SO many things have happened lately world and industry-wide letting you know that FINALLY someone is paying attention to what's goin' on! Quaker Oats are moving forward to remove the name and image of 'Aunt Jemima.'   The image is of a former slave, Nancy Green, who worked for the company. The company has profited from her image for more than a century. Quaker removed the "mammy" kerchief from the character years ago but now they have stated that removing the image and name is part of an effort by the company "to make progress toward racial equality." Aunt Jemima is owned by PepsiCo. Super producer Pharell Williams stood alongside Virginia governor Ralph Northam this week to declare Juneteenth as an official state holiday. "From this moment on, when you look at the vastness of the night sky, and you see those stars moving up there, know that those stars are our African ancestors dancing," Williams said. "They're dancing in celebration because their lives are finally being acknowledged." Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery in America. Many are snubbing July 4th and are gearing up to celebrate their first Juneteenth this year. Rappers Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj are preparing to hit the studio to work on a joint album. The stars confirmed the news during the latest episode of Wayne's Young Money Radio when he invited his protegee on-air as a guest to promote "Trollz," her new single with fellow MC Tekashi 6ix9ine. This has been a LONGTIME coming! It indeed is what the Hip-Hop community felt when they not only saw that former G-Unit rapper Young Buck filed for bankruptcy claiming that he only had about $100 to his name. Last month, it was reported that the rapper had filed for bankruptcy for the second time in January getting locked up in a Cheatham County Jail in December for child abandonment. You can't make this up! He allegedly made about $100,000 over the last three years. Still, Uncle Sam is scratching at his door for $415,892.04 for back texas accumulated over half a decade (2014 – 2019). One of Buck’s for “G-Unit” members, “The Game” has since revealed he’s donated $1,000 to Buck’s Cash App. For the "HOT TAKE" topic this week the crew discussed 'relationship moments that change big time 1 to 5 years in?" Drop a comment on your thoughts!  

Amidst everything going on today, we had some great things to discuss. However, some things were just tragic on a personal and  professional level. Let's start with some of the positives! George Floyd was laid to rest in Texas this past Tuesday afternoon. However, later that day, Texas Southern University announced that they would be giving his daughter a full ride scholarship to attend their school! In addition to TSU’s admirable offer, Kanye West also took steps to ensure Gianna’s education was taken care of as he reportedly set up a college fund for her along with donating to her family’s legal team. This is a great thing to share given all the commotion going on!!  Basketball legend, Allen Iverson is in for a very cozy retirement thanks to Reebok. Former Georgetown Hoya is set to receive a $32 million dollar trust fund payment due to his lifetime contract with the Boston based company. The paperwork in question has specific clauses that speak to a vesting option that both parties mutually agreed to back when AI originally signed the agreement in 2001. Allen Iverson turned 45 June 7th. Ten years this day, on his 55th birthday, he receives a $32 million trust fund as part of the lifetime Reebok deal. The deal pays Iverson $800,000 a year. Man...AI continues to when WAY after his iconic basketball career ended. Now for the BS. Apparently,  Tekashi is linking up with Akon for "Locked Up, Part 2!" The rapper posted a video of himself with none other than Akon, and it looks like the 2 of them laid down a new track, only refreshed with T69's own verse. Yes, we're talking Akon's iconic tune, "Locked Up," which now features Tekashi. WOW, not Akon! Not only that but he's also coming back with Nicki for a new song announced called, "Trollz." Actually, they definitely are back together, because the pair posted pictures of their upcoming song on Instagram. They plan to donate a portion of the proceeds directly to The Bail Project for those unfortunately being locked up due to Geoge Floyd. The tragedy of the week was in Chicago, which had the most violent day in 60 yrs - 18 gunned down in 24hrs! The University of Chicago Crime Lab just released a new report stating that the 18 people killed on May 31, while the city experienced looting and George Floyd protests, was the most violent day in the city since 1961. The record for deadliest day was August 4, 1991, when JUST 13 people were killed. 65,000 calls were made to the city's 911 line when on a typical day, 15,000 calls are made - for all services, not just shootings. DAMN! For those that loved the show, COPS...well, the Paramount Network has announced that they have canceled the television show, Cops -- a show that has been on the air for twenty years. Cops was nominated for the Outstanding Informational Series Emmy four times: in 1989, 1990, 1993, and 1994. We used to look at that show too. For the "HOT TAKE" topic this week the crew discussed 'how do you handle friends and relatives who take more than they give?" Drop a comment on your thoughts!  

There were some trends established for this weeks show that we wanted to share with you. These trends are from an entertainment, social and street perspective to say the least. In the streets, Black Mafia Family (BMF) co-founder Big Meech is taking another shot at getting his freedom; possibly this week. The street legend is serving out a 30-year sentence, after pleading guilty to running a continuing criminal enterprise and conspiring to launder money, in 2007. Infamous rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, as well as President Donald Trump's cohorts Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen, and Detroit's Hip-Hop Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick have all been also granted early releases due to the pandemic. Internationally, while Def Jam is not the first rap label to exist — it is the first one to become an international portal of Hip-Hop culture. According to a statement from the label, Def Jam Africa is a new division on the continent dedicated to representing the best Hip-Hop, Afrobeats and trap talent in Africa. Based out of Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria, DJA will identify and sign artist talent from every corner of the Motherland. What are your thoughts on this move? Echoes of Eric Garner could be heard in Minneapolis over the weekend, when the local city police basically crushed a Black man to near death as he cried out, “I can’t breathe.” Here we go again!! The Minneapolis Police Department contends in a statement that they were called to handle a situation where a suspect, George Floyd, was committing a “forgery.” Upon arrival, the authorities insist that the man was not complying and resisting arrest. Unlike the Garner murder, this cop does not use an arm-intensive chokehold but locks in with his kneed almost crushing his esophagus. DAMN! Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship offered Mike a whopping $20 million to compete in a single fight for the organization earlier this month. The MMA company is now doubling down on that offer, and is planning on increasing that figure by offering Mike new incentives to step in the ring. Mike has yet to agree. We think Mike can still do it! At 22, Naomi racked up $37 million in earnings in the past year, more than any other female athlete in history, according to Forbes. That hefty bag from the past 12 months comes from prize money and endorsements, $1.4 million more than Serena earned, setting an all-time earnings record for a female athlete in a single year. Another tennis player, Maria Sharapova, previously held the record with $29.7 million in 2015. The highest-paid female athlete every year since Forbes started tracking the data in 1990 has been a tennis player. For the "HOT TAKE" topic this week the crew discussed 'how to deal when you want to leave but your partner wants to work it out?' Drop a comment on your thoughts!  

During this quarantine, we have seen different facets of peoples personalities. A good example are these "Verzuz" battles. Apparently, singer Monica has turned down a Verzuz battle with Brandy.  Brandi and Monica were pit against each other in the 90's. Find out what the crew things about this situation! In related news, Swizz Beatz calls on Jermaine Dupri to help set up a battle featuring 112 and Jagged Edge. Both Jagged Edge and 112 rose to national prominence in the mid-1990s. Who do you think will take this one?? Bow Wow is considering retiring after next album. Apparently, he wants to focus more on his daughter, Shai and create a daddy/daughter entertainment duo. Shai is the daughter of the Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta star shares with Joie Chavez -- who also has a son with rapper Future. Will y'all miss Bow's music?  Political observers have long noted that President Donald Trump and his rise to power came on the heels of his freewheeling and often contentious stances against his political opposition. In recent weeks, the divide has grown as chatter is brewing that Trump may elect not to unveil his predecessor President Barack Obama‘s presidential portrait, which would disrupt a decades-log tradition. Leave it up to your President! TV One celebrates Black Music month and the sound of DC with a Go-Go documentary, "The Beat Don't Stop." Airing, Sunday, June 21st at 8 pm ET, The Beat Don’t Stop pays homage to the unique contribution of Go-go music to the musical landscape. It features a host of celebrities, artists, music historians, and community leaders including rapper Doug E. Fresh; band members from Junk Yard Band, Trouble Funk, E.U., Backyard Band, TOB, TCB and Maiesha and the Hip Huggers; the dance crew Beat Ya Feet Finest; music historians Dr. Natalie Hopkinson and Kato Hammond; music journalists Ericka Blount and Alona Wartofsky; Don’t Mute DC organizer Ron Moten; talent promoter and former MCA Records executive Bo Sampson; music producer Tone P; Radio One Personality Angie Ange; DJ Flexx; hip hop artist DJ Kool; and many others. This is exciting, as it has been long overdue. For the "HOT TAKE" topic this week the crew discussed 'bad quarantine habits couples may develop.' We expanded on what we discussed last week. Drop a comment on your thoughts. 

The crew touched some things that happened this week that may touch you in a good way and in a bad way. This epidemic that we are dealing with is bringing out the most that has changed all of us moving forward. Dipset rapper Cam' ron has revealed that he is currently in talks to bring a Paid In Full 2 to fruition -- almost two decades after the release of the original movie. The movie takes place in Harlem in the 1980s and is based on three friends Azie "AZ" Faison, Rich Porter, and Alpo Martinez and their professional criminal exploits. This could be something good but I don't know what they would do exactly? Don’t do it! Evander Holyfield recently appeared on TMZ and was asked about the potential for some kind of exhibition match against Mike Tyson. Just the thought of that happening brings a nervous chill up our spine. Even in a 3-round “exhibition” Evander might f**k around and die messing with Mike. What do you think? You wanna see this fight happen? Erykah Badu and Jill Scott finally had their highly-anticipated Verzuz battle (May 9), but it was all love. The living legends spent the time chatting it up like old girlfriends while playing some of their greatest songs. We all won with this one! Louisiana rapper Boosie may soon be in trouble with the law. While talking to fans on social media, the popular rapper admitted to having an adult woman perform oral relations on his 12 year old son. Boosie told fans, "I'm training those boys, ask my nephews or any of my sons. When they were 12-13, they got h*ad." The rapper then explained how he got a grown woman to perform oral acts on the children. He added, "Hell yeah I got my f**king son's d**k sucked." Under Louisiana law, a person can be guilty of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile if they promote “sexual intercourse with consent” between and a child between the ages of 13 and 16. The punishment for felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile can be a fine of up to $5,000, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both. Oh...no!!  Lastly, R&B lost three legends this weekend in Little Richard, Andre Harrell and Betty Wright - Rest in Power. For the "HOT TAKE" topic this week, we got heated when the question came up on 'why quarantine may break up a new couples and/or relationships?'  Let us know what's up...

During this quarantine season, celebrities have been keeping fans entertained with challenging each other, hit for hit on Instagram live. We’ve seen T-Pain Vs. Lil Jon, Teddy Riley Vs. Babyface, and now may just be the time for some women emcees to enter the ring! Philadelphia emcee, Khia, most notorious for her hit singles, “My Neck My Back,” “K-Wang,” and “Snatch The Cat Back” has called Trina out for a hit for hit battle after a suggestion on her Instagram live. This will be very interesting, lol! Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine has been fairly quiet since his early release from prison thanks to the coronavirus outbreak -- the rapper announced that he would be hosting his first Instagram Live session this Friday (May 8th.). Tekashi cooperated with the government against Anthony' Harv' Ellison and other Nine Trey members. Last month, the judge ordered Tekashi's release to home confinement earlier this month due to the risk the virus posed to the rapper. He reportedly suffers from asthma. The spread of the coronavirus has taken away many special moments for all of us, including the class of 2020. Those graduating this year are finding unique ways to celebrate their accomplishments, and our Forever President and First Lady have just announced that they have something special for the graduates! Whether you are graduating from high school or college Barack and Michelle Obama want to celebrate all you have accomplished by hosting a virtual graduation ceremony on June 6th! This is what I'm talking about! FOREVER OBAMA!!! The man who penned and produced five glorious seasons The Wire, David Simon is planning on reuniting the cast of his classic gritty crime drama for a new series revolving around Baltimore’s police force. But don’t get your hopes up, it will not be a direct continuation of the city life that introduced us to “Hamsterdam.” We can't WAIT to see what this new drama would be about!! The Illastr8 "HOT TAKE" this week, the crew talked about being patient with your partners lack of funding while dating during this pandemic. Continue to stay safe and stay tuned.   

With everything going on in the world today, we have to be innovative to continue with a normal way of living. Diddy confirmed he is in talks with Dr. Dre about a "Versus" battle! Diddy chopped it up with Fat Joe on his Instagram show, where he asked him if the battle could be heading our way. Unlike the last few Verzuz, Swizz and Timbaland say that a Diddy/Dre face-off would be pay-per-view, which means it may not happen on Instagram Live. In related news, DJ Paul of the iconic group, "Three 6 Mafia" and Krazy Bone of legendary group "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony" are slated to do a "Versus" face-off battle, April 30th. "This Is Not A Battle. This Is A Celebration Between Homies of Over 50 yrs Combined Dropping Slap!!!" wrote DJ Paul on Instagram. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's catalog includes several Top 20 hits like "Thuggish Ruggish Bone," "1st of tha Month," and "Tha Crossroads." Throughout their career, Memphis-based rappers Three 6 Mafia released platinum-certified records like "Stay Fly," "Poppin' My Collar," and "Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body)." Both of these should definitely be on some next level sh*%t!! After his Verzuz battle with fellow producer Teddy Riley, all the technical difficulties they faced and the time that was “wasted” people assumed that it would be the last time we saw Babyface on Instagram Live. Not so! Babyface is now set to host a "Waiting to Exhale" Soundtrack special on Monther's Day, May 10th. Can't wait for this one either! A lot of recording artists have been financially affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Clubs, concerts, festivals, and other live events have been shut down which has cut off a source of revenue for musicians. Facebook is now set to provide a new way for performers to earn money on the platform. The social networking service is adding more features for Facebook Live real-time videos, including a way to charge for access to content. Innovation at it's best! On Tuesday (Apr 28) Netflix announced today that the Michelle Obama book Becoming will be available on the streaming service starting Wednesday, May 6th. The documentary will cover some history of Obama’s life from the memoir and give a behind-the-scenes look at experiences from her 34-city book tour. Staying in Chicago, Kanye West is returning to his roots once again. The Chicago-bred billionaire recently bought his childhood home in the city’s South Shore neighborhood for an estimated $225,000. The house has a complicated history. Kanye’s mother Donda West originally bought the property in the 1980s. In 2004, she sold it and the house fell into dilapidation amidst foreclosure. The news comes on the heels of Forbes Magazine announcing Kanye is officially a billionaire. The business magazine estimated his net worth at $1.3 billion, while Kanye himself is adamant he’s worth $3.3 billion. This is how your supposed to do it!! For this week's "Illastr8 HOT TAKE" we dove into mental health tips during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Check this out because you may discover something that may be helpful for yourself or family members! Everyone continue to stay safe and stay tuned. 

As of lately, everyone is in an uproar about the recent scare that has been going on around the world. A good example of what's been happening in the sports world, as Kevin Durant among four Brooklyn Nets players tested positive for COVID-19 virus. All four Nets players, including Durant, are in quarantine. Only one of the four is experiencing symptoms. Durant has not exhibited symptoms from the virus. There are now seven NBA players that have tested positive for COVID-19. Rudy Gobert was the first, followed by his Utah Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell and Detroit Pistons forward Christian Wood. Because of Gobert's positive test and due to concerns over the global outbreak, the NBA suspended the 2019-20 season last week. The league remains hopeful of resuming operations in mid-to-late June. In other news, subsequently, Atlanta's most popular strip clubs are now closed - after a Georgia man allegedly contracted the coronavirus inside a club! That man's story may have scared the strip club owners in Atlanta, because within hours, most of the city's gentlemen clubs announced that they were shutting down. This thing really is that serious! Charlamange Tha God is reportedly considering walking away from The Breakfast Club, as his current contract is nearing its end. His contract does not expire until the end of the year, but a source says that he already has “a lot of other potential deals in the air. He loves working for [Power 105.1 parent company] I Heart Radio, but he is contemplating his next move.”  There was some speculation last year, after Charlamagne and Angela Yee allegedly fell out over his interview with Gucci Mane. Gucci was highly disrespectful about his interactions with Yee, and social media slammed him for not defending her. All seems well in the camp at the moment, but if he left the show they would have to replace him -- and who could fill those shoes? One of the father’s of Trap music is offering $1 million to his next label signee, and it could be you! His first artist is a kid name Foogiano, and already he has a hit song with Lil Baby blowing up across social media. Seems like the La Flare might be on to the next guy. You never know!  The Illastr8 "HOT TAKE" for this week was, "Do looks dictate if you want or don't want to be in a relationship?" This can go all over the place...let us know and stay tuned!

There were some instances this week that made you ask yourself, 'is this really happening?' Last week, Nicki Minaj's husband Kenneth Petty was arrested in California for allegedly failing to register as a sex offender in the State. Under Megan's Law, every person that has been criminally convicted of a sex crime is required to "register" online and disclose their current address to protect would be victims. What's disturbing to many Nicki fans, however, is that the address that Kenneth was forced to disclose - is also Nicki Minaj's Beverly Hills address. Come on now Nicki! Azriel Clary is realling coming out against R. Kelly these days. "R. Kelly made me eat my own feces! He has a video of me -- he made me do this video, actually—doing a number two in a cup and then eating it out of a cup,” Clary is seen in the clip telling a federal agent. Check out the audio to this only on Illastr8!! Fourteen songs from Lil Baby's new album, My Turn, made it onto the Hot 100 this week. The Atlanta rapper now has 19 total entries in 2020 pushing him passed Eminem (12) on the list of most Hot 100 hits for the year. Definitely, don't call this a comeback! Nas is arguably one of the greatest rappers to ever touch the mic. And so… Raja Kumari, the first female rapper to sign with his label, Mass Appeal India should be honored to get under his lyrical wing. Or should she? An accomplished songwriter, Kumari is a Grammy-nominated artist, who worked on Iggy Azalea’s hit song "Change Your Life" ft. T.I., Fall Out Boy’s the 4x-Platinum “Centuries,” Fifth Harmony, and Gwen Stefani. Last year, she released a doc about her life entitled, "Raja Kumari: So Far." Stay tuned for this one! Is rapper 'Nelly' really trying to relaunch "Apple Bottom" Jeans?? Nelly, Yomi Martin, Nick Loftis, and Ian Kelly introduced the denim-focused line in 2003. Eventually, Apple Bottoms offered other items such as perfume and accessories. Apple Bottoms was famously mentioned in Flo Rida's #1 single "Low." On the track, T-Pain sings, "Shawty had them Apple Bottom jeans, boots with the fur. The whole club was lookin' at her." I know I used to like to see them :)!!! The Illastr8 "HOT TAKE" for this week is, "Is it a good or bad idea for couples to split the bills 50/50?" There was some commotion over this but it worked itself out. 

Some folks got called out this week! Flavor Flav calls out Chuck D for kicking him out of "Public Enemy!" On Monday, Hip Hop fans were shocked to hear the news that Flavor Flav had been kicked out of the legendary group, Public Enemy -- and Flav took to social media to check Chuck D for the controversial move. Last week, Chuck D gave Flav a year to get his act together before he made a decision about his future with the group, but judging by his tweets, he is tired of getting sued by the group's clock-wearing hype man. Find out what he said! In politcal news, heads turn as Joe Biden targets Kamala Harris and Stacey Abrams as primary Vice President prospects. It goes without saying that in order for a largely progressive Democratic party, there needs to be some diversity on the ticket. That means a person of color, specifically a Black person, even more specifically, a Black woman. Let’s be clear, there is NO path to presidential victory without the Black vote! Lil Boosie has been going viral for different antics recently and it finally paid off. Lil Boosie is getting his own TV show, and revealed it in a funny trailer serenading Rihanna, LOL! You got to hear this!! Jude Judy is finally ending her show after 25 years! However, it looks like this won't be the last time fans see Sheindlin on their TV screens. "But I'm not tired," she continued, "so Judy Justice will be coming out a year later." "The following couple of years you should be able to catch all the reruns that CBS has sold to the stations that are currently carrying Judy, and Judy Justice will be going elsewhere," she said. "Isn't that fun?" Judge Judy debuted in 1996. Good for her! The Illastr8 "HOT TAKE" for this week was, "What To Do If Your Cheating Suspicions Are Confirmed??" We go you covered.