Nightlife

Africa Expo USA coming to Marriott

(Nayaba Arinde photo)

Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, Blaze Channel, USA, is hosting the first annual Africa Expo, USA at the Marriott Marquis Times Square, New York City, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Our Africa Expo, USA is a conglomeration of distinguished Continental African businessmen and women visiting America to network with American businessmen and entrepreneurs to establish symbiotic relationships to take advantage of vast business opportunities in Africa,” host and organizer Tony Abulu told the Amsterdam News. The prolific filmmaker and producer added the Africa Expo, USA 2022 features an “International Conference ‘Business Opportunities in Africa,’ with special panels on ‘ÄfricanAmericans and Africa: A Symbiotic Relationship of Culture, Business and Education,’ the ‘African Creative Industry,’ and ‘Hope for African Youth: Strategy, Funding and Monetization.’” For more information contact www.africaexpousa.com

WARM Back to School Event ‘Love on the Block’

(Bill Moore photo)

WARM Domestic Violence Organization, the Manhattan DA’s Office, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority sponsored a Harlem Back to School event with school supplies, backpacks, food and games.

Mohammad Ali Islamic Center hosts School Supplies and Food Giveaway

The Mohammad Ali Islamic Center in Harlem partnered with Islamic Relief USA, ZEINA Inc., and NYC Comptroller Brad Lander’s office for a “Day of Dignity 2022” pantry distributing produce, fruits, school supplies, backpacks, and PPEs.

PNB tragedy rocks hip hop community

Things change on the dime! At the top of the week, we were supposed to be chattin’ up the best in hip hop, a day later we’ve reduced to making the best of a bad situation. Actually, we’ve zoomed past BAD to a place where we may be beyond reproach following the reports out of Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 12. Like most East Coast dwellers, it’s not unfathomable that Philadelphia native Rakim Hasheem Allen, hit one of the legendary eateries that the city is known for, in Roscoe’s Chicken And Waffles. This visit however would have dire consequences as Allen fell victim to a robbery that went left, resulting in a shooting. While enroute to a hospital, it was reported that the 30-year-old father of two succumbed to his injuries. Tragedies such as these are occurring on a daily basis across the nation and even if your stage name is, in this case PNB Rock, you’re not exempt. Several peers took to social media and expressed their frustrations and condolences. A few of the those are listed below:

CYHI da PRYNCE:

We are cursed as a race and culture smh Rip PNB Rock he was a super cool guy.

Hitmaka:

Saddest part it’s our own people who did this shit. You really gone kill a nigga over jewelry?

Now if the police killed my boy, it a be a riot right now but since it’s sum hood stuff it’s just posts & Rip tweets.

As Black people we gotta STOP & DO BETTER

Nicki Minaj:

The ppl around these rappers gain so much. It’s time to start really reminding them over & over!!! At least TRY to put your foot down if you CARE! Tell them!!! You’re not loved like you think you are!!! You’re prey!!!! In a world full of predators!!!! What’s not clicking???!!!

Good question posed by Nicki. WHAT’S NOT CLICKING???!!! Well, a few things come to mind. Words such as predator, wolves, beast, savage, monster and demon have ascended to the top of the food chain in terms of desirable role models. What’s MINE is MINE and what’s YOURS is MINE, right? How about the loss of decency and respect. So, a culture that lives by the credo that no snitching is tolerated can show and tell in detail the moves they and others make. It’s been reported that someone actually posted a video of the man taking his final breaths. Make the math math!!! We not making sense out here.

On another note, BET announced the nominees for the 17th annual BET HIP HOP AWARDS 2022 honoring the past year in hip hop music across 17 categories, selected by a voting academy of esteemed music industry insiders. Hosted by Grammy-nominated recording artist, actor, entrepreneur, and media personality Fat Joe the BET HIP HOP AWARDS 2022, will tape from the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, on Friday, Sept. 30 and will premiere Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on BET.

Certified Lover Boy Drake leads this year’s nominations with an impressive 14 nods including ‘Best Live Performer,’ ‘Lyricist of the Year,’ ‘Hip Hop Album of the Year,’ ‘Hip Hop Artist of the Year,’ ‘Hustler of the Year,’ twice for ‘Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse,’ three for ‘Best Collaboration,’ twice for ‘Best Hip Hop Video,’ and twice for ‘Song of the Year.’ Kanye West follows with 10 nods including ‘Best Live Performer,’ ‘Hip Hop Album of the Year,’ ‘Hip Hop Artist of the Year,’ ‘Producer of the Year,’ ‘Hustler of the Year,’ ‘Best Hip Hop Video,’ ‘Best Collaboration,’ Song of the Year,’ ‘Impact Track,’ and ‘Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse.’ Kendrick Lamar’s nine nods include ‘Best Live Performer,’ ‘Lyricist of the Year,’ ‘Hip Hop Album of the Year,’ ‘Hip Hop Artist of the Year,’ twice for ‘Impact Track.’ ‘Video Director of the Year,’ ‘Best Hip Hop Video,’ and ‘Best Collaboration.’ Future rounds out the top four with an impressive eight nods. Baby Keem, Cardi B, and J. Cole are tied, with each earning six nods.

Other notable nominations include Doja Cat, Latto, Lil Durk, Tems, and Young Thug, each of whom received three nominations. Benny The Butcher, City Girls, Fivio Foreign, Glorilla, Jay-Z, Megan The Stallion, Nas, and Usher received two nominations each.

Sorry y’all, trying to make sense of nonsense. Holla next week. Til then, enjoy the nightlife.