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Netflix’s new crime thriller Rebel Ridge is two-plus hours of the explosive outcome that occurs when corruption and morality intersect.

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Directed by Jeremy Saulnier (Blue Ruin, Green Room), the film is experienced through the eyes of the protagonist, Terry Richmond, portrayed by Aaron Pierre. Terry is an ex-marine who bikes into Shelby Springs hoping to bail his cousin out of jail when his run-in with the police turns into more than just the common small-town racial profiling.

After the crooked cops run off with the money he planned on using to bring his cousin home, Terry tries his luck at filing a report, only to learn the town’s chief of police, Chief Sandy Burnne, played by Don Johnson, is the key to the chaos.

“That’s what attracted me to this part. The morality, the corruption, the violence and the fact that this storytelling is so sophisticated and interesting,” Johnson told Blavity’s Shadow and Act.

He continued, “It’s not so sophisticated that you can’t follow it. It’s sophisticated in that it’s multilayered. And it starts to be one thing, and then it just morphs right in front of your eyes to become something else.”

With a career spanning over five decades, Johnson has played characters on both sides of the badge, including his iconic breakout role as Sonny Crockett in the 1980s hit Miami Vice.

Not even 24 hours after a Michigan judge ordered Sean “Diddy” Combs to pay $100 million to a man, who alleged that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted him in the ’90s, the disgraced hip-hop mogul faces yet another lawsuit.

Dawn Richard, who rose to fame through girl group Danity Kane via MTV’s Making the Band show, is suing Combs for alleged “verbal abuse, assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress,” Variety reported.

Richard filed the lawsuit on Sept. 10. In her complaint, Richard describes Combs as “a hot-tempered abuser” who engaged in “physical violence.” Richard, who is 41, credits Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura for helping her come to terms with her own mistreatment at the hands of Combs.

During her time on Making the Band, Richard says Combs often called the female contestants “fat” and “ugly,” depriving them of food and sleep, which allegedly caused Richard to lose weight and vomit due to dehydration.

Danity Kane, who’s best known for hits like “Show Stopper” and “Damaged,” parted ways in 2009. However, Richard continued to work with Combs for financial reasons, joining his group Diddy Dirty Money. Kalenna Harper was also a member.

Richard’s complaint mentions an incident at Combs’ home, where he screamed at Ventura. He allegedly told her, “I’ve been asking you for my sh**; I can’t stand you b***h, you never do it right!” before choking her and throwing hot eggs at her. The day after the incident, Richard says Combs threatened her to stay silent about what she witnessed at his home, telling her: “If you say anything, there will be consequences” and “people end up missing.”

At one point, Richard and Harper wanted to intervene to help Ventura, but Combs alleged threats halted their attempts.

There’s even a mention of the late Kim Porter. Combs shares four children with Porter, who passed away in late 2018. Richard alleges that she once saw Porter exiting a music studio circa 2005. Her face was battered, according to Richard.

In 2010, Richard was diagnosed with multiple health issues, including joint pain and anemia due to Combs’ work demands. Still, he allegedly demanded her return to the studio.

Between 2009 and 2011, Richard alleged that Combs groped her in her dressing room. She added that if she turned down his advances, her voice would get removed from songs. In addition, her mic would get turned off during live performances.

Her allegations against Combs also include a moment when his bodyguard saved her from being physically hit by Combs. Richard also insists that Combs owes her millions for Danity Kane’s debut album and follow-up LP, Welcome to the Dollhouse, as well as the touring she did as a member of Diddy Dirty Money.

According to Variety’s report, “Richard is suing for 21 causes of action, and is demanding judgments for compensation, mental pain, restitution and more.”

Diddy has not yet responded to Richard’s allegations.

Frankie Beverly, the legendary R&B singer with classic hits like “Before I Let Go,” with his band Maze, has died at the age of 77, his family confirmed in an Instagram post shared on his page.

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been ordered to pay $100 million to Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, a man who accused the hip-hop mogul of drugging and sexually assaulting him in the ’90s. As of Oct. 1, 2024, Combs must make monthly payments of $10 million to Cardello-Smith, the Metro Times reported on Sept. 9.

The decision comes after Lenawee County Circuit Court Judge Anna Marie granted Cardello-Smith a temporary restraining order against Combs in August.

Cardello-Smith allegedly met Combs when he worked at a restaurant near Detroit. Cardello-Smith claims he was performing oral sex on a woman at a party. Then, he alleges that Combs offered him a drink and then touched his left buttock. Cardello-Smith consumed the “spiked” drink Combs allegedly gave him, which he says made him pass out.

Cardello-Smith said he woke up hours later to find Combs having sex with a woman. Combs allegedly told him, “I did this to you too.”

Right now, Cardello-Smith is serving an unrelated sentence at the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility. He showed the court proof that Combs visited him at the Muskegon Heights facility. He also says Combs offered him $2.3 million to keep quiet about the incident. Cardello-Smith turned down the hush money.

A virtual hearing was held on Sept. 9, but Combs was a no-show. Therefore, Cardello-Smith received the $100 million judgment by default.

Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo denies Cardello-Smith’s allegations in a statement provided to the Metro Times: “This man is a convicted felon and sexual predator, who has been sentenced on 14 counts of sexual assault and kidnapping over the last 26 years. His resume now includes committing a fraud on the court from prison, as Mr. Combs has never heard of him let alone been served with any lawsuit. Mr. Combs looks forward to having this judgment swiftly dismissed.”

The judgment comes nearly a year after ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura was awarded $30 million following filing a lawsuit against Combs. She alleged sexual assault and physical abuse throughout their 11-year relationship.

Beyoncé has been an enigmatic figure for the last decade, rarely participating in interviews and almost exclusively appearing on red carpets or at Hollywood glitterati events when promoting a new project.

In a nearly unprecedented move, she sat down with GQ to discuss her career, her daughter Blue Ivy’s creativity and more. The interview is timed to the launch of her spirits brand, SirDavis.

Here are standout moments from the rare interview:

Her three-album trilogy’s eclectic sound

In the interview, Queen Bey reflected on her approach to her ongoing three-album trilogy that began with Renaissance and continued with Cowboy Carter, telling GQ that the project and her previous ones are as eclectic as her own taste in music. 

“From the start of my career and on every album, I have always mixed genres,” she said. “Whether it is R&B, Dance, Country, Rap, Zydeco, Blues, Opera, Gospel, they have all influenced me in some way. I have favorite artists from every genre you could think about. I believe genres are traps that box us in and separate us. I’ve experienced this for 25 years in the music industry. Black artists, and other artists of color, have been creating and mastering multiple genres, since forever.” 

She ultimately hopes to introduce listeners to a plethora of Black talent they may not have been privy to. 

“This is why it was so important for me to sample the composer Joseph Bologne, known as Chevalier de Saint-Georges, in the song ‘Daughter’ on Cowboy Carter,” she continued. “Violin Concerto in D Major, Opus 3, No. 1: II. Adagio was created in the 1700s. This is a testament to Chevalier’s vision. I hope it inspires artists, as well as fans, to dig deeper and learn more about the Black musical innovators who came before us. Some of the most talented artists never achieve the mainstream praise they deserve, especially when they defy the norm. I was so hyped to see a song like ‘Texas Hold ’Em’ gain worldwide acceptance. Even more exciting was how it helped reinvigorate the Country genre across music, fashion, art, and culture, and introduced the world to so much great talent like Shaboozey, Tanner Adell, Willie Jones, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts.

The Houston native revealed she started working on Cowboy Carter, which has gone viral yet again, this time for being snubbed by the Country Music Awards, five years ago, prompting readers to “Pay close attention to my age in the lyrics of ’16 Carriages.’”

Blue Ivy shares her creative spirit

Bey and JAY-Z aren’t the only creatives in the Carter household. The 43-year-old told GQ their oldest child is interested in various mediums. 

“Blue is an artist,” she said. “She has great taste in music and fashion. She is a fantastic editor, painter and actress. She has been creating characters since she was three. She’s a natural, but I did not want Blue onstage. Blue wanted it for herself. She took it seriously and she earned it. And most importantly, she had fun! We all watched her grow more and more every night before our eyes.” 

Why she’s moved away from music videos 

Fans still beg the singer for Renaissance visuals and may wait a while. The “Texas Hold ‘Em” vocalist shared that she’s in no rush to drop music videos, as she thinks they can distract from the music. 

“I thought it was important that during a time where all we see is visuals, that the world can focus on the voice,” she said. “The music is so rich in history and instrumentation. It takes months to digest, research, and understand. The music needed space to breathe on its own. Sometimes a visual can be a distraction from the quality of the voice and the music.” 

She loves Sabrina Carpenter and House of the Dragon

To many readers’ surprise, Bey shared the artists she’s listening to and the shows she’s binging.

“I love and respect all of the female singers-songwriters who are out right now.… Raye, Victoria Monét, Sasha Keable, Chloe x Halle, and Reneé Rapp. I love Doechii and GloRilla, and I just heard That Mexican OT, he’s from Houston…. He goes hard! I really like “Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter, and I think that Thee Sacred Souls and Chappell Roan are talented and interesting. I’m obsessed with my backseat baby…. I’m a Smiler,” she said, adding later that she spends most of her time listening to the classics by artists like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. 

As for movies and TV, Bey said, “The best movie I’ve seen this year is Inside Out 2. I think it’s brilliant, and I’m currently watching House of the Dragon and The Chi.“

A former public school educator in Georgia has left her job to start her own micro-school for kids. Briana Ambre Houston taught in public schools for nine years before opening her school. Houston, a mother who has a child with autism, specifically wanted to address the needs of children who face learning difficulties like ADHD. In 2022, she launched the Differentiated Education and Learning Academy for k-5 students, according to Because Of Them We Can.

Saturday Night Live alum Sasheer Zamata has come out as a lesbian. Zamata, who left SNL in 2017, sat down for an interview with Them in which she described herself as “one of those late-in-life lesbians.”

“I’m out in my life and I do keep my personal life kind of private, but I also don’t necessarily want my identity to be private,” Zamata told Them. “I guess I’m one of those late-in-life lesbians. I just feel very comfortable and confident in my life.”

Former president Barack Obama has several known siblings, though not many have been as vocal about him and his career as his brother, Malik Obama.  The Kenyan-American, who splits his time between the U.S. and his native country, made headlines in early September after expressing his support for Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate Barack has long criticized. 

“I am Malik Obama. I’m a registered Republican, and I’m voting for President Donald Trump,” he wrote in a September 4th tweet. 

I am Malik Obama. I’m a registered Republican and I’m voting for President Donald Trump.— Malik Obama (@ObamaMalik) September 4, 2024

Just one day before this public endorsement, Malik tweeted an image of him and Barack years ago, though the caption is far from a touching tribute to their upbringing.  Instead, Malik took the opportunity to take a dig at his estranged sibling. 

“Fake a** when we were brothers,” Malik harshly captioned the image. 

Many are eager to learn about the man who apparently has personal and political issues with Barack. Here’s what we know about the controversial figure.

Malik Obama Has Had Several Careers

Malik Obama and Barack Obama share the same father, Barack Hussein Obama Sr., a Kenyan governmental economist who passed away in 1982.  While working in the U.S. for some time, Malik worked as an accountant for several companies, such as Fannie Mae and the American Red Cross. Eventually, he followed in his brother and father’s footsteps, seeking a political career by running for governor of Siaya, Kenya, in 2013.  Unfortunately, he did not win his campaign. 

In 2012, he penned his first book, “Barack Obama Sr.: The Rise and Life of a True African Scholar,” an autobiography of their father.  His second book arrived in 2020 and was titled, “Malik Obama BIG BAD BROTHER FROM KENYA.” This time, Malik chose to detail his life story.  While neither book appears to have been overly successful, the latter has more Amazon reviews.

Malik Has Been Critical of Barack

The Obama brothers were once close, even participating in one another’s weddings.  However, things seemingly soured throughout the years. During an August 2020 interview with The New York Post, Malik claimed Barack changed after becoming president. 

“He got rich and became a snob,” Malik told the outlet. “What I saw was he was the kind of person that wants people to worship him.  He needs to be worshiped and I don’t do that.  I am his older brother, so I don’t do that.” 

During this interview, Malik revealed that things initially soured when Barack refused to support a foundation named after their father.  The author claims that Barack requested that Malik shutter the organization.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that the pair have mended their relationship, especially with Malik using his social media platforms to continuously call out Barack, who has refrained from publicly speaking about their issues.

The 2024 Election Is Not Malik’s First Time Supporting Donald Trump

While Malik Obama expressing support for Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election may shock some, the two have seemingly had an allegiance for years.  During Trump’s 2016 bid for the White House, he invited Malik to be his guest during the debate against Hillary Clinton. Malik was a staunch critic of Clinton, throwing his support behind the real estate mogul turned politician. A month ahead of the debate, Malik shared with BBC that it was “sort of disappointing” that their family members were not present during the Democratic National Convention. 

Mason, along with fellow student, Chris Angulo and two teachers, Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie lost their lives on Sept. 4. To help Mason’s family during this tough time, Artisea Bethea, a friend of Mason’s mother Breanna Schermerhorn, set up […]

Sources familiar with the incident told ESPN‘s Jeff Darlington that Hill was pulled over by police for reckless driving while en route to the stadium. They alleged that the officers and Hill were engaged in a “verbal altercation” and he […]