David Letterman’s show My Next Guest Needs No Introduction recently had Jay-Z for a dope sit-down. Letterman still has his late night charm, making him so easy to converse with.

The conversation starts with Dave calling Jay-Z “the Picasso of music,” which Jay-Z humbly receives via his classic laugh. Dave also stated that Jay-Z was his twin, and when he was a child, he had a paper route (to which Jay-Z responded, “me too”), hence the name of the episode. Jay-Z opened up and talked about everything from selling crack at 16, Kanye West, his mom being a lesbian and cheating.

Check out My Next Guest Needs No Introduction on Netflix.

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Image credit: Shady/Aftermath/Interscope

Eminem was interviewed earlier this week by no other than Sir Elton John for Interview Magazine‘s December issue.

Eminem has not released an album since 2013’s Marshall Mathers LP2; he was under the radar since then until the BET awards in October when he dropped “The Storm,” a takedown on Donald Trump and his administration and the justice system’s treatment of our black and brown brothers and sisters.

During this interview, Eminem talks about starting in the game, his friendship with Dr. Dre, what inspires him, how him and Sir Elton John became friends, and how he doesn’t always make the best music (as well as many topics).

Sir Elton John speaks about who he listens to today, who he likes as well, his thoughts on Eminem’s “The Storm” and what he believed had to be said. He also touched on what he loves and hates about music.

This interview is amazing to read as it is a conversation between two friends, their love of music, how they got to where they are in the industry, and those who inspire or help them with their music.

You can enjoy the interview in full here; below, we’ve also added Eminem’s latest REVIVAL track “Untouchable.” The new album drops December 15th (pre-order via iTunes).

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ONLY in AMERICA are you a victim and have to go through the pain of knowing the man that raped you is allowed to appeal his conviction and say he did not receive a fair trail. LIKE WTF????? Because the jury was tarnished according to the 172-page brief. According to Brock’s attorney the prosecutor incorrectly told jurors during the trial that the sexual assault happened behind a dumpster – and that doing so amounted to prosecutorial misconduct, the San Jose Mercury News reported. Google Brock Turners name  and it says accused Standford swimmer like how is that relevant anymore? He is now a convicted Rapist and Sex offender. Let’s address him by his new title The same way that the media addresses our black men and woman.

Now there Is the story of Brian Banks a Football Star on the rise falsely accused of Raping a woman. He was 16 years old when he was accused and tried as an ADULT. HE unlike Brock was a child he took a plead deal as his attorney advised him. He was sent to juvenile hall for a year before his case came up. He faced 41 years to life in prison and first turned down plea deals for 25, 18 and nine years. Why? He didn’t do it. He finally agreed to undergo 90 days of observation in prison with assurances from his attorney that he would then get probation. It was a better option, he was told, than a young black kid facing an all-white jury.

Instead, Banks received six years from the judge.

It wasn’t until 2012 when the Banks’ accuser recanted her story that he got his life back and was declared an innocent man. He wound up serving five years and two months in prison and five years of high custody parole.

Turner didn’t have a criminal history. He is white. Banks didn’t have a criminal history, either, didn’t even have a speeding ticket. He is black. He was making out on his high school campus in Long Beach, Calif., with a 15-year old girl during the summer of 2002 and by the end of the day, she accused him of rape. To this day, Banks doesn’t know why. Banks is “surprised” the courts found a way to consider Turner’s background and that “he wouldn’t know how to deal with career criminals.” Banks case was over turned and in 2012 A judge overturned Banks 6 year sentence when it came to light that the woman lied about the whole rape allegation.

It’s sad that in 2017 we are still dealing with this and so openly, they say get over slavery, get over the segregation, how do you want us to get over it when your still treating us based on the laws of Jim Crow? or a system that was set up against us? Brock Turner was caught raping a woman. Banks was just accused there was no proof just a woman saying it happened. We can’t say there is no white privilege when our jails are filled with innocent black men with crimes they did not commit. When there are more Brock Turners given special privileges and treated like the victim.

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Credit: Eminem/Instagram

1. Walk on water ft. Beyoncé
2. Believe
3. Chloraseptic ft. Phresher
4. Untouchable
5. River Ft. ED Sheeran
6. Remind Me (Intro)
7. Remind Me
8. Revival (Interlude)
9. Like Home ft. Alicia Keys
10. Bad Husband ft. X Ambassadors
11. Tragic Endings ft. Skylar Grey
12. Framed
13. Nowhere Fast ft. Kehlani
1. Heat
15. Offended
16. Need Me ft. Pink
17. In Your Head
18. Castle
19. Arose

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It’s that time of the year again! GQ announced Colin Kaepernick as the Citizen of the Year.

“Much has changed in the four years since Colin Kaepernick was last on the cover of GQ. Back then he was a rippling superhero of a quarterback on the rise,” the magazine wrote.

What a time to be alive to see a high fashion men’s magazine acknowledge Colin regardless (or because) of the year he has been having. Colin was let go from the 49ers this year and yet no team has signed him! Colin is a modern day activist with his devotion to the Black Lives Matter movement, the Know Your Rights Campaign, and his donation to multiple charities to help inner city children.

Kaepernick was the first athlete to kneel during the National Anthem in 2016; his protest was in silence for the injustice and police brutality in America. Since Colin kneeled for the first time, he started a movement within the athletes in different sports organizations to protest and speak out in their own way. Congrats Colin and making a change and for the being nominated as CITIZEN OF THE YEAR!

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By now, you have heard all about Meek Mill‘s mandatory 2-year minimum sentence for violating his probation. When you hear that at first, you’re like, “that’s the law and how it works” — except that this man has been on probation for about 11 years. You have read that correct: 11 years. Where is the justice in that?

Meek Mill went in front of Judge Genece E. Brinkley on Monday, November 6th, 2017. “I’m human. I’m not perfect,” Mill said to the judge, according to a report from Philly.com. “I’m asking for mercy. You gave me the ladder to do what I have to do to prevail in my struggle. I made it this far, I can’t really go back and start over.” You can check out a full time line of Meek’s legal troubles below.

In addition to his own response to Meek Mill’s predicament, Jay-Z made a powerful statement during his Dallas concert:

Black people in particular, we gotta get our s*** together. You’re not second-class to anybody. We equal to everybody. We deserve everything everyone else gets. Stop selling yourself short.

Meek Mill Heads to Prison for the First Time (2008)

Meek’s first taste of prison came at the age of 18 when he was caught carrying a gun while shopping at a local grocery store. He was arrested in 2008 following the incident, spent eight months in prison and was later placed on probation for five years.

Halloween Arrest (2012)

Meek Mill was pulled over by cops on Halloween because officials reportedly smelled marijuana coming from his car. According to Philly.com, Meek said he was arrested for refusing to allow police to search his car. During that time, Meek was on his way to Atlanta for a performance, which would’ve earned him almost $40,000. His deal with Puma at the time was also in jeopardy due to all the negative press surrounding him.

Violates Probation (2014)

After his prison release, Meek Mill made it his duty to take his music seriously, which worked out in his favor as the rapper signed with Rick Ross‘ Maybach Music Group label in 2011. Meek showed promise with the release of his breakout track “I’m A Boss” and his star continued to rise since: his debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Despite all his success, the Philly native landed right back in courts in 2014 for violating his probation by booking performances outside of Philly without Judge Brinkley’s approval. The rapper was sentenced to three to six months in jail. Meek began his stint in July and was released from prison in December 2014. He was put on parole and ordered to complete etiquette classes.

Violates Parole, Again (2016)

By the time 2016 rolled around, Meek was at the top of his game. He was dating the hottest female rapper at the time — Nicki Minaj — and was embroiled in a meme-able rap beef with Drake. But, Meek found himself in front of Judge Brinkley again for traveling without her permission. In February 2016, Brinkley sentenced the rapper to house arrest for 90 days where he’d be forced to wear an ankle monitor, participate in community service, and was prohibited from working and traveling outside of Philly.

St. Louis Airport Scuffle (2017)

Meek Mill found himself involved in a fight at a St. Louis airport earlier this year after refusing to take a photo with an employee. The rapper was charged with a misdemeanor assault and was given a court summons. At the time, Meek was still on probation from his 2009 drug and gun charge. The misdemeanor assault charge was recently dropped, but it wouldn’t be the last run-in Meek would have.

Rides “Recklessly” Through New York City Streets

While Meek started off the year on the wrong foot with a misdemeanor charge following his airport fight, the rapper channeled his energy into his music and dropped off his latest album Wins & Losses. In support of his new album, Meek took the stage at The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to perform the aptly titled “YBA (Young Black America)” but was arrested shortly after for driving his motorbike recklessly in New York City the night prior, after officials obtained footage from social media of Meek’s antics. He was charged with reckless endangerment and reckless driving.

“A guy literally popped a wheelie for 10 seconds on the street with no one else around,” Tacopina said in a video posted by TMZ. “And the police were there. That’s very important. The police were there and they saw it, and they didn’t arrest him. They didn’t even give him a traffic ticket, but somehow the video made it to social media.”

According to TMZ, Meek accepted a plea deal which will remove the charge from his record under the condition that he stays out of trouble for six months and completes community service.

The Hip-Hop community has shown their support for Meek Mill:

Praying for my brother @meekmill right now. God sometimes puts the toughest battles on his strongest soldiers. I'm here for you man!!!! My brother for life…Always here for you man!!! This storm will pass…Stay strong & keep your head up ????????????

A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on Nov 6, 2017 at 4:45pm PST

Was wit u then & WE STILL WIT U NOW!!! This too shall pass. You got this!!! God places the heaviest loads on the strongest backs. We got real love for u out here KING. ??

A post shared by TIP (@troubleman31) on Nov 6, 2017 at 4:32pm PST

Every year we hear about how the injustice in our Justice System treats our black men and women — especially our black men, though some people do not even bother reading about it. Here you have someone in the lime light who is a rich black man who came from nothing, and yet the system proves that no matter if you have money, your skin color does matter.

Where is the justice in 11 years of probation? Where is the justice in arresting someone over a video they made the day before? Where is the justice in going to work to make money to provide food your family? When will the justice system be just?

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