Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Cardi B Moves Into Ownership With Fashion, Beauty Brands Backed by Revolve

Anthony Kane, via Wikimedia Commons

Cardi B is stepping into a new era — one defined not by chart-topping singles, but by legacy, ownership, and long-term vision. The Grammy-winning rapper has announced a high-stakes joint venture with California-based retail powerhouse Revolve Group to launch her first fully owned fashion and beauty brands.

It’s a power move rooted in intention. In a post shared on X, the Bronx native outlined the inspiration behind her next chapter: “Coming from a Caribbean family, the goal is always to OWN!” she wrote. “I want to leave [my kids] with something they can carry for generations to come, something that their mother built from the ground up.”

This isn’t a licensing deal or endorsement. Cardi, born Belcalis Almánzar, has spent years behind the scenes working through major collaborations with brands like Fashion Nova, Reebok and NYX. Now, she’s channeling that experience into a venture she can call her own — shaped by her values, aesthetic and business acumen.

The partnership with Revolve aims to establish a billion-dollar multibrand company, one built to last. It’s a real business play, backed by long-term goals, hands-on involvement, and a team that includes creative director and longtime manager Patientce Foster, stylist Kollin Carter, and PR veterans Jennifer Walker and Adam Drawas.


“This is a lifetime brand,” Foster said in a recent WWD cover story.

“I don’t want my kids to be fighting with record labels on how much percent they’re going to get with my music,” Cardi added. “I’m doing this for me. Not for everybody else.”

The first collection will feature a fashion line inspired by Cardi’s signature style — form-fitting, body-positive silhouettes, real sizing and quality materials. “If it’s a size small, it should be a true size small,” she said, referencing her early days hustling for clothes that actually fit. “I want people to come back.”

Beauty is also in the works, marking Revolve’s first move into that space. It’s a natural extension for Cardi, whose bold glam has become part of her cultural impact — from elaborate nails to dramatic makeup and hair. She says the goal is to offer products that reflect her personal style but also meet high performance and quality standards.

Executives at Revolve — including co-founders Michael Mente and Mike Karanikolas, and chief brand officer Raissa Gerona — see the partnership as a long-term play with global reach. With a fan base that spans continents, Cardi’s influence gives Revolve a chance to grow internationally, particularly in beauty.

“From Paris runways to the Bronx to Coachella, Cardi moves culture,” Gerona said. “This isn’t just about style — it’s about scale.”

The venture represents a broader shift in celebrity entrepreneurship — from endorsements to equity. With both sides aligned on strategy and substance, the launch stands to redefine what celebrity ownership can look like in fashion and beauty.

The first products from Cardi B’s joint venture with Revolve are expected later this year.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Hip-Hop Roundup: Diddy Lawsuit Ends, Sauce Walka Shooting Suspect Identified, Young Scooter Dead at 39

Rapper Young Scooter, seen here in a still from a YouTube video, died March 28 after sustaining injuries while fleeing police in Atlanta. His death is one of several major developments rocking the hip-hop world this week, alongside a lawsuit dismissal for Sean “Diddy” Combs and new details in the Sauce Walka shooting.
With less than two months until his federal trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, Sean “Diddy” Combs received some relief Monday as a federal judge dismissed one of numerous civil lawsuits filed against the embattled hip-hop mogul. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed a 1995 rape lawsuit brought by an anonymous plaintiff, Jane Doe, after she failed to refile the complaint under her real name. Liman previously denied Doe’s request to remain anonymous, citing a lack of evidence of specific harm from public disclosure.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in New York today dismissed a sexual assault lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs at the plaintiff’s request, following the judge’s order that the woman cannot proceed anonymously.

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— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff.bsky.socialMarch 31, 2025 at 4:16 PM

The dismissal was seen as a legal win for Combs, whose spokesperson claimed it was the second such lawsuit dismissed outright, criticizing plaintiffs for hiding behind anonymity. Attorney Tony Buzbee, representing numerous plaintiffs against Combs, acknowledged the dismissal, highlighting the emotional toll and fears plaintiffs face in high-profile cases. Combs remains incarcerated at New York’s Metropolitan Detention Center, awaiting his criminal trial beginning May 12. He continues to deny all charges against him.

In related hip-hop news, authorities confirmed Monday that Jayden Dandridge, a suspect in the March 22 shooting of rapper Sauce Walka (Albert Mondane) in Memphis, Tennessee, was found dead in Houston. Memphis police continue searching for a second suspect, Kevin Brown, who faces charges including first-degree murder. The targeted shooting critically injured Sauce Walka and resulted in the death of rapper Letorian "Sayso P" Hunt. Sauce Walka, known for hits like “Texas Cyclone” and collaborations with Megan Thee Stallion and Travis Scott, is currently recovering after being hospitalized.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta hip-hop scene is mourning the loss of rapper Young Scooter, born Kenneth Edward Bailey, who died Friday night after sustaining injuries while fleeing police. According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers responded to reports of a domestic dispute and possible gunfire at a residence in the Lakewood Heights neighborhood. Bailey fled, injuring his leg severely after jumping fences during the chase. Despite immediate aid from responding officers and emergency personnel, Bailey died shortly after at Grady Marcus Trauma Center. No police gunfire was involved, and the exact cause of death remains under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Young Scooter was known for influential mixtapes like "Street Lottery" and collaborations with artists including Future and Gucci Mane.

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Huey Williams, Whose Voice Defined an Era of Gospel Music, Dies at 86

Courtesy Photo

Huey P. Williams, the commanding voice of the Jackson Southernaires and a cornerstone of American gospel music for over five decades, passed away peacefully at his home in Smithdale, Mississippi, on Wednesday. He was 86.

Born into a distinguished musical family, Williams was the elder brother of Frank Williams, founder of the Mississippi Mass Choir, and sibling to Melvin, Doug, and Leonard Williams of the Grammy-nominated Williams Brothers. Together, the Williams family significantly influenced the sound and direction of modern gospel music.

Williams joined the Jackson Southernaires in 1964, a group formed in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1940 by music producer Frank Crisler. Under Huey's guidance, the Southernaires rose to national prominence with their 1968 hit, "Too Late," a soulful anthem that quickly became Song Bird Records' best-selling track of the year.

In 1975, the Jackson Southernaires made history as the first gospel group signed to Malaco Records. Their groundbreaking partnership produced numerous Billboard-charting albums, including "Down Home" (1975), "Legendary Gentlemen" (1979), and "Lord, We Need Your Blessing" (1985). The group consistently ranked among Billboard’s Top Gospel/Soul Artists.

The Southernaires earned three consecutive Gospel Music Workshop of America awards for Traditional Male Group of the Year (1987–1989), a Stellar Award in 1989, and a Grammy nomination in 1992 for their acclaimed album, "Thank You Mama for Praying for Me." In recognition of their enduring impact, the city of Jackson renamed a street Jackson Southernaires Drive in 2010.

Williams performed as recently as late 2024, reflecting his lifelong devotion to gospel music. A musical celebration honoring his life is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at East Fernwood Missionary Baptist Church in McComb, Mississippi. His official celebration of life will take place Saturday, March 29, at 1 p.m., preceded by visitation at 11 a.m.

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