Over 20 years of murmurs were silenced Tuesday (March 4) when Mike Epps confirmed the fourth installment to the beloved comedy film franchise ‘Friday‘ is finally in the works.
Hot on the promo trail for the 2025 ‘We Them Ones‘ comedy tour, Epps dropped by ‘The Breakfast Club‘ in support of the critically acclaimed North American jaunt.
While there, the actor-comic was quizzed on an update of the long-rumored ‘Friday 4’ (also known as ‘Last Friday‘).
“[Ice Cube] called me the other day, said ‘we just finished the deal,’” Mike said. “So, we doing the last Friday, man. And big shout-out to Cube; that’s another brother that has put so many brothers on, man, and don’t really get the props for it. Put me, Chris Tucker, Bernie Mac, I mean name ’em. This dude gave dudes opportunities.”
And though Epps confirmed he hasn’t seen the script yet, he pledges to pay Cube’s kindness forward by using the film to spotlight up-and-coming comics.
“I haven’t seen the script, but I’m pretty sure it’s good,” Mike relayed. “And we’re gonna bring in the new comics. We’re gonna put the DC Young Flys and all of them in with the OGs. It’s going to be a good a– time.”
The news comes nearly 23 years after the last ‘Friday’ installment, ‘Friday After Next,’ stormed theaters.
At writing, no tentative release date has been announced for the project.
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Disclaimer: For Education and discussion purposes. Please note no copyright infringement is intended, was recorded on BlkCosmo’s own equipment, and we do not own nor claim to own any of the original recordings used in this video and intend to use this as ‘fair use’.
Offset has officially moved forward with his divorce from Cardi B, requesting joint custody of their three children. The Migos rapper filed the legal paperwork, seeking shared custody.
While the couple’s separation has been making headlines, Offset’s focus appears to be on co-parenting and maintaining an amicable relationship for the sake of their children. Both stars have remained relatively private about the details of their split, but Offset’s custody request highlights his desire to stay actively involved in their children’s lives as they navigate this new chapter.
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Superior skis designed in collaboration with two-time gold medalist Ted Ligety.
I recently visited Deer Valley, Utah for carve alongside two-time gold Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety, testing out the new skis he developed with DPS Skis—a high-end company headquartered in in nearby Salt Lake City. Pisteworks skis are designed to thrive on-piste, i.e. the groomers, with insane maneuverability on harder snow. It’s the narrowest and tightest turning ski that DPS has ever made, and like all their skis they are extremely light. I was surrounded by advanced and pro skiers, but these skis self-adjust to whatever level of skier you are—supercharging your turns whether you’re hard charging or just taking it easy. Deer Valley is Ligety’s home resort, and he drew crowds of fans whenever we stopped on the slopes. Watching him ski all day, I didn’t blame them.
One activity of the day in which I was able to go toe-to-toe with Ligety was lunch, where we got to chat about his work developing the Pisteworks 79s at Deer Valley’s 1980s-themed bar, The Sticky Wicket, a burger and Shotski spot with a Hot Tub Time Machine vibe. “I like to call the Pisteworks 79 a carving cheat code,” says Ligety, who says the design makes them easy to “ski and arc” no matter what your ability is—whether you’re pulling world-class g-force turns or you just want to take smooth turns down the groomers. “It’s playful and versatile, yet planted to give confidence,” he says, “You can whip tight turns together, and it’s stable at speed in long turns.”
(DPS)
A performance ski that either an intermediate or a pro skier could both enjoy is rare for the ski industry. Ligety explains that what makes it different from other skis is the way that DPS uses carbon fiber to tune the characteristics they are looking for, whereas a traditionally constructed ski is more limited in terms of specific use cases.
In Ligety’s role as Head of Product Development for DPS, a lot of his work happens on the mountain, where he rides on prototype skis with various sensors mounted on them. The combination of DPS’s cutting edge carbon tech with Ligety’s senses earned over decades as a pro skier are a killer combo. Ligety is no stranger to product R&D, both from his skiing career and as the co-founder of SHRED, his company that makes goggles, sunglasses, and helmets for skiers, snowboarders, and mountain bikers. But it’s in his role at DPS where he’s able to get the closest in his post-retirement days to the way he helped develop racing skis as a pro—and now with the even better tech on tap.
“One of the things I missed about ski racing since I retired was R&D involvement in developing race skis,” says Ligety, “so it has been fun to work with the DPS engineering team to bring some ideas on ski construction and shaping I’ve had and bring them to life.”
(Photo: Stinson Carter)
I toured the DPS factory in Salt Lake City’s hip Granary District to see how their skis are made. It was my first time in a ski factory and the way DPS does it, it was far less assembly line and far more bespoke than I expected. “People think you can just stamp something out, but it’s not like that at all,” says Thomas Laakso, SVP at DPS Skis.
“Every ski is touched at least 30 times.” And you feel that when you’re touring the factory. There are many hands on deck here, and none of the jobs look easy. We walked through the stages of production, starting with the cutting of the wood cores, then watching craftspeople laminate the bases, steel edges, sidewalls, binding reinforcement plates and two layers of carbon fiber laminate.
(DPS)
DPS skis have always been at the forefront of carbon fiber, which is not only light and strong but will never fatigue over time—unlike traditional ski-making materials like metal and fiberglass. This means that they will last longer, which helps offset the more premium prices of the skis. When you see them getting made, it’s easy to see where your money goes.
All DPS skis are treated with Phantom Glide, which may sound like something for a bedside drawer but it’s a permanent base treatment that DPS developed that replaces the need for waxing your skis. This is important not just for better speed on snow, but also for the environment, since ski wax ends up in lakes and rivers when the snow melts every spring. You may not be able to ski like Ted Ligety in this particular lifetime, but with these skis, you can at least look like him on a chairlift—then attempt to channel your inner Ligety on the way down. $1,995
The Offshore gets a green ceramic update (above a black ceramic middle case) and a tri-tone design.
150 years of illustrious timekeeping from Audemars Piguet will surely bring with it a fair share of surprise luxury watch releases from the horologist, and the new Royal Oak Offshore Self-winding Chronograph is the latest to join the roster.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is prized and distinctive enough in its own right (witness the recent Royal Oak x KAWS timepiece, for instance), and the Royal Oak Offshore plays off that lineage while retaining a “beefier, heavier and bolder” look, watch experts note. Since its introduction in the 1990s, the watch experts at Bob’s Watches note that the Royal Oak Offshore has “successfully carved out its space in the luxury watch landscape,” making it a fitting choice for an anniversary-centric timepiece.
To toast 150 years of Audemars Piguet, the Royal Oak Offshore gets a green ceramic update (above a black ceramic middle case) and a tri-tone design with eye-catching sub-dials. The dial itself (offset by 18-carat white gold hour-markers) boasts a dark green “Méga Tapisserie” finish, and the bezel, pushers and crown receive a shot of deep green.
(Audemars Piguet)
Equally notable is the textured dark green leather strap, finished with contrast stitching (a black rubber strap is also offered, for those who prefer a more minimal touch). But what’s most notable about the latest AP watch (other than its eye-popping $58,400 price tag) is its bold case shape, 43mm case size and 40-jewel Calibre 4401 movement.
(Audemars Piguet)
The self-winding movement features a power reserve of 70 hours, as Audemars Piguet notes this “sportive wristwatch presents a bold three-toned design combining black and green ceramic.” As to that distinctive combination, the watchmaker also notes that textured dial “strikingly echoes these hues for a robust yet harmonious design.” With a suitably elevated price tag to match, the latest Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore hints at even bigger things to come from the Swiss watchmaker as it nods to years of timekeeping excellence.
Mentioned in this article: Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Luxury Watches Style Watches
Though many were bummed Cynthia Erivo didn’t walk away with the Best Actress Academy Award on Sunday night (March 2) for her showing as “Elphaba” in the blockbuster 2024 film ‘Wicked,’ fans can certainly find solace in boasting her soaring performance was easily the best of the night.
And while most continue to praise her stunning live rendition of movie’s signature song ‘Defying Gravity,’ her take on ‘The Wiz‘ classic ‘Home‘ is deserving of just as much adulation; just ask Stephanie Mills.
Like millions singing Cynthia’s praises in the days following that epic OSCARs performance, GRAMMY-winning R&B legend Stephanie Mills took to Instagram to echo their sentiments on Tuesday (March 4).
“Thank you for sharing an amazing tribute on the world stage; wow,” Mills posted to the platform.
First performed by Mills in the 1975 Broadway adaptation of ‘The Wiz,’ the Charlie Smalls-penned classic was made famous by Diana Ross in the 1978 film version of the stageplay before being taken to even higher heights by Stephanie when she made the song a #1 R&B hit in 1989.
Earlier this week British singer Sam Smith learned a valuable lesson over the weekend: Don’t ever come for Michael Jackson. During a boat trip with fellow singer Adam Lambert and pals, Smith was caught on camera saying, “I don’t like Michael Jackson, but this is a good song.” I mean, the nerve! The audacity! Music fans were understandably miffed by Smith’s off-the-cuff revelation (especially since his sound is obviously influenced by Black artists like Jackson), but R&B legend Stephanie Mills went all the way off on the Grammy-winner. “Don’t come for MICHAEL JACKSON when you wish you have sold as many records and you wish you were the King of Pop like he was,” Mills wrote on Instagram, launching into a scathing attack on Smith that he likely wasn’t expecting. “I’m so tired of you people studying our music, and studying our artist and claiming that you don’t like our music,” Mills continued. “Go sit your 1 HIT WONDER ass down and learn how to finish a tour. When you can sell as many records as the king of Pop, Michael Jackson then maybe you can say something.” Before ending her smackdown, Mills — who dated Jackson back in the 70s — gave Smith a warning: Don’t even think about responding. “So I say to you Mr. Smith have several seats,” she commanded, “and come for me if you want to.”
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Disclaimer: For Education and discussion purposes. Please note no copyright infringement is intended, was recorded on BlkCosmo’s own equipment, and we do not own nor claim to own any of the original recordings used in this video and intend to use this as ‘fair use’.
The $81 trillion incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by outdated processes and the importance of accountability in the financial sector.
A routine $280 payment into a customer’s account at Citigroup spiraled into an $81 trillion mistake last April, highlighting significant flaws in the bank’s operational systems. The error, which was corrected within hours, has drawn scrutiny as Citigroup struggles to prove it has resolved long-standing internal issues.
The mistake occurred during a manual entry process when a payments employee failed to delete pre-filled zeros in a backup system’s transaction field, Entrepreneur reported. A second official assigned to review the entry passed the error undetected, which was flagged 90 minutes later by another employee monitoring account balances.
Citigroup disclosed the incident, known as a “near miss,” to the Federal Reserve and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. While no funds left the bank, such near misses—where incorrect transactions are caught and reversed—underscore vulnerabilities in operational controls.
Patterns of Operational Failures
This latest misstep adds to a troubling trend at Citigroup’ In 2024 alone, the bank reported 10 near misses involving $1 billion or more, according to an internal report. These incidents follow a series of high-profile mistakes, including the erroneous $900 million payment to Revlon creditors in 2020.
The Revlon incident, which resulted in regulatory fines and litigation, exposed systemic weaknesses in Citigroup’s processes and prompted the departure of then-CEO Michael Corbat. Jane Fraser, who took over as CEO in 2021, has since prioritized addressing these issues. However, progress has been slow, with the OCC and Federal Reserve fining Citigroup $136 million last year for failing to meet compliance standards.
A System in Need of Modernization
Citigroup attributed the $81 trillion error to a combination of manual processes and a cumbersome back-up system. The payment, originally intended for an escrow account in Brazil, became stuck in the bank’s system due to a sanctions screen. Employees were instructed to use a rarely accessed interface that pre-populated transaction fields with 15 zeros, a design flaw that contributed to the mistake.
“Despite the fact that a payment of this size could not actually have been executed, our detective controls promptly identified the inputting error,” a Citigroup spokesperson said, who added that the bank is working to eliminate manual entry and automate its systems.
Implications for the Banking Sector
Former regulators and industry experts agree that near misses of this scale are unusual across the banking industry. They argue that Citigroup’s recurring issues highlight a broader need for modernization and robust oversight in financial institutions.
Citigroup’s Path Forward
As Citigroup continues its efforts to address these challenges, the stakes remain high. Regulatory scrutiny, coupled with the need to regain stakeholders’ trust, places significant pressure on the bank to modernize its systems and improve oversight.
The $81 trillion incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by outdated processes and the importance of accountability in the financial sector. For Citigroup, the road to recovery hinges on its ability to turn lessons from these near misses into meaningful reforms.
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Claressa Shields Fights Back Against Marijuana Suspension
Claressa Shields, the undefeated boxing powerhouse and two-time Olympic gold medalist, is speaking out after being suspended due to a positive marijuana test. Shields, known for her dominance in the ring, has maintained her innocence, stating that she has never used marijuana and that the test result may have stemmed from secondhand exposure.
The 29-year-old athlete took to Instagram to share her frustration and provide a timeline of the testing process. She emphasized that while her initial test— a saliva swab— showed traces of marijuana, a follow-up urine test, the most reliable method, came back negative.
Breaking Down the Timeline of Events
Shields provided a clear breakdown of how the situation unfolded:
February 3: A saliva sample was collected after her fight.
February 7: Shields was notified that the test came back positive for marijuana at a trace level of 3.4 ng/ml.
February 8: She immediately scheduled and took a urine test.
February 11: The urine test came back negative, confirming there was no marijuana in her system.
Despite the negative urine test, Shields still faced suspension, leading her to question the fairness of the decision.
Claressa Shields Speaks Out on Tamron Hall
In an exclusive interview on The Tamron Hall Show, Shields explained how the test results could have been influenced by her environment.
“The place reeked of marijuana,” Shields recalled, referring to the venue where the fight took place in Michigan. She described how fans surrounded her post-fight, embracing and congratulating her, which could have led to the positive oral swab result.
Shields firmly stood by her integrity, explaining that she took a urine test as soon as possible to prove she was clean. “I take my integrity seriously inside and outside the ring,” she said, emphasizing that she has always competed clean throughout her career.
The Science Behind Oral Swabs vs. Urine Tests
Tamron Hall highlighted that saliva tests are far less reliable than urine tests when detecting marijuana use. Oral swabs can pick up trace amounts from passive exposure, such as being in a smoke-filled room, whereas urine tests provide a more accurate measure of actual drug consumption over time.
Shields’ case has reignited the conversation about whether saliva tests are fair in professional sports, especially for athletes who may be exposed to substances indirectly.
Unfair Treatment of Black Women in Sports?
Beyond the scientific debate, Shields pointed to a larger issue— the disproportionate scrutiny and challenges faced by Black women in sports.
“When I read [the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission’s statement], that’s what kind of hurt my feelings a little bit,” Shields admitted. “I know that I don’t do anything wrong when it comes to boxing. And being a Black woman in the sport already, I have to work 10 times harder to even get equal pay, to even get put on TV, to get respect.”
The commission went as far as labeling Shields as “a threat to the integrity of professional boxing.” Shields was visibly emotional when discussing how quickly the media and critics jumped to paint her as guilty, despite her immediate efforts to prove her innocence.
“I don’t even get to prove my innocence; I’m just already guilty,” she said. “Everybody’s posting this stuff, saying that I’m a danger to the sport, I’m suspended, I smoke marijuana.”
What’s Next for Claressa Shields?
Despite the suspension, Shields made it clear that this setback won’t keep her out of the ring. She clarified that her suspension only applies to Michigan, meaning she is still able to fight elsewhere.
Last week, Shields secured another victory, defeating Danielle Perkins. With multiple world championships under her belt and a reputation as one of the greatest female boxers of all time, Shields’ career remains untouchable— even when facing unfair obstacles.
Her fans and supporters have rallied behind her, pointing out the inconsistencies in how drug test results are handled across different sports and athletes.
At The End of the Day…
Claressa Shields’ fight isn’t just about a false positive drug test— it’s about fairness in sports, the treatment of Black women, and standing up against unjust accusations. Her transparency and determination to clear her name highlight her character both inside and outside the ring.
The question now remains: Will boxing’s governing bodies reassess their testing protocols, or will they continue to uphold decisions that disproportionately impact Black athletes?
💬 Black Cosmopolitans, what do you think? Do you believe Shields’ explanation, or do you think the commission’s actions were justified? Let’s talk in the comments!
Doja Cat has long been renowned for being one of music’s most versatile stars.
However, her showing at the Oscars 2025 left viewers all sorts of divided.
The multihyphenate performed as part of a multi-act tribute to the music from the James Bond film franchise and offered up a unique rendition of ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by Shirley Bassey.
While applauded by some, others bemoaned Doja’s vocal performance.
And it’s a sentiment she echos herself.
Full story below…
Taking to Instagram, Doja fessed to not being entirely satisfied with the showing. She wrote:
“i danced with sarah paulson last night also Flow is my favorite movie of all time cuz it’s a story about friendship. Thanks to the Academy Awards and Vanity Fair for having me. I never get to sing like that and what I did was brave and scary as fck for me. I know a lot of people didn’t like it but a lot of people did and I feel good that I pushed myself. The song is a classic and I put a lot of work into it but the nerves got to me and a btch hit some flats. I can’t wait to do something like that again. What a blessing that was. I feel amazing about the whole thing. Bye. 🙏💓”
Toasting the segment overall (which also featured performances from Lisa and RAYE), she added:
“Also ALL the girls chewed down last night. God Bless them all. Absolutely gorgeous performances from everyone.”
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Disclaimer: For Education and discussion purposes. Please note no copyright infringement is intended, was recorded on BlkCosmo’s own equipment, and we do not own nor claim to own any of the original recordings used in this video and intend to use this as ‘fair use’.
Teyana Taylor and Aaron Pierre have left fans buzzing after the singer and actress posted black-and-white photos of them together at the 2025 Oscars. Sharing the stylish shots on Instagram, Taylor captioned the post, “Oscar night in black & white, no grey area. 🤍” The cryptic message only fueled speculation that the two might be romantically involved.
City Girls’ JT jumped into the conversation, commenting directly on the post to ask whether Taylor and Pierre were indeed an item. Adding to the intrigue, Taylor paired the images with SZA’s sultry track “Take You Down,” further raising eyebrows and leaving fans wondering about the nature of their relationship.
This Oscars moment is just the latest in a series of joint appearances that have kept fans guessing. In February, the pair attended the Fifteen Percent Pledge gala, where they were seen chatting with director Lee Daniels. And just last month, they were spotted at the ABFF Honors in Los Angeles, where Pierre, 30, was awarded the Rising Star Award. Taylor, 34, was photographed nearby, capturing intimate moments from the evening, including one where she leaned in toward Pierre, adding to the growing curiosity surrounding their bond.
Though neither Taylor nor Pierre has addressed the rumors directly, their frequent public appearances together have only heightened the intrigue. Taylor, who finalized her divorce from Iman Shumpert last year, has remained tight-lipped about her love life, but the undeniable chemistry between her and Pierre continues to fuel speculation. Whether their connection is purely platonic or something more, one thing is clear—fans are eagerly watching as the story unfolds.
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Disclaimer: For Education and discussion purposes. Please note no copyright infringement is intended, was recorded on BlkCosmo’s own equipment, and we do not own nor claim to own any of the original recordings used in this video and intend to use this as ‘fair use’.
With her new movie in theaters, new music loaded for next month, and a new reality show on the horizon, it’s pretty clear Ashanti is gearing up for a 2025 takeover.
But, if those two ventures aren’t enough for her fans to get their overdue fix, she may be cooking up even more surprises with her superstar hubby Nelly.
Taking to Friday’s episode of ‘TODAY with Jenna & Friends’ to promote her latest film ‘No Address‘ (February 28), the GRAMMY-winning R&B diva dished on a slew of her projects in the works including the ‘Bring It Tour‘ set to storm the U.K. in April.
When quizzed on if her chart-topping husband will be joining her on the road any time soon, Ashanti revealed he will soon be on his own international jaunt but that doesn’t mean a joint global trek is off the table for the future.
“We’ve kind of been talking about doing some stuff in the studio,” she shared about recording new music with Nelly before relaying, “We have definitely gotten some [touring] offers that are really cool [as well].”
As it relates to rumors the two have been collaborating on a younger sibling for their 7-month-old (baby KK), the ‘Foolish‘ singer revealed that too will be in the works eventually.
“I definitely want more kids…maybe just not this second,” she said laughing before confirming she “absolutely” is imagining being a mom of two.
Elsewhere in the interview, Ashanti dished in detail on her latest movie venture, how she’s mourning the death of former mentor/label boss Irv Gotti, and so much more.
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Disclaimer: For Education and discussion purposes. Please note no copyright infringement is intended, was recorded on BlkCosmo’s own equipment, and we do not own nor claim to own any of the original recordings used in this video and intend to use this as ‘fair use’.
Despite the negative urine test, Shields still faced suspension, leading her to question the fairness of the decision.
