Single moms worldwide can empathize with Kandi Burruss who on the Sunday, Nov. 20 episode of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” broke down in tears as she explained to fellow housewife Shereé Whitfield about how her ex-boyfriend, Russell “Block” Spencer, founder and CEO of Block Entertainment, abandoned her first child, Riley, 14.
“I’ve always tried to be open whenever he reached out…but if you go years without checking in on your child – that is poster boy deadbeat,” says Burruss following an unexpected visit by Block’s current girlfriend, Kris Kelli.
“She doesn’t want to deal with it.” In both anger and anguish, Burruss recalls the times Block has disappointed Riley who only wanted to spend time with her father. She also talked about the conversation she had with him when she told him she was pregnant. He vowed to never be part of the child’s life.
“My aunt Nora told me to never interfere with the relationship so even if I can’t stand his punk a–, if he wanted her to call him or whatever I’d try to make her call him. But if I really say the s— he’s done, that she’s not privy to that would hurt my daughter,” she cried.
Block established his own imprint over 10 years ago. He’s been a part of the music industry for a long time working with 2Pac and the Outlawz, Suave House, Noontime Music, Sho-nuff Records, and Bad Boy South. He helped launch the careers of Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Yung Joc, and Ciara.
His label, Block Entertainment, is home to artists Gorilla Zoe, Kris Kelli, 48 Slim, Retro Tha Kid and others.
Most recently, Block was working with actor Columbus Short on his reinvention. “Columbus is an urban pop artist. He just wants to take a break from acting for a minute. He’s been acting for like 13 years successfully, but his real passion is singing. … I took over the management of his career. We’re rebuilding his whole career,” he tells allhiphop.com.
