The Young, Black, and Fabulous

ON THE SCENE: YBF's Pink Carpet Recap of Black Girls Rock!
SPOTTED: Ciara & The Dream Take A Stroll In NYC
Omarion Hit With Tax Lien + Terrell Owens Hires Matchmaker
ON THE PROWL: Halle Hunted Down Beau Olivier BEFORE He Was Her Co-Star?
Kanye Tweets Banned Album Artwork+Sade Turns Down Jay-Z Collab
Monica & Shannon Brown: TATTOO'D LOVE & A DIAMOND RING!
EVENT FAB: Ciara, Jill Scott, And Nia Long Attend The 5th Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards
EVENT FAB: Nia Long Turns 4-0! + Black Girls Rock! Shot Callers Dinner

ON THE SCENE: YBF's Pink Carpet Recap of Black Girls Rock!

Posted: 18 Oct 2010 09:00 AM PDT

TheYBF.com and our NY correspondent Kourtney were on the scene at the 5th Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards this weekend in NYC.

Check out the video pink carpet recap inside and see what Debra Lee, DJ Beverly Bond, Ledisi, Malinda Williams and Stephen Hill had to say about Black Girls who ROCK...

This year, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. celebrates five years of highlighting women of color who have made outstanding contributions in their careers. And for the first time, the event will be televised. The YBF.com spoke to some of our fave YBF chicks on the pink carpet about what, exactly, makes black girls rock.

TV personality Free said black girls rock because they are strong and independent and can multitask when the plate is full.

And R&B singer Ledisi gushed about our realness, "Black girls rock because we are authentic."

When we talked to the creator of Black Girls Rock! Inc, DJ Beverly Bond, she was excited to see this idea come to life and the chance to celebrate black women. That sentiment was echoed by actress Malinda Williams, who said every black girl should look in the mirror and celebrate herself everyday.

And this year, thanks to BET CEO Debra Lee and BET executive Stephen Hill, BET is bringing the awards show to your living room. Stephen said the event has amazed him for the past four years and this year it needed to be celebrated nationwide.

Check out our video pink carpet report:

Black Girls Rock! airs on BET November 7th.

Video by Michael Pineiro

SPOTTED: Ciara & The Dream Take A Stroll In NYC

Posted: 18 Oct 2010 07:55 AM PDT

Seems like everybody's spending quality time with their producers these days. Newly divorced Christina Aguilera spent the weekend in Hawaii with Dream's bestie producer Tricky Stewart. And both Christina Milian and Alicia Keys married their producer guys. Not saying Ciara's next or anything. Just saying she was spotted out and about in NYC with The Dream this weekend.

Pics when you read on...

Cici rocked a cute look with a cute belted cardi-sweater and boots, while out and about in NYC this weekend.

Kim K. wasn't lying when she said people always tell her Cici and her look like the black and white version of each other....

Photog: Stewart

Omarion Hit With Tax Lien + Terrell Owens Hires Matchmaker

Posted: 18 Oct 2010 07:20 AM PDT

Almost every day a new celeb is being hit with a tax lien. Omarion owes $110,585 in taxes dating all the way back to 2003. The singer was last singed to Lil Wayne's label Young Money but split ways with the group summer 2009.

When asked about leaving Young Money, Omarion commented, "It feels amazing, Amazing, and the reason why it feels amazing is because I would have never thought at 25 I would have the opportunity to be in this position."

It probably doesn't feel amazing leaving one of the hottest labels today when you owe a hot amount in taxes.

Terrell Owens can catch almost anything on the football field but can't catch a girl in his personal life. The Bengals receiver hired a matchmaking service to help him find love. Owens hired matchmaking company Kelleher International to help him find a woman that "looks like Kim Kardashian." Sigh. I know "Millionaire Matchmaker" Patti Stanger is somewhere extra pissy right now.

Why Kim Kardashian? Owens says, "I happen to think she is gorgeous". I guess he and Julie are dunzo.

The company has 18 international offices and charges its clients anywhere from $15,000 to $150,000. There's a good chance that any woman that Terrell meets through this service will probably be after his money, but best of luck to him.

ON THE PROWL: Halle Hunted Down Beau Olivier BEFORE He Was Her Co-Star?

Posted: 18 Oct 2010 06:43 AM PDT

Looks like Halle Berry has had her eye on new boo Oliver Martinez for a while. Find out what she did to get him in her movie, plus the gorgeous pics of her at last night's SPIKE TV Awards when you read on...

Halle reportedly sent her people to prowl for the 44-year-old Olivier for the role in their new movie, 'Deep Tide'.

A source says that their relationship is "definitely real and hot and heavy".

HB's "people" deny that this was the reason he was cast saying, "Olivier was cast because he was the best actor for the role and both Halle and the director agreed. Any speculation beyond that reason is completely false"

Halle broke up with ex, Gabriel Aubry, in April, and was spotted with Martinez in June. I'm sure this chick has no problem getting whatever man she wants.

In other ~golden~ news, Ms. Berry presented an award for the 'Ultimate Scream' at the 2010 Spike Awards last night:

Chick rarely diappoints with the wardrobe choices. She's rocking a gold sequined Reem Acra dress, Louboutin pumps, and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

FAB look. And ladies, if u go on the prowl for the man you want, so the hell what. Have no shame in your game. Get YOURS.

Kanye Tweets Banned Album Artwork+Sade Turns Down Jay-Z Collab

Posted: 18 Oct 2010 06:07 AM PDT

Grammy-winning artist Kanye West recently revealed the banned cover art that was to appear on his forthcoming My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album. See the controversial pic inside, plus find out why Sade doesn't do collaborations.....

Mr. West went on another twitter rant saying Island Def Jam won't allow him to design his album cover the way he wants. He wants to use the picture above, which reflects a caricature of himself and his phoenix" sexing on a couch, to express his artistic side. But Wal-Mart and Target won't be having that.

However, The Los Angeles Times, says no one exactly “banned” the racy album cover. A source at Island Def Jam says the label “strongly urged” West to ditch the image, he “was told if he wanted to do it, the label would stand behind him.”

So, sounds like Kanye is looking for attention/trying to get a buzz going for his November 22 release date.

Here's what he had to say about the situation on twitter:

Do you find the picture offensive or explicit?

And in other music news...

If you ever thought about the hotness of Sade singing the hook to a Jay-Z track or Kanye rhyming over a Sade beat in the band's own song - don't hold your breath. Not going to happen.

Sade recently told The Los Angeles Times that Jay–Z and others her approached her about collabs and she always declines. She says,

“I’m too scared. They’ll find me out. It’s like The Wizard of Oz. They’ll find out there’s nothing there. As for collaborations, I’m collaborating with the band and do what we do. I see myself as a member of this band who does these songs that we write.”

But if you just want a Sade beat on your album, she's a safe bet for new artists, because it won't break the budget. “When it comes to sample clearances, I’m probably the cheapest chick in the west,” she says.

In the meantime, you can still hear Sade alone - no collabs. She and her band will kick off the North American leg of their 50-city tour on June 16 at Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena. Yasssss!

Monica & Shannon Brown: TATTOO'D LOVE & A DIAMOND RING!

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 02:53 PM PDT

Well looky here. We spy a FAT diamond ring (engagement, anyone?) and a "Shannon" wrist tatt on R&B chick Monica. And she's in no way trying to hide it.

Pics of a blinding diamond ring and a love-tatt to match, plus what Mo and her beau Shannon Brown had to say about each other, when you read on...

Wowsers! Looks like Laker baller Shanon Brown indeed knows how to spoil his lady. The couple has only been dating a few months, but that didn't stop him from copping the lovely Monica a 10 Karat diamond ring!

Monica's stylist Adrian Anderson spilled the beans about the ring. And everyone's suspecting is an engagement ring even though it's on her right hand (or left, as IPhone can flip a pic if you tell it to). Mo had just gotten styled for her performance at last night's Black Girls Rock! event in NY when Mr. Adrian snapped a pic and posted for the world to see. And Mo rocked the ring--on her left hand--on stage as well.

In the twitpic of the ring, you can see a "Shannon" tattoo...complete with a big heart with a lock hole in the middle. Hopefully it's temporary, because we know how ish usually turns out when couples get each others' names tatted on themselves.

But check out what Monica had to say about Shannon's gift and her love for him (read from bottom up):

Awwww. And if that's not enough of a sweet tooth, here's the cutesy things Shannon just gushed about his girl on twitter :

10 karats and tattoos and twitter gushing....this love game is serious out here.

EVENT FAB: Ciara, Jill Scott, And Nia Long Attend The 5th Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 12:05 PM PDT

BET CEO Debra Lee, DJ Beverly Bond, Ciara, and L. Londell McMillian were among the YBF folks at last night's 5th Annual Black Girl's Rock! Awards in NYC. See the fab pics when you go inside...

This year, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. celebrates five years of highlighting women of color who have made outstanding contributions in their careers. And for the first time, the event will air on BET in November. And we saw many of our fav YBF chicks on the pink carpet.

Ciara looked like a hot rocker chick, perfect outfit for the event.

Raven Symone has that Nia Long glow. Her makeup is great.

Free, Ciara, Malinda Williams and Imani Hakim took a great arrival pic together.

Keyshia Cole hit the pink carpet in a silvery-aqua number. I like it.

Actress KeKe Palmer looked beautiful with her long flowing curls.

Jill Scott. SMH. Well...I like the shoes.

And the ever classy Lynn Whitfield arrived in an all black ensemble.

The show was hosted by birthday girl Nia Long.

She is selling 40! And again....the skin is amazing.

Ciara was among those chosen to present during the evening.

And Raven Symone was among the women honored.

Missy Elliott was honored too.

In between presentations, many fab chicks performed. Here's Shontelle on stage.

Shontelle was followed by Monica, in an outfit I think is perfect for a windy night in the fall. Look closely you can see the engagement ring.

And we see Keyshia Cole belted out another number with her heart and soul. I'm not a fan of those boots though.

However, Miss Keri Hilson really pulled it together. Her hair is so cute even Ciara may have complimented her.

And I think it's time we acknowledge that since the scandal, Fantasia has stepped up her game in the wardrobe department. Now...if we can only get her to keep her shoes on.

Jill Scott brought the house down with her performance of "Golden."

Here's a great shot of Ruby Dee, Raven, and Missy in between presentations.

Malinda Williams seemed to enjoy the show.

As did author Iyanla Vanzant.

Black Girls Rock! was the brainchild of DJ Beverly Bond, seen here taking in the show with hubby
Bazaar Royale.

You can check out the Black Girls Rock! awards show on BET November 7th at 8pm/7c.

Photos via WireImage/Barnard/Nunez

EVENT FAB: Nia Long Turns 4-0! + Black Girls Rock! Shot Callers Dinner

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 10:16 AM PDT

It was a big weekend for actress Nia Long, who celebrated her 40th birthday and hosted this year's Black Girls Rock! awards in NYC. YBF folk began the weekend with the Black Girls Rock! Shot Callers Dinner at Fred's on Friday, before attending Nia's birthday party at a private location later that evening. Pics of both fab events inside...

Nia Long officially turns the BIG 40 on October 30th and she was joined by friends, Rhonda Cowan, Anthony Mackie, Debra Lee and Robert Verdi to bring in the special occasion. She looked simply beautiful while doing so.

The photographer seems to have Nia and Anthony laughing and having fun.

Her good friend Tonya Lee Lewis stopped by. And fyi, Nia's skin is FLAWLESS! I need her secret asap!

Here's Nia posing with Emil Wilbekin, Beverly Smith, Tonya Lee Lewis and Spencer Means.

And later with Bobby Joseph, Lou Miguel, and Sabai Burnett.

Happy B-day Nia!

This year, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. celebrates five years of highlighting women of color who have made outstanding contributions in their careers. Earlier in the evening, YBF folk celebrated the kickoff of the Black Girls Rock! event with a dinner at Fred's in NYC.

DJ Beverly Bond, founder of Black Girls Rock! Inc. , and BET President Debra Lee said they were excited this year's award show will air on BET.