The Weekend Entertainment Recap: February 20th
As the week came to a close, Chloe Bailey announced the arrival of new music featuring R&B artist Chris Brown. Bailey’s Instagram post quickly brought criticism as fans pointed out Brown’s turbulent past. Brown even received backlash from Kiely Williams, a former member of 3LW and the Cheetah Girls. However, Brown was not too fond of the comments and took to social media with posts about white celebrities who have also been the center of domestic violence disputes. In addition to deflecting and outing white celebrities, Brown also called out social media’s favorite toxic couple, Chrisean Rock and Blueface.
Brown highlighted the hypocrisy of viewers glorifying the at-times abusive relationship between the young couple by tuning in to their show on Zeus for entertainment. Blueface responded to the comments by defending his actions, even telling Brown: “you got to play the cards that you was dealt.”
*If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, resources are available by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, texting “START” to 88788 or visiting the website.
While Chris Brown attempted to run from his past, another artist with a controversial background, T.I., announced that he will no longer be putting out albums. The self-proclaimed King of the South will end his reign with the release of his final album, Kill the King. When explaining the album’s name choice, the three-time Grammy winner told TMZ Hip-Hop that “it’s a representation of killing the ego” associated with his moniker.
The rapper has previously announced his desire to retire and is in an “ongoing process” to get the pending EP ready for market. Although T.I. no longer wishes to pursue a rap career, will still be an active businessman thanks to his brand ambassador roles and establishment of the “Trap Music Museum.”
T.I. may be leaving music, but rapper French Montana is here to stay and making music history. The new year is still in the first quarter, but French Montana has surpassed previous records to become the most streamed African-born artist. The “Unforgettable” rapper has accumulated 40 billion digital spins, according to the media and news company AuxGod. With several years of success behind him, French Montana now plans to bring his story to television screens with a documentary that is expected to have Drake as an executive producer.
Fellow rapper Ice T, also had something to celebrate this weekend as he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The rapper-turned-actor was awarded the 2,747th on the Walk of Fame in the category of Recording.
Ice T was joined by his wife, CoCo and their 7-year-old daughter, Chanel. The reformed gangster rapper was also joined by Lupita Sanchez Cornejo, who served as the emcee for the star unveiling as well as legendary rapper Chuck D and fellow Walk of Famers Mariska Hargitay and Dick Wolf.
Music artists were not the only celebrities making waves this weekend. WNBA star and former Russian detainee Brittney Griner is set to return to the Phoenix Mercury with a one-year contract. Griner agreed to a $165,100 deal to return to the court after her 10-month imprisonment, according to Her Hoop Stats’ Richard Cohen.
The seven-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist will return to the Phoenix Mercury for her 10th season. The team is scheduled to play the Los Angeles Sparks in the season opener on May 19.
