Dababy’s New Album Is Expected To Sell 16k In Its First Week As It’s Not Normal For The Rapper;
Unfortunately things are not going so well for DaBaby, it looks like his Baby empire is falling apart, it all started in the summer of last year where the rapper made some h*mophobic comments that literally cost his music career, until then the rapper lost several collaborations with sponsors and corporate after the h*mophobic comments he made, this made the rapper fall in the sales of his album,
Because literally last year when the rapper released his new album he eventually hit over 124k sales in the first few weeks with his album “Blame It On Baby” before his show at Rolling Loud everything is going great in his career as he too reached number one on the Billboard Charts with their album,
But now things are very different for the rapper and some rappers commented about what is happening with Dababy, Meek Mill gave his opinion and said “They blatantly black balling da baby .. not my business but ima observer 👨🏾 🔬”;
The rappers believe that Dababy was banned, it seems that the music industry closed the corridors of DaBaby, and there is nowhere to help, His new album “Baby 2” was well received by the fans but not so much for the music industry and the numbers are low, but first weeks DaBaby sold 16k copies in the first week as the numbers should be even higher,
Bossie also commented on DaBaby’s situation and says “Ain’t no way my nigga @DaBabyDaBaby supposed to sell 16k after selling almost 150k his last first week ‼️he one of the BIGGEST n this shit ‼️I DONT KNOW WHATS GOING ON BUT SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY GOING ON ‼️”
Could it be that the music industry is still against Dababy, of his opinion on this;
Ain’t no way my nigga @DaBabyDaBaby supposed to sell 16k after selling almost 150k his last first week ‼️he one of the BIGGEST n this shit ‼️I DONT KNOW WHATS GOING ON BUT SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY GOING ON ‼️
Michael Rapaport is the latest celebrity to publicly take issue with DJ Akademiks‘ disparaging remarks about Hip Hop’s pioneers.
The actor – who has collaborated with rappers and others within the culture throughout his lengthy career – posted a passionate video to Instagram in which he called Akademiks out.
“I’m not gonna be as polite as the great LL COOL J, Russell Simmons, anybody else that spoken on this bum-ass clown, dusty, dirty, bum-ass, short, fat, bloated, goofy, no-talent little shit, Akademiks, disrespecting the people who built Hip Hop,” Rapaport started. “First of all, you’re not a fucking DJ. You don’t cut, you don’t scratch, you don’t produce. You’re not a DJ, so stop calling yourself DJ.
“Shut this dude down,” he continued “You’re a fucking joke. Making money off Hip Hop when you have no skillset in Hip Hop. Shut this bozo goofball down.
Akademiks caught wind of Rapaport’s comments, tweeting back: “7 likes later.. N-gga u can’t be serious. U ain’t done sucking up KD or the barstools N-gga yet? N-gga save ur saliva for ur long line of ppl u gotta really get at … I just laugh at a N-gga like u.”
“Have you seen any of these old rappers who be like, yo, they’re the foundation of Hip Hop really living good?” Ak said during a conversation about success in the music business. “Them n-ggas be looking really dusty, I kid you not. And none of y’all try to come for me ’cause I don’t fuck with y’all n-ggas either, so I’m just telling y’all the truth.”
Since LL’s response brought added attention to the controversial comments, others have joined the conversation, echoing the sentiment that Ak was out of line. Ebro Darden and Peter Rosenburg‘s on-air criticism on Ebro in the Morning, however, spurred the controversial media personality to respond to the backlash with a series of tweets.
“Any industry n-gga hating on me.. is cuz i aint [sic] kiss the ring or bow down before i got into this shit,” he wrote in one of the tweets. “[They] all mad they gotta deal wit me. now. Just remember akademiks aint [sic] the last. Everyone influential in hip hop media coming via the internet… Theres [sic] a lot more 2 come.”
While Rapaport’s relationship with Hip Hop has not been drama free, he has also been involved with several key moments for the culture in film. The actor’s filmography includes Bamboozled, Poetic Justice, and Higher Learning.
Born in Michigan in 2003, Chase Usher, known as CHASE, is a talented rapper and song writer. He discovered his love for music as a young child. At the age of 10, he started experimenting with making short songs, raps and music using apps on his cell phone. But it wasn’t until he was able to buy his first rap album of Chief Keef’s music that his creativity and talent began to grow.
Being in Motown, CHASE was surrounded by talented and creative musicians, designers, producers, and artist. But it wasn’t until his family moved to Atlanta, GA when he was 15, he realized rap music was what he really wanted to write and perform.
CHASE is inspired by all types of music and artist such as, Kanye West, Michael Jackson, Future, Jimmy Hendrix, Play Boi Cardi and Chief Keef, just to name a few.
CHASE has just released his highly anticipated first single, RunItUp and is ready for the world to hear his music.
After production was delayed as a result of Will Smith oscar in cident, Martin Lawrence has stated that “Bad Boys 4” is still in the works. Martin Lawrence is promising fans that he and Will Smith will always be Bad Boys even though the rest of the movie industry has
distanced themselves from the King Richard actor. Lawrence talked about his friendship with Will Smith in a conversation with EBONY. In the wake of the sla’p*ing in’cident, Martin was asked if the two icons would team up for the fourth entry in the Bad Boys franchise.
In his response, Lawrence implied that he had no intention of abandoning his friend and workmate or abandoning the project. Martin Lawrence commented on the likelihood of a Bad Boys 4 movie, We got one more at least. Later in the interview, when talking about
comedy great and actor Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence’s sympathy for Will Smith can be shown. During a turbulent period in Martin’s life when the industry was distancing itself from the comic, Murphy helped Lawrence land a career launching role in the 1999 comedy film Life.
After the BET reunion special for the venerable comedy Martin aired, Lawrence received a lot of praise for it elsewhere. He recently said that he was renewing his long-forgotten ideas to make a Shenehneh and Wanda movie. The actor and comedian said to
Jimmy Fallon last month, I believe y’all would adore this if we Jamie Foxx and I could ever get that together. Later this year, Martin Lawrence will also get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
This month, we’re celebrating the beauty & freedom of Black Joy with comedy king Martin Lawrence. From being the first host of Def Comedy Jam, to co-starring with Eddie Murphy in Boomerang, we take a hilarious walk down memory lane with EBONY's #JulyCoverhttps://t.co/hBoKBWU9hzpic.twitter.com/GebgnaRID2
Icon Serena Williams gave her final bow on Friday, Sept. 2 after she lost in the third round of the women’s singles at the U.S. Open to Australian Ajla Tomljanović. The loss likely marked the end of her solo tennis career.
After an intense night, Tomljanović won the match 7-5, 6-7, 6-1.
After she lost, Williams, 40, waved and made a heart shape with her hands to the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Williams thanks the fans after being defeated by Ajla Tomlijanovic of Australia during their Women’s Singles Third Round match on Day Five of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 2, 2022.Al Bello / Getty Images
In her post-game interview, Williams said, “I tried but Ajla just played a little bit better.”
“Thank you, daddy. I know you’re watching. Thanks, mom,” she said as she teared up. “I just thank everyone that’s here, that’s been by my side for so many years, decades… But it all started with my parents and they deserve everything. So, I’m really grateful for them.”
“These are happy tears, I guess, I don’t know,” she continued, before thanking her sister, Venus. “I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t Venus.”
Nike also posted a video, honoring Williams and her incredible legacy.
“Serena Williams redefined what it means to be a true champion. Her legacy transcends sport and has inspired generations. We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with her,” the company said in a statement. “And, we thank her for all she has done and will do in the future. Here’s to never changing who you are.“
Williams won in her first round of the U.S. Open against Danka Kovinic on Monday. She upset the No. 2 seed, Estonian player Anett Kontaveit, in her match on Wednesday. On Thursday, however, Williams and sister Venus Williams lost in the first round of doubles to the Czech pair of Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova.
Williams was defeated by Ajla Tomlijanovic during the U.S. Open’s third round on Sept. 2, 2022.Mike Stobe / Getty Images
Following Monday’s match, she was honored for being the “greatest of all time” in the sport.
“Thank you for showing us how to be graceful, powerful, fearless,” a video narrated by Oprah Winfrey for the event said. “Thank you for changing the face of the game. For inspiring the next generation.”
The video showed Williams with her daughter, Olympia, as well as her fans, competitors and famous supporters.
“Thank you for thinking outside the lines and encouraging us to evolve,” Winfrey said in the video. “Thank you for showing us how to love the sport and for always loving us back.”
Winfrey ended the tribute by telling her that her fans will stick around for the next chapters.
“We’ll be watching,” she said. “With love, all of us.”
In an essay for Vogue earlier this month, Williams said she plans to take a step back from the sport that has made her an icon.
“I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me,” Williams wrote. “I’ve been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people. Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.”
DaBaby has had a rollercoaster ride of a career, and it may be due in part to the way he carried himself throughout the years. It now looks like all of those things are coming back to haunt him.
On Aug. 30, it was reported that the rapper will no longer perform at the Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Friday, due to low ticket sales.
Ticketmaster deactivated the concert, and it now reads “Unfortunately, the event organizer has had to cancel your event.” Before the event was taken down, there were fewer than 500 tickets purchased, but the arena holds 14,000 people. The tickets were also as low as $35.
The only two tour dates left on DaBaby’s website are in Paris, France, and Houston, Texas.
Circling back to his rollercoaster career, the rapper has done many controversial things in the past two years. During his Rolling Loud performance in 2021, he made homophobic and misogynistic comments, saying “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up. Fellas, if you ain’t sucking d— in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up.”
In February 2022, DaBaby was in the news for fighting the brother of DaniLeigh, the singer whom he used to date and who is the mother of one of his children.
In April 2022, a video showed DaBaby trying to force a fan to kiss him who looked uninterested in doing so. Later that month, TMZ reported that a property manager pressed felony battery charges against the rapper, claiming he suffered serious injuries after being attacked by the rapper at a music video shoot.
From left, Natalia Bryant, her mother, Vanessa Bryant, and family friend Sydney Leroux leave the courthouse in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Los Angeles (CNN)A federal jury awarded $31 million in damages to Kobe Bryant’s widow and her co-plaintiff on Thursday after finding the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s and Fire departments liable for infringing on their constitutional rights for taking and sharing gruesome photos of the January 2020 helicopter crash that left nine people dead.
Vanessa Bryant was awarded $16 million in damages and Christopher Chester was awarded $15 million.
The verdict stems from photos taken by LA County deputies and firefighters in the immediate aftermath of the crash that killed Kobe Bryant, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers player, his daughter Gianna, Chester’s wife, Sarah, his daughter Payton and five others. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the helicopter pilot pushed the limits of bad weather flying rules before he crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California.
The photos included not just wreckage of the helicopter but close-up images of the mangled bodies of those killed.
Bryant and Chester argued that the photos of their loved ones caused emotional distress and violated their privacy. Each testified to living in fear the photos may surface, despite the county’s assertion the pictures had been destroyed.
Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant celebrates after Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. The Lakers won 99-86 for their 15th title and first since 2002. Bryant had 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists as the Lakers completed a four-games-to-one victory in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.
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Bryant holds his daughter, Gianna, after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals.
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Bryant rides the Matterhorn Bobsleds with Jonathan Guerrero, 4, and his father, David Guerrero of Pomona, California, at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in 2009. The Guerreros were among thousands of Lakers fans who turned out for a special Disneyland parade honoring the Lakers’ 15th World Championship.
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US President Barack Obama chats with Bryant at a Boys and Girls Club in Washington in 2010. Obama welcomed the Lakers to honor their 2009-2010 season and their second consecutive NBA championship.
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Bryant celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals in Los Angeles.
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Bryant joins a teaching session for fans during a 2011 promotional tour of South Korea at Korea University in Seoul.
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Bryant is injured in the second half while playing the Golden State Warriors in 2013. The injury took him out of the rest of the season.
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From left, Kevin Durant, Lebron James and Bryant pose with their gold medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
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LeBron James guards Bryant during a 2016 game between the Cavaliers and Lakers in Los Angeles.
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Magic Johnson hugs Bryant before the final game of his career in 2016.
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Bryant runs up the court during his final game in 2016. The Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 101-96. Bryant scored 60 points in the game.
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From left, Peyton Mannin, Abby Wambach and Bryant accept the Icon Award during the 2016 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, right, gestures while posing with Bryant alongside members of his family and city officials in 2016. The city council announced August 24 as Kobe Bryant Day. The date commemorates the numbers Bryant wore as a Laker: 8 and 24.
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Bryant walks to center court at his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of a basketball game in 2017.
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Bryant and filmmaker Glen Keane accept the 2018 Oscar for best animated short film. “Dear Basketball” was based on a letter Bryant wrote in 2015 announcing his retirement from basketball.
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Bryant posted this photo to Instagram on Mother’s Day in 2019. He and his wife, Vanessa, had four daughters: Natalia, Gianna, Bianka and Capri, who was born in June. “Happy Mother’s Day @vanessabryant,” Bryant wrote. “We love you and thank you for all that you do for our family. You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba”
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Bryant and his daughter Gianna attend a Los Angeles Lakers game against the Atlanta Hawks in 2019.
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Bryant listens to the National Anthem prior to a 2019 Lakers game against the Atlanta Hawks in Los Angeles.
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Kobe Bryant, pictured in 2007, spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Bryant’s youth basketball team poses for a picture in the early 1990s in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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Bryant dunks the ball in his high school gym in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, during a practice in 1996.
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Bryant jokes with the media as he holds his Los Angeles Lakers jersey at a news conference in Inglewood, California, in 1996.
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Bryant eyes the basket during the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk contest in Cleveland. Bryant was the youngest player to win the contest.
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Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls eyes the basket as he is guarded by Bryant during a 1998 game in Los Angeles.
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Bryant sits on the sidelines during the Euro ABC camp in Berlin in 1999.
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Shaquille O’Neal and Byrant sit on the bench before a game in 1999 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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Bryant hugs his fiancee, Vanessa Laine, in the locker room in Los Angeles after the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the 2000 NBA Finals to win the series 4-2. Bryant later married Laine, and they had four children.
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Bryant goes in for a slam dunk against the New Jersey Nets in January 2001.
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Bryant appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” at NBC Studios in 2001.
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Bryant stands for the National Anthem at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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President Bush holds up a Lakers jersey that Bryant gave him at a ceremony for the 2001 NBA World Champions in the East Room of the White House in January 2002.
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Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, attend a news conference at the Staples Center in 2003. The NBA star proclaimed his innocence after facing sexual assault charges for the alleged rape of a 19-year-old Colorado woman. The charges were later dropped. “Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did,” Bryant later said in a statement.
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Bryant goes up for a shot between the Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce, left, and Al Jefferson during a 2006 game in Los Angeles.
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Bryant kisses his daughter Natalia during a 2008 photo session at his home in Newport Beach, California.
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Bryant jumps for a rebound against the Denver Nuggets during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant celebrates after Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. The Lakers won 99-86 for their 15th title and first since 2002. Bryant had 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists as the Lakers completed a four-games-to-one victory in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant holds his daughter, Gianna, after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant rides the Matterhorn Bobsleds with Jonathan Guerrero, 4, and his father, David Guerrero of Pomona, California, at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in 2009. The Guerreros were among thousands of Lakers fans who turned out for a special Disneyland parade honoring the Lakers’ 15th World Championship.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
US President Barack Obama chats with Bryant at a Boys and Girls Club in Washington in 2010. Obama welcomed the Lakers to honor their 2009-2010 season and their second consecutive NBA championship.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals in Los Angeles.
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Bryant joins a teaching session for fans during a 2011 promotional tour of South Korea at Korea University in Seoul.
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Bryant is injured in the second half while playing the Golden State Warriors in 2013. The injury took him out of the rest of the season.
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From left, Kevin Durant, Lebron James and Bryant pose with their gold medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
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LeBron James guards Bryant during a 2016 game between the Cavaliers and Lakers in Los Angeles.
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Magic Johnson hugs Bryant before the final game of his career in 2016.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant runs up the court during his final game in 2016. The Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 101-96. Bryant scored 60 points in the game.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
From left, Peyton Mannin, Abby Wambach and Bryant accept the Icon Award during the 2016 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, right, gestures while posing with Bryant alongside members of his family and city officials in 2016. The city council announced August 24 as Kobe Bryant Day. The date commemorates the numbers Bryant wore as a Laker: 8 and 24.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant walks to center court at his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of a basketball game in 2017.
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Bryant and filmmaker Glen Keane accept the 2018 Oscar for best animated short film. “Dear Basketball” was based on a letter Bryant wrote in 2015 announcing his retirement from basketball.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant posted this photo to Instagram on Mother’s Day in 2019. He and his wife, Vanessa, had four daughters: Natalia, Gianna, Bianka and Capri, who was born in June. “Happy Mother’s Day @vanessabryant,” Bryant wrote. “We love you and thank you for all that you do for our family. You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba”
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant and his daughter Gianna attend a Los Angeles Lakers game against the Atlanta Hawks in 2019.
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Bryant listens to the National Anthem prior to a 2019 Lakers game against the Atlanta Hawks in Los Angeles.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Kobe Bryant, pictured in 2007, spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant’s youth basketball team poses for a picture in the early 1990s in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant dunks the ball in his high school gym in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, during a practice in 1996.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant jokes with the media as he holds his Los Angeles Lakers jersey at a news conference in Inglewood, California, in 1996.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant eyes the basket during the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk contest in Cleveland. Bryant was the youngest player to win the contest.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls eyes the basket as he is guarded by Bryant during a 1998 game in Los Angeles.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant sits on the sidelines during the Euro ABC camp in Berlin in 1999.
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Shaquille O’Neal and Byrant sit on the bench before a game in 1999 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant hugs his fiancee, Vanessa Laine, in the locker room in Los Angeles after the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the 2000 NBA Finals to win the series 4-2. Bryant later married Laine, and they had four children.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant goes in for a slam dunk against the New Jersey Nets in January 2001.
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Bryant appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” at NBC Studios in 2001.
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Bryant stands for the National Anthem at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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President Bush holds up a Lakers jersey that Bryant gave him at a ceremony for the 2001 NBA World Champions in the East Room of the White House in January 2002.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, attend a news conference at the Staples Center in 2003. The NBA star proclaimed his innocence after facing sexual assault charges for the alleged rape of a 19-year-old Colorado woman. The charges were later dropped. “Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did,” Bryant later said in a statement.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant goes up for a shot between the Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce, left, and Al Jefferson during a 2006 game in Los Angeles.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant kisses his daughter Natalia during a 2008 photo session at his home in Newport Beach, California.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant jumps for a rebound against the Denver Nuggets during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
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Photos: Kobe Bryant’s life in pictures
Bryant celebrates after Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. The Lakers won 99-86 for their 15th title and first since 2002. Bryant had 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists as the Lakers completed a four-games-to-one victory in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.
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Jurors listened to 11 days worth of graphic and emotional testimony. Witnesses during the trial included a deputy who said he showed images from the scene to two people at a bar; another deputy who said he shared photos while playing a video game; a deputy who air-dropped scene photos to an unidentified person in firefighting gear; a fire captain who took similar photos but turned in a department device missing its hard drive; and a fire official who showed the images to other personnel during an awards ceremony cocktail hour.
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The federal jury found both the Sheriff’s and Fire Departments lacked proper policies and training which caused the violation of rights. The only plaintiff claim not supported by jurors was in a finding that the county fire department was not liable for any long-standing widespread practice or custom of taking illicit photos. The sheriff’s department was found liable for the same issue.
Immediately after the verdict was read, Bryant hugged her attorneys. As she continued to cry, Bryant then tearfully embraced her daughter Natalia in the front row. She left the courthouse without making a statement, but did post a picture of her, Kobe Bryant and their daughter Gianna on Instagram with the caption: “All for you! I love you! JUSTICE for Kobe and Gigi!”
“This case has always been about accountability,” her attorney Luis Li said in a statement. “And now the jury has unanimously spoken.”
Attorney Mira Hashmall, who led outside counsel for LA County, released a statement shortly after the verdict.
“While we disagree with the jury’s findings as to the County’s liability, we believe the monetary award shows that jurors didn’t believe the evidence supported the Plaintiffs’ request of $75 million for emotional distress,” Hashmall said. “We will be discussing next steps with our client. Meanwhile, we hope the Bryant and Chester families continue to heal from their tragic loss.”
In September 2020, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an invasion-of-privacy bill called the “Kobe Bryant Act” that makes it illegal for first responders to share photos of a dead person at a crime scene “for any purpose other than an official law enforcement purpose.” The misdemeanor crime is punishable by up to $1,000 per violation.
Coincidentally, the decision was announced on “Kobe Bryant Day,” or August 24, which was created by Los Angeles in 2016 and Orange County in 2020 to honor the Lakers star’s two jersey numbers, 8 and 24. The Lakers have retired both numbers.
Defense wanted to separate emotions from legality
Deliberations began Wednesday shortly after an attorney for Los Angeles County argued that the trial is a “pictures case with no pictures,” noting that the gruesome photos of human remains have never actually been seen by the public — or even the plaintiffs.
“No pictures is good. No pictures means no public dissemination … no risk of other people making mistakes,” Hashmall, the county attorney, said in closing arguments of the trial.
In an emotional rebuttal, Li argued Wednesday the actions of the county in taking such photos were reckless and inhumane and caused emotional distress.
“They poured salt into an unhealable wound and that’s why we’re all here today,” he said.
Earlier in the trial, Kobe Bryant’s widow leaves court in tears after moment in court 02:35
During closing arguments Wednesday, attorneys for Los Angeles County sought to separate Vanessa Bryant’s emotional testimony from the legal issues the jury must consider.
Hashmall argued the county’s actions to delete the photos resulted in them never being distributed publicly, and she argued further that first responders taking photos did not violate Bryant’s rights.
She urged the jury to consider the law, which only allows for a verdict against the county if it can be proven county policies were deficient enough to prevent the spread of the photos or if there is a longstanding custom of such behavior within the sheriff and fire departments.
“If the county didn’t take (the photo sharing) seriously, why is this whole case based on the county’s investigation?” she said.
Jurors also wrestled with what constitutes “the public” in this case. The plaintiffs argued any deputy without an investigatory reason to have the photos should be considered the public. One of the deputies shared photos containing human remains with another deputy as they were playing the video game “Call of Duty,” and another showed them to a bar patron and a bartenderhe considered a friend.
Hashmall agreed that was wrong, but asked the jury to consider whether it “shocked the conscience,” a legal threshold the jury must consider in rendering its verdict.
“Does it shock the conscience that he needed to talk?” Hashmall asked. She also noted that the deputy was disciplined for his actions. “That’s not a constitutional issue, that’s a county issue,” she said.
In their rebuttal, Bryant’s attorneys argued the photos could still exist because one of the deputies AirDropped them to a firefighter that hasn’t been identified. They also argued the county inadequately investigated the incident, which has allowed for photos of human remains to potentially surface.
The rebuttal evoked tears from Vanessa Bryant and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka in the courtroom. Li, Bryant’s attorney, said the jury’s decision is “important to families throughout the United States who might suffer a tragedy someday.”
Referring to testimony given by veteran law enforcement officials including Sheriff Alex Villanueva, Li reminded the jury of a practice of first responders keeping “death books” since the Polaroid was around. Li said to the jury: “This has been going on for decades. Make it stop.”
Bryant cried audibly and grabbed tissues when Li stated that photos of family members’ bodies torn apart are private and should not be shared with deputies just “because they’re wearing a badge the next morning, to offer [the photos] to their wife.”
In describing how deputies had to have gone out of their way to find Gianna Bryant’s remains in a ravine to photograph her, Li asked, “Does that shock the conscience?”
Li said while there is no jury form to check a box for better training, better policies, or more discipline, there is only a box jurors can check for damages: “Whatever you put in that box will serve to shine a light on the legacy of Kobe and Gianna Bryant.”
Li concluded with applauding the two whistleblowers, one of whom sat in the courtroom. Li was emotional as he said: “But for those people, we may never have heard of this….There’s another group of people who saw something terribly wrong. You…Your turn to stand up and deliver accountability.”
Rapper Offset poses on the runway during the Balenciaga Womenswear Spring/Summer 2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week at Theatre Du Chatelet on October 02, 2021 in Paris, France. Richard Bord/Getty Images
Offset is suing Quality Control for the rights to his solo career. According to TMZ, the Migos rapper has filed a lawsuit against his label, claiming they failed to honor their agreement made in January 2021.
The lawsuit, reportedly filed on Tuesday (Aug. 23), states the rapper, legally known as Kiari Kendrell Cephus, previously negotiated his solo deal. Cephus “paid handsomely” for his solo artist rights, but Quality Control has allegedly gone back on its word. Since the release of “54321” and his forthcoming solo project announcement, he says QC isn’t honoring the deal and claiming the Baby Keem-produced track as their own.
QC’s Pierre “P” Thomas hit Twitter on Wednesday (Aug. 24) to call foul on Offset’s lawsuit.
“The last lawsuit was filed publicly and dismissed quietly,” P typed. “Let’s see how this one go. Been to real for all this lame sh*t. Everyone know the real problem.”
Offset fired back quote tweeting P, responding to his disapproval of his lawsuit.
“Ni**as act like I’m the problem, I paid millions to get my rights back, Ni**a,” Cephus said, reacting to the music executive. “You blackballed me. I ain’t said Sh*t one time homie, I ain’t spoke to you in 2 years now I drop, and you want ya name on my credit?”
Cephus hasn’t spoken about the future of Migos as of late, but he has doubled down on his solo career. Offset’s next single, “Code,” featuring Moneybagg Yo, drops on Friday (Aug. 26).
Watch the video for his latest single, “54321,” below.
Baby-Baby-Baby. Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas was out here making fans fall deeper in love with her after a recent Instagram video showed her swiftly dancing to “Down Flat” by Ghanaian singer Kelvyn Boy in what appeared to be her home gym.
Chilli began body rolling to the lyrics as she then smoothly transitioned to foot and hand movements while the song continued.
@therealchilli/Instagram
“You already knoooo” the 51-year-old captioned her Instagram post. The clip, which received over 300,000 plays, reached fans everywhere who were amazed by her dance moves and couldn’t take their eyes off her gym-figure body.
“I got to get in shape, this my new goal. To be able to do this dance and not pass out”
“I’m about to do 5,000 squats so I can get me a lil onion, too”
Kelvyn Boy even entered the former TLC member’s comments section with flower emojis, insinuating he’s giving her well-deserved recognition.
“Beautiful song you have!” Chilli responded to Kelvyn.
Chilli regularly turns to social media sites such as Instagram and TikTok to upload videos that show her dancing. Before this particular one, she uploaded a video of her in the same scenery, body rolling to Chris Brown’s song “Call Me Every Day.”
In 2016, Chilli collaborated with American fitness trainer Shaun T. for a dance fitness workout video. Her song “Body” was featured in the video, which also featured Shaun T.
When discussing the secret to how she keeps her body alive and thriving, Chilli noted the importance of staying active.
She toldRashan Ali in 2019 on TVOne’s former “Sister Circle” show, “When you take care of yourself, eat the way we’re supposed to eat and workout whatever type of workout you like to do, you don’t get stuff. You can keep moving.
AceShowbiz – Cardi B has spoken out about Nicki Minaj‘s fake former assistant controversy. After an Instagram user claiming to be an ex-assistant of the “Bang Bang” rapper said that Nicki made comments on her child Kulture, Cardi reacted to the whole drama as she shared that she didn’t buy the claims.
“Another thing that I’m seeing is people saying, ‘Oh, you be discussing this, this, and that with Armon,’ ” she said of YouTuber Armon Wiggins, insisting that she has nothing to do with the fake page. Cardi also shared that she was asked by bloggers for input on the “tea.”
She continued, “No, a lot of blogs hit me up asking me about that bulls**t that was going on two days ago. And I told everybody, ‘No, that is not true.’ ” She went on to say, “There was lies talking bout ‘oh Mike WiLL Made It told you this and that and said this about your kid,’ no. That is not true, that is not true. ‘Have you reached out this and that’- no. it’s not true, I think it’s false, I think it’s a troll. And that what I told Arman and what I told everybody else.”
The “Bodak Yellow” rapper also revealed, “I’m not discussing everybody, I’m telling ppl no this s**t is a lie, because guess what if I don’t respond to people they are gonna assume that it’s real and then they are gonna run with it. I don’t lie on people and I’m not gonna let the narrative go that is true. What’s wrong with me saying it’s a lie it’s not true.”
The wife of Offset later called out people who only wanted to see strife if she entertained the claims by the troll account and slammed Nicki in response. “Y’all would have loved it if I entertained it… ‘yes it’s true’… but that’s not true, I told people it’s false, that’s a troll, that’s a troll account and that’s how I left it, nice clean and there. And Arman wasn’t the only one that reached out. A lot of blogs DM me and a lot of blogs hit my publicist and we denied all of it and we said it was a lie. thank you, carry on,” the rapper divulged.
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Prior to this, Nicki hopped on Instagram Live on Monday, August 1 to address the fake assistant controversy. She mocked the rumors as she pretended to be crying and admitted to some of the allegations, before calling the allegations “dumb.” She said, “My assistant, y’all they went and told everybody that it is true I owe a hundred million dollars to IRS.”
She also jokingly admitted that her hairstylist Tae “is so uncomfortable around,” but ended up cracking up. “The tea sounds so f**king dumb. And for a person to believe it you would have to be dumb,” she noted, “It’s clearly a kid. Do you know how much money you have to make to owe that amount of money to IRS?”
It was later revealed that the fake page used a photo of Megan Feldman Bettencourt, a freelance journalist that worked for Business Insider, Harper’s Bazaar and Salon. After she claimed that she “never had a secret life as the ‘ex-assistant’ ” of Nicki on Twitter, the femcee replied to her tweet, “Ok, you know TF what? well hey, if you ever need a job hit me up. I feel bad but hey, cheers to Newsweek! always a silver lining i- i guess?”
