OS 3: OUT ON THE TOWN

HEY OUTSTAGRS AND OUTTOWNERS!

BACk FOR ANOTHER THURSDAY!

LETS GET TOWN!

STL radio personality and comedian Lady Re setting the fashions on 10

with her jeans top and elongated tutu with rock star hair before checking out the Diana Ross concert that was held at The Fox Theatre last Thursday.

STL radio personality and comedian Lady Re was letting the FASHION GODs HAVE IT in her ensem (see pic above) when she was set to see legendary diva Diana Ross at The Fabulous Fox Theater in downtown St Louis. She was among thousands who checked out the Boss during her her stop in the Lou. I didnt get a chance to even try to get a comp ticket to see the show. But, these days, all you have to do is go on YOu TUBE and sneak a performance someone filmed and see what happened. IM JUSt SAYIN....LOL.

But when asked about the show, Lady Re said, "AMAZING SHOW...SOLD OUT...SHE LOOK DAMN GOOD AND SHE STILL HAS A VOICE."

Oh, and she wanted me to use the pic for this, too. LOL

YOURS TRULY holding up a free drink ticket at the Gentleman Jack Real to Reel
event held at St Louis Science Center last Friday.

Last Friday, I checked out Gentleman Jack's real to reel event that was held at the St Louis Science Center in Midtown STL.  I got there before the actual venue closed so I didnt have to wait in line (MAAT dont do lines lol). But much to my chagrin, we had to wait outside in  the sunkissed sun until they officially closed the venue. So, I decided to have a sit down with other patrons who were sitting  waiting to enter. I heard various conversations from some twenty something sistas who were talking about everything from not being able to cash their check, having car trouble to how lovely a sistas wrap dress was.

The event officially was to start at 6pm, but they let us in around thirty minutes later. So I checked in my comp admission and walked up to the second floor where a young lady was taking pics of people with their cell phones in front of the Gentleman Jack's Step and Repeat. I also heard old school R&B sounds that was coming from Vandalyzm (I think he goes by DJ Daddy now LOL). They had complimentary appetizer food of chips with strings of BBQ chicken along with salsa, peppers, and the like that was quite sumptuous. I also cashed in my drink ticket for a Jack and Coke and proceeded to see who was there.

. 
Of the 300 or so who were there  I did see some familiar faces when I was traveling the scene consistently in the past,. The event was managed by STL socialite Eddie Hollman (of SYGU days) and BFree Paparazzi was in the house taking flicks (Teddy B Free wasnt there but his lovely wife was there all a beaming in her blue mini dress)

Everyone mainly mingled, scoping, and chatted until it was time for the featured short films to be seen in the OMNIMAX theatre.

A patron signing a pledge board for free sponsored
merch.

The MaatView from the theater with filmmaker panel
after the film presentations.

While inside the theater, the host was winner of Real to Reel David Kirkman welcoming everyone to the event. Most people came into the theater while some were still hanging out in the party section. There weer six short films that were presented (two were by filmmaker Jon Alexander, "Enough"and "Cycle"). The content that was dealt with loss of a friend, seeking mental help after witnessing street crime, an everyday joe who waves at people, a documentary on ones experience in Afghanistan after 9-11. One particular film used still animation which was quite impressive, but based on the films that were in the running for winning the STL round, I can see Alexander winning (He won for "Enough" about a young streetmonger seeking mental help after seeing a neighborhood shooting."

The highlight of the event was during the Q and  A with the filmmakers when a sista from the audience heckled' I didnt see not one black woman represented in any of the films, with the exception of a woman playing a mother." Well, the all male panel was a bit dumbfounded with the outburst but

Hollman settled the moment when he said that last year they had an all female filmmakers and if she knew any female filmmakers have them to submit for next year.

BLOOP!

Kirkman also made a good point when he said that he would like to see more representation of black content on all backgrounds including black queer culture which got a nice applause surprisingly.

Filmmaker Jon Alexander chats with

a supporter after the event.

After the event, everyone rushed down to the panel area to chat with the filmmakers taking pictures and getting their last networking on. The party portion was still going on, but for the most part people bounced. Also there were STL socialites Becky and Larry Blue (I'm still waiting for that drink LOL), Rhashad Whittier and Mocha Latte.

Interesting tidbit while talking with Whittier. I asked him did he and his team (including Holman) still did Teese (the annual graphic tee event they used to do back in the day) and he said that that was the days of past and the event that Im attending now is about the stint of special events going on in St Louis.

I am so out of the loop. LOL

YOURS TRULY with STL designer Leonard Stewart

Last Saturday, I checked out the AW 2019 Fashion Show (#SSTEW3) with newcomer fashion designer Leonard Stewart who was presenting his own style of chic street wear. It was held at the St Louis Fashion Fund Building in downtown St Louis. One of the coordinators, Dwight Carter sent me an invite to check this out and I most definitely obliged,.

So, when I got there,Stewart immediately rushed to me and greeted me and showed me to the workspace upstairs (that reminded me of the TV show Project Runway) where the models were in their outfits waiting to walk down several steps to the lower area for the show. We chatted a bit about his show until he was summoned to other duties before the show (a sudden moment happened while the models ran out to tend to their parking meters to add money to tehri meters when one of them said  the city ticketer was ticketing cars. LOL).  The bottom level is quite swanky and cozy with hard wooden and waxed floors, high ceilings and studio lighting.

Before the show stated, I met one of the board members of the Fund, Susan Sherman (who is mentoring Stewart) who gave me as well as several early comers a tour of the venue. She showed us to a glass surrounded workspace where several fashion designers in the STL area have rent space with their works including Project Runway alum, Michael Drummond.

As I waited for the show, Sherman offered wine to everybody as we sat and waited for the show. 

One of the show stopping pieces 

The show itself wasnt that long, but from what I saw, I was impressed with what was showcased. Stewart (whose parents were there as Dad had his own video equipment filming the show) has a knack for detail and his pieces, they are definitely wearable tor a casual event say like a day party or even a rap video (The white skull mask wrap was definitely one for a hip hop star)

The finale

          Susan Sherman, guest, Stewart and fashion show coordinator, Dwight Carter.

After the show, his well wishers gathered  to greet him and take pics as well getting a chance to wear some of his outfits--especially the long jeans overcoat.

Overall, it was a nice intimate event.

Another tidbit......So when I was heading out, I heard someone call my name and it was a sista who I worked on the film Happy Hour with a few years ago when I was an Assistant Director (that was directed by Chrys Yvette). She inboxed me while I was at the event when I posted up a selfie and we chatted up a bit and she said that her daughter went to school with Stewart. she also talked about ho her daughter is fulfilling her dreams as a dancer and is seeking to head to the Big Apple to spread her wings. 

I was going to head to see Lion King at The Moolah Theatre, but decided to head back to the Maatspear Compund.

-30-

FIN.

If you have an event or business you would like to advertise on a future  OUTSTAGN BLOGSPOT, send all inquires to maat.atkins@gmail.com

OS: 2 OUT ON THE TOWN

There's YOURS TRULY holding up a program sheet of the stageplay Deeper Shade of Blues 

HEY OUTSTAGRS and OUTTOWNERS! Week Two of my return back to the basics with this blog. OK, so I checked out two events last weekend, one was inside and one was outside.


LETS GET TOWN! 

Last Friday, I checked out my former mentee Joel P.E. King's one man stageplay, Deeper Shade of Blues" that was held at the Zack Theatre (owned by the Kranzberg Theatre) on Locust in Midtown St Louis (It was a two-night run). I was glad to return the favor to check out his play after he came to check out my play Snap Honey last month in Marietta, Ga at Good Acting Studio (He is director in residence at the Marietta Theatre in the Square, BTW). 

In the lobby, I felt a sense of a family affair, literally. His family members held it down at the box office making sure my comp ticket was there greeted with a smile. I saw a few familiar faces there who are in the STL theatre circle as well as King's pantheon of those who worked with him or admired him for various reasons.


The play itself was outstanding. And I am not saying that just because I know him. Told through a projected screen of various images from war torn Africa, a snippet of Beyonce's "Girls Rule the World video and snapshots of his family (the highlight of the play)"Deeper" is reminiscent to a historic journey of the black man from pre-slavery days to LGBTIA culture. King resonated with each character he portrayed from an old man telling his story about a love lost during post-slavery times to Miss Gyrl, a fabulous queer performer whos lover leaves him after a show. One of the highlights was  a heartwrenching tribute to his extended family as he sang in memoriam of those who are here and those who have moved into ancestryhood. King also had the men in the audience to stand to plead that he was his brother's keeper.

Afterwards, there was an impromptu award presentation celebrating King;s 25 years in the theater business. Presented by his family members, King, was asked to sit in the audience as he sat through a five minute thank you from various people who he has worked with in the past (Including a voice message from  "Growing Up Hip Hop : Atlanta's Andrea Kelly). He was presented his award humbly and in short said that he was all about the work.


There was a meet and greet with King  at the fourth floor bar space, Urban Ballroom (I saw you Gloveboxx!). I didnt stay long but I was able to congratulate King for a job well done!

The Frizz Festival at Tower Grove Park

Last Saturday, after my stint at the gym and running errands, I decided to drive to Tower Grove Park to check out the Frizz festival, a festival in celebration of black women and their natural selves. Now mind, you, there wasnt actual signs directing where the festival was located, but it was a colorful journey toward it,. People had their family reunions with matching t shirts, blasting their radios in their cars, and doing their own hot fun summer stuff. 

Who was this naturally-loced sista walking to the festival?

After a few minutes of winding road and searching, I found the area where the festival was going on. Their were rooftopped booths with vendors as people walked to the spot. Me, myself? The weather was 100 degree plus and didnt have the energy to find a parking spot (which was difficult due to people already parked in spots that can be used) so I decided to take a few snapshots and jet out to the Maatspear Compound to regroup from my day.

Last Sunday, I was planning to go to see Bone Thugs N Harmony at Ballpark Village but my connect never did get back in contact with me. Now, back in the day, I had no shame just showing up and flashing my media pass for entry, but now that I am more settled and not as eager to "get that event," it wasnt that serious.Plus, I had some Maatology business to square up on.

TIDBIT. This past week, I was getting gas on Lindell Boulevard, a street that is notorious for beggars and homeless people asking for some change. Well, at this instance, there was a beggar on the street in front of the gas station waiting to ask his next handee for some change, well, one sista let him have it. She said, "Hell, no mutha fucka, I aint giving you a mutha fuckin thing. You are always at this spot. Why dont you get yourself a mutha fuckin job."

Whoo! Talk about getting cussed out to the top of cussivity! I think we all have had that moment where we wanted to blast a beggar who keep asking for change, or a cigarette, or food. I usually say, "I am struggling, too."  I can just imagine what they go through trying to make ends meet. But there have been those who con the public with the begging act just to get over. So, in defense of the sista, she may have had a bad day or just was tired of seeing a reminder that we all could be in the worn out shoes that a beggar wears. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS OR EVENT  ON OUT ON THE TOWN, PLEASE EMAIL TO MAAT.ATKINS@GMAIL.COM FOR MORE INFO! 

FIN.

OS 1: OUT ON THE TOWN

Photos by Maatology

YOURS TRULY up on the rooftop of Clayton on the Park

HEY OUTSTAGRS! I am back from "retirement" from reporting on my travels out and about of my public outgoings. Its been a couple of years since my moving into another direction in my career, focusing on producing my stageplay SNAP HONEY (in Los Angeles and recently Atlanta), winding down my Mista Couture competition (which will end in December) and currently working on the 2020 OBSDN Men of Color Calendar that I hope to publish in the Fall.

This past week, it just hit me of how much I needed to get back into the swing of going out on the town and reporting of what Ive seen. For those who are fans of my blog since July 2005, know that this blog has been through several incarnations from a basic journaling, to a news blog with pics, to entertainment blog with a St Louis slant and then to just using it to promo my projects.

Well, I am going back to the basics.

The blog will be more focused on its roots--journaling my travels and adding pics along the way.

So, lets get to it!

Last Friday, I decided to check out the summer soiree, Clayton on the Park, a hangout on the multistory, swanky, apartment complex's rooftop which takes place the second Friday of each month in the summer. 

So, I put on some "Maatwear" and headed over there about 8pmish. When I walked into the lobby, I spotted a very attractive young lady who noticed me instantly from my OUTTOWN years. Come to find out it was a young lady, STL mover and shaker  Natina Hopson, who I snapped a pic of with a guy years ago with the caption "Who is the Mystery Man she is with?" Well, she said that didnt go too well with her then real boyfriend at the time, but she said the pic was fab. PSHEW. LOL

I went up about twenty floors up to the rooftop and automatically got an out of town vibe with the art decco styled decor of the architecture. The crowd was a bit sparse which is understandable because of the hotness of the weather. 



I saw that they had a mini bar and got a vodka and cran and proceeded into the main area to enjoy the outer atmosphere as the DJ played Top 40 tunes.

Folks mainly chilled and enjoyed the scene as well. They had a adult size chess board and Connect Four for gamers and a nice swimming pool area for those to look at LOL

 They also had food samples from Chef Eric Prophete of Kingside Diner mainly of grilled exotic fruit which was quite good and got the chef's biz card for possible future dining.

An hour in, a few more people came through and spent most of the evening talking with Hopson and her friend until the music stopped signaling that the event was over. It was about 10ish when I realized that the night was still young. So I said goodbye to Hopson and her friend and decided to drive through the city to see what I could get into.

 There is YOURS TRULY flanked next to Elisha Newsome (LEFT) and Natina Hopson.


Well, the answer to that was, nothing much lol. I did drive to Pepper Lounge to see what was popping there and there was a step and repeat set up outside in the corridor section of the club I believe for DJ Arty J;'s bday but it looked as though it wasnt much action going on there so I decided to just go to the Maatspear Compound (my place of residence, that is) and chill out.

On Last Saturday I was planning to go to the Blue Ultra Lounge owned and operated by Cornell Boone on Delmar for the Cancer edition of their special bday celebrations. But after a hard work out at my gym, I was a bit lethargic regards to heading out to check it out especially with this month being my bday month. I did get a chance to check out the scene outside the Chaifetz Arena where the 95.5 Fm staffers were braving the hot sun to give away tickets to Tom Joyner One Last Time concert where Maze and Kem were the performers. Cars were parked down Compton so they could get a early parking spot for the show and few people in their white linen (the official color for a Maze concert). I tried to get access to meet and greet Tom Joyner through a connect but that didnt fall though ( I should have known better than to wait the last minute or at least made eye to contact with my connect. LOL)

And that was my journey last weekend.

Lets see what will be in store this coming weekend!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS OR EVENT  ON OUT ON THE TOWN, PLEASE EMAIL TO MAAT.ATKINS@GMAIL.COM FOR MORE INFO!
FIN.

SNAP HONEY PROGRAMME GOOD ACTING STUDIO JUNE 21 TO 23 2019

CLICK ON PICS TO ENLARGE

COVERZ.....UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH MR COUTURE REP 2019 CHRIS "SHOWTIME" TUCKER

His nickname is "Showtime." And based on Christopher 

Tucker's prosperous potential, he will definitely have a lot 

to show and time. He has been on the move every since becoming 

the 2019 rep for the Mista Couture Style title. And this weekend,

you can see him in a scene in the film, "Shaft " starring 

Samuel L Jackson, Regina Hall and his cousin, Jessie T Usher.

We recently interviewed the Odenton, Md native about his life and what's to become for this talented gent.

OS:Where were you born and raised?
CT:P.G County , MD

OS:How was it where you were raised as far as the neighborhood?

CT:The neighborhood that I lived in was clean and laid back. I was blessed enough to 
have made some loyal friends that I still keep in touch with to this day.

OS:When did you become interested in being a model and what was your first experience
 being hired as a model?

CT:I was never interested in joining the entertainment industry. 

My mom forced me to join and when I actually booked my first 

gig as at a runway show I loved every minute of it.

OS:Do you travel? If so what cities and or countries have you 
traveled?
CT:I’ve traveled pretty much everywhere within the United States. 
I’ve only been to Czech Republic and Cancun overseas.

OS:You have many tattoos like a mural on your chest and back. Your IG name is Inky Chris. 

When did you become interested in tattoos and what types of tattoos do you have?

CT:I absolutely love tattoos. It’s one of my biggest obsessions. I love every tattoo on my body. I just love how they look and the designs. 

OS:Whats your favorite foods?
CT:I pretty much eat anything lol... If I had to choose my favorite food it would be sushi or Tacos.

OS:Whats your pet peeves?

CT:My biggest pet peeve is people talking with food in there mouth. Also people that don’t show respect to there elders.

Tucker flanked by movie watchers after Shaft advance screening
including his cousin, Jessie T Usher (far left) who stars in the film.

OS:What are your hobbies?
CT:I love lifting weights, video games, hiking, 
acting, and I love spending time with friends 
and family.

OS:Whats your idea of a romantic evening?
CT:My idea of a romantic evening is me taking 
someone out to a park and sit and watch the 
stars as we talk about life. 

OS:Whats your thoughts on the state of America regarding being an African American male?
CT:Its very tough to be a African American in today’s society especially when I have all these 
tattoos. People tend to judge me and look at me as a thug but really I’m just a kind hearted 
person.

OS:Whats your favorite movie?
CT:My favorite movie is “Southpaw” because of how real the movie was. I cried and I felt the 
emotion in the movie.

OS:What would be one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you?
CT: I love reading books. I’m a big guy and I’m athletic so people tend to think that’s what I’m 
only about but I love educating myself on new things.

OS:Your becoming Mr Couture rep was a bit random by being chosen through an IG search. What's your thoughts when you were contacted to rep the brand this year?

Tucker presenting at Fashion at The Mansion event this year in '

Mitchville, MD.

 CT:It was a absolute honor because there are millions and millions of people in the world. I was chosen out of those millions. It’s truly a blessing. I thank God everyday for my blessings.

OS:What projects are you currently working on?
CT:I’m working on a web series called “The Fellas” and I’m currently looking for a modeling agency to be signed to.

 OS:What's your long term goals?

 CT:Long term goal is to become the biggest well known model in America. I want to leave behind a legacy like no other.

OS:How can your supporters or potential bookers  contact you?

CT:They can contact me through social media or Facebook. They can also contact me 
through email.

(IG: inky_chris/ FB: Chris showtime Tucker/ email: Christophertucker20@gmail.com)

MAATOLOGY PRODUCTIONS UPCOMING PROJECTS: SNAP HONEY IN ATLANTA and 2020 OBSDN MEN OF COLOR CALENDAR

Maatology Productions will be staging again its production of SNAP HONEY about the life of female impersonator and taking the audience on a journey of its life as a young tormented child, his first sexual counter in high school and becoming Vageena!  We are currently in the audition and venue phase of the production, We hope to fill roles by Jan 31 for a June 2019 staging in Atlanta (Venue TBD). 



AND

We are presently scouting gents of color for teh return of its 2020 OBSDN Men of color Calendar, showcasing movers and shakers across the country in black and white photos in artistic body poses.
The slated release is July 2019.


Stay tuned for more info on both projects. If you are interested in auditioning for a role in the play or submit for a spot in the calendar email to maat.atkins@gmail.com by Jan 31!

OUTSTAGN's TOP 10 BLACK ENTERTAINMENT STORIES OF 2018

From power couple Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's surrogate giving birth their third child, the murder of rapper XXXTentatcion, rapper Drake owning the music charts with three back to back No. 1 singles on  Billboard's Hot 100 to allegations that talk show queen Wendy Williams may be divorcing her "husbandger" Kevin Hunter supposed mistress pregnancy, 2018 has seen its share of viral making stories, history making events and various celebs and personalities of African American descent who catapulted into the headlines for  their monumental moments.

Before OUTSTAGN reveals the Top 10  Black Entertainment Stories of  2018, below are the stories that made No 20 to No 11. 




20.ACTOR POOCH HALL GETS STOPPED BY BURBANK 
POLICE AND ARRESTED FOR DRIVING UNDER THE 
INFLUENCE AND CHILD ENDANGERMENT.

19. SINGER/SONGWRITER JOHN LEGEND WINS 
EMMY FOR JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE 
BECOMING THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE 
AND YOUNGEST ARTIST TO BECOME AN EGOT 
(EMMY, GRAMMY, OSCAR, TONY WINNER)



18. GRAMMY AWARD WINNING ARTIST JANET 
JACKSON IS ANNOUNCED TO BE INDUCTED INTO
THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 


17. MUSIC STREAM SERVICE SPOTIFY  REMOVES 
R KELLY'S MUSIC AFTER  REPORTS OF HIS 
ALLEGED ABUSIVE SEX CULTS  


16.ENTERTAINMENT MOGUL OPRAH WINFREY GOES 
DOOR TO DOOR IN ATLANTA TO CAMPAIGN FOR  
GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE STACY ABRAMS 

15.UP AND COMING RAPPER XXXTENTACION  WAS 
SHOT AND KILLED IN HIS VEHICLE IN FLORIDA; ALBUM 
RESURGE TO NO 1 ON THE BILLBOARD 200. 


14.FORMER FIRST LADY MICHELE OBAMA 'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 
"BECOMING" BECOMES TO BIGGEST SELLING BOOK OF 2018 
SELLING 2 MILLION IN 15 DAYS ; GOES ON (INTER)NATIONAL 
TOUR TO PROMOTE IT. 



13.ACTOR/RAPPER DONALD GLOVER DEBUTS CONTROVERSIAL 
MUSIC VIDEO "THIS IS AMERICA" DURING HIS HOSTING DUTIES 
AT "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE"  



12.COMEDIAN/ACTOR KEVIN HART STEPS DOWN FROM 
HOSTING THE 91ST OSCARS  AND APOLOGIZES
AFTER PAST HOMOPHOBIC  TWEETS RESURFACES
ON TWITTER



11.GRAMMY AWARD WINNING SINGER BEYONCE BECOMES 
THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE TO HEADLINE 
COACHELLA DUBBING IT "BEYCHELLA."

HERE ARE THE TOP 10:

10.ACTOR GEOFFREY OWENS BECOMES A VIRAL SENSATION AFTER FOX NEWS  PUBLISHED PHOTOS OF HIM WORKING AT TRADER JOE'S. OWENS BECAME THE FACE OF JOB SHAMING. (SEPTEMBER)

9.TENNIS SUPERSTAR SERENA WILLIAMS GETS ACCUSED OF CHEATING; ARGUES WITH EMPIRE DURING U.S. OPEN FINAL FOR SEXISM; UPSTAGES  HISTORIC WIN BY NAOMI OSAKA'. (SEPTEMBER)

8.GRAMMY AWARD WINNING RAPPER KENDRICK LAMAR WINS  PULITZER  PRIZE IN MUSIC FOR HIS ALBUM. "DAMN."; BECOMES FIRST RAPPER AND NON CLASSICAL/JAZZ ARTIST TO WIN. (APRIL) 

7.THE TRIALS OF CARDI  B. AND OFFSET 

BREAKOUT RAPPER CARDI B AND HER HUSBAND, RAPPER OFFSET FROM THE RAP GROUP MIGOS MADE HEADLINES IN 2018: FROM REVEALING THEIR SECRET MARRIAGE, DISCLOSING HER PREGNANCY DURING A PERFORMANCE ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, GIVING BIRTH TO A GIRL, KULTURE, ANNOUNCING HER DIVORCE FROM OFFSET AND HIS PUBLIC OUTCRY TO WIN HER BACK WHILE ON STAGE AT ROLLING LOUD FESTIVAL.

6.KANYE WEST ARGUES SLAVERY WAS A CHOICE; VISITS TRUMP AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

KANYE WEST'S LATEST CD "YE" DIDN'T MAKE MUCH NEWS BUT HIS REMARKS AND APPEARANCES  DEFINITELY DID. IN MAY, WEST, WENT ON TMZ  LIVE AND GENERALIZED THAT 400 YEARS SLAVERY WAS A CHOICE CAUSING CONTROVERSY AND CONVERSATION. THEN, IN OCTOBER, HE VISITED PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AFTER THE PASSING OF THE MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT AND CONCLUDED WITH A 10 MINUTE RANT ABOUT HIS LOVE FOR TRUMP WHILE WEARING A "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN: AND THEN FOLLOWED WITH  HUGGING TRUMP--THEN LATER DENOUNCING HIM.

5.CARDI B AND NIKKI MINAJ RIVALRY 

IN THE RAP WORLD,  NO OTHER DISSONANCE WAS PLAYED TO THE WORLD IN 2018  MORE THAN WITH CARDI B AN NIKKI MINAJ. AS CARDI STRUCK MULTIPLATINUM WITH HER DEBUT CD, "INVASION OF PRIVACY" ,  MINAJ'S  CD, "QUEEN' SOLD POORLY. MEANWHILE CONSTANT TWITTER RANTS ENSUED BETWEEN THEM AND NIKKI'S QUEEN PODCASTS CHIMING IN ON THE BEEF AND  DISPELLING IT... BUT ALL WAS BROKEN WHEN  IN OCTOBER, A MELEE OCCURS WITH CARDI'S TIRADE  TOWARD NIKKI AT THE ANNUAL HARPERS BAZAAR ICONS PARTY DURING  NEW YORK FASHION WEEK IN  RESULTING IN CARDI  GETTING A LUMP ON SIDE OF HER HEAD AND HER  EXIT FROM THE PARTY.  

4.BILL COSBY  GOES TO PRISON FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT 

AMERICA'S DAD BILL COSBY HAD HIS FINAL DAY IN COURT WHEN THE JUDGE SENTENCED HIM THREE TO 10 YEARS IN  MONTGOMERY COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN PENNSYLVANIA  FOR DRUGGING AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING ANDREA CONSTAND. AFTER A HUNG JURY IN 2017 AND BEING CONVICTED IN APRIL  ON THREE COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED INDECENT ASSAULT,  HE WAS PROSECUTED IN SEPTEMBER. COSBY BECAME THE FACE OF THE "ME TOO" MOVEMENT WHERE WOMEN CAME OUT TO SEXUAL ASSAULT FROM MEN, MORE SPECIFICALLY MEN OF POWER.  

3.BLACK PANTHER BREAKS BOX OFFICE RECORDS (INTERN)NATIONALLY.

"WAKANDA FOREVER" AND ITS CROSSED HAND TO CHEST GESTURE HAVE BECOME PART OF NOT JUST BLACK  CULTURE BUT GLOBAL  CULTURE THAT WILL BE ETCHED IN HISTORY FROM THE MARVEL FILM, "BLACK PANTHER."  IT HAS BECOME  A CULTURAL PHENOMENON  THAT HAS INFLUENCED THE WORLD AND HOW THEY SEE SUPER HEROES. THE MOVIE WHICH WAS RELEASED IN FEBRUARY WAS THE MOST ANTICIPATED FILM OF 2018 AND GROSSED OVER 700 MILLION DOMESTICALLY  BECOMING THE TOP FILM OF 2018  AND  OVER 1.3 BILLION IN INTERNATIONAL SALES. ITS POPULARITY  ALSO GARNERED  DISCUSSION IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE ACADEMY AWARDS  OF CREATING A NEW CATEGORY "BEST POPULAR FILM " AT NEXT YEARS 91 ST ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS BUT WAS RESCINDED. 

2.THE QUEEN OF SOUL DIES.

THE WORLD GAVE ITS R-E-S-P-E-C-T WHEN GRAMMY AWARD WINNING AND ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER SINGER ARETHA FRANKLIN DIED AUGUST 16 AT THE AGE OF 76 AFTER A LENGTHY BATTLE WITH CANCER.  A CAREER SPANNING OVER 50 YEARS, FRANKLIN WAS THE MOST DECORATED FEMALE SINGER OF ALL TIME  WINNING COUNTLESS AWARDS (INCLUDING 18 GRAMMY AWARDS). HER HOMEGOING SERVICE WAS HELD AUGUST 31 AT GREATER GRACE TEMPLE IN DETROIT,  AND WAS LIVESTREAMED AND TELEVISED BY VARIOUS NEWS OUTLETS. HER FUNERAL WAS ATTENDED BY HUNDREDS AND PERFORMERS INCLUDED ARIANA GRANDE, GLADYS KNIGHT, FANTASIA   AND  HER LONGTIME FRIEND SMOKEY ROBINSON TO NAME A FEW. IT LASTED WELL OVER 8 HOURS WHICH WAS HISTORIC IN ITSELF, BUT IT WAS SUITED PERFECTLY FOR THE WORLD'S QUEEN. 



AND 
THE NO. 1 
STORY OF 
2018 
WAS.............................................. 

1.THE ROYAL WEDDING OF PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE 

THE WEDDING OF PRINCE HARRY AND ACTRESS MEGHAN MARKLE WAS HELD  MAY 19,  IN ST  GEORGE'S CHAPEL AT WINDSOR CASTLE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. MARKLE, WHO BECAME A DUCHESS, MADE HEADLINES BECAUSE SHE WAS ONCE MARRIED AND  BIRACIAL (AFRICAN AMERICAN AND CAUCASIAN), A FIRST FOR BOTH INSTANCES WITHIN THE ROYAL FAMILY.  THE WEDDING ALSO WAS  DIVERSE IN ITS SELECTION OF PERFORMERS, SPEAKERS AND MUSICIANS (E.G.  THE KINGDOM CHOIR  SINGING "STAND BY ME.") GUESTS INCLUDED  OPRAH WINFREY, TV HOST JAMES CORDEN, SERENA WILLIAMS  AND SIR ELTON JOHN TO NAME A FEW.  IT WAS ESTIMATED ABOUT 18 MILLION SAW THE TELECAST OF THE WEDDING IN THE U.K. AND 29 MILLION IN THE UNITED STATES . THE GLOBAL AUDIENCE WAS ESTIMATED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS.