It’s no secret that Drake is a massive cornball. The Canadian rapper, whose debut album “Thank Me Later” was released in 2010, has changed the way hip hop has affected the masses. Sadly, it’s not in a good way. Kendrick Lamar’s new Drake diss song, “euphoria,” called out the way the “For All The Dogs” artist has made a mockery of Black American culture—and we have the proof.

Here’s a list of the corniest sh*t Drizzy has ever done.

Using AI Tupac On “Taylor Made Freestyle”

Drake really thought he was onto something when he employed AI to emulate of voices of the late Tupac Shakur and the very much alive Snoop Dogg on “Taylor Made Freestyle.” The track, which he deleted after Tupac estate’s threatened Drake with legal action, took aim at Kendrick Lamar and begged him to respond to the 4 minute debacle. Drizzy also insisted Taylor Swift was the reason Kendrick was taking his time, reminding us that he deserved every insult in “euphoria.”

Joking About Tory Lanez Shooting On “Circo Loco”

On his 2022 track “Circo Loco” alongside 21 Savage, Drake referened Tory Lanez shooting Megan Thee Stallion back in 2020 by rapping: “This b*tch lie about getting shots, but she still a stallion / She don’t even get the joke but she still smiling.” There’s nothing funny about violence against Black women, but Meg said it best when she commented: “Stop using my shooting for clout b*tch a** n***a!”

Referencing Slavery On “Slime You Out”

Last year, Drake released his song “Slime You Out” featuring SZA which would appear on his most recent album “For All The Dogs.” In addition to using Halle Berry on the track’s cover art against her wishes, Drake also joked about slavery in the song. “Whipped and chained you like American slaves/Act like you not used to Sheraton stays.” There’s no justification for these egregious lines, but clearly the bar is in hell for Drake.

Wearing Blackface

In his lethal 2018 diss track “The Story of Adidon,” Pusha T not only read Drake for his entire life but used a shocking 2007 photo of the Canadian emcee in blackface as the song’s cover art. Drizzy attempted to explain the image on his Instagram Story. “I was working on a project that was about young Black actors struggling to get roles, being stereotyped and type cast. The photos represented how African Americans were once wrongfully portrayed in entertainment.” All we have to say is: blackface is never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever justifiable.

Buying Tupac’s Jewelry

Last year, Drake purchased a ring designed by the late Tupac Shakur for just over a $1 million (its presale estimate was valued between $200,000-$300,000). He debuted the ring on his Instagram and wore it in interviews. If this isn’t one of the biggest examples of Drake’s culture vulture cosplay, we don’t know what is.

Hiding A Child

On Pusha T’s 2018 scorched earth Drake diss track, “The Story Of Adidon,” he alerted the world that Drake had a secret child. He had privately fathered a son named Adonis with former adult film actress Sophie Brussaux. The revelation that Drake was a deadbeat father forced the emcee to start showing his child more — but it was sad that it came to that.

Working With Morgan Wallen

When Morgan Wallen was caught saying racial slurs on camera in 2021, he publicly apologized and had his music pulled from radio stations and Country Music Television. Of course, that didn’t stop him for staging a comeback, headlining tours and becoming one of the most streamed artists in 2023. For reasons no one will ever understand, Drake featured Wallen in his “You Broke My Heart” video last year.

Petty Rihanna Snub

While on tour earlier this year, Drake showed just how petty he can be. During a show in Tampa, Fla. he refused to perform his hit song with his ex Rihanna entitled “Work” — even though he played a clip of it onstage. As it played, Drake remarked: “I don’t sing this song anymore. You can sing it for me.” This is peak cornball behavior.

Keeping Serena’s Name In His Mouth

On his joint 2022 project with 21 Savage entitled “Her Loss,” Drake couldn’t help from bringing up his ex Serena Williams on the track “Middle of The Ocean.” He rapped: “Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie/He claim we don’t got a problem but/No, boo, it is like you comin’ for sushi.” Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, fired back at the rapper.

“The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless about being the absolute best at whatever I do — including being the best groupie for my wife & daughter,” he wrote on X/Twitter.

Rumored Plastic Surgery

Though Drake loves posting shirtless photos on his social media, fans have speculated for a while that he’s had plastic surgery. Rick Ross has stated Drake got a BBL, Megan Thee Stallion has alluded to certain rappers having scars from getting work done and even Kendrick implored Drizzy to share where he got his abs from.

Being A Video Vixen

Over the last year, Drake has appeared in two Sexyy Red videos: “Rich Baby Daddy” and “Get It Sexyy.” He has pathetically embraced the role of being a video vixen and on “euphoria” Kendrick addressed this trend: “When I see you stand by Sexyy Red, I believe you see two bad b**ches/I believe you don’t like women/It’s real competition/You might pop a** with ‘em.

Fake Jamaican Accent

For years, Drake has done his best to imitate Jamaican accents. Some call it a fake patois, but ultimately it’s just disrespectful. Fans heard him do his infamous impression on songs like Popcaan’s “We Caa Done” and his “On The Radar” freestyle with Central Cee.

Michael Jackson Comparison

In 2023, Drake tied Michael Jackson for the most number one singles in Billboard chart history. He celebrated the milestone on Instagram as well on his song “First Person Shooter” with J.Cole. Drake rapped: “N***as talkin’ ‘bout when this gon’ be repeated/What the f**k, bro? I’m one away from Michael/N***a, beat it.”

In the video for the track, Drake dressed like the late music icon and attempted to do a Michael Jackson dance. Drizzy just needs to have several seats — forever.

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

The old guys can still ball. 

LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant suffered quick exits from the NBA postseason, but their ability to hoop remains exquisite. They routinely hold their own and more, putting up numbers against players 15 years younger. No one denies that James, Curry and Durant, among all-time greats, are still elite at their craft.

Frankly, it’s amazing how well they continue to play at this stage, with James at 39, Curry, 36, and Durant, 35. They’re our “OG3,” ballers we’ve enjoyed from day one when they arrived with fanfare. But they’re virtually ancient in NBA terms. And it appears their time is up.

The guard has changed, the torch has passed and we’re left with the NBA’s new world order. It’ll take some getting used to, like when Aunt Viv was recast on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and Daphne Maxwell Reid began pushing Janet Hurbert into the recesses of our memory. 

At least one of the OG3 had reached the playoffs’ second round every year since 2005. All three of them reached the Finals in 2017 and 2018. But that era has ended with a whimper. Curry and the Golden State Warriors were bounced by Sacramento in the play-in tournament. Durant and the Phoenix Suns were swept by Minnesota in the first round, while James and the Los Angeles Lakers were barely more competitive, ousted in five games by defending champion Denver.

This is unfamiliar territory for fans who grew up watching the OG3 make deep playoff runs over the last 20 years. James reached the NBA Finals in eight consecutive seasons (2010-18) and 10 times overall, roughly half of his career. Curry has been a fixture as well during that span, winning four championships in six trips to the Finals. Durant made it to three Finals with Curry after reaching four Western Conference finals with Oklahoma City.

Now they’ve become the old men in the club. They still have moves and they still got game, but they look out of place amongst the youngsters who want the spot to themselves.

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Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards claims that Durant is his all-time favorite player, but the budding superstar was mad disrespectful during their first-round series. Edwards taunted and jeered his elder, allegedly calling Durant an “old ass nigga” who can’t guard him. It was affectionate trash talk that didn’t damage their relationship and wasn’t taken personally. 

“I love everything about Ant, everything,” Durant said Sunday after Edwards dropped 40 points in the close-out game. “… I was really impressed with him. He’s gonna be somebody I’m following for the rest of his career.”

The OG3 better get used to the view of following Edwards, 22, and other emergent MVP candidates like Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas’ Luka Dončić (both 25). All of them play in the Western Conference, leaving James, Curry and Durant with dim prospects for additional titles. And that’s before we consider 29-year-old Nikola Jokić, who’s expected to win his third MVP award in the last four seasons. 

Durant faces a tenuous situation with Phoenix, which has a poorly constructed, top-heavy team after mortgaging its future to acquire him and Bradley Beal. Curry could lose fellow sniper Klay Thompson as Golden State finally retools after unexpectedly winning the championship two years ago. The Lakers are in flux with an embattled head coach, a subpar roster and all eyes on James, who can opt out of his contract and become a free agent.

James’ pending decision is the juiciest drama left for the OG3, which faces long odds against adding another NBA ring to their collection. 

At least they’ll have a final shot at some international bling this summer at the Paris Olympics before that ship sails as well.

Durant is looking to become the first player to win four Olympic gold medals in men’s basketball. James is playing in his fourth Olympics, with two golds and a shameful-by-USA-standards bronze on his résumé. Curry is a neophyte who always wanted an Olympic experience but it never worked out before now.

“I think the timing is just right,” Curry told the Associated Press when the team was announced last month. “I’m later in my career. This is probably the last opportunity I have to play. And that made it a much easier decision to say, ‘This makes sense.’”

The OG3 surely won’t be part of the 2028 U.S. Olympic team. We’ll miss them on the world stage as much as we’ll miss them in the NBA playoffs. 

They can still ball, true.

But young’uns at last have run them off the court.

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Deron Snyder, from Brooklyn, is an award-winning columnist who lives near D.C. and pledged Alpha at HU-You Know! He’s reaching high, lying low, moving on, pushing off, keeping up, and throwing down. Got it? Get more at blackdoorventures.com/deron.

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In Wednesday night’s showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers took an unexpected turn during halftime, as TNT’s broadcast transitioned from the court to the studio with a surprise detour into the realm of rap beef.

With the series tied 2-2, Game 5 was already shaping up to be a crucial moment in the playoff race. The first half saw both teams locked in a fierce battle, with the Mavs managing to carve out a 10-point lead just before halftime.

As the halftime buzzer sounded, viewers eagerly awaited the analysis from the TNT crew, including Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. However, before they could delve into the on-court action, TNT’s production team had a different plan in mind.

In an unexpected move, the broadcast briefly shifted gears to tap into the day’s dominant story in pop culture: Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss track, “Euphoria,” which had been released earlier in the day. While Ernie Johnson smoothly led into the halftime analysis, only Shaq and Kenny were quick to recognize the familiar beats of the diss track playing in the background.

The contrasting reactions among the crew members added an amusing twist to the halftime break. Shaq, known for his love of music and DJ skills, along with Kenny, who keeps up with the latest tunes, found humor in the situation, jokingly inserting themselves into the middle of the rap beef. Meanwhile, Ernie and Chuck seemed oblivious to the musical interlude, highlighting the generation gap between the two pairs.

Shaq and Kenny’s playful banter continued, with Kenny suggesting they play Drake’s “Push Ups” to remain neutral in the ongoing battle between the Los Angeles and Toronto artists, much to the amusement of viewers tuning in for the basketball analysis.

Watch Below:

lmfaooo production putting the NBA on TNT crew in the middle of the Drake & Kendrick rap beef 😂 they keep playing Like That and euphoria pic.twitter.com/HWOxBtyNLl

— SOUND (@itsavibe) May 2, 2024

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The verdict is in for the official cause of death of 16-year-old Justin Johnson. Though the medical examiner concluded he died of natural causes, rumors still reel over whether he died by the hands of a group of racist white boys.

Lower Paxton Township, Pa. police say the evening of April 26, around 8:20 p.m., a white teen rang the doorbell of Justin’s home. His father told police his son left the home to go play tag with his friends in the neighborhood. Video footage shows Justin leaving with the other boy. Over the next 15 minutes, Justin and another boy were seen running past the house and occasionally walking across the lawn into the street.

In another clip, Justin is jetting from what appears to be four white teens and slides into a bank and into a field-like area. The teens are heard laughing and one yells, “He’s going to f-cking Africa!”

In the following video, Justin comes to the porch using his phone and then finally goes back inside the home. By 9:27 p.m., Justin’s father told the police he tried to contact his son but couldn’t reach him. However, when he returned home 30 minutes later, he says he found his son unresponsive.

Read more from FOX 43 News:

He immediately calls 911 and begins CPR. Lower Paxton Bureau of Police and took over CPR until South Central EMS arrived and took over care of Justin. He was transported to Hershey Medical Center and was later pronounced deceased at about 11:53 p.m.

During the initial investigation, there were no signs of forced entry into the home and no indication that anyone else had entered the home with Justin, according to police.

The Dauphin County Coroner’s office ruled Justin’s official cause of death as complications from sickle cell disease with additional cardiomyopathy issues.

However, the internet is still reeling over the leaked surveillance footage. The public has torn about the videos frame by frame, trying to identify the teens, and eventually landed on their own conclusion about what happened: Justin’s death was a racially motivated crime.

“This is horrible, disgusting & sad. I’m sure the parents will try & downplay this. They need to be charged with a hate crime,” wrote one Facebook user.

“I’m not trying to illicit any ill will, it’s absolutely disgusting 100% whether it was said or not. This poor family and child deserve so much better. Any child that wants a chance at being on a team deserves better,” wrote another.

Police say they are investigating the clips to get a proper account of the chain of events leading up to Justin’s death and pulling in the school district for additional information. Johnson’s family hired a private attorney to investigate as well.

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

Imagine me standing on top of a soapbox and yelling this at the top of my lungs through a bullhorn in the middle of Times Square:

Stop asking Black women to save America. 

This is a thing that shouldn’t have to be said at all, but it keeps coming back up because of the mammification (did I make that word up or did someone else do it?) of Black women — that thing (some) white people do when they try to turn Black women into the fixers of everything — and not fixers in the Olivia Pope getting paid millions of dollars to make things go away sense, but fixers in the sense of the Black mammies on plantations and in Jim Crow households who held white people’s hands during “trying” times for them, nursed their children, cooked, cleaned and fed the entire household, and then made everything else better just by being present as a Black woman.

There are some white people who recognize our magic even if they don’t want to openly acknowledge it, and even as they do everything in their power to demean and diminish us, they want all the parts of us that they don’t have for themselves – including our spirits. 

The most recent example of a white person asking a Black woman to save America came in the form of Drew Barrymore on a recent episode of her talk show.

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Vice President Kamala Harris was a guest Monday on “The Drew Barrymore” show, and she appeared in front of an audience comprised of all women.

Among other things, they discussed Harris’ marriage to second gentleman Doug Emhoff and her relationship with his two children, Cole and Ella. 

Harris told Barrymore that in their household, they don’t use the word “step,” and instead, the children call the VP “Momala.” She talked about how she and the children’s mother, Kerstin, are friends and have a lot of respect for each other, and that made her relationship with the children easier. 

It was actually a really great moment discussing blended families. 

Leave it to Drew Barrymore to mess up that beautiful moment. 

“I keep thinking in my head that we all need a mom,” Barrymore said. 

“I’ve been thinking that we really all need a tremendous hug in the world right now, but in our country, we need you to be Momala of the country.”

Girl, what? 

She went on to add, “We need a great protector.”

Baby, Black women are not going to save you, Josie Grossie!

Listen. I’ve been rooting for Drew Barrymore my whole life. 

I’m old enough to remember her addiction problems and how her career died for a while only to be revived when she got older and became this kickass actress who happened to star in one of my favorite movies and probably the best retelling of “Cinderella” ever, “Ever After.”

(Not finna argue with y’all about Cinderella movies, by the way, so save it.)

Drew messed up bigly when she announced her talk show would resume production in the midst of the writers’ strike, and I didn’t think she could make things worse, but then this moment with Kamala Harris happened.

Let me just state this plainly for Drew and any other white person who will even consider asking a Black woman to put on a cape and become the savior of America.

As long as the maternal mortality rates for Black women in America are higher than they are for anyone else and continue to be in a state of emergency, don’t ask Black women to do nothing. 

As long as Black mothers continue to mourn the disproportionate extrajudicial killing of their children by police, don’t ask Black women to do nothing. 

As long as Black women have to continue to fight to legislate for the right to wear their hair exactly as it grows out of their scalp, don’t ask Black women to do nothing. 

As long as Black women have to fight to make a decent wage in comparison to white people and specifically white men, don’t ask Black women to do nothing. 

As long as Black women are disparaged in the media unabated and unedited, don’t ask Black women to do nothing. 

Don’t ask Black women to do nothing until you recognize that Black women deserve the same respect and uplifting that is repeatedly shown to white women. 

We deserve the same favor. We deserve the same care. We deserve the same grace. 

We definitely don’t deserve to be treated as second-class citizens while also being expected to carry the weight of everyone else’s burdens. 

The “strong Black woman” trope is over and done. It’s tired. Let it go, and let us be us without you leaning on us to be modern-day mammies from whose teats you will suck until you bleed us dry, and then dispose of us when you have no more “use” for us. 

Black women are not going to save you.

We are too busy trying to save ourselves. 

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Monique Judge is a storyteller, content creator and writer living in Los Angeles. She is a word nerd who is a fan of the Oxford comma, spends way too much time on Twitter, and has more graphic t-shirts than you. Follow her on Twitter @thejournalista or check her out at moniquejudge.com.

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April showers bring year-round flowers. At least until August 4. Step into the vibrant and enchanting world of Pixar Fest 2024 at Disneyland California Resort. From August 4, 2024, guests of all ages can embark on an unforgettable journey celebrating the essence of friendship and beyond across Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Downtown Disney District.

A Parade Like No Other: “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!”

Launching the festivities is the debut of the spectacular daytime parade, “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” at Disney California Adventure Park. Guests can enjoy the daytime parade twice, daily, from April 26 to August 4, 2024. Here is where dynamic floats and high-energy dancing take center stage. Featuring over two dozen beloved characters from 10 iconic Pixar Animation Studios films, this jubilant parade, themed around the power of friendship, showcases heartwarming stories from classic Pixar movies to newer favorites like “Turning Red” and “Luca.”

“Better Together” boasts eight dazzling floats and nearly 70 performers, making it the parade with the most Pixar characters ever featured in a Disney Park. From the iconic Pixar lamp adorned with stickers from beloved films to the debut appearances of characters like Luca, Alberto, and Mei from “Turning Red,” each moment is a moment worth celebrating.

According to Robin Townbridge, Show Director at Disney Live Entertainment, the parade aims to convey the message that “the truth about life is that friendship matters,” echoing themes of acceptance and companionship found in Pixar films.

Nighttime Spectacular: “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular”

As the sun sets, Disneyland Park comes alive with the mesmerizing “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular.” Illuminating the sky with vibrant projections, captivating music, and dazzling pyrotechnics, this emotional journey celebrates the theme of friendship. Featuring characters from cherished Pixar classics and newer gems like “Turning Red” and the upcoming “Inside Out 2,” guests are treated to a visual feast of heartwarming moments.

Casey Wilkerson, Principal Media Designer for Disney Live Entertainment, explained the incorporation of new characters from recent Pixar films into the show, the addition of new pyrotechnics, and the utilization of advanced technology to deliver a visually stunning experience.

Club Pixar and Pixar Pals Playtime Party

The excitement continues at Disney California Adventure Park with Club Pixar, a nightly extravaganza at the Hollywood Backlot. Led by an energetic DJ, guests can dance their hearts out, enjoy live performances, themed food, and more.

For those seeking even more excitement, Club Pixar hosts interactive experiences, including Pixar-themed games and activities that add an extra layer of fun to the nightlife experience. Guests can participate in the “Pixar Trivia Challenge,” test their knowledge of Pixar characters and films, or even try their hand at “Crafts with Pixar.” With each activity infused with the creativity and imagination synonymous with Pixar, guests are invited to immerse themselves in the magic of their favorite films. As the night unfolds, Club Pixar treats guests to special screenings of Pixar short films, providing the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy heartwarming stories from the Pixar universe.

During the day, Fantasyland Theatre transforms into the Pixar Pals Playtime Party where families can join in on the fun with dance parties, interactive shows, and Pixar-themed activities like Pixar character meet and greets and an entire sectioned off for coloring and creativity.

Tracy Halas, Creative Director of Disneyland Resort Live Entertainment, detailed the immersive experiences awaiting guests at Pixar Fest. She emphasized the debut of new characters and interactions, promising an unforgettable celebration for guests of all ages.

Themed Eats, Merchandise, and More

No Pixar Fest is complete without indulging in themed delights and collecting exclusive merchandise. Throughout the resort, guests can savor Pixar-themed eats and beverages, with six themed marketplaces offering culinary delights inspired by films like “Ratatouille,” “Soul,” and “Inside Out.”

Chef John State, Culinary Director of Food and Beverage at Disneyland Resort, offered a tantalizing glimpse into the culinary offerings of Pixar Fest, emphasizing collaboration, attention to detail, and the importance of watching the films to capture their essence.

Immersive Pixar Experiences

Beyond the parks, Pixar Fest extends to the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, where guests can immerse themselves in the world of Pixar. From themed guest rooms to exclusive character encounters, the Pixar Place Hotel offers a one-of-a-kind stay for fans of all ages.

Tasha Sounder, Creative Director at Pixar Theme Park, highlighted the essence of Pixar Fest, emphasizing the integration of stories and characters from Pixar films into the park’s attractions.

Additionally, guests can participate in themed fitness challenges at Pixar Pier, offering a unique perspective on the Pixar-themed offerings before the park opens.

Pixar Fest 2024 at Disneyland Resort promises to be a celebration like no other, where friendship, joy, and adventure intertwine. Whether it’s dancing with Pixar pals, indulging in themed treats, or embarking on immersive experiences, guests are invited to embrace the spirit of Pixar and create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. So mark your calendars and get ready to embark on a journey of friendship and beyond at Disneyland Resort’s Pixar Fest.

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11

Apple TV+ unveiled the much-anticipated teaser for “Presumed Innocent,” an upcoming eight-part limited series featuring Hollywood heavyweight Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role. Executive produced by Gyllenhaal himself, alongside renowned creators David E. Kelley and J.J. Abrams, the series promises a gripping narrative sure to captivate audiences.

Based on Scott Turow’s bestselling novel of the same name, “Presumed Innocent” delves into the unsettling aftermath of a shocking murder that rocks the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office. Gyllenhaal stars as Rusty Sabich, the chief deputy prosecutor who finds himself ensnared in suspicion following the crime. The series explores themes of obsession, politics, and the complexities of love as Sabich battles to salvage his family and marriage amidst mounting accusations.

Joining Gyllenhaal in this star-studded ensemble are Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, O-T Fagbenle, Chase Infiniti, Elizabeth Marvel, Nana Mensah, Renate Reinsve, Peter Sarsgaard, and Kingston Rumi Southwick. With such a stellar cast, “Presumed Innocent” is poised to deliver riveting performances and unforgettable drama.

Produced by Bad Robot Productions and David E. Kelley Productions in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television, the series boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers, including Abrams, Kelley, and Gyllenhaal himself. Showrunner Kelley, alongside Matthew Tinker, ensures the series stays true to its source material while bringing it to life on the screen.

Directed by Anne Sewitsky and Emmy Award-winner Greg Yaitanes, “Presumed Innocent” promises to be a must-watch event. The series will debut globally on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes premiering on Wednesday, June 12, followed by a new episode every Wednesday through July 24th.

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Last week, former NFL running back Reggie Bush received his Heisman Trophy back after forfeiting the honor 14 years ago. The professional football player has since opened up about how the controversy, which first surfaced in 2005 with allegations that Bush had accepted payment and other goods while playing for the University of Southern California, impacted his mental health.

While appearing on “CBS Mornings,” Bush shared that when he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2006, he was at his “weakest point.”

“When I think I’m at my weakest point and when I’m dealing with depression, fighting thoughts of suicide, there’s an entire city there to embrace me and to lift me up, and to give me an opportunity to go out, once again, to prove myself,” he said.

After an investigation by the NCAA found he had received the goods, Bush voluntarily gave up his Heisman Trophy in 2010. However, after the NCAA’s policy regarding players receiving payment changed, the organization formally reinstated Bush’s trophy. He told “CBS Mornings” he was just trying to take it all in.

“I think when you’ve manifested this for so long, and you’ve been through the ups and the downs for so many years — I’ve cried over it, I have — but I felt like at this point, I was just taking it in and just being happy and just enjoying the moment, and just knowing that we did this,” he said.

Even though his trophy has been reinstated, Bush said he was not backing down from a lawsuit he currently has pending against the NCAA for defamation stemming from a statement made in 2021 by NCAA officials that referred to Bush as a “pay-to-play” scenario. 

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As National Mental Health Month kicks off on May 1, Bush’s candid look at his mental health journey helps highlight the fact that Black men who suffer from depression are both underdiagnosed and regularly underutilize potentially supportive resources. Presently, data suggests roughly 5% to 10% of Black men suffer from depression, though those figures do not account for how many go underdiagnosed. The study dates back 10 years, and since that time, Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by the police brutality and increase in white nationalism that prompted the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, the Donald Trump presidency, the COVID-19 outbreak, a recession, and more.

Depression can be challenging to spot, as it can present differently from person to person. Many of the behaviors associated with mental health struggles — anxiety, anger, struggling with school or work, dejection — are normalized in Black men, making it hard to distinguish when someone needs help. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Depression is more than just feeling down or having a bad day. When a sad mood lasts for a long time and interferes with normal, everyday functioning, you may be depressed.”

Bush joins several other notable Black men in recent years who have spoken out about their mental health struggles. Earlier this year, veteran rapper Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels opened up about how rising to fame with Run-DMC, as well as subsequent events, including the murder of fellow Run-DMC founding member Jam Master Jay, had severely affected his mental health. 

“It hit me at a late point in my life, but it was always there,” he said. “It just got magnified by the situation that I was in.”  

McDaniels also added how he wanted to talk about his mental health to let his fans know speaking out “isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength.”

As for Bush, he’s found new peace. Years prior to the reinstatement of his Heisman, he stepped away from professional football.

In 2020, more than two years after his late December 2017 retirement, Bush told People magazine, “I’ve been able to enjoy more time with our family and just being able to do things that I normally wouldn’t be able to be here for. For 20-plus years, most of my time was devoted to a single sport. Now I get an opportunity to be home, and to find a new passion and keep my focus on top of my family.”

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It may be 2024 on the calendar, but mainstream beauty brands are still being schooled by consumers of color on the need for more inclusive products in the marketplace. This time, beauty brand Youthforia is feeling the heat from social media for a lack of diversity in its foundation shades.

It all started in October 2023, when Black beauty influencer Golloria George called out the brand for its lack of inclusivity. She took the brand to task on TikTok for misrepresenting their darkest foundation shade offering, pointing out the discrepancies in what appeared online, on the packaging and what actually came out of the bottle – which was several shades lighter. Back then, Youthforia offered 15 shades of foundation, but George wasn’t able to find one that got even close to matching her skin tone.

According to NBC News, Youthforia CEO Fiona Co Chan apologized her company’s misstep, saying, “When I first started Youthforia two years ago, all I wanted to do was create a safe space where individual beauty could be celebrated. And unfortunately with our latest launch, we just fell short of that mission.”

But in their attempt to right the wrong and add more shades, Youthforia completely missed the mark, prompting George to call them out again for putting out what she described as “tar in a bottle.”

In an April 30 TikTok video, she compared shade 600, Youthforia’s darkest foundation shade, to black face paint.

“When we say that we want you guys to make shades for us, we don’t mean to go to the lab and ask for minstrel show black,” George said in her review. “What we mean is to take the browns that you have made, create undertones and do what you need to do in the lab so it’s a darker shade of brown.”

George also pointed out the vast difference between the two darkest shades – 600 (described as Deep – Neutral) and 590 (described as Deep – Neutral with Cool Undertones), “there could be like 10 more shades between these two shades,” she said.

And commenters chimed in, calling out the company for not accounting for undertones when developing their shades. “I promise you as a south Sudanese even the darkest amongst us have an undertone. Not literally BLACK 🤦🏾‍♀️,” wrote one person in the comments.

George is not alone. Other dark-skinned creators are speaking out as well.

“This, should be a crime,” said fashion and beauty influencer Awuoi Matiop. “It’s one thing to make a mistake once, but when you make it twice, it’s just a slap in the face. Did we not learn anything?”

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A gripping teaser trailer for the new limited series “Senna” has been published, giving fans a peek of Ayrton Senna’s historic triumph in the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix. The series, which is scheduled to launch in late 2024, promises to delve deeply into the renowned Formula One driver’s life and career.

The teaser features the recreation of Senna’s triumph at Interlagos, Sao Paulo, accompanied by the narration of renowned Brazilian sports commentator Galvão Bueno. The scene vividly depicts the challenges Senna faced, including being stuck in sixth gear for a significant portion of the race. It marks a poignant moment as Senna clinches victory on his home turf for the first time, further solidifying his status as a national hero.

Interwoven with images of the race are glimpses into Senna’s thoughts and experiences, providing viewers with a nuanced understanding of the pressures and motivations that drove him to greatness. Played by Gabriel Leone, Senna’s character is set to be explored in-depth, along with his relationships with iconic figures such as Alain Prost, portrayed by Matt Mella, and McLaren team principal Ron Dennis, played by Patrick Kennedy.

Directed by Vicente Amorim and Julia Rezende, “Senna” promises to be a riveting portrayal of the racing icon’s journey, spanning triumphs, disappointments, joys, and sorrows. From his early days in motor racing competing in Formula Ford in England to the tragic accident at Imola during the San Marino Grand Prix, the series aims to capture the essence of Senna’s meteoric rise and enduring legacy.

Produced by Gullane with the support of Senna Brands and the driver’s family, the series boasts a stellar cast that includes Alice Wegmann as Ayrton’s first wife, Lilian Vasconcelos, and Camila Márdila as his sister, Vivianne Senna. International talent also graces the screen, with Kaya Scodelario portraying a fictional journalist named Laura, alongside Arnaud Viard as Jean-Marie Balestre, and Johannes Heinrichs as Niki Lauda, among others.

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