Alicia Keys celebrated her 30th Birthday this week with an Egyptian Themed Birthday party (inspired by her son Egypt). The party included the likes of Gayle King, Jay-Z and Beyonce. Her husband Swizz Beatz and mother Terry were also on hand.
Category Archives: Entertainment
Jermaine Dupri Creates Facebook & Twitter Alternative: Global 14
Music producer-turned-Internet entrepreneur Jermaine Dupri is making like Mark Zuckerberg and has created a new social network called Global 14 (or “G14″).
Dupri says he designed and developed it to be the “coolest, hippest city” on the Internet.
“Global 14 was created because of the increasing trend of ‘social notifying’ versus ‘social networking,’ says Dupri. “Social notifying is when people share information, such as in ‘Hey, check out this website.’ There’s no conversation or expectation of a response.”
However, Global 14 is about establishing dialogue and making connections.
“There’s no real social networking anymore,” maintains Dupri. “People just post updates without replying or engaging their followers. At G14, if you hit me up with a question, nine times out of ten, I’ll respond. I’m talking with people all day on there.”
In less than three months, the site has secured over 10,650 subscribers and receives about 100,000 unique visitors a month. Members “friend” and follow each other. They post conversations to their page which can be linked to other social media accounts.
“Unlike other sites, G14 is not about how many followers you can get,” says Dupri. “It’s about the relationships. ‘Friends’ should be your real friends.”
Celebrities who have already signed on to Global14 include Mariah Carey, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Nelly, Kelly Rowland, Bow Wow, Monica, Anthony Hamilton, and Kevin Hart.
Additionally, the site features nearly 500 discussion groups with topics ranging from dating and relationships to cooking, education, music and sex.
“I’m trying to encourage young America to get more involved in what’s going on with social media and the tech world,” says Dupri. “I want to show them that we can use computers for more than just watching crazy videos, posting pictures and reading about celebrities.”
For more information on Global 14 or to join the movement, visit www.global14.com.
FUNNY DUDE: COMEDIAN KEVIN HART VISITS LOPEZ TONIGHT + TALKS ABOUT THE DIDDY PENTHOUSE PARTY INCIDENT
JAY-Z, WILL & JADA SMITH FORMING NEW FILM COMPANY
Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and their partners at Overbrook Entertainment have formed a joint-venture with Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter to develop and produce major motion pictures. First up? A remake of the Broadway musical “Annie,” in which Will and Jada’s daughter, Willow — who recently signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label — will star in.
Although the project is in its preliminary stages, it will be developed with Sony Pictures Entertainment and produced by Overbrook and Jay.
The partnership between Will and Jada and Jay-Z began when the three decided to invest in the beauty line Carol’s Daughter. Their next venture together was when they joined forces again to co-produce the Broadway play “Fela!” Since then, Willow, who is managed by Overbrook’s Miguel Melendez, has signed to Roc Nation and released first single “Whip My Hair.”
“The Overbrook Entertainment family and I have a unified vision. We’ve already produced a Tony Award-winning play and we’re developing a true superstar in Willow,” said Jay-Z in a statement. “This venture into film development and production is a perfect next step with teams that are accomplished, creative and innovative.”
LIL WAYNE COVERS ‘ROLLING STONE’ MAGAZINE
Rihanna ‘S&M’ Video Still
Video: Jessie J Performs Live in London
Jessie J rocked the crowd last night at London nightclub Scala, making up a canceled date from last month due to severe illness. The much-buzzed-about singer-songwriter showed no signs of wear as she performed an acoustic rendition of “Big White Room,” “Do It Like a Dude,” and “L.O.V.E.,” which she originally penned for Alicia Keys.
“I’ve done this song a few times in the studio and it’s never come out right. I like to take risks and I want you all to be involved in my album,” she said of the personal “Big White Room.” The Essex native, who was recently named Critics’ Choice at the BRIT Awards, worked the stage in a Vivienne Westwood getup, treating the audience to cuts from her forthcoming debut Who You Are.
The powerhouse vocalist also performed her first U.S. single “Price Tag” with British MC Devlin filling in for B.o.B. She and the “Airplanes” rapper have already filmed a video for the feel-good jam.
The U.S. is not ready for her. If you’ve been following her, then you know what I’m talking bout. This chick is not a game, and I know she is going to blow the damn thing up!!
68TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE SHOW & AFTER PARTY PICS
Happy 32nd Birthday, Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16, 1979. Today, the late singer would have been 32 years old. Aaliyah, along with eight others, was killed on August 25, 2001, in a plane crash in Marsh Harbor, Bahamas, after filming the music video for ‘Rock The Boat’.
Born in Brooklyn, and raised in Detroit, Aaliyah was one of the most innovative hip-hop/R&b singers of the last decade. She released her debut album titled ‘Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number’ in 1994, at the age of 14. Followed up by her ground breaking second album ‘One in a Million’ in 1996 and her outstanding self-titled album ‘Aaliyah’ in 2001, which all influential.
“I stay true to myself and my style, and I am always pushing myself to be aware of that and be original” — Aaliyah







































