Category Archives: Man Candy Monday

Drake’s Taking Over Miami with Philanthropy

Last name Ever, first Name Greatest.

Guess Drake was rapping about his giving game on “Forever” because he’s seriously on a roll in the 305.

On Monday he was writing checks to a college student and Miami Senior High School. On Tuesday the “God’s Plan” rapper was surprising shoppers at Sabor Tropical Supermarket with $50,000 worth of groceries.

According to Wral.com, Drake pulled up to the market with a megaphone announcing his good deed. No doubt the cameras (Drizzy had a film crew with him) caught the delight of the lucky shoppers as he shook hands and took selfies.

“No one knew he was coming at all, we just came to do groceries. Cameras were being set up so we were all wondering what was to happen,” shopper Guille Deza told E! News.

A real king [went] out and paid for everyone’s groceries in the store, all the while encouraging people to more lol. BE GOOD AND IT’LL COME RIGHT BACK AROUND!!! so much love and bless this man 100 times over for all his generosity,” Deza wrote on Instagram.

Drizzy wasn’t done yet. He surprised residents at a local homeless shelter–Lotus Village–and wrote a $50,000 check for the organization. Plus, donated a van…and showered 130 women at the shelter with a $150 Target gift card. And handed out toys and games for the 140 kids living there.

Drake’s generosity spree even got to him. He posted on Instagram “Last 3 days were the best I have had in a very long time…there’s nothing like seeing people experience a joyful moment when you can tell they really need it the most.”

Okay, Drake you may be G.O.A.T on giving.

Drake Goes on Giving Spree in Miami

Drizzy was “sharing the wealth” all across M.I.A on Monday, when he was in town to shoot his “God’s Plan” video.

Btw, the song is already No. 1 on Billboards Top 100 singles chart.

But y’all knew that because it’s all over your iTunes playlist.

Drake’s first stop was at Miami Senior High School, where not only did he drop off a $25,000 check, but had students set up with OVO-designed uniforms.

Let’s just say that was a big fat thank you from Drake for allowing him to shoot his music video at the school.

Umm, Drizzy you can always use my apartment for your music videos…I’m just sayin’…if you’re ever in Charlotte…holla at your girl.

The “Diplomatic Immunity” rapper also surprised a University of Miami student with $50,000 check to go towards her tuition.

Destiny James, who received a few college scholarships, thought she’d be participating in a video shoot chatting up the value of free money for school. Nope!

Billboard reports, Drake came out the bushes with a big ‘ol check to reveal the real reason of the shoot.

Destiny replayed the moment in her Insta story.

This happened today. I applied to scholarships last year for which I had to write an essay. I received those scholarships and thought that was the end of it. Apparently, my essay and my story made it to other departments. I was contacted this weekend about doing a video speaking about where I come from, things I've been through, and why it is so important for scholarship donors to continue to donate. This was the surprise the whole time. Drake told me that he has read great things about me and appreciates how hard I've worked through so many trials and decided to give me $50K for my tuition. @champagnepapi THANK YOU SO MUCH!!' You don't understand what this means to me! I would've never imagined this happening to me. I'm just a girl from Denmark, SC that wants to MAKE IT and be somebody and for you to see my hard work means the world. Thank you so much. God I thank you. You are so great and amazing! Thank you for blessing me when I thought my hard work was going unnoticed. I'm living out my dreams. God's Plan 🙏🏾

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Hat’s off to Drake for helping students live their best lives.

Rapper Lil Jon Opens Second School in Ghana

Whaaattt?

Lil Jon aka school master J (I made that up, btw) broke ground last month on his second school in Ghana.

The “Turn Down For What” rapper teamed up with Pencils of Promise charity–whose mission is to “provide educational tools to kids around the world”–to fund the West African primary schools.

Mafi Atitekpo DA Primary School is the second school under the crunk rapper’s belt, and will enroll 313 children.

Abomayaw D.A. Kindergarten, also in the Mafi Atitekpo village, opened last October in honor of his late mother.

Lil Jon donated $70,000 to build both schools.

Because he saw a community in need when visiting last year. Telling CNN this:

“When I saw the conditions where these children were trying to learn, one community they had a big mango tree and two classes were sitting under the mango tree and that’s not a condition conducive with learning,” he told CNN. “Kids are going to get distracted, plus it’s extremely hot. It compelled me to want to do more.“

The Grammy winner admitted having a kid in college also influenced him to open his wallet.

And the promise of a major payback.

“One of these kids could grow up to be a scientist, a lawyer, an astronaut, the president of their country. I could create an environment where all these things could happen.”

Okkkaaayy

Thank You, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

There are so many reasons to thank this undeniable trailblazer.

The most important to me is to love one another for who they are and not what you think they may be.

It’s a lesson that couldn’t come at a better time.

Considering there is a racist occupying the White House that continuously spreads messages of hate.

I choose to cling to Dr. King’s message, and I thank him for it because it’s one I can pass on to my unborn children and in turn their children and on and on and on.

Because while everyone else would like to focus on the kids yelling hate speech at their Mexican classmate, it warmed my heart to see other students standing up to them.

Let’s continue to stand up. Let’s continue to resist.

Like Martin showed us.

Stephen Curry Surprised LA Teen Battling Cancer with Warriors Tickets

Stephen took a break from shooting his powerhouse three pointers against the Clippers Saturday (Go Warriors!!) to show love to his No. 1 fan sitting court side.

Thirteen-year-old Jaylen Winzer from South LA has been dreaming about meeting his idol for a while now.

Judging by the two championship rings he got to rock, it was worth the wait.

Jaylen, who suffers from a rare bone cancer, shared his story with ABC7 last year. Family friend Shirell Henderson used her foundation, BrittiCares International, to raise awareness of Jaylen’s condition.

The Foundation also decorated Jaylen’s room with all things Golden State before he returned home from the hospital.

Steph used FaceTime to invite the teen and his family to the game.

Soon after Jaylen and Steph were exchanging gifts. Jaylen got Steph a tee with the “I’M A WARRIOR FOR JAYLEN” in it and the Golden State logo, of course.

Steph gave Jaylen the jersey and sneakers he was playing in.

Let’s hope he aired out the jersey.

“I appreciate you coming,” Curry said.

“I appreciate you having me,” Jaylen replied.

Common is Helping Teachers Start School Year Off Right

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Rapper Common is making his educator mama proud.

By donating $10Gs to the Renaissance School of the Arts in Harlem today, through the AdoptAClassroom.org non-profit. The national org gives teachers (who shell $600 outta pocket for pens, paper, trapper keepers, etc) and their students much needed school supplies.

“Growing up, I watched how my Mother cared for her students, both as an educator and outside of the classroom. I realized very early just how important it is to have an adult in your corner, and for many kids that adult is often a teacher,” said Common. “I’m proud to support AdoptAClassroom.org and their partnership with Burlington to help provide classroom supplies to teachers and students in need.”

The coat factory is also throwing a hat in the cause. Pun intended. Don’t think I don’t see you rolling your eyes. Y’all love my corny jokes.

Anyway back on topic. Burlington is pushing their down-coat loving customers to donate at least a $1 to AdoptAClassroom.org to ease teachers pocketbook burdens by running the campaign in all 599 stores across the country.

The Save Our School Supplies (SOSS) drive will run through August 19, 2017. All the money raised will be doled out to teachers this fall where nearby Burlington stores exist.

So get to shopping guys, so teachers can shop less.

Kendrick Lamar Buys Super Fan a Wheelchair-Accessible Van

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Generosity must be in his DNA.

How else would you explain Kendrick Lamar’s obsession with giving away cars?

Most recently the five time Grammy-winning rapper surprised super fan Jennifer Phillips with a wheelchair-accessible van during a tour stop in Texas on Friday.

The Dallas native—who has gone to every Kendrick Lamar show in the Big D—started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the van.

Kendrick Lamar and his Top Dawg Entertainment record label must have caught wind of the quadriplegic’s wish because she was was whisked backstage to meet the Humble rapper, and given a handwritten thank you tee.

So about last night… lol. If you know me or even just look in my Instagram profile for two minutes then you know I am a huge Kendrick Lamar and TDE fan/supporter for YEARS. I've been to every show Kendrick has had in Dallas including the first one that even he forgot about lol and one in Austin. That's 8 shows and not including the other TDE artists shows. I was a big fan of music and concerts before my injury but I never supported and loved a label like theirs before. Of course they have great music but they are also great people. None of them have ever treated me like a stranger or a charity case lol. I didn't meet them because I'm in a wheelchair. I just know great people (shout out to @bluethegreat for the initial in person introduction to Dot & Q). I never supported them for any benefits like this lol. Their music and shows were enough for me. But this is amazing and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you all and always will. Thank God for you Kendrick and I will continue to pray for you. And like I said, next time I'm driving myself to your show lol. Thanks to the whole team! #tde

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Last but not least Kendrick gave her the money for the van.

Now that’s an unforgettable night. Jen will be a K.L. stan for life behind this.

She’s even plotting the next Kendrick concert.

“Next time I’m driving myself to your show,” Phillips wrote on Instagram.

Fair warning, it likely won’t be a V-class Mercedes Benz type whip.

So please, please, please don’t give this really good dude flak for that like when he bought his lil sis a Toyota Camry for her high school graduation.

I’d rather a Camry (nice ride, BTW) than a bus pass. That’s all I’m sayin’.

And I’m sure Jen, who injured her spinal cord in a car accident in 2007, is appreciative of the comfortable ride.