State Champ Radio Current Events
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It looks like Will Smith is officially out of the doghouse as far as fans are concerned. Years after alienating millions of his supporters for slapping Chris Rock, Smith is once again feeling the love and adoration whenever he takes the stage these days.
His latest surprise appearance came courtesy of J Balvin during his set at Coachella Sunday night (April 14) and much to the delight of the crowd, Will Smith burst on the scene in his Men In Black attire and performed the title track from the smash 1997 film. Why that song was chosen is anyone’s guess. Smith does have a few other songs that people would’ve grooved to like “Welcome To Miami,” Summertime” or even “Gettin’ Jiggy With It,” but nah, they decided “Men In Black” was the one.
According to Variety, the song turned out to be the right choice as not only did the crowd approve, but also appreciated the entire theme that overtook the stage for the surprise cameo.
Per Variety:
The appearance was brief but memorable, capping a UFO-themed set and concluding with Balvin being dragged off by black-suit-clad dancers as Smith pulled out a “Neuralyzer,” the famous memory-eraser device from the film.
Balvin returned for another song, however, and rocked energetically through a rousing version of his hit “In Da Ghetto” with his troupe of dancers, who were clad in comically stereotypical alien costumes, green with big black eyes.
Balvin’s concerts are always heavily thematic, and the interstellar theme was present throughout. It opened with a mock-1950s newsreel about an alien invasion (in English, with Spanish subtitles), eventually revealing that the alien was… Balvin, who then arose on a platform from beneath the stage, underneath a giant mock-UFO that looked like a cross between the evil spaceship in the film “Nope,” a pointer from a Ouija board and a cushioned toilet seat.
Who knew J Balvin was such a big Men In Black fan? We sure didn’t. Either way it was cool to see Will Smith back in his bag and getting love from the crowd. Whether or not that love once again extends to Chris Rock is anyone’s guess, but we wouldn’t bet on it.
Check out Will Smith’s performance at Coachella, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Donald Trump is due in court Monday (April 15) in New York to stand trial in the criminal hush money case involving adult film star Stormy Daniels. As a result, the hashtag #TrumpTrial is trending on X, formerly Twitter, with memes and jokes coming in by the dozens.
Several outlets, such as The Hill and CNN are covering the trial of Donald Trump with up-to-the-minute updates from inside the Manhattan courtroom. Trump is standing trial for a criminal matter involving hush money paid to Stormy Daniels to conceal the nature of their relationship ahead of the 2016 election. Trump would go on to defeat his Democratic Party opponent Hillary Clinton but only served one term.
Jury selection begins today with dozens of New York residents going through the process before 12 jurors and six alternates are chosen. It isn’t known when this selection period will end but it can be expected to take days if not longer.
The trial marks the first time a former or current U.S. president ever faced a criminal trial and it also makes him the first former president to be criminally indicted. This matter adds to several mounting legal issues that the business mogul is enduring. Trump is also facing three other indictments, including election meddling in Georgia. He is the frontrunner for the Republican Party and has a strong support base that seemingly looks past his legal mishaps.
Trump opponents online have taken to social media to voice their displeasure and the aforementioned #TrumpTrial features several reactions to the announcement of the trial that don’t exactly land in the favor of Donald Trump.
Check out those replies below.
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Photo: Getty
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The cast of A Different World was welcomed at the White House and led the press room in a sing-along of the famed sitcom’s theme song.
On Wednesday (April 10), the cast of the beloved NBC sitcom A Different World was in Washington D.C. on the next stop of their reunion tour which is visiting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the nation. They did make a special stop before visiting Howard University – they visited the White House to see Vice President Kamala Harris and White House Press Secretary Karina Jean-Pierre.
The visit was made more memorable as the cast members led the press room in a sing-a-long of the show’s iconic theme song, first done by the legendary Aretha Franklin. Veteran journalist April D. Ryan of The Grio captured part of the moment on video showing Jean-Pierre enthusiastically singing along with the cast members in the front row, which she shared on her Instagram account.
A Different World ran on NBC for six seasons from 1987 to 1993. The current reunion tour’s mission is to raise funds for scholarships at HBCUs. “By leveraging the star power and cultural impact of A Different World, we aim to inspire a new generation to choose HBCUs as their academic homes,” said the statement from the group which was released as the tour began on February 29 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The tour features the core cast members Darryl M. Bell (Ron Johnson); Charnele Brown (Kimberly Reese); Jasmine Guy (Whitley Gilbert-Wayne); Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Wayne); Dawnn Lewis (Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor); Cree Summer (Winifred Brooks); and Glynn Turman (Col. Bradford Taylor). Sinbad, who played Walter Oakes, has joined in virtually due to his recovery after suffering a stroke a couple of years ago. Producers Debbie Allen and Susan Fales are also on the 10-city tour, which will be announcing tour dates in the fall portion of the year.
Those interested in attending can visit the website for further information.
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Source: Paras Griffin / Getty / Jeezy
The Snowman wants to be a full-time dad because he claims his ex-wife isn’t stepping up to the plate as a parent, allegedly.
TMZ exclusively reports that Jeezy is seeking primary custody of the former couple’s daughter, Monaco. According to the celebrity gossip site, the Atlanta rapper is making the move because he feels Jeannie Mai is not around to take care of the child.
Per TMZ:
The rapper just filed new legal docs — obtained by TMZ — asking a judge to toss out the current custody and parenting time arrangement he hashed out in mediation with his estranged wife … and requesting that his daughter be allowed to live with him full-time.
Jeezy says he initially agreed to move to the basement amid their breakup. However, he says Jeannie later moved out of their family home, and took their little girl with her.
Jeezy alleges Jeannie has since tasked her brother and mother with the majority of the care of 2-year-old Monaco, claiming Jeannie’s extensive travel schedule isn’t good for their kid and adding that Jeannie has withheld his parenting time with their child for nearly 2 months.
A Brief Timeline of The Jeezy & Jeannie Mai Divorce
Jeezy shocked the world when he slapped Mai with divorce papers in September 2023. Since then, the couple has been taking shots at each other. Jeezy initially said in a statement that he cherished the time he spent with her and committed to co-parenting their child.”The decision to end this chapter in my life was not made impulsively and comes with a heavy heart,” Jeezy told XXL. “Despite this, my love and respect for Jeannie remains, and the time we spent together holds a cherished place in my heart.”
“Our beautiful daughter is the best gift from our relationship, and I am committed to assuring she feels the love and stability she deserves. During this period, I kindly request that you respect our family’s privacy as we focus on healing,” he continued.
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Dr. Cornel West named Black Lives Matter Grassroots founder Dr. Melina Abdullah as his running mate for his 2024 presidential campaign in a historical moment.
On Wednesday (April 10), independent presidential candidate Cornel West chose fellow academic, activist, and Black Lives Matter organizer Dr. Melina Abdullah as his vice president nominee. He announced the nomination during a virtual press conference which media personality and friend, Tavis Smiley moderated.
“She has a record of deep commitment and investment in ensuring that poor and working people are at the center of her vision,” West said of Abdullah, also calling her a “freedom fighter” in his introduction. “I wanted to to run with someone who would put a smile on the face of Fannie Lou Hamer and Martin Luther King Jr. from the grave.” The selection makes their campaign the first to have two Black candidates on the ticket in history. Abdullah is a Pan-African Studies professor at California State University, who
“I am deeply honored and humbled to join Dr. Cornel West as his Vice Presidential candidate at this critical moment as we work together for transformative change. This campaign offers a real vision for the world that stands in opposition to oppressive forces and holds fast to the universal principles of truth, justice, and love,” Abdullah said of her nomination. She also noted the other historical factors in her selection as “divine timing”, being that she is the first Muslim to be included on a presidential ticket with the announcement coming on Eid-al-Fitr, “the holiest day for Muslims.” West is a Christian who is on the faculty at the Union Theological Seminary.
Abdullah brings a distinctive presence to the race, as her teaming up with West presents an alternative to Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican Party nominee Donald Trump in the election this November, particularly as Biden has come under fire for supporting Israel during its conflict with Hamas. She was also named to the board of Black Lives Matter after co-founder Patrisse Cullors stepped down in 2021 after increased scrutiny of the social justice group’s finances were exposed in a New York Magazine article. West formerly was a People’s Party presidential candidate before switching to the Green Party weeks later.
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Source: Christopher Polk / Getty
Well, that was fast; Ice Spice is going Hollywood.
Variety exclusively reports that Ice Spice is joining the cast of Spike Lee’s High and Low, an English reinterpretation of the Japanese crime thriller of the same name by Akira Kurosawa.
The original 1963 film starring Toshiro Mifune, based on the Ed McBain novel King’s Ransom, follows a businessman whose life is ruined after making a ransom payment to kidnappers.
The “Munch” rapper will make her acting debut alongside Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington and recently Academy Award-nominated Jeffrey Wright in the upcoming Apple Original Films and A24 project.
What her role will be in the project remains a mystery.
Per Variety:
“High and Low” will mark Ice Spice’s acting debut, and she’s already begun shooting for the project starring Denzel Washington.
The rapper skyrocketed to fame following the release of her breakthrough single, “Munch (Feelin’ U),” and subsequent collaborations with Pink Pantheress, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift. She was nominated for four Grammys this year, including best rap song and best new artist. Ice Spice’s first studio album, “Y2K,” is due out this year.
The film will be Lee and Washington’s fifth theatrical collaboration. The actor has also starred in Mo Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man.
Apple Original Films confirmed the film was in production by sharing a photo of Lee and Washington.
Social Media Reacts To The News
The reactions to the news of Ice Spice’s involvement in the film have been met with confusion and some excitement.
“This movie gonna be lit asf,” one person X, formerly Twitter, said in response to Variety’s reporting.
Another person added, “Words can’t describe how badly I want this movie to succeed.”
“This is hilarious but we need to issue a fatwa on spike lee remaking classic asian films,” another post read.
Whether you like it or not, Ice Spice is coming to a big screen near you. We trust Spike Lee, so we can’t wait to see what he cooks up with High and Low.
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Source: Ramona Rosales / Women’s Health
Megan Thee Stallion is in her rebirth phase, and to celebrate, she bared all on the cover of Women’s Health magazine and left us all collectively saying, D A M N.
Showing off her finely tuned physic, Megan Thee Stallion graced the cover of Women’s Health’s “The Body Issue.” The senses tantalizing cover debuted on Wednesday, Apr. 10, and, as expected, set social media timelines ablaze.
On the cover, Megan Thee Stallion stuns in the suit she was born in, with wavy jet-black hair and her leg ideally in place to keep things tasteful.
In the post on Instagram showing off the cover, Women’s Health wrote in the caption:
“Megan @theestallion has changed ⚡️ She’s a new woman—in both mind and body—thanks to a period of transformation, which included learning how to become the ultimate hype woman for herself. Now, with her third album on the way, hip-hop’s it girl is in her strongest era yet. “I want to see myself grow and be better than I am right now,” she tells WH. “And I will. I know I will.”
As for the cover story, the Houston rapper touched on her new approach to her health, revealing she has ditched brown liquor and other sugary drinks. Still, if she does consume alcohol, it’s only tequila and drinking a gallon of water daily.
The 29-year-old Hip-Hop star also touched on her healthy eating habits, including pan-seared salmon for lunch. For dinner, she enjoys potatoes, cod, and sea bass, while if she feels the need to snack on something, cucumber slices with salt and pepper and cherry tomatoes with balsamic vinaigrette dressing are her go-to snacks.
Combine that with her new workout routine, and you will get the Thee Stallion you see today.
Megan Thee Stallion Touches On Her Mental Health Challenges
Of course, Megan Thee Stallion also touched on her mental health, which she also worked hard on improving following the tumultuous months after Tory Lanez shot her in the foot.
The “Hiss” rapper credited her therapist for helping her achieve mental clarity. She also admits how challenging at times dealing with her mental health was.
“A lot of people didn’t treat me like I was human for a long time,” Thee Stallion said. “I feel like everybody was always used to me being the fun and happy party girl. I watched people build me up, tear me down, and be confused about their expectations of me. As a Black woman, as a darker Black woman, I also feel like people expect me to take the punches, take the beating, take the lashings, and handle it with grace. But I’m human.”
We love this version of Megan Thee Stallion.
You can see more photos from the cover spread in the gallery below.
1. Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine Body Issue cover story
Source:Women’s Health
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2. Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine Body Issue cover story
Source:Women’s Health
Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine May/June Body Issue cover story exercise,body,workout,female rapper,megan thee stallion,meg thee stallion,megan pete
3. Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine Body Issue cover story
Source:Women’s Health
Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine May/June Body Issue cover story exercise,body,workout,female rapper,megan thee stallion,meg thee stallion,megan pete
4. Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine Body Issue cover story
Source:Women’s Health
Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine May/June Body Issue cover story exercise,body,workout,female rapper,megan thee stallion,meg thee stallion,megan pete
5. Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine Body Issue cover story
Source:Women’s Health
Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine May/June Body Issue cover story exercise,body,workout,female rapper,megan thee stallion,meg thee stallion,megan pete
6. Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine Body Issue cover story
Source:Women’s Health
Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine May/June Body Issue cover story exercise,body,workout,female rapper,megan thee stallion,meg thee stallion,megan pete
7. Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine Body Issue cover story
Source:Women’s Health
Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine May/June Body Issue cover story exercise,body,workout,female rapper,megan thee stallion,meg thee stallion,megan pete
8. Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine Body Issue cover story
Source:Women’s Health
Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion featured in Women’s Health Magazine May/June Body Issue cover story exercise,body,workout,female rapper,megan thee stallion,meg thee stallion,megan pete
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Source: MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images / Getty
Former NBA player Nate “The Great” Robinson is currently fighting for his life, and if he doesn’t get some help real soon, the two-time Slam Dunk Champion knows that his days are numbered.
Two years after announcing his renal kidney failure diagnosis, the former New York Knick told Mail Sports that his search for a new kidney hasn’t gone well and that if he doesn’t get a replacement soon, he won’t be with us too much longer. Having to rely on weekly dialysis to keep him going, Robinson hopes to find a new kidney before it’s too late.
Mail Sports reports:
“I know that I don’t have long if I can’t get a kidney,’ Robinson exclusively told Mail Sport. ‘I know I’m not going to have long to live. So I just want to make the best of it as much as I can.
He continued, ‘Some people’s body reject dialysis. And thank God that mine accepts it and I can live… if I didn’t go to dialysis, I wouldn’t live probably longer than a week or two. So it’s serious, can’t miss a day. I go in for four hours, three days a week, four hours a day. And they clean my blood to get my toxins out. And they help me out a lot because that’s how I’m living.’
Robinson, who spoke on behalf of Bet365, shared that he deals with frequent, painful vomiting as a result of his dialysis treatment, which often leaves him hospitalized for a day or two.
This is sad.
Prayers up for Nate Robinson as he searches for a kidney and a new lease on life as he currently goes through his struggle. We’re just glad the man is keeping a positive attitude and his spirits up as he continues to keep hope alive that he’ll get his wish fulfilled. More from Mail Sports:
‘The [dialysis] machine has been helping my longevity and my life right now,’ he said. ‘So I’m just enjoying the times where I do feel healthy. I try to get out there with my kids, see my family and play basketball, do the things that I love.
And I still try to do all the things that I can to stay and feel normal as I can, stay as human as I can.’
In the meantime, Nate says he’s changed his diet to help keep his health in check. He eats fruits and grilled protein such as chicken and fish while staying away from processed foods.
Keep up the good fight, fam.
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Source: JOCE/Bauer-Griffin / Getty / Doechii
Azealia Banks is not done barking at people. Her latest target, TDE signee Doechii, is the latest subject of Banks’ ire, and she had something to say to Banks.
The “212” rapper had time Doechii, taking to her favorite soapbox, her Instagram Stories, calling Doeichii the “ugly version” of her, and her tirade didn’t end there.
“They find this kind of like ugly version of—well, she’s not even a version,” Banks said. “She’s ugly. And I hate to call a dark skin girl ugly because she just is ugly. She’d be ugly if she were light skin. They find this ugly girl and they try to sic her on Azealia Banks.”
Banks then hopped in Doechii’s comments, writing in a post chiming in on a post where Doechii asked her fans what the name of her fanbase should be.
“Definitely should call them the ‘wannabe’s,” Banks wrote. Doechii had enough of Banks trolling, clapping back, “The first time you came for me, I let it slide outta respect for my elders,” she wrote. “It’s not my fault you sellin bussy soap and I’m sellin platinum records. Leave me alone PLEASE.”
Doechii is referring to her song “What It Is,” which is her first platinum record.
Is Doechii A Wannabe Azealia Banks?
Banks has been on one following the release of Doechii’s latest single, “Alter Ego,” featuring JT. The song features both of the artists performing over a house beat.
Some fans of Banks were quick to compare Doechii to Banks because of the song, but the Harlem rapper was not trying to hear it.
“Doechii, girl, first off, I don’t really think anyone thinks your music is impressive,” Banks said. “So that means you need to go back and you need to discover who you are as an artist.”
In a follow-up post, Banks sings a melody before adding, “I don’t know why everybody associates that sound with me because I don’t have any songs—I don’t have a single song that has that synth on it.”
Azealia Banks Had Time For TDE
Banks even had time for Doechii’s TDE labelmates, calling out Isaiah Rashad for “sucking d*ck” and calling SZA “boring,” adding, “TDE is going out f*cking sad.”
She also accused Doechii of talking with a fake Azealia Banks account.
You got this like Doechii chick, who I have no f*cking clue who she is,” Banks said. “She’s been having this months-long dialogue with some fake Azealia Banks account and I guess thinks that I owe her some sort of collab. Honey, no.”
We won’t hold you, but this Azealia Banks mean-girl act is really tired.
You can see reactions in the gallery below.
2. Howling
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Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty / Megan Thee Stallion
Rumors of plastic surgery work revolving around your favorite celebs are nothing new. Megan Thee Stallion is the latest curvaceous rapper many are speculating of benefiting from plastic surgery, but she is calling C A P on claims of a nose job.
Have you seen Megan Thee Stallion lately? She looks absolutely amazing since she defeated Tory Lanez in court, shut down her haters, and left 1501 Certified Entertainment to become an independent artist.
The Houston rapper attributes her new shape to her hard work in the gym, which she shares plenty of video footage on her IG account, discrediting claims from her ex, Pardison Fontaine, that she got lipo.
Some people believe that the “Hiss” rapper got a nose job, and she is calling C A P on those claims via her IG Stories.
Per HipHopDX:
In an Instagram livestream on Monday (April 8), the rapper denied that she had any work done on her nose.
She said: “They be like, ‘Oh my gosh, she got her nose done.’ Y’all hoes wish I got my nose done…Y’all hoes need to comprehend how much recovery surgery take. Y’all need to comprehend the recovery time surgery take.”
She added: “I’ve been in your sh*t since 2017. At what point in life I had time to lay down and let you hoes breathe? Keep up, hoe.”
Well, there you have it.
Hot Girl Summer Loading
Megan Thee Stallion has been quite busy.
She is gearing up to twerk across the country and across the pond on her Hot Girl Summer Tour, pushing her collaborations with Nike, and most recently blessing timelines with booties, including hers, twerking to “Wanna Be,” her tour mate GloRilla’s new single featuring Thee Stallion.
Excuse us as we clutch our pearls.
