A producer on 'The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne', Jack Osbourne spills why the former Black Sabbath frontman and his wife Sharon were reluctant to share his health battle with the world.

Titled 'Rihanna: Volume One', the upcoming documentary, which is directed by Peter Berg, will allegedly chronicle her problem with her manager at Roc Nation and Jay-Z, as well as her breakup from Hassan Jameel.

The Michael Jackson documentary and the DC Comics series land a nomination each at the Peabody Awards, joining 'Surviving R. Kelly' and 'Stranger Things' among others.

The 'Smile' hitmaker is rumored to take her relationship with 'stranger Things' actor David Harbour to the next level as she shows off a new rock on her finger in a new Instagram selfie.

The former athlete and the TV star, who tied the knot in June 2013, announced their split on April 26, writing on Instagram, 'This is just the situation of two people growing apart.'

The 'Lollipop' hitmaker and his plus-sized bride-to-be have seemingly put an end to their relationship only months after officially going public as a couple.

The creator/host of the long-running modeling competition finds herself under fire after a clip from a past episode in which she confronted Dani Evans about the gap in her teeth came out online again.

Making his first official public appearance since his early release from jail, the 'Gooba' rapper slams ex-manager Kifano 'Shotti' Jordan for plotting with gang associates to have him killed.

The 'Lollipop' hitmaker and his plus-sized bride-to-be have seemingly put an end to their relationship only months after officially going public as a couple.

Making his first official public appearance since his early release from jail, the 'Gooba' rapper slams ex-manager Kifano 'Shotti' Jordan for plotting with gang associates to have him killed.

DWARFED by the huge size of one of Queen Mary’s three funnels, a team of workmen repaint the smokestack as part of the ship’s refit more than 70 years ago.

Efforts to boost economic development and research in Flint are getting support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

The Federal Government has announced a package of $17 million to support regional and Indigenous arts, and a sum of $10M to the charity Support Act to support people in the music industry. 

Victorian government has announced a $16.8 million survival package to provide immediate support to Victorian creative organisations and individuals to sustain employment, develop new works and provide opportunities for creative community participation.

Finance boost to threatened landmark.

Two Sandwell community swimming pools to close to help fund Commonwealth Games Aquatics Centre, reports Steve Beauchampe.

The University of Birmingham has signed a sports science based agreement with the Brazilian Government this month.

Dr Howard Elston reports on clear-cut advice from Bojo's circus of fun.

A Good Hope consultant has won international recognition for leading a new treatment study

Nature Valley Classic brings the best to Birmingham.

Tennis legend to compete in Nature Valley Classic.

This week, we talk to MF Grimm, along with his producer and group-mate Drasar Monumental. Grimm is a rapper, producer, and now an award-winning comic book writer, who is just now making some of the greatest music of his long and storied career.

After growing up in the New York City of the 70s and 80s - and making a short stint as a child actor on Sesame Street - Grimm began his hip-hop career on the city’s battle scene. He quickly gained attention, started ghostwriting for more successful acts, and was on the verge of solo stardom when he was shot and paralyzed in 1993, in an incident that also killed his brother.

Grimm recovered, and even executive produced his friend MF Doom’s 1999 solo debut Operation: Doomsday, which was recorded in the basement of Grimm’s Rockland County house. Starting in 2001, he began releasing a string of powerful solo albums that molded the ups and downs of his life into powerful artistic statements. He also moved into another medium, writing the autobiographical graphic novel Sentences: The Life of MF Grimm.

Since 2012, he has been working on the Good Morning Vietnam trilogy of albums with our second guest, producer Drasar Monumental.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/123/ for full show notes and comments.

Ron is a producer who is best known for his time as part of Bad Boy Records’ Hitmen production collective. Ron teamed up with Deric “D Dot” Angelettie, Diddy, Stevie J, and Nashiem Myrick to create iconic hits for Biggie, Mase, Diddy, Faith Evans, Mary J Blige, The Lox, and many more. After that run ended, Ron made beats for the likes of Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, and Luther Vandross.

Ron is also a hip-hop historian and documentarian, and has made several films dealing with unjustly ignored aspects of hip-hop’s history. Most notable among these is the documentary Founding Fathers, which deals with the mobile DJ scene of the 1970s in Brooklyn and Queens. Any fan of the genre needs to see the movie in order to understand that there was a lot more to DJing in that era than just what was happening in the Bronx.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/207/ for full show notes and comments.

Sage Francis and B. Dolan are both from Providence, are both rappers who have roots in spoken word, have toured and sporadically recorded together for years, and even share a label—the Sage-founded Strange Famous Records. But it has taken them until 2018 to release a full project as a duo: the Epic Beard Men.

Sage is a beloved underground rap veteran who has been releasing albums of his smart, introspective, and emotional music consistently since 2002, and touring the universe maniacally to support them—all while running Strange Famous. B. Dolan is an equally talented wordsmith whose solo work is as likely to give new life to old union hymn as it is to pay tribute to the Ol’ Dirty Bastard. The group has a new EP, Season 1, and an album on the way.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/234/ for full show notes and comments.

Financial advisers from across the West Midlands attended a course on auto enrolment yesterday – the new regime for workplace pensions that has begun to roll out.

This is the first time that Testicle Testaments and a live Church Of What's Happening Now podcast have ever been combined into one show. Joey opens up with a story about the choices you make in life and then we finish up with a live Church.

Recorded live on 4/29/15

Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt welcome comedian Carlos Mecia live in studio. Carlos called Joey out of the blue to ask for forgiveness, and Joey invited him to be a guest. 

This podcast is brought to you by: 

More from Sir Howard Elston, our man almost at Westminster.

Support some of the most vulnerable in society with urgent COVD-19 appeal.

Showcase for skills, talent and learning.

Employability project invests in local people helping to fulfil all-important roles.

A chance encounter between two business entrepreneurs has led to the opening of a stunning new gastro bar and restaurant in Warwick.

A £200,000 investment drive has seen a Warwick-based PCB assembly specialist secure its best ever year, with sales up 35% and five new jobs created.

Support offered for EU nationals living in the UK.

Tips on remaining mentally well during lockdown.

Could Birmingham become "A truly citizen-centric council"? Professor David Bailey hopes so.

Local MP amongst group seeking to end corporate anonymity.

Funding kickstarts construction of 26 housing units in Kings Heath.

Claim by Birmingham MP.

Picnic and a play to show the effects of sea pollution.

Pioneering digital engagement provides for hundreds of young people across the West Midlands.

British ‘bullet trains’ should be Black Country-built says Liam Byrne.

Gay activist Saima Razzaq gives her opinion of the Birmingham schools protest controversy.

Acclaimed local writer added to theatre board of directors.

Dementia Awareness Week in Coventry starts with a song and dance.

Coventry regeneration schemes awarded £3.7 million loan.

Return of the all-womens comedy night at arts centre.

Final call for Digbeth Business Forum event attendees.

First participants confirmed through the Birmingham Weekender in Digbeth Open Call.