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RIP: Frankie Beverly, “Before I Let Go” Singer, Dead at 77

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RIP: Frankie Beverly, “Before I Let Go” Singer, Dead at 77
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Singer and Maze founder Frankie Beverly has died, his family confirmed on Wednesday, Sept. 11. He was 77.

Frankie’s death was announced on his official Frankie Beverly and Maze Facebook page.

“He lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no one did it better,” the family wrote in a tribute. “He lived for his music, family and friends. Love one another as he would want that for us all. Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience. During this time, as we are navigating feelings of sorrow, reflection, and remembrance, we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way.”

Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Beverly, a Philadelphia native, founded Maze, under the original band name Raw Soul, in 1970. The band relocated to San Francisco, where they would open for Marvin Gaye, who suggested the name change. The band name changed to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, before finally changing to Frankie Beverly & Maze in later years.

Maze released 9 gold albums from 1977 to 1993. Their classic hits include “Happy Feelings”, “While I’m Alone”, “Golden Time of Day”, “Southern Girl”, “Joy and Pain”, “Before I Let Go”, “We Are One”, “Back In Stride” and many other hits.

“Before I Let Go” really did turn out to be something more than I even imagined,” Beverly told Essence in 2020. “I got blessed with that.”

Frankie Beverly & Maze had a huge following and their tours were always sold out.

The family did not reveal a cause of death.

Shanice Wilson Reveals She Underwent a Double Mastectomy After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

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Shanice Wilson Reveals She Underwent a Double Mastectomy After Breast Cancer Diagnosis
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Singer and actress Shanice Wilson revealed she underwent a double mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis.

The “I Love Your Smile” singer, 51, shared her health scare with her followers in an Instagram video on Sunday.

Wilson said her doctor diagnosed her with stage 1 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which means a cancerous tumor was found in the milk ducts of her breast.

Stage 1 cancer is found in the place where the tumor formed and the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body.

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Shanice said fear kept her from scheduling regular mammograms. She kept putting off the mammogram screenings until one day she felt unusual lumps in her breast.

She booked an appointment with her doctor, which led to the stage 1 DCIS diagnosis.

Three months ago, Shanice decided to remove both of her breasts as a precautionary measure.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to face in my life. But I know God is with me, and everything is going to go well,” she said.

She continued: “They told me they wanted to remove my breast… Since you’re going to remove one, you might as well remove both because I want them to be the same. I don’t want anything popping up later in the other breast.”

Eugene Powers/WENN.com

In her video caption, Shanice thanked God, her medical team, family, friends, and her husband, actor Flex Alexander, for their support throughout her ordeal.

“Thank God I caught it early,” she said. “I wasn’t ready to talk about it then, but I’m strong enough to talk about it now.”

Shanice urged her followers, age 40 and older, to get regular mammograms. “Please everyone, get checked,” she wrote.

Women should also perform weekly or monthly self-breast exams in the shower. Wet, soapy breasts make it easier to feel lumps and irregularities in your breasts.

Flex, 54, shared his wife’s post on his Instagram account. “You handled it like a warrior, babe! I’m glad you’re telling your story now!! You are my hero,” he wrote.

Shanice signed her first recording contract with A&M Records in 1986 at age 13. She released her debut album a year later.

Shanice and Flex share 2 children, Imani, 23, and Elijah, 20.

Taylor Swift Endorses Harris After First Trump vs. Harris Debate

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Taylor Swift Endorses Harris After First Trump vs. Harris Debate
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The first debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is in the history books. The debate aired on ABC News Tuesday night.

After the debate, pop star and “Childless Cat Lady” Taylor Swift endorsed Harris. Her endorsement didn’t come as a surprise. She endorsed President Joe Biden in 2020.

The debate got off to a tense start with an awkward handshake between Trump and Harris.

Even though Harris was provided with the debate questions beforehand, she still seemed nervous and unsure of herself. She laughed and giggled throughout the debate.

Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed Harris for that reason. He prefers giggling Harris to Trump, who is more unpredictable than Harris or Biden.

At one point, Trump used Harris’ own line against her. “She was big on defund the police,” he said. “That’s not true,” Harris interrupted him.

Trump replied, “Wait a minute. I’m talking now, if you don’t mind, please. Does that sound familiar?”

Trump was winning the debate up to that point. But he stepped in it when he pushed the lie that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating cats and dogs. That lie was debunked by police in Ohio who said they haven’t received reports of people eating family pets.

Trump: Where is our president?

AFP via Getty Images

Trump questioned the whereabouts of President Joe Biden on the same day that Biden hosted the University of South Carolina NCAA women’s basketball champions.

Trump says he doesn’t care what race Harris chooses to be on any given day. He previously said Harris “turned Black” for political purposes.

The moderators irked everyone’s nerves by constantly interrupting Trump and debating with him. At times it seemed as if Trump was debating Harris and the 2 moderators.

Trump and Harris sparred over the economy and their healthcare plans.

Trump says he won the debate – though the news media says differently.

Who do you think won the Trump vs. Harris & moderators debate?

Update: Browns Looking to Void Deshaun Watson’s Contract

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Update: Browns Looking to Void Deshaun Watson’s Contract
Nick Cammett/Getty Images

Update: The Cleveland Browns could void Deshaun Watson’s contract if he’s suspended again by the NFL.

Watson’s 5-year deal with the Browns is worth $230 million. The Browns are looking to void the remaining years on his contract after a woman accused him of sexual assault.

According to reports, the Browns are looking to exploit a loophole that would void $138 million of guaranteed money from Watson’s contract.

@ProFootballTalk obtained a copy of Watson’s contract, and the contract voids “all future guarantees for any suspension imposed by the NFL.”

A woman filed a lawsuit on Monday, accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and battery.

“Jane Doe” alleges the assault occurred in Oct. 2020 while Watson was playing for the Houston Texans.

Doe alleges she and Watson met for dinner at her apartment after she declined to meet him at a public place. She claimed she was hesitant to be seen with him in public.

Nick Cammett/Getty Images

Doe said Watson aggressively yelled and screamed at her on the phone when he could not find her apartment that same night.

After he arrived at the apartment, Doe claims she exited the bathroom and found Watson “completely naked on the bed, lying face down on his stomach.”

He allegedly asked her to give him a massage. Doe “tried to appease Watson by rubbing his back, rather than his buttocks,” according to court documents obtained by Complex.com.

Watson then allegedly turned over and “continued to demand that Jane Doe massage him, gesturing from his knees to his groin.”

Doe mentioned to Watson that she is not a masseuse, and he asked what she wanted to do instead,

She claims Watson partially undressed her and penetrated her vagina without consent.

Doe alleges she was sexually assaulted for several minutes before escaping and grabbing a heavy object to defend herself.

Watson then got dressed and “stormed out of Jane Doe’s apartment.”

Doe is seeking damages of more than $1 million in addition to “pre-and-post-judgment interest at the maximum legal rate, court costs, punitive damages, and any other relief to which Plaintiff may be justly entitled.”
 
READ ALSO: 24th Accuser Says Deshaun Watson Had Happy Ending On Her Face and Chest
 
In 2022, Watson settled 23 lawsuits filed by 24 massage therapists who accused him of inappropriate behavior.

Watson was suspended for 11 games and fined $5 million for his sociopathic tendencies.

Jane Doe is being represented by Tony Buzbee, who also repped 23 of the women who settled their lawsuits with Watson.

Watson threw 2 interceptions and scored one touchdown in the Browns’ 17-33 home opener loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Sean Combs Ordered to Pay Michigan Inmate $100M for Sexual Assault

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Sean Combs Ordered to Pay Michigan Inmate $100M for Sexual Assault
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A Lenawee County judge ordered Sean Combs to pay a Michigan inmate $100 million in a default judgment on Monday.

Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith was sentenced to 75 years in prison for multiple sexual offenses. He is currently incarcerated in the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility.

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Screengrab, Instagram

In a lawsuit filed in June, Cardello-Smith, 51, accused Combs, 54, of drugging and sexually assaulting him when he worked at a restaurant during a party in Detroit in 1997.

In court documents, Cardello-Smith said Combs touched his buttocks then offered him a drink laced with a date rape drug.

The Plaintiff alleged that when he woke up he saw Combs having sex with a woman. Combs allegedly told him “I did this to you too.”

Combs did not file a response to the lawsuit, resulting in a default judgment against him by Judge Anna Marie Anzalone. Combs was not present during the virtual default hearing on Monday.

Judge Anzalone ordered Combs to pay $10 million a month for 10 months to Cardello-Smith beginning on Oct. 1st. The money will be kept in an escrow account by the accuser’s attorney until he is released from prison.

Combs’ attorney slammed Cardello-Smith for “committing a fraud on the court.” Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo said Combs has never heard of the inmate and he was never served with a summons.

An insider tells Variety that a summons was sent to an out-of-date address and that Combs never received the summons.

Combs’ attorney will ask the judge to vacate (dismiss) the default judgment since Combs was not aware of the lawsuit.

“This man is a convicted felon and sexual predator, who has been sentenced on 14 counts of sexual assault and kidnapping over the last 26 years,” Agnifilo said of Cardello-Smith.

He continued: “His resume now includes committing a fraud on the court from prison, as Mr. Combs has never heard of him let alone been served with any lawsuit. Mr. Combs looks forward to having this judgment swiftly dismissed.”

According to The Metro Times, Cardello-Smith produced visitor logs that show Combs visited him in prison in Michigan.

Cardello-Smith claims Combs offered him $2.3 million to dismiss the lawsuit.

Photos: Dawn Staley, Joe Biden, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce & More

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Photos: Dawn Staley, Joe Biden, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce & More
AFP via Getty Images

President Joe Biden welcomed the University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley and her team during an event to celebrate their 2023-2024 NCAA basketball championship. Biden is seen shaking hands with Staley in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, September 10, in Washington, DC.

MEGA/WENN

Pop star Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce put on a VERY open display of affection at the US Open in New York. Taylor and Travis were seen embracing and kissing in the stands as they watched Jannik Sinner, of Italy, beat Taylor Fritz, of the United States.

BACKGRID

There was a good reason for all the excessive PDA. Taylor and Travis have been in damage control mode after an internal memo leaked detailing their mutually agreed breakup. Travis’ PR agency denied having anything to do with the so-called “Comprehensive Media Plan for Travis Kelce’s Relationship Following Breakup with Taylor Swift”. The documents proved a longstanding rumor that their relationship is manufactured for publicity.

“These documents are entirely false,” said the Full Scope agency, who threatened legal action “against the individuals or entities responsible for the unlawful and injurious forgery of documents.”

MEGA/WENN

Reginald VelJohnson and Dwight Howard had a man-to-man talk at the “Dancing with the Stars” studios in Los Angeles, CA.

MEGA/WENN

After their talk, the two men shared a hug as they both headed inside the studio.

MEGA/WENN

Mary J. Blige attended a fashion show during New York Fashion Week, held at the Highline Stages in New York City on September 7.

BACKGRID

Madonna’s daughter Lourdes Leon and her handsome dad Carlos Leon attended the Willy Chavarria fashion show in New York City during New York Fashion Week.

MEGA/WENN

Tiffany Haddish is still hanging out with Paris Hilton after Paris’ mom, Kathy Hilton made a fool out of her at the Monse runway show over the weekend.

Video shows cops drag Tyreek Hill out of his car for putting his window up

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Video shows cops drag Tyreek Hill out of his car for putting his window up
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One Miami-Dade police officer is on administrative leave and 3 other cops are under investigation for an incident involving Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill.

The Miami-Dade Police Department released body cam footage that shows 2 police officers drag Hill out of his car and force him face-first to the ground.
 
RELATED: Miami Cop Who Detained Tyreek Hill On Game Day is Suspended
 
The incident happened outside Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, about 3 hours before the Dolphins vs Jacksonville Jaguars kickoff.

The Dolphins star wide receiver was on his way to work when 3 motorcycle cops pulled him over for going 65 in a 60 mph zone. One cop approached Hill’s luxury sports car and asked him “Why don’t you have your seatbelt on?”

“Don’t knock on my window like that,” Hill responded. “Do what you gotta do,” Hill said before putting his window back up.

This angered the cop who demanded that Hill put the window back down. “Keep your window down or I’m gonna get you out of the car!” the cop told Hill. “As a matter of fact, get out of the car,” the cop said.

Two motorcycle cops dragged Hill out of the car, forced him down on the ground and handcuffed him.

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Getty Images, screengrab

When Hill’s teammate Calais Campbell stopped to assist Hill, he too was handcuffed.

Both Dolphins players were eventually released and allowed to continue on to work.

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Hill caught an 80-yard TD reception in the Dolphins’ 20-17 win over the Jaguars. He celebrated the TD by pretending to get handcuffed in the end zone.

Miami-Dade Police director Stephanie V. Daniels agreed that the use of force by the cops was unjustified. The cops violated Hill’s rights by dragging him out of the car and detaining him for simply putting his window up.

Daniels said on Sunday that one officer has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation into the officers’ actions is ongoing.

Watch the video below.

Meagan Good Pays Jonathan Majors’ Child Support

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Meagan Good Pays Jonathan Majors’ Child Support
MEGA/WENN

Meagan Good has apparently joined the ranks of successful women who financially support their men. According to a report, the actress “pays for everything”, including his child support and $75,000 dog training bill.

The Jasmine Brand spoke with an insider for an exclusive article on the couple.
 
READ ALSO: Update: Why do some women try to rescue men?
 
“Meagan pays for everything,” the source said. “They really wanted this dog, and she got stuck paying the $75,000 training bill. Like, that’s crazy!”

BACKGRID

The insider claims Meagan, 42, pays child support for Jonathan’s daughter from a previous relationship.

Meagan’s friends are allegedly concerned for her well-being. “No one knows what Meagan sees in this guy. If things keep up this way, she may not be able to pay her mortgage,” the source added.

Theo Wargo/WireImage

Meagan is working consistently in Hollywood. She recently starred in the films “Tyler Perry’s Divorce in the Black” and “Terry McMillan Presents: Forever.”

Jonathan, 35, took a career hit after he was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend in March 2023. Marvel Studios dropped him, Disney cut ties with him, and the U.S. Army ended a recruiting campaign starring Jonathan.

In addition, the Met Gala rescinded its invitation and he was removed from the Texas Rangers ad campaign.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

Jonathan was effectively blacklisted in Hollywood.

Meagan dismissed the warnings from her friends about dating a man who was convicted of assaulting a woman.

“At the end of the day, one thing I know is that I can always look in the mirror and trust my spirit,” she said in an appearance on the “TODAY with Hoda and Jenna” show.

She continued: “When I trust God, when I ask God, and when I move to the beat of my own drum, I can always look and say, ‘Okay, I’m proud of that.’ No matter what happens, I have peace in my heart and have harmony in my heart. I take everyone I love’s opinion into account. But at the end of the day, I’m one who has to live my life… I want to be responsible for the choices I make and want to live the life that I want to live.”

Jesseca Dupart Denies Cheating On Da Brat with a Man

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Jesseca Dupart Denies Cheating On Da Brat with a Man
Getty Images, Instagram

The rumors are false. Rap legend Shawntae “Da Brat” Harris did not file for divorce from Jessica “Judy” Dupart.

Judy, 42, denied the rumors in a statement on Monday night. Judy insisted their relationship is “as strong as ever.”

Judy and Da Brat were seen together at a gay pride event in Atlanta recently.

They’ve both dated men in the past and Judy has three adult children.

Sandra Rose/Sandrarose.com

Before settling down, Da Brat was romantically linked to men, including former NBA superstar Allen Iverson and Rasheeda Frost’s husband, Kirk Frost.

Da Brat, 50, made headlines in 2022 when she announced she was pregnant with her first child. She welcomed their son, True Legend, at age 49.

Now Da Brat and Judy are raising their son together without a father figure.

Prince Williams/Wireimage

The retired rapper disappointed her fans when she admitted using a Caucasian sperm donor to fertilize Judy’s egg.

Brat later apologized for saying the only Black sperm donor available looked like “Jiminy Cricket.”

Da Brat and Judy’s relationship has been well-documented in a reality TV series. Their relationship helped normalize same-sex marriage in the Black community.

Mathew Knowles Claims Beyonce’s Race Was a Factor in CMA Snub

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Mathew Knowles Claims Beyonce’s Race Was a Factor in CMA Snub
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Mathew Knowles reacted after the Country Music Association snubbed his daughter Beyonce. The pop singer-turned country music artist received zero nominations for her Act II Cowboy Carter album.

Mathew is adamant that the Country Music Association snubbed Beyonce because she’s Black and creole.

Mathew said the voters have a long, dark history that “Still comes down to black and white.”

He told TMZ: “There’s more white people in America and unfortunately they don’t vote based on ability and achievements. It’s still sometimes a white and black thing.”

Mathew said he isn’t calling the CMA voters racist, but he says the snub “speaks for itself.”

TMZ noted that Shaboozey, a Black artist featured on Beyonce’s Act II Cowboy Carter album, received nominations for Best New Artist and Single of the Year for his hit “A Bar Song.”

LA Times via Getty Images

But as far as Beyonce is concerned, TMZ says the voters were not impressed by her sudden switch from pop music to country music. She even moved to Nashville to make her dreams of country music domination come true.

But country music radio stations refused to play tracks from Cowboy Carter.

And alternative artist Azealia Banks said Beyonce’s album reeked of desperation. “It’s giving pickmesha,” she said.
 
RELATED: Azealia Banks on Beyonce’s Act II: ‘It’s giving pickmesha’
 
The Grammy Awards also snubbed Beyonce, which prompted her sudden switch to country music.

“I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won Album of the Year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work,” said Jay Z.

Insiders say Beyonce was “depressed” when she didn’t win the Grammy award for Album of the Year back in February.

The Country Music Awards snub might send her over the edge.

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