The Root

Will Smith's rise to fame and acclaim may be widely known, but there's a little known fact about his ascent that just might surprise you.Read more...

Even after his death, people are still making wild claims about O.J. Simpson, including a wild allegation from his bodyguard that he has a tape of the controversial NFL Hall of Famer confessing to the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.Read more...

The families of the Black women who were allegedly sexually terrorized by a Kansas City detective over decades will never be able to see if he's brought to justice, thanks to what appear to be his own extreme actions.Read more...

Whether you love him or hate him, you have to admit Stephen A. Smith knows exactly what his job is. The media personality is here to stir the pot. The sports pundit is no stranger to controversial opinions on famous athletes, teams, plays and decisions.Read more...

Judge Greg Mathis might've gotten his wife back, but now he could be facing consequences of a whole different brand following a 2023 confrontation in front of his own house.Read more...

Just one week after we showed you a video of a teenager throwing a massive tantrum inside a Georgia cell phone store as she pleads with her mother not to disconnect her cell phone service, social media is buzzing with yet another child making an outrageous scene - this time, it's a young girl in a Walmart.

Nick Cannon has been keeping a relatively low profile as of late. But thanks to actor Orlando Brown, he's back in the headlines once again and this time for something truly unbelievable.Read more...

Just about every Black person you and I know voted for Kamala, and at least half as many took to a cocoon after the Trump Triumph. No CNN. MSNBC, which imbibed and spun the tale that the election might actually be close, now on par with Pravda. The New York Times and The Washington Post avoided like a vampire hides...Read more...

On Nov. 26, the Biden administration announced a plan to require Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy for people looking to treat issues of obesity. According to a White House Spokesperson, the plan would provide access to the drugs for over three million people across the...Read more...

On Monday (Dec. 2), a Black California lawmaker introduced a bill Monday that would prioritize the descendants of slaves regarding the college admissions process. The tentative bill would affect the University of California and California State University, which are two of the country's largest public university...Read more...

A South Carolina family's world was shattered when 12-year-old Kelaia Turner attempted suicide following months of ongoing bullying from students at Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School. Now, her family is seeking justice.Read more...

In our fast-paced, modern world, receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame may not seem like a big deal. But for Black artists, it's not just the culmination of their lifelong aspirations, it also encompasses the dreams of their friends and family. The latest person to be recognized by the Hollywood Chamber of...Read more...

Los Angeles rapper Roddy Ricch earned a Grammy Award in 2020, but his trophy was misplaced in a crazy tale of misplacement and, according to the rapper himself, extortion. The story begins with a YouTuber by the name of Prieto Hunters, who is known for making videos about buying abandoned storage units.Read more...

Anok Yai has lost another one. After being passed over forModel of the Year at the at Fashion Awards on Monday (Dec. 2) evening for the fourth time in a row, the supermodel took to social media to share her thoughts on her loss...and Black Twitter had her back.

Turns out rap mogul Sean Diddy" Combs had the chance to prevent the bombshell lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassandra Cassie" Ventura, from going public and ultimately, triggering a federal investigation. However, he allegedly denied the opportunity.Read more...

After an innocent man was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl, he spent 47 years wrongfully convicted of the crime. Now, Leonard Mack is suing New York's Westchester County District, the town of Greenburgh and several people who he claims played a role in his wrongful arrest and incarceration.Read more...

New York authorities indicted a woman after connecting her to the scene of a Queens home that was set ablaze. The fire wasn't even the worst part - it was who was stuck inside the fire.Read more...

Even though billionaire Kylie Jenner and rapper Travis Scott might've called it quits years ago, the pair still shares two children ... and reluctantly, a Beverly Hills mansion worth millions.

When hip-hop burst on the scene in the 70s, no one expected it to become a cultural touchstone or for it to experience the longevity it has achieved. But here we are more than 50 years later, and it's widely considered the most popular and influential music style in the world.Read more...

Victor Willis, a.k.a. the co-creator and frontman of popular music group the Village People, is speaking out about former President Donald Trump and his use of their famous song Y.M.C.A." - but what he said might surprise you.Read more...

Jay-Z is the best example of how a superstar rap artist changes course and uses his fame to become a shrewd businessman. He's made several smart investments that have led to him becoming one of the wealthiest Black people in the country and one of the few Black billionaires in the world. However, one of his more...Read more...

Legal pressure is once again coming down the Sean Diddy" Combs pipeline, with legal documents being sent to his Miami mansion. But this time, the documents are not for the mogul himself.Read more...

If you're looking for a voice that's reminiscent of the jazz and soul artists of the past-look no further than singer Ledisi. After her third studio album in 2007 brought her not one but two Grammy nominations, the New Orleans-born, Oakland-bred singer was thrust into the spotlight and subsequently, into the hearts of...Read more...

It doesn't matter what continent they're on, when it comes to red carpets, Black stars always show up and show out. Monday night delivered dueling red carpets, as stars gathered in New York City at the 2024 Gotham FIlm Awards, while over in London Black Excellence was on full display at the 2024 Fashion Awards. From Ri...Read more...

The world seemed to forget about the woman whose horrfiying interaction with the police led to a national conversation around Haitian migrants after a racist rumor brigade began. Now, we finally know how that case ended.Read more...

A Black teen girl, La'Nisha Hemingway, was wrongfully detained by North Myrtle beach police back in May. Shortly after the ordeal, Hemingway filed a civil lawsuit, and she just received a settlement amount suggesting that she got the last laugh.Read more...

All Serena Williams ever does is take care of her family and dominate the tennis court, but now, the 23-time Grand Slam champion is clapping back at people on the internet who are making some crazy accusations against her.Read more...

An Emmy-winning newscaster who began his career at CNN in the 1980s is taking some time away from the news desk to focus on his health.

Scottie Pippen is the latest victim of social media's wrath after posting a tone-deaf, unserious tweet about the controversial owner of X, Elon Musk.Read more...

Celebrities, they're just like us. Despite their flawless photos, they deal with acne, hyperpigmentation and the occasional split end. They just have access to great products and professionals that help keep them looking their best. So when they take time to share their routines with us mere mortals, we have to pay...Read more...

In addition to losing a rap battle against Kendrick Lamar, on Monday, one Drake's other worst nightmares came true...and it's all thanks to Charlamagne tha God. I'll explain.Read more...

The rideshare industry has just been shaken up by a new Black-owned company that is rapidly expanding to major cities around the country including Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Nashville, Phoenix, and many other locations.Read more...

In the ten years since she parted ways with Roc Nation, rapper M.I.A. has had plenty to say about her time working with Jay-Z. Now, she's alleging that in one of their first meetings, he made questionable comments about her appearance.Read more...

Just two days after Thanksgiving, a California family experienced a nightmare after suffering a shocking loss from an incident that investigators have yet to solve.Read more...

Just east of Los Angeles, a small neighborhood called Section 14 stood for decades. But in the 1960s, its Black and Latino residents were forced out of their homes to make space for commercial buildings, leaving hundreds of parents to pick up the pieces and even more children witnessing it all.

On Christmas Day 1996, 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found dead in the basement of her family's Boulder, Colo. home, sparking a decades-long obsession with the still unsolved case. You've certainly heard of Ramsey if you're of a certain age, but you likely have no idea who Tineshia Jackson, Taranika Raymond or Kreneic...Read more...

When it comes to conversations about supremely fashionable figures in the entertainment industry, there's no true talk unless we bring up Janelle Monae.Read more...

Airports are inherently chaotic, and apparently they serve as the perfect breeding ground for Karens to act out. Earlier this last year, there was one being downright rude to a Spirit Airlines employee at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.Read more...

To no one's surprise, Bad Boy Records Founder Sean Diddy" Combs had his request for bond rejected by the court for the third time. The compelling argument put forth by prosecutors, comparing Combs to various sex cult leaders, might have been the finishing the touch to keep him in jail.Read more...

President-elect Donald Trump has made waves for setting up a very controversial cabinet for his final four years in office. In his latest headline-making move, the MAGA leader just named former Chief of Staff to the U.S. Secretary of Defense Kashyap Kash" Patel as his pick for director of the FBI.Read more...

Last week, we told you about a now-viral video of Bishop T.D. Jakes' during a November 24 sermon at his Dallas megachurch, The Potter's House, that had viewers concerned about the health of the popular faith leader.

It's been a tough year for Drake. Not only did he come out as the loser in one of the biggest hip-hop beefs ever, but he did so in an an embarrassing fashion: His rival, Kendrick Lamar, has been one step ahead of the Canadian pop star since he released his first diss track, Euphoria."Read more...

Sean Diddy" Combs just got hit with another lawsuit blow from a woman who claims she witnessed and experienced some truly horrifying things.Read more...

Malia Obama's rising career in Hollywood may only be just beginning but it already looks like she's off to a great start thanks to a recently released project.Read more...

Whether it's the corporate world, politics, sports, or entertainment, when it comes to consequences and accountability, the rules are always different for Black people. Look no further than the disappointing results of the 2024 presidential election for proof that rich white people don't seem to worry about cancel...Read more...

Polarizing conservative commentator Candace Owens is having a hard time trying to book speaking gigs internationally. In latest news, Owens has officially been banned from her second country...and the reasons behind it shouldn't come as a surprise

The holiday shopping season is in full swing. But if you didn't get everything on your list this Black Friday, don't worry, Cyber Monday has even more chances to save on this year's hottest products in every category.Read more...

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Just weeks before President Joe Biden leaves the White House, he's using his presidential power to do something he once promised he wouldn't do: Look out for his kid, Hunter Biden. Of course, Black Twitter has a thing or three to say about the move.Read more...

How much do you really know about your favorite celebrities? No matter how much you think you know, it's always a surprise when someone you love for one specific thing turns out to have a seemingly random talent. These celebrities have added layers, making them that more interesting.Read more...