Kim Kardashian urges quick divorce from Kanye

LOS ANGELES - Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has urged a US court to expedite her divorce, saying it would help husband Ye to accept the relationship is over.

Kardashian filed for divorce last year after months of press reports about marital strife and as the rapper formerly known as Kanye West battled with mental health issues.

Ye has very publicly fought the separation, including with social media posts imploring Kardashian to reconcile.

"I very much desire to be divorced," Kardashian wrote in a declaration filed to a Los Angeles court on Wednesday.

"I have asked Kanye to keep our divorce private, but he has not done so.

"I believe that the court terminating our marital status will help Kanye to accept that our marital relationship is over and to move forward on a better path which will assist us in peacefully co-parenting our children."

The couple have four children: eight-year-old daughter North, son Saint, six, daughter Chicago, four, and two-year-old son Psalm.

The pair, who began dating in 2012 and married in a lavish ceremony in Italy two years later, rapidly became one of the world's most instantly recognizable couples.

But their union ran into trouble with reports of bizarre outbursts from Ye, who suffers from bipolar disorder.

"While I wish our marriage would have succeeded, I have come to the realization that there is no way to repair our marriage," Kardashian wrote in the filing.

"Kanye does not agree but at least it appears that he has come to the realization that I want to end our marriage, even if he does not."

Agence France Presse

Kanye West puts Wyoming ranch, business sites up for sale

CODY, Wyo. (AP) — Rapper, music producer and clothing entrepreneur Kanye West has put his ranch and business properties in northwestern Wyoming up for sale.

The West Ranch, formerly known as Monster Lake Ranch, went on the market Monday for $11 million. The property sprawls across six square miles (16 square kilometers) of open land and tree-studded hills and outcrops about six miles (10 kilometers) south of Cody.

The property features lakes, a lodge, commercial kitchen, equipment sheds, horse facility, corrals and go-kart track, according to the DBW Realty listing.

The listing came days after West listed his seven commercial properties in Cody for more than $3.2 million, the Cody Enterprise reported.

The ranch, which leases additional land owned by the U.S. government, listed for $13.3 million before West bought it in 2019 though it’s unknown how much he paid for the property. Wyoming law does not provide for public disclosure of real estate sale amounts.

-Associated Press

Kanye West releases new album 'Jesus Is King'

HOLLYWOOD — Critically acclaimed rapper, award-winning producer, fashion designer, Donald Trump supporter, Kim Kardashian's husband -- messiah?

Kanye West is a man who wears many hats -- including the Trump campaign's signature red MAGA cap -- but in recent months, he has shed his myriad personas to reveal himself as a born-again weaver of gospel and rap.

After blowing past yet another release time for his long-anticipated album, West finally dropped "Jesus Is King" on Friday, coinciding with the release of its companion IMAX film of the same name.

His new work paints a portrait of the artist as a saved man, coming in a year that's seen West tour with his impromptu "Sunday Service" performances, a church-esque concert series featuring gospel choirs.

The IMAX film, which clocks in at approximately 30 minutes, shows a Sunday Service at Roden Crater in Arizona's Painted Desert.

It primarily features static shots of a choir, and ends on West gently singing a rendition of his song "Street Lights," from 2008's "808s & Heartbreak," to a baby that appears to be his son Psalm.

West's ninth studio album sees the mercurial artist who long imbued his rap with gospel further enmesh the two.

Elements of the old Yeezy appear — clever rhymes, catchy beats, smart samples — but the artist decidedly tilts the balance toward music with a stronger message of evangelical salvation.


"I been working for you my whole life / Told the devil that I’m goin' on a strike," West raps on “Hands On,” the ninth song on the 11-track album that features appearances from jazz saxophonist Kenny G and rapper Ty Dolla $ign.

'The sacred and the profane' 

West's gospel-tinged rap underscores the complex relationship between two seemingly disparate strains of music rooted in black culture.

The genre known as gospel rap emerged in the 1980s, not long after hip-hop itself, but stayed in underground circles and received little formal industry backing.

Josef Sorett, a religion and African-American studies scholar, correlates the hiving off of gospel rap to the emergence of gangster rap, which sees artists boast of violence, misogyny and drug use.

"There is a perception of hip-hop as being fundamentally opposed to religious tradition -- a distinction between the sacred and the profane," the Columbia University professor told AFP.

But largely thanks to West and fellow Chicago artist Chance the Rapper, a new holy hip-hop has re-emerged in the mainstream.

West's overt faith on his 2004 critically beloved hit "Jesus Walks" -- which featured gospel wails and martial beats -- did not prevent its play on non-Christian radio, marking a shift of sorts.

After "Jesus Walks" but prior to West's revivalism, Chance had furthered the mainstreaming of gospel-influenced hip-hop with his much-touted 2016 mixtape "Coloring Book."

$200 sweatshirts

Sorett sees West's efforts to "transcend boundaries" of genre as "less of a gospel aesthetic than maybe a broader sense of an artistic vision."

"It seems to be a notion of personal spirituality -- what is often described as indicative of a new generation that is less tied to institutions or to politics, but to individually driven spirituality."

Some critics have dismissed West's new direction as little more than marketing -- his Sunday Service merch includes sweatshirts in the $200 range and $50 socks.

"Folks often think of commerce and Christianity as opposed, but they've long been entangled, so it sort of makes sense," Sorett said.

Moving target

Some critics link West's biblical shift to his tabloid-perfect outbursts, brush with politics, and struggles with mental health in recent years.

The Grammy-winning performer has openly discussed his battle with bipolar disorder, telling talk show host David Letterman this year: "I feel a heightened connection with the universe when I'm ramping up."

"It's like a sprained brain, like having a sprained ankle. And if someone has a sprained ankle, you're not going to push on him more. With us, once our brain gets to a point of spraining, people do everything to make it worse."

At a recent Sunday Service in Utah, West defended his decision to back Trump; last October, he delivered a lengthy soliloquy to a president who many deem racist, telling him he loved him to the dismay of many Democrats and fellow artists.

On Thursday, he offered another explanation: "For the greatest artist in human existence to put a red hat on was God's practical joke to all liberals. Like, 'No! Not Kanye!'"

In that wide-ranging interview aired with Apple Music, West also said a 10th, "Sunday Service" inspired album could drop on Christmas.

Considering the shambolic "Jesus Is King" rollout, fans probably shouldn't plan a listening session under the tree just yet.

"The more I am in service to God, I just clear my head and just wake up more empty every day and let God do the driving and just use me as he may," West said in the interview.

"You make plans and God laughs."

source: philstar.com

Security tight as Kim Kardashian leaves New York after robbery

NEW YORK | Flanked by multiple security guards, Kim Kardashian and her family on Thursday left the Manhattan apartment where they have been closeted since she was robbed at gunpoint in Paris, amid reports that the reality star was planning to take some time off.

News video and photos showed Kardashian, her face partly hidden by a hoodie and baseball cap, getting into a car with her two young children and rapper husband Kanye West.

It was the first time she had been seen since returning to New York after masked robbers held a gun to her head and stole some $10 million worth of jewelry in Paris early on Monday morning.

Kardashian’s personal bodyguard, Pascal Duvier, who was protecting Kardashian’s sisters at a nightclub at the time of the robbery, was among a handful of security staff keeping media at bay and helping stash suitcases into waiting cars. The family were thought to be heading to their southern California home.

The celebrity family, whose lives are chronicled in the TV show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and on their busy social media accounts, has been uncharacteristically quiet since the robbery. No arrests have been made.

Celebrity website TMZ and magazine Us Weekly reported on Thursday that a badly shaken Kardashian was taking about a month’s break from work.

“She has canceled everything for the next several weeks and will not be working,” Us Weekly quoted a source close to the star as saying.

TMZ, quoting an unidentified source close to Kardashian, said that when she does return she will cut down on her use of social media and displays of her wealthy lifestyle.

Kardashian’s representatives declined comment on the reports.

Kardashian, 35, has come in for criticism that she made herself vulnerable by posting photos of her $4 million dollar engagement ring and other jewelry, in the days before the attack.

“If you are that famous and you put all your jewelry on the net, you go to hotels where nobody can come near to the room,” fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld told reporters in Paris this week. “You cannot display your wealth and then be surprised that some people want to share it with you.”

The Kardashian family was not filming for their reality show at the time of the robbery, a spokeswoman for the show said on Thursday.

“Our focus right now is entirely on Kim’s well-being,” the spokeswoman said in a statement.

source: interaksyon.com

Fiery Beyonce dominates MTV Video Music Awards

NEW YORK | Beyonce on Sunday dominated the MTV Video Music Awards as she took home top prizes and awed the audience in a fiery dance medley with a subtle political touch.

The pop superstar won Video of the Year for “Formation,” the most outspoken work of her career, as well as Best Female Video for “Hold Up.”

The two tracks appeared on “Lemonade,” Beyonce’s latest album which she released in a surprise tie-in with a film of the same name that paid tribute to African American women.

Beyonce stole the spotlight at the gala party in New York’s Madison Square Garden by performing a “Lemonade” medley of more than 16 minutes, managing even to change outfits in a set that culminated in the stage erupting in fire.

In one of the most striking moments, the sound of a single gun-shot rang out as her circle of angelic-clad dancers each collapsed in a fog of red.

“Formation,” directed by Melina Matsoukas, offered solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality with officers depicted raising their hands as if under arrest.

“I dedicate this award to the people of New Orleans. God bless you guys,” Beyonce said as she accepted the award for “Formation,” which was musically inspired by the southern city’s bouncy hip-hop scene.

Beyonce arrived at the show, broadcast to more than 120 countries from New York’s Madison Square Garden, with the mothers of four young African American men whose deaths have galvanized the United States — Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Oscar Grant and Trayvon Martin.

Martin, 17, was killed in 2012 by a white neighborhood guard, a catalyst moment for Black Lives Matter. Brown, Garner and Grant were all killed by law enforcement.

Singer Alicia Keys offered another of the night’s powerful moments as she recited a poem she said was inspired by civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr. who delivered his landmark “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington 53 years ago Sunday.

In a year marred by global conflict and a bitter U.S. presidential race, Keys, moving seamlessly from spoken word to a cappella, voiced hope that “maybe we can love somebody instead of polishing a bomb.”

“If war is holy and sex is obscene, then we got it twisted in this lucid dream / Baptized in boundaries, schooled in skin, divided by difference, sexuality and skin,” she recited.

KANYE TALKS KANYE

The Video Music Awards, broadcast to more than 120 countries, have long been known more for their on-stage antics than the winners, and this year MTV decided to let the artists loose.

In one of the night’s most anticipated moments, rap superstar Kanye West — who last year used the occasion to declare his intention to run for president in 2020 — delivered a nearly stream-of-consciousness speech about empowerment.

As the audience chanted his stage-name Yeezy, West said that unnamed wealthy white people warned him against comparing himself to Apple founder Steve Jobs and entertainment pioneer Walt Disney.

But West said that the pair were among fewer than 10 true artistic heroes — and that the slim list also includes himself.

“Three keys to keeping people impoverished are taking away their esteem, taking away their resources and taking away their role models,” said West, who started his speech by deploring street killings in his native Chicago.

He then presented a racy new video for his song “Fade” featuring actress and singer Teyana Taylor, who moved her body sensually in a gym before a steamy shower scene.

The video marked a theme in the evening, if accidental, of sexualized exercise.

Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj received roars of crowd approval for a sensual take on a workout, with the pop star and rapper dancing together in a stage transformed into a gym full of highly physical young men.

RIHANNA HONORED

Drake won in the rap category for “Hotline Bling,” one of the most popular songs of the year.

But Drake did not appear in time to accept the award. According to the presenter, rap icon Puff Daddy, the Toronto star got stuck in New York traffic.

MTV presented its Video Vanguard Award — named after late King of Pop Michael Jackson — to Rihanna, in recognition to her contributions to pop culture.

Rihanna opened the ceremony with, aptly, “Don’t Stop the Music,” as she glided across the stage in a snug white T-shirt with a team of performers in matching laced outfits.

In her acceptance speech, Rihanna pledged never to forget her native Barbados.

source: interaksyon.com

Kanye West goes Gospel with Easter prayer track

NEW YORK | Rap superstar Kanye West is showing his religious side by releasing a prayer in the form of a Gospel track to celebrate Easter.

Entitled “Ultralight Prayer,” the Easter song consists of inspirational spoken word by leading Gospel artist Kirk Franklin set to snippets of a church choir, with only passing resemblance to mainstream hip-hop.

“Father, this prayer is for everyone that feels they’re not good enough,” Franklin says, building up to a rousing, “That’s why we need a little more — faith!”

Franklin’s prayer first appeared in condensed form on West’s song “Ultralight Beam,” which opens his latest album “The Life of Pablo.”

“Ultralight Beam,” which featured prominent Chicago artist Chance the Rapper, blends mellow hip-hop and Gospel as West reflects on his faith, with the title an apparent metaphor for a connection to Heaven.

West — best known in pop culture for his flamboyant self-confidence and marriage to reality television star Kim Kardashian — has often spoken of his Christianity, with his first album “The College Dropout” featuring the hit “Jesus Walks.”

West gave out his latest track for free on SoundCloud, a frequent outlet for the prolific rapper who recently vowed to record three albums a year.

But West put out “The Life of Pablo” exclusively on streaming service Tidal and, in a sharp break with the conventional concept of an album release, has continually fine-tuned it since it went live.

source: interaksyon.com

Kanye West finally hears Beck’s Grammy-winning album, likes it

NEW YORK | Almost two weeks after blasting Grammy winner Beck, rapper Kanye West said that he finally has heard his album — and liked it.

The outspoken rapper nearly rushed onto stage at the Grammys when Album of the Year went to Beck’s “Morning Phase” and afterward said that the alternative rock icon should “respect artistry” and give his prize to fellow nominee Beyonce.

Asked Friday about the criticism he faced over his behavior, West said: “I deserved it, man. I was completely hypocritical.”

West said that he was recently dining with Taylor Swift — another artist he had denounced in the past for winning an award — and the restaurant put on “Morning Phase.”

“Maybe they did it on purpose, so I could finally hear it. But I was like, man, this is kind of good. I ain’t gonna lie,” West told the New York hip-hop radio station Power 105.1 FM.

West said he would listen more thoroughly to “Morning Phase” and conceded: “Maybe it was, potentially, an Album of the Year.”

But West stood by his argument that the music industry’s biggest night should award superstars who generate money for the Grammys by bringing fans who watch on television.

West has won 21 Grammys in his career, making him one of the most awarded artists. He performed at the February 8 Grammys alongside Paul McCartney and Rihanna.

Beck, who is known for his eclectic mash-ups of genres, turned to a more introspective, acoustic sound with “Morning Phase.” The 44-year-old Los Angeles rocker has won critical acclaim over his two-decade career but his fan base is far more niche than those of West or Beyonce.

British soul singer Sam Smith, who rose to fame last year with the ballad “Stay With Me,” swept the other three of the most prestigious awards at the Grammys.

source: interaksyon.com

Kanye West proposes to Kim Kardashian on her 33rd birthday

Rapper Kanye West popped the question to his reality star girlfriend Kim Kardashian at San Francisco’s Major League Baseball stadium which he rented for her 33rd birthday.

Grammy-winning West, 36, proposed to the star of the TV reality show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” at AT&T Park, home of baseball’s San Francisco Giants, and presented her with a diamond ring on Monday evening.



Kardashian posted a photograph on the Instagram photo-sharing website (see right) of her hand with a large ring on her finger as the words “Pleeease Marry Meee!!!” flashed on the ballpark’s video board in the background.

“Yes!!!” she said in a message on the website.

The reality star’s publicist, Ina Treciokas, confirmed that the couple is engaged.

West and Kardashian started dating in April 2012 and have a daughter, North West, who was born in June.

It will be the third marriage for Kardashian and the first for West.

Kardashian wed her second husband, NBA basketball player Kris Humphries, in an elaborate ceremony filmed for the reality TV show, but the union lasted only 72 days. Her first marriage to music producer Damon Thomas also ended in divorce.

source: interaksyon.com

Kim Kardashian gives birth to baby girl ahead of schedule: reports

LOS ANGELES – Reality television star Kim Kardashian gave birth to a girl fathered by rapper Kanye West, celebrity magazines People and Us Weekly reported Saturday.

Each magazine posted a story on its website citing an unnamed source in confirming the birth of the daughter to the celebrity couple.

Representatives for Kardashian and West could not immediately be reached for comment.


People magazine said Kardashian, 32, gave birth on Saturday ahead of schedule, with the baby reportedly due in early July.

Kardashian stars with her sisters in the reality show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” She has a clothing line and several product endorsements and was the most-searched person on the Yahoo! in 2012.

Grammy-winning rap star Kanye West and Kardashian began dating in April 2012.

Two months ago Kardashian and her second husband, Kris Humphries of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, announced they had reached a divorce settlement. They had split 72 days after their August 2011 wedding.

Humphries had first sought an annulment, alleging that Kardashian, who cited irreconcilable difference when filing for divorce, had no intention of keeping to the marriage, which was filmed as part of her reality show.

source: interaksyon.com

Kanye West Gave Kim Kardashian Her New Cat

Sure, a sentimental card or a fancy piece of bling would have been nice, but Kanye West had an even better special gift in mind for girlfriend Kim Kardashian to mark her Miami filming schedule.

Kardashian's new kitten, Mercy, is actually a present from West, she writes on her blog.

"With me being in Miami, Kanye knew I would need some company when he wasn't around," she says, "so he surprised me with her."

And it seems like Mercy is good company, indeed. "She's so sweet and the cutest thing ever!" Kim continues. Even sister Khloé gushes on her blog: "We are all madly in love! How cute is she?! I might have to sneak her in my suitcase when I head back to L.A."

Since debuting the Persian kitten on Sunday in Miami, where Kardashian is due to film Kourtney and Kim Take Miami, the reality star has showed off her new ball of fluff on Twitter.

"Sleeping Beauty," she wrote, alongside a sweet snapshot of her snoozing cat.

But if that weren't enough affirmation that she likes her present, there's another sure-fire way West can tell: the Choupette look-alike is named after the lead single off of his recently released album, Cruel Summer.

source: http://www.peoplepets.com/people/pets/article/0,,20631552,00.html