Austin Michael's blog

J. Cole came to the Budweiser Made in America Festival with a mission and a message. Before the Roc Nation MC took the stage on Saturday night (August 30) his DJ played “Be Free,” Cole’s dedication to Mike Brown, the Ferguson, Missouri teen who was shot and killed by a police officer on August 9. Cole’s emotional ode played, while he ran a montage of footage which showed various acts of police aggression and brutality. The crowd watched, mostly quiet, in a somber acknowledgement of the rapper’s sentiment.

Kim Kardashian recently admittedher sister Khloe “drank a little too much” at her rehearsal dinner in Versailles, France— and she certainly wasn’t kidding! In a new clipfrom theKeeping Up With the Kardashiansupcoming season finale, the hard partying divorceelooks like a total mess as she prepares for her sister to say “I do” with Kanye West. “Shut the f**k up!” the 30-year-old, sporting wild hair and big sunglasses, snaps to mom Kris Jenner as she boards a van upon landing in Florence, Italy. “I am so hungover,” she confesses. “Trying to race and try and get ready for Kim’s wedding is torture at this point. I feel like I’m holding back throwing up.”

Nearly three months after being involved in an accident that left a fellow comedian dead, Tracy Morgan may be months away from being able to fully walk again. Benedict P. Morelli, an attorney for the former "Saturday Night Live" star, said Morgan is "really having a tough time" following the six-car June 7 crash that killed comedian James McNair, The Star-Ledger reported. Morgan's limo bus, in which McNair was traveling, was struck by a Wal-Mart truck. Morelli said Morgan, who suffered a broken leg, nose and several ribs in the crash, still relies on a wheelchair. "He's making incremental progress," Morelli said. "But they'll have to wait another month before they assess him cognitively." The truck driver has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide and assault by auto. Morgan accused Wal-Mart of negligence in a federal lawsuit.

Amidst rumours about justin bieber and selena gomez coming back together after the duo took a selfie on a plane. That plane that they were on? It was headed to Biebs’ home country of Canada, where the two landed in Ontario. Maybe he took Selena along for the ride while he’s looking for some down home country inspiration for his next album? Biebs shared some snapshots from the vacay where the couple got some hang time with his fam and enjoyed the great outdoors. Looking forlorn in a crop field a la Farmer in the Dell. Saddling up and going horesback riding with what looks to be Selena in front of him. After not posting any instagrams from the peaceful trip the past few days, Selena is on her way back to New York.

                                                               The Football Federations of Uganda and Rwanda have accepted a joint bid together with Ke­nya to co-host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Early this week the Kenya FA President Sam Nyamw­eya indicated they were ready to bid before he contacted his counterparts in Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.                                  But the Uganda FA President, Moses Magogo told Af­ricanFootball.com that they have accepted the joint bid, but will still have to...

                                                               A convoy of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) and mo­torcycles with armed men suspected to be Boko Haram has caused panic in a town located in the central part of Borno, a security source said. A gang of wild-looking men in some vehicles paint­ed in military colour and motorcycles chanting Allah Akbar ! (Allah is great) was reportedly sighted by resi­dents of Dikwa, headquarters of Dikwa Local Government Area on Thursday, forcing many residents to flee into the bush.                          ...

                                                           Today, Louis Van Gaal and his expensively-assem­bled cavalry ride to Burnley, desperately wanting to prove that the season ahead won’t be another write-off. This would mean a de­but for Angel Di Maria at Turf Moor, with the British record £60m signing gush­ing that United were the only team he was willing to leave Real Madrid for. United, who spent most execu­ of last Sunday’s draw at Sunderland passing back­wards or sideways, will be encouraged that Di Maria has 11 assists in his last 11 league outings.                      ...

                                                    Exhibitionist, singer and actress, Cossy Orjiakor, has sensa­tionally denied insuring her oversized jugs for a whopping $1.6m (N240m) with an American Insur­ance company after re­ports that she did just that went viral on social media earlier in the week.                           “The story is not true. There was no time I insured my boobs for that kind of money; that’s ridiculous. Please, I want my fans to ignore that story. Stuffs like this gets written about me all the time. I guess it’s just some jobless blogger who put this up and instead of verify­ing...

Nigerian American rapper,Olubowale Victor Akintimehin aka Wale bids farewell to Roc Nation, home of J.Cole, Rihanna, Meek Mill, Melanie Fiona and more, to join 77 North Management, which represents LeBron James, Billboard reports.The Bad hip hop artist had been with Roc Nation — an empire built by Jay Z — for five years, but perhaps Wale believes that there are greener pastures. The 77 North Management team is run by Rich Paul, Leonard Brooks, and Maverick Carter.

Even before Angelina Jolieand Brad Pittwere Mr. and Mrs. Smith Pitt, Jolie was single-mindedly dedicated to her role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Maybe that’s why her first public statement after the world was surprised by the Brangelina weddingwasn’t about marital bliss, but about the escalating situation in Syra. “Three million refugees is not just another statistic, it is a searing indictment of our collective failure to end the war in Syria.” Jolie said, in a statement on Friday(August 29)

Summer's almost over, and whether you’re headed back to high school or college, you’re going to need supplies to succeed, and many stores are kind enough  to discount them for you this time of year. But sometimes they lump products into the “back to school” category that seriously don’t belong there.

Mathew Knowles has some interesting theories,here comes bey's father, sharing some really odd thoughts. During a visit to the Roula and Ryan Show on 104.1 in Houston, Knowles (who formerly managed Bey and Destiny’s Child), told the hosts he’s pretty sure that whole elevator fight between Jay Z and Solangemight’ve been a publicity stunt.What? There have been hundreds of conspiracy theories around the now infamous footage, but I’ll say this is the first time I’ve heard someone take it there. And Bey and Solange’s father of all people

Here is the full list of last nights VMA winners, with Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award winner Beyonce being the biggest winner of the night with three Moonmen, while Miley, Ariana and 5SOS also won big. Here’s the list:

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit Northern California near Napa Valley Sunday, injuring at least 120 — 3 critically — and causing extensive damage, including fires sparked by burst gas lines, in the largest tremor to rock the Bay Area since the magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta quake in 1989. Leslie Gordon of the U.S. Geological Survey says the tremor struck just before 3:30 a.m. Sunday local time, about 10 miles northwest of American Canyon, which is about 6 miles southwest of Napa. The city of Napa said in a statement Sunday that two adults and one child have critical injuries, and Queen of the Valley hospital in Napa reported treating 120 people. Hospital spokeswoman Vanessa DeGier says most patients have cuts, bumps and bruises.

The U.S. military is considering air strikes in Syria to thwart Islamic State militants, a senior defense official said Saturday. The official told Fox News he does expect anything “imminent,” but such a plan is being weighed amid the militants' deadly roll from Syria into Iraq and the recent beheading of American journalist James Foley.

                                                  A major health cri­sis may have hit Europe with the fresh outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis. The disease which is report­ed to have claimed three lives with hundred of others seriously ill, according to The Telegraph, has been linked to have been caused by eggs imported from Europe. Public Health England is quoted to have confirmed that number of cases from Salmo­nella poisoning linked to the outbreak has now reached 247.                   According to the paper, DNA analysis of samples has shown that they are all linked despite being spread across the coun­try in Hampshire, Merseyside and London. Sunday...

One man is dead after six shots were fired backstage near production trucks outside of Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California directly after Wiz Khalifa‘s concert last night (August 22). The shots occurred around 11:05 pm just moments after the concert ended, according to local news channel kron4 . Officers who were on the scene working security at the event responded. The victim was transported to a local hospital and treated for multiple gunshot wounds. The weapon was a pistol with a large magazine and no arrests have currently been made. Authorities reported this morning that the victim died as a result of the shooting, and police are pursuing an active investigation to find the shooter.

On Thursday, a report surfaced that Joe Budden had beaten his girlfriendin a New York City restaurant, before bringing her back to his New Jersey home, where the alleged incident continued. Then, early Saturday (August 23) morning, the headlines around the Slaughterhouse MC took another turn when the NYPD tweeted that the rapper was wanted for robbery. There was no mention of the alleged beating in the tweet, which stated that Buddenwas wanted “for robbery/taking cellphone” from a 25-year-old woman in the early morning hours of August 18. They also included his height, weight and a photo.

Careful all you Beyonce-loving teachers out there, bringing Bey into the classroom could cost you your job. The Atlanta Public School System has terminated 6th grade teacher Nikki Turner for playing “Drunk In Love” to her class. Although their problems with Ms. Turner go farther than her Beyonceplaying, “Drunk in Love” definitely played a role, according to the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

                                                 “Think of the good things and the good morning every day. Just be laughing happily. What do we do? We have to survive. Oh! Yeah, I wish you, ‘Happy birthday.’ Oh! Yeah! Very many happy return.” These birthday lyrics of Nigerian musician, Evi Edna Ogholi-Ogosi certainly played out for Funmi Iyanda. It was the television girl’s birthday in London. Family and friends got together and gave her a surprise birthday party. Trust Funmi to be the star of the party.                        She was the cynosure of all eyes on the dance floor. Funmi Iyanda had hosted the rested popular Talk Show on Ni...

                                                     High flying Nigeria U-20 Women team, the Falconets have stormed Montreal ahead of their final match against Germany tomorrow. Having left Moncton after their 6-2 whitewash of the Democratic Republic of Korea in their semi final match played on Wednesday, the girls seem set for the ultimate battle and are confident that the Germans would fall.                        According to Elizabeth Carr, the team’s media officer, the Nigerian del­egation are currently staying at Sheraton Hotels Montreal with all the players in high spirits. “All our players are in good conditio...

                                        Fans of Nigeria’s queen of pop, Tiwa Savage-Balogun were filled with joy during the week when news hit the internet that their idol is expecting her first baby. Tiwa got married to her manager-turned-husband, Tee Billz several months ago.  Reports of her pregnancy went viral online after she showed up at DJ Jimmy Jatt’s 25th years on stage celebration  which held last Sunday at Intercontinental hotel, Victoria Island. The songstress obviously looked glamorous in a blue free gown which many suspected was meant to hide her growing baby bump. Meanwhile, her tweets further fuel speculations that she may be pregnant. “Official Tiwa Savage, the spirit of a mother. Mrs Tee Billz, married and taken,”she tweeted. - See more at: http://www...

                              The Owelle of Onitsha and son of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President, Chief Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe has urged the government to immortalise late Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh. Azikiwe, also advised Nigerians to imbibe the positive aspects  of the character and life of the late doctor which according to him deserves the highest national honour for putting her life on the line in service to our fatherland. In a tribute made available to newsmen in Onitsha, Azikiwe described Dr. Adadevoh as a compassionate, selfless but disciplined person said he was not surprised she restrained the Liberian-American,  Patrick Sawyer from leaving the hospital after he was suspected of having the deadly Ebola Virus Disease. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/ebola-immorta...

                                                                             (LOS ANGELES/CALIFORNIA, U.S)                                   Are Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon headed for divorce? The 44-year-old singer’s six-year marriage to the “America’s Got Talent” host has reportedly hit the rocks,  according to TMZ. The couple are apparently “living apart” and have already gotten lawyers involved to negotiate property an...

                                                                                   5 dead, 3 injured                               Five persons are feared dead when a building collapsed after a heavy rainstorm in Baure Local Government Area of Katsina State.Three other persons, however, escaped with injuries in the incident that occurred at Garki village while the villagers were fast asleep on Tuesday night. The Assistant Information Officer of the area, Nasiru Yunusa, in a statement, identified the dead pe...

                                                       Following the fracas between Chief Ralph Uwazuruike’s supporters and some dissatisfied members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra  (MASSOB), in which two persons died, the Imo State Police Command has summoned the group’s leader to explain his role in the crisis.                           The  Police warned that the MASSOB leader would be declared  wanted if he failed to honour its invitation. Confirming the incident at a press briefing yesterday, the state Commissioner of Police, Abd...

                                                Nigerian multi award winning record producer, musician and songwriter, Michael Ajereh, popularly called Don Jazzy, has joined American celebrities in the online ice bucket challenge for charity in the U.S. The American celebrities included TV Queen Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gate and NBA Player Lebron James. Others are singers Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber as well as Facebook inventor Mark Zuckerberg and Actress Kerry Washington who is married to a Nigerian Nnamdi Asemogha.                   The online challenge, which has gone viral, has so far raised $15.6 million. The challenge,  #ALSIceBucketChallenge,...

                                                           As female consultant physician succumbs to killer virus            The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, yesterday night announced the death of one of the primary contacts of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) index case, the most senior doctor, who participated in the management of the patient, a female consultant physician.He said with this unfortunate development, the total number of Ebola virus related deaths in Nigeria now stood at five. He said the other two patients currently under treatment in the isolation wards were stable and being taken care of. Dr. Stella Adedavoh was said to be the most senior and fi...

Katy Perry, Rihanna and Coldplay are all in the running to perform at one of the most-watched (and mostAmerican) shows of the year … but, apparently, it’s going to cost them. According to The Wall Street Journal,the NFL has narrowed down its list of potential performers for the Super Bowl Halftime to those three. But they’re asking “at least some of the acts” if they would contribute some of their income to the league or make “some other type of financial contribution.” Their reps, naturally, didn’t respond too well to the request. Then again, considering the esteem surrounding the halftime performance — this year’s show featuring Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Pepperssmashed records with 115.3 million viewers — it’s expected for artists’ album sales and publicity to spike post-show. Super Bowl XLIX will take place in Phoenix on February 1.

Pharrell's hat is heading to the Newseum in Washington D.C. It’ll be on display starting this Friday (August 22) through October 26. Acording to Arby's Our hat has found a temporary home. See it exclusively at the @newseumstarting on 8/22. #HatattheNewseum https://t.co /ofncD6CREU        — Arby's (@Arbys) August 18, 2014 back in March, you may recall that Pharrell auctioned off his Grammys hat for charity and for a cool $44,100, Arby’s became the proud owner of a brown “Buffalo Gals” hat. Arby’s is temporarily relinquishing its chance to stare at the hat all day, so others can check it out and, probably, take photos next to it.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been catching on, with celebrities like Taylor Swift, Jaime King, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, Ansel Elgort, Lil Wayne and Questlove getting in on the action and nominating their famous friends to follow suit. But you wouldn't have guessed who Justin Beiber challenged to get in on the body-drenching action, well live it to justin to elect the ultimate candidate for the next super-saturating round. In an Instagram post, Bieber responds to his manager Scooter Braun’schallenge, saying, “Now I nominate Ellen, Barack Obama, and – who else? Chris D’Elia.” before cascading water atop his expertly-mussed coif. WAIT. HOLD UP. Did Justin Bieber seriously prompt our nations’ president to dump a bucket of ice water on his head?

                             Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner, released by Arsenal at the end of last season, has joined Wolfsburg, the Bundesliga club announced on Friday. Bendtner, 26, played only nine games for Arsenal last season after returning to the Premier League club following extended loan spells with Birmingham City, Sunderland and Italian champions Juventus. Capped 56 times by Denmark, Bendtner has scored 24 international goals since making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2006. He becomes Wolfsburg’s second major signing of the close season in the last week after the club secured the two-year loan signing of French international midfielder Josuha Guilavogui from Atletico Madrid. Wolfsburg, German champions in 2009, kick off their season away to reigning champions Bayern Munich next week. - See more at: http://www.vanguardng...

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa will take at least six months to bring under control. Speaking in Geneva, MSF President Joanne Lui called for strengthened international co-ordination led by the World Health Organization (WHO). Earlier, WHO said the scale of the outbreak appeared to be "vastly underestimated". It said that "extraordinary measures" were needed.

Taylor Swift’s love for dancingis one of her most adorable and well-documented personal quirks. And during a Thursday visit to “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” the singer explained how it all began “A couple years ago, I just decided, no! This is the coolest concert you could ever go to!” Swift said. “And I get to be front row, and I’m gonna dance during this, ’cause I feel like it! And not ’cause it looks cool, because it doesn’t.” As for Taylor’s assessment of her dancing abilities… well, let’s put it this way: It sometimes doesn’t look cool. But it is always fantastic.

                                                    He committed the act on July 26 at 6 pm at the premises of Original Inn Hotel, Ebute Meta. The prophet allegedly approached his victim claiming to be spiritually informed about her problems and had solutions to them through a scheduled prayer session. When the victim met him at the hotel on the scheduled appointment, he obtained her mobile phone and N13,000 as mobilization fees.                          He then forced her to str*p na.ked as a prerequisite for her prayer to be answered and thereafter unlawfully assaulted her and had se.xual intercourse with her without her consent. Appearing before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Mr. Adelek...

                                                              Limpopo star, Kcee, got the embarrassment of his life recently while on his American tour when cab drivers quizzed him on the fate of the Chibok girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram in April. Kcee shared his experience during a press conference to unveil PMAN’s peace pet project tagged Lighting Up The Unity Flame, at PMAN office, Opebi, Lagos, earlier in the week.

Just after getting reports that Ciara has called off her engagement to Future, we’re also hearing that Tygaand Blac Chyna have called it quits. The couple welcomed their son, Cairo, in October of 2012 and were engaged two months later, but apparently they’re parting ways now. TMZ reports that Tyga called off the engagement, although it’s unclear why, and added that it wasn’t exactly a mutual split. A source close to Tyga claims that Chyna is having a difficult time accepting the news. Apparently, Tyga has hosted two pool parties recently, including one for Kylie Jenner, and Black Chyna didn’t get the invite.

The British singer was supposed to perform her single “I Will Never Let You Down” but her DJ/producer ex-boyfriend, who she split with back in June, decided to put the brakes on her appearance. “I was supposed to perform, and for anyone that doesn’t understand how it works, he wrote and produced the song — I mean, he’s an incredible songwriter, never going to disregard his talents, he’s incredible,” Rita explained to Ryan Seacreston his radio show on Tuesday (August 12).

In further proof that Americans can and will dominate any sport we get our hands on, California native Gentry Stein is the new yo-yo 1A freestyle world champ. What’s that, you say? You didn’t know yo-yoing was a sport? Much less a sport with its own world championship? Well, prepare to have your mind blown to pieces when you watch this badass routine. Yes, we’re describing yo-yoing as badass. Deal with it.

Although Kim Kardashian is a social media queen, she’s not in any hurry to make daughter North West the social media princess. Kim told Entertainment Tonight that she has been using Twitter and Instagram comments for motivation to work out. “I need some motivation to get back on my no-carbs Atkins,” she said on the Teen Choice Awardsred carpet. “I fell off a little bit, but I just got to get back on.”

Nollywood actress and mum of two, Annie Idibia fled an event in Lagos on friday for fear of contacting the deadly virus. She shared the photo above on IG with the caption “About last night…. Was out for only an hr n ran home for the fear of #Ebola #lordPlsdeliverDworldFromThisVirus #plsLord #saveourchildrenNus #itfeelsLikeAvryHorrifyingmovie“ oh well!

                            Reggae artiste, African China has said that Nigerians poor patronage of his songs stems from their inability to demand for quality music. The singer who chatted with Punch recently also added that Nigerians prefer to patronise mere party songs that lack depth instead of the tunes that mirror the ills in the society. African China said, ‘‘I have been silent because Nigerians have been so adamant to learn. I am tired of representing them. I continue to make songs that give the masses hope thereby denying myself of some privileges but I don’t get motivated by them. I know what I go through to stand with them. I am unhappy with the Nigerian masses.’ - See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2014/08/10/tired-representing-nigerians-dont-motivate-african-china/#sthash.lYc3HJAK.dpuf      ...

                                                         The outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in Africa may cripple sporting activities on the continent if not checked on time, reports ’TANA AIYEJINA Sports in Africa may soon be facing trying times after the deadliest ever outbreak of the Ebola virus hit the western part of the continent in recent months, causing panic and fear among people living in countries where it took place.                   There have been reported cases of the virus in the West African region, with Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia highly affected while there have been few cases of it in Nigeria. It has reportedly had 1,711 casualties in W...

                                          Nigerians on different social media platforms on Saturday asked President Barack Obama to give a vaccine, ZMapp , being developed in the United States to treat a Nigerian nurse, Justina Ejelonu, reportedly infected with Ebola. On such websites as Facebook and Twitter, the petitioners begged Obama to release the vaccine to Ejelonu and other Africans suffering from the virus. The petitions were made on the White House website. Ejelonu, who is one of those that were infected with the Ebola virus after treating the Liberian victim, Patrick Sawyer, has said she did not have direct contact with Sawyer’s body fluids.               The deadly virus, which leads to death in huma...

The Drake Vs. Lil Wayne tour is upon us. And true to from, the YMCMB dream team do not do anything by halves, even when they’re splitting a bill. The tour kicked off in Buffalo this weekend, and while we already picked a winner for the first battle, there’s plenty more chances for the game to be won. Because this is the setlist to end all setlists, and one dedicated fan uploaded all 51 songs to Reddit . Honestly, it’s almost more impressive than the “On The Run” tour setlist that Jay and Bey have been rocking, that's what we call awesome

Divorce rumors are swirling around Beyoncé and Jay Z as they continue on their “On The Run Tour” but according to Beyoncé’s Instagram, she’s still part of a team. While the singer is notoriously private about her personal life, even she couldn’t resist taunting her haters with a not-so-subtle message: she’s a Carter.

                                           Nigeria’s Falcon­ets continue their quest for global glory tonight in faraway Canada, as they take on Korea Republic in their second Group C fix­ture at the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The Nigerian team, mak­ing its sixth consecutive appearance at the tour­nament needs victory in today’s encounter to keep hope of lifting the trophy this time round alive, after finishing as runner-up and in fourth place in 2010 and 2012 editions of the event respectively.                    Parading one of the most experi­enced sides at the tournament, Coach Peter Dedevo will rely on captain Pa­tience Okaeme and a number of the national U-17 team, the Fla...

                                                              139 people now under surveillance Federal Govern­ment yesterday confirmed that two more Nigeri­ans have contracted the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), bringing the num­ber of cases so far in Nige­ria to nine. The two new cases are among those who had primary contact with the late Liberian-Ameri­can, Patrick Sawyer. Briefing newsmen yes­terday in Lagos,  Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu also disclosed that 139 people who had both primary and secondary con­tacts with Sawyer are now under surveillance. He added that there were also six sus­pects that are being clinically monitored. He said the seven positive cases were recei...