TODAY IS:
On August 17th, 2002 Nelly became the fifth artist to replace himself at number-one onBillboard's Hot 100 list when "Dilemma" featuring Kelly Rowland took the top spot from "Hot In Herre."
TODAY'S TOPICS:
WU-TANG CLAN'S RZA DEBUTS NEW ICE CREAM TRUCK JINGLE -- DENOUNCES "TURKEY IN THE STRAW"
After months of protesting against the racially driven minstrel-like ice cream jingle "Turkey in the Straw," trucks across the U.S. have used for decades,Wu-Tang Clan'sRZAhas teamed up with Good Humor and released a new tune that can put consumers at ease. This jingle doesn't perpetuate stereotypes of Black people with characters in blackface or display singing monkeys, like in the older tune. RZA said, “We wanted to make a melody that includes all [communities], that’s good for every driver, that’s good for every kid.” (Rolling Stone)
NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE REPORT SHOWS DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF COVID
A new study by the National Urban League shows how the impact of COVID-19 is disproportionately felt by Black people. Black folks are twice as likely as white people to die from the virus, due to socioeconomic factors like the likelihood to live in more crowded housing and being less likely to work from home. The non-profit’s CEO, Marc Morial, calls the situation a crisis and notes that “Those with underlying conditions are more likely to get sick… have less access to doctors and hospitals [and] are going to be diagnosed much later…they are more likely to be hospitalized, they’re more likely to die.” (USA Today)
NIKE LAUNCHES "MAMBA WEEK" TO CELEBRATE KOBE BRYANT'S BIRTHDAY & ACHIEVEMENTS
This will be the first time that theBryantFamily and the rest of the world will celebrate the basketball legend's birthday since his killed in a helicopter crash in January -- and Nike proposes that we do it in style! "Mamba Week" will kickoff on August 23rd,Kobe Bryant's birthday. They'll be releasing Lakers jerseys displaying both numbers he wore during his career, number-eight and 24, and his Kobe-five Protro's -- which were the sneakers he wore through-out the 2009-10 NBA season. The major brand will also donate $1 million to Kobe's Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. (ESPN)