California Archives - Rolling Out

Eric Bellinger and Nieman Johnson joined forces to deliver a project that should be in every music lover’s library. The dynamic duo spoke with rolling out about the intricate process of making Optimal Music and how they’ve managed its release amid the pandemic.

Shad Gaspard had one request before he reportedly died — “Save my son.” The former WWE star was found dead by investigators after his body was washed ashore on May 20 at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, according to KTLA. Gaspard’s body was found three days after he went for a swim at the beach…

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna’s cause of death has been revealed, almost four months after the helicopter crash that ended their lives. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner says the basketball star and his 13-year-old daughter died from “blunt trauma” in the crash, which happened Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California. According…

An online version of The Cali Picnic, a historically successful festival with roots that go back to the early ’90s, was held on Saturday, April 18, 2020, via Zoom video conferencing, Facebook Watch Party and Instagram Live. Dubbed “The Virtual Cali Picnic,” the party streamed for upwards of five hours, boasting four DJs – Big…

Tesla has unveiled a prototype of its new ventilators. Elon Musk’s firm has used parts from its Model 3 motors on the breathing equipment to help with the shortage during the global health crisis. On Sunday, April 5, 2020, Tesla gave an update on their ventilators, which are “heavily based on Tesla car parts,” according…

Christian Pierce is a writer, producer and star of Facebook Watch’s comedy parody series “The Real Bros of Simi Valley.” Created and written by Pierce and writing partner Jimmy Tatro (Netflix’s “American Vandal”), the series follows the lives of four friends from Simi Valley who never evolved past high school despite graduating 10 years ago.…

Tasha “Sixfootah ThePoet” Turner is a Bay Area native and poet who commands the attention of audiences with her stature and moves spirits with her insightful poetry. Inspired by the iconic Maya Angelou, Turner uses her flow to address uncomfortable topics, like the dangers of menthol and tobacco. We spoke with Turner about an open…

The most populous state in America has shut down. On March. 19, California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all 40 million residents in the state to stay home, according to the Los Angeles Times. Newsom announced that he was implementing a statewide order during a press conference. “We need to bend the curve in the state…

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has been postponed amid the coronavirus outbreak. The iconic music festival was expected to take place between April 10 and 12 and April 17 and 19, but it has now been pushed back to the fall over fears about the spreading of the flu-like disease. In a statement, organizers…

Truth Ali is on the rise. His high-energy approach to rap is multilayered with a focus on lyricism. Rolling out recently spoke with the California native about his latest single, “Guns in Space,” the universe and what motivates him. What inspired your single’s cover art? I’m big on art with layers. The song concept is…

A Black man in Oakland, California, was detained by members of a private security guard company for taking photos of bicycle racks. Kenya Wheeler provided a lengthy Facebook post on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, and has since provided interviews with local Bay Area news affiliates, including NBC and ABC after the incident, which occurred on…

According to multiple sources and a tweet from her personal account, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., has dropped out of the 2020 presidential campaign, effective immediately. While she qualified for the December debate, the overwhelming perception is that she did not have enough financial backing to continue. According to CNN, “The California Democrat informed her senior…

Wade Robson and James Safechuck have tentatively had the dismissal of their lawsuit against Michael Jackson’s estate overturned. The two men had previously filed claims against the late “Thriller” hitmaker — who died in June 2009 — over allegations he abused them as children but their cases were dismissed in 2017, in part due to the statute…

Steve Foster, the California man who was famously detained and handcuffed for eating a sandwich on a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station platform, is filing a civil rights claim against the transit agency, alleging racial profiling and selective law enforcement. Foster acquired the services of a well-known Bay Area civil rights attorney, John…

A Black man from California was detained and cited by a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, for eating a breakfast sandwich and refusing to provide identification on the platform of the Pleasant Hill train station. Steve Foster, who rides the BART train to and from San Francisco daily, was…

With over 20 years of experience in the fields of marketing and project management experience, Amber E. Senter’s résumé reflects the accomplishments of a confident and extremely capable businesswoman. In addition to her ownership exploits, Senter is a chairperson on an advisory board and is a former member of the U.S. Coast Guard. Perhaps her…

Tamika Christy, a native of Oakland, California, began journaling in elementary school and writing short stories in high school. She continued to develop her passion in college, where she realized her talent for creating intriguing plots and multidimensional characters. She continued to nurture her love for writing while attending law school where she gave birth…

The Underground Atlanta was once among the most high energy sources of nightlife in the city, boasting a variety of hot spots to revel in with eateries to quell liquor induced appetites. On Thursday, Oct. 10, the massive and historic landmark was on display in all its spendor, as the hip-hop Ambassador of the Bay…

Comedic superstar Kevin Hart sustained back injuries in a crash that completely demolished his classic car in suburban Los Angeles. The California Highway Patrol submitted a crash report that stated, according to the Huffington Post, a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda that Hart was riding in somehow got out of control and torpedoed down an embankment and…

Spurred forward by the police shooting death of yet another unarmed Black male, California will become the first state in the nation to enact a radical new law that changes when police officers can administer deadly force. Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) authored Bill AB392 that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law. It raises the…