Staff

May 192013
 
Photo Credit: ABCNews/YouTube

Photo Credit: ABCNews/YouTube

By: Taren Vaughan

Michelle Obama’s Bowie State commencement address was one that our First Lady gave in front of the excited Bowie State University graduating class of 2013 as they celebrated their special day amongst faculty, family and friends. And the speech that she gave was indeed a powerful one as Michelle Obama, very much like her husband President Barack Obama, has a true way with words and is known for giving unforgettable speeches that will always be remembered. 600 lucky graduates from Bowie State University got the chance to see her live in action for their commencement ceremony that took place on Friday. During her speech, Mrs. Obama spoke on the fact that many years ago, blacks were not allowed to educate themselves, drilling home the importance of taking advantage of the opportunities that we have today to learn and prosper academically, Mrs. Obama also praising the courage and drive of the Little Rock Nine:

“Just think about this for a moment — for generations, in many parts of this country, it was illegal for black people to get an education. Slaves caught reading or writing could be beaten within an inch of their lives.”

Michelle Obama also mentioned the high dropout rate for African American students and the low college enrollment numbers for blacks and said that a lot of those from the younger generation don’t have realistic goals for themselves:

“Today, instead of walking miles every day to school, they’re sitting on couches for hours playing video games, watching TV. Instead of being a teacher or a lawyer or a business leader, they’re fantasizing about being a baller or a rapper.”

She challenged the graduating class to have the same amount of drive and hunger for education that those before them had and to get over the idea that Black children who read books and educate themselves “act white”, Mrs. Obama offering a solid reminder that they not only need to fight for their education, but for their children’s education too:

“We need to start feeling that hunger again. We need to once again fight to educate ourselves and our children like our lives depend on it, because they do.”

The First Lady also spoke on the benefits of a higher education in terms of income  as individuals with college degrees earn more than those who just have a high school diploma and that gaining knowledge is beneficial to your overall health.

Check out the clip of the powerful commencement speech that First Lady Michelle Obama gave below:

May 192013
 
Photo Credit: Michael Wa

Photo Credit: Michael Wa

By: Taren Vaughan

The Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan comparison has been going on for years now as sports fans, analysts and athletes alike can’t keep themselves from dissecting the careers and skills of both players. And as commentators, fans and other basketball greats have shared their thoughts when it comes to the Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan comparison, Legendary coach Phil Jackson, who is arguably one of the best, if not the best, professional basketball coach of all time, offered an interesting perspective on Kobe and Michael in his new memoir ‘Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success’.  And while Phil Jackson has remained tight-lipped when it comes to voicing his opinion on which one is the better player between Kobe and MJ, he has officially broken his silence on the topic and had a few things to say about the Black Mamba’s leadership skills in comparison to Air Jordan’s.

Phil Jackson writes:

“One of the biggest differences between the two stars from my perspective was Michael’s superior skills as a leader. Though at times he could be hard on his teammates, Michael was masterful at controlling the emotional climate of the team with the power of his presence. Kobe had a long way to go before he could make that claim. He talked a good game, but he’d yet to experience the cold truth of leadership in his bones, as Michael had.

“If Bryant talked to teammates in his earlier Lakers years, it was usually, “Give me the d*mn ball.” But then Kobe started to shift. He embraced the team and his teammates, calling them up when we were on the road and inviting them out to dinner. It was as if the other players were now his partners, not his personal spear-carriers.”

Kobe Bryant however feels that comparing him to Michael Jordan period is like comparing apples to oranges because they were just that different from each other in terms of career paths and the teammates that they played with:

kobe bryant michael jordan comparison

Now, I usually don’t serve up my opinion on things but I will say that I feel that it’s natural to compare Kobe Bryant to Michael Jordan, or LeBron James to Kobe Bryant, because of the incredible amount of talent that they all bring/brought to the game of basketball. But when it all comes down to it, I think Kobe, LeBron and Michael are all stars in their own right and are (or will become) legendary.

What are your thoughts on the Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan comparison? Is it a valid one?

Speak on it.

May 192013
 
Photo Credit: @chrisbrown Twitter

Photo Credit: @chrisbrown Twitter

By: Taren Vaughan

Chris Brown death threats prompt police investigation? Chris Brown isn’t feeling the love again from his neighbors as the singer upset a number of them by painting graffiti with monster-like images on the front of his home, the heated neighbors’ main complaint being that Chris’ painting could cause their property value to plummet. And though Chris has already been fined over the graffiti painting, he had a few words for those who weren’t feeling his paintings and flat out said that he would not be removing it from his house. There was one bright spot for Chris throughout the whole ordeal as one of his neighbors did come to his defense as they feel like Chris is being targeted by the other homeowners in the neighborhood. But now, Chris is facing much more than angry criticism from his neighbors over graffiti as the LAPD is now investigating death threats that were phoned in to the singer’s attorney’s office, TMZ reports:

According to our sources, multiple threats were called in to the office of Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos. We’re told the caller threatened Chris’ life … but it’s unclear what, if any, specific threats were made.

Our sources say Geragos took the threats very seriously and immediately reported them to the LAPD, giving them all the information he had on the calls.

The website was also informed that Chris’ attorney filled out a report, in addition to the Los Angeles Police Department conducting an investigation.

May 182013
 
Photo Credit: VH1

Photo Credit: VH1

By: Taren Vaughan

Lil Scrappy dating Shay Johnson again? Lil Scrappy and Momma Dee, without a doubt, have a very close relationship with each other. Yet the close bond that they have has caused problems in Scrappy’s love life as she wants to see Lil Scrappy dating Shay Johnson again. Momma Dee’s desire to be locked into what is going on in her son’s personal life has ruined her relationship with Erica. And because of her constant interference in Erica and Scrappy’s relationship, Erica exploded in the midst of their conversation at the dinner table, Erica later letting Scrappy know that she didn’t feel like he had her back that night like she felt he should have. Though Scrappy finally put his mother in her place, after Erica peeped a text message exchange between Scrappy and another female that was a little too friendly in the upcoming episode of the show, she calls off their wedding. Despite Lil’ Scrappy and Momma Dee’s many talks about the way she treats Erica and her heavy involvement in his love life, Momma Dee’s feelings about both Shay and Erica haven’t changed much. And Scrappy still makes it a point to check people who have anything nasty to say about how his mother acts.

When one of his followers tweeted him about Momma Dee’s “bullsh*t” and how no one should have to take disrespect from her, Scrappy defends his mother and says no matter how people feel about her, she is still on TV getting paid. And he makes it clear that he is a single man, despite the talk of him reuniting with Shay Johnson and calls Erica out again (Read from bottom to top):

lil scrappy dating shay johnson

 

 

May 182013
 
Photo Credit: the_ml

Photo Credit: the_ml

By: Taren Vaughan

The Kanye West ‘New Slaves’ lyrics have people talking as the song was debuted by the rapper this past Friday night. While Kanye’s problems with the paps are continuing to be an issue for him, he may be on the verge of doing big things with the new music that he has on the way. And instead of doing a lot of screaming and ranting throughout the whole song, Kanye gets deep with the message that he is trying to send with ‘New Slaves’ as he talks about the new age racism that is present in our society and compares what celebrities go through to slavery. The song was accompanied by video projections that were displayed on the sides of buildings across the world, 66 buildings to be exact, showing Kanye rapping the controversial lyrics from the track.

In the song, Kanye raps:

“My mama was raised in an era when/Clean water was only served to the fairer skin
Doing clothes you would have thought I had help/But they wouldn’t be satisfied unless I picked the cotton myself
You see its broke n*gga racism/That’s that “don’t touch anything in the store”
And there’s rich n*gga racism/That’s that “come in and buy more”
What you want a Bentley, fur coat and diamond chain?/All you blacks want all the same things
Used to only be n*ggas /Now everybody play me
Spending everything on that Alexander Wang/New Slaves

You see it’s leaders and it’s followers/But I’d rather be a d*ck than a swallower
You see it’s leaders and it’s followers/But I’d rather be a d*ck than a swallower

I throw these Maybach keys/I wear my heart on my sleeve
I know that we the new slaves/I see the blood on the leaves
I see the blood on the leaves/I see the blood on the leaves
I know that we the new slaves/I see the blood on the leaves
They throwing hate at me/Want me to stay at ease
F*ck you and your corporation/Y’all n*ggas can’t control me
I know that we the new slaves/I know that we the new slaves
I’m about to wild the f*ck out/I’m going Bobby Boucher
I know that p*ssy ain’t free/You n*ggas p*ssy, ain’t me
Y’all throwing contracts at me/You know that n*ggas can’t read
Throw him some Maybach keys/F*ck it, c’est la vie
I know that we the new slaves/Y’all n*ggas can’t f*ck with me
Y’all n*ggas can’t f*ck with Ye/Y’all n*ggas can’t f*ck with Ye
I move my family out the country /So you can’t see where I stay
So go and grab the reporters/So I can smash their recorders
Yeah they confuse us with bullsh*t/Like the New World Order
Meanwhile the DEA/Teamed up with the CCA
They tryna lock n*ggas up/They tryna make new slaves
See that’s that private-owned prison/Get your piece today
They prolly all in the Hamptons/Braggin’ ’bout they maid
F*ck you and your Hampton house/I’ll f*ck your Hampton spouse
Came on her Hampton blouse/And in her Hampton mouth
Y’all ’bout to turn sh*t up/I’m ’bout to tear sh*t down
I’m ’bout to air sh*t out/Now what the f*ck they gon’ say now?”

Here’s the clip of Kanye’s new song ‘New Slaves’. Is ‘Ye taking you back to his ‘College Dropout’ days?

May 182013
 
Photo Credit: @mimifaust Instagram

Photo Credit: @mimifaust Instagram

By: Taren Vaughan

Did Mimi Faust and Nikko break up? Mimi Faust became an instant reality TV star after joining the cast of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. And it took no time at all for the drama to start up for Mimi as it was revealed that her daughter’s father Stevie J. was doing more than putting down tracks in the studio with Joseline Hernandez. Though Mimi and Joseline have both had their separate relationships with Stevie, Mimi couldn’t escape the pesky rumor that she had a bedroom fling with Joseline and Stevie, a claim that Mimi said was a lie, Mimi Faust and Nikko breaking up being another piece of gossip surrounding her.  In an interview that she did with StupidDOPE, Mimi talked about how she handles Joseline being disrespectful towards her and reveals her current status with Nikko.

Mimi was asked if her and Joseline ever run into each other off the set of the show and how she reacts when they do cross paths. While Mimi says she doesn’t say anything to Joseline when she sees her out in the streets, she says that Joseline is just as disrespectful towards her off camera as she is on camera. And as far as Joseline’s “Molly Maid” comments, Mimi thinks it’s all very silly as she does own her own business:

“I mean, it’s ridiculous. I’m an entrepreneur. I’m a business owner. I’m these things. The only thing that she runs is her lil’ nasty crotch! So, she’s just ridiculous calling me a maid. I make a living in owning business. I get checks. You running around… on your back. Stop it girl! She’s young and immature so we have to give her a pass sometimes.”

Before the second season kicked off, it was revealed that Mimi had a new man in her life, Nikko, who will be seen later on in the season. Yet whispers suggested that Mimi’s new found romance with Nikko was already over. Mimi says though that is not the case:

“Me and the new guy, yes. We’re still good. You know in any relationship you have your good days. Your bad days. You fuss and fight, so that happens. It happens in real life and it happens on camera.*laughs*”

On the subject of relationships, Mimi was asked about her friendship with K. Michelle and how she is able to maintain a bond with the singer as K. has gotten into it with the majority of their other cast mates. And she says that it’s because her and K.’s personalities are so different that they keep each other balanced. And she adds that prior to filming for the show, Ariane was the only cast mate that she actually knew and had a relationship with, although she knew Rasheeda and Kirk too. Though Mimi and K. Michelle have patched things up between them, Mimi admits that she was not happy with how K. behaved at her housewarming party:

“I’m just disgusted and in awe and everything you can possibly imagine. First of all, that was my new place, so not only are you throwing hot wax on Rasheeda, you’re throwing hot wax on my new furniture, my carpet. It was just… Who does that??? But you know K has a habit of picking up things and throwing them. That’s her ‘go to’ thing. I’m gonna pick somethin’ up and I’m gonna throw it.”

Mimi also talks about the things that she is trying to do outside of LHHATL:

“My aim is of course to expand. I’m also opening up a home accessory line that has to do with my cleaning business. I have a children’s apparel line that I’m working on right now. I have so many things on my table. That God for Love and Hip Hop because it opened so many doors for me. I’m so thankful. I could go on and on. I have so many things on the table, I don’t wanna tell you about EVERYTHING but, oh my God. It’s been an amazing ride.”

Mimi isn’t fazed by Joseline’s “maid” comments and won’t pass up the chance to remind Joseline that she is getting a cut of the money she is making as Stevie’s artist either.

Joseline uploaded a picture to her Instagram account of a handbag that Stevie bought her with the caption:

Thanks Daddy for getting me my new @louistewart I love Her!!!”

mimi faust and nikko break up

To put Joseline in her place, Mimi uploaded a photo of her holding a similar bag full of cash to her account with a caption of her own:

“Thanks for making that money for daddy so he can bring it to momma! #LHHATL”

mimi faust and nikko break up

 

May 182013
 
Photo Credit: @reggie_bush22 Instagram

Photo Credit: @reggie_bush22 Instagram

By: Taren Vaughan

Reggie Bush’s baby’s name was something that his fans wanted to know after it was announced that the NFL star and his fiancee welcomed a baby girl into the world a little over a week ago. The soon-to-be married Reggie was very pumped about becoming a father for the first time and now he has officially entered fatherhood, the thought of him having a child now still being a surreal one to him. Talking with Life & Style, Reggie Bush revealed that the baby’s name is Briseis and explained how he and his fiancee Lilit came up with the name:
 
 

“It’s Greek. We were watching the movie Troy and my fiancée, who was my girlfriend at the time, said, ‘If we ever have a daughter, can we name her that?’ And a couple of months later, wouldn’t you know! The name was picked out months before she was even thought about. It’s crazy.”

Reggie also talked about the emotions that were running through him when he first laid eyes on his daughter:

“I was nervous, I was excited, I was scared, I was happy. Every emotion possible was running through me. And then you’re like, ‘I can’t believe this is my baby.’ It was really emotional when I was first holding her.”

Though Reggie has a very hectic schedule as a professional athlete, he says that he has come up with a number of different ways to check in on his fiancee and their daughter Briseis:

“Skyping constantly, putting her on the phone. Every time I hear her cry in the background, it breaks my heart. She’s beautiful.”

And becoming a father is something that Reggie says has forever changed him:

“It has grounded me more. When you have a child, everything you do is about them. You’re thinking about your child first. Everything. It’s grounded me a lot more.”

Reggie says that it helps to have an amazing woman like Lilit to raise his daughter with:

“Lilit’s really amazing. I’m very lucky. She has a great personality and such a calming spirit. She’s there every step of the way and with the baby all day. She’s just a great mom.”

Reggie and Lilit are very much enjoying being new parents and are looking forward to getting married. But Reggie says that they are not in a rush to tie the knot:

“We’re just enjoying this moment — one thing at time. The baby is enough. We’re totally focusing on that, but we will get around to it.”

When asked if he plans to reach out to his ex Kim Kardashian when her baby is born, Reggie said “no” and that he isn’t worried about the past, only the present:

“We’ve been focused on the future. I haven’t been worried about anything else or on anything in the past. Just the present and the future.”

And he says that none of the Kardashians congratulated him on becoming a father:

“I haven’t spoken to them. I’ve just been focusing on my little girl and my family. That’s it really. I’ve been enjoying my life and this opportunity. All my focus has been on that.”

May 162013
 
tony goldwyn scandal

Photo Credit: @kerrywashington Twitter

By: Taren Vaughan

Tony Goldwyn’s Scandal love scenes with Kerry Washington too much for his wife? The highly anticipated season finale of Scandal is just hours away as the ABC thriller has taken viewers on a wild ride with all the twists and turns that the show’s creator Shonda Rhimes has thrown at them throughout the season. And while the success of Scandal has surpassed the level that Kerry Washington could have ever imagined, the role that the actress takes on in the show has caused many people to get rather riled up as Kerry plays Olivia Pope, who is having an ongoing affair with President Fitzgerald Grant III, played by Tony Goldwyn. During her recent appearance on The Wendy Williams Show, Kerry revealed to Wendy that she didn’t like the idea of Olivia Pope being referred to as a side piece.

Kerry says:

“I just mean for women…I feel like when we refer to other women as a piece it’s objectifying. But I mean also, the President has said to her, ‘I will leave my wife for you.’ She said ‘No.’ So it’s sort of a question on whether she’s choosing to not be with him, she doesn’t believe she deserves it because she doesn’t really think he’ll leave his wife. But he has said, ‘I’ll give up all of this for you.’ So is she a side piece or is she just someone who’s afraid to be all in? I don’t know. Only Shonda Rhimes knows.”

Kerry Washington voiced her issue with her character Olivia Pope getting labeled as a side piece. And Actor Tony Goldwyn’s wife apparently has a problem watching the show period as the actor revealed to Andy Cohen during his appearance on Watch What Happens Live that his wife can’t take watching the love scenes between Olivia and Fitz:

“It’s a problem.

“The honest answer is, my wife doesn’t watch it. She watched the pilot and thought it was great, but yeah…I don’t encourage it.”

Tony’s wife may not be able to sit and watch her husband do those steamy scenes with Kerry, but he says that his daughters find it all to be very humorous:

“My two girls think it’s hilarious. Disgusting and hilarious. So they send me all kinds of rude texts.”

And though Tony says that the steamy scenes are just apart of his job as an actor, he admits that things can get uncomfortable for him at times, Tony revealing a moment where he was embarrassed when he had to direct his own love scene.

The season finale of Scandal airs tonight at 10:00pm ET on ABC.

We won’t be missing this one. What about you?

May 162013
 
Photo Credit: @nickcannon Instagram

Photo Credit: @nickcannon Instagram

By: Taren Vaughan

Nick Cannon buys rights to Soul Train? Soul Train goes down as one of the best musical variety shows of all time as it served as a place for African American artists to perform their hit songs and a place for people to show off their dance skills live on national television. The creator of “The Hippest Trip in America”, the late Don Cornelius, had a great run as the show’s host. And as there were other hosts that stepped in after Don’s reign was over, including Shemar Moore, Soul Train’s popularity began to fizzle out, resulting in the show going off the air. Nick Cannon however is looking to change all of that though as it has been confirmed Nick has purchased the rights to Soul Train and is attempting to revamp the popular show that was created back in the early 70′s and plans to bring it back to the small screen.

Here’s the report from All Access:

ALL ACCESS has learned that MARIAH CAREY’s husband, television host and former CBS Top 40 WNOW (92.3 NOW FM)/NEW YORK morning jock NICK CANNON is close to bringing back “SOUL TRAIN” — at one time, the longest running syndicated weekly show.

According to our sources, CANNON has purchased all the rights to the show and is in the process of revamping it and returning it to television.

It has not been made clear yet if Nick Cannon is going to be the actual host of Soul Train but there is a strong chance that that may happen. In related news, Nick Cannon announced that he is quitting radio and is focusing on other aspects of his career including his new multimedia company NCredible Entertainment , current hosting gigs, and a new album.

Thoughts on Nick Cannon’s chance at successfully reviving Soul Train?

May 152013
 
Photo Credit: Fox/YouTube

Photo Credit: Fox/YouTube

By: Taren Vaughan

Is Nicki Minaj leaving American Idol? Nicki Minaj’s gig with American Idol has not gone as smoothly as she would have probably imagined it to go as things kicked off with rumors of the outspoken Nicki not seeing eye to eye with other newbie to the panel Mariah Carey, Mariah and Nicki claiming that the beef rumors were ridiculous early on. But viewers quickly saw the love start to be lost between the two after they got into a heated exchange on set. And from that day forward, it was on and popping. The shade throwing and shot firing has since escalated between Nicki and Mariah, though Nicki admitted to being hurt over how things have played out between her and Mariah on the show. And as most TV viewers crave the drama that reality TV shows tend to bring, American Idol viewers haven’t been the least bit entertained by Nicki and Mariah’s beef as the ratings for the show have continued to suffer. And because of the struggle that the show has had this season with ratings, the talk is that ‘Idol’ producers were looking to make some cuts to the judging panel. Randy Jackson has already bid farewell to the show as he recently announced that he was not returning for next season. And now the talk is that Nicki Minaj is the next judge to be making an exit, an insider reveals to Us Weekly:

“It’s safe to say she isn’t coming back to Idol. She’s okay with it. She had a great time but was only going to do one season anyway.”

The source adds that the reason Nicki Minaj plans to move on from her short stint with American Idol is so that she can focus more on her new music, tours and endorsement deals.

May 152013
 
Photo Credit: @kimkardashian Instagram

Photo Credit: @kimkardashian Instagram

By: Taren Vaughan

Kim Kardashian is on her way to becoming a mother in a matter of months now as she is pregnant with rapper boyfriend Kanye West’s baby. And while Kim revealed that Kanye has taught her a lot about being more private when it comes to her personal life during the time they have been an item, Kim’s love for photo ops is still very much there as the reality TV star has continued to be snapped in photos throughout her pregnancy. But as far as the man on her arm is concerned, Kanye’s feeling about the paps aren’t nearly the same as Kim’s considering the rapper has been caught going off on them numerous times in the past, including the time Kanye went completely off on a female pap last year for questioning Kim about how she felt about her ex Reggie Bush becoming a father. Although Kanye made up with the woman, the incidents with the paps still continue for Kanye West.

One of his most recent run-ins with the paps happened a few days ago when Kanye, with Kim by his side, attempted to hide his face from the paps to avoid getting his picture taken and ended up banging his head on a metal street sign which left him with a pretty big knot on his forehead.  And now it looks like Kim has gotten irritated with the paps herself as she tweeted out to her followers that the paps almost crashed into her car:

kim kardashian twitter

May 152013
 
future karate chop remix lil wayne

Photo Credit: @1freebandz Instagram

By: Taren Vaughan

Lil’ Wayne got dumped by Mountain Dew, shortly after Rapper Rick Ross lost his endorsement deal with Reebok over the lyric that he rapped referencing the brutal beating of Emmett Till. And it caused much outrage to surface within the Black community as many felt that Wayne’s lyric was beyond disrespectful towards our history and the family of the late Emmett Till. After hearing Lil’ Wayne’s lyric about their deceased relative, the Till Family could not keep quiet as they penned a letter addressing Wayne, letting him know how they felt about the words he rapped. Wayne remained silent after the letter and as a result, the Till Family went straight after his pockets. And the message they sent out was heard loud and clear by Mountain Dew as the company cut ties with Wayne after he finally issued a statement for the lyric. Other rappers have weighed in on Wayne getting dropped by Mountain Dew and now Future, the rapper Lil’ Wayne collaborated with for the song, is now speaking out on the scandal.

“Karate Chop (Remix)” is Future’s song and in an interview that he did with Power 106, Future reveals his feelings about Wayne’s verse and he has a rather different view than most as the rapper says that he feels Wayne raised awareness with the Emmett Till lyric. He also claims people who didn’t know who Emmett Till was before now know who he is because of Lil’ Wayne:

“We did the song with great intentions. I know he did the verse for the art. But speaking on the situation, I can’t speak on it…I never thought it was going to get so much attention, you know what I mean? But I think overall, the whole situation, he did bring light in a positive way to what happened. Even though [Emmett Till's family] might’ve thought it was negative, he brought positive energy to the situation because a lot of people don’t even know [who Emmett Till was]. My dad didn’t even know who Emmett was, he’s thinking I’m talking about Emmitt Smith. I’m talking about a lot of people around me, credible people, that you’ll be like, ‘Man, you don’t even know who Emmett Till is?’ He raised awareness to people who didn’t even know Emmett Till, to young kids who never even knew what happened to him…At the end of the day, he [Lil Wayne] brought positive light. When situations like that do happen, I don’t think he, in any way, form or fashion, did it out of disrespect towards the family.”

 

Peep the interview below and tell us what you think about Future’s perspective on Lil’ Wayne’s Emmett Till lyric: