As we evolve, situations and perspectives evolve. This is evident in what was discussed from Blacks in American to the entertainment industry. Were you aware that Blacks will take hundreds of years to catch up to white wealth? If current trends persist, it will take 228 years for black families to accumulate the same amount of wealth as whites - crazy! Rapper Bow Wow retiring? Shad Moss was 13 years old in 2000 when he released his first album as rapper Lil' Bow Wow. Today he is the ripe old age of 29, and the musician -- now known as just Bow Wow -- is announcing his retirement...how time flies. Hip hop artist Snoop Dogg and lifestyle icon Martha Stewart plan to join forces in the kitchen this fall. The two will co-host "Martha and Snoop's Dinner Party," a VH1 cooking show that will feature the two stars preparing a meal for their celebrity friends. Kanye West Breaks Michael Jackson's Top 40 Hits Record. As Billboard reports, the rapper's collaboration with Schoolboy Q on "THat Part" rose from 42-40 this week, making it the 40th top 40 hit to feature Yeezy. Previously, 'Ye and the King of Pop were tied with 39 top 40s each, but "That Part's" recent chart rise gave Kanye a boost in the rankings. Congrats to Yezzy! We also had comedian legend and DC native, Robin Montague in studio @Robinisfunny. We'll be back sooner thank you think - stay tuned!

Change is necessary in most cases; whether or purpose or not on purpose. NBA player, Draymond Green was offered a role in 'Drayzilla' Porn for $100K after NSFW Snapchat. This is not good...and very bad timing! The Miss Teen USA needs to reassemble all the contestants and redo this year's entire pageant -- but this time with more women of color onstage and at the judges' table ... according to Miss Alaska's mom. She thinks it's a disgrace there was only one minority in the top 15, period. Not to mention the now infamous blonde brigade in the top 5. This sort of thing continues to persist? This is a very, very unfortunate change. Toya Wright suffered a devastating loss after her two brothers were reportedly shot to death in New Orleans. Much blessing to her and her fam! On the flip side, this is a great change/update. There may be a possible Drake / Kanye West Album In The Works? This has been speculated in the past, but it may be real this time around. Ice Cube gets his game show on as producer of "Hip-Hop Squares". Congrats to this guy, he's a rap icon and a trendsetter at the same time! The crew, Chris "BET Mayor" Thomas, Ra, Coco Louie and Big Sen were in the building, minus KING Cyrus. They held it down with new Miami correspondent called in to give us the goods on MIA, "1st Lady" Ceiba Chavez. Check her out on Twitter and IG @ceibachavez. Check back with us next week for more of the goods - we got you!

Timing is everything, in most cases. This weeks agenda showed this in a good and bad way. Michelle Obama delivered a powerful speech at the DNC about gender, race and the American Dream ... and threw in more than a few digs at Donald Trump. She was most poignant when she talked about how far African-Americans have come, saying ... "I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves." Check out more from the crew! Question - Should Black Lives Matter march for White victims of police brutality? We touch on some brief truths regarding this. RIP Ms. Cleo, dead at 53. Cleo was originally diagnosed with colon cancer ... but it spread to her liver and lungs. Cleo's Jamaican character and her psychic commercials became a cult classic in the late '90s ... thanks to her catchphrase, "CALL ME NOW!" Dr. Dre was searched by cops in alleged racial road rage case. Here we go again, but now with one of the originator's of "F**K the Police", crazy! Rapper, Gucci Main is busy at work building his brand with a series of new businesses he's planning to launch. One of those businesses is a new clothing line called "Delantic", which is Gucci's middle name. Go to jail, get out and still makes money...the American Dream. We also had our regular correspondents from LA @lovedcarter and Cleveland @crybabygangsta call to give us the temperature in there cities. Also, THE Original Hip Hop Chef Tye call in with the menu of the month, "Jezzy Jerk Chicken". Check out the menu on our social media @illastr8_radio to get the goods! Check back with us next week - we always got you covered.

There seems to be so much violence and divides amongst people and situations that seems to be "trendy". For example, July 5, 6, 7 -- these three days in Baton Rouge, St. Paul and Dallas sent a powerful message about what needs to change in America. The stakes are profound and go way beyond the political debate over Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter. The crew touch on some profound things. Melania Trump delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention that was remarkably similar to a speech Michelle Obama gave at the Democratic National Convention in 2008. Did she plagiarize? In local DC news, "Chief Zee", the Washington Redskins’ unofficial mascot has died. Born Zem Williams, he began attending games dressed in Native American garb in 1978. He was a staple at home games, often leading the crowd in celebration - RIP. The finale of NBC’s show "The Voice"​ had more up its sleeve than just crowning a winner. The episode was set to air a segment featuring revolving judge Christina Aguilera performing with a hologram of Whitney Houston. But now, the duet will never see the small screen. VH1 may be producing a biopic about one of the most popular R&B vocal bands of the 1990s, "Jodeci". Up and coming local female rapper, Nia Dinero @niadinero was in the building for the monthly "KING Stamp" segment of the month. She's definitely on the rise and is soon to be the next big hit! We got more...stay right here.

There has been lots of radical events happening over the last week, with continuing tragedies that continue to take place involving the police and African American's around the country. We have to stand up to these injustices and move forward as a people - all lives matter! A good example of this was the "Hip Hop Honors" that honored the first ladies of hip-hop and brought attention to racial unrest in this country. On the flipside, The Black Lives Matter Movement is widely regarded as the 21st century’s Civil Rights Movement. Its members are looking to stop the rampant KILLING of innocent Black people by police officers – who are seen as immune from justice. The Black Lives Matter Movement does not promote violence, in any way. Nevertheless, nearly 100,000 people have signed a petition to call it a “terrorist organization.” You've got to hear what the crew said on this! In big money news, UFC has been sold for $4 billion in a deal announced Monday. This stands to be the most expensive transaction in sports history. Potential Hall of Famer, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs retires after 19 seasons and 5 NBA titles. He is arguably the best power forward ever - Congrats! The show was action packed as always to say the least! We had our NEW Cleveland, OH and LA Correspondents call in on updates on what's good in there world's. Crybaby Gangsta @crybabygangsta and Ms. Devin Carter @lovedcarter. Also, Mr. Cortez Santana and Mr. Kevin Crosby of the Black Panthers gave the audience good game on how things are moving forward with the new generation of the Panthers. Join the party - there's always room...until next week!

This week, some major noise was made in the social media atmosphere! Actor, Jesse Williams was praised during the BET Awards when the “Grey’s Anatomy” star received the Humanitarian Award and used his time on stage to speak out about racial inequalities and police brutality. But now, a Change.com petition is calling for the actor to be fired from the Shonda Rhimes' series. Kevin Durant is joining the Golden State Warriors. Durant is expected to sign a two-year, $54.3 million contract. The deal will include a player option after the first year. This is a questionable one, but he deserves a ring; what better team to join! MEANWHILE...Dwayne Wade signs with his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls - two years, $47 Million dollars. Miami was only going to give him $40. He deserves it, I don't think he'll bring a ring to Chicago though? Apple enters talks to acquire Jay-Z's streaming music service, "Tidal". Could Jay-Z be Hip-Hops next billionaire?? The American Red Cross has issued an official apology after one of its pool safety posters went viral on social media for being what many say is racist. The poster in question is designed to teach children how to follow the rules at a swimming pool, but it mostly labels the Black children as misbehaving or “not cool”. The white children, however, are mostly labeled as behaving and “cool”. You HAVE to hear what the crew said on this one! Check out our Twitter and/or Instagram for the pic @illastr8_radio. The segment topic of the week was - Is the way to a man's heart still through his stomach? Let us know how you feel on this one?? The Mayor of Hip Hop, Chris Thomas did his thing along with KING Cyrus putting you in pocket with his mix. We're on the RISE - Stay Tuned!

There were some things in the studio and in the news this week to that we reported on that you may need to pay attention too - first thing's first though. The BET Awards 2016. There were some special moments that entertained and made you listen. Beyoncé opening the show in a bed of water with rapper Kendrick Lamar. "Grey's Anatomy" star blew everyone away when he accepted the 2016 BET Humanitarian Award with a speech calling society to task for racism. Usher's "Don't Trump America" shirt, actor Samuel L. Jackson receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, to references to Brexit and gun control, this year's show was one of the most political ever. After a Billboard Music Awards tribute to Prince last month that left many fans unsatisfied, BET vowed to do better. Erykah Badu, The Roots, Bilal, Stevie Wonder and Tori Kelly, Jennifer Hudson, Maxwell, Janelle Monáe and Shelia E. performed some Prince hits that moved many to tears. Did you know that 71% of Americans believe economy is 'rigged' - listen for more on this! Imprisoned former rap mogul Suge Knight is blaming singer Chris Brown and a West Hollywood nightclub for a 2014 shooting which left him wounded. He's doing the most now adding insult to injury. My guy, 50 Cent was reportedly arrested this weekend for using profanity during a concert on the Caribbean's Saint Kitts – which is illegal there. Kanye West’s art world aspirations are not new but his execution of them – as evidenced by the new video to his song Famous. Based on a 2008 work by American realist painter Vincent Desiderio, the video features the rapper and wife Kim Kardashian lying naked on an extremely wide bed in a sweaty, post-coital sleep along with some other notable individuals. Are Black Relationship Failures Keeping Strip Clubs Rich - we had the low down on this one that may surprise you! The new co-host, BET's "Hip-Hop Mayor" was in the building, along with "Da Party Crasherz". These guys are hysterical! Find out more on them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @dapartycrasherz. We always give you what you need, until next week.

We had a very special guest for this show; we'll let you know shortly. Until then, there were some other pressing conversation to discuss. An American-born man who'd pledged allegiance to ISIS gunned down 49 people early Sunday at a gay nightclub in Orlando, the deadliest mass shooting in the United States and the nations' worst terror attach since 9/11. Everyone is in mourning for this tragic loss! The crew had some very profound things to say about this. To transition to foolishness, R&B singer, Trey Songz apparently got tired of watching Drake have all the fun, and put together a rival poolside turn up. The singer spent $25k to rent a massive 23,000 square foot home Sunday in McLean, VA - just outside of DC - and the guest list was 700 deep, including NBA star Kevin Durant and a bunch of Washington Redskins players. I guess if your going to do it...do it BIG. Lil Wayne ingested an extraordinary amount of lean in the hours leading up to his multiple midair seizures. Weezy was cruising around with five 16 oz. bottles of Promethazine/Codeine syrup during his club appearance in Milwaukee over the weekend; with one onlooker telling us Wayne downed 3 bottles just by himself. This prompted 2 emergency landings. This has to stop! Too many people have died doing this stuff. Our favorite Kardashian, Kanye West announces North American dates for The Saint Pablo Tour. For the first time in three years, the Grammy winner is getting back on the road in honor of his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo. The concerts will kick off in Indianapolis on August 25 and run through North America, covering major cities like Boston, Atlanta, Miami and New York City, before finishing in Las Vegas on October 29. Well - the surprise is over...Chris "Mayor of Rap City" Thomas was our special guest host! The 1st host of BET's Rap City caught us up on what's he's done and some of the new things he's doing now. If your in the DMV, check him out June 18th with Jimmy "JJ" Walker for, The Dynomite Comedy Blast at the Ballroom Auditorium in Alexandria, VA. Also, follow him on Instagram @christhomasthemayor. KING Cyrus looked out with his "KING'S Stamp" segment along with CoCo Louie sitting in again to give us her perspective on what's in the news. Check us out for some continued surprises!

There are some critical things that were said and done that we touched on this week. Cincinnati police are zeroing in on the parents of the 3-year-old boy who fell into Harambe the gorilla's enclosure...a strong sign they could still be charged with a crime. This is an ongoing story, find out more. Rapper's taking "L's" all over the place. Rapper Troy Ave's nursing a self inflicted gunshot wound to his right leg and facing an attempted murder charge...both from behind bars. The accused shooter from T.I.'s NYC concert last week was wheeled into a court Monday...where he entered a not guilty plea. He was arrested - from his hospital bed, last week after NYPD released a surveillance video of him opening fire inside the venue - DUMB! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...as they say. Damon "Boogie" Dash, the son of rap mogul Damon Dash was busted for DUI after cops say they saw him straddling lanes. Rapper, Snoop Dogg is urging fans to join him in boycotting the new "Roots" remake, insisting he is "sick" of all the slave dramas. I kind of see his point - listen to what the crew has to say on this! McDonald’s is giving away a golden Chicken McNugget? This contest is worth entering, too, because the top prize is a 5-piece chicken McNugget box in which one McNugget is made out of solid 18-karat gold. The nugget reportedly weighs 1.8 ounces-- which would make it worth around $1,500; they stay winning, lol. It's hard to understand, but why does it seem that Black women (still) can't seem to get ahead economically?? Resident life coach, "Coach Mase" was in the building and will be a regular to help break down these sorts of things. Everyone had different opinions - what do you think? Check back with us next week to get caught up!

About that Billboard Awards Prince tribute....Madonna's performance was targeted for criticism even before it happened. How do you pay proper homage in seven to 10 minutes to a prolific artist who fit in no one box, had a style all his own, who churned out music for almost 40 years and had a larger-than-life presence onstage? Well, most likely you don't, because no one's been able to do it yet. Madonna's performance of Prince's hit "Nothing Compares 2 U" gave the naysayers room to criticize. She was joined onstage by Stevie Wonder for the song. The crew had some interesting things to say about this one. Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs ruffled feathers when he excluded some of his own label's bands from the Bad Boy Reunion Tour. Of course ... Mase, Busta Rhymes, Faith Evans and 112 will all be hitting the stage. However, Da Band, B5, Day 26 and Diddy Dirty Money will all be at home -- or, at best, in the audience -- and there are some hurt feelings. I think the purpose of this was to primarily spotlight the golden era of Bad Boy Records. However, Diddy is always going to be Diddy? There sure is a lot of chatter surrounding Tamar Braxton's departure from "The Real". A statement was made that she will be working on her solo career to her being difficult to work with. Personally, I think she may have been to, "ghetto" for lack of better words and the network wanted to make a change before it got any worse. Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor set for September! After Mayweather's retirement, he's planning on stepping back in the ring against the new UFC phenom, Connor McGregor for a boxing match. The bout is set seemingly for September 17, 2017...will you be watching? One Louisiana teen who graduated at the top of his class, didn’t get to relish in the special moment of commemorating his hard work for the past four years. Andrew Jones of Amite High School was named the valedictorian of the 2016 graduating class, but because his facial hair was against the school’s rules, he missed out on the event. Damn - this is how your rewarded these days for doing exceptional?? Does your man underestimate your sex drive? The crew had some interesting things to say on this one! Also, resident life coach, "Coach Mase @coachmase22" was in the house to shed light on this and give us some additional gems of life to learn from. Come back next week for more of what you need.