Big Bammy's Blog: 2015-12-06

Saturday, December 12, 2015

#BBB NEWS| Eminem, Vince Staples, Jhene Aiko & Meek Mill Among Contenders For Oscar’s Best Original Song Nom

It looks like 2016 might start off on a high note for a few artists. The Hollywood Reporter revealed the list of contenders for the Academy Awards’ Best Original Song roster, which lists some of hip hop and R&B’s brightest.

Listing 74 songs from films released in 2015 include Eminem, Meek Mill and Vince Staples.

Em contributed to Southpaw’s soundtrack with “Phenomenal,” Meek recorded “Fighting Stronger” alongside Jhene Aiko, while Vince Staples, Childish Gambino and Aiko might make the cut with “Waiting For My Moment.” The two aforementioned tracks were both featured in Creed.

Ruben Studdard went from a winner of American Idol to achieving an esteemed distinction at his alma mater.

The “What If” singer announced that he received a Master of Arts degree at Alabama A&M University on Friday (Dec. 11), where he majored in voice studies during his undergrad tenure. “I’m super happy and proud to be a Bulldog #AAMU,” he wrote on Instagram.

I want to begin by appreciating the Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation for its impact on the development of ideas through its annual lecture series. The fact that the themes of the lecture series have focused on critical puzzles bordering on human development lends credence and justification for the sustenance of the lecture series.

It is no doubt that an event like this demands a lot of sacrifice financially and otherwise. Apart from the contribution of the lecture series to human development, it has also unveiled the genius personality of Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe, whose philosophical insight is gradually finding place in the psyche of academics globally, particularly at a time when Africans are determined to rewrite their own history.

The topic of discourse at this session, which is corruption, significantly ties into my vision for our great country, Nigeria, that we must kill corruption before corruption will kill us. My being here to deliver the keynote address at today’s session is instructive on the resolve of this government to interface with initiatives that are fundamentally patriotic and assisting in our path to socio-economic and political recovery.

The embattled former Minister of State, Bashir Yuguda, has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he gave a total of N600million cash to six chairmen of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 general election.

He listed the beneficiaries as Bode George (South-West); Amb. Yerima Abdullahi (North-East); Peter Odili (South-South); Attahiru Bafarawa (North-West); Jim Nwobodo (South -East); and Ahmadu Ali (North-Central).

He said he instructed Jabbama Limited to transfer N300million to BAM Properties whose account detail was given to him by a former National Chairman of PDP, Bello Haliru.

Yuguda, who made the allegations in a Statement of Witness/ Caution which he wrote on oath, said he sent N200million to the erstwhile PDP Governorship candidate in Kebbi State, Bello Sarkin Yaki.

Adele’s 25 hasn’t hit streaming outlets yet, but that hasn’t stopped fans from going back in time to purchase hard copies from their local CD stores. And fans are so dedicated to Adele’s craft, the British singer has hit an all-time high, selling over five million copies in the U.S. alone.

To only solidify Adele’s impact on the music culture, the “Hello” singer is topping her own record, which she maintained in 2011 for her album, 21 which was the first album to sell five miillion copies in a calendar year.

This news also follows her records broke for album sales around the world including Australia and the U.K.

#BBB NEWS| Ex-VP, Namadi Sambo Received Monthly Stipends Of N20m From Ex-NSA Dasuki

Ibrahim Idris Wambai, the former Accounts Officer II, has revealed that that the Office of Nigeria’s former Vice President Namadi Sambo was on a monthly stipend of N20million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) led by former NSA, Sambo Dasuki.

He pointed out that some presidential aides also benefitted from slush funds from the ONSA, singling out five firms which were used as platforms by some people to receive funds from the office.

Many prominent Nigerians and leaders similarly drew huge funds from the office.

Records of all cash payments to such individuals and organisations are still intact, he said in a Statement of Witness/Accused Person which was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the

High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and obtained by The Nations newspaper.

In a bid to recover a debt of N924,788,754.56, a Federal high court sitting in Lagos, western Nigeria, has ordered that all accounts belonging to former captain of the Super Eagles, Nwankwo Kanu and his company, The Hardley Apartments anywhere and in any bank or financial institution in Nigeria should be frozen pending the hearing of a suit filed against him and his company.

Also affected by the order of the court is a Director of Hardley Apartment, Ayoola Gam-Ikon.

The order of the court was as a result of a debt recovery suit filed by AssetManagement Corporation Of Nigeria(AMCON) against the defendants.

In an affidavit sworn to by a Credit officer in the Directorate of AMCON, Mr Victor Igabor, and filed and argued by Barrister Niyi Olopade, the deponent averred that sometime between May, 2008 and 10 January, 2011 Skye Bank offered The Hardley Apartments engaged in business of hospitality located at Plot 46, Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, a loan of N520,457,000.

On Friday, it was announced that Yaya Toure won the BBC African Footballer of the year award. The 32-year old Ivorian plays midfield for the football club Manchester United. Yaya Toure has been nominated for the award 7 times.

This is the second time he has received the award, he won in 2013 as well, making him one of three African players who have won the award twice.

The award is given out annually to the African player who receives the most votes from BBC Radio listeners. Speaking to BBC Sport, Mr. Toure expressed his gratitude to the fans.

"I am very proud. To receive this dedication from the fans is unbelievable," He said.

A petition to ban Donald Trump from Britain has soared over 500,000 signatures - making it what is thought to be the most popular ever.

More than half a million people have signed the petition, which was launched after the US presidential hopeful called for all Muslims to be barred from entering America.

It says the “unacceptable behaviour” criteria used to stop hate preachers entering Britain “must be fairly applied to the rich as well as poor, and the weak as well as powerful”.

Smashing the 500,000 threshold means the demand will be considered for a Commons debate.

But Chancellor George Osborne says the former US Apprentice star will NOT be banned from Britain despite his comments.

The Weeknd has had quite an impressive run this year. With the release of his third studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, the Toronto native has found a home at the top of the charts. Part of that success can be attributed to his single “The Hills.”

The Illangelo and Mano-produced melody arrived in May and is still going strong since its debut. But news concerning the mega hit might tarnish its pristine reign.

According to TMZ, Cutting Edge Music filed a lawsuit against The Weeknd for allegedly using a certain sound from the movie named The Machine.

The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel S.K. Usman, claimed that the Nigerian army killed 5 Boko Haram terrorists and rescued 210 civilians held captive by the terrorist group on Wednesday.

The deaths of the Boko Haram terrorists occurred at Furkati village, which is located in Geidam a Local Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State.

The rescue of the 210 civilians was the result of Nigerian troops responding to a tip that Boko Haram was holding hostage the inhabitants of the villages of Ejilije, Bulagaije-lari, Bulagaije-Adamde, and Ajiri.

According to military sources, the Boko Haram terrorists fled these villages once they learned the Nigerian military was advancing upon them.

Donald Trump’s recent statements on seeking to ban Muslim immigrants from entering the United States have struck a nerve with those who disagree with his policies. And one person in particular has summed up everyone’s thoughts with one letter.

Legendary boxer/activist Muhammad Ali penned a poignant statement on not only Trump’s misguided remarks, but also other presidential candidates who side with Trump.

“I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people’s views on what Islam really is,” Ali said.

In an interview with Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, Trump said his stance “has nothing to do with religion; it’s about safety.” He later continued, “If a person is a Muslim, goes overseas and comes back, they can come back. They’re a citizen. That’s different. But we have to figure things out.” Trump took his comments a step further by releasing a press release on the matter.

Daniel Holtzclaw, the ex-cop accused of raping, sexually assaulting and stalking 13 black women, was found guilty on 18 of 36 charges Thursday (December 10) and faces up to 263 years in prison.

Hotlzclaw, who turned 29 today, targeted women who were arrested for drug and prostitution. The all-white jury deliberated for four days before reaching the verdict.

The ex-Oklahoma City cop’s lawyers argued the victims, all of which who testified in court, were less than credible and went as far as referring to them as less then “perfect victims.”

The prosecution said Holtzclaw, a former college football star, targeted women he assumed wouldn’t notify the police and used his badge to his advantage.

It was 10 years ago today that Sosoliso Airlines flight 1145 crash-landed in Port Harcourt resulting in the death of 108 of the 110 people aboard. Among the victims were 61 secondary school pupils from the Loyola Jesuit College in Abuja.

Perhaps one of the most tragic aspects of the plane crash was that several of the passengers survived the initial crash landing, but were killed in the ensuing fire due to the inadequate emergency preparedness of the Port Harcourt airport.

The airport only had one fire truck and no ambulances, which meant the rescue process went extremely slow.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given the notorious former Niger Delta militant leader, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, one week to appear before them or be declared a wanted man.

The EFCC has been investigating Tompolo for the fraudulent sale of land to the government last year worth N13 billion.

The Head of Operations at the EFCC, Iliasu Kwabai, requested Tompolo appear before the Commission in November but he never showed.

Whenever I was incarcerated by successive military regimes from 1985-1998, the Amnesty International (AI) waged an effective campaign for my release. Through the activities of the AI and other progressive organizations, I was able to regain my personal liberty without any conditionality. Notwithstanding that I was charged with many criminal offenses including treasonable felony the AI declared me a prisoner of conscience.

In thanking the AI for its contribution to the defense of human rights and demilitarization of the country, I am compelled to point out that while human rights defenders and workers are no longer detained without trial, the most economically and socially disadvantaged are still subjected to illegal arrests, detention and other human rights violations and abuses. With the establishment of an office in Abuja, it is undoubtedly clear that AI has decided to be more effective in the defense and promotion of human rights in Nigeria.

Through the campaign against the death penalty AI has saved the precious lives of many people. Through the campaign against illegal detention, AI has secured the liberty of many prisoners of conscience and other detainees including those who were held in dehumanizing conditions. Through the campaign for fair trial, AI has ensured that the right of many accused persons to fair hearing is respected. Through the campaign for freedom of speech and assembly, AI has expanded the democratic space for many people who were otherwise excluded from political participation.

#BBB NEWS| J. Cole Signs 2 New Artists To Dreamville [TWEETS]

Last week, J. Cole revealed in a series of tweets that he would soon be dropping his Dreamville Records compilation project, Revenge of the Dreamers II.

The release date was set for this coming Friday (December 11,) and prior to its release, he began gifting select fans with a private link to the project on social media.

Apparently, this inspired Cole to go for yet another surprise, and instead of waiting until Friday, he made the project available on Monday night, December 7. Cole’s Dreamville artists, Bas, Omen and Cozz, all make appearances throughout the 9-track tape, but there were two new names in there as well: Ari Lennox and Lute. Turns out – they’re the newest Dreamville signees!

Back in March, Kanye West delivered a lecture to the Oxford Guild Society and dropped a few gems. Thankfully, video footage of the speech was finally released on Monday (Dec. 7).

The rapper spoke on many things, from his biggest weaknesses, to his ego, and even about how Drake has helped him along the way. “One of my biggest problems, one of my biggest Achille’s heels has been my ego,” West says. “And if I, Kanye West, the very person, can remove my ego, I think there’s hope for everyone.”

And if you’re wondering who might’ve been a helping hand in Kanye’s new mindset then Drake would be the main man behind it all. “I think that that’s been a progression of mind with the advent of a human being named Drake,” West shares.

Former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo Iweala yesterday said she had paid former National Security Adviser to the President, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) $322m (about N63billion) from recovered Abacha funds to finance military operations.

She was reacting to online media reports that accused her of illegally diverting the Abacha funds to the office of the former NSA. The money was returned to Nigeria in January 2015.

The statement signed by her Media Adviser, Paul C Nwabuikwu, said the attempt to link the former minister to any misuse of the funds for any purpose other than security was baseless.

She explained that based on a request by Dasuki, former president Goodluck Jonathan set up a committee comprising of the former Minister of Justice, the former NSA and herself to determine how best to use both the returned and expected funds for development.

Spike Lee has has had enough from the Chi-Raq naysayers, and went on Sway In The Morning to silence those who think the film is making a mockery of the gang associated deaths on the city’s South Side.

“This is Chicago’s Do The Right Thing” the prolific film director said.

The film, which stars Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, LaLa Anthony and Angela Basset, centers around the women of the community agreeing to withhold sex from their gang-member boyfriends in hopes to stop the bloodshed.

When asked by Shade 45 co-host Tracy G if the women’s role in the film was sexist, Lee then turned the tables on critics.

The immediate past Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, illegally approved the transfer of at least N61.4 billion ($300 million and £5.5 million) from funds recovered from late dictator, Sani Abacha, to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, few weeks to the 2015 presidential election, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report today.

The former Minister signed off on the transfer but then closed her eyes to how the funds were spent, requesting then President Goodluck Jonathan to directly demand accountability from Mr. Dasuki, according to documents seen by this newspaper.

The funds were never appropriated before they were transferred, a clear violation of Nigeria’s fiscal responsibility law.

Mr. Dasuki, alongside the former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa and founder of DAAR communications, owners of Africa Independent Television and Raypower radio network, Raymond Dokpesi, are being investigated for their roles in the disbursement of $2.1 billion and N643 billion meant for the procurement of arms to fight the raging insurgency in Nigeria’s north east region.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said the return of persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency to their home communities will begin in earnest next year.

Speaking during an audience with a delegation from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) led by former British Foreign Minister, Mr. David Miliband, President Buhari said his administration will do all within its powers to facilitate the quick return and resettlement of over two million internally displaced persons in their towns and villages.

Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, told Mr. Miliband and his delegation that the Federal Government will welcome the support of the IRC and other local and international non-governmental organizations for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.

Senate investigation into the alleged N25 billion Treasury Single Account (TSA) has taken a different turn with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) trading blames.

The CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele and the Accountant General of the Federal (AGF) Ahmed Idris both denied having any knowledge of the 1 per cent approved charge for remittances through REMITA.

Emefiele while responding to questions from committees on Finance; Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions and Committee on Public Accounts, said he personally was not aware of the charge.

The Joint Committee chaired by Sen. John Enoh (PDP Cross River Central) berated the CBN and the OAGF for having agreed to a one per cent charge of remittance.

The awards keep rolling in for Straight Outta Compton. According to Variety, the biopic which chronicled N.W.A’s rise to fame and the trials and tribulations that the group experienced once they reached the top, has been selected as Best Picture by the African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA).

In addition to the top honor, the movie also won Best Ensemble Cast while its Jason Mitchell nabbed a trophy for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Eazy-E.

The motion picture, which recently became one of the top-grossing movies directed by an African American, won’t be alone in racking up the accolades when the awards are handed out in February.

Newly-released Creed received three awards including Breakout Performance for Michael B. Jordan, Will Smith won Best Actor for his work in Concussion (out Dec. 25), and Dope, Rick Famuyiwa’s production, won for Best Screenplay.

It looks like a few incidents that happened in The Game’s past have returned in a court of law. According to Rap-Up, the Compton native was reportedly ordered by a judge to stand trial for two separate charges that happened earlier this year.

The charges stem from one count of criminal threats and misdemeanor of assault and battery following the reported assault of an off-duty police officer during a basketball game. The officer, Onyebuchi Awaji, said he suffered brain damage after an alleged punch thrown by The Game.

After that occurrence in March, the 36-year-old artist later faced charges of second-degree robbery and a misdemeanor of criminal threats after a run-in with a man named Justin Willard in April.

With Adele’s junior album, 25, reaching triple platinum status over the course of two weeks, it’s no surprise that this next bit of news adds to the project’s success.

Mashable reports that iTunes has deemed the “Hello” singer’s critically-acclaimed soundscape as the top-selling album of 2015. Other projects that round out the top five include Drake’s historic If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, Taylor Swift’s bubbly 1989, the soundtrack from Fifty Shades of Grey, and Justin Bieber’s latest effort Purpose.

25 is also slated to sell 5 million copies, which was released on Nov. 20. In an interview with the Today show, the UK native revealed that she had massive writer’s block when it came to penning her album. “I found it impossible for a while, and I didn’t know what I wanted to write about,” she said. “To be honest, I wasn’t sad. I was overthinking everything, and when I chilled out, it came.”

Eleven melodies later, and Adele has managed to touch listeners’ hearts with her gripping songwriting and emotion.

December is a time for various publications to roll out their “Best of…” lists and reflect on what was big throughout the year. President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama spoke to People to talk about some of their personal pop culture favorites in 2015 for a special campaign edition of the mag.

Mr. Obama noted that his favorite song was Kendrick Lamar’s “How Much A Dollar Cost?”, his favorite movie was The Martian, his favorite TV show was Cinemax’s The Knick and his favorite book was Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff, “a novel that explores the key to a great marriage from two different perspectives,” the article reads.

Mrs. Obama, who is not shy about her love of pop culture staples such as Empire, revealed that Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ hit “Uptown Funk” was in heavy rotation for her in 2015. She also said the animated film Inside Out was her favorite film, Black-ish was her favorite show and Elizabeth Alexander’s memoir, The Light of the World, was her favorite read.

#BBB NEWS| Nigeria Wouldn’t Have Survived If Ex-President Jonathan Had Won 2015 Presidential Election – Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, says he does not regret supporting President Muhammadu Buhari during the electioneering, adding that Nigeria would not have survived four more years of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s rule.

Soyinka added that the revelation of stolen loot such as the arms purchase fraud justified his position that Nigeria was being run aground by the last administration.

The Nobel laureate said this during a programme titled, ‘Channels Book Club’ on Channels Television on Tuesday.

The playwright confessed that he used to have a bad impression of Buhari who he once described as a “devil for whom in my calculation, no spoon existed long enough to justify the risk even of an impromptu snack.”

However, Soyinka said many of his trusted companions were able to convince him during the electioneering that Buhari had changed and that the highhandedness that characterised his military rule in the 1980s could not be repeated during a democratic rule.

Tuesday, White House press secretary Josh Earnest stated that Donald Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States “disqualifies” him from serving as president.

While addressing reporters during a daily briefing Earnest slammed Trump saying, “What he said is disqualifying,” adding, “And any Republican who’s too fearful of the Republican base to admit it has no business serving as president either.”

Read more below..

After a wonderful turn as The Wizard of Oz in NBC’s The Wiz Live!, Queen Latifah will be starring in another music-centered role in the near future.

On Dec. 8, Deadline announced that the renaissance woman will star in Lee Daniels’ upcoming pilot about the Atlanta music scene, which is currently untitled.

The pilot revolves around three girls who form a girl group, and of course, face the trials and tribulations of the industry along their journey. Latifah will play Carlotta, an ATL- beauty shop owner with a monster set of pipes who “will become a surrogate mother to the three girls – even though she doesn’t approve of their musical dreams.”

Daniels and his team put out a nationwide casting call to find the show’s leads, and locked Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny and Brittany O’Grady as the three budding singers, Star, Alexandra and Simone, respectively. Production begins later this month in Atlanta.

#BBB NEWS| Ronda Rousey Speaks On Loss For The First Time

ESPN got the scoop on how Ronda Rousey is doing after her second round knockout loss to Holly Holm last month straight from the UFC fighter herself, in a feature released on Tuesday (Dec. 8).

The 28-year-old athlete, who is being placed on six-month medical suspension after sustaining injuries during the fight, spoke candidly about feeling “really f**king sad” after her first L in the Octagon.

“I just feel so embarrassed,” she says about her first round against Holm. “How I fought after that is such an embarrassing representation of myself. I wasn’t even f**king there.”

According to Rousey, a couple of her teeth were shaken loose and because of her badly split lip and the cosmetic surgery done to repair it, “eating an apple” could prove to be a difficulty for another couple of months. She also said that she was aware that the Internet was ripping her a new one for several days after her defeat.

Russell Simmons has never been one to hold his tongue, so it’s no surprise the Def Jam founder, entrepreneur and philanthropist wrote an open letter to Republican front-runner Donald Trump, a man he describes as a friend, asking the GOP candidate to “stop the bullsh–t.”

In the letter, Simmons, 58, thanks the real estate tycoon for his kindness, and the many times he’s allowed his family to stay at his Florida home. The tone quickly shifts gears with Simmons reminding Trump of his role as the Chairman of The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, an organization aimed at ending bigotry.

Simmons zeroes in on Trump’s visit to the Islamic Cultural Center of New York on 96th Street, where he describes Trump’s experience as feeling “all the love vibrating in that mosque.”

Nas has been giving his mighty touch to a number of artists this year. After collaborating on Justin Bieber’s recent album, Purpose, Nas is lending an almighty hand as to Erykah Badu’s upcoming film, The Land as the executive producer, Variety reports.

The soul singer’s new film, which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, chronicles the coming-of-age tale of four teenagers from Cleveland, Ohio as they strive to make a better life. The Steve Caple Jr.-written film will also star Badu alongside Michael K. Williams.

And while Ms. Badu shows her cinematic talent in front of the camera, Nas will be showing off his behind the scenes. Named the executive producer of the film, Nas will be taking a seat at the table, helping craft the film and its soundtrack.

2015 has been a blessed year for hip-hop and with awards season right around the corner, a few key players are getting recognized for the 2016 Grammy Awards, which take place Feb. 15, 2016.

Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with 11 nominations including the night’s top honor, Album of the Year, for his sophomore LP, To Pimp a Butterfly.

For an artist to be nominated for a Grammy Award, a song or album must have been released between Oct. 1, 2014 and Sept. 30, 2015. K. Dot’s TPAB is also nominated in the Best Rap Album category, in which he competes against J. Cole, Drake, Dr. Dre and Nicki Minaj, and his song “These Walls” featuring Bilal, Anna Wise and Thundercat is up for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

Fetty Wap is ending the year on a high note with a nomination for “Trap Queen” in the Best Rap Performance category. J. Cole’s “Apparently” Drake’s “Back to Back,” Kendrick’s “Alright,” Nicki Minaj’s “Truffle Butter” and Kanye West’s “All Day” are also up for the coveted award.

#BBB NEWS| Kanye & Kim West Reveals Their Baby Boy’s Name [PHOTOS/TWEETS]

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West‘s son will have a lot to live up to. The famous couple have chosen the name 'Saint' for their newborn boy.

Mrs. West, who unexpectedly gave birth on Saturday, shared the news on her official website on Monday with four emojis that resembled her family. She followed the message by sending it out on social media.

According to the short post, Saint came in weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce. The family has always showcased their religious ties to the world.

Kardashian, 35, and West, 38, famously had their first child, North West, baptized in the historic St. James Cathedral, a 12th-century church in Jerusalem’s Old City, back in April — shortly after learning they were expecting their second child.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump stirred up controversy Monday evening (December 7) calling for the “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on,” he said in a press release.

Trump’s statements come on the heels of the mass shooting in San Bernardino, which left 14 dead and 21 injured, and just one day after President Obama addressed the nation on his plans to defeat the terrorist organization, specifically asking the American people not to resort to fear.

In the press release, the 69-year-old real estate tycoon surmises the American people should no longer be the victims of heinous terrorist crimes.

“Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension. Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine,” Trump said in a statement. “Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life.”

Renzel drops the Ryan Snyder-directed visual for “Crocodile Python.” His new album “Black Market” is available now.

Watch video below;

Adding a bit of excitement to an otherwise boring Monday, J.Cole blessed fans with the release of Revenge of The Dreamers II.

The 2014 Forest Hills Drive artist is sitting high on his Grammy nomination, but isn’t letting the success get to his head. The nine-track project features contributions from Dreamville’s usual suspects Bas, Cozz, Omen and Elite.

The release of the project comes as no surprise to Dreamville fans. Sunday night, (December 6) Cole tweeted out a mysterious number, and when fans called most heard a joke, others were told the mailbox was full, but a few lucky fans were able to speak with Cole and his manager.

#BBB NEWS| Lee Daniels Casts Transgender Amiyah Scott In Empire Spin Off [PHOTOS]

Looks like Lee Daniels is teaming up with transgender, Amiyah Scott for a spin off of the hit Fox show Empire.

According to TMZ Daniels has already given Scott a part. Although Amiyah Scott tried to get on Real Housewives of Atlanta and was rejected she is now in store for an even bigger break.

Read more after the jump..

Days after the San Bernardino shooting, which left 14 dead and 21 injured at a holiday party, President Barack Obama addressed the American people from the Oval Office, the third time throughout his presidency, Sunday night. (December 6)

Starting promptly at 8pm, for nearly 15 minutes the president outlined his strategy to destroy ISIS and other terrorist threats to America, which included a multi-pronged plan such as globally hunting down terrorist and working with its allies.

In a previous radio address Saturday, Obama said it’s possible the married couple who carried out the mass shooting Syed Farook, 28, and his wife Tashfeen Malik, 29, had been radicalized, and while members of ISIS have praised the shooters efforts, they’ve only referred to them as “supporters” and not members.

Twenty Nigerian cabin crewmembers laid off by Virgin Atlantic Airways have slammed a N5 billion suit on the airline. Joined as co-respondent in the ensuing legal hostility is Aviation Logistics and Management Ltd.

In a motion filed before National Industrial Court Lagos South west Nigeria by their lawyer, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN), the claimants are seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the respondents from laying them off, or giving notice of termination of employment, served on them pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

They are also seeking the order of the court suspending the employment termination served on them pending a hearing of the substantive suit.

‪They also demanding the sum of N5 billion as damages for the act of discrimination against them.

Three soldiers were killed as the Nigerian military commenced an attack on Boko Haram deep inside the Sambisa Forest, a major stronghold of the group, an official has said.

Several terrorists were killed during the attacks were many people were also rescued, the Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, said.

He also stated that three soldiers sustained injuries in the various military operations against the Boko Haram, whose activities have caused the death of about 20,000 people since 2009.

Read the army’s full statement below;

Last week, some of the principal suspects implicated in the probe of the $2.1 billion and N643 billion arms gate were nabbed by the Economic and Financial Commission. Pursuant to the ex parte orders validly issued by the courts the suspects have since been detained for the purpose of investigation.

But in a desperate move designed to divert the attention of the Nigerian people and the international community from the grave allegations of reckless and criminal diversion of the public funds earmarked for arms procurement to prosecute the war on terror, some reactionary politicians have accused the Buhari administration of engaging in impunity for detaining the suspects beyond 48 hours without trial.

In challenging the detention of the suspects by the EFCC a senior lawyer was alleged to have said that "a magistrate court has no power to issue a holding charge warrant".

On Thursday (Dec. 3), Nicki Minaj’s brother, Jelani Maraj was arraigned in a Long Island court and brought up on charges of first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child and the first-degree rape of a 12-year-old girl.

According to a report from The New York Post, the Young Money rapstress posted bail for Maraj to have him released from police custody.

According to court documents, Nicki put up $100,000 for her brother’s release. The bond payment was reportedly backed by two homes owned by the rapper, including one occupied by Maraj, and another one occupied by their mother.

The New York Daily News reports that Maraj and his wife are currently raising two children: an 8-year-old boy and a girl that is approximately 12 years old. It is not clear if the two are his biological. A neighbor of Maraj commented on his demeanor.

The federal government has not acted against the law by detaining beyond 48 hours persons indicted of mismanaging security funds, a senior Nigerian lawyer has said.

Femi Falana said contrary to concerns raised by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and some legal practitioners that the federal government is acting with impunity by detaining some suspects beyond 48 hours, the rights of the suspects have not been violated in any way.

In a statement released on Sunday, Mr. Falana said the government has handled the investigation within the ambit of the law so far.

The immediate past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, alongside the former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, the founder of DAAR Communications PLC, Raymond Dokpesi, and a former Chairman of the defunct Presidential Implementation Committee on Marine Safety (PICOMMS), Salihu Atawodi, have been detained beyond the statutory 48 hours by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, in connection with the probe of how billions of dollars meant for arms procurement was spent.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are officially celebrating the arrival of their second child – a few weeks early.

The announcement was made on the reality starlet’s official website, with a post entitled “Kanye And I Welcome Our Baby Boy!” The brief announcement did not divulge details about the delivery, but did reassure fans that Kardashian and their family’s newest addition are doing well.

“Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West welcomed the arrival of their son this morning. Mother and son are doing well,” the post read.

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