Venus Williams is gracing the pages of L’Équipe, one of France’s most prestigious sports publications. The tennis icon continues to prove that her influence extends far beyond the court, commanding attention in fashion and media spheres with the same power she’s wielded throughout her legendary career.
This moment with Venus Williams and L’Équipe represents more than just another magazine feature—it’s a celebration of Black excellence in spaces that have historically overlooked athletes of color. Venus has spent decades breaking barriers in a predominantly white sport, and now she’s redefining what it means to be a global icon at every stage of life. Her presence on international covers like this one reminds us that athletic greatness and cultural impact are inseparable, especially for Black women who’ve paved the way in their respective fields.
The 250th anniversary of America arrives as historians continue to confront the full, complicated truth of the American Revolution and the Black soldiers, spies and petitioners whose stories have often been pushed to the margins. While Crispus Attucks is often remembered as a symbol of resistance after his death in the Boston Massacre, the American Revolution was shaped by many more Black lives in motion—fighting, escaping, gathering intelligence and demanding recognition in a nation still defining its meaning of freedom.
While it’s estimated that around 5,000 Black men fought on the Patriots’ side, thousands more Black people—enslaved and free alike—fought for the British, according to the Museum of the American Revolution. From double agents whose intelligence helped secure victory at Yorktown to the historic 1775 proclamation that pulled thousands of enslaved people into British lines, Black contributions to the war effort were vast, timely and often crucial to the Patriots’ victory. Beyond battle, figures like Prince Whipple and Dinah Whipple show how the American Revolution extended into petitions, education and early Black community building. Together, their stories reveal a founding era defined not only by independence and exactly who was excluded from it.
The Consequences of Dunmore’s Proclamation
Dunmore’s Proclamation by Virginia’s royal governor promised freedom to enslaved people who left Patriot enslavers and joined British forces in 1775, according to the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. It led hundreds of the enslaved to escape and fight for Britain, while intensifying fears among slaveholders and pushing Virginia toward rebellion. As a result, more Black soldiers enlisted with the British, slave patrols intensified and long-term resettlement of Black Loyalists continued well after the war ended.
The Rise of the Royal Ethiopian Regiment
The demand upon Governor Dunmore by Patrick Henry in 1775. Patrick Henry, 1736–1799. American attorney, planter, politician, orator, Governor of Virginia and Founding Father. John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, 1730–1809, aka Lord Dunmore. Scottish peer and colonial governor in the American colonies. From The History of Our Country, published 1900.
After the proclamation, Dunmore organized runaway enslaved people into an armed unit known as the Ethiopian Regiment, which provided military labor, intelligence and limited combat support, according to the American Battlefield Trust. The regiment assisted British operations in Virginia, including clashes like Kemp’s Landing and Great Bridge, but suffered heavy losses from disease, warfare and evacuation. As Patriot resistance strengthened, Dunmore was forced to retreat from Virginia, and the Ethiopian Regiment was eventually broken up and absorbed into other British units or dispersed. Still, this band of Black soldiers stands as one of the most effective defenses in the Revolution.
Cato
After painting by Edward P Moran. Revolutionary War 1775–1783 (American War of Independence): Washington at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, December 1777, the site he chose for the winter quarters of the Continental Army.
An enslaved man known as Cato, likely associated with the Schuyler family, may have helped Revolutionary spy Hercules Mulligan relay intelligence that exposed a British plot to assassinate George Washington in 1779, Smithsonian Magazine reported. Recent historical research suggests Cato carried Mulligan’s warning from New York to Patriot contacts. However, evidence remains partly circumstantial, and his exact role and identity are still debated among historians.
James Armistead Lafayette
Facsimile of the Marquis de Lafayette’s original certificate commending James Armistead for his Revolutionary War service, 1784. From the New York Public Library.
James Armistead Lafayette was born into slavery in Virginia and became a Patriot double agent during the war, according to the American Battlefield Trust. Pretending to be a runaway, he gained British trust, gathered vital intelligence and supplied misleading information that helped secure victory at Yorktown. After years of petitioning and with Marquis de Lafayette’s support, he gained freedom in 1787 and later adopted Lafayette’s surname.
Pompey Lamb
Battle of Bunker’s Hill, 1859. During the Siege of Boston in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War, the battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775) is named after Bunker Hill in Charlestown, Boston. After John Trumbull (1756–1843). From The History of England by David Hume & Tobias Smollett. Virtue & Co., London, 1859. Artist: JC Armytage.
Pompey Lamb is traditionally remembered as a Black spy during the American Revolution who allegedly helped Patriot forces at the Battle of Stony Point by gathering intelligence while posing as a fruit seller inside the British fort, according to the American Battlefield Trust. Historians aren’t certain he really existed. The story is largely anecdotal because it lacks primary-source evidence. Still, his legend highlights the possibility that many Black spies’ contributions remain undocumented.
Austin Dabney
Austin Dabney was an enslaved Black man who became one of Georgia’s most recognized Black Patriots. According to All Things Liberty, he was sent as a substitute for his enslaver and served in the Georgia militia under Elijah Clarke during the Revolutionary War. He was seriously wounded at Augusta and later cared for by a white family. In 1786, Georgia granted him freedom, a pension and land, making him one of the few Black veterans formally rewarded for service.
Belinda Sutton
Molly Pitcher (1754–1832), American Revolutionary heroine.
Belinda Sutton was an African-born woman enslaved by the Royall family in Massachusetts who became one of the most important early Black petitioners for compensation after the American Revolution, according to the Royall House and Slave Quarters. After Isaac Royall Jr. fled as a Loyalist, Massachusetts seized his estate, and in 1783 Belinda petitioned the legislature for reparations based on her decades of forced labor and suffering.
In her petition, she described her kidnapping from Africa, long enslavement and argued that the wealth of her enslaver was built through her labor. The legislature granted her a yearly pension, though payments were inconsistent and she had to re-petition multiple times over the following years.
Ishmael Titus
Charlotte, North Carolina, African American historic marker, Ishmael Titus Revolutionary War soldier, sign brass plaque.
Ishmael Titus was born into slavery in Virginia around 1743 and earned his freedom by serving in the American Revolution in place of his enslaver, according to the Charlotte Museum of History. He later re-enlisted voluntarily and fought at the Battles of Kings Mountain and Guilford Courthouse. Although his Revolutionary War pension application was denied, he became recognized as an important Black Patriot whose service is commemorated today.
Peter Salem
Engraving depicting the shooting of Major Pitcairn by the African-American soldier Peter Salem at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War.
Peter Salem was born into slavery in Massachusetts and gained his freedom so he could enlist in the Patriot militia during the American Revolution. He fought at Lexington and Concord and is widely remembered for his role at the Battle of Bunker Hill, the American Battlefield Trust reported. That’s where he may have mortally wounded Major John Pitcairn. Salem continued serving throughout the war but died in poverty despite his distinguished military service.
Salem Poor
A memorial in downtown Savannah commemorating Haitian soldiers who served in the American Revolution—the memorial depicts members of the Volunteer-Hunters of Saint-Domingue (Les Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue), a volunteer regiment made up of ten companies of light infantry.
Salem Poor was born enslaved in Andover, Massachusetts, and purchased his freedom in 1769. He later joined Patriot forces and fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, where officers praised his extraordinary bravery and petitioned for his recognition as a “brave and gallant soldier,” according to the American Battlefield Trust. He continued serving in the Continental Army through the Revolutionary War but faced poverty after the war, ultimately dying in 1802 in Boston.
Barzillai Lew
Barzillai Lew was a free Black man born in Massachusetts in 1743 who became a skilled fifer and drummer during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. He enlisted in 1775 and fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, where his music helped boost Patriot morale during combat, according to the African American Registry.
After the war, he and his family built a stable life as landowners and farmers in Massachusetts, raising a large family. Lew’s life reflects both Black military service in the Revolution and the possibilities of limited postwar freedom and community building.
Prince Whipple
Article number 10 of a copy of the Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783 and officially ended the American Revolutionary War, is displayed during a preview of the “Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation” exhibition at the Museum of Miami in Miami, Florida, on June 18, 2026.
Prince Whipple was an enslaved African man who fought on the side of the Americans while serving under New Hampshire officer William Whipple. In 1779, he joined a petition demanding freedom, arguing that liberty was a natural right the new nation was supposed to uphold, Civics For Life reported. The request was ignored, exposing the gap between Revolutionary ideals and the reality of slavery.
Dinah Whipple
The First Continental Rhode Island Infantry march out between 1782 and 1796. Pictured in this 1899 painting are the commander in chief, staff officer, colonel, private, and troops. This was the time of the American Revolution (1775–1783).
Dinah Whipple, a formerly enslaved woman in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, played a central role in early Black education and community life right after the American Revolution, according to the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation. Emancipated at age 21, she married Prince Whipple and later raised their family after he died in 1797.
Around 1807, she founded and ran the Ladies Charitable African Society School in her home, likely the only school in New Hampshire for Black children. She operated it for decades while supporting her family in difficult economic conditions. Though little of her own writing survives, historical records show her lasting impact as an educator and community leader.
Lil Wayne is calling it quits with his rumored fiancée, 23-year-old Madi Cannon. The rapper announced the split during a video address on the opening stretch of his “20 Years of Carter Classics” tour, taking the opportunity to clear the air about several recent controversies that have overshadowed the rollout.
In the video, Lil Wayne addressed the heat he’s been taking since the tour kicked off on June 30, including his no-show at the Maine date and his reason for ducking out. He also used the moment to set the record straight on his relationship status with Cannon.
Weezy was direct about it: he was never engaged to Cannon. He described what they had as “a beautiful thing going with an amazing person,” but explained he didn’t want to be “such a burden on such an amazing person.” The comment hints at deeper personal struggles that may have contributed to the split.
Engagement rumors started circulating in May 2026, but the relationship clearly ran its course faster than expected. Cannon, a social media influencer, had become a fixture in Wayne’s orbit, though it appears the connection didn’t stick.
The relationship troubles may also explain Wayne’s absence from the Maine tour opener last Tuesday. In the video, he cited migraines and seizure risk as the reasons for bailing. Fans weren’t thrilled about the cancellation, and combining that with the breakup announcement created a messy week for the rapper.
Things haven’t smoothed over yet. When Wayne did show up to his Friday New Hampshire show, he rolled in late, adding fuel to the fire with fans already frustrated over the Maine cancellation.
Wayne’s next stop is Des Moines, Iowa, on July 16. The rescheduled Maine show is set for July 28, giving fans at least something to look forward to. Whether the tour momentum recovers from these stumbles remains to be seen.
Cynical Internet Users Drag Rihanna For Looking “Stiff” While Dancing At A New York Gentleman’s Club For A$AP Rocky!
Honey, the internet is officially incapable of letting a billionaire mother-of-three live her absolute best life in peace! BlkCosmo has been tracking a wild, hyper-critical wave of timeline chatter after the absolute queen of style and beauty, Rihanna, stepped out in New York City alongside her fashion-forward man, A$AP Rocky. The dynamic duo recently welcomed their third child and decided to let their hair down at an elite, high-end NYC gentleman’s club to celebrate Rocky’s continuous musical success.
But honey, the second viral fan cams and low-quality cellphone footage of Rihanna catching a vibe hit the internet, the toxic body-shamers immediately chose absolute violence. Instead of celebrating her legendary bad-gal energy, cynical commentators started ruthlessly dragging the 38-year-old icon, boldly claiming she looked “stiff” and “big” as she attempted to drop it low and dance with the club’s beautiful ladies. According to the viral clips currently tearing up X and TikTok, Rihanna was spotted looking absolutely gorgeous in a relaxed, high-fashion streetwear look, throwing stacks of cash and laughing alongside a circle of stunning exotic dancers.
In a few brief seconds of the video, the Fenty Beauty mogul can be seen playfully rocking her hips and trying to dance to the heavy bass line while A$AP Rocky hypes her up from the VIP couch. But honey, the internet’s hyper-critical keyboard warriors completely bypassed the fun and began running their mouths! Toxic threads rapidly started trending with users picking apart her rhythm, cruelly typing that her dance moves looked “robotic” and suggesting that she has lost her signature Caribbean waist-line flexibility. Others went straight for her physical shape, making unsolicited remarks about her post-baby body and claiming she looked too “heavy” to be moving the way she used to on stage. The sheer audacity to sit on a couch and critique the body of a global billionaire icon who just gave birth a few months ago is truly next-level unhinged!
The Navy Strikes Back: “She Just Had A Whole Baby, Let Her Live!”
Thankfully, the fiercely loyal Rihanna Navy immediately deployed onto the digital battlefield to completely shut down the haters and clear the room! Fans rushed to the comment sections to violently drag the critics, reminding everyone that Rihanna is currently navigating the exhausting reality of raising three toddlers—RZA, Riot, and her newborn daughter, Rocki Irish—all while running a multi-billion dollar cosmetics, lingerie, and fashion empire. The energy was pure and unapologetic, much like the spirit found in radical women of color who refuse to be diminished.
Supporters aggressively pointed out that Rihanna has never been a performance-robot who needs to look perfectly choreographed 24/7, especially when she’s simply trying to unwind, have a drink, and throw some singles at a private party with her partner. “She is a normal woman who just had her third child back-to-back, she is supposed to have curves!” one viral tweet fired back, racking up tens of thousands of likes. Other fans noted that the alleged “stiffness” was literally just a woman trying to dance casually in high-end luxury designer pieces without twisting her ankles on a crowded club floor!
The Ultimate Power Couple Keeps Bouncing To The Bank!
If the internet haters think their miserable commentary is going to stop the Fenty train from rolling, they are entirely mistaken. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are currently operating at a historical, peak-romance level of happiness. Rocky is currently riding high off the massive global rollout of his brand-new studio album Don’t Be Dumb, and Rihanna is right by his side playing the ultimate, highly supportive superstar wife.
The couple has been spotted delivering non-stop high-fashion dates all across Manhattan, looking deeply in love, completely unbothered, and entirely focused on their beautiful growing family. Whether she’s rocking statement pieces or keeping things casual, Rihanna continues to set the tone for Black excellence at every turn. The internet can keep typing away furiously from their phones making up wild critiques about her rhythm, but the Bad Gal is busy managing a historic financial empire, keeping her man entirely locked down, and looking absolutely exceptional while doing it. Stay mad, haters!
Danielle Deadwyler graces the cover of Cero Magazine in this stunning feature that captures the actress at a pivotal moment in her career. Photographed by Ann D Jackson and styled with meticulous care, the shoot showcases Deadwyler’s magnetic presence and undeniable talent. The story, penned by Michelle, dives deep into her journey and what drives her as an artist.
Danielle Deadwyler has become one of the most compelling voices in entertainment, bringing authenticity and depth to every role she takes on. With hairstylist Yojanse J completing the vision, this editorial moment feels both intimate and aspirational. The creative team worked in harmony to deliver a cover story that speaks to her evolution as a performer and her impact on the industry.
This feature arrives as a reminder of the importance of seeing Black talent celebrated in spaces that center and amplify our stories. Deadwyler’s presence on these pages represents the visibility and recognition that Black artists deserve, making this a moment worth celebrating.
‘Michael’ is now the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time.
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The King of Pop has officially dethroned Queen. Michael Jackson biopic fans are celebrating a major milestone.
Michael is now the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time. The film about the legendary artist has raked in $911.9 million at the worldwide box office since it hit theaters in April 2026, according to Deadline. This incredible achievement speaks to the global appeal of Michael Jackson biopic storytelling and the hunger audiences have for celebrating Black excellence through cinema.
Bohemian Rhapsody, the 2018 movie about Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, held the previous record with a total box office of $911 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
Michael, which features Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role, could cross the $1 billion mark in the coming weeks. The movie releases in Japan on June 12. It could also become the biggest biopic of all time, beating Oppenheimer‘s $975.8 million haul. The film’s success reflects how audiences connect with stories rooted in cultural meditation and artistic legacy.
‘Michael’ sequel is in ‘progress’
Given its massive success, it’s no surprise that Lionsgate, which handled the film’s U.S. release, is moving forward with a sequel. Michael covered the early years of Jackson’s career, wrapping up before the more controversial aspects of his life, including the 1993 allegations of sexual abuse and his high-profile 2005 trial on child molestation charges. Michael had to sidestep those issues for legal reasons, but Lionsgate motion picture chair Adam Fogelson said on a recent earnings call (via Variety) that those obstacles won’t stand in the way of a second film.
“We are really excited about the progress we’re making with respect to a second ‘Michael’ film,” he said. “All the conversations that we’ve been having with all of the appropriate parties continue to go exceptionally well.”
“I would say that there is a ton of incredibly entertaining Michael Jackson story, and much of the biggest and most popular parts of his music catalogue that were not touched upon in the first film,” Fogelson added. “There are so many other events that happened, even in the time frame of the original movie that weren’t touched upon, so we’re very, very confident that we’ve got an incredibly entertaining movie that will appeal once again to a global audience.”
Basketball phenom AJ Dybantsa is the latest athlete to be featured by Men’s Health magazine.
The rising star shared images from the feature on Instagram, giving fans a look at the editorial shoot and celebrating the collaboration with the publication.
As one of basketball’s most highly regarded young prospects, Dybantsa continues to attract attention both for his talent on the court and his growing profile in the sports world.
Scott Evans graces the pages of Bleu Magazine in this stunning editorial captured by photographer Owen Duckett. The shoot, styled with precision and vision by Kirby Carroll, showcases Evans at a moment where his presence in entertainment continues to command attention and respect. With grooming by Schuro rounding out the creative team, every detail has been carefully orchestrated to capture something authentic and undeniably striking.
This editorial represents more than just a beautiful image—it’s a celebration of Black excellence in a space where representation matters. Scott Evans has consistently used his platform to uplift and inspire, making moments like these significant reminders of the importance of seeing ourselves reflected in luxury media. The collaboration between Duckett’s lens, Carroll’s creative direction, and Evans’ natural magnetism creates something that resonates beyond the glossy pages. For readers who’ve waited to see themselves centered in these spaces, this is exactly the kind of visual representation that affirms our rightful place at the table.
Wanda Sykes revealed that Bill Maher confronted her after she joked at the Golden Globes that audiences needed “a little less” of him. The Wanda Sykes moment has people talking about comedy, fearlessness, and what it means when Wanda Sykes takes the stage.
The Upshaws star recalled the backstage exchange during an interview on Vulture’s Good One podcast, saying Maher was unhappy with the joke she made while presenting the award for best performance in stand-up comedy at the 2026 ceremony. There’s something powerful about a queer Black woman commanding that kind of platform—it’s the kind of cultural meditation on representation that matters.
“There’s some people pissed off that a queer Black woman is up here doing the job of two mediocre white guys … but first I want to give them some love,” Sykes said at the time before joking about several nominees, including Sarah Silverman, Brett Goldstein, Kevin Hart, Ricky Gervais, and Maher. “Bill Maher, you give us so much,” Sykes continued. “But I would love a little less. Just try less.”
According to Sykes, Maher brought it up later that night as they waited for their cars.
“He was like, ‘What was that about?’ And I was like, ‘It’s a joke, Bill,'” Sykes said. “He’s like, ‘Well, I mean, it wasn’t even a joke.’ I said, ‘Oh, no, I heard laughing. It was clearly a joke.'” The exchange felt real—no corporate smoothing over, just two comedians at odds over a punchline.
Sykes said Maher told her he had received texts calling it “a stupid joke.” She fired back that she had received plenty saying “how great it was.” This kind of Black excellence in comedy spaces isn’t new, but watching it play out with such directness reminds us why Sykes matters.
According to Sykes, she was invited to appear on his podcast but turned him down.
ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2026 took over New Orleans last weekend, and the Caesars Superdome hosted everything from intimate political conversations to full-scale performances that reminded everyone why this festival matters. For more than three decades, ESSENCE Festival of Culture has been the place where Black excellence shows up in every form—music, politics, wellness, business, education. If you caught the weekend live, you know. If you missed it, here’s what went down.
Dr. Bernice King and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz On Legacy and Leadership
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: (L-R) Ilyasah Shabazz and Bernice A. King speak onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 03, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Day one opened with a conversation between Dr. Bernice A. King and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, daughters of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X respectively. Their talk centered on legacy, resilience, and what it means to lead when the stakes feel impossibly high. In a moment when civil liberties are under scrutiny and systemic threats loom large, their presence felt grounding. These aren’t theoretical conversations about resistance. They come from lineages that lived it, survived it, and transformed it into movements.
DJ Envy’s Car Collection Takes Center Stage
Screenshot: TikTok/@tiffstaytrippin_
The Breakfast Club’s DJ Envy brought his garage to the festival, showcasing pieces from his multimillion-dollar collection. Car lovers were in heaven.
Michelle Obama and Keke Palmer Bring “IMO” to Life
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: Cardi B speaks onstage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 03, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Michelle Obama and Keke Palmer delivered a live session of the former First Lady’s podcast “IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson” to a packed stadium. Their talk ranged from protecting your peace to seizing opportunities you create for yourself. Obama discussed themes from her book “The Look,” but the real magic was watching these two women connect with thousands of people in real time about what it means to show up for yourself and for your community.
Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas On Building Seven-Figure Futures
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas (L) attends the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 03, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Peter Forest/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
CEO and founder of EJT Education Group, Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas held a masterclass on how educators can prepare students to become the next generation of high earners. She also signed copies of her book “7-Figure Educator,” which digs into that exact mission.
Cardi B Talks Beauty, Business, and Motherhood
Over at the Beautycon stage, Cardi B sat down with Refinery29’s Chief Content Officer Brooke DeVard for a conversation about entrepreneurship and life as a mother since launching her haircare brand Grow Good in April. She was candid, sharp, and exactly the kind of real talk that makes these festival moments stick with people.
Power Players Discuss Black Political and Economic Strength
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: (L-R) Cory Booker, Jasmine Crockett, Nicole Austin-Hillery and Rashad Robinson speak on the Global Black Economic Forum Stage during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 03, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Senator Cory Booker, Representative Jasmine Crockett, CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Nicole Austin-Hillery, and civil rights leader Rashad Robinson came together on the Global Black Economic Forum Stage to discuss Black political and economic power. The conversation felt urgent without feeling desperate, strategic without feeling detached.
Keke Palmer’s Surprise Pilates Class
Keke Palmer hosted a 40-minute mat Pilates session for anyone looking to work through some energy. The real highlight came midway through when Academy Award winner Daniel Kaluuya stopped by to say hello and join the class. It’s the kind of moment that makes festival experiences feel special.
Closing Night Fire: Latto, Kehlani, and Cardi B
L, Latto (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE); M, Kehlani (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE); R, Cardi B (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Latto, Kehlani, and Cardi B closed out the first night at the Caesars Superdome with performances that left no energy on the stage. That’s the right way to send a crowd home.