In recent years, Will Smith has been revealing lots of interesting details about his life and his encounters with other colorful celebrities. This go ’round the rap/acting legend detailed what happened when he first met Michael Jackson. It is hilarious and awkward at the same damn time and it also involved Death Row Records founder, Suge Knight.

How He Met Mike & What Suge Had To Do With It

In his Youtube video, Will Smith said that Suge Knight is both to blame and to thank for him meeting his idol, Michael Jackson. Before fully revealing what happened, Will joked, “he still in jail, right?” referring to Suge who’s currently locked up for a 2015 hit and run incident. Will added that he just wanted to “make sure Suge is still in jail if I’m going to tell this story.”

Anywho, Will said he met Michael Jackson at the BET Awards back in the day, except instead of meeting him the way he attempted to- by walking over to him in the crowd- he met MJ in a dark, musty broom closet backstage. The reason being is because just as Will was about to go over to introduce himself to MJ, Will said Suge Knight started a big fight in the audience and caused mass mayhem.

Will explained that as the crowd begin to run for their lives, his bodyguard had to act quickly. “He opens the door and he shoves me into this dirty a$$ utility closet,” said Smith.

Recalling how he was standing in the funky closet, spooked and listening out for gunshots, as masses of people ran past the door, Will says he suddenly heard a high pitched voice say “Hey.” Lo and behold, it was Michael Jackson who, along with his bodyguards had been standing behind him in that dark closet the entire time. Apparently, MJ’s security also rushed him off to the nearest hideout they could find while Suge and his people were out there cuttin’ up.

Needless to say, Will did not want to meet MJ under those circumstances, but what happened next was even more bizarre and hilarious. As he tried to get over the shock that THE Michael Jackson was standing right there in front of him, Will said MJ asked him what he thought was going on outside the door. By then, the Fresh Prince star said he was nervous as hell, but trying to keep his cool in front of MJ, so all he could think to say was, “Suge and ‘nem trippin.”

Michael then told him, “Suge’s always trippin,’ all that success and he can’t figure out how to be happy.” Then came the odd turn in their convo when MJ asked Will, “So you like comic books?” Will says he just went with the flow and told MJ he loved comic books. That’s when MJ put him on the spot and asked which comic books were Will’s favorite, and Will made one up on the spot, named after BBD, as in Bell, Biv, DeVoe 😆.

Following their odd Suge Knight-comic book convo, Will Smith said MJ’s bodyguards then acted like they’d ‘never heard of Fresh Prince before’ and shoved him outta the way, to get MJ out of the closet and onto safety. Y’all have got to see what else he said happened in the hilarious video above.

Robert De Niro with his daughter, Drena De Niro; and grandson, Leandro De Niro
Robert De Niro’s daughter is currently going through a pain that no parent should ever have to endure, after losing her son on Sunday, July 2, 2023. In a heart-wrenching turn of events Drena De Niro has recently broken her silence and shared the details surrounding her son’s cause of death.

Drena De Niro’s son, Leandro De Niro, reportedly battled with substance abuse, ultimately losing his life to an alleged overdose.

When news first spread about her son’s passing, it was reported that law enforcement were investigating it as a possible overdose, after Raphael’s body was found seated in a chair at a New York apartment, with drug paraphenelia beside him.

Robert De Niro’s Daughter Speaks Out About Grandson’s Cause Of Death

Now, Drena has confirmed her son’s cause of death in an Instagram post, where she vented about the destruction of the drug, fentanyl. She also alleges that someone intentionally sold fentanyl-laced drugs to Leandro without his knowledge:

Drena de Niro’s social media comment about son’s death (via TMZ)

“Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him,” Drena wrote in her comments. “So for all these people still f**king around selling and buying this s***, my son is gone forever.”

Family Pays Tribute To Leandro De Niro

Raphael De Niro was the 19-year-old grandchild of Robert De Niro and his ex-wife/former model, Diahne Abbott. They adopted daughter, Drena, as an infant; and the their family seems to be a very close-knit one.

Shortly after Leandro’s death, Drena posted a heart-wrenching tribute to her son online:

“Leo my darling I love you today like the first day I held you in my arms. The same man that picked us up from the hospital when you were born drove us to the funeral home where I touched and held you for the last time . You were kindness acceptance and love and I can’t believe any of this is real YOU made everything bearable and every burden lighter. You didn’t deserve to die like this but I can only believe that God needed a strong powerful angel in their army . I’m holding you every second of every moment I’m my heart and memories until I’m with you again . My heart is broken forever . Me daddy and your family love you , I love I love you with every beat of my crying heart 💔💔💔😭🕊️🕊️🕊️”

Robert De Niro also released the following statement regarding his beloved grandson:

“I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.”

Leandro’s father, Carlos Mare, took to social media to thank everyone for their support and to honor his son with this touching message:

“If you knew him you would know. ♥️💔 Our families and friends will grieve but never forget him. Leo was a passionate young man, he loved his family and friends, he was loved his life and was curious about the world. Leo was a prolific and talented high level programmer who wanted to find a purposeful use with his talents beyond the social media calamity he didn’t care for. Like his parents he loved art and artists, he was comfortable in this tribe. Leo loved to travel the world he was a seeker who on his own explored many countries to break bread with strangers and to delve into philosophical thinking about thing’s beyond his age. He was also a young man with his own story and journey unknown to us and his friends, for it is at this age and time where a young heart seeks its place. 👼 @drenadeniro and I are thankful for all who are supporting family friends and strangers families that have also lost a soul too soon. 👼🦁”

Addiction can affect anyone, regardless of their background or upbringing. Drena’s decision to speak out serves as a reminder that behind the glamour of celebrity lives, they are real people grappling with real problems. By them sharing their story, Drena De Niro and family are not only honoring their son’s memory, but also offering solace and strength to those navigating their own path of healing.

Condolences to the family and loved ones of Leandro De Niro. May he rest in peace.

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Jay-Z with his mother, Gloria Carter

Love is a force that knows no limits, and in the beautiful journey of Gloria Carter, mother of rap legend and business mogul, Jay-Z, we witness a powerful tale of self-discovery and acceptance. With courage and grace, Gloria Carter has just chosen to marry a woman, blazing a trail of love, authenticity, and resistance against societal expectations, and we salute this beautiful queen and her new wife for doing so.

Wedding Details

Gloria jumped the broom with her longtime partner, Roxanne Wilshire, in New York City on Sunday (July 2, 2023) night.

TMZ reports that Gloria’s daughter-in-law, Beyoncé; and many others including Kelly Rowland, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Tyler Perry, and Robin Roberts were in attendance at the star-studded Tribeca, NY wedding and reception.

Breaking Chains and Paving the Way

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Gloria Carter’s choice to marry a woman challenges the limitations placed on us by society, particularly when it comes to gender, sexuality, and marriage. Her story acts as a catalyst for vital conversations about LGBTQ+ rights and equality. By embracing her authentic self, she encourages others to do the same, further paving the way for a culture of acceptance and understanding; while also offering a beacon of hope and courage amidst a sea of doubts for others who may be struggling with their own identities.

Gloria and Jay-Z’s Journey Made Him Cry Tears Of Joy

(L) Jay-Z and mother, Gloria Carter; (R) Beyonce with mother-in-law, Gloria Carter

Family dynamics can be complex, especially when personal identity and sexual orientation come into play. Yet, Jay-Z’s unwavering support for his mom’s decision has been a testament to love and understanding. He has publicly praised Gloria’s courage and celebrated her commitment to living authentically. In his song, “Smile,” – from his 2017 album, 4:44 – Jay-Z rapped about his mom’s journey and the struggles she endured for decades regarding her sexuality:

“Mama had four kids, but she’s a lesbian/Had to pretend so long that she’s a thespian/Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate/Society shame and the pain was too much to take,” Jay Z rapped. “Cried tears of joy when you fell in love/Don’t matter to me if it’s a him or her/I just wanna see you smile through all the hate/Marie Antoinette, baby, let ’em eat cake.”

Their unbreakable bond showcases the power of unconditional love, defying societal expectations.

An Inclusive Message For All

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Gloria’s marriage to a woman helps to amplify the need for inclusivity and acceptance in our society. Her story challenges traditional notions of what constitutes a “normal” family, emphasizing the significance of respecting and acknowledging diverse relationships. By celebrating her union, we inch closer to a world that values love above all else, irrespective of gender or sexual orientation.

Her journey serves as a reminder that love should be celebrated in all its forms, transcending societal barriers and expectations. Through her story, Gloria invites society to embrace inclusivity, redefining the boundaries of love and relationships. Ultimately, her marriage reminds us that love knows no bounds, capable of transforming lives, families, and communities for the better. Wishing the newlyweds many years of marital bliss.

Gladys Knight

So often we look at icons, like Gladys Knight, as almost being super human and we sometimes forget that they endure heartaches and tragedies, just like the rest of us. Unfortunately, in 1999, Gladys Knight suffered the worst tragedy that no parent should have to face when her son passed away.

Knight’s son, who was also her manager since the mid 80’s, James “Jimmy” Newman III, died at the young age of 37 on July 10, 1999. His death happened suddenly and the shock of his passing hit his Mother and loved ones by complete surprise.

Gladys Knight with her son, James “Jimmy” Newman III and daughter, Kenya Newman

Although it was never officially confirmed, there have been several reports throughout the years, that Jimmy allegedly died of a 2-day alcohol and cocaine binge, ultimately causing him to pass away in his sleep from alleged heart failure at his Las Vegas home. It is also worth noting that there were several reports stating he died of natural causes, but for a healthy young man, that account raised some people’s eyebrows. Regardless of what caused his alleged heart failure, he sadly was just way too young and had much more life ahead of him.

Jimmy was a very intelligent brotha and his ambitious attitude is what allowed him to not only successfully manage his iconic Mother’s career after graduating from college, but also the careers of his his uncles and cousin in the Pips (of Gladys night & The Pips).

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Michelene, two daughters, three sons, a sister, and three brothers.

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If it is accurate, that Jimmy passed away as a result of drugs and alcohol, then the pathology within his story runs really deep. You see, Jimmy’s father, James Newman II, died as a drug addict at the age of 35, only a few years after he and Knight’s divorce. James II was a jazz musician from Atlanta and he was also Knight’s first husband and her high school sweetheart. They married when Knight was 16 in 1960 and eventually divorced in 1973. During their marriage, they had two children- Jimmy and Kenya.

In her book, Between Each Line of Pain and Glory: My Life Story, it was implied that Knight’s success was too much for two of her husbands to handle (she’s been married four times total). Neither her ex, James II, nor her second husband, music exec Barry Hankerson, could allegedly deal with her superstardom.

Gladys’ marriage to her third husband, motivational speaker Les Brown, was a whole ‘notha story. She said that between his roaming eyes for female attention other than her’s, and the oftentimes long distance relationship they had to endure because of their professions, their marriage was doomed.

Today, Gladys Knight has found a way to cope with the never-ending pain of losing her son, Jimmy. She and her remaining children have moved forward and at one point, were they both in business with their mother.

The gold in Gladys Knight’s story is that perseverance can carry you a long way- even through the most unbearable pain; and that pathologies-whether good or bad- can not only affect one’s life, but also loved ones’ lives forever. Gladys Knight has been through hell and back and she’s turned out to be an excellent display of what strength looks like. She’s 74 years young now, she’s been happily married to her husband, corporate consultant William McDowell since 2001, and she’s still pushing past pain, haters, and odds successfully.

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Scene from “The Matrix” film

Many of you might remember this actor from the 1995 film, “Panthers,” where he played the late Black Panther founder, Huey P. Newton. He also starred in “The Matrix” movie (the first installment) and in “Roots” back in the day, as well as in several other roles. We knew Warner Bros. actually had him arrested after the film was released (we’ll get to that in a minute), but what we didn’t know was that his dad is a VERY popular Old School actor who we ALL know and both of them have been involved in controversies throughout the years. Check this out ILOSM fam’…

MARCUS CHONG’S DAD IS ACTOR, TOMMY CHONG (Of “Cheech And Chong)

Actor, Tommy Chong

Marcus Chong’s dad is actor, Tommy Chong! Remember him from the “Cheech and Chong” movies back in the day?!! The 85-year-old actor actually adopted Marcus in 1978. Marcus (55) is African American and Chinese, and his birth father is a successful (retired) news broadcaster in San Franciso, CA. Not sure why Marcus was adopted by Tommy and his then-wife, Shelby Fiddis, but Tommy is who he knows as his father. I tell ya’ we learn something new around here everyday. SEE WHY WARNER BROS. HAD MARCUS CHONG ARRESTED…

MARCUS CHONG GOT THROWN OUT OF WARNER BROS. STUDIOS?

Actor, Marcus Chong, in “The Matrix” film

In an interview with IAmSoNotHollywood, Marcus Chong said Warner Bros. gave him an “illegal” non-union deal for “The Matrix” movie. The purpose of an actor being in a union, like SAG, is so they’re rights are protected and their contracts are honored. After asking Warner Bros. film producers, Larry and Andrew Wachowski about it, Chong says he was excluded from the film’s promo events and ultimately physically thrown out of the movie premiere by bodyguards at Warner Bros. Studio! After the films huge success, Chong says the producers constantly called him to do a sequel and even drew up a contract behind he and his agent’s back, but he refused to sign. Chong was resistant because:

“They [the Matrix film producers] wanted to starve me out, hold all my money, take all my residuals, not give me any pension credit, not give me any health credit, and I was upset because I had worked for Warner Bros. when I was 10 years old in “Roots,” so they had a long relationship with me,” says Chong.

Later Chong said he was “threatened” by Steven Slack, who was apparently affiliated with the producers for Warner Bros. at that time and wait ’til you see what Marcus said happened next!…

DEATH THREATS & ARRESTS?!!

Marcus Chong

Marcus Chong said after having a heated meeting with Warner Bros.’ Steven Slack, Slack called him and asked for his address and when he asked Slack what he wanted it for, Chong says that Slack told him he “couldn’t say it over the phone.” So Chong told him “I’m taking that as a threat, don’t come near my house.” After the threat, Chong got a small camera crew and went to the police station to report and document the threat by and to also report that Warner Bros. had “stolen” his money, but within 15 seconds Chong said the police arrested him instead:

“I was arrested because when Steve Slack made that invisible threat, I called Larry and Andrew Wachowski, on their voicemail and I said ‘Hey Larry, Andy, if you send anyone to my home, to fu*king harm me, I will c0me and kill you and your brother. That’s not a threat if they’re gon’ send someone to my home. But they took that and they used it as if it were a threat…anybody who comes to someone’s home, you should expect to get shot. […] I don’t own a gun, never have,” says Chong.

Chong says that Warner Bros. had sent a recording of the voicemail, along with photos of him dressed as a Black Panther from his ’95 film, “Panthers,” to the CIA, FBI, and LAPD, in an attempt to silence him from making a documentary that was going to out their allegedly shady business practices. And there it is folks…this was just a big mess. You can hear Marcus’ complete interview here.

Marcus wasn’t the only one in his fam’ with legal problems though, see why his dad, Tommy Chong, got locked up for 9 months…

TOMMY CHONG ARRESTED IN A STING OPERATION

Scene from “Cheech And Chong” film; Tommy Chong pictured left

Marcus,’ adoptive father, Tommy Chong, is another one who stands up for what he believes in and one thing he firmly believes in are the healing benefits of marijuana. He’s a pro-activist for the nationwide legalization of weed and in 2003 he had to serve time over it. After a major sting operation by the feds, Chong was arrested, along with 54 other people for shipping bongs (a marijuana smoking accessory) to the state of Pennsylvania, which was illegal at that time. He actually didn’t do it, but his other son, Paris Chong, did, and in exchange for his son and wife being set free, Chong offered a plea deal and his celebrity, which the courts happily accepted.  He ended up serving nine months in prison.

(L-R) Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons’ daughter, Aoki Lee Simmons; Russell Simmons; ex-wife, Kimora

Hip hop mogul, Russell Simmons’, Father’s Day sucked…to say the least. Why? Because his daughters, Aoki Lee Simmons and Ming Lee Simmons; as well as their mother (Russell’s ex-wife), Kimora Lee Simmons, have been blasting him ever since.

Their Public Beef Started With Daughter, Ming Lee Simmons’ Father’s Day Post

Apparently the you-know-what hit the fan on Father’s Day, when Kimora’s and Russell’s eldest daughter, Ming Lee Simmons, shaded her pops by instead posting a celebratory photo of her mother for Fathers day…

Ming Lee Simmon’s Fathers Day 2023 post (via TMZ)

Russell Simmons Responded To Daughter, Ming Lee Simmons’ Shade

On Father’s Day (June 18, 2023), Russell posted on Instagram, venting his frustration about feeling left out of Father’s Day celebrations. He also seemed to be blaming his ex-wife, Kimora, for making it difficult for him to be a father to their children. His post read:

“STOP TELLING FATHERS THEY SHOULD HAVE ASKED MORE TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN AND START ASKING MOTHERS WHY THEY HAD TO FIGHT AT ALL”

Russell Simmons’ Father’s Day 2023 Instagram post (via TMZ)

Kimora And Daughter, Aoki Lee Simmons Clap Back…With Receipts

Russell Simmons’ daughters and his estranged wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, called him out publicly. The daughters accused him of not being present in their lives and neglecting them, while Kimora Lee Simmons blamed him for making it difficult for him to be a father to their children. (Swipe left on Instagram post below for full details)

 

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Kimora Lee Simmons went live on Monday (June 19) and revealed that the problems with Russell Simmons go beyond surface level. She mentioned that she has blocked him on social media for a significant amount of time, but he still posts as if they have a good relationship. (Swipe left on Instagram post below for full details)

 

View this post on Instagram

Aoki Lee Simmons, one of Russell Simmons’ daughters, shared numerous unpleasant text messages exchanged between her and her pops, as well as a video of him angrily ranting during a FaceTime call. She expressed her frustration with trying to repair their relationship and feeling like she has exhausted all options. (Swipe left on Instagram post below for full details)

 

View this post on Instagram

Aoki captioned her video post with this message:

This is not someone who will accept help. This is just one screen recording sorry I don’t always remember to press “record” when he calls my friends, my boyfriend, anyone, to get a chance to threaten and curse and go crazy. – Aoki

Overall, Russell’s kids and Kimora seem to suspect he’s having some mental health struggles, but is refusing to seek the help they fee that he needs.

Russell Simmons meditating

Wow…the Russell Simmons his family has put on display here seems a to be lot different from the kumbaya-meditating-peaceful Russell his fans have come to know him as in recent years.

This is heartbreaking, but hopefully the Simmons family will be able to peacefully make amends with each other in due time. We’ll keep y’all posted on how this situation unravels.

Vivica Fox; Nick Cannon; (inset photo) 50 Cent

Vivica Fox and her ex, 50 Cent, are back making headlines..again. This time around it was sparked by Vivica, and her latest confession about possibly wanting 50 back…again. But there’s a third person added to Viv’s ongoing lust-filled 50-Cent-discussion now…Nick Cannon…let us explain…

Vivica recently appeared on The Sherri Show” (formerly known as “The Wendy Williams Show”), where she discussed comments 50 Cent made about her upcoming biopic, which is not-so-subtly titled, “The First Lady Of BMF.” For anyone who didn’t catch that, it seems Viv’ has chosen to wrap her biopic’s brand around 50’s brand indirectly…by playing off the title of his popular “BMF” series.

When Viv’ initially made her announcement prior to the show, 50 Cent took to social media stating, “This should say 263, not BMF … What the f*ck is this man! Vivica ugh, so [you’re] not gonna ever leave me alone hun ?”

In return, Vivica told Sherri Shepherd “I took it [50’s comment] as a compliment. I did. I was like, ‘That was his way of showing support.’ Thanks, boo.”

Vivica then took things a step further when she once again confessed her apparently unwavering lust/love for her ex — whom she’d reportedly once admitted was the forever ‘love of her life.’ Sherri asked Viv’ if she’d ever reconsider rekindling the flames she had with 50 back in the day, to which Vivica replied:

“Well, [Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez] did it again. Why not?”

Viv’ then threw some nice-nasty shade toward 50’s reported engagement to his years-long bae, Cuban Link:

“[50 Cent] has a beautiful girlfriend by the name of Cuban Link. … Recently, he gave her something, but I don’t know if it was an engagement ring. But it was a beautiful ring,” Vivia stated.

Nick Cannon Threw Shade At Vivica And 50 Cent Over Viv’s Confession

Nick Cannon

During a recent episode of Nick Cannon’s radio show, “The Daily Cannon,” he and his co-hosts discussed Vivica’s admission – that she would be open to gettin’ her “Mrs. Jones” on and having “a thing going on” with 50 Cent again. When co-hosts, Mason Moussette and Courtney Bee, flirtatiously expressed their interests in 50 as well, Cannon took jabs at 50’s weight, saying he looked like he had ‘a pack of hot dogs on  the back of his neck.’:

“You can fantasize about Fif from 15 years ago. That’s a different Fif than this fat ni&&a that’s walking around now,” Nick jokingly said, before eventually adding: “He is fat! He look like he got a pack of hot dogs in the back of his neck. You lookin’ at them pictures from Get Rich or Die Tryin’, now it’s Get Thick or Die Fryin’!”

Fox And 50 Respond To Cannon


As y’all probably have guessed, neither Viv,’ nor 50 were pleased with Cannon’s comments, with Fox calling him a “clout chaser” and 50 responding with a subtle Instagram post.

Vivica commented online to Nick with a diss that presumably referenced him now being a father of twelve children:

“Yo let me correct myself! Yo Nick I’d rather be with #50Cent any day than yo community dick a$$! Now go somewhere and pay yo child support! #CloutChaser.”

50 Cent then took to his Instagram page and stated this apparently in response to Nick Cannon’s statements:

“If your marketing campaign is say something about 50. Your not going to make it, have a nice day.”

The shade is real…on every level. Thoughts I LOVE OLD SCHOOL MUSIC fam?’

Eazy E; John Singleton

Decades after the ’90s cult classic film, “Boyz N’ The Hood,” hit theaters, late director legend, John Singleton, was still getting a kick outta the sweet revenge he got on N.W.A. rapper/Ruthless Records founder, Eazy-E at that time. However, before we get into what transpired between those two legends, can y’all believe it’s been 32 years since “Tre” yelled “RICKYYYYYY!!!” in that alley? Geesh…where’d the time go?!! Anywho, peep what Singleton said about Eazy-E below…

Eazy E’s Rejection & Singleton’s Payback

John Singleton was only 23 years old and fresh outta college, when he directed the film…but he had a HUGE vision for it. In a prior interview with Vice, he revealed that when he’d written the “Boyz N’ The Hood” script, he wrote it specifically with the hopes that N.W.A.’s members would fill all of the significant roles.

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Well, as y’all can see, Singleton only ended up with one former N.W.A. rapper in the film– Ice Cube. The rest of them declined, including the member John most wanted in it…Eazy-E. According to Singleton, Eazy dissed him…and this is what happened next:

Vice: Is it true you wanted the rest of NWA to be in the film as well?
John Singleton: They were supposed to be in it – that was my plan. The first time I met Eazy-E I said that I had this movie, but he wasn’t concerned about it.

V: Is that why you had the guy wearing the “We Want Eazy” shirt getting beat up in the film?
JS: Yeah. That was Ice Cube’s first day of production. I called him up and told him to bring all his NWA paraphernalia to the set. And then all of a sudden the crackhead walks out and his shirt says says, “We Want Eazy.” Cube laughs, and I say, “Y’all gonna whoop his a$$!” I did that – that was me!

Gotta love the smell of a lil’ comical revenge. Even though Eazy-E rejected Singleton, there may have been a good reason why he declined…

Why Eazy Probably Declined Singleton’s Offer

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The year was 1991, when “Boyz N’ The Hood” film released — but by that time as most of us, Old Schoolers, recall — Eazy had other issues to deal with. In 1989, Ice Cube left N.W.A., so once ’91 rolled around, Cube was in a full fledged rap war with his former group members, MC Ren, Eazy E., Dr. Dre, and DJ Yella.

In 1990, NWA released their infamous Ice Cube diss track on their “100 Miles and Running” EP, in which they rapped: “We started with five, but yo / One couldn’t take it—So now it’s four / Cuz the fifth couldn’t make it.” They also called Cube “Benedict Arnold” on that EP.

By 1991, Ice Cube hit back at his the group on the diss track, “No Vaseline,” with these bars: “You lookin’ like straight bozos / I saw it comin’ that’s why I went solo / Kept on stompin’ / When y’all Muthafuc*as moved Straight outta Compton / You got jealous when I got my own company / But I’m a man, and ain’t nobody helpin’ me.”

In 1991, there were further issues for Eazy-E. That same year, the man responsible for NWA’s signature sound, Dr. Dre, left the group too, and launched Death Row Records with Suge Knight. Other N.W.A. members eventually left also, due to reported money conflicts with Eazy-E.

So…yeah, the early ’90s was NOT a good time for John Singleton to get a N.W.A. collabo’ for “Boyz N The Hood.” The idea was great though.

(inset photos) Tank (above), DJ Kid Capri (below); Anita Baker (center); Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds (right)

As y’all have likely heard by now…Anita Baker has been out her cuttin’ UP in the social media streets, calling out her now-former tour buddy, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, in a dispute about her tour. Well, not only have fans been draggin’ the “Sweet Love” legend over it…singer, Tank, and the legendary DJ Kid Capri, did a lil’ calling out of their own about Anita.

Anita Baker’s Beef With Babyface Began Bubbling Months Ago

In case you missed the unfortunate fiasco that went down on Twitter recently, Anita Baker is apparently fed up with Babyface…and his fans — whom she dubbed as “Kenny’s creepy crazies” — after it was revealed that she has supposedly been pissed with Babyface ever since a May 10th tour performance.

Though the tour had been running ever since February 2023, it was in May when tensions between the legends apparently arose, after reported technical issues caused a two-hour delay for Babyface’s scheduled set. At that time, Babyface apologized to their fans, via social media, and announced that Anita decided to skip his performance altogether that night:

“I am truly sorry to my fans who have been waiting for us to hit the stage this evening at the Prudential Center,” Babyface wrote at the time. “I was asked not to perform in order to give Ms. Baker her space and time to perform her show in its entirety. My band an I are extremely saddened we didn’t get to perform for y’all tonight.” – Babyface

Fast forward to this past weekend, up through Monday (6/13/23), and it has now been confirmed – per Anita’s tweets – that the bad blood she has toward Babyface has seemingly never slacked up ever since it began.

Anita Baker’s tweets (via Twitter, TMZ)

In a series of tweets, Anita made it hella clear that Babyface was her ‘opening act,’ and not her co-headliner. Translation: She is in charge and therefore, couldn’t care less about what y’all think about it. Peep her days-long tweets below:

“Dearest one. You are Not, privy to *The Contracts*. Yes, Babyface is Special Guest/Support Act, on My Tour,” she tweeted. “This False Narrative, of A Co-headliner is creating Unrealistic Expectations & Aggression, from his fans towards me. He should tell you guys, the Truth.”

Anita continued:

“After Silently, Enduring Cyber [Bullying]/Verbal Abuse & Threats of Violence from the Fan Base, or Our Special Guest/Support Act. In the interest of Personal Safety. I will continue, The Songstress Tour, alone. Appropriate refunds will be made. Blessings.”

Babyface’s Class-Act Reply To Anita’s Diss

Babyface’s Instagram post

Following Anita’s announcement, Babyface yet again had to address his fans regarding this matter:

“I’m saddened by the news that Anita has decided to remove me from ‘The Songstress Tour.’ It’s unfortunate and disheartening to see how things have played out via social media. While I was looking forward to the rest of the dates, I have nothing but love & respect for Anita and I wish her the best for the remainder of her tour.” – Babyface

What Kid Capri And Tank Had To Say About Anita Baker

Once Kid Capri and Tank heard about this, they called out Anita in a not-so-Babyface-like-way, and fans loved it.

Kid Capri replied to Babyface’s announcement with this:

“I did this man’s wedding to Tracy years ago, and recently seen him, he’s a great man, and no disrespect, but this is not the first time I heard something like this coming from the Anita.”

Tank ultimately made a whole video message (video below) to shut down Anita Baker – respectfully of course – in honor of his mentor and friend. He captioned his video with this:

“Just can’t stand by and not talk about the truth of it all. My apologies @babyface but i’m not as meek and mild mannered as you are. It is a flaw of mine but somebody has to say something!”

Peep what else Tank had to say in the video below…

Not The First Time

Welp…just like Kid Capri stated…this isn’t the first time we’ve heard something like this about Anita Baker either. As we previously reported a while back…Anita Baker allegedly had issues in the past with Luther Vandross; Jill Scott; and even the mother of actress, China McClain — who once took to social media to go off on the R&B songstress over that situation. We’ll leave that for another day though.

At any rate…although we love us some Anita Baker ’round here — just as we do Babyface– we still gotta to call a spade a spade. And right now, Ms. Baker has seemingly taken her Babyface-issues to petty levels…just ask Beyonce’ (and if need-be, re-read Anita’s tweets above to see what we mean).

There is an upside to all of this…maybe the online draggin’ that Ms. Baker is now getting a whiff of, from fans and celebs alike, is just what she needs to truly grasp that it’s a new day and age in the world of social media, and that everyone — including legends — can get called out when/if they’re presumably wrong.

Nevertheless, we still rock with Anita Baker’s timeless music all day, errday, and twice on Sundays. And when it comes to Babyface…of course we dig his music, as well as his personality, because he’s genuinely a nice dude. Wishing both legends all the best going forward.

Late comedic legend, Robin Harris

Robin Harris was one of the most unique comedians in the comedy world. His impact has touched not only the comedy circuit, but also the film industry and hip hop culture. Although he had an Old School style with his comedy that was reminiscent of the greats — like Richard Pryor with his storytelling; and Red Foxx with his swag — Robin Harris had a style all on his own. But as we all know, unfortunately the comedic legend was only 36 years old when he passed away from a heart attack in 1990, during the height of his career.

Sadly, Robin Harris never got to meet his son, Robin Jr., because when his wife, Exetta, was pregnant with Jr. in 1990, Harris passed away 6 months prior to their baby boy being born in September of that same year.

Now that Robin Jr. is a 32-year-old man, he says he’s overwhelmed by the greatness of his Dad and his impact on the world. He has only gotten to know his Pops from stories his family has told him, online research, and other entertainers’ accounts of how his dad impacted their lives and/or careers. Here’s what Robin Jr. told Comedy Hype about that:

“After researching and studying my dad, I do see comics that are out now as wells as comedians of the last decade who remind me of him. From Martin Lawrence, Cedric The Entertainer, Steve Harvey, and all those type of guys I see the similarities. I think even now with Kevin Hart, I see a parallel. Kevin’s comedy style and my dad showed their ability to improv. Yeah you have a routine  but at the same time your able to come up with a joke on the spot. A lot of old schoolers would tell me that my dad had that talent to just talk about you and all you could do is laugh. Just seeing Kevin Hart’s recent stand-up movies I see a little bit of that style.”

Meet Robin Harris’ Son

Robin Harris’s son, Robin Harris Jr.

Today, Robin Harris’s fans get to meet the son that, unfortunately, Robin Harris never got a chance to meet. His name is Robin Harris Jr. and he is the only child of his dad and his mom, Exetta Harris (pictured below [left] with son, Robin Jr. [center]).

Embed from Getty Images

Now that Robin Jr. is a 32-year-old man, he says he’s overwhelmed by the greatness of his Dad and his impact on the world. He has only gotten to know his Pops from stories his family has told him, online research, and other entertainers’ accounts of how his dad impacted their lives and/or careers. Here’s what Robin Jr. told Comedy Hype about that:

“After researching and studying my dad, I do see comics that are out now as wells as comedians of the last decade who remind me of him. From Martin Lawrence, Cedric The Entertainer, Steve Harvey, and all those type of guys I see the similarities. I think even now with Kevin Hart, I see a parallel. Kevin’s comedy style and my dad showed their ability to improv. Yeah you have a routine  but at the same time your able to come up with a joke on the spot. A lot of old schoolers would tell me that my dad had that talent to just talk about you and all you could do is laugh. Just seeing Kevin Hart’s recent stand-up movies I see a little bit of that style.”

Robin Jr. on what he thinks separated his dad from other comedians:

Robin Harris Jr.

“What really made him stand out the most was probably his work ethic. It’s crazy but I’m understanding that I have the same type of work ethic. What my mom, and close comedians told me was that he was always working. He was always trying to figure out how he could be better. He would kill a show but he would be so focused on how he could make it better. I didn’t realize that I have the same characteristic until I got into sports and music.”

Robin Jr. is a rap artist who is focused on building his own legacy:

“I decided to title it (his album) ‘Son Of A Legend,’ after researching my dad and seeing his impact on the world, I didn’t realize how important he really was until the last few years seeing different things online. I can go on the internet and type in Robin Harris and pages and pages will come up. Twitter also has really showed me that I’m a son of a legend. I’ve been humbled and now understand that my dad was really legendary at what he did.”

Don’t expect Robin Jr. to be telling jokes at the comedy club any time soon…well he probably won’t be doing that ever, because he said that’s not his passion. Although Robin Jr. did admit he’s “naturally funny.” Music is where Robin Jr.’s heart is. Matter of fact, he’s also just dropped a new single titled, “Size Elevens,” which is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

If Robin Harris were here today, I’m sure he would be filled with pride about his son. Harris’ legacy is just as strong as it ever was and it is a beautiful thing to see his flesh and blood keeping his dad’s name alive in his own unique way.