Hey everyone, welcome. Today, I want to address a couple of important topics. Firstly, I’d like to pay tribute to the legendary actress, Junaid Du Bois, who recently passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 74. Her portrayal of the character Willona in the beloved sitcom “Good Times” left an indelible mark, breaking barriers for African-American women in television. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends.
Additionally, I want to take a moment to honor the memory of the rapper Pop Smoke. Tragically, he was a victim of a home invasion, losing his life to senseless violence perpetrated by masked assailants. Pop Smoke’s promising career was a beacon of hope in the hip-hop community, particularly in New York, where he was poised to become the next breakout star. His distinctive voice and gritty, street-inspired music set him apart in an industry often saturated with similarity. Although his time was cut short at the tender age of 20, his impact was profound, leaving behind a legacy that resonates deeply within the music world.
After his passing, initial reports suggested that the incident involving Pop Smoke was a robbery turned fatal. Allegedly, during a house party in Hollywood Hills, suspects from the party purportedly targeted Pop Smoke, either due to his inadvertent exposure of his address on social media or for flaunting his possessions. However, recent revelations from TMZ indicate a different narrative – it was not a robbery but a deliberate attack. Surveillance footage showed the assailants entering the premises, shots were fired, yet only Pop Smoke lost his life, with nothing taken from the scene. This suggests a premeditated act rather than a robbery gone wrong, highlighting the gravity of the situation. It serves as a stark reminder for everyone to be vigilant about their surroundings and associations. Pop Smoke’s affiliations with individuals from the streets, given his ties to a gang, raise speculation that his murder might have been gang-related. While not confirmed, the possibility adds to the tragedy of the situation. Moving on, another topic of discussion is SZA’s discontent with her Rolling Stone magazine cover. She shared the cover with Megan Thee Stallion and Normani, a powerful representation of three black women from different music genres gracing the cover of a prominent magazine.
SZA recently made a statement on Twitter indicating her reluctance to engage in further promotional activities, stating, “Not doing any videos, interviews, or photos for the rest of my life, laughs out loud. Don’t ask.” Additionally, when her magazine cover was shared by a Twitter user, she responded with a request for its deletion, expressing appreciation for her colleagues Normani and Megan Thee Stallion while expressing dissatisfaction with the cover itself. Some criticized her response as ungrateful, but it’s understandable given her belief that the cover didn’t capture her true essence. While acknowledging the inclusion of talented artists like Normani and Megan Thee Stallion, the artistic direction and portrayal fell short for some observers.
Switching gears, there’s troubling news about Cardi B’s close friend Star Brim. Facing multiple federal charges, including racketeering and violent crimes, Star Brim could potentially face a lengthy prison sentence of up to 30 years. Compounding the situation is the fact that she’s pregnant and nearing childbirth. This turn of events is not only shocking but also heartrending, as it means her newborn will face the absence of a mother from the outset.
It’s a somber situation, and there’s a concerning connection with Cardi B that needs addressing. But before delving into that, let’s provide some context. Cardi B is affiliated with the 59 Brims, a faction of the Bloods gang. She’s been vocal about her ties to the group, as has her friend Star Brim, who confirmed Cardi’s membership. However, recent events have stirred the pot. Just days ago, it was revealed that 18 members of the 59 Brims, including its leaders, face indictments for a slew of serious offenses like racketeering, drug trafficking, firearms violations, murder, attempted murder, assault, and robbery. The details are staggering and can be found on justice.gov. Among those charged is Star Brim, also known as Yana Trespass, who holds a prominent position within the gang. She’s accused of orchestrating an assault on a bartender at a New York nightclub while incarcerated, as well as involvement in other violent acts and racketeering schemes.
According to justice.gov, on August 8, 2019, Jamar Simmons, Albert Shoulder, Sylvester Went, Yana Trespass, also known as Star Brim, and Chanel Reed were involved in assaulting an individual with a dangerous weapon. They aided and abetted the assault by slashing the individual’s face. It’s alleged that Simmons, Shoulder, Wen, Trespass, and Reed carried out the attack to further their positions within the 59 Brims’ racketeering enterprise in the Southern District of New York.
Star Brim openly admitted to her past actions during an interview on Charlemagne’s podcast, “Brilliant Idiots.” She confessed to slashing people’s faces, acknowledging that it was inexcusable. She mentioned instances where retaliation felt necessary, citing scenarios where she believed someone would harm her, so she acted first. When questioned about the consequences for her victims, she acknowledged the harm caused and expressed remorse.
In her interview, Star Brim also discussed other violent acts she had committed, such as urinating on people and throwing bottles at them. She recounted engaging in revengeful actions, particularly targeting those who had previously assaulted her.
Furthermore, she shared a disturbing anecdote involving the kidnapping of a young child as a form of revenge against someone who had wronged her. This incident illustrates the extreme lengths to which she was willing to go in seeking retribution.
In addition to her violent past, Star Brim mentioned involvement in illegal activities like scamming, claiming to have allegedly earned $250,000 from scams.
I had to spend five months in isolation because of something I allegedly did while in jail. When asked about it, Star Brim seemed to be quite revealing during that interview. She’s been implicated in numerous criminal activities. Now, she’s facing charges for allegedly orchestrating an attack on two bartenders, Baddie G and J, from the Angels strip club in New York City. These are the same women Cardi B supposedly targeted due to suspicions of involvement with her husband, Offset. According to reports from NBCNewYork.com, Star Brim allegedly ordered the attack on behalf of Cardi while she was incarcerated. There were two incidents: the first occurred on August 15, 2018, where Star Brim’s associates, whom she refers to as her “drops,” carried out the assault, with another member recording it. Dissatisfied with the outcome, Star ordered a second attack on August 29, 2018. Cardi B was reportedly present at the club during this attack, although she didn’t engage physically. However, her associates allegedly hurled glass bottles at Baddie G and J, and one of the victims was assaulted by being slammed against the bar. These details surfaced in the ongoing legal proceedings initiated by Baddie G and J against Cardi. Prosecutors have also claimed that Cardi discussed payments for the planned assaults. While all of this is alleged, it’s not entirely surprising, given Cardi’s previous admissions of paying for attacks against her adversaries.
Once the money starts rolling in, I’m keeping my distance from anyone else. Remember when I mentioned that my friend owed someone money? Well, that’s how it all started. After the incident at the strip club, Cardi B faced three misdemeanor charges, to which she pleaded not guilty. However, those charges later ballooned to 12 indictments, including two felonies—attempted assault and misdemeanor—during her arraignment last June. Cardi is still entrenched in this legal battle, and with her gang associates getting nabbed, she could find herself in hot water. Hypothetically speaking, if any of her crew turn informant or if undercover agents expose her, trouble could follow. If she’s linked to gang activities or financing the 5-9 Brims for attacks, she might be looking at prison time. Presently, Cardi and her legal team are vehemently denying her involvement. It would be unfortunate if she ends up behind bars, given all she stands to lose. Her entanglement in this mess stems from her husband’s infidelity with a bartender—an unfortunate situation indeed. However, dabbling in crime comes with its consequences. The NYPD, notorious for its toughness and, unfortunately, its corruption, is on a mission to dismantle gangs in New York. Remember the case with Tekashi69? He cooperated with authorities to bring down the Nine Trey Bloods, and now they have their sights set on Cardi’s associates. Cardi’s celebrity status, her association with figures like Star Brim, and her portrayal of gang life in her music have painted a target on her back. The NYPD is eager to make an example out of her. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to like, comment, and share. Thanks for watching, and until next time, take care. Goodbye.