R&B Divas on TV One

New Reality Show Alert!

Are you tired of how black women are being portrayed on VH1 reality shows? Well apparently the executives at TV One are.  R&B Divas is a new reality show starring Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert, Syleena Johnson, Monifah and Keke Wyatt.  Promising to promote positivity, the show will focus on these women trying to continue their careers in the music business, as well as juggling motherhood, and the backlash from their shady pasts.  

It’s a reality show so of course I will be watching.  It seems that in the last few years TV is dominated by reality shows.  I’m particularly interested in this show because it’s an eight show series produced by TV One. TV One has not let us down so far.  With series like Unsung, Love That Girl, and Life After we know that R&B Divas will be informative, entertaining, as well as filled with quality.  I just hope that it’s worth the eight episodes. We shall see in the next month as more details (hopefully) unfold.

Catch R&B Divas on August 20^th at 10pm on TV One.

Love And Hip Hop ATL: Week 2

I’m at a loss for words over this week's episode. The nerve of some men! The nerve of some women!!

While week two of Love and Hip Hop ATL was entertaining, it was disturbing. Focusing mostly on Stevie J’s pimping ways, we received yet another look into how Stevie J manages his two women. First of all, I’m still confused on why Joseline loves to rock those bandanas on her head like she’s fresh of the banana boat?  That style is just aiding the sterotype…Stevie J give her a stylist please. Secondly, why do women continue to fight over a man that is obviously no good?

In this episode Stevie J tried to clear things up by singing Mimi a little song and allowing her to receive 20% of what Stevie J and Joseline make from Joseline’s music career. Woah there…wait a dog gone minute. Her career is nowhere at the moment, she’s only working with Stevie J…who is also sleeping with her! Do they even have a complete song finished?? (Ask yourself that Mimi while you are so eager to flex your new power around in Joseline’s face!!!) And she’s only getting 20% while Stevie J most likely gets 80% and splits it with his mistress! I wish I was making this up.

On to the disturbing parts…

Joseline: did you really think Stevie J was going to be happy that you were pregnant? He flaunts Mimi in front of you whenever she comes around. And not to mention when you brought him the pregnancy test he pulled the “I’m your manager” routine on you. But you’re willing to risk whatever career you’re trying to have for him? All of us know he is pro-abortion, obviously.

Mimi: you have your own “little” cleaning business (as Stevie J like to call it).  Why not try to capitalize on that venture and other ways to make revenue on your own rather than depend on Stevie? It’s been 15 years, several other relationships on the side, and a kid…but you still have no ring? You have no commitment…he doesn’t even want to live in the same house with you full time.  And after 15 years he’s only willing to give you 20% of an artist that he has an ARTIST MANAGEMENT deal. He won’t spell it out for you but we will. Just why?

I     

      If we have learned anything from Love and Hip Hop ATL in the last two weeks it’s these two things:         

-    -It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp (cues music & does Terrence Howard bounce)

      -And sometimes the women are at fault just as much as the men

Love and Hip Hop ATL

It’s Monday.  I purposely planned to take an hour out of my day to watch the season premiere of Love and Hip Hop ATL. I’m born and raised in the South so of course I had to give this season a chance!

 I have to say I’m quite impressed; Mona Scott Young has done it again! For some reason this season has started off way more interesting than the NY series. Maybe it’s because of the Stevie J situation. I was expecting to get introduced to the cast and let the tension/drama build throughout the series. But no; here we are episode 1 with Stevie J cheating on his baby mama (Mimi) with his artist/jumpoff (Joseline). I almost couldn’t believe it was actually happening. And when the three got into it at K. Michelle’s birthday party…I was mad like I was being cheated on!  Got to love how the ladies did not fight each other; they instead took their frustrations out on Stevie J. But in the end Mimi was the one looking silly, as he left with Joseline. I could go on for hours about this hot mess right here…

The bright spot in this season proves to be K. Michelle. We get to hear some great music from her. I’ve been following K. Michelle since she first stepped on the scene back in the day. No doubt that K.Michelle can ssaaannnggg, I’m talking Mariah Carey and MJB pipes! Her music is so soulful served with a little southern hospitality (and I love her because she’s from my hometown Memphis). It’s good that the masses finally get to hear her story and bring her music to the forefront. 

It’s also good to see Lil Scrappy. He has been quite in the last few years since Crunk Music died.

This season looks to be full of laughs, tears, music, plenty of drama. I will be locked in every Monday at 8PM on VH1.

Rodney King's Death

Rodney King was pronounced dead early this morning in Rialito, CA.  Found floating in his swimming pool by his fiancée, she called the police and said King was unresponsive.  Details are still emerging surrounding his death however, his fiancée is telling police that King had been smoking weed and drinking hours prior to his death. He was 47. 

This is sad news for Father’s Day.

Rodney King is no stranger to trouble.  Since 1989, he has a several run-ins with the law. His most famous run-in though was the 1991 beating he suffered courtesy of the LAPD. And we all know how that ended…can we say The LA Riots!!! Yes, Rodney King was the victim in that case but it’s been well documented that King has always had problems with drinking and substance abuse. He had a couple of stints on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. It’s ironic that Dr. Drew did tell King in 2008 that if he didn’t change his lifestyle that he would die from the effects of his alcohol intake. 

Still…Rodney King’s 1991 case shed light on police brutality and racial profiling that happened in the African American community.  If it was not for him, there would not be any progress in the case of Trayvon Martin.  

Rest In Peace Rodney.

It's About To Be A Bar Fight!!!

Ain’t no love in the Heart of the City.  That was the case Thursday morning in NYC at club WiP. A huge fight broke out in the VIP section involving Drake, Meek Mill, and Chris Brown. The pictures of the aftermath include smashed bottles everywhere, a couple of injured patrons, and Chris Brown with a minor (but ugly) scar on his chin.  There’s numerous reports circling around and all parties are claiming that they were not involved in the fight. Tweets have been deleted since the altercation; Chris Brown and Meek Mill have called a truce; but as for Chris Brown and Drake…they are still at odds. Rumor has it that all of this started because Drake was talking out the side of his neck to Chris Brown about Rihanna.

Wait a minute!

Nobody will admit it but all of this IS over Rihanna. Not misplaced features, record sales, or even money. It’s all over too much testosterone in one place, and three men being (at one time or another) involved with the same woman.  Young, wild, and free young men surrounded by their instigating entourages and things got out of control. No word if any of the three celebrities actually laid hands on each other, but it’s getting messy. Chris Brown and Drake have been cooperating with the police; we all know Chris Brown can’t afford any run-ins with the law because he is still on probation.  When will these guys stop trying to “be about that life?” 

Oh yeah and not to mention the price of fame: guarantee with the innocent people like Hollie C hurt, there will be lawsuits in the near future. 

Lauryn Hill Owes Uncle Sam Money

Lauryn Hill has created quite a media stir. Last weekend, she surprised everyone with an outstanding performance aside Nas at Summer Jam.  This week, the IRS surprised Lauryn Hill with a bill worth approximately $1.6 million.  Apparently during her hiatus from the music industry Lauryn forgot to pay her taxes from 2005-2007. If you expected Lauryn to blame her accountant like many artists tend do, you’re wrong! She blames herself and takes full responsibility BUT says it was a personal choice.  Releasing an official statement she explained: “I left a more mainstream and public life, in order to wean both myself, and my family, away from a lifestyle that required distortion and compromise as a means for maintaining it.” Check out her full statement here.

I love and respect Lauryn Hill so much. She is one of the greatest female MC’s/vocalist ever! However, this is America and nothing is free. Uncle Sam does not care what your reason is for not paying your taxes. The IRS doesn’t play; ask Wesley Snipes and Ron Isley. Hopefully, Lauryn can solve this issue without serving any jail time.