We showed some love this week to some events that happened this week. Some unfortunate but others were well received. To start, condolences to the iconic Toni Morrison who passed Monday night at the age of 88. Morrison was a staple of the literature community and one of the most prominent Black voices of her generation - R.I.P. It seems like Beyoncé is really trying to make a Destiny's Child Reunion happen! Bey wants to reunite the group next year, which will also be the 20th anniversary of Michelle joining the group. Do you think it's time for Destiny's Child to make a comeback?? Definitely showing love to Rakim "A$AP Rocky" Mayers who is currently a free man. Rocky was released from police custody in Sweden until a judge rules in his assault trial on August 14. He pleaded not guilty in the case. The Harlem-bred rap star flew back to the United States on Saturday and then headed out to California for Kanye West's Sunday Service event. Rocky was seen in photos with Ye as well as videos with former girlfriend Kendall Jenner and fellow A$AP Mob member A$AP Ferg. This is a good way to get things back on track! Victoria’s Secret casts Valentina Sampaio  as the first openly Transgender model. She’s been hired to model for #Pink, the company’s athletic line for its younger audience. Thoughts? The "Illastr8 HOT TAKE" for this that the crew discussed was, 'are rebound relationships bad?' Let us know your thoughts on this HEAVY topic! We also had special guest, up and coming comedian, Stephen Stackzz in the building to let us know what's on the horizon for him. Check him out everywhere @stephenstackzz. Until next week...

This week, we had a few examples of different people and situations 'partnering up'.  In saying so, Mary J. Blige will star in the 'POWER' spinoff and is ecstatic about her new role. As she states, “This is probably going to be the most exciting thing that will happen to me this year,” she said. “I’ve known so many Tashas, I’ve known so many Ghosts. I’ve dated so many Ghosts. “I’m a huge fan for life, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.” Best of luck to MJB! Also, Nicki Minaj and her boo where spotted in LA getting a marriage license. Nicki and Kenneth Petty took a trip together to the Bev Hills Courthouse Monday. This is an interesting development due to the fact that Nicki had previously stated that the couple had already gotten their marriage license. Though no date has been set for their wedding vows, marriage license are only good for 90 days so don’t be surprised if the couple decides to elope and surprise everyone with an announcement in the coming weeks or months. Let's see what happens?  Don't keep your fingers crossed. Barack Obama's high school jersey is up for auction. The white jersey, which says “Punahou” and “23” on the front in blue lettering, is faded and stained but still expected to fetch a pretty penny. The starting bid was $25,000, but Heritage Auctions, which is selling the jersey, expects the garment to sell for at least $100,000 when bidding ends August 17. Obama is still winning! This was another great partnership of sorts. Mariah Carey congratulated Lil Nas X on breaking her all-time Hot 100 record. Lil Nas X has cemented his name in the history books. The Atlanta performer's "Old Town Road" is now the longest-running #1 single on the Hot 100 chart of all time (17 weeks). "Old Town Road" featuring Billy Ray Cyrus passed Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's "One Sweet Day" as well as Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's "Despacito" featuring Justin Bieber. Carey actually congratulated Lil Nas on Twitter. This partnership actually went sour. A Chicago woman made an appearance in court over the weekend over charges she stole the identity of "Empire" actress Taraji P. Henson and scammed people out of tens-of-thousands of dollars. Alicia Newby managed to get into Henson's email account, where she pilfered a variety of data, including phone numbers, email addresses, and financial information. Newby then hit the Internet and went on a shopping spree and ordered over $12,000-thousands of dollars in merchandise, which were sent to bogus addresses on the Southside being leased by Newby in another victims name. She was eventually hit with a felony charge of running a continuing a financial crime enterprise and released on a $10,000 bail. This is bad all the way around! To highlight, our "Producers Behind the Music" segment, we had grammy nominated producer Shamel “Sha Muzik” Hughes. Check him out everwhere at www.shamuzik.com. Also on social media @shamuzik and @thinkmg. He's that next BIG thing!  Keep it tight right here every Wednesday from 9-10 pm!!!

For this show, we had topics and conversation that involved situations that shows nothing comes easy in the pursuit of success and happiness. For instance, Chief Keef gets social media star pregnant with 10th child, wow!  His girlfriend, Diamond Nicole, is a popular youtuber and the cousin of popular youtuber DDG. Before this new pregnancy, Keef had a total of nine children with nine baby mamas. At 23 years old...he ain't playin; good luck! As R. Kelly is currently sitting behind bars, Lifetime is continuing to build on their “Surviving R. Kelly” series with a follow-up called “Surviving R. Kelly: The Aftermath.” The new special will consist of four parts and will feature interviews from new survivors, psychologists, and experts on the Kelly case. He's another one that exemplifies that nothing comes easy. Expecially, when your constantantly doing wrong. On a positive note, the Lion King brought in $531M globally making it the #1 movie in the world!! As it stands, the movie has hit the half billion benchmark in about 10 days (opening early in China) and is on track to bring in $1B worldwide before next weekend. The orginal was still the most iconic though but great job nontheless! FINALLY...Harriet Tubman, America's heroic abolitionist, gets her own biopic. Harriet Tubman may not have her face on a $20 bill YET, but plans for a biopic in her name are becoming a reality. Tubman's own escape from slavery led her to help hundreds of slaves find freedom during the US Civil War era through the Underground Railroad, changing the course of American history. "Harriet" is set for release November 1. Also, in studio for our "Boss Ladies in Business" series, we had accomplished makeup artist "Akua Robinson". Visit her for more information at www.akuarobinson.com and/or on social media @akuarobinson! Don't mess up and not tune in next week!  We have a BIG guest coming in...'see what I'm sayin'!

The crew discussed a variety of BOSS moves for this weeks show. A true boss in entertainment and culinary is Ms. Patti LaBelle. During the recent 2019 Essence Festival, Ms. Patti revealed the news that her frozen food empire is about to get even larger—specifically for lovers of soul food. She’s partnering with Wal-Mart once again hoping to recreate the magic that brought in millions of dollars courtesy of her desserts, especially the much talked about sweet potato pie that went viral a few years ago. Congratulations to Patti doing it again! This story didn't quite 'boss up' in a good way. Apparently they are trying to take the late great Nipsey Hussle's store and profits. I don't know about you, but I know this is deeper than rap! The LAPD finally admitted that they were investigating Nipsey Hussle at the time of his murder. They say they were looking to investigate gang activity around the shop, at the other stores in the same strip mall as The Marathon Store. Nip is STILL under investigation and they may be coming after the monies made by The Marathon Store. The whole mall was bought for $2.5 million this year by Nip and some other investors. The store and the profits could be seized if it were somehow connected to gang activity. The thing is, Nip hired "felons" to give them jobs after they came home. Unfortunately, the sad saga continues. A BIG congratulations are in order for the NEW 007! While Daniel Craig is set to reprise his role as James Bond in the next film, the franchise is set for a shake-up, with reports claiming that black British actor Lashana Lynch has been cast as 007 – taking over Bond’s secret agent number after his character leaves MI6. We also had an exclusive interview with former porn star, now turned entrepreneur, Schanell Marie Carol AKA “Roxy Reynolds". She has a new perfume line out called, 'Untold Truth.' Check her out on social media everywhere  @Untoldfragrance and www.untoldtruthcollection.com. We always give you what you need to round out your week the right way! Stay tuned.  

Are you ready? There was some revelations this week that the crew discussed that may shock you. Jim Jones is finally marrying Chrissy - after a 7 year engagement, FINALLY! According to folks on social media, Chrissy and Jim are set to wed this fall. And the couple is working out a deal with VH1, so that they can get a wedding special out of it. Best of luck to them both. Diddy is considering brining back, "Making the Band" back. Such an iconic show for it's time, thoughts? Kanye West’s YEEZY brand is projected to make $1.5 Billion in sales for 2019. When Kanye took his Yeezy label and left Nike for Adidas, no one expected what was to come—and incredibly popular shoe line that has left most of its competitors in the dust. What sets Ye apart from Michael Jordan’s long-running partnership with Nike, is that he owns 100% of Yeezy, gets a 15% royalty deal on all wholesale, plus a marketing fee. In comparison, Jordan only gets 5% of royalties and doesn’t own his brand. I guess being crazy pays off?  August Alsina reveals that he's been hospitalized after losing the ability to walk. The R&B crooner is telling fans that he couldn’t make the ESSENCE festival because he’s been hospitalized for complications surrounding his autoimmune disease that’s apparently “raging.” We’re extending prayers August Alsina’s way. Scientists confirms that ALL Black people...look alike?? Instead of curing deadly diseases like cancer, AIDS or racism, researchers at some of California’s top universities came together to explore one of the most mysterious subjects in the category of shit we already knew anyway—namely, that white people think all black people look the same. Check out what the crew has to say about this one, lol! The "Illastr8 HOT TAKE" this week talked about, 'what to do when your partner doesn't listen to you when you speak?' Let us know if this applies to you and how!  Check back with us EVERY WEDNESDAY...See What I'm Sayin!! 

Illastr8 Radio is back with a vengeance! We are back with a new crew, Kei, Chocolate Barbie, Joanie and T Gray along with KING Cyrus on the 1's and 2's! Check out the NEW Illastr8 Radio and all that we have to bring to you for your entertainment and listening pleasure. We had in studio we had the young icon, "Tre Burwell." Catch him everywhere on all social platforms @treburwellmisic. REMEMBER, we haven't gone ANYWHERE; we are just getting started!!

The days leading up to today's show were a little ruff. The crew touched on the passing on rap phenomenon, Nipsey Hussle. It was such a sudden and overwhelming situation that occurred. RIP Nip!!  We also discussed some other trending topics as only we can!  The "Illastr8 Hot Topic" was about 'Culture Vultures' and how it has impacted Black culture. We got it in for sure about this one!  DON'T FORGET...every Wednesday, 9-10 pm!

The word, 'Hold Down' can mean a variety of different things. This holds true within some of the trending topics the crew talked about. As always, Apple never fails with holding the world down with their innovation!  The tech giant on Monday announced a press event on March 25 where it is widely expected to unveil its TV streaming services that will offer iPhone and iPad owners access to free original shows along with other streaming services, estimating 100 million users in just three years. Likewise...just from a humanistic standpoint, Kim Kardashian holds down 5 years rent for freed man who was denied housing. Matthew Charles was granted early release by mistake in 2016, after serving 21 years of a 35-year sentence for non-violent drug and weapons charges and was forced to return to prison last May to finish his sentence. However, on January 3, Charles became one of the first people to benefit from the First Step Act, a bill supported by Van Jones’ REFORM Alliance that aims to reduce non-violent prison sentences. BIG props to Kim K.! You want to talk about holding it down!  Deborah Brown, a Richmond, Va. resident won the state’s lottery 30 times in one day in February—ensuring that this year’s Black History Month was really great for at least one person. She bought 30 “Pick 4" tickets with the same winning combination: 1-0-3-1. Brown initially bought 20 tickets with that combination at a gas station in Chesterfield County. So later that day, she bought 10 more tickets at the same location with the same numbers. Good luck to her...like she really needs it at this point. This was not the way to hold things down! A white fifth-grade social studies teacher at Chapel School in Bronxville, N.Y., reportedly organized a mock slave auction where the teacher took the black students into the hall, put “imaginary chains” on their necks and wrists and shackled their ankles before parading them in front of their white classmates who posed as wealthy slave owners playing the original version of The Price Is Right’s showcase showdown. DAMN! We also had in studio upcoming, local DMV rap sensation, Young Sir. Check him our everywhere @youngsirdmv and or www.youngsirdmv.com. Back at you next Wednesday with more of what you want!

We had lots of good news this week, with a sprinkle of 'fakeness' in the mix. For instance, Ariana Grande is now Instagram's most-followed woman, surpassing Selena Gomez who formerly held the crown. Gomez held the title with 146,267,801 followers Grande surpassed her yesterday afternoon, racking up 146,286,173 followers. Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo still holds the title as the most followed person on the Gram. Congrats to all of them! The city of Houston, TX names February 24th, "Meek Mill Day."  The Championships album creator was in the city for his "Motivation Tour." Meek Milly is really doin his thing and representing for the culture and the people. NOW...some fake news. Cops say they have more evidence proving Jussie Smollett faked attack. The police claim he orchestrated the hate crime, which reportedly took place outside his Chicago apartment on January 29. The "Empire" star is facing a felony charge of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report. Smollett maintains his innocence. He is currently free on $100,000 bail. If convicted, he faces up to three years behind bars. Good luck to that brotha!!  FINALLY, real tv may be making a return. Malik Yoba will be reprising his role in ‘New York Undercover’ reboot. 90’s heartthrob Malik Yoba will indeed be reprising his role as Detective J.C. Williams but this time around he’ll be overseeing the next generation of Hip-Hop cops instead of playing the streets as an undercover himself. No word yet on whether or not his partner in crime Detective Eddie Torres (Michael DeLorenzo) will be asked to join the reboot but we feel like he can use that mainstream exposure these days. You here for this? This definitely isn't fake news; or is it??? Merely minutes after posting bail after pleading not guilty to 10 felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, 52-year-old R&B singer R. Kelly returned to the Rock n’ Roll McDonalds, a flagship location that was once hailed as the busiest McDonald’s on the planet, WOW!  We all have kept up with these allegations. Do you believe he can 'fly' again?  The Oscars are not so white anymore!  There were plenty of Black joy moments thanks to Spike Lee, Black Panther, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, Regina King and Mahershala Ali all taking home Oscars. BIG congratulations to them all! The "Illastr8 HOT Take" this week was, 'is it possible to rebuild trust after cheating?' Let us know your thoughts/comments and we'll follow back up with ya'll next Wednesday!