4 minute read
Go with the Flo
FLO
ANTHONY
Bounce said farewell to the best drama series on television, “Saints & Sinners” on Sunday, May 22. Seasons one through five are available at www.BrownSugar.com. The mega-hit original series is the most-watched show in Bounce history and has been a breakthrough success, attracting a huge and loyal fanbase and taking them on a rollercoaster ride every season. “Saints & Sinners” is set against the backdrop of a large southern church and centered around the pursuit of power, intertwined with greed, deception, corruption, compromising sexual affairs, and murder. Vanessa Bell Calloway and Clifton Powell lead the series. I sure will miss spending Sunday nights with them.
Usher made a surprise visit to a volunteer training workshop hosted by Usher’s New Look (UNL), the youth development foundation he launched 23 years ago to provide access, training, mentorship, and support of Black youth, at Centennial Academy in midtown Atlanta on May 10. Training took place over a four-day period. Usher engaged with the teaching and support staff and stopped by each of the Powered by Service classrooms to give students a brief overview of the UNL history and why he started the nonprofit. Powered by Service is part of UNL’s comprehensive program of training, mentorship and access to resources for underserved youth across the country. Since its founding in 1999, Usher’s New Look has helped transform the lives of 50,000 young people.
On May 17, HBO Max and The Root (of G/O Media) held an advanced screening event at Syndicated Bar Theater Kitchen in Brooklyn, to celebrate the upcoming premiere of the second season of the HBO Original series, “PAUSE with Sam Jay.” Emmy-nominated comedian and writer Sam Jay joined a room filled with notable guests, media and influencers to view the first episode of the new season, followed by a discussion moderated by Vanessa De Luca, editor-in-chief of The Root. Created by Sam Jay and Prentice Penny, “PAUSE with Sam Jay” offers a new take on the late-night talk show format.
Lil’ Kim was reportedly among the stars at the Empire State Building lighting ceremony to honor the 50th birthday of the late Notorious B.I.G. whose real name was Christopher Wallace. The event was presented in partnership with Bad Boy/Atlantic/Rhino Records and the Christopher Wallace Estate on May 20. Biggie’s mom, Voletta Wallace and Lil’ Kim looked fabulous. The Brooklyn raptress was dressed in Versace and carried a Hermes Birkin purse. Biggie’s children C.J. and T’Yanna Wallace were also in attendance.
(Nayaba Arinde photos)
By NOSAYABA ODESANYA
Special to the AmNews
Fellow Brooklynites watched as people filled the streets and lined up at four Bed Stuy/Clinton Hill subway stations on Saturday, May 21, to celebrate Chistopher Wallace a.k.a The Notorious B.I.G, Biggie Smalls’ birthday. The world-famous late artist would have turned 50 years young, had he not been shot and killed in a drive-by in March 1997 in Los Angeles. Any day of the week when the sun is out, cars can be heard bumping any Biggie track. But, on Saturday, fans came out to wish him happy birthday. A stage was built close to his old apartment on St. James’ Place, which was renamed Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace Way in June 2019. There, in his honor, the community, Elements of Style NYC, Eliot Salome-Diaz, The Dondi White Foundation, and Michelle R. White hosted a block party to celebrate the late rapper’s achievements.
The event inspired the community through the use of hip hop culture and the art of creation. The celebration also highlighted the importance of the need for the ceasing of gun violence, and how as a community we should come together to stop senseless killings.
The celebration began at 1 p.m.; at around 7 p.m. police tried to open the street and close down the event on St. James Place Christopher ‘Notorious B.I.G.’ Wallace Way between Fulton Street and Gates Avenue. They had to fight against the tide. Hundreds of people came out to the block party where music was played, laughter was shared, friendships were formed, and art was created.
Earlier that morning, just before 6 a.m., a block over, lines were formed at the Clinton and Washington subway station. Some people on social media said the MTA was exploiting Biggie, others said they were paying tribute with their Biggie Smalls limited edition metrocards, made in partnership with Rhino Entertainment. People waited for up to 3 hours or more in the four subway stations to buy the metro card with Biggie Smalls’ likeness on one side of the card. Some people avoided the long lines by getting their cards when sales began at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at any one of the four Central Brooklyn subway stations at Lafayette Avenue, Clinton-Washington Avenue (C line), Clinton-Washington Ave. (G line), and the Barclays Center on Atlantic Avenue. There was only one machine working at many of the stops, and some people bought multiple cards for gifts or re-sale, making each purchase as long as 20 minutes a-piece in some cases.
It was a very Brooklyn tribute, showing that his people in his neighborhood have never forgotten their beloved Bed Stuy icon, because he never forgot them.
