Entertainment
Rapper Lil Durk Accused of Organizing 2022 Murder – Andscape
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) – Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk has been arrested in Florida on federal charges that he paid for the 2022 attempted retaliation killing of rapper Quando Rondo at a Los Angeles gas station that resulted within the death of his cousin Roundabout.
Durk, 32, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire within the death of 24-year-old Saviay Robinson, who was shot and killed on Aug. 19, 2022, in response to an FBI statement released Friday.
Five other members of Durk’s Chicago rap collective, “Only the Family,” or “OTF,” were also arrested, and at the least two more arrests could follow, in response to filed court documents. The FBI says Durk was arrested Thursday evening in South Florida as he tried to flee the country.
Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, won a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance earlier this yr for his song “All My Life” featuring J. Cole. He was also nominated 3 times and guest starred in Drake’s “Laugh Now Cry Later.”
FBI agent Sarah Corcoran said in her statement that OTF members “commit violence, including murder and assault, at Banks’ direction to maintain their status in the OTF.”
Representatives for Durk didn’t immediately reply to emails searching for comment Friday.
According to Corcoran’s affidavit and other federal court records, the shooting occurred in November 2020, when 26-year-old OTF rapper King Von was murdered at an Atlanta nightclub after Von and Rondo got right into a fight. Records show that Rondo’s friend pulled out a gun and shot Von several times, killing him. Von, whose real name was Dayvon Bennett, had two hit singles: “Crazy Story” and “Took Her to the O.”
Authorities say Durk indicated he would “pay a bounty” to anyone who killed Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman.
Nearly two years later, a murder plot quickly emerged, Corcoran wrote.
On August 18, 2022, Durk’s associates learned that Rondo was staying at a hotel in Los Angeles. Corcoran said that on that day, Deandre Wilson, Keith Jones, David Lindsey, Asa Houston and a fifth anonymous suspect flew from Chicago to San Diego after which drove to Los Angeles using funds provided by Durk.
That day, Durk allegedly texted a flight arranging associate: “Do not book any flights under a name that is not associated with me.” Corcoran said there was video evidence that Durk was at a house within the San Fernando Valley that day.
Upon arrival in Los Angeles, OTF members met Kayon Grant, who had flown there by private jet. Court records show Grant, a top OTF associate, arranged hotel rooms for the lads, bought them 4 ski masks and two luxury sedans. Grant allegedly gave Jones, Lindsey and a 3rd unnamed suspect weapons, including one converted to a completely automatic machine gun.
The next day, the group allegedly followed Rondo and Robinson as they drove in a Cadillac Escalade to a marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles, a clothing store in West Hollywood, after which to a gas station across the road from the Beverly Center.
There, Houston allegedly parked his automobile behind the station in order that Jones, Lindsey and the unnamed defendant could attack Rondo. They got out and opened fire, killing Robinson, who was standing in front of the Escalade, but missing Rondo, in response to the indictment and news reports of the shooting.
The suspects then went to an In-N-Out hamburger stand, where they discussed payment with Grant, after which flew home to Chicago from San Diego, in response to the Corcoran and other documents. Wilson later allegedly paid Jones and Lindsey an undisclosed amount.
Grant, Jones, Lindsey, Wilson and Houston were arrested Thursday in Chicago in reference to conspiracy to commit murder for hire. No attorney information for the lads was immediately available in court records.
Corcoran wrote that after their arrests, Durk booked two flights from airports in South Florida – one to Dubai and one to Switzerland. He then booked a personal flight to Italy, but before he could board that flight, he was arrested in Miami.
Durk and the opposite defendants are being held pending transfer to Los Angeles.
In 2019 Durk and King Von were indicted in Atlanta after a drive-by shooting that left a person wounded within the leg. Prosecutors dropped the case against Durk in 2022, two years after Von’s murder. Durk denied his involvement.
In 2014 Durek pleaded guilty to an aggravated felony for illegal use of a weapon and possession of a firearm after he was seen carrying a gun on a Chicago street. He was spared prison.
Durk was recently honored by two villages in Chicago’s western suburbs by announcing a partnership along with his charity, the Neighborhood Heroes Foundation.
“This partnership and collaboration will provide youth in our community with resources and mentoring opportunities,” Andre Harvey, mayor of Bellwood, 14 miles west of Chicago, said last week on the village’s Facebook page.
However, on Friday, Katrina Thompson, the mayor of nearby Broadview, announced that she was cutting ties with Neighborhood Heroes and taking back the honorary key to the village given to Durk.
While admitting that Durk and the opposite suspects are presumed innocent, the villagers have “even higher standards of moral and ethical behavior. Our public partners must also be held to the same uncompromising standards,” Thompson wrote on the village’s Facebook page.
“As mayor, protecting the interests of Broadview and upholding the values of its residents is my number one job.”
A telephone message was left at his office searching for comment from Harvey, the mayor of Bellwood.
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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