Maxwell Finally Explains His Long Absence From Music

In case you missed it, Maxwell was featured in Sunday's New York Times. The crooner said the last set in the trilogy that is Black Summer's Night is so hot “like you might have to include condoms in it.”He also finally explained his long absence from music when he said:“When we all [him, D'angelo, etc.] came out,” Maxwell said, “it was just too much adulation,...

Kelly Rowland Reaches No. 1 in UK

Former manager Matthew Knowles is probably wincing right about now, because her favorite Houston homegirl, Kelly Rowland has a hit record right now.And it's across the pond.Kelly's song with French DJ Dave Guetta is No. 1 with a bullet on charts overseas, with nary a spin in the States. Figures, Kelly turned her attention to Britain last year when she bought...

If Barack had an affair, would Michelle stay?

The uproar over South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's affair raises the issue of marital infidelity again. But given the high profile of the case, and that the mistress in question was a longtime friend, many people have an opinion.Especially about whether Mrs. Sanford, Jenny, as she's known, should stay or leave?Sanford didn't just have an affair he lingered...

What is 'Hot'?

We hear people all the time saying "So-and-so is so hot," and "She's hot, he's hot."What exactly is "hot"?Does it strictly mean physical appearance?Is intelligence hot?Is being able to speak well considered hot?Or is it simply a superficial nod to the attractiveness of a person, regardless of their character?Is Carl Sagan, brainiac about meta physical matters...

Women of Funk: Where's the Beat Gone?

When it comes to music, funk has always been the closest to a cult religion: steadfastly followed by a few, hated by the masses.Too bad we don't have true funkateers like we used to in the 1970s and 1980s. What we do have today though are a few hip-hop heads that manage to sing over beats dripping with funk juice and futuristic beats.Here's why it matters:Erykah...

Jada: 'Marriage has to be a place of safety'

Jada Pinkett-Smith has some comtemplative words in the latest issue of Redbook (July issue).On relationships: “There’s a certain amount of safety you have to create for someone to feel like they can be open to you… That’s something we forget in marriages and relationships - they have to be places of safety, because they’re where you are most vulnerable. If you’re...

Honestly, Is Beyonce the Best Ever?

For argument's sake, let's say you could build a female super-artist: This person would be physically attractive, have a platinum voice.You would start her off young, preteen and get her accustomed to being in a group and performing at events. You would put her in a girl group and if you were her mother or father, you and your spouse would put your careers on...

Desirée Rogers' Steez is Unstoppable

The President's Socialite-in-chief Desi Rogers is again behind the 8 ball by critics who say she's too flashy (she was wearing a top-of-the-line Vera Wang) in a down economy.More surprising is that some of the fodder has come from the Obama camp.When the Wall Street Journal was invited to the White House to interview Rogers it is understood that some White House...

"Brand New" by Drake (MiizTiina)

...

Beyonce 'Tightens' Grip on London

There is denim, then there are blue jeans: Beyonce wore some blue jeans yesterday in the Knightsbridge area of London, England, that will instantly cause a fashion attack for the impressionable.Denim this time of year in the States is cool, but it's so darn hot outside! Go for the breezy cotton (not that thick stuff)or thin nylon to get through the da...

The Visible Lover Phenomenon: Hearting Amber Rose

You'd be hard-pressed to find a celebrity hotter than Amber Rose right now.Usher, yeah, he's pretty hot right now, due to his filing for divorce, but that's falling by the wayside.RiRi? She's falling back down to normalcy now, a 6 on our 10-point attention barometer.Madonna? Old news?But Amber Rose, famous for ... exactly what again? I mean what did she have...

Amy Winehouse serious about adopting black baby - FTW

With the celebrity craze of adopting children from poor areas and countries, seems like a most unlikely celebrity has expressed a desire to take a child under their wing.When this story broke last I week I was skeptical and well, thought she was drunk, but now I've heard she's deadly serious.Amy Winehouse, the British Beehive, has caused a quiet storm by saying...

The Notorious T.A.M.: 'We hate Usher, We hate Usher'

Let's get this all straight: Usher dates 1/3 of the greatest female group of all time (at the time), is unfaithful, dates a model who practically begs him to marry her, dumps her, marries his hair stylist, who promptly proceeds to give him two kids (right quick too) and now Usher's out? I don't think for a moment that Ms. Tameka Foster-Raymond aka the Notorious...

When you were a kid, what color was your doll?

If you were born in the 1970s, it's a good chance you played with dolls -- all toys -- that were white, and designed for white children (this pic is from 1970 NYC).That's not an inherently bad thing, but it does bring to mind what kind of aspirations you had as a kid, how you saw yourself, yes, self-esteem.Could it be that the role-play you immersed yourself...

Men Who Breastfeed = FTW

Well, I guess this answers that age-old question of why do men have nipples: Evidently some men have been breastfeeders for a long time. This story in the Mercury dates back to 2002. Who knew? Evidently there's a movement out there among some men to take these duties from women.I'll (gurgle) pas...

Thandie Newton to teach at Oprah's school

Actress Thandie Newton will start a new career away from the big screen working for Oprah Winfrey. The "Mission Impossible" actress has signed on to teach acting at Oprah's school for girls in South Africa."I am really looking forward to it as it's such a great scheme and it's nice to give something back," said the British-born actress.Oprah Winfrey's Leadership...

The More BFFs = More Money

According to a recent study, what's in your bank account is directly related to how many friends you have.(No, it doesn't mean having one BFF means you have $1).The study, conducted over 35 years among 10,000 students in the United States, suggests the wealthiest people are those that had the most friends at school. Each subsequent schoolfriend added 2% to the...

'I want black men. They want me'

As printed in the New York PressBlack skin is thick and lush, sensuous to the touch, like satin and velvet made flesh. There's only one patch of skin on a white man's body that remotely compares to nearly every inch of a black man's skin. The first time I caressed black skin, it felt like a luxury I shouldn't be able to afford. I craved it more strongly than...

Does 'Staycation' = Broke As Hell?

Let's be honest: We all enjoy getting away.Used to be a time when we'd go shopping (new bathing suit, new shoes, etc.) just to go on vacation. We all want to drive, fly, roll on out sometimes for the weekend, for the week, for the month. If we don't do it it's like we're missing out on something: relaxation, mental stimulation, peace.So, what's with this staycation...

Ciara's Effortless Steez

Forget Keri Hilson's short do, ya girl CiCi is stuntin' on 'em like only she can. Ciara's camp recently released this promo pic. Let's hope this new "summer" look for Ciara is what you'll see from her for the rest of 200...

'Charlene' by Anthony Hamilton (msxjenixe)

...

Wherefore is Eisha Brightwell?

Ran across a name I hadn't heard in a minute today: Eisha Brightwell, the tall-as-an-Amazon model that Usher was dating for a while. Where is she these days?Doing her thing in Cali, loc-style, evidently.Last we heard from her Usher was quoted as saying that she was pressuring him ("Don't put any more pressure on me than she has, man.We've been dating a while,...

Study: Women are Wealhier, Healthier. But Unhappy

There's a new gender gap emerging, according to a new paper titled "The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness." (I know, I know, more studies).A new study says in part "the lives of women in the United States have improved over the past 35 years, yet we show that measures of subjective well-being indicate that women's happiness has declined both absolutely and...

Indian school bans jeans 'to protect women'

The venerable Associated Press is reporting that a university in India is banning jeans so that apparent sexual harrassment of girls - and distractions - can cease.The story quotes a school official as saying: "Girls who choose to wear jeans will be expelled from the college," Meeta Jamal, principal of the Dayanand girls' college in Kanpur city told AFP. "This...

No Angels and Demons: Is Nadja Benaissa a Criminal?

Across the pond, few news items in Europe are hotter than the scandal in the German girl group No Angels, who are comparable to the Pussycat Dolls over here. Singer Nadja Benaissa (the one with the flame above her head) made her first public appearance recently after a 10-day stint behind bars after being charged with doing "grievous bodily harm," by having...

Catching Up With The Kodjoes

note: Saw Nicole Ari Parker yesterday at the Whole Foods on Ponce, made me want to blog 'em.Forget about "Meet the Browns," when it comes to an authentic family in entertainment there are many, but the Kodjoes and their struggles with their daughter's illness have shed new light on what it means to be a celebrity.The Kudjoes consist of actor-model dad Boris...

BFFs: Why Is It So Hard For Girlfriends to Get Along?

Imagine two homegirls both get cast in a meteoric TV sitcom that will change television as you know: Now multiply that by 100.That is what Tichina Arnold and BFF Tisha Campbell-Martin experienced in the early 1990s as part of the cast of "Martin," comedian Martin Lawrence's kick-door into television.The friendship that they had on show translated to real life....

Zoe Saldana: I Heart Men's Undies

Star Trek actress Zoe Saldana recently revealed that when it comes to undies she likes the masculine look, preferring to don the boxers of her lover actor . "I love wearing men's clothing and underwear," the 31-year-old said.Not only that but she likes all of men's clothes."I just feel so sexy in jeans and a man's shirt. Plus, I love black and red. I love...

Has Rihanna Changed?

They say people change, things change: Rihanna is no different. This pic is about 8 years old and the changes are evident with RiRi.She looks, well, wholesome here. Although I'm sure this image was crafted to get her to be accepted into the music world and by adoring fans, no matter what their age.But now she's edgier, darker.Was "Good Girl Gone Bad," prophetic?...

Will the Jheri Curl Come Back?

For those who remember the blemished pillow, the small can of clear activator that had to be constantly on standby and the plastic cap that was required at bedtime, the laborious maintenance could only mean one thing: Jheri curl. The Jheri curl was very common and popular in the black community in the late 1970s and throughout the 80s. Your aunt had one, you...

Finding Susan Moonsie

There are celebrities that fall off, then there are celebrities that fall off the planet.Susan Moonsie, former Vanity 6 mate and Prince protegee and former girlfriend, is one of them.TV shows and radio programs will frequently do a "Where Are They Now?" segment on people who were once famous. Given the popularity of Prince, his minions and the whole Minneapolos...

Ability to Stretch = Priceless

Would you marry a contortionist? There's a study out there (Googled it, can't find it) that swears that among a random sampling of men contortionism ranked right up there with intelligence, money-maker, homemaker as far as qualities desired in a mate.Isn't that kind of surreal? That a person would basically want elasticity over, let's say, ability to pay the...

Rihanna channels '80s Look

Your girl RiRi sported a 1980s "Crush Groove" look recently to tap into her childhoo...

Vibe's Carnival Photos = Hotness

Vibe Magazine commissioned these photos from Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago.For you and me, Mardi Gras may be the closest we come to one of these festivals, but in the Caribbean, it's nothing to don a wig, some glitter, get in line and start belly-rolling on 'e...

What exactly is a 'Cougar,' anyway?

Somewhere along the line, a new term was coined. An exhaustive Internet search won't turn up the origins but in any event, it's here now.when did the term gain popularity as a definition for Hot Older Women (Shouldn't they get called HOWs or something?)In my humble estimation, the term is not at all flattering. Cougar, according to Webster's is: "a large powerful...

Women Saggin': A new trend or singular fashion fail?

If the above style catches on among women, somewhere the fashion gods will be kicking themselves. Let's hope this won't be the case. Could you imagine the car wrecks if this became a normal scene in publi...

Are Black Men Getting Tired?

Tired: Drained of strength and energy : fatigued often to the point of exhaustion2 : obviously worn by hard use.Go into your average barbershop and notice the looks: worn out, lackadaisical, even ill-looking.Some of them look like they've been in car wrecks, and in alot of ways they have: emotional car wrecks.The arguing, the accusations, the put-downs: From...

Karrine Steffans: Media Mogul?

When one thinks of the word "vixen," who comes to mind?When one thinks of "media maven," I'll tell you who doesn't come mind.Karrine "Superhead" Steffans.But, besides a select few, no woman has taken the digital and technological reins of the makeshift branding world like Steffans, the original "video vixen."Steffans has created a virtual library of content...