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13 hours ago
- Entertainment
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SZA Walks Out Of Fan Meet-And-Greet After Being Hit By Thrown Object
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty During a recent fan meet-and-greet in Phoenix, SZA abruptly exited after being unexpectedly hit by an object thrown from the crowd. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HOT 97 (@hot97) The Grammy-winning artist was taking time to connect with fans before her joint performance with Kendrick Lamar when the incident occurred. In a now widely shared video, SZA appears cheerful and engaged as she signs autographs and interacts with supporters. However, the atmosphere quickly changes when someone throws a bracelet that strikes her on the side of the head. Clearly taken aback, she immediately steps away without saying a word, trailed closely by her security team as confusion spreads through the gathering. The incident has reignited conversations around concert and event safety, particularly the growing trend of fans throwing items at performers. Many online have criticized the lack of respect shown to artists in vulnerable moments of direct fan interaction. Away from the chaos in Phoenix, SZA has recently been making headlines for speaking out in support of Megan Thee Stallion. As Tory Lanez's legal team continues to challenge Megan's claims regarding her 2020 shooting, SZA addressed the renewed skepticism in a sharp Instagram comment. Reacting to a video attempting to discredit Megan, she expressed disbelief at how many people feel comfortable publicly mocking someone who has been confirmed as a victim. 'Y'all really bullying a woman out loud with no shame?' she wrote. Her comment has been praised for defending Megan amid a broader call for accountability in how the public treats survivors of violence. SEE ALSO SZA Walks Out Of Fan Meet-And-Greet After Being Hit By Thrown Object was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Black America Web
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Smokey Robinson Responds To Rape Accusers With $500M Defamation Suit
Source: Bill Tompkins / Getty Earlier this month, Smokey Robinson was hit with a $50 million sexual assault lawsuit, and now he's firing back. Alongside his wife Frances, the Motown mogul is responding to the allegations with a $500 million counter-suit. According to Variety , in the suit, they not only label the initial filing a 'fabricated scheme' in an effort to extort the wealthy couple, but also accuse them of slander, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and financial elder abuse. 'The Robinsons did not abuse, harm, or take advantage of Plaintiffs; they treated Plaintiffs with the utmost kindness and generosity,' the suit reads. The couple, who have been married for 23 years, further paint a much more positive environment, saying the former employees went on vacation with them, enjoyed holidays with them, were offered money beyond their salaries, and considered them extended family. The lawyers also filed a motion to dismiss the eight-figure lawsuit, arguing they shouldn't have been allowed to withhold their names. When it was filed the four women only identified themselves as Jane Doe 1, 2, 3 and 4 and claim the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer was a nightmare to work with for years, with their lawyer calling him a 'serial and sick rapist.' Accusations include labeling his wife an enabler as he sexually assaulted the four of them while they were housekeepers at his Chatsworth, California, home, creating a 'hostile work environment.' Jane Doe 1 says the inappropriate behavior began in March 2023, for Jane Doe 2, it started in 2016, who also accuses Frances of 'using ethnically pejorative words and language.' A third claimed he raped her 'at least 20 times' throughout her 12 year tenure, while the third echoes similar sentiments and also served as Frances' assistant. With some of the claims dating back decades, the woman says they feared coming forward earlier in fear of losing their jobs and their families potentially facing 'reprisal, public embarrassment, shame, and humiliation.' When the initial suit went public, the Robinsons released a statement through their lawyer Christopher Frost, shooting down the claims, saying 'the evidence will show that this is simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon–$50 million, to be exact.' It further accuses the plaintiffs' attorneys of 'trying to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create. See social media's response to the claims below. SEE ALSO Smokey Robinson Responds To Rape Accusers With $500M Defamation Suit was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Black America Web
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Tina Knowles Cut Her Hair To Save Beyoncé's 1st Destiny's Child Video
Source: KMazur / Getty Tina Knowles has always been more than just a mom. She's been a stylist, a creative force, and a fierce protector of her daughters' dreams. In her new memoir Matriarch , Tina recounts a now-legendary story from the early days of Destiny's Child that shows just how far she was willing to go for Beyoncé's big moment. Read more inside. People reports that in 1997, a 16-year-old Beyoncé and her groupmates—Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett—were filming their very first music video for 'No, No, No (Part 2)' featuring Wyclef Jean. The stakes were high. Tina, who styled the girls' hair for the video, recalled the moment everything almost went off the rails: she had forgotten to bring enough platinum-blonde streaks for Beyoncé's highlights. 'She wanted her first ever highlights,' Tina writes in Matriarch , 'and I had planned to glue in fake platinum blond pieces to match the ones in my own hair.' But when she realized she didn't have enough, and saw the frustration on her daughter's face, Tina knew she had to improvise—fast. Without missing a beat, she looked in the mirror, grabbed a pair of scissors, and began snipping strands from her own hair. 'Just enough here and there to glue into my daughter's hair without leaving me bald-headed,' she wrote. Her quick thinking saved the look and showcased her unwavering commitment to her daughter's success and happiness. The shoot wasn't without tension. Tina also recounted the initial frostiness from makeup artists Chris Maldonado and Eric Ferrell, who had been misled about who would be handling hair that day. But once they realized Tina was Beyoncé's mom, the ice broke and lasting friendships were formed. The resulting video for 'No, No, No (Part 2)' became a major breakthrough, climbing to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the R&B charts. But behind the scenes, it was a mother's dedication—and a few strands of her own hair—that helped Destiny's Child shine. Tina's memoir Matriarch is out now, offering more behind-the-scenes moments from her life as the powerhouse matriarch of one of music's most iconic families. Would you cut your own hair for your daughter? Comment thoughts below. SEE ALSO Tina Knowles Cut Her Hair To Save Beyoncé's 1st Destiny's Child Video was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Black America Web
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Beyoncé Braves The Pouring Rain At MetLife Stadium In Ultimate ‘Cowboy Carter' Performance
Source: Alex Slitz / Getty As the Cowboy Carter tour bucks on, Beyoncé continues to give her fans exactly what they want (and paid a hefty sum for), even if that means she has to brave the elements to do so. During her fourth night at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium for her sold-out Cowboy Carter tour , Beyoncé didn't let a torrential downpour stop her from performing the nearly three-hour show with songs from her Grammy-winning album. Per USA Today , the rain came before the show began at a little after 8 p.m. local time, and the stage was thoroughly wiped down before Beyoncé went on. As she opened the show, Beyoncé addressed the large crowd and thanked them for their decades of support throughout her career. 'Thank you for your love, dedication and for your loyalty over 25 years,' she said. The rain continued throughout the entirety of the concert. Still, she proceeded on, and her fans were right there with her even though their carefully curated fashion ensembles and hairstyles were drenched. However, in true Beyhive fashion, if Beyoncé can deal with an obstacle then they will follow suit. Mama Tina Knowles praised her daughter for being the ultimate performer in an Instagram post. 'Oh my God !!! You cannot talk her out of flying and pouring down rain!🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽Just had to get on my knees and pray❤️🙏🏽,' she captioned a clip of Bey flying through the air on a giant horseshoe. Towards the end of the May 28 show, she thanked her fans again, but this time it was specifically for braving the rain with her. 'Thank y'all for giving all this energy in the cold and rain. I love you deep deep deep,' she said. Beyoncé will take the stage at MeLife Stadium for a fifth night on Thursday, May 29. Her next tour stop will be across the pond to London, England for a six-night run of shows at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium beginning June 5. SEE ALSO Beyoncé Braves The Pouring Rain At MetLife Stadium In Ultimate 'Cowboy Carter' Performance was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Black America Web
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Skilla Baby Performs In Detroit Just 48 Hours After Surviving Drive-By Shooting
Source: Bennett Raglin / Getty Just 48 hours after surviving a harrowing drive-by shooting, Detroit rapper Skilla Baby stunned fans by returning to the stage with an unforgettable performance. On May 24, during 42 Dugg's Memorial Day Weekend concert at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Skilla Baby emerged as a surprise guest. The rapper, visibly injured with his arm in a sling and wrapped in bandages, performed with unwavering energy, proving his resilience and dedication to his craft. Skilla delivered a passionate performance of his 2022 hit 'Duck Yo Taco,' igniting the crowd despite his physical condition. Fans erupted as he took the stage, many in awe of his determination after being shot just two days prior on May 22 in a violent drive-by near Redford Township, Michigan. Over 20 bullets were fired at his SUV while he drove near 8 Mile Road and Centralia. The barrage left Skilla Baby with gunshot wounds to his head, back, and hand. His vehicle crashed into a building during the attack, further emphasizing the severity of the incident. Despite the gravity of his injuries, Skilla Baby's appearance on stage demonstrated not only his toughness but also a message of perseverance. His quick return to performing reflects a fearless spirit that resonates with fans and underscores the harsh realities faced by many artists navigating fame and danger. Skilla's ability to channel pain into performance has only deepened his connection with his audience—and cemented his status as one of Detroit's most compelling voices in rap. SEE ALSO Skilla Baby Performs In Detroit Just 48 Hours After Surviving Drive-By Shooting was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
