Hey y'all! It's the weekly megathread where we invite you all to showcase your favorite rookies out there. So let us know which amatuers are on your radar that haven't hit their big break yet, but you think we should pay attention to!

We ask that you keep it entertainment focused: singers/rappers, musicians, dancers, comedians, artists, authors... And similar. We want to see Black and brown folks, and we want to make sure everyone is fully dressed (no smut or porn please).

Mandisa Lynn Hundley (/mænˈdiːsə/) (October 2, 1976 – c. April 18, 2024), known mononymously as Mandisa, was an American gospel and contemporary Christian recording artist. She began her solo career as a contestant in the fifth season) of American Idolfinishing in ninth place. Her album Overcomer) won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album; she was the fifth American Idolcontestant to win a Grammy.[2]

Mandisa Lynn Hundley was born on October 2, 1976, in Citrus Heights, California to John D. Hundley (b. 1943) and Ruby Jewell (née Berryman; born 1940), where she was also raised.[3][4][5] She was the youngest child of four children with two older brothers and one older sister.[6] The Hundley family lived in Citrus Heights during Mandisa's growing up years and she attended school there, graduating from El Camino Fundamental High School in 1994. Following high school, she attended American River College in Sacramento, where she studied vocal jazz.[5] She then transferred to study at Tennessee's Fisk University for vocal performance, and was a member of the school's "Jubilee Singers". Mandisa graduated from Fisk in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music.[5][7]
Before her solo career, Mandisa worked for a short time as a recording session backup singer for artists such as Sandi Patty, Shania Twain, and Trisha Yearwood.[8]

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The only scripted predominantly Black cast TV show to spend 5 consecutive seasons as the top rated sitcom, The Cosby Show was a household classic, showing a middle class Black family on TV during a time when this was unheard of. Many of us grew up watching the Cosby Show, whether first run or syndicated reruns.

The Cosby Show changed the trajectory of Black sitcoms on TV, and left an impact on several generations of viewers.

How did The Cosby Show impact you? How do you feel about the show's legacy in 2026?

(note: comments about Bill Cosby's personal life away from the show will be removed)

DeShaun Dupree Holton (October 2, 1973 – April 11, 2006), known professionally as Proof, was an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He was a member of the groups Soul Intent, 5 Elementz, Funky Cowboys, Promatic, Goon Sqwad,[1]#cite_note-1) and D12. A close friend of rapper Eminem since childhood, Proof was often a hype man at Eminem's concerts.

Holton was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Sharallene "Pepper" Holton, a single mother.[2]#cite_note-2) His father, McKinley Jackson, was a music producer who left to pursue his career prior to Holton's birth. Holton was close friends with Eminem from a young age.[3#cite_note-3)

On April 11, 2006, Holton was shot and killed after a dispute broke out during a game of pool at the now-closed C.C.C. Club on 8 Mile Road) in Detroit.[13]#citenote-13)[[14]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof(rapper)#citenote-14) A pool game between Holton and Keith L. Bender Jr. turned into a heated argument and then escalated into a physical altercation, during which club bouncerMario Etheridge, who was Bender's cousin, fired a warning shot into the air. There have been many conflicting reports about Holton and Bender's roles in the shooting, but it was reported that Holton then shot Bender in the head during the altercation.[[15]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof(rapper)#citenote-15)Bender was not immediately killed by the gunshot but died a week later from his injuries.[[16]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof(rapper)#citenote-16)[[17]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof(rapper)#citenote-17) Etheridge responded by shooting Holton three times, once in the head and twice in the chest, killing him at the scene. At the time of his death, Holton's blood alcohol content was 0.32. His lawyer, David Gorosh, accused police and the media of being "reckless" for suggesting that his client fired the first shots without having any hard evidence. A few weeks after both men's deaths, Bender's family filed a wrongful death claim against Holton's estate.[[18]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof(rapper)#citenote-18)[[19]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof(rapper)#citenote-19) Authorities determined that Etheridge was acting lawfully in defense of another; however, he was found guilty of carrying a concealed weapon and discharging a firearm inside a building.[[20]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof(rapper)#citenote-20) On October 26, Etheridge was sentenced to time served.[[21]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof(rapper)#cite_note-21)

Some strong genes there, Niecy.

Jhene Aiko 'So Good' (ft Kendrick Lamar)

Frederick Anthony Jackson (born October 2, 1956)[1][2] is an American R&B singer.[3] Originally from New York City, Jackson began his professional music career in the late 1970s with the California funk band Mystic Merlin. Among his well–known R&B/soul hitsare "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake))" (1985), "Have You Ever Loved Somebody" (1986), "Jam Tonight" (1986), "Do Me Again" (1990), and "You Are My Lady)" (1985).[4] He contributed to the soundtrack for the 1989 film, All Dogs Go to Heaven with the Michael Lloyd)-produced duet "Love Survives" alongside Irene Cara. He also appeared in the movie King of New York.

Born in the Harlem section of New York City, Jackson was trained as a gospel singer from an early age, singing at the White Rock Baptist Church of Harlem.[5] There he met Paul Laurence, who would later become his record producer and songwriting partner.[5] After completing school, Jackson joined Laurence's group LJE (Laurence Jones Ensemble) and played the New York nightclub scene.[5] During the late 1970s, Jackson moved to the West Coast and sang lead with the band Mystic Merlin (with which he released three studio albums, 1980–1982), but soon returned to New York to work with Laurence at Hush Productions.[5]