Okay now back to your regualry scheduled program.
Avery Sunshine and the Church of the Painful Truth
Avery*Sunshine tells the truth. Not just her truth, but the truths of those who listen to her music and attend her shows.
It’s not that she’s reading fortunes or having visions, it’s more closely related to her experience in life and the context of clarity in which she views it with.
It’s one of the many gifts she’s received from God. Another one of those gifts is her amazing voice; a voice that elicits smiles and tears, joy and a spirit of comfort and calm.
It’s that voice, her view of life and the ability to translate it all musically and lyrically that makes Avery*Sunshine so special.
With the release of The Sunroom, she’s composed an album that tells the full truth of love, as uncomfortable as some of it may be. In an Avery*Sunshine album, love is inspiration, longing, pain, abandonment, cleansing, powerful and redemptive. It’s debilitating for many, but the strength most of us use to move on. Love is what’s seen in Avery*Sunshine’s smile and in her knowing that who she is plentiful, as she builds on the momentum of her 2010 self-titled debut album.
That album, which featured “All in My Head and The Ugly Part of Me,” has allowed Ms. Sunshine to bring her brand of truth telling to stages across the world. It was in her travels that much of The Sunroom was conceived; through her interactions and experiences, she was able to identify just what she needed to share with the world a_153_article-small_42399this time around. One song that’s made it from her live show to the album is “Safe in His Arms,” the Darius Miller gospel classic that’s moved many concertgoers to tears. It’s become a staple in her show and really displays her full range, vocally and spiritually, which allows her to press on despite being an industry designed to tear at her soul.
Aside from her faith, she credits musical partner Dana Johnson and her family with keeping her grounded and focused on the goal of speaking her painful truth to the world. A part of that truth is found in “Call My Name,” the album’s lead single and statement on a relationship that’s forgotten its purpose. You can hear the pain in her voice, the longing for how things used to be, but also the resolve for finding a way to work through this rough patch. It’s more of what we need to hear and radio is responding; the song is being added to playlists and getting more spins by the day, while the video was released to this week and has already found a spot in VH1 Soul’s rotation.
Avery*Sunshine’s The Sunroom is available wherever good music is sold. Purchase your copy today and hear her sing the painful truth.
Also, visit www.AverySunshine.com to stay current with news and tour dates, as well as her social media links:
Twitter – @averysunshine
Instagram – @averysunshine
THANK GOD: Tracy Morgan’s Condition IMPROVES, Upgraded To Fair Condition
Good news! Tracy Morgan’s condition is improving. His status has upgraded from critical condition to fair condition and his rep says his personality is starting to come back.
After the fatal car crash that left former “30 Rock” actor/comedian Tracy Morgan in intensive care, the comedian’s condition is finally improving.
According to his publicist, he was upgraded from critical condition to fair condition and he says Tracy’s personality is starting to come back.
In a statement Tracy’s rep confirms,
“Happy to pass along that Tracy has been upgraded to fair condition, which is a great improvement," publicist Lewis Kay said. "His personality is certainly starting to come back as well."
You’ll recall, Tracy Morgan and his entourage were traveling to NYC from a gig at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino in Delaware when a Wal-Mart tractor trailer slammed into the back of their limo bus on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Tracy, along with several others, was critcally injured and his good friend/comedian James “Jimmy Mack” McNair lost his life as a result. Tracy suffered a broken nose, a broken femur, broken ribs and a broken leg. One of the other injured victims Jeff Milea has also been upgraded to fair condition.
Georgia Wal-Mart truck driver Kevin Roper was charged with one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto. The police report indicated he had not slept in the 24 hours leading up to the crash. Roper has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied that he had not slept in the 24 hours before the crash.
Praying for a speedy recovery!
Video: Jennifer Hudson – “Walk It Out” (Ft. Timbaland)
Jennifer Hudson gets flirty in the video for her Timbaland-assisted single, “Walk It Out.” While strolling through the streets of New York, J. Hud turns a few heads. One guy in particular is determined to win her affection.
Once the day turns into night - after she hits up the beauty shop, the park, and showcases her dance moves – she finally gives in to his advances, and hops into the driver’s seat if his ride. The track was produced by Timbaland, who makes an appearance in the video. And, you’ll also spot a cameo from her fiancee David Otunga.
Watch her walk it out:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mykXoDnFKlU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Thoughts?
NWA Biopic Picks Actors For Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, & Eazy-E
The N.W.A. biopic, “Straight Outta Compton,” is one step closer to begin shooting. Insiders tell “The Hollywood Reporter” filmmakers have cast actors for the leading roles of N.W.A. rappers Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E. Earlier we reported that Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr., will depict his father in the biopic.
Ice Cube’s son O’Shea Jackson Jr., provides a little name recognition, the other two actors are more unknown names. Marcus Callender will take on the role of Dr. Dre, while Jason Mitchell will play the late Eazy-E. Marcus Callender has had small roles in CBS’s series “Blue Bloods” and “Elementary.” Jason Mitchell’s resumé is also relatively short, with small parts in the films “Broken City” and “Contraband.” If this movie is good this could be break out roles for all three actors. I am beginning to think that 2014 is all about the biopics!
What do you think?
Dr. Dre and Ice Cube are executive producing the film along with Eazy-E’s widow Tomica Wright. Director F. Gary Gray of “Friday” fame will helm the biopic.
WHAT’S THE TEA? Azealia Banks SHADES T.I.’s Wife After The Release Of His “No Mediocre” Track, Tip RESPONDS
Mr. & Mrs. Harris are going to war and this time it’s not with each other. Azealia Banks is stirring up the pot after the release of Tip’s “No Mediocre,” featuring her arch nemesis Iggy Azalea.
On the track, Tip talks about not wanting a “mediocre” chick which caused Azealia to pop off on Twitter going after Tiny. The rap chick made claims that Tiny doesn't know how to read and that she has a "meth face," whatever that means. But we're guessing she's trying to say Tip says he doesn't want a mediocre chick...but his wife IS mediocre.
In her first tweet, the Harlem rapptress fired off some subliminal shade tweeting,
“U want no mediocre but… Have you seen your wife?” It SEEMS she's saying Tiny isn't anything out of the ordinary. Of course, she deleted the tweet but she continued her rant this morning with a slew of tweets (read from the bottom up):
Sheesh!
Tiny must have gotten wind of Ms. Banks’ Twitter antics and posted a subliminal message on her Instagram:
And then her hubby stepped in goin IN on Azealia, posting a picture of the rapptress with a nasty and possibly threatening message saying,
"U musty-mouthed-thot-bot-bad-body-syphilis-lipped-rectum-vomit-unimportant-ugggggly-monstrosity-of-a-maggot-ass BIIIIIIIITCCHHHH!!!!!! If u speak ill of my family again..... I WILL END YOU!!!!!! #OnPHIL #OnDOE #NoBuuulllshit people fall down stairs daily.... U better watch yo step,u ungly-ass Gremlin-baby #nerveofdisCretin #fuckouttahea"
Oh LAWD!
Lindsay Lohan Lives It Up During London Collections Day 2
Lindsay Lohan showed up at the Moschino presentation during the London Collections: Men SS 15 at Lindley Hall
The “I Know Who Killed Me” chick looked cute and leggy in a short black dress while posing up a storm for the shutterbugs outside the event.
Meanwhile back in the States, Lindsay’s supposed sex partner list is getting blasted again, this time by controversial photographer Terry Richardson.
In his New York Magazine article “Is Terry Richardson an Artist or a Predator?” he declares,
“LiLo. Somehow she said we spent a romantic night making love at the Chateau Marmont. Which never happened. Then, on the internet, people are like, ‘He did this and that.’ But it’s totally untrue.”
O.J. Simpson’s Ford Bronco Currently Being Rented Out For Parties
The O.J. Simpson case continues to remain a fascinating occurrence that shined a racial blacklight across America, even 20 years after it first came to be.
While the entire cast of characters of the trial have all been chronicled in life and/or death, there is one key player in the whole chain of events that sparked the first bit of controversy.
O.J.’s now-infamous, white 1993 Ford Bronco. Any car that was captured for millions to during a self-incriminating high-speed police chase was most certainly meeting imminent doom. Such was the case the Bronco, after Ford discontinued it to make room for the Expedition in 1996.
Today marks the 20th anniversary when Simpson decided to turn himself into Los Angeles Police Department for suspicion of his wife’s murder. (A charge he historically beat.) NBC News did some investigating digging to trace the Bronco’s whereabouts over the years and found that it has went from time capsule relic to sideshow attraction and back again.
For starters, the Bronco was neither owned or driven by Simpson. It belonged to former NFL player and college teammate of Simpson’s, Al Cowlings. Simpson had allegedly held him at gunpoint and threatened for him to keep the car running or he’d blow his brains all over the dashboard. Cowlings was never charged with any crime and the car’s notoriety began to blossom, so Cowlings sold it for a reported $200,000.
A source close to the three businessmen who bought with attempts to turn a profit told NBC, “Because the whole thing was so racially fueled at the time, they didn’t want the perception of profiting off murders and racism. So they just hung onto the car for a very long time.” A honorable notion, one that someone like George Zimmerman failed to learned following his acquittal.
However, down the years, the Bronco was passed around like a hot potato, ending up as an opening display art for artist Nate Lowman, special events, and the Las Vegas sports memorabilia store and museum Score! With each transaction, renters would have to sign a disclosure to agree not to reveal the identities of the owners.
Sounds despicable on both ends but Simpson would probably give anything to be in attendance at one of the functions. He’s currently sitting in prison for a botched Nevada heist and robbery.
Paula Deen’s Son Tweets Questionable Pic of Black Employee
Paula Deen is in the midst of a comeback following her own racism scandal, just as her son looks to be starting his own.
Amid rumors that Jamie Deen’s own Food Network show has been cancelled, RadarOnline.com reports that on June 13, he posted the above pic of himself kissing an older African-American woman, captioning the pic “Don’t tell [my wife] Brooke. #jellyroll #sugar”
The woman in the photo, Ineata “Jellyroll” Jones, has been at the center of accusations of racism surrounding the family.
In 2013, The Columbus Dispatch claimed, “Deen used Jones for restaurant theater. At 11 a.m., when the doors opened at [her restaurant] Lady & Sons, she stood in front and rang an iron dinner bell.” Jones was also tasked with making hoecakes at an open kitchen station in view of customers, and according to the paper, “Deen wanted Jones to dress in an old-style Aunt Jemima outfit.”
While Deen denied the accusation, former employee Dora Charles said, “Jellyroll didn’t want to hear that. She didn’t want to do that.”
Jones has said she only has positive things to say about her employment with Deen.
But still, others are pointing out the root of the family’s supposedly loving nickname for the cook.
With ties to black jazz artist “Jelly Roll” Morton and African American slang for female genitalia, “Jelly Roll” as Deen’s choice of a nickname has come under fire on Twitter for its racist connotations.
“Wow, did Paula Deen really call one of her workers JellyRoll?” LaVerne Mack (@shaigirl11) wrote on Twitter. “I find that more offensive than the N-word.”
Tyler Richardson (@Ty1erRichardson) wrote, “Paula Deen employeed a woman named Ineata “Jellyroll” Jones. She has some sense of humor.”
The questionable tweets comes amid new reports from the New York Post that Jamie’s Food Network show, “Home For Dinner with Jamie Deen” has not been renewed for a third season.
Twitter Reacts To Zendaya Coleman Playing Aaliyah Role
It was confirmed today that Disney star and singer Zendaya Coleman will be playing the character of the late Aaliyah in an upcoming biopic called, Aaliyah Princess of R&B.
The film adaptation draws from the book Aaliyah: More Than A Woman by former Time magazine editor Christopher Farley, and is scheduled to air on Lifetime later this year.
After snagging the coveted role, Coleman, 17, is prepping to portray Aaliyah and her climb to stardom, up until the 22-year-old’s death, circa 2001.
As expected, when the news hit the Internet, Twitterverse reacted with mixed reviews. The teen actress received both backlash and praise from a stream of fans and critics alike. There’s even a newly launched petition aimed at halting the film altogether. Allegedly, Aaliyah’s parents and loved ones are against it.
Some are funny, some are nuetral and others are just plain ether. Peep the reactions
Thoughts?
Kanye Spent 4 Days On This Wedding Pic After Annie Leibovitz Bailed
*Kanye West and his wife Kim Kardashian, 33, devoted a large chunk of their honeymoon trying to perfect the first official photograph of their nuptials after famed photographer Annie Leibovitz pulled out of shooting their big day at the last minute.
Speaking at the Cannes Lions film Festival in France today, the 37-year-old rapper said: ”[Kim] was exhausted because we worked on the photo so much – because Annie Leibovitz pulled out of the wedding, because I think she was scared of the idea of celebrity.”
Once Leibovitz left the building, ‘Ye was determined to have the photos look like Annie’s work.
”Because Annie pulled out, I was like, ‘Okay, I still want my wedding photos to look like Annie Leibovitz’ and we sat there and worked on that photo for, like, four days because the flowers were off-color,” he said.
Despite spending a large amount of time perfecting their official photo, which was released on Kim’s Instagram account, Kanye believes it was well worth the wait.
”The fact the number one most-liked photo [on Instagram] has a kind of aesthetic was a win for what the mission is, which is raising the palette.”
The couple, who have 12-month-old daughter North together, tied the knot in Florence, Italy, on May 25 in front of their family and friends.
Who’s The Daddy: Chad Johnson Is Told By A Young Man That He Is His Father On Father’s Day…(Pics)
As if social media couldn’t get any more weirder… Is that a word!? Anywhoo, on Father’s Day a young man by the name Johnny took to Twitter to wish Chad Ochocinco Johnson a Happy Father’s Day wish and to give him a surprise at the same time. Chad didn’t seem to fall for it took and it to the joke mill…
The kid sent pics comparing himself to Chad and they do have a striking resemblance. What do you think? Peep the exchange:
Thoughts?
Tameka Raymond Launches Lifestyle Website StyleWhim.com
Shopping for the next style craze was just one of the many responsibilities that Tameka Raymond juggled for two decades. After attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, her professional career began as a dresser for Giorgio Armani fashion shows. She later lent her style dexterity to chart toppers Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, Toni Braxton, Usher, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Chris Tucker, Ciara, Keri Hilson, Maxwell, Nas, T.I, Janelle Monáe, Dr. Dre and soul singers Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan and Aretha Franklin. Her fashion work has graced the covers of Harpers Bazaar, Esquire, GQ, Rolling Stone, Essence, Seventeen, People, Vibe and Details. Now the mother, philanthropist, designer and cast member of VH-1's new show Atlanta Exes launches StyleWhim.com.
Tameka says, "It has been an emotional last few years for my family and me. I have had to work hard to find joy again after losing my precious son, Kile, in a terrible boating accident. After a long painful grieving process, I realized that it’s important for me to start to live again. And to live again I’ve had to develop new grace and a whole lot of humor. I have spent my entire career learning how to make others look good and feel good. I am always humbled when people ask me my opinion on style because I feel so blessed to be doing the work that I love and I want to share what I know."
Tameka recruited some of her savvy journalist friends for Style Whim, a lifestyle website covering Couture, Cuisine, Travel, Home Decor, Beauty/Health and Societal Issues. Here you'll read about the latest designs as seen on style favorites Lupita Nyong'o and Rosie Huntington Whiteley as well as comprehensive reviews on the latest skincare products. You'll find out why they think Restoration Hardware is next to godliness, why wearing white bras is a fashion faux pas, how to shop for conflict free diamonds and maybe even get their take on the Malaysian aircraft disappearance. Style Whim recognizes that in this recession Roberto Cavalli and regular stays at the Four Seasons isn't the norm for the everyday working women so instead they strive to offer affordable alternatives to regularly high priced designer clothing, decor, beauty products and resort vacations.
The most talented of designers including Yves St. Laurent, Christian Dior, Gianni Versace, Tom Ford and Pierre Balmain knew that visions and style concepts change from one month to the next. Style Whim was created out of that inevitability in order to keep fashionistas up to date on seasonal trends as well as timeless pieces. Although Tameka says she respects the titans, she will also hip you to some newer players like Juan Carlos Obando, Fyodor Golan and Gianvito Rossi.
Bill Blass once said, “Sometimes the eye gets so accustomed that if you don't have a change, you're bored. It's the same with fashion, you know. And that, I suppose, is what style is about.."I guess you could say Style Whim listened to the Coty Award Winner and is on a journey to make the world a more stylish place, one click at a time.
Also make sure to watch the new reality series Atlanta Exes with Christina Johnson (ex-wife of Cee-Lo Green), Monyetta Shaw (ex-fiance of Ne-Yo), Torrei Hart (ex-wife of Kevin Hart), Sheree Buchanan (ex-wife of Ray Buchanan) and Tameka Raymond (ex-wife of Usher Raymond). Coming this August on VH-1.
T.I. Throws Deyjah Harris a Big 13th Birthday Party!
TI’s youngest daughter Deyjah Harris celebrated her 13th birthday surrounded by close family and friends over the weekend. Can you believe Deyjah is now a pre-teen?
Check out the details below.
T.I. and Niko (Deyjah’s mother) held a huge birthday party for their youngest daughter Deyjah Harris over the weekend surrounded by their close family and friends. The Harris kids are growing up rapidly. Deyjah’s birthday was held on a beautiful sunny day and she was surrounded by her siblings, parents, cousins, aunt, uncles, grandmothers, and close friends. The kids enjoyed good food which included a cool cake by my girl over at CEO Custom Cakes and old fashion fun.
The Harris family are making big moves with their very popular reality show “T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle” on VH1. In addition to the tv show that have made all of the kids and extended family instant celebrities; Tiny is working hard on her Pretty Hustle and various projects that include music and television. T.I. is beasting it out in the studio jumping on some tracks and creating new music with videos to match with some of the folks in the game.
Happy Birthday Deyjah!
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘BELOW THE BELT’
I haven’t seen a woman purposefully sagging since WWE wrestler Lita made it cool for like 15 minutes. Probably a good reason why we haven’t. Take note lady.
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
