Snapshot: Prince for Ebony Magazine June/July 2016
The June/July cover of Ebony Magazine will feature the late Iconic singer Prince for Black Music Month. Journalist for Ebony Mark Anthony Neal pinned a great article titled When a Race Man’s Color is Purple
Through his support of Black Lives Matter, contributions to the United Negro College Fund and other organizations, Prince was down for the cause
When an icon such as Prince Rogers Nelson transitions, he becomes a torch for both nostalgia and the power of music to unite, proving an artist could transcend race. To be sure, Prince—with songs that included “Controversy” (“Am I Black or White? Am I straight or gay?”)—messed around enough with the grays. The myth of his mixed-race identity even foregrounds his cinematic breakthrough with Purple Rain. But Prince’s choices were concessions to the prejudices of the marketplace, not the lived realities of race.
In ways that reflect his upbringing as a working-class Black kid from the American Midwest (an AFL-CIO statement after his death revealed he was a 40-plus-year member of labor unions), he was always a race man.
Prince came of age as an artist and celebrity in an era when the entertainment industry, if not American society in general, was still deeply ambivalent about Black male sexuality. If Teddy Pendergrass represented the apex of potent Black male sexuality in the mainstream in the late 1970s, it’s notable that the men who vied for that throne in the early ’80s were alternately more flamboyant and subdued. While Rick James, Michael Jackson and Prince all sought to be Black men who regularly adorned the bedroom walls of teenage American girls, Prince’s persona was the one that pushed nontraditional boundaries around gender, sexuality and race. READ MORE HERE
#RHOA: NeNe Leakes, Cynthia Bailey Reunite in L.A
Recently, NeNe Leakes and Cynthia Bailey were spotted at The Abbey in West Hollywood, catching each other up on the latest tea.
It’s reported that the two "Real Housewives of Atlanta" stars' friendship seemed to be in a much better place.
"Both sporting ball caps, the two former frenemies seemed to be back on track with their once thriving friendship as they were spotted chatting at a private table while at The Abbey," the source stated.
Check out NeNe and Cynthia's photos from their night below!
After their falling out on season 7, NeNe and Cynthia tried to repair their once solid friendship on season 8. NeNe made a surprise appearance on the cast's trip to Jamaica, where she had to fight off Kenya Moore for the title of Cynthia's BFF.
Cynthia, however, thought this drama was a bit childish."It's pretty amazing that I'm in a love triangle about BFFs like high school," Cynthia told KTLA in February.
NeNe and Cynthia's girl time came shortly before filming for season 9 of "RHOA," allegedly, kicks off. Cynthia is expected to return, and fans are hopeful that NeNe will reprise her full-time role on the show, after quitting for season 8.
If both ladies are featured on season 9 together, it will be great to see them be so close again.
Are you happy to see NeNe and Cynthia be best friends again, or Nah?
#EMPIRE: Jussie Smollett Says Lee Daniels Got Death Threats After He Jokingly Said Goodbye to 'Empire'
In the strange and Get a Life files! The actor who plays Jamal sets the record straight on his joke about his fans-favorite character being written off on 'Empire' after fans got mad at the series creator.
Jussie Smollett confirms that Jamal will be back for "Empire" season 3. The actor feels the needs to assure fans of his return to the next installment of the hip-hop drama after the series creator, Lee Daniels, got death threats following an episode where his fans-favorite character was shot in the stomach and rushed to the hospital.
Smollett added fuel to Jamal's possible demise back then by tweeting, "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time w/ @EmpireFOX. I love you all. Truth. Time 2 make a record & some movies." He then backtracked on his message, "Listen 2 my words...I'll see y'all season 3. #IAintGoingNoWhere #IAintNoDumbHo #StillIRise #EmpireFinale #empire."
Listen 2 my words...I'll see y'all season 3. #IAintGoingNoWhere #IAintNoDumbHo #StillIRise #EmpireFinale #empire pic.twitter.com/hqo3iMV3lQ
� Jussie Smollett (@JussieSmollett) May 19, 2016
The actor later explained that he clarified his cryptic message after learning that his joke got serious real fast. "I was thinking my little core group of amazing fans would be like, 'What?' " he said at an event in Los Angeles. "But it just went so much further. There were calls about it, and Lee was getting death threats about it."
Jamal did survive the shooting, but he won't sing again until his family ends their feuds. "It changes him and impact him in huge and small ways," Showrunner Ilene Chaiken said. "As I said, physical pain, emotional trauma and all of the revelations that come to a head in this finale about who his family is and whether or not that's who they're destined to be." .
SERIOUSLY?
New Music: Trey Songz – All I Had
Trey Songz is on his way back, and to kick things off he’s giving fans a little freebie with his take on Belly and The Weeknd’s hit collab “Might Not.”
Remaking the buzz-worthy single on his remix titled “All I Had,” Trigga harmonizes about haters, “Say it with your chest,” he sings. “Ni**as love to flex / I could give a fuck if it ain’t about a check.”
Earlier this year, Trey covered David Bowie’s “Life on Mars” for HBO’s Vinyl and collaborated with Chris Brown, August Alsina, and Miguel on the remix to “Back to Sleep.”
Listen to his version of “Might Not” HERE
HIP HOP NEWS: VH1’s ‘Hip Hop Honors’ Returns to Celebrate First Ladies of Hip-Hop
It’s about to be ladies’ night. VH1’s “Hip Hop Honors” is back with a salute to the first ladies of hip-hop.
This year’s ceremony, the first in six years, will air live from New York City on Monday, July 11, at 9 p.m. According to a press release, the show will “pay homage to the female pioneers, trailblazers, and trend-setters who lead a movement and infiltrated the ranks of the male-dominated genre to make their voices heard and still do today.”
The special is being produced by Shakim Compere and Queen Latifah, who will also serve as executive producer along with Mona Scott-Young.
VH1's 'Hip Hop Honors' is back! Who are your favorite first ladies of rap? #HipHopHonors https://t.co/nxKe33a8q2 pic.twitter.com/QLmRukVK8v
— VH1 (@VH1) May 23, 2016
The show, originally launched in 2004, hasn’t announced its honorees yet, but in the past, “Hip Hop Honors” has paid tribute to several acts including LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Salt-N-Pepa, Missy Elliott, MC Lyte, and Tupac Shakur.
“Honors” has been on hiatus since 2010 when 2 Live Crew, Jermaine Dupri, Master P, and Timbaland were among the honorees.
Oh? Tyson Beckford and ex-pal DJ Ruckus brawl outside NYC club.
Since when has Tyson Beckford been about that life…Tyson Beckford, the former face of Ralph Lauren, brawled with DJ Ruckus outside a New York City club over supermodel Shanina Shaik, TMZ is reporting.
Witnesses told the gossip site that the brawl outside Meatpacking District hotspot Up & Down involved lingering bad feelings over Ruckus’ engagement to Shaik, 28, who broke up with Beckford last year after seven years of on- and off-dating.
Nelson Mandela Foundation announces Human Rights Memorial honoring the late civil rights icon
The Nelson Mandela Foundation has announced the launch of a multifaceted effort to support the late-2016 unveiling of a human rights memorial honoring the life and legacy of civil rights icon, Nelson Mandela.
The 15-foot-tall monument is under construction at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo.
In partnership with NorthStar Memorial Group and the California chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the effort is well underway.
People can support the construction efforts by either purchasing one of 1,000 personalized granite bricks which forms the walkway leading up to the memorial or donating to a crowdfunding campaign.
NorthStar will match all funds raised before May 31, up to $100,000.
The Stars came out to CELEBRATE At Naomi Campbell’s Star-Studded Birthday Bash
It’s a celebration Legendary runway slayer Naomi Campbell turned 46-years-young and her friends couldn’t let her born day go by without a super luxe birthday bash.
Gathering all of her favorite people at Up & Down in NYC, the “Naomi” author was thrown a surprise birthday bash where she partied the night away to commemorate another year of life. And it was nothing short of FABULOUS.
Naomi’s “brother” Diddy, R&B crooner Usher, rappers Fabolous, French Montana & Q-Tip, “Empire” star Jussie Smollett and celeb party promoter and host of the night Legendary Damon were some of the celeb guests who came out to show love.
Yes Auntie NaNa! She was killing it in an all white esemble as her guests wore all black.
Q-Tip popped up to celebrate with the supermodel.
Jussie and Usher chillin!
Naomi was gifted a cake in the shape of her "Naomi" book cover. FAB!
Happy Birthday Naomi!
U.S. prosecutors to seek death penalty in South Carolina church shooting
CHARLESTON, S.C. Federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a white man accused of killing nine black parishioners at a historic church in Charleston, South Carolina, last June, the U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday.
"The nature of the alleged crime and the resulting harm compelled this decision," Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement.
Dylann Roof, 22, is accused of opening fire on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study session at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The killings shook the country and intensified the debate about race in America.
He faces 33 federal charges, including hate crimes, obstruction of religion and firearms offenses. Authorities have accused him of holding white supremacist views, saying he targeted the victims because of their race.
His federal trial had been delayed while U.S. prosecutors decided whether to seek the death penalty. Defense attorneys have said he would plead guilty if he did not face the possibility of execution.
He also faces the state death penalty if convicted of the shooting.
Roof's attorney, Michael O'Connell, declined to comment on the prosecution's decision when reached by phone on Tuesday.
The government said in court documents it would prove a number of factors that would justify a death sentence, saying Roof had planned the killing and showed a lack of remorse.
Joseph Meek, Roof's 21-year-old friend who pleaded guilty last month to federal charges related to the shooting, said Roof had planned the shooting for six months and wanted to start a race war.
Federal prosecutors rarely seek the death penalty against defendants. Since the federal death penalty was reinstated in 1988, about three people a year on average have been sentenced to death, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit group in Washington.
The most recent death penalty carried out by the federal government occurred in 2003, when Louis Jones was executed by lethal injection for the kidnapping and murder of a 19-year-old Army private.
Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was sentenced to death in May 2015 for helping carry out the 2013 attack that killed three people and wounded 264 others at the race's finish line.
US judge rules Bill Cosby must stand trial on sexual assault charges
NORRISTOWN, Pa.-A Pennsylvania judge on Tuesday ordered entertainer Bill Cosby to stand trial on sexual assault charges over allegations that he drugged and assaulted a woman in 2004.
The ruling came after a preliminary hearing that Cosby, 78, attended in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in which witnesses testified about statements that Cosby and his accuser, Andrea Constand, gave to police in 2005.
In court, Cosby responded with "thank you" when Judge Elizabeth McHugh announced her decision. She wished him luck.
Constand, a former basketball coach at Cosby's Temple University alma mater, is the only woman whose accusations of sexual assault have resulted in criminal charges against Cosby.
Once one of the most beloved U.S. entertainers, Cosby has been hit by a wave of sexual assault allegations from more than 50 women, although most of the cases are too old to be prosecuted. He has denied ever assaulting anyone.
Constand told police she was attacked as she lay on a sofa "paralyzed" by drugs the entertainer had given her, said a former detective reading from a transcript of Constand's police interview.
Cosby told her the pills would help her relax and "take the edge off." So Constand swallowed the pills, added a sip of wine and told the comedian that she trusted him, the former detective said.
Less than an hour later, according to Constand, Cosby sexually assaulted her as she lay incapacitated by the drugs she had taken, the former detective said.
Cosby's own 2005 interview with police in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, where the purported 2004 assault took place, also was introduced as evidence.
Cosby admitted giving Constand 1-1/2 pills of the antihistamine Benadryl to relax her, Cheltenham Police Chief John Norris testified.
Cosby said Constand never told him to stop and was fully conscious during what he called the "petting" encounter, which he said involved fondling of genitals, Norris testified.
The hearing followed Sunday's Associated Press report of new revelations about Cosby from his 2005 and 2006 sworn depositions, including his admission that he gave drugs to a 19-year-old woman before having sex.
Vice News and Telegraph hit by staff lay-offs
Today, both Vice News and the Daily Telegraph announced considerable changes, including lay-offs. Shortly after the cuts were announced, Vice staff posted the news on Twitter while other members of the media shared their sympathies.
Man this is messed up VICE is GREAT journalism
Soulja Boy DID NOT sign a $400 Million Deal..
Well thirsty groupies you might want think twice before getting with Soulja Boy….
The rapper is accused of lying about the deal and he also made ‘Donkey of the Day’ on Breakfast Club.
If you missed Souja Boy hinted about being rick as fuck because of his new deal click Here and Here to read.
Catch the tea below…The company spokeperson Matthew Bird claims that CelebrityWorld.com clears up the misinformation..
People are going to want to see live dealers, versus it being automated dealers.” Bird explains. “Casinos will actually have virtual tables where the dealer’s dealing to virtual people while they’re at their computer or on a flight.”
All of this promise is not yet reflected in how much investors say the company is worth. According to CNN Money, World Poker Fund Holdings has a market capitalization of around $52 million. WPFH’s own annual report lists losses of over $400,000 last year.
So how is a company that is worth just north of $50 million going to pay out $400 million to their celebrity endorser? The answer is, they’re not. The deal, according to Bird, includes both stock and revenue-sharing.
“He really kind of jumped the gun” by using the $400 million figure, Bird says. “The deal is capped at $400 million, and it’s based on a forward-thinking valuation of the company. He’s young, he’s 25 years old. He got really excited, and he tweeted something he probably shouldn’t have tweeted. He was getting a lot of pressure from within the entertainment community, so he wanted to put a statement out. Obviously, the company’s market cap is at $51.8 million. There’s no way they could cut a $400 million deal. Endorsement deals are calculated on a lot of different factors. This is not a fully cash transaction.”
Now there!!!
Adrienne Bailon is TEAM Tamar Braxton takes a pic in a show of Unity !
Adrienne Bailon is speaking out on the shakeup over at ‘The Real’ and has nothing but kinds words to say about her ‘sister,’ Tamar Braxton.
In an Instagram post, she writes:
My SISTER Forever ?? The greatest thing that has come from being on the real is that I have found my best friend. My vault. My comedian & therapist. I love you. Always & Forever.
Awwwwww.That’s sweet! Tamar need all she can get after the departure!
Russell Simmons Speaks Out On $20 Million RushCard Settlement
Last year, Russell Simmons‘ company UniRush LLC experienced a service outage during a planned migration to a new transaction processor, preventing over 130,000 RushCard holders from accessing or depositing funds.
The mogul, who described that experience as “one of the most devastating times in my adult life,” is finally speaking out about how he and his company got things back on track.
Russell revealed to HipHop DX: “I put aside $25 million. That was never the problem in my mind… I am going to spend a lot more money than that in the community, in my peacekeeping programs, in RUSH and art education. We’re gonna be in the community in a way that we’ve never been.”
Simmons has been dedicated to rebuilding the brand and seeking due justice for all of his customers. He offered free service to RushCard holders for five months, which sacrificed much of the company’s profits. He also revealed plans to pay $100 to $500 per claim, plus an additional $1.5 million in legal fees.
Check out what else Russell Simmons had to say about RushCard, plus why he chose to endorse Hillary Clinton, here.
#EGGPLANT NATION! Meet Mr Golden,
He's living his life like it's golden! Wanna see the sun shine? Then GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSWF!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
ENJOY!
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES?
‘Forehead Francine’
When growing a mustache under your nose is too mainstream…
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
No comments:
Post a Comment