Jay-Z went looking for the perfect gift for his wife Beyoncé to celebrate the couple’s fourth wedding anniversary today. Blue Ivy’s father was all smiles as he visited Jacob Arabo’s jewelry store in Manhattan, chatting with the jeweler outside as the paparazzi snapped away. He left empty-handed, but we’re sure Jay has a few surprises up his sleeve. Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Carter on four years of marriage!
Mary J. Blige is not happy after her Burger King commercial went viral and caused a firestorm on Twitter and blogs. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul is speaking out about her involvement in the controversial spot promoting the fast food chain’s new crispy chicken snack wraps.
In the commercial, Mary sings about “crispy chicken, fresh lettuce, three cheeses, ranch dressing.” But the ad was heavily panned, causing some to believe it was an April Fools’ joke at first.
Mary tells TMZ that she never signed off on the version that surfaced online.
“I agreed to be a part of a fun and creative campaign that was supposed to feature a dream sequence,” stated the 41-year-old singer. “Unfortunately, that’s not what was happening in that clip.”
The ad, which has seen been pulled from Burger King’s YouTube page, was not approved. “I understand my fans being upset by what they saw,” she continued. “But, if you’re a Mary fan, you have to know I would never allow an unfinished spot like the one you saw to go out.”
Burger King confirms the spot was released “before all of the licensing and final approvals were obtained” and offered an apology to Mary. “We would like to apologize to Mary J. and all of her fans for airing an ad that was not final.”
A final approved version of the commercial will be released soon. In addition to Mary, David Beckham, Salma Hayek, and Jay Leno appear in ads for Burger King’s latest campaign.
Things haven’t been the best for Lauryn Hill’s career since she made an impact on t he world many moons ago. Since making a semi-comeback a few years nback, Lauryn can’t quite keep fans in their seats for the whole show. There have been reports of her showing up hours late and being just plain terrible. Those sentiments are being echoed from some Lauryn Hill fans in South Africa. Fans walked out of her show while Lauryn Hill performed.
Hill performed at the Cape Town Jazz Festival and wasn’t that great. Capital FM reported:
Hill continued her set with multiple interruptions, alleging that sound problems prevented the crowd from “hearing her.” At one point, Hill even left the stage to speak to someone backstage.
By the end of her 3rd track, disgruntled audience members began streaming out of the packed venue and headed to the other headlining acts on the 4 remaining stages. Die-hard fans left the concert and took to social media to express their disappointment.
Usher might be out here telling folks that “the world deserves” a collaboration between he and Adele (his words, not mine), the British sensation herself has her eyes set on another R&B star to record with. Speaking with NRJ radio in France, Adele noted that wanted to work with the late Etta James, but she’s gone she would go with Blue Ivy Carter’s mama.
Adele said: “I adore Beyoncé, I’ve been listening to her since I was about 11. I think her work as an artist and a singer is enviable in terms of the length of her career and how she’s grown and grown, but most of my inspirations are [from] old music and sadly they have all died.”
Adele has spoke quite fondly of Beyoncé for years now, so given her stan status (compliment) it makes sense for her to say she’d like to work with Bey
What’s a Dreblacksofresh blog without a daily dose of Bee. Yesterday, Beyonce was looking a little exhausted and looked like she just threw on the first thing she could find lying around. Today, Mrs. Carter took a different approach throwing on her 6 inch walkers and headed to a business meeting. Pre-sale tickets for her three-day stint at the Revel Resort go on sale tomorrow, and the general public on Friday.
Chris Brown’s hard work continues to pay off. On Monday, the “Turn Up the Music” singer visited the Land Rover dealership in Encino, Calif., where he rewarded himself with a brand new black Range Rover. After driving his $80,000-plus set of wheels off the lot, the denim-clad star headed to a Thai massage parlor for some pampering.
Just last week Chris debuted his Polow Da Don-produced single “Sweet Love” off his fifth album Fortune, and he’s preparing to drop “Till I Die” with Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean in the coming week.
Whitney Houston’s mother is speaking out for the first time since her daughter’s death in February. Cissy Houston shared her love, grief, and anger with Newark’s My9 TV at New Hope Baptist Church, the same place where her daughter’s funeral was held just weeks earlier.
“I’m OK. I have my moments. I’m not there yet,” said the grieving mother. “I don’t think I’m any more courageous than anyone else. I haven’t gotten angry yet. I don’t like getting angry.”
Ev’ryday Black was created back in 2007 by bestfriends J’Evryday and Dre Black. Combining the most talented of musicians from across the DMV, Ev’ryday Black was birthed from the roots of Soul, Hip-Hop, Funk with hint of that DC sound Go-Go. The band had a brief stint at the Ras Dashen and the R & R, before disbanding in 2008. J’Ev’ryday went on to form Ev’ryday Baby and Dre Black created a milder form of Ev’ryday Black, Dre Black & Egocentric. Dre Black & Egocentric had the pleasure of performing at the Summer Jam, Black Family Reunion, and other special performances throughout 2009.
The reigniting of Ev’ryday Black has been in the works ever since they disbanded and are ready to hit the stage together again for the first time in four years. The fans that were acquired will be happy to know that they will be a mainstay at Haydee’s Lounge located at 6303 Georgia Ave, NW the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, with a big show every three months featuring the hottest DMV talent. The opening night is this Saturday, April 7th, doors open at 7pm. Dre Black even has a drink created in his honor called the “Black Margarita,” which is the #1 drink at Haydee’s, and he and J’Ev’ryday have concocted a new drink the “ Ev’ryday Black,” which is comprised of VSOP Remy, Orange Juice, Ginger Ale, and a special ingredient. Make sure to come and check out the underground band that has the streets buzzing reading to take on not just the DMV, but the entire nation!!!
“IT’S NOT JUST A BAND…..IT’S A LIFESTYLE!”
Solange Knowles recently did a faboulous photoshoot with COMPLEX Magazine for their special 10th Anniversary Issue. She had some interesting things to say about “Love and Hip-Hop” and whether she’s submissive or dominant:
I’d rather be submissive than dominant. Strong, independent women share this sentiment of wanting to be taken over sexually behind closed doors. It’s the natural balance for a woman like me.
I’d rather live in the U.S. than Europe. I talk shit about the American way, and how much more together Europe is as a society, but traveling as much as I have, there are lots of things I appreciate about home. I plan on living in Europe at some point, but for now I’m good in Brooklyn.
I’d rather be on the cast of Love & Hip-Hop than Project Runway. I’ve never seen Project Runway, but I’m a huge Chrissy [Love & Hip-Hop star Christine Lampkin] fan. I’d need to take boxing lessons from her first though, nahmean?
I’d rather be the cool aunt than the authoritative aunt. The closer my sister came to motherhood, the more stern she was with my son, Julez, but when he was between the ages of 1 and 4, she put the s in spoiling. I had to deal with the cool aunt for seven years, and I’m ready for payback! Late nights, candy binges—I’m doing it all!
I’d rather have known my parents when they were younger than only know them as my parents. My mother was the most stylish, flawless woman I’ve ever seen. My father had a little cool, but my mother was a different breed of cool. I’ve looked through photographs of her that inspire me today. She’s partied at Studio 54, hung out in ski chalets in Colorado, and played Cleopatra in a play in Egypt. She’s insanely cool in her 50s, but I wouldn’t pass up being with her in her prime!
I’d rather be the protector than the protected. I’m naturally the protector—being a mother and having a famous family. You have to navigate when it’s right to protect. I’ve made mistakes, but just know, if you step to me and mine, me and Chrissy gon’ have to fuck you up.
Dre Black So Fresh 