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Popular Bronx rapper Ice Spice and her team are facing accusations of scamming from The Bella Brand, a hair company owned by entrepreneur Gia. In a public statement, Gia alleges that Spice and her team requested 24 wigs for the rapper’s tour but failed to pay for them after delivery.

According to Gia, the business arrangement stemmed from a history of successful collaborations. However, this time, payment dates for the wigs kept shifting, culminating in the team allegedly canceling the orders just before delivery. While Gia claims Ice Spice’s team agreed to a service fee, the payment never materialized.

The situation escalated when Spice’s team reached out for another hairpiece. Gia, frustrated with the outstanding fees, reminded them of the unpaid service fee. This, according to Gia, soured the relationship.

“There are hiccups in business,” Gia wrote in her statement, “but this isn’t how you treat someone who respects you and your business, and ALWAYS comes through for you at the last minute!”

The statement goes on to allege that Ice Spice hasn’t paid for the wigs and hasn’t returned an unpaid-for unit.

Adding another layer to the drama, Gia concludes by accusing Ice Spice’s team of copying Nicki Minaj’s signature looks. “Thank you for making us create all these Nicki Minaj wigs,” she wrote, implying a disconnect between Spice’s “Princess Diana” image and her alleged stylistic inspiration.

Ice Spice and her team have yet to respond to the accusations.

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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.

Do you suffer from economic anxiety? Are you worried about so-called “illegal immigrants” stealing your jobs and murdering your family? Does the thought of unqualified “DEI hires” make your neck red? Perhaps you’re just tired of the divisive rhetoric, identity politics and lying politicians. 

For centuries, America’s best and brightest minds have tried to answer the age-old question: “Who should be president?” In their attempt to make America great, voters tried everything, including 44 white men, 12 slave owners, 27 lawyers, 16 farmers, one Black man and even an Orange scam artist. While producing temporary periods of greatness, none of the clinical trials provided effective, long-lasting results. After 248 years of trial and error, researchers in a secret laboratory located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue finally decided to experiment with a popular antidote that has saved America from its recurring illness time and time again.

Black women. 

From the team that brought you affordable health care, student loan forgiveness, the lowest unemployment rate since the end of Jim Crow segregation, and the innovators who made America into a democracy comes a revolutionary breakthrough in electoral politics! 

If you believe that mediocre DEI candidates are taking all the good jobs and opportunities, this is the cure you’ve been searching for. If you’re looking for a “law and order” president, you found it. If you or someone you know plans to vote for someone who wants to make America great again, then boy, do I have the candidate for you! 

Introducing Kamala Harris. 

How “MAGA” became synonymous with “white power.”

Since the day America was born, white people have suffered from a subconscious, nostalgic longing for the good old days that only exist in the wypipo cinematic universe. The Founders used Ancient Greek and Roman democracies as a template for the American experiment. The “Lost Cause” romanticized the South’s antebellum white supremacist rule. Massive resistance was an effort to return to the wonderful world of Jim Crow. They didn’t want to live in a better country. They dreamt of greatness. In 2016, renowned reality show host and acclaimed flimflammer Donald Trump bamboozled millions of his mentally ill acolytes into believing that he could teleport them to this utopian delusion of a racism-free, pre-Obama national safe space before “illegal immigrants,” DEI, CRT and BLM turned America into a detestable cesspool that threatened this beloved land of opportunity. This is the white power base Trump coalesced when he said: “I alone can fix it.”

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Also known as “American Exceptionalism,” Whitewashed History-Induced Triggered Emotional and Psychological Outrage Worsened by Equality Resistance (WHITEPOWER) is a contagious virus that causes hallucinations, cognitive decline and extreme Caucasian nostalgia. While the vast majority of every other racial and ethnic demographic appears to be immune, the disease affects 55% of white voters, according to their survey of something called an “election.” 

And because his supporters were infected with this contagious cognitive disorder, they invested the entirety of their political capital into the white supremacist snake oil. In fact, the largely uneducated, mostly white MAGA minions still believe Trump has the cure for what ails America. He even coined a catchphrase to market his narcotic.  

He was going to “Make America Great Again.” (Spoiler alert: He didn’t.)

Fortunately, there are a few people whose entire cerebral cortex was not consumed by WHITEPOWER or Trump’s placebo. But what can someone with actual conservative values and a love for their country do if they truly want to make America great again? 

A medicine for MAGA

Of course, some Americans don’t equate MAGA with white supremacy. 

In truth, anyone who was really interested in making America great again could never vote for Donald Trump. Why would anyone who suffered from economic anxiety vote for the person with the greatest economic decline since the Great Depression? If you hate race-baiting and identity politics, how could you cast a ballot for a candidate who weaponized white supremacy and racial animosity? If you hate DEI or “diversity hires,” why would you vote for Donald Trump?

Despite what racist right-wingers like Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Tucker Carlson and the crew at Fox News say about “diversity hires,” Trump is the one who got his job by using race as an advantage. Harris is more educated than Trump (or any Republican president since Gerald Ford). Aside from Biden and John McCain, no presidential nominee in the last 50 years has held elective office longer than Harris (20 years). Trump, on the other hand, got into college on a loophole. He got business loans he wasn’t qualified to receive. Not only is Harris more educated, experienced and qualified than her opponent, she has won the popular vote in every election in which she’s competed (Trump is 0 for two). 

Donald Trump is the true DEI candidate.

If you think immigrants are ruining the country, you couldn’t possibly support a dimwit who believes a wall can prevent undocumented migrants from entering the country – especially after he personally sank a bipartisan bill to fix the border crisis. Then again, someone who was actually interested in “law and order” would probably back an actual prosecutor who protected whistleblowers and fought domestic terrorists instead of a twice-impeached convicted felon who was found liable for sexual abuse. A true “pro-lifer” would embrace someone who refused to use the death penalty and fought against maternal mortality over a candidate who tried to repeal affordable healthcare while pushing Project 2025’s plan to “pursue the death penalty…until Congress says otherwise.” 

Apparently, not all lives matter.  

Do violent insurrections make America great? How about disputing a free and fair election? Was America great when COVID-19 killed more Americans than WWII? Was the unprecedented spike in hate crimes during Trump’s tenure great?  Or maybe, when Trump claims he wants to “make America great again”…

The “…for white people” is silent.

Side effects

Before you run to the polls, we are legally required to tell you about the downside to electing Kamala Harris. Side effects include:

• White backlash: The last time America elected a Black president, we got a white supremacist commander-in-chief. Electing a Black woman may inspire something even worse. Don’t blame me when President Marjorie Taylor Greene nominates Ron DeSantis to the Supreme Court.  
• Dog whistles: If you are sensitive to high-pitched screeches of “diversity hires” or other variations of the n-word, you might want to deactivate your Twitter account until after the election.
• Disputed elections: There is no way to counter arguments that Kamala Harris won because ballot harvesters in Democratic cities let dead illegal immigrants come across the border on Election Day.
• Conspiracy theories: If you think critical race theory, the Great Replacement or QAnon was bad, wait until Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk explain how Black people are planning a… 
• Race war: Don’t worry about this one. It’s not like white America hasn’t been fighting a race war since 1619. 

The evidence is clear: Kamala Harris is actually MAGA. However, if you are still reluctant to vote for a candidate who would actually make America great, you could always vote for Trump. To be fair, another four years of Donald Trump might actually unite the country under one goal: 

Make America again.

Michael Harriot is a writer, cultural critic and championship-level Spades player. His NY Times bestseller  Black AF History: The Unwhitewashed Story of America is available in bookstores everywhere.

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Fresh off the critically-acclaimed release of her fourth studio album, CRASH, R&B songstress Kehlani has announced the highly anticipated CRASH WORLD TOUR. Joined by special guests FLO, the rising British vocal trio, and rising singer-songwriter Anycia, the 31-city North American leg kicks off on September 4th in Minneapolis and winds down at San Francisco’s Chase Center on November 2nd.

Score Tickets with Presale and General On-Sale

Citi cardmembers can grab tickets early with a presale starting today, July 23rd at 2 pm local time. General on-sale begins Friday, July 26th at 10 am local time at https://www.kehlani.com/.

CRASH WORLD TOUR Makes its Way Across North America

The tour will make stops in major cities including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto. Fans can catch Kehlani’s high-energy performance at venues ranging from intimate theaters like The Louisville Palace to larger arenas like the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. See the full list of dates below to see if she’s coming to your city!

• Wed Sep 04 – Minneapolis, MN – Armory 






• Fri Sep 06 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom






• Tue Sep 10 – Detroit, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre 






• Wed Sep 11 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena 






• Fri Sep 13 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater






• Sat Sep 14 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion 






• Tue Sep 17 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway 






• Wed Sep 18 – Fairfax, VA – EagleBank Arena 






• Fri Sep 20 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center






• Sat Sep 21 – Portsmouth, VA – Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion






• Mon Sep 23 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace Theatre






• Tue Sep 24 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre






• Wed Sep 25 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore New Orleans 






• Fri Sep 27 – Miami, FL – FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park 






• Sat Sep 28 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Center






• Tue Oct 01 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater






• Wed Oct 02 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre






• Tue Oct 08 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall 






• Fri Oct 11 – Dallas, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory 






• Sat Oct 12 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP






• Tue Oct 15 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium 






• Wed Oct 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rockwell at The Complex






• Fri Oct 18 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena 






• Sat Oct 19 – Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds






• Mon Oct 21 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre






• Wed Oct 23 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live 






• Fri Oct 25 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena 






• Sat Oct 26 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob ULTRA Arena






• Tue Oct 29 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre 






• Wed Oct 30 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum 






• Sat Nov 02 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center

Kehlani: A Powerhouse Vocalist with Award-Winning Recognition

Kehlani is a force to be reckoned with in the R&B world. Her powerhouse vocals and ability to craft relatable lyrics that explore love, loss, and everything in between have garnered her a loyal fanbase. She isn’t afraid to be blunt and honest,yet her music maintains a light and accessible quality that resonates with listeners.

A two-time GRAMMY® Award nominee, Kehlani boasts over 20 Gold and Platinum RIAA certifications and a staggering 9 billion streams. She’s collaborated with music giants like Cardi B, Justin Bieber, and Post Malone, and her music has been featured on soundtracks of blockbuster films like Suicide Squad and The Fate of the Furious. Her achievements include the “Rule Breaker Award” from Billboard Women In Music and coveted performances at festivals like Voodoo Music + More and Coachella.

Don’t Miss the High-Energy CRASH WORLD TOUR

Kehlani’s CRASH WORLD TOUR will be the celebration of her brand-new album, CRASH—her “most free, most fun, most loud, and most fueled” work yet. Fans can look forward to a jam-packed concert featuring her hits but also including the latest hits from CRASH. This is your chance to see, live, undisputed talent—Kehlani, one of the most shining stars in R&B. Secure your tickets today and get ready to be swept away by Kehlani’s music!

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Simone Biles has officially touched down in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

On Monday, the gymnast, 27, shared several snaps to her Instagram Stories, giving followers a behind-the-scenes look at Paris’ Olympic Village. In one snap, she gave a glimpse of the room she’ll be sharing with her teammate Jade Carey —including the infamous “cardboard” beds that are part of their accommodations. In another, the entire US Women’s Gymnastics team posed in their Ralph Lauren tracksuits. Biles also gave a peek at the gymnastics arena. 

A final post on Monday included a selfie with her teammate Jordan Chiles, with Biles’ hair pulled back into a messy bun and flyaway strands escaping around her face.

But before the masses start in on the style, guess what? The Olympian doesn’t care. Before she headed off for the Paris Games, Biles told Elle magazine she’s come a long way in her hair journey.

“I don’t really care if my edges aren’t smooth,” she said.

She continued, “I used to worry about [my hair being considered] not professional. But I’m not embarrassed about it anymore.”

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It would seem Biles has faced criticism for her hair since the start of her career. Last year, the professional athlete experienced backlash after images from her courthouse ceremony with husband Jonathan Owens surfaced, showing her hair in a wavy ponytail. From the simplicity of the style to her edges, many had plenty to say online.

When commenters ragged on her bridal hair, Biles offered this explanation in a reply on X: “I think they also forget I live in HOUSTON TEXAS & I sweat [my edges] out!! soon as we stepped outside for pics but they can keep complaining idc idc idc.”

“Most of the backlash we get is from our own community, which is unfortunate,” Biles further explained to Elle.

Biles also told the magazine what it truly takes to care for her hair on and off the mat. For starters, she explained that Olympians aren’t allowed to bring a hair and makeup team. This means Biles has to consider styles she’ll be able to maintain on her own ahead of time. Sometimes, this includes extensions. Luckily for the US Women’s Gymnastics team, Jordan Chiles has become the team’s designated hair braider. To maximize efficiency, the team also coordinates who will bring specific items of makeup.

When Biles doesn’t go to her teammates for help, she enlists the help of her grandmother, Nellie Biles.

In her Netflix documentary, “Simone Biles Rising,” viewers are treated to an intimate moment as Biles’ grandmother braids her hair.

“Tokyo was the one time I did not braid Simone’s hair,” Nellie Biles says.

“She is an adult; I mean, this girl can braid her hair, but it’s not about her braiding her hair,” she continues. “It’s that bonding, it’s that not saying much, it’s the touch, that’s what doing her hair means.”

The documentary follows Biles’ mental health journey in the aftermath of experiencing the “twisties,” the physiological and nervous condition that can affect gymnasts and compelled Biles to drop out of the Tokyo Olympics. She told Elle her rehabilitative journey has also included adopting a beauty and hair regime.

In addition to sharing the details of her Olympic digs, Biles gave her husband a birthday shout-out on social media from Paris. She told Elle she’s looking forward to Owens having the chance to actually see her compete this year, as the Chicago Bears player was given the time off to support her in Paris, where the Games officially begin on Friday. 

She said, “We love the time we get to share together, but we’re always rooting for each other, on and off the field.”

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is set to host its 60th International Biennial Boule from Wednesday, July 31, through Sunday, August 4, 2024, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The event will welcome a global delegation of over 10,000 attendees.

The sorority’s Biennial Boule will feature the implementation of its five essential national programs, making significant philanthropic contributions exceeding $550,000 to local communities. These initiatives will tackle critical issues such as maternal health, health and wellness, education, voting rights, mental health, food disparities, and support for underrepresented populations and youth.

“We are excited to bring our 60th Biennial Boule to Houston, a city known for its diversity and vibrancy,” said International President Rasheeda S. Liberty. “Our members are committed to making a meaningful impression through our service projects and community involvement, and we look forward to engaging with the City of Houston.”

The Sorority is calling for widespread support from the Houston community to participate in events, workshops, activations, and service projects on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. These activities aim to promote personal and professional development, ultimately enhancing the quality of life in Houston. Events will begin at 8:00 AM at the George R. Brown Convention Center with a press conference and will conclude with the 60th Biennial Boule Public Meeting starting at 6:00 PM. All events on Wednesday, July 31, are free and open to the public.

“We have been meticulously planning this event to ensure it not only celebrates our sorority but also leaves a positive footprint in Houston,” said Donna Fortenberry, Boule Planning Lead. “We invite everyone to join us in our mission to uplift and empower through service.”

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After the critical and commercial success of 2019’s “Joker,” this October would bring the sequel, highly anticipated in its own right, in “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Academy Award winners Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga team up once more for this next chapter in the saga of Arthur Fleck.

A new trailer released on July 23rd gives a taste of what’s to come. Phoenix reprises his haunting role as Arthur Fleck, while Gaga joins the cast as a fresh take on Harley Quinn.

The trailer opens with a powerful voiceover by Gaga, hinting at a connection between Harley and Arthur. “When I first saw Joker — when I saw you — for once in my life, I didn’t feel so alone anymore,” she says.

The following scenes showcase the dynamic between the two, blending dance, humor, and the dark undercurrents of their world. Harley seems to support Joker, encouraging him with, “You can do anything you want… you’re Joker.”

The sequel is directed by Todd Phillips, who helmed the critically acclaimed first film. “Joker” (2019) was a massive success, achieving both commercial and critical acclaim, earning 11 Oscar nominations and two wins, including Best Actor for Phoenix.

They were filming for the sequel wrapped in April 2023, with Phillips expressing his gratitude to the cast and crew on Instagram. “That’s a wrap. Thanks to these two (+ the entire cast) and the BEST crew that the film industry has to offer,” he wrote. He also hinted at the editing process ahead, stating, “Gonna crawl into a cave now (edit room) and put it all together.”

Mark your calendars! “Joker: Folie à Deux” arrives in theaters on October 4th.

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Over the past 35 years, “The Simpsons” have seemingly predicted quite a few events. According to fans of the long-running animated sitcom, that list may include Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign. 

Shortly after Harris announced her intentions to run for president on Sunday, “Simpsons” enthusiasts quickly noted similarities between Harris and beloved character Lisa Simpson, who became the first female U.S. president in season 11 of the hit series. In the now-viral comparison, Harris is shown in the purple ensemble and pearls she wore while being sworn in as vice president, looking nearly identical to Lisa when she was president of the United States. 

“Simpsons” writer Al Jean reacted to the prediction on social media with side-by-side photos of Harris and Lisa, who became president in the 2000 episode “Bart to the Future.” 

“@TheSimpsons ‘prediction’ I’m proud to be a part of,” he wrote on X (Twitter) alongside the photo. 

The photo was shared shortly after President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 U.S. presidential race, citing the best interest of the country. In a surprising move, Biden took to X (Twitter) to announce the end of his campaign, adding that he will reveal more details in a televised address later this week. 

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term,” Biden wrote in a statement. 

About 30 minutes after making his announcement, Biden endorsed Harris in a separate post. 

“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” said the president. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump.” 

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Shortly thereafter, Harris released a statement announcing her candidacy for president and her intentions to defeat former president and 2024 Republican nominee Donald Trump. The vice president promised she would “earn and win” the Democratic nomination. 

“On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country,” Harris wrote on X. “I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.”

“I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda,” she concluded. “If you’re with me, add a donation right now.”