Michelle Martinez "Love" (Keyshia Cole)
In keyshia cole, In michelle martinez, In youSingitSunday, January 11, 2009
Andrea Kelly (R. Kelly's wife) finally free ... for Ray J?
In age of the MILF, In brandy's little brother, In celebrity couples, In kells, In r. kelly's wife, In ray j.Friday, January 9, 2009
Few things are as rampant and out of control as Mr. Raymond Norwood aka "Ray J." and his way with women. And there are still fewer protagonists that people could have less sympathy for them than R. Kelly, the bump-and-grinder-in-residence of the music world. But when news recently hit that he and wife, Andrea, had finally divorced, the question that immediately pops into mind is, what now for Andrea? (Who will share custody of their 3 kids after 11 years of marriage).
Could the marriage, already tremendously strained by R. Kelly's penchant for young girls and defiance after winning his much-publicized statutory rape case, have been torn asunder by the also-wandering eye of innocent Andrea?
We don't have spies, we don't do "anonymous" sources. We're simply stating that Ray J is a playa. Married women, however estanged from their husbands, arefair game to him. Both of them have a knack for the music business after playing second fiddle for years. Ray J is contemplating several projects after his latest album "Raydiation" fizzled. Andrea has been mentioned for an R&B trio based off the PussyCat Dolls. Whatever the case, it's a good chance that he and Andrea may be in for a little 12 Play themselves. Just sayin.
Celebrity Mamas: On the Other Side of Fame
In angela bassett, In biggie smalls, In britney, In jonetta patton, In lynne spears, In mother knows best, In notorioius BIG, In usher's mom, In voletta wallaceThursday, January 8, 2009
Ever wonder why you see celebrities that seem to act a fool, but then others that don't? I wonder if there's a correlation between stars with parents that have taken a hands-on role in their childrens' careers as opposed to just let them live life.
Of course, that premise is shattered when considering the following Celebrity Mamas:
Lynne Irene Spears is one part Sarah Palin, one part Dolly Parton. The mother of famous girls Britney and Jamie-Lynn, she has tried for years to keep the family grounded and out of the tabloids. In 2007, she finally succumbed to both, allegedly selling the story of her daughter's (Jamie-Lynn) pregnancy story to OK! for $1 million dollars. She has found her footing as an author, penning "Heart to Heart," a biographical book about Britney, in 2000, "A Mother's Gift," a 2001 novel that was adapted to a TV movie, "Brave New Girl" and a 2008 book,"Through The Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World." It is a New York Times Bestseller.
We'll never know the whole beef behind Ms. Patton's affection for her son and apathy for his ex-wife, Tameka Foster. But we know this: She loves her some Usher. Mama brought her son up in the church, spying his talents as a 6-year-old while she directed the choir. Soon he was in talent shows and scored a sitdown with L.A. Reid at Laface Records. The rest, they say, is history. Or it could be herstory, because as soon as his friendship with Tameka, his former stylist, graduated to romance, Ms. Patton had a decision to make: Ms. Patton was crazy about Usher's old girlfriend, Chilli, of TLC fame. Should she accept an older-than-my-son woman with kids over the baby-faced, sweet Chilli? Words happened, wars did not. In the end, Usher's mom was out as his manager and Ms. Foster became Mrs. Raymond. Is all good on the homefront? Usher and Tameka had a child in their first year of marriage and Ms. Patton couldn't be happier. But the two couldnt' work it out. Now, Usher is free, again. With his Mama.
Lisa Bonet is mother of a grown child, y'all. I know, I know, seems like just yesterday. But it was actually 20 years ago, for in 1988 Zoe Isabella was born. Zoe has taken Hollywood by storm with her looks, her skin, and of course her eccentricity, courtesy of both her mother and father, Lenny Kravitz. In 2007, Zoe made her feature film debut in two films, starring alongside such A-listers as Terrance Howard and Catherine Zeta-Jones. It's been a long, strange ride for Lisa Michelle Bonet, who was born in San Francisco. Her African American father, Allen, was an opera singer, and her Jewish American mother, Arlene, was a teacher. Of course we all know her as the daughter to onscreen father, Heathcliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) on "The Cosby Show". These days it seems Lisa Bonet has rediscovered childbearing: On July 23, 2007, Bonet, involved now with actor Jason Momoa, gave birth to her second child, daughter Lola Iolani Momoa. On Dec. 15, 2008, Bonet and Momoa had a son, Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa.
Teresa Caldwell knows how to take care of business. In the 1990s, when her son Bow Wow (Shad Moss) began to gain traction with record company executives, specifically Jermaine Dupri, she up and left Ohio for the ATL with her son in tow. As manager for her son she has learned the business of networking and massaged her celebrity contacts, especially athletes. In addition to advising NBA ballers Vince Carter and Baron Davis on fashionable purchases in 2004 she opened Taste, a clothing boutique in Atlanta's own Atlantic Station shopping mecca. She didn't do it with all her own money, but with that of former New York Jets running back Curtis Martin.
bow wow's mother has taste. Can you say, work it?
Voletta Wallace has had to walk a fine line. A devout religious person, Ms. Wallace's name has been tossed around with the likes of Lil Kim, Faith Evans and Charlie Baltimore, all of which have been the women in her late son's life, Christoper Wallace aka, the Notorious B.I.G. If Mrs. Wallace is angry she's disguising it well. More than a decade after her son's murder, and with the case still cold, Mrs. Wallace is letting off a collective shot of her own with the release of the feature-length film "Notorious." The film depicts the gritty life and death of Biggie Smalls and features the wonderful Angela Bassett as Mrs. Wallace. Letting the world know that you'll never rest until justice is done for your son? Now, that's beef?
Winehouse.
The name lends itself to juvenile name-calling and corruptions (wine-0, beerhouse, etc.) But that was before a certain daughter made the name literal. Enter Amy Winehouse. "No one can stop her once she's made her mind up, but she never thinks of the consequences," says mother Janice. The parents have had to watch from afar as Amy has taken a meteoric rise musically and at the same time a dramatic plunge into drugs, all with her addict husband Blake. Last year, Janice finally had had enough going to the press with one of the most inflammatory and sad comments a parent has publicly said about their celebrity child: " I realize my daughter could be dead within the year." British tabloids trumpeted the quote, but there was more."We're watching her kill herself, slowly," the mum said. "I've already come to terms with her dead. I've steeled myself to ask her what ground she wants to be buried in, which cemetery. Because the drugs will get her if she stays on this road." Amy was put in rehab last year and admitted to the hospital several times for complications, but hopefully she'll stay clean.
Afeni Shakur is certified hip-hop royalty. Her slain son 2pac is arguably the biggest artist in hip-hop history, immortalizing his mother with the stirring rap anthem "Dear Mama."
In 1971, while pregnant with her Tupac, Afeni Shakur was arrested for withholding information that could have led to the arrest of leading members of "Panther 21". To show how much of an agitator she was, while in prison, Shakur reportedly obtained a court order to have three boiled eggs per day because the food within the jail was unfit for an expecting mother. Since her son's death she has benefited from millions in album sales, but has not chosen to attend fancy parties or seek the limelight for herself. Instead she was become a beacon for social issues and empowered urban mothers to account for themselves.
Janice Combs can be forgiven for wearing a catsuit to Fashion Week in Paris (or can she?). Way before her son was Sean "Diddy" Combs, or even P. Diddy, or even Puff Daddy, the woman worked three jobs to provide the best opportunities for her family and education for her children. Her husband had been gunned down in New York, leaving behind a little girl and a 2-year-old that would later rule the world. Nowadays, she's bold, she's audacious, she's boisterous, and it's all fully paid by Bad Boy records and Sean Jean clothing. Who's bad?
Everything is grande about Tina Knowles. Content to sit in the background of her daughter's rise to the top of the music world, "Miss Tina" is now calling the shots in a public way. In the last few years she's come into her own, releasing facts about the Knowles family history relating to her Lousiana Creole roots and becoming a major fashion designer with the advent of the House of Dereon clothing line. But things were'nt always this way: Way back when Beyonce was a tweeny the family cut back to push their daughters' entertainment career forward. Matthew Knowles actually quit his job to manage Destiny's Child while mom Tina worked long hours at her hair salon to support the family. "People thought we were nuts a lot more than we did," Tina is quoted as saying. "They really thought we were crazy.” Now, they are crazy rich.
Of course, that premise is shattered when considering the following Celebrity Mamas:
Lynne Spears: When celebrity goes toxic
Lynne Irene Spears is one part Sarah Palin, one part Dolly Parton. The mother of famous girls Britney and Jamie-Lynn, she has tried for years to keep the family grounded and out of the tabloids. In 2007, she finally succumbed to both, allegedly selling the story of her daughter's (Jamie-Lynn) pregnancy story to OK! for $1 million dollars. She has found her footing as an author, penning "Heart to Heart," a biographical book about Britney, in 2000, "A Mother's Gift," a 2001 novel that was adapted to a TV movie, "Brave New Girl" and a 2008 book,"Through The Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World." It is a New York Times Bestseller.
Jonetta Patton: A Mother's Love
We'll never know the whole beef behind Ms. Patton's affection for her son and apathy for his ex-wife, Tameka Foster. But we know this: She loves her some Usher. Mama brought her son up in the church, spying his talents as a 6-year-old while she directed the choir. Soon he was in talent shows and scored a sitdown with L.A. Reid at Laface Records. The rest, they say, is history. Or it could be herstory, because as soon as his friendship with Tameka, his former stylist, graduated to romance, Ms. Patton had a decision to make: Ms. Patton was crazy about Usher's old girlfriend, Chilli, of TLC fame. Should she accept an older-than-my-son woman with kids over the baby-faced, sweet Chilli? Words happened, wars did not. In the end, Usher's mom was out as his manager and Ms. Foster became Mrs. Raymond. Is all good on the homefront? Usher and Tameka had a child in their first year of marriage and Ms. Patton couldn't be happier. But the two couldnt' work it out. Now, Usher is free, again. With his Mama.
Lisa Bonet: Wildflower Still
Lisa Bonet is mother of a grown child, y'all. I know, I know, seems like just yesterday. But it was actually 20 years ago, for in 1988 Zoe Isabella was born. Zoe has taken Hollywood by storm with her looks, her skin, and of course her eccentricity, courtesy of both her mother and father, Lenny Kravitz. In 2007, Zoe made her feature film debut in two films, starring alongside such A-listers as Terrance Howard and Catherine Zeta-Jones. It's been a long, strange ride for Lisa Michelle Bonet, who was born in San Francisco. Her African American father, Allen, was an opera singer, and her Jewish American mother, Arlene, was a teacher. Of course we all know her as the daughter to onscreen father, Heathcliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) on "The Cosby Show". These days it seems Lisa Bonet has rediscovered childbearing: On July 23, 2007, Bonet, involved now with actor Jason Momoa, gave birth to her second child, daughter Lola Iolani Momoa. On Dec. 15, 2008, Bonet and Momoa had a son, Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa.
Teresa Caldwell: Experience a "Taste" of fashion
Teresa Caldwell knows how to take care of business. In the 1990s, when her son Bow Wow (Shad Moss) began to gain traction with record company executives, specifically Jermaine Dupri, she up and left Ohio for the ATL with her son in tow. As manager for her son she has learned the business of networking and massaged her celebrity contacts, especially athletes. In addition to advising NBA ballers Vince Carter and Baron Davis on fashionable purchases in 2004 she opened Taste, a clothing boutique in Atlanta's own Atlantic Station shopping mecca. She didn't do it with all her own money, but with that of former New York Jets running back Curtis Martin.
bow wow's mother has taste. Can you say, work it?
Voletta Wallace: Despite pain, holding on to B.I.G. dreams
Voletta Wallace has had to walk a fine line. A devout religious person, Ms. Wallace's name has been tossed around with the likes of Lil Kim, Faith Evans and Charlie Baltimore, all of which have been the women in her late son's life, Christoper Wallace aka, the Notorious B.I.G. If Mrs. Wallace is angry she's disguising it well. More than a decade after her son's murder, and with the case still cold, Mrs. Wallace is letting off a collective shot of her own with the release of the feature-length film "Notorious." The film depicts the gritty life and death of Biggie Smalls and features the wonderful Angela Bassett as Mrs. Wallace. Letting the world know that you'll never rest until justice is done for your son? Now, that's beef?
Janice Winehouse: Watching a train wreck ... in slow motion
Winehouse.
The name lends itself to juvenile name-calling and corruptions (wine-0, beerhouse, etc.) But that was before a certain daughter made the name literal. Enter Amy Winehouse. "No one can stop her once she's made her mind up, but she never thinks of the consequences," says mother Janice. The parents have had to watch from afar as Amy has taken a meteoric rise musically and at the same time a dramatic plunge into drugs, all with her addict husband Blake. Last year, Janice finally had had enough going to the press with one of the most inflammatory and sad comments a parent has publicly said about their celebrity child: " I realize my daughter could be dead within the year." British tabloids trumpeted the quote, but there was more."We're watching her kill herself, slowly," the mum said. "I've already come to terms with her dead. I've steeled myself to ask her what ground she wants to be buried in, which cemetery. Because the drugs will get her if she stays on this road." Amy was put in rehab last year and admitted to the hospital several times for complications, but hopefully she'll stay clean.
Afeni Shakur: Mother of a Movement
Afeni Shakur is certified hip-hop royalty. Her slain son 2pac is arguably the biggest artist in hip-hop history, immortalizing his mother with the stirring rap anthem "Dear Mama."
In 1971, while pregnant with her Tupac, Afeni Shakur was arrested for withholding information that could have led to the arrest of leading members of "Panther 21". To show how much of an agitator she was, while in prison, Shakur reportedly obtained a court order to have three boiled eggs per day because the food within the jail was unfit for an expecting mother. Since her son's death she has benefited from millions in album sales, but has not chosen to attend fancy parties or seek the limelight for herself. Instead she was become a beacon for social issues and empowered urban mothers to account for themselves.
Janice Combs: A Bad Boy's Diva-Mom
Janice Combs can be forgiven for wearing a catsuit to Fashion Week in Paris (or can she?). Way before her son was Sean "Diddy" Combs, or even P. Diddy, or even Puff Daddy, the woman worked three jobs to provide the best opportunities for her family and education for her children. Her husband had been gunned down in New York, leaving behind a little girl and a 2-year-old that would later rule the world. Nowadays, she's bold, she's audacious, she's boisterous, and it's all fully paid by Bad Boy records and Sean Jean clothing. Who's bad?
Tina Knowles: Matriarch/ clothier / Grandma
Everything is grande about Tina Knowles. Content to sit in the background of her daughter's rise to the top of the music world, "Miss Tina" is now calling the shots in a public way. In the last few years she's come into her own, releasing facts about the Knowles family history relating to her Lousiana Creole roots and becoming a major fashion designer with the advent of the House of Dereon clothing line. But things were'nt always this way: Way back when Beyonce was a tweeny the family cut back to push their daughters' entertainment career forward. Matthew Knowles actually quit his job to manage Destiny's Child while mom Tina worked long hours at her hair salon to support the family. "People thought we were nuts a lot more than we did," Tina is quoted as saying. "They really thought we were crazy.” Now, they are crazy rich.
NeNe Leakes channels Mary J. Blige in new look
In age of the MILF, In mary j. blige, In nene leakes, In real housewives of atlanta finale and reunion brawl
NeNe Leakes is channeling another starlett with Georgia roots in a new look she recently unveiled in a photoshoot.
NeNe Leakes of the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" fame is trying to undo some of the bad publicity she received recently when a TV news crew chased her down over reports that she had gotten evictedfrom her $800,000 home after the first season of "Housewives".
The Mary look is a good look, but other than make people think of Blige what's the benefit for NeNe?
Despite the appearances, the two do have a few things in common:
NeNe Leakes is from Queens, New York.
MJB is born in the BX, but raised Yonkers, New York.
NeNe has a foundation called Twisted Hearts, for abused women.
In 2006 MJB told an audience on "Oprah" that she was molested when she was 5.
NeNe is married to Gregg Leakes, a real estate investor 13 years her senior.
MJB is married to Martin Kendu Isaacs, a former record executive who is now her manager.
ATL Divorce court: Whitfield vs. Whitfield
In bob whitfield, In real housewives of atlanta finale and reunion brawl, In sheree whitfieldWednesday, January 7, 2009
ATLien Sheree Whitfield, best known for her rascaling with NeNe on the hit Bravo show "Real Housewives of Atlanta" is ordering a do-over in her divorce settlement with former Atlanta Falcons player Bob Whitfield. Not only is she appealing the case, which she lost, to the Georgia Supreme Court, but her attorneys argue that she is incapable of earning an income, thus need Bob's.
Bob Whitfield has a state-of-the-art recording studio that has had major stars come through such as Toni Braxton, Goodie Mob, OutKast and even Rick Springsteen.
Sheree's side of things is basically saying that because of her lack of education and inability to earn a living, the court abused its discretion by not awarding alimony and then ordering her and the children out of their $2.6 million home in Sandy Springs.
The mathmatics of the case is based on the money that Bob earned as an NFL player, where his last contract was for $30 million (including an $8 million signing bonus).
But is Sheree after PatchWerk, his recording studio located on Hemphill Ave, in the ATL? It is the only asset that Bob has that is actually pulling in revenue.
While Bob only claims that he makes $50,000 a year through the studio, the client list begs to differ (perhaps add another 0 on to that).
Despite being a full-time mother, Sheree found time to manager her clothing boutique, “Bella Azul,” which quickly went under under her oversight, her attorneys point out. With only a high school diploma, no marketable job skills and employment prospects, Sheree has painted a picture far different from the one she portrayed on "Real Housewives".
She didn't walk away from the deal without a dime though: She was awarded $2,142.87 a month in child support for the couple's two kids. She also was given more than $1.1 million in a marital property division, a lump sum payment of $775,000 and portions of three NFL retirement programs which total about $113,422 annually.But no alimony.
Is this enough, or does she deserve more?
For a stirring opinion on this subject, CLICK HERE!
Tatted Love: Are Tattoos Still Cool?
In beautiful black women, In celebrity style, In cool beans, In tattoos
The tat.
Nothing (not hair, not clothes) in the past 15 years has been more an expression of individuality than the tattoo.
If you look in old school yearbooks in the 1970s and 1980s you'd be hardpressed to find an expressive tattoo outside the small ink spot or initials. But about the early 1990s, the tattoo has enjoyed a large resurgence.
The origin of the word tattoo is from the Samoan word tatau, meaning "open wound." And it's named for good reason, for a tattoo is an insertion of ink into a layer of skin. Eurasians are said to have been the first to use tattoos as symbols of kinship, rites of passage and cultural identification.
But today? People rock tats because they look cool.
But will they forever? Sagging, wrinkled tattoos will be the norm in as few as 10 years as the generation that first got them in the 1990s gets up in age. What do you think? Cool or no?
Phases of a Relationship (Part 1)
In black love, In black romance, In how relationships start, In interracial chronicles, In love interrupted, In phases of a relationshipFriday, January 2, 2009
Two thousand eight saw many a relationship go pop and fizzle. As a testament to what women go through, here's a run down of the general phases (and this is only part 1). Let me know if this is true to life for the most part.
2008: Shapeshifters of the Year (Cont.)
In age of the MILF, In beyonce's sibling rivlary, In espn, In janet jackson, In keri hilson, In reischa canidate, In sage steele, In solange, In sportscenterWednesday, December 31, 2008
See the first installment of 2008 Shapeshifters RIGHT HERE.
Solange is not one to play the sibling rivalry thing. She is a mother, a fighter, a lover, and a singer. In 2008 her "Hadley Street Dreams" album was all that she wanted it to be, which was not what we expected. Sales were dismal, critics were vicious, but the work still sits next to our collective speaker boxes, far from being played, but close enough to remain in memory. Months after its debut it's clear to see that her older sister Beyonce's album had one sole purpose: to make Solange's album listenable. Mission accomplished.
The year was good to a couple of African American sportscasters, both getting the job of their lives way up in cold, Bristol, Conn. Sage Steele is the chick on "SportsCenter," ESPN's flagship production. She graduated from Indiana, and got the job in 2007 after stints in Tampa and Baltimore. She's on record as saying that when she was just a cub reporter she interviewed Lou Holtz and got him to do the Macarena. WTF?
Perhaps you've seen news anchor Reischea (REE-SHAY) Canidate on ESPN lately. The relatively new hire landed at the Sports network after about five years in New York's channel 5 and before that in San Diego. The fact that you can catch her dishing about T.O., the New York Yankees and Detroit Red Wings on most nights is a testament to the sales pitch that ESPN is pushing to lure promising African American talent. The old saying was that it was too cold in Bristol for a brotha (or sister), but I guess the money's right.
Straight out of the Big Easy, Desiree Rogers, 49, Chicago corporate executive and civic leader, saw her star rise considerably in 2008. Not that being appointed by Barack Obama to plan social functions is a small feat, but Desiree, a Harvard grad, was embarking on running a social networking initiative for Allstate before she got the call. With that on hold for at least 4 years, the socialite is expected to liven up White House functions with the flavor of New Orleans.
Few singers can channel the gutter, the heavens and what's in between as seamlessly as new R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan. The Missy Elliott protege burst out on the scene with a few anthemic singles ("I Bust the Windows Out Ya Car"). (Have you heard "Lions, Tigers and Bears"? ) But in 2009, it's nobody's year if it's not Jazmine's.
You probably don't know his name, oh, but you've seen him. Perhaps it was as Martin Luther King, or an activist type on "Get On the Bus." Wright, straight from Brooklyn, is known as a scene-stealer, with no greater display than in "Shaft 2000" when he jacked the whole movie from up under Samuel L. Jackson with his portrayal of a Puerto Rican drug dealer. In 2008, Wright did admirable jobs in "W" (as Colin Powell) and "Cadillac Records" (as Muddy Waters). Look for him even more in 2009.
With a heritage that includes "Purple Rain" and "When Doves Cry" it would be easy for Tyka Nelson to rest on her brother's laurels. But 2008 was the year she decided to jump back out there musically (she tried before in 1988). The urban soul thing had not yet erupted, so you'll have to forgive her reception. Now she's back with a gospel album after spending 2008 writing and recording, and her brother didn't even help. In 2009, the results will be in.
It certainly can't be about the money: Keri Hilson tried and tried to make her music stick in 2008, even employing the services of Lil Wayne ("Turnin' Me On"). It just didn't happen. Radio completely ignored her, except as a backup singer or "model chick". It is as the latter that she may indeed have a future: She played the lead role in Usher's video for "Love in This Club", (as well as co-wrote "Pt. II" remix). She also starred in Ne-Yo's video for "Miss Independent" and appeared in Nelly's "Party People" video. She was also featured on Nas' debut single from his controversial album Untitled, "Hero". For 2009, look for the full swing as all-star video girl.
Former Vols woman's basketball phenom Candace Parker had a great 2008. Not only did she win a national championship for Tennessee, but she became the first overall pick for the WNBA mere weeks later. Her first game? Dropped 34 points to set yet another record (not counting the slam dunks). The brawl? A first, too. You go, girl.
Solange Knowles: Bombshell, the body, and the music
Solange is not one to play the sibling rivalry thing. She is a mother, a fighter, a lover, and a singer. In 2008 her "Hadley Street Dreams" album was all that she wanted it to be, which was not what we expected. Sales were dismal, critics were vicious, but the work still sits next to our collective speaker boxes, far from being played, but close enough to remain in memory. Months after its debut it's clear to see that her older sister Beyonce's album had one sole purpose: to make Solange's album listenable. Mission accomplished.
Sage Steele: Whoa, She's Hot, Wha--ESPN?
The year was good to a couple of African American sportscasters, both getting the job of their lives way up in cold, Bristol, Conn. Sage Steele is the chick on "SportsCenter," ESPN's flagship production. She graduated from Indiana, and got the job in 2007 after stints in Tampa and Baltimore. She's on record as saying that when she was just a cub reporter she interviewed Lou Holtz and got him to do the Macarena. WTF?
Reischea Canidate: Sports scores and more
Perhaps you've seen news anchor Reischea (REE-SHAY) Canidate on ESPN lately. The relatively new hire landed at the Sports network after about five years in New York's channel 5 and before that in San Diego. The fact that you can catch her dishing about T.O., the New York Yankees and Detroit Red Wings on most nights is a testament to the sales pitch that ESPN is pushing to lure promising African American talent. The old saying was that it was too cold in Bristol for a brotha (or sister), but I guess the money's right.
Desiree Rogers: Obama's Social Butterfly
Straight out of the Big Easy, Desiree Rogers, 49, Chicago corporate executive and civic leader, saw her star rise considerably in 2008. Not that being appointed by Barack Obama to plan social functions is a small feat, but Desiree, a Harvard grad, was embarking on running a social networking initiative for Allstate before she got the call. With that on hold for at least 4 years, the socialite is expected to liven up White House functions with the flavor of New Orleans.
Jazmine Sullivan: Old school voice, new school choice
Few singers can channel the gutter, the heavens and what's in between as seamlessly as new R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan. The Missy Elliott protege burst out on the scene with a few anthemic singles ("I Bust the Windows Out Ya Car"). (Have you heard "Lions, Tigers and Bears"? ) But in 2009, it's nobody's year if it's not Jazmine's.
Jeffrey Wright: The Consummate Actor's Actor
You probably don't know his name, oh, but you've seen him. Perhaps it was as Martin Luther King, or an activist type on "Get On the Bus." Wright, straight from Brooklyn, is known as a scene-stealer, with no greater display than in "Shaft 2000" when he jacked the whole movie from up under Samuel L. Jackson with his portrayal of a Puerto Rican drug dealer. In 2008, Wright did admirable jobs in "W" (as Colin Powell) and "Cadillac Records" (as Muddy Waters). Look for him even more in 2009.
Tyka Nelson: Sibling of The Purple One
With a heritage that includes "Purple Rain" and "When Doves Cry" it would be easy for Tyka Nelson to rest on her brother's laurels. But 2008 was the year she decided to jump back out there musically (she tried before in 1988). The urban soul thing had not yet erupted, so you'll have to forgive her reception. Now she's back with a gospel album after spending 2008 writing and recording, and her brother didn't even help. In 2009, the results will be in.
Keri Hilson: Musician/Singer/VideoVixen/Writer
It certainly can't be about the money: Keri Hilson tried and tried to make her music stick in 2008, even employing the services of Lil Wayne ("Turnin' Me On"). It just didn't happen. Radio completely ignored her, except as a backup singer or "model chick". It is as the latter that she may indeed have a future: She played the lead role in Usher's video for "Love in This Club", (as well as co-wrote "Pt. II" remix). She also starred in Ne-Yo's video for "Miss Independent" and appeared in Nelly's "Party People" video. She was also featured on Nas' debut single from his controversial album Untitled, "Hero". For 2009, look for the full swing as all-star video girl.
Candace Parker: Love and Basketball
Former Vols woman's basketball phenom Candace Parker had a great 2008. Not only did she win a national championship for Tennessee, but she became the first overall pick for the WNBA mere weeks later. Her first game? Dropped 34 points to set yet another record (not counting the slam dunks). The brawl? A first, too. You go, girl.
2008: Shapeshifters of the Year
In a look back down memory lane, In beyonce, In condi rice, In decision 2008, In joy bryant, In the year in pictures, In tom cruiseA partial look at those that made the year what it was, for better or for worse: Part 2 is tomorrow.
RiRi came hard in 2008: Not only did she emerge in a relationship with the youngest in charge but she showed up on the year's clear megahit "Live Your Life" with self-proclaimed "King of the South" T.I. Rihanna's magic has finally worn us down, despite the absence of a killer voice or other attribute that would make her heir to the throne. Until Jazmine Sullivan finds her legs, we'll all be hearing alot more from Rihanna.
Jonelle Monae: Sister from another
Breathe-of-fresh-air-singer Jonelle Monae was supposed to blow in '08. With tutelage from no other than Bad Boy impresario Sean "Diddy" Combs, she was supposed to have a breakout year. And, well, she blew. "The Metropolis" franchise has yet to resonate with mass fans but people heard about Janelle Monae. She toured excessively and made a nice setup for a 2009 grand redebut.
The history flows from actress and D.C. native Taraji P. Henson. A distant cousin,Matthew Henson, is credited with helping discover the North Pole. Not one to rest on her laurels, Taraji paid her own way through school (Howard University) by working as a waitress on a cruise ship and as a secretary at the Pentagon. After majoring in theater her big break came with "Hustle and Flow" where she played a girlfriend/prostitute to the movie's protagonist. But she followed it up with a killer performance as Queenie in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" starring Brad Pitt. Can a case be made for Best Actress? I really think so.
When your 2008 includes singing the Lord's Prayer at the arrival ceremony in honor of Pope Benedict XVI on the South Lawn of the White House, you kind of know it's your year. The 60-year-old opera singer has been at it a long time but 2008 was historical by any account. Not only did her audience include an American president, a pope, but sherocked out at the AMAs with two of music's modern-day stars.
Erykah Badu took the music world by storm in 2008 with "Amerikkka: Fourth World War pt. 2". The only political-global album in hip-hop in the past 5 years, "Amerikkka" was a rekindling of Badu's many talents. She showed the world that she can still come with the conscious - perfect for a recession-minded public that is watching the elite heist the riches right in front of us all.
Could you pick a worse star to attach herself to than George Bush? Yet that is the unenviable position that Condoleezza Rice finds herself in. Will Obama find a spot for her somewhere in his administration? Bettors are playing this one close to the vest. Still, her star probably has more shine left, but not now.
tomorrow we continue:
Was there a single actor whose stock sunk more than Tom Cruise? Sure there was, but they didn't have to battle religious persecution and scorn, scoff and scuttle like he did. The Risky One still makes our list because he has managed to stay married, if not bankable in Hollyweird, which is more than we can say for most.
Rihanna: Best Singer Pon De Stage?
RiRi came hard in 2008: Not only did she emerge in a relationship with the youngest in charge but she showed up on the year's clear megahit "Live Your Life" with self-proclaimed "King of the South" T.I. Rihanna's magic has finally worn us down, despite the absence of a killer voice or other attribute that would make her heir to the throne. Until Jazmine Sullivan finds her legs, we'll all be hearing alot more from Rihanna.
Jonelle Monae: Sister from another MothaPlanet
Breathe-of-fresh-air-singer Jonelle Monae was supposed to blow in '08. With tutelage from no other than Bad Boy impresario Sean "Diddy" Combs, she was supposed to have a breakout year. And, well, she blew. "The Metropolis" franchise has yet to resonate with mass fans but people heard about Janelle Monae. She toured excessively and made a nice setup for a 2009 grand redebut.
Taraji P. Henson: Got Next? No, Now
The history flows from actress and D.C. native Taraji P. Henson. A distant cousin,Matthew Henson, is credited with helping discover the North Pole. Not one to rest on her laurels, Taraji paid her own way through school (Howard University) by working as a waitress on a cruise ship and as a secretary at the Pentagon. After majoring in theater her big break came with "Hustle and Flow" where she played a girlfriend/prostitute to the movie's protagonist. But she followed it up with a killer performance as Queenie in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" starring Brad Pitt. Can a case be made for Best Actress? I really think so.
Kathleen Battle: Songbird. Period. Point Blank
When your 2008 includes singing the Lord's Prayer at the arrival ceremony in honor of Pope Benedict XVI on the South Lawn of the White House, you kind of know it's your year. The 60-year-old opera singer has been at it a long time but 2008 was historical by any account. Not only did her audience include an American president, a pope, but sherocked out at the AMAs with two of music's modern-day stars.
Erykah Badu: Revolution ain't easy, but it is funky
Erykah Badu took the music world by storm in 2008 with "Amerikkka: Fourth World War pt. 2". The only political-global album in hip-hop in the past 5 years, "Amerikkka" was a rekindling of Badu's many talents. She showed the world that she can still come with the conscious - perfect for a recession-minded public that is watching the elite heist the riches right in front of us all.
>Condi Rice: Queen of the Damned
Could you pick a worse star to attach herself to than George Bush? Yet that is the unenviable position that Condoleezza Rice finds herself in. Will Obama find a spot for her somewhere in his administration? Bettors are playing this one close to the vest. Still, her star probably has more shine left, but not now.
tomorrow we continue:
>Tom Cruise: Mission Just May be Impossible
Was there a single actor whose stock sunk more than Tom Cruise? Sure there was, but they didn't have to battle religious persecution and scorn, scoff and scuttle like he did. The Risky One still makes our list because he has managed to stay married, if not bankable in Hollyweird, which is more than we can say for most.
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