by Jonathan P-Wright | Jan 26, 2024 | Latest, Music News |
Image Sky Cinema / Shutterstock.com
Music icon and fashion trendsetter, Rihanna, made a much-anticipated comeback to Paris Fashion Week in style. After a brief hiatus following the birth of her second son, the starlet graced Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dior couture spring 2024 runway show with her bold presence.
The Dior Couture Spring 2024 Runway Show
The Dior Couture show, held at the famed Musée Rodin on January 22, welcomed Rihanna, who brought her signature twist to the Dior’s celebrated ‘New Look’ silhouette.
W Magazine describes the New Look’s shape as having “rounded, dramatic shoulders and a cinched waist that finishes off into some sort of statement skirt.”
Rihanna, affectionately known as RiRi, embraced this style, accentuating her waist with a chunky black belt and wearing a skirt that fell just beyond her knees.
Rihanna’s Style Statement
Rihanna upped the fashion ante with her unique interpretation of the ‘New Look’. She sported an off-the-shoulder jacket, and gave her outfit an edgy spin with a newsboy baseball cap, leather gloves, dramatic lip liner, and dazzling diamond jewelry.
Rihanna’s Fashion Journey
This Fashion Week appearance marked Rihanna’s first at a designer show since the birth of her second son, Riot Rose, in August. Her previous fashion excursion was Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton menswear debut in Paris last June.
Rihanna’s relationship with Dior dates back to 2015 when she made history as Dior’s first Black ambassador. Her last appearance at a Dior show was in the fall of 2022, during her pregnancy with her first son, RZA.
At that time, she made headlines for her audacious choice of a sheer dress.
Conclusion
Rihanna’s return to Paris Fashion Week and her distinct take on Dior’s ‘New Look’ silhouette once again underscores her status as a style icon. Whether it’s music, fashion, or life, Rihanna continues to walk her path, bold and unapologetic.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Jan 18, 2024 | Latest, Music News |
R. Kelly, the famed artist, recently claimed oblivion to a lawsuit that led to a court awarding six women a whopping $10.5 million. The lawsuit was in response to alleged threats that resulted in the cancellation of the docuseries screening, Surviving R. Kelly.
The Unnoticed Lawsuit
According to court documents that TMZ managed to acquire, Kelly insisted that he would have contested the lawsuit if he had been cognizant of it. The singer pointed out that he was overwhelmed with legal issues and had to modify his legal counsel. Amidst these changes, this particular lawsuit might have slipped through unnoticed.
“In case he did receive the lawsuit, Kelly argues his linguistic capability is equivalent to a grade schooler’s, and he heavily relies on his lawyers for an understandable explanation.”
This statement underscored the artist’s alleged inability to fully comprehend the lawsuit’s implications.
Allegations and Threats
R. Kelly, along with his then-manager Donnell Russell, were accused of persistently threatening six women who were featured in the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries. The duo also reportedly intimidated the women and the docuseries producers with potential legal action.
“The lawsuit alleges that a Dec. 2018 screening in New York City was called off after someone from Kelly’s team threatened to ‘shoot up’ the venue.”
The Blame Game
In the latest court documents, Kelly disputed Russell’s role as his manager and suggested that if Russell was the source of the threat leading to the screening’s termination, the blame should be placed solely on Russell.
“He did that for his own reasons,” Kelly stated, distancing himself from Russell’s actions.
Russell was consequently sentenced to a year in prison due to the lawsuit’s fallout.
A Heavy Sentence
R. Kelly was handed a 30-year prison sentence in 2022 after being found guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. Additionally, he was sentenced to 20 more years for child sex crimes, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the celebrated artist.
Conclusion
The R. Kelly saga underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in the music industry. Despite the artist’s claims of unawareness, the court’s ruling speaks volumes about the alleged misconduct. As music news continues to unfold, we can only hope for justice and a safer environment for artists and fans alike.
As the R. Kelly story continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency within the music industry. Regardless of the artist’s claims of unawareness, the court’s ruling sends a clear message about the allegations of misconduct. As this music news continues to unfold, we can only hope for justice and a safer environment for artists and fans alike.
by Laghe Andrews | Jan 12, 2024 | Business News, Latest |
Image credit: Tupungato / Shutterstock.com
In a recent move, SoftBank sold its Open Opportunity Fund to its chairman and managing partner, Paul Judge, and Marcelo Claure, who is to be appointed the fund’s vice-chairman and general partner. This groundbreaking shift is seen as a substantial milestone, demonstrating a concrete move towards more inclusive representation within all layers of the venture capital ecosystem.
The Open Opportunity Fund: A Brief History
Earlier this year, SoftBank rebranded its Opportunity Growth Fund, bringing it under the new name of Open Opportunity Fund (OOF). Paul Judge, who was then appointed as chairman, also became a co-owner of the fund. Marcelo Claure, the initial launcher of OOF, had served as SoftBank’s COO up until 2022 and is making a return to work with the fund after a year-long hiatus.
“Marcelo brings a wealth of experience and a vast network that can help our portfolio companies. Marcelo’s extensive network of Latino entrepreneurs significantly enriches our deal flow within this vibrant community,” Judge said.
Significant Contributions
Fund 1, which is now owned by Judge and Claure, deployed $100 million in 75 Black and Latino companies, yielding seven exits and 46 follow-on rounds. SoftBank will continue to be an LP in Fund 2, and according to Claure, the fund is on the lookout for investors seeking to drive more diversity in the tech ecosystem, and who “value the importance of supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs.”
The Future of the Funds
Fund 2, which was launched earlier this year, will also increase its target to $200 million. This fund will invest in 50 pre-seed to growth-stage companies in fintech, health tech, edtech, sales and marketing, and enterprise IT. It should be noted that companies from Fund 1 may also receive funding from Fund 2 on a case-by-case basis, as stated by Judge.
Why Diversity Matters
“We believe the Black and Latino founder market is an untapped source of outsized returns and this focus allows us to find alpha that other VCs have overlooked,” Judge said. “The strong performance of Fund I proves that thesis works.”
This move is not just a significant milestone for SoftBank, but also a giant leap for the venture capital ecosystem. With more diverse representation in the higher echelons of venture capital firms now, the future of the tech ecosystem looks promising indeed, with greater support for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
The world of venture capital can often be complex and difficult to navigate, particularly for underrepresented entrepreneurs. However, with moves such as these from giants like SoftBank, the future of entrepreneurship and innovation looks bright indeed.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Jan 10, 2024 | Latest, Music News |
Memphis-based rapper, Glorilla, is all set to surprise her fanbase with a notable shift in her musical approach. Known for her edgy, raw lyrics that often criticize men, she recently announced a softer approach to her new music creations.
A Tweet Sparks the Revelation
A dedicated fan recently mentioned Glorilla in a tweet, highlighting her non-stop listening spree to the rapper’s music, and aligning with her harsh feelings towards men. The fan’s tweet read:
“listening to glorilla non-stop in the car she hate n***as as much as i do.”
Glorilla noticed the tweet and decided to respond, hinting at the profound change her fans can expect in her upcoming music. In her own words:
“I’m being a simp on my new shit yall,”
This revelation indicates that Glorilla’s new music will showcase her vulnerable, ‘simp’ side, contrasting her typical edgy style.
A New Leaf in Glorilla’s Musical Journey
At just 24 years old, Glorilla’s decision to embrace a softer musical approach marks a significant turning point in her career. This change aligns with her recent personal developments, including her new relationship and physical transformation through breast implants.
Glorilla’s Previous Work
Glorilla’s last solo project, Anyways, Life’s Great, was released in 2022. The EP featured three hit singles: “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” in collaboration with Hitkidd, “Blessed,” and “Tomorrow 2” featuring Cardi B. The latter even reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, further cementing Glorilla’s place in the music industry.
Glorilla’s Take on Gender Disparity in Rap
The CMG signee recently spoke out against Fabolous’s comments on the disparity in the recognition of male and female rappers. Fabolous had stated his appreciation for many female rappers but expressed his disappointment that they all don’t receive equal recognition.
Glorilla responded, challenging his viewpoint by pointing out the similar themes in male and female rap songs. She argued that while men rap about violent acts, women address similar themes without promoting violence. In her interview with GQ, she said:
“What men rap about? Killing, fucking, robbing, cars, money. Females rapping about the same shit,”
Glorilla then went on to highlight the non-violent nature of female rappers, stating:
“But guess what? We’re not killing. We’re not in gangs. We’re not robbing. That’s what men be doing. What we doing? We’re sitting pretty, we’re popping our shit, we’re hustling, we’re getting money. We fuck, so we rap about what we do.”
This bold statement further emphasizes Glorilla’s fearless stance and her commitment to authenticity in her music.
Conclusion
Glorilla’s decision to reveal her ‘simp’ side in her new music is a testament to her versatility and fearlessness as an artist. Her fans eagerly anticipate this new chapter in her musical journey.
With her bold, expressive voice and her commitment to tell authentic stories, Glorilla continues to resonate with her young, edgy, and thoughtful audience. Her upcoming music is sure to reflect her growth as an artist and as an individual, and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for us.
by Derrick T Lewis | Dec 28, 2023 | Latest, Music News |
Image credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
The music world is abuzz with the latest news surrounding two of its most colorful personalities – Cardi B and Offset. The pair, once a power couple, are currently facing a lawsuit over allegations of unpaid rent and significant property damage to a vacation home they once shared in Beverly Hills.
The Backstory
Cardi B and Offset, who have a history of making headlines, are once again in the spotlight. This time, it’s due to a legal dispute involving a vacation home they rented in the affluent neighborhood of Beverly Hills.
The Allegations
According to documents procured by TMZ, the pair took up residence in the property in 2022 but vacated in October of the same year without providing any notice to the property owner.
The Damages
The damages reportedly include scratches on the tile floors, torn rugs, damaged curtains, and broken furniture. The landlord has estimated these damages to total around $85,000.
The Landlord’s Efforts
The landlord claims to have attempted to resolve the issue privately with the former couple, but has had no luck in reaching them. This has led to the decision to take legal recourse.
The Timing
This lawsuit comes on the heels of Cardi B’s recent announcement that she and Offset had decided to call it quits. The Bronx-born rapper took to her Instagram Live to share her emotions about the split.
“I’ve been single for a minute now,” she confessed. “But I have been afraid to like—not afraid I just don’t know how to tell the world. But I feel like today has been a sign.”
Cardi’s Feelings
Cardi continued to express her feelings, hinting at Offset’s recent behavior as a contributing factor to their breakup.
“You’ve really been feeling yourself… because of your bitch ass album and shit. And you really been doing me dirty after so many fucking years that I mothafucking helped your ass. Not even a fucking thank you that I got from your bitch ass.”
The Future
This legal issue adds another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous situation. It remains to be seen how Cardi B and Offset will handle this latest development in their ongoing saga.
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