Tuesday, October 18, 2022

BET+ Announces Return of 'College Hill: Celebrity Edition'

Photo courtesy Alabama State University

Some of hip-hop culture's biggest names are pulling a Rodney Dangerfield, and going back to school.

Like the legendary comedian did in his hit movie of the same name, these stars are headed to college to pursue their higher education dreams after forsaking them for their careers earlier in life.

Celebrities Amber Rose, Joseline Hernandez, Tiffany "New York" Pollard, Parker McKenna Posey, Iman Shumpert, Kwaylon "BlameItOnKway" Rogers, and O'Ryan Browner join returning star Ray J for the second of BET+'s "College Hill: Celebrity Edition."

For the show, the entertainment luminaries will live together at Alabama State University, a historically Black college founded in 1867. There they are expected to complete a "rigorous, tailor-made academic certificate program to cross the graduation stage," according to a joint statement released Tuesday (Oct. 18) by BET+ and the school.

ASU President Quinton Ross shared the institution's excitement to welcome the show to campus.

"I want to thank Tracey Edmonds, Sean Rankine, Mark Seliga, and BET+ for selecting ASU as the location for the popular reality show that gives a global stage to the academic excellence, rich history and unique culture of the nation's HBCUs," he said.

Tiffany Lea Williams, Executive Vice President of BET Unscripted Programming, added, "We couldn't be prouder to film on the campus of HBCU, Alabama State University (ASU), which is steeped in a rich legacy of producing academic excellence within the Black community. We have a new class of celebrities ready to hit the books and embrace campus life."

The new season will premiere on BET+ in 2023.

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Joyce Sims, R&B Singer Who Topped the US and UK Charts in the 1980s, Dies at 63


The family of R&B star Joyce Sims, who rose to prominence in the U.S. and U.K. in the 1980s with hits like “All and All” and “Come into My Life,” has confirmed her death at the age of 63.

“My heart is broken. I will always remember the happy times we’ve shared, the love and support you have given me will not go in vain,” Annette Ramsey, one of Sim’s siblings shared on Facebook. “I Love you Big Sis RIP.”

No cause of death was given for the singer-songwriter, whose demise on Friday (Oct. 14) was first reported by U.K.-based events organizer CJ Carlos on the same social media site.

"Having spoken to her immediate family tonight (Oct. 15), it's with a heavy heart that I post this news,” he posted. “Joyce Sims has passed away. Joyce was an amazing singer-songwriter who had so many hits in the 80s.”

Carlos added, "As most of you know she was going to be one of our USA artist's in Portugal next May. My heart goes out to her partner Errol and their children and close family."

The New York native was best known for her hit “Come into My Life.” Released in 1987, the single peaked at No. 10 on the U. S. Billboard R&B chart and at No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart.

Along with her first hit, 1986’s "(You Are My) All and All,” which reached No. 6 on the U.S. dance chart and No. 16 on the U.K. singles chart, “Come into My Life” helped propel her eponymously named debut album to success in both countries.


Her follow-up albums did not reach the same heights, but she continued to perform and put out new material steadily. She had multiple minor hits with tracks like “Lifetime Love”, “Walk Away” and “Looking for a Love.”

Sims, whose last album was 2014’s “Love Song,” was touring the U.K. as recently as this summer and had plans to release a new one this year. Her music has also been sampled by several other popular artists, including Snoop Dogg and Angie Stone.

Fans and contemporaries rushed to social media to mourn her passing.

DJ Premier tweeted, “R.I.P. To the Icon JOYCE SIMS.”

“Rest in peace Joyce Sims,” English singer Kenny Thomas wrote on Twitter. “Another soul legend taken too soon. Thank you for the music.”
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Monday, October 17, 2022

Kanye West to Acquire Right-Leaning Social Media Platform Parler

Kanye West

In the middle of a firestorm ignited by his recent antisemitic remarks and continued erratic behavior, Kanye West is doubling down instead of backing down.

Parlement Technologies announced on Monday (Oct. 17) morning that the mogul has an agreement in principle to acquire its social networking service Parler.

Launched in 2018 as a "conservative" alternative to sites like Twitter and Facebook, the site is best known for its association with former President Donald Trump.

Parler became the unofficial internet home of his Make America Great Movement. Marketed as a safe space for those with conservative values to share their thoughts without fear of censorship or reprisal, the site attracted hordes of Trump supporters.

It is heavily associated with far-right extremism, conspiracy theorists, racism and antisemitism. Parler is also a stronghold for followers of the QAnon movement. 

Sometimes called a cult, QAnon pitches Trump as America's savior, conspired against by satanic forces and executing thousands of pedophiles as part of his duties during his time in office.


The move might seem baffling to some, but for longtime fans of the artist, it likely comes as no surprise. West, who suffers from bipolar disorder, behavior has grown increasingly unpredictable since his mother Donda West, died of complications from cosmetic surgery in 2007.

In recent years, the "College Dropout" rapper had embraced Trump's MAGA movement and supported his presidency as well, made death threats to Pete Davidson after the comedian began dating his estranged wife and implied that slavery was a choice.

Following in the footsteps of Trump (Truth Social), and West's friend Elon Musk (Twitter), by seeking ownership of a platform where he can espouse whatever beliefs he wants without getting policed —as he recently was on several social media sites after his egregious comments about Jews and others — does not seem so far-fetched with that in mind.

"In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial, we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves," said West, of his reasons for the purchase, in a statement.

Parlement Technologies CEO George Farmer is the husband of recent Kanye-crisis collaborator Candace West, who sparked controversy with the Yeezy boss when the duo wore "White Lives Matter" T-shirts at the brand's Paris fashion show earlier this year.


Farmer said, "This deal will change the world and change the way the world thinks about free speech."

He added. "Ye is making a groundbreaking move into the free speech media space and will never have to fear being removed from social media again. Once again, Ye proves that he is one step ahead of the legacy media narrative. Parlement will be honored to help him achieve his goals."


The parties intend to enter into a definitive purchase agreement and expect to close during the fourth quarter of 2022. The terms of the proposed transaction would include ongoing technical support from Parlement and the use of private cloud services via Parlement's private cloud and data center infrastructure.

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