Love This!!! New Music: Frank Ocean – ‘Sweet LIFE’

Frank Ocean has everyone talking about his sexuality, which is irrelevant because this dude is like dat!!! I’m loving the songs what I’ve heard so far!  He turns the focus back to his music with “Sweet LIFE,” a cut off his Def Jam debut Channel Orange, due July 17.  The Odd Future singer-songwriter, who will perform on Monday’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” sings about living a life of privilege (“You’ve had a landscaper and a housekeeper since you were born”) on the lush Pharrell production.  Get a taste of the “Sweet LIFE.” #DOPE

Rihanna Sues Accountants For Lost Millions

Rihanna is gunning for her old accountants. She has filed suit against them – accusing them of “shoddy bookkeeping, a failure to recommend she trim expenses when a 2009 tour was losing money and an ongoing audit by the Internal Revenue Service.”

More from the AP:

The lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan sought unspecified damages against New York-based Berdon LLP and two accountants. A Berdon spokeswoman said the company had no immediate comment.

The singer, suing under her real name, Robyn Fenty, alleged through her attorneys that the defendants drained tens of millions of dollars from revenues while she launched four national and international tours over a five-year period.

By the “Last Girl on Earth” tour in 2009, Rihanna learned that the tour had managed “significant net losses” despite robust revenues, though the defendants had managed to pocket 22 percent of the tour’s total revenues while paying Rihanna just 6 percent of revenues, the lawsuit said. It said Berdon’s unusual accounting practice of paying itself a percentage of gross tour income as commissions left it no incentive to “counsel” Rihanna to reduce expenses or put in place appropriate financial controls.

The lawsuit alleged that the practice of paying itself commissions on revenues was not standard in the accounting and business management industry and created a clear conflict of interest.

Rihanna’s lawyers also blamed the accounting firm for an ongoing IRS audit of her tax returns, saying she was forced to spend significant resources to correct errors resulting from negligence.

Since firing the firm and its accountants in September 2010, Rihanna’s fortunes already have reversed, the lawsuit said. The “Loud” tour stretching from June 2011 to December 2011 produced a net profit equal to more than 40 percent of total tour revenues, it added.

According to the lawsuit, the singer hired the accountants in 2005 when she was a 16-year-old from Barbados launching her career. She alleged that they repeatedly breached their agreements, engaged in misconduct and malfeasance, paid themselves excessive commissions, created entities without regard to their effect on her taxes and failed to document revenue and expenses and implement a proper budget.

Lauryn Hill Surprises Fans At ’4th Of July Jam’

Despite being in the middle of a battele with the IRS over unpaid taxes.  Ms. Lauryn Hill surprised fans at The Roots’ 4th of July Jam in Philadelphia last night. She performed a selection of her hits including ‘Doo-Wop’ and the ballad ‘Ex- Factor‘, which was well received by her the band’s audience.

It’s Official!!! Chad Johnson Marries Evelyn Lozada (Pics Inside)

 

Chad and Evelyn Johnson just posted their first pic as a married couple.  And their 4th of July nuptials were anything but perfect. NFL baller Chad took over wife Ev’s Twitter account for a few days leading up to the wedding, so she appeared today, bathing suit clad, saying hello to her followers from her Mrs. Johnson post-wedding pool party in St. Marteen.

Nas Spotted in NYC Wearing G-Star Rovic Arc Cargo Pants and Burn Rubber x New Balance MT580 Sneakers

Rapper Nas made a visit to BBC Radio 1 Studios to promote his upcoming album “Life is Good” scheduled for release late next month. He was spotted wearing a promotion only Sneaktip custom hoodie with his album title printed on the front, a pair of navy G-Star Rovic Arc cargo pants (seen below in light olive0 run about $160 and a pair of Burn Rubber x New Balance MT580 “White Collar” sneakers priced at $150. 

Balenciaga Pleated High-Top Sneakers

Balenciaga’s new Pleated High Tops are definitely eye-catching sneakers! These shoes are made of vibrant pleated leather with suede trim around the toe, a lace-up closure, and a rubber sole. They’re available in a bold red and a more subtle white for about $615.

Balenciaga Patchwork Contrast Panel Low-top Sneakers

Check out these new Balenciaga men’s Patchwork low-top sneakers priced at $526. They feature a contrasting color scheme and material panels throughout the main body. These sneakers have a reinforced toe panel in patent blue leather and the tongue is done in woven black fabric with black leather bordering the six sets of eyelets and around the opening. They also have a black cord lace, black leather insole with the ‘Balenciaga’ logo at the heel and a translucent rubber sole.

Beyoncé, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, & Big Sean Celebrate the 4th of July

It was all about the red, white, and blue as celebrities joined in the 4th of July celebrations across the country. Texas gals Beyoncé and Solange returned to their hometown of Houston to honor America’s birthday. The sisters posed for a series of patriotic pics with their mother Tina Knowles, cousin Angie Beyince, and director Melina Matsoukas.

It was a bittersweet moment for Rihanna, who remembered her late grandmother Dolly as she watched fireworks over the Hudson River. Big Sean had a “crazy 4th of July” partying at “Ni**as in Paris” producer Hit-Boy’s new L.A. pad. Jennifer Hudson showed her stars and stripes while performing at the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

Ciara set off her own fireworks in the studio while recording with Jermaine Dupri. Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz were in an empire state of mind, enjoying the holiday on a yacht with their family and Maxwell.

Rick Ross had a wet and wild 4th, Fergie traveled to Southport, North Carolina, to be with her husband Josh Duhamel, Azealia Banks and Teyana Taylor proudly displayed their patriotism with their outfits, and Brandy cuddled up with her boo Ryan Press.

Check out how some of your favorite stars celebrated the 4th.

New Music: Trey Songz – ‘Dive In’

Trey Songz makes a splash with “Dive In,” a seductive new track off his upcoming fifth album Chapter V, due August 21.

In an interview with ESSENCE, the R&B heartthrob revealed that the project will feature collaborations with Big Sean, Rick Ross, Diddy, and Meek Mill.

“This album will serve my core audience,” he said. “A lot of artists and music trends are going toward Euro-pop and it’s fast money. Chapter V will showcase everything from me. I’m very proud of it.”