Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

SPEAK ON IT: Tyler Perry REVEALS His RACIAL PROFILING Incident, Says FBI Should DECLARE Them Hate Crimes

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 09:52 AM PDT

Tyler Perry recently revealed to fans that even at his level of success, Black men are not immune to harassment from the police. Read his first-person account of racial profiling inside and why he thinks it should be declared a hate crime.

On his Facebook fan page this past Sunday, Tyler Perry discussed the Trayvon Martin case.  But most importantly, he revealed a very recent racial profiling incident he experienced with Atlanta police.  Read it here:

A few days before President Obama was supposed to speak at my studio, I was leaving the studio, headed to the airport. Most times when I leave the studio I have an unmarked escort. Other times I constantly check in my rearview mirror to be sure that I'm not being followed. It’s a safety precaution that my security team taught me. As I got to an intersection, I made a left turn from the right lane and was pulled over by two police officers. I pulled the car over and put it in park. Then, I let the window down and sat in the car waiting for the officer. The officer came up to the driver’s door and said that I made an illegal turn. I said, "I signaled to get into the turning lane, then made the turn because I have to be sure I’m not being followed." He said, “why do you think someone would be following you?”

Before I could answer him, I heard a hard banging coming from the passenger window. I had never been in this position before so I asked the officer who was at my window what was going on and why is someone banging on the window like that. He said, “let your window down, let your window down. Your windows are tinted.” As I let down the passenger window, there was another officer standing on the passenger side of the car. He said, “what is wrong with you?” The other officer said to him, “he thinks he’s being followed.” Then, the second officer said, “why do you think someone is following you? What is wrong with you?”

Before I could answer the officer on the passenger side, the one on the driver's side had reached into the car and started pulling on the switch that turns the car on and off, saying, “put your foot on the brake, put your foot on the brake!” I was so confused as to what he was doing, or what he thought he was doing. It looked like he was trying to pull the switch out of the dashboard. I finally realized that he thought that switch was the key, so I told him that it wasn’t the key he was grabbing. I reached down into the cup holder to get the key, not realizing that the key had a black leather strap on it. As I grabbed it they both tensed up and I dropped it as I heard my mother’s voice from when I was a little boy.

My mother would always say to me, “if you get stopped by the police, especially if they are white policemen, you say ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’, and if they want to take you in, you go with them. Don’t resist, you hear me? Don’t make any quick moves, don’t run, you just go.” My mother was born in 1945 into a segregated hotbed town in rural Louisiana. She had known of many colored men at the time who were lynched and never heard from again. Since I was her only son for ten years, growing up she was so worried about me. It wasn’t until after I heard her voice that I realized that both of these officers were white.
 

The officer on the driver's side continued to badger me, “why do you think someone is following you?” I then said, “I think you guys need to just write the ticket and do whatever you need to do.” It was so hostile. I was so confused. It was happening so fast that I could easily see how this situation could get out of hand very quickly. I didn’t feel safe at all. But one officer stopped his questioning and said, “we may not let you go. You think you’re being followed, what’s wrong with you?” At this point, I told him that I wanted to get out of the car. I wanted the passersby to see what was happening.

As I stepped out of the car another officer pulled up in front of my car. This officer was a black guy. He took one look at me and had that “Oh No” look on his face. He immediately took both officers to the back of my car and spoke to them in a hushed tone. After that, one of the officers stayed near his car while one came back, very apologetic.

I said all of that to say this: do you see how quickly this could have turned for the worse?

Now I know that there are many great officers, patrolmen and security guys out there. I am aware of that. But although we have made significant strides with racial profiling in this country, the world needs to know that we are still being racially profiled, and until this situation has improved greatly, I’m not sure how a murder in Florida can be protected by a “stand your ground law.”

And in another case that I have been screaming at the top of my lungs about, also in Florida, is the case of Terrance Williams and Felipe Santos, a young black man and a young Mexican man. Eight years ago, in Naples, FL, they were both put in the back of Deputy Steve Calkins' police car and never heard from again.

They were never arrested, never brought to jail. They were put into the back of Deputy Calkins' car and never heard from again. And to this day Deputy Steve Calkins is a free man.

I guess it's time to march in Naples now.

RACIAL PROFILING SHOULD BE A HATE CRIME INVESTIGATED BY THE FBI!!!

That way local government can’t make the decision on whether or not these people get punished.

-Tyler

 

Do you agree?  Speak on it.......

Shaq Hits NYC With Hoopz, Talks Bringing A NBA Team To Newark

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 09:10 AM PDT

Shaq and Hoopz were spotted leaving the Trump Soho hotel in NYC yesterday afternoon.  We guess all really is well with those two.  Pics inside and deets on the new NBA team Shaq wants to develop...

Just days after Shaq went on Sway's Shade 45 Morning Show and cleared up rumors that he and his former reality star girlfriend had broken up, the two were spotted out and about:

Shaq has been making his rounds around the New York area this week.  The former NBA star and current NBA analyst is in talks to develop a new professional basketball team to bring to his hoemtwon of Newark...now that the Nets are headed to Brooklyn.

At an appearance at the Newark Boys & Girls Club yesterday, Shaquille revealed he's still working doing something similar to billionaire (and former Nets owner) Ray Chambers, who brought the team he co-owns, the Devils, to Newark:

“Yes, still working on it, still having conversations and still doing certain things to help beautify this city,” O’Neal said. “When the time is right, we’ll have a party. I don’t want to say things that are out of pretext or context. There’s things going on, we’re working on it, trust me. We’re working on it every day.”

And about his role in the team:

“It would be as an owner, possible general manager, possibly introducing some people to some people,” O’Neal said. “A couple of years ago I tried to help the marriage of the Nets to the Newark arena when I just made the statement, ‘How come the Nets are not playing in this arena?’ It was too late. But if I had been in those conversations earlier, hopefully the Nets would still be playing (in Newark).”


In the meantime, seems like he's keeping his relationship afloat...

BONUS: Shaq recently chatted up GQ magazine and dropped some funny tidbits about who in the league fits which Greek criteria:

GQ: You are a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which is one of the hardest fraternities to pledge in. Do you think Dwight would be tough enough to make it through the pledging process?
Shaq: No. Dwight is a Kappa. Dwight is a pretty boy, smooth. No way.

GQ: What about Chris Bosh?
Shaq: Fuck no! He's an Alpha, all the way.

GQ: Derrick Rose?
Shaq: Yeah.

GQ: Kobe Bryant.
Shaq: Yeah, fuck yeah.

So so true...

 

Pics via WENN/SPLASH

"Think Like A Man" Stars Michael Ealy, Kevin Hart & Taraji P. Henson DOUBLE Cover ESSENCE May 2012 Issue

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 08:19 AM PDT

With the upcoming romatic comedy flick, Think Like A Man, hitting theaters April 20th, the ensemble cast is taking over the media space. 

 

Check out the gorgeous Taraji P. Henson, the hilarious Kevin Hart, and ridiculously sexy Michael Ealy (all in chic neutrals with pops of color) on the May 2012 double covers of ESSENCE magazine...

With two hot covers in tow to promote their upcoming flick, Taraji (who additionally has her own solo cover), Kevin & Michael are dishing about the real game of love.

“Here’s the thing about women: They don’t like choices. You got a man who tells you what to do, and you got a man who asks you what to do. Men who ask don’t get…”—Kevin Hart

After filming the new comedy Think Like A Man, ESSENCE caught up with fabulous co-stars to reveal all the games people play.

The May 2012 issue hits newsstands April 12th.

Cissy Houston Says Whitney Didn't Die BROKE + Bobbi Kris' Rep CONFIRMS She's Set For Tyler Perry Role

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 07:47 AM PDT

 

Cissy Houston, the mother of the late Whitney Houston, has broken her silence about her daughter's passing.  Watch her first interview inside and find out what she had to say about people throwing dirt on her daughter's legacy.  Also, get the deets on Bobbi Kris' new acting gig which has now been confirmed.

 

"I know I did the best I could … I don't blame myself. I know I did the best I could for everything.  My children are my whole life. She was very special to me, very special. She was my only daughter, and a good one."

That's what Cissy Houston told WWOR's Brenda Blackmon as she broke her silence about the death of daughter Whitney Houston two months ago.

Cissy used her first video interview to express her outrage over the media's handling of the death.

"The media are awful. People have come from here and there, [and they] don't know what they're talking about. People I haven't seen in 20 years. ... Here they come, [they] think they know everything, but that's not true.  But God has his way of taking care of all of it, and I'm glad I know that. They really chopped on her, chopped on her … kept, kept, kept."

Cissy also got tense about folks lying about Whitney's money.  "She's not broke. She's not anything, none of that crap," she said. 

 

Watch clips from the interview here:

 

And on television.....

Whitney's only daughter Bobbi Kristina has landed a role on Tyler Perry's TBS sitcom "For Better or Worse."  Rumors have been floating for about a week now, but Tyler's rep just confirmed. Though no deets have been released about the role, it's clear that Bobbi Kris plans to follow the footsteps of her parents into the entertainment world.  Not sure if this is for the best at this moment (too soon?), but time will tell...

Kerry Washington Gets Sexy For VANITY FAIR's May 2012 TV Issue

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 06:18 AM PDT

The big TV feature in Vanity Fair's May 2012 issue just hit the net.  And one YBF chick (you know there's only 1 if one at all) made the big spread.  "Scandal" actress Kerry Washington.

 

Pics inside...

 

Kerry Washington is lounging it up alongside actresses Emily Vancamp ("Revenge"), Kat Dennings ("2 Broke Girls"), Emily Rossum ("Shameless") and plenty more of the leading ladies of TV.  While "Modern Family" star Sophia Vegara nabbed the cover amongst "The Good Wife" leading lady Julianna Margulies, "Homeland" star Claire Danes & "Downtown Abbey" star Michelle Dockery:

 

Kerry recently chatted with BET about her upcoming role for the series written by the mega-talented Shonda Rhimes (who already has "Grey's Anatomy" & "Private Practice" under her belt).  And by the way, Kerry's hardcore Ms. Fix It role as the crisis management expert (fixing Presidential political & sex scandals and more) is based on a real-life black female crisis manager named Judy Smith.

Kerry revealed, “Judy Smith never had a complicated relationship with the President of the United States, but I’m lucky that Judy is a producer on the show because she’s very hands-on and around a lot, and I worked with her on the character.”

“Shonda writes real people, people who are three-dimensional, fully realized human beings, and that is a joy for any actor, because so often we are having to create the three‑dimensionality of a character and when it’s given to you, it's such a treat. I really love playing a complicated woman. But I am always looking for the good in the character.”

And about being the star of the show:

“This is very much an ensemble too, but I feel like it’s my first time at the rodeo, and everything’s really new and different and exciting and I like that too as an actor to be in a new situation. I feel like every day I come to work on this show is like a master class. Our biggest hope and dream for the show is that people will have as much fun watching it as we're having making it because it's the dream job.”

Columbus Short also stars in the series which kicks off this Thursday (April 5) on ABC at 10p ET.

BOOTY BATTLE: Emily B. VS. Maliah Michel In WOLFORD'S Tiger Print Dress

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 06:15 AM PDT

Two ladies with ample assets rocked the same fitted navy Tiger Print Dress by WOLFORD ($575).  Decide if "Love & Hip Hop" star Emily Bustamante or Drake's ex Maliah Michel rocked it better...

Emily B. paired her WOLFORD Tiger Print Dress with black slingback furry Louboutins at BET's 2012 Rip The Runway show in NYC a little over a month ago.  She ket her usual side-swept bang as she hit the red carpet before the fashion show.

And every rapper's favorite stripper (as well as Drake's ex), Maliah, rocked the same WOLFORD Tiger Print Dress to conduct her hosting duties in Detroit this PAST weekend at Club Pandemonium.  She paired hers with a simple black pump and a bright yellow clutch.

So...

WHO RAN IT?!

BOLD & BAD: Solange Gets INTIMATE For COMPLEX+Mel B Dishes On Being A "B*tch" In FABULOUS

Posted: 02 Apr 2012 06:13 PM PDT

Solange Knowles has been flaunting her fab style all over the place lately.  And her latest display is for the 10th Anniversary Issue of COMPLEX Magazine.  Check out what the self-assured fashionista had to say in a game of "Would You Rather" about why powerful women love being sexually dominated and why she protects her loved ones at all costs (but needs boxing lessons from "Love & Hip Hop's Chrissy!). 

 

Plus, Mel B is gracing the cover of FABULOUS magazine and dishing on being a b*tch....

In a top by Kenzo and skirt by Margarita Sapala in the April/May 2012 issue of COMPLEX magazine, the fashion loving deejay & Carol's Daughter spokeswoman is giving intimate details on what/who she'd rather be.  And Solange's answers may surprise you. 

I’d rather be submissive than dominant. Strong, independent women share this sentiment of wanting to be taken over sexually behind closed doors. It’s the natural balance for a woman like me.

I’d rather live in the U.S. than Europe. I talk shit about the American way, and how much more together Europe is as a society, but traveling as much as I have, there are lots of things I appreciate about home. I plan on living in Europe at some point, but for now I’m good in Brooklyn.

I’d rather be on the cast of Love & Hip-Hop than Project Runway. I’ve never seen Project Runway, but I’m a huge Chrissy [Love & Hip-Hop star Christine Lampkin] fan. I’d need to take boxing lessons from her first though, nahmean?

I’d rather be the cool aunt than the authoritative aunt. The closer my sister came to motherhood, the more stern she was with my son, Julez, but when he was between the ages of 1 and 4, she put the s in spoiling. I had to deal with the cool aunt for seven years, and I’m ready for payback! Late nights, candy binges—I’m doing it all!

I’d rather have known my parents when they were younger than only know them as my parents. My mother was the most stylish, flawless woman I’ve ever seen. My father had a little cool, but my mother was a different breed of cool. I’ve looked through photographs of her that inspire me today. She’s partied at Studio 54, hung out in ski chalets in Colorado, and played Cleopatra in a play in Egypt. She’s insanely cool in her 50s, but I wouldn’t pass up being with her in her prime!

I’d rather be the protector than the protected. I’m naturally the protector—being a mother and having a famous family. You have to navigate when it’s right to protect. I’ve made mistakes, but just know, if you step to me and mine, me and Chrissy gon’ have to fuck you up.

Check out Solo's behind the scenes video and interview:

 

And on the cover of the UK's FABULOUS Magazine:

"Dancing With The Stars Australia" host Mel B. is flaunting that envious post-3-babies bod for the cover and spread.  Check out the pics and interview highlights below:

And if you're wondering about those rumors that her husband Stephen forced her to lose weight and if she's the b*tch everyone says she is, here's what Mel had to say about it all herself:

On the bitter fall out with family members: “I love my family – simple as that – but my own family come first, completely. Stephen comes first with my kids, completely. People are always going to judge what they don’t understand or know about, and I think you [her family] are obviously very unhappy and I feel sorry for you.”

On her husband: “Stephen is a great husband and a great father. I’ve always been very self-sufficient – in high times and low times. The difference is that I am reliant on Stephen and he’s reliant on me and I’ve never been like that before. I trust him 100 per cent with my life.”

On if Stephen bullied her into losing weight after she gave birth to their daughter Madison: “Not at all. He always says it’s been like having three different women with me – he’s been with me when I was totally ripped, when I was huge and when I’m just a bit more curvy like I am now.”

On the biggest misconceptions about her: “I think the biggest misconception is that I’m a bitch. Lots of people think I am, but it doesn’t actually bother me…. My problem is I am always completely honest. If I don’t like someone, I just say so, I come right out with it and that can upset people. But I believe in saying what you think. I have high expectations of myself and people around me. But I am always unbelievably professional.”

On how she lost the baby weight: “I was very focused. I had a plan and I stuck to it. I’ve never been a skinny minny and never will be, I just want to look good.”

On hopes of a Spice Girl reunion: “I always want a Spice Girls reunion, but it’s not up to me. We’re getting together for the Spice Girls musical so we’ll just see.”

Check out the full interview (including her driver & sushi demands mid0interview) over at FABULOUS.

COMPLEX Photog: Ysa Pérez / FABULOUS Photog: Sean McMenomy

Michael Ealy Dishes Up Dating Advice & Why Women SHOULDN'T Think Like Men

Posted: 02 Apr 2012 06:00 PM PDT

Oh yes...we've been all about those dreamy eyes since he threw Eve up against that sink in a rather sexy moment in Barbershop.  Now, the "Common Law" actor (Underworld: Awakening, Takers) Michael Ealy is gearing up for his starring role in the romantic comedy Think Like A Man.  And he's dishing up dating advice...like not listening to "dumb ass friends"...

Despite playing one of the leading roles as 'Dominic' (The Dreamer) in the upcoming dating games flick Think Like A Man, hottie Mr. Ealy thinks women should do anything but.  (Thank ya Jesus!)  Michael chatted up HuffPost Black Voices about what women should do inrelationships, why the movie shows how games never win, and past dating experiences:

Did you incorporate any past dating experiences into the role?

I definitely paid homage to a few people that I dated in my past who I've met and felt like, "Okay, you're a dreamer, you just don't have the execution right now." There's something very beautiful and compelling about someone who has ambition and someone who knows what they want, but it can get a little frustrating at times, so I understand that. I have sympathy for that. And so I tried to play him accordingly, I tried to give him a little bit of vulnerability and a dreamer's sensibility. He's just one of the boys. He's not a standout guy, so he listens to his boys for all kinds of bad advice. But don't we all? [Laughs]

In your opinion do you think more women should think like men?

Not really. I think women should have insight as to how men think. Just like men should have insight into how women think. One of the things that this movie does is, everybody looks at the dating game as just that: a game. But with this movie we bring you through that with the gamesmanship and "I'm doing this and you're doing that," and all of that chess-playing back and forth. But what brings this movie home in the end is the fact that everyone feels a sense of connection with the other person, which surmounts the gamesmanship. And everybody is able to put the games away and be themselves and that's where they find the true connection.

With the movie being based on a relationship book, have you sought out any books in the past to help step your game up?

No, I wasn't smart enough to read relationship books when I was coming up. I learned everything the hard way. And I, like Dominic, would listen to my dumb-ass friends. At a certain point you're like, "I got this, thank you!"

Check out his full interview over at HuffPost Black Voices.

 

Think Like A Man hits theaters April 20th.  Who's copping tix?

DO WE LOVE IT: Rocsi's Reebok Pop Of Color

Posted: 02 Apr 2012 05:19 PM PDT

"106 & Park" host Rocsi Diaz was spotted walking through The Village area of NYC...in lime green Reebok Freestyle shoes.  A pop of color is all the rage this season.  But decide if we love how SHE rocked this one inside...

 

Rocsi was seen strolling through The Village yesterday doing some shopping.  In dark J Brand jeans and a tan BCBG hat and Veda leather jacket for the windy day, she added a pop of color on her feet:

So...

DO WE LOVE IT?

 

Toni Braxton DISHES To "Wendy" About Eddie Murphy And Possibly LEAVING "Braxton Family Values"

Posted: 02 Apr 2012 04:21 PM PDT

  

Toni Braxton stopped by "WENDY" today to promote her "I Heart You" single, discuss Autism, and of course, Wendy got all in her business about Eddie Murphy. Find out what she said inside......

This morning, Toni Braxton and her son Diezel were spotted leaving The Wendy Williams Show where Toni spoke about Autism (which Diezel lives with).

During the hilarious interview.....

 

Toni dished on her dance single "I Heart You" and shut down rumors about dating Eddie Murphy.  But that didn't stop Wendy....she cleverly asked Diezel if "Uncle Eddie" had ever been over to the house for breakfast!

But on a serious note, she talked about the spike in autism diagnoses among young Black males.  Then she shockingly revealed that she may not return to "Braxton Family Values" because it's time-demanding and puts stress on her physically (she even had a Lupus flare up after the reunion taping).  Check out the interview above.

 

BONUS:  

 

Mary J. Blige recently cut a commercial for Burger King's new Crispy Chicken Snap Wraps. YES....she's singing about chicken. I'm sure they cut her a nice check though......

 

 

PHOTOSHOOT FAB: Kanye West & Cassie Get SNAPPED + MORE Pics From Cassie's CLAM Magazine Spread

Posted: 02 Apr 2012 04:01 PM PDT

Fashionable entertainers Kanye West and Cassie were recently photographed by 18-year-old wonderkid Matthew James Arthur Payne.  See the fab photos inside and check out Cassie getting sexy for CLAM Magazine too.....

London born photographer, Matthew James Arthur Payne, who taught himself about taking pics, is all the range in Europe now! He recently held his lense on singer/model Cassie (shown above) as well as Hip Hop icon Kanye West (who knows how to look hot in a white blazer).

Clearly he has talent.....he made Kanye appear vulnerable. 

Watch the "Behind The Scenes" video (with a Diddy cameo of course) blow:

 

And..............

Kanye also remixed Cassie's "King of Hearts" single recently.  Listen to it above.....

 

 

And you've already seen the cover, now here's the inside spreead of Cassie's CLAM magazine shoot:

 

She was shot by Marc Baptiste in the sexy new project.

  

Cute pics.  Are you feeling The "King of Hearts" track?

Beyonce & Baby Blue: Furniture Shopping Duo!

Posted: 02 Apr 2012 03:19 PM PDT

Papa Jay-Z may have been spotted out handling business and errands the other day in NYC, but he clearly leaves the decor business to his fave girls--wife Beyonce & Baby Blue Ivy.  Pics of the twosome having some mommy-and-me time on a furniture shopping trip inside...

 

In black & white cartoon pants and a black blazer with her hair in her usual pony...Beyonce & Mama Tina brought Baby Blue along for some contemporary furniture shopping at DDC (Domus Design Collection) in Manhattan.  And, of course, B.I.C. rocked her usual full body scarf covering (including a peek of her signature color) for the occasion:

Cute.  And if you missed Bey's GLAMOUR Netherlands magazine cover pic, check it HERE.

Pics via FAME/Flynet

 

Meagan Good Is ENGAGED--To 7th Day Adventist Preacher & Producer DeVon Franklin!

Posted: 02 Apr 2012 02:51 PM PDT

Looks like that wardrobe switcharoo from the sheer leggings and white tee girl to the sophisticated red carpet chick paid off.  30-year-old Think Like A Man actress Meagan Good is now ENGAGED!  And she's ready to ride off into the sunset with her producer (and preacher) fiance' DeVon Franklin.

 

Deets inside...

Reports confirm gorgeous actress Meagan Good is now a very taken woman.  She's been dating DeVon Franklin for several months now.  He is a Sony Pictures executive and one of the producers of TD Jakes' 2011 film Jumping The Broom--which Meagan starred in.  The two met during filming and have been attached at the hip ever since. 

DeVon, who also wrote several books based on his 7th Day Adventist preachings, was spotted out at Meagan's birthday dinner with her family last August, and was also as her date (topmost picture) to the February Think Like A Man Hollywood premiere.

Meagan, who also stars on Showtime's "Californication, is well known to be quite religious in her actual off-screen life.  So it looks like cleaning up her image to match that fact may have been jump-started by her man.

On a side note, we just caught the screening of Meagan's upcoming film Think Like A Man.  And she's not playing her usual role of a sexed up teen, vixen or video chick.  She's (mostly) the good girl this time.   Still not excessively original, but we loved it.

Congrats Meagan!

SHE'S BACK: Tami Roman's Post-Heart Attack Club Appearance

Posted: 02 Apr 2012 01:45 PM PDT

"Basketball Wife" Tami Roman had a bit of a health scare recently.  But after her PR team sent out an official statement last week saying she had suffered some health issues, and Tami later confirmed it was a mild heart attack, the 41-year-old is back in the party saddle.  Just days after her heart attack.

 

Pics of the sassy reality chick inside...

This past Saturday at Life nightclub in Atlanta, Tami Roman made her comeback appearance just a few days after a medical emergency. She tweeted a few days ago that she never thought she would have a mild heart attack at 41, but she seems she's doing much better now. 

The mom of two and "Basketball Wives" star--known to fight at the drop of a dime--looked great in a little black dress partying it up this past weekend.  And she laid off the drinks and stuck to straight juice.  Tami tweeted:

Felt weird being at a party and not drinking my bud light LOL-chiillee pineapple juice on the rocks for awhile...

More pics:

Looking fab Tami.  Hope she's pacing herself....

 

Pics via Prince Williams/ATLPics.net

Jay-Z's "Marcy to Barclays" Commercial For ROCAWEAR

Posted: 02 Apr 2012 10:59 AM PDT

Earlier today, Rocawear debuted their first television commercial ever (this is according to Rocawear themselves in their press release)....a retrospective of Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s journey as a kid from the Marcy projects to mega-mogul.  Watch it inside.....

For their Spring 2012 campaign, Rocawear jst released a 30-second television commercial titled, "Marcy to Barclays."  The commercial is a retrospective of Jay-Z's rise from the projects to cultural icon.  And of course, being a driving force in bringing the New Jersey Nets to his hometown of Brooklyn in the Brooklyn Nets' new home--The Barclays Center.   It tells the story of Jay and Rocawear taking the world by storm.  It depicts a younger Shawn Carter, selling CDs out of the trunk of his car in the Marcy projects, and ends with Jay-Z performing to a sold out crowd.  

Talking about the commercial, Jay-Z said, 

"Rocawear just keeps reinventing and redefining itself every single day.  My goal was to have one gold album and that wasit, then it was I want to show that an artist can ascend to the executive ranks."

The clip with debut during the NCAA championship game on Monday, April 2nd on CBS, followed by the national premiere of the 90-second commercial on "106 & Park" on Tuesday, April 3rd.

Watch the 30-sec commercial here:

 
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