Entertainment, Lifestyle

”He presented himself as a responsible person”- Ogun monarch speaks on why he bestowed chieftaincy title on singer Portable

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The Onitigbo of Tigbo-Ilu Land, in Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Olabode Thomas-Fagbayi, has justified why he conferred a chieftaincy title on the controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola popularly known as Portable.

On Monday, August 22, Portable took to his social media handles to announce his new title as the Amuludun of Tigbo Awori land.

He shared photos of himself at the ceremony where he was decorated with the chieftaincy title.

Shortly after posting the photos, some Nigerians accused the monarch of collecting bribe to bestow the honor on Portable who they said was unbefitting of any title.

However, in a chat with Premiumtimes, the monarch said he never knew the famous artist until recently and that he bestowed the title on him because he is respectful.

“I visited a school in my domain where I have gotten a report of misbehaviour among the pupils and students of the school.

So, I went to the school to talk briefly with them. It was there that I was told that somebody called Portable was passing through my domain and was throwing money at people, and in the process, many got injured.

Because of that, I summoned him to my palace, and he came twice, but I wasn’t at the palace when he came. So, one day, I was walking on the road, and I saw him driving; I called for him, and he immediately came with his boys, and they all prostrated on the road.”he said

The monarch also mentioned that the singer has his roots in Tigbo town and is well behaved. “His mum is from Tigbo, and he too lives here; he presented himself as a responsible person, and we take him as that.

Some people might have reservations about him, but even at that, he is our son.”he said The monarch added that the singer had also shown readiness to be part of the celebration of ‘Tigbo day’.

Mr Thomas-Fagbayi, however, debunked social media claims that he was paid to honor the famous artist and insisted that he is a monarch whom “God has blessed.”

Entertainment, Lifestyle

ARCON bans use of foreign models and voice over artists for adverts

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The Federal government has banned the use of foreign models and voice-over artists for advertisements targeted at Nigerians.

Olalekan Fadolapo, Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, August 22.

According to Fadolapo, the new policy will take effect from October 1, 2022. He said the move was aimed at promoting local content and talents and increasing economic growth.

“In line with the federal government’s policy of developing local talent, inclusive economic growth and the need to take necessary steps and actions aimed at growing the Nigerian advertising industry, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), being the apex advertising, advertisement and marketing communications’ regulatory agency of the federal government, has in accordance with its statutory mandates, responsibilities and powers as conveyed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022, bans the use of foreign models and voice-over artists on any advertisement targeted or exposed on the Nigerian advertising space with effect from 1st October 2022.

All advertisements, advertising and marketing communications materials are to make use of only Nigerian models and voice-over artists.

Ongoing campaigns are permitted to run out their terms, however, subsequent applications for re-validation for continued exposure of such materials will not be granted by the advertising standards panel (ASP).

Advertisers, advertisement agencies, media houses, advertising community and the general public are hereby enjoined to take note.”

Entertainment, Football, World News

Infidelity is what this case is all about – Ryan Giggs’ defence tells jurors that his ex-girlfriend lied about sexual assault case because she was upset with him for cheating

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Ryan Giggs’ defence team has said said the former Manchester United footballer’s ex-girlfriend is lying about being physically assaulted, claiming her anger with the footballer turned coach lies solely on his cheating and philandering ways, which aren’t crimes.Chris Daw QC claimed that Kate Greville had told so many lies and that the ‘source of her deep, deep anger’ was Giggs’ ‘infidelity’.

PR executive Kate Greville accuses Giggs, 48, of displaying controlling or coercive behaviour towards her and also headbutting her at his home, and elbowing her sister Emma Greville on the same occasion on November 1, 2020.

Giggs denies all charges and is standing trial at Manchester Crown Court.

His barrister Daw told jurors on the 11th day of the trial on Monday, August 22 that ‘morality plays no part in a court of law’.

He said Giggs is not on trial for ‘being flirtatious’, being a ‘compulsive womaniser’, an ‘adulterer’ or a ‘liar’ or a ‘cheat’.

“He is not on trial for any of those things,”. “If they were crimes, just think how many prisons we would need.

“He accused the prosecution of ‘cherry picking’ evidence from more than 19,000 messages the couple had exchanged during their near six year relationship.

Jurors heard Giggs accepted using ‘truly appalling’ language, including when he called Ms Greville a ‘c***. ”

But he said these were not representative of their relationship completely. Daw claimed a letter entitled ‘The Final Goodbye’, which Greville shared with a friend and didn’t send on to Mr Giggs, showed she was angry about his infidelity.”Truth be told, infidelity is what this case is all about,” Daw said.

“The reason Ms Greville was upset was because of that.”He said there was no reference to ‘control’ in the letter.

“Clearly that was the source of her deep, deep anger by the time we reach October (2020),” Mr Daw said.

He told the jury Greville had told lies ‘from the outset’, including when she claimed to police on the evening of November 1 that Mr Giggs had headbutted her before.

“Members of the jury, there are so many lies that she has told,” the QC said. “So many things she has said that can’t possibly be true.”

Daw told the jurors how Ms Greville told Giggs she needed to go to the hospital because she had ‘cancerous cells’, but that she was actually having her contraceptive coil removed so she could get pregnant for Giggs for financial reasons. “She denies that that was a plan at all,” Daw said.

“You have got to decide whether you can trust or believe what she says.” He added how Ms Greville can be ‘incredibly manipulative when she wants to be’. Daw said there was ‘no evidence of Giggs controlling anything she ever did’.”She was earning good money, she was independent,” he said. “She had her friends around her.”

“This is a woman who is extremely self confident and in control.” Daw described claims of an alleged assault in a Dubai hotel in 2017 as ‘absolutely ridiculous’. Greville alleges she was ‘dragged’ naked out of the room by Mr Giggs, while he says she was bruised during ‘rough s*x’.

He dismissed her claims of Greville being a ‘slave’ to Mr Giggs and her account of lockdown being a ‘living hell’ was ‘entirely subjective’ to present a ‘false’ picture.

Speaking of the alleged headbutt in November 2020 during an incident at Mr Giggs’ home in Worsley, Daw told jurors:

“We suggest to you that it is simply utterly incredible, that there is an attack with a headbutt in the way described.

“He argued a ‘minor’ injury to her lip was not consistent with a forceful headbutt alleged.

Daw said Mr Giggs had chosen to give evidence, and described prosecutor Peter Wright QC’s cross-examination of him as being ‘almost a form of bloodsport’.

“Whatever you made of him, you may think he was in effect a rabbit in the headlights in that witness box, faced by Mr Wright,” Daw said, describing Mr Wright as ‘one of the leading prosecution barristers of the last 40 years’.

He claimed Mr Giggs ‘pretty much agreed to anything’, and said the ex-footballer was ’embarrassed to admit’ if he didn’t understand a word, or what was being asked of him.

“It was no less a mismatch than putting Mr Wright in goal against Mr Giggs at his absolute peak of footballing ability,” Daw said.

The lawyer also made reference to the evidence of Sir Alex Ferguson, who told jurors that Giggs had ‘fantastic temperament’ when he managed him at United.

“You remember Sir Alex saying to you he used to deliberately pick on Ryan Giggs in front of the players because he knew he could,” Daw said.

“Can you imagine being picked on by Sir Alex Ferguson in his prime in front of lots of other people?”No reaction, no loss of temper.”Concluding his speech, the barrister added:

“Members of the jury, take a cold hard look at the evidence in this case, and putting everything out of your mind, the only true verdict I suggest on all three counts must be not guilty.”

The Judge, Hilary Manley will conclude all the evidence in the case on Tuesday, before the jury is sent out to deliberate on its verdicts.

The trial continues.

Entertainment, Football, Lifestyle, World News

Man City star, Benjamin Mendy arrives for start of second week of his rape trial

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Manchester City footballer, Benjamin Mendy has arrived at Chester Crown Court today for the second week of his rape trial.

The French footballer, 28, denies eight counts of rape against five women, one count of sexual assault, and one count of attempted rape.

The offences are alleged to have taken place on five different occasions at his Cheshire mansion between October 2018 and August last year.

Last week, one of his alleged victims said she was left feeling like she ‘didn’t want to be here anymore’ after allegedly being raped by Mendy.

Mendy’s co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 41, from Eccles, Salford, has also pleaded not guilty to eight counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault, relating to eight women.

Prosecutors allege Mendy, a French international, is a ‘predator’ who ‘turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game’.

None of the women involved can be identified and reporting restrictions apply ahead of the trial.

Both men deny all charges.

Entertainment, Politics

Shettima trends over outfit he wore to the NBA Colloquium in Lagos

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Shettima is currently trending on Twitter over the outfit he wore to the NBA Colloquium today, August 22, in Lagos State. The vice presidential candidate for the All Progressive Congress (APC) political party represented the Presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

For the event, Shettima, who regularly wears native attires, wore a loose suit and paired it with a pair of sneakers, a combination Nigerians found fault with. While many slammed his stylist, others questioned why the presidential candidates for other political parties were present while Tinubu sent his vice presidential candidate.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

Eedris Abdulkareem Kidney Transplant Successful – Management

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The management of singer, Eedris Abdulkareem, has announced the successful kidney transplant of the artiste on Monday.

The statement titled “Latest update on Eedris Abdulkareem health challenge’ was shared on Facebook by Myke Pam.

The statement read in part.

“It is with unspeakable joy and undiluted thanksgiving that the management of Lakreem Entertainment officially release the news of the successful kidney transplant surgery on Nigerian hiphop czar and activist Eedris Abulkareem and his most gracious donor -his lovingly dedicated wife YT, some hours ago.

“The rapper announced that he suffered kidney failure and would be undergoing a transplant in July.

Entertainment, World News

NBA legend, Dennis Rodman announces he’s going to Russia to seek release of Brittney Griner

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NBA hall of famer, Dennis Rodman has announced plans to visit Russia to seek the release of Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was sentenced to nine years in prison on drug charges.

Earlier this month, Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian jail for drug possession earlier this month.

Her lawyers have filed an appeal and there are understood to be separate talks underway over a possible prisoner swap.

Rodman has now revealed plans to make a trip of his own to negotiate the Olympic champion’s release. “I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman told NBC News.

“I’m trying to go this week.” He did not specify who had given him permission to travel to Russia.

The 61-year-old Rodman has described himself as a “basketball ambassador.”

In 2014, he was invited to Russia by Vladimir Putin and called the country’s president “cool”.

He also has a friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who is an avid NBA fan.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

Revocation of Licence: NBC Extends Deadline for 52 Broadcasters to Pay Debts Till August 24

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The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has extended the revocation of the operating licences of 52 broadcast stations owing debt amounting to N2.6 billion in licensing fees until August 23, 2022.

This is coming as the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) has condemned the revocation of the 52 licences of broadcast stations.

In a statement signed Saturday by its Director-General, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, NBC said the extension was due to appeal by the affected broadcast stations, relevant stakeholders, and public-spirited organisations.

Ilelah said the commission would enforce the revocation order on the affected stations by August 24 if they fail defray their debts after the expiration of the grace.

The statement was titled: ‘NBC Extends Enforcement of Revocation Order on Debtor Broadcast Stations from 24 Hours to Wednesday, August 23, 2022.’

“This is to inform all the affected broadcast stations whose licences were revoked and given 24 hours to pay all outstanding license fees that the National Broadcasting Commission has extended the period, which all outstanding debts are to be paid from 24 hours to Wednesday, August 23, 2022.

“All affected broadcast stations who fail to defray their debts on or before August 23, 2022 are directed to shut down by 12 am on August 24, 2022.

“This extension is due to appeal by the affected broadcast stations, relevant stakeholders, public-spirited organisations and organisations,” Ilelah said.

However, the Nigerian chapter of International Press Institute (IPI) said the concession by the NBC followed its intervention and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) on how to explore amicable resolution of the dispute.

IPI Nigeria said following the revocation of the licences of the stations on Friday, it had engaged the Ministry of Information and Culture, the NBC and BON.

IPI Nigeria President, Musikilu Mojeed, said yesterday that Ilelah had graciously agreed to grant an extension on compassionate ground.

He said although the concession was a temporary relief, IPI was hopeful that all parties would engage in few days with a view to arriving at a lasting resolution of the matter.

“We thank the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Mallam Illela for listening to us and allowing a window for dialogue,” the statement explained.

Meanwhile, the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) has condemned the revocation of 52 licences of broadcast stations by NBC.It described the revocation as an untimely action with likely severe consequences.

A statement by the General Secretary of the union, Aniete Akpausoh, said that most broadcast stations are going through a lot of challenges, adding that the broadcast environment is not healthy and friendly.

RATTAWU said it has no other option but to caution NBC that “while it has the unreserved constitutional right to revoke the licences of radio and television stations that have not done the needful; however, the prevailing climate makes such an action untimely and with grave consequences. This is because most of these stations are yet to recover from the COVID-19 shock”.

It noted that during the lock-down, these stations did brave services of sustaining broadcasting.RATTAWU also made a case that the broadcast stations be given special COVID-19 palliative, considering the laudable role they played.

“Just after the upliftment of COVID-19 lock-down, the Nigerian state got stuck in the unexplained muddy waters of hike in the prices of diesel, which most stations rely on to run their programmes in the near absence of power supply from the Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos).

“This is an issue that is, at best, embarrassing to the Nation.“From the foregoing, it is needless to say that the broadcast environment is not healthy and friendly.

“Therefore, decisions that affect the broadcast environment should be taken with sapiential guidance and consideration.

“The action of the NBC is unilateral. It is not a product of stakeholders of the broadcast industry. Therefore, it stands to be half clever. This is because of the following reasons,” it said.

RATTAWU further expressed worry over the likely multiplier effects that the action of NBC would have on workers.It said already, that the economic reality of the nation is not healthy.

“Please note that shutting down media stations invariably leads to disengagements of workers which is another influx into the unemployed market and its attendant consequences.

“Therefore, any government organisation that means well to citizens will not do anything that will compound the situation.

“It is on the strength of the foregoing that RATTAWU, while urging the debted stations to do the needful, also condemns the action of NBC, describing it as untimely and uncircumspect,”

RATTAWU added.

It said the Nigerian state is preparing for the general election by 2023, adding that revoking the licenses of 52 stations and directing their total shutdown implies limiting the possibility of voter education and other electioneering activities.

“This portends great danger and disservice to the nation. Third, the ravaging insecurity of lives and properties required that the Nigerian state should make the free flow of information as much as possible.

“This will help the citizens to report to the authorities and the authorities in return will tell the citizens what needs to be done,” the statement said.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

You’re not strong, how did you beat me?- Anthony Joshua after he lost his match to Oleksandr Usyk

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Former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua left fans completely dismayed with his antics after losing to Oleksandr Usyk.On Saturday night, August 20 in Saudi Arabia, Joshua lost for the second time to Usyk, and after the match, he threw two heavy weight belts down before telling Usyk he won the fight not because he’s strong but because he’s skilled.

He then stormed out of the ring before climbing back in and grabbing the mic to address the crowd with a bizarre rant as his emotions were clearly running high.

In an expletive-filled rant, he discussed the fight, his career, the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, and also led cheers to Usyk.

Joshua began by referencing his youth and troubles with police as a teenager “If you knew my story you would understand the passion.

I ain’t no amateur boxer from five-years-old that was an elite prospect from youth,’ said Joshua.

‘I was going to jail, I got bail and I started training my arse off, I wanted to be able to fight.

‘I’m stealing this Usyk I’m sorry, but it’s because of the passion we put into this.

This guy to beat me tonight, maybe I could have done better, but it shows the level of hard work I put in so please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the worldI’m not a 12 round fighter, look at me, I’m a new breed of heavyweights, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey, ‘you don’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano’, I’m 18 stone, I’m heavy, it’s hard work. ‘This guy here is a phenomenal talent, we’re going to cheer for him three times.’

See some reactions and watch the videos of Joshua after the fight below…

Entertainment

NBC revokes license of Silverbird, AIT, Raypower, Rhythm FM, Others

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The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has revoked the broadcast licenses of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM amongst others, over failure to renew their broadcast licenses.

This was disclosed by the Director General of the NBC Mallam Balarabe Shehu today August 19. Shehu also directed its state offices to liaise with security agencies to ensure the shut down of the operation of these stations within the next 24 hours.

He urged the stations to pay their fees before 24 hours to avert total disconnection.

According to him, the media houses owe NBC N2.66 billion.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

Madonna passionately kisses two women on 64th birthday in Italy

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Madonna has marked her 64th birthday celebrations by passionately kissing two female friends on camera while downing drinks, as well as posing with son Rocco Ritchie, who turned 22 a few days earlier.

The singer evoked her iconic onstage VMAs kiss as she posted a video of herself kissing two girlfriends in the back of a car.

In the video Madonna rocked a breezy blue and white patterned maxi dress, with her platinum hair long. She accessorized with chunky bracelets and layered necklaces.

She spun around in the gorgeous dress before landing in the backseat of a car, where she passionately French kissed the two glamourous women sitting on either side of her.

“Birthday kisses with my side bitches,” she captioned the clip.

The moment was strongly reminiscent of her onstage kiss with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2003.

The racy video comes just a day after she shared wholesome family pics celebrating her son Rocco Ritchie‘s 22nd birthday on August 11.

She he even gave fans a rare glimpse of her youngest children, twins Stella and Estere, 9.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

I did not rape nobody. I’m happy I went to prison – Actor Moses Armstrong

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Nollywood actor, Moses Armstrong, has denied the rape charges recently leveled against him.

Armstrong, a former aide to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa HeIbom state, was arrested last month for allegedly raping a minor he adopted.

He was charged with rape, intimidation, conspiracy and supplying of drugs or instruments to procure abortion.

He was sent to prison, however on August 11, a High court in the state granted him bail.

His friends came out enmass to receive him as he was released from prison after perfecting his bail condition. They also took to social media to celebrate his release.

In a post shared on his Facebook page yesterday August 16, Armstrong stated that he isn’t a rapist and that his experience in prison was awesome as God went with him

Entertainment

Actor, Ezra Miller apologizes for past behavior as he begins treatment for “Complex Mental Health Issues”

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American actor, Ezra Miller has revealed he is seeking treatment after experiencing an “intense crisis.

“Following a series of court cases stretching back to 2020, the ‘Flash’ movie star has announced he has recently begun treatment for issues related to his mental health while issuing an apology.

“Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment,” Miller told E! News in a statement.

“I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life.”

The 29-year-old’s statement comes almost four months after the star was arrested for second-degree assault after an alleged incident in Hawaii.

According to the Hawaii Police Department, Miller allegedly became upset after being asked to leave a private residence in a subdivision in Puna and threw a chair, “striking a 26-year-old female on the forehead.”

The actor was subsequently arrested during a traffic stop for the incident, and was released “pending further investigation.”

The April incident in Hawaii also came just three weeks after he was first arrested on the island.In late March, he was arrested after being charged with disorderly conduct and harassment. According to police, the actor allegedly became “agitated” when other people started singing karaoke at the bar.

Miller was subsequently arrested on both offenses but was later released after posting $500 bail. In April 2020, Miller was seen allegedly grabbing a woman by the neck in Reykjavik, Iceland, in a video that surfaced online.

According to video footage, Miller yelled at the woman as she moved her arms and walked toward them.

The actor then appeared to grab her neck and push her up against an object behind her before other people intervened.

According to NBC News, no one was arrested or taken into custody or charged in connection with the alleged incident.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck to throw extravagant three-day wedding celebration

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Celebrity couple, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are preparing to throw their three-day extravagant wedding celebrations a month after their nuptials.

The singer, 53, and the actor, who celebrated his 50th birthday today, will have their dream wedding celebration at Ben’s Riceboro estate in Georgia this weekend.

‘It’s going to be all about J.Lo. Ben wants all of the focus to be on her for their big day,’ an insider told Page Six.

The weekend festivities with family and friends will start with a rehearsal dinner on Friday, according to the source.

It will be followed by a ceremony on Saturday, and the couple will close out their celebrations with ‘a barbecue and picnic’ on Sunday.

The Hustlers star will rock a custom couture Ralph Lauren dress made in Italy, after previously wearing two different dresses for her Vegas wedding.

The wedding is also going to be documented for Vogue magazine.

Among the celebrity guests expected to attend are Ben’s best friend Matt Damon, Jimmy Kimmel, Drea de Matteo, and brother Casey Affleck among many others.

Jennifer’s celebrity friends Leah Remini, Jane Fonda, and Renee Zellweger are also expected to attend.Ben and Jen picked the actor’s Riceboro home for the event, with the songstress planning the party soon after their Vegas wedding according to TMZ.

Entertainment, Lifestyle, World News

A$AP Rocky charged with assault over 2021 shooting

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Rapper A$AP Rocky has been charged with assault for the November 2021 shooting of a former friend in Hollywood.

Prosecutors said earlier that Rocky pointed a gun at a man (since identified as Relli) during a heated conversation in Hollywood last fall. Later, Rocky allegedly fired two shots in Relli’s direction. Relli has said that he was hit with bullet fragments and suffered injuries as a result of the shooting.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced on Monday August 15, that the rapper is facing two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm with allegations of personally using a firearm.

George said;

“Discharging a gun in a public place is a serious offense that could have ended with tragic consequences not only for the person targeted but also for innocent bystanders visiting Hollywood.

“My office conducted a thorough review of the evidence in this case and determined that the addition of a special firearm allegation was warranted.” Rocky will be arraigned on Wednesday Augusy 17.

The “Praise the Lord” artist had been taken into custody and charged with assault with a deadly weapon after arriving in LAX airport with girlfriend Rihanna in April. He was released on $550,000 bail.

Rocky previously found himself in legal hot water in 2019 when he was arrested and jailed in Sweden for a month for his involvement in a street fight with alleged “drug addicts.”

The rapper and Rihanna welcomed their first child together, a boy, on May 13. The pair started dating in 2020, and the “Umbrella” singer announced her pregnancy in January.

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