K Michelle has the honor of being the first Love and Hip Hop star to drop a mix-tape. The recently released, 0 F***S Given, boasts 24 tracks and covers more familiar samples from Meek Mill’s and Frank Ocean. Fans of the show might be interested to know that K Michelle goes in on Joseline Hernandez and Karlie Redd. K Michelle isn’t holding anything back. She even sports her naked torso on the cover, for her fan’s enjoyment (of course).
Fans can download the Mixtape at www.datpiff.com
The stunningly gorgeous, Sofia Vergara, star of Modern Family is officially engaged to her off and on again, boyfriend Nick Loeb. Nick is the son of a former Reagan administration ambassador. The pair became engaged while visiting the Ruins of Chichen Itza, in Mexico. At 40, Sofia Vergara is still considered to be one of Hollywoods most attractive and recognizable figures.
We wish Mrs. Vergara-soon to be-Loeb a wonderful future with her husband to be.
Frank Ocean has released his new album, Channel Orange, early on ITUNES and the project has been met with rave reviews. It remains to be seen if the revelations about his sexuality will effect album sales but reviews of his album are no less than stellar. Critics seem to be in awe of his lyrical skill, and they have offered Ocean rare and effusive praise. The Washington Post says the album offers a “somber self-awareness rarely expressed so profoundly in song“. Frank Ocean, they argue is “Reimagining the melodic sensibilities of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and the evaporated song structures of D’Angelo, Maxwell and Erykah Badu, he’s forging his own brand of neo-neo-soul“. In there most meaningful praise, they suggest that “Channel Orange is an album best experienced with your eyes closed. Listen carefully and the plot will unfold on your eyelids”.
If the early reviews are any indication, Channel Orange and Frank Ocean are definitely “WORTHY” of your time. But until you purchase it on iTunes, enjoy his performance on the Jimmy Fallon Show.
Is Scarlett Johanson worth more than Angelina Jolie, or Kirsten Stewart? Apparently the creators of the Avenger’s franchise think so. Scarlett has just signed a record smashing 20 million dollar deal to reprise her role as “Black Widow” in the upcoming Avengers sequal. Johanson certainly made an impression with her portrayal of the comic book heroin. Fans were thoroughly impressed by her and their praise has earned her the title of Highest paid actress in Hollywood. The new pay day means that she is more bankable, in the eyes of Hollywood, then Angelina Jolie.
One week after Katie Holmes filed for divorce, Tom Cruise and the starlet have finalized the terms of their separation. In a Hollywood culture notorious for ugly and protracted post marital litigations, the Holmes/Cruise divorce is remarkably civil and brief. Initially Katie demanded sole custody, which led some to believe that public turmoil was soon to follow. Instead, it seems that Suri-the couple’s daughter will reside with Katie in New York and Tom will get extensive visitation rights.
Tragedy has struck the family of pop Star Usher Raymond. His 11 year old son, is brain-dead after a tragic accident occurred while the youngster was water skiing with friends. Kyle Glover has shown no brain activity since he was admitted to the hospital on Friday. He was struck in the head by the jet ski of a 38 year old male. He us still on life-support as Tameka Foster-Usher’s ex wife, currently sits vigil over her young son in the hospital. Kyle is not Usher’s son, by birth. He is the product of Tameka’s previous relationship with Atlanta clothier-Ryan Glover.
Usher has been embroiled in an unfortunately ugly divorce with his former wife, Tameka Foster. Despite the ugliness of the divorce, in which Usher is suing for custody of their mutual newborn, Usher chartered a plane for Tameka to rush to the bedside of his stepson.
WORTHY PRAYERS for the Raymond Family. Let’s Pray for a miracle.
In a clever remix of Drake’s “No Lie”, Wiz Khalifa has released the rather interesting rendition, “DON’T LIE”. The song has a very different feel from the singsongy Drake and 2Chainz version. It’s unique and all it’s own. It is not your average remix. There is a level of originality and a sophistication in the flow that challenges the song’s original version. Some are even suggesting that Wiz’s version bests the original Drake and 2 Chainz duet. Actually, by “Some”, we mean ourselves! Quite frankly, we were never huge fans of “No Lie” with Drake and 2Chainz. Wiz’s new version is, in our opinion, far superior. Don’t Lie is much shorter and the video that accompanies the song is clearly produced on a smaller budget. However, between the two, we would blast Wiz, over Drake’s, any day!
Do You Agree?
Wimbledon is the most coveted prize in tennis and this year’s trophy will rest on the mantle of Serena Williams. As half of the dynamic duo (of Venus and Serena), she has already solidified her place in history but with her 5th Wimbledon victory, Serena becomes the first woman in her 30’s to win the tournament since, Martina Navratilova. Only weeks after, critics began to sing the swan song for William’s career, Serena has proven her continued relevance as a force in women’s tennis by defeating Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, 6-1,5-7,6-2.
Later today, Serena will join her sister in playing in the finals for the Wimbledon Doubles Championship!
On July 4th, as the nation was celebrating Independence Day, Chris Rocked sparked controversy by tweeting: “Happy white peoples independence day the slaves weren’t free but I’m sure they enjoyed fireworks”. Some, failed to see the humor in Rock’s tweet. Conservative bloggers, in particular took great umbrage at the statement. The responses were often sarcastic references mocking, Rock’s slam to our nation that noted that our nation has it’s first african american president.
Chris Rock has been known for his particularly perceptive social commentary and in our opinion, this is no different. Chris Rock noted in his tweet that the slaves had yet to be freed, when the Declaration of Independence was originally signed. It highlights a contradiction that African Americans have been forced to wrestle with, since the inception of our nation.
There are a handful of ways to understand American history. We can obsess intently on our nation’s sins and develop a level of anger with America; We can adopt the perspective of the pollyanna and pretend that America is perfect and without blemish. And we can lash out at those, like Rock that draw attention to the obvious flaws in that perspective; Or We can understand that America is and always has been, great although it has never been perfect.
As Rock’s critics noted, America, eventually freed the slaves and today we have a black President but we have only moved beyond our past by acknowledging its existence and acknowledging that our past behaviors were in conflict with the ideals that established our nation. Comedians like Rock are often our conscience, forcing us to face hard truths that we’d rather ignore.
Reality TV is notoriously, un-real! The contrived nature of the shows go far beyond their typically scripted plot lines and orchestrated fist fights. In most, if not all we are subjected to men and women living total lies. They are usually not as rich as they claim to be, or as successful as the shows imply that they are. The casts of most Reality TV shows grossly exaggerate the fabulosity of their lives and ultimately undermine the reason Reality TV was invented. Reality Shows are supposed to give us a glimpse into the lives of people we would find fascinating. We are supposed to gain exposure to world’s that we are often not privy to. Unfortunately, most shows have preferred to glamorize the daily lives of their participants and in so doing they have drained the shows of their most compelling feature: AUTHENTICITY!
WE LOVE EMPIRE GIRLS because it is one of the few shows that doesn’t try to glamorize the struggle of it’s cast: Adrieene Bailon and Julissa Bermudez. The show is fun and light-hearted, but its also uncharacteristically real. When the season began, Julissa was living in her parent’s home. She was fighting with her brother for the hall way mirror (its the best mirror in the house for doing her make-up). The producers of the show didn’t put the Television Personality up in a rented house or lavish apartment. They didn’t try to obscure the fact that Julissa is a woman that is trying to grind her way to the top. Like many minorities, she struggles to balance- holding on to her culture with making herself marketable. The producers could have hidden those awkward moments. The desire to portray the entertainment industry as Politically Correct could have led them to edit out those moments when casting agents and audio engineers wanted Julissa to ditch her accent. But they didn’t. They allowed us to see that “side” of the industry. They also allowed us to see that Julissa makes the same compromises many of us ultimately make.
The Show could have similarly portrayed Adrieene Bailon as Ne-Yo’s new “IT” girl. They could have taken the name Empire Girls and tried to portray Adrieene as a woman On-top of The World. They could have allowed her to stunt like she was running “Compound Entertainment”-Ne-Yo’s production company. Instead, they allowed us to see that she is in the midst of a struggle. We saw how she was nearly dropped and left on the side-lines. We were allowed to see her begging to get back into Ne-Yo’s Good Graces. They allowed us to see that, despite all of her early successes, she is still fighting for her dream. The show allows us to see that both of these women, are still hungry! They aren’t on top of the world, but they are intent on getting there. They aren’t fantastically rich. They walk EVERYWHERE! And thats why we love this show! It’s real! It is probably the most Real Show In the Crowded Universe of Reality TV. Don’t get it twisted, there are definitely some “less than authentic” moments on the show but that is to be expected. It is TV after all. But it’s not excessive-pseudo glam! It’s about two girls that are grinding like the rest of us. Viewers can relate and that is why we will keep watching!
worthy magazine 