Entertainment
LL Cool J says he watched his dad shoot his mother and a family member in a jealous rage
Rap veteran LL Cool J (56) experienced a very traumatic experience at a young age that no child should should witness.
Artist born James Smith Jr. he witnessed his father shooting his mother and grandfather with a gun after his parents separated in 1972. Both victims survived the attack, although nobody was held criminally responsible.
LL appeared in the media to discuss his contributions to the music industry months after the September 6 release of his fifteenth album, “The FORCE.” The music icon recently met with the British outlet Great company discuss your musical profession and personal life.
At one point in the interview, host Jamie Laing asked LL about seeing his dad, James Smith Sr. (aka James Nunya), hurt his mom, Ondrea Griffith, and his grandfather, Eugene Griffith, at a young age.
“He shot her and my grandfather,” recalls the resident of Queens, New York. “I was 4 years old, but I was there.”
He said that moment taught him a lot, including how one can follow directions. According to LL, his grandfather, a war veteran, lay bleeding out on the dining room floor after the attack, but he still managed to inform the longer term rap legend to “come back” from the kitchen where the brutal incident took place.
“I’m walking and bullets hit the fridge. The mother lies there and he says, “Come back.” “Come back,” he said.
The “Mama Said Knock You Out” hitmaker recalled going to get some towels and handing them to his grandfather.
“He was calm and that taught me peace,” LL said about his grandfather. “It was weird, but you know you learn early.”
Good Company shared clip Mr. Ladies Love Cool James talking about his family’s past on the outlet’s Instagram.
“Wow, crazy story. Another reminder of how dangerous it will possibly be for a woman to depart an abusive man. “I can’t believe that LL Cool J witnessed this at the age of 4 and still clearly remembers this traumatic event,” one person wrote.
A like-minded Instagram user wrote, “This story is completely WILD! I witnessed this on the age of 4. A 3rd person agreed, commenting: “Wow, that was some serious trauma to witness.”
One fan stated: “LL is a legend and a gentleman. I’m sure that moment could have led him down a different path. He (chose) the wiser, kindness.”
Several suggested he make a film about his entire life. Plus, someone identified, “He has a song about it. It’s heartbreaking.”
LL included a song titled “Father” on the soundtrack of the 1996 film “Phenomenon”. On the album, produced by Trackmasters, Smith details his father’s brutal actions towards his mother.
“My dad got drunk while my mom and I were jumping. I took a sip of some Jack Dan and smelled an ounce,” LL said in the song. “I grabbed the shots and left Long Isle for Queens. Possessed by a demon… it gave the impression of a devil.
The “Any Given Sunday” actor continued: “I used to be too young to grasp the risks. When your mom comes home after the night shift. She turned and heard the press of the shotgun. My dad said, “Do you think you can leave me, s–h?”
LL ended the verse with a rhyme: “He punched my mom in the back. She fell screaming. I can not ignore it. My grandfather tried to shut the case. He was shot ten times in the stomach, yo. Really.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame previously described the shooting in its 1998 memoir titled “I make my own rules.”
LL revealed that his father tried to get his mother back, but his efforts were unsuccessful. Knowing her habits, he waited in the nearby bushes when she returned from work.
“Ondrea, I’m fed up with your b— kings,” the daddy shouted on the mother, and then he shot her first in the back.
The book explains that LL’s grandfather was hit by a second shot after he went to the front door to see what had happened
“If he hadn’t done it, my mother would have taken it and it might have killed her,” LL wrote. He then mentions that his grandmother called the police and an ambulance and she ran to his father’s automobile and cursed him.
According to LL, his father was never charged or charged in reference to fleeing to California and changing his name. Over the years, the family stopped searching for justice.
In 2013, the multiple Grammy Awards host sat down with Oprah Winfrey’s “Next Chapter” series to debate the consequences of the abuse his mother endured when he was a child.
“I feel on the age of 4 it could have left a scar on you, judging by how the people around you handled it and encouraged you to do it. It was difficult,” admitted LL Winfrey.
He then said, “My mother forgave my father… And he came back into my life, he made amends for a lot of things, helping me navigate my music career in the beginning and kind of helping me in that area.”
James Smith Sr. died on September 27, 2012. The next day, LL tweeted: “RIP to my father, James Nunyi. You died yesterday. But the teachings you taught me live in my heart. Thank you. I really like you.”
LL entered the nationwide music scene with the discharge of the studio album “Radio” in 1985. His discography also includes the twice-platinum project “Bigger and Deffer” and the album “GOAT (Greatest of All Time)”, which topped the Billboard 200 charts.
Before he became famous, Smith was born on January 14, 1968 in Long Island, New York. He was later raised by his mother and grandparents in the Queens neighborhood of St. Albans.
According to Chicago TribuneLL grew up in the “middle class”. However, he reportedly lived amid street violence, drug addiction and gang activity before embarking on a rap profession on the age of 16.
LL left a historical mark on the entertainment industry. The two-time Grammy Award winner was the primary artist to sign to the now iconic Def Jam label in 1984 and the primary rapper to receive the distinguished Kennedy Center Honors in 2017.
Additionally, since 1985, LL has starred in quite a few movies, including “Groove Krush (RUN-DMC), “In Too Deep” (Omar Epps), “Deliver Us from Eva” (Gabrielle Union), “Grudge Match” (Robert De Niro), “Kingdom Come” (Vivica A. Fox), “S.W.A.T. ”, “The Deep Blue Sea” (Samuel Jackson). He played a cameo role in the romantic comedy “Woo”.
His television appearances include appearances on the comedy series “In the House” and later the series “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and he hosted “Lip Sync Battle” with Chrissy Teigen.
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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