Good morning! Here are all the news nuggets you need to know this Wednesday:
1. Cardi B is set to drop a new track featuring 21 Savage. The rapper teased the video for “Bartier Bardi” on Instagram, adding that the single will drop Dec. 22. Cardi has been on a hot streak lately, as she’s been featured on tracks and videos for G-Eazy’s “No Limit” and Ozuna’s “La Modelo.” (Instagram)
2. John Legend will play Jesus in a live version of Jesus Christ Superstar, which will air on NBC during Easter. The singer said in a statement that he is “thrilled” to join the project and is “certain we will put together some of the greatest talents around to do this work justice.” (Variety)
3. On Tuesday, a Los Angeles judge dismissed a years-long lawsuit claiming Michael Jackson molested choreographer Wade Robson when the dancer was a child. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff stated that Robson was too late filing the lawsuit against Jackson’s estate in 2013 and that later attempts to reposition the case were flawed. (Daily News)
4. Nick Cannon and Chris Brown are teaming up for a new film about women’s street basketball. Cannon will write, direct, and produce She Ball with Brown attached as one of the film’s stars alongside Cannon, Evan Ross, Cedric the Entertainer, and Rebecca De Mornay. (Variety)
5. A new hashtag is combating toxic masculinity. Started by Twitter user @jermainedesign and inspired by @gianorama, #blackboysembrace seeks to dismantle the stigma around Black male intimacy. (MadameNoire)
6. A Virginia pastor and his wife are facing 20 years in prison after scamming their congregation out of millions. Terry Wayne Millender and Brenda Millender were convicted Monday of using a Nigerian oil scheme to pay for their vacations, $1.75 million home, and decadent birthday parties. The couple will be sentenced in March. (Alexandria Times)
7. The cause of death for 2 Live Crew’s Fresh Kid Ice has been revealed. The rapper died due to cirrhosis of the liver made worse by Hepatitis C and a history of alcohol. Ice also suffered from acute respiratory failure and went into shock before his death. (TMZ)
8. Chance the Rapper and Jeremih have re-released their highly successful Christmas mixtape, Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama. The new version features nine new tracks, including “Miss Parker” and “R U Live.” (Vibe)
9. Rapper Mystikal has pled not guilty to charges of rape and kidnapping. Mystikal was indicted in September for an assault that reportedly occurred at a Shreveport, Louisiana casino in 2016. (Billboard)