theroot--2020-09-11--Healthier—and Happier—Than Ever, Mary J. Blige Embodies #QuarantineGoals for Health Magazine

Bronzed , blond , and bodied—Mary J. Blige ’ s grow-up has been far more than a glow up .
At 49 , the Grammy-winner and Golden Globe and Oscar nominee might just be her best Mary yet , so if you ’ re one of those folks who think “ sad Mary ” is the best Mary , get over it and into the golden glory of the icon atop Health magazine ’ s October issue ( photographed by 2020 Glow Up 50 honoree Itaysha Jordan , no less ) .
The first woman and youngest artist signed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1989 is a world-renowned star just over three decades later .
She ’ s currently co-starring in the highly anticipated spinoff Power Book 2 : Ghost , and will next portray Dinah Washington in the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic , Respect .
But as she tells Health , her stratospheric rise was unimaginable when growing up in the Schlobohm Housing Projects of Yonkers , N.Y .
I didn ’ t have big dreams and goals .
I think because of the environment we lived in , it was hard to dream .
Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much , people would hurt you .
Hurting people hurt people .
But I was a singer , and people would always ask me to sing .
I didn ’ t know that it was going to become this .
I just thought God gave me a gift to survive , and that was my survival tactic , to sing .
I would feel better about my environment ; I would feel better about how we were living .
I would feel better about everything if I just sang .
Obviously , her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel better , too ; in no small part because the woman known as “ Just Mary ” seems uniquely able to not only feel but communicate our own pain .
“ I think that we go through stuff to speak about it so we can help someone else heal , ” she explains .
“ That ’ s the gift God gave me as an artist , to be able to be transparent and say : “ You know what ?
It happened to me , too.
” That empathy extends to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial crises in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd , which she calls “ atrocious , ” and so many others .
“ This has affected me the same way it has affected the world , ” she shares .
“ So much emotion , outrage , and anger has caused us all to respond the only way we knew how .
It was traumatizing to see them kill this man for no reason—and so many of us every day for so many years .
We have had years of frustration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of this has brought change .
We still have a long way to go , and this is why Black lives will always matter.
” The ongoing pandemic has , of course , posed its own challenges , to which the singer-actress is not immune .
She tells Health that she meditates , prays and lifts weights as part of her fitness regimen ( “ I don ’ t like it , but I have to do it , ” she says .
“ I like to look a certain way ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very public divorce , has been leaning into the self-imposed solitude of the moment .
“ I ’ m going to take away a real appreciation of this me-time , ” she says .
“ I was already liking me , and now I have grown deeper in love with myself because I love my own company .
I don ’ t think any of us realized how fast we had been moving .
I really appreciate this rest and this silence , so that I can hear more clearly what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by yourself , you ’ re either going to be your own best friend and be honest and real with yourself , or you ’ re going to be your own worst enemy and deceive yourself .
It ’ s been so clear to me that I am my best friend.
” Speaking of friends , the revelation may be due to some tough love from Blige ’ s predecessors in the industry , including the late Ms. Franklin herself , and enduring powerhouse Chaka Khan .
“ Some of the best advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get out of my own way , ” Blige reveals .
“ I have used that ever since.
” One of the singer ’ s most famous lyrics is : “ How can I love somebody else/If I can ’ t love myself enough to know/When it ’ s time , time to let go.
” As she tells Health , it ’ s an ongoing process , but one she ’ s succeeding in .
“ It ’ s still hard , but it ’ s getting better because I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tricks come from , ” she says .
“ The tricks come from the things that were in the past—the lies that you believe about yourself that you do not have to believe if you love yourself .
”

Maiysha Kai on The Glow Up, shared by Maiysha Kai to The Root

Bronzed, blond, and bodied—Mary J. Blige’s grow-up has been far more than a glow up. At 49, the Grammy-winner and Golden Globe and Oscar nominee might just be her best Mary yet, so if you’re one of those folks who think “sad Mary” is the best Mary, get over it and into the golden glory of the icon atop Health magazine’s October issue (photographed by 2020 Glow Up 50 honoree Itaysha Jordan, no less).
The first woman and youngest artist signed by Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records in 1989 is a world-renowned star just over three decades later. She’s currently co-starring in the highly anticipated spinoff Power Book 2: Ghost, and will next portray Dinah Washington in the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect. But as she tells Health, her stratospheric rise was unimaginable when growing up in the Schlobohm Housing Projects of Yonkers, N.Y.
I didn’t have big dreams and goals. I think because of the environment we lived in, it was hard to dream. Because if you dream or you smile too much, people would hurt you. Hurting people hurt people. But I was a singer, and people would always ask me to sing. I didn’t know that it was going to become this. I just thought God gave me a gift to survive, and that was my survival tactic, to sing. I would feel better about my environment; I would feel better about how we were living. I would feel better about everything if I just sang.
Advertisement
Obviously, her singing makes her legions of loyal fans feel better, too; in no small part because the woman known as “Just Mary” seems uniquely able to not only feel but communicate our own pain.
“I think that we go through stuff to speak about it so we can help someone else heal,” she explains. “That’s the gift God gave me as an artist, to be able to be transparent and say: “You know what? It happened to me, too.”
Advertisement Advertisement
That empathy extends to Blige’s response to our current racial crises in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, which she calls “atrocious,” and so many others.
“This has affected me the same way it has affected the world,” she shares. “So much emotion, outrage, and anger has caused us all to respond the only way we knew how. It was traumatizing to see them kill this man for no reason—and so many of us every day for so many years. We have had years of frustration and years of being ignored, but all of this has brought change. We still have a long way to go, and this is why Black lives will always matter.”
Advertisement
The ongoing pandemic has, of course, posed its own challenges, to which the singer-actress is not immune. She tells Health that she meditates, prays and lifts weights as part of her fitness regimen (“I don’t like it, but I have to do it,” she says. “I like to look a certain way”); and after a protracted and very public divorce, has been leaning into the self-imposed solitude of the moment.
“I’m going to take away a real appreciation of this me-time,” she says. “I was already liking me, and now I have grown deeper in love with myself because I love my own company. I don’t think any of us realized how fast we had been moving. I really appreciate this rest and this silence, so that I can hear more clearly what’s going on. When you’re by yourself, you’re either going to be your own best friend and be honest and real with yourself, or you’re going to be your own worst enemy and deceive yourself. It’s been so clear to me that I am my best friend.”
Advertisement
Speaking of friends, the revelation may be due to some tough love from Blige’s predecessors in the industry, including the late Ms. Franklin herself, and enduring powerhouse Chaka Khan.
“Some of the best advice she gave me was that I needed to get out of my own way,” Blige reveals. “I have used that ever since.”
Advertisement
One of the singer’s most famous lyrics is: “How can I love somebody else/If I can’t love myself enough to know/When it’s time, time to let go.” As she tells Health, it’s an ongoing process, but one she’s succeeding in.
“It’s still hard, but it’s getting better because I’m starting to understand where all the tricks come from,” she says. “The tricks come from the things that were in the past—the lies that you believe about yourself that you do not have to believe if you love yourself.”


theroot--2020-09-11--Book: Trump Bragged That He 'Saved' Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince After Jamal Khashoggi’s Brutal Murde

Book: Trump Bragged That He 'Saved' Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince After Jamal Khashoggi’s Brutal Murder

Jamal Khashoggi was a Washington Post columnist who ’ d been critical of the Saudi kingdom and more specifically Saudi Arabia ’ s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman .
On October 2 , 2018 , Khashoggi , who was living in a self-imposed exile , traveled to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul , Turkey , to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage .
Khashoggi never left the Saudi Consulate as he was assassinated and brutally dismembered .
The killers even went so far as to dress themselves in the dead man ’ s clothes and walk from the building so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know what happened once he left .
The Saudi government denied knowing anything about the death , but after telling several fake stories , Saudi Arabia ’ s attorney general owned up to the murder being a premeditated hit .
In November of the same year , the CIA found that Mohammad bin Salman ordered Khashoggi ’ s assassination .
President Trump reportedly bragged that he saved bin Salman , Khashoggi ’ s executioner , from congressional scrutiny , according to excerpts from Bob Woodward ’ s upcoming book Rage .
Business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book that is set to be released Tuesday and found that in one of Trump ’ s 18 interviews with the author , the president of the United States boasted about saving Saudi ’ s crown prince from any retribution .
“ The people at the Post are upset about the Khashoggi killing , ” Woodward told Trump on January 22 , his book says .
“ That is one of the most gruesome things .
You yourself have said.
” “ Yeah , but Iran is killing 36 people a day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woodward pressed Trump about bin Salman ’ s role in ordering Khashoggi ’ s killing .
“ I saved his ass , ” Trump said .
“ I was able to get Congress to leave him alone .
I was able to get them to stop.
” On Thursday , a reporter asked Trump what he meant when he claimed he “ saved ” the Saudi leader ’ s “ ass.
” Trump replied : “ You ’ ll have to figure that out yourself.
” During his January 22 conversation with Woodward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I understand what you ’ re saying , and I ’ ve gotten involved very much .
I know everything about the whole situation.
” Trump added that Saudi Arabia spent billions of dollars on US products .
He also stressed MBS ’ s claim that he ’ s innocent , though US intelligence and other foreign intelligence agencies have concluded otherwise .
“ He will always say that he didn ’ t do it , ” Trump said of MBS .
“ He says that to everybody , and frankly I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he will say that to you , he will say that to Congress , and he will say that to everybody .
He ’ s never said he did it.
” “ Do you believe that he did it ?
” Woodward asked .
“ No , he says that he didn ’ t do it , ” Trump replied .
“ I know , but do you really believe — ” Woodward said before Trump cut him off .
“ He says very strongly that he didn ’ t do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bob , they spent $ 400 billion over a fairly short period of time.
” Trump did everything within his power to assure that bin Salman was not even questioned about Khashoggi ’ s murder .
In fact he “ used executive power to block or bypass congressional efforts to cut ties with Riyadh after Khashoggi ’ s murder , ” Business Insider reports .
Just last year , the president vetoed a “ bipartisan bill to end U.S. support for the Saudis in Yemen .
The war in Yemen has led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi-led coalition has killed civilians using US-made bombs.
” The president continues to sell weapons to the Saudis , including an $ 8 billion deal that Congress tried to block with resolutions , which were swiftly vetoed .
Despite several interviews with the former Post reporter , all of which were taped and several interviews with multiple senior White House officials and former officials , Trump has still called the book a “ fake ” and claimed that many of his taped quotes were taken out of context .

Jamal Khashoggi was a Washington Post columnist who’d been critical of the Saudi kingdom and more specifically Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On October 2, 2018, Khashoggi, who was living in a self-imposed exile, traveled to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage.
Khashoggi never left the Saudi Consulate as he was assassinated and brutally dismembered. The killers even went so far as to dress themselves in the dead man’s clothes and walk from the building so they could claim that they didn’t know what happened once he left. The Saudi government denied knowing anything about the death, but after telling several fake stories, Saudi Arabia’s attorney general owned up to the murder being a premeditated hit. In November of the same year, the CIA found that Mohammad bin Salman ordered Khashoggi’s assassination.
Advertisement
President Trump reportedly bragged that he saved bin Salman, Khashoggi’s executioner, from congressional scrutiny, according to excerpts from Bob Woodward’s upcoming book Rage.
Business Insider obtained an early copy of the book that is set to be released Tuesday and found that in one of Trump’s 18 interviews with the author, the president of the United States boasted about saving Saudi’s crown prince from any retribution.
Advertisement Advertisement
“The people at the Post are upset about the Khashoggi killing,” Woodward told Trump on January 22, his book says. “That is one of the most gruesome things. You yourself have said.”
“Yeah, but Iran is killing 36 people a day, so —” Trump began, before Woodward pressed Trump about bin Salman’s role in ordering Khashoggi’s killing.
Advertisement
“I saved his ass,” Trump said. “I was able to get Congress to leave him alone. I was able to get them to stop.”
On Thursday, a reporter asked Trump what he meant when he claimed he “saved” the Saudi leader’s “ass.”
Advertisement
Trump replied: “You’ll have to figure that out yourself.”
From Business Insider:
During his January 22 conversation with Woodward, the president said: “Well, I understand what you’re saying, and I’ve gotten involved very much. I know everything about the whole situation.” Trump added that Saudi Arabia spent billions of dollars on US products. He also stressed MBS’s claim that he’s innocent, though US intelligence and other foreign intelligence agencies have concluded otherwise. “He will always say that he didn’t do it,” Trump said of MBS. “He says that to everybody, and frankly I’m happy that he says that. But he will say that to you, he will say that to Congress, and he will say that to everybody. He’s never said he did it.” “Do you believe that he did it?” Woodward asked. “No, he says that he didn’t do it,” Trump replied. “I know, but do you really believe —” Woodward said before Trump cut him off. “He says very strongly that he didn’t do it,” Trump said. “Bob, they spent $400 billion over a fairly short period of time.”
Advertisement
Trump did everything within his power to assure that bin Salman was not even questioned about Khashoggi’s murder. In fact he “used executive power to block or bypass congressional efforts to cut ties with Riyadh after Khashoggi’s murder,” Business Insider reports.
Just last year, the president vetoed a “bipartisan bill to end U.S. support for the Saudis in Yemen. The war in Yemen has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis, and the Saudi-led coalition has killed civilians using US-made bombs.”
Advertisement
The president continues to sell weapons to the Saudis, including an $8 billion deal that Congress tried to block with resolutions, which were swiftly vetoed.
Despite several interviews with the former Post reporter, all of which were taped and several interviews with multiple senior White House officials and former officials, Trump has still called the book a “fake” and claimed that many of his taped quotes were taken out of context.


theroot--2020-09-11--Will Smith and Janet Hubert Flipped and Turned Everything Upside Down

The above header photo is from the year 2020 .
You read that right .
Because in 2020 , everything that you thought was wrong is right and everything you thought was fixed is flexible—just like Janet Hubert in that iconic dance episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air .
But , let ’ s back it up for a bit .
I want to take you all on my journey toward the wild discovery that , OMG , Will Smith and Hubert actually appeared in the same room for the upcoming reunion special of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday evening and I was aimlessly scrolling my Twitter timeline as an idle millennial is wont to do , when I saw someone tweet a photo of Smith and Hubert sitting in what appeared to be a studio theater setting , just yucking it up .
The fuck ?
!
“ Where is this from ?
” I quote-tweeted above the photo .
I spent what seemed like 4 years and 4 seconds ( at the same damn time ) investigating to see if I could spot any tells that confirmed this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some damn expert outside of the obvious tells ) , then rushed to Smith ’ s official social media page to get the scoop .
I found the following ( click the arrows in the IG page to see the picture ) : “ Today is exactly 30 YEARS since The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air debuted !
So we ’ re doin ’ something for y ’ all ... a for real Banks Family Reunion is comin ’ soon to HBO Max !
RIP James , ” Smith wrote on his official Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heartfelt tribute to the late James Avery .
Well , shut the front door wide open .
A sound that matched the expression of “ ?
?
?
?
?
?
” came out of me at that moment .
Sure , this is just a single frame of what will be an eventual video , but I never even expected this to happen .
I never expected them to be able to be in the same room with each other—smiling .
Here ’ s the calmer and more formal scoop of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HBO Max sent to The Root : Most of you surely realize the gravity of this happening , but as a quick refresher , the two haven ’ t seen each other for 27 damn years due to highly contentious creative differences between Hubert and Smith that led to her abrupt replacement by Maxwell Reid .
Thus , the terms “ Dark Skinned Aunt Viv ” and “ Light Skinned Aunt Viv ” were born .
And yes , the beef was real , to the point where Hubert would often take to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shade Smith via video with no apologies .
When the reunion special was announced , I previously wrote “ I think we all know which Aunt Viv will be there ” in the headline with a smug confidence , but even a tiny part of me knew 2020 could… 2020 her ass off .
Because I also wrote this : That surprise appearance happened !
So , I now also fully believe in the possibility that she will reenact the choreography at some point .
Anything is possible !
To accompany the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upcoming dramatic reboot based on the viral video trailer scored a 2-season pickup by NBC ’ s streaming platform Peacock , who won the pricey bidding war against Netflix .
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion Special ( which taped on the exact 30th anniversary of the popular sitcom ’ s debut ) will launch exclusively on HBO Max around the Thanksgiving holiday .
Also , all 148 episodes of the show are currently available to stream on HBO Max to satisfy your nostalgic needs .

Tonja Renée Stidhum on The Grapevine, shared by Tonja Renée Stidhum to The Root

The above header photo is from the year 2020.
Yes.
You read that right.
Because in 2020, everything that you thought was wrong is right and everything you thought was fixed is flexible—just like Janet Hubert in that iconic dance episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Advertisement
But, let’s back it up for a bit. I want to take you all on my journey toward the wild discovery that, OMG, Will Smith and Hubert actually appeared in the same room for the upcoming reunion special of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air!!!
It was an early Thursday evening and I was aimlessly scrolling my Twitter timeline as an idle millennial is wont to do, when I saw someone tweet a photo of Smith and Hubert sitting in what appeared to be a studio theater setting, just yucking it up. The fuck?!
Advertisement Advertisement
“Where is this from?” I quote-tweeted above the photo.
I spent what seemed like 4 years and 4 seconds (at the same damn time) investigating to see if I could spot any tells that confirmed this was Photoshop (as if I’m some damn expert outside of the obvious tells), then rushed to Smith’s official social media page to get the scoop. I found the following (click the arrows in the IG page to see the picture):
Advertisement
“Today is exactly 30 YEARS since The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air debuted! So we’re doin’ something for y’all...a for real Banks Family Reunion is comin’ soon to HBO Max! RIP James,” Smith wrote on his official Facebook page, ending his caption with a heartfelt tribute to the late James Avery.
Advertisement
Well, shut the front door wide open. A sound that matched the expression of “??????” came out of me at that moment. Sure, this is just a single frame of what will be an eventual video, but I never even expected this to happen. I never expected them to be able to be in the same room with each other—smiling.
Here’s the calmer and more formal scoop of what went down, via a press release HBO Max sent to The Root:
Smith was joined by series regulars Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Alfonso Ribeiro as well as recurring co-star DJ Jazzy Jeff for a family reunion on set in the Banks’ home in this one-time special. Surprising the rest of the cast, Smith revealed that he sat down yesterday with Janet Hubert, who originated the role of Aunt Viv, for the first time in 27 years for an emotional reunion and a candid conversation.
Advertisement
Most of you surely realize the gravity of this happening, but as a quick refresher, the two haven’t seen each other for 27 damn years due to highly contentious creative differences between Hubert and Smith that led to her abrupt replacement by Maxwell Reid. Thus, the terms “Dark Skinned Aunt Viv” and “Light Skinned Aunt Viv” were born. And yes, the beef was real, to the point where Hubert would often take to social media several years after the fact and shade Smith via video with no apologies.
This. Reunion. Is. A. Big. Damn. Deal.
Advertisement
When the reunion special was announced, I previously wrote “I think we all know which Aunt Viv will be there” in the headline with a smug confidence, but even a tiny part of me knew 2020 could… 2020 her ass off. Because I also wrote this:
I’d be remiss to not mention the obvious here—obviously, only light-skinned Aunt Viv (Reid) will be joining the special. Still, it would be peak 2020 if Janet Hubert made a surprise appearance. Seriously, imagine Hubert entering the building doing the choreography from her epic dance sequence.
Advertisement
That surprise appearance happened! So, I now also fully believe in the possibility that she will reenact the choreography at some point. Anything is possible!
Advertisement
To accompany the excitement surrounding anything Fresh Prince, the upcoming dramatic reboot based on the viral video trailer scored a 2-season pickup by NBC’s streaming platform Peacock, who won the pricey bidding war against Netflix.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion Special (which taped on the exact 30th anniversary of the popular sitcom’s debut) will launch exclusively on HBO Max around the Thanksgiving holiday. Also, all 148 episodes of the show are currently available to stream on HBO Max to satisfy your nostalgic needs.
Fresh Prince Clips Through The Years / HBO Max (YouTube)


theroot--2020-09-12--T.I. Charged by the SEC for Investment Fraud Using Social Media, Has to Pay $75,000 in Civil Penalti

T.I. Charged by the SEC for Investment Fraud Using Social Media, Has to Pay $75,000 in Civil Penalties

Days after he hopped on Instagram to tell people to use “ all the money ” they ’ ve gotten from the government during COVID-19 to buy property , the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has revealed that Atlanta rapper and frequent bloviator T.I .
will have to pay the government a fat sum of money as restitution for his participation in alleged trading fraud .
In an announcement on Friday , the SEC outlined that it charged Tip , whose real name is Clifton Harris Jr. , for helping Atlanta-based film producer Ryan Felton raise money for a fraudulent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Felton , and T.I.
’ s social media manager William Sparks , Jr. , were all named by the SEC as participants in the alleged scheme , in which Felton claimed to seeking funds to invest in his digital companies FliK and CoinSpark as part of an initial coin offering ( ICO ) .
In reality , Felton was misappropriating the funds to buy himself a Ferrari , a million-dollar house , and diamond jewelry , and participate in manipulative trading on the market for his personal benefit .
Meanwhile , T.I .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ invest ’ in Felton ’ s non-existent new ventures .
In a settled administrative order , the SEC finds that T.I .
offered and sold FLiK tokens on his social media accounts , falsely claiming to be a FLiK co-owner and encouraging his followers to invest in the FLiK ICO .
T.I .
also asked a celebrity friend to promote the FLiK ICO on social media and provided the language for posts , referring to FLiK as T.I.
’ s “ new venture.
” The SEC ’ s complaint alleges that T.I.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jr. offered and sold FLiK tokens on T.I.
’ s social media accounts , and that two other Atlanta residents , Chance White and Owen Smith , promoted SPARK tokens without disclosing they were promised compensation in return .
After being nabbed for his participation in the alleged scamming , the SEC says T.I .
has agreed to pay $ 75,000 as a civil penalty and not participate in any digital assets trading or promotion for the next five years .
His social media manager will also have to pay a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the video that T.I .
posted on Instagram earlier this week , in which he tells to people that they should be using their stimulus money from the government to buy land instead of copping mink coats and Christian Louboutin shoes : Hopefully this news of T.I.
’ s entanglement with the SEC provides a bit of caution to anyone thinking of taking life or business advice via the rapper ’ s lectures on social media .
Felton , who is accused of illegitimately copping all sorts of luxury goods with people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s apparent assistance , has been slapped with both civil and criminal charges by the U.S. District Court of Northern Georgia .

Ishena Robinson on The Grapevine, shared by Ishena Robinson to The Root

Days after he hopped on Instagram to tell people to use “all the money” they’ve gotten from the government during COVID-19 to buy property, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has revealed that Atlanta rapper and frequent bloviator T.I. will have to pay the government a fat sum of money as restitution for his participation in alleged trading fraud.
In an announcement on Friday, the SEC outlined that it charged Tip, whose real name is Clifton Harris Jr., for helping Atlanta-based film producer Ryan Felton raise money for a fraudulent company on social media.
Advertisement
T.I., Felton, and T.I.’s social media manager William Sparks, Jr., were all named by the SEC as participants in the alleged scheme, in which Felton claimed to seeking funds to invest in his digital companies FliK and CoinSpark as part of an initial coin offering (ICO). In reality, Felton was misappropriating the funds to buy himself a Ferrari, a million-dollar house, and diamond jewelry, and participate in manipulative trading on the market for his personal benefit.
Meanwhile, T.I. was encouraging his social media followers to ‘invest’ in Felton’s non-existent new ventures.
Advertisement Advertisement
From the SEC:
In a settled administrative order, the SEC finds that T.I. offered and sold FLiK tokens on his social media accounts, falsely claiming to be a FLiK co-owner and encouraging his followers to invest in the FLiK ICO. T.I. also asked a celebrity friend to promote the FLiK ICO on social media and provided the language for posts, referring to FLiK as T.I.’s “new venture.” The SEC’s complaint alleges that T.I.’s social media manager William Sparks, Jr. offered and sold FLiK tokens on T.I.’s social media accounts, and that two other Atlanta residents, Chance White and Owen Smith, promoted SPARK tokens without disclosing they were promised compensation in return.
Advertisement
After being nabbed for his participation in the alleged scamming, the SEC says T.I. has agreed to pay $75,000 as a civil penalty and not participate in any digital assets trading or promotion for the next five years. His social media manager will also have to pay a $25,000 penalty to the government.
Back to the video that T.I. posted on Instagram earlier this week, in which he tells to people that they should be using their stimulus money from the government to buy land instead of copping mink coats and Christian Louboutin shoes:
Advertisement
Hopefully this news of T.I.’s entanglement with the SEC provides a bit of caution to anyone thinking of taking life or business advice via the rapper’s lectures on social media.
Advertisement
Felton, who is accused of illegitimately copping all sorts of luxury goods with people’s hard-earned money and T.I.’s apparent assistance, has been slapped with both civil and criminal charges by the U.S. District Court of Northern Georgia.