Nicki Minaj was leopard up as she hosted Hot 97′s Christmas Concert in The Bronx this past weekend in New York. Lloyd Banks and Fabolous were also on deck for the event held at Paradise Theater.
Category Archives: Entertainment
NEW AMERICAN IDOL PROMOTIONAL PICS
Fox has released several new promotional photos of Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Ryan Seacrest to promote American Idol. The photos were taken by iconic photographer Tony Duran. The photos were released ahead of the January 19th premiere.
THE TOP TEN BEST SELLING ALBUMS OF 2010
1. Lady GaGa – ‘The Fame Monster’ – 5.8 million
2. Eminem – ‘Recovery’ – 5.7 million
3. Justin Bieber – ‘My Worlds’ – 5.6 million
4. Lady Antebellum – ‘Need You Now’ – 3.6 million
5. Taylor Swift – ‘Speak Now’ – 3.5 million
6. Susan Boyle – ‘The Gift’ – 3.0 million
7. Black Eyed Peas – ‘The E.N.D.’ – 3.0 million
8. Michael Bublé – ‘Crazy Love’ – 3.0 million
9. Sadé – ‘Soldier Of Love’ – 2.3 million
10. Alicia Keys – ‘The Element Of Freedom’ – 2.3 million
Teena Marie Dies Aged 54
Via CNN:
(CNN) — Teena Marie, a celebrated R&B singer-songwriter, was found dead Sunday at her California home, her manager said.
Born Mary Christine Brockert in Santa Monica, California, the 54-year-old artist famously paired with late funk legend Rick James and was nominated four times for a Grammy Award, according to her official website.
Marie was found dead by her daughter after apparently dying in her sleep, manager Mike Gardner said.
“Teena was a black voice trapped in a white body,” said Cathy Hughes, founder of Radio One, a broadcasting company that targets African-American and urban listeners. “I would always tell her that she was one of the greatest vocalists of our time.”
Among her songs were “Lovergirl,” “Portuguese Love,” “Ooo La La La,” and “I’m a Sucker for Your Love.”
While no cause of death has been released, the singer’s publicist Lynn Jeter said that Marie suffered a grand mal seizure — a neurological event, marked by loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions, according to the Mayo Clinic — a month ago.
“Luckily, someone was there,” Jeter said of that seizure. “The ambulance took her to the hospital, and on the way she had another seizure.”The publicist said that she had a “great” conversation on Saturday with Marie, who told her that she was excited about heading to Atlanta to perform this week — in what would have been her first performance since the seizure.
Marie sang under various record labels, including Motown, Epic, Stax Records and Cash Money Classics, since bursting on the scene as a 19-year-old, according to her website. Her last studio album, Congo Square, featured several collaborations.
“The enduring influence of Teena’s inspirational, trailblazing career, could only have been made possible through her brilliant song-writing, showmanship and high energy passion which laid the ground work for the future generations of R&B, hip-hop, and soul,” said Gene Rumsey, chief label officer with Concord Music Group. “We feel extremely fortunate to have worked with a visionary who changed music in indelible ways.”
Eddie Levert, founder of the vocal group The O’Jays, praised Marie as both a singer and mother.
“There are a lot of black people who swore by her and believed in her, as far as her music was concerned,” he said. “She was a good mom, and to me, that is saying a lot.”
Undeniably a great loss to R&B, our thoughts and prayers are especially with Marie’s family during this difficult time; 54 is just too young. Sad.
Teena Marie we salute you.
Game Robbed of $75,000 on Christmas Eve
This year it wasn’t the Grinch who stole Christmas. Game was at the mall on Christmas Eve doing some last-minute shopping when he returned to his friend’s car to find $75,000 and some jewelry missing.
The Compton rapper was robbed while buying Christmas presents for his three kids at the Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga Park, Calif. He shared his blue Christmas with his Twitter followers.
“So, heres my day: tried 2 do last minute shoppin 4 da kids & valet stole a Louis Duffle out @avanterose’s car & we 2 chains & $75,000 short,” he tweeted. “So police come & guess who get patted down ? Yea, US !!! then they tell us da palmtree was blocking the crime scene on the tape.”
He suspects the valet was responsible for the heist. “Topanga Mall Nordstroms valet is janky as FUCK !!! They gotta a lil stealing ring goin, PARKS YA OWN SHIT from now on!”
Game vows to deliver payback to the culprits. “They aint seen the last of us tho. Soon after xmas is over….IT’S ON you thieving mothafuckas !!! If u dont get a gift tomorrow THAT’S WHY & me or @avanterose couldnt do sh!t cuz both are dumb ass’s on parole. Ole’ Yes officer, No officer ass n!ggas we was !!!”
The police stepped in, but nothing was accomplished. “Then after 4 hrs of no answers we drivin off & da most racist of all da cops gone say: ‘Thats a sweet ride man’. WHAT ?!? B!tch, investigate.”
The security camera didn’t help either and Game left without his money. “Nordstroms talmbout the palmtree was in the way of the crime scene…….. Mothafucka please ! $75,000 dollar lesson learned.”
Niggaz is crazy!!!
Jay-Z’s Christmas in the City
After touring with U2 in Australia, Jay-Z returned back home to New York for the holidays. He caught up with his friend, music executive Steve Stoute, and chef of Italian restaurant Nello’s at Hermes on Christmas Eve. The hip-hop mogul will ring in 2011 by performing at an invite-only concert with his friend Chris Martin and Coldplay at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve. He was reportedly paid $1 million for the gig.
I NEED A VACATION: Diddy & Sons Hit The Beach In St. Barths
Sean “Diddy” Combs was spotted on the sunny beaches of St Barths, France for the holidays with his sons Quincy Jones Brown, Justin Dior and Christian Casey.
Hoodgrown Magazine: The First Hip Hop/Urban iPad Magazine App Launches!
What started as a print magazine that ceased publication due to increasing print cost and decreasing advertising revenue has returned as the first hip hop magazine app to hit the Apple store.
Spearheaded by Chris “Cartel” English and Lord Jamar (of Brand Nubian fame), the Hoodgrown Magazine app is now available for download in the Apple App store.
“Though the website has been gaining in popularity I always knew that one day we would return to our print roots,” says Hoodgrown’s CEO, Chris English. “This app allows us to combine the best of the print and web experience in a whole new package. I’ll admit it took a little longer to bring to fruition than I would have liked, but already we’re improving on design and interactive elements.”
The app is available as a free download in the app store as will each issue due to its advertiser supported model.
Watch a video demonstration of the app here:
WALE COMPLETELY GOES BANNANAS ON BALTIMORE’S 92 Q RADIO STATION
Wale recently called in to Baltimore’s 92Q radio station and gave the DJs a piece of his mind. Apparently, a local Bmore artist name Bossman made a diss towards him and he blamed the station DJ’s for egging it on. Wale was hella angry…
WOW……Tell em’ why you mad son……
Willow Smith Photo Shoot for London Sunday Times
While busy finishing her upcoming debut album, Willow Smith spared her time to do a photoshoot for London Sunday Times. She was accompanied by her mother Jada Pinkett Smith. A sneak peek is provided in the form of a behind-the-scene video which reveals this little girl’s stunning looks.
The pictures were reportedly taken by Sheryl Nields at the Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles, and styled by Brea Stinson. Willow is seen undergoing a lot of costume changes from wearing riding boots and vests for a shoot in the hay to rocking a Victorian dress and posing on a throne.
Willow Smith recently changed her hairstyle from half-shaved to a bowl-cut. The “Whip My Hair” hitmaker who occasionally sports braided hair extension debuted her new look when attending Z100′s Jingle Ball concert with her brother Jaden Smith early this month.
Dre Black So Fresh 