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Barack Obama’s Highly-Anticipated New Memoir “A Promised Land” Sells A Record 1.7 Million Copies In First Week Of Release

President Barack Obama’s “A Promised Land” sold a record 1.7 million copies in its first week of release. …

Book-slangin’ Barry is what they call him in the streets.

President Barack Obama's Memoir "A Promised Land" Goes On Sale Ahead Of Holiday Season

Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty

President Barack Obama spent 8 years as our Commander-In-Chief and in that time he dealt with an extraordinary amount of crises, vitriol, racism, and unprecedented hatin’ from people like Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans. He also gained an extraordinary amount of wisdom, perspective, and learned some valuable life lessons that he will likely carry with him for the rest of his days.

Barry-O packed all these experiences into a new memoir that a LOT of people have been waiting on for a very long time. A Promised Land is the title of his latest collection of writings and to call it a success already is a bit of an understatement. According to ABC News, sales of A Promised Land are already setting records as 1.7 million people have purchased a copy in the first week of its release on November 17, 2020. Hell, it sold 890,000 copies on the first DAY. Crown, the book’s publishing company, has upped its initial run from 3.4 million to 4.3 million to account for the staggering demand.

The 1.7 million mark equals the first week sales of the two Presidents before Obama COMBINED. It’s safe to say that President Obama is still pretty popular around these parts and will undoubtedly go down as one of the most popular Presidents to ever hold a residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Earlier this week, the former president surprised hundreds of Chicago Public School students with a free copy of his new book. Obama joined CPS’s CEO Janice Jackson in a virtual assembly to share the big news.

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During the Zoom call with the staff and students, Barry revealed that he was so “proud” of the way the students remained focused and hardworking despite the tough and difficult circumstances presented by the pandemic. Must be nice! Wish we could have gotten a free copy!

Interested in buying the book? Get yours HERE.

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Tina Knowles Shines Light on Beyoncé & Jay-Z’s Enduring Love in 17th Anniversary Tribute

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When Beyoncé and Jay-Z marked 17 years of marriage, Tina Knowles turned to Instagram to tip her hat to the anniversary and the strength and heart behind it. In an affectionate video montage highlighting everything from backstage warmth to center-stage highlights, Tina Knowles praised the Carters for their solidarity. “Happy 17th anniversary to two of my favorite people in the whole wide world,” she wrote, ending with a simple red heart emoji that said more than any words could. “The love and the commitment, and the ability to put away all the outside noise, is phenomenal. The rest is just fluff; true love transcends all the nonsense. Enjoy your day.”

And in this instance, Tina’s words are ringing louder than ever.” The Carters have their issues, including recent scrutiny and public accusations that have rocked the clan. Jay-Z said in a personal statement released last December via Roc Nation that he was heartbroken about the effect that falsehoods like these have on their children. “My only heart break is for my family,” he said. “My wife and I are going to sit our kids down. One of them is old enough that her friends will probably read the headlines and ask questions. I mourn another loss of innocence.” It was a raw, vulnerable moment from one known as much for his lyrical swagger as for his guarded privacy. “Children should not have to go through such things in their age,” he added. “It’s unfair that we even have to make sense of this specific type of malice, which is meant to break families and to break the human spirit.”

Check out this article: Lil Kim Honors Biggie’s Mother, Voletta Wallace, as “Second Mom” in Heartfelt Tribute

And yet here they are seventeen years later, still together, still strong, still in love. Tina Knowles’ tribute is more than a loving note from a proud mom. It is a strong declaration about the durability of aumber, it’s a testament to loyalty, growth and a bond that has proven from the very beginning to be louder than the noise.

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Azealia Banks Unleashes on Eminem with Blistering “School Shooter Music” Takedown

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Azealia Banks never holds back when it comes to unfiltered opinions, and her latest target is none other than Eminem. The Harlem-born rapper, whose biting commentary is as noteworthy as her genre-defying music, set social media ablaze recently with a takedown of the Detroit rap legend. Once a Twitter user dared to invoke Eminem in one of her threads, Banks responded in classic fashion, pronouncing the record as “school shooter music.”

“No body wanna listen to that school shooter music,” Banks wrote in a tweet that quickly generated controversy. “This is hiphop, we don’t care or relate to white male anger and raps about wanting to kill your mother. ‘Stan’ is legendary for its own reasons but Eminem is just always too disturbed. One would think that at this point in his career he’d challenge himself to write even just ONE song that wasn’t about his mental illnesses. Eminem is always going to be that mad white guy nobody wanna f**k. When Eminem can make ONE a** shaker, and exhibit even 0.2 oz of sex appeal we can revisit. But vanilla ice was and is still the best white rapper of all time. Argue with ur mom.” It’s a tough criticism, but Azealia knows how to speak her mind.

Check out this article: Lil Durk Makes History as the Most Certified Rapper of 2025

Banks, who isn’t one to shy away from a tussle, added insult to injury by saying Eminem is “too disturbed” and asking why, after two decades in the game, he’s still rapping about mental illness instead of taking his artistry into unknown territory. “One would think, at this stage, in his career, he would challenge himself to write at least ONE song that’s not about his mental illnesses,” she quipped. Her assertion is that Vanilla Ice, not Eminem, is the best white rapper ever. “Vanilla Ice was the greatest white rapper’s all-time and still does. Fight ur mother,” she continued, repeating her opinion the way only Azealia can.

Although her comments will undoubtedly set Eminem stans and hip-hop purists alike into a frenzy, they also provide a more subtle perspective on Banks’ longstanding critique of mainstream rap culture, not to mention the glorification of trauma and rage. Yes, her delivery’s sharp-tongued and unforgiving, though it’s always seasoned with her trademark flair. Azealia Banks knows how to keep the pot boiling, whether you love or loathe her. And at a time when it’s safer to play it safe, her new diss track shows she’s still that in your face.

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