Alicia Keys Talks to Time Out New York Magazine abut her new Project!
Alicia Keys has been riding a new, more conscious wave since launching her new #MaekupFree campaign. And her newfound freedom will be reflected in her upcoming album.
The R&B songstress graces the cover of Time Out New York magazine’s newest issue where she drops a few tidbits about her upcoming musical offering. Her new LP will be like nothing she has done before.
“This is a conversation between all of us [about] what we’re going through as women, men, young people who want to change the planet, people who are sick of being silenced,” the Grammy Award winner said.
Alicia has gathered a few heavy hitters for the new project, including her producer husband Swizz Beatz, superproducer Pharrell Williams (whom she calls her brother), and writer-producer Mark Batson.
The “In Common” singer tells the publication fans will get a unique blend of sounds that will mesh together on her new album.
“There’s only one of each of us in the whole world,” she says. “Only one. If we just look at each other and celebrate that, we can meet each other where we are. How dope is that?”
Time Out New York writer Eve Barlow got the chance to listen to Alicia’s upcoming album and she describes it like this:
Elsewhere, the music is gospel, driven by classic soul. There’s a retro song about pawning all her material wealth, a cascading arpeggiated track painting images of heroin users, cockroach-infested slums and gritty reality. It’s a record about unrealistic projections of identity, success and happiness.
Alicia opens up about no longer being silenced and having her voice heard by any means necessary. She says,
“It’s an imperative time to be loud. We’re not going to be silenced. All of us are battling wars: sexism, ageism, racism. We’re fighting the war of borders. We’re fighting a war as women. As a black woman raising black sons, I’m seeing so much systemic racism exploding in our faces. These days you have to be afraid to be killed just because you’re black! It’s devastating.” She breathes. “Outrageous statements are made out of fear and hate. The intolerance is not acceptable. It’s ancient and patriarchal. The way to propel our country forward is not by building walls. Anyone that thinks that is out of their mind.”
She adds, “I did have to find my freedom. There comes a time when you have to become a woman, stand on your own two feet. That’s why this music has such a surprising, relentless, raw New York energy.”
Fans are expected to get a taste of Alicia’s new album at a surprise show in NYC on October 9th. Details on the gig are very hush-hush. But, she will hit the stage at the Barclays Center on October 15th for the TIDAL charity concert. Maybe she’ll perform one (or more) of her new tracks there.
Are you excited to hear what Alicia has in store?
#RHoA: Kim Zolciak-Biermann reflects on 1-year anniversary of her stroke
Believe it or not, it’s been one year since Kim Zolciak-Biermann suffered a stroke. Here’s what the “Don’t Be Tardy” star had to say about how her life has changed.
“1 year ago today my life changed. Having a stroke has changed me in so many ways,” she began her emotional post. “At 37 I thought I was invincible … boy was I wrong. I thank God every day that I’m still here on this planet,” the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum wrote via Instagram.
As previously reported, Zolciak suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) on Sept. 24, 2015, while competing on “Dancing With the Stars.” According to Zolciak, the stroke occurred moments after arriving home from a red-eye flight from Los Angeles
As you may recall, just days after the health scare, the reality star was forced to withdraw from DWTS days after suffering the blood clot, as she was advised by her doctor not to fly back to Los Angeles. “I’m honestly worried,” her partner Tony Dovolani said on the show. “A stroke is nothing to mess around with, whether it’s minor or massive.”
“I want to thank everyone for their love and support over the past few days,” Zolciak said in a statement at the time. “I am now home with my family, resting and taking care of my health. I can’t express enough how much I love dancing and this whole experience.”‘
Are “Empire” Stars Romeo Miller & Serayah dating? Seen together in Hollywood!
Well looky looky We see new cast mate Romeo Miller is getting better acquainted with his “Empire on-screen love interest Serayah.
Romeo, who broke up with his pageant girlfriend Toneata Morgan over the summer, and Serayah were spotted with a pizza box leaving The Nice Guy restaurant in West Hollywood last night.
The rapper/actor has joined the star-studded cast as Gram, Tiana’s new love interest and Hakeem’s (played by Bryshere “Yazz” Gray) new nemesis, for the 3rd season of the hit FOX series. He replaced rapper Kid Cudi after creative differences.
The timing of this "relationship" is quite a coincidental as the new season of "Empire" just kicked off.
This could all be publicity for the show (that airs a new episode tomorrow night), or maybe the two are getting to know each other. Either way, we’ll be watching them both.
Music News: Anthony Hamilton Goes Back to His Roots On NPR Music’s ‘Noteworthy’
Following Alicia Keys, NPR Music caught up with celebrated soul singer Anthony Hamilton for the latest episode of their ‘Noteworthy‘ mini documentary series.
Host Jason King, curator of NPR Music’s R&B stream “I’ll Take You There,” uncovers new insights behind the singer/songwriter’s creative direction, inspiration, and early development.
Anthony takes King to the house where he grew up; the barbershop where he cut hair and found stories for his songs; and the church where he sang his first gospel solo. Hamilton says his whole family played a role in the initial steps of his career. “Grandmother, granddaddy and aunts and uncles and everybody else [said], ‘Boy, you better go down there. You gonna do something. You need to join the choir because you need to serve the Lord,'” he says.
Before he got the record deal that would bring him to New York, and then to millions around the country with the release of his breakthrough album, Comin’ From Where I’m From, Hamilton cut hair in a Charlotte barber shop, and credits the atmosphere there for helping to shape his voice as a songwriter. “Children come in and older folks come in and women come in. And you have all this conversation,” he says. “It’s like the information station. The sound manages to have a bunch of people talking about the same subject, but everybody has their own point of view. And even though they’re all talking at the same time, you can hear them all clearly. Then it all starts to make sense. You hear the things they desire, their dreams. It creates songs.”
Check out Anthony Hamilton’s Noteworthy below.
New Hip Hop: New Music: Wale feat. Afro B & Sneakbo – ‘Stay Winning’
“They don’t like me,” he raps. “I don’t like them / My Nikes go for like 10 / I might be with a lot of hoes / But the main goal: keep my BM in the Benz.”
It’s unclear where “Stay Winning” will land, but it could very well appear on Wale’s upcoming fifth album S.H.I.N.E. (Still Here Ignoring Negative Energy).
The new dad has been active in 2016. In June, he released his Summer on Sunset mixtape and last month, he dropped four new tracks. This month, he also released “One Reason (Flex)” featuring Eric Bellinger, another possible S.H.I.N.E. release. As if all of that wasn’t enough, Folarin is also reportedly executive producing the upcoming Maybach Music Group compilation, Self Made 4.
“Sonically, I always want to push myself as an artist and I think S.H.I.N.E. is a big example of me pushing myself and trying new things,” Wale told Complex. “My fifth album is a reason to celebrate, and a lot of the music I’ve been making is very chill. I’m singing—and I’m not singing to be the next Brian McKnight—I’m singing to enhance my songwriting ability and to evolve as an artist.”
Listen to “Stay Winning” HERE
SHADEFEST: Miley Cyrus Is Not A Fan Of Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is basically the definition of a diva. Miley Cyrus, on the other hand, refuses to even walk the red carpet because "people are starving." So it's not too surprising that Miley's not the biggest Mariah fan. And it's for exactly the reason you'd think.
"I’ve never really been a fan, because it’s so much about Mariah Carey. That’s part of her shtick; I can see through that," she told Elle. "It's about what she's wearing, and it's about her. What I make isn't about me. It's about sharing my story; it's about someone being connected to what I'm saying."
It's clear from the interview that Cyrus thinks of herself as the opposite of Mariah. "I did not grow up spoiled in any way. I just wanted to be on TV," she said of her Hannah Montana days. "I was probably the least paid person on my cast because I didn't know any better. I was just like, I can be on Disney!"
When it comes to other pop stars, though, she is a fan of Britney Spears. The two are good friends, though they almost never text, she said. "I'm not sure if Britney knows how to text."
As the October cover star, she covered broad territory, also discussing her sexuality and what the word "pansexual" means to her. "That just means everyone. It doesn't stop at girl, boy, or if someone's in a transition," she said. "I don't see people ever for who they were before who they are right now. I think of who I was before who I am right now; that's a transition in itself. Everyone is constantly transitioning."
Mommy Duty! Kelly Rowland takes selfies with son Titan
And on Tuesday, Kelly Rowland was quite the giddy mum as she carried her little one on her hip during an outing in Los Angeles.
The 35-year-old singer displayed her child-like side as she posed for silly selfies with Titan and a pal.
Kelly displayed her feminine-athletic figure in a curve-hugging, black dress that hit right at the knee.
Kelly's son Titan was perched on her hip. The little one was undoubtedly preoccupied with his sippy cup.
As the beauty walked, a pal snapped selfies of the trio, prompting Kelly to make silly faces towards the phone camera.
While Kelly surely makes her family a priority, the former X Factor host has quite the packed schedule.
The songstress is set to complete her album later this year and is currently filming a Lifetime movie with Meagan Good.
Additionally, Kelly and pal Sheika Daley are working on a makeup-line called F.A.C.E. (For All Created Equal). She's also currently writing a book.
In an interview with Billboard, Kelly summed up her many projects.
'My goal in my life is whenever I do these business ventures, I like to collaborate with women, so for my book, I’m actually working with my doctor. I’m very, very excited. So, music, book, movie, makeup –– 2017 is my year,' she noted.
Celebs Spotted at Beyonce’s Formation Tour In ATL
Beyonce’s Formation World Tour took over Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.
A few of your favorites were spotted in the audience Check them out
We also spotted DJ Khaled, T.I. and Usher, who opened the show. We also spotted Young Thug, Big Krit, Jermaine Dupri, Migos, Gucci Mane, Jeezy, The Dream and a few others!
We see you Bey!
Denzel Washington and Viola Davis Gloriously Chew the Scenery in Fences Trailer
A new trailer for Fences, or Please Hurry Up and Give Viola Davis an Oscar, has arrived—and its quick, dramatic pace lives up to the hype that has built around the Denzel Washington–directed adaptation of the famed August Wilson play. Put away your lists and theories—this is one of the most anticipated films of the upcoming awards season.
Starring Washington and Davis, Fences is a tense drama set in the 1950s about a former baseball player named Troy (Washington) and his family. Davis plays Rose, Troy's wife. Though awards-season prognosticators have been murmuring for months that this role will almost certainly earn Davis an Oscar nomination, the teaser focuses heavily on Washington. It hones in on a sharp, brutal monologue he delivers to his son (Jovan Adepo), a juicy bit of scenery chewing that’ll likely land Washington in the awards conversation as well. Davis does, however, get a few moments to shine, particularly toward the end of the clip.
Her performance has also been highly anticipated because of her history with the play. Back in 2010, Davis and Washington co-starred in a lauded revival of Fences on Broadway, and Davis later won a Tony Award for her performance as Rose. It doesn’t happen often, but awards-show lightning of that nature has been known to strike twice.
Earlier this month, Davis was also nominated for an Emmy for her performance in ABC drama How to Get Away with Murder. Many were anticipating that she could win, then go on to scoop up an Oscar for Fences—making her one of the only actresses to pick up both awards in the same season. However, she ended up losing the Emmy to Orphan Black star Tatiana Maslany. Nonetheless, Team Davis is sure to forge ahead more forcefully, eyes set on the glinting Oscar statuette before them.
WATCH HERE
Fences hits theaters on December 25, a well-recognized Oscar holiday in the film world.
Mobb Deep’s Havoc Hit With IRS Tax Lien Months After Losing His Home
This isn’t even funny anymore…how hard is it for these celebs to pay their damn taxes??!!
Let’s add another one to the list of celebrities who have been hit with IRS tax liens in 2016. This time, it’s rapper Havoc from Mobb Deep. The IRS claims he owes $110k in back taxes. News of the tax lien comes just months after he lost his NY home to foreclosure.
According to The Jasmine Brand the IRS filed the tax lien last month for the years of 2009 and 2010. What the hell took them so long?!
For 2009, Havoc owes $70,185.09, and he owes $39,844.74 for 2010. Bringing his total to $110,029.83… a whole lot of money for a rapper who hasn’t had a hit in over a decade.
If the rapper doesn’t settle this debt quickly, the IRS is more than ready to start seizing his assets and whatever property he has left.
The Police Dept. Kindly Asks You Refrain From Calling 911 When You’re Pissed Off About Trump and Clinton
Sometimes people can take their political passions just a bit too far.
Just ask the Lawrence, Kansas police department who took to its social media yesterday to kindly remind the members of the local community to taper their anger during the Hofstra University debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Dark Chocolate Chuck
Ladies and others meet Dark Chocolate Chuck ! So you know what to do to see the chocolately goodies. GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS and remember they’re NSFW!
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AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘This Weather Has Me Like…’
Nothing makes the day go better than a perfect fitting bra. Am I right ladies?
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
