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KANYE WEST CRITICIZES HARRIET TUBMAN AT HIS POLITICAL RALLY
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Rapper Kanye West, in his first event since declaring himself a presidential candidate, ranted against historical figure Harriet Tubman on Sunday, saying the Underground Railroad conductor “never actually freed the slaves, she just had them work for other white people.” The comments drew shouts of opposition from some in the crowd.
West delivered a lengthy monologue, touching on topics from abortion and religion to international trade and licensing deals, before a crowd in North Charleston, South Carolina. Whether he is actually seeking the nation’s highest office remains a question.
Tubman is one of the most respected figures of 19th century America. An African American who escaped slavery, she helped enslaved Black men and women travel north to freedom and fought for the Union during the Civil War. She later became a supporter of women’s suffrage.
RIHANNA, JAY-Z CALL FOR PROBE INTO DECADE-OLD CASE
UNDATED (AP) — Rihanna, Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams and Mary J. Blige are among the celebrities calling for the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the death of a 20-year-old Black college student killed by a white police officer outside New York in 2010. Their letter to Attorney General William Barr says Danroy “DJ” Henry Jr. lost his life “for no good reason and with absolutely no good explanation.” Henry was driving away from a disturbance in a bar when Pleasantville officer Aaron Hess shot him through the windshield. Hess has said Henry tried to run him down. Federal prosecutors said in 2015 they would not bring civil rights charges against Hess. Henry’s family says new evidence warrants another look at the case. Others who signed the letter include Charlize Theron, Taraji P. Henson, Odell Beckham Jr. and Gabrielle Union.
JIMMIE RODGERS FOUNDATION LEADERS CALLS FOR SUPPORT FROM MERIDIAN
MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) - The leader of the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation says his hometown must support his legacy or risk losing personal items to museums in other cities. Lee Thornton says the Rodgers museum needs a permanent home in Meridian, Mississippi. He says the museum needs a director who can find grants and coordinate a music festival. Thornton says Bristol, Tennessee, where Rodgers recorded before his death in 1933, are interested in acquiring some Rodgers memorabilia that are in Meridian. Rodgers is considered the first national country music star.
LOGIC SAYS HE’S RETIRING
UNDATED (AP) - Logic says his next album, “No Pressure,” will be his last. Logic writes on Instagram he’s announcing his retirement with the release of that album, which comes out Friday. He does not give details. Logic, who is 30, has released five other albums and a mixtape since 2014.
JUICE WRLD’S “LEGENDS NEVER DIE” DEBUTS IN FIRST
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Juice WRLD (WORLD) makes a big debut on the Billboard 200 album chart with “Legends Never Die.” It moved 497,000 units in its first week of release, putting it at number one. Last week’s number one, Pop Smoke’s “Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon,” drops to second. The original Broadway cast album of “Hamilton: The Musical” is number three, followed by “My Turn” by Lil Baby. “Hollywood’s Bleeding” by Post Malone is fifth.
CALLE 13’S VISITANTE IS NOW SIMPLY CABRA
NEW YORK (AP) - Eduardo Cabra of Calle 13 -- AKA Visitante -- sure got people talking when he showed his reinvention in the video for “La Cabra Jala Pal Monte,” released Friday. The video shows a man in black cutting Visitante’s throat, only to take off his hood and reveal that it’s Cabra. Cabra says he does not see it as a death, but as Cabra who was always there. He’s decided to no longer go by Visitante and be known simply as Cabra. “La Cabra Jala Pal Monte” is his first song as main vocalist. With Calle 13, his brother Rene Perez, AKA Residente, was the singer, while Cabra was the producer and music director.
AMAS PLAN FOR NOVEMBER
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The American Music Awards will still be held, but the details are still being worked out. The AMAs announced it will air Nov. 22 on ABC. Details about the show’s production will be revealed closer to the date.
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