Trinidadian-born rapper Theophilus London, 35, has been found safe, one week after his family members reported him missing in Los Angeles. London’s cousin submitted a missing person’s report last week noting they hadn’t spoken to the rapper/producer since July 2022. The police report stated London was last seen in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles in October and his family had completely lost contact with him.
London’s father Larry London told NBC that he was found walking in west Los Angeles by friends who were looking for him and he will soon be headed back to New York.
“Theo is in Los Angeles and heading to family in New York for a grandmother’s funeral and after that we want him to go to Trinidad to recuperate and to regenerate and get himself together,” Larry London said. “He’s been through an ordeal. His mind is fragile. He needs to get back to writing his music.”
London is a prolific producer and fashion influencer who is widely known for his appearance on 2015’s Kanye West, but launched his career in 2011 with celebrated mixtapes and an EP Lover’s Holiday, which featured Solange Knowles. London followed that EP with Timez Are Weird These Days and his break out album was 2014’s Vibez, featuring Kanye West and producer/songwriter Leon Ware.
Instagram/IAmDJKellz
London’s cousin Mikhail Noel, also known as DJ Kellz, wrote on his instagram account, “Truly appreciate everyone’s support in finding my cousin. It’s refreshing and rewarding to have such a strong support system of family and friends!!! God bless each and everyone of you all. ❤️❤️🙏🏾.”
This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder and editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary this year. Follow The Burton Wire on Instagram or Twitter @TheBurtonWire.
Former Miss USA Chesli Kryst died by suicide in January 2022.
2022 was a doozy with a host of stories impacting Black communities throughout the Diaspora. From the arrest and conviction of Basketball Superstar Britney Griner in Russia to the untimely deaths of comedian/showrunner David A. Arnold, South African actress Busi Luyrayi, pop cultural icon Irene Cara and murder of rap superstar Takeoff, 2022 kept us on our toes. Outside allegedly opened back up and it seemed things were returning somewhat to normal but the unexpected jolts that make up this thing called life kept coming.
In January, we were rocked by the high-profile death by suicide of former Miss USA Chesli Kryst and the December death by suicide of DJ tWitch. The national political spotlight turned to Georgia politics which followed the Gubernatorial run of Stacey Abrams and Senatorial race and run-off of college football legend Herschel Walker and U.S. Senator and senior pastor of Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr. Raphael Warnock. The year of our Lord 2002 gave us the conviction and sentencing of Ahmaud Arbery’s murderers, R&B legend/sex trafficker R. Kelly, and soon-to-be sentenced Canadian rapper Torey Lanez for shooting rap superstar Megan The Stallion and being naive enough to admit it on the prison phone line. Check out The Burton Wire’s top stories of 2022 that received the most traffic on the site or on social media platforms below:
TRAVIS McMICHAEL AND GREG McMICHAEL (AHMAUD ARBERY’S CONVICTED KILLERS)
Travis McMichael, 36, and Greg McMichael, 66, were convicted of murder after fatally shooting Ahmaud Arbery after they chased him through a Georgia neighborhood while he was jogging February 3, 2020. They were sentenced to life in prison without parole in the state of Georgia. Their friend William “Roddie” Bryan, 52, who videotaped the murder, was sentenced to 35 years in prison. The McMichael’s were also convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for committing a federal hate crime in August 2022. The pair received their sentences from US district court judge Lisa Godbey Wood in the port city of Brunswick.
Greg McMichael, 66, Travis McMichael, 36 and William “Roddie” Bryan, were sentenced to life in prison again for the murder of jogger Ahmaud Arbery. (Photo: Google Images)
The Death of Comedian David A. Arnold
The passing of beloved comedian David A. Arnold shook the entertainment world. Arnold was a comedian, actor, writer and producer who headlined two Netflix comedy specials. He was a writer/producer on the “Fuller House” reboot, and creator and showrunner of Nickelodeon’s, “That Girl Lay Lay.” The comedian, who was also a social media star, had premiered his Netflix comedy special, “It Ain’t for the Weak,” in July and was in the midst of a national comedy tour at the time of his passing. His comedy focused on his intense love of his family, namely his blended parental family, wife Julie and daughters Anna-Grace and Ashlyn. His family announced Arnold died of natural causes. He was 54.
Comedian David A. Arnold died at 54 at the height of his popularity. He was 54.
SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA AVOIDS IMPEACHMENT
South African President Ramaphosa survived a move to start impeachment proceedings against him in a vote in parliament December 13, 2022. Ramaphosa is the subject of an ongoing scandal linked to the theft of more than $500,000 in cash from his private game farm in 2020. The cash was stuffed inside a leather sofa according to the panel investigation.
The panel, led by a former chief justice, found that the crime was not reported to the police and that there was a “deliberate decision to keep the investigation secret.”
After initial speculation that he would resign, Ramaphosa’s lawyers sought to challenge the panel’s findings in court. The president has repeatedly denied the allegations saying the money was from the sale of wildlife at his Phala Phala farm.
In a move that upended the investigation, the African National Congress’ (ANC) top leadership called on their parliamentary caucus to block the investigation. One by one, MPs were asked to articulate their vote in person after requests to hold the vote in secret was ruled out by the Speaker of Parliament. There were a few ‘yes’ votes from ANC members, and a couple of no-shows, but their caucus largely held together. Opposition parties were mostly unified on calling for an impeachment inquiry. The vote, which failed, required a simple majority.
South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa. ((Photo: Google Images)
DEATH BY SUICIDE OF CHESLI KRYST AND DJ tWITCH
January 2022 was rocked by news Miss USA 2019 Chesli Kryst jumped out of a NYC building, ending a life that many believed to have been charmed. The Charlotte, NC native was an Emmy-nominated correspondent for EXTRA entertainment news and a civil litigation attorney who had been privately dealing with high-functioning depression. The fan favorite hid it from everyone, including her mother, whom she only told about her struggles shortly before her death by suicide. Beloved television personality, executive producer and dancer Stephen “DJ tWitch” Boss died by suicide in December 2022. DJ tWitch had a nearly constant social media presence. His much publicized death left Hollywood friends like Ellen DeGeneres, fans of “You Think You Can Dance,” and “The Ellen Show,” and his social media followers reeling. He is survived by his wife Allison Holker and three children.
Former Miss USA Chesli Kryst died by suicide in January 2022.
DEATH OF SOUTH AFRICA ACTRESS BUSI LURAYI
Popular South African actress Busisiwe “Buusi” Lurayi was known for outstanding performances in “City Ses’la” (2005), “How to Ruin Christmas” (2020) and “Wild at Heart” (2006). In Netflix‘s “How to Ruin Christmas,” Busi played the lead character of the incorrigible Tumi, who brought drama and merriment wherever she surfaced helping to propel the series to the one of the streamers most viewed shows. On July 10, 2022, Busi was found dead in her home in Thembisa, Gauteng, South Africa by her father. Lurayi died prior to filming season three of the hit Netflix show. A cause of death has not been disclosed. Lurayi was 36.
Popular South African actress Busi Lurayi was found dead in her home July 2022. The cause of death was never revealed. She was 36. (Photo: Google Images)
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COCAINE SCANDAL
On April 28, 2022, the UK overseas territory, the British Virgin Islands took a major hit to its elegant image, after news broke that Premier Andrew Fahie had been arrested in Miami in connection with a cocaine and money laundering scheme.
Following that arrest, the Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority, Oleanvine Maynard and her son Kadeem Maynard were also arrested and charged. Premier Fahie submitted his letter of resignation 8 months after his arrest, pending the start of his trial. Fahie is being prosecuted for knowingly traveling across interstate to facilitate a business enterprise involving narcotics.
The Ex-Premier’s trial is expected to start in 2023.
British Virgin Islands former Premier Andrew Fahie. (Photo: Google Photos)
BASKETBALL LEGEND BRITNEY GRINER’S ARREST AND CONVICTION IN RUSSIA
Basketball legend and Phoenix Mercury center Britney Griner was arrested and charged with drug possession when cartridges of cannabis oil were allegedly found in her bag when she entered Russia to play in the NBA off-season. Griner played for Russia’s national team and lived in Russia part-time for seven years. Fans, fellow professional athletes and Griner’s wife rallied for Griner’s freedom, pulling the White House into the fray. Griner’s arrest, conviction and sentence of nine years in prison happened just after Russia invaded the Ukraine.
On December 8, Griner who had been moved to a Russian prison colony, was released in a prisoner swap with convicted Russian arms dealer Victor Bout.
Basketball Superstar Brittany Griner was arrested, convicted and spent months in a Russian prison before a prisoner swap orchestrated by the U.S. government
REPARATIONS COMING TO CALIFORNIA?
Following a two-year investigation by a state appointed task force made up of community leaders and politicians tasked with looking into the feasibility of making reparations to descendants of enslaved Black people who lived in the state, the task force offered recommendations of how to make restitution for the wrongs that resulted from slavery. The task force found in addition to enslavement, over generations their descendants were victimized by racial terror, political and economic disfranchisement, housing segregation, poor education and general institutionalized and systemic racism. The task force found reparations should ensue and recommended each eligible descendant be awarded $233,000. A final report is expected next year.
California is investigating reparations for descendants of enslaved Blacks. (Photo: KQEP)
This post was curated by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder and editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary this year. Follow The Burton Wire on Instagram or Twitter @TheBurtonWire.
TBW 10 Logo. (Maximum Elevation/The Burton Wire Media Group)
Friday, November 18, 2022 at 6 p.m. EST, The Burton Wire Media Group hosted, “A Black Diamond Affair,” The Burton Wire’s 10th Anniversary Celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta, GA.
It was a night of celebrating the success of the The Burton Wire, the premiere online destination for news and culture about the African Diaspora. We also honored trailblazers and game changers in the areas of art, culture, history, philanthropy, activism, education and media.
Check out some highlights from the evening celebrating Black excellence and community.
Thanks again to our Black Diamond sponsors Charlotte Native Real Estate Advisors, Talero Tequilas, our Platinum sponsors The Matriarch, Funky Roots, Fifth Third Bank, PRecise Communications, Y Square Consultants, The Atlanta Voice, Nkisa Clothing and our Gold sponsors Brown Girl Mixers and O & CompanyInteriors.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, vendors and attendees. Don’t fret if you don’t see yourself in the video; a photo gallery from the event is forthcoming. Thanks to Max-El Saffold of Maximum Elevation for the dope video.
We wish you a happy and safe holiday season. Enjoy! – Nsenga
https://youtu.be/DSgm-ivbFCE
The Burton Wire’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Video.
Wu-Tang Clan Legacy Coffee Table Tome opened. (Photo: Screenshot)
Well it appears the Wu-Tang Clan still “ain’t nuthin’ to f*#% wit.” In the year of our Lord 2022, the Wu-Tang Clan aims to make history again by releasing, Legacy, a coffee table tome in celebration of their 1993 Hip-Hop classic, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), the game-changing Hip-Hop album that altered and influenced Hip-Hop music and culture.
As the legendary group nears the 30th Anniversary of the release of the seminal Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), they are releasing Wu-Tang: Legacy. Only 36 copies of the LEGACYwill be sold, with one of those copies being auctioned at Sotheby’s. The 300+ page coffee table tome is a rare relic encased in a chamber that will launch the group further into the future by chronicling its past. In tribute to and in celebration of “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)”, sculptor Gethin Jones (protégé of British sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, known for the Angel of the North) designed the chamber that encases each book. The actual chamber is being handmade by Warren Holzman, a noted blacksmith and visual artist at Holzman Iron Studio in Philadelphia, PA.
Wu-Tang Clan: Legacy; The actual chamber is being handmade by Warren Holzman, a noted blacksmith and visual artist at Holzman Iron Studio, Philadelphia, PA.John “Mook” Gibbons, Founder and CEO of Wu-Tang Management (left), RZA, Wu-Tang Clan (right)
Wu-Tang legend RZA comments, “Items dating back hundreds, even thousands of years have graced the floors of Sotheby’s. It’s great that in our own lifetime, we were able to create something that will also grace these floors and be shared with the world.”
The 36 bronze-encrusted, 400-pound black steel chambers along with the intricate details and personal touches of the Founder and CEO of Wu-Tang Management, John “Mook” Gibbons, are inspired by the ancient past and bronze ritual bowls of the Zhou Dynasty – whose first ruler was King Wu-Wang. The chambers consist of Spun Mild Steel bowls while the raised ridges, base and logo are finished in solid brushed brass. The art will be available for pre-order on Friday, December 16, 2022, at 3 pm ET.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEu60ZyOlT8
Housed within the chamber, featuring rare and never before seen images – documenting the journey of the legends of hip hop – THE WU-TANG CLAN: LEGACYdelves into the origin of the group, their history and respective journeys. Thoroughly and meticulously, this quintessential publication honors the remarkable roster, and the executives, the affiliates, family and pivotable personnel that helped make the Wu-Tang Clan and Legacy book come to life, unpacking their rich history. The carefully curated images are from renowned photographers as well as family and friends of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Each book will be printed, bound and hand-stitched in Italy using the finest leather and materials. Each copy will be signed, numbered, and issued with a certificate of authenticity. Publisher Andy Cantillon, co-founder of Art of Publishing and Photographer, has worked extensively with Gibbons to create this tome.
Gibbons offers, “From the slums of Shaolin to the floors of Sotheby’s – Wu-Tang…Witty, Unpredictable, Talent and Natural Game. No other MCs can claim the same. WU-TANG Baby!” — 36 chambers. 36 books. 36 artifacts.
The Wu-Tang clan is not new to creating rare and once-in-a-lifetime content for audiences. In 2015, Wu-Tang Clan sold only one copy of “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin,” their seventh studio album for $2 million. In 2021, the musical art re-sold for over $4 million.
For purchasing information about Wu-Tang Clan: Legacy, visit www.WuTangLegacy.com.
To hear Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Masta Killa and John Mook Gibbons talk about the project, listen to Closer Look with Rose Scotton WABE Atlanta (90.1), who will be interviewing the hip-hop legends at 1:30 p.m. EST today (12/15/22).
This post was curated by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.
Stephen "DJ tWitch" Boss has died by suicide. He was 40. Photo: Fox
The internet is buzzing with tragic news about beloved dancer and DJ Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who has died by suicide. Boss’s wife, Allison Holker Boss, confirmed his death in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE MAGAZINE: “He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”
Boss rose to fame as a contestant on MTV’s The Wade Robson Project and as a 2008 runner-up on Season 4 of the hit show So You Think You Can Dance, later returning as an All-Star. He served as a judge upon the show’s return in 2022.
In 2014, Boss joined The Ellen DeGeneres Show as a guest DJ, eventually becoming a permanent member of the show. Boss was promoted to co-executive producer status in 2020 and remained in that role until the show’s end in 2022.
It is being reported that Boss’s wife Allison frantically went to the local L.A. police station because DJ tWitch had left their home and left his belongings behind which was unlike him. The police received word of a shooting at a local hotel and found DJ tWitch dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He is survived by Allison and their three children. He was 40.
Senegal's National Assembly building in Dakar, where Parliamentary sessions are held. (Photo: Senegalese Government)
WARNING: NSFW and VIOLENCE IN VIDEO. The Internet is buzzing over video of a male politician slapping a woman colleague during a melée in Parliament in Senegal last week. Tensions have been rising between the ruling and opposition parties since a legislative election in July where the ruling party lost its comfortable majority. Opposition MP Massata Samb hit ruling party member Amy Ndiaye Gniby during a budget presentation. Gniby responded by grabbing a chair and hurling it at her attacker. Watch the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9uyDhiAgus
Fight breaks out after Opposition MP Massata Samb hit ruling party member Amy Ndiaye Gniby in a parliamentary session in Senegal.
Apparently Samb was upset because Gniby spoke out against a “spiritual leader” and refused to apologize after he admonished her for it. After Samb hit Gniby, an all-out brawl took place. The session was suspended and eventually the two sides were separated.
Feminists and members of the governing coalition expressed indignation over the physical attack on Gniby, which coincided with a continental awareness campaign about violence against women and girls.
Photo: South African Government (Flickr/Creative Commons)
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing impeachment over a report submitted by an independent panel appointed by parliament accusing him of “serious misconduct.”
The report described potential “gross misconduct” by Ramaphosa and stated the embattled president had “violated his oath of office” in the scandal that has been named Farmgate. Millions of dollars were reported stolen from his private ranch following the sale of cattle, with proceeds/income that was not disclosed. The president is alleged to have kept the money, hired private security to track down the thieves and to have bribed the thieves to keep quiet about the money, allegedly stashed in a sofa.
Ramaphosa is accused of holding undeclared foreign currency, tax evasion, failing to inform police about the robbery and misusing state resources. The three-person panel decided that Ramaphosa should face further scrutiny and be impeached because of the alleged wrongdoing.
Ramaphosa has said he plans to appeal the report which a spokesperson called, “flawed,” and would potentially destabilize the country by removing a head of state.
Ramaphosa is less than a month away from an elective conference that will decide if he is allowed to run for a second term on the governing African National Congress(ANC) 2024 ticket.
Read more about Farmgate and the independent panel’s report on The Guardian or Reuters.
Twenty-five years after his death, rap legend Biggie Smalls will return to the stage as an avatar in a virtual-reality concert on Meta’s VR and Facebook platforms.
The Internet is buzzing with news legendary rapper Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” a.k.a. Biggie Smalls a.k.a. Frank White, will make a return to the stage in a much hyped virtual reality concert exclusively on Meta and Facebook. Developed in collaboration with the late rapper’s mother Voletta Wallace and his estate, the VR concert will feature a “hyper-realistic” avatar of Wallace performing his greatest hits. The action will unfold in a metaverse called, “The Brook,” based on Wallace’s Brooklyn neighborhood. Watch, “The Brook” teaser below:
The concert is in celebration of the late rapper’s 50th birthday. On March 9, 1997, Wallace was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, after leaving a Vibe Magazine party.
In order to view,“The Notorious B.I.G. Sky’s The Limit: A VR Concert Experience,” viewers must use MetaQuest 2 or MetaQuest Pro VR headset. Not to worry, those without the VR headset can watch the 2-D version on the official Notorious B.I.G. Facebook Page.
The concert will debut Dec. 16 exclusively in the “Venues” section of Meta Horizon Worlds and in Meta Quest TV.
This post was curated by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.Follow The Burton Wire on Instagram or Twitter @TheBurtonWire.
Cadillac Williams named Auburn's first Black head coach. (Screenshot)
Carnell Williams, often referred to as “Cadillac” by many in the Auburn fanbase, was the Tigers running backs coach before then-interim athletic director Rich McGlynn named him the program’s interim head coach for the final four games of the season.
Former Auburn All-American running back Carnell Williams will become the storied SEC football program’s first African American head coach. With the firing of Auburn Head Coach Bryan Harsin, Williams, who was previously the running back coach will be making another type of history. “I get goosebumps,” Williams said in his first news conference as head coach on Wednesday. “Never thought in a million years I’d be in this position.”
Wilton Jackson of SI.com writes:
“However, Williams has a tall task ahead of him. The Tigers’ (3–5) next four games include a pivotal road matchup against Mississippi State on Saturday, a home game against Texas A&M and a late-season duel with Western Kentucky before ending the regular season against Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
Other coaches on Harsin’s staff including offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau, tight ends coach Brad Bedell, strength coach Jeff Pitman, director of recruiting Darren Uscher and chief of staff Brad Larrondo were relieved of their duties after Harsin’s firing.”
A Precision Airline flight carrying 43 passengers including an infant crashed into Lake Victoria while attempting to land on the lakeside town of the northwest city of Bukoba.
Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa issued a statement. “All Tanzanians are with you in mourning the 19 people who lost lives during this accident,” Majaliwa told a crowd after arriving at Bukoba airport, where the flight had been scheduled to land from financial capital Dar es Salaam. Watch video of the rescue efforts below (TRIGGER WARNING):
According to France 24, Flight PW 494 was carrying 39 passengers, including an infant, as well as four crew members. The airline initially stated 26 of the 43 people on board were rescued but the death toll climbed higher as rescuers went in the water to retrieve passengers. Precision Airlines is Tanzania’s largest publicly traded, private airline.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her condolences to those affected by the accident.
“Let’s continue to be calm while the rescue operation continues as we pray to God to help us,” she said on Twitter. Hassan was sworn in as Tanzania’s first woman president in 2021.
