Friday, May 25, 2012

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

The Young, Black, and Fabulous

VIDEO FAB: Chris Brown's "Sweet Love"

Posted: 25 May 2012 09:18 AM PDT

Billboard's Top R&B artist Chris Brown has released the video for his "Sweet Love" hit. Watch it inside, plus see Chris' video for his freestyle to G.O.O.D. Music's "Mercy."

Chris Brown has dropped a visual for his "Sweet Love" track, which appears on the upcoming Fortune (July 3) disc.

With the song produced by Polow Da Don and Jason "JP" Perry, in the video, Chris busts some sexy moves to the slow jam while seducing his lady.  He tweeted, Sweet Love video is OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! @chrisbrown”” team breezy get ready!!!!!! July 3rd!

 

Watch the clip here:

 

Also.....

Breezy dropped a hot freestyle to Kanye West's "Mercy" previously and now he's shot a video. Watch it above.

The Randomness:

1.  Jay-Z is set to write songs for the soundtrack to Roc Nation artist Willow Smith's upcoming Annie movie remake. STORY

Dawn Richard Gets COLORFUL For PYNK Magazine

Posted: 25 May 2012 08:03 AM PDT

In a brand new photo spread for PYNK magazine, singer Dawn Richard is donning every color of the rainbow to make a bold statement about her style, her career & her future.  Check out what she had to say about her former Dirty Money groupmates and why it's so hard to do things the right way in this business...

She and Azealia Banks at Coachella are giving me the same vibe in this pic.

Dawn's always been all about doing her own thing when it comes to fashion and her career.  Check out the highlights from her PYNK magazine interview (edited from original PYNK article sent over):

On her relationship with former groupmate Kalenna: "Kalenna and I really don't speak right now because both of our projects are going at the same time.  We just haven't gotten the chance since we were in Dirty Money."
 

On where she sees herself in 5 years: "I would hope that my music reaches the masses without losing anyone in the process. I think musically, when people listen to RnB and the dance movements, it's a little bit more moving than when people listen to RnB. I hope that the word 'innovative' would be used a lot. The same with Dirty Money and Danity Kane. I hope that after people have seen the same thing their eyes will be open to something different. I am a story teller and I would love to tell who I am while pushing the envelope."

Dawn on Reality TV: "I think African American women portray ourselves the way we want to be seen on Reality TV. I don't ever want to comment on the way other women want to portray themselves.  We have a responsibility for the way we want to be portrayed. I was one of the [black women on reality tv]."

Dawn on her celebrity crush: "James Dean.  If he was still [alive], he would be my man crush. He provides a sense of inspiration in fashion, and really defined the ultimate cool...to be the choices I make in my [own] world."

On handling her own career: "[Armor On] is the craziest move I have every made without any labels because the reputation of Bad Boy was so bad.  It just proves how much faith and trust I have for the labels.  If you get the release and the opportunity, it's just God. We had just us and that's very rare.  We have a billboard top single. To do grab number one on the Billboards, and we didn't have Puff and the other people that we had before, all I needed was a cracked window and I needed to crack that bitch through.  There have been over 3000 views in the last month."

On the difficulty of doing HER: "I never give advice. I do feel like its okay to get your hands dirty. People are not wanting to get dirty because doing the right things takes longer to get to your destination. Just because no one else is driving, never stop.  Get back in the car and get to that destination.  You never want to stop driving.  So many of us get out of the car and stop driving forward.  It's the hardest thing when no one else is in the same lane."

We're still feelin' her.

Still KILLING Us SOFTLY: Happy 37th Birthday LAURYN HILL

Posted: 25 May 2012 05:23 AM PDT

Iconic singer Lauryn Hill turns 37th today. Come inside and reflect on why you fell in love with her....

 

She came in the game rocking her natural hair, spitting intellectual lyrics and sporting a beautiful brown-skinned face that turned the heads of millions.  With her iconic album The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, she struck a cord with fans around the world with her perspectives on social issues, love and self-development.

And though her musical output is slow, Lauryn continues to give back, recently support some education projects in the Dominican Republic.  She said,

“I think when you talk about a people being oppressed, it is important to look at who is actively oppressing them and then try to understand why. The amount of effort put into that act is usually a direct reflection of the potential those oppressed people possess and what their contribution could be under other circumstances.”

Keep on giving back Lauryn......and throw an album in there too!

Check her out in the gallery....

Doo Wop....It's Lauryn Hill's 37th Birthday!

CHECK IT: Beyonce Takes You INSIDE Rehearsals For Her REVEL Comeback Shows

Posted: 24 May 2012 10:26 PM PDT

Just in time for her big kick off Friday night at the Revel Resort in Atlantic City, Beyonce is giving folks a peek onto her 8 week preparation for her concerts--just 5 months after becoming mom to Blue Ivy.  Check out the first behind the scenes video of Bey taking you "Inside Revel"....

Putting her curvier post-baby-body on display, Beyonce can be seen going over the show with her hubby Jay-Z, choreographer Frank Gaston (both above) and everyone else.

The video takes us back to 8 weeks ago when Beyonce started prepping for her show. From the stage meetings to the dance rehearsals, LED screen meetings. These rehearsals and meetings are what we spotted her attending in midtown Manhattan everyday.

About getting back to business with the upcoming quad of shows, the 6-time 2012 BET Award nominee revealed:

"It is exciting. I feel a little nervous. I'm enjoying being a mother It's like going back to my old job. Its a little strange. But it's important that you don't loose yourself and you still have your own passions. I'm back to work. I'm back to business.

What I'm trying to say with this show is, 'Yes I had a baby and it just made me even more grounded and even more like you'."
 

The blonde bombshell was hands on developing the whole show, and revealed she hadn't sang in a year before she started back up just 2 months ago.

As for how her post baby body is shaping up, her second choreographer, Danielle Polanco, revealed:

We'll be basically warming her up trying to get her back into shape. Starting small, little baby steps. We'll probably be reviewing some choreography at the end, stretching her out, just getting her back into motion. She hasn't been working out in I don't know how long.

Check out Part 1 of the behind the scenes footage inside:

Bey's Revel comeback kicks off today (Friday).

Janet Jackson Gets FAB For amfAR's 2012 Cinema Against AIDS Gala, Talks Being A Role Model To Niece Paris In PREVENTION Mag

Posted: 24 May 2012 08:10 PM PDT

Janet Jackson knows how to get fab for a cause.  The gorgeous singer/actress--who just turned 46 last week--rocked a stark white Emilio Pucci gown for tonight's amfAr Cinema Against AIDS gala in Cap D’Antibes, France.

 

Check out her look inside....

Ms. Jackson donned a plunging keyhole halter dress in bright white for tonight's amfAR Gala during the Cannes Film Festival.  The fab chick  hit up Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes as celebs and notables raise millions for AIDS awareness during the black-tie event.

Janet paired her Emilio Pucci gown with a Pomellato diamond bracelet and sexy heel-less wedges.

And she chatted up the press on the carpet:

Loves it.  And if you're wondering how she's keeping her slim and trim yet curvy bod in tact, the Nutrisystem spokeswoman is speaking on that and plenty of other things (like her niece Paris Jackson and her man Wissam) in the new July 2012 issue of Prevention magazine.

Here are the highlights:

On being the spokeswoman for Nutrisystem:

JJ: I think people really connect with the idea of someone who’s gained and lost weight in a very public way, and also someone who’s an emotional eater.

On being an example to her niece Paris, Michael’s 14-year-old daughter who landed her first film role in Lundon’s Bridge and the Three Keys:

JJ: We’ve spoken about the fact that you’re only a child once. I think there’s a time for everything, and now is not the time [to act in films]. I told her I thought she should enjoy being a kid, possibly go to college—or not—but wait till she turns 18. She’s a very tough, smart girl. But it’s a cutthroat industry. I wouldn’t want my child to do it.

On Qatar businessman Wissam Al Mana as her soul mate:

JJ: (Laughs) Maybe. Maybe. We’ll see.

On loving sweets, in addition to emotional triggers of boredom, sadness, frustration, stress and work:

JJ: Chocolate, cake, caramel apples—there aren’t many things I don’t love.

On health as part of the weight equation:

JJ: Health was always a concern. When I gained weight in 2005, my nutritionist was very worried. I was close to having diabetes. Even when I lost it [and] then gained quite a bit back, there was always the thought of heart disease.

On stress pushing her to the other side of the weight spectrum:

JJ: Knowing I have these problems with body image, I ask my friends and family to tell me when I’ve lost too much. Because I will continue to pick on myself like all other woman do, and say, ‘You need to [lose] more here, more there.’

On exercise as a major part of her health regimen and loving sports:

JJ: I don’t like to workout, and I get bored easily. Tony Martinez [her trainer] is great. When I’m getting ready for a tour, I’ll work out with the dancers. He’ll put us in teams and we’ll do all sorts of drills and races.

How she feels about herself today:

JJ: I honestly don't even know what size I am. Now it's about looking in the mirror and saying, I feel good. I feel healthy.

On the dichotomy of being 5’4, sweet and soft-spoken and her identity as a five-time Grammy Award-winning artist who’s sold more than 100 million records:

JJ: My songs are normally about what’s going on in my life at the moment. I don’t need to keep a diary.

 

The issue hits stands on Tuesday, May 29th.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION DAY: Congrats Justin Combs!

Posted: 24 May 2012 05:00 PM PDT

Diddy's son Justin Combs is all grown up.  And cuter than ever we might add.  He attended his high school prom this past weekend (pictured above), and today was graduation day.  Check out what his famous dad and mom Misa Hylton has to say about the emotional day inside, plus get a peek at his prom date...

Justin's mom Misa tweeted how proud she was and the pic above today as her and Diddy's oldest son copped his diploma:

You did it baby! @JDior_...
My baby is all grown up.. Thank you God you are faithful. #graduation #Ionaprep #UCLA

Awww.  And, of course, his famous and proud dad Diddy was tweeting away saying:

My son graduates today! Wtf! Justin is graduating High School! Words can't explain. God is the greatest!!

My son @JDior_ is about graduate highschool- I'm about to be crying yall! #ProudFatherTweet

At my sons graduation from high school. Holly shit. I've never felt a feeling like this. !!!! God is great! @Jdior_ were so proud of you!

Justin's next stop is UCLA where he nabbed a full football scholarship.  CONGRATS!

Meanwhile, if you weren't keeping up with today's Twitter foolery, Diddy got outed by a photographer, Robert Hoffman, who says Mr. Ciroc hasn't paid him for his services--to the tune of several thousand dollars.  Hoffman created a trending topic #PayYourBillsDiddy and went off.  What caused him to do so?  Diddy's Tweets about droping 2 mill in the strip club:

I think while I'm in miami imma go to a strip club and breAk my own record! Imma throw atleast 2 mill. For everyone. Not just the strippers

Ok meet at strip club. I'm payin past due rents. Student loans. Alimony and new weaves. Lol. Club info comin soon! Lol 

Hoffman responded:

"So cool dude! I worked for you in February and still haven't gotten paid or reimbursed for my expenses. Have a f****** ball."

"Infuriating when you fight to get paid by people who are bragging about throwing 2 mil around at a f****** strip club. #payyourbillsdiddy."

Ha!  Graphic designers, websites & everybody started hopping in to get justice for Hoffman. But Diddy claimed he was just joking:

Fyi the 2 mill strip club tweet was a twitter joke! If I threw away 2 mill in a strip club my baby mamas would fuck me up. Lol loosin up.

But please believe that photographer was NOT joking about wanting his cash he's owed.

 

And for a bonus, check out a few more pics of Justin and his date heading to prom this past weekend:

Alrighty then...

Pics: Justin's & Misa's Twitters

RANDOM BITS: "BBW" Star Evelyn Lozada Says, "I Need To Be A Better Example," MIA Signs To Roc Nation Management & More

Posted: 24 May 2012 04:36 PM PDT

Wiz Khalifa has released a visual for "Work Hard Play Hard." Watch it inside along with Evelyn Lozada's apology for bottle tossing and get the deets on MIA's new management deal.

 

VH1 has released a clip from the "BBW" Season 4 Reunion where Evelyn Lozada apologizes for the bottle tossing. She said, “Every time I’m interviewed, I’m asked if there’s something you could take back from all of the seasons, it’s that moment. Not too long ago I was driving with my step-daughters in the car, and they watched that scene and they think it’s funny. But it’s not funny, and I need to be a better example.”

The reunion will air in two parts, on Monday June 4 and June 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

 

Wiz Khalifa, (Billboard's Top New Artist) has a new video for his O.N.I.F.C. single “Work Hard Play Hard.”  The clip highlights the variety of citizens who reside in Pittsburgh.

His Under The Influence of Music tour, featuring Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q and Chevy Woods, kicks off on July 25 in Atlanta.

Watch the video above.

 

And in management moves......

M.I.A. has signed a management deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. The announcement was posted to the ROC's website and Rihanna welcomed her tweeting, “welcome home MIA.” M.I.A.’s fourth album Matangi is due this fall on Interscope Records and she's also set to drop “Bad Girls” featuring Missy Elliott, Azealia Banks, and Rye Rye.

Watch BTS of the "Bad Girls" shoot here:

NEW COUPLE ALERT?! Eddie Murphy & Rocsi Diaz...Holding Hands & Eye Gazing On A Coffee Run

Posted: 24 May 2012 03:17 PM PDT

Well what do we have here?  BET's "106 & Park" host Rocsi Diaz was spotted--with a big fat smile slapped on those lips--toting around Beverly Hills today and holding hands with....wait for it.....wait for it....Eddie Freakin' Murphy.

 

The random twosome were seen hiding their hand holding while still gazing into each other's eyes while out on a coffee run.  And yes, we're confused by this ish as well.  Pics inside..

Is this Adidas track suit Eddie's idea of showing he can be young?  Young enough to be getting it poppin' with yet another chick almost half his age?  Hmmm...

At 28 years of age, Rocsi clearly has a thing for older men--from LisaRaye McCoy's ex husband Michael Misick to a rumored fling with 46-year-old Rapheal Saadiq to now...the 51-year-old Eddie Murphy. Of course, Eddie has a type too.  And you're looking at it.

The veteran A-list actor was spotted taking the Jimmy Choo shoes wearing Rocsi to the Coffee Bean.  And from what we hear--this random pairing may be a convenient career helper for Rocsi.  Shocker.  Not only has she been trying to break into the world of acting like her BET counterpart Terrence J, but she's been writing screenplays that she hopes to shop around in Hollywood to boost her career.

I mean, that recent Gang of Roses 2 role was only going to take her so far on that Blockbuster shelf and those Netflix envelopes.  So why not get in tight--very tight--with an A-lister who can make things happen for you?  That seems to be what's hot in the streets these days. 

Rocsi didn't seem to be trying to hide the relationship too much as she smiled real big and glowed for the paparazzi cameras:

The two sped off in Eddie's Benz after getting "caught" by the cameras.  Well, this ought to get interesting....

Pics via Pacific Coast News

D'Angelo's GQ Outtakes + Allen Iverson Cheers On His Former Team The Philly 76ers

Posted: 24 May 2012 01:56 PM PDT

Because some folks just can't get enough of D'Angelo, we've got his outtakes from his newest spread in GQ magazine.  Check out more pics and what else he said about why he stepped away from the game, plus pics of cutie Allen Iverson returning to his former Philly 76ers home....

 

In the above outtake from the June 2012 issue of GQ magazine, sexy singer D'Angelo can be seen in his first photoshoot in 12 years rocking just a simple John Varvatos grey tee and a cross.  And some type of way he still scream sex.

GQ posted more pieces of his interview that were left out of the final article that was printed in the upcoming issue.  And it gives an interesting perspective into why he previously chucked deuces to the game.

Amy Wallace, who penned the interview, described parts of D’Angelo’s upcoming album saying, "It is dark, dense and mysterious and makes the most of D's newfound prowess on the guitar."

And as for why he left:

“He was confused, he says, by his sudden notoriety, even as he, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and others were credited with launching the ‘neo-soul’ movement (a label he hates). ‘It counteracts the very fucking idea of what it was in the first place,’ he says. ‘It's black music thinking — it's black music manifested outside of the box. And when you label it neo soul, you're putting it right back in the box. How about you just call me soul music?’”

Check out more of his outtakes in GQ's gallery HERE.  And more quotes HERE.

And speaking of hotties returning to the game, Allen Iverson decided to surprise his old team last night--the Philadelphia 76ers' Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Celtics.

 

Rocking the new Reebok Questions, along with a Sixers jacket and a Lou Williams jersey, Iverson delivered the game ball to NBA referee Joey Crawford.

 

During the game, Allen--who's going through a very messy divorce--cheered for the 76ers (who won) and met with fans during half time.

Photo credits: Gregory Harris/GQ ;mcsaatchiPR
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