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Alicia Keys Launches $1 Billion Fund To Support Black-Owned Businesses

R&B songstress Alicia Keys is teaming up with the NFL to launch a $1 billion endowment fund aimed at supporting Black businesses and communities.

In a letter obtained by Billboard, Keys said the fund will be steered by Black leadership with a clear goal to empower Black America.

“The fund will create long term solutions with a focus on Black entrepreneurs, businesses, communities, Black schools, banks, and other Black institutions, while addressing persistent social, economic and environmental disparities,” Keys wrote.

“It’s starting here, but the intention is to build a multi-billion-dollar endowment across multiple industries,” she added. “Through our collective action, we can end the needless and preventable agony created by systemic racism.”

The launch of the fund came as Keys was set to perform at the NFL’s Kickoff event for its 2020 season on Thursday, a move she initially thought to decline because of some of the league’s past decisions.

“Yet I realized I HAVE to use my platform, we all need to use our platforms, every chance we get to press for racial equity,” Keys said.

Chloe X Halle Pay Tribute To George Floyd, Breonna Taylor During National Anthem

Chloe x Halle performed the national anthem before the first NFL game of the 2020 season on Thursday and took the opportunity to honor two victims of police violence.

In a pre-recorded performance at an empty stadium, Chloe x Halle took the field wearing white t-shirts featuring airbrushed pictures of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

Halle Bailey wore a shirt with Floyd’s face, name and the words “Rest In Peace,” while Chloe Bailey wore a similar shit with Taylor’s face, name and the words “Say Her Name.”

Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police after an officer knelt on the back of his neck for more than eight minutes.

Meanwhile, Taylor was shot to death multiple times by police executing a no-knock warrant at her home in the middle of the night.

The deaths of Floyd, Taylor and many others have sparked worldwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice.

When Chloe x Halle’s performance of the anthem was played before the game, the Kansas City Chiefs were on the sidelines, with one player kneeling, while the Houston Texans remained in the locker room.

https://youtu.be/TPN9Jz-3lmo

Check Out The Socially Distanced Promo For Season 19 Of ‘The Voice’

Ahead of the season 19 premiere of NBC‘s “The Voice” on October 19, a humorous new promo shows how coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani intend to maintain social distancing.

The clip shows the coaches sitting in their famous red chairs, which a report from People says are now situated eight feet apart.

“Blake and I have been quarantining together this entire time,” Stefani says, leading Legend to quip, “Wow, I’m sorry Gwen.”

The promo later shows Stefani trying to reward a contestant by launching a t-shirt at him with a t-shirt cannon.

“I got a present for you but because we’re social distancing, I’m going to launch it at you. You ready?” Stefani says.

When the attempt fails, Shelton provides a different solution by handing off the shirt using a long pole with a glove at the end.

https://youtu.be/dsA9pj1UPTg

Alicia Keys Performs New Song ‘Love Looks Better’ At NFL Kickoff

Alicia Keys delivered a socially-distance performance of her new song, “Love Looks Better,” during the NFL’s Kickoff event for its 2020 season on Thursday.

“I think we got so busy, so used to flying so fast that we forgot. We forgot to look at each other, we forgot to stay with each other, listen to each other,” Keys said as she prepared to play the song with a five-piece band that included two backup singers.

She added, “We forgot that my love looks better on you. So tonight, let’s make sure we take the time to remember.”

Keys performed in front a big screen showing images of unity and support for the Black community as well as landmark moments like the moon landing.

“Can we talk for a minute?/Stop for a minute?/All I wanna do is you,” she sang in the chorus. “Oh, can we touch for a second?/Be us for a second?/No matter what I give it to/My love looks better on you.”

Ahead of the performance, Keys revealed she is teaming up with the NFL to launch a $1 billion endowment fund aimed at supporting Black businesses and communities.

https://youtu.be/W5a6zeArAio

Kool & The Gang Co-Founder Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell Dead At 68

Kool & the Gang co-founder Ronald “Khalis” Bell died on Wednesday, September 9, at the age of 68. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Bell, the singer, songwriter and saxophonist, co-wrote some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Ladies’ Night,” “Jungle Boogie” and “Celebration.”

Ronald Bell and his older brother Robert “Kool” Bell teamed up with Jersey City friends Dennis “D.T.” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown and Ricky West in 1964 to start a band.

The group used many names, including Jazziacs, The New Dimensions, The Soul Town Band, and Kool & the Flames, before agreeing on Kool & the Gang in 1969.

The R&B legends won a Grammy award for album of the year with the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, five American Music Awards and the BET Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.

Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle To Face Off In Next ‘Verzuz’ Battle

Soul legends Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight are set to face off in the next round of the “Verzuz” series, scheduled to take place at The Fillmore on Sunday, September 13.

“The Master Class we’ve ALL been waiting for! @MsGladysKnight vs. @MsPattiLaBelle,” VerzuzTV said, announcing the superstar pairing on Instagram. “Leave ya church clothes on all Sunday and pull up to the affair of all affairs. Y’all gotta get dressed up in ya Sunday’s best for this one.”

The legendary singers have previously collaborated on several songs, including “Superwoman” with Dionne Warwick.

“Verzuz,” launched in March by Timbaland and Swizz Beatz, started out as a 20-song showdown between producers and now sees rappers and performers battling it out, taking turns playing a song from a list of 20 tracks from across their catalog.

Past matchups have included Brandy vs. Monica, Rick Ross vs. 2 Chainz, Snoop Dogg vs. DMX, Boi-1da vs. Hit-Boy, Fabolous vs. Jadakiss, T-Pain vs. Lil Jon, and Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott, among others.

Brandy and Monica’s “Verzuz” battle, which aired on Monday, August 31, broke all previous records for the series and garnered more than 6 million views.

Appeals Court Denies R. Kelly’s Latest Effort To Be Released On Bail

Disgraced singer R. Kelly‘s latest attempt to get released on bail before his trial has been denied by a federal appeals court in New York.

R. Kelly’s attorneys sought his release after the singer was attacked by a fellow inmate at a Illinois jail last month.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld a decision by a Brooklyn federal judge to deny bail to Kelly, who will remain in the federal jail until trial.

The judges said prosecutors presented “clear and convincing evidence” that Kelly presents a potential danger to the community and is a flight risk. The appeals court said the lower court also did not err in finding Kelly failed to demonstrate a “compelling reason” for temporary release.

Meanwhile, Mike Leonard, an attorney for Kelly, called the ruling “very disappointing and somewhat surprising” because it appeared that judges understood that Kelly could not prepare for trial while in prison.

The singer is facing multiple trials on child pornography and other charges. Kelly was arrested in 2019 on 10 charges of criminal sexual abuse tied to allegations that he sexually abused four women, including three minors.

Mariah Carey Reveals ‘Rarities’ Tracklist

Mariah Carey has announced the tracklist for her upcoming album, The Rarities.

The 15-track album, which includes some of Carey’s biggest hits and unreleased demos, is due on October 2.

The two-disc compilation album also features a 17-track bonus disc Live at the Tokyo Dome, recorded in 1996.

The Rarities Tracklist:

1. “Here We Go Around Again” (1990)2. “Can You Hear Me” (1991)3. “Do You Think of Me?” (1993)4. “Everything Fades Away” (1993)5. “All I Live For” (1993)6. “One Night” (1995)7. “Slipping Away” (1996)8. “Out Here on My Own” (2000)9. “Loverboy” (2001 – Firecracker Original Version)10. “I Pray” (2005)11. “Cool on You” (2007)12. “Mesmerized” (2012)13. “Lullaby of Birdland” (2014 – Live)14. “Save the Day” (2020 – with Lauryn Hill)15. “Close My Eyes” (2020 – Acoustic)

Live at the Tokyo Dome Tracklist:

1. “Daydream Interlude (Fantasy Sweet Dub Mix)”2. “Emotions”3. “Open Arms”4. “Forever”5. “I Don’t Wanna Cry”6. “Fantasy”7. “Always Be My Baby”8. “One Sweet Day”9. “Undernath the Stars”10. “Without You”11. “Make It Happen”12. “Just Be Good to Me”13. “Dreamlover”14. “Vision of Love”15. “Hero”16. “Anytime You Need a Friend”17. “All I Want for Christmas is You”

DJ Khaled, Usher, Quavo & More Help Launch Just Vote Campaign

Billie Eilish, Billy Porter, DJ Khaled, FINNEAS, Quavo, Taylor Swift and Usher are among artists who have pledged support to the “Just Vote” campaign, launched by international advocacy organization Global Citizen and voter registration organization HeadCount.

The “Just Vote” initiative aims to engage young Americans to check their status, register and vote in November presidential elections. The non-partisan campaign aims to engage one million young voters and get 50,000 young people registered ahead of the 2020 elections.

Various artists will be offering exclusive experiences and rewards – from dance lessons to private concerts to signed instruments – to American voters, who can unlock them only through checking their voting registration status.

DJ Khaled said he is partnering with Global Citizen and HeadCount to make sure everyone has a chance to use their voice.

“I’m looking forward to hosting a virtual meet and greet with the Just Vote campaign to talk with young people who have taken the time to check their voter registration status,” he added.

Tiffany Haddish has contracted the coronavirus.

Tiffany Haddish has contracted the coronavirus. She got it while working on a movie set. Tiffany says, ”I wasn’t in direct contact with [the person on the movie set], but they sent all of us home and we stopped the movie. Then they suggested that I go get tested. I went and got tested, and I got the results back like two days later. They said I didn’t have the coronavirus. Then, somebody else I know that was around like a week before, they contracted the coronavirus, and so I went and got tested again. Mind you, these tests are expensive as all outdoors – it was like $550. Which really made me upset because I was trying to buy some shoes. Anyways, I paid for the tests. Get the tests the second time. I’m not feeling any symptoms or anything, and it comes back like two days later, and they said I did have the coronavirus.”

https://www.contactmusic.com/tiffany-haddish/news/tiffany-haddish-tests-positive-for-coronavirus_6322065