When I feel of DJ Clark Kent, a certain quote at all times involves mind.

“I saw early on what happened to the industry and Jaz(-O)” – Jay-Z once said. “If Clark hadn’t encouraged me to make that first album, I don’t know where I would be.”

Kent, born Rodolfo Franklin in Panama, died Oct. 24 after a three-12 months battle with colon cancer, the statement said. posted on his Instagram. He was 58 years old. In a 12 months that has already seen profound losses in hip-hop — DJ Mister Cee, Rob StoneRich Homie Quan, Rico Wade and Fatman’s spoon simply to name a few – the lack of Kent hits a particular nerve, given his history and the style by which he passed away.

It seems trivial to say that without so-and-so, the history of hip-hop wouldn’t be the identical. However, within the case of DJ Clark Kent, the saying applies. First of all, his CV speaks for itself. His profession began within the late Nineteen Eighties as a DJ for Brooklyn rapper Dana Dane. He later DJed on the tour of Notorious B.I.G., one other Brooklyn resident. His first big hit as a producer was Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s “Player’s anthem” The song that marked Lil Kim’s first appearance on the album and that Clark coached her through was, satirically, the song that Clark and crew recorded the night Tupac Shakur was shot five times within the lobby of Quad Studios in November 1994.

Clark’s reach would extend beyond Biggie’s crew. As Jay-Z confirmed, his 1996 debut album wouldn’t have been possible without Clark’s influence. He produced three songs for the album, including “Coming of Age” and “Cashmere Thoughts”. But it was “The better of Brooklyn,” the primary of several collaborations between Jay and BIG, leading to a fun story that Clark has told several times through the years.

BIG had heard about Clark’s “man” Jay-Z for years but had never met him, although they briefly went to the identical highschool. Clark told the story “Who shot you?”, which was widely seen as a taunt towards Tupac following the Quad studio shooting. As Clark recalls, BIG recorded it as a show of lyrical dominance in front of Clark, who kept talking about “how nice” Jay-Z was. Before BIG heard the “Brooklyn’s Finest” beat, he wanted to keep it to himself, but – Clark said it was for Jay. This decision irritated A LOT, but he begged Clark to be on the record. When BIG entered the studio on the night of the session, Jay-Z and Dame Dash (who Clark also he introduced Jay years earlier) I saw art. From then on, he and Jay-Z spoke on daily basis for the remainder of BIG’s life.

Over the years, Clark’s production game has only improved. He produced “The sky is the limit” within the posthumous release of BIG album – the song is probably the most introspective version of BIG. Clark also produced Mariah Carey’s 2001 smash hit “Lover” which was the number two song within the country. But even these hits only provide a glimpse into Clark’s deep and profound legacy.

DJ Clark Kent’s cultural fingerprint was profoundly diverse. If his death is a huge blow to hip-hop, his death is equally devastating to the sneaker world. Clark boasted considered one of the most important and most extensive collections known. Throughout his life, he touted several collaborations with Nike and Adidas because these brands understood the influence and credibility he brought. He became embedded within the culture as a revered figure because he loved sneakers rather more than the hoopla surrounding them. This was seen in Clark and Russ Bengston’s Quickstrike, which aired from 2013 to 2016 on Complex TV. In this system, they turned a discussion about shoes and the stories related to them into an education. According to Clark, it inspired Jay-Z and Dame Dash to develop into obsessive about the Nike Air Force 1 throughout the early years of Rocafella Records. Clark was known to purchase ridiculous amounts of AF1, wear it once and throw it away. Aside from having tens of 1000’s of kicks, perhaps his best legacy within the sneaker world is what he shared together with his fans. He routinely distributed shoes to children and homeless shelters. The scavenger hunt he led throughout New York became a Clark Kent staple.

Clark stood out for his unique talent and passions, but at the identical time he was in a position to attract people. This, amongst other things, made him the force he was – and, truth be told, at all times might be. Still, there’s a sobering reality that Clark is gone. According to the American Cancer SocietyColorectal cancer affects the Black community at a much higher rate than another group. Black men and ladies are roughly 20 percent more more likely to develop colon cancer and 40 percent more more likely to die from it than other ethnic groups. DJ Clark Kent, like Chadwick Boseman, Clarence Williams III, and even my uncle, is currently considered one of those unlucky statistics. Clark has fought privately and celebrated publicly for the past three years. Even as a terrible disease ravaged his body, it never undone what he contributed to the culture just by appearing. There’s a reason why negativity and Clark Kent never really lived in the identical airspace. The energy he dropped at hip-hop and sneakers – to each room he entered – was warmth and camaraderie.

Days after we learned of his death, the tributes are still pouring in, as they need to. What DJ Clark Kent dropped at the world now seems different – a little less vibrant and a little less revolutionary. Living in a world without Clark hurts, but knowing that he now not suffers is a small dose of spiritual medicine.

To say that Clark died “too soon” is just too easy, even essential. Partly since it’s a coping mechanism. We all use it to create tragedy. However, Clark Kent’s death is yet one more reminder that death is the tailor of morality. It at all times puts life into perspective and reminds us that we’re all on borrowed time. Clark was lovingly called “God’s favorite DJ” and now she is with Him. Even beyond the sadness of an irreplaceable cultural loss, there’s the wonder that brought DJ Clark Kent into our lives – and, more importantly, made us appreciate him while he was with us – in the primary place.

Investigation Discovery’s (ID) upcoming documentary, specializing in the harassment allegations against Chris Brown, looks to do greater than just make clear the singer’s legal woes. The filmmakers strive to “normalize” the survivor’s story.

According to ID president Jason Sarlanis, “Chris Brown: A History of Violence” aims to help other survivors.

“This documentary serves as a cautionary tale for our audience because it illustrates the patterns and cycles of violence that occur among men and women who are perpetrators of domestic violence. “Being able to shed light on this is really valuable for our viewers,” Sarlanis said Hollywood reporter (THR).

As previously reported by theGrio, the documentary, which can premiere on Sunday, October 27 at 9 p.m. as part of ID’s third annual “No Excuses for Abuse” campaign, will chronicle Brown’s rise in the music industry as a teenage R&B star to his current public position and can continued allegations of abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault.

Brown’s troubles in the highlight began after a February 2009 incident that left his then-girlfriend Rihanna in hospital with injuries.

“When we look specifically at the story of Chris Brown and Rihanna and the tragic events that took place in 2009, we see that events like this are happening in households across the country, and their names are much less recognizable, which allows us to tell these stories in a bigger stage,” says Sarlanis about the documentary produced by Ample Entertainment. “It may not be the same example in homes across the country, but abusers use the same tactics, so recognizing these tactics, regardless of their use, is critical to empowering our viewers.”

Featured Stories

In the 15 years since his altercation with Rihanna – after which pleading guilty to one count of assault – Brown has continued to rack up nothing but disturbing allegations and allegations.

The documentary, which seeks to explore how someone manages to succeed in a high-profile profession despite repeated alleged incidents of abuse, may even introduce new accuser Jane Doe. Jane Doe accused Brown of sexual assault aboard Diddy’s yacht in December 2020. Asked to respond to these and other claims, Brown’s lawyers told ID producers that the allegations made on the show were “malicious and false.”

But producers told THR they hope to show how many victims cope with complex feelings – including the feeling that the abuse was in some way their fault.

“Our Jane Doe story perfectly reflects the fact that nearly half of all harassment cases in this country go unreported. And I believe that her story, unfortunately, will resonate with too many of her viewers,” Sarlanis said, adding: “We need to normalize how we survive. Every fourth woman experiences this. This number is staggering, and the shame of being a survivor will perpetuate the same cycles that allow the one in four number to continue. Ultimately, our goal must be to lower this rate.”

Fresh off the premiere of “Chris Brown: A History of Violence,” “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin will moderate a discussion on intimate partner violence for viewers.

An increasing variety of celebrities are speaking out about their political affiliations, with stars reminiscent of Taylor Swift, Eminem and Beyoncé supporting Vice President Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, others strongly support former President Donald Trump, including actor Mel Gibson, a known supporter of Trump’s policies.

During a meeting with a TMZ reporter at LAX on October 24, Gibson was there he asked by a reporter he was supporting within the upcoming election. His answer wasn’t much of a surprise.

“I don’t think it will be a surprise to anyone I vote for,” he said.

Pressed by a reporter who guessed it was Trump, Gibson confirmed: “I think that’s a pretty good guess.”

The exchange took a sharp turn when a reporter asked what Trump’s second term would appear like. Gibson took the chance to criticize Kamala Harris, saying, “I do know what it will be like if we let her in… and it would not be good. Pathetic track record… No policy. And he has the IQ of a fence post.

It’s no surprise that the comment sparked outrage on social media.

Rhetorically one user he asked“Donald’s is taller????” while one other he joked“If that is the case, then Trump has an IQ as high as the ground where a fence post hits.”

Another person slammed him, tweeting: “Oh bro full of racism,” while one other added: “Racists stick together…”

Oh brother, stuffed with racism

– IT’S HIM! GOD’S FAVORITE (@MIKEFRMQNZ) October 24, 2024

For those defending Harris’ academic and political profession, one user highlighted her qualifications: “Lawyer, prosecutor and senator.”

Harris’ education ranges from Vanier College in Montreal to Howard University, where she majored in political science and economics, becoming a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

She then previously studied on the University of California, Hastings College of the Law facial The first female district attorney in San Francisco and later the primary African American and South Asian woman to function California’s attorney general.

After being elected to each positions, she was elected as a U.S. Senator and in 2021 became the forty ninth Vice President of the United States.

The “Braveheart” actor candidate didn’t hold any political office before entering politics, but he was a real estate developer, a failed university founder and a reality TV star.

Gibson’s history of controversial remarks, including anti-Semitic and racist outbursts, has left many individuals questioning his motivations.

While arrested for drunk driving in 2006, he went on a vicious anti-Semitic tirade wherein he stated: “Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.” According to to ABC News.

Then, in 2010, he launched a tirade against his former partner Oksana Grigorieva, including sexist and racist insults, which further fueled the criticism.

“If you get raped by a pack of niggas, it’s your fault,” Gibson reportedly told Grigorieva, who, according to RadarOnline, allegedly recorded him saying it as their relationship was falling apart.

In addition to making anti-Semitic and racist remarks, he also made quite a few chauvinistic remarks about women and their place on the earth, reinforcing his belief that the overqualified Harris shouldn’t hold the best office within the land.

After being arrested for drunk driving in 2006, Mel Gibson allegedly made a vulgar remark to a sergeant: “What are you looking at, sugar?” Although the comment never appeared within the arrest report, Gibson later denied making it during a 2009 appearance on “The Jimmy Kimmel Show.”

Gibson’s views on gender caused further controversy. In a 1995 interview with Playboy, he expressed opposition to women serving as priests, stating: “Men and ladies are only different. They are usually not equal.”

Still, he said: “I have great respect for women. I love them. The women in my family are at the center of things.”

However, Gibson’s respect didn’t seem to extend to the skilled community. He allegedly called his estranged business partner “ct.”

He also made his disdain for feminists clear, saying, “Feminists don’t like me and I don’t like them.” He added: “I do not understand their viewpoint. “I don’t know why feminists are attacking me so much, but it’s their problem, not mine.”

Many see Gibson’s political opinions as an extension of his deep-seated biases, and his continued connection to Trump’s base raises questions on how far his support will reach.

The query stays whether other stars will follow Gibson’s path of vilification, or whether they’ll rise above it and go with “joy,” because the Harris-Walz ticket suggests.