Stars, Fans and Friends Post Tributes Following Reports of Emani 22's Death at 22

 

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Family, fans and her fellow musicians are mourning the death of up-and-coming R&B singer Emani 22, at the age of 22, earlier this week after record producer J Maine confirmed the singer's death in a statement to PEOPLE today.

"Emani 22 was a wonderful individual that literally brightened up any room she was in," he said. "I worked on music with her, and helped her put together her last project which was 'The Color Red.' The way we worked together was effortless, we just understood each other," he continued. "It hurts so bad to know that the last time I saw her was the last time I'd ever see her again."

Thank you my baby for your light. You are forever in our hearts. Daddy loves you so much. Rest In Power my girl-baby. Love you forever #Emani22 pic.twitter.com/mNUAe0Yayn

— Darryl Johnson (@Jbizzy32) October 13, 2021

No official cause has been released for the singer's, born Emani Johnson, death. According, however, to reporting by The Sun she may have been involved in a hit and run accident over the weekend.

Perhaps best known for her collaborations with Trippie Redd on “A Love Letter to You”, "Emani's Interlude" and "Fire Starter," Emani released “The Color Red EP” in 2020 to moderate streaming success.

Fellow artists and friend, rapper Bhad Bhabie posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram to her departed friend writing, "I don’t even know what to say...This doesn’t even feel real. I used to spend almost everyday with you," she wrote. "You taught me so many things. You are my inspiration for many things (hair,nails, style, etc) my big sister. I’m gonna miss you so much."

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Smokey Robinson Opens Up About Previously Undisclosed Battle With Covid-19

By Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

He might be known for making miracles, but R&B legend Smokey Robinson isn’t taking his recovery from Covid-19 for granted.

The 81-year-old, who was founder and frontman for famed Motown music group the Miracles before going on to a successful solo career that saw him inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, recently opened up to the Daily Mail about his private battle with the virus last December.

"I am a COVID survivor. I got it severely and I was hospitalized for 11 days, and four or five of those I do not even remember," he told the publication. "It was really touch and go, and a terribly debilitating ailment."

In addition to physically exhausting Robinson, who said the seriousness of his condition didn’t really hit him until it was over, the bout with the virus had the singer fearing the worse for his famous honey-throated, tenor voice.

"'I was not sure that I would ever be able to sing again because it took my voice. I could barely even talk," he said. "Even when I got home, I was hoarse. I could not try to sing because I was afraid. It was one of the most frightening fights I have ever had."

Luckily, Robinson was fully vaccinated and had been taking care of himself. The singer said doctors told him he got off lightly, “They told me that it was lucky for me especially at my age that I'd taken care of myself; but for the grace of God and that fact I probably would not be here talking right now.”

Robinson, who has since performed three full-blown concerts after starting out with short private shows to exercise his vocal cords, estimates he is 95 percent now and will continue to sing for as long as he can. 

"I had to work on my vocal cords and get myself back together. I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life, and it was possible, so I did it," he said. "I love my job… It's what keeps me going."

Vaccine Rant by Blac Chyna at Miami Airport Caught on Film by Fans

Photo Credit: TikToc Screen Capture

Music-adjacent reality TV star Blac Chyna is a bit of an enigma. 

She went from strip club to second-tier stardom early last decade, largely thanks to a name drop by Drake and earning the role as Nicki Minaj's booty, err body double, in the video for Kanye West's "Monster."

Since that breakthrough she's kept in the public eye through celebrity relationships, some genuine entrepreneurial efforts and a raft of reality television appearances — including headlining her own eponymously named show, "The Real Blac Chyna," on the neophyte Zeus Network.

So, who is Chyna? Is she the hardworking student, born Angela Renée White, that took jobs stripping to finance her education at Johnson & Wales University before dropping out due to exhaustion? Is she the video-vixen, turned instant "it girl" that captured the hearts of a hip-hop generation with her exotic looks? Or maybe she's something totally different. 

That's something for her fans and haters to debate, and maybe "The Real Blac Chyna" to shed some light on in its second season. The one thing we know the 33-year-old is not, however, is a vaccine denier... at least if you can believe her own words.

Reportedly after being triggered by a lady holding a baby getting in her personal space and asking for a photo, according to TMZ, Chyna had some harsh words for those who don't believe in the vaccines that have taken center stage in the fight against Covid, and she wasn't shy about sharing them Sunday with fellow customers at Miami International Airport.

"Nobody wants to get checked out,” she yelled, beginning a long and rambling tirade to anyone within earshot. “Go get checked out! It's sad and it really blows the f–k out of me.”

Blac Chyna is trending on Twitter over outburst at Miami International Airport telling people to get vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/xo9IgKvZCl

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) October 12, 2021

Chyna also added, “Go get the f–king vaccine and stop being stupid, hoe!” and "Go get the shot! The same thing that you have to do to enroll your kids [in school].” And, “this is why people’s grandparents are dying and s–t.”