Connect with us

Entertainment

Court Sentences R. Kelly to 30 Years in Prison for Sex Crimes

Published

on

Embattled R&B singer, R. Kelly, was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday for recruiting and trapping teenagers and women for sex.

Judge Ann Donnelly handed down the term in the Brooklyn federal court nearly a year after the 55-year-old Kelly was convicted by a New York jury.

“The verdict is in: R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years,” the US attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York said in a tweet.

The prosecutors had urged the court to put the “I Believe I Can Fly” artist behind bars for at least 25 years, saying he still “poses a serious danger to the public.”

In September, the fallen superstar was found guilty on all nine charges he faced, including the most serious of racketeering.

“His actions were brazen, manipulative, controlling and coercive. He has shown no remorse or respect for the law,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo.

Kelly’s lawyers called for a lighter sentence with a maximum of approximately 17 years.

The sentence comes just over a month before jury selection is due to start in Kelly’s separate, long-delayed federal trial in Chicago on August 15.

In that case, Kelly and two of his former associates are alleged to have rigged the singer’s 2008 pornography trial and hid years of sexual abuse of minors.

The musician who once dominated R&B also faces prosecution in two other state jurisdictions.

AFP

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

Anike Performs at the 55th Annual Dove Awards

Published

on

By

By Samantha Ofole-Prince
Nigerian-American rapper Anike was one of several artists who performed at Gospel music’s biggest night of the year. It was the first time, Anike, formerly known as Wande, has performed at the Dove Awards.
An annual event which showcases many of the nation’s leading Christian music artists, this year’s awards show was held in Nashville, Tennessee.
Other performers included Chandler Moore, Tye Tribbett and gospel icon CeCe Winans, who not only took home three trophies but opened the show with a joy-fueled performance of “That’s My King” complete with a 24-person choir.
“I’m known for my music all over the world,” shared CeCe Winans as she accepted her accolade for Artist of the Year. “People know me for my music. God only knows me for my relationship with Him. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.”
An event where artists from every style of gospel music come together for a night of music and celebration, winners included Jonathan Smith, Brandon Lake, Chandler Moore, and Jason Ingram. Song of the Year went to “Holy Forever,” honoring songwriters Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram and Phil Wickham. Gospel Music icons Bill and Gloria Gaither were honored with the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award.
Photos by Jamie Gilliam, Terry Wyatt & Tessa Voccola

Continue Reading

Entertainment

I Made Up My Mind to Become an Actor at 16 – Jimmy Akingbola

Published

on

By

By Samantha Ofole-Prince
Versatile and quite talented, Jimmy Akingbola plays Geoffrey in “Bel-Air,” the remake of the hit ’90s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which starred Will Smith, and has built an impressive resume with several projects that include “Arrow,” the award-winning television series “Ted Lasso,” “Rise” and “Hero: The Extraordinary Life of Mr. Ulric Cross.”
The British thespian, who is of Nigerian descent, was one of several actors, who shared his journey to Hollywood at AAFCA’s annual event Spotlighting Black British Actors in America.
Akingbola, who made his American debut on the television show “Arrow,” had hopes of pursuing a career in sports but sought a career on the screen when he caught the acting bug as a teenager.
“I watched a lot of American films and television and was inspired by what I saw and did a one man monologue stand up show,” he shares. “People laughed and I got a standing ovation and at 16 I decided I wanted to become an actor.”
It was a long road for the Akingbola who worked several odd jobs including a job as an usher to pay his way through drama school before landing his first project.
Despite a successful acting career in the U.K., he was inspired to move to America by actors such as Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba and Emmon Walker and the slew of other Brits who were carving out careers in Hollywood.
“It was a risk as I had to start from scratch,” admits the actor. “It wasn’t paved with gold and I had to be humble.”
Akingbola, who cites actor Don Cheadle (“Hotel Rwanda”) as an inspiration, also runs the Triforce Creative Network which provides opportunities for actors, writers, directors and producers.
Established in 2003, the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) is America’s largest organization of black film critics.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Akon Releases First Single in a Decade

Published

on

By

The first artist to hold the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching one billion views on YouTube, Akon who has been noticeably silent the last few years, is back with a new single.

Called “Akon’s Beautiful Day,” it’s due out October 4 via Konvict Kulture Records.

The release of the single coincides with the 20th anniversary of his debut album, “Trouble,” which launched him into superstardom with hits like “Locked Up.” and the song’s message resonates with his mission to inspire millions through his work in Africa, where he is working on access to energy with ‘Akon Power & Lighting Africa.’

The track also features a viral hook sung by 10-year-old Jamaican student Jermaine Edwards, whose heartwarming performance at school captivated audiences around the globe.

Akon was instrumental in the early development of Lady Gaga and T-Pain, signing them to his label and helped shape their careers. He is also embarking on “Akon Super Fan Tour Asia,” and is working on a documentary film in partnership with Kevin Hart and Hartbeat called “Headliners Only.”

Feature Photo: Shola Orolugbagbe

Continue Reading

Trending