THIS IS THE CHRONICLES OF EFREM: The Daily Buzz For Sept 9

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The Weeknd’s ‘Beauty Behind The Madness’ Debuts At No. 1

The Weeknd tops the Billboard 200 album charts, as his Beauty Behind the Madness LP debuts at No. 1.

According to Billboard, the album scores the second biggest debut of 2015; moving “a whopping 412,000 in the week ending Sept. 3, according to Nielsen Music. Of that sum, 326,000 were pure album sales (his best sales week ever).”

His debut trails only that of Drake‘s, whose If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late earned 535,000 units (495,000 in album sales).

Beauty Behind the Madness, released through XO/Republic Records on Aug. 28, is the third consecutive top 10 album for The Weeknd – and was was led by three hit singles that have all reached the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart: “Earned It,” “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills.”

#TEAMEMPIRE: Taraji P. Henson SITS LOVELY For Glamour Magazine’s October 2015 Issue

The DC Doll is gracing a new magazine cover. And like all the rest, she’s bringing the fabness.

“Empire” star and EMMY nominee Taraji P. Henson has been slaying magazines covers left and right this year. And for her latest cover, her stunning beauty was captured in a trio of covers for Glamour magazine’s October 2015 “Game Changing” issue.

Taraji, “Jane the Virgin” star Gina Rodriguez and “American Horror Story” actress Emma Roberts are featured on multiple covers of the new issue. TV’s new power trio is opening up about their game changing roles in television.

The 44-year-old actress (who celebrates a birthday on September 11th) is in the running for Best Lead Actress in a Drama and if she brings home the win, she will land in the history books as the first African-American woman to win the award. The awards will go down on September 20th, just three days before the premiere of season 2 of the highly successful hip hopera.

In the cover story, the siren “Empire” actress talks about her role as the feisty, ex-con Cookie Lyon, how the hit FOX series is changing the game, being a single mother in Hollywood and more.

Below are the highlights:

GLAMOUR: We were hooked on Empire from the pilot. How did you find out you had scored the Emmy nod?

TPH: [Before the nominations] everybody kept saying to me, “Have you cleaned your mantel off?” I said, “Everybody chill.” I knew the day was coming, but I didn’t watch the nominations. I was getting ready to go to work. The phone rang, and it was my manager. I was like, “OK, he’s clearly not calling with bad news.” [Laughs.]

GLAMOUR:Why do you think people connect so strongly to Cookie?

TPH: She is everybody’s alter ego. She crosses cultures. [Last year] we went to Paris and screened the pilot for a thousand people. Lee Daniels [the series’ co-creator] brought me onstage. The audience stood up on their feet and clapped. I cried because, for so long in Hollywood, I’ve been told that black women don’t do well overseas, that they can’t open a film overseas. That moment for me was the best moment of my life. That’s better than any trophy, any award, any nomination. You know how they say music can heal the world? I feel that way about art in general.

GLAMOUR: Cookie’s got major confidence. How do you deal with scrutiny when the spotlight’s so hot? When you’re in a rut, how do you get your mojo back?

TPH: I don’t think about other people. They are not walking in my shoes. They are not paying my bills. What makes me happy is when I do what I like to do, for me.

GLAMOUR: The show takes on homosexuality and mental illness, and Cookie speaks frankly about her views on both. How do you handle the pressure of saying un-P.C. things before nearly 17 mil- lion people each week?

TPH: Cookie is the reason I drink. [Laughs.] She uses every emotion inside of me. She uses everything. When I saw the scripts, I was nervous, but then I realized that if I based everything in her reality and her pain, people would empathize instead of judge.

GLAMOUR: Because Empire has the largest African American cast in a network drama on TV, people see it as a sign of racial progress in Hollywood. Do you feel like things are changing?

TPH: I think we are making strides in Hollywood. It’s the world that I’m more concerned about.... My son grew up in a pretty much all-white situation and went to the best of schools. I saw the change when he got older and started to get that life is different for him [as a black male]. He came home crying, like, "Why do white people hate us? Why can’t we fix this?” This can be fixed. I’m gonna try my best to make change.

GLAMOUR: Speaking of your son [Marcel], you’ve shown firsthand that you don’t have to forget about your dreams when you become a mother. How did you make it work?

TPH: When I got pregnant in college, people said, "This is it for her." But I did not stop. I never missed a class. I was in the school musical when I was six months pregnant—we just made the character pregnant. My mother swears Marcel came out doing the dance; he had learned the choreography. When I graduated, I carried my son across the stage. I wanted to be an actress; I moved out to L.A. with him. People were like, “Are you crazy, moving to California with your son?” My father was like, “Leave him home.” I said, “I can’t leave my son at home.” [And eventually] my father said, “That’s your baby. That’s your blessing. He’s going to be your strength.” And you know what? He was. I didn’t have time to go to the club to "network.” That’s B.S. No business deals go down at the club. So I didn’t get caught up in that. I had a mission. I had to make my dream come true. If I didn’t, what was I proving to my son?

GLAMOUR: How has being a mom—and being in the spotlight— changed your ability to date over the last two decades?

TPH: I’m a mother first. I’m not trying to bring this guy and this guy around. I’m raising my son, and he’s gonna respect women, and that starts with me. [Dating] in the spotlight—I have to consider my son. I don’t want to make it uncomfortable for him when he goes to school with his peers. And I have to answer to my mom too. And my 91-year-old grandmother. I can’t be like, “Nothing, Grandma, I didn’t do it; it’s just a [picture of a] girl that looks like me, I promise!”

GLAMOUR: What are you looking for in a partner now? What do you feel like you’ve learned about dating?

TPH: I’m not twentysomething. I’m not trying to find myself—I know exactly who I am and exactly what I want. And I don’t want a fan. I want a man who understands me, who challenges me, who calls me on my sh-t instead of letting me get away with it because I’m supposed to be a star. I want a best friend.

GLAMOUR: One last question about Empire: When do you feel the most like Cookie in real life?

TPH: When I don’t feel fear. Fear will cripple you, fear will kill you, fear will make you believe you’re not worthy. After 17 years in prison, Cookie feels there is nothing to fear. She made it out alive. In her mind that’s how strong she is. We all have that strength inside us. We just have to choose it.

You can check out the rest of her interview here. This issue is on newsstands now.

BREAKING: SERENA WILLIAMS DEFEATS HER SISTER VENUS at The US Open!

Serena Williams has defeated sister Venus in three sets to move within two victories of completing the first Grand Slam since 1988.

The younger Williams won 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 in the U.S. Open quarterfinals Tuesday night in front of a celebrity-filled crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was her 11th three-set victory at a major this year.

Serena improved to 9-5 against her sister in Grand Slam matches.

Serena was nearly perfect in the first set but tightened up in the second. She pulled it back together in the third, breaking Venus' serve right away. Showing the importance of the moment, Serena started celebrating winners with big fist pumps and loud yells of "Come on!" unlike most matches against her sister.

The 35-year-old Venus kept up her sharp play of the last two rounds, but Serena — as she so often is against everyone — was simply better.

She next faces 43rd-ranked Roberta Vinci, who reached her first Grand Slam semifinal and has never defeated Williams.

Is Mariah Carey Considering Breast Reduction?

Hey #TEAMLAMBS Insiders claim Mariah Carey is planning an overhaul for her boobs…

From Ok Magazine: Mariah Carey is known as much for her diva behavior as she is for her voluptuous curves, but her curves may get a bit smaller soon!

As she’s gotten older, she’s stopped liking the look of her breasts, and “wants her boobs fixed,” a source tells InTouch. So what doesn’t she like about them?

“She’s been complaining that they’re too spread out and plastic-looking,” says the insider, which has led her to looking into breast-reduction surgery!

Producer Creates Club Mix To Nicki Minaj’s “Miley What’s Good” VMA Line!

It was only a matter of time before someone mixed Nicki Minaj’s infamous line from the MTV VMAs into a club remix.

“Miley what’s good” immediately became a major headline following the 2015 VMAs when Nicki called out Miley during her acceptance speech for Best Rap Video. “Back to this b*tch that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press; Miley, what’s good,” Nicki said.

Now, producer Gared A.has mashed up the classic line and shared it on SoundCloud for the world to hear. In what Gared is calling the “Jersey Club Remix,” Nicki’s voice can be heard on repeat while different beats play underneath.

Check it out HERE

So what you think?

Cincinnati Bengals Cut Devon Still! He Remains Positive and Thanks Them for Everything!

It is true, the Cincinnati Bengals have cut Devon Still! This makes the second time the football player has not been selected during the preseason. However, despite being cut, Still has remained positive & posted a heartfelt “thank you” to the team on Instagram.

Check out the details!

Devon Still has officially been released from the Cincinnati Bengals! This makes the second time that he did not make it past the last wave of preseason cuts. He is officially a free agent for any other of the NFL teams.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis released a statement via conference call.

He really did a good job this preseason and it’s an unfortunate part of professional sports that not everyone can stay there and be there in the end.

Still has remained positive throughout the entire time. He explained to ESPN that he understood why he was cut. Later he took to his Instagram to post a heartfelt “thank you” to his former team.

When Still was cut last season, the Bengals kept him on the practice squad so that he could keep the medical benefits for his daughter, Leah Still. At the time little Leah was battling stage 4 neuroblastoma. However since then she has went on to bring awareness to the disease, won the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award at the 2015 ESPYs, and recently became a face on the Wheaties. Recently he received the best news a father could receive, that there were no signs of the cancer present in Leah’s system.

Although, he did not make cuts I can appreciate his positivity.

He will also be able to keep the medical benefits for an extra five years. We know this is not the last of Devon Still. What are your thoughts?

Here’s Your First Look! Cast of ‘Dogg Pound For Life’

Fresh off the success of F. Gary Gray’s ‘Straight Outta Compton‘, we hear that filming is under-way for the biopic, Dogg Pound For Life.

There are conflicting reports as to how far along the project is, but they’ve already secured the new cast.

Compliments of TMZ, here’s the break-down of the cast: Daz Dillinger will be played by Azad Arnaud; Dr. Dre will be played by Dre’s son Curtis; Suge Knight will be played by Reggie Noble; Tupac will be played by rapper DaDa; and Kurupt will be played by Melvin Jackson Jr. (from HBO’s “The Wire”)

Reportedly, over the weekend, the actors shot an L.A. recording studio. The scene was reportedly for a scene where Suge, Tupac and Daz recorded “Ambitionz Az a Ridah,” and “I Ain’t Mad at Cha” in a 24-hour period.

According to initial reports, Dogg Pound For Life will pick up right where Straight Outta Compton left off. Stay tuned.

The Cast of ‘POWER’, Lance Gross, Raven Symone & More Party It Up In ATL

The party scene in Atlanta was lit this Labor Day Weekend with celebs hitting up several day parties to celebrate the holiday.

Over the weekend, “Power” star Naturi Naughton came out to live it up at the ToXic Day party (sponsored by The Brand Group) held at Gold Room during the LudaDay Weekend festivities. Loving her dress!

Naturi was all smiles to link up with her “Power” co-star Joseph Sikora (aka Tommy Egan) after wrapping up the 2nd season of their hit STARZ series in August. The drug king pin drama has already been renewed for a third season, so these two will be seeing a lot more of each other once they get back on the set to shoot the new season.

Actor/singer Mack Wilds was also in the mix to party it up with sexy actor Lance Gross and Joseph. Mack is featured on a new track by Bridget Kelly called "Act Like That."

Power 105 The Breakfast Club radio host Angela Yee was in the building to celebrate the holiday weekend with a bang.

Before kicking off a new season of “The View,” daytime talk show co-host Raven Symone hit the party scene to live it up a little.

R&B crooner Bobby V rolled up on the scene with his top back before posing it up on the red carpet.

Former reality star Tahiry Jones was back on the party scene after hitting up Prive with Ludacris and co. a few days ago.

Fun Times!

Vanity Fair Names Taylor Swift To The Top Of “Powers That Be” List

She’s clearly the biggest entertainer in the world these days, and Taylor Swift shows no signs of slowing down. So it’s no surprise she tops the newly-released “Powers That Be” list from Vanity Fair.

The “Shake It Off” singer is among the biggest “visionary executives and entertainers who have consolidated their spheres of influence while continuing to affect the culture in new ways.”

VF wrote of Taylor, “Swift isn’t merely the world’s favorite pop star, putting up sales numbers that are nearly unfathomable in the post-Napster age — she is also using her platform to make giant companies conform to her will.” Other notable mentions include Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Jay Z and Beyonce, LeBron James, and Bradley Cooper.

CONFIRMED: Sam Smith: I’m Singing The New James Bond “Spectre” Theme!

The last time a solo British man sang a theme song for James Bond was back in 1965 when Tom Jones recorded “Thunderball,” but that’s all about to change thanks to Sam Smith.

The “Stay With Me” crooner took to his Instagram account to let fans know that he’s been recruited to supply the pipes for “Writing’s On the Wall” from the forthcoming 007 flick “Spectre.”

Sam gushed, “This is one of the highlights of my career. I am honored to finally announce that I will be singing the next Bond theme song. I am so excited to be a part of this iconic British legacy and join an incredible line up of some of my biggest musical inspirations. I hope you all enjoy the song as much as I enjoyed making it. You can pre-order 'Writing’s On The Wall' on CD or vinyl using the link on my profile, or on iTunes from midnight.”

Baltimore Agrees to Pay Freddie Gray’s Family $6.4 Million

Freddie Gray’s family will settle with the city of Baltimore for $6.4 million, the NY Post reports.

Gray died as a result of neck and back injuries he suffered in the back of a police transport van in April.

Six Baltimore police officers were arrested and charged with second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.

The settlement still needs the approval of a board that oversees city spending.

“The proposed settlement agreement going before the board of estimates should not be interpreted as a judgment on the guilt or innocence of the officers facing trial,” Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said in a news release. “This settlement is being proposed solely because it is in the best interest of the city, and avoids costly and protracted litigation that would only make it more difficult for our city to heal and potentially cost taxpayers many millions more in damages.”

What’s The Tea? HMM… IS TAMAR ALBUM PUSHED BACK AGAIN?

Vince we are going to need answers.

It was previously reported Tamar album was suppose to drop July 31st. Tamar confirm her album will drop September 11th.

If you Google Tamar album there is hardly any information. No tracklist nothing.

On Amazon…the same.

So what's theTea,? When is it coming?

British Airways flight CATCHES FIRE on Las Vegas runway!

LAS VEGAS (AP) — An engine on a British Airways jet caught fire while the plane was preparing to take off from Las Vegas, forcing passengers to escape on emergency slides.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the plane's left engine caught fire Tuesday afternoon. Billowing black smoke and orange flames could be seen pouring from the plane's wings before about 50 firefighters quickly doused the aircraft.

McCarran International Airport spokesman Chris Jones says the 159 passengers and 13 crew members on the British Airways flight had gotten off the plane. The airport reported via its official Twitter account that two passengers were taken to a hospital for minor injuries. The airport reported one runway was shut down, but operations continued at its other three runways.

Clark County Deputy Fire Chief Jon Klassen says the cause of the fire isn't clear yet. He says it didn't appear to breach the cabin.

The Boeing 777-200 was bound for Gatwick Airport near London.

The Game Clocks Chris Brown With Some Threats over some Social Media Mess!

Tea Time…Chris Brown and his cyber thugging is going to get him phuck for real. If you missed Chris threaten Tyson Beckford and Marques H. over Karrueche click Here and Here to read. Well, The Game is his latest victim and it might not end well.