DJ Clark Kent, the legendary producer behind quite a few basic hip-hop information and artists, has died on the age of 58.

His household confirmed his loss of life in an announcement posted to Instagram on Friday. “It’s with deep unhappiness that we share the passing of the beloved Rodolfo A. Franklin, recognized to the world as DJ Clark Kent. Clark handed away Thursday night surrounded by his devoted spouse Kesha, daughter Kabriah and son Antonio,” learn the assertion. “Clark quietly and valiantly fought a 3 12 months battle with Colon Most cancers, whereas persevering with to share his items with the world. The household is grateful for everybody’s love, assist and prayers throughout this time and ask for privateness as they course of this immense loss.”

Tributes for the super-producer poured in following information of his loss of life. Pete Rock remembered his colleague in a touching submit shared on social media. “i’ve recognized you since i used to be 13. Taking the practice all the best way to brooklyn simply to return follow and dj with you. From rooftop union sq. latin quarter & madison sq. backyard hanging out with. DJing on the radio with you. You exhibiting me dj routines in my home within the basement. i knew you was the correct particular person to be round if i wished to sharpen my expertise,” wrote the artist. “Thanks for all that you’ve taught me fam and the particular reminiscences however i’m heartbroken fam however you accoplished a lot then went off to be certainly one of brooklyns most interesting producers ever. Relaxation In Energy champ. You simply round me now in a unique kind angel.”

Franklin started his profession through the late Eighties, working in New York golf equipment. After producing the remix for Troop monitor “Unfold My Wings” in 1989, he acquired his first large break in 1995 producing Junior M.A.F.I.A. and The Infamous B.I.G.’s “Participant’s Anthem,” which hit the Billboard Scorching 100 at Quantity 13 and featured Lil’ Kim in her first file.

The producer would additionally go on to collaborate with Jay-Z, who he had recognized since they have been youngsters, and produce three tracks on the rapper’s huge debut album, Cheap Doubt, together with “Brooklyn’s Best” that includes Biggie Smalls, “Coming of Age,” and “Cashmere Ideas.”

Famend turntablist DJ Scratch, who additionally acquired his begin in New York and was associates with Franklin for 48 years, remembered Franklin because the “most uniquely multi-accomplished particular person in hip-hop tradition.” In an announcement to Rolling Stone, Scratch honored the producer’s expansive physique of labor, together with, “Tour DJ for Dana Dane in 1985, The King of NYC Membership DJs from 1986 to 1992. Report Govt at East West Data, Tremendous Producer, found Jay-Z, Graffiti Artist, Sneaker Designer for Nike.” He added, “And this was all earlier than the 12 months 2000.”

“This was a GIANT loss for the tradition and personally for me, as a result of he’s the oldest pal I’ve,” mentioned Scratch.

HOUSTON — The stands had been vibrating underneath the stomping toes of the gang at Shell Stadium in Houston Friday evening.

However Beyoncé hadn’t even come out but.

The group was chanting “Beat Ted Cruz,” as Cruz’s senate challenger, Democratic Congressman Colin Allred, raised his fist behind the rostrum on stage, cheering the gang of 30,000 attendees on.

Vice President Harris’ go to to Houston within the closing stretch to Election Day was partly to rally help for Allred. However the focus was primarily to convey the highlight again on reproductive rights — within the place Harris has known as “floor zero” within the combat to limit abortion rights within the nation.

The Lonestar State could seem to be an uncommon cease with lower than two weeks till voting closes — it’s not a swing state and former President Donald Trump is all however sure to hold it. However Trump and Harris each campaigned there on Friday, and the messages they every dropped at the state spotlight the urgency of their closing messages.

“I do know generally in Texas, people are like, ‘Is it value it? Does not make a distinction,'” Harris stated, nodding to the truth that she is unlikely to take this purple state. “You’re making a distinction. And momentum is on our aspect,” she stated.

Harris targeted on Texas’ strict abortion ban at her rally in Houston, as Democrats have spent years hammering Republicans over unpopular crackdowns on reproductive rights — to nice success on the poll field.

The rally featured dozens of OB-GYNs in white coats and ladies who informed their private tales about how their lives had been endangered by abortion bans — and blaming Trump for the trauma.

“This isn’t just a few theoretical idea. Actual hurt has occurred in our nation, an actual struggling has occurred,” Harris informed reporters touring along with her on Friday. Harris underscored that the sorts of restrictions seen in Texas may occur in any state if Republicans had been to go a nationwide abortion ban. Trump stated this month that he would veto such a ban.

Harris was launched by hometown celebrity Beyoncé, whose music “Freedom” has been Harris’ marketing campaign anthem, and Kelly Rowland, who rose to fame with Beyoncé as a part of the group Future’s Youngster.

“I’m not right here as a politician. I’m right here as a mom. A mom who cares deeply in regards to the world my kids and all of our kids stay in,” Beyoncé stated.

“It’s time to sing a brand new music, a music that started 248 years in the past,” she stated. “The outdated notes of downfall, discord, despair not resonate.”

“We right here perceive we now have a chance earlier than us to show the web page on the concern and divisiveness which have characterised our politics for a decade due to Donald Trump,” Harris stated Thursday. “We now have the chance to show the web page and chart a brand new means and a joyful means ahead.”

Trump joined Joe Rogan for a three-hour interview

Trump began his Texas pit cease in Austin, the place he largely targeted on immigration, baselessly blaming Harris for crimes dedicated by undocumented migrants. “Kamala refuses to cease importing these killers into our nation. Every single day she brings in additional,” Trump stated. “She’s received no regret in any respect for the harmless blood that is on her arms.”

At one level, he invited Alexis Nungaray, to talk. Nungary is the mom of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was allegedly killed by two males accused of coming into the nation illegally earlier this 12 months.

Trump additionally repeated inflammatory assaults in opposition to immigrants, calling America a “rubbish can for the remainder of the world to dump the folks that they do not need.”

Trump additionally criticized a federal decide’s determination Friday to revive the voting rights of greater than 1,600 individuals who had been purged from the state’s rolls, calling the ruling “un-American” and “election interference.”

Whereas in Texas, a state he’s all however sure to win, Trump taped a podcast with Joe Rogan, who has thousands and thousands of followers and an viewers overwhelmingly youthful and extra male — a key constituency for the previous president. The interview lasted three hours, making Trump three hours late for a rally in Traverse Metropolis, Michigan.

Trump’s media technique this election cycle has relied closely on these social media-friendly, male-heavy podcasts and influencers that largely eschew probing coverage questions and paint the previous president as a pleasant, accessible determine.

The 2 appearances in Texas additionally underscore what may probably be the most important gender hole in a latest presidential election, with Trump rising help amongst males and Harris amongst ladies.

That gender cut up is mirrored within the audiences every candidate might be reaching by means of interviews they held Friday. Whereas Trump had Joe Rogan, Harris spoke with Brené Brown’s Unlocking Us, a podcast widespread with ladies.

Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes had plans for the last word 2024 Halloween {couples} costume for Heidi Klum’s iconic annual celebration: Moo Deng the pygmy hippo and Pesto the penguin… however actuality set in. New York Metropolis is having an unnaturally heat fall, and full animal garb appeared fairly concerned, now that Ballerini thought of it. She’s additionally acquired different issues to give attention to in the meanwhile, like her new album PATTERNS, out right this moment, October 25, and a sold-out one-night stint at Madison Sq. Backyard on the twenty ninth.

“I felt good about Pesto, however then I simply felt prefer it was going to be very sweaty and moist,” Ballerini tells Teen Vogue backstage earlier than a Spotify album launch celebration at The Carlyle Resort, the place she celebrated with followers and performed songs from the album. “[Chase and I are] each in such a full dash proper now. We’re working in these parallels. Let’s simply gown up and go have a lot enjoyable for an evening and be out of labor mode a bit bit.” As a substitute, you will see Ballerini and Stokes, who went public with their relationship in 2023, go as Sandy and Danny from Grease — crimson heels and the long-lasting leather-based jacket.

The Knoxville, Tennessee, singer-songwriter says Stokes, who’s presently selling the brand new season of Outer Banks, was one of many first individuals to listen to each new track as she was making PATTERNS. “He heard it because it was taking place,” Ballerini says. “That is the primary time that I’ve gotten to make a document the place he is been part of the entire course of. He could be Facetiming into the studio with the musicians. It was actually enjoyable to carry him alongside for the entire course of, and be [not only] such a gorgeous a part of the lifetime of this document, however of the method too.”

In the course of the Spotify occasion, Ballerini did a Q&A with Cassie DiLaura the place she talked about writing the track “How A lot Do You Love Me?” which she calls “the softest track on the album.” In line with Ballerini, Stokes got here downstairs and requested what she was writing on guitar. She informed him straight up, “This can be a love track for you.”