By Tonya Whitaker
NDG Staff Writer
After suffering two seizures last week, Rick Ross finally made his way to Memphis on Oct. 17 just in time for the premiere of his latest endeavor, the opening of his WingStop franchise. A Twitpic posted Monday showed the rapper posing with D.J. Khaled and Gucci Pucci outside the restaurant. Judging from the picture, it looks as if Ross enjoyed a meal.
As for what caused the Ross’ pair of seizures, the verdict is still out and no post-seizure reports have been issued. But, don’t think for minute the people close to Ross think those two seizures were a random event. 50 Cent, an adversary of Ross, told Urban Daily that Rozay “gotta take care of his self [sic].” According to Hip Hop World, Ross’ former girlfriend, Elise Neal, said saw this coming because those around Ross ride on his stardom while his health suffers.
“I think (his record label) is pushing him too hard,” Neal said of 35-year-old Ross. “I know he’s very career driven, but I don’t think they take enough time to care about what they’re doing to his body … They don’t think about him or his health, pushing him to do all these videos, pushing tours and shows. He is not 20 years old anymore.”
Neal is half correct. Ross has to make the first step, after all that is his body. For Ross’ sake, I hope the reason for his seizures come to light. No degree of money is worth your health. I am sure his fans do not want him to become another rapper who left this Earth too soon because of detrimental health habits.
Great outing
I can proudly say I was one of the 3.3 million people who watched the premiere of BET’s new comedy, Reed Between The Lines. I do applaud BET for attempting to re-establish its image as a place where African Americans can watch quality television programs. For a good stretch, I refused to watch BET because I was tired of seeing hip hop all over the tube. Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Tracee Ross gel in this one; it seems they have a good on-screen chemistry. Warner told USA Today the show is not just about black love, it is about love.
“BET has always had a hand in perpetuating a lot of the stereotypical images of people of color, and this is really a great time to be at BET because they are looking to do something different and looking to be of greater service to the African-American community,” Warner said.
Whatever happens, please do not allow Reed Between The Lines to become another show like Boris Kudjoe’s NBC flop from last season, Undercovers. Quality programming for people of color exists, but few find the time to tune in. You cannot complain that television execs are not trying.
