R&B singer Tank has unveiled his latest album, “THIS IS HOW I FEEL” The album features collabos with T.I. Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes. The album’s lead single is a song called, “Compliments” which features Kris Stephens and T.I. The album is projected to sell 25-35K in its first week. This is Tank’s fifth Album and follows his recent Grammy nominations. Tank is much more accomplished then he generally gets credit for. He has added his golden touch to countless tracks. The artist has written hits for Jamie Foxx, Keri Hilson and Chris Brown. He has 8 Grammy nods, to his name. Tank has proven himself to be an enduring artist in the fleeting world of R&B.

In a soon to be released interview, ABC’s Robin Roberts, became the first reporter in history, to hear a sitting U.S. President endorse Gay Marriage. The sit down interview, was hastily secured as pressure mounted as the result of a flub by Vice President, Joe Biden. The Vice President, inadvertently endorsed Gay Marriage in a recent interview which lead to questions about the President’s own evolution on the issue. President Obama told Roberts “I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married“.

These historic words have never been spoken by any U.S. President, in part because Gay Marriage has failed to pass when placed on the ballot in any state (including California). No President has ever been willing to risk their Presidency, to fight for the rights of Gay Americans. The President has effectively wagered  his second term, on his ability to sway the American people.

Remember the name Jermaine Paul. He is this season’s winner of The Voice. The American Idol, rival show, is one of a growing number of talent competitions. The Voice pitches itself as a pure singing competition. The Judges, Christina Aquilara, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Ceelo-Green, pick contestants, with their backs turned away from the singers. They choose them based entirely on the strength of their vocals. Their appearance, and style, are supposed to be immaterial. The Voice, attempts distinguish itself by attempting limiting the superficialities associated with the other shows.

Despite the shows attempt to limit the impact of superficialities, this year’s winner is a star in every sense. Jermaine Paul is a former background singer for Alicia Keys and he truly has an amazing voice. The rising star chose to join team Shelton, which was an unusual paring. He simply asked that the country star promise to keep him. Shelton, said he could make no promises, but he believed in Paul’s talent. Shelton’s faith paid off! Pail said, “I honestly was ready to accept not winning. But I’m so excited”.

Paul’s wife, rushed the stage as the confetti fell, to hug and kiss her husband. Paul said, “She has been with me throughout this whole journey. Leaving college, not going with basketball and going with music and sticking with it, having kids so young and getting married even younger-its been a tumultuous journey for us.”

There is no daylight between Will Smith and President Barack Obama, on the issue of raising taxes on the rich. While promoting his upcoming blockbuster, MEN IN BLACK III, Smith said that he supports the idea of raising taxes on the wealthy. The superstar said, “America has been fantastic to me. I have no problem paying whatever I need to pay to keep my country growing.”

President Obama has suggested raising taxes on the wealthy, which are at historic lows, in order to prevent raising interest rates on student loans, cutting healthcare for the elderly and as a means to finance investments in education and infrastructure. The

Outcast fans, will be delighted to hear that Andre 3000 is set to play rocker Jimi Hendrix in an upcoming film. The filmography, is tentatively titled ALL IS BY MY SIDE. The movie will be set in 1966 and will follow “Jimi” as he creates his legendary debut album, “Are You Experienced”.

This is not Andre’s first film. The eccentric rapper has starred in Four Brothers, Be Cool and Scary Movie 4. The new film will begin shooting in 6 weeks and will be directed by the phenomenal,John Ridley.

The Queen of Day Time Television is finding the task of erecting a new network more difficult than she’d ever dreamed it would be. The OWN Network, has lost over 330 Million Dollars and major productions like “The Rosie Show” have failed to produce meaningful ratings. Oprah recently joked that she could write a book, “101 Mistakes” about starting her struggling network. But the Day Time Diva and Motivational Guru, isn’t giving up yet. The network has experienced a recent uptick in ratings and cable operators will infuse the network with millions in new revenue. Oprah has maintained that this is a long term project and she is focused on carving a prosperous path for her OWN network.

Tracy Morgan has been hospitalized, as a result of flu-like symptoms and dehydration. Morgan was about to perform, in Denver, Colorado at the Comedy Works South but the performer cancelled the show, after extreme sickness. This is not Morgan’s first bout with debilitating illness. Morgan fell to the found, and began yelling, uncontrollably at a Sundance Film Festival, in Park City Utah. Morgan’s entourage blamed, exhaustion and altitude for both of the events. Today’s collapse, left the star, wheelchair bound and fleeing for the hospital.

Ms. Mbathio Beye has been crowned Miss Black France. She is the first woman to hold the title for the pageant, which is in it’s first inaugural contest. The Senagalize beauty, is a marketing student but she has also acquired nationwide fame, or infamy for her new title.

The Miss Black France pageant, was called “stupid”, “Dangerous” and “hostile” and contrary to the values of French society. The organizer of the contest, Frederick Royer, told FRANCE 24, “The purpose of this beauty contest is to shine a light on the many black women in this country who are rarely given any media attention,” he said. “The Miss France competition is not nearly representative enough of modern France.” While the contest has the backing of famous members of the official, Miss France competition, many in the country have not been pleased. Patrick Lozes, The Former President of CRAN-Council of Black Associations, said “It’s a contest that stipulates that white women are not welcome, which is very disturbing. This initiative could be perceived as a hostile event that will further erode national unity.”

The event has been organized, in the aftermath of a divisive national election, in which immigrants felt ostracized. Minorities also point to a recent article in France’s Elle Magazine, that mocked black fashion. The writer suggested that blacks have only learned to dress with sophistication, through the recent influence of Michelle Obama. The author suggested that blacks had finally learned “The White Codes of Fashion”. With non-natives feeling under siege, Miss Black France was designed to celebrate cultural diversity in the nation.

But Critics note that Miss France crowned it’s last Black winner, in 2009; just three years ago. They suggest that with such recent progress, Miss Black France is a regressive contest that threatens to drag France back into a racially divisive past.