Listen Live
97.9 The Beat Featured Video
CLOSE

Actress Janet Hubert, known as the original Aunt Viv on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has been making headlines lately for her outspoken views surrounding the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. After coming for Jada Pinkett Smith, Hubert says that despite not seeing eye-to-eye on the Oscars diversity issue, she still has respect for her. In a recent interview with The Real, Hubert expressed her admiration for Smith’s artistry. “I respect Jada highly. I respect her skill, I respect her as an artist, I respect her as an actress, very much,” she said. “There’s been a diversity issue – years and years and years ago. This didn’t just start this year. It wasn’t created for us, by us. We can do our own thing, definitely.” Read more.


Marion “Suge” Knight, who formerly served as the head of hip-hop label Death Row Records, has allowed his legal troubles to get in the way of seeing his loved ones. According to court records, Knight is banned from having visitors and phone calls while behind bars. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William C. Ryan implemented these rules on Friday via the request of sheriff investigators. Knight’s legal team is still allowed to visit. There is no word on why Knight’s privilege to have visitors was revoked; the court sealed the records. Knight is behind bars for allegedly running over two men in January outside of a burger stand in California. The incident killed one of the men and left the other injured. Knight has pleaded not guilty and is currently being held on $10 million bail. If convicted, he could face life in jail. He is slated to appear in court again on Feb. 22. Read more.


The premiere of The People v. O.J. Simpson has taken the FX network’s ratings to a new level. The show made its debut on Tuesday night and 5.11 million viewers tuned in, setting the new viewership record for a series premiere. The Shield previously held the record for the network’s most viewed premiere when it aired back in 2002. The People v. O.J. Simpson chronicles the murder of O.J.’s former wife Nicole Brown Simpson, and the trial that unfolded after her death. The next episode airs on Feb. 9. Read more.


According to reports, Toyota Credit will pay more than $21.9 million to Black and Asian car buyers who were over-charged for car loans while purchasing vehicles. Toyota Motor Credit Corp. has been under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for three years. According to the investigation, more than 100,000 Black and Asian car buyers were hit with higher interest rates since 2011. African-Americans paid 0.27 percent more than Whites, and Asians paid 0.18 percent more. “No consumer should be forced to pay more money for a loan because of their race or national origin,” said U.S. Atty. Eileen M. Decker of the Central District of California. Toyota Motor Credit released a statement saying it “does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, even perceived or unintentional, from its employees or business partners. This practice extends to fair lending practices.” Honda Financial has also come under fire in the past for discriminatory practices. Read more.

VIDEO SOURCE: Inform

NEWS ROUNDUP: Janet Hubert Respects Jada Pinkett Smith Despite Oscars Feud…AND MORE  was originally published on newsone.com