The World Around Us

756

2007-08-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

CONGRATS TO BARRY BONDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Serena Williams Poses for Jane Magazine

2007-07-22T21:38:00.001-07:00

Jane magazine, which is now defunct, recently released the annual body issue, which features Serena Williams:

The cover features Eva Mendes, also nude with strategically placed flowers.

Video of the Week: Kanye West 'Can't Tell Me Nothing'

2007-05-25T23:05:00.000-07:00

Serena: "I have a big ass, I have big boobs"

2007-05-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

Interesting article about Serena and the upcoming Grand Slam major the French Open.

Read the Time Magazine article here.

Rest In Peace Yolanda King

2007-05-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

The eldest daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King died after giving a speech. Please go here for more information.

She was 51.

Speaking of cartoons featuring Black people:

2007-05-14T10:44:00.000-07:00

"La Reine Soleil" looks to be beautifully drawn and is about Egypt.

Here's the plot, loosely translated from French into English:

Ancient Egypt, 18th dynasty. Akhesa, charming 14 year old princess, is far from imagining that it will règnera one day on Egypt…When its adventure starts, the impetuous young person. She rebels against her father, the Pharaon Akhenaton. She refuses to live confined in the enclosure of the royal palate and wants to discover why his/her mother, the Nefertiti queen, left to exile herself on the island of Elephantine. Akhesa flees with the assistance of prince Thout, in the hope to find his/her mother. To the contempt of the danger, the two teenagers travel then of banks of the Nile to the extreme dunes of the desert, and face with courage the Zannanza mercenary and the priests who plot to reverse the Pharaon. With their innocence as only weapon, Akhesa and Thout will overcome many tests, and will know an extraordinary destiny together.

Please check out more here.

From Princess Maddy to Princess Tiana

2007-05-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

Princess Tiana!

Yay, Disney has decided that several key points about their upcoming release "The Frog Princess" were wack!

1st, the lead character in the movie, Princess Maddy will forever be known now as Princess Tiana.

The title of the movie has gone from "The Frog Princess" to "The Princess and the Frog"

Finally, Princess Tiana will no longer have the occupation of servant to a French family.

One thing won't change, and that's that Tony Award winner and Dreamgirls star Anika Noni Rose will still be voicing Tiana, which is fabulous!

The Lion King Comes Home to South Africa!

2007-05-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

Julie Taymor instructs a South African actor during a rehearsal of the Lion King at Pretoria's National Theater in Pretoria, South Africa, March 24, 2007.

Highlights from a recent article:

This first production with an all-South African cast, some new costumes, choreography and songs promises to make as big an impression on the continent's performing arts scene as the theatrical adaptation of Disney's animated film did when it opened on Broadway 10 years ago.
"To be in South Africa for this production has been the realization of a dream 10 years in the making," director Julie Taymor said. "As `The Lion King' expanded beyond Broadway, I knew it had to keep its roots firmly in South Africa and ... I am proud to say that now, we have brought the show home."
The new African home for "The Lion King" is the specially built Teatro at Montecasino, which has a capacity of about 1,800 ("There wasn't anything large enough in Africa," Taymor said) at a hotel, casino and shopping complex in Johannesburg. It cost nearly $14.5 million. The show officially opens June 6 (preview performances begin May 22) with tickets costing 175 to 375 rand, about half the Broadway and London prices of around $50 to $120.
It's a professional homecoming for Lebo M., the South African Grammy-winning composer and arranger who will celebrate his debut as a commercial producer with the new production. In partnership with South African theater impresario Pieter Toerien, more than $10 million has been invested, Lebo said.

Source

30 seconds of 30 seconds of the new (alleged) kanye "graduation" single

2007-05-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

www.zshare.net/audio/kanye_west-cant_tell_me_nothing_snippet-mp3.html

Apparently, it's from a new Kanye mixtape, with album art by the same man that designed those cool Louis Vuitton bags, Takashi Murakami.

Miss Kelly:

2007-05-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

The new album cover from Kelly Rowland. She looks...interesting. I don't really get the whole "let's have her name on there not once but twice" look. But...you know...those marketers and art directors know what they are doing usually.

Cutest magazine cover ever?

2007-05-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

Actor Boris Kodjoe appears on the June 2007 cover of Ebony Magazine, along with son Nicolas.

On the inside, big sister Sophie joins to pair. Not pictured Nicole Ari Parker, mom to Nicolas and Sophie and wife to Boris.

Source

Jay'z Mom Honored by NYC City Council

2007-05-09T14:17:00.000-07:00

Gloria Carter, (watched by son Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and family and friends above), received a proclamation at City Hall from the City Council for her "outstanding contributions to the community."

Honored by Queens Councilman Thomas White Jr for overseeing the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund, which is a college-focused charity.

In addition, in 2005, she and other staffers from the fund went to Houston to help distribute clothing, food and toiletries to displaced Hurricane Katrina victims. The proclamation was given to Ms Carter at the start of Wednesday's meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Akon Apologizes

2007-05-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

Akon was recently under fire for an April 12th concert in Trinidad for doing a very sexually explicit dance with a 14 year old girl, and he has now offered an apology to both the girl and anyone who was offended.

His statement released to the Associated Press is as followed:

"I want to sincerely apologize for the embarrassment and any pain I've caused to the young woman who joined me onstage, her family and the Trinidad community for the events at my concert. It was never my intention to embarrass or take advantage of my fans in any way, especially those under the age of 18. That is why we tried to make sure that the club did not admit anyone under 18 in the audience," he said. "Somehow, that standard was not met."

Source

Serena has sinus problems, maybe you do too?

2007-05-08T16:18:00.000-07:00

It's impressive to me that former #1 Serena Williams is a great tennis player and also has sinus problems. In the picture above, Serena is at a press conference announcing her renewed partnership with Vick's and today an article came out where she talked about tips to help people deal with sinuses:

"To avoid some of the trouble, it's important not to use so much ice in your beverages. Sometimes that stops you up and makes you get a lot of pressure."

"I've learned taking hot, hot showers - as hot as you can stand it - helps clear those passage ways. And working out helps a lot. That keeps you clear, keeps your chest clear and keeps everything clear."

Other tips shared by Williams to control sinus problems included using a natural saline spray several times daily to keep sinuses moist, getting plenty of rest, exercising outdoors to increase circulation and keeping passages clear.
She also suggests having enough moisture in the bedroom at night - problems occur when the sinuses dry out - and uses a humidifier if necessary.

Go here to win a free trip to Wimbledon in London, where you'll get to hang out with Serena and watch a few matches.

Source

Black golfers you should know about: Calvin Peete

2007-05-07T20:56:00.000-07:00

Born July 18, 1943
Said he was playing golf for 2 years and became a scratch golfer, then had no professional aspirations, then saw Lee Elder (another Black golfer) in a playoff with Jack Nicklaus and said "lemme work on this for 4 to 5 years and go pro"
He was the most successful African American golfer before Tiger came around.
Didn't pick up the golf club till he was 23.

Check him out: http://www.answers.com/topic/calvin-peete

NEW COMMON PRODUCED BY KANYE: "The People"

2007-05-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

(via Che Sing The Cool)

www.zshare.net/audio/the-people-clean-edit-mp3.html

Leave your thoughts at the comments box, please.

New Amy Winehouse: "Hey Little Rich Girl"

2007-05-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

www.sendspace.com/file/faghx4

Lupe Fiasco's new fashion line: Trilly & Truly

2007-05-04T17:48:00.000-07:00

So far, the label has produced this t-shirt, called 'Trilly & Truly X Swagger: Lupe Fiastroboy':

Close up:

For those not up on anime, this is an obvious take on the character Astroboy:

Thoughts?

...and justice for all.

2007-05-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

Paris Hilton arriving, above, and leaving the courthouse.

If I was a betting lady, I would have bet that Paris Hilton would not have been sentenced to 45 days in jail, but I'm glad I didn't because I would have lost. She's off to jail for violating her probation and for all the nonfamous people in the world that have gone to jail for something that was an easy out for celebs, I bet they feel some sort of vindication, no?

Compare & Contrast: "He Loves Me" Beyonce vs Jill Scott

2007-05-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

Beyonce:

Jill:

Whenever one compares the original to a remake (or even a snippet of a remake), usually the original wins. Do you agree in this case? Beyonce performed "He Loves Me" at a recent Sydney, Australia concert.

That song was originally written and performed by Jill Scott.

Let me know what you think.

It's that Time of year again...

2007-05-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

Time for Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Folks such as Oprah, Tyra Banks, Tony Dungy (Editor's note: as a former Chicagoan, Lovie Smith better be on the list, too) America Ferrera and Barack Obama made the list.

The list includes 71 men and 29 women from 27 countries.

Separately, the magazine named 14 "power givers" such as Bill and Melinda Gates, Angelina Jolie and Queen Rania al-Abdullah of Jordan.

To follow up that Vibe magazine Beyonce cover from a while back...

2007-05-03T01:42:00.000-07:00

Here are 5 out of 10 "pages of B like you've never seen her", as promised on the cover:

(via DC3Forever)

So the "as you've never seen her before" look=wet hair, huh? She looks great though, I must say. Picture #1 will serve as workout inspiration.

She just killed a future possible Playboy deal

2007-05-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is Britney Spears. I normally would be of the "that's photoshopped" or "that's a look-a-like" school of thought, but since Access Hollywood confirmed it was her (AH and Entertainment Tonight are like the Time and Newsweek of the entertainment world in terms of reliability), I've decided it's okay to post.

On the one hand, judging isn't too cool because we've all done stuff behind closed doors. But, on the other hand, she's outside. And considering the fact that stuff has been going wrong for her publicity wise recently, it's unwise to do this and its even more unwise for her to allow this to get out.

(How do you not allow it to get out? a) not take the pictures. b) burn the pics and the negatives immediately.)

What do you think?

Lilly Allen Loves 'Lily Loves'

2007-05-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

Lilly Allen is the pop-ish version of Amy Winehouse (they even share the same producer, Mark Ronson), and will be featured on rapper Common's upcoming album, "Finding Forever". When she's not making songs, she's designing gear for her own line. Here's a preview of some dresses that I think are quite adorable:

Check out more at Lily Loves

Fabolous + Ne-yo = Make Me Better

2007-04-27T14:42:00.000-07:00

www.sendspace.com/file/aqk118

Poor Kelly Rowland...

2007-04-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

Homegirl has an album coming out in June ("Miss Kelly") and can't even steal the cover of Vibe away from her former bandmate, she has to settle for a mention above the title. Guess there's still Essence and Ebony to chase after...

"Because you in my soul and system" © Kanye West

2007-04-26T16:09:00.000-07:00

Every once and a while, Kanye throws out an "auntie team" line and I start to think that maybe he should let Lupe Fiasco exclusively write his verses, but then I remember how fabulous Kanye is and all is forgiven.

This song is a remix of the title track from Ne-yo's sophomore album. I enjoyed the original because the song was very laidback and had a nice groove. Adding Kanye to it is a nice touch.

www.megaupload.com/?d=CS1SKY38

I don't know about this "Umbrella" video, Rihanna...

2007-04-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

(via CL)

Thoughts: Okay, maybe I'm too much of a literalist (is this a word?), but I figured a song about umbrellas would feature umbrellas in their natural enviroment, like maybe Rihanna would film part of the video in Seattle...

But no.
While I do like the "look! we got sparks to rain down like...rain!" element, I don't know if I'm down with this whole superglam/naked with grey paint Rihanna.It is nice to see Jay in a video that doesn't feature Beyonce, though. Let me know what you think:

The video is horrendous, but the song is phenomenal*

2007-04-24T16:53:00.000-07:00

(via CL)

And by "song", I mean what is shown for the majority of the video, "Ordinary Love". The piece at the end, "I'm So Hot" comes across, to me, as your standard r&b, but "Ordinary" is a total gem. Both songs are by Paris Bennett and for the life of me right now, I can't remember what season she was on, but it had to be within the last 2 years.

Gospel fans will know her as the granddaughter of Sounds of Blackness lead singer Ann Nesby.

Enjoy, and tell me what you think in the comments!

* =not awesome as in it will be one of the great songs 400 years from now, but awesome in the respect that it's a really good pop/r&b tune that is as good as anything out there right now, and considering she's an Idol reject and not named Clay Aiken, this is a miracle)

One good Beyonce post deserves another:

2007-04-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

the new Samsung Beyonce commercial:

Similar to boyfriend Jay-Z's commercial for HP, she cross-promotes her other business ventures in the clip, mentioning her House of Dereon line and singing a bit of megahit single 'Irreplaceable'.

And in other news, according to MTV.com, Beyonce is pulling the deluxe edition of "B'Day" off of the shevles until this lawsuit over her quasi-remake of the Des'ree classic "Kissing You" is resolved.

Beyonce Knowles' Screentest for "Dreamgirls"

2007-04-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

Beyonce auditions for Dreamgirls

I knew this would surface eventually, what with the famous story always told by direction Bill Condon that Beyonce came to the audition looking and sounding the part. I'm guessing its a DVD extra. She did great, here's a link to the video:

http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2007/04/check_out_beyonces_dreamgirl_s.html

Uncle Ben: from spokesman to CEO

2007-04-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

Some images from the Slate.com feature about racist ads. It is a very informative and educatonal piece that should be read by all. Below the images is a link:

Read more: http://www.slate.com/id/2164062/nav/tap1

Venus and Serena in action...

2007-04-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

Venus and Serena competed in Fed Cup, which is a team event where they compete for the United States against other countries. This time, they murdered Belgium during the quarter finals, as on the 21st, Venus officially gave the US a 1-0 in the quarters.

Then on the 22nd, Vania King subbed Serena (slight inflammation in her right knee) and beat Kirsten Flipkens 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, giving the Americans an insurmountable 3-0 lead en route to a 5-0 victory (thanks to Venus and a doubles win by King and Lisa Raymond). They'll face Russia in the semifinals after Wimbledon.

Source

A more complete version of Ms Giovanni's convocation address:

2007-04-22T13:31:00.000-07:00

We are Virginia Tech.

We are sad today, and we will be sad for quite a while. We are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning.

We are Virginia Tech.

We are strong enough to stand tall tearlessly, we are brave enough to bend to cry, and we are sad enough to know that we must laugh again.

We are Virginia Tech.

We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did nothing to deserve it, but neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS, neither do the invisible children walking the night away to avoid being captured by the rogue army, neither does the baby elephant watching his community being devastated for ivory, neither does the Mexican child looking for fresh water, neither does the Appalachian infant killed in the middle of the night in his crib in the home his father built with his own hands being run over by a boulder because the land was destabilized. No one deserves a tragedy.

We are Virginia Tech.

The Hokie Nation embraces our own and reaches out with open heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds. We are strong, and brave, and innocent, and unafraid. We are better than we think and not quite what we want to be. We are alive to the imaginations and the possibilities. We will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears and through all our sadness.

We are the Hokies.

We will prevail.

We will prevail.

We will prevail.

We are Virginia Tech.

Source

Chrisette Michele's "Joy" is beautiful.

2007-04-21T20:54:00.000-07:00

http://uploaded.to/?id=2b1gt8

(via okp)

Who is Chrisette Michele?

Hip Hop fans would know her as the only vocalist to be on both Nas and Jay-Z's most recent albums ("Still Dreaming", "Can't Forget About You" and "Hope" on Nas' "Hip Hop Is Dead" and "Lost Ones" on Jay's "Kingdom Come").

She is putting out an album June 5th (the day after my birthday!) and she recently posted 4 songs on http://www.myspace.com/chrisettemichele. Out of the 4, I have fallen in love with this one.

Please check it out, and when you are done, leave a comment!

As an added bonus, I think hip hop heads will really like this one, also by Chrisette:

Good Girl: http://uploaded.to/?id=9gxqr9...

The year was 1983.

2007-04-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

Vanessa was crowed Miss America 1984 on September 17th, 1983, becoming the first African American Miss America (Suzette Charles*, Debbye Turner, Kimberly Aiken have since also been awarded the crown).

As most of us know by now, nude pictures of Vanessa appeared publically after her win and it ultimately lead to her resignation, although some say she still got to keep her bedazzled crown and scholarship money.

Well, now, thanks to an annual spread in Allure magazine that involves nudity and celebrities in a tasteful manner, she is at it again.

I really wonder what went through her mind when she made this decision, like was she bitter? It has to be hard on her to realize that the same decision made in her 40s will not have the same impact it did in her 20s...

Anyway, she looks GREAT in this picture, below is an abbreviated version of the real image, click on it and you'll get the full picture:

(via CL)

*=the 1st runner-up to Vanessa, who took over for Vanessa when she resigned and became the 2nd Black woman to wear the crown

Beyonce + Jay-Z = 'Upgrade' + T.I = 'Upgrade' Original

2007-04-21T02:02:00.000-07:00

www.zshare.net/audio/upgrade-u-original-version-mp3.html

Only one celebrity per African country, huh?

2007-04-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

Madonna and son, David Banda (I would like to point out the similarity between his name and David Banner's...but I won't joke).

Okay. Madonna's publicist:

Madonna is "devastated" that Nelson Mandela "refused" to meet with her during her trip to Africa, an insider tells us. Madge's rep says: "She never planned to meet him. She'd be honored, I'm sure. But she's focusing on Malawi. South Africa is Oprah's territory."

Source

So, Brandy is off of America's Got Talent...

2007-04-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

That's Brandy in the middle in between 2 nondescript white guys.

She is being replaced by her. I wonder...was she pushed out or did she really say "Hey, I have a trial coming up and all my energy has to be focused on that or else I'll appear to be not interested in the case and I'll lose."? Brandy accidently killed a woman a while back while on a Los Angeles freeway and despite the fact that, at the time, no charges were brought against her (it was ruled an accident), once the press got ahold of this information months after the fact, only now does the family want to sue Brandy for $50 million, and Brandy has to craft a gameplan to get out of this (with her lawyer, obviously). Thoughts?

Beyonce finally does something wrong.

2007-04-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

I thought with all her various handlers and fashion stylists and hair weaveologists, she'd never look off...but that day has come. The liptstick = no.

Wow:

Now for the record, it goes without saying that one outfit or makeup choice does not make the woman, and it doesnt take away from her enormous accomplishments as a businesswoman or entertainer. It is just interesting to me to see a famous person who is so often very much "on", look a little "off".

NBC is like a jealous girlfriend.

2007-04-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

The jealous girlfriend of CNN that is.

So CNN gets an exclusive with Jamal Albarghouti's cell phone video regarding the VA Tech shootings and then NBC is like "OMG what are we going to do?!? We want an exclusive too!"

So they (STUPIDLY) decide to publish some of the rambling manifesto that this Cho character sent to them.

I don't really have a problem with revealing some of the incoherent text that Cho wrote, but showing pictures of him pointing the gun at the camera is RIDICULOUS! Viewed by the wrong person at the wrong time, that could send someone into flashback.

I was nowhere near Virginia, I graduated from college 2 years ago, and seeing those pictures gave me chills.

NBC, if they were a small child, would right about now be going out back to get a switch so their mother (the sensible people of this country) could beat the heck out of them for doing something so stupid and thoughtless.

And now, only now, after families have cancelled various appearances to speak on NBC shows, are they scaling back on what they will and will not show, but the damage is already done.

Even with excessive warnings by various anchors that "what you are about to see is graphic in nature", showing the images (including pictures of the bullets that were most likely used) is a bad decision journalistically and is only motivated by greed.

A point so interesting by Oprah it needs it own post

2007-04-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

Diane Weathers is the former editor in chief of Essence magazine.

On the 1st installment of the Oprah Town Hall meeting, which aired yesterday, there was this exchange about Snoop Dogg:

Diane Weathers: Snoop was going to almost be in a Muppets Christmas episode. Why is he sanctioned by the mainstream when he has Black women on leashes?"

Oprah: He wouldn't be sanctioned by all those various companies and get all those endorsements if they didn't think that was okay...if they didnt think WE thought it was okay!"

Great point. What do you think?

Oprah + Hip Hop + Don Imus = Interesting Times...

2007-04-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

Rapper Common, record executive Kevin Liles, CEO of the Hip-Hop Summit Network (HHSN), Dr. Benjamin Chavis, and co-founder of both the HHSN and Def Jam Records, Russell Simmons.

Today on Oprah was part 2 of the town hall forum regarding Hip Hop and Don Imus. Yesterday peopel such as Stanley Crouch and India Arie spoke on this subject and today on the stage was Common, Kevin Liles, Benjamin Chavis and Russell Simmons. In the audience was lawyer Londell McMillan, who has been a lawyer for countless rappers.

Londell said that at the Hip Hop table, you have: corpoate america, artists & producers, consumers, radio. I agree with him when he says you can't blame the individuals on the stage (those pictured above) solely, but at the same time, you can't allow them to walk away from the situation and say "oh, it's society".

Lawyer Londell McMillan

Today's Oprah show was interesting because the women of Spelman really didn't let the men on the stage get away with some serious questions. Even when Oprah wasn't pressing particular questions and answers, the Spelman girls chimed in and made thier voice heard even though they were via satellite.

Once thing that Keven Liles said that I thought was ricidulous was that if you got to know him and Russell Simmons and Jay-Z, if you really got to know them then we would see that they aren't what they are so often depicted as.

Stanley said something interesting, which was that when white trailer trash is convicted of blowing up little girls, no one makes excuses, but when rappers call people bitches and niggers and hoes, people bring up slavery an Africa and are just marionettes. And then Kevil looked like he wanted to kick his ass right then and there.

It's not everyday that you see 4 successful Black

2007-04-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

women together, on their offnight, at a basketball game between the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks:

(from left to right: Jessica White, Kimora Lee Simmons, Tyra Banks, and Beyonce Knowles)

It's interesting and neat to me that you have a model, a creative director (Kimora, who is of Korean, Japanese and African American descent), a model and talkshow host, and a singer and actress all sitting together, representing all that you could be in the world, and jobs that only decades ago weren't open to people of color.

Jessica White has been in Sports Illustrated and the John Legend video "So High"
Kimora Lee Simmons is a former model who is the Creative Director for Baby Phat, a clothing line, and Simmons Jewerly Company and in involved with the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.
Tyra Banks is a former model, current talk show host and businesswoman head of Bankable Productions. She create the TZONE Foundation to help self esteem issues with young girls.
Beyonce Knowles is the international superstar, winner of 9 Grammys, nominated for Golden Globe for her actig performance in Dreamgirls. In the wake of the Hurricane Katrina, she and her family created the Survivor Foundation to aid the people who were in need.

Nikki Giovanni comforts the Virginia Tech community:

2007-04-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

Virginia Tech English Professor, Nikki Giovanni, leads the crowd in a cheer after closing remarks at a convocation to honor the victims of a shooting rampage at Virginia Tech.

Text of that wonderful speech:

“We are Virginia Tech. We are sad today and we will be sad for quite awhile. WE are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning. We are Virginia Tech. We are strong enough to know when to cry and sad enough to know we must laugh again. We are Virginia Tech. We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did not deserve it but neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS, but neither do the invisible children walking the night to avoid being captured by a rogue army. Neither does the baby elephant watching his community be devastated for ivory; neither does the Appalachian infant in the killed in the middle of the night in his crib in the home his father built with his own hands being run over by a boulder because the land was destabilized. No one deserves a tragedy. We are Virginia Tech. The Hokier Nation embraces our own with open heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds. We are strong and brave and innocent and unafraid. We are better than we think, not quite what we want to be. We are alive to the imagination and the possibility we will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears, through all this sadness. We are the Hokies. We will prevail, we will prevail. We are Virginia Tech. "

Source

View video of the speech here.

The photography winners from the 2007 Pulitizers:

2007-04-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY — Oded Balilty, The Associated Press, for his photograph of a lone Jewish woman defying Israeli security forces in the West Bank

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY — Renee C. Byer, The Sacramento (Calif.) Bee, for her portrait of a single mother and her dying child.

View the rest of the Pulitizer winners here.

33 gone.

2007-04-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

UPDATE:

The Gunman took his own life.
VA Tech President says 31 killed in Norris (including the gunman), 2 killed in Ambler Johnston Hall, for a total of 33.

At Virginia Tech, a guman killed 33 people, and wounded countless others.

What a tragedy.

The World Around Us would like to extend out deepest sympathy to the victims and friends and family.

Link to a CNN story: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/16/vtech.shooting/index.html

Link to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech): http://www.vt.edu/

New D'Angelo!!

2007-04-15T17:11:00.000-07:00

D'angelo's last album, Voodoo, was a masterpiece.

Called "Really Love", it's really beautiful.

sendspace.com/file/10s9mp

(via okp)

Someone You Should Know: Larry Doby

2007-04-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

As we celebrate Jackie Robinson this weekend and the great things he did, The World Around Us would like to shine our spotlight on another baseball player: Larry Doby. Often forgotten in life are the "2nd's", those that achieved greatness just shortly after someone did the same (like, say for instance, Buzz Aldrin, who was the 2nd person to set foot on the moon).

Lawrence Eugene Doby, also known as Larry, was an African American baseball player in the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball. He was the 2nd black player to play in the modern major leagues and the 1st to do so in teh American League. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1947, only 11 weeks after Mr Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the National League.

In addition to playing for the Indians, he played for the Chicago White Sox from 1955 to 1958. Then back to Cleveland for one more year, before finishing his career in he majors with the White Sox, after a Detroit Tigers stint. In 1962, he became the 3rd American to play professional baseball in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. in 1978 he managed the White Sox, where he was the 2nd black manager in teh major leagues, after Frank Robinson (no relation to Jackie) in 1975. Elected Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998, Mr Doby died in Montclair, New Jersey at the age of 79 in 2003.

Source

SNL's Dear Sister is better than Lazy Sunday & Dick in a Box

2007-04-15T14:07:00.000-07:00

at least I think so. This premiered last night on Saturday Night Live:

in case you didn't know, this digital short spoofs a scene in the now-cancelled FOX show "The O.C". You can view it right here:

Wow. This is racist.

2007-04-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

What the hell is wrong with "That Other Blog"? They had the cajones to post up the headline "Jennifer Hudson Eats Chicken On Set of New Film" and this accompanying picture:

with the accompanying comment:

"While on set of Winged Creatures with co-star Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson kept a close eye on the Craft Services table. It is uncertain whether or not she was eating chicken; however, given her recent request to Starbucks to have chicken at 10AM for an appearance she planned on making at their annual shareholders meeting, it would not shock me."

I can't believe this. Please either send this a note at:

http://tob.hollywood.com/contact/

or putting a comment in that particular post conveying your disgust:

http://tob.hollywood.com/2007/04/15/jennifer-hudson-eats-chicken-on-set-of-new-film/#comments

I'm really really really late

2007-04-15T01:03:00.000-07:00

and I have to say, up front, I have Saturday Night Live to thank, but I need to spotlight a BEAUTIFUL song bt Imogen Heap, called "Hide and Seek".

I think it is like a year old, but it is gorgeous. It reminds me, at once, of Sade and Michael Jackson with the calming effect of, say, Enya.

Beyonce + Remix = Greenlight Remix

2007-04-14T17:23:00.000-07:00

www.zshare.net/audio/01-green-light-remix-mp3.html

(via CL)

On: Kiri Davis, "A Girl Like Me", and you.

2007-04-14T12:25:00.000-07:00

Kiri Davis (above) is an amazing talent. She directed the documentary "A Girl Like Me", which is getting all sorts of positive feedback in the form of articles and massibe support from the online community. You would have been able to vote for this brilliant documentary at a popular teenager magazine, but that contest has seen undergone a change and instead of votes from everyday people, the winner of the $10,000 prize will be determined by a panel of judges.

That's okay, Kiri will be on the Oprah show on Tuesday, so look out for that. In the meantime, if you haven't seen her documentary, it's right here for you to see:

Kanye + Rakim + Nas + KRS One = Classicness

2007-04-14T03:09:00.000-07:00

(I'm not totally convinced everyone in the world has seen this video, so I thought I'd post it. Enjoy!)

New T.I single:

2007-04-14T02:43:00.000-07:00

Above image via C+D

(from his forthcoming "T.I vs TIP" album):

download.yousendit.com/F4FD50C776ED2D49

Alternate:

z02.zupload.com/download.php?file=getfile&filepath=23563

Hmmmm, maybe those rumors were right?

2007-04-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

I read a while back that Jay-Z owned part of the Ace of Spades label that he touted in 2 "Kingdom Come" songs.

But I didn't believe it, considering the fact that he didn't have even part ownership of hundreds of brand names he's name checked in his songs.

But then I read this People.com blurb:

IT'S BUBBLICIOUS
Pharrell Williams, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jay-Z gather for a champagne toast (of Z's very own brand, Ace of Spades) to celebrate Pharrell's 34th birthday at New York's Lower East Side eatery The Stanton Social on Thursday. Also on the celebratory agenda: paying homage to singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, who just received his first platinum album.

So...he does own it? If so, that'd be a smart business move, to go from a heavily publicized champange that he didn't see a profit on (Cristal), to one that he did. The owners of the Ace of Spade wine said that you could lauch a champange not popular in the US with the help of a rapper, like Jay, and I guess they were right.

Jay's part-ownership portfolio keeps kind of dwindling (he sold his portions of Rocawear and Rocafella for nice amounts though), so I guess this is a good thing to add, if this even is the case

Might this be a 1st?

2007-04-13T18:20:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Hudson, 2007 Oscar winner, and Forest Whitaker, also a 2007 Oscar winner, playing father and daughter in a movie together? Pictures from the set of "Winged Creatures":

Oh really?

2007-04-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

From the rumorville:

http://chesing.blogspot.com/2007/04/jayonce-records.html

"Rumors" have been circulating about Jay-Z and Beyonce getting married butthe duo may have another partnership in the works. According tomediatakeout.com, Jay-Z will soon announce that he’s leaving hisposition at Def Jam to create a new label with Beyonce.According to mediatakeout.com, a key person involved with the new labelhas said that it will launch early next year.“It’s a done deal. Jay-Z already has Beyonce and Matthew Knowles onboard,” said the source. “She’ll be finishing up her contract Sony], and I expect that she’ll sign on to the new label shortlyafterwards.”

I wonder if a) this is true and b) if it is, how much executive control Beyonce will have. Beyonce's work ethic should be studied in class, and she has a nice voice, but I don't know how great her critical thinking skills and business sense is.

I have this theory that Matthew Knowles is the brain behind her success (and I'm sure Jay gives her pointers) so I don't think she'd be particularly effective in an executive role.

But, if there are investors willing to fund her label, I'm sure they think having a multi-platinum artist at the head increases the odds of success than just a regular Harvard Business School grad would. And they would be wrong. Maybe.

America Ferrera is not friends with Anorexia

2007-04-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

You guys know of her? She of the "Real Women have Curves", "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and "Ugly Betty" fame? She's not your Kate Moss or Lara Flynn Boyle type of chica. Which is wonderful, I think. The more people that hsow positive ways of caring for yourself and your body, the better. For more, check out more here.

The only American Idol prediction you will need.

2007-04-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

Okay folks, so what we have here is a classic ratings ploy by FOX and American Idol.

I found a youtube clip (posted below) of Sanjaya with the Total Experience Gospel Choir singing "Swing Low Sweet Chariot". He was AWESOME.

Way better than he's ever been on AI.

So, I think of course the producers know this and they have told him "we want you to sing sorta wack and we'll keep you on week after week no matter what the vote is. And then, towards the end of this season, you will sing as you normally do, which is great, and then it'll be a shock and we'll sell alot of records and you will have a career and we'll get great ratings since this season has sucked."

You don't believe me? Then how can one kid go from being so good to being so bad so quickly?:

I'm a little late and all, but I watched a

2007-04-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

clip of the Rutgers basketball team speak and a white teammember mentioned that the team was shocked by what they were called and I thought to myself, "why is the white teammember speaking about this very African American experience?"

It was particularly interesting because I had previously commented to someone that had the coach who so eloquently spoke about her and the team's hurt feelings been white, the situation would have carry an entire different tone.

And that's kind of what happened when I saw the white teammate talking about how hurt the team was.

R.I.P Kurt Vonnegut and Roscoe Lee Browne

2007-04-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

Legendary writer Kurt Vonnegut died after brain injuries due to a fall several weeks ago. He was 84. For more information, click here.

Emmy Award winner Mr Browne died after a long battle with cancer. He was 81. For more information, click here.

I guess MSNBC said "Not on my watch!"

2007-04-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

MSNBC isn't about to let advertising go down the drain for thier other shows due to their affliation with Don "I look like He-Man's Great-Great-Grandfather" Imus's show.

So they dropped it.

*does "Can You Feel a Brand New Day" dance*

Senator Obama weighed in onthe situation saying that he would never appear on Imus' show again (I'm a little surprised he went on there a first time, honestly).

He also said, and I love the fact that he threw his daughters into the mix, it really makes it personal for him:

"I understand MSNBC has suspended Mr. Imus," Obama told ABC News, "but I would also say that there's nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group. He didn't just cross the line, he fed into some of the worst stereotypes that my two young daughters are having to deal with today in America,"

Source

The Associated Press has a sense of humor?

2007-04-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

I sure am shocked. But I found the top entertainment story hilarious, so much so I took a screen capture:

In cas it isnt readily apparent, the title referring to pot and the opening sentence referring to mr. dog's facial structure as "stone-faced" is brilliant.

Interestingly enough, the provisions of Snoop's 5 years of probation and 800 hours of community service (for being arrested at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank on suspicion of transporting marijuana and later police found a gun at his home):

Only 400 hours of the community service could involve the youth football league.
He can't have any gang members in his entourage
Must notify the probation department before leaving the state.
He must provide authorities a DNA sample and he must have a medical permit if he uses marijuana.

Source

Stevie Wonder + Bobby McFerrin + Jose Feliciano=

2007-04-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

The phenomenal and amazing Raul Midon:

Latinos: 1 Ken Burns: 0

2007-04-11T10:39:00.000-07:00

You see the white soldier on the cover of the "The War" poster? I totally think whent the additional Latino content is added, that man will be Latino, and I think that would be neat.

Due to a overwhelming wave of publicity, PBS has announced that it will amend the Ken Burns documetary "The War", and now it'll include stories about Lation war veterans. Additionally, Burns said a Latino producer would be hired to create this additional content (though this should be obvious choice, in my opinion, almost not worth noting to the press because it should be so obvious that this should be the case).

The head of the New York chapter of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, Marta Garcia, said the change represents "a big victory for the Latino Community.

Source

I have a problem with this Lil Flip character...

2007-04-10T22:17:00.001-07:00

So I recently discovered this picture of rapper Lil Flip at his record release party:

I was shocked to see him not only wearing a gigantic blinged out jewelry piece, but holding it up to the camera for all to see.

Now, I understand the concept of being proud of something and wanting to show it off. I mean, that's human nature, when was the last time you bought something and didn't show it off whether it cute shoes or a piece of jewelry that likely was the reason thousands were murdered and is just a waste of money in general.

I mean, there's a chance this medallion was made with conflict free diamonds and there's a chance the gigantic circle was given to him for free for promotional purposes or maybe the label bought it for him as a gift, but either way, this picture made me sad because it sums up all that is wrong with Hip Hop: conspicuous consumption, misplaced values, and suspect morals.

So anyway if you are reading this Lil Flip, and to anyone that likes Lupe Fiasco and good education Hip Hop, check this out:

hxxp://download.yousendit.com/E22193794CEC0EC2

(replace the xx with tt)

Dear Mr Hank Aaron,

2007-04-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

Please forward me your mailing address so you can see photographic evidence of me eating my words.

After reading some views drastically different from my own, I've come to realize that you are in the right.

You had to play through more adversity and racism and had to deal with than Barry Bond can ever imagine.

While Barry Bond has a few reporters mad at him (and I guess a few judges), you had millions of white people mad at you when you broke Babe's record.

And even though it isn't proven yet that Barry did in fact use steroids, I imagine anytime there is an asterik next to a record, it is suspect and I guess celebrating suspect achievements doesn't sound like fun.

So I can see where you are coming from and as soon as you forward me that address, I'll kindly overnight express you these pics.

Sincerely,

Me

Dear Mr Hank Aaron,

2007-04-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

I know you think that Barry Bonds is not advancing the sport of baseball by being unfriendly toward reporters and is in general a to-himself-kind-of-person. And I know there is that drug thing hanging over Barry's head. And I guess you probably think Barry got to your level by taking steroids and you did it naturally. But, is that proven yet. And did you know that steroids deteriorate eyesight, and yet Barry's home runs and walks have gotten better the longer his career goes?

But, you really need to be there if and when he breaks your record. From what I remember, Roger Maris' family was on hand when Mark McGuire broke his record. Since you are alive, I think it'd be the proper thing to do.

Because, really, it looks like sour grapes. Like you are bitter because your (very longstanding) record is being broken. And is that good sportsmanship? And speaking of sportsmanship, I just want to say I find it strange that when a white athlete doesn't do interviews and isn't as friendly to media as one would hope, he is branded as aloof or reclusive or eccentric. But when Barry does it, all sorts of negative descriptions are thrown at him, and I think that is wrong.

So basically, I think you should be there when he does it. You said "I'm 72 years old, and I'm not hopping on a plane and flying all the way to San Francisco for anybody" but I just think in this one situation, this one historic moment, you should reconsider.

Sincerely,

Me

Introducing Andre and Andreana "Suki" Horton....

2007-04-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

Tennis has Venus, Serena, James Blake, Mashona Washington and Jamea Jackson.

Hockey has Jarome Iginla.

Golf has Tiger Woods.

But who does skiing have, one might ask?

(From left to right: Suki Horton and Andre Horton)

Well, looks like Andre and Suki have been doing it big for a while now and the mainstream sports press is just now taking notice.

Born three years apart (big brother in 1979 and little sister in 1982) mom Elsena is white and dad Gerry is an African American in Alaska due to his military career. Andre's achievements include:

Alaska State Champion, 1998
1st African-American skier selected to the U.S. Ski Team Development Program, 2000
9th place overall finish in the U.S. Alpine National Championships, 2001
first African-American to win an FIS race in Europe, 2001
4th place, NorAm Competition, 2001
1st place, Mt. Bachelor's Northwest Cup Finals, 2001.

Suki's achievements include:

Alaska State Champion, 1998
U.S. Ski Team's Junior Development Group, 1997
Selected to compete in the U.S. Alpine National Championships three years in a row
2nd place, Western Region Downhill FIS series, 2001.

Source

This Newsweek Will Smith article is

2007-04-10T03:35:00.000-07:00

very informative and interesting (link below). And apparently according to the accompanying cartoon drawn (painted? colored?) of Will, he works for Jay-Z now?

Just jokes.

Anyway, the article about how Will has taken the thunder away from Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks (among other actors) in terms of box office mojo and is now the most consistent and reliable box office star out of every actor in the world (okay, I'll throw in all the galaxies and planets and stuff, too).

Wow, what a banner year for African American actors.

You know, to start, Samuel L Jackson (by the way, does anyone know what the L stands for?) has had the title of 'actor who has the combined highest box office sales' for a while now, I think all his movies (one of the more recent Star Wars movies and Jurassic Park included) have grossed over $1 billion dollars in total.

Then Jennifer Hudson, Forrest Whittaker and Eddie Murphy get Oscar nods (and Beyonce got an imaginary one, that has to count for something), with the 1st two winning.

And now, Will is the certified Box Office King.

It's a beautiful thing, and ultimately I hope it brings about even more change of who is behind and in front of the cameras.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17888452/site/newsweek/

I am not impressed, Senator Obama.

2007-04-10T00:23:00.000-07:00

Back when I lived in Chicago, I attended the Senator's first homecoming event after he announced that he was running for President.

He got what I thought was the biggest applause and laughter when he recounted that the previous day he asked his daughter Malia if she was enjoying riding around Iowa, where they had spent the day campaiging. After a long pause, Malia said "Yeah, I do, but why are we here again?"

It was cute and was a good segue, as the Senator then lauched into a "Well, this is why we are here..." political speech.

But tonight on Letterman, he repeated that same ancedote as if it happened yesterday.

I felt like I was watching a comic that always said the same joke.

Similarly, he also repeated the story about telling his girls that he was thinking of running for President and asked if they questions and they said "Can we have a dog?"

I KNOW people repeat themselves often in private conversation and he wouldn't be the first public figure (especially politically) to repeat little stories that are memorable and illustrate some point of his, but I personally was kind of like "huh?"

Thoughts?

Actually, speaking of Beyonce...

2007-04-09T16:50:00.000-07:00

I've been to Japan before. I was born there (I'm African American though) and also I went back in 2005 for a year to teach English. My flight was from Chicago to Detroit, then Detroit to Japan (Osaka, Japan to be exact).

So that's alot of hours in the air. I wanted to be comfortable, so I think I wore jeans and a t-shirt.

This girl right here:

is like wearing $20,000 shoes and a probably $2,000 dress.

*I* couldn't take that, traveling 8 hours on a plane while maintaing an adorable look. Someone has to do it, might as well be her.

(I mean, I know she probably flew first class and maybe she did the Nicole Kidman airplane trick of putting on sweats during the flight and then changing right before you land so you look awesome before and after the flight, but even if this is the case, I still find it impressive).

I lived in Osaka, Japan and I see she's playing at the Osaka-Jo Hall (Jo means castle in Japanese, by the way) for two nights.

That's so awesome that out of her whole entire Japanese tour (making stops in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya), she's there for two nights. TAKE THAT TOKYO.

Oh man, people are going to overreact to this one:

2007-04-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

So I already got on Justin earlier for hating on the Grammys. And now usually I'd get on him for something like above, which some would read as an attack on ex girlfriend Britney Spears, considering she shaved her head and all.

BUT

I think, had he still had his afro from his N'Sync days until that picture was taken, then I would say "Well, clearly he is making fun of Britney since he hadn't shaved his head for a long time"

But since he routinely has short hair AND I assume the pictures were done before the shearing happened (althought you never know if they rushed these pics out because controversy sells), I'm gonna go "not an attack" even though I really want to down Justin due to the Grammys thing.

New Music:

2007-04-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

Beyonce's "If", from the international release of "B'Day":

hxxp://www.sendspace.com/file/eagrot

(replace the "xx" with "tt" and you are good to go)

You know who Amy Winehouse reminds me of?

2007-04-09T01:44:00.000-07:00

Illeana Douglas.

"Who?" some might say.

And I should clarify, its not so much Illeana the person(who was also in "To Die For" as Matt Dillon's crazy ice skating loving sister) that Amy reminds me of.

Illena did a movie called "Grace of My Heart", which was about a white 60s girl group singer that is trying to make it. As Denise Waverly, Illena comes across as Amyish, but perhaps I'm bias cause I really like Amy and I really like this movie.

See:

OMG, I've found Craig David!

2007-04-09T01:01:00.000-07:00

Craig at some hotshot Miami club, I think its called 'SET' or 'BED' or 'TWIST TIE' or something.

On facebook (we are all familar with facebook, right?), they have a "interests" section, and I sooo totally put "finding out where the hell Craig David disappeared to after pretty much falling off after that "Fill Me In" song"

but folks, I find a picture. Apparently he walked away (does anyone get that reference?) to the nearest Miami hotspot...I guess London is somehow wack now?

He looks quite different with a) no twisty braids, b) a hat covering those twisty braids or c) no hair at all.

I really liked Craig because he had a nice voice and he carried on the Terrence Trent D'arby legacy that is British male vocalists crossing the pond.

After his second album (I think he may have released a third), which had a hit called "What's Your Flavor", which is currently on a subway commercial...or hmmm maybe its an ice cream commercial...he kind dropped off of the radar, I can't imagine he was dropped, so hopefully he'll come back out with something soon.

Earth-shattering his vocals, melodies and song lyrics and subject matter were not, but it was he music is good times all the same.

I really think this is the scariest trailer I've ever seen.

2007-04-08T23:35:00.000-07:00

Like for real. Scarier than the entire movie that is "Arachniphobia" and its due to that film that I can't be in the same room as a (even the smallest) spider and I'm 23.

The movie is based on the book by horror writer (and legend) Stephen King. It stars John Cusack and Samuel L jackson. And, once again, its scary.

So Nike golf clubs are good, but not...great?

2007-04-08T18:58:00.000-07:00

They break in two when in contact with a gigantic tree, lol:

That would be Tiger hitting in the woods, as I mentioned in a previous post. You are supposed to avoid trees, water ways, and sand traps whilst in competition (well, you are supposed to avoid it always, actually) and I think Tiger may have visited 2 out of 3 a few times this tourney.

Not good.

'What the hell just happened?'*

2007-04-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

Tiger tips his hat and bids farewell to a disappointing Masters performance

I say that to you, Tiger Woods, in regards to your failed attempt at winning your 5th green jacket.

(*=© Tiger Woods, said when a shot on the 17th hole went into a bunker, instead of on the green where it should have been. It's crazy the type of stuff the television cameras catch.)

He should just take the rest of the year off and hang out with his wife and (eventual) kid.

Tiger goes camping in the Woods

2007-04-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

For the second time during this final round at the Masters, Tiger has ended up in the wooded area.

Which I found funny cause of his last name and all.

Go Tiger, I know you can still do it!

Ken Burns vs Latino leaders and war veterans

2007-04-08T11:12:00.000-07:00

Ken Burns is a documentary filmmake that has previously made documentaries about boxer Black Jack Johnson, baseball and Jazz. His documentaries are highly publicized and critically acclaimed.

This Associated Press article is fascinating. I'm still formulating my thoughts, but in the meantime, please check this out and hit me with some comments:

Click here

'Valerie': Winehouse vs Zutrons

2007-04-08T01:28:00.000-07:00

Which do you prefer & why?

vs

I'm not just interested in who sang it better, I'm curious about "why" as well.

Hit the comment box (please) and tell me why you like the version you picked.

Background: The Zutrons originally released this original song in Summer 2006 and Amy Winehouse began covering it in concerts last year.

Her version wasn't put on CD until recently, contributing a version of it (with band, and with a special appearance on tamborine and handclaps by The Roots drummer Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson).

While I certainly wouldn't characterize

2007-04-07T17:39:00.000-07:00

Senator Hilary Clinton as a "hoe", I nevertheless found this shirt to be quite hilarious:

(Just to be clear, indeed I would charaterize Senator Obama as a "bro").

Thoughts?

Before the Oscar, back when Jennifer was

2007-04-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

"just" an Idol reject turned newest Hollywood star, she did Letterman. Yes this is old, but man it is cool:

Jennifer Hudson On Letterman

While I still think Jimi Hendrix is hot

2007-04-07T16:56:00.000-07:00

and he has been dead for a while, and I admit I was heartbroken when the SUPER HOT John F Kennedy died, I find the fact that Playboy created a tribute to Anna Nicole Smith issue. Like remembering that they are dead + naked does not = fun times.

I mean, even the cover is weird. She's wearing white, heaven is apparently white, heaven reminds you that she's dead...It all ends up in "what the hell were you thinking" territory:

About that new Rihanna single...

2007-04-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

(That would be Rihanna above, in case you didn't notice, brilliantly hiding her forehead)

Thoughts:

So, in previous years, songs like Nelly Furtado’s “Promiscuous” and Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” have reigned supreme over all radio stations during the summer and basically become that particular summer’s theme song.This year, even thought it is only April, I predict it will be Rihanna’s “Umbrella”.

Jay-Z may have messed up The Roots’s “Game Theory” promotion, and he may have neglected to make a video for the one song in history that was in need of a video (which would be he and Nas’ masterpiece “Black Republicans), but dammit, he was able to hit the first single for “Good Girl Gone Bad” out of the ballpark.

“Umbrella”, not unlike “S.O.S” before it, is a pop smash waiting to happen. The real hook here is, ironically, the hook to the song, which goes “You can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, ella, hey, hey, hey”.

As strange as it reads on paper (more like ‘on the computer screen’, I guess), the hook is very catchy and instantly memorable and is what I think is the key to the success of this song. Rihanna’s doesn’t have a very powerful voice (though to be fair this hasn’t stopped countless of other singers in her genre from success) but the melody and subject matter of this song more than makes up for that.

Don’t believe me? Check it out yourself, and tell me what you think in the comments section:

(to access, replace the ‘??’ with ‘tt’ and copy and paste the url into your browser)

h??p://download.yousendit.com/966300D21560FDE1

New Bjork produced by Timbaland "Earth Intruders"

2007-04-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.zshare.net/audio/bjork-earth-intruders-mp3-m8e.html

The picture:

2007-04-07T02:14:00.000-07:00

The article:

http://www.thestar.com/article/200265:

Mother had to explain to daughter, 7 origin of 'totally unacceptable' word on wrapping of furniture built overseas
Apr 06, 2007 04:30 AM
Jim Wilkes
Staff Reporter

When the new chocolate-coloured sofa set was delivered to her Brampton home, Doris Moore was stunned to see packing labels describing the shade as "Nigger-brown."

She and husband Douglas purchased a sofa, loveseat and chair in dark brown leather last week from Vanaik Furniture and Mattress store on Dundas St. E.

Moore, 30, who describes herself as an African-American born and raised in New York, said it was her 7-year-old daughter who pointed out the label just after delivery men from the Mississauga furniture store left.

"She's very curious and she started reading the labels," Moore explained. "She said, `Mommy, what is nig ... ger brown?' I went over and just couldn't believe my eyes."

She said yesterday each piece had a similar label affixed to the woven protective covering wrapped around the furniture.

"In this day and age, that's totally unacceptable," Moore said.

Douglas explained the origins of the word to daughter Olivia, telling how it was a bad name that blacks were called during the days of slavery in the United States.

"It was tough, because she really didn't understand," Moore said. "She'd never heard that word before and didn't really understand the concept of it."

Moore, who has a younger son and daughter, said she's heard the word used many times, although it has never been directed in anger at her.

"But it's a very, very bad word that makes you feel degraded, like you're a nobody," she said.

Moore said she called the furniture store the following day and three other times since, and feels discouraged that no one has returned her calls.

When interviewed yesterday by the Star, Romesh Kumar, Vanaik's assistant manager, passed the buck to his supplier, Cosmos Furniture in Scarborough.

"Why should I take the blame?" he said. "I'm a trader, I don't manufacture. I sell from 20 companies, maybe 50 companies. How can I take care of all of them?"

He said that he would check similar stock and make sure other labels were removed.

"That's terrible, that's a racial ... something?" Kumar said. "This is entirely wrong, but it's not my fault. It's my job to sell good product to people."

He said the best he could do is to give Moore the telephone number of his supplier, so she could take it up with him.

The owner of Cosmos Furniture, Paul Kumar, no relation to Romesh, said he was upset to learn packing labels on products he sold carried a racial epithet.

"I import my products from overseas," he said. "I've never noticed anything like that. This is something new to me."

He passed the blame to a Chinese company, but apologized for the labels. He said he would contact the furniture maker in Guangzhou and demand they remove all similar labels.

Moore said she's not sure she wants the sofa set in her home.

"Every time I sit on it, I'll think of that," she said.

What a beautifully shot cover:

2007-04-06T23:25:00.001-07:00

This is Mandy Moore on the cover of Elle Magazine:

I don't really think she is the most striking of ladies, but this cover, the angle, the background, the choice of dress really makes for an cover to remember.

Stuff I don't understand about Venus Williams

2007-04-06T19:29:00.000-07:00

So, Venus Eboni Starr Williams is a legendary tennis player, right? There is no doubt she will make it into the US and International Halls of Fame. She's won titles from Wimbledon, the US Open, countless Tier I, II, and III events, etc.

She's phenomenal.

But.

She's been sucking often lately.

I know she's got other interests, and frankly I think they makes a more well rounded invidual and sportswoman, when they have other things than the main goal to focus on, as it creates perspective when they do finally get to focus on the goal at hand.

But.

Something has to be done. She was recently knocked out of the Miami event when some thought she might go all the way (those "some" were like 4 people, but thats still a good amount, right?). and very recently, she was knocked out of the Amelia Island in straight sets to Tatiana Golovin, 6-2, 6-3.

Here's the thing, Venus is not getting any younger (she's 26 now) and while there are some great athletes playing at a high level even though they are well over the average age of a successful player, I don't know if Venus can have the same type of success she once did.

I'm hoping she does though. She's always been my favorite, I even made a website AGES ago back when they first started. See:

http://www.geocities.com/african_american_athletes/

Anyway, I want to see Venus claim her rightful trophies eventually, it's not a coincidence that Wimbledon trophy, the tournament she envisioned winning when she was a kid, is named the Venus Rosewater dish.

I want to see her looking back like this:

Don Imus, you are a dumbass.

2007-04-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

He called the Rutgers Womens Basketball team "nappy headed hos". More from the AP:

Imus was speaking with producer Bernard McGurk when the
NCAA title game between Rutgers and Tennessee came up.

"That's some rough girls from Rutgers," Imus said. "Man, they got tattoos ..."

"Some hardcore hos," said McGurk.

"That's some nappy headed hos there, I'm going to tell you that," Imus said.

Additionally:

"His producer compared the team — which has eight black members — to the NBA's Toronto Raptors."

I am dismayed that someone would publically say something like that. I'm even more dismayed by the fact that people have private thoughts everyday like that and no one can say anything.

It's a shame that Imus probably thought he would get big laughs from his audience. I'm sure he was majorly caught offguard that this even made headlines around the world and him apologizing is only to keep himself on the air and in the money.

It's a shame that that old saying "There's no such thing as bad publicity" is very true in this case. No matter what, even if journalists around the world listened in to get the exact quote of what he so stupidly said, or even if they are listening tomorrow and the next day to see if he again sticks his foot in his (evil) mouth, that still equals more viewers which will eventually equal more advertising dollars (well, from the companies that aren't scared away after this).

It's sad that people can say blantantly racist things and something perceived as positive, such as ratings, can occur.

Goodbye, "Tori and Dean Inn Love"

2007-04-06T13:49:00.001-07:00

Why, you ask?

Because Tori Spelling and her mom have made up and are no longer feuding.

Let me put that in monetary perspective for you:

Because person A with $800,000 to her name has made up with person B, who has $800,000,000 to her name.

So that little show that featured Tori and her husband owning and operating a Bed & Breakfest is about to go silent because they did it for the money and now that she has access to the money, she won't see the B&B income, nor the show income.

I bet MTV, right now, is salivating at the thought of a Reverend Run-type family reality show involving Tori, Dean, Candy and little baby Liam all living together.

Dear seeker of fame,

2007-04-06T03:42:00.000-07:00

Once you've gotten those riches and that fame you so greatly desired, do not, I REPEAT DO NOT say this:

"“I used to care about those awards and trophies - maybe when I was younger. Come on, it’s all a load of bullshit, right? I view the Grammys the same way I as I see my deal with McDonald’s. I regret the McDonald’s deal. I don’t regret doing the Grammys entirely but I wish I hadn’t put so much of myself into it. It’s kind of interesting. Just like the McDonald’s deal, whose market share went up 25 per cent when I walked into those offices and changed their image. When I did the Grammys, the viewing figures went up by 25 per cent. Funny, isn’t it?”"

Who said that, you might ask?

Well, its Justin Timberlake. He graced the cover of GQ (the British edition), and while its worth noting his honesty, it's not so great seeing that he is looking at the situation from a strange point of view.

He's on his way down down Troy Duffy lane. Getting a big head and attributing all matters of success to himself and himself only!

For him to take credit for the 25% of the increase of viewership is ridiculous! What if a bunch of older people across the globe were hip to the fact that the Eagles honored? What if more Mary J Blige fans than ever tuned in because they knew Mary would dominate?

If he keeps this up, I can't see him keeping that clean image he had going for him. Well, it started to get tarnished in the Rolling Stone cover story where he mentioned he was high during the recording process for "Justified". But even then, still he got to host the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award (where the above pic is from).

Eventually, people will say "you bad mouth coporate sponsors, we don't want you to do that with us, so we don't want to consider you for an endorsement."

There are millions of musicians out there would will break their right arm for the chance to play on the Grammys, and here he is dissing them.

Why is it that no matter how they shoot the picture,

2007-04-06T02:53:00.000-07:00

clothes once worn on Beyonce NEVER look as good on a model as they do on her?

I suppose this is the case with all celebrities (well, except for the super skinny ones that weigh less than a skeleton), but it's an interesting thought that clothes worn by celebrities that have tailors and seamstresses on speed dial are supposed to look similar on the noncelebrity.

I guess if I can buy a Pepsi because Kanye West endorses it, and the thought process is 'I want to be cool, Kanye is cool, Kanye drinks Pepsi, therefore I drink Pepsi", then the thought process of "I love Beyonce's style, she is a 'designer', I'm going wear something that she designed and I'll love that too" works, no matter if it actually looks as good on you as it does on Beyonce or not.

The whole sell that we, as nonfamous people, should be interested in the type of water a celebrity drinks/the type of cigarette they smoke/the type of car they drive/who they date, is an interesting one.

GET 'EM, TIGER!

2007-04-06T01:49:00.000-07:00

The World Around Us is rooting for Tiger Woods, as he hunts for his 5th green jacket.

YAY FOR BARACK OBAMA!!!!!!

2007-04-06T00:54:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, Hillary Clinton made news around the globe she announced that, in the 1st three months of the new year, she pulled in $26 million dollars for her presidential campaign.She also transferred $10 million left over from her Senate campaign, so she has a warchest now of $36 million.

Then yesterday, her chief rival Barack Obama announced he had pulled in $25 million, which is astounding because a big feather in Hillary’s cap was that her fundraising abilities were legendary. No one thought that Barack would have even a chance of being close to her haul, and the fact that he was only $1 million off is phenomenal.

So a big high five is due to Senator Obama, it shows the word what some (including myself) already knew, that he is a viable threat to the primary and hopefully now, all those Democrats and Independents who were on the fence will look at Barack a little more closely.

I caught an India Arie concert last Wednesday, it was great!

2007-04-06T00:32:00.000-07:00

For those of you unfamiliar with India, she is a contemporary R&B singer who has a (stevie) wonderful voice, very catchy songs and can play the flute, piano and guitar with proficiency.

She played to a sold out crowd at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, Washington, which was amazing considering I personally only saw one instance of advertising for the show (a very small blurb in The Seattle Times), which was a shock considering all the other various media usually used when advertising a big name R&B artist.

Seattle hadn’t seen India since 2001, when she played to a sold out crowd at the Summer Nights at the Pier, where she debuted songs that would everntually end up on her Grammy winning second album “Voyage to India”.

Anyway, back to the concert last week. She started off with her hit, “I Am Not My Hair”, which sounded crisp and light. Backed by a very solid 3 background singers and a grooving four piece band of guitar, drumbs, bass and piano, her show was packed with spunk, energy and inspiration.

Frequently, she spoke in between songs about recovering from the breakup of the love of her life, and how her latest album (Testimony: 1, Life and Relationships) was born from that pain and healing and I personally found all of her various insights very useful. She briefly spoke about about meeting Nelson Mandela in South Africa and how he was a very down to earth person and easy to talk to. Thinking about him and his struggles inspired her to write a song on Testimony called “Wings of Forgiveness”.

Anyway, I saw all that to say that go check her out when shes at a theatre near you. I got to attend her soundcheck and from the time spent watching her, I gather she really enjoys her life and is thankful for it, and that’s a great thing to see from a famous person nowadays. So many are depressed and unhappy with their life and when you see someone that is the opposite, it makes you smile.

Some of the set list that I remember, in no particular order:

I Am Not My Hair

Wings of Forgiveness

Redemption Song

There’s Hope

Private Party

These Eyes

Brown Skin

Ready for Love

Latest Vibe and Rolling Stone Covers:

2007-04-06T00:31:00.000-07:00