Essence Fest: celebration or corporatised rebrand? The Aunties chat with Deja Zhané to debate whether the festival still centers Black American heritageWhat we cover From the claim that local vendors & creators are overlooked to reports of influencers flown in from the UK/Toronto, we dig into leadership decisions, rising costs, and how to honour Black American culture without stoking diaspora wars. We also talk solutions: prioritising local talent, transparent curation, and building spaces for both Black American heritage and wider Pan African connection.00:00:00 – Why we invited Deja: Essence Fest backlash & context set-up. 00:03:00 – Deja’s viral video: “Essence no longer feels like us” (heritage vs corporates). 00:07:00 – Leaving comments open & being unapologetically Black—Deja’s stance on discourse. 00:10:30 – Does leadership still center BA heritage? The Caroline Wanga debate. 00:11:30 – Are locals being skipped? NOLA vendors/creators & who gets invited. 00:26:00 – Price hikes, paid lounges & why it now feels “curated” not community. 00:28:00 – Kensington Grey, UK & Toronto influencers at Essence—fair or foul? 00:40:00 – “Global Blackness” vs BA identity: inclusion without erasure. 01:10:00 – Can we keep BA culture at the core and invite the diaspora? (Pan-African approach). 01:54:00 – Big-picture wrap: colonialism, reparations, and shared struggle across the diaspora. 01:56:00 – Deja’s next steps: nostalgia, BA beauty focus & creating for overlooked girls.🔗 Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: https:https://www.instagram.com/yourauntiescouldnever/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourauntiescouldnever🌍 Website : https://www.yourauntiescouldnever.com/

00:04:35 - CANDACE OWEN SUED BY THE MACRONS00:23:00 - GUIDELINES TO ACCESS CORN00:53.15 - MICHAEL WARD CHARGED01:17:00 - CONTROVERSIAL TEA APP01:34:05 - NEW WHITE TOWN IN USA

00:03:00 Couple Caught on Camera at Coldplay ConcertA couple was caught on camera at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts, with their cuddling suggesting they might be having an affair, and the incident has gone viral 00:22:35 Diane Abbott's Comments on RacismDiane Abbott, the first black woman MP in the UK, was suspended and then reinstated after writing a letter to The Observer about racism, which some critics felt suggested that anti-Semitism experienced by the Jewish community was different from the racism she suffered as a black person 01:04:30 Benin Bronzes and the British MuseumThe British Museum refuses to return the looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria, citing legal restrictions under the British Museum Act of 1963 The British Culture Minister, Oliver Dowden, suggests that the Benin bronzes should remain in the British Museum, but is open to sharing them with Nigeria, rather than returning ownership01:24:56 Cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen ColbertCBS has announced the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, citing financial reasons, despite the show being the top-rated show in its time slot The cancellation comes amid a merger with a Trump-linked media company, and critics point to potential political pressure, with some arguing that the move is a form of censorship 01:35:12 Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump's ConnectionsDonald Trump is facing libel action against Rupert Murdoch, the Wall Street Journal, and two reporters, after denying a letter and calling it a scam, and has also asked his attorney general to release documents from the Epstein court filings A woman named Katie Johnson alleges that Donald Trump raped her when she was 13 years old at one of Jeffrey Epstein's parties, and she has given a deposition about the incident02:16:57 Playboy Mansion and Hugh Hefner's AbuseThe conversation also mentions Hugh Hefner and the Playboy Mansion, discussing how the Playboy brand was normalized and influential in popular culture, particularly in the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s Hugh Hefner was an American entrepreneur and founder of Playboy magazine, known for his lavish lifestyle and parties at the Playboy Mansion, where he would host wild parties and recruit young women02:49:46 Jay-Z's Partnership with the NFL and Colin KaepernickNessa Diab, partner of Colin Kaepernick, accused Jay-Z, Rock Nation, and CEO Desiree Perez of working to silence her partner and rapper Nicki Minaj, and accepted millions from the NFL to calm public protests Join AK, Farrah, and Nana every Sunday at Noon GMT on Youtube for NEWS AND NONSENSEyour weekly dose of unfiltered news and sharp commentary.#NEWS

Join AK, Farrah, and Nana every Sunday at Noon GMT for NEWS AND NONSENSE on YouTubeyour weekly dose of unfiltered news and sharp commentary.

Join AK, Farrah, and Nana NEWS AND NONSENSE(00:07:37) Lawsuit against Diddy and CassieA male escort named Clayton Howard, also known as Dave, has filed a federal lawsuit against Diddy and Cassie, alleging years of sexual exploitation, drug coercion, and emotional abuse, including being trafficked for sex and drugged (00:21:08) Discussion on the prosecution's handling of the Diddy caseThe prosecution's handling of the case against Diddy has been questioned, with some arguing that they didn't do a great job and were more focused on getting videos from Diddy's possession(00:31:50) Online coverage of the Diddy and Cassie caseOne of the online personalities, Armon Wiggins known for their storytelling, faced backlash for their coverage of the case, including a viral moment outside a courthouse that was misinterpreted as support for Diddy(00:43:10) Controversy at the BBC involving the Director of MusicLorna Clark, the director of music at the BBC, has stepped down from her current role amidst controversy over a performance by a group called Bob Vylan, with some arguing she is being made a scapegoat(00:55:35) Strip search of a 15-year-old black school girl child QTwo Metropolitan Police officers in the UK have been sacked over the strip search of a 15-year-old black school girl known as Child Q in 2020, with the search being found to be disproportionate, inappropriate, and unnecessary(01:19:57) Vandalism of the Windrush Untold Stories exhibitionThe Windrush Untold Stories exhibition in Brixton's Windrush Square was vandalized, with portraits of notable figures such as Sher Groves, Clovis Son MBE, and Glenda Caesar being targeted, and the incident is being condemned as a blatant act of racial hatred (01:26:36) Petition on school attendance finesA petition with over 150,000 signatures is calling for parents to be allowed to take their children out of school for up to 10 days per year without being fined, as the current system is seen as unfair and punitive(01:32:39) European Parliament's transport committee proposal on hand luggageThe European Parliament's transport committee has adopted a position that air passengers should have the right to take two personal items with them at no extra charge, with a proposed size limit for hand luggage (01:40:32) Sentence of Baltasar Ibang EngongaBaltazar Ibang Eonga, also known as the "African Diddy", has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for embezzling over 1 billion CFA francs of government funds, which he allegedly spent on women and lavish pleasures (01:45:20) Allegations against TI and Tiny Harrisabrina Peterson has made allegations against TI and Tiny Harris, including sex trafficking and coercion, with Peterson claiming to have receipts and planning to release them(01:54:10) Colorism and representation in the fashion industryThe conversation discusses the lack of representation of black people in the fashion industry, with a specific phenotype being pushed as the standard, and how this is a form of colonialism The practice of cutting or shaving black girls' hair is compared to a colonial practice, where nuns in West Africa would shave girls' hair off, and this is still seen in the fashion industry today(02:29:08) Miscellaneous discussions including a strange cloud formation, a hurdler's wardrobe malfunction, the "power slap" competition, and the creator of the Tango ads.We’re starting with a big one. Let’s get into the Diddy verdict and a few other stories making noise this week.DIDDY AND CASSIE SUED BY ESCORT OVER TRAFFICKING, ABUSE, AND ALLEGED PREGNANCYMale escort Clayton Howard, who previously used the alias “Dave,” has filed a federal lawsuit against Diddy and Cassie, alleging years of sexual exploitation, drug coercion, and emotional abuse. The suit accuses the pair of trafficking him for sex, drugging him, and inflicting lasting psychological and physical harm.

NEWS AND NONSENSE is back with AK, Farrah, and Nana bringing the News! 00:03:04 Holiday Check-inAK flexes about a Barbados conference for Black & global-majority creators.Farrah some well deserved chill time with her girls.00:06:53 Chris Brown & “Why Do Problematic Men Keep Winning?”Tottenham show sells out; hosts debate separating art from artist.They question why certain celebs dodge cancellation and float a *mind-control/MK-Ultra* theory for the repeat pattern of sex-abuse scandals.00:19:59 Fat Joe & Tyler Perry AllegationsEx-manager sues Fat Joe, claiming a decade of coercion and under-age encounters.Separate $260 M suit says Tyler Perry weaponised his power for sexual favours texts allegedly back it up.Takeaway: power + celebrity can breed unchecked abuse, even from people cast as “family men.”00:38:25 Industry Enablers & Victim BlamingComparison to other cases (Diddy, Christian Keys).Discussion on grooming, complicity, and how even accountants/managers can keep the machine running.00:51:10 R. Kelly in PrisonLawyer claims prison staff plotted to kill him after an overdose scare.Legal pros say overturning his Chicago convictions = “zero chance,” but hints drop that he might spill secrets on powerful enablers.01:12:29 U.S. Strikes on Iran & Nuclear Double StandardsHosts call out the U.S. for bombing over 25 countries while policing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.They warn this tit-for-tat edges everyone, including us in diaspora, closer to global conflict.01:38:52 Billionaire “Philanthropy” & Baby LegaciesGates Foundation pledges \$200 B to fight inequity; hosts side-eye the optics.Telegram founder Pavel Durov has 106 kids (yes, 106) via sperm donations; convo turns to ethics and potential in-breeding.01:56:13 Notting Hill Carnival on the BrinkSafety funding is short; route keeps shrinking, raising Hillsborough-type fears.Despite a £400 M boost to the economy, some critics (read: often non-Black) want it scrapped.02:14:01 Women’s Safety at GigsMet Police plan extra patrols, yet assaults still happen (see Beyoncé concert incident).Real talk: we need more than optics to feel secure in crowds.02:19:19 Housing & Community ProtectionNew 17-storey Acton tower will give 102 affordable flats to women, inc. domestic-abuse survivors.Remember the Guardian Angels? They’re down to a skeleton crew—funding matters.02:28:55 Parenting Hot TakesViral “boy-mom” video sparks chat about unhealthy mother-son dynamics.Late potty-training & “soft parenting” called out—kids need boundaries.02:48:44 Extreme Body ModsWoman spends £30 k+ on lip fillers; hosts worry surgeons exploit mental-health gaps.02:59:42 Fun Bits & Body ImageFave accents ranked (Irish, Boston, NOLA).Cooking-contest brag and a quick laugh about who’s got the best bum (natural or not).Take what resonates, skip what doesn’t, and keep shiningJoin us as we detail the latest episode of AMERRIKKA and more important news, plus our weekly run down of the DIDDY TRIAL#fatjoe #Tylerperry #news

*NEWS AND NONSENSE* is back with AK, Farrah, and Nana bringing the News! We are looking into the nonsense that is ELON VS TRUMPElon has publicly criticised the big bill and Trump. Trump came back and said Elon is suffering from a hateration disease called TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME 😂Join us as we detail the latest episode of AMERRIKKA and more important news, plus our weekly run down of the DIDDY TRIAL0:00:00 Special Guest, Agnes Agyepongthe founder and CEO of Global Child and Maternal Health. Agnes discusses the annual Black Child Clean Air Conference, which aims to center black communities in conversations around clean air, environmental justice, and climate justice, and shares her personal experience of becoming involved in this issue after her daughter's health struggles00:50:00 Elon Musk vs Donald TrumpElon Musk and Donald Trump's partnership has disintegrated into a bitter public row, with Musk attacking Trump's policies and Trump threatening to cancel federal contracts worth billions01:05:34 Trump's Travel Ban and US Foreign PolicyTrump has announced a new travel ban targeting 19 countries, citing national security concerns, which may be an attempt to distract from his issues with Elon Musk America's history of invading other countries is being questioned, with examples like Libya and Haiti, where the US has imposed its influence, and now these countries are facing sanctions or restrictions01:14:26 Immigration Issues in the USIn the US, the focus on immigration and the treatment of migrants is a major issue, with ICE raids and clashes between police and protesters, raising concerns about human rights and the handling of the situation. Protests have been taking place in Los Angeles, with law enforcement using tear gas and flashbangs to disperse crowds, and multiple people have been detained for failing to disperse after warnings01:43:09 Grooming Gangs in the UKA discussion is being held about grooming gangs in the UK, with a focus on the ethnicity of the perpetrators, and how it is reported in the media The BBC News Night show featured five women who shared their experiences of grooming and sexual abuse, with some cases involving British Pakistani men, and the conversation touches on the disproportionate focus on Pakistani men in these cases02:25:09 Diddy trial update week 5where a hotel worker testified that Diddy paid him $100k, and the judge warned Diddy to stop nodding at the jurors A woman known as Jane testified about her experiences with Diddy, describing a "love contract" where she received $10,000 a month but was emotionally trapped and forced into sex acts, often with escorts, until exhaustion02:43:09 Global Population StudyA new study suggests that the global population may be severely undercounted, with people living in rural areas potentially being undercounted by as much as 53 to 84%, which could mean there are significantly more than the estimated 8.2 billion people on Earth Support Black women podcasters - hit subscribe and join the membership Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClrHRR7F5wdsemykVoCQkPQ/join💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple & all podcast platforms