Inside Sean “Diddy”Comb’s 50th Birthday Bash!
A month after rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs turned 50 years old, he officially celebrated with a huge, star-studded birthday bash at his home in Beverly Hills, California. Beyonce, Jay-Z, Leonardo DiCaprio, the Kardashians, Kevin Hart, Regina King, Gayle King, Naomi Campbell, Cardi B, Pharrell and Snoop Dog, among other celebrities, turned out for the lavish party.
Mary J. Blige serenaded Diddy onstage with a rendition of Happy Birthday during her 40-minute set and Lil Kim and Usher performed as well. Gospel artist Marvin Sapp performed two songs dedicated to the loss of Kim Porter, the mother of Combs’ children.
But the star of the party may not have been who attended, but perhaps what was on display. Combs chose to display a $21.1 million painting that he purchased at an auction through Southeby’s in 2018. The painting is a work called “Past Times” by Kerry James Marshall. It was the highest sale ever for a work by a living African-American artist.
Mary J. Blige Documentary Coming Soon!
Sean “Diddy” Combs is developing a documentary about the life and career of Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige. The two-time Oscar nominee, nine-time Grammy Award-winning, multi-hyphenated singer has sold more than 80 million records. Through this documentary, audiences will see a raw and honest side of Mary J. Blige opening up about her personal journey of redemption and healing.
Blige broke out in 1992 working closely with then up and coming record producer Combs on her debut album, What’s The 411? He served as the executive producer of her sophomore project My Life, which marked its 25th anniversary November 29.
Last year, the No More Drama singer/songwriter divorced her former manager, Kendu Issacs, after 14 years of marriage.
The yet to be titled documentary project is being produced by Amazon Studios and Entertainment One.
CLTV To Shut Down!
CLTV, the 24-hour local cable news channel, will shut down at the end of the year. Dallas-based Nexstar Media Group, which bought Tribune Media, parent company of “Chicago’s Very Own” WGN, CLTV and WGN 720-AM in September, made the decision to end the 26-year run of the pioneering local all-news channel. It was announced in an email from Paul Rennie, general manager of WGN-TV and CLTV.
Although it was said to be marginally profitable, the operation never achieved it’s full potential as “Chicagoland’s source for local news, weather and traffic” and eventually was eclipsed by other cable networks, digital news sources and social media platforms. “CLTV employees will have the opportunity to apply for open jobs at WGN-TV”, said Rennie in the email sent to the staff. About four or five employees are expected to be laid off.
Rennie said the cable channel’s resources would be shifted to expand local programming and news at WGN, including sports and politics.
Eddie Murphy Returns to SNL!
After 35 years, Eddie Murphy returns on December 21 to host the Saturday Night Live Christmas show with musical guest Lizzo. Murphy was one of the most popular SNL cast members of all time when he was a regular from 1980 to 1984.Although he made a brief appearance on SNL’s 40th Anniversary in 2015, Murphy last performed on the show when he hosted the 1984 Christmas show.
Lizzo! TIME’s Entertainer of The Year!
It is officially the year of Lizzo! The eight-time Grammy nominee has been named Entertainer of The Year by TIME magazine. After years of struggle, including living in her car, Lizzo emerged as the breakthrough artist of 2019 with her double-platinum hit, Truth Hurts, and two platinum singles, Good as Hell and Juice.
Lizzo’s songs have been featured in a half-dozen commercials this year. The 31-year-old entertainer appeared in the movie Hustlers with Jennifer Lopez and wants to expand her career into writing and directing.
“I’m really into sci-fi, so don’t be surprised if I don’t make like a sci-fi fantasy historical fiction novel with tons of alien sex,” she said with a laugh.
Lizzo will appear on Saturday Night Live on December 21 along with host Eddie Murphy.
Sen. Mattie Hunter Receives Award!
State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) received the 2019 TASC Legislative Champion Award at the agency’s annual Leadership Awards Luncheon for her efforts to improve opportunities for substance-use disorder treatment, recovery, and community engagement, especially for individuals who have had contact with the criminal legal system.
“Working to create a healthier, more equitable, more just society has been the bedrock of my career. I’m so honored to be recognized for these efforts by an organization equally committed to those values,” Hunter said.
Senator Hunter, who serves as Majority Caucus Chair of the Illinois Senate Democrats, was one of four Illinois lawmakers to receive the award in its inaugural year.
TASC (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities) is a statewide, nonprofit organization in Illinois that advocates for diversion, alternatives to incarceration, and reentry services for people who come in contact with the justice system and child-welfare system, specializing in case management for adults and youth who have substance use disorders.
Couple Creates LS Cream Liqueur Inspired by Haiti!
In keeping with family traditions, Haitian-Canadian couple Stevens Charles and his wife Mariam decided to produce a liqueur (kremas) for the masses that their grandmothers and aunts would spend hours in the kitchen making during holidays and special gatherings.
In 2014 LS Cream Liqueur was born. The gluten-free and kosher product consists of nutmeg, cream, cinnamon, coconut, vanilla, and pure grain alcohol. The first sample of the recipe won a gold medal at a major spirit tasting competition in Las Vegas. The brand went on to win several other top awards as well.
But the road to success wasn’t easy. Charles had to prove himself in the United States before Quebec’s liquor board would agree to sell the product locally. As of today, the spirit can be found in over 200 points of sale across New York, Miami, and Canada. It can be purchased online @ https://www.creamls.com and shipped to 33 states.
