Kendrick Lamar Takes Down Drake at Concert, Nara Smith Contro Grows On Tiktok, Janet Jackson’s Fans Poke Fun of Justin Timberlake’s Arrest and More

A collection of the Root’s best Entertainment posts of the week in entertainment

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

Like Katt Williams, ‘Friday’s’ Felicia Spills the Tea on What Really Made Steve Harvey Successful

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

Steve Harvey may be one of Hollywood’s most booked and busy comedians, but how he got there may be worth looking at through a critical eye thanks to a new interview. – Shanelle Genai Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
A Jogger had no idea What or Who Hit Her… Until Police Showed Her

Missy Elliott Opens Up For the First Time About Her Shocking Diagnosis

Photo: Getty Images Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Something in the Water Photo: Getty Images Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Something in the Water

Missy Elliott is one of the greatest rappers of all time — let alone female rappers — so it’s cool to see that she’ll be getting her just due with her first-ever tour as a headlining act. – Noah A. McGee Read More

Black Tiktok Drama: Is Colorism Why We Know Nara Smith and not Onezwa Mbola?

Screenshot: @naraazizasmith and @onezwambola Screenshot: @naraazizasmith and @onezwambola

You probably recognize Nara Smith from her “made from scratch” TikTok recipes for bubble gum and bread. You could also know her and her husband, Lucky Blue Smith, for their children’s unique names: Whimsy Lou, Rumble Honey and Slim Easy. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Racists Are Review Bombing Black-led Star Wars Series ‘The Acolyte’ Despite High Ratings From Real Critics

Image: Getty Images Roy Rochlin Image: Getty Images Roy Rochlin

The Star Wars fandom continues to embarrass itself. The latest series in the franchise, “The Acolyte,” has fallen victim to yet another review-bombing campaign from the audience — an unfortunate practice that’s often rooted in racism and misogyny. – Jared Alexander Read More

Kendrick Lamar Destroys Drake at ‘The Pop Out’ Set And Black Twitter Has All the Jokes

Photo: Getty Images Astrida Valigorsky Photo: Getty Images Astrida Valigorsky

At what point during Wednesday’s “The Pop Out” concert do you think Drake was rethinking all his life choices? Was it when 17,000 people rapped the lyrics to a six and half minute diss track? Was it the third, fourth or fifth time Kendrick Lamar dropped “Not Like Us” to close the show? Either way, what we all witnessed was one man bringing out all his friends to enthusiastically dance on another man’s grave. – Stephanie Holland Read More

Kenya Moore’s Shocking Alleged Party Stunt Got Her In Big Trouble With ‘RHOA’

Image: Getty Images Prince Williams Image: Getty Images Prince Williams

Bravo cameras were rolling at Kenya Moore’s grand opening of the Kenya Moore Hair Spa when the Real Housewives of Atlanta star allegedly revealed posters of new cast member Brittany Eady performing oral sex, according to People. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Karma? Janet Jackson Fans Are Having Fun With Justin Timberlake’s DUI Arrest

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz

Turns out 2024 is the year of airing grievances. From Katt Williams, to Kendrick Lamar and now, Janet Jackson fans, it’s time for everyone to get their shit off. The latest famous name to find themselves in the crosshairs is Justin Timberlake. – Stephanie Holland Read More

Caroline Chikezie on ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ and Her Role as Noma

Caroline Chikezie talks ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ and what to expect from her character in the final season of the show.

David Alan Grier on ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’ and ‘In Living Color’

David Alan Grier talks ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’ and reveals what he thinks about the idea of a revival of ‘In Living Color’.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Halle Berry's Best Movies, Ranked By Box Office

Halle Berry’s Best Movies, Ranked By Box Office

With Halle Berry’s newest heist film in theaters, let’s take a look at some of her most successful films by the box office! …
The Worst Oscars Red Carpet Trainwrecks Over the Years

The Worst Oscars Red Carpet Trainwrecks Over the Years

As the 2026 Oscars nears, let’s take a look at some of celeb faves who’ve had their fair share of fashion misses on the famous red carpet! …
Black Leaders React to Trump's State of the Union

Black Leaders React to Trump’s State of the Union

Hakeem Jeffries, Justin J. Pearson, Scott Colom, Mandela Barnes and more Black leaders had plenty of thoughts after Trump’s State of the Union address …
Why J. Cole's "Everyman" Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

Why J. Cole’s “Everyman” Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

​The superstar rapper has been driving around the country selling CDs out of the trunk of his used Honda Civic …
It's Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

It’s Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

Black people have always leaned toward home ownership but the changing housing landscape should have us thinking about other ways to obtaining equity …
Why Black Folks Are <i>Always</i> Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Why Black Folks Are Always Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Black folks are being asked to “turn the other cheek” after the BAFTA scandal, but given the deep history of forcing Black people to submit, the wound is still too fresh …
EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What's at Stake for Black Voters

EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What’s at Stake for Black Voters

The Root spoke to NAACP President Derrick Johnson about why he has “no expectations” for Trump’s State of the Union address …
How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

Following her MAGA events, Nicki Minaj has the Barbz divided with some stuck between sticking beside their Queen or stepping away…for good …
Proof That Jim Crow Era Was Not That Long Ago And Why This is Important to Know

Proof That Jim Crow Era Was Not That Long Ago And Why This is Important to Know

Jim Crow laws were in place not that long ago. Even though many photos from that time are in black and white, the history is far from ancient and the remnants are all around us …
Mississippi Black Woman Desegregated High School—Then Faced Terror and Isolation

Mississippi Black Woman Desegregated High School—Then Faced Terror and Isolation

Mary Smith-Blackmon was among the first Black students in a Canton, MIssissippi school and shared what it was like to eperience integration in isolation …
A Look at Trump’s Most Misleading Claims Before His State of the Union Address

A Look at Trump’s Most Misleading Claims Before His State of the Union Address

Before Trump’s State of the Union address, let’s get into all of the false claims he’s made about the country and what’s really at stake for Republicans …
Black and MAGA Folks Angry At Gavin Newsom For Implying Black People Can't Read... But That's Not The Full Story

Black and MAGA Folks Angry At Gavin Newsom For Implying Black People Can’t Read… But That’s Not The Full Story

Gavin Newsom Is Receiving Backlash Online After Telling Black Folks He’s Just Like Them Because He Can’t Read… Except That’s Not What Happened …
Celeb With Tourette Syndrome Speaks Out After N-Word Remark at BAFTAs, But the Internet Isn't Here for It

Celeb With Tourette Syndrome Speaks Out After N-Word Remark at BAFTAs, But the Internet Isn’t Here for It

John Davidson has finally broken his silence about the racist ordeal at the 2026 BAFTA Awards. But what he has to say isn’t landing too well with folks online …
Why This New York Mom Was Forced to Deliver Her Own Baby Alone in a Hospital Bathroom

Why This New York Mom Was Forced to Deliver Her Own Baby Alone in a Hospital Bathroom

Long Island parents are demanding a hospital to take accountability after they delivered their newborn on-site…but in a bathroom …
DMX's Son Shares 'Spiritual' Moment With His Father As He Transitioned

DMX’s Son Shares ‘Spiritual’ Moment With His Father As He Transitioned

DMX’s son Xavier Simmons is opening up about a truly unbelievable moment he shared with his father as he transitioned …
The State of the Union Address Was <i>Not</i> Supposed to Look As It Does Today

The State of the Union Address Was Not Supposed to Look As It Does Today

Which president gave a 10-minute State of the Union address? Which U.S. president came up with the name? What do Obama and Trump’s speeches have in common? …
7 Times Black Folks Almost Became U.S. President

7 Times Black Folks Almost Became U.S. President

Jesse Jackson, Charlene Mitchell and other Black Americans who ran for president …
Gabourey Sidibe's Husband Has Shocking Health Scare

Gabourey Sidibe’s Husband Has Shocking Health Scare

‘Precious’ star Gabourey Sidibe’s husband is facing a startling health challenge and is now sharing where he stands now with fans …
Black Woman Explains Why She Only Dates AI

Black Woman Explains Why She Only Dates AI

A 34-year-old Black woman told a CBS News correspondent that a chatbot has given her the same satisfaction as a relationship with a human being, but eliminates the risk …
White NYC College Professor Makes Racist Comments on Work Zoom When She Thought She Was on Mute

White NYC College Professor Makes Racist Comments on Work Zoom When She Thought She Was on Mute

Allyson Friedman has identified herself as the college professor caught spewing racist language during a virtual council meeting …