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Richard Parsons, a Black executive lauded for his efforts leading Time Warner and Citigroup, died on Thursday (Dec. 26) at the age of 76. Richard Parsons navigated deals such as splitting one-time Internet giant AOL from Time Warner and other notable moves.
Richard Parsons, who also went by the shortened version of his name Dick, was born on April 4, 1948, in New York and was raised in the South Ozone Park in Queens. Raised by parents of middle-class means, Parsons was an exceptional student in grade school ahead of attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa on a basketball scholarship. Returning to the mainland, Parsons entered Albany Law School of Union University, New York, and earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1971.
Parsons’ legal career began after he was invited to work for New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, who was later appointed as Vice President of the United States by President Gerald Ford. Parsons traveled to Washington to work alongside Rockefeller in 1974, crossing paths with fellow lawyer Rudolph Giuliani during this stretch. From 1977 to 1988, Parsons worked for the Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler law firm and was made partner.
In 1991, Parsons was asked to join Time Warner’s board and later became its president in 1995. Parsons oversaw Time Warner’s merger with AOL in 2000, but the partnership did not create the financial windfall some expected. After Time Warner Chief Executive Gerald Levin retired in 2001, Parsons stepped in to take Levin’s place. Under Parson’s leadership, Time Warner successfully split from AOL by removing the name association with the company and lowering the company’s $30 billion debt to $16.8 billion after selling Warner Music and portions of the wider business.
After stepping down in 2007 from Time Warner, two years later Parsons became the chairman of Citigroup, using his management and business oversight skills to help the banking company after it was hit by the financial crisis. In 2014, Parsons worked as the interim CEO for the Los Angeles Clippers after the NBA banned owner Donald Sterling for life for his racist remarks. Parsons, a Republican Party voter, did not involve himself with racial politics and famously downplayed race in interviews electing to focus on other aspects of himself.
In 2015, Parsons was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and officially retired in 2018 due to health concerns. Parsons passed away at his Manhattan home according to reports. His death was confirmed by Lazard, where he was a board member.
Richard Parsons is survived by his wife, Laura, and their three children.
[h/t CNBC]
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Terrence “Punch” Henderson, the president of Top Dawg Entertainment and, according to his bio, SZA‘s manager, found himself at the center of social media discussions regarding the talented songstress. Although we haven’t been able to determine all the fine points, fans on social media believe there is beef between SZA and Punch, but in typical TDE fashion, those on the outside aren’t privy to the facts.
SZA has been enjoying plenty of fanfare lately after the surprise drop of her SOS Deluxe: Lana project, a reissue of 2022’s SOS. The singer, real name Solána Rowe, posted and later deleted comments Punch reading, “And to be clear, I love Punch deeply! NO ONE should be attacking him or being cruel on my behalf. Sometimes people grow apart, and that’s okay.”
We’ve tried to find the original space where the CTRL singer wrote the comment but only the Hip-Hop screenshot accounts online are pushing this supposed split. However, upon deeper examination, Punch still has in his bio that he’s still SZA’s manager and eagle-eyed fans are slowly realizing that the beef is something they may have imagined, seizing upon the past creative rifts.
A quick scan of the (formerly?) feuding twosome’s social media accounts doesn’t seem to point to any issues. Punch’s timeline seems to give the most direct clues that whatever transpired is behind the two and that it’s all peace and love.
“Also, nothing real can be threatened. Relax ppl. lol,” read one X reply with another reading, “SMH. Change your bio and everything goes haywire. Sheesh. I’m beginning to suspect some of you guys don’t fancy me very much.”
Punch’s last reply on X featured him asking fans what their favorite songs from SOS Deluxe: Lana was, sharing a couple of his selections.
On X, fans are still trying to make this beef with SZA a thing. We’ve got reactions from all sides below.
Listen to SOS Deluxe: Lana below.
Lmao closed my eyes for two seconds for the first time in 36 hours and missed the damn drop ! SOS DELUXE ( Lana ) OUT NOW ON ALL PLATFORMS !!! https://t.co/AlJpuNRp7c pic.twitter.com/bvNiwknUOk
— SZA (@sza) December 20, 2024
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While everyone was spreading joy and well wishes on Christmas, Brooklyn rapper Joey Bada$$ was dealing out knuckle sandwiches, as he got into a scuffle at a clothing store in New York City.
According to XXL, the “Fallin’” rapper got into some fisticuffs this past Monday (Dec. 23), with an unknown man. It was all captured on a surveillance camera and ultimately leaked for public consumption. While no one knows exactly what led to the incident, the footage captures Joey Bada$$ in a very animated face-to-face confrontation with a man at the retail store before the two began to throw hands near the store’s exit door.
While others attempted to break up the fight, Joey was having none of that and continued to dish out some haymakers before ultimately walking away.
Per XXL:
The skirmish comes two days after Joey received a proclamation from New York Mayor Eric Adams naming Dec. 20 Joey Bada$$ Day. This honor coincides with the second-anniversary celebration of his ImpactMENtorship Program. The same day, Joey joined the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development for their second annual Hip Hop Holiday Giveaway.
Joey recently completed his first artist residency at the Clive Davis Institute at NYU Tisch and was announced as the inaugural artist scholar in residence at Columbia University’s Teachers College Gordon Institute.
XXL has reached out for comment to Joey’s camp but have yet to hear back from them.
Check out Joey Bada$$ put hands on someone below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Video shows Joey Badass getting into a fight in a New York City clothing store. 😳pic.twitter.com/piGYjqKMyY
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) December 24, 2024
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Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots is one of the foremost minds in music knowledge and history today, using his platforms and connections to the industry to great effect. Questlove, an Academy Award-winning director, is set to hit the chair once more to helm the 50 Years of SNL Music documentary.
Questlove, 53, was tapped to direct the 50 Years of SNL Music documentary, looking back at the sketch comedy series’ special segment for its musical guests over the past five decades.
Joining in on the directing duties will be SNL director Oz Rodriguez and will feature more than 50 interviews from some of the past guests such as Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC fame, Miley Cyrus, Paul Simon, and more. The doc will also feature former and current SNL writers and crew members including onscreen albums Maya Rudolph and Bill Hader, and former writer Conan O’Brien.
“Everyone knows the most famous SNL appearances, whether it’s Elvis Costello, Prince or the Beastie Boys, but they’re the tip of a huge iceberg,” Questlove shared in a statement. “The process of going back through the incredible archival footage was like being in a time machine, DeLorean or other. I’m so happy I went on the trip and now get to share it with everyone.”
Questlove’s Summer of Soul documentary, which examines the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2022.
Eddie Murphy, Al Franken, Justin Timberlake, Kenan Thompson, and a host of other significant SNL contributors and guests will also appear in 50 Years of SNL Music.
The documentary airs on Monday, January 27, on NBC at 8 p.m. ET/PT, streaming next day on Peacock.
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Art Evans, a veteran actor who broke into the film business in the 1970s and starred in Die Hard 2, passed away last weekend at the age of 82. A California native, Art Evans starred in a diverse slate of films, including CB4, Metro, and The Mighty Quinn.
Art Evans was born on March 27, 1942, in Berkeley, Calif., and began his acting career in the 1960s in Los Angeles as a stage actor. One of Evans’ first major roles was in Christine, directed by John Carpenter and based on a novel by Stephen King. He also starred in A Solider’s Story starring Denzel Washington, Howard E. Rollings Jr., and David Allen Grier, among others. In 1990, Evans landed the role of Leslie Barnes, the Dulles International Airport engineer who helped Bruce Willis’ John McClane avert a terrorist attack.
Evans also had significant roles on television on shows such as The X-Files, Monk, Family Matters, and M*A*S*H. He also had a role in A Different World as the father of Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell).
Evans’ last credited role from IMDB was a voice role on The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder television series in 2022.
As seen on Variety, the family of Evans shared a statement that read, “We are heartbroken to share that Art has passed away. Please respect our privacy at this time. A memorial will be held for friends and family to attend at a later date. Thank you.”
Art Evans is survived by his wife, Babe Evans, and their son Ogadae Evans.
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Denzel Washington was baptized over the weekend at a church in New York City, also receiving a minister’s license.
The Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington took a major step on his journey of faith over the weekend. Last Saturday (Dec. 21), Washington was baptized at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ which is located in Harlem, New York. The ceremony was livestreamed through the Facebook account of the First Jurisdiction Church of God In Christ Eastern New York, which showed the moments when Washington was baptized. They also showed the actor receiving a license to minister, allowing him to become ordained in the future. He can officiate weddings and other minor religious services. “In one week, I turn 70,” he said while addressing those gathered in the congregation. “It took a while, but I’m here.”
The Gladiator II star went on to share a story from when he was 20 years old about meeting a woman named Ruth Green at his mother’s beauty parlor who told him about the faith journey he was destined for. “She said, ‘Boy, you are going to travel the world and preach to millions of people,’” he remembered. “She wouldn’t even spell the word prophecy. My mother wrote the word prophecy…50 years later, look at God. If He can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit and there’s no limit to the sky.”
Washington would express his thanks for his “loving, faithful wife” Pauletta Washington, who was in the audience. “To God be the glory. Hallelujah!” he added to the crowd’s delight. “Anything I can do, I will do for this church, the Almighty. I just want to be in that number when the saints go marching in.”
The 69-year-old actor has been more outspoken about his faith recently, discussing it at length in an expansive essay for Esquire, which was published last month. “You can’t talk like that and win Oscars. You can’t talk like that and party,” he said about discussing his faith with others in the industry. “You can’t say that in this town … It’s not talked about in this town. It’s not talked about … It’s not fashionable. It’s not sexy. But that doesn’t mean people in Hollywood don’t believe.”
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President Barack Obama is without a doubt the coolest president in the history of America and keeping up with his annual tradition, the 44th president of the United States has released his yearly playlist, and it features quite the colorful cast of artists.
Over the weekend, your favorite POTUS took to social media to let the word in on what he’s been rocking out to throughout the past 12 months. Naturally, Obama’s music taste for 2024 featured some artists you’d expect such as Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Squabble Up” (not “Not Like Us”??) Other interesting picks include the likes of Johnny Blue Skies’ “Scooter Blues,” Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” and Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.” (Who knew?)
Needless to say, Obama’s a man who loves to dabble in different kinds of music genres and sounds, and that’s one of the reasons we love him. We just wonder if he can recite the lyrics to that Karol G joint.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has expressed interest in forcing Canada to become a part of the United States via his tariffs, repossessing the Panama Canal, and somehow annexing Greenland from Denmark.
It’s going to be a very long four years.
Check out Obama’s playlist for 2024 below, and let us know your thoughts on his list in the comments section below.
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One of the world’s greatest professional athletes has transitioned. Major League Baseball legend Rickey Henderson has died at age 65.
As reported on CNN Sports, the former Hall of Famer is no longer with us. On Friday (Dec. 20), his family confirmed his passing. “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of my husband, Rickey Henderson,” the statement read. The release would go on to detail his impact professionally and personally. “A legend on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul. Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball was paramount. Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind.”
The Chicago, Ill., native played in the MLB for 25 seasons. During his time as a left fielder, he changed the game with his unique gifts of speed and power. Nicknamed the “Man Of Steal,” he retired as the league’s all-time stolen base leader (1,406) and all-time runs scored leader (2,295). In addition to his quick moves, he was respected as a fierce competitor by his peers and well-respected teammate. In 2009, he was voted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
During his inception speech, he professed his love for the game that changed his life and gave tribute to his biggest inspiration, Muhammed Ali. “He said at one time ‘I am the greatest.’ That is something I always wanted to be. And now that the Association has voted me into the Baseball Hall of Fame, my journey as a player is complete. I am now in the class of the greatest players of all time. And at this moment, I am very, very humble.”
You can see some of Rickey Henderson’s highlights below.
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Now that Diddy’s locked up and facing multiple lawsuits from both men and women who allege that the music icon sexually assaulted them over the decades, he has been slapped with yet another lawsuit from a woman who says she too fell victim to the now notoriously disgraced mogul.
According to TMZ, LaTroya Grayson has just filed a lawsuit against Diddy, Bad Boy Records and other entities as she claims that Diddy drugged and raped her in 2006 after she won a local radio contest in Oklahoma that sent her to one of Diddy’s infamous “White Parties” in New York City. After locking down two tickets to NYC courtesy of KJAMZ radio station, Grayson says she and her sibling attended the Diddler’s soiree and ultimately experienced the horror that many of Diddy’s alleged victims have been coping with for years.
Per TMZ:
Grayson says she and her sibling went to the party — which was changed to a “Black Party” — but were separated when entering the party … with Grayson getting in and her sibling being left outside.
Grayson says waitresses circulated around the room with premade drinks and — after she says she had only two — she began to feel sick and headed for the restroom.
Grayson says she has no recollection of the rest of the night … instead waking up at Saint Vincent’s Medical Center. When she woke up, she says she had a ripped shirt, no underwear, and most of her money was gone.
It’s important to note, Grayson remembers nothing about this assault she says happened … so, she can’t say with certainty who allegedly raped her — and, she never mentions actually seeing or speaking with Diddy at the event.
Grayson says when she got back to her hometown of Oklahoma she received an anonymous call from a woman warning her against pursing legal action against Diddy saying that his celebrity status would basically protect him and she’d be “wasting her time.” Unfortunately, it seems like the warning worked as Grayson has remained mum about the incident for almost two decades.
Naturally, Diddy’s lawyers are denying any such assault took place and have dismissed Grayson’s claim as “pure fiction,” while pointing out that she doesn’t actually remember the assault taking place. “As we’ve said before, Mr. Combs cannot respond to every baseless lawsuit and lawyer-driven money grab. He has faith in the judicial process, in which fact will be separated from opportunistic fabrications like these.”
As we’ve said before, one has to wonder how many more people will ultimately come forward with their own horror stories about “The Diddler.”
That upcoming docuseries about Diddy is going to be one helluva ride, b.
What do y’all think about this latest allegation against Diddy? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Last month, it was reported that Wendy Williams’ dementia had left her “cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated.” Luckily for her son, she was able to make his graduation ceremony earlier this week.
According to TMZ, Wendy Williams made an extremely rare public appearance in Miami this past Thursday (Dec. 19) when her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., graduated from Florida International University. Rocking a black and silver dress while rolling around in a mobility scooter, Williams was joined by a couple of armed guards and her father, Thomas Williams Sr. While our hearts break to see Wendy Williams in such conditions, it is nice to see that she can still enjoy special moments like this with her family when she can.
Per TMZ:
There are also pictures from inside the graduation — showing WW seated to watch the culmination of her son’s college years.
It’s a rare day out for Williams … who it was revealed earlier this year suffers from dementia during a legal battle over the controversial documentary “Where Is Wendy Williams?”
She was photographed earlier this month grinning big from the back of an SUV … though her guardian recently claimed in court filings that the disease has left her “permanently incapacitated.”
Looks like she felt well enough to cheer her son on while he accepted his diploma … making for a happy family memory.
Good for her!
What are your thoughts on Wendy Williams these days? Sound off in the comments section below.