Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hip-Hop Lives Here
New York City, NY - Meek Mill has had his say on the video footage of prison inmate Robert Brooks being beaten by correctional officers shortly before his death.
Bodycam footage of the incident at Marcy Correctional Facility has been released to the public after 13 guards beat Brooks while he was handcuffed in a medical room with the inmate dying a day later.
Brooks’ death was ruled a result of “asphyxia due to compression of the neck”. It is not known what led to him being taken to the medical room.
Meek, who was previously incarcerated himself, and since become active in prison reform, hit out at the conduct seen in the video.
He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I never fully watched this til today … this what it is for Black men in America if you get caught without them cameras around. If you been to jail b4 you seen this with your own eyes!”
As a result of the incident, New York governor Kathy Hochul has announced the firing of 13 prison officers involved in the incident as well as one nurse.
Hochul added in a statement: “The state of New York has zero tolerance for individuals who break the law, and I am committed to holding everyone involved fully accountable.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James has also opened an investigation into Brooks’ death.
James also said: “I release the videos because I have a responsibility and duty to provide the Brooks family, their loved ones, and all New Yorkers with transparency and accountability.”
Brooks was reportedly serving a 12 year sentence for first-degree assault and had only been transferred to the New York prison on the day of the incident.
Brooks’ family have since hired legal representation and said in a statement: “He deserved to live, and everyone else living in Marcy Correctional Facility deserves to know they do not have to live in fear of violence at the hands of prison staff.”
The prison was criticized in a report by Correctional Association of New York last year which found instances of “pervasive allegations of racial discrimination” such as Black inmates being refused entry to mess halls and “mistreatment by staff”.
Share
Advertisement
Shania Twain has shared her admiration for Sabrina Carpenter, praising the pop star for remaining grounded and gracious despite her soaring popularity.
The 59 year old country pop icon teamed up with the 26 year old singer for a festive rendition of "Santa Baby" on Sabrina's 2024 Netflix holiday special, A Nonsense Christmas. Sabrina later paid tribute to Twain by performing a cover of the country legend's 1998 hit "That Don't Impress Me Much" during the Toronto stop of her Short n' Sweet Tour.
Speaking with EtalkCTV, Twain said she was impressed not only by Carpenter's talent but also by her genuine personality and work ethic.
“She’s [Sabrina] so beautiful and she’s so popular.
“She’s almost too popular to have to be nice. But she’s nice anyway, and I really love that about her. And she’s super talented, you know? We were singing and doing rehearsals, and she’s just got this beautiful voice, she can sing anything. And she’s a great actress, she takes her career very seriously.”
Twain had previously praised Carpenter's decision to perform "That Don't Impress Me Much" during her Toronto concert, describing it as a meaningful compliment.
Speaking with ET, she said: “It’s just a huge compliment. I mean she is such a talented person. You know, she really does have a clue about what’s going on behind the scenes. She’s smart. It’s a compliment to have her, I mean, not that she’s paying homage, she’s just a fan of music, and she’s displaying it and expressing it. So, that’s great.”
Elsewhere, Twain recently opened up about her own approach to her career, explaining that she has never wanted to feel limited by expectations or labels.
The singer, who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and is known for classics including "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" and "You’re Still the One," admitted she becomes uncomfortable whenever she feels creatively restricted.
Speaking to People earlier this year, Twain explained: "If I feel like I'm being put in a box, I start to panic.
"I run in any direction I can because I don't want to be contained. I have to be able to find my own way.
"Sometimes I'm not even sure where I'm going myself. How can somebody else tell me that, right? So I need the freedom to explore and to land wherever that exploration takes me."
Share
Advertisement
