Stream: VIBE’s ‘Urban Asia Vol. 1′ Album (Feat. Edison Chen, Higher Brothers, Jackson Wang And More)
Chinese lyricist Bohan Phoenix starts off his verse in “Just Like That” by spitting braggadocio bars in English. Once he switches gears and raps slang in his native tongue, Phoenix challenges his haters to learn his language because “translating is just not my swag.” No matter what dialect you’re fluent in, it’s easy to understand how his speedy flow sounds so crispy over the upbeat bass line and futuristic synths as he keeps up with Atlanta artist Rome Fortune over DJ Tittsworth & Mestizo’s trippy instrumental. Their brand new collaboration is just another example of how strong the Urban Asia movement has become.
Hip-hop’s everlasting influence in Asia and the South Pacific region has inspired a tidal wave of skilled lyricists to defy all sonic boundaries with their music. While OG’s like Jin and Dumbfounded paved the way for today’s young Asian-American wordsmiths like Brian, Keith Ape, and Ted Park to blow up in the states, seasoned rhymers overseas like SEAMO and Boss X fka Fat Shady as well as dynamic women like Raja Kumari, UKA, and Mrs. M have already taken their respective countries and the Asian continent by storm.
In a historic move, VIBE, in partnership with Hong Kong-based b2 Music, is overjoyed to debut its first series of compilation albums, featuring the hottest rap music from Asian countries like China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, India, Mongolia and Hong Kong. VIBE Presents: Urban Asia Vol. 1 holds an array of popular, international bangers with lyrics in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Hindi and Mongolian.
“We are excited to launch this album series with our partners at B2,” said Datwon Thomas, Editor-In- Chief of VIBE. “Through these compilations, worldwide fans will be able to follow the developments and growth for the hip-hop genre in the Far East, one of the fastest growing – and most exhilarating – markets in the world.”
VIBE Presents Urban Asia Vol. 1 features 15 tracks featuring veteran heavyweights in the Asian rap game Edison Chen, MC Yan, and Thaitanium who throw down combative punch lines alongside with China’s newcomers Bohan Phoenix, the Higher Brothers and Jackson Wang. Korean DJ and producer TPA leads the cross border effort with his track ‘China Trap House’ featuring Hong Kong rhymers Al Rocco and newcomer Ivy.
STREAM HERE
#RHoA: Kenya Moore, 47, Talks about her IVF Journey and How She Learned She Was Pregnant
Kenya Moore had heard about the difficulties surrounding in vitro fertilization: the painful shots, the raging hormones and, of course, the disappointment of it potentially not working.
But for the 47-year-old Real Housewives of Atlanta star, she was lucky. “I don’t have a horror story,” So she spoke to People Magazine, weeks after announcing that she and husband Marc Daly are expecting their first child together.
“It’s weird because you hear other people’s troubles with the injections and the hormones. And for me, it was a pretty simple process,” she adds.
Moore who is due before the end of the year opened about her entire IVF experience, from self-administering her hormone shots to finding out she was, indeed, pregnant.
Here’s her conversation with People Mag.
PEOPLE: What was the IVF process like for you?
Kenya Moore: You take the hormones to stimulate your ovaries, you go in for the procedure — obviously you’re being monitored every day to where they need to see how many [ovarian follicles] you have, how big they’re getting, when to extract. And then, obviously, the process when they grow to make sure they’re growing at a certain rate and reach a certain size.
After that, they’re ready to be implanted. You don’t go under any anesthesia for the process and it doesn’t hurt. You have to rest, which is always a great thing. To be quite honest, the thing that hurt the most was them sticking me with the IV when they had to extract the eggs because my veins are so tiny. But that’s the only thing that was uncomfortable. The rest of it wasn’t painful.
PEOPLE: What about the hormones? Did those affect you?
Kenya: I don’t think so, but I guess you would have to ask people around me. I think I was okay. I think I felt a little emotional but I wasn’t going zero to 100 or anything like that. It just wasn’t as bad as I heard other people go through. The injections were fine, I got through that by myself, it was fine. I didn’t feel crazy, I didn’t feel like I was losing control or anything like that.
PEOPLE: How did you handle the shots?
Kenya: I thought I would be the worst person for the injections. Honestly, the first time I did it, I had to do it by myself. I imagined myself going to the clinic every day, having a nurse do it for me. Or hiring a nurse to come to my home to do it.
I tried it the first time, and I’m unusually afraid of needles. I can’t look when my blood is drawn and I hyperventilate when I see a needle. I hate it. But these needles, they’re very small. And it didn’t hurt. And the first time I did it, it was okay. It wasn’t any big deal. I just felt blessed because I was stronger than I thought I would be.
PEOPLE: How did you find out you were pregnant?
Kenya: [With IVF] they specifically tell you a start date to go and take a blood test because the ones you take over the counter, the pee-on-the-stick kind, don’t always show the hormone level if it’s not strong enough … so it may give you a negative when it’s actually positive. So they rely on a blood test to show you how much of it you have in your system and how it’s progressing.
I was nervous because I hate to have my blood drawn. And then the technician who was drawing my blood said, “Did you cheat?” And I said, “What do you mean?” And she said, “Most people go and they’ll take the test over the counter.” And I said, “No because it’s not as accurate as the blood test and I just don’t want any false alarms or to be let down when I really wasn’t supposed to be and it’s only a few hours away, so why not wait and get the proper results?”
As soon as I take the [blood] test and I’m driving home, I’m like, “I should just go and get a test from the supermarket.” So I rode to the supermarket and literally took the test in the supermarket bathroom because I could not wait. It was just overwhelming. I could not wait. And it was positive. And then I got the call from the doctor later that day confirming that I was indeed pregnant and had a positive test and what my HCG levels were. She said it was all really good news. I was like, “Oh my God, I don’t know what to say!”
PEOPLE: How are you feeling in this pregnancy so far?
Kenya: I’m tired, obviously. I don’t have the stamina that I had before, so I’m taking it a little easy — not working out and going on long walks with the dogs and things like that. But it’s nothing … I don’t feel that bad. I don’t feel hyper-emotional. I have a little bit of sensitivity to smells that make me nauseous, and had a slight loss of appetite. But I’ve been okay!
PEOPLE: Are you going to find out the baby’s sex or wait for a surprise?
Kenya: We’re going to try to not find out. We want to be surprised and we want to make it as natural as we can at this point. We just want a healthy baby. And it doesn’t matter to either of us — boy, girl, we don’t really care.
Well good for you Kenya!
#Empire: Ratings: Steady ‘Empire,’ ‘Star’ Grab Fox Another Wednesday Demo Crown
“Empire” helped Fox remain the king of the Nielsen ratings castle Wednesday night, bringing in steady numbers in the key 18-49 demographic — just one day after being renewed for a fifth season.
Though a new episode of the drama at 8 p.m. — which featured the first appearance of Alfre Woodard as Cookie Lyon’s (Taraji P. Henson) mother — and a fresh installment of “Star” after that were enough to keep the network on top in that category, CBS and NBC still beat the network in total viewers.
And in the battle for first and second, CBS ended up topping the Peacock in eyeballs for the evening, despite the fact a solid “Chicago P.D.” took down “Code Black” in the 10 p.m. time slot.
Fox was first in ratings with a 1.4 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and third in total viewers with an average of 4.6 million, according to preliminary numbers. At 8 p.m., “Empire” scored a 1.7/8 and 5.3 million viewers. “Star” at 9 earned a 1.2/5 and 3.9 million viewers.
NBC was second in ratings with a 1.1/5 and second in viewers with 5.9 million. “The Blacklist” at 8 received a 0.8/4 and 5.5 million viewers. At 9, “Law & Order: SVU” posted a 1.2/5 and 6.3 million viewers. At 10, “Chicago P.D.” put up a 1.2/5 and 6.1 million viewers.
CBS was third in ratings with a 1.0/4 and first in viewers with 6.3 million. At 8, “Survivor” had a 1.5/7 and 7.8 million viewers. “SEAL Team” at 9 got a 0.9/4 and 5.9 million viewers. At 10, “Code Black” managed a 0.7/3 and 5.1 million viewers.
ABC was fourth in ratings with a 0.9/4 and in viewers with 3.9 million. At 8, “The Goldbergs” hit a 1.2/6 and 4.9 million viewers. At 8:30, “Alex, Inc.” saw a 0.8/3 and 3.2 million viewers. “Modern Family” at 9 landed a 1.3/5 and 4.7 million viewers. “American Housewife” at 9:30 took a 0.9/4 and 3.7 million viewers. At 10, “Designated Survivor” managed a 0.6/3 and 3.6 million viewers.
Univision, The CW and Telemundo tied for fifth in ratings with a 0.4/2.
#NewMusic: Jennifer Hudson sings a New Anthem titled “I’ll Fight”
Jennifer Hudson brimgs us a new anthem titled “I’ll Fight” today. The song written by legendary songwriter Diane Warren will serve as the official anthem for ‘RGB’ the anticipated documentary on Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. The Documentary was released Friday!
LISTEN HERE
RBG is told through the voices of Ginsburg’s friends, former clients and colleagues, and includes interviews with historic figures and her family, including Gloria Steinem, Eugene Scalia, NPR’s Nina Totenberg, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Lilly Ledbetter, and others. In recent years, Justice Ginsburg, now approaching her 25th year of service on the U.S. Supreme Court in the summer of 2018, has also become an intergenerational pop culture icon. The film includes interviews with Justice Ginsburg that are interwoven with never-before-seen home movies, images, and scenes from her career achievements and her private life. Throughout the film, there is an exploration of her decades-long romance with her husband, the late Martin Ginsburg, whom she credits with making her contributions to American life possible
#NewHipHop Music from Tee Grizzley Feat. Chris Brown – ‘F**K IT OFF’
Breezy links up with Grizzley. Before getting fully Activated, Tee Grizzley blasts off his Chris Brown collaboration “Fuck It Off.”
Produced by frequent collaborator Helluva Beats, the track kicks off with Breezy’s rhymes.
Listen HERE
This is one of two Breezy collaborations on Grizzley’s debut Activated, which also features Jeezy, Lil Yachty, Moneybagg Yo, Lil Pump, and YFN Lucci. Activated drops May 11.
#HipHopNews: G-Eazy Convicted of Charges in Sweden, But No Jail Time!
G-Eazy has been released from custody after the rapper was convicted on the charges of assault and drug possession, but will not get jail time and is about to leave the country.
The rapper’s Swedish lawyer, Mikael Westerlund, tells The Blast he was “convicted” of charges but was given no jail time. It’s currently unclear what the extent of his punishment will be, including fines, but Westerlund tells us his client is now a “free man.”
The lawyer says G-Eazy is planning on leaving Sweden ASAP after he gets out of jail. As we reported, the star was found with 1.5 grams of cocaine and rolled up $100 bill when he was arrested at a nightclub after fighting with security.
During an interview with police, G-Eazy admitted to purchasing and using drugs, as well as punching the security guard in the face.
10:00 AM: G-Eazy was fined $9,000 for the crimes, $740 to the security guard and sentenced to 2 years probation. He may also have to participate in community service.
CONGRATS! Jordin Sparks & Hubby Dana Isiah Welcome Baby Boy – See Dana Jr.’S First Pics!
Jordin Sparks is officially a mommy! The singer and her hubby, Dana Isiah, welcomed a bouncing baby boy on May 2. See the baby’s first photos.
Jordin Sparks is officially a mommy!
The singer and her hubby, Dana Isiah, welcomed a bouncing baby boy on May 2.
Dana Isiah Thomas Jr. (DJ) arrived at 9:04 p.m. at the Natural Birth Center & Women’s Wellness, Los Angeles; he weighed 8 lbs. 4.5 oz. and measured in at 21½ inches.
The proud parents shared photos of DJ via their Instagram accounts on Saturday and gushed about their precious baby boy.
Lani Blair Shares Raunchy Photo Amid Tristan Thompson And Khloe Kardashian’s Reconciliation Reports
Believe it or not, Lani Blair has found a very sexy way to captivate the media amid reports that her former fling, Tristan Thompson, and Khloe Kardashian are back together for the sake of their family.
Lani is one of the stunning models who were caught on camera in very compromising positions with the basketball star.
This week, the curvy spokesperson returned to social media with her raunchiest picture yet.
Lani seems to be tempting Tristan in a cute yet very revealing outfit where she is serving a lot of underboob. Lani captioned it: “Keep It cute even at home.”
The photo surfaced as TMZ shared the very first video of True’s parents showing signs of reconciliation as they were enjoying lunch together in Ohio.
A source close to the pair said that Khloe would do anything for her daughter’s happiness including staying in an unhealthy relationship with a cheating baby daddy.
The tipster told Hollywood Life: “At the end of the day Khloe decided that keeping her family together is the most important thing of all, so she decided to stay with Tristan and make it work. She is made it clear to him that she will not tolerate any more embarrassing incidents, and if anything like this happens again, then she is on the first plane back to California. Tristan has given her his word that he will not mess up again, and Khloe is choosing to believe him.”
One fan reacted to Lani’s post by saying: “This b@tch is baddddd. You go girl. Get ya money honey. If these other chic that is ragging you looked like you, they would be too. Tristan was in a relationship w/ that homewrecker Khloe NOT YOU. And yes gurl I keep it cute at home too. It is true she knows she cannot do better the next black baller is going to be a douche might as well stay with a known one.”
Another commenter stated: “Tristan is a grown man he knew what he was doing and so did Khloe when she cheated to get him. When Beyonce stayed heaven did not fall so, leave Khloe alone to live her life.”
A third person revealed: “Looooook women can be pretty evil. Just because she has not been caught publicly don’t mean she has not done the same thing. Plus she wanted a child for so long let the woman enjoy the illusion of “family life “ she has created in her head before she does whatnot. 90% of those critiquing will be the 3rd baby mama and still have two sidemen.”
It is also being claimed that Khloe will no longer move back to California.
OOOPS! Kanye West Apologizes For Stolen Designs
Kanye West may be unapologetic about some of his controversial moves. But the Chicago rapper recently apologized to a famous designer over stolen Yeezy sketches.
On Friday (May 4), West took to Twitter to acknowledge the unoriginal work. “Today I learned that a newly hired designer on the Yeezy team presented work that was not of their own. This person has immediately been let go from the Yeezy brand,” he wrote.
Later, West credited Tony Spackman, design director at Givenchy, for the sketches. Apparently, Spackman created them 13 years ago, while he was working at Nike.
“In a moment of inspiration, energy and excitement I had posted this sketch and would like to acknowledge the true creator of this amazing work, Tony Spackman,” added West.
Last month, West posted the sketches with part of its original title edited out of the top left-hand corner. “this is where a YEEZY study for base layer starts,” he wrote. “I’m so excited about our new design team. Yeezy is no longer a fashion company we should be referred to as apparel or clothing or simply YEEZY.” The tweet has not been deleted.
Spackman posted Kanye’s tweet on Instagram Stories at the time. “Sorry,” he wrote. “13 year old sketch. Unlucky for some.” Plus, he added a thumbs down emoji.
Last month, West addressed the idea of stolen references on Twitter. “I find myself getting stuck in the idea of originality and letting my ego push me to say things like ‘this person stole this from me’ and the funny thing is it’ll be a reference I took from somewhere,” he wrote.
West has also been critical of Nike in recent weeks. “adidas have been great partners and they’ve let Yeezy be Yeezy,” he tweeted. “This could’ve never happened at Nike.”
Details from the GLAAD Media Awards New York Winners List: ‘Call Me By Your Name’, Samira Wiley, Ava DuVernay Among Honorees
The 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards revealed the remainder of this year’s winners in New York at a ceremony hosted Ross Mathews. The Academy Award-winning Call Me By Your Name won Outstanding Film while Handmaid’s Tale actress Samira Wiley was honored with the Vito Russo Award and trailblazing filmmaker Ava DuVernay received the Excellence in Media Award.
The Special Recognition Award was given to Gloria Carter, the mother of Jay Z, for the rapper’s song “Smile,” a groundbreaking track where she came out as a lesbian. Other winners of the evening included Last Week Tonight with John Oliver as well as the documentary Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric.
This year’s ceremony kicked off with a performance of new rendition of “I’m the Only One” from Melissa Etheridge and Adam Lambert to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of Etheridge’s breakthrough album Yes I Am.
The announcement of the awards comes after the first wave of honorees were handed out in April during the Los Angeles ceremony. The New York event continued GLAAD’s Together movement with celebrities and attendees donning blue “&” pins, which represents the organization’s work on intersectional issues including immigration, racial justice, women’s rights, and LGBTQ acceptance. This subtle yet powerful symbol represents the power of solidarity and great accomplishments that occur when marginalized community groups – including women, Muslims, immigrants, and LGBTQ people – resist together.
Read the complete list of winners below.
Excellence in Media Award: Ava DuVernay (presented by: Senator Cory Booker)
Vito Russo Award: Samira Wiley (presented by Alexis Bledel)
Special Recognition Award: “Smile” by Jay-Z featuring Gloria Carter, 4:44 (accepted by Ms. Gloria Carter)
Outstanding Film – Wide Release: Call Me By Your Name (accepted by Academy Award-winning screenwriter James Ivory and producer Peter Spears)
- Outstanding Documentary: Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric (National Geographic)
- Outstanding Music Artist: Halsey, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom
- Outstanding Talk Show Episode: “Australian Marriage Equality” Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
- Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine: “The Pulse of Orlando: Terror at the Nightclub” Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN)
- Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: “Murders Raise Alarm for Transgender Community” NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (NBC)
- Outstanding Newspaper Article: “The Silent Epidemic: Black Gay Men and HIV” by Gracie Bonds Staples (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
- Outstanding Magazine Article: “Forbidden Lives: The Gay Men Who Fled Chechnya’s Purge” by Masha Gessen (The New Yorker)
- Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: Billboard
- Outstanding Digital Journalism – Multimedia: “’This Is How We Win’: Inside Danica Roem’s Historic Victory” by Diana Tourjée (Broadly.Vice.com)
- Spanish-Language Winners:
- Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine: “Pulse, Huellas de la Masacre” Docufilms (CNN en Español)
- Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: “Comunidad LGBTQ Vulnerable Bajo Nuevo Gobierno” Perspectiva Nacional (Entravision)
GLAAD previously announced that the short animated short film In A Heartbeat would receive a Special Recognition Award.
Kevin Hart Survives Serious Airplane Scare
Kevin Hart is thanking God after surviving a terrifying landing on his private jet. Thursday night, the comedian and his three friends flew into Boston for Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference. Apparently, the plane’s tire blew upon landing. Hart recounted the story on social media writing,
God is Good with a capital G… Had our first serious Airplane scare today. Our planes tire busted on one side as we were landing and shit got real for a second.
He continues, Nobody was harmed… Our pilot handled the situation perfectly. Once again God is GOOD!!!! #Blessed
‘The Real’ Fans Trash ‘The View’ After Hosts Throw Shade
As “The View” wrapped up its Thursday episode, the co-panelists began discussing the similar daytime panel talk shows that have cropped up since their Barbara Walters-created program began in 1997. And it seemed Joy Behar and Megan McCain threw some shade at other women-centered shows like “The Real” and “The Talk,” leading the host of the former to hit back.
Whoopi welcomed the audience back from commercial break and explained the co-hosts were talking about the perception of shows like “The View.”
“But there isn’t a show like ours, is there?” she asks.
“No, not really. Well, they copy us,” Behar responds. “There are a couple out there that copied us because we started. But they don’t do a child having a tantrum and politics.”
“We also get to talk about real issues and debate like Americans do,” McCain adds. “And women getting to do that on television is something that’s very rare. And we don’t shy away from hard things on this show.”
The apparent shade had social media users fired up and blasting “The View.”
“All I see is old white women that’ll clutch the f— out they purse if anyone Black comes near them 😒 *turns the channel*, one Instagram user wrote.
“Just a little salty cause they didn’t win the Emmy🤣,” someone else said remarking on “The Real” nagging the Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Hosts award at the Daytime Emmys Sunday, April 29.
“Girl @whoopigoldberg don’t nobody watch your show but people 50 and over. Please sit down,” said another.
In response to the clip, Love took to Instagram and said she had nothing but adoration for her predecessors. But she also highlighted what makes her non-white-women-focused show different.
In response, many applauded the comedian’s memo.
“That’s right,” someone commented. “Your show is my favorite.”
“Let ’em know Loni 👊🏼❤💯,” said another.
“You girls are the real deal!” a different commenter said.
Oh Whatever!
Fashion Files! Zendaya in Dice Kayek Couture at the Tiffany & Co. Paper Flowers Event And Believe In Dreams Campaign Launch. HOT or NOT?
Arriving fashion slaying, Zendaya attended the Tiffany & Co. Paper Flowers event and Believe In Dreams campaign launch in New York City.
Zendaya wowed wearing a DICE KAYEK FALL 2014 COUTURE sky blue mini dress which featured a dramatic tie neck & voluminous bishop sleeves. I am really loving this look.
It's fun, edgy, chic look which she pulled off effortlessly. Also the CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN white & black polka dot pumps worked perfectly with this dress. A flawless beauty look and jewelry by TIFFANY & CO finished up her look. Are you loving this look as well?
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Guillermo
Meet Guillermo. You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSFW!
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
‘DUMB & DEE’
Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee grew up to be even more terrifying!!!!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD
EFREM
