N. Ali Early, Author at Rolling Out

Andre Young, better known by his super producer moniker, Dr. Dre, could have a long, hard fight on his hands if he wants to hold onto his bread. The West Coast hip-hop icon recently produced a prenup after his wife filed for divorce. His paperwork was supposed to put a definitive plug in Nicole Young’s…

According to Thandie Newton, she wasn’t aware she was viewed differently because of her race until “fairly recently.” The 47-year-old actress grew up in Penzance, Cornwall, with her English father and Zimbabwean mother, and was so used to only ever seeing white people, she didn’t think too much about appearances and how other families perceived…

Orlando Magic forward, Jonathan Isaac became the first player to stand for the national anthem, as the rest of his teammates, coaches, referees and opposing players kneeled in unison on July 31, 2020. Isaac answered questions after the contest, clad with a royal blue face mask, providing enigmatic, religious-based reasoning as to why he did…

Lebron James has been vocal about his desire to honor the late great Kobe Bryant and as the NBA resumes its season tonight, July 30, in the “Orlando Bubble,” his fingers will have some Mamba-inspired decor. The three-time world champion is on a quest to win again and in the same breath, earn the Los…

The hip-hop community is in mourning today as it was announced that Malik B, one of the founding members of The Roots, has died at the age of 47. His death was confirmed Wednesday, July 29, by family members and music colleagues, including The Roots’ his partner in rhyme Black Thought. The Philly rapper’s cousin,…

The ramifications of Tamar Braxton‘s alleged suicide attempt are ongoing. WE tv, with whom the multitalented star has enjoyed a relationship for years as a noted member of “Braxton Family Values,” announced it will push back her new show, “Get Ya Life!” from July 30 to Sept. 10, due to her “current situation.” The concern…

Legendary beatboxer Biz Markie has been in the hospital for weeks due to a serious illness, according to TMZ. Biz is not, however, suffering from coronavirus. Instead, it is something related to Type II Diabetes. “He is receiving the best care from an amazing team of medical professionals and we remain positive about the outcome,”…

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman has some legitimate concerns regarding the recently announced exhibition fight that will pit Roy Jones Jr. against Mike Tyson. Both superstars and widely regarded the best in the sport when they were at their best, the former champions are both over 50 years old and have not fought professionally for…

When Avant burst onto the scene two decades ago, he was thrust into a category most R&B newcomers never experience. At just 20 years old, his appeal was a sure thing, particularly for Magic Johnson Music, which signed him after his buzz broke the city limits of his native Cleveland. His swag spoke to the…

A California woman has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the County of Los Angeles after she was allegedly forced out of her home at gunpoint, while nude and on her menstrual cycle in July 2019, according to NBC Los Angeles. To make matters worse, the woman’s younger sister and 5-year-old son were present, as…

John Legend has called out the Grammys for snubbing Black artists in their shortlists for top accolades, including Album of the Year, which he claims in an “almost impossible” feat. The 11-time Grammy-winner and EGOT holder — who was announced as a member of The Recording Academy’s board of trustees this year — has commented…

Houston Rockets superstar guard Russell Westbrook will not join his teammates in Orlando just yet, as he is quarantining after testing positive for COVID-19. Westbrook broke the news on his Instagram account today. “I tested positive for Covid-19 prior to my team’s departure to Orlando. I’m currently feeling well, quarantined, and looking forward to rejoining…

Janelle Monae has revealed that it’s her “dream” to play Storm in a Marvel movie. The 34-year-old star has revealed she is open to take over the role played by Halle Berry in the X-Men franchise and admits that she raised the possibility when meeting the cast of Black Panther. In an interview with Empire…

In a timely gesture that most would appreciate as the world continues to spin out of control, 2 Chainz dropped a visual to accompany his lively track, “Devil Just Trying To Be Seen,” on Monday, July 7. A powerful expression of Black song, featuring one of his standout T.R.U. artist’s Skooly, the College Park native…

As a founding member and the first lady of Disturbing Tha Peace, rapid-fire rapper Shawnna remains one of eight female emcees to register a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with her appearance on Ludacris’ on 2003’s “Stand Up.” Along with an appearance on “What’s Your Fantasy,” her career seemed poised for superstardom.…

Three years before the “invisible enemy” materialized, spooking communities and denizens across the globe, Keith A. Lewis Jr. founded a nonprofit — I’m A Father F1rst — that has sparked an undeniable movement of passion. While clearly rooted in philanthropy and love for his offspring, Lewis’ apparel line of the same name is widely respected…

Despite stay at home orders, a full-on quarantine and a constricted ability to promote music the old-fashioned way, Compton, California, rapper Problem has been as innovative as any artist in 2020. Since filming a movie short — A Compton Story — while subsequently releasing new music to coincide with it, Problem has stayed the course.…

Another incident of police brutality against an African American has surfaced. According to the Miami Herald, Safiya Satchell was sitting in her Mercedes SUV when she was approached by an off duty police officer who was working as security for a strip club in the immediate proximity of the incident, which occurred on Jan. 14.…

Tyler Perry has donated a van to Project U First, a charity in Atlanta, Georgia, that helps people experiencing homelessness. The 50-year-old actor, writer, and director has handed over a 2020 Ford Transit XL Cargo Van to Erica Wright, the founder of non-profit organization Project U First, which helps to provide much-needed provisions to those…

Two 7-Eleven shoppers in Sacramento, California were involved in an altercation that left one middle-aged White woman on the floor and in need of medical attention. Video footage of the incident was captured on June 22 and has since gone viral. It is unclear how the argument started nor how it got out of hand.…