Thursday, June 14, 2012

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

MEET THE LADIES: "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" Cast Gets FEISTY At Premiere Party, Addresses Transgender Rumors & Catfights!

Posted: 14 Jun 2012 10:04 AM PDT

The "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" cast made their mark on the reality tv world last night at their premiere party in the ATL.  We've got the pics, the crazy answers from the cast about whether anyone is transgendered (due to looks), and we have what you can expect from this season of the southern spinoff.....

The cast of "LAHH Atlanta" do not disappoint when it comes to the drama, foolywang and altogether messy behavior. If that's the type of ish you like.  The YBF was on hand at Frank Ski's Restaurant & Lounge for the premiere party.  Instead of assuming this would be foolery just off the thought of this show, we gave it a chance and chatted with the ladies to get first hand incite into who they are (or who they want to be).

When asked why they wanted to participate in LAHH, most of them (pictured directly above with producer and cast mate Stevie J. and Exec. Producer Mona Scott Young), answered that they wanted to be "role models" and "inspire women."  This is odd considering their behavior in just the first episode we got to see. There's nothing positive about it.

Joseline, pictured above, is the obvious outcast on the show is a stripper turned rapper. Expect to see a lot of her ASSets in the first episode. She points out that she "wants to show young girls to know that they can be a rapper or a doctor or a lawyer." Oh.  *crickets*

Rapper Rasheeda (far left above) heads up the cast southern fried cast along with her manager/husband Kirk Frost. 

She told us the show is a great platform for her to accomplish her music career goals. Is it? We kinda loved her look though nonetheless.  With a few less accessories.

Karlie Redd says she is using the show to push her hair weave line and her new cosmetics line.  And, of course, her music. 

Cast member Lil Scrappy and his mother MaMa Dee--who was doing the most--made their way to the event.

Singer K. Michelle rocked a cute and tight peplum mini skirt for the occasion.  She revealed to us that she's ready to switch fromt he music biz to the beauty biz saying, "I'm still deciding if I want another record deal. I've just been through so much. I want to be the best mother I can be. I'm also opening up a salon in Memphis. I'm excited about that!"

Rasheeda's girl Mimi rocked a teal BCBG dress for the occasion.

She is producer/artist Stevie J's girlfriend--who, like Chrissy Lampkin, has problems with her man getting too close to certain chicks while working with them.  She also says her potty mouth you get to her on the first episode is really not that bad.

The cast chatted up the crowd and answered questions.

Other ATL folks came out to support:

Sarah Chapman (Diddy's other baby moms) rocked a cute look.

Jazze Pha was there.

Barely recognized Benzino.

Oh Derek J...

"ATL Housewives" Phaedra Parks and hubby Apollo hit up the event.

When we asked if the cast was fearful of backlash after other shows have received it for their catfights and bad behavior, Mona chimed in:

Let me answer this. I can only speak for this show. We can only capture the high's and lows. There isn't enough time to show everything. We try our best to show all sides of each individual. It's unfair to judge people. These girls are being honest and putting themselves out there for us to see. They go through what they go through. It's real life. Their struggle is the same as everyone else's. There are few shows out there that feature "us". We should support each other.

And if you're wondering how these ladies measure up to the original show's cast, we asked them who they were most like.

Erica: "I'm most like Chrissy and Emily. I relate to them because of their relationships with their man."
Mimi: "I feel the exact same. I am definitely in the same boat."
K. Michelle: "I feel like I'm most like Yandi. She was really about her business. I am also a lot like Olivia because I'm trying to get a record deal."
Rasheeda: "I'm most like Yandi and Chrissy. I like their 'go hard' mentality."
Karlie: "I watched every episode of LAHH. I loved it! I can relate to Olivia wanting that hit single. That's definitely me right now. I'm also like Yandi. I'm a boss chick."
Joseline: "I'm not like anyone. I don't compare myself to anybody. I'm my own woman."

Alrighty then.  LAHH ATL premieres June 18 on VH1. Check out our interview with cast member Erica HERE.

Photo Credits: Paras Griffin/Courtney Loves/James Pray/ATLPics.net; YBF Correspondents: Kisha Marshall & Dia Easley

Dwyane Wade Readies Memoir On FATHERHOOD + Stacey Dash WRITING "How To" Book ABOUT...BEING HER!

Posted: 14 Jun 2012 08:54 AM PDT

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NBA superstar Dwyane Wade has written a touching memoir about fatherhood and the love he has for his children.  Get the deets inside and find out about Stacey Dash's new "How To" book.....

 

Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade has written a memoir about raising his sons Zaire Blessing Dwyane Wade and Zion Malachi Airamis Wade called, A FATHER FIRST: How My Life Became Bigger than Basketball. 

In the book, he reveals his thoughts on fatherhood while detailing his personal experiences as a parent, and tracing his transformation from being the child of a single parent to now serving as one himself.  Especially due to the recent messy split from his ex-wife Siohvaughn,

The memoir also covers: 

· His mother’s struggles as a drug addict, and his growing up in Chicago among gangs, drug dealers and police raids (including a gut-wrenching story of young Dwyane finding a dead body in a garbage can)


· How he pulled himself up from such a life, thrived through basketball and maintained his devotion to his mother


· He has never talked about the prolonged battle with his ex-wife over sole custody of his two sons and why doing so was the most important thing in his life; and how the constant media attention has affected him and his boys


· His advocacy for fathers taking a strong role in their children’s lives; his main reason for writing the book is to help fathers see how they can do this and to see that they and their children can benefit from it enormously


· His childhood hero, his sister Tragil, who got him out of the mean Chicago streets, placed him with their father, and in many ways rescued him from a life that could have gone the wrong way

 

Dwyane, who teamed up with President Barack Obama to support his Fatherhood & Mentoring Initiative, spoke about the book saying,  

“As a child, I grew up with aspirations to one day be a professional basketball player, and I am living that dream every day as a proud member of the Miami HEAT,” said Wade. “However, the daily role I play in the lives of my two children is the single most significant undertaking of my life, and the job I take most seriously. While my basketball career has brought me many rewards – including an NBA Championship in 2006 and an Olympic Gold Medal in the 2008 Summer Games, my children are the two greatest gifts of my life.”

The book hits shelves on September 4, 2012.  And the Heat take on OKC tonight in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.  Who ya got?!

 

In other book news......

Rumored drama queen Stacey Dash is inviting readers into her fabulous life with a "Hot To" book.  She revealed on her blog that she's working on a book about her life's journey that will also serve as a guide to young women.  Not too sure how much we need that.  But I will break out the highlighter for any beauty & staying youthful tips chick has to offer.  She said on her website:

 The first thing I’d like to share is…..I’m writing a “How To” book.


It’ll be about me, my daily ritual and what I do every day to be Stacey Dash. It’ll be about what I’ve done in the past, the mistakes I’ve made and the lessons I’ve learned. The mistakes that I continue to make that drive me to moments of madness. I want to share what I’m going through in real-time to correct, reconcile and reinvent. You see I’m on a quest to live in love and joy come hell or high water. So, I’ll be writing about my future and how I’m moving forward in life using the knowledge I’ve gained from my past and wisdom I’m finding now. Also, I want to teach women and girls how to take care of themselves…and most importantly, how to love themselves. I believe that… is truly what is most important in life. In the process of writing, I’m hopeful that while I’m teaching you I’ll also be teaching myself…
Sincerely,
Stacey Dash

 

It seems a little self-absorbed to me, but if she has wisdom to share about aging as flawlessly she is, I'm all ears!

DRAMA UNFOLDING: Details From Chris Brown's Bloody Bottle Action FIGHT ALLEGEDLY With Drake & MMG!

Posted: 14 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT

Just when you thought all was well in the hip hop world and folks were busy stacking their paper...foolywang material pops off in the club.  Deets inside on Chris Brown's fight in an NYC nightclub last night, picture proof, and allegations that it involved Drake & The MMG gang...all over Rihanna!

 

 

Foolywangery was in full effect last night at W.I.P. (beneath Greenhouse) Wednesday night in downtown Manhattan.  Chris Brown Instagram'd the above pic of his face post-attack with a gash in his chin, saying "Bottles? It's Nothing!"  And Tweets from partygoers flooded the social media network giving play by plays of what went down.  Here's what we've gathered:
 

Drake and Trey Songz were partying in W.I.P. with their Maybach Music Group affiliate homies Meek Mill, Wale and French Montana.  They hit up the spot after partying at Sin City with Rick Ross to celebrate their Self Made 2 compilation album dropping in a few weeks.

Drake's frenemy, Chris Brown, was there too, in a different section of the club, popping bottles with Teyana Taylor (who snapped a pic with Meek & Wale while partying) as they celebrated her new G.O.O.D. Music deal.  Jennifer Williams, Ne-Yo, Tony Parker & plenty more were also there to party.

Following Drake's recent "That's your ho? She's our ho too" tweet that most understood to be about Rihanna, he and Chris allegedly exchanged words at the club.  We also hear Chris sent a bottle over to Drake's table--and Drake took it as a front.  Words became action as bottles flew at Chris--allegedly from Drake & Meek Mill's section of the club--causing chaos.  We're told both camps and "their people" were brawling.  Here are Chris' tweets which he later deleted:

NYC club promoter Jessica Rosenblum was also at W.I.P. last night and blamed "Amen" rapper Meek Mill tweeting:

@WIPNewYork crazy tonite! Maino, Chris Brown, Neyo, Teyana Taylor, Meek Mills, Mary J, Drake & like a million others! #goodnite

And then this little nugget (which she later deleted):

Meek Mill posted an image last night about the situation saying "That pussy must be good LOL" and, of course, deleted it.  But he responded to Jessica saying: "It wasn't me.... (shaggy voice) lol".

The aftermath of the bottle throwing fight:

Sigh.   We'll be updating as more foolishness rolls in.

By the way, the alleged tweets floating around from 2 Chainz giving a blow by blow of the fight and criticizing Rihanna are from an imposter account. 

Pooch Hall Makes PUBLIC STATEMENT To "The Breakfast Club" About BET, Says He Wants To RETURN To "The Game"

Posted: 14 Jun 2012 07:27 AM PDT

 

Maybe BET isn't taking Pooch Hall's telephone calls anymore, so he visited "The Breakfast Club" and rocked out a freestyle revealing he wants to return to "The Game."  Get the deets inside.....

 

Although BET released a statement saying Pooch Hall would not return to "The Game," Pooch says that he willing to work something out with BET.  Which further lets us know this is more than just a money issue and leaving wasn't necessarily Pooch's decision.

He told The Breakfast Club that he is still open to negotiations with BET, but they must allow him to also work on Showtime's "Ray Donovan." Not sure why this would be a problem since Coby Bell (Jason Pitts) has also played a substantial role on USA's "Burn Notice" for years.  And Tia Mowry has done her own reality show and a few tv movies during her time on "The Game."

Pooch expressed his thoughts about the situation through a long freestyle which ended with him saying "I can't say what's going on with BET/But Pooch Hall is ready."

The interview seemed to be Pooch's way of making a public statement to the network that he wants to have a future on "The Game. He said to fans, “I’m just going to tell the fans have faith. It’s being worked out….I want to come back and don’t be surprised if I do come back.”

He then spoke about his budding rap career and building his brand saying, "I want to be up there with the Will Smiths."  

And though he seemed uneasy during the interview, he kept repeating "I am not afraid" as if he is in a battle for his career. Interesting.....

 

Watch the clip here:

 

"Basketball Wives" Castmembers Get THE BOOT: Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed & Kesha Nichols AXED

Posted: 14 Jun 2012 06:24 AM PDT

And so it continues.  When Shaunie O'Neal said a few days ago that 3 castmembers needed to be let go in order for the show to sustain a more positive vibe--it seems what she really meant was she wanted to get rid of those who weren't causing enough drama.

 

Deets inside on the three chicks that just got the axe inside...

According to reports, newbie Kesha Nichols, Royce Reed & Jennifer Williams, have all received their walking papers. 

Reasons being?  Supposedly, Shaunie wanted to get rid of the dead weight.  I guess in this case dead weight equates non controversial.  We pretty much saw it coming with Jen.  Since she introduced lawsuits into the mix and we all saw where that got former castmate Meeka Claxton. 

As for Kesha, she simply didn't bring enough to the table for viewers to care apparently.  And the rest of the cast often refused to tape with Royce, and the fact she still is barred from saying her baby's daddy Dwight Howard's name on the show, it was reportedly becoming a problem.

But we do find it interesting that Shaunie claimed to be trying extremely hard to push the show in a more positive direction for next season, yet she keeps the very people who push the show in he negative direction.  I'm not a "BBW" expert or anything as I can barely get through watching any episode, but it just seems there are far more "negative' people on this show than harmless Kesha and arguably annoying Royce.

If Shaunie just wanted to keep controversy, then no need to lie about it otherwise.  Just sayin'. 

Their replacements should be interesting.  But with certain folks still in the mix--including instigating ass Suzy--we're expecting the same sh*t, different cast. VH1 has yet to confirm the three firings.

The Randomness:

1.  R. Kelly owes over $4.8 mill in back taxes dating all the way back to 2005.  STORY

Ashanti PAID $20K To SPEAK At A High School About VOTING + Frank Ocean DROPS "Pyramids" TRACK, Announces New Album & Tour Dates

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 06:11 PM PDT

Ashanti stopped by Atlantic City High School were she spoke about voting rights and received a $20K check. Get the deets inside and find out about Frank Ocean's new album, tour and listen to "Pyramids."

 

Ashanti recently tweeted pics from her day-long appearance at Atlantic City High School were she teamed up with "Voting Works,"a firm whose priority is to increase voter turnout & educate voters on the electoral process.  Apparently Ashanti is making a few coins on the speaking circuit as she collected a $20K check!  But from a high school though?  Oh.

She also did an interview with the high school's radio station.
 

 

She tweeted,  Super special S/O to Elijah who’s actually the 1 that help REALLY make it happen today @ AC high (Isaiah’s big bro).

Later on, Ashanti performed at Atlantic City's "R&B Gone But Not Forgotten" tribute hosted by Mayor Lorenzo Langford.  Ashanti is the goddaughter of Nynell Langford, Mayor Langford's wife.

 

Watch a clip of Ashanti singing "I Have Nothing" here:

 

In other music news.............

Frank Ocean has announced his new album, Channel Orange, will be released by July 17 Def Jam. In the meantime, he's released a nearly 10-minute epic track called "Pyramids" for fans.  Also, he's hitting the road and we have his tour dates.

 

Listen to "Pyramids" here:

 

Check out Frank's tour dates here:

07-13 Seattle, WA - Showbox at the Market
07-14 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom
07-16 San Francisco, CA - The Regency Ballroom
07-17 Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
07-19 Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa
07-20 Dallas, TX - Southside Music Hall
07-22 Atlanta, GA - Center Stage Theatre
07-23 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
07-25 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
07-26 New York, NY - Terminal 5
07-28 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
07-29 Montreal, Quebec - Club Soda
07-31 Toronto, Ontario - The Guvernment
08-01 Detroit, MI - TBA
08-04 Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza

EXCLUSIVE: Meet Erica Dixon Of "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta," Get The Dish On Boyfriend Lil' Scrappy And BEEF With Diamond

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 04:24 PM PDT

Erica Dixon, the girlfriend and baby's mother of rapper Lil' Scappy, chatted exclusively with TheYBF.com today about her new role on "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta."  If you don't know who she is, don't worry, we didn't either. But since we love a good love triangle and some good drama, we were quick to get to know Ms. Erica.  From her relationship with her rapper boyfriend to beef with his ex to her drug addict parents, we've got it all.  Check out our dish session inside....

 

 We told you earlier about the cast of VH1's "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" but most of you were left with big question marks when you read off the names of the stars. One such castmate is Erica Dixon, the girlfriend of Lil' Scrappy and mother of his 7-year-old daughter Emani. Though many people don't know who she is now, Erica promises to break-out from Scrappy's shadow and show the world "I am my own woman."

We just had to know how the two co-parent and if there is/was any tension between her and Scrappy's ex, ATL rapper Diamond (who was also rumored to originally be cast for the show).

Atlanta native Erica spoke exclusively with TheYBF.com about her role on "L&H: Atlanta" and why she decided to do the show.  

"I wanted people to know know who I am," she eagerly told us.  "A lot of people associated Lil' Scrappy with Diamond and they assumed that my child was her child. So I just want to give people a little insight on who I am and what I have going on."

Erica revealed that she met Lil' Scrappy in 2002 right after she graduated high school, and they began a relationship that has been "on and off" over the years.  Now this may strike some as odd since the rapper is commonly associated with his ex-chick Diamond.  So what's up with all the overlap? 

"We've been a relationship on and off for ten years.  During that off period, he was with Diamond. That situation came along years down the line during the whole Crime Mob thing after he signed with Lil' Jon."

Well that explains it.

Erica added that there was NEVER a love triangle.  "When Scrappy was with Diamond, he was not with me."

When asked if she ever has any contact with Diamond, Erica set the record straight:

"She was in a relationship with him, not me....so we don't have a relationship.  But with a situation like that you have your ups and downs....but this is about me right now.  I don't want to dwell on her.  Whatever relationship they had is in the past."

But with Atlanta's hip hop community being so small, one would imagine the couple must still have some type of dealings with Diamond.  In fact, rumors have been swirling that Diamond quit the show when she found out that Erica and Lil' Scrappy's mother, Mama Dee, had signed on.  We inquired about the rumor.  And Erica stayed mum due to being barred from talking too much about the show.  Heaven forbid anything is revealed before the show actually airs.

Outside of the show, Erica says she is in the beginning stages of a couple of things: Developing an online clothing boutique and starting a non-profit organization that targets young girls.  

"I had a hard childhood growing because I didn't have my mom around at all times," she explained.

Erica revealed that her mom was a drug addict and was in jail for her the first 6 years of her life.  And because her father battled an alcohol addiction, she was raised by an aunt and uncle.  

"But I've grown from that and I want youn girls to know that you can still grow up and be anything you want to be."  She adds that she and her parents are in a much better space now and she has great relations with both of them.  

With her own childhood being so rough, she makes it a point that Emani doesn't have those same issues.  

"We are great parents. I am a mother first and Scrappy is a great Dad.  He is crazy about his little girl.  He is very invloved in any and everything she had going on." 

She added that Mama Dee even gets in on the action making Christmas cookies, carving pumpkins for Halloween and is a fun grandmother.  Does Erica have any regrets about the show?  She said, "I like the castmates and the show itself was a great opportunity."  

Check out "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" on Monday, June 18, 7PMc.

  

Watch Erica's "Cast Profile" here:

 

Raven Symone Hits Up Gay Pride Event In NYC

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 02:00 PM PDT

Oh hello there Raven.  The cute YBF chick was spotted having some fun at an NYC LGBT Gay Pride event last night as the cast of Sister Act on Broadway performed.  And the host was the Broadway production's Producer, Whoopi Goldberg.

 

Pics inside....

Raven Symone looked to be having some fun--despite the recent hoopla about her own sexual orientation--at NYC's LGBT event last night.  The event was to honor several of the city's prominent figures in gay rights.  And Raven took the mic in two cute looks for the occasion:

She's looking great these days.  Do you Raven...

Pics via SPLASH

IT'S A BOY! Tamera Mowry-Housley Reveals BLUE-Rific News!

Posted: 13 Jun 2012 11:57 AM PDT

Tamera Mowry-Housley just revealed the sex of her first baby.  And it's a BOY!  Deets and her new baby bump pics inside...

"Tia & Tamera" star Tamera Mowry-Housley dropped her big pregnancy news this past April.  And now, she tells In Touch Weekly in the newest issue on stands now that her nephew Cree Hardrict will have a boy cousin to play with.

“I’m having a baby boy!  We’re so thrilled.”

Tamera, pictured above showing off her baby bump in the issue, also revealed she's going with a sports theme for the baby's nursery.  She told People magazine before finding out the sex of the baby that she did, in fact, want a boy:

"I want a boy because I have two brothers whom I love and adore.  I helped raise my brothers so I have somewhat of an experience raising boys.”

And she snapped the pic below Sunday to show her Twitter fans her 5-month-baby-bump:

Cute!  The 33-year-old actress and FOX news correspondent hubby Adam are due this fall.

 
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