Welcome to the world, baby girl. Singer Kehlani gave birth to her first child, Adeya Nomi, over the weekend at her home. The baby was delivered while Kehlani was standing up. Besides medical professionals, the 23 year old singer was joined by the child’s father, Javie Young-White, for the delivery.
“All birth is extremely hard and transformative,” she declared on social media today. “Homebirth is a medical decision as is hospital birth, all birth is mind blowing & powerful. Using my experience to shame another’s isnt what i want,” Kehlani continued. “Power to anyone who brings life forth, it’s a next level journey whichever way.”
The singer who, in October, dropped a mixtape called “While We Wait,” has been obviously overjoyed on her blessed new bundle.
“We just wanted to say thank you to everyone who sent well wises, love, and support in all forms while waiting & working to bring Adeya earthside.”
“Our angel arrived healthy & perfect in every way in our bathroom at home,” she would say in another post. “Unmedicated home birth was the absolute hardest yet most powerful thing I’ve ever done,” she added. “Thankful beyond words. In love beyond comparison. Refraining from posting to be family and rest, we just wanted to say thank you to everyone who sent well wishes, love, and support in all forms while waiting & working to bring Adeya earthside.”
Today, Kehlani also joked that she will be a handful from here on out.
“I hope everyone knows no one can tell me SHIT after that because LORD... 😂😂😂 next level, no words! ✨” she joked in a Tweet.
“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett has been fully exonerated after being accused by police of paying actors to fake a heinous attack laced with racial and homophobic overtones. This morning, prosecutors made the stunning announcement that all charges against Smollet were being dropping. Smollett was indicted earlier this month in Chicago, being charged with 16 felony counts for allegedly filing a false police report.
“Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him,” Smollett’s attorneys Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes said in a statement. “Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public, causing an inappropriate rush to judgment."
The lawyers went on to say that it was not just their client who was harmed in this hate crime.
“Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions,” the statement continued. “This entire situation is a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion. That is wrong. It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect. Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result.”
“Jussie is relieved to have this situation behind him and is very much looking forward to getting back to focusing on his family, friends and career.”
It remains to be seen how severely Smollet’s career will be effect by this bizarre incident. He’s been the butt of incessant jokes on Instagram, where memes have him being synonymous with “lies” and being a “liar.” Meanwhile, it was reported weeks ago that “Empire” already edited him out the final two episodes of the season.
At the time of writing, executives at Fox released the following statement: “Many of you have reached out regarding today’s developments in the Jussie Smollett case. As of this time, the studio and network have no comment. I will of course let you know if that changes.”
In the original charges, Chicago police accused Smollett of hiring brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo —who were stuntmen on “Empire”—to fake an attack on him in a misguided attempt to get sympathy and attention. Police even obtained surveillance of the brothers buying the rope that was used in the attack. When arrested, they claimed Smollett to be the evil mastermind and stating that they were paid to jump him. The brother produced a $3500 check from Smollett, which the actor claimed was for personal training services. To date, neither brother has been charged with any crime.
State’s Attorney Kim Foxx told the press that Smollett’s history of giving back played a part in her decision to drop the charges. That, and he didn’t ask for his $10K bail back.
“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case,” she said.
Smollett of course gained popularity on Empire, playing the most talented son of the Lyon family, platinum hitmaker Jamal. Smollett’s character became popular not because of his great singing on the show — performing duets with the likes of Alicia Keys and Kelly Rowland — but because his openly gay character broke barriers on TV for the LGBT community.
With the charges now dropped, it remains to be seen what happens next in terms of careers and court cases for all involved. We’ll have more as it develops.
Smollet’s legal entanglements may not yet be over. According to a report by Page Six, federal mail fraud charges could still be forthcoming.
At the heart of the Feds’ probe is a letter that was mailed to the actor a week before his attack. “You will die black f——t” was spelled out from cutout magazine letters. The letter also featured a stick figure hung from a rope. Also according to reports, the hateful letter was delivered in a envelope that had aspirin in the form of powder in it and “MAGA” written on it. Chicago police investigating Smollet claim after the letter in question was dismissed by TV executives, Jussie was so infuriated, he staged his own attack.
Listen, it’s 2019 and if you haven’t realized it yet, literally anything can happen at this point. Post Malone playing guitar for the Red Hot Chili Peppers? Check. China exploring the dark side of the moon? Check. Quadruple stuffed Oreos? Heck yeah. And yet, somehow I did NOT expect Migos to be the featured performers at this year’s Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Because – I’ll just say it – their music isn’t exactly mom-approved.
It turns out kids LOVE Migos! And hey, a gig’s a gig, so the trio took to the stage Saturday Night & did their best to keep it clean with a montage of some of their biggest hits. Judging from the number of bleeps, they were… semi? Successful?
After all that, they lost the award for Favorite Music Group to Maroon 5? Come ON, kids.
Then again, if hearing these versions just makes you want to hear the originals, you can check out Migos: DNA on Slacker!
The snowman reflects on a successful career and talks the status of his new album, the mixtape phenomenon and how this next generation of rappers keep him inspired.
On this episode of Lucky Few, two fans at Rolling Loud get surprised with the chance to meet their favorite artist, 24kGoldn. See what happens! Brought to you by Kia.
Taylor Swift has been wearing butterflies in her wardrobe lately, which some have speculated is tied into the theme of her new album (we’ll see what Mariah Carey has to say about that). As for exactly when the new Taylor tunes will be dropping, the pop Queen is playing it close to her vest.
“I love your passion, I love your attention to detail, I love how much you care,” she said to the crowd at the iHeartRadio Awards last night in LA, addressing the frenzied inquired about her next album. “I love seeing all the things you’re posting online. I just wanted to let you know that when there is new music, you will be the first to know.”
Swift is still reaping the benefits of her last body of work, 2017’s Reputation. She won “Radio Tour of the Year” for the “Reputation Tour” as well as Video of the year for “Delicate.”
Today Swift was on social media, giving props to a fan that admonishes Kanye West’s 2016 video “Famous,” calling the short the equivalent of “revenge porn.”
“The famous music video was straight up revenge porn," @Sagittariussnake tweeted "Not to mention putting abuse victims next to their abusers and celebrating sexual assaulters. It was disgusting and he doesn't get enough crap for it."
Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys have nothing but love and talent running in their family.
Their kids are into music, dancing, fashion and other arts, as we’ve seen on the clan’s various social media posts. Swizz’s oldest son Nasir, who has been making a name for himself as a producer, just secured a deal with Epic records. Last night during the iHeart Radio Awards, Keys brought up eight-year-old Egypt to play the piano while she sang “How To Raise A Man.”
“Say we need each other more than we know,” A.K. sang sitting next to her son on the piano bench. He was sharp, wearing a white bedazzled jacket and blue bandana.
“Somebody made a man,” she added as she rose, “to show me how to raise a man. /Raise a man. /You can't be a man. /If we don't raise a man.”
Keys also won the Innovator Award at the event. While onstage, she shouted out her son Genesis, who exchanged waves with Taylor Swift. The pop Queen sat in the seats next to Alicia and Swizz.
“My son, Genesis, I think is maybe trying to take Taylor out later tonight,” Keys said on kidding fashion about their adorable interaction. "He’s working on it. I’m not sure how it’s going to go, but it looks pretty good right now.”
Meanwhile, Swift addressed everyone asking for her new album: “I just wanted to let you know that when there is new music, you will be the first to know.”
