Sessilee Lopez Channels Aaliyah for New Photoshoot

Domincan/Portugese-American model Sessilee Lopez is making folks do a double take as she channels the late superstar Aaliyah in her latest photo spread.

The-Dream Named Executive Vice President of A&R at Def Jam

The-Dream is heading from the studio to the boardroom. The singer-songwriter has been named Executive Vice President of A&R at Def Jam Records.

 In his new role, the 35-year-old hitmaker will oversee the label’s current roster and seek out, discover, and sign new talent, and will work as a producer for artists on Def Jam and its affiliated labels. In addition, resources will be devoted to The-Dream’s Radio Killa Records imprint, which recently signed R&B crooner August Alsina.

“I am committed as I have been previously to bringing the power of belief in the artist back to the forefront,” said The-Dream. “I share a unique view of an artist and as well as the business of music. I, with the help of many others, have ran a successful business for the last five years in the midst of the ‘Digital Change.’ My concentration and effort will be to the artist to succeed in their dreams and goals. I’ve been a part of watching and participating in the success of many great women and men including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion to name a few. Music means more than just a download, it’s life to the culture and also the people who listen. This is a new exciting yet critical time for music—’You Meet Change with Change!’”

Barry Weiss, Chairman & CEO of Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown, added, “The-Dream is a gifted songwriter and producer who writes from a unique cultural point of view. This rare ability sets him apart from all other writers and producers out there.”

The-Dream is currently working with Rihanna on her upcoming seventh album and is executive producing Pusha T’s solo debut for G.O.O.D. Music. He has also been in the studio putting the finishing touches on his fourth album Love IV MMXII.

Pharrell Hits the Studio with Jay-Z and Frank Ocean

Pharrell was recently in the studio with Jay-Z and Frank Ocean working on new music. While it’s unknown exactly what they were cooking up (New Jay-Z album? Watch the Throne 2?), Pharrell offered a teaser of their collaboration.

“Can’t wait for y’all to hear what I’m working on with big bro @S_C_ and lil bro @frank_ocean,” tweeted The Neptunes hitmaker.

Frank and Jay-Z previously collaborated on Watch the Throne and Pharrell produced “Sweet Life” for the Odd Future crooner’s critically-acclaimed debut channel ORANGE.

It’s A Family Affair! Diddy’s Sons Model for New Sean John Campaign

The Sean John Fall 2012 clothing campaign is underway and in the latest ads for the prep-style lookbook, Diddy’s sons, 20-year-old Quincy and 14-year-old Christian are joined by 14-year-old Jordan Beckford, who is Tyson Beckford’s son with stylist April Roomet.

Chris and Karrueche Reunite Over Gumbo

On again off again lovers Chris Brown and Karrueche Tran hooked up over the weekend at a dinner party.

Chris Brown may have publicly broken up with Karrueche last week, but the couple was spotted, or should I saw Tweeted about, at a dinner party given by Christina Millian’s boyfriend Jas Prince.

Jada Pinkett-Smith to Make Some Major Changes in Her Life

Jada Pinkett-Smith posted a super-cryptic status on her Facebook page warning of major changes ahead in EVERY aspect of her life.

Jada writes,

I am on a tremendous journey of great change in every area of my life and I see how change can be scary. For instance, how Will and I raise our family is a tremendous change from the norm. It can be scary for some folks but it should never THREATEN how anyone else chooses to raise their own children or how they choose to live their lives.

We all have the freedom to CHOOSE to live how we want. The freedom of choice is the crux of happiness. We are not here to live up to another’s approval. Take responsibility for YOUR life, YOUR values, YOUR beliefs and expect NO ONE to hold that banner for you or to prove it RIGHT. When we do THAT…what someone else is doing won’t matter so much.

Remember…one day you will die.

Don’t waste a moment simply fearing to live because of what someone may think about it.

Live and…let live!!!!

Pura VIDA!

J

Will the Real B.I.C. Stand Up!!! Jay-Z Brings Out Beyoncé at Final Barclays Center Show (Video)

Grand opening, grand closing.  Following a week of sold-out shows, Jay-Z concluded his run at Barclays Center with one final concert on Saturday night.  While his earlier shows included appearances from Big Daddy Kane and Memphis Bleek, he saved the best for last.

Wearing a Brooklyn Nets cap and sunglasses, surprise guest Mrs. Carter hit the stage to perform “Diva” and was joined by her husband for “Crazy in Love.”  Jay even gave B a smack on the ass after delivering his verse on the latter.  She returned later in the show to duet on “Young Forever.”

The concert was live streamed for fans on YouTube.  Watch the superstar couple close things out with a bang.

Chris Brown Gets ‘Real’ About Rihanna and Karrueche [Video]

Chris Brown is putting it all out there. After publicly announcing his split from girlfriend Karrueche Tran earlier in the day, the R&B superstar opens up about his love triangle with Rihanna. 

“Do you know Chris Brown????????” he asked his fans before posting a 90-second video entitled “The Real Chris Brown,” which has been professionally edited to include footage of him with both of his love interests.

A drunk Breezy speaks candidly about his relationship status while driving through New York City. “Ya’ll don’t get the real Chris Brown, so I like to just be honest,” he says.

He and Rihanna are seen cozying up in the club from earlier in the week, along with clips of him and Karrueche in happier times.

“I’m stressed out. … When you share history with somebody, then you tend to fall in love with somebody else, it’s kinda difficult,” explains Chris. “Is there such thing as loving two people? I don’t know if that’s possible, but for me, I feel like that.”

He continues, “I don’t want to hurt either or. I’m just me. I’m not trying to be a player, I’m not trying to be a dawg. My mama raised me differently. I just care too much sometimes. A ni**a be stressing. That’s what ni**as do. Life of Chris Brown.”

Earlier in the day, Rihanna tweeted, “Ain’t nobody bidness….. But mine and my baby!,” a nod to Michael Jackson’s hit “The Way You Make Me Feel.”

After the video went viral, Karrueche responded. “Wtf is going on? All I’m saying is.. You don’t mess with people’s genuine feelings. You just don’t!” she wrote. “Life moves on.. So let’s all.”

Chris Brown Officially Dumps Karrueche

After several days of flaunting his re-kindled romance with Rihanna, Chris Brown publicly pulls the plug on his fling with Karrueche Tran

Chris tells E News,

“I have decided to be single to focus on my career. I love Karrueche very much but I don’t want to see her hurt over my friendship with Rihanna. I’d rather be single allowing us to both be happy in our lives.”

Lark Voorhies Denies Mother’s Claims

Yesterday actress Lark Voorhies’ mother went public with Lark’s battle with bi-polar disorderWell Lark says it simply isn’t true…

Tricia Voorhies, 64, spilled to People Magazine that she was worried about Lark after witnessing her daughter exhibit strange behavior like suddenly starring off into space and mumbling to herself in the middle of a conversation.

Lark tells People Mag that she’s doing just fine and that her ‘over-loving’ mother just worries too much.

As for the starring and mumbling episodes Lark insists she was caught during moments of prayer telling People, “I have a strong spiritual sense, You caught me in moments of pray [sic].”