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Tupac’s Death: Alleged Killer Finally Goes to Trial

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Tupac’s Death: Alleged Killer Finally Goes to Trial

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Almost 30 years after Tupac Shakur was gunned down on the Las Vegas Strip, the man prosecutors say orchestrated his killing is finally standing trial. Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, is set to appear in a Las Vegas courtroom starting this week, facing a single count of murder with a deadly weapon for allegedly organizing …

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Almost 30 years after Tupac Shakur was gunned down on the Las Vegas Strip, the man prosecutors say orchestrated his killing is finally standing trial. Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, is set to appear in a Las Vegas courtroom starting this week, facing a single count of murder with a deadly weapon for allegedly organizing the drive-by shooting that ended the rapper’s life. Davis has pleaded not guilty and has been jailed since his arrest in late 2023. The long-delayed trial marks the first time anyone has faced prosecution in one of Tupac Shakur‘s most notorious and talked-about murders in hip hop biography circles. But do you know how we got here?

How did Tupac Shakur die?

On the night of September 7, 1996, Tupac was riding in the passenger seat of a BMW driven by Death Row Records executive Suge Knight. The associates had just left the MGM Grand following a Mike Tyson fight. As the car came to a stop at a red light, a white Cadillac pulled alongside it. Someone inside opened fire and sped off. Shakur was struck multiple times as he sat in the passenger seat. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died six days later. He was just 25.

While an investigation was opened immediately, it yielded few details of the actual shooting, but it did uncover what might have happened in the hours preceding it. Hours before the shooting, Shakur and members of his entourage had been involved in a fight with Orlando Anderson, a gang member, inside the casino. Prosecutors have long suspected that the altercation set the killing in motion, though other theories persisted about the freedom struggle between rival camps in the industry.

The case has been open ever since

For years, Shakur’s murder went unsolved. The mysterious nature of the brazen shooting led to endless speculation and conspiracy theories about who was responsible and why. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been bandied about as someone involved, though there is no evidence to corroborate that. Hip hop fans have made accusations about several other rappers, suggesting the killing was a music rivalry turned violent. That theory never sat right with investigators.

Detectives on the case suspected Orlando Anderson was involved from early on, but he was never charged. He was killed in an unrelated shooting in 1998. The case largely stalled until Davis, Anderson’s uncle and a self-described former gang leader, began speaking more openly about the shooting in interviews and in his own 2019 memoir, “Compton Street Legend.” In those accounts, Davis admitted providing the gun used in the shooting to Anderson, whom he described as the actual gunman, while stopping short of directly confessing to ordering the killing himself. The book is expected to factor heavily into the case against him, much like other Olympic athlete memoir and curated reading list materials that shed light on cultural meditation around Black excellence.

The arrest and years of delays

While Duane Davis avoided being openly named in the case for years, his own book pinned him to the attack and led to his arrest. He was arrested on a first-degree murder charge on September 29, 2023, following a grand jury indictment. The indictment came just over 27 years after the shooting. Prosecutors have described him as the “on-ground, on-site commander” who ordered Shakur’s death, according to CBS News. Prosecutors argue that the killing was retaliation for the fight in the casino earlier in the day.

Now, Davis is set to stand trial. Originally scheduled for June 2024, the trial was pushed multiple times, most notably after Davis’s defense team argued in early 2025 that new evidence and witness interviews could show Davis wasn’t even in Las Vegas at the time of the shooting. His team will argue that someone else may have orchestrated the killing.

The trial is finally moving forward, with Davis expected in court on August 10. Prosecutors are expected to base the case against Davis largely on his own public statements about his role in the shooting. His defense continues to maintain his innocence and dispute the state’s account of events, though it’s unclear how they’ll contend with the contents of the memoir.

★m★

Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival

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Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival

The 2026 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival kicked off in Oak Bluffs this August, and the energy was palpable from day one. Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival brought together filmmakers, actors, and culture enthusiasts for exclusive screenings, panel discussions, and celebrations of Black excellence. From sneak peeks of highly anticipated releases to conversations with industry heavyweights, the festival delivered the kind of cultural moment that reminds you why these spaces matter.

The standout event? A panel featuring director Gina Prince-Bythewood, actor Thuso Mbedu, and “The View” cohost Sunny Hostin discussing the upcoming film “Children of Blood and Bone,” arriving in January 2027. Beyond the marquee names, Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival showcased the ecosystem that makes Black cultural events thrive: emerging filmmakers like Nneka Onuorah sharing their work, established actors like Phylicia Rashad and Laverne Cox engaging in meaningful conversations, and Black-owned businesses like MEDASE Cocktails setting the tone for celebration.

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood at the “Children of Blood and Bone” screening and panel discussion

The Main Event

Prince-Bythewood brought gravitas to the festival, presenting exclusive footage from her adaptation of “Children of Blood and Bone,” the fantasy epic based on Tomi Adeyemi’s beloved novel. The director participated in a substantive panel discussion that explored both the film’s creative process and its cultural significance. For anyone who’s followed Prince-Bythewood’s career—from “The Woman King” to her groundbreaking work in television—her presence at MVAAFF felt like a validation of the space itself.

Thuso Mbedu, who stars in the adaptation, spoke candidly about taking on a role in a project this ambitious. Mbedu’s thoughtfulness during the conversation reflected the seriousness with which she approaches her craft, a quality that’s defined her work since breaking through in projects like “The Underground Railroad.”

Thuso Mbedu speaks at Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival
Actor Thuso Mbedu on the “Children of Blood and Bone” panel

Beyond the Marquee

What made this year’s festival feel alive was its commitment to lifting multiple voices. Filmmaker Nneka Onuorah participated in GLAAD’s “Reel Change: Black Film, Culture, and the Stories That Shape Us” panel, sharing insight into how representation works both on screen and behind the camera. Laverne Cox was also part of that conversation, bringing her characteristic eloquence to discussions about storytelling and identity.

Nneka Onuorah at MVAAFF
Filmmaker Nneka Onuorah at the GLAAD panel discussion

Veteran actor Glynn Turman brought a different kind of presence—the kind that comes from decades in the industry. Spotted in a striking yellow suit, Turman reminded attendees that style and substance go hand in hand. Similarly, Phylicia Rashad’s appearance felt like a passing of the torch moment, her regal presence a reminder of the lineage of Black excellence these spaces celebrate.

Laverne Cox at GLAAD panel
Laverne Cox in royal blue at the GLAAD conversation

The Business of Celebration

One detail that shouldn’t go unnoticed: MEDASE Cocktails, the zero-proof cocktail brand founded by two Howard University sisters, was actively present at the festival. The presence of Black-owned businesses at these events isn’t incidental—it’s essential. MEDASE gave festival-goers a premium beverage experience without alcohol, proving that sophistication and inclusion can coexist. The brand’s participation highlighted how MVAAFF functions as an ecosystem rather than just a film festival.

Phylicia Rashad at MVAAFF
Phylicia Rashad at a panel discussion during the festival

The Festival as a Whole

Beyond the panels and screenings, MVAAFF functioned as a place where people dressed intentionally, moved thoughtfully, and connected meaningfully. Fashion Bomb Daily founder Claire Sulmers exemplified this energy, bringing effortless style to the island. The festival’s opening night parties, styled in all-yellow, created the kind of visual cohesion that only happens when a community decides to show up for itself.

What emerged from the 2026 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival was a reminder that these cultural spaces matter not just for the films themselves, but for the conversations, connections, and affirmation they generate. In a media landscape that often fragments our attention, MVAAFF continues to insist on the importance of gathering, celebrating, and investing in Black storytelling together.


★TR★

Cardi B Video Shoot: Photographer Arrested in Security Clash

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Cardi B Video Shoot: Photographer Arrested in Security Clash

Cardi B Video Shoot
Photog Clashes With Security
Cuffed By NYPD

A 70-year-old photographer found himself in handcuffs during a Cardi B music video shoot in Brooklyn on Monday. According to law enforcement, Steven Sands disrupted the production in Sunset Park, where the rapper had obtained a proper permit to film. Things escalated quickly when Sands refused to comply with instructions from both security and NYPD, resulting in his detention and a disorderly conduct summons.

Sands allegedly bypassed police barriers and ignored repeated orders from Cardi’s security team to stay in his designated area. Police say he continued acting up even after being warned, which prompted officers to handcuff him and place him in a patrol car. Video footage shared on Instagram captured the moment he was restrained, though authorities later released him without making an arrest.

steve sands insta 2

Sands has a different account of what happened. He claims he arrived at the shoot before Cardi B showed up and was initially given instructions by a security guard about managing the crowd. When Sands asked to move just 10 feet to an open area where he could get a better angle, the guard refused, telling him the artist wouldn’t approve of the repositioning.

That’s when tensions boiled over. Sands told the guard he didn’t care what Cardi wanted and pushed back on the restriction. His blunt response apparently didn’t sit well with security, and the situation deteriorated from there. Police were called, and the situation culminated in Sands being cuffed and issued a criminal court summons for disorderly conduct.

The incident captures a common friction point between photographers and celebrity security details on set. What started as a positioning dispute turned into a full-blown police matter, leaving Sands with a summons and a story that will probably circulate through industry circles for a while.


★★★

Dolly Parton Skips AMA Lifetime Achievement Award

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Dolly Parton Skips AMA Lifetime Achievement Award

In September, Dolly Parton will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association. The association will honor the impact Parton’s decades-long career has had on the genre. This is a big moment for her, but Parton won’t attend the ceremony in person. Health issues have led her to accept the award virtually instead.

Dolly Parton will receive an AMA lifetime achievement award

On Sept. 16, the Americana Music Association will honor Dolly Parton with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“We at the Americana Music Association have long admired Ms. Parton’s work as a singer, songwriter, entertainer and one of the greatest ambassadors music has ever known,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association, in a statement. “With all of her extraordinary accomplishments — from philanthropy to television, film and business — our desire is to honor Dolly for what has always been at the heart of her legacy: a definitive songwriter and artist whose songs have shaped generations.”

Parton’s career spans six decades and has generated dozens of major hits. Her influence on country music and cultural meditation around American roots runs deep.

Dolly Parton will accept the AMA lifetime achievement award virtually

Parton won’t attend the ceremony in person. Instead, she’ll accept the award virtually. She previously stepped back from her career due to health issues, dealing with kidney stones.

“I have some good news and a little bad news,” she said. “But the good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day.”

She postponed a series of shows in Las Vegas while she recovers. Those performances are on hold, but her spirit remains strong.

“Now, the bad news is, it’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage-performance level, because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say,” she said. “And of course, I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars, and such on five-inch heels, and you know that I’m going to be wearing them. Not to mention all those heavy, rhinestone purses and outfits, the big hair, my big personality.”

Parton has assured fans that she’ll make a return to her career in the future. This setback is temporary.

She has said she never wants to retire

Parton has been a performer for most of her life. She’s made it clear she doesn’t ever want to stop performing.

“As long as I feel good. I had a little problem last year (in 2015) … got stumped up with kidney stones, but it didn’t slow me down,” she said, per USA Today. “I was even working on the phone every day getting that TV movie together, even when I was in the hospital for a week or so. I’m amazed at this point of all the interest in my life.”

While she understands that her career might shift as she ages, she doesn’t want to fully retire. Her work ethic and dedication to the craft remain unwavering, much like a portable espresso maker that keeps delivering no matter what.

“I’m never going to retire,” she said. “I just want to do greater work. As mom would say, I’m letting the spirit lead me.”

★m★

KEHLANI LAUNCHES MASSIVE WORLD TOUR WITH 44 SHOWS STARTING Aug 11

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KEHLANI LAUNCHES MASSIVE WORLD TOUR WITH 44 SHOWS STARTING Aug 11


Kehlani is taking her world tour on the road with 44 dates spanning North America and Europe through December, kicking off tonight in Minneapolis with a powerhouse lineup of R&B talent in tow.

The Bay Area singer has curated an impressive roster of openers for the journey, including Durand Bernarr, Dixson, TheARTI$t, and WASEEL, with Destin Conrad joining the South Africa leg of the tour. It’s a move that signals Kehlani’s commitment to building community within the R&B space rather than just commanding a stage solo—a refreshing stance in an industry often built on individual elevation.

Kehlani has spent years establishing herself as more than a vocalist; she’s a songwriter and producer who shaped the sound of modern R&B through her albums and collaborations. This tour feels like a celebration of that ecosystem she’s helped build, where emerging artists get real platform time alongside an established name.

For fans wondering which track absolutely demands to be heard live—that’s the real question worth asking before you grab your tickets.

Odeal on For A Good Time: Summer Afro-R&B 2026

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Odeal on For A Good Time: Summer Afro-R&B 2026


Odeal is giving us everything we didn’t know we needed this summer with ‘For A Good Time…,’ a seven-track project that solidifies his place as one of Afro-R&B’s most reliable voices. From the moment you press play, it’s clear that Odeal has crafted something special—a collection designed for those warm nights when good company and even better music are all you need.

The project moves seamlessly through different moods. ‘Rush’ kicks things off with that infectious summer energy we’ve come to expect from him, while the Jorja Smith duet ‘Coming Home’ feels like the moment when the night gets real and meaningful. Then there’s ‘Trying Things,’ one of those softer, neo-soul tracks that proves Odeal’s range goes beyond just the dancefloor. Every song feels intentional, like he’s inviting you into specific moments rather than just filling space.

What makes ‘For A Good Time…’ resonate is how it captures something authentic about Black R&B right now—the way it blends Afro-rhythmic sensibilities with modern soul, creating something that honors the past while feeling urgently present. This is the kind of project that reminds us why we keep coming back to artists who refuse to play it safe, who understand that summer music doesn’t have to choose between fun and substance. Stream it now and let us know which track has you on repeat.

Suge Knight: Keefe D Not Alone in Tupac Murder

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Suge Knight: Keefe D Not Alone in Tupac Murder

Suge Knight is hoping Duane “Keefe D” Davis takes the stand and talks in court. The incarcerated Death Row Records cofounder claims Tupac Shakur‘s murder was far bigger than what prosecutors are presenting, involving multiple people rather than a single orchestrator.

Knight called into “BlkCosmo Live” Tuesday as jury selection continued in Keefe D’s murder trial in Las Vegas. Speaking with Harvey and Charles, he stated plainly that the public has been sold the wrong story about the 1996 killing for nearly three decades. Suge Knight wasn’t mincing words about what he believes happened.

tupac and suge

Knight was in the passenger seat when Tupac was fatally shot. He disputes the prevailing narrative about what sparked the violence—the usual suspects of territorial disputes, chains, or gang colors don’t hold water, he said.

“This was an assassination,” he said flatly.

According to Knight, Keefe D has already done himself a disservice by discussing the case at length in a book and on podcasts. When Keefe D attempted to distance himself from those statements and blame a ghostwriter for the details, Knight wasn’t convinced.

Keefe D

Knight alleges that several other people had hands in Tupac’s death. He’s maintained this position for years without naming names. His consistent refrain: he spent decades absorbing blame while others involved slipped away from accountability.

At the same time, Knight says he isn’t seeking revenge and believes Keefe D deserves a fair trial. He revealed that he pushed back the release of his own book, “Your Pain Is My Joy,” to September specifically to avoid adding pressure during the proceedings.

Jury selection began Monday in the case against Keefe D, who has pleaded not guilty to murder. Prosecutors contend he orchestrated the 1996 attack and provided the weapon, though they don’t argue he pulled the trigger.

Knight also discussed Tupac’s enduring cultural legacy and the long shadow of accusations that followed him throughout his life. He framed the trial as a potential learning moment for hip-hop as a whole.

The full interview aired on “BlkCosmo Live.”


★★★

Trump Administration Targets Minority Scholarship Site

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Trump Administration Targets Minority Scholarship Site

CareerOneStop, a federally funded career and education database designed to help women, students of color, and people with disabilities find college scholarships, is facing a significant overhaul as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.

The U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored platform positions itself as a “source for employment information and inspiration” with “tools to help job seekers, students, businesses and career professionals.” Currently, it lists hundreds of scholarships specifically geared toward underrepresented groups, women, and minority students, searchable by criteria including race, sex, LGBTQ+ status and ethnicity. That catalog is about to shrink considerably.

As of Friday, CareerOneStop still featured hundreds of funding opportunities with demographic restrictions, according to reporting from The Washington Post. Among them were a $10,000 scholarship for African American female law students and $16,000 fellowships for minority students pursuing doctoral science degrees. The administration is actively examining federal tools and resources that facilitate or promote identity-based funding.

The shift extends beyond CareerOneStop itself. The National Scholarship Providers Association found that the share of scholarships it tracks with eligibility requirements based on race, ethnicity and gender declined from 15% in 2023 to 11% this year.

President Donald Trump has been direct about his intentions, stating he plans to “terminate every diversity, equity, and inclusion program across the entire Federal Government.” During his first week in office, he signed multiple executive actions to eliminate what the administration described as “radical and wasteful DEI programs and preferencing.”

The momentum behind these changes began in January when the White House characterized Biden-era inclusion initiatives as “forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs.” That language signaled where enforcement priorities would land once Trump returned to office.

National Action Network members rally in support of DEI initiatives in New York City. Reverend Al Sharpton, president of NAN, continues to advocate for equal employment opportunity across race, religion, citizenship, gender, and other identities. Photo: Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In February 2025, the U.S. Department of Education sent letters to colleges and universities nationwide, labeling race-conscious student programming as unlawful racial discrimination and threatening to withhold federal funding from institutions that didn’t comply within 14 days.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers framed the push in terms of merit. “President Trump was resoundingly elected with a clear mandate to end divisive, racist policies and restore merit and efficiency,” she told The Post. It’s a message the administration has moved swiftly to execute across federal agencies and educational institutions.


★TR★

Blueface and Chrisean Rock Pulled Over in SD

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Blueface and Chrisean Rock Pulled Over in SD

Blueface and Chrisean Rock got stopped by San Diego police over the weekend for equipment violations. According to a department rep, officers pulled over the vehicle carrying the rapper, Rock, and their young son, Chrisean Jr., who were livestreaming at the time. The stop happened after Blueface performed at Blu Temple/Blu Cabana Saturday night.

The situation escalated when officers discovered someone in the vehicle was on probation. Court conditions required police to search the SUV for contraband, though the department didn’t specify who was subject to probation. The search turned up nothing, and everyone was eventually released without arrest.

Blueface and Rock streamed the entire encounter live, capturing moments where the tension was visible, including when officers briefly handcuffed people at the scene. What could have turned into something more serious ultimately resolved without charges or complications.

For the pair, it was just another unexpected chapter in what’s been a publicly intense relationship, played out largely online and across social media.


★★★

Khaotic Arrested: Love and Hip Hop Star Faces SA Charges

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Khaotic Arrested: Love and Hip Hop Star Faces SA Charges

Honey, clear off your timelines and hold onto your seats, because a major reality TV star is currently sitting behind bars facing some extremely heavy legal trouble! We can confirm that rapper and fan-favorite Love & Hip Hop star Khaotic (real name Rubin Bryant) has been officially extradited and booked into an Atlanta, Georgia jail on a sexual battery charge. This situation touches on serious issues around mass incarceration that disproportionately affect our communities.

The 39-year-old reality personality—who has appeared on both Love & Hip Hop: Miami and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta—was extradited by law enforcement authorities after an outstanding warrant was executed for his arrest. For those following mass incarceration cases in entertainment, this extradition process represents the formal legal machinery at work.

According to law enforcement and jail booking records, Khaotic was picked up on an out-of-state warrant before being transported and booked directly into Fulton County custody:

  • The Charge: Records confirm Khaotic is facing a charge of sexual battery, a severe offense under Georgia law involving intentional, non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature.
  • Extradited To Atlanta: After being taken into custody in another jurisdiction, Georgia authorities coordinated his extradition back to Fulton County to face formal processing and a bond hearing before a judge.
  • In Custody: He currently remains held as legal counsel steps in to address the warrant, formal charges, and potential bail proceedings.

A History Of High-Profile Reality Drama

Khaotic first burst onto the mainstream reality TV scene on Love & Hip Hop: Miami, making waves with his energetic persona, music releases like “Princess Treatment,” and his onscreen connections with castmates like Sukihana and Erica Banks.

He later transitioned over to Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, where his humor and chaotic storylines made him a frequent fixture throughout recent seasons. However, this latest arrest marks one of the most serious legal hurdles he has ever faced in his career. The entertainment industry often glosses over accountability, but conversations around queer identity and safety in hip hop spaces remain critical to our cultural dialogue.

Neither Khaotic’s legal team nor representatives for the Love & Hip Hop franchise have officially issued a statement regarding the charges or his current status in jail. As with many high-profile cases, especially those involving artists in the hip hop community, the coming weeks will reveal more about how the legal system processes these allegations.

We’re keeping our notifications locked to see how his bond hearing and formal arraignment unfold in Fulton County court, so stay completely locked into updates, honey! For deeper understanding of queer identity representation in entertainment spaces, these cases warrant thoughtful examination.

What do you think about Love & Hip Hop star Khaotic being extradited on these charges? Let’s talk about it in the comments below!

★m★

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