Gabrielle Union isn’t just another pretty face. Aside from shooting films, and working on TV shows, the talented actress and former model just landed a spiffy new job from the Commander-in-Chief.
After hearing the pilot for her TV show “Army Wives” fell through, Union was tapped by President Obama to sit on the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women.
According to the Department of Justice website, the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women is an advisory board that “convenes as a group, at least twice a year, to address violence against women. National Advisory Committee members share their thoughts, ideas, and expertise by submitting recommendations on a variety of priority issues as the federal government develops its policies to address the crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.”
By Leslie Pitterson As Fashion Week winds down, there is bound to be the recap of the shows- who showed what, who sat where and who was spotted wearing what. But there seems to also be an informal assessment of the industry that happens and this time around, it appears the conversation has shifted.
In her post for the BVX, Yannique Benitez asks a question that much of the fashion world is asking as well: “Is Asian The New Black On The Runway?” Benitez writes:
“For the past few decades black models have fought to gain more representation in the fashion industry. Iconic models like Naomi Sims, Beverly Johnson, and Iman have paved the way for Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks and now Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn. But there is a new push for not only black but Asian faces on the runway… Asian models have become the new ‘exotic’ in fashion shows and are appearing in more and more general market ads.”
As the global market becomes more and more in Asia’s favor, many businesses have revised their strategy to appeal to their new customer base. Just last year Forbes interviewed Bernard Arnault, CEO of the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy group on his strategy to expand his business in the developing world. Speaking on new markets in Asia, Arnault is choosing to venture, explaining, “Today it’s clear that the world is driven by the growth of Asia and emerging countries.”
As the audience of luxury buyers changes, so have the women modeling the clothes. However, lest we get caught up in the recent waves of all Asian model editorial spreads and casting for shows- let’s all take a moment and reflect here.
Fashion is notorious for having all-black everything moments, so the latest Asian emphasis has to be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism. Last month when a cast of women of color were featured in Vogue Italia’s “The Black Allure” spread, Faith Cummings of Poshglam made a timely point, writing:
“The Black Allure” might not be the most appropriate title and is controversial in its own right. Is there really an allure that draws people to black women? Why must our color be a fetish and not something that is embraced and included in traditional notions of beauty? Is this an actual step in the right direction or is fashion having a moment in which shows and spreads are just featuring models all belonging to one ethnicity?”
Reducing ethnicity to a fetish isn’t empowering to any race. Fashion’s love for the exotic is a complicated one to understand- is it about the women or are designers treating the women under the clothes as just another interesting texture? I’m beyond exhausted with everything being the ‘new’ black. As a non-fashionista, it’s hard for me to take seriously, these industry spurts of racial love. This industry, like every other one may have to concede that its misplaced artistic expression is no substitute for committed reform.
What do you think ladies? Are Asian models the fashion industry’s new muse or just another ethnic obsession?
It’s been nearly 25 years since The Roots came together in the City of Brotherly Love and singlehandedly brought live instrumentation to hip-hop. Since their formation, the Legendary Roots Crew has released 12 studio and two live albums, won four Grammys, and expanded the way people think about rap music.
If you’ve ever been to a Roots show, then you already know these brothas know how to rock a stage. Cramming the stage with real musicians, not just two turntables and a mic (although they are also welcome), the band’s ability to mashup nearly every genre from jazz to rock to hip-hop to reggae in the span of one song is nothing short of amazing. Lately, the group’s been getting some well-deserved shine—backing Jimmy Fallon on “Late Night” and bringing home three Grammys.
Recently, filmmakers Jeff Baraka and Cam Be released the short documentary, “The Legendary: A Film About the Roots,” which follows the band as they headlined the Hennessey Artistry tour last year. In the true spirit of any hip-hop head, the pair wanted to shine some light on a group that embodies the spirit of “real hip-hop.”
Cam Be reflects,
“I have always been a huge fan of the music created by the best band to ever grace the Hip-Hop genre. In this film I wanted to not only highlight the versatility of a group that has played with most everyone in the industry. But also capture candid moments of real human beings just trying to share the gifts they have been given to the best of their abilities.”
If you’ve never seen the Roots live this film will show you exactly what you’ve been missing. But remember this: there is no substitution for the real thing. The next time the Roots Crew comes to town run, don’t walk, to the ticket booth.
Watch, “The Legendary: A Film About the Roots.” What’s your favorite Roots song?
TAMPA, Florida — Closing arguments in the second drug trial of Grammy-winning Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton ended Thursday afternoon, setting the stage for jurors to deliberate on his fate.
The 37-year-old Banton is accused of conspiring with two other men in setting up a drug deal in December of 2009. His album “Before the Dawn” won a Grammy for best reggae album this week, and he remains wildly popular in his native Jamaica.
A jury deadlocked in his first trial last year. If convicted of all the charges, he faces up to life in prison.
Every seat in the federal courtroom in Tampa was filled as the lawyers gave their closing arguments. Many of the seats were taken by Banton’s friends and fans, including well-known reggae artists Gramps Morgan and Wayne Wonder. During the lunch break, about a dozen supporters held hands and prayed for Banton in the court hallway.
“I’m fighting for my freedom,” said Banton, whose given name is Mark Myrie. “I’m fighting for my life.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Preston told the jury on Thursday that Banton portrayed himself as a broker of drug deals in several conversations with a confidential informant.
“This is not about Buju Banton, the reggae singer,” Preston said. “This is about Mark Myrie, the drug defendant.”
Preston said Banton thought he was getting involved in a “no-risk” deal in which he would introduce a friend to a confidential informant, and then later collect money from drug transactions.
“The defendant saw this as a no-risk opportunity,” said Preston.
Much of the case hinges on meetings and phone calls that were video and audiotaped by the confidential informant, who was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration — and who made $50,000 in commission after the bust.
In one video, Banton could be seen tasting cocaine in a Sarasota warehouse on Dec. 8, 2009 — but he was not present during the actual drug deal on Dec. 10 that led two others to be arrested. Those two men later pleaded guilty.
Prosecutors acknowledge that Banton did not put any money into the drug deal, nor did he ever profit from it. Defense attorney David Markus said his client is “a big talker” who admitted to trying to impress the confidential informant but wasn’t involved in any drug deal.
Aw c’mon…give him a break! He wasn’t AT the drug deal, didn’t profit from the drug deal, and didn’t invest any money?? If the glove doesn’t fit…you know the rest. Word to Johnnie Cochran.
Recently a video by a white female rapper has been making the rounds on the (ehem, Negro) interwebs. Some are calling former University of Tennessee basketball player turned rapper Babi Mac a dope emcee and “the best white girl” we’ve heard in some time. While it’s clear she is able to ride a beat, hyping Babi Mac as “the best” anything is a bit premature, and furthermore, way over reaching.
Let’s face it, white rappers are nothing new. It’s been over 20 years since the Beastie Boys and 3rd Base rocked the mic, and a decade since Eminem broke all sorts of white rapper barriers to achieve critical and commercial success. So white rappers in the game isn’t as revolutionary as they once were, especially in the YouTube/MySpace age. But white female rappers still seem to be a bit of an oddity, so anytime one steps up who can string together a few hot lines, the crowd just might go apeshit.
But what if she were Black?
Whenever I see white women getting shine for things generally associated with Black culture or Black women, I am immediately suspicious.
I call it the Kimmy K. effect (and if you really want to go back a minute, the J.Lo effect).
Both women, Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, were celebrated, and ultimately propelled to fame, due in part to their shapely physiques (or in other words, their Black girl booty). Both women would have probably stayed somewhere on the D-list had the media not picked up on (and continued to discuss) their bodies. Moreover, both have earned some sort of de facto street cred by being seen on the arms of several well-known Black men.
I’ll be honest. When I see Kim Kardashian I don’t see what all the fuss is about. Is she a beautiful woman? Definitely. But there are a lot of beautiful women in the world. However, what seems to make her special is her subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) appropriation of Black culture. Her latest foray into the music business is just another example of trying to capitalize on her ‘hood pass (and thereby being “cool”) by trying to tiptoe between both worlds.
It is no secret that white women have been held up as the epitome of American beauty since we landed on Plymouth Rock. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and milky white skin have become iconic images of what is seen as traditionally beautiful. However, in the past few years white (and other non-Black) women have been gaining fame based on things traditionally associated with Black women.
Think about it, the media couldn’t get enough of Angelina Jolie’s lips, but made nary a remark about Jill Marie Jones, Naomi Campbell, or Tariji Henson’s perfect pouts. And when booty became the accessory de jour, non-Black women were praised for their curvaceous backsides, while Black women with equally large assets were overlooked (or even said to have a “big ol’ ghetto booty,” ala Nicki Minaj).
What’s up with that? Why are these things—plump lips, hair extensions, a big ass, rhyming ability—only cool or noticeable when white women do it?
There are countless Black female emcees that could eat Babi Mac for lunch in a battle (see Jean Grae, Psalm One, Dominique Larue), and yet she has somehow risen above the fray to garner some precious notoriety, despite mediocre skills. Although I’m all for everyone—regardless of race—grinding to get their props, I am also tired of watching others get all of the accolades while Black women who are equally (or even more) talented have to work twice as hard and still get ignored.
What do you think? Does the media/world only notice when white woman jump on a trend? Sound off!
By Bene Viera Radio tycoon Cathy Hughes recently voiced her discontent of the portrayal of Black women in film in an interview with MsDramaTV. She lambasted the movie “Precious,” saying, “it should have been burned,” but her criticism wasn’t just reserved for “Precious” and Monique. She lit into Halle Berry’s role in “Monster’s Ball” that earned her the Oscar Award.
Ironically, but not surprisingly, the Radio One founder takes no issue with Black actors in drag. When asked about Tyler Perry, Hughes said:
There’s always a need to laugh. Laughter is healing. And Tyler Perry balances that. Tyler Perry has done a miraculous job of portraying Black folks. More importantly, he’s giving Black folks more jobs than all of Hollywood combined.
She has a point regarding Perry giving Black actors and actresses jobs.
Next week Martin Lawrence’s “Big Momma’s: Like Father, Like Son” hits theaters nationwide. Audiences everywhere get twice the cross-dressing for their money. In April, Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Big Happy Family” hits theaters where Perry will once again play the no-nonsense, pistol carrying, overbearing matriarch. But why is Hollywood so obsessed with creating caricatures of Black women, usually stereotypical and inaccurate, only to be played by Black men? And why are Black male actors hell bent on playing these roles?
I love comedy. Eddie Murphy or Katt Williams in stand-up is hysterical.
There are people who will say, ‘lighten up its just comedy.’ However, comedy plays into the real-life perception of how others view Blacks. The problem with the comedic cross-dressing movies is the lack of balance.
Hollywood lacks a balance when portraying Blacks and telling our stories. Black women are damn near non-existent in positive roles. Black actresses are constantly typecast, and struggle breaking down the barriers for roles that aren’t stereotypical. Movies such as “Night Catches Us,” directed by a Black woman, went by somewhat unnoticed. In comparison, any movie Blacks are depicted as some type of stereotype, Hollywood thinks it’s a hit. Hollywood sees big profits when reading scripts for the movies that make those of us concerned with the image of Blacks in film cringe. Positive Black films are not considered profitable, hence the lack thereof.
If a balance in Hollywood existed, I would be very indifferent to the cross-dressing men portraying Black women on the big screen. But the reality is – Black actresses need to play roles of Black women. Period.
Several Black actors and directors have not been careful enough in their portrayals of Black women. Stereotypes about Black women are reinforced through the Big Momma and Madea characters. Both Madea and Big Momma are loud and obese. The feisty, attitude having Black woman trope is beyond played out. Only it isn’t to the audiences supporting them with the almighty dollar. “Big Momma’s House 2” raked in nearly $28 million opening weekend in 2006. “Madea Goes to Jail” topped that pulling $41.1 million opening weekend in 2009. Hollywood will continue to serve those types of movies on a platter with earnings like that. Can you blame them?
There’s no denying that an audience exists who like to laugh at cross-dressing men in movies. Hell, “Mrs. Doubtfire” is still a classic as far as I’m concerned. Maybe it’s just comedy, maybe it’s not. But I’ll be saving my $13 to support something that doesn’t mock the very existence of Black women.
The 2011 BRIT Awards were held this evening at the 02 Arena in London, England. Among those to walk the red carpet wereRihanna, Corinne Bailey Rae, Cee-Lo Green, and Taio Cruz. A few American artists were up for nomination this year. Among the twelve winners, Rihanna received the International Female Solo Artist award and Cee-Lo Green won for International Male Solo Artist. The two winners as well as singer Adele performed at the annual British pop award show. Peep their performances below. Singers Kimberly Wyatt and Taio Cruz UK Artist Labrinth Dionne Bromfield Corinne Bailey Rae Cee-Lo Green Alesha Dixon UK Artist Adele
Star Jones recently sat down for an interview with BlackVoices.com. And once again, asked about NeNe’s out of pocket a**, Star stayed classy… and said what every Black woman has been saying since it became CNN-level news that NeNe wouldn’t put a Star bonfire out with a spit ball.
The show is getting a ton of pre-press mainly because Nene Leakes has been doing interviews about you. What went wrong with you and NeNe? This actually saddens me. Black women trashing other black women all for the sake of personal aggrandizement. When the cast was first announced, I was both excited and concerned. Excited that this was going to be the most diverse cast in prime-time reality programming and concerned because the media immediately started the drumroll of “can this many black women get along?” The four of us actually chatted about the unique opportunity we had to influence the perception of black women and the way we interact. We each brought something different to the show, so I had hoped we could avoid falling into the typical “snake charmer in your face loud bombastic black woman” stereotypical box that was expected. Some of us were more successful at our quest than others. I knew I wanted to approach the game intelligently, professionally and strategically, while keeping in mind my true purpose for being there – winning money for my charity.
You have a lot of black female friends – Vanessa Bell Calloway, Natalie Cole and Holly Robinson Peete to name a few. Were you surprised at Nene’s personal attack on you and the implications that you don’t gel with other black women? Who are you telling! You know my girlfriend gatherings are legendary! But you’ll see this season on the show, at some point Nene attacked all the black women on the show and scared the other women to death with her aggressive approach. But to be fair, it is an approach that works for her kind of television interaction, as evidenced by the great ratings they generate. But it isn’t an approach that works in the professional environment and it isn’t an approach that most sisters use in interacting with each other. I would hope, as she becomes more exposed to a variety of professional situations, she will tone down the vitriolic emotional reactions and learn to express herself in manner that is more reflective of the majority of black women in America.
Someone please tell NeNe there’s no need to “respond.” Just take the L.
Rapper Lil Kim, 35, took to her Twitter page tonight and tweeted the following: “Thanks to you guys!! #lilkimblackfridaymixtape sold 113,000 copies in 28 hours which made me the #1 seller on paypal ever =) !!!”
She’s referring to her new mixtape, Black Friday, which she posted on PayPal yesterday for sale at $10 a pop. If you do the math, that comes to a quick $1 million in cold hard cash.
I love Lil Kim, but I can’t help but to think that she’s stretching the truth a little bit to save face in light of the fact that newcomer Nicki Minaj snatched her crown and dipped with it.
And I’m not alone in my thinking.
“Hard to believe in one day Kimmy moved 113,000 mixtapes,”wrote Elliot Wilson on his blog, RapRadar.com. “Six years ago it took a week for her last album, The Naked Truth to sell 109,000 copies.”
Elliott also pointed out that fans who ante’d up the $10 couldn’t download the mixtape right away. The physical mixtape will be mailed to them at a later date.
Blogger Karen Civil broke down the PayPal policy that protects the company from unscrupulous dope boys businessmen who might use the service to move weight across state lines electronically:
“For people not familiar with paypal. New business users can make up to at least 3K first day without the account being suspended.. Anything over.. [3K] paypal will suspend your account for suspicion of fraud.”
Ergo, it is not possible for Lil Kim to have earned over $1 million in less than 28 hours like she says she did — at least not on PayPal.
According to the NY Post’s gossip column, Page SIX, leggy 46-year-old talk show Diva Wendy Williams is ready to show what she’s got as a contestant on the wildly popular tv series ‘Dancing With The Stars‘:
“The Wendy Williams Show” will go on hiatus while she participates next month. Ample-cleavaged Williams — who would no doubt look great in the show’s trademark sparkly outfits — has been critical of other contestants on the dance competition, especially wooden Kate Gosselin,who she said “dances awkward and horrible.” But towering at 5 feet, 11 inches without heels and with even bigger hair, Williams will need a powerful partner to whirl and twirl her. Her rep told us, “We have no confirmation on that.” A rep for Williams’ show said, “Production hasn’t added any last-minute or unplanned hiatus days to the schedule.”
According to the NY Post’s Page Six, singer Keri Hilson is among the very few in the music industry who believe Justin Bieber wuz robbed of his Best New Artist Grammy.
The gorgeous bottle blond told Page Six, “I really did think Justin would take Best New Artist.”
As you know, the award went to gifted jazz artist Esperenza Spalding, 26 — not to 16-year-old Bieber, who was the odds on favorite to win.
Esperanza’s win sparked fury from the hard core Bieber fans who ran amok on the Internet, sending Esperenza’s name trending on Twitter and hacking her Wikipedia page.
Hilson performed at the official Grammy after-party with the Roots and kicked back with Quincy Jones at Jimmy Iovine’s party. Then she flew to NYC where she sat front row at yesterday’s Diesel Black Gold show, as part of Fashion Week. Source
As promised, Diddy offers up a brand new Valentine’s Day mixtape fromDirty Money. Check out their brand new compilation of songs with their Love/Love vs. Hate/Love mixtape.
The mixtape includes a few new songs that were left off of their Last Train To Paris album, as well as some remixes and reblends of the songs that were featured on the album. Diddy, Dawn and Kalenna definitely delivered something fresh with this new bunch of tracks.
Nearly fifteen years ago Ginuwine jumped on the scene with his first single, the overtly sexual “Pony”. Now, the 40-year-old who was once “So Anxious” is older and ready to show his fans the man he’s become on his namesake seventh album, Elgin, available today.
Ginuwine picks things up right where A Man’s Thoughts left off in that it expresses the same maturity…somewhat.
In an interview regarding the new album, Ginuwine explained that he wasn’t trying to get the younger crowd. “I realize where I am in my career, and I realize the age difference and everything. I’m just trying to keep the fans that once knew me back in the day, and I’m just trying to grow with them and have them grow with me.”
The latter may be true, but including theTrina-assisted “Batteries” (which happens to be the album’s only feature) says otherwise about attracting a younger crowd as it cries out as a cheapened attempt of recreating “Bottoms Up” and would be better suited for someone of both lesser caliber and age.
That’s not the say the whole Bryan-Michael Cox executive produced album is crap. The album opener penned and produced by Tank, “Heaven”, is a great starting point to kick things off from the last album and showcases Ginuwine at his best. “Break” follows suit in classic Diane Warren fashion as an emotionally-charged ballad while the album’s lead single, “What Could Have Been“, is another standout track.
But things soon head downhill on “Drink of Choice” as Ginuwine describes his lady as, you guessed it, his drink of choice. The same rudimentary lyrical content is included on “Why We’re Fighting” with Ginuwine explaining, “I don’t want to fight, and I don’t want to fuss. I just want to kiss you and just make love.”Really G, who wouldn’t?!
Ginuwine manages to redeem himself, though, by marking the maturity of a man going from “Pony” to the sexual sophistication of “Body” as well as utilizing the modern sound of “Frozen”, the coldest track on the album, to sympathize with a love gone and done wrong.
Elgin offers a couple more standout tracks than Ginuwine’s previous offering but also includes more wasted space. The standouts, however, happen to be some of his best material to date, and the album continues to present Ginuwine on his mission to mature and remain relevant, which true fans will appreciate as the journey continues.
As rumors swirled around the blogosphere that Ciara had been dropped from her label, stans/fans waited with baited breath for an official announcement from the singer. She finally had her chance to speak via her Facebook page and it turns out, she’s STILL signed to her label. Check out what she had to say after the break!
PS: All bullsh*t to the left. Do you really think that Ci-Ci will do well with another label? I mean, material is material, no? If her current sound didn’t translate into sales on one label, will that same sound do well on another?
To my fans:
This week the net has been a buzz of the rumor that I have been dropped from my label. At this point that rumor is false..It is true that I have asked and I pray that my label will release me. I have had some great times and success with my label, but sometimes like all great things, it’s at that point where I feel we don’t share the same views on who I am as an artist.
The past two albums have been very frustrating for me. At times there were songs I chose to lead a project and I was ignored! This project, I even tried to get “Gimmie Dat” started I spent tens of thousands of my own money only to hear the radio PDs tell me my label didn’t want the song played. I even spent more than one hundred thousand dollars out of my pocket on the video to bring my vision to it and still no label support. I do understand that some labels are not financially supporting their artists and I have become one of them.
You, my fans, know that I strive to do my best to deliver to my you the best songs and creative vision I possibly can. I’m dedicated to my music, performance and to my fans! I’ve tried to be a team player with the label only to have compromised what I truly believed and was not given the right opportunity to promote and inform my fans of the release of this album. I have so much of me as an artist I still want to give to the world and my fans. A release would allow me to go be creative with people who care and understand me as an artist. In a short time, I will be able to bring to you a new musicenergy and a visual excitement! Thank you so much for standing by me through the good, bad, and the confusion. I love you all.
In addition to releasing it’s 2011 Swimsuit Edition Cover, Sports Illustrated has revealed the 17 models who will grace the pages of their annual cakes fest.
Well, now we know where Beyonce was going on Valentine’s Day while dressed in those killer Christian Louboutin heels. She was spotted arriving at Phillipe Chow in West Hollywood where she met up with former Destiny Child members KellyRowland and Michelle Williams. Solange and cousin Angie Beyince were also on hand as the ladies celebrated Kelly’s 30th birthday.
I’m sure they had a lot of catching up to do. This shushes the rumors of any bad blood between the group…
For those who tuned in to Fantasia’s reality show last season, one of her main goals was to produce an album that would finally win a Grammy. After being nominated 11 times in the past, Sunday was Fantasia’s “Moment For Life” as she won the “Best Female Vocal Performance” award for her single Bittersweet…however, Fantasia was nowhere to be found. Instead, she opted to stay home and boycott the show because she wasn’t invited to do the ArethaFranklin Tribute.
Yesterday, she called up to BET’s 106 and Park and revealed to Rocsi and Terrence that she felt some kind of way about the Awards Show:
I’m going to be very honest with you. You know I wasnt at the Grammys last night, I’m kind of going through my own little thing…last night they were honoring someone who is my idol, Aretha Franklin, and there is no way I could have sat there and not got the happy feet and wanting to jump on the mic because she is my favorite so I felt like, you know, at the end of the day I should have been on that stage so, I kind of did my own little thing last night.
I watched Cee-lo’s performance, I love Cee lo, love Gaga, watched Gaga, and I love Rihannas performance, but I kind of cooked and did my own think last night and was in my own world and was hoping that I won. I have this feeling, like every year I go, I feel like they always look over some of the good singers that are still around and I’m not trying to be funny but thats just the way I felt, so I didnt go into it like I usually do, I wan’t there, so you know I caught some performances, Cee Lo was one of my favorites I love Love love .
When asked what her reaction was when she found out she won, she responded:
Actually I scared my daughter because I just bust out and started crying, and she thought something was wrong with me. You know it’s been a long time coming T, you know at the end of the day its been a long time coming for me and I have been through a lot of things so when Brian called me (my manager accepted the award for me), I just bust out started crying because I felt like eh man, I wasn’t gonna stop until I got one and I’m still not going to stop and you know this has just given me motivation to do my own thing so I just started crying and just thanking God that finally, eleven times nominated, finally I got one.
Ciara was spotted climbing out of her monster truck in Alaia lace up ponyskin boots on Valentine’s Day where she met a friend for lunch. When asked what were her plans for Valentine’s Day, she told the camera man that she was spending time with her girlfriend.
In honor of Black History Month, we seek to share with you some momentous occurrences for African-Americans in decades past and years remembered.
On this day, February 15th, in black history:
In 1965, the home of Malcolm X was bombed before he was assassinated six days later on February 21 of the same year. Malcolm X, also known as Malik Shabazz, was an African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist. Malcolm X led a rough childhood growing up and was sentenced to eight to ten years in prison in 1946. After his release, he joined the Nation of Islam in 1952 and became one of the premier leaders of the group, speaking on the importance of black pride and self-defense. He would later come to heads with Elijah Muhammad, leave the group in March 1964, and become a Sunni Muslim. After a pilgrimage to Mecca, he firmly disavowed racism and traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and Africa. Malcolm X founded the Muslim Mosque Inc. and the Pan-Africanist Organization of Afro-American Unity. He was assassinated while giving a speech in New York City by three members from the Nation of Islam.
In 1964, jazz pianist Nat King Cole passed away. Originally born in Montgomery, Alabama, Cole moved with his family to Chicago, Illinois at the age of four. His father was a Baptist minister and Cole was expected to play the organ during Sunday services. He began formal lessons on the piano when he turned 12. Cole got his start in performing during his teenage years when he would perform at clubs outside of Chicago. His move to Los Angeles would grant him an opportunity to perform in a trio and later begin solo work. Nat King Cole made history on November 5, 1956 when “The Nat King Cole Show” debuted on NBC. He became one of the first African-Americans to host a television variety show.
Pookie told y’all: once you’re on it, that thang keeps calling you.
And El DeBarge went back, left and checked into rehab all while we were applauding his comeback.
The ’80s popster, whose chart-topping career (“The Rhythm of the Night,” “Who’s Johnny”) hit the skids after a crack conviction and two years in prison, announced today that he has checked into rehab.
“I hate to disappoint my fans but it is necessary for me to take the time to work on me so that I may continue to share my music and my story with everyone,” the 49-year-old DeBarge said. “I thank everyone in advance for their prayers and well wishes and hope that you will respect my privacy during this time.”
Here’s hoping his “me time” gets him back on track.
Before entering a drug-treatment facility for his unspecified addiction, the hitmaker had been making the promotional rounds for his comeback album, Second Chance. He also scored two Grammy nominations—for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.
DeBarge had been slated as an opening act for Mary J. Blige and planned to tour extensively on his own in 2011. Those commitments, along with the publicity appearances, have now been canceled.
Between the look on Evelyn’s face, the carry-on in the background and Chad’s tweets about the Valentine’s day he planned for his lady we might have to stop calling their love a reality show in the making.
On Sunday night recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and more all came together to celebrate award nominations and winners at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Centers Arena in Los Angeles, California. The award ceremony highlighted performances by artists like Jennifer Hudson, Cee-Lo, Rihanna, Drake and Lady Gaga as well as newcomers like Justin Bieber, Jaden Smith and Bruno Mars. Check out the eccentric performance and duet by Cee-Lo and Gwyneth Paltrow during their set for his single, “F**k You”. You can view more videos are after the jump!
Gabrielle Union isn’t just another pretty face. Aside from shooting films, and working on TV shows, the talented actress and former model just landed a spiffy new job from the Commander-in-Chief. 
