Showing posts with label Essence Music Fest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essence Music Fest. Show all posts

2/26/19

The Daily Buzz For Feb 27 ☕📰☕


Rami Malek for Vanity Fair Italia - February 2019
When Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek took the stage to collect his best-actor Oscar statue Sunday night, his speech was shot through with humble thank-yous: “Thank you, Queen. Thank you, guys, for allowing me to be the tiniest part of your phenomenal, extraordinary legacy. I am forever in your debt . . . I may not have been the obvious choice, but I guess it worked out . . . My crew and my cast, I love you. You are my equals. You are my betters . . . To anyone struggling with [their identity] and trying to discover their voice. Listen, we made a film about a gay man, an immigrant . . . We’re longing for stories like this. I am the son of immigrants from Egypt. I’m a first-generation American. Part of my story is being written right now.”

Malek may have framed himself as an underdog in the fight for an Oscar, but his win came as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention this awards season. Malek has practically run the table all year, picking up the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, BAFTA, and more as he made his unstoppable run at Oscar. That streak would have seemed completely surprising to pundits any earlier in the season, who had their money initially on more likely candidates like Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale. Sure, Malek’s film, Bohemian Rhapsody, made a lot of money—but box-office success alone won’t get you a little gold man. Just ask the un-nominated cast of 2018’s most successful film: Black Panther.

Still, Malek had a few key Oscar factors in his favor—as well as a brilliantly executed strategy that allowed him to pace himself on the long road to awards-season victory.
The most reliable asset for an actor hoping to take home an Oscar is to play a real person. Seven of the 11 best-actor victors since 2009 have won for playing historical figures, ranging from Harvey Milk to Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Hawking, and Winston Churchill. The Academy’s other favorite quality is physical transformation—and Malek’s bucktoothed turn as Queen front man Freddie Mercury fit that bill as well.
If these elements alone were enough to secure a win, then surely Bale would be the one who ended up securing the top prize for his chameleonic turn as Dick Cheney in Vice.
But Bale—never one to rub elbows in Tinseltown—has been largely absent from the campaign trail this season. Perhaps that’s because his film, Vice, debuted to middling reviews and a muted box office. Or maybe that’s because he simply wasn’t in the mood: “I've not seen [Vice’s] Christian Bale anywhere,” one anonymous Oscar voter told The Hollywood Reporter during its infamous annual roundup of cantankerous Hollywood hot takes.

Cooper, the anointed early favorite out of Toronto, also declined to hustle for his statue early on in the awards season. The actor himself would dispute that critique—but still, ever since The New York Times ran with the headline “Bradley Cooper Is Not Really into This Profile,” the actors’s chances seemed to go into free fall. His descent culminated in a best-director snub that even Cooper said he was “embarrassed” by.

Malek, on the other hand, was everywhere this season. And because he’s relatively new to the film world, he was also able to work the circuit with some shades of Richard E. Grant’s humble just-happy-to-be-here vibe. Malek’s new-kid-on-the-block demeanor closely aped that of 2015 best-actor winner Eddie Redmayne, who was similarly committed to working every screening, party, and event he could on the way to his eventual win. “Rami Malek is going to win—everywhere I've gone, Rami Malek was there; he’s a very charming fellow,” T.H.R.’s cranky voter explained. “I’ve now spent more time with him than I have with my dog.”

Not even a significant awards-season scandal could stop Malek. The day after the actor was nominated for an Oscar, The Atlantic published a massive and damning piece on Bohemian Rhapsody director Bryan Singer, which allegedly corroborated long-gestating rumors about Singer’s relationships with underage boys. Singer has denied the allegations. Initially, Malek and his cohort tried to ignore the Singer issue on the circuit, neglecting to thank the director in their acceptance speeches and declining to discuss him at the Golden Globes. That strategy was undermined by Singer’s own social media, when the director took credit for Rhapsody’s big night at the Golden Globes.

But before The Atlantic story hit, denial was still Malek’s approach. The morning of his Oscar nomination, Malek told the Los Angeles Times: “I didn’t know much about Bryan. I think that the allegations and things were, believe it or not, honestly something I was not aware of [before signing on for Bohemian Rhapsody], and that is what it is. Who knows what happens with that . . . but I think somehow we found a way to persevere through everything that was thrown our way.” Malek then declined to address the Singer situation once more when collecting his Screen Actors Guild Award a few days later.

But several days later, Malek took the opportunity of an onstage conversation at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to finally tackle the elephant in the room. Speaking with T.H.R.’s Scott Feinberg, Malek positioned himself as an ally. The actor reportedly pushed to have Singer removed from the film, allegedly after the director’s long absences and antics on set complicated production. Though Singer was not fired for sexual misconduct, Malek told Feinberg: “For anyone who is seeking any solace in all of this, Bryan Singer was fired. Bryan Singer was fired. I don’t think that was something anyone saw coming, but I think that had to happen—and it did.”

After that, it appeared Malek’s Oscar was a foregone conclusion. It helped, in all this, that Malek could also leverage the left-leaning social messages of Bohemian Rhapsody in his campaign. Not only is Freddie Mercury a gay icon, but the centerpiece of the film is the 1985 Live Aid concert, which sought to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. Many of the historical details of Bohemian Rhapsody may have been off, but Malek made it clear throughout his campaign that a vote for him was a vote for the eternally beloved, but once-upon-a-time misunderstood Mercury—and who was going to argue with that?

When Malek won the Emmy for Mr. Robot in 2016, he also positioned himself among the outsiders and outcasts of society. As he said during that victory speech: “I play a young man who is, like so many of us, profoundly alienated. I want to honor the Elliots. There’s a little bit of Elliot in all of us.” The same approach worked like a charm with Mercury fans—and, with an absolutely killer Queen soundtrack accompanying his journey all the way, Malek’s ended up being an awards season gambit you can tap your toes to.


BREAKING: The US House of Representatives Passes a Resolution To Block Trump's National Emergency Declaration
The Democratic-led House approved by a 245-182 vote a resolution on Tuesday that would terminate President Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border — a declaration he made to allow him to access funds to build a wall without congressional consent.

Only 13 Republicans joined Democrats to oppose the president, signaling that Congress will not ultimately have the veto-proof margin required to override Trump.
The resolution now heads to the Senate. It is a privileged measure, which means it is not subject to a filibuster, needs only a simply majority and is required to come to the floor for a vote within weeks. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters on Tuesday that he expects the Senate will vote on it before March 18.
So far only three Senate Republicans — Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — say they will vote with Democrats in opposition to the president's actions.
The Republican-led Senate is split 53-47, which means Democrats need one more vote in addition to Collins, Murkowski and Tillis for the measure to pass. McConnell declined to handicap the vote, but other members of Senate leadership including Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said they expect it to pass the Senate.

Vice President Pence and a Justice Department lawyer huddled privately with Senate Republicans for their weekly Tuesday meeting that was dominated by debate over the president's legal authority to use his emergency powers as he has to find funding for a border wall.

McConnell characterized it as a "robust, vigorous" discussion and said he had not "reached a total conclusion" over the legality of the president's actions. However, McConnell has already publicly committed to voting against the resolution in support of the president's position.
The White House asserts that the president has the legal authority to declare a national emergency and to redirect existing federal funds to address that emergency. Congress did approve $1.375 billion for new physical barriers along the border in a spending bill approved earlier this month, but it was less than the White House requested. Soon after, the president declared a national emergency to redirect more than $6 billion to build additional barrier.

If the resolution reaches his desk, it will be the first veto of Trump's presidency. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., told reporters that Congress will not be able to block Trump's emergency declaration. "When you see the vote today there will be nowhere near the votes to override a veto," he said, "Ultimately we are gonna stand with the president in making sure we can secure this border and confront this national crisis that's taking lives every single day."

A coalition of 16 states has filed suit against the Trump administration to try to block his emergency declaration. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have also said they will challenge the national emergency declaration in court, setting up a potential constitutional test over the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches of government.


#RHoA: Are Former RHOA Kenya Moore And Kim Zolciak Still Feuding After Leaving The Show?
Kim Zolciak and Kenya Moore couldn’t stop themselves from feuding during their time on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Although the two are no longer a part of the show, fans are still wondering if the former co-stars buried the hatchet following a drama-filled Season 10 reunion.

Zolciak talked about her relationship with Moore during a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. While Zolciak and Moore parted ways on a sour note during the reunion, the Don’t Be Tardy star actually had nice things to say about her former enemy.

According to Daily Dish, Zolciak was asked if she thought Moore has changed now that she has had a baby. Zolciak admitted that becoming a mom is an amazing thing and that she hopes only the best for Moore and her husband, who had their first child, Brooklyn Doris Daly, a few months ago.

“You know what, I think motherhood is the most incredible thing in the world, and so is being a daddy,” Zolciak shared. “So I wish that upon everyone, and I’m happy for her.”
That probably doesn’t mean that Zolciak and Moore are now besties, but it is good to see that they have moved past their issues. It is also great to know that Moore has found happiness in her marriage with Marc Daly, especially given her previous experiences in the relationship department.

Kim needs to go away! What do you think?


#Empire: Fox Execs Doubt Jussie’s Alleged Attack Was Over his Salary
New reports claim Jussie was frustrated over the reception of his debut album.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson claimed Jussie Smollett staged his own attack to get a pay raise but the executives at Empire aren't buying it, according to TMZ. Empire sources claim they never even heard whispers of Smollett's frustration about his salary at the show and if there were, he never mentioned it.
Jussie Smollett was reportedly making $125K per episode which is on par with his co-star Bryshere Y. Gray. Taraji P. Henson and Terrance Howard reportedly make $250K per episode. The actor was in the midst of a long-term contract with Empire but he nor his reps ever inquired about it.

However, other sources claim that Jussie Smollett's motive for allegedly staging his own attack was the release of upcoming music. Smollett was dissatisfied with the reception of his album and he became more and more stressed after over the debut of new music.
Smollett's fate on Empire is still up in the air, despite his contractual agreements. Last week, it was revealed that he was cut from the final episodes of Empire season 5 in order to "avoid further disruption on the set." A few days later, it was reported that Smollett's character, Jamal Lyon, could be re-cast in upcoming seasons of the show. 

Smollett was charged with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report which carries a maximum 3-5 year sentence.



#MusicNews: Essence Festival 2019 Lineup: Missy Elliott, Pharrell, H.E.R., Mary J. Blige, City Girls and More
The 2019 line up includes: Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, H.E.R., Big Freedia, City Girls, Davido, Ginuwine, Jacquees, Ledisi, Musiq Soulchild, Nas, Normani, Pharrell Williams, Queen Naija, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky & Mike, Teyana Taylor, Timbaland, 702 and many more.

“When the ESSENCE Festival was founded 25 years ago, it marked a pivotal moment of vision and reverence – a critical acknowledgement of and investment in the power of our culture,” said Michelle Ebanks, Chief Executive Officer of ESSENCE Communications. “In the years since, it has set a standard that many other festivals have aspired to, and today, the ESSENCE Festival has grown to represent an annual homecoming for Black artists from across the globe. In honor of our 25th anniversary, nearly 30 artists per night over 3 epic nights will come together to mount the world’s largest and most extraordinary cultural celebration. To one and all, we say, ‘Welcome to ESSENCE. Welcome home.’”
Highlights will include special performances celebrating the 25th anniversary of Mary J. Blige’s My Life and Nas’ Illmatic, as well as a live album recording by Grammy Award-winning musician PJ Morton featuring performances from Jojo, Luke James, The Hamiltones and more.

ESSENCE will also cultivate a noteworthy mainstage moment honoring Frankie Beverlyfor his lifetime contribution to music.

Weekend ticket packages for the 2019 ESSENCE Festival are currently on sale, with prices starting at $185. To see a complete listing of the full lineup, click HERE


#HipHopNews: from Offset Feat. Gucci Mane – ‘Quarter Milli’
Offset teams up with Gucci Mane in the cinematic video for “Quarter Milli” off his newly-released debut album Father of 4. In the vintage clip, set around the 1920s, the dapper rappers star as gangsters who pull off an elaborate bank heist. Armed with an arsenal of guns, the Bando Brothers—which also include Metro Boomin and Southside—come through dripping before making off with a quarter million in cash.

WATCH HERE

The Metro Boomin-produced track appears on Father of 4, which also features appearances from J. Cole, Cardi B, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Quavo, and more.


Bradley Cooper's Ex-Wife Jennifer Esposito Gives One-Word Response To His Lady Gaga Duet
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's steamy performance of "Shallow" from the 91st Academy Awards had everyone raising their eyebrows. That kind of suspicion towards the pair's evident chemistry even received a response from the Hollywood titan's former wife, Jennifer Esposito.

After the pair's Sunday (February 24) performance at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, comedian David Spade took to Instagram to share a snapshot from the pair's romantic on-stage duet and asked the question on everyone's mind: "Is there any chance these two aren't f**king?" Esposito, who was married to Cooper for less than a year between 2006 and 2007, replied to the question with a one-word response that will only intensify all the romantic speculation, writing, "Ha."

Over on Twitter, Esposito felt the need to clarify her comment, writing, "so confused. I get off a flight to see a comment I made of “HA” to a joke from @DavidSpade has gone wild!?. Has everyone gone mad? Somehow I’m insulting an X by laughing at a joke someone else made? Pls take your insanity elsewhere."
Meanwhile, Cooper's current girlfriend, Irina Shayk, watched the number from a front-row seat and didn't seem phased by all the fuss. "Irina knows that Bradley and Gaga are artists," a source exclusively told Us Weekly. "It's a nonissue for her. They were in character putting on an Oscar performance." The two are parents to 23-month-old daughter Lea.

Whether it was a front or not, the film's anthem, "Shallow," walked away with the trophy for Best Original Song, giving Mother Monster her very first Oscar title. "Thank you so much. To the Academy for this wonderful honor. Thank you to every single person in this room," she said at the podium alongside Mark Ronson and the track's other co-writers. "Bradley, there is not a single person on the planet that could’ve sung this song with me but you. Thank you for believing in us, thank you so much."


Oh? Meek Mill SWOONS At Kourtney Kardashian After She Shares Sexy Pic
Meek Mill has his eye on Kourtney Kardashian.

After the 39-year-old reality star shared a series of sexy photos of herself in a sheer gown, beside her sisters Khloe Kardashian and Kendall Jenner, Meek couldn't help but comment his liking of one photo in particular. "A** Phat in the second pic," he wrote, referencing the shot of Kourtney showing off her derriere while wearing the all-exposing dress.

Meek's flirty comment comes weeks after the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star revealed she's looking for love. Back in January, Kourt posted a clip from the famed rom-com Notting Hill to her Instagram Story, which she captioned, "I want to be in love" with the crying emoji next to it. As fans know, Kourtney has been single for nearly six months, following her August split from her 25-year-old boyfriend, Younes Bendjima. While she's been linked to a number of famous hunks in recent months — Luka Sabbat and Travis Barker— Kourt is still on the prowl for Mr. Right.

Meek is also single and ready to mingle. The 31-year-old rapper recently revealed what he's looking for in a woman. After a fan asked him what's it going to take for him to take a woman seriously, during his most recent #AskMeek Twitter session, Meek responded: "She gotta match me and I gotta match her." He later tweeted: "I ain’t sitting around waiting on nobody to love me 🤷🏾‍♂️ I’m Just having it my way! 🏆" (Sounds like Meek and Kourt two need to meet, if you ask me.)

Meek previously dated Nicki Minaj. The two called it quits back in January 2017 after two years together.


Nicki Minaj Says She Doesn’t Owe Tracy Chapman anything in Lawsuit Over Leaked Nas Track
Last Year, Nicki Minaj announced that her new album ‘Queen’ might get pushed back because of an uncleared sample from folk singer Tracy Chapman’s 2002 hit single ‘Baby Can I Hold You’. 

Tracy Chapman reportedly seek legal action against Nicki after she released the song anyway.
Here’s an update on the situation.

According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Minaj is denying all allegations of wrongdoing in the case brought by Chapman claiming Nicki sampled her song “Baby Can I Hold You” on a track with Nas titled “Sorry.”
Minaj admits her team made several requests to Chapman to use her music and says those requests were denied. She also says she did record the song before getting permission.
In the court docs, Minaj says she did want to put “Sorry” on her album “Queen” but left it off due to not having clearance.
The song was eventually leaked to Funk Flex, who posted it on social media, and then it went viral soon after.

Minaj argues the use of Chapman’s sample in her song was fair use and even says Chapman doesn’t own the copyright to the sampled track.
Minaj is demanding the entire lawsuit be thrown out.The case is ongoing.


Tyler Perry has a last Call at 'A Madea Family Funeral' NYC Premiere!
Tyler Perry keeps it cool and casual while attending the premiere screening for his latest film A Madea Family Funeral held at the SVA Theater on Monday (February 25) in New York City.
The 49-year-old actor was joined at the event by his co-stars Patrice Lovely, KJ Smith, Quinn Walters, Rome Flynn and David Otunga.

The new Madea film is the 11th and final for the writer-producer-director: “I don’t want to be her age playing her, so it was time to shut it down and move on,” Tyler told THR. “I’ve got some other things I want to do, and in this next 50, I’m going to do something different.”
“It’s always going to be open-ended because what you don’t want to do is murder a family member,” Tyler added. “And a lot of people feel like she’s a family member.”
Movie is out Friday!


PRAYING: Former NBA Star Kenny Anderson Suffers A Stroke
Former NBA star Kenny Anderson has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke over the weekend.
Kenny’s friend and former NBA star Ron Harper shared the sad news via Twitter writing:
Let’s say a prayers for my guy kennyandersonofficial who is the hospital after having a stroke over the weekend. You’re in my thoughts my brother.
Tami Roman, who has two daughters by Kenny, has not commented on the news of his stroke.

Sending up prayers for a full and speedy recovery.


Australian Press Council Deems ‘Offensive’ Serena Williams Cartoon Not Racist
SYDNEY (AP) — The Australian Press Council has ruled there was no breach of its standards of practice in a cartoon of tennis star Serena Williams which attracted global condemnation after being published by Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper last September.

The depiction of Williams by cartoonist Mark Knight showed the 23-time major winner reacting angrily during her loss to Naomi Osaka in the final of the U.S. Open. Williams is depicted with her mouth open wide, hands in fists and jumping above a broken tennis racket and a baby’s pacifier. The umpire was shown telling a blond, slender woman — meant to be Osaka, who has a Japanese mother and a father from Haiti — “Can you just let her win?”
In a ruling published Monday, the Australian Press Council said it “acknowledged that some readers found the cartoon offensive” but said there was sufficient public interest in commenting on the behavior of a player with a globally high profile.
Critics of Knight’s cartoon described it as a clear example of a stereotype facing black women, depicting Williams as an irate, hulking, big-mouthed black woman jumping up and down.

The press council said it had received complaints from people who believed the cartoon was racist and sexist.

“Specifically, concern was expressed that the cartoon depicted Ms. Williams with large lips, a broad flat nose, a wild afro-styled ponytail hairstyle different to that worn by Ms. Williams during the match and positioned in an ape-like pose,” the council said in a statement. “The council considered that the cartoon uses exaggeration and absurdity to make its point but accepts the publisher’s claim that it does not depict Ms Williams as an ape, rather showing her as ‘spitting the dummy,’ a non-racist caricature familiar to most Australian readers.”
Spitting the dummy is an Australian term for a tantrum.
The Washington Post criticized the cartoon at the time of its publication as reflective of the “dehumanizing Jim Crow caricatures so common in the 19th and 20th centuries.”

The Herald Sun said the cartoon used “satire, caricature, exaggeration, and humor” to depict an event of public interest.

Knight told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Monday he was “very happy” with the council’s ruling.
“I will not be changing the way I draw cartoons because I think I’m a very free and fair cartoonist and I accept issues on their merits and draw them as such,” he said.
The press council said it accepted the newspaper’s contention the cartoon was in response to Williams’ behavior during the match.

The newspaper “said that the cartoon was not intended to depict negatively any race or gender and was drawn in a style that the cartoonist has drawn over several decades and was only intended to be a ‘sporting cartoon’ for the publication’s local readership,” the press council said in its findings.
During the final against Osaka, Williams got a warning from the chair umpire for receiving coaching from the sidelines. An indignant Williams emphatically defended herself, denying she had cheated. A short time later, she smashed her racket in frustration and was docked a point. She protested and demanded an apology from the umpire, who penalized her a game.

Williams has won the Australian Open seven times and is a crowd favorite at Melbourne Park, where she has been playing at the season’s first tennis major since 1998. She returned for the tournament last month but lost in the quarterfinals.


TRAGIC: Mother-Daughter Duo Charged In Murder Of Five Family Members
A mother-daughter duo has confessed to the brutal murders of five family members, including three children. 

According to ABC, the incident occurred over the weekend after multiple visits and welfare checks performed by Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency in PA. In the first visit to the Robert Morris Apartments on the 200 block of West Bridge Street, which occurred on Saturday, the social worker left a card when no one answered the door.

Two days later, reps returned to the apartment for an unannounced visit. But, when the door was, once again, left unanswered, the representative asked a maintenance man to open the door. Upon entry, the two women, Shana and Dominique Decree, were found in a bed. 
The apartment, according to an affidavit of probable cause, was ransacked and the women seemed “disoriented,” so police were called to the scene and the women were taken to a hospital. Upon further investigation, four bodies were found in a small bedroom, with a fifth later discovered underneath another. 
The women were then arrested and questioned. Dominique revealed that she lived in the home with her mother, Shana, her sister Naa’Irah, her brother Damon, her aunt Jamilla Campbell, and Campbell’s twin daughter. Although the two initially denied knowing what happened, they both claimed Campbell’s boyfriend came in with two other males and killed everyone except them. 

Shortly after the initial admission, Shana claimed that everyone in the apartment, including the 9-year-old twins wanted to die, and were talking about suicide. But, in the final hours of questioning, Dominique confessed to the killings, explaining that her mother killed one twin, then Damon and Naa’Irah, then Campbell killed the other twin, before Shana strangled Campbell to death. Although Shana confessed to the murders as well, she said Dominque helped her with one of the murders and that Campbell killed her daughter, Naa’Irah.

Despite the variations, Shanaa, 45, was arraigned on five counts of murder and conspiracy charges, and is being held without bail. Meanwhile, Dominique, 19, is expected to be arraigned on the same charges.

Prayers!

Janet Jackson Announces 2019 Las Vegas Residency
The ICON Janet Jackson is going through a Metamorphosis this summer. The global icon has announced a 15-date Las Vegas residency to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her multi-platinum album Rhythm Nation 1814.

Housed at The Park Theater in Las Vegas, Jackson will kick off the string of concerts on May 17 and will wrap up on August 10. She will perform music from her legendary career that spans more than over 30 years.
Tickets for Jackson’s Metamorphosis Vegas residency will be available for purchase on Saturday, March 2, 2019 on Ticketmaster.

On March 29, Jackson will be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She received her class of 2019 induction notice in December 2018. She also inked a global partnership with Paradigm Talent Agency before 2018 ended.

Metamorphosis Vegas Residency Itinerary
May 17 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
May 18 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
May 21 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
May 22 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
May 25 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
May 26 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
July 24 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
July 26 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
July 27 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
July 31 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
August 2 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
August 3 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
August 7 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
August 9 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater
August 10 — Las Vegas, NV @ Park Theater

Get your Tickets!


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES?
‘DONKEY!’
Wow! Dressed up as Shrek in Walmart. How totally normal and so topical right now. 2019 is probably the height of the Shrek popularity I’d say.


#EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Marco! 
Meet Marco! To see more of him you can 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!


HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM

1/25/18

The Daily Buzz For Jan 26 ☕📰☕


#TRANSAMERICA: Laverne Cox Is Cosmopolitan's First Transgender Cover Star and It's Fierce AF
Laverne Cox is a bonafide history-maker, this time as the first transgender woman to land a Cosmpolitan magazine cover! 
The Orange Is the New Black star and LGBT rights activist appears on Cosmo South Africa's February 2018 issue, looking all kinds of empowered in a sexy bodysuit for the mag's #SayYesToLove edition. The Valentine's Day-themed issue highlights LGBT issues, and the cover also features a rainbow masthead. 

"I am so honored and proud to cover the February issue of @cosmopolitansa," Laverne shared on Instagram. 

This isn't the first time Cox, 45, has pushed boundaries for the trans community and advocated for greater representation in Hollywood. In 2014, she became the first openly transgender Emmy nominee for her performance in OITNB, and was the first transgender person to cover Time. Laverne being cast in CBS' Doubt also made her the first transgender person to play a transgender character in a recurring role on network television.


#RHoA: So Eva wants us to know where she stands with her Baby Daddy Kevin McCall!
Former America's Next Top Model contestant and third cycle winner, Eva Marcille, is definitely living her best life. She's about to make her debut on The Real Housewives of Atlanta (clip above) and has also revealed that she's not only expecting a baby — but that wedding bells are also in her future.

Back in November, she confirmed she and partner Michael Sterling were expecting a baby boy, their first child together. Then, in December, she confirmed their plans to marry. And now she's opening up a bit more about where she stands with her ex, singer Kevin McCall. Together, the former couple are parents to a little girl, Marley Rae.

"We don't have a relationship", she told Essence about her status with Kevin. "He's blocked on all my social media. I have full custody of my daughter and her dad is Michael Sterling, so he is a blast from the past and a memory."

Still, Eva adds, "I do not let him affect my day-to-day in any shape, form or fashion. But I do pray him success, and moreso than anything, peace of mind. Marley is the priority, the biggest priority of my life, outside of my newest child and my fiancé. And at the end of the day, despite personal feelings, she deserves a level of stability, tranquility, and sanity. And [that's] my job as a parent, no matter how hard it is for me to provide that for her, but that's my job."


#EMPIRE: Serayah wants you to know something!
From Serayah she’s Feeling herself! LOL!
OK BYE!


#NEWMUSIC: Ruff Endz Returns With New Album ‘Soul Brothers’ (Listen)
 “Someone To Love You” and “No More” hitmaking R&B duo Ruff Endz returns with the new 14-song album, Soul Brothers, the follow-up to their 2010 offering, ‘Final Chapter.’
Prior to dropping the project, Ruff Endz had decided to hang up the microphone, but because of the political and social climates around the country, especially in their hometown of Baltimore, MD, the fellas decided to reunite for the inspirational and triumphant offering.

LISTEN HERE

David Chance and Dante Jordan felt the need in musically responding to the injustice played out in the streets of their hometown. The 2016 single, “Time 4 Change,” launched their return to the studio, led to the release of songs like “Virtuous Woman” and “Remarkable.”


#NEWHIPHOP From Lil Wayne Feat. Juelz Santana – ‘Bloody Mary’
Another one. A day after dropping the fiery “Big Bad Wolf,” Lil Wayne unleashes “Bloody Mary,” a killer collaboration with Juelz Santana.
Over a sped-up sample of Tupac’s “Hail Mary,” produced by Dizzy Banko, the Dipset MC likens himself to Nino Brown and references Nicki Minaj (“Now I’m on my Nicki sh*t, I don’t want no frauds”) before the Young Money chief comes through mid-way with more vicious verses.

“Suicide, it’s a suicide,” he raps. “Tell them seek and you will find ’cause I’ma lose my mind / Kick a ni**a ass, then give him my shoes to shine.”

LISTEN HERE

Weezy and Juelz are no stranger to collaborations. They previously worked together on “You Ain’t Got Nuthin” off Tha Carter III and DJ Khaled’s “Brown Paper Bag.”

Both “Big Bad Wolf” and “Bloody Mary” are expected to appear on Dedication 6: Reloaded, a sequel to Weezy’s D6 mixtape.


Rachel Platten, Yara Shahidi & Aly Raisman Join the #AerieReal Role Model Campaign!
The three will join Iskra Lawrence, the first Aerie Role Model, in the upcoming #AerieREAL Role Model spring campaign.
The Role Models will futher the Aerie mission of body positivity and female empowerment through speaking engagements throughout Aerie stores, as well as exclusively designed products. 100% of the sales of those products will benefit the charities of their choice.


“Yara, Aly, Rachel, and Iskra truly embody AerieREAL and what it means to be strong, confident, and happy in your own skin,” said Global Brand President Jennifer Foyle, Aerie Global Brand President.


Questlove Denies Ridiculous Allegations of Racial Discrimination
Questlove reportedly denies allegations made in this lawsuit. The Blast reports, Two former of employees of “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” claim they were fired at the behest of Questlove and they feel they were targeted because they were white.

According to a lawsuit ,Kurt Decker and Michael Cimino were working on the show as camera operators on June 19, 2017 when they received “an unsolicited racist and misogynist text message from a Tonight Show stagehand.”
They claim a third person, Mark Kelley — a bassist for The Roots — also received the message. Kelley is African-American.

Decker and Cimino claim they did not respond to the message and later reported it to Keith McPhee (a manager of The Roots) and Bryon King, a technical production manager at NBC…

Decker and Cimino are each seeking $1 million in damages.
A rep for Thompson denied the allegations in a statement to Rolling Stone:” Questlove denies the ridiculous allegations made in this lawsuit. Racism is REAL and exists throughout the world and for these gentlemen to claim victim is not only disrespectful to Questlove and his band mates, but to all that truly endure racism on a daily basis. As NBC already stated, the decisions made regarding these employees were made by NBC, alone.”

An NBC spokesperson tells Rolling Stone, “NBC is committed to providing a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We have strong policies in place that protect against discrimination in any form. The decision about these plaintiffs was the company’s alone.”


Jesse Williams & Minka Kelly Have Reportedly Split
Welp! The scoop on the street is Jesse Williams and Minka Kelly have split after never confirming they were in a relationship.
According to “Entertainment Tonight,” sources say the romance “flatlined” and they haven’t seen each other in months.
When Jesse filed for divorce, all eyes were on Minka and she was labeled a homewrecker.

She clapped at a fan who asked her if the rumors were true.
Minka responded, “They’re not. Hate for you to be disappointed. Glad I could clear that up for you. Now f–k off.”
Jesse opened up about his post divorce criticism in JAY-Z’s 4:44 footnotes saying:

I was in a relationship 13 years, 13 real years, not five years, not seven years…13 years.
All of a sudden, motherf–kers are writing think pieces that I somehow threw a 13-year relationship — like, the most painful experience I’ve ever had in my life, like with a person I’ve loved with all of my heart — that I threw a person and my family in the trash because a girl I work with is cute.

Oh well…maybe Minka jumped ship because Jesse’s divorce drama is ugly and it doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! Janet Jackson Will Headline This Years Essence Festival 2018!
Just off the heals of her successful ‘State of The World’ Tour. Essence has announced Janet Jackson will headline the 2018 Essence Music Festival.
Other acts set to hit the stage include Mary J. Blige, Xscape, Snoop Dogg, Jill Scott, Fantasia, Miguel and more.

Click here for the full list of performers.

The 24th annual music festival will take place July 5-8, 2018. Will you be there?


Looks who coming back to TV It’s MARTIN!
‘Martin’ sitcom may be making it’s return. Today (January 25th), Martin Lawrence’s fiancee – Roberta Moradfar – shared the news on social media writing,

Got word the show may be coming back.. Martin responded, leaving an eyeball emoji.
Martin aired for five seasons on Fox from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997. The show was one of the network’s highest-rated shows during the sitcom’s run. The series starred Martin Lawrence, who was also one of the creators of the series, along with Tisha Campbell, Carl Anthony Payne II, Thomas Mikal Ford and Tichina Arnold.


Singer Monica Pregnant, Due In August
Monica Brown is having a baby! Sources tell us that the 37-year-old singer is expecting pregnant with her fourth child. We’re told that she’s due in August. A source tells us,
She’s trying to keep it secret at this point and wait until she’s further along.

This singer has a 4-year-old daughter, Laiyah, with husband Shannon Brown.
She also has two sons, Rocko (13) and Romelo (10), with rapper Rodney ‘Rocko’ Hill.
According to Fameolous, Monica is expecting a baby boy and may be having twins. Monica has yet to confirm the news.


Vanity Fair's Hollywood Issue Cover is OUT and looks GREAT!
Vanity Fair‘s annual Hollywood Issue has been unveiled!
The cover, shot by the legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz in both Los Angeles and New York, features 12 celebrities, both up and coming stars as well as legendary performers.

The cover image includes Oprah Winfrey, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hanks, Michael B. Jordan, Zendaya, Jessica Chastain, Harrison Ford, Robert De Niro, Michael Shannon, Gal Gadot, and Claire Foy.
In addition, Vanity Fair’s editor Graydon Carter, who has edited the magazine for 25 years, also appears in the issue for the first time.

For more from the stars, visit VanityFair.com.


AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘TRUST ISSUES’
When you all about that “hear no evil”. #ImListening


#EGGPLANT NATION Meet DOMO! 
Meet DOMO! Well to see more you can 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!


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM

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