Alicia Keys Harper's Bazaar 2019 August cover
Did Jay-Z go from Team Kaepernick to Team NFL? The billionaire rapper/record exec/entrepreneur just made a deal with the NFL, and it’s structured as a music and social justice campaign. Mr. Carter will serve as the NFL’s live music entertainment strategist. Now, social media is lighting Jay up accusing him of being a capitalist and not supporting Colin Kaepernick. Remember, Jay publicly boycotted the NFL Halftime show last year, and Kaepernick took an out of court settlement after suing the NFL for collusion. Is Jay-Z trying to make a change from inside? Jay said he talked with Kaepernick, but Kaepernick’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, took to social media and said this wasn’t true. Hmmmmmmm!
The late Filmmaker John Singleton’s estate is being fought over, and his mom and his babymommas are all involved, and now there’s a twist. The mother of two of the eldest children, who are now near 30, is reportedly making accusations that the latest babymomma (of the one-year old) had a hand in Singleton’s death. What? Apparently shortly before he suffered a stroke, Singleton traveled to Costs Rica alone, and he and the latest babymomma fought over that. Singleton returns home sick and was not being taken care of, and it gets worst. Foaming at the mouth and vomiting apparently went ignored on the home front when the writer/producer/director returned home. Reports are the last babymomma finally dropped Singleton off at the hospital, and that was it. No follow up or checking in with staff to say this is John Singleton. The internet is saying he got dropped off like David Ruffin in The Temptations movie. OUCH! Now comes accusations that the last babymomma bragged That’s What He Gets For Not Taking Me To Costa Rica. Reports are the senior babymomma is saying she feels the new babymomma had a hand in this tragedy.
Don Lemon is being sued for assault. You all know I adore Don. We go way back to when he was anchoring and reporting here in Philly at NBC10, and he calls me regularly and we talk national stories. The lawsuit accuses the CNN primetime anchor of rubbing the privates of a bartender. Don of course denies it all and was at the bar with his husband. Plus, reports have surfaced that the man is a CNN harasser.
Blair Underwood has a full plate of projects. The actor is producing Sister Code, a family legal drama coming to BET. Now why is Underwood producing Sister Code? It’s because it’s a full circle turn for Underwood. Back in the 80’s and 90’s, he co-starred in the critically acclaimed drama L.A. Law playing Jonathan Rollins, which was his breakout role. At press time, BET hasn’t confirmed a premiere date For Sister Code. Meanwhile, Underwood has followed up his role in the critically acclaimed Ava DuVernay miniseries When They See Us with his recurring role in Dear White People on Netflix.
The MTV Awards are coming up this month, and Missy Elliot is receiving The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Lately, there was a call to take Jackson’s name off the award. This is all part of the fallout from the renewed look at the child molestation accusations against Jackson following the Leaving Neverland documentary. So, will Missy thank Michael Jackson? My bet is yes. You cannot look at her videos and not see the influence of Jackson. Remember, it was Jackson’s videos that integrated MTV. The MTV Awards air Monday, August 26th.
Jamie Foxx’s 25-year old daughter Corinne is following in her dad’s footsteps. Father and daughter are both on the show Beat Shazam, which airs Saturday nights at 9pm on FOX. Now Corinne is making the same transition her Oscar winning dad made from the small to the big screen. Corinne is co-starring in 47 Meters Down: Uncaged. It’s a sequel to the 2017 film. Four divers learn they’re surrounded by the deadliest shark species as they try to navigate their way out of the submerged caves. Another superstar’s daughter joins Corrine in the cast and that’s Sylvester Stallone’s daughter Sistine Rose. Both ladies are in the ensemble headed up by Nia Long and John Corbett (My Big Fat Greek Wedding; Sex And The City). Comedian/Talk Show Host/Studio Mogul Byron Allen executive produces 47 Meters Down Uncaged, which opens in theaters this Friday.
Mike Tyson has his own marijuana farm? Why? It’s because he smokes $40,000 worth every month. Yes! 40 grand! The retired boxer is 53-years old and was branded for his terrible temper back in his boxing days, including biting ears in the ring. He’s mellow now. No more fighting and he’s very calm…thanks to that herb.
How will Jussie Smollett be written out of Empire? Producers are sending the character of Jamal, who married last season, on a long honeymoon. Expect to see scenes to be like Well What Did Jamal Say? Where’s Jamal At? This honeymoon will last all season. But, the good news is that Auntie Viv, Vivica A. Fox, is joining Empire as a regular. Always nice to see Viv! The final season of Empire premieres Tuesday, September 24th at 9pm on FOX.
Mary J. Blige is working her way out of tax trouble. The Queen of Hip Hop Soul still owes a million dollars in back taxes. This is from the period of 2016 to 2017. The original bill was $6.5 million, and she still needs to give spousal support to her now ex-husband and ex-manager Kendu Isaacs. We call him Ken-Don’t! Anywho, Mary is on her way back to Philly September 7th as she and Nas bring the Royalty Tour to the Liacouras Center on Saturday, September 7th.
Coming To America 2 is a big reunion for Eddie Murphy. Joining him and Arsenio Hall are original cast members James Earl Jones, John Amos, Shari Headley and Vanessa Bell Calloway. Emmy winning veteran Actress Madge Sinclair, who played Murphy’s mom in the film, passed away in 1995. The new plot is Prince Akeem must return to America to claim his long lost son. Newcomers joining the cast are Rick Ross (The Boss), Kiki Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk), Leslie Jones (Saturday Night Live), Jermaine Fowler (Superior Donuts) and Murphy’s Dolemite Co-star Wesley Snipes. Coming To America 2 is slated to hit theaters December 18, 2020.
Tiffany Haddish’s first special under her Netflix deal is now streaming. The show, called They Ready, is Haddish showcasing six comedians on one stage. Aida Rodriguez, Chaunte’ Wayans (yes of the legendary Wayans family’s next generation), Marlo Williams, April Macie, Flame Monroe and Tracey Ashley are all featured in the special. Think Def Jam meets Kings Of Comedy. It’s part standup and part documentary as we find out how Haddish selected these comics. Tiffany Haddish Presents They Ready is streaming now on Netflix.
Power returns to Starz, and is promising some major twists. Team Ghost and Team Tommy with amazing show promos, but the only hint being dropped is that things are not as they seem. Look for Mary J. Blige to join the cast. Power returns to Starz on Sunday, August 25th.
Serena Williams covers the new edition of Essence magazine. She’s talking all about the September debut of her fashion line S by Serena. Williams is also taking her stance socially as well on the topics of freedom and speaking up.
Ebony Magazine is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Among its special features, the 2018-2019 HBCU Campus Queens’ photo shoot in Pensacola.
Alicia Keys is on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar. She’ll be performing at magazine’s ICONS party with Christina Aguilera, The Weeknd and Kanye West on September 6th.
Missy Elliot is on the cover of the August edition of Marie Claire with the feature story The Legend Returns.
The Dell Music Center has announced its 2019 line up for the summer:
Saturday, August 17th: Jordan Feliz
Thursday, August 22nd: SWV/Faith Evans/Silk/Next
Thursday, August 29th: Keith Sweat/Johnny Gill/Stokley
Hip Hop’s Billionaire, Jay-Z, is presenting Made In America 2019 in Philly. Cardi B and Travis Scott are headlining. Also on the bill are Freddie Gibbs, Grace Carter, Kodak Black and Anderson.Paak. The festivities take place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Labor Day Weekend: Saturday, August 31st through Sunday, September 1st. Tickets and information can be found at madeinamericafest.com.
Check out who’s coming to town:
This Saturday, August 17th – Hammer’s House Party starring MC Hammer, Kid ‘n Play, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Biz Markie & DJ Kool at The Mann Center for The Performing Arts, 52nd and Parkside Avenue. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com.
Monday, September 2nd – Patty Jackson’s Annual Party In The Park starring Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Whodini and Big Daddy Kane at The Dell Music Center, 33rd and Ridge Avenue. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com or log onto mydelleast.com
Saturday, September 7th - The Royalty Tour starring Mary J. Blige & Nas at The Liacouras Center. For tickets and information log onto liacourascenter.com.
Saturday, September 14th - The Atlantic City Jazz Fest starring Boney James/Najee/Pieces Of A Dream/Norman Brown/Joe Bataan at the Mark Etess Arena in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com or acjazzfest.com
Saturday, September 28th – Snoop Dogg & Friends at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ. Log onto ticketmaster.com for tickets and information.
Thursday, December 12th – Sinbad in concert at The Parx Casino Xcite Centerin Bensalem, PA City.Log onto tickets.parxcasino.com for tickets and information.
If you would like more info please email me at PattyJackson@iHeartMedia.com or check me out with my midday reports at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm during the day.