Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

SPLITSVILLE LANE: Allen Iverson's Wife Files For Divorce....A 2nd Time!

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 09:10 AM PDT

For the second time in only 15 months, Tawanna Iverson is calling it quits with hubby and former NBA baller Allen Iverson. Deets inside....

 

 

On Monday, Tawanna Iverson filed legal docs in Fulton County to end her 10-year marriage to Allen Iverson, who's currently playing pro-ball in Turkey.

In the docs, she said her marriage to the former NBA baller is "irretrievably broken" and asked for sole and legal custody of their 5 kids, plus child support and alimony payments.  The first divorce papers she filed a year and a half ago, she ended up dropping.

And according to TMZ, she also wants to split the property and money accumulated during the marriage.

Hmmm.....sounds like she wants it all.  And A.I. will be officially back on the market. (Don't judge....he's still sexy as hell.)

We'll keep you posted....

Rihanna: Come To Barbados! I'm The New Tourism Ambassador!

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 08:36 AM PDT

She's constantly spotted prancing around in her bikinis on the beaches of Barbados.  So why not get paid for it?  Rihanna wants you to experience her home country of Barbados, so she's signed on to become a tourism ambassador for her home island.  Deets inside....

 

"Rude Boy" singer Rihanna has joined forces with Barbados' tourism authority to promote her homeland and draw in more visitors.

Speaking about her new job as a tourism ambassador, she said:

"Barbados is a place like no other and one of the reasons for this is the spirit and national pride of our people. I want each and every visitor to this beautiful island to experience what makes this destination different from all others and that is the spirit and warmth of my fellow Barbadians."

The carribean pop starlet's been spotted vacationing, beaching, and visiting family there pretty often over the years.  And to kick off her official duties, she will bring her 'Loud' tour to her hometown of Bridgetown in August.

For their part, The Barbados Tourism Authority said:

"We are proud to announce that musical sensation and social phenomenon Rihanna has partnered with the Barbados Tourism Authority as an exclusive promotional partner for three years.

Celebrate this amazing announcement today by joining us on August 5 as she brings her 'Loud' tour to Bridgetown, Barbados, her homeland."

And Rihanna is excited about the concert.  She recently tweeted:

#LOUDtourBARBADOS I comin home! I promise wunna eeeevery every since! Luv wunna BAD like sweetbread!!! My island in de sun! (Only 4 Bajans)

We love some good vacay pics so let's get the party started....

MAGAZINE FAB: Malinda Williams Covers "DENIM" Magazine

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 08:00 AM PDT

Actress Malinda Williams covers the first issue of DENIM Magazine and we have the pics for you inside....

Ever since her divorce from D-Nice, we haven't heard much from her lately.  But YBF chick Malinda Williams flew down to Mississippi recently to get styled for the debut issue of DENIM Magazine.  And she's looking fresh facey, sexy, and rocking her natural locks we love:

 

 

Malinda has been on the lecture circuit recently. She recently tweeted that she gave a motivational keynote to teens at a high school in Detroit.


 

Malinda looks fabulous--the leopard dress and pink belt is my fave.  DENIM hits the stands soon.  Gorge pics!

 

Photos by Will Sterling/Hair by J.Struktuur/Styling by J.Bolin/Waredrobe by Veta Roots & Coat Tail

THROWBACK VID OF THE DAY [BIRTHDAY EDITION]: Tupac Spits Verses In The Classroom

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 07:37 AM PDT

Rapper and poet Tupac Shakur would have turned 40 today had his life not been taken early.  And instead of the usual birthday tribute posts we and others typically do, we came across this rare video of Pac sitting down with school kids inside a classroom, spitting his verses to "Keep Ya Head Up."

 

Check it inside....

 

The words to this track have always been powerful.  It says a lot about a person who goes TO the very people feeling and buying the words one has to say.  As it affects those people most, and they gain the most from the experience and the words.

Erykah Badu and others are hosting a concert in Tupac's honor today at Symphony Hall-Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta.  Proceeds from the Tupac 40th Birthday Concert, hosted by actor and comedian Mike Epps, will benefit the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation for the Arts, an organization that helps develop artistic creativity in young students.

Happy Birthday Tupac.

EVENT FAB: Solange, Tika Sumpter, Carmelo, Sanaa, Taraji, Amar'e, & More Get FAB In The City

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 06:55 AM PDT

 

Our fave YBF chicks hit up the Grand Opening of Dream Downtown, PH-D Rooftop Lounge and Marble Lane Restaurant last night in NYC.  We've got pics of Tika Sumpter, Solange, Taraji, & Sanaa looking their usual gorgeous selves, plus other celebs partying it up, when you read on....

 

YBF indeed!  Somebody in this piece needs to write a book on getting and staying fab.  Gorgeous actresses Taraji Henson--who's rocking some new straight long locks--Sanaa Lathan, and Tika Sumpter all partied it up at the Dream Downtown opening.  Loving all the looks.  Even Taraji's floral uber short shorts.

Tika will be hosting the BET Awards 2011 red carpet for BET.com next weekend.  And shes also in the studio working on some music, which she describes as "feel good,fun music, pop."  Nice!

Solange Knowles chatted it up with "Platinum Hit" host Kara DioGuardi. 

Loves those curls.  And this whole green pants and white blouse look.

And she hit the 1's and 2's of course.

And the fellas--Knick ballers Amar'e Stoudamire and Carmelo Anthony and rapper Fabolous--all partied it up.

Model Tyson Beckford made an appearance with NFLer Devin Thomas as well.

Then celebs headed over to the Urban Zen Center for the 3rd Annual Bent On Learning Benefit:

Gwyneth Paltrow, Eddie Stern, designer Stacey Bendet of Alice+Olivia, and Russell Simmons were there to celebrate.

And Sanaa and Tika decided to hit up this good cause as well last night:

Lovely.

Photogs: Seth Browarnik/Zimmerman/Kambouris

Kanye West Taking Legal Action Over "Mama's Boyfriend" Leak + L.A. Reid To Head Sony's Epic Records

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 06:33 AM PDT

Kanye West is mad again...but for a good reason. Seems that the leak of "Mama's Boyfriend" was created with Kanye's stolen vocals and he is planning to take the culprit down.  Get the deets inside and find out about L.A. Reid's new gig.

Kanye West is fuming about the leak of "Mama's Boyfriend" and his reps are speaking out saying that the track was not left of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

In fact, they say Kanye's vocals were stolen and someone laid them over their own soundbed for the leak.  They added that legal measures will be taken to get the culprit.

His reps released the following statement: 

The version of the Kanye West recording “Mama’s Boy” that arrived on blog sites earlier this week is entirely bogus and unsanctioned, and violates the artist’s creative intentions. As is often the unfortunate case, an unknown party or parties got a hold of Kanye West’s vocal track and added their own soundbed to it, effectively and falsely releasing it as a Kanye West track from the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy sessions. The result in no way resembles the final song Kanye West intended his fans to hear, and he is deeply disappointed that one of the most personal, meaningful and special songs he has ever written would reach people in this way. Needless to say, measures are being taken to identify and prosecute the persons responsible for leaking this material.

 

Also in music....

Multi-tasking "X-Factor" judge and former Def Jam head honcho L.A. Reid has just signed on to head Sony Music’s Epic Label Group, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  L.A. is set to begin his new job after the July 4th holiday. 

Industry vets think L.A. will focus on more urban music for the label and he will be working with both Pink and Usher again (whom he discovered).

UH OH! Alicia Keys Calls Out George Michael & His Jaw-ache For Bailing On Her 'Keep A Child' Alive Ball

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 05:51 AM PDT

Alicia Keys' "Keep A Child Alive" annual Black Ball in London may have been a success last night, but it wasn't thanks to scheduled performer George Michael.  She called out the divalicious singer for bailing on thousands of orphans, even though he explained why he had to skip the gig.

 

Deets when you read on...

After Alicia arrived at her Black Ball--which raises millions of dollars of orphans suffering from AIDS in Africa and India--she took to Twitter to express her disappointment with scheduled performer George Michael.

She said:

“#Blackball Uk was a TREMENDOUS Success!!!! but one question…..what kind of person bails on 15million orphans…..#GEORGEMICHEAL???? ;-(.”

But what she likely didn't realize at the time is that George tweeted three days ago that he was suffering from a jaw infection:

On the weekend, got some kind of infection in my lower jaw and the left side of my face now resembles a hairy football...Anyway the point is I dont know if it will clear up in time for Wednesdays Black Ball Charity event with Alicia Keys...Which would be terrible, I don't want to let down the charity, which is excellent, and I would love to sing with Alicia, shes wonderful....
 

He also tweeted last night encouraging his fans to still attend the charity Ball:

This tooth ain't getting better in time for tonight, not enough to sing anyway..... :(...I'm really sorry folks. You watch, it'll be totally fine by tomorrow. Bloody typical....I hope not too many of my lovelies managed to grab a ticket :(...Of course I'd recommend going anyway, Alicia is great live, and @KeepaChildAlive is great charity to donate to. 

Alicia later erased her tweet.  I'm sure she wouldn't want to be seen as ~insensitive~ or anything....

Mark Ronson, Beth Ditto, Tinie Tempah, Boy George, and others were in attendance to support and perform as well.

The Randomness:

1.  Bone Thugs-n-Harmony rapper, Bizzy Bone, is under investigation in Chicago for allegedly beating up two fans after a concert last week.  Story

 

Beyonce & More Set To Appear At BET Awards 2011, Readies New PULSE Perfume

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 05:05 AM PDT

Beyonce is set to shake it up on stage for the 2011 BET Awards.  She was just announced as the latest performer to join other stars next Sunday night.  But it will likely be via satellite from London.

 

Deets, plus deets on her third fragrance release for her new Pulse perfume, when you read on....

Despite a major leak last week, Beyonce is in full on promo mode for her upcoming album release for 4.  So in addition to performing on Good Morning America July 1st, she's making this big BET Awards 2011 tv performance beforehand.

Interestingly, she's also set to perform at Glastonbury Festival in London on the same day--June 26th.  So it was confirmed on "106 & Park" last night that BET will be streaming her London performance live via satellite.

Also already announced to perform is Chris Brown, Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Lil Wayne, & Drake.

 

Speaking of Bey, her third fragrance with the Coty parent company, Pulse, was just announced.  The September 2011 release will have Pulse joining the "Best Thing I Never Had" singer's collecton of Heat and Heat Rush. According to the press release, the new fragrance has notes in citrus and orchid. The bluebird orchid in Pulse, it says, has not been used in a fragrance before.

’Sparkling top notes of pear blossom, effervescent blue Curaçao accord and frosted bergamot give way to bluebird orchid, delicate peony and fragrant midnight blooming jasmine. Finally, Pulse is anchored by powerfully sexy, irresistible base notes: warm, opulent Madagascar vanilla, seductive musk and sensual precious woods.’

Beyonce chatted with Elle.com about how she came up wtht he new fragrance, it's odd bottle design, and how she still gets uber nervous before performances:

ELLE: Your first fragrance, Heat, was a huge success. Did you feel any pressure following that up?
BK: I didn’t. The success of Heat was amazing, but why not represent a different side of a woman? Pulse represents the woman I am on stage. When I think about excitement, it makes me think about my heart racing and a pulsating beat­—it’s my stage persona. Heat represents my sensual side, it’s very spicy and Southern. Heat Rush is more about the woman I am on my off time, when I’m on vacation.

ELLE: You’ve been performing your whole life. Does your heart really still race when you get on stage?
BK: Performing at the Billboard Music Awards and on the Oprah farewell show made me so nervous! My heart was pounding out of my chest. But it’s amazing how that nervousness never goes away—it’s my natural response to something exciting and fresh and inspiring. It’s just like when you’re in a relationship. It’s not good when your pulse stops racing. That means you’ve got to spice it up.

ELLE: Why an upside down bottle?
BK: I wanted something modern that incorporated fashion into the overall design, so my stage costumes inspired the upside down chrome cap of the bottle.

ELLE: Are you often inspired by fashion?
BK: I’m inspired by a lot of different designers, but I haven’t bought couture pieces since my last vacation eight or nine months ago. I spent so much money on them, but didn’t wear them at the right time, so now I see other people in magazines wearing them first! Lately I’ve been shopping at Topshop and more affordable places—they have really cute things!

ELLE: After creating four solo albums and three fragrances, have you found any similarities between music and perfume?
BK: I’m learning that they’re very similar! Figuring out the ingredients in a fragrance that complement each other is no different than trying to figure out the combination of melody and lyrics for a song—it’s just as difficult. Both are something that take a lot of hard work. You need to have a strong opinion and know exactly what you want. I use my instincts from writing songs and coming up with videos—all of the things that have developed my taste level—and apply them toward making a fragrance.

ELLE: Like many of your songs, the single “Run the World (Girls)” is an anthem for female empowerment. Do scents ever make you feel empowered?
BK: Fragrance is such an important accessory! I feel incomplete when I don’t have my fragrance on; it’s like putting on your stilettos. When you feel good, when you look good, when you smell good, when you’re fresh, it makes you feel so confident. You feel that much more sexy when you know that you’re going to leave a lasting impression.

I wasn't feeling the smell of Heat or Heat Rush at all, so hopefully this one's a goodie.

GIRL STOP: Lil Mama Says Nicki Minaj Bit HER Style

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 04:18 PM PDT

 

Just when we thought Lil Mama had went off and joined a circus and we didn't have to be subjected to her "eclecticism" any longer...she goes and does this interview with VIBE.  And she's schooling us on why she never copied Nicki Minaj's style.  But it's actually the other way around.

 

Even if you could give two sh*ts about who either of these two are biting, the read is a must for laughs....

The "America's Best Dance Crew" judge had a little chit chat with Vibe.com as she preps for the release of her new music.  And the self proclaimed "bombshell" was asked how she feels about folks saying she bit fellow eclectic wig-wearing harajuku & barbie rapper Nicki Minaj's style.  And she had some interesting insight on that one.  She said she "beat her bangs FIRST" and has been wearing a blunt bob for a while, and Nicki only started to after she hit up one of Lil Mama's shows:

I think besides growing as an artist, the most obvious evolution is that of your style. It’s definitely more risky and avant-garde. Why that direction?
What people get twisted is that when you're an artist, you are art. You think a certain a way. My family would be like "Yo, you are crazy; where did we find you at?" We all grew up in New York and the swag is so simple. But I was like "Nah I don't want to wear it like that. I know that's the new fashion, but I want to wear it like this." And they'd be like "Girl you crazy." I guess you can say I've always been a trendsetter and being a trendsetter you're going to get both sides of the fence because it's not easy to digest. And it’s not easy to digest because it’s not everywhere. I really don't care what people think though.

Interesting thing is that leftfield style is actually becoming more of the norm. How do you react to folks saying your biting Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga?
Come on, let's be real okay. You have all these people wearing different colored hair. At the end of the day I'm a bombshell, so I'm going to do me. If I want to go platinum, I'm going platinum. Let's not forget that we have had people doing these things way before the people who are doing it now and let's also not forget that the black community sometimes we really hang ourselves because every time another black female gets up there and does something that may be current, we criticize each other and try to put each other down, but when Katy Perry and Lady Gaga do it, they all eat. But I'm not going to be a part of that. I'm going to do me, regardless.

Very valid point… I think the biggest style criticism was thrown at you this past MTV Movie Awards. Bunch of people thought you jacked Nicki’s haircut.
But my cut is blunt and futuristic and Nicki Minaj started wearing that bob on her head after she came to my show, so at the end of the day I know what I do and I know what I possess and I know who I am. I'm a trendsetter. The biggest form of flattery is imitation so I'm flattered. I understand the universal law. I'm not confused, I don't feel like a follower. I started so many things that new artists are doing now anyway –my style, the way I'm aggressive on a track, the way I come through, the way my beat bangs. There are so many things that were borrowed, that I influenced that's happening in music right, so I'm far from discouraged.

Well there you go. Wait, Nicki through to one went to one of your shows?
Yeah, she was a guest on America's Best Dance Crew and immediately afterwards, everywhere she went, she was wearing the haircut, the same exact way. But that doesn't make me feel like ‘Oh she's trying to be down’ like how I said about our culture. I'm actually flattered because she imitated me and it felt like something that I was doing was cute and in time for the fashion and for the season, so it's like let's live, let's do it.

Ha! Were you and Nicki at least able to chop it up after her episode of ABDC?
We didn't really get a chance to vibe out like that after the show. It was just business. It was a level of respect though. Despite of what anybody might hear or have to say through the web, internet, music, subliminals, or whatever, when people see me in this industry I am respected and I will be respected. Anything else goes under the rug so I don't see it. Whoever it may be, it's always a level of respect because I respect myself and I will be respected.

I guess Lil Mama doesn't realize she started none of this either.  These two arguing about who rocked this "style" first is worse than a jumpoff of Tiger Woods' and Arnold Schwarzenegger's maid arguing about who's more basic.

But hey, whatever gets you through the day boo.....

Source

MAGAZINE PICS: Inside Beyonce's July/August 2011 Issue Of "L'Uomo Vogue"

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 03:35 PM PDT

We told you previously about Beyonce in the latest issue of L'Uomo Vogue, now we have the pics from inside the magazine when you read on....

Beyonce looks very chic in her black-and-white pictorial in the July/August 2011 isse of L'Uomo Vogue.

 
 

Fab.

Beyonce arrived back in NYC last night, fresh from her trip to France.  And she's set to perform live on Friday, July 1st as part of "Good Morning America"’s Summer Concert Series.

Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz Get FAB For Keep A Child Alive Ball

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 02:38 PM PDT

Alicia Keys hosted her annual Keep A Child Alive Black Ball in London tonight.  And we've got pics of her arriving in a beautiful gown--despite her wardrobe malfunction---with her hubby Swizz Beatz when you read on....

It took Alicia and Swizzy 15 minutes to head into the Roundhouse in London tonight as they had to wait in the car while Alicia had a wardrobe malfunction catered to. She emerged holding the back of her belt while trying to sign autographs right before the red carpet.

Nice.

The organization's purpose is to raise money for children and families who have been impacted by HIV and AIDS in Africa and India.  Ms. Keys has raised over $13 million for the org since 2004.  Fab!

Hitman CONFESSES To 1994 Shooting Of Tupac Shakur!

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:36 PM PDT


Right in time for what would have been Tupac's 40th birthday tomorrow, an inmate (currently serving a life sentence) has confessed to the 1994 shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur that ignited the beef between the East/West coasts.   Get the deets inside...

 

In a shocking admission given to Allhiphop.com today, Dexter Isaac, an imate currently serving a life sentence for murder, robbery, fraud and witness intimidation charges, had admitted to shooting Tupac Shakur in 1994 after allegedly being paid $2,500.  Dexter claims the hit was order by James "Jimmy Henchmen" Rosemond and took place inside Manhattan's Quad Studios in November of 1994.

So how did we arrive at this point in 2011?  Well....for starters, the  statute of limitations has expired so Dexter can't be prosecuted and he said he wants to clear his conscious. 

He claims to know what happened to the jewelry stolen from Tupac that night and even claims to be in possession of one of Tupac's chains.

But the situation gets a little slicker.  Another reason for the confession was to point the finger at Jimmy, who is currently on the run from the law.  Jimmy previously named Dexter in a case that involves himself and several kilos of cocaine. SMH.

Dexter came forth with the confession earlier today saying,

"I want to apologize to his family [Tupac Shakur] and for the mistake I did for that sucker [Jimmy Henchman]," Dexter Isaac told AllHipHop.com from prison. "I am trying to clean it up to give [Tupac and Biggie's] mothers some closure."

Allhiphop.com said that Dexter has long been suspected of the shooting along with an associate name Spencer "Scooter" Bowens, who is also serving a life sentence.  Sigh.......

Read his entire admission here......   

MAGAZINE FAB: Jordin Sparks & Her Hot Body On PEOPLE+Zoe Saldana For Be Magazine

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 01:18 PM PDT

Zoe Saldana is rocking the pages of the newest issue of Be magazine.  And she's giving a vintage summer vibe in the scans.  Pics of her, plus Jordin Sparks' showing off her new hotness in People mag, when you read on...

 

Zoe looks summery cute in the June 2011 issue of Be mag.  And hse's also the new spokeswoman for FINCA International’s global effort supporting women who are working to create a better future for their families.

Sexy.

And look what Jordin's new body got her.  One of the top spots in PEOPLE mag's Most Amazing Bodies issue.  It hits stands une 27th and 21-year-old Jordin tweeted about saying:

I got emailed stills of the photos from the issue! You guys are gonna flip! :)
 

People quotes in the issue about the new size 8 who slimmed down from a size 14:

"I've always felt cute, but now I feel sexier," the singer says in the new issue of PEOPLE this week.

She credits her new figure to taking Zumba classes, scaling down her portion sizes and sticking to her new healthy lifestyle. Says the singer: "I was determined."

Loves her.

 

CANDIDS: Star Jones, Elgin Charles & Jackee Harry Wine And Dine In West Hollywood

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 12:29 PM PDT

Jackee Harry and Star Jones looked like they had been "Elginized" when they were spotted leaving BOA Steakhouse with Elgin Charles in West Hollywood. See pics of the *snaps* trio inside......

Two of Elgin Charles', who stars in his own VH1 reality show "Beverly Hills Fabulous," most famous clients, Star Jones and ex-wife Jackee Harry, were spotted leaving BOA Steakhouse with him in West Hollywood last night.

Elgin added a feather to his hair for a little flair.  This dude...

 

And Star showed off a little leg while waiting for valet to get her car.  These folks slay me...

"Basketball Wife" Newbie Meeka Claxton Hits The Town + Halle's New "Dark Tide" Trailer

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 12:07 PM PDT

The newest "Basketball Wife" Meeka Claxton is already starting her party rounds in NYC.  Pics of her and her hubby Speedy, plus Halle Berry's brand new trailer for Dark Tide ft. her boo Olivier Martinez, when you read on....

Ish-starter Meeka hit up the Rue New York City event at Co-Op last night. She came with hubby Speedy who is also featured on the show. Meeka looks like she's been on a serious diet and work out plan. Wonder how this season's gonna end up.

In other news, Halle's new movie trailer is here:

In her movie, Dark Tide, she stars opposite her boyfriend Olivier Martinez.  It hits theaters soon.
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