The unfortunate demise of Jesse Williams‘ marriage has taken another turn for the dramatic now that he has asked a judge to grant him formal custody of his children.

Why?

He claims his soon-to-be ex-wife Aryn Drake-Lee only allows him to see the kids for three hours each day and has rejected his request to have them stay at the property he rented three miles away from her home for sleepovers.

The couple were divorced for four and a half years before Williams filed for divorce in April and, after separating amicably, now find themselves of opposite ends of a legal war Williams hopes to win.

Aryn had this to say about Williams’ request for joint-custody and the press it had garnered via her legal reps weeks ago:

Protecting the privacy and well-being of their children is of paramount importance to Aryn Drake-Lee Williams,’ Hersh told Us Weekly.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Williams has chosen to draw public attention to this difficult time and transition for their family. Aryn is solely interested in the best interests of their children, supporting a healthy relationship with both parents, and protecting the children’s privacy.

Your thoughts?

Kenya Moore‘s marriage to Marc Daly has spelled trouble for her role on the hit series ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’

For, after learning that she had wed away from the show’s cameras, producers have now urged the former singleton to allow them into her life as married woman.

The problem? Daly is unimpressed by the show’s presentation of its husbands and so rejected the offer prompting producers to present Kenya with an ultimatum.

TMZ reveals:

We’re told Kenya has argued the show hired her, not her husband. There’s no mention of him in her contract. What’s more, she told producers she’s waited 46 years for a loving relationship which she now has, and doesn’t want to jeopardize it. Our sources say her plea has fallen on deaf ears. We’re told producers have essentially given her an ultimatum — either get Marc on the show or she’ll be phased out.

Production on the show’s tenth cycle kicked off in the first week of June.

 

Your thoughts?

With her top 5 debut album, ‘Ctrl,’ still earning thumbs up from critics across the board, SZA is looking to take her act on the road to gain even more fans.

The 4-month long trek, set to kick off August 16th in Richmond, VA, will see the up-and-comer touch every corner of the U.S. including Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago and more across its span and even enter some Canadian provinces.

Bringing along special guests Smino and Raven Lenae, the trio will hit the aforementioned cities and over 30 more before wrapping up in St. Louis a week before Christmas.  Curious to know if SZA will be bringing the best of ‘Ctrl’ to a city near you?  Look below to see:

SZA 2017 Tour Dates


08/16 – Richmond, VA @ TBD *
08/17 – Washington, DC @ The Fillmore Silver Spring *
08/18 – New Haven, CT @ TBD *
08/20 – Providence, RI @ Fete Music Hall *
08/22 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre *
08/23 – Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre *
08/25 – Boston, MA @ TBD *
08/26 – Brooklyn, NY @ Afropunk Fest
08/27 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts *
08/29 – Grand Rapids, MI @ TBD *
08/30 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrews Hall *
08/31 – Chicago, IL @ TBD *
09/01 – Minneapolis, MN #
09/03 Lawrence, KS @ Granada *
09/05 Lincoln, NE @ TBD *
09/06 – Denver, CO @ TBD *
09/08 – Las Vegas, NV ^
09/10 – Sacramento, CA @ TBD *
09/12 – Santa Cruz, CA @ TBD *
09/13 – Eugene, OR @ Wow Hall *
09/14 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom *
09/16 – Portland, OR @ TBD *
09/17 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre *
09/19 – San Francisco, CA @ TBD *
09/21 – Phoenix, AZ @ TBD ^
09/22 – Tucson, AZ @ TBD ^
09/25 – Los Angeles, CA @ TBD #
09/28 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues ^
09/29 – Dallas, TX @ TBD *
09/30 – San Antonio, TX @ TBD *
10/01 – Austin, TX @ TBD *
10/03 – Houston, TX @ TBD *
10/07 – Miami, FL @ TBD ^
10/08 – Tampa, FL @ TBD *
10/09 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle *
10/11 – Greensboro, NC @ Cone Denim Entertainment Center *
10/12 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground *
12/08 – Norfolk, VA @ TBD *
12/09 – Baltimore, MD @ TBD *
12/11 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza *
12/13 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues *
12/15 – Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe at Old National Centre *
12/16 – Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom *
12/17 – St. Louis, MO @ TBD *

* = w/ Smino and Ravyn Lenae
# = w/Smino
^ = w/ Ravyn Lenae

Click here to purchase tickets.

Your thoughts?

As we reported here, Jennifer Lopez was on hand at last night’s ‘Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular’ to show off selections from her array of hits and introduce new numbers to the crowd.

First dazzling the crowd with a live rendition of her 2002 hit ‘Jenny From the Block,’ a quick costume change saw the dive re-emerge to premiere her new single, ‘Ni Tu Ni Yo’ (from her first full length Spanish album, ‘Por Primera Vez’).

Did you miss any of the action? If so, catch it below:

(more…)

Jay-Z changed the game in 2013 thanks to an innovative deal with Samsung and his critically acclaimed ‘Magna Carta.’  The deal, which saw the technology giant purchase his album in bulk, may have not worked to his favor from Billboard’s standpoint, but it certainly helped the rapper around RIAA’s then-platinum certification rule (later inspiring them to change it).

The very change he incited played in his favor yet again when his most recent effort, ‘4:44,’ was certified platinum (as we reported here).  Available exclusively to Tidal and/or Sprint customers (as of time reported), the set’s content has had the net buzzing since last week and now that buzz has only intensified with the RIAA’s shocking report.

Leaving many with scratched heads and Kanye “How Sway?” faces, Billboard has finally lifted the veil on how Jigga landed his historic 13th platinum certification.

According to the “music Bible”:

“One equivalent album unit, as recognized by the RIAA, is equal to: one album sale, 10 tracks sold from an album, or 1,500 on-demand audio and/or video streams from an album. 4:44 was released on June 30 by Roc Nation, and was initially exclusively available as a stream to existing customers of Tidal and Sprint. However, by July 2, the album was also offered as a free download — sponsored by Sprint…

Those album downloads — which were free to the consumer but purchased by a company (Sprint) for distribution — were counted towards the platinum certification.”

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It should be noted the report yielded by Roc Nation to the RIAA says the 1 million album equivalent mark was reached purely by downloads and does NOT include any TIDAL streaming figures.

Furthermore, like ‘Magna’ before it, Billboard was sure to clarify that its pricing policy (which only counts albums purchased at $3.49 or above) still stands and the Sprint-sponsored downloads will NOT count toward ‘4:44’s chart placement.  Only TIDAL figures properly reported to Nielsen Music will count toward its debut ranking.

Your thoughts?

 

Rob Kardashian was on a rampage…until shortly ago when his Instagram handle was disabled.

Setting the Internet alight this morning with some damning posts against his baby mama/model Blac Chyna (as we reported here), the youngest of the Kardashian clan also made headlines for taking aim at T.I. after the rapper offered his two cents on the situation (as we also reported here).

Now, with Rob’s page down, all eyes are on Chyna.  Fans and detractors of the model/actress have taken to her Instagram handle to instigate a response to all the hoopla by lining all of her posts with “Ls.”

 

Despite the ongoing online assault against Chyna, Rob hasn’t exactly left the situation unscathed.  Some commenters are calling the model’s alleged betrayal of the youngest Kardashian “karma” for his mistreatment of former girlfriend Adrienne Bailon.

Remember that infamous slap?

 

Update: Rob exposes more nudes of Chyna on Twitter…

Click here to see nudes we can’t show you on the wholesome, family site that is  ThatGrapeJuice.

 

Your thoughts?

 

The release date of her serially delayed sophomore album, ‘Digital Distortion,’ may be unclear, but that hasn’t stopped rapstress Iggy Azalea from hyping its content to her faithful fans (affectionately called #Azaleans).

Despite a leak that let listeners in on some of its sounds earlier than expected, one of the set’s most anticipated entries is the recently announced collaboration with her longtime nemesis, Azealia Banks.  And, while their shocking reconciliation surprised some and pleased others, a select few weren’t exactly thrilled at news the duo was readying a duet of sorts.

Taking to Twitter recently, the ‘Team’ maestra not only defended her decision to team with Banks for a recording, but also shocked fans by announcing there will be TWO collaborations – one for each of their albums.

Read it inside:

 

Fans hoping to see a video for their joint effort were disappointed to learn the new song will not be a single.

Your thoughts?

What fresh hell is this?

Minutes after rocking Blac Chyna‘s world by exposing her supposed scandalous and sensual proclivities, Rob Kardashian has set his sights on the rapper TI.

Why?

The ‘Live Your Life’ rapper made the mistake of weighing in on the drama by asking Rob to take his domestic drama off and away from social media. Enraged and armed with headline-making information, Kardashian clawed back.

 



Wonders never cease.

Your thoughts?

Rob Kardashian seeks to shower shame and disgrace on his former flame Blac Chyna by leaking explicit images of her.

Hahahaha Chyna just sent me this video saying happy 4th of July what a crazy person. Come spend time with your daughter instead of f***ing me and then this dude right after. U need help.

He claims Chyna sent him a positive 4th of July message before cheating on him with another man.

More receipts are coming. Just yesterday Chyna sent me her p***y and everything and said she gonna come f*** me … wait for it. Never once have I cheated on Chyna and I remained loyal to her even after all the cheating she been doing and the multiple men she been f***ing including me … @ferraritru3′

Alas, there’s more.

Rob also revealed that Chyna lied about how she shed the weight she gained following the birth of their baby.

He also claims that the social media star is addicted to drugs!

More receipts to come of all the drugs that were dropped off to her house yesterday including 100 bottles of Moet Rose she asked me to get her. U will never see Dream again unless u stop the alcohol and drugs and cocaine and X and E. lol.

‘That’s called a party pack when was the last time u realized your daughter been with me instead of that crazy house that u bring men in an out. I never been this disrespected in my life by a woman. A woman I just paid 16K rent and Ferrari I just bought and lambo and 400K in jewelry. Damn.

Your thoughts?

JAY-Z has done it again!

The rap titan unleashed his 13th album ‘4:44’ last week and just five days later has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association America.

In bestowing the 47-year-old with the honor, the RIAA officially recognize the LP for shifting 1 million units – sold and/or streamed in the United States.

Jay, who welcomed twins with Beyonce last month, now has  13 Platinum (or higher) solo studio Album Awards in the US – more than any other hip hop artist in the history of RIAA’s Gold & Platinum Program.

He is also the only Hip-Hop artist with more than 10 RIAA Platinum (or higher) studio albums. Jay, real name Shawn Carter, also has 4 additional Platinum Album certs for collaborations with Kanye West, R. Kelly, and Linkin Park.

The company’s president Cary Sherman (photo’ed with Jigga above) said in a statement:

“Props to JAY, he’s done it again!  Another Platinum album adds to an already iconic career.”

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Congrats are definitely in order.

That said, we can’t be alone in wondering “how” this was pulled off.

‘4:44’ arrived on TIDAL exclusively and the numbers are yet to be reported publicly.

Perhaps they’re incoming?

Time will (hopefully) tell.

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: Jeff Kravitz]

Keith Powers rises in Hollywood‘s ranks on the wings of his contributions to the New Edition biopic this year.

Seemingly free from the fiasco he faced over remarks he made about bisexuality,  the actor now glides towards box office glory by way of his union with ‘Maximum Impact.’

The project is directed by ‘Romeo Must Die’ director and Aaliyah collaborator Andrzej Bartkowiak and welcomed Powers to the fray as Special Agent Vance, a major player in its game of war, espionage and high drama.

Its storyline?

The US State Secretary arrives on a secret summit in Moscow, in order to dissipate the tension between the Russia-Americal relations. However the world face the threat of a World War III, when a leader on an international terrorist group organizes an assassination of the US State Secretary and kidnaps his granddaughter. Despite their differences, CIA and FSB unite to save humanity.

Keep it locked on TGJ for the project’s release date.

Your thoughts?

Kanye West supposed financial woes were flung out onto Front Street last week when his former friend Jay-Z hit out at him on his ‘4:44’ set.

But you got hurt because you did cool by ‘Ye // You gave him 20 million without blinkin’ // He gave you 20 minutes on stage, f*** was he thinkin’? // ‘F*** wrong with everybody?’ is what you sayin’ // But if everybody’s crazy, you’re the one that’s insane.

This week, sources close to the moguls claim that the truth lies in a very different story and that money Jay-Z loaned West wasn’t a loan at all.

Keen to present Jay’s side of the story as untrue, said sources reached out to TMZ to offer the following explanation:

The $20 million was a payout advance which could also cover expenses — including the floating stage — for Kanye’s “Saint Pablo Tour.”  The money is sometimes used to cover various production costs and staff. It’s actually standard for artists at Kanye’s level to get such an advance.  It’s part of the deal.

West parted ways with Jay-Z‘s Roc Nation following drama surrounding his role as executive-producer on the first draft of Rihanna‘s ‘ANTI.’

This week, the world learned that he had also parted ways with TIDAL.

Click here to learn more.

Who do you believe?

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