In the 1990s, Snoop Dogg simultaneously celebrated the release of his debut album and his induction into fatherhood. Nine months after releasing his hit album “Doggystyle” in November 1993, the West Coast rapper welcomed his first son, Corde Broadus, in August 1994. Reflecting on this period of his life with People magazine, Snoop Dogg revealed that his friend and fellow rapper Tupac Shakur helped him find a balance between fatherhood and fame. 

“I was working on Tha Doggfather [his sophomore album]. So when [Corde] was old enough able to pee and all that other s***, I started taking him to the studio with me,” he told the publication. 

Reportedly raising Corde “around all of the homies,” Snoop Dogg remembers Shakur meeting his son in the studio and quickly becoming a part of the village that raised him. 

“Tupac loved him. It’s like his nephew. Tupac was a better dad than me,” Snoop reminisced. “We’ve been up here [in the recording studio for] three hours and we ain’t got him nothing to eat. It’s like I’m up here rapping and s***, I’m not being a father. [He was] training me.” 

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Unfortunately, Shakur’s time with Snoop Dogg and his son was cut short. In 1996, the rapper was involved in a drive-by shooting that eventually killed him. Despite his death, Shakur’s impact on Snoop Dogg’s parenting lived on as he welcomed his second son Cordell Broadus. Understanding the power of community when parenting, the “Drop it Like it’s Hot,” says his late friend inspired him to put his sons in football. 

“I put them in football and I watched them work together. Football helped me to become a real good father because I was around other men who were single parents, or either had a great wife, or was a grandfather raising their son’s kids — so much I could learn from them,” Snoop explained, eventually becoming a football coach. “So football and all that was a blessing on me being a father because it taught me how to be a father.” 

Beyond fatherhood, Snoop Dogg says that Shakur taught him “a different kind of work ethic.” 

“I always had a good work ethic about myself as far as being timely, being on point, and being a professional. But he just showed me how to be a little faster…[and to] not [just] fall in love with it, but fall in love with the craft of being able to do it and continue to do it,” he said in an Instagram post. “I feel like that was something that was passed on to me, and now I’m showing it through my work…And it passes that on to the young generation to show them that you can do the same.” 

Sean P. Diddy Combs, 54, was arrested in New York City on Monday after months of sexual assault allegations, lawsuits, and a federal investigation leading up to a grand jury indictment.

The details of the Bad Boy mogul’s case have been sealed and charges have not been publicly announced, reported the New York Times. However, NYT reported that Diddy is expected to be charged with racketeering and sex trafficking—which matches accusations made by his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in an explosive lawsuit filed last year. Diddy was also recently sued by his former artist Dawn Richards, alleging that he “belittled, terrorized and sexually abused her.”

And there have been a slew of other lawsuit’s looking to hold Diddy accountable for his alleged history of bad behavior. Yet those lawsuits seem to pale in comparison to the federal investigation that has been building against Diddy for months—which saw armed federal agents in armored vehicles in March raid his $61.5 million home in Los Angeles and another in Miami.

According to his legal team, Diddy had been cooperating with investigating authorities and reportedly moved to New York “in anticipation of these charges.” His legal team called the decision to move forward with his prosecution “unfair.”

“Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community,” said his legal team in a statement reported by NYT. “He is an imperfect person but he is not a criminal.”

That all soon may change if the allegations of abuse, manipulation and bullying are to be believed. As a ’90s rapper and producer who has managed to remake himself into a business icon, Diddy has been tied through business or as friends to a number of music and entertainment legends, including Lil Kim, Mary J. Blige, Lee Daniels, Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z, Naomi Campbell, Rick Ross, Justin Bieber, Young Miami Usher, and many more.

He has also been connected to a number of more women that he had been rumored to be dating.

However, as much as Diddy represented the high life in Black culture, he has also been connected to many allegations of low behavior in the alleged case of TuPac and even when it came to his longtime ex-girlfriend Kim Porter.

What does it all mean that now it seems his world is crumbling? The Black internet has some thoughts.

“Diddy going out bad,” wrote one social media commentator on X.

Another social media on X added, “Since I’ve become more aware and sensitive to energies, I can’t even look at a picture of Diddy for too long. Idk if it’s the fact that knowing his crimes makes him harder to look at, or it’s his spirit showing himself. Either way, that man is…whew. Darkness.”

“This Diddy trial gonna be a spectacle like no other,” wrote another commentator, summing up the situation.

Time will tell just how true that will be. So far there have been no photos or videos of Diddy’s arrest released to the public.

15

BET+ has announced the renewal of its hit docu-series “The Impact Atlanta” for a third season, much to the excitement of its dedicated fan base. Produced by Quality Control and Lionsgate A, the hour-long series provides an inside look into the lives of Atlanta’s most influential trendsetters, showcasing their journey from social media fame to multimillion-dollar success stories.

Returning for this season are fan favorites Ari Fletcher, Karlae, and Tuson Jewell, alongside new faces LightSkinKeisha, DJ Tori Brixx, and Gloss Up. The supporting cast will include Coca Vango, DayyBella, Sir Julien, and Derrian “Phreshy” Perry. With a combined social media following of over 20 million, these influencers have leveraged their online presence to build brands, set fashion trends, and dominate the music scene.

Ari Fletcher, a model, and entrepreneur known for her brands Remedy By Ari and Remedy Swim, returns to share more of her multifaceted career. Karlae, a rising star in the music industry, will offer deeper insights into her journey with Young Stoner Life and her recent EP, “Enter.” Tuson Jewell continues to blend his music career with his entrepreneurial spirit, now focusing on his luxury vape brand, Rare Smoke.

New cast members bring fresh energy to the series. LightSkinKeisha, a talented rapper and actress, is set to showcase her musical growth and personal life. DJ Tori Brixx, known for her work as a DJ and beauty influencer, will bring her dynamic presence to the show. Gloss Up, a rising force in southern rap, joins the cast to share her journey and latest projects.

Supporting cast members, including Coca Vango, DayyBella, Sir Julien, and Phreshy, add depth to the ensemble with their contributions to music, event planning, digital marketing, and public relations.

“The Impact Atlanta” is produced by Pierre ‘P’ Thomas and Kevin ‘Coach K’ Lee of Quality Control, along with Brian Sher and Karam Gill. Gennifer Gardiner executive produces for Lionsgate. The series is currently in production, with a premiere date to be announced later this year.

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Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.

Former President Donald Trump’s false claim that Black immigrants from Haiti are eating dogs and cats kept as pets by their neighbors in Springfield, Ohio, is dangerous incitement that I fear could lead to racist violence. 

The false claim resulted in bomb threats to three medical facilities and another site in Springfield on Saturday, led a college in the city to cancel activities Sunday and forced the evacuation of two elementary schools and the closure of a middle school last week.

Bomb threats were emailed “to multiple agencies and media outlets,” the City Commission reported. Police and bomb-detecting dogs searched the threatened buildings, along with City Hall, the county courthouse and driver’s license bureaus. Thankfully, no bombs were found.

Republican presidential nominee Trump made the fake news about Haitian immigrants eating pets a top global story when he discussed it at last week’s ABC debate with his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. About 67 million people watched.   

I pray that the threats in Springfield don’t turn into something more, resulting in injury or death to anyone, just as I pray that Trump remains safe after an apparent assassination attempt against him Sunday at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida — the second this year. 

I share the view of Harris, who said in a tweet Sunday about Trump: “I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.” We need to settle our differences peacefully.

Contrary to Trump’s claim that the estimated 12,000 to 15,000 Haitians in Springfield are in the U.S. illegally, most came to Springfield legally beginning in 2017, when Trump was president.

The Haitians arrived under a federal humanitarian program that allowed them to enter the U.S. from their home country, which is wracked by violence, crime and poverty. Haitians hold jobs, own businesses, pay taxes and have revitalized Springfield after population losses in the 1960s. 

“I’m angry about illegal Haitian migrants taking over Springfield, Ohio,” Trump said Friday. He added: “I’m angry about young American girls being raped and murdered by savage criminal aliens that come into our country very easily, but very illegally.” Springfield authorities say Haitians have not created a crime wave. But Trump said: “We will do large deportations in Springfield, Ohio.”

Funny how Trump has never demanded deportations for his paternal grandparents who came to the U.S. from Germany, his mother who came here from Scotland or his two immigrant wives. Nor has he described any of them as “savages.” His family members are all white.  

The lie Trump told about Haitians in Springfield eating pets was repeated Sunday by his vice presidential running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, in appearances on “Meet the Press” on NBC and “State of the Union” on CNN. 

In addition, Vance shared a video on X Saturday falsely claiming to show African immigrants preparing to grill dead cats in Dayton, Ohio, about 30 miles from Springfield. 

Top city and police officials in Dayton and Springfield, along with the governor of Ohio, have said claims about Black immigrants eating cats and dogs are baseless. 

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Dayton Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims Jr. issued a statement calling the claim about his city “totally false” and said it was “dangerously irresponsible of politicians aiming to sow division and fear.” Springfield Mayor Bob Rue said “Your pets are safe in Springfield, Ohio” and added “We don’t need this misinformation.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican who has endorsed Trump, appeared on “This Week” on ABC Sunday and called claims that immigrants in his state are eating cats and dogs “garbage.”

“Hate groups coming into Springfield, we don’t need these hate groups,” he added. “I saw a piece of literature yesterday that the mayor told me about from purportedly the KKK.”

News that the Ku Klux Klan has joined with Trump and Vance to spread the lie about Black immigrants eating cats and dogs brings back frightening memories from my childhood when I was growing up near New Orleans in the 1960s. 

Back then, the KKK posed a very real threat to Black people who dared to vote or stand up against segregation and other racist practices. I know systemic racism still exists, but I had hoped the days of KKK terror were an ugly part of our history. 

I knew Haitian immigrants when I was a young girl. Some were our neighbors. They were good, hardworking, law-abiding people. Apart from their accents, they were no different from other Black folks I knew, except that they liked some Caribbean foods we didn’t eat at my house — but those foods didn’t include dogs and cats.

When I was older, I was inspired when I read about how enslaved Africans in Haiti rebelled against their French colonial slave masters and fought for their freedom and independence from 1791 to 1804, when Haiti became a Black-ruled sovereign nation where slavery was illegal.    

In addition, Haitian Americans have long been part of our country, serving in our armed forces and making other important contributions to our nation. One of them was Jean-Baptiste-Point Dusable, the Haitian son of a white French father and an enslaved Black mother. He is credited with being the founder of Chicago in 1779 when he built a home and trading post there. 

The November election is one of the most consequential in American history. We should focus our attention on the qualifications of Harris and Trump to lead our nation and their positions on important issues — not on a crazy trumped-up claim about Haitians eating family pets.

The Haitians residing legally in Springfield and other cities across our nation deserve their shot at the American Dream, without facing threats based on lies. They are not savages and rapists. 

As someone who Vance would probably call a “childless dog lady” and who considers my dog, Miss Zora, a dear member of my family, I hope Trump and Vance will stop making up stories to divide Americans from each other and to endanger the safety of the targets of their vitriol. The dogs and cats of Springfield are as safe from Haitians as Miss Zora is from me.

Donna Brazile is a veteran political strategist, Senior Advisor at Purple Strategies, New York Times bestselling author, Chair of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, and sought-after Emmy- and Peabody-award-winning media contributor to such outlets as ABC News, USA Today and TheGrio. She previously served as interim Chair of the Democratic National Committee and of the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute. Donna was the first Black American to serve as the manager of a major-party presidential campaign, running the campaign of Vice President Al Gore in 2000. She serves as an adjunct professor in the Women and Gender Studies Department at Georgetown University and served as the King Endowed Chair in Public Policy at Howard University and as a fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School. She has lectured at nearly 250 colleges and universities on diversity, equity and inclusion; women in leadership; and restoring civility in American politics.

5

The highly anticipated film Emilia Pérez, starring Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Edgar Ramírez, is set to debut in select theaters this fall, followed by a Netflix premiere on November 13, 2024.

Directed by visionary filmmaker Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez is described as an audacious genre-defying story that blends crime, drama, and surrealism. The film follows Rita, an underappreciated lawyer played by Zoe Saldaña, who works for a high-powered law firm more invested in freeing criminals than delivering justice. Rita’s latest client is none other than the leader of a notorious criminal organization, setting off a chain of unexpected and thrilling events.

The film’s star-studded cast is led by Karla Sofía Gascón in the title role, with Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Edgar Ramírez rounding out the ensemble. Known for his bold storytelling, Jacques Audiard has crafted a fever-dream narrative that explores power, identity, and morality in ways that promise to challenge the audience’s expectations.

Emilia Pérez has already generated significant buzz for its unconventional storytelling, high-profile cast, and Audiard’s reputation for pushing cinematic boundaries.

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Don’t miss Emilia Pérez in select theaters this fall, and mark your calendars for its Netflix release on November 13, 2024.

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After a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in May left customers wondering if their beloved cheddar bay biscuits might become a thing of the past, Red Lobster is enlisting the help of a young Black executive to help get the company back on its feet.

On Aug. 26, Fortress Investment Group announced the appointment of former P.F. Chang’s CEO Damola Adamolekun as CEO of RL Investor Holdings LLC, “a new entity that is seeking bankruptcy court approval to acquire from Red Lobster Management LLC.”

The popular seafood restaurant chain took a major financial hit due to some costly regular menu items like its daily Endless Shrimp promotion, which gave customers access to all the shrimp they could eat for just twenty dollars. That delicious deal cost the company over $11 million and led them to file for bankruptcy in May of this year, according to Fortune.

Back in June, we told you that Public Enemy rapper Flavor Flav stepped in to help the struggling chain keep the cheddar bay biscuits flowing by ordering everything on the menu – from the crab legs to the cole slaw.

“Ya boy meant it when I said I was gonna do anything and everything to help @redlobster and save the cheddar bay biscuits,,,ordered the whole menu,!!!,” he wrote on X.

Since the announcement of his hire, Adamolekun has been visiting restaurants across the country to sample menu items and speak with customers about what the company can do to improve, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

Sounds like a pretty amazing job, right?

“Red Lobster is an iconic brand with a tremendous future. I’m looking forward to working with our team members across North America to reinvigorate the brand by making it the best place to work for our employees and improving the experience for our guests,” Adamolekun said in a statement announcing his hire.

The 35-year-old holds a Bachelor in Economics and Political Science from Brown University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. In a 2023 interview with Fortune, Adamolekun said he’s not big on work-life balance: “My life is my work. My work is my life.”

He says he typically starts his day at 4 am with an eight-mile run before arriving at the office at 7 a.m. to start reading emails and attending scheduled meetings.

7

Emily in Paris is back! Get ready for more Parisian chic, Italian charm, and all the drama that Emily Cooper can dish out. Fans are over the moon that the show is returning for another season, with new episodes set in both the City of Lights and the Eternal City. We can’t wait to see what adventures await our favorite fashionista!

The announcement of a fifth season for Emily in Paris comes on the heels of the series’ recent success. Fans can anticipate more of Emily’s captivating romantic pursuits, iconic fashion choices, and immersive cultural experiences in the upcoming episodes.

Emily’s love life is about to get even more complicated! In Season 4, she had a whirlwind romance in Rome but couldn’t quite shake her feelings for her ex in Paris. Get ready for a love triangle that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.And that’s not all – there are new characters and challenges coming Emily’s way that will add even more drama and excitement to the show.

Emily in Paris is totally addictive! It’s got everything – funny moments, cute romances, and gorgeous backdrops. Can’t wait to see what Emily gets up to next!

Here’s a deeper dive into what we can expect from Season 5:

• A love triangle: Emily will likely find herself caught between her growing feelings for Marcello in Rome and her lingering connection with Gabriel in Paris. This will create a dramatic and exciting storyline for fans to follow.






• Cultural exploration: With Emily spending time in both cities, we can expect to see more of the unique cultures and experiences that Paris and Rome have to offer. This will provide viewers with a glimpse into the vibrant lifestyles of these European cities.






• Fashion and style: Emily’s iconic fashion sense is a major draw for many fans. We can expect to see her continue to impress with her stylish outfits and trendsetting looks.






• Career growth: Emily’s career as a marketing consultant will likely play a significant role in the new season. We may see her take on new challenges and opportunities, both professionally and personally.

Emily in Paris season 5 is gonna be a total blast! Imagine Emily caught between two hot guys, exploring the coolest spots in Paris and Rome, and always looking on point. It’s going to be a wild ride filled with laughs, drama, and lots of fashion envy.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Three years after a former Georgia district attorney was indicted on charges alleging she interfered with police investigating the 2020 killing of Ahmaud Arbery, the case’s slow progression through the court system has sputtered to a halt, one the presiding judge insists is temporary.

Jackie Johnson was the state’s top prosecutor for coastal Glynn County in February 2020, when Arbery was chased by three white men in pickup trucks who had spotted him running in their neighborhood. The 25-year-old Black man died in the street after one of his pursuers shot him with a shotgun.

Johnson transferred the case to an outside prosecutor because the man who initiated the deadly chase, Greg McMichael, was her former employee. But Georgia’s attorney general says she illegally used her office to try to protect the retired investigator and his son, Travis McMichael, who fired the fatal shots.

Both McMichaels already have been convicted and sentenced to prison in back-to-back trials for murder and federal hate crimes. So has a neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, whose cellphone video of the shooting triggered a national outcry over Arbery’s death. A court heard their first appeals six months ago.

The criminal misconduct case against Johnson has moved at a comparative crawl since a grand jury indicted her on Sept. 2, 2021, on a felony count of violating her oath of office and a misdemeanor count of hindering a police officer.

While the men responsible for Arbery’s death are serving life sentences, the slain man’s family has insisted that justice won’t be complete until Johnson stands trial.

“It’s very, very important,” said Wanda Cooper-Jones, Arbery’s mother. “Jackie Johnson was really part of the problem early on.”

Johnson has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. After losing reelection in 2020, she told The Associated Press that she immediately recused herself in the handling of Arbery’s killing because of Greg McMichael’s involvement.

Johnson’s case has stalled as one of her attorneys, Brian Steel, has spent most of the past two years in an Atlanta courtroom defending Grammy-winning rapper Young Thug against racketeering and gang charges. Jury selection in the case took 10 months, prosecutors began presenting evidence last November and they are still calling witnesses.

Senior Judge John R. Turner, who was assigned to Johnson’s case, insists there is nothing he can do but wait.

“If anyone’s concerned that the case is being shuffled under the rug, I can guarantee you it’s not,” Turner told the AP in a phone interview. “It’s moving at a snail’s pace, but it will move forward eventually.”

After Arbery was killed, Greg McMichael told police that he and his son had armed themselves and chased the Black man, suspecting he was a fleeing criminal. Bryan, who didn’t know any of the men, made a similar assumption after seeing them pass his home and joined in his own truck.

The indictment against Johnson alleges she told police they shouldn’t arrest Travis McMichael. It also accuses her of “showing favor and affection” to Greg McMichael by calling on George Barnhill, a district attorney in a neighboring judicial circuit, to advise police about how to handle the shooting.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr appointed Barnhill four days later to take over as outside prosecutor. Carr has said he picked Barnhill without knowing he already had advised police that he saw no grounds for arrests in Arbery’s death.

Barnhill stepped aside after a few weeks, but not before he sent a letter to police captain arguing the McMichaels acted legally and Arbery was killed in self-defense.

After Johnson was charged, she reported to jail for booking and was released without having to post bond. Her attorneys waived a formal reading of the charges before a judge and she has yet to appear in court. The judge denied legal motions by Johnson’s lawyers to dismiss the case last November. Court records show no further developments over the past 10 months.

“Securing an indictment is just one step in our ongoing pursuit of justice for Ahmaud Arbery and his family,” Carr said in a statement. “We have never stopped fighting for them, and we look forward to the opportunity to present our case in court.”

Johnson’s attorneys, Steel and John Ossick, did not respond to emails and a phone message seeking comment. They have argued in court filings there is “not a scintilla of evidence” that she hindered police.

Prosecutors responded with a court filing that listed 16 calls between phones belonging to Johnson and Greg McMichael in the weeks following the shooting.

Two legal experts who aren’t involved in the case said there is no deadline for Johnson to stand trial. She hasn’t been jailed, so there is little pressure to expedite her case.

Steel’s prolonged absence because of the Atlanta gang trial likely isn’t the only factor slowing the case, Atlanta defense attorney Don Samuel said.

Courts remain saddled with a backlog of cases since the COVID-19 lockdowns, he said. And the attorney general’s office has a limited staff of criminal prosecutors with their own busy caseloads.

Samuel also questioned whether prosecutors have a strong case against Johnson. Even if she opposed charging the McMichaels in Arbery’s death, he said, prosecutors haven’t accused her of taking bribes or similar blatant corruption.

District attorneys “have a huge amount of discretion to make decisions about what cases to pursue,” Samuel said. “The notion that we’re going to start prosecuting DAs for prosecuting or not prosecuting strikes me as really being on the edge of propriety.”

Danny Porter, the former district attorney for Gwinnett County in metro Atlanta, said prosecutors like Johnson have a legitimate role in advising police on whether or not to arrest suspects before an investigation is complete.

As for Johnson’s recommendation in 2020 that the attorney general replace her with another prosecutor who concluded Arbery’s killing was justified, Porter said: “I don’t think that’s a violation of the law, though it might have made them mad.”

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