Entertainment
Dave Chappelle ‘Refuses’ to Let Attack Overshadow Comedy Set, Netflix Speaks Out on Incident
Netflix has issued a statement after Dave Chappelle was attacked on stage while performing a comedy set during the streaming giant’s Netflix Is a Joke festival in Los Angeles. The performance was taking place at the Hollywood Bowl. A spokesperson for the streamer said, “We care deeply about the safety of creators and we strongly defend the right of stand-up comedians to perform on stage without fear of violence.”
Video footage circulated during Chappelle’s comedy set showing a man rushing on to the stage and tackling the performer to the ground. Chappelle has been performing a number of dates at the Hollywood Bowl in the last month. The attacker was seen getting up and trying to run off stage before he was caught and tackled by what appeared to be security personnel and members of Chappelle’s team.
A spokesperson for Chappelle’s production company also issued a statement in the aftermath of the attack: “Dave Chappelle celebrated four nights of comedy and music, setting record-breaking sales for a comedian at the Hollywood Bowl. This run ties Chappelle with Monty Python for the most headlined shows by any comedian at the Hollywood Bowl, reaching 70k fans of diverse backgrounds during the first Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival, and he refuses to allow last night’s incident to overshadow the magic of this historic moment.”
“As unfortunate and unsettling as the incident was, Chappelle went on with the show,” the statement adds. “Jamie Foxx and Chris Rock helped calm the crowd with humor before Chappelle introduced the last and featured musical guests for the evening, hip-hop artists yasiin bey and Talib Kweli, a.k.a. Black Star, who performed music from their new album – the first in nearly 24 years – which was released on Luminary. Other special comedic guests last night included Earthquake, Leslie Jones, Jeff Ross, Sebastian, Jon Stewart and Michelle Wolf.”
Chappelle is fully cooperating with the active police investigation into this incident. Police arrested Isaiah Lee, 23, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to NBC Los Angeles. He was allegedly carrying a replica gun that could discharge a knife blade and is suspected of tackling comedian Chappelle on stage Tuesday night. He’s being held on $30,000 bail.
Chappelle has been a controversial figure recently due to several Netflix comedy specials in which he made jokes about transgender people. His 2021 Netflix special “The Closer” led to company walkouts and protests last October. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos originally defended Chappelle, saying in statement that the comedian is “one of the most popular stand-ups today” and “as with our other talent, we work hard to support their creative freedom — even though this means there will always be content on Netflix some people believe is harmful.” Sarandos ultimately said he “screwed up” in his reaction to the Chappelle backlash.
Chappelle’s attack took place just over a month after Will Smith took to the Oscars stage to slap presenter Chris Rock, who was in attendance at Chappelle’s Netflix show, reportedly came on stage after the attack and said, “Was that Will Smith?”
The Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival kicked off April 28 and runs through May 8.
Source: variety.com
Guinness Ghana has announced a new annual prize package for winners of the Album/EP of the Year category at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), as part of efforts to support the country’s music industry.
The company said beginning from the 27th edition of the awards, the winner of the category will receive a GH¢100,000 cash prize, funding support for a music video for their next project, and a curated album listening experience.
According to Guinness Ghana, the initiative is aimed at promoting creative excellence and contributing to the growth of Ghana’s music ecosystem.
Head of Media and Partnerships at Guinness Ghana, Yaa Amoah-Owusu, said the category represents the highest level of artistic work in the industry.
“The Album/EP of the Year category represents the pinnacle of artistic expression — body of work, storytelling, and sonic identity. This package is Guinness Ghana’s way of recognising excellence and investing in the future of the artist and the industry at large,” she stated.
She added that the company’s support goes beyond recognition on awards night, as it seeks to create long-term value for artistes and the wider creative sector.
Guinness Ghana, a long-time partner of the awards scheme, noted that the initiative will also help increase visibility and audience engagement for the winning artiste’s future projects.
The nominees for the Album/EP of the Year category include Black Sherif for Iron Boy, Stonebwoy for Torcher, Gyakie for After Midnight, Medikal for Disturbation II, Wendy Shay for Ready, and Kweku Smoke for Walk With Me.
Head of Public Events and Communications at Charterhouse, Robert Klah, welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely support for the music industry.
“This is an important intervention from Guinness Ghana. It aligns with our commitment to celebrate and elevate Ghanaian music, while also creating tangible support for artistes,” he said.
He added that the move highlights the importance of albums and EPs as lasting creative works.
The announcement comes ahead of the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards, organised by Charterhouse, with Telecel as headline sponsor, media partnership from TV3, and support from Guinness Ghana.
Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC is one of the country’s leading beverage companies and continues to support arts, culture, and community development in Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
GOMOA Central Constituency in the Central Region of Ghana was the place of attraction for this year’s Easter, as Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Kwame Asare Obeng, affectionately called Aplus staged a four-day carnival.
The event started with a welcome bonfire night, where the people of Gomoa and some dignitaries proceeded through the principal streets of Gomoa Central on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
It continued on Friday with Highlife Night, which saw Kwabena, Bless, Dada Hafco, Kofi Nti, Ofori Amponsah, Samini and others rock patrons.
Saturday started with a walk from Obuasi through Afranse to Ekwamkrom, where a durbar of chiefs was held.
The night erupted with concert at Ekwamkrom headlined by Ghana’s Finest Sarkodie. Sarkodie indeed proved his mettle with back-to-back hit songs and engaging performance.
Patrons also enjoyed mind-blowing performances from Keche, Kuami Eugene, Tinny, Obaapa Christy, Sista Afia and many others.
On Sunday, which was the final day, witnessed packed performances from Patapaa, Kofi Kinaata, Jupitar, Kwaw Kese, Piesie Esther, and Amerado amongst others.
Patrons enjoyed exquisite catwalk on the runway as Smully Wear put together some local designers for a fashion show.
The likes of Aplus, MP for the area, Deputy GTA Boss Gilbert Aggrey (Abeiku Santana), New Media President Eugene Osafo Nkansah and Media Personality Kleff Maxwell Justice (KMJ) were all on the runway as models.
On each day, up and coming musicians had their time on the big stage to enthrall the audience.
Mr Kwame Asare Obeng in an interview with The Spectator expressed his appreciation to the traditional leaders of the area, the constituents, Corporate Ghana and all and sundry for their unflinching support.
He said the success of the maiden edition will lead to even a bigger one next year.
According to him, his constituents who own businesses like hotels, restaurants, other traders and drivers among others were able to cash out from the carnival, which was very satisfying to him.
“Empowering the community to make ends meet to cater for their families was important for me. I have engaged most of them, and they are happy with sales. This makes me very happy,” he said.
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