The Young, Black, and Fabulous

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• Happy Birthday Michael Jackson, Timbaland Gears Up For Michael Jackson Project
• BREAKING IT DOWN: Kendrick Lamar Finally Responds To The Responses, EXPLAINS Controversial "King Of New York" Line
• WHAT ODDS? YBF Tennis Chick Victoria Duval Speaks On SURPRISE UPSET At The U.S. Open
• Lil' Scrappy ARRESTED For PUTTIN' DEM PAWS On Man Who DISRESPECTED Bambi At A Gas Station! + Tamar Braxton's "Hot Sugar" Video SNEAK PEEK
• "LOST" & FOUND: Lamar Odom Makes A RUN For The BORDER....To Taco Bell, Then BACK Home To Khloe Kardashian!
• EXCLUSIVE: John Legend On What He's Most Nervous About Now That His Bachelor Party Weekend is Over....
• NEW GIGS: Christina Milian, Amber Riley, Keyshawn Johnson Join "DWTS" + Mekhi Phifer Joins "House of Lies" Season 3
• WHOA: 11 Year Old YBF Kid Genius Starts COLLEGE At TCU!

Happy Birthday Michael Jackson, Timbaland Gears Up For Michael Jackson Project Posted: 29 Aug 2013 08:21 AM PDT The King of Pop would have been 55 today.  And we continue to celebrate his life as its still one of the biggest impacts on music today.  Check out how super producer Timbaland plans to salute Michael Jackson soon inside... It's Michael Jackson's birthday.  And the late musical genius is still the prototype of this music industry.  We're loving the vintage pic (above) of Michael during the "Thriller" era that gives us a peek at his Jean-Michel Basquiat art collection. And Timbaland recently unveiled his brand new Michael Jackson Project. Timbaland said this will be like 2 Kings working together--Michael's voice over Timbo's beats. The first single will be called "Chicago" and it will be out soon. Check out the announcement below:   Happy birthday Michael!   Photo: Michael-Jackson Tumblr

BREAKING IT DOWN: Kendrick Lamar Finally Responds To The Responses, EXPLAINS Controversial "King Of New York" Line Posted: 29 Aug 2013 07:39 AM PDT Rapper Kendrick Lamar has broken down the meaning of "King Of New York" from his controversial "Control" verse and it may surprise you.  Get the true meaning behind the phrase that set fire tot he internet rain inside.....   West coast emcee Kendrick Lamar's verse on Big Sean's "Control" record turned the hip hop community out this summer as lyricists from all over the country (pretty much everybody EXCEPT those who were namechecked) took up the challenge and answered back about who's the best MC.  Though Kendrick shot numerous lyrical daggers, it was the phrase "King of New York" that really seemed to piss off other MCs. During a recent interview with “Big Boy’s Neighborhood” on Power 106, Kendrick responded to all the drama, for the first time, and broke down the metaphorical meaning of the phrase. He told Big Boy, "Honestly I didn’t know there would be so much speculation behind it. I just wanted to rap. Anybody that knows me doing music, I wanna just rap.” He added that he didn't expect to cause controversy with "King of New York” because "I think that’s the case right there of maybe I just dumbed down my lyrics just a little bit." So what did he mean by "King of New York"? “The irony of that line is the people that actually understood it and got it, was the actual kings of New York. You know, me sitting down with them this past week and them understanding that it’s not about actually being the king of whatever coast. It’s about leaving a mark as great as Biggie, as great as ‘Pac.” Oh ok then......that makes sense.  And we're Team Kendrick for a reason. Listen to the full interview here:   Listen to Kendrick's verse here:   Photo via Getty

WHAT ODDS? YBF Tennis Chick Victoria Duval Speaks On SURPRISE UPSET At The U.S. Open Posted: 29 Aug 2013 06:59 AM PDT There's another YBF chick tennis star on our radar, and she's only 17.  Check out what Victoria Duval had to say about her surprise upset at last night's U.S. Open match.... She and her family have beat the odds in all forms--her doctor father barely escaped death during the Haiti earthquake and Victoria just beat at top 20 player at the U.S. Open, after never even beating anyone ranked over 69th. Victoria was born in Miami, Florida but grew up in her parents' native country of Haiti.  The family moved back to the U.S. after Victoria--at 7--and some of her cousins were taken hostage by robbers.  And a tennis pro is what she became. The 296th ranked (yes, 296th!) teen beat #11 seed and 2011 Champion Samantha Stosur on Tuesday, and we're loving her outlook on WINNING in life.  During her post game on-court interview, the bubbly teen told the crowd in Flushing, NY: 'There's a lot to be thankful for. I don't take anything for granted... My Dad is really fortunate to be here....I thank God every day for everything that's happened. Life is short.' And she refuses to talk about the hostage situation because it's too traumatic: 'It's not a good memory, so I've tried to forget as much as I could about it. I don't remember too much of it anymore, which is great.'   Her dad, who was trapped underneath a crumbled home during the Haitian earthquake after being there for his usual back-and-forth physician work, was there front and center cheering on his baby girl. The Daily Mail reports: 'One morning we got a call from him and he was (trapped) under the house,' Victoria told CNN in 2011. 'He was sort of giving us his last words and said to my mum, 'Tell the kids I love them.' Mum just collapsed on the floor, but she said, 'No, no, no, you are going to make it.'' Jean-Maurice was buried alive for hours. He did eventually escape but was left with a punctured lung, a shattered arm and five broken ribs. Real estate developer Harry Kitchen, a friend of the family through tennis connections, paid $30,000 to airlift Victoria's dad back to the U.S., where he received the attention that saved his life. This Victoria is winning in life, and we're loving it.  Congrats!  Check out Victoria's inspiring highlights and post-game interview below:     BONUS: Tennis champ Serena Williams was spotted relaxing a bit on Friday at Bagatelle with her rumored boyfriend and coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, before her big matches this week.  And she didn't miss U.S. Open practice at 8Am the next morn.  Good luck 'Rena!   Photos: Reuters

Lil' Scrappy ARRESTED For PUTTIN' DEM PAWS On Man Who DISRESPECTED Bambi At A Gas Station! + Tamar Braxton's "Hot Sugar" Video SNEAK PEEK Posted: 28 Aug 2013 03:51 PM PDT "LAHH ATL" star Lil' Scrappy was arrested yesterday after brawling at a gas station with a man who disrespected his girlfriend Bambi.  Get the deets inside and watch Tamar Braxton's "Hot Sugar" sneak peek.     Rapper Lil' Scrappy got "scrappy" with a man named Kenny Rogers (not the country singer) at a Georgia gas station yesterday after he disrespected his "BBW LA" girlfriend Bambi.  Sigh. According to TMZ, police were called to the gas station at 2:33 AM after Lil' Scrappy and Kenny got into a full-on altercation. The fight was broken up by an off-duty cop who just happened to be in the store at the same time. Both men were booked for disorderly conduct and Lil' Scrappy was released a short time later.  As if Scrapy has room for stupid ish like this after JUST leaving jail recently. When TMZ asked the rapper about the brawl, he said, "He was calling my girlfriend names and then put his hands on me ... so I had to lay them paws on him."  This guy... Scrappy's lawyer Mawuli Mel Davis says surveillance tape will prove that Scrappy was acting in self-defense. Let's hope so. We wouldn't want Scrappy to violate his parole and there's no sense in going back to jail if Mona Scott Young has already shut down production for the summer....     Meanwhile... September 2013 will be a huge month for Tamar Braxton as the new mommy drops her cd Love And War (September 3rd) and season 2 of "Tamar & Vince" kicks off on September 5th at 9/8c on WeTV.  And to ramp up some excitement about the new disc, Tamar unleased a sneak peek at the "Hot Sugar" video on Instagram.  Watch the clip above.....   Listen to the unofficial version of "Hot Sugar" here:     Photo via FreddyO.com

"LOST" & FOUND: Lamar Odom Makes A RUN For The BORDER....To Taco Bell, Then BACK Home To Khloe Kardashian! Posted: 28 Aug 2013 02:20 PM PDT Lamar Odom was spotted making a run for the border today (and by making a "run" we mean Taco Bell).  See pics of Lamar placing his order and get the latest updates on his recovery and marriage..... Lamar Odom, whom we told you did not attend Clippers practice yesterday as he was no re-signed, was spotted wearing his wedding ring while making a run earlier today.  We know when you are accused of having a drug problem that making a "run" can have several meanings, but we're happy to report that Lamar's "run" was to the local Taco Bell near the home he shares (and recently returned to) with wife Khloe Kardashian.  His agent said this week he was NEVER missing and Khloe knew the whole time where he was (reportedly in a nearby hotel working out those drug issues), but TMZ maintains he was.  Hmm. Although tons of photographers gathered around his Mercedes Benz truck and pelted him with questions like "Are you addicted to crack cocaine?", Lamar maintained his composure and waited for his nachos and other food items.  (Watch him get harassed by the cameramen here).  And how did a cameraman get INSIDE the Taco Bell...just in time... (top pic) to take a pic from the drive thru angle?  Staged?  Hmmmm...   It's worth mentioning that Khloe Kardashian was spotted wearing her wedding band yesterday as well, so it looks like the couple are working through both their marital woes and addiction issues.  Good luck.   UPDATE: Lamar's monster-in-law mother-in-law is likely getting her show "Kris" cancelled after its six-week test.  Several sources are reporting Fox has decided not to pick up the show due to abysmal ratings.  And the one day of decent ratings--Kanye's finale show--isn't a good enough indication that a whole season would perform similarly. Photos via PacificCoastNews.com

EXCLUSIVE: John Legend On What He's Most Nervous About Now That His Bachelor Party Weekend is Over.... Posted: 28 Aug 2013 01:38 PM PDT John Legend is one step closer to being a married man.  And we caught up with him last night to find out what he's most nervous about, especially now that the bachelor party weekend is over... Last night, TheYBF.com was on the scene for the SCENE Magazine and GREY GOOSE Vodka special performance by John Legend at the Lower East Side hotspot, The Box. And as the man who's about to marry one of the most mouthy models on Twitter celebrated the release of his upcoming album, Love in the Future, we had to find out what's going on in his head right now.  Fresh off his Bachelor party weekend in the Hamptons, John tells us there's no cold feet, at least not about the wedding: "People keep asking if I'm nervous about getting married. I guess I should be, but I don't know. I feel alright. I'm more nervous about my album coming out." And about writing his song "The Beginning" for fiancée Chrissy Teigen: "Chrissy asked if it was about her. A few of the songs on the album are about her.  But she played this one for her parents. I was a little embarrassed because it says, 'We couldn't wait. We did it in the living room...'!" John & Chrissy are set to get hitched at Lake Como, Italy early next month. Meanwhile at the event, fans and other VIP guests, who were treated to GREY GOOSE bottle service, got an exclusive first listen of unreleased tracks from his new album. He even shared stories about Chrissy, who was the inspiration for new songs including "The Beginning" and "All of Me."   Also spotted at the exclusive listening session: Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, Estelle, Gayle King, Nana Meriwether, Veronica Webb and more. John's Love In The Future LP drops September 3rd.   Photo credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images; NYC Correspondent: Shannan Johnson

NEW GIGS: Christina Milian, Amber Riley, Keyshawn Johnson Join "DWTS" + Mekhi Phifer Joins "House of Lies" Season 3 Posted: 28 Aug 2013 12:41 PM PDT Christina Milian may no longer be the social media correspondent on "The Voice," but she's nabbed herself a new gig.  Check out who all is joinig "Dancing With The Stars" this season inside, plus Mekhi Phifer joining the debauchery of "House of Lies".... The YMCMB artist and Platinum E Hookah honcho is about to put her "Dip It Low" skills to the test.  She's one of the newest contestants on "Dancing With The Stars," according to TMZ.   At least one other contestant has started rehearsals this week.  So Christina may have as well.  Other YBFers who have reportedly joined the cast: Justin Beiber's frenemy Keyshawn Johnson and "Glee" star Amber Riley.  Snooki and Elizabeth Berkley are also joining the new season.   And speaking of new gigs, fine ass Mekhi Phifer will be coming to our TV screens every week once again this fall.  He just joined Season 3 of one of our fave shows, "House of Lies." The newly remarried former "ER" actor will play a business mogul who hires cutthroat business consultant Marty Khan (Don Cheadle) to make his empire boom.  And we all know that will only lead to some scandalously funny ish. Season 3 kicks off January 12th on Showtime.  And Nia Long may be returning for her reoccurring role as well.  We'll be watching...   The Randomness: 1.  OWN just picked up a new reality show about four black women trying to get their "come up" in New York.  STORY

WHOA: 11 Year Old YBF Kid Genius Starts COLLEGE At TCU! Posted: 28 Aug 2013 10:52 AM PDT Eleven-year-old Carson Huey-You just became the the youngest person to ever attend Texas Christian University where he's studying quantum physics. And he's a YBF kid! Meet the little genius inside.....   CNN anchor Don Lemon might love this story since he's been spending the past few months debating whether young Black men should be held accountable for pulling up their pants. Meet Carson Huey-You, an 11-year-old who just became the youngest student at Texas Christian University.  And today was his first day on campus. So what makes young Carson so extraordinary?  His mom (above), Claretta says he was intensely focused as an infant and was reading books by the time he was 2-years-old.  At age 5, he was in high school.  He also speaks Mandarin Chinese and plays piano. And if that isn't enough to blow your mind and make your Honors diploma seem pointless, he graduated from Accommodated Learning Academy in Grapevine (he was co-valedictorian) with a 4.0 grade point average and a 1770 SAT score! He says he finds Calculus very relaxing.  Yeah...relaxing. "Whenever you are like ‘Oh, that makes sense now,’ just kind of after going at it, going at it, it’s just kind of like that one moment of thought.” He talked to CBS local about enrolling in college and what his experience has been. “I’m taking calculus, physics, history and religion. Those are my four classes. It’s fun because it’s basically just like high school, but in a big campus…with a lot more people." And the folks at TCU spoke about having Carson on the campus. Dean of Admissions Ray Brown said it was not easy to admit him, but they were set on him becoming a Horned Frog (the school's mascot). "He was completely off the grid when it came to even the most basic of things, like completing an application or completing a financial aid form. Because of his date of birth, those forms would not accept his application." Carson's associate math professor Qiao Zhang added, “He’s definitely very talented and also he’s very serious about his work and he really enjoys it. And that’s the best that a professor can hope for his students, right?”   Watch a great story about Carson here:       Photos via CBS

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