Tracee Ellis Ross looks FAB For The March 2015 Cover Of ESSENCE Magazine
Hey Ms. Ross. In a mixed media dress and a pair of colorful shoes paired together to send us into a major fashion frenzy, Tracee Ellis Ross is serving glam and chic-ness for he new Essence magazine cover.
The 42-year-old daughter of entertainment royalty has earned her own position in the Hollywood limelight. And based on this new cover shoot, you can see why:
Tracee said in her cover story, "I hope they look at me and think, 'That lady looks like she accepts herself'."
The former "Girlfriends" star has always embraced her curvy figure and put her workouts on Instagram so folks could follow her journey to healthy--yet smaller--curves.
I’m loving her gorgeous new shoot!
The 2015 Grammy Awards: The Show, The Winners
It was an incredible night at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards with amazing performances from Beyonce Knowles and Ed Sheeran, along with Katy Perry, Madonna and Pharrell Williams, just to name a few.
Hosted by the uber-talented LL Cool J, there were a plethora of winners this evening (February 8) with Sam Smith leading the way by taking home four trophies in categories including Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Meanwhile, Beck scored the other big prize of the night with Album of the Year accolades for Morning Phase. In addition, the long-tenured musician won Rock Album of the Year honors.
The energy-filled night saw in a host of famous presenters such as Taylor Swift, Anna Kendrick, Keith Urban and Prince, with some of the other twenty-three performances including Lady Gaga paired with Tony Bennett, Adam Levine teamed up with Gwen Stefani, and Rihanna, Paul McCartney and Kanye West treating the Staples Center crowd to a rendition of their new hit single “FourFiveSeconds".
Check out the full list of 57th Annual Grammy Award winners below!
Album of the Year
WINNER: Beck, Morning Phase
Beyonce, Beyonce
Ed Sheeran, x
Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour
Pharrell Williams, Girl
Best New Artist
Bastille
Iggy Azalea
Brandy Clark
Haim
WINNER: Sam Smith
Record of the Year
"Fancy," Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
"Chandelier," Sia
WINNER: "Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)," Sam Smith
"Shake It Off," Taylor Swift
"All About That Bass," Meghan Trainor
Song of the Year
"Chandelier," Sia
"All About That Bass," Meghan Trainor
"Shake It Off," Taylor Swift
WINNER: "Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)," Sam Smith
"Take Me to Church," Hozier
Best Rap Album
The New Classic, Iggy Azalea
Because the Internet, Childish Gambino
Nobody's Smiling, Common
WINNER: The Marshall Mathers LP2, Eminem
Oxymoron, ScHoolboy Q
Blacc Hollywood, Wiz Khalifa
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
"Fancy," Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
"A Sky Full of Stars," Coldplay
WINNER: "Say Something," A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera
"Bang Bang," Ariana Grande, Jessie J & Nicki Minaj
"Dark Horse," Katy Perry ft. Juicy J
Best Rap Performance
"3005," Childish Gambino
"0 to 100/The Catch Up," Drake
"Rap God," Eminem
WINNER: "i," Kendrick Lamar
"All I Need Is You," Lecrae
Best Alternative Music Album
This Is All Yours, alt-J
Reflektor, Arcade Fire
Melophobia, Cage the Elephant
WINNER: St. Vincent, St. Vincent
Lazaretto, Jack White
Best Rock Album
Ryan Adams, Ryan Adams
WINNER: Morning Phase, Beck
Turn Blue, The Black Keys
Hypnotic Eye, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Songs of Innocence, U2
Best Rock Song
WINNER: "Ain't It Fun," Paramore
"Blue Moon," Beck
"Fever," The Black Keys
"Gimme Something Good," Ryan Adams
"Lazaretto," Jack White
Best Country Album
Riser, Dierks Bentley
The Outsiders, Eric Church
The Way I'm Livin', Lee Ann Womack
12 Stories, Brandy Clark
WINNER: Platinum, Miranda Lambert
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
"Blak Majik," Common ft. Jhené Aiko
WINNER: "The Monster," Eminem ft. Rihanna
"Tuesday," I Love Makonnen ft. Drake
"Studio," ScHoolboy Q ft. BJ The Chicago Kid
"Bound 2," Kanye West & Charlie Wilson
Best Rap Song
"Anaconda," Nicki Minaj
"Bound 2," Kanye West & Charlie Wilson
WINNER: "i," Kendrick Lamar
"We Dem Boyz," Wiz Khalifa
"0 to 100/The Catch Up," Drake
Best Country Song
"American Kids," Kenny Chesney
"Automatic," Miranda Lambert
"Give Me Back My Hometown," Eric Church
WINNER: "I'm Not Gonna Miss You," Glen Campbell
"Meanwhile Back at Mama's," Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
WINNER: "Gentle On My Mind," The Band Perry
"Somethin' Bad," Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood
"Day Drinking," Little Big Town
"Meanwhile Back At Mama's," Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill
"Raise 'Em Up," Keith Urban ft. Eric Church
Best Country Solo Performance
"Give Me Me Back My Hometown," Eric Church
"Invisible," Hunter Hayes
"Automatic," Miranda Lambert
WINNER: "Something In the Water," Carrie Underwood
"Cop Car," Keith Urban
Best Pop Vocal Album
Ghost Stories, Coldplay
Bangerz, Miley Cyrus
My Everything, Ariana Grande
Prism, Katy Perry
x, Ed Sheeran
WINNER: In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith
Best Urban Contemporary Album
Sail Out, Jhene Aiko
Beyonce, Beyonce
X, Chris Brown
Mali Is, Mali Music
WINNER: G I R L, Pharrell Williams
Best Dance/Electronic Album
WINNER: Syro, Aphex Twin
While (1, Deadmaus
Nabuma Rubberband, Little Dragon
Do It Again, Röyksopp & Robyn
Damage Control, Mat Zo
Best Dance Recording
"Never Say Never," Basement Jaxx
WINNER: "Rather Be," Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne
"F for You," Disclosure ft. Mary J. Blige
"I Got U," Duke Dumont ft. Jax Jones
"Faded," Zhu
Best Latin Pop Album
WINNER: Tangos, Ruben Blades
Elypse, Camila
Raiz, Lila Downs, Niña Pastori & Soledad Pastorutti
Loco de Amor, Juanes
Gracias Por Estar Aqui, Marco Antonio Solis
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
American Hustle
Guardians of the Galaxy
WINNER: Frozen
Get On Up: The James Brown Story
The Wolf of Wall Street
Best Pop Solo Performance
"All of Me," John Legend
"Chandelier," Sia
"Stay With Me," Sam Smith
"Shake It Off," Taylor Swift
WINNER: "Happy," Pharrell Williams
Best Reggae Album
WINNER: Ziggy Marley, Fly Rasta
Lee "Scratch" Perry, Back on the Controls
Sean Paul, Full Frequency
Shaggy, Out of Many, One Music
Sly & Robbie & Spicy Chocolate, The Reggae Power
Soja, Amid the Noise and the Haste
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
WINNER: Cheek to Cheek, Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett
Sending You a Little Christmas, Johnny Mathis
Nostalgia, Annie Lennox
Partners, Barbra Streisand
Night Songs, Barry Manilow
Best Americana Album
WINNER: The River & The Thread, Rosanne Cash
Terms of My Surrener, John Hiatt
Bluesamericana, Keb' Mo'
A Dotted Line, Nickel Creek
Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, Sturgill Simpson
Best Spoken Word Album
Actors Anonymous, James Franco
A Call to Action, Jimmy Carter
Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America, John Waters
A Fighting Chance, Elizabeth Warren
WINNER: Diary of a Mad Diva, Joan Rivers
We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration and the Power of Song, Gloria Gaynor
Best Gospel Album
WINNER: Help, Erica Campbell
Amazing, Ricky Dillard & New G
Withholding Nothing: Live, William McDowell
Forever Yours, Smokie Norful
Vintage Worship, Anita Wilson
Best Rock Performance
"Gimme Something Good," Ryan Adams
"Do I Wanna Know?", Arctic Monkeys
"Blue Moon," Beck
"Fever," The Black Keys
WINNER: "Lazaretto," Jack White
Best Metal Performance
"Neon Knights," Anthrax
"High Road," Mastodon
"Heartbreaker," Motörhead
"The Negative One," Slipknot
WINNER: "The Last In Line," Tenacious D
Best R&B Performance
WINNER: "Drunk In Love," Beyoncé ft. Jay Z
"New Flame," Chris Brown ft. Usher & Rick Ross
"It's Your World," Jennifer Hudson ft. R. Kelly
"Like This," Ledisi
"Good Kisser," Usher
Best R&B Song
WINNER: "Drunk In Love," Beyonce ft. Jay Z
"Good Kisser," Usher
"New Flame," Chris Brown ft. Usher & Rick Ross
"Options (Wolfjames Version)," Luke James ft. Rick Ross
"The Worst," Jhené Aiko
Best R&B Album
Islander, Bernhoft
Lift Your Spirit, Aloe Blacc
WINNER: Love, Marriage & Divorce, Toni Braxton & Babyface
Black Radio 2, Robert Glasper Experiment
Give The People What They Want, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
CONGRATS TO ALL THE WINNERS!
Reggie Bush SHUTS DOWN Dropping Molly In DRINKS down with Darren Sharper?
As the rape trial of former Saints player Darren Sharper continues, Detroit Lions star (who is Darren's former teammate on the Saints) Reggie Bush is speaking out, denying any involvement. We'll explain....
Brandon Licciardi, the codefendent in the Sharper case, told authorities a story about seeing Reggie handing out drugs at a party in Las Vegas a few years ago. He said, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate and Yahoo! Sports:
“OK, um, I was in Vegas about three years ago and um, Reggie Bush put Molly in Champagne. He was handing out 'Molly' on the dance floor to girls. Handing it out. Like giving it to them,” Licciardi said.
“And how do you know that?” asked James O’Hern, an investigator for the DA’s Office.
“[Because] I saw it with my own eyes,” Licciardi responded.
Reggie's lawyer Shawn Holley (who also reps Lindsay Lohan) was outraged that Reggie's name had been mentioned in the case and strongly denies any involvement. She told the Detroit Free Press,
"This is outrageous. I can say to you on the record that Reggie adamantly, vehemently and unequivocally denies all of the statements in that article. We are demanding a retraction from The Advocate and Reggie is considering taking legal action."
There is no investigation, there's never been any complaint made by any person of this happening. It appears to be something that's being stated by someone who is a criminal defendant in a serious case and looking for anything he can say to deflect from his own troubles. But there is not a shred of truth to any of this."
So......is Brandon sticking by his story that Reggie allegedly dropped pills in girls' drinks at a party? Not quite. Asked again later in court about Reggie's involvement, Brandon backtracked...at least about seeing him do it.
“Reggie, yeah. No, I didn’t see him put it in the drink. He told me. And he said he was handing it to people, in Vegas. He asked me if I wanted some. And I was like, ‘I don’t do that stuff.’ ”
We'd like to reiterate, Reggie has not been charged or investgated for any wrongdoing and the Detroit Lions have not commented.
In Nigeria, Kids Embrace Dolls That Represent Them NOT Barbie!
Barbies or Queens of Africa? In Nigeria, toy giant Mattel has been outsold by a brilliant idea.
It all began in 2007, when entrepreneur Taofick Okoya went in search of a black doll for his niece. Despite Nigeria being the country with the highest number of black children in the world, he couldn't find one.
"I'm not one to criticize and complain without taking action," Okoya told Elle. He then resolved to create a doll Nigerian girls could identify with, one with darker skin and traditional African clothes.
Seven years later, Okoya sells 6,000–9,000 Queens of Africa and Naija Princess dolls a month, granting him 10-15% of a small but fast-growing market. Prices vary from roughly US $6.50 to US $17.50 each, depending on accompanying clothing and accessories.
With about 170 million inhabitants, Nigeria is the continent's most populated country and is neck-and-neck with South Africa for the title of largest economy. According to data from Euromonitor released by Reuters, while toy sales increased 1% in developing countries between 2006 and 2011, emerging economies showed a 13% jump.
Okoya explains that his priority is raising the children's self-esteem and confidence. He advocates a "healthy mix" of African and Western values, and says he spent over two years campaigning about the psychological impact dolls have on children, and the importance of having a doll in their likeness. Okoya is positive this can impact generations to come.
Based on Nigeria's three largest ethic groups, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa, the dolls are produced in a small factory in a Lagos suburb. The parts come from China, but the final touch is lent by the traditional Nigerian dresses and head wraps worn by Queens of Africa dolls.
Like Barbie, the dolls are very slim, a characteristic he intends to alter eventually (he tells how he initially produced fuller-bodied dolls, to which the children gave a less than warm reception).
"For now, we have to hide behind the 'normal' doll. Once we've built the brand, we can make dolls with bigger bodies."
His success has already grown beyond Nigeria. Queens of Africa dolls are sold online and, according to Okoya, the biggest demand comes from the US, certain European countries, and Brazil.
Beyond his plans to create dolls inspired by other ethnic groups, Okoya is in talks with a WalMart subsidiary over expansion to 70 stores across the African continent.
According to Reuters, Mattel affirms they've sold Black dolls for decades, but with very limited presence in Sub-Saharan Africa and no plans for expansion in the region at the moment.
‘Kinky Boots’ star Billy Porter wants to create Harlem-based television drama
Actor Billy Porter, who is on hiatus from his Tony-winning role in Broadway's "Kinky Boots," relaxes in his Harlem apartment.
He's taking a break from Broadway to pursue several side projects, and Billy Porter is also thinking a lot about Harlem.
The award-winning “Kinky Boots” star is shopping an idea for a TV series he conceived, titled “SoHa,” which would center on the big-city tribulations of a group of friends who are black, gay and in their 40s.
And like the 45-year-old Tony and Grammy Award winner, they live in Harlem.
“When I was sort of without a place to live, and I was subletting and hopping around and living on sofas, I was really drawn to mid-central/West Harlem,” said Porter, who moved into a new building on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. two years ago.
The actor remembers his childhood in Pittsburgh, where he said struggling families like his own lived in close proximity to upwardly mobile black doctors and lawyers.
“And what I like about the spots of Harlem that are emerging is that it feels like that,” he added. “I live in a luxury building across the street from the projects. So that makes me feel like I’m at home.”
During his three-month hiatus from his turn in drag in the Cyndi Lauper-Harvey Fierstein musical, Porter has taped a PBS special, “Live at Lincoln Center,” which will air on April 3.
He also directed a biomusical written by fellow “Star Search” alum Sam Harris, and plans to helm a revival of George C. Wolfe’s “The Colored Museum” for Boston’s Huntington Theatre Company.
But he is especially driven by the possibility of developing his Harlem-based television drama, which began as a play he described as a mashup of “Six Feet Under” and “Girls.”
“I find that there is often a down-low component that’s associated with the telling of black, gay stories and I think it’s interesting because that isn’t my story. So it follows that character and his sort of four best friends as they try to figure out how to close the chasm between sex and intimacy.”
Porter, who will return to “Kinky Boots” on April 28, said he chose Harlem as its backdrop because of the role the emerging gay community has played in its recent transformation.
“I just wanted to have a cool setting that nobody has really talked about like that before,” he added. “I also think it’s telling a story that deals with black, gay men, and setting it in Harlem — in a world where inherently, the culture is so homophobic — I think it turns that idea on its ear.”
Here they are Official Pics Of Kanye’s New Yeezy 3’s
Here’s a first look at the Kanye West x adidas collaboration. It's dubbed the adidas Yeezy 750 Boost and the high rise sneaker comes with a light sand suede upper and a special Boost outsole.
As far as we can tell, one sneaker is expected launch next week with a full collection to follow shortly after
So WAIT! Dwyane Wade And Gabrielle Union Not Legally Married?
Last year Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union exchanged vows in a lavish ceremony in Miami. Was all the pomp and circumstance just a PR stunt?
It’s yet another Gossip Extra exclusive: Records show Wade and Union, the 42-year-old star of the TV series Being Mary Jane, went to a Miami-Dade office to pick up an unsigned marriage license Aug. 26, 2014.
Then dozens of their closest friends and most of Wade’s Heat teammates watched them exchange vows in a ceremony officiated by actress Essence Atkins on the steps of a mansion Aug. 30 in Homestead.
Thing is: Floridians are asked to send the signed license back to the county to make it official within 10 days of the ceremony. Wade and Union have yet to do that.
“It happens that some people don’t send it back,” Reboso said. “But in case of legal problems, or if one of members of a couple were to die, the other would not be able to claim his or her property.”
Adrienne Bailon Engaged To Roc Nation’s Lenny Santigao!
The Real talk show host Adrienne Bailon, 31 announced today via her instagram and on “The Real” talk show that will air Monday- that she and longtime boyfriend Lenny Santiago are engaged!
Congrats to the lovely couple. Lenny Santiago is Senior Vice President of A&R, Artist Management at Roc Nation and manager to hip-hop artist, Fabolous and one of Jay Z’s close friends.
E! Online has a sneak peek where Adrienne shares the news with her co-host! Bailon states Lenny S gave her a box of carrots then he popped the question ..
Ashlee Simpson & Evan Ross: We’re Having A Girl!
She’s been thrilled to be pregnant with her second child, and it turns out that Ashlee Simpson's bun in the oven is a beautiful baby daughter!
The “Pieces of Me” songstress’ rep told Us Weekly that Simpson and her husband Evan Ross decided to find out the gender of their child in order to begin designing the nursery with the appropriate color scheme.
Ashlee, who also has a son named Bronx from her marriage to Pete Wentz, previously told press, “I’m just excited for the new addition. I told [Bronx] pretty early on. He’s go
WHOA! Tampa Woman Gives Birth To 14-Pound Baby
Maxxzandra Ford, 26, was shocked to learn that she was 35 weeks pregnant last fall. Weeks later, she delivered a 14.1-pound baby boy, ABC Action News reports.
Ford, who also has a 1-year-old and a 5-year-old at home, says that she first realized that she was pregnant after she experienced a period of rapid weight gain. She currently works at St. Joseph’s Main Hospital and began to take notice of her weight gain after her scrubs began to get tighter and tighter.
“Suddenly, she started showing in November,” said Ford’s partner, Allen Denton, during a news conference at the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital. “I was like, ‘Okay, you need to go get checked out.’”
Taking into consideration that she’s a twin herself, and also, how quickly she gained weight, Ford assumed that she was carrying twins. However, she was surprised to learn that she was carrying only one child. Shockingly, Ford gave birth naturally on January 29. After 18 hours of labor, she learned that an ultrasound had incorrectly sized him at 10 pounds.
“When I felt his head come out, I knew that he was bigger than 10 pounds,” Ford said during a news conference at the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital.
Had the delivery team known the infant’s true size, registered nurse Debbie Moore tells the Tampa Bay Times that natural birth would not have been their recommendation.
Though Denton revealed that he was hoping for another little girl, he says that he’s still thankful for their newborn son, whom they named Avery Ford.
“Now I got a linebacker now instead of a fullback,” Denton joked.
Avery remains in the hospital’s neonatal unit for observation, as medical complications sometimes present themselves in infants who are that large in size. However, he is expected to go home in a few days
RACISM STINKS! Black family's $3.5million mansion FIREBOMBED in suspected hate crime!
Family fear racists were out to kill them after night-time arson attack on LA home
Manhattan Beach home of Ronald and Malissia Clinton was firebombed about 2.30am by a tire filled with
A Los Angeles family whose house was firebombed early Wednesday, causing $200,000 worth of damage, said they considered moving away, convinced they were the targets of a hate crime.
But Ronald and Malissia Clinton have chosen to stay after being inundated with support from the local community in Manhattan Beach.
The couple believe there is no other reason for the attack - where a gasoline-filled tire was set alight, blowing out the front of their house at 2.30am - other than the fact they're black.
'I don't have proof, I don't have any type of motive, but I do have a gut,' Mr Clinton told My Fox LA.
'And it was somebody that had the intent to harm, injure or even kill us.'
Adding to The Daily Breeze, Mr Clinton said: 'I just know there is no other reason to target us.
'We have no enemies. Why us?'
Manhattan Beach's population is 84 percent white. Mr Clinton, a pharmacist, was sleep when the attack occurred.He said he woke to the sound of at least two explosions.His wife, a corporate lawyer, was away on business.
He quickly got his three children up, grabbed the family dog and ran outside.
He then used a garden hose to douse the flames at the front of the house until firefighters arrived to finish the job.
Black family fear arson attack on mansion home was hate crime
'This is not what our community is all about and we're going to get the person who did this,' Manhattan Beach Mayor Wayne Powell told ABC 7.
'It was just amazing to see the turnout,' Mr Clinton added.
Police are investigating and hope to catch the persons responsible.
Looky Looky, This New All-Star Nike Foamposite
Nike Sportswear is dropping a Constellation Collection pack that includes a new Nike Air Force 1, a reconstructed Nike Dunk, and a Sky Hi. But we can guarantee you that what has hypebeasts foaming at the mouth in this collection is the Nike Foamposite One AS.
Says Nike:
With a brilliant anodized chrome finish, the Nike Foamposite One AS represents the status of basketball’s mid-season weekend as the sport’s premier moment to shine. The shoe incorporates the Nike NYC logo as a tribute to the host city, as well as the aforementioned studded star detailing on the pull-tabs. A synthetic black eye stay panel contrasts with the gleaming upper, giving the shoe a lustrous energy befitting the event.
Check out images of the Nike Foamposite One.
They drop on February 15 and will cost a hefty $275. Considering the day before is Valentine’s Day, fellas will be making some critical life choices next weekend.
Does this pair trump the Galaxy Foamposites?
Larenz Tate & Sharon Leal Star in Civil Rights Era Film ‘White Water’
TV One's original film 'White Water' is a tale of Michael (Amir and Amari O'Neil), a seven-year-old black child who becomes obsessed with the desire to taste water from the 'whites only' drinking fountain. Airs Saturday, Feb. 7 at 8pm ET.
*TV One’s original film “White Water” starring Larenz Tate and Sharon Leal airs Saturday, February 7 at 8pm ET. “White Water” is a riveting and culturally relevant film exploring the complex experience of a child’s first encounter with racial tension during the civil rights era.
Synopsis: Based on true events and set in Opelika, Alabama, during the summer of 1963, “White Water” is an imaginative tale of Michael (Amir and Amari O’Neil), a seven-year-old black child who becomes obsessed with the desire to taste water from the “whites only” drinking fountain. Michael sets out on a quest to do the unthinkable: to drink from it. His loving and protective mother, Annie (Sharon Leal), and free-spirited father, Terrance (Larenz Tate), learn of Michael’s obsession with tasting the “white water” and make several attempts to steer him away from this risky adventure. All of Michael’s friends, the local police and the KKK are also against Michael’s mission.
His unwavering determination to ignore racial limitations leads him to finally understand the true dangers of his quest. During the film, Michael applies a child’s logic to decipher the conventions of racism. His insights are consistently more practical than the logic of the closed-minded adults that created the customs of the segregated South, but as Michael quickly matures, he must consider whether the risks involved are worth the reward.
View a ‘”White Water”clip here
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘YOU FANCY HUH?’
I can’t tell if this is a weird creepy chick or an even weirder creepier dude.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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