HIP HOP SUPERSTAR KANYE WEST BECOMES A BILLIONAIRE- FORBES

Kanye West's sneaker line alone has been valued $1.26bn (£1.02bn

Hip hop superstar Kanye West is officially a billionaire after his sneaker line was described as "one of the great retail stories of the century", according to Forbes magazine.

The rapper and fashion designer, who has long coveted the status, is said to have a net worth valued at $1.3bn (£1.05bn).

Despite now being officially classed as a billionaire, West was unhappy with Forbes and claimed they had undervalued him.

West’s big break came in 2000, when he began producing for artists on Roc-A-Fella Records. He worked on JAY-Z’s “The Blueprint” (2001) and is often credited for revitalizing the rap mogul’s career. He also produced for other artists, including Beanie Sigel, Ludacris, Alicia Keys and Janet Jackson.

The rapper reportedly sent a text to one of their employees reading: "It's not a billion.

"It's 3.3 billion since no one at Forbes knows how to count."

Forbes has valued his Yeezy sneaker line alone at $1.26bn (£1.02bn).

The magazine reports that the brand is "challenging Nike's Air Jordan for sneaker world supremacy" and is "one of the great retail stories of the century".

The 42-year-old is also one of the most acclaimed and biggest-selling music artists of the last 20 years.

His GOOD Music record label and the rights to his back catalogue are worth at least $90m (£73m) in total, according to Forbes.

The magazine said the statement of assets supplied to them by West's team lists $17m in cash (£13.7m) and $35m in stocks (£28m).

West's other notable assets are $81m (£66m) in property and $21m (£17m) in land, according to his team.

The rapper and his wife, the reality TV star Kim Kardashian, are known to own several properties in Los Angeles and Wyoming.

Kanye West is married to the reality TV star Kim Kardashian 

Forbes, which stressed there was a lack of independent verification for its figures, has listed West as having debt of about $100m (£81m).

That adds up to a net worth of $1.3bn (£808m) in total, the magazine said.

This places him above sister-in-law Kylie Jenner, who has a $1bn net worth, largely from her cosmetics business.

West was displeased with an article last year in which Forbes refused to class him as a billionaire.

The rapper is said to have texted a reporter saying it was a "disrespectful article" that was "purposely snubbing me".

His ire was further provoked earlier this month when Forbes released its annual billionaires list, with West's name absent.

"You know what you're doing," West is said to have texted a Forbes journalist.

"You're toying with me and I'm not finna lye down and take it anymore in Jesus name."



----SKYNEWS

RITA ORA FACED "PREJUDICE" FOR BEING A "REFUGEE"

RITA ORA

Rita Ora was bullied when she was younger for being a "refugee".

The 'Anywhere' and 'How To Be Lonely' hitmaker came to the UK as an infant from Kosovo, Albania, when her parents fled persecution against Albanians connected to the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.

And although Rita grew up in Notting Hill, London, she still faced "prejudice" from those around her, who used the word refugee as a "derogatory" term.

Speaking about her parents' decision to leave Albania, she said: "My mum was a psychiatrist and my dad an economist. They left behind their whole lives and had to start from scratch when they arrived in London as refugees. But protecting us was their main priority and I count my blessings every day that they did what they did.

"They sacrificed so much and worked so hard for our family. They studied, learned a new language, and raised my older sister, younger brother, and me well. They taught us to fight for what we want, to work hard, and to keep going; whatever your circumstances. They chose London because dad loved the music and the culture, but even still, as you can imagine, adopting a new life was extremely difficult.

The 29-year-old singer says growing up was "tough", and explained she made friends with other "foreign" children because they had something in common.

She added: "It was always tough growing up; there was a lot of prejudice and judgement. I was often called a refugee in a derogatory way, however, I had lots of foreign friends and we all had a great time connecting through being different."

Rita often makes trips back to Kosovo to visit, and says she's "proud" of her "heritage".

Speaking to Vogue Arabia, she said: "Kosovo will always be our homeland and we will forever be proud Kosovans. I'm so humbled to now be able to give back to my home country as an Honorary Ambassador. When we have the opportunity, I often go back to visit with my family. I love every little thing about Kosovan culture; it's so different. The national dress is beautiful and the food is delicious. Baklava is my favorite thing in the world. I've never met anyone who doesn't like it; it's incredible.

"I will forever be a true Kosovan at heart. I'll never forget my roots and I'll be forever proud of my heritage - I wouldn't change a thing."

R. KELLY DENIED BAIL AGAIN

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Singer R. Kelly appears standing beside his attorney, Steven Greenberg during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail. (Photo by Antonio Perez - Pool via Getty Images)

R. Kelly has had his request to be bailed amidst the coronavirus pandemic denied.

The 'Ignition' hitmaker was hoping he would be freed from jail as the virus spreads across the US and the world as he argued his age and his hernia surgery put him at high risk of catching the virus. 

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 26: R&B singer R. Kelly covers his mouth as he speaks to members of his entourage as he leaves the Leighton Criminal Courts Building following a hearing on June 26, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Prosecutors turned over to Kelly's defense team a DVD that alleges to show Kelly having sex with an underage girl in the 1990s. Kelly has been charged with multiple sex crimes involving four women, three of whom were underage at the time of the alleged encounters. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

R. Kelly is currently holed up in Chicago's Metropolitan Correctional Centre on charges that include sex trafficking, racketeering and child p*rnography.

Brooklyn federal judge Ann Donnelly said in a ruling on Tuesday (07.04.20): "While I am sympathetic to the defendant's understandable anxiety about COVID-19, he has not established compelling reasons warranting his release."

In papers filed in US District Court in Chicago, his lawyers claim the singer is within the category of people described as high-risk by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and therefore should be allowed to self-isolate away from other prisoners. The filing also claims that sanitiser and soap are scarce in the Metropolitan Correctional Centre, where the majority of inmates are kept in small, two-person cells that make social distancing difficult. 

R. KELLY

Kelly's lawyers stated: "The visitor's bathroom on the entry-level floor of the MCC frequently has no soap or paper towels available, which makes it difficult for individuals entering the facility to adequately clean their hands before visiting.

"The courts have long recognised that there is no greater necessity than keeping a defendant alive, no matter the charge."

R. Kelly has been unable to meet with his lawyers because of the coronavirus outbreak.

It is believed his lawyers wanted to check on Kelly's wellbeing as well as discuss his legal strategy, but the Bureau of Prisons in Illinois has insisted jail staff are suspending visits for the next 30 days in an attempt to keep the respiratory illness at bay.

CORONAVIRUS: MADONNA DONATES $1M TO VACCINE FUND

MADONNA

Madonna is donating $1million to help find a vaccine for coronavirus. 

The 'Like a Virgin' hitmaker announced he would be donating money to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as they try and search for a cure against the virus.

In a statement released on her website, she said: "I'm joining the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation effort to find a drug that will prevent or treat COVID-19. We need this to protect our health workers, the most vulnerable, and all of our friends and families. I'm talking about this: I am so impressed by the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator's urgent efforts to find new or existing drugs that could effectively prevent or treat the disease. Harnessing the strength and knowledge of the research community, the Accelerator's critical scientific progress will inform how we end this pandemic and prevent future impact from the virus. I send enormous gratitude and strength to the courageous first responders, medical professionals and scientists who are protecting our communities, those suffering and our most vulnerable."

It comes after Madonna branded coronavirus as a "great equaliser".

She shared at the time: "That's the thing about COVID-19, it doesn't care about how rich you are, how famous you are, how funny you are, how smart you are, where you live, how old you are ... it's the great equaliser, and what's terrible about it is what's great about it. What's terrible about it is, it's made us equal in many ways. And what's wonderful about it is that it's made us equal in many ways. Like I used to say at the end of 'Human Nature' every night, we're all in the same boat. If the ship goes down, we're all going down together."

BILL WITHERS, "LEAN ON ME" SINGER, DIES AT 81

Bill Withers died at age 81 of heart complications. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Bill Withers, a singer-songwriter and musician known for the songs "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine," has died at age 81.

Withers' family said in a statement to The Independent that the Grammy-winning recording artist died from heart complications.

The Guardian confirmed Withers' death Friday.

"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father," Withers' family said in a statement. "A solitary man with a heart driven to connect to the world at large, with his poetry and music, he spoke honestly to people and connected them to each other."

"As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world. In this difficult time, we pray his music offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones," the family added.

Withers was born in the small coal-mining town of Slab Fork, W.V., in 1938, and served nine years in the Navy as a young man. He moved to Los Angeles in 1967 to pursue music, and eventually signed with Sussex Records.

"Ain't No Sunshine" appears on Withers' debut studio album, Just As I Am, released in 1971, while "Lean on Me" appears on the singer's second album, Still Bill, released in 1972. "Ain't No Sunshine" won Withers his first Grammy for Best R&B song.

Withers also wrote and recorded the hit songs "Use Me," "Just the Two of Us" and "Lovely Day. "Just the Two of Us" has been sampled by several other artists, including by Will Smith in his 1997 single of the same name.

Withers released his eighth album, Watching You Watching Me, in 1985, and largely retired from music after the album failed to chart.

Withers' life, music and early retirement is explored in the 2009 documentary Still Bill. The singer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

BREAKING: CORONAVIRUS CLAIMS LIFE OF AFROJAZZ LEGEND MANU DIBANGO IN FRANCE

MANU DIBANGO

Manu Dibango, who fused African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music, died Tuesday with the coronavirus, according to his music publisher.

He was 86.

It will recalled that it was reported here last Wednesday that he tested positive for the virus and was said to be recovering in an undisclosed hospital in France.

The Cameroon-born saxophonist, who gained international fame with his 1972 song “Soul Makossa,” died in a hospital in the Paris region, Thierry Durepaire said.

Dibango was hospitalized with an illness “linked to COVID-19,” his official Facebook page said last week.

“Soul Makossa” was one of the earliest hits in the nascent world music scene, including a catchy hook copied by some of the world’s biggest pop stars.

In 2009, Dibango filed a lawsuit against Michael Jackson and Rihanna, claiming they had stolen his music in “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” and “Don’t Stop the Music,” respectively. Jackson settled out of court.

Funeral services were to be “held in strict privacy” followed by a tribute “when possible,” Tuesday’s announcement said. Funerals in France have been limited to 20 people n the closest circle of the deceased because of a lockdown to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Dibango is survived by four children.

CORONAVIRUS: DRAKE JOINS THE LIST OF TOP CELEBRITIES TESTED FOR THE VIRUS

DRAKE

Drake has tested negative for coronavirus.

The 'Hotline Bling' star was in self-isolation over fears he caught the virus from Nets star Kevin Durant, who was diagnosed with the deadly illness the just days after he partied with him at Nice Guy in Hollywood.

Speaking with his dad Dennis Graham on an Instagram Live, he confirmed he was negative, before adding: "That test was uncomfortable though. They put that Q-tip all the way inside your thoughts and s**t."

After finding out about Kevin's diagnosis, Drake put himself into isolation and said he would spend the foreseeable future in quarantine at his home in Toronto. The basketball team had been in Los Angeles, California, to play the Lakers and, although Kevin didn't play as he's recovering from a torn tendon, he still partied with his teammates. 

DRAKE AND KEVIN ON MARCH 11

Taking to his Instagram account, the 33-year-old rapper reportedly uploaded a video, which has since been removed, of his home basketball court, captioning the clip: "My life for the next however long." 

Drake had also taken to Instagram to share a photo of him and Kevin leaving the restaurant together, captioning it: "life is a race and the grim reaper catches up ... till then glasses up (sic)" 

Recording artists Rosalia and Drake attend the 2020 Tokyo Olympic collection fashion show at The Shed on February 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)

It was revealed that Kevin had contracted the virus along with the three other teammates, with a statement from the team revealing: "Of the four, one player is exhibiting symptoms while three are asymptomatic. All four players are presently isolated and under the care of team physicians."

Addressing his diagnosis, Kevin added: "Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine. We're going to get through this."

CORONAVIRUS: VETERAN MUSICIAN MANU DIBANGO TESTS POSITIVE

Emmanuel N'Djoke Dibango, known as Manu Dibango, saxophonist and Franco-Cameroonian singer of world jazz, performs during his concert on June 29, 2018 at the Ivory Hotel Abidjan. - Saxophonist Manu Dibango, who plays 'Baobab' African music, celebrates his 60 years of music, giving a unique concert in Abidjan, following his successful return to the Ivory Coast where he used to play in the 1970s. (Photo by Sia KAMBOU / AFP) (Photo credit should read SIA KAMBOU/AFP/Getty Images)

Famous Cameroonian musician Emmanuel N'Djoke Dibango fondly known as Manu Dibango has said he "resting well and calmly recovering" after he was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (Covid-19.)

The 86-year-old saxophonist, songwriter and singer on Wednesday broke the news on his official Facebook page but his close aides also confirmed that he had been admitted in a French hospital for a different disease when he contracted the virus.

“Further to a recent admission in hospital linked to Covid-19, Manu Dibango is resting well and calmly recovering,” the musician said on Facebook without details of the medical facility where he is receiving treatment.

The fuse jazz artiste called on his fans to respect his privacy, saying he can't wait to meet his fans again soon.

Dibango gestures to the crowds during his concert on June 29, 2018

Dibango's hit song Soul Makossa—produced in 1972— is said to have influenced Michael Jackson's Wanna Be Starting' Somethin which was the opening track of the American's famous album Thriller of 1982.

The government had yet to comment on state of the highly acclaimed jazz maestro who lives in the French capital, Paris but regularly visits Cameroon.

CORONAVIRUS: CELINE DION'S TEST RESULT OUT

CELINE DION

Celine Dion has tested negative for coronavirus and postponed concerts due to a "common cold".

The 'My Heart Will Go On' hitmaker has delayed gigs in Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this week after being tested for COVID-19, and she was urged to "rest" by her doctors.

In a Facebook post, her team revealed: "On Monday night, a day after completing a six-show run in the New York area, Celine began feeling the symptoms of a common cold.

"The symptoms persisted into Tuesday, and her doctors instructed her to rest for the next 5-7 days.

"After testing her, the doctors concluded that her virus was not related to COVID-19."

CELINE DION ON A MANHATTAN STREET LAST NOVEMBER

The lengthy statement confirmed the delays are "due to a cold", with Wednesday's (11.03.20) Washington show pushed back to November 16, while Friday's (13.03.20) Pittsburgh concert will now take place on November 18.

Celine added: "I'm so sorry for disappointing my fans in Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh... I hope everyone understands."

Her tour is set to continue in Denver, Colorado on March 24.

Last month, the 51-year-old singer thanked her fans for their support following her mother's sad death in January.

She wrote on Instagram at the time: "On behalf of my entire family, I would like to thank all of you for your expressions of sympathy, which have touched us very deeply.

"If you wish, you can write a note or make a donation on the Fondation Maman Dion website.

"Helping children in need, will help us to heal. - Celine xx... (sic)"

Celine also shared the same message in French.

Therese's death came at a tough time for the 'Power of Love' singer, as it was just two days after the fourth anniversary of the death of her husband, Rene Angelil, and the same day as the fourth anniversary of her brother Daniel's death.

OPENLY GAY MUSIC ICON, GEORGE MICHAEL DIES AT 53

GEORGE MICHAEL

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter George Michael — who went from squeaky-clean pop hits with Wham! to a successful solo career marred by sex and drug scandals — died Sunday. He was 53.

His death came 32 years after Michael and former singing partner Andrew Ridgeley released the yuletide hit “Last Christmas,” which since then has repeatedly run up the charts in the UK.

Over the decades, Michael has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide — and become an icon for gay rights after coming out in 1998.

“It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period,” said a statement from Michael’s management, which identified heart failure as the cause of death.

An ambulance was called to a property in the village of Goring, about 50 miles west of London, around 8:45 a.m. EST, according to the BBC.

Cops don’t consider Michael’s death suspicious, the BBC reported.

WHAM! - Michael and Andrew in 1984

Michael, born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in 1963, shot to fame as part of 1980s music duo Wham!, which scored a No. 1 hit with “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” The song’s video featured Michael dancing in outfits that included blue-and-white short shorts, a long-sleeve pink T-shirt and yellow, fingerless gloves.

“Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog,” Former Wham! band mate Andrew Ridgeley tweeted following Michael’s death. “Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx.”

Shortly before Wham! split, Michael started his solo career and quickly rose to megastardom with the single “Careless Whisper” — which reached No. 1 on the charts in more than 20 countries.

His first album, “Faith,” landed the heartthrob a 1988 Grammy for Album of the Year, just a year after he and soul legend Aretha Franklin shared a Grammy for the duet “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me).”

But his image took repeated hits, including a scandal over his bust for “engaging in a lewd act” in a Beverly Hills men’s room in 1998, which led him to reveal he was gay.

George shows off boyfriend Fadi Fawaz in 2012

Michael’s admission helped boost his popularity, and he also used his arrest as fodder for a song, “Outside,” and accompanying video poking fun at himself.

He was one of the first music stars to come out, and became a patron of Elton John’s AIDS charity. In 2011 he tweeted, “I HAVE NEVER AND WILL NEVER APOLOGISE FOR MY SEX LIFE! GAY SEX IS NATURAL, GAY SEX IS GOOD! NOT EVERYBODY DOES IT, BUT…..HA HA!” in a coy reference to the lyrics in his song “I Want Your Sex.”

Elton John said he is "in deep shock". Elton, who famously collaborated with George for the 1992 hit, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", posted a tribute to his longtime friend on Instagram.

"I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans. @GeorgeMichael #RIP."

George Michael with Elton John (right)

After his late-’90s problems, his trouble would continued in London in 2006, when cops found him slumped over the steering wheel of his car near the famed Hyde Park Corner in the city’s West End. He was arrested again a couple years later for possessing crack cocaine while reportedly cruising for sex in London’s Hampstead Heath park.

In a 2009 interview with the Guardian — during which he repeatedly rolled joints — Michael denied being a drug addict, but admitted: “I’m surprised that I’ve survived my own dysfunction, really.”

In 2010, he spent two months in the slammer after crashing his Range Rover into a photo-printing shop in North London while high on pot and anti-anxiety medication.

He later cheated death from pneumonia, spending weeks in intensive care after complaining of chest pains just two hours before a scheduled concert in Vienna, Austria, on Nov. 21, 2011.

In a 2014 interview, Michael told the Scottish Sun newspaper that his brush with death from pneumonia had led him to quit smoking pot, saying, “I decided to change my lie and I haven’t touched it for well over a year and a half.”

Months before his death, he appeared overweight and unrecognizable, judging by the last known pictures.

The shocking images of Michael showed him with a bloated face and heavy frame.

Last known picture of George Michael showing his weight problems