Warrant Issued for Chad Johnson's Arrest
Chad Johnson is a wanted man in Miami.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the former wide receiver after he failed to appear for a meeting with his probation officer. Johnson was sentenced to a year of probation last September after pleading no contest to domestic violence charges. The NFL player was jailed for head-butting his wife Evelyn Lozada following an argument. The Basketball Wives star quickly filed for divorce and the newlyweds of barely one month were divorced in late August.
A state's attorney in Broward County confirmed that a warrant was issued for Johnson's arrest on May 7.
Melanie Fiona Writes Open Letter to Lauryn Hill
Music Matters artist Melanie Fiona wrote a heartfelt open letter to Lauryn Hill after attending a moving performance Tuesday night (May 14) at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, where Hill, backed by a ten-piece band, delivered classics from her catalogue following an hour-long DJ set from Q-Tip.
"I have had many blessed, spiritual, and unforgettable moments in my life... But none more inspiring and life altering than last night. For those of you have ever listened to my music as a full body of work, heard any of my interviews, or have been to any of my live shows... Knows, that Lauryn Hill is a driving force of inspiration in everything I do. There would be no first audition for me if couldn't sing her version of "his eye is on the sparrow," she posted to her Instagram along with a photo of her with L-Boogie captured after the show.
Citing why Hill is such an inspiration, Fiona continued, "There wouldn't be the artist you see today who isn't afraid to bare her soul about life and love. And last night, I got to tell her that. After seeing her murder the stage...I personally got to express my teary eyed gratitude. A REAL dream come true for me. Lauryn Hill is the true essence of artistry that I aspire to represent... One who can break barriers, colour lines, industry standards, and ignorant minds... All while making amazing heartfelt educated music."
Fiona concluded with more gratitude directed toward L-Boogie. "Thank You #LaurynHill... You are singlehandedly, hands down, the greatest to ever do it ALL... Triple Threat... And to inspire a musical generation so starved that we still anticipate any and everything that you will do in the future. With Love, Respect, Support and Gratitude, MF xo."
Birdman & Rick Ross Prep Joint Mixtape
Birdman is all for collaborations (so long as Mannie Fresh isn't involved). Cash Money's head honcho teamed up with Rick Ross for a joint mixtape, The H: The Lost Album Vol. 1.
"This a project me and Stunna did in two or three days," Ross said in a video announcing the DJ Khaled hosted project.
"We did 40 songs in less than 10 days," Birdman added. The music was recorded back in 2008 and will feature "11 fresh ones."
"[We'd] go to the studio, bang out five, six, seven records, go shoot us some s--t, jump in the Rolls Royce and swerve," Ross reminisced. "We did so much music, and we've just been sitting on it. Stunna just hit me like, 'Man lets go feed the streets with that.'"
Linking with Ross is one of two releases the New Orleans native has in the works. Earlier in the month, he confirmed that a new Big Tymers album (minus Fresh, but plus Lil Wanye and Drake) is in the works.
Until then, fans can looks out for Ross and Birdman to "feed the streets" when The H: The Lost Album Vol. 1. drops next Thursday (May 23).
Gucci Mane Disses Fellow Rappers on "Birds of a Feather"
Gucci Mane has never been one to hold his tongue, so it's no surprise that he's back to rap disses. T.I., Young Jeezy and Yo Gotti are the latest rappers in his lyrical line of fire on the newly leaked track "Birds of a Feather."
Likely recorded before his anti-Waka Flocka stance (he shows love for his former Brick Squad comrade in a verse), the song is a musical roll call of Gucci's friends and enemies. Tip gets branded a "sucker," Gotti "turned into a buster" and Jeezy "wouldn't even buy a lawyer."
On Gucci's good side are Rocko, Scooter, Project Pat (his favorite rapper, apparently) and even Keyshia Cole. ("I did a song with Keyshia Cole, I wished I woulda f---ed her.")
There was also a nostalgic "RIP" to his grandparents, Pimp C and Soulja Slim.
While there hasn't been a response just yet from any of the aforementioned, Gooch did get the virtual clap back from Cole last year for another Jeezy diss track, "Truth."
Obama Tells Morehouse Grads to Be Unafraid in Commencement Speech
President Obama encouraged Morehouse College graduates to use their power for something larger than themselves as he delivered his commencement speech at the all-male historically Black college Sunday.
During his motivating commencement speech, he gave the new graduates an urgent call to action in both the African-American and global communities. (Read the full transcript HERE.)
"But it is not just the African-American community that needs you. The country needs you. The world needs you," he said to the new alumni.
He also added the importance of being the best men possible in their personal lives as well.
“And that’s what I’m asking all of you to do: keep setting an example for what it means to be a man. Be the best husband to your wife, or boyfriend to your partner, or father to your children that you can be. Because nothing is more important.”
Obama spoke highly of the school's most distinguished alumni, Martin Luther King Jr., throughout his speech, using him as a shining example of a person who overcame obstacles as a student and became a man who was “unafraid” to take on society’s ills by the time he graduated from Morehouse.
"Over the last 50 years, thanks to the moral force of Dr. King and a Moses generation that overcame their fear, and cynicism, and despair, barriers have come tumbling down, new doors of opportunity have swung open; laws, hearts and minds have been changed to the point where someone who looks like you can serve as President of the United States."
He also told the graduates not to let racism and other road blocks be excuses for why they cannot push forward.
“We’ve got no time for excuses — not because the bitter legacies of slavery and segregation have vanished entirely; they haven’t. Not because racism and discrimination no longer exist; that’s still out there. It’s just that in today’s hyper-connected, hyper-competitive world, with a billion young people from China and India and Brazil entering the global workforce alongside you, nobody is going to give you anything you haven’t earned."
Morehouse gave Obama an honorary doctorate of laws degree during the commencement ceremony in Atlanta.
Rihanna Set to Release New Fragrance
Looks like Rihanna's set to launch her fourth fragrance and this time the men will have something to rave about, too. A U.S. trademark registration for a men's fragrance called Rogue by Rihanna was filed by the singer's collaborators Parlux Fragrances in March 2012. The registration lists fragrances, bath and body products, lotions and shower gels as some of the goods they'll be offering under the name.
RiRi has already released three incredibly popular scents for women — Rebelle, Reb'l Fleur and Nude — and this will be her first for the fellas. But the ladies need not worry as the singer confirmed that the fragrance will be available for women first, with the cologne for men following soon after. She also revealed that the bottle designs will be completely different than her previous perfumes.
Monica has some great news to share!
The singer announced via Instagram that she and her hubby, Shannon Brown, are expecting their first child together. "Hallelujah!!! Thank God!!! Thank you Jesus!!! I’m so Blessed!!!" wrote Brown excitedly, along with a picture of a five-months-pregnant Monica. The mom-to-be looked glowing and gorgeous showing off her baby bump in a blue shift dress.
This will be the third child for the R&B songstress, who has two sons, Romelo and Rocko, with rapper Rocko. Brown also has a son, Shannon Christopher, from a previous relationship.