Friday, October 21, 2011

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

Kerry Washington & Columbus Short Starring In Shonda Rhimes' New Series "Scandal" + "Think Like A Man" Movie Poster REVEALED

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 09:38 AM PDT

Kerry Washington will star in Shonda Rhimes' new ABC series "Scandal" which is set for a Spring 2012 debut.  Get the deets inside and find out who her sexy co-star will be.  Also, see the Think Like A Man official movie poster.....

 

YBF chick Shonda Rhimes, the creator of "The Practice" and "Grey's Anatomy," has scored another ABC drama, and this time she's bringing Kerry Washington as the lead and Columbus Short along for the ride.

Her new series, "Scandal" will focus on the lives of employees at a crisis management firm for celebrities.  Kerry will star as Olivia Pope, the head of the firm and a former media consultant to the President of the United States. 

Speaking about her new role, she said,

“I was not looking to do a TV show, but I read this amazing script with this amazing woman named Olivia Pope, and it happened to be for TV and so I thought maybe I want to do something different.  Once I read it, I wanted to do whatever I had to do to be a part of it.”

Joining Kerry and Columbus are Tony Goldwyn who plays the President, Henry Ian Cusick, Guillermo Diaz, Katie Lowes, Jeff Perry and Darby Stanchfield.  

Fans can expect the same great story-driven scripts that Shonda is know for, and she adds that Kerry will bring something special to the show. 

“You know, we’re talking about a black female lead of a television show, and we wanted to make sure we had just the right person.  Kerry came in and she was just perfect.” 

 

Watch the show's trailer here:

 

And at the movies....

 

Meagan Good recently tweeted the official movie poster for Think Like A Man.

The film hits the movie theaters on Easter.  Will you be supporting it?

Chris Brown, Beyonce & Kelly Rowland LEAD The 2011 Soul Train Awards Nods + Boyz II Men REVEAL Why They DUMPED Michael "The Bass"

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 08:49 AM PDT

The 2011 Soul  Award nominations were announced earlier today with  Chris Brown, Kelly Rowland and Beyonce leading the pack of nominees.  Find out who else took nominations and get the deets on why Boyz II Men cut their fourth member and become a trio.

Kelly Rowland is still the "belle" of R&B as the starlet walked away with three 2011 Soul Train Award nominations.  Miss "Lay It On Me" grabbed nods for Best Female R&B/Soul Artist, as well as Best Dance Performance and Song of the Year for "Motivation." 

Her former bandmate, Beyonce, nabbed "4" nods including Record of the Year with "Best Thing I Never Had" while also popping up in the Best Female R&B Soul Artist, Best Dance Performance and teh Album of the Year categories.

And Chris Brown--who just sold out the Staples Center last night--leads the pack of male contenders garnering 5 nominations, including the top two fields, Album and Song of the Year.

Newcomer Miguel grabbed up 3 nods, while Rihanna grabbed 2, plus another in collaboration with her big bros Jay-Z & Kanye West on "All of the Lights" for Best Hip Hop Song of the Year.  And Adele grabbed 3 nods and will be going up against Bey for Album of the Year.

Cedric The Entertainer will host the show on Centric and BET, Sunday, November 27 at 9pm/8c.

See the full list of nominees below:

Best New Artist
Bruno Mars
Marsha Ambrosius
Miguel
Frank Ocean

Best Male R&B/Soul Artist
Trey Songz
Chris Brown
R. Kelly
Miguel
Cee Lo Green
Eric Benet

Centric Award
Ledisi
Raphael Saddiq
Bilal
Anthony David
Aloe Blacc

Best Caribbean Performance
“Man Down” -Rihanna
“Summer Time” -Vybz Kartel
“Wotless” -Kes The Band
“Bend Over” – Machel Montano
“Delilah” – Movado

Best Gospel Performance
“I Smile” – Kirk Franklin
“Walking” – Mary Mary
“Heaven Hear My Heart” – Trin-I-Tee 5:7
“I Believe” – James Fortune ft. Shawn McLemore
“More” – Cece Winans

Album of the Year
21 - Adele
F.A.M.E - Chris Brown
4 - Beyonce
Passion Pain & Pleasure - Trey Songz
Light of the Sun - Jill Scott
Watch The Throne - Jay Z and Kanye West

Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year
“Moment for Life” – Nicki Minaj
“All of the Lights”- Kanye West ft. Rihanna
“Look at Me Now” – Chris Brown feat. Busta Rhymes and Lil’ Wayne
“Out of My Head” – Lupe Fiasco
“Otis” -  Jay Z and Kanye West

Best Female R&B/Soul Artist
Kelly Rowland
Beyonce
Marsha Ambrosius
Jennifer Hudson
Jill Scott
Mary J. Blige

Song of the Year
“Motivation” – Kelly Rowland feat. Lil’ Wayne
“Sure Thing”- Miguel
“Rolling in the Deep” – Adele
“She Ain’t You” – Chris Brown
“All of the Lights” – Kanye West
“So In Love” – Jill Scott ft. Anthony Hamilton

Record of the Year (The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award)
“Rolling in the Deep” – Adele (Writers: Adele, Paul Epworth)
“Far Away” – Marsha Ambrosius (Writers: Marsha Ambrosius, Sterling Simms)
“Best Thing I Never Had” – Beyonce (Writers: Antonio Dixon; Kenneth Edmonds; Larry Griffin, Jr.; Beyoncé Knowles; Caleb McCampbell; Patrick Smith; Shea Taylor)
“Good Man” – Raphael Saddiq (Writers: Raphael Saadiq, Taura Stinson)
“Hold My Hand” (Duet with Akon) – Michael Jackson (Writers: Aliaune Thiam (Akon), Giorgio Tuinfort, Claude Kelly)

Best Dance Performance
“Motivation” – Kelly Rowland
“Only Girl in the World”/”What’s My Name” – Rihanna
“Run The World” – Beyonce
“She Ain’t You” – Chris Brown
“Walking” – Mary Mary
“Pretty Girl Rock” – Keri Hilson

2011 Soul Train Award Legend Award Recipients
Gladys Knight
Earth Wind and Fire

 

 

 

Also in music......

R&B supergroup Boyz II Men started out as a quartet in the 90s, but in recent years they've become a trio.   Now the three remaining members are revealing why Michael "Bass" McCary is no longer in the group.

Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman sat down for an interview to talk about their career in the industry recently and dished on why Michael (who we all had a crush on) was kicked out.

Nathan says,

"There were some issues where he got lazy and wasn't doing all the things it takes to be a member of Boyz II Men."

And though Nathan admits Michael had health issues in 2003, he says it was actually Mike's poor work ethic that got him booted. 

Hmmm....sounds like there is a deep story behind that split. 

 

 

Watch their interview here:

 

BIRTHDAY FAB: Jennifer Freeman Turns 26 In Her Little White Dress

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 07:54 AM PDT

Jennifer Freeman celebrated her 26th birthday with friends at Rose Restaurant in West Hollywood last night.  And the married former "My Wife & Kids" actress looked fab celebrating in her LWD.

 

Pics inside...

 


 

She may be the mother of 2-year-old Isabella Amour Watson (her baby girl's birthday was last week!), but she looked every bit the pretty youngin' that used to grace our tvs pre-baby.

Her twin little sisters Megan and Melissa were there.

 

Her friends Julissa and publicist Nikki Chu were there.  But no signs of her besties Meagan Good, Kyla Pratt, Christina Milian or her NBA baller hubby Earl Watson.

Wonder what she's up to these days....

Photog: Weiss

Rihanna Reveals New "Rebelle" Fragrance... AND Sexy New Stage Outfits

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 07:28 AM PDT

It's been a week of revelations for Rihanna fans as the singer just unveiled a new fragrance...and some sexy new stage outfits for her LOUD tour. Get up to speed on Rihanna inside....

 

Following up her successul first fragrance Reb'l Fleur, Rihanna chose this week to debut her second scent called "Rebelle."

About the scent, she says,

"My new fragrance is about taking control but still being a lady. There's a feminine, romantic element to the fragrance -- but there's also a defiant quality in it.  I love its duality."

She recently wore a sample of the scent, which is due in stores Spring 2012, to a party and adds, "...all the fly girls wanted some."

 Also, Rihanna added a little more spice (if that's possible) to her "LOUD" tour by debuting a few new stages outfits for her concert in Paris last night.

Oh.

She still rocked a few of her previous looks but remixed them a bit.

You feelin' them?

 

Photos via Splash

Paris Jackson STANS OUT At Chris Brown's L.A. Concert

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 06:45 AM PDT

Michael Jackson's 13-year-old daughter Paris just got the performance of her life last night.  The uber Chris Brown fan hit the front row of his F.A.M.E. tour concert in L.A. with friends....and lost her mind when he hit the stage.  You know, just like every other 13-year-old girl in the sold-out Staples Center.

 

Pics of Paris stanning out, plus her meeting up with Breezy backstage, inside...

Gotta love when uber famous kids still get excited by something they've been privy to their whole lives.  Paris grew up watching her dad, her aunts and uncles, and surely plenty of other legends in the game perform.  But just like to any normal teenager, Chris Brown is in a whole other league.

The middle Jackson kid, who is stunning by the way, put up her "heart" signs for Chris as he hit the stage.  And she was spotted screaming, singing, dancing, and just in awe along with her girlfriends. Good to see she's not so jaded by the industry and is still just a normal teenaged girl.

Reportedly, Chris gave Paris and her girls the VIP treatment hooking them up with great seats and even invited them to his pre-show soundcheck.

According to the UK's Daily Mirror, Chris had to miss performing at the Michael Jackson tribute concert in Cardiff weeks ago because he wasn't allowed to enter the UK thanks to his criminal record after Chrihannagate.  But other reports say it was simply a tour schedule conflict.

Paris also snapped a pic with Breezy backstage and tweeted it saying to Chris:

'AMAZING Show Tonight!! You Were Outstanding!! Blew my MIND!!!! i was in the front & it was just like, mind-blowing!!! hahaha!  Amazing, mindblowing, outstanding, crazy, like… indescribable lol.'

Awww.  Gotta love the kiddies...

EXCLUSIVE! ANOTHER "Love & Hip Hop" FIGHT NIGHT?! Yandy Smith DROPS Jim Jones...& May Have Come To BLOWS With Chrissy!

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 05:41 AM PDT

It seems like "Love & Hip Hop" star Chrissy Lampkin is ON ONE these days.  Chick is playing no games when it comes to her man, er...fiance...Jim Jones.  Our sources tell us Kimbella isn't the only chick on Chrissy's list.  Her long time beef with new co-star Yandy may have come to blows recently in Miami.

 

Exclusive deets inside...

Sources tell us that Chrissy and newbie "Love & Hip Hop" co-star Yandy, who was Jim Jones' manager, are at each others' necks!

Yandy's rep confirmed to TheYBF.com that she indeed recently dropped Jim Jones as a client after working with him for 7 years.  The rep also said it was due in part to the on-going beef with Jimmy's girlfriend Chrissy.  Apparently the two don't see eye-to-eye on Jim's career and they beef constantly. 

But now, allegedly, it's gotten physical.

Our sources say while taping in Miami days ago (apparently cameras are still rolling even though the premiere is around the corner), blows were thrown between Yandy & Chrissy at Club Cameo.  They were all in the MIA for Kimbella's 28th birthday party.

Yandy exchanged tweets this week with her publicist friend Anne Kristoff saying:

Girl break out the vaseline they already startin! RT @annekristoff: @yandysmith this is bad bc if people start ...

And Chrissy tweeted around the time of the alleged exchange:

I'm mad and bitches ain't safe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


 

Our sources say jealousy and intimidation play a major part in the beef between the two.  And some even believe Yandy, who has become close to Chrissy's nemesis Kimbella as they (pictured together above) share the same publicist and mangament, became the breakout star on the show.  And we all know reality chicks don't like when spotlight is stolen.

Chrissy's camp didn't respond when we reached out for a statement. 

But interestingly, Yandy & Kim's rep tells us they "cannot directly comment on this story due to the face that the incident allegedly happen during taping and the girls and management are under non disclosure agreements."

Co-star Emily B. didn't confirm nor deny, telling us she also can't speak on it due to her contract. 

Based on the just released supertrailer, things indeed get extra heated between Chrissy and Yandi during season 2.  Was Somaya on to something last season when she said Jim Jones was P-whipped?  Or is Chrissy simply holding down her job of being Jimmy's woman? Time will tell...

 

PICS: Producer Alicia Keys Presents The Cast Of Her New Broadway Production "Stick Fly"

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 02:41 PM PDT

Alicia Keys has been dipping her fingers all the way in the behind-the-scenes lane these days.  After directing her own 30-minute segment for Lifetime's "Five" tv movie showing how one particular family handled facing breast cancer, she's now in the producer seat for her new family-oriented Broadway production of "Stick Fly."

 

Check out pics from today's press day, plus what the play is all about, inside...

Alicia is at the production helm of the Broadway production, as well as composing original musical, of the upcoming play Stick Fly.  She and the cast hit Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square this morning to debut their team to the media.  Dule Hill, Tracie Thoms, Mekhi Phifer are a few of the actors starring in the play.  Alicia said in a statement:

“It’s honestly been a dream come true.  I love the humor and humanity of Stick Fly, and I’m so excited to be a part of the emotional journey."

She tweeted today: Meeting the press for @stickflyplay with cast and creative team @dulehill, @traciethoms

Ms. Keys teamed up with Director Kenny Leon ("The Mountaintop" & "Raisin In The Sun") and playwright Lydia R. Diamond to put on this production.  Stick Fly is about a young woman goes home to meet her fiance's family for the first time on Martha's Vineyard. It focuses around an African American family, but appeals to any human experience. 

Here's pics from today's media day:

Alicia kept it polished in dark tailored jeans, pumps and a blazer.

Stars Dule Hill, Traci Thoms, and Mekhi Phifer were there of course.

Playwright Lydia R. Diamond & Kenny Leon posed for pics.
 

Stick Fly begins at Broadway's Cort Theatre in previews November 18th.  And the official opening night will be December 8th.

Photog: Lamparski

Lil' Wayne OPENS UP About LOVING Weed, HATING His Daddy And KNOWING His Power

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 12:32 PM PDT

We told you earlier that Lil' Wayne would be featured in the November 2011 issue of "GQ" Magazine for a feature on music's "Survivors" and now we can bring you highlights from the interview....and they are pretty shocking.

Find out what sober Weezy thinks about parenting, his (biological) daddy and his love of weed.....

 

Lil' Wayne is featured in the latest issue of "GQ" magazine and it's a real eye-opener.  The article speaks to music's survivors and in Weezy's interview, he provides some very interesting commentary regarding his impact on his fans, he own role as a parent and most shocking of all....how much he resents his own father. 

And while most people would roll their eyes at the "number" of women who can lay claim to having kids with Weezy, he seems to be a dedicated father who wants to put his kids first...and clearly he didn't have a role model in this area.

But he really reveals how much he loves his kids as he speaks about retiring at age 35 to focus on them.  Here's some excerpts form his interview:

GQ: I hear you plan to retire when you turn 35?
Lil Wayne: Basically, I have been doing this for eighteen years. That’s reason number one. I have accomplished all that I have set out to accomplish and more. But the main reason is my kids, my children. Now, if I thought I’d be selfish to my artists, imagine what I think I would be doing to my kids. I have enough money that they don’t have to ever do anything—which, they will do everything, ’cause they ain’t getting shit. [cackles wildly] Six more years, I can do this Lil Wayne thing, and my boys will be about 7 and 8 years old. And man, it’s all about them then. You know, whatever they’re doing. Sports. Whatever they’re into. That’s where I am. I’m at every game. I’m the dad with the hat on. The jersey. That’s me.

And though he wants to be a loving father.....he didn't have that growing up and it still strikes a core with him.

GQ: Your relationship with your biological father seems complicated.
Lil Wayne: He don’t give a shit about me. And I don’t give a shit about him. I know his friends be like, “Damn, nigga. That is not your son. Stop lying. Nigga, you could be living in a motherfucking ranch right now, nigga.” You know, whatever your father’s into, if you’re rich, you’re gonna get him that shit. I would’ve got that nigga all kinda harnesses, ranches—you know what I mean?

I saw the nigga recently—I had a show in New Orleans. And I ain’t afraid to put this out there, ’cause this is just how much I don’t give a fuck about a nigga, and I want people to see how you’re not supposed to be. I was parked at the hotel, and I saw him walking outside the hotel. Just walking back and forth. I’m like, “Look at this nigga! You gotta be looking for me.” If Lil Wayne got a show in New Orleans, the whole of New Orleans knows. Basically, you’re not there for nothing else but me. So I call my man on the bus. I’m like, “Nigga, that’s my daddy.” He’s like, “Word? Oh shit. That nigga looks just like you!” So I tell my man, “Go see what’s up.” So my man goes to holla at him. He tells my man, “Oh. I didn’t know y’all was here. I’m here waiting for this little ho to get off. Get off work from the hotel.” For real? That’s when I was like, “Typical Dwayne Carter.” So that’s what’s up with me and my real father. I don’t want to look like his ass, but I do.

Weezy also talked about his 31 million fans on Facebook and the amount of social clout he has on pop culture.

GQ: What are you going to do with that power?
Lil Wayne: I do exactly what I should. I be me. And that’s exactly what you’re supposed to do. You’re not supposed to say, “Okay. Now I got the power. Let me do things this way.” No. Because obviously I got the power, doing what I do, and I ain’t gonna stop doing what I do. I’m gonna be exactly who I am. So, if that dies one day, so be it.

And by the way, he is counting the days to get off probation so he can start back smoking the weed he loves.  SMH....

GQ: You’re sober now? No more syrup?
Lil Wayne: I’m good. I ain’t tripping. I’m used to it now. But I was never on heroin or cocaine or Ecstasy or nothing like that. I drank syrup and smoked a lotta weed. I wish I could be back on it. That’s how it fucking feels. [cracking himself up] “How does it feel to be sober?” I’ll be like, “It feels fucked-up.” What you want me to say? “It feels great”? No. I was on something that the doctor prescribed. I was ill, and that was helping me.

Watch the behind-the-scenes here:

SPOTTED: Beyonce Makes Her Daily Office Run, Says Kelly Rowland Is The Hardest Working Chick In The Industry

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 11:07 AM PDT

It's your daily dose of Bey on the move.  Beyonce made her daily office run this morning in midtown Manhattan.  And she kept it fresh and fab in a slicked back ponytail and a white Love Potion #9 sweater.

 

Pics of Bey keeping it cute, plus what she said about her bestie Kelly Rowland becoming a mom herself and being the hardest working chick in the biz...

Beyonce rocked her cute and glitzy Wildfox Couture Love Potion #9 sweater with jeans and animal print pumps for her day at the office this morning.  She was spotted looking fresh faced and smiley as she made her runs with bodyguard Julius in tow:

Mrs. Knowles Carter recently did an interview with UK's new! magazine.  And she revealed just how fabulous of a woman she thinks her best friend Kelly Rowland, who she also considers family, is.  The even rock the same sweaters!  She also revealed Kelly constantly checks up on her.

'My girl is one of the hardest-working women in the industry.'

'We have known each other for so long, we are like sisters,' Beyonce says, 'She isn't just somebody I was in a group with, this girl is my family.'

And if she thinks Kelly's next to get a bun in the oven:

'You know Kelly loves kids, and she will 100 per cent be a mum in the future,' Beyonce says, 'She is a busy girl at the moment, but when she feels the time is right and she;s don what she wants, then she is going to make a fantastic mum!'

Bey also revealed how everything has just fallen into place for her new family, and called hubby Jay her "best friend" and her "rock" and says, "I'm blessed to have him as my husband!":

'I am not nervous because I know it's happening at the right time,' she says, 'I felt I got married at the right time for me, and now we are having the baby at the right time. I feel like we didn't rush anything, and now we are being blessed with everything naturally.'

Sweet!

Pics via INF, Article source: new! Magazine

The Randomness:

1.  Janelle Monàe has been confirmed to perform at the 18th Annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert December 11th in Oslo, Norway.

YOU DECIDE: Did Rihanna RIP OFF Cee-Lo For Her "We Found Love" Video?

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 10:31 AM PDT

Just days after settling her lawsuit with photographer David LaChapelle for ripping off his photo swag for her "S&M" video, folks on the internets are now accusing Rihanna of ripping off a popular Cee-Lo video for her "We Found Love" clip. Come in and decide for yourself......

That darn Melina Matsoukas has gotten Rihanna in some more hot water.  First, Rihanna (very likely) has to come up off some major mula after David LaChapelle sued her for ripping off his art work for her "S&M" video, which was directed by Melina. 

Now.....Rihanna's being accused of ripping off the concept from a Cee-Lo video called "No One's Gonna Love You"  for her own "We Found Love" vid. 

And who directed the "We Found Love" clip?  Yea...Melina.

So check out both clips for yourself and decide.  The basic concept of two, hot, young obsessive lovers runs through most videos created today.  But there's the drug use, sexually explicit tattoos, quick flickering scenes, sporty fun, use of fields, and abusive aspects that make the videos similar enough for people to raise a red flag.

Do we smell another lawsuit?

Watch Rihanna's "We Found Love" video here:

 

Watch Cee-Lo Green's video for "No One's Gonna Love You":

 

You Decide...................Did Melina RIP OFF another concept?

MUSIC FAB: Trey Songz Releases The "Hunnadz" Single + Kanye West Announces The "G.O.O.D. Music Project"

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 09:46 AM PDT

Trey Songz is doing some serious rhyme spitting on his latest track "Hunnadz." Listen to the song inside and find out about Kanye West's next musical project....

 

Trey Songz continues to put the music industry on notice that he has the goods to become a full-fledged rapper.  On his latest track off his Lemme Hold Dat Beat 2 mixtape dropping November 1st, Trigga brags about his swagged and of course about the stack of bills in his pockets.

 

Listen to Trey's "Hunnadz" here:

 

Also in music....

 

Kanye West recently excited his fans by tweeting "GOODMUSIC.THE ALBUM.SPRING2012."

Although he provided no other details, fans may remember that 'Ye spent the summer of 2010 releasing free music on "G.O.O.D. Friday" and it often included contributions from the crew: Big Sean, Kid Kudi, CyHi Da Prynce, Mos Def, Common, Mr. Hudson, Pusha T and John Legend.

So details about the project may be scarce, but it will surely be highly anticipated and well watched.

 

 

BONUS:

T-Pain has revealed the cover art for his next album rEVOLVEr and also dropped a few deets about the disc saying....

“rEVOLVEr is drawn from seven albums' worth of material. There are so many different things on this album. I couldn’t settle on what I wanted to include, but the final result I think will really hit all of my fans and different audiences.

I’ve developed a new audience from the Taylor Swift stuff, the Bud Light and Toshiba commercials, the T-Pain Mic and App. There is music for everyone on this album, but definitely still classic T-Pain at the same time."

T-Pain's fourth album rEVOLVEr will be available on December 6, 2011.  You over the auto-tune ish yet?

 

The Randomness:

1. Melody Barnes, President Barack Obama’s domestic policy adviser, is leaving the White House.  Story.

2.  Lil' Fizz, formerly of B2K, sued by California for running illegal weed shop.  Story.
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