Kelis releases album art for 'Fleshtones'

Singer Kelis has released the album cover art for her album "Fleshtones," which will be her fifth album to date. Since signing to the Will.I.Am.Music Group, Kelis has ramped up her public appearances in anticipation for a big album push.

Her divorce battle with rapper Nas has simmered down for the moment, giving the singer the time she needs to prep for the album release. Her single "Acapella," has been met with decent reviews so far.
"Fleshtones" features collabs with David Guetta, who made Kelly Rowland a star overseas. Kelis is actually bigger than Kelly is over in the U.K., despite limited marketing.
She's got her detractors, including PETA, which has went after the singer for her penchant to wear furs. But Kelis is making a big run for that Rihanna money and Beyonce money, pulling off the outfits, the weird photo shoots and outlandishness associated with it.
Can she be stopped? We doubt it.

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Lena Horne, G.O.A.T.

The greatest African-American actress, singer and entertainer of all time has left us.
Lena Horne died at the hospital. She was 92.
The Brooklyn native started as a dancer at age 16, immediately attracting the eye of talent promoters. It wouldn't take long for Hollywood to catch up.
In the infancy of television, Horne was a black woman that had never been seen in Hollywood before: She had a clause put into her contract that forbid her to act in movies as a maid. No, Horne wanted roles that weren't symbolically subservient or demeaning to African-Americans. She got them.
Why? Because she was tenacious in her demands and -- let's be honest -- drop-dead gorgeous.
During WWII, Horne's star really took off. She landed her first film role in 1942, which led to her ground-breaking performance in "Stormy Weather."
Since those days almost half a century ago, the black actress has stood on Horne's shoulders as more roles and entertainment avenues have opened up.
During the civil rights era, Horne was a leading force in entertainment, championing the leading black actresses of the day.
It's become a cliche' now, but in this case, Lena Horne was truly the Greatest. Of. All. Time.


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Party on, girls. Party on

You know you're having a good time when each one has to hold the other one up. Party on, girls, party on.

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Barbie: Why he chose her

Maybe it's because your hair is more blonde than hers. Both of them black at the roots.
Her eyes are blue like the ocean, and just as deep.
Yours are brown like the Earth. Like his.
When he looks at you he sees his mother. When he looks at her he sees a hot mama.
Sure, her Gucci purse is fake; but your attitude is.
She doesn't have it together. But she knows it. And she's willing to admit a need.
After all, isn't that why you choose somebody?



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Where all the black men are

The male-female ratio is causing social havoc and is responsible for how you dress, how you act, what car you drive, and even, how you view yourself, according to Tim Harford, a British economist and author of a book called “The Logic of Life”.
The Economist shines a light on what black women -- actually all women who want a black man -- have to go through in a startling piece.
It's no secret that incarceration rates are affecting family and communities, but the overall effect on something as simple and sacred as love -- LOVE -- remains understudied and underestimated. While there is ample evidence about this subject, Harford has a way of showing the economic side of this travesty, underlining the lost dollars that a household does without due to a jailed husband or father.
A not-too-mentioned side effect of the lack of available, eligible, educated and gainfully employed men of color is that numerous black women are -- whether they like it or not -- forced to compete for the few that are out there.
Sexual urges being what they are in society, competition is not inherently fair.
And that does something, self-esteem-wise, I think. I may not be exactly sure what it does. But the effects are pretty obvious.
What's a single black female to do?




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Vivian Green: "Beautiful"

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Wayna "My Love"

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Nneka "Africans"

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Erykah Badu 'Window Seat'

Click here for the backward version of this video.




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Where is Jill Marie Jones?

Never has a supporting character been as missed as Toni Childs was on the hit sitcom "Girlfriends" when she abruptly left the show over contractual reasons. In a lot of ways actress Jill Marie Jones did a famous disappearing act in real life, too.
The Texas native's projects have been few and far between since leaving the show (same with other cast members such as Golden Brooks, etc.) at the height of its popularity in 2006. Jones, understandably, felt she had bigger fish to fry, larger walls to climb. The only problem is, it hasn't happened yet. Even Tracee Ellis Ross has resurfaced albeit haltingly, but Jones has been especially incognito.
As to why she left "Girlfriends," she reportedly said: "I left because I wanted to do movies. My contract was up after my sixth season and people forget that just like the network can choose whether or not to renew your contract, I can also choose and evaluate whether or not I want to come back."
She went on to star in "Major Movie Star" with Jessica Simpson, but hasn't score a major project since then.
She did have a lead in 2007's "Redrum" (below), but as far when she'll return to the big screen or small screen, we -- like all of you -- are hoping for the best.




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Girls Year Out: Less Dates as Economy Stalls

It's a recession in more ways than one. The current economy that the nation is experiencing has caused a somewhat new phenomenon in the world of dating and relationships. As customs go, it is traditional for the man to take his women out periodically here and there. Even if the two weren't a "couple" they could still fraternize as platonic entities in public i.e. movie buddies, mall rats, etc. Calling up a person of the opposite sex and going out was a nice and welcome gesture that broke up the monotony of staying home all week after a series of stressful shifts. But due to new reasons, most likely monetary, also the demise of dating, ritualistic girls night out? Well, it's slowly turning into a girls year out for many women.
"Dudes aren't even stepping to me anymore," one girl recently told me. The way she put it, many folks have lost their jobs, especially black men, and they just aren't up to going out anymore, or even hanging out. Women are going it alone these days. In flocks. In droves.
Don't get me wrong, it's been headed this way for quite a while, but it's almost now like men and women are increasingly living in one-gender worlds: Women see and talk to nothing but women. Some men hang out with, play with, deal with only men.
Has it come to that?

Celebrity style: Thandie Newton

How many actresses do you know have studied archaeology and anthropology in college?
How many of them can claim to be of royalty?
How many can say they named their daughter after the lead character in an alien film?
Thandie (/TAN-dee/) can.
Born to a Zimbabwean mother and English father, actress Thandie Newton grew up straddling two worlds. She claims her mother is from the reknown Shona tribe in Africa, and that she is a princess.
That makes Thandie royalty.
She has two daughters, Ripley and Nico, born of her marriage of 12 years to English producer Ol Parker.
One of her more interesting quotes from a while back was when she disclosed that she was gay as a teenager.
"We're all potentially bisexual," she told the Advocate. "It all depends on your circle, your upbringing and all kinds of things. Or maybe I'm just talking about myself. I could've easily fallen in love with a woman over a man."
That husband of hers just doesn't know how dramatically different his life almost was.


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Fear of a Black Nipple

It's been six years since Janet Jackson's famous breast-flash made America blush during halftime of the Super Bowl (and the term "wardrobe malfunction entered the national lexicon), and the red tape and litigation is still ongoing.
Back then Janet was hot as fire on the charts; so was her conspirator Justin Timberlake. People like Sean Paul were big back then, and Christina Aguilera was what Lady Gaga is now.
So what happened after the performance?
CBS was fined $550,000 by the FCC but balked at paying that much, which lead to the Supreme Court taking up the case.
Now, in 2010 -- when nobody cares -- the issue will finally see its day in court.
Never has a nip slp caused this much controversy.
The snafu just about ruined Janet's career, some say. It also led to a rift between her and Timberlake over his lack of support.
It became a public and nearly a landmark free speech and censorship issue.
It even led to a several-second tape delay for Super Bowls.
Boy, that was one powerful nipple.
Or was it just the traditional fright-laden response to everything we do?
You decide.


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Beyonce Kicks Off House of Dereon Ad Push

With a killer album done, a monster tour finished, and a gaga video all wrapped up, Beyonce is turning her attention to her mother's first love: The House of Dereon.
If a big ad campaign is any indication, the Creole-flavored fashion house is coming out this summer with a vengeance, and Mathew and Tina's eldest daughter will be the face of it all.
Look for sister Solange to lend an assist, but it will be just cursory compared to the glam that Bey and Mrs. Tina have in store.
This is not the first time that Bey has pushed TeamFamily. But Mama Tina Knowles, who filed for divorce last year, has had time to put alot of thought into the House of Dereon's spring and summer offerings.
Don't expect to see anything you've seen before, if Beyonce's recent fashions are any clue.
But then again, she has been hanging out with the fashion equivalent of an electric chair lately.



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Has Mel B's Workout Overdone It?

Former Spice Girl Mel B did in quick fashion want countless women dreamed of doing: She shed "baby weight" pounds off her body like a stick of margarine in the sunshine. Thanks to a sick workout plan and a dogged determination to show up Eddie Murphy (the baby's father), Mel B produced stunning results in weeks: Rock-hard abs, toned thighs, etc.
But lost in the excess poundage was another item, to many people, that endeared them to Mel B: She lost her booty.
Yes, Mel B, in trying to look sleek as a statue, shed the little bit of rump she had.
Now, some people see nothing wrong with that, but there are some of us, ahem, some of us, yes, that think the ends don't justify the means.
I mean, what's wrong with a little chubbiness if you're proportioned in the right way?
Losing weight is one thing; losing a figure is something else. Sure, Mel B looks like she can win a weight-lifting competition, but you know what? A lot of men don't want you to look like you could win a weight-lifting competition. They want you to look normal, regular. But, call me old-fashioned.
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Monique: Oscar Win = Epic Win

The timeless debate whether an immovable object can stop an unstoppable force has been answered in the form of the meteoric rise of actress/comedianne Mo'nique and her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
As a sign of how much faith the movers/shakers are putting in her Oscar win, many of them were already lining up to throw rose pedals on her.

So what to the fact that there were reports that Mo'nique was already living up to the snootiness of an Oscar winner, treating Barbara Walters "slightly better than she treated Precious [in the movie]." POW!
Despite the snide comments and looks by some Hollywood comrades (what's up Sam!), I don't think success has gone to her head at all. She's a discriminating woman who demands respect. What's not to like? Besides, she's refused to write an Oscar speech, saying that it would signal haughtiness.
Understand, this is a long way from being a phone sex operator (she was) and humble roots in Maryland (where she's from). And -- make no mistake -- she has made. She's made it.
Although after the awards she most famously downplayed a potential career as an A-list actor ("I'm a comedian who won an Oscar,") Mo'nique has won. She's won over the hearts of America, the minds of Hollywood's suits, and more importantly, she's successfully made the transition to leading lady (maybe).
All she has to do now is choose her roles (of which they'll be plenty) wisely.

Watch Samuel Jackson's eyeroll at the mention of Monique at the Oscars:





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Nona Gaye: Enigma

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Big and Fine: Full-figured is in

If I changed the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, it'd go: "Dish water blonde, tall and foine".
Of course, blonde is optional, but the point remains: Having a little meat on the bones never hurt nobody.
Of courst the backlash against the skinny little things that model women's clothes have been going on for a while now. "Real shapes" are in, even if what that is needs interpreting. HOwever, the revolution has still not made its way to the open and free inclusion of the full-figured women. You know, the ones that check the "thick' box instead of fat when given the option.
Well, let me tell you, full-figured is in. In a big way.
Blame it on the recession or not, but intelligent men have moved past the stereotypical carbox-thin chicks on each and every magazine and our seeking big girls with big hearts. It's not that looks don't matter, it's just that superficial doesn't matter. And that's a good thing.
So, here's to the beautiful struggle and the love that will result in the end.

Diahann Carroll: Lioness of film, music, stage

Few people intimately know the historical treasure that is Diahann Carroll, singer, actress, activist, pioneer. Carroll, born in New York City, was the first African American to get their own show on national television. And she didn't play a maid, or subservient character either.
From 1968 to 1970, "Julia" was a groundbreaking comedy in its own right, although the social atmosphere of the time left it exposed to ridicule by the black community because of its lack of a father-figure (Carroll's heroin in the sitcom was widowed), and the show being too lighthearted during a time of social and civic change in America.
In 1974, she was the first African American actress to win a Tony for her part in "No Strings."
Her best role though -- again as a single mother (opposite James Earl Jones) -- was as "Claudine" a film which garnered her an Academy Award nomination for best actress. "Claudine" -- a powerful tale that resisted the blaxploitaton content of the era -- has the distinction of having had one of the baddest soundtracks in the history of black films, with soulful Curtis Mayfield writing the film's score and soundtrack with vocals from the venerable Gladys Knight.
In recent years Carroll has been lured back to the small screen for roles on "Grey's Anatomy" and other small parts.
She is what the entertainment cubs of today -- Rihanna, Kerry Washington, Janet Jackson, Beyonce -- should strive to be, a legend.

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The Family Deelishis

Admit it, you thought Deelishish, aka, London Charles was just going to be another reality TV skank with a Gucci charm bracelet for a moral compass.
VH1 viewers can't be wrong, can they?
Well, it seems Dee has tasted the real flavor of love, and his name is not William Drayton and he is not wear oversized clocks.
Her new husband, Orlando Gordon, is obviously good for her, and their new baby will be good for everyone. In addition to his child, a 10-year-old, and hers, they will have a little pride of Deelishises running around. And you know what? It's a good look.
But don't think Deelishis is content on being just a homemaker. She still wants to act, she still is working on an album. It's just that baby comes first.
Deelishis has done more with her reality TV fame than most women, that's for sure. In addition to a burgeoning modeling career, she's got a loyal following on radio, co-hosting on Detroit's 102.7, which has included some memorable barbs with other rappers. I say "other rappers," because, yes, Dee is trying to do the mic thing as well.
Who would have thought a Flavor of Love girl would become a renaissance woman?