TikTok Husbands Are Recreating Aaron Pierre’s Viral ‘That’s Mufasa’ Spirit Tunnel Walk, SC Woman Hits Scratch Ticket Jackpot, A Look Inside Kendrick Lamar’s Homes, Bo Jackson’s Bombshell Family Extortion Case And More

A roundup of The Root’s most unforgettable culture stories.

On TikTok, Husbands Are Hilariously Recreating Aaron Pierre’s Viral ‘That’s Mufasa” Spirit Tunnel Walk from ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 31: Aaron Pierre poses before taking part in a SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversation for “Genius: MLK/X” at SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center on January 31, 2024 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images Michael Loccisano

From the moment he stepped on to the red carpet at the premiere of “Mufasa: The Lion King,” actor Aaron Pierre has had the internet under the spell of his piercing green eyes. People can’t stop gushing about the 30-year-old Brit, who voices the film’s main character, dubbing him and his beautiful family a group of “rich, sexy vampires.” – Angela Johnson Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
‘Origin’ Star Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor: Ava DuVernay Is “A Freedom Fighter Posing As A Director”

SC Woman Hits Scratch Ticket Jackpot, But It’s The Moment Caught On Video That Has Everyone Talking

Screenshot: YouTube

The new year got off to a great start for a woman who literally hit the jackpot at a South Carolina gas station. According to WBTV, the woman purchased a Giant Jumbo Bucks scratch-off lottery ticket on January 2 at a RunX gas station in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and was blown away when she realized she was about to convert her 5 dollar ticket into a $250,000 prize. – Angela Johnson Read More

Take a Peek Inside Kendrick Lamar’s Homes

Photo: L: Getty Images, R: YouTube

Fans are counting the days until February 9, when Kendrick Lamar takes the stage as the headliner of the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans. The rapper-songwriter-producer Kendrick Lamar has a place on practically every hip-hop lover’s top five list and a host of celebrity friends who could possibly make an appearance during his performance. – Angela Johnson Read More

Bo Jackson Relinquishes Millions In Bombshell Family Extortion Case

Photo: Getty Images Tom Hauck

Bo Jackson has given up a stunning amount in a case against his niece and nephew, whom he said tried to extort him. The former professional football and baseball player claimed that they threatened him as well. – Candace McDuffie Read More

What This Black Man Lost to the LA Fires Will Break …Your…Heart

To the question of what he loved and lost to the raging Los Angeles wildfires, 83-year-old Walt Butler had one response: “Everything.” He is only one of many city residents who were left displaced by the damage of the roaring flames but his story will bring to perspective just how devastating the situation is. – Kalyn Womack Read More

This MLK Jr.- Rosa Parks Flyer Used to Promote an Atlanta-Area Event is the Most Offensive Thing We’ve Ever Seen

Photo: Getty Images Bettman

Mela Restaurant and Lounge, located just outside of Atlanta, has been accused of using an outrageously offensive flyer to promote an event celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Not only is King featured in the image, but civil rights icon Rosa Parks makes an appearance as well…and it’s sexually suggestive. – Candace McDuffie Read More

The Mystery Of Why So Many of These Black Superstars Hail From Racially-Charged South Carolina… Explained

Photo: Getty Images Photographers: Daniele Venturelli, Chip Somodevilla and Leon Bennett

If you sat down and created a long list of names of some of the most prominent Black people in entertainment, politics and so on, you’ll start to notice that many of them were born or raised in the state of South Carolina. We noticed it when we started searching for nominees for The Root 100 list in 2024. Since then, we have tried to crack the mystery of why are there so many Black superstars from this one troubled state. – Alyse Martin Read More

Al B. Sure! Finally Breaks Silence About Diddy and About Kim Porter’s Death

Photo: Getty Images Dave Benett

Peacock’s new documentary, “Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy,” is set to premiere on Tuesday. In it, “Nite and Day” singer Al B. Sure! discusses how the mogul—who is currently behind bars—pursued then Uptown Records receptionist Kim Porter. – Candace McDuffie Read More

The Son of This Music Legend Has An Alternative to Tiktok. Here’s the Tea

Photo: Getty Images Prince Williams/Wireimage

It’s going to be a sad moment for many social media users when and if the TikTok ban goes into effect. But have no fear, there’s a Black-owned alternative that may save the day for those who want a similar online experience. – Noah A. McGee Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Peek Inside The Childhood Home Of Nina Simone

Peek Inside The Childhood Home Of Nina Simone

A look through the recently restored childhood home of the High Priestess of Soul, Nina Simone …
Wise Words From Nelson Mandela That Hit Harder Than Ever, In Honor of His Death Anniversary

Wise Words From Nelson Mandela That Hit Harder Than Ever, In Honor of His Death Anniversary

Given Nelson Mandela’s efforts and insights and into how to make the world a better place, and in honor of his death anniversary–let’s take a look back on some of his powerful words! …
A Peek Inside The Root 100 Party's Swag Bag

A Peek Inside The Root 100 Party’s Swag Bag

Shampoo from Cécred, beard oil from Bask & Lather, and a festive bottle of Martell were just a few of the goodies in this year’s The Root 100 swag bag …
The Pros <i>and</i> Cons For Your Favorite Black Shows When Netflix Buys Warner Bros. Discovery

The Pros and Cons For Your Favorite Black Shows When Netflix Buys Warner Bros. Discovery

With Netflix’s impending takeover of Warner Bros., let’s take a look at how this historic deal could impact the future of Black stories and storytellers! …
Why Supreme Court's MAGA-Friendly Redistricting Ruling Could Change Everything For Jasmine Crockett, Other Texas Dems

Why Supreme Court’s MAGA-Friendly Redistricting Ruling Could Change Everything For Jasmine Crockett, Other Texas Dems

Under the Supreme Court temporarily ruling in favor of Trump, but where does it leave the Democrats, who are more than outnumbered …
Customer Pulls Gun on Black Barber After A Messed Up Haircare... and That's Not All

Customer Pulls Gun on Black Barber After A Messed Up Haircare… and That’s Not All

Miami police caught up with Darious Dwayne Davis after he was identified as the man who viciously attacked a Black barbershop owner …
Quinta Brunson's Latest Move Might Change the Lives of Philly Public School Students Forever

Quinta Brunson’s Latest Move Might Change the Lives of Philly Public School Students Forever

Actress Quinta Brunson just launched a new fund designed to for Philadelphia public school students …
Breaking Down Beyoncé, Brandy and Ray J's Social Media Drama!

Breaking Down Beyoncé, Brandy and Ray J’s Social Media Drama!

There’s been a whole bunch of online chatter regarding Beyonce, Brandy and Ray J. Let’s break down what it’s all about! …
How Black Folks and Asians Found Themselves Bonding Over Tiktok Drama About White People

How Black Folks and Asians Found Themselves Bonding Over Tiktok Drama About White People

Black folks have found themselves in the middle of Asian TikTok drama and we’ll tell you why …
Michelle Obama Reveals Seven Unknown Facts About Katt Williams

Michelle Obama Reveals Seven Unknown Facts About Katt Williams

The comedian opened up to Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson on their podcast, sharing a vulnerability you rarely see …
Why Expert Says DHS's 'Not a Nation of Immigrants' Announcement Is Deeper Than You Think

Why Expert Says DHS’s ‘Not a Nation of Immigrants’ Announcement Is Deeper Than You Think

DHS’s “Not a Nation of Immigrants” stance has deeper Implications, according to Experts …
Meghan Markle's Holiday Netflix Special is Just the Kind of Self-Care Black Folks Need Right Now

Meghan Markle’s Holiday Netflix Special is Just the Kind of Self-Care Black Folks Need Right Now

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has a special holiday episode of her lifestyle show and her Black fans are here it. Spoiler alert: Prince Harry loves gumbo! …
Here's How Much it Costs to Rent Out Kanye West's Formerly Abandoned Malibu Mansion

Here’s How Much it Costs to Rent Out Kanye West’s Formerly Abandoned Malibu Mansion

Since 2021, the Malibu mansion that once belonged to Kanye West has been through renovations, potential timeshares and now a possible foreclosure …
The <i>Real</i> Reason Star Boxer Terence Crawford Was Stripped Of His WBC Title

The Real Reason Star Boxer Terence Crawford Was Stripped Of His WBC Title

Terence Crawford refused to pay a $300,000 sanctioning fee that was mandated by the World Boxing Coucil (WBC) …
About Those Pics of Diddy Smiling with Inmates...

About Those Pics of Diddy Smiling with Inmates…

Diddy just became the latest victim of artificial intelligence after the truth behind his viral prison pictures are finally revealed …
Why the Netflix Diddy Doc Has Everyone Furious at This Black Woman Juror From the Trial

Why the Netflix Diddy Doc Has Everyone Furious at This Black Woman Juror From the Trial

After watching the Netflix Diddy documentary, fans call out Juror 160 on behavior which may have impacted the court ruling …
Halle Berry Trashes the Idea of Gavin Newsom as President For One Crucial Reason

Halle Berry Trashes the Idea of Gavin Newsom as President For One Crucial Reason

Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry is calling out California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his veto of legislation supporting one crucial topic …
'Industry' Star Myha'la's Response to Learning Her Roots Will Have You Reaching For Tissues

‘Industry’ Star Myha’la’s Response to Learning Her Roots Will Have You Reaching For Tissues

‘Industry’ star Myha’la Herrold sobs after landing in the country of her ancestral roots for the first time …
Brian McKnight's Shocking Alleged Words to His Dying Son Will Have You <i>Big</i> Mad

Brian McKnight’s Shocking Alleged Words to His Dying Son Will Have You Big Mad

Fans are outraged after McKnight Jr. reveals the “Back at One” singer refused to tell his late brother he loved him, even in his final days …