The Reebok Classics x Swizz Beatz collaborative sneaker is finally seeing the light of day. Swizz Beatz, who recently announced the creative director of the Reebok Classics brand will be influencing all aspects of the line including creative campaigns and products. With the full collection hitting stores this Fall in July, Reebok will be releasing a limited edition Kamikaze sneaker ($100) in red/ grey/ light grey today Friday, May 13, 2011 and it will only be available at 7 retail locations in the US (See locations below). Only 84 pairs will be produced with each pair featuring a Reebok “Classic R” key-chain as well as a numbered box and handtag personally signed by Swizz Beatz. What do you think and are these a must have?
These shoes will be available at these locations:
-Footaction, Greenspoint Mall, 12300 North Freeway, Houston, TX 77060
-Sportsland/TAF UP, 5401 Wentworth, Chicago, IL 60609
-Underground Station, Underground Atlanta, 50 Lower Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
-Sneakervilla, 4 S 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
-Sportie LA, 7753 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Christian Louboutin has made spiked studs their staple footwear feature along with the red sole, and their latest mens’s Spring/Summer 2011 men’s footwear release incorporates these signature elements in a new way with the Louis Patent leather sneaker ($995).
Former world number one Serena Williams has pulled out of the French Open because she has not fully recovered from health issues, organizers announced Thursday.
“American Serena Williams, who has not fully recovered from health problems — pulmonary embolism, foot injury — … has pulled out,” organizers said in a statement.
Serena, who has not played since last July, has dropped to 17th in the WTA rankings. She won the French Open in 2002.
Her sister Venus is a major doubt for the May 22-June 5 tournament having not played since January because of a hip injury.
Nicki Minaj held her launch party for the Samsung Infuse 4G for AT&T at Milk Studios in Los Angeles on Thursday (May 12). Celebs like Jennifer Hudson, Ciara, and Kelly Rowland were there to show support.
Rapper Lupe Fiasco is set to perform at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards with R&B singer Trey Songz for what is being billed as the first-ever televised performance of their collaboration “Out of My Head.”
Fiasco will also perform his single “The Show Goes On,” according to the Hollywood Reporter. Both songs are from Fiasco’s album “Lasers.”
They are the first performers to be announced for the event, airing live June 5 from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City.
Jason Sudeikis hosts, and Mark Burnett (“Survivor,” “Celebrity Apprentice”) is the executive producer.
Wendy Williams got a little personal and quite emotional on her show the other day when she spoke of Whitney Houston’s recent rehab check-in. She mentioned that the rehab could be a way of clearance to participate in the “Waiting to Exhale” sequel.
While speaking, Wendy reminisced about her drug past, which brought up some tears.
“Have you ever tried drugs?,” she asked her viewer-co-host. “Well I have. It’s been many years, I can laugh about it now, too. It’s the stupidest thing I ever did in my life, you know, but I am familiar with every form of cocaine including crack and that whole bit. And I have to tell you, when I saw this picture right here, show that other picture of Whitney.
“[Begins crying] I remember that girl, sweaty, hair in the face, grown…I remember that girl very well, [points to herself] I wrote the book and everything. I can own up to my mistakes. Whitney, you need more than outpatient, and furthermore, I’m going to tell you right now because I’ve said it before: I don’t believe that you were sober on ‘Oprah,’ I don’t believe that you went into rehab voluntarily this time[…]On ‘Inside Edition’ they said that Whitney just signed on for ‘Waiting to Exhale 2.’ Well you know what happens with these Hollywood people, you have to be insurable and bankable. Nobody’s insuring [points to photo] this. So clean it up!”
Without mention of the controversy surrounding rapper Common’s participation, President Obama welcomed an audience to the White House’s “Evening of Poetry” Wednesday night, revealing that he, too, considers himself a poet.
“I have actually submitted a couple poems to my college literary magazine and you will be pleased to know what that I will not be reading them,” President Obama joked from the East Room of the White House Wednesday evening.
The president also spoke about the emotion of poetry.
“The power of poetry is everybody experiences it differently. There are no rules on what makes a great poem,” Obama said. “Instead, a great poem is one that resonates with us and challenges us and teaches us something about ourselves.”
Some critics of the participation in the White House event by Common were upset that the rapper and actor — who has recently appeared in a romantic comedy opposite Queen Latifah and contributed to a Jonas Brothers song — has previously slammed former President George W. Bush in his poetry.
During Wednesday’s celebration, Common recited lyrics to a rap song in poem form, which tipped his hat to the nation’s first African American president and started and ended with words of Martin Luther King playing over the loud speaker.
Here’s the poem in its entirety:
“I woke up with the sunshine. A sunshine I had never seen. There was light at the end of it. Reminded me to forever dream. I was dreaming I walked into the White House. With love on my sleeve. And love for each and every one of you. Reminding you to believe. These are the words of a believer achiever. Leader of the globe, feed the souls of those in need. I bleed the blood of the struggle. Walking over troubled puddles. The hustle is in my chest. No hustle no progress. Extremities of life in this process. The birth of a son. The death of another. With love I caress both mothers. And told ‘em whose in control is the one that’s above is. I walk where money talks and love stutters. The body language of a nation. Going though changes. The young become dangerous. Spent into anger. Anger gets sent through the chamber. It’s tough when your own look like strangers. We are the sons of gangsters and stone rangers. If he could how would Ernie Barnes paint us? Look at the picture. It’s hard not to blame us. But time forgives in the shy where the young die often. Do they end up in a coffin because we haven’t taught them? Is it what we talkin’, we really ain’t walking. Dudes, hustlers, paid. How much did it cost them? I find myself on the same corner that we lost them. Real talkin’ in their ear like a walkman. My thoughts been around the corner to the world. So when I see them I see my baby girl. The Lord lives among us. The youngest hunger, recover. Means to get it by anyways necessary under pressure. Children feeling lesser with the spill upon the dresser. Killer, willer aggressors. Destiny’s children, survivors, soldiers. In front of buildings their eyes look older. It’s hard to see blessings in a violent culture. Face against rappings. Sirens holsters – that ‘aint the way that Langston Hughes wrote us. So controllers on the shoulders of Moses. And Noah. We go from being precious to Oprah. Cultivated to overcome. Ever since we came over. Seize the day in the way that you can see the determined. The soul that keeps burning. Shorty’s know to keep learning. Lessons in my life are like stripes that we earning. I took Grant’s advice that Christ is returning. Like a thief in the night. I write for beacons of light. For those of us in dark alleys and park valleys. Street hits spark valleys of the conscience. Conquerors of a contest . Even the unseen know that God watches. For one King’s dream he was able to Barack us. One King’s dream he was able to Barack us. One King’s dream he was able to Barack us.”
“Thank you and God bless,” Common said at the end of his poem, without referring to the controversy. “I appreciate being here.”
After Steve Martin’s band played following Common’s performance, President Obama stood up, clapping, and then brought everyone back onstage, thanking all of the performers by name.
Before exiting the stage, Obama gave Common a big hug.
Definitely, making a copy of this poem! Real, true, deep stuff!! Gotta love it!
Rapper Lil Wayne will be the latest artist to be featured on MTV’s Grammy/Emmy Award winning music series “Unplugged” this June.
Lil Wayne will perform acoustic versions of different songs from his lengthy discography for the “Lil Wayne: Unplugged” special that will premiere on June 12th on MTV2, MTV and MTV.com.
“Lil Wayne is an amazing choice for Unplugged as he is at hip-hop’s forefront – leading a new generation of artists whose appeal spans across music genres and playlists,” Amy Doyle, EVP, Music and Talent, MTV told Hip Hop Weekly in a statement.
“Lil Wayne’s skills, influence, and catalog are a powerful addition to the legacy of artists who have rocked the Unplugged stage,” Doyle said.
Lil Wayne joins artists like LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Bob Dylan, Lauryn Hill, Hole, Alicia Keys and Korn, who have all performed on “Unplugged.”
Lil Wayne, who is putting the final touches on his 9th studio album Tha Carter IV, will on “Unplugged” on Sunday, June 12th at 9 PM ET.
Maxim Magazine held it’s annual Hot 100 Party last night at Eden Nightclub in Hollywood. Kelly Rowland, Keri Hilson, Amber Rose, and others came out to celebrate.
Ascending to No. 3 this week on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs with “Motivation” featuring Lil Wayne, Kelly Rowland has revealed the title of her upcoming album to Billboard. Her third solo project and first for Universal Motown will be called “Here I Am.”
In addition, “Motivation” thus far marks the singer/songwriter’s second-biggest hit since being featured on Nelly”s 2002 single “Dilemma.” The song perched atop the Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for 10 weeks and nine weeks, respectively.
“I was talking to my product manager,” recalls Rowland, who’s currently working in Los Angeles. “I said I wanted people to know that this is the record, the sound I¹ve been working toward… that here I am. And she said,that’s the title. It just connected with my heart and the music as well. It stands for everything I’ve gone through and thought about for this record as a woman. It’s very strong.”
Rowland plans to pinpoint the album’s fall release date by the end of this week. The former Destiny’s Child member is collaborating with a host of producers and songwriters, including Dr. Luke, Stargate, RedOne, Tricky Stewart and Rodney Jerkins. “Motivation” was produced by Jim Jonsin and written by Rico Love.
Commenting on Beyonce being honored with the Billboard Millennium Award at the Billboard Music Awards on May 22, Rowland says, “I’m so excited for my sister. Nobody deserves it more than she does. Ever since we were kids, we’ve worked hard, and she’s carried that into her solo career.
Dre Black So Fresh 