Shawn Corey Carter, a.k.a. Jay-Z, has just been crowned by Forbes magazine Hip Hop’s First Billionaire. In music publishing alone, Mr. Carter’s catalog is valued at over $100 million. Then Beyoncé’s husband has real estate, investments, management deals, a $70 million art collection and various companies and business deals including Uber. Hip Hop’s Billionaire is also 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.
Speaking of Jay-Z, his wife Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has made Forbes list of Richest Self-Made Women. The Bey-Hive can celebrate the 37-year old singer/songwriter/businesswoman at number #51 on the list with an estimated net worth of $400 million. Other notables include Tennis Phenom Serena Williams at #80 with $225 million, Rihanna, who actually finished the list as the richest female musician……thanks Fenty line, at #37 and $600 million, BET Co-Founder Shelia Johnson at #31 and $820 million, and Oprah Winfrey at #10 with $2.6 billion.
R Kelly is upset about the latest batch of sex tapes that was turned into authorities, but the reason is not what you think. One of these new tapes allegedly features a male rapper. R Kelly has been charged with 11 new sex-related felonies as a result. Four of those counts are aggravated criminal sexual assault carrying a maximum prison term of 30 years each. Kelly has denied all of the accusations.
A member of the cast of Empire is in trouble with The Feds…..for criminal tax evasion! It’s Terrence Howard, his third wife Mira Pak and the company Pak reportedly owns, Universal Bridges. They’re being investigated for possible financial crimes. The 50-year old Oscar nominated actor’s reps released a statement neither confirming nor denying any investigation. This follows media reports Howard was hit with a tax lien this past April for almost $143,000 stemming from taxes owed from 2010. Previously, there was another lien in 2006. Howard and Pak were married two years and divorced in 2015. They reconciled this past fall, and he proposed to her last December. Will the “Uncle Sam” rain on this parade?
Speaking of Empire, Jussie Smollett will not be returning to the FOX drama for its sixth and last season. Executive Producer Lee Daniels went on social media this week and confirmed Jussie’s days on the show are over. Empire was already renewed for next season under the condition that it would be its last. So what happened to the support from Daniels and the cast letter supporting Smollett? Turns out behind the scenes, leaks are coming out that Smollett’s support and disapproval fell right along racial lines with the crew. So a tension filled set was in the mix, but another factor is in the air too. A judge ordered the records on the Chicago investigation into Smollett’s case be released. Among other things, the investigation accuses Smollett of buying cocaine and ecstasy from his alleged attack co-conspirators brothers Abel and Ola Osundario. The Osundario Brothers, who aren’t charged but testified for a grand jury against Smollett, are currently suing two of Smollett’s attorneys for defamation. The legal documents also claim State Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself after a false rumor got out she was related to Smollett. Foxx also is reported to have written the 16 counts originally filed against Smollett were so excessive they would become exhibit A when people accuse the prosecutor’s office of overcharging. All criminal charges related to disorderly conduct and false reporting were dropped against Smollett, but the City Of Chicago has sued him for the cost of the police work in investigating his case.
Tracy Morgan had another auto accident! He’s O.K., but his brand new $2 million Bugatti sports car…..not so much. Five years ago, the comedian/actor was in an auto accident that almost killed him. A Walmart truck slammed into the limo he was riding in and killed his best friend and business manager. Morgan was in a coma, went blind, couldn’t walk and had broken bones. Morgan went on to sue Walmart and reportedly got millions in a settlement. Fast forward to present day and Morgan is driving his $2 million car off the lot when he was hit by a woman driving a Honda. The star of The Last OG was filmed by camera phone on the streets of New York banging on the Honda that hit him, cursing the driver screaming B**ch Get Out The Car! Now 61-year old Jocelyn Madulid has gone to the media saying she’s traumatized, but sorry she and Morgan were involved in this. At press time, no fault has been officially determined. An oil change alone on Morgan’s Bugatti costs as much as Madulid’s entire car ($25,000). Morgan is slated to host the ESPY Awards Wednesday, July 10th at 8pm on ABC.
Whitney Houston and Tupac Shakur?!!! Makaveli The Don and Nippy?!! According to the late Whitney Houston’s long time secret love and personal assistant Robyn Crawford, the answer is yes. Crawford has written a new book called A Song For You: My Life With Whitney Houston. In it, she reveals Houston’s other love affairs with Bobby Brown, of course, Ray J and Tupac. Tupac, who died in 1996, was the one that went right under the radar for everybody. Crawford’s book covers serial cheating, drugs and being with women and men. Houston died in 2012. Crawford now has a wife and two children. The public has been speculating on the Houston-Crawford relationship for decades. Crawford now sets the record straight. A Song For You: My Life With Whitney Houston by Robyn Crawford is due out November 12th.
Diddy has a new girlfriend? Sean Puffy Combs is turning 50 in November. This new lady is very young…..26! And, she’s an Instagram model. They were laid up and tonguing down in a social media post. Unfortunately, this lady is alleged to have been the sidejawn while he was still with Cassie. As for Cassie, there’s whispers she’s still in the picture. To make matters worse, Combs is catching it on social media. When his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter passed away, Combs put up several tributes and wrote about Black Love. But, the social media is turning on him because so soon after those posts, he has this new lady. And because she’s half Asian, Combs is being accused of a preference for nonblack women (Cassie, J-Lo).
Did Gayle King turn down Wendy Williams’ offer for an exclusive on Williams’ upcoming tell-all? Published reports say King, who just signed a new contract with CBS, doesn’t have an interest. Why? A little too trashy for morning TV. That’s bold considering King and CBS rode the R Kelly train to both morning TV and prime time ratings glory.King’s new CBS Morning Show co-anchors, Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil, are in place and she’s ready to being anew for CBS. Meanwhile at press time, Williams hasn’t announced who she’ll speak with first.
Regina Hall is hosting The BET Awards. Performances will include Cardi B, DJ Khaled, H.E.R. Lucky Daye, Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus. Yes! Billy Ray is on the bill because he and Lil Nas X have the song Old Town Road. As for this year’s host, Hall’s latest movie, Little with Marsai Martin (Black-ish) and Issa Rae (Insecure), has brought in $48 million at the box office. Plus her new movie Shaft hits theaters June 14th. The 2019 BET Awards hosted by Regina Hall airs Sunday, June 23rd at 8pm.
Oscar winning Filmmaker Barry Jenkins is bringing the life story of Alvin Ailey to the big screen. Ailey, who died in 1989, was the internationally acclaimed dancer/choreographer and founder of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Alicia Keys and Legendary Dancer/Choreographer/Actress Judith Jamison, who ran the Ailey Theater for 21 years after Ailey died, are both co-producers on this untitled Ailey bio-pic. Jenkins is on a hot streak. He won an Oscar for co-writing the screenplay for 2016’s Moonlight and he was nominated again for 2018’s If Beale Street Could Talk. No casting details have been announced yet for the Alvin Ailey bio-pic.
Niecy Nash is back in Claws! The TNT comedy-drama series follows Nash’s character Desna Simms, owner of the nail salon Nail Artisan, which becomes the center of money laundering when Simms makes a deal with the mob. Judy Reyes (Scrubs), Harold Perrineau (The Best Man), and Model/Actress Karrueche Tran (Chris Brown’s ex) co-star. Claws’ third season premiere airs this Sunday at 9pm on TNT and TBS.
The 2019 Odunde Festival is this Saturday! There are two stages of entertainment including a performance by the legendary Doug E. Fresh. There's food, vendors and lots of fun to be had. WDAS-FM and our sister station POWER 99 FM will be broadcasting live. The festivities take place in the vicinity of 23rd and South Streets on Sunday, June 9th beginning at 10am.
Shaft is back!Samuel L. Jackson reprises his 2000 role as the original Shaft’s nephew in an adventure involving his estranged son, the F.B.I. and taking on drug dealers and money launderers. Regina Hall (Girls Trip), Jessie T. Usher (Independence Day: Resurgence), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men; Straight Outta Compton), Method Man and Richard Roundtree (the original Shaft) co-star. Black-ish Creator Kenya Barris co-wrote the script and Tim Story (Ride Along, Fantastic Four and Think Like A Man franchises)directed. Shaft hits theaters June 14th.
Actress/singer Zendaya is on the cover of the June issue of Vogue Magazine. Her new movie Spider-Man: Far From Home with Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Marisa Tomei and JB Smoove hits theaters July 2nd.
Alicia Keys graces the cover of the latest edition of Essence magazine. It’s their escape, travel, self-care and style issue.
Speaking of Essence, they’re celebrating the silver anniversary of the Essence Festival in New Orleans. Forever First Lady Michelle Obama makes her Essence debut, and she’ll join Mary J. Bilge, Pharrell Williams, Teddy Riley, Missy Elliott, Brandy, MC Lyte, Musiq Soulchild, Major, Ro James, Queen Naija and El DeBarge and the return of Frankie Beverly & Maze to the Essence Fest. The 25th Annual Essence Festival will run Friday, July 5th through Sunday July, 7th.
The Dell Music Center has announced its 2019 line up for the summer. Everything kicks off Thursday, July 11th with the premiere groups of Philly Soul The O’Jays with special guests Russell Thompkins, Jr. & The New Stylistics, The Intruders and Bloodstone and the rest of the lineup:
Thursday, July 18th: Ne-Yo and Tamia
Thursday, August 1st: India.Arie/Raheem DeVaughn/Major
Thursday, August 8th: Anthony Hamilton/Ledisi/Gregory Porter
Thursday, August 15th: Guy featuring Teddy Riley
Saturday, August 17th: Jordan Feliz
Thursday, August 22nd: Jahiem/SWV
Thursday, August 29th: Keith Sweat/Johnny Gill/Stokley
Check out who’s coming to town:
This Friday, June 7th – Brian McKnight at The Tower Theater in Upper Darby. For tickets and information log onto venue.thetowerphilly.com
This Saturday, June 8th– Babyface in concert at The Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Log onto ticketmaster.com for tickets and information.
Saturday, June 29th – The WDAS Block Party starring Jill Scott, Jazmine Sullivan, Mase, DJ D-Nice and Musiq Soulchild at The Mann Center for The Performing Arts, 52nd and Parkside Avenue, on Saturday, June 29th. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com.
Saturday, June 29th– Diana Ross in concert at Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Log onto theborgata.com for tickets and information.
Saturday, June 29th– Chaka Khan & Michael McDonald in concert at The Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Log onto ticketmaster.com for tickets and information.
Saturday, July 6th– Earth, Wind & Fire in concert at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Log onto ticketmaster.com for tickets and information.
Friday, July 12th and Saturday, July 13th– Lionel Richie in concert at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Log onto ticketmaster.com for tickets and information.
Saturday, July 20th– The Royalty Tour starring Mary J. Blige & Nas at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Log onto ticketmaster.com for tickets and information.
Saturday, August 17th – Hammer’s House Party starring MC Hammer, Kid ‘n Play, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Biz Markie & DJ Koolat The Mann Center for The Performing Arts, 52nd and Parkside Avenue, on Saturday, June 29th. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.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 28th – Snoop Dogg & Friends at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ. Log onto ticketmaster.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.