Oscar-Winning Actress Regina King's Only Child, Ian Alexander Jr., Dies at 26

Photo Credit @desdune Instagram

After several news outlets broke the story Saturday morning, Oscar-winning actress Regina King confirmed that her son, Ian Alexander Jr., died by suicide Wednesday on his 26th birthday.

"Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian," King said in a statement provided by her representative.

"He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Thank you."

A musician and DJ, Alexander is the son of Ian Alexander Sr. and King who were married in 1997 and together 10 years before divorcing.

The younger Alexander performed under the name “desduné,” according to his Instagram page. His most recent single, "Green Eyes," was released on Jan. 7.

Covid Concerns Lead to Cancellation of Fugees Reunion Tour

Photo Credit B+

The Fugees much anticipated reunion tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of their 1996 opus, "The Score," has been called off.

“We anticipate and understand disappointment but our anniversary tour will not be able to happen,” the group wrote in an Instagram post. “The continued Covid pandemic has made touring conditions difficult, and we want to make sure we keep our fans and ourselves healthy and safe. An idea sparked to honor and celebrate this 25th anniversary of ‘The Score’ but we see now it may not currently be our time for revisiting this past work. We’re grateful for the special night we did get to share with some of you in New York, with that rare live moment. If opportunity, public safety, and scheduling allow, we hope to be able to revisit this again sometime soon. Thank you for all of your love and support throughout the years.”

Originally announced in September right before the group came together for the first time in 15 years to take the stage at Pier 17 in New York, the concert was scheduled to kick off Nov. 2 at United Center in Chicago and traverse the U.S. and Europe before concluding in Africa

“As I celebrate 25 years with the Fugees, my first memory was that we vowed, from the gate, we would not just do music we would be a movement," Wyclef Jean, who along with Pras Michel and Lauryn Hill comprise the band, said at the time in a statement. "We would be a voice for the unheard, and in these challenging times, I am grateful once again, that God has brought us together.”

Unfortunately for fans the Sept. 22 concert in New York, where the trio arrived nearly four hours late but still earned accolades for a show featuring just seven songs and a cavalcade of support musicians, will have to hold them through the foreseeable future.

The trio's second album "The Score" shot them to superstardom in 1996. Hit singles "Killing Me Softly" and "Ready or Not" helped propel it to the top of the Billboard charts. The Fugees went on to become the first hip-hop group ever to be nominated for Album of the Year at the 1997 Grammy's, where "The Score" took home awards for Best Rap Album and Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group ("Killing Me Softly").

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fugees (@fugees25)

 

Watch: Hip-Hop Legends Come Together in Epic Super Bowl Halftime Trailer

Last year we reported that Dr. Dre had assembled some of hip-hop's greatest talents to headline the 2022 Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Today, with the game closer on the horizon, the rapper and producer dropped a hype video for the event that has expectations soaring for the halftime experience at the first Super Bowl in Los Angeles since 1993.

In the nearly four-minute clip directed by F. Gary Gray, who had the same role on "Straight Outta Compton," the biographical movie about Dre's former group N.W.A. released in 2015, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar answer "The Call" from Dre and unite to head to the stadium together in their own unique ways.

Eminem opens the video battle-rapping his alter ego Slim Shady before getting the nod and jumping on his private plane. Snoop Dogg cruises the California streets to his frequent partner in rhyme in his custom lowrider. Blige announces she's back in a high-fashion photoshoot before jumping in her own slick ride, and Lamar wrestles with his own verses and smoking pen in an empty room before jumping on his custom bike to heed the call.

The soundtrack, scored by Adam Blackstone, transitions into Tupac Shakur's 1999 hit "California Love" as they come together and approach the stadium. It is in an homage to the deceased star who was a pivotal part of Death Row along with Dre and Snoop and the city in which the game will be played.

"The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime show, and to do it in my own backyard, will be one of the biggest thrills of my career," Dr. Dre said in a statement when the lineup was originally announced.

"It will be an "unforgettable cultural moment," he added.

Whether or not that is true remains to be seen but the hype video has certainly made some fans believers. Watch the entire clip below: