Notable/Quotable: Irv Gotti Compares Nicki Minaj To Lauryn Hill

By Brennan Williams



Irv Gotti: The world has yet to see the best of Nicki Minaj. What she's delivering to the world now is basically what they want. But I know that she's a super talented superstar who can do anything at a high level—rap, sing, act, whatever she wants to do. This is just the beginning of Nicki Minaj. Her best is yet to come. In my opinion she is as talented as my other girl Lauryn Hill. They have completely different styles. But as far as the talent is concerned they both can do it all. Nicki just isn't showing it yet 'cause she doesn't want to. But world be prepared 'cause she's the truth!

Love & Marriage: Our Celebrity Columnist, Bilal, Teaches YOU How to Decode Men!

July 26th, 2010 - By Bilal Oliver



Ok … So I was asked to write this column with the idea of giving you my opinion on love, relationships, spirituality and stuff like that. Every week the beautiful ladies of Madame Noire send me a topic and I just say what I want and then they give it to you. So here it is.

My topic for this week was: ”How to Decode A Brother When He’s Talking All That Jazz” …

So I kicked this one around a little bit and decided to just answer a few questions that my female friends are always asking. What does it mean when he did this or what does it mean when said that?

1. He says he’s going to call and doesn’t …

Now I really don’t understand why anyone would do this but I guess it’s just to be cordial. I’ve never really taken someone’s number and not called. Men probably do it just to be nice or maybe it was a one-night stand and he wants to keep it cool. But if you meet a guy and he takes your number and doesn’t call you, he’s JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU!

2. He says “nothing” when you ask him what’s wrong …

If so, it’s because most guys don’t want to be in an exhaustive conversation about their feelings. I’m not having a two- or three-hour long conversation about my feelings. I’m not.

3. He forgets your birthday …

Ohhhh … Don’t take it personal. Guys forget a lot of sh*t. It’s not personal though. Women are a lot more emotional about remembering things. I don’t remember sh*t … Sometimes I don’t remember my own mother’s birthday.

4. He says he wants to take things slow

He either got a chick on the side or … HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU! Ha! Most guys want to take it slow because they’re not really ready to just be with you. They’re still in player mode.

5. Do men ever outgrow player mode?

Yeah.

6. All the way fully?

Look … You’re only good as your last hit. It depends on the dude and it depends on the woman he meets. Most dudes don’t want to cheat. They just don’t’ find the right person that makes them not want to cheat.

7. It’s been a month of dates and he hasn’t tried to get me in bed …

You’re either really intimidating or you’re just a turn-off. Either way, you’re in the friend zone. OR he’s one of those dudes that’s trying to turn you out. He’s trying to wait for you to go crazy and just attack him like “TAKE ME NOW!” There’s always that cat that doesn’t like to make the first move and likes chicks to be on him.

8. He doesn’t try to kiss you on the first date …

Well he could just be a gentleman or he has some more sneaky plans for you. You can do a lot to a woman if you make her wait, because that’s her game.

9. He says he’ll be home at midnight and comes home at 4am …

Smell his nuts.

10. He says he’s not ready for commitment

Believe him. You have an honest one. You should really try to create a friendship with him.

11. He’s taking a weekend trip with the fellas …

Depends on his type of friends. If they look like macks, then you already know. If they look sweet, you already know. If you you’ve never met his friends, it’s either really his girlfriend or he’s probably trying to distance himself from you … Sounds like game.

Detox DOES exist..

Ofcourse we’ve all heard these 4 words… “Look Out For Detox” … and still… NOTHING! I even have some homies who say they are on Detox… but I’ve never seen any proof! Well… a song has finally been “leaked” I guess you can say and it features Jay Z. I do have one question though… “Was it worth the wait?”

Kay Tunes (Live In the Studio) With Grammy Producer Rio of SavantSoundz SHE CAN SING WOW!!

***Rising Star Kay.Tunes***WOW Amazing!!! (( Kay.Tunes)) in the Studio with Grammy Producer Rio of SavantSoundz Singing one of her songs"Come Back Home" ***Acapella***This is a pure display of Kay.Tunes Soulfulness UNPLUGGED!! A MUST SEE & Another (Brown Brother Production)

Snoop Dogg Says Daughter's Battle Against Lupus Made His Family Closer

Snoop Dogg really was living the life he described in his rap songs - one punctuated with women and drugs - and it was destroying his marriage to his wife, who is also the Mother of his three children:

"You know, I was caught up with Hollywood, and the girls and the night life," Snoop said in 2008.

Snoop even filed for divorce, but the couple reconciled and renewed their vows to celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2008; they were originally married in June of 1997.

"I thought I was the man and I was willing to give up what I had at home for that, until I realized that what I had at home was irreplaceable, so I gave that up to go back home," Snoop said.

Now Snoop and Shante have revealed to People Magazine that the discovery that their then-6-year-old daughter, Cori (pictured above, third from right), had lupus helped to bring their family closer.

C.Scholar Who AM I (The Future is Near)) A must See Video!

This young aspiring musician from RIchmond, Virginia is showcasing his talent to the world. From singing dancing to rapping the young phenomenon known as C.Scholar has what it takes to become the next BIG Superstar. Follow him on twitter @C_Scholar Check Video Below!

Buzz Exclusive: Alicia Keys Parts With Longtime Manager

By Jawn Murray

Grammy winner Alicia Keys has parted with her longtime manager, Jeff Robinson.



The 29-year-old singer, who has been represented by Robinson's MBK Entertainment since the beginning of her career, supposedly ended her business relationship with Robinson earlier this week.



There are multiple rumors as to why the pair is ending their business relationship, however one rep for Keys – she has two – told BV Buzz that it was "amicable" and sent a joint statement on behalf of the singer and her former manager.

"Jeff Robinson, CEO of MBK Entertainment Inc., and 12 time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys have decided to change the structure of their business relationship. Robinson and Keys will continue to collaborate and produce future albums together through MBK/J Records while Alicia will now oversee all aspects of her own personal career. MBK Entertainment Inc. has been the management firm for Alicia Keys since she was a teenager-guiding every facet of her career, including the international success of her Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum albums, films and branding opportunities. Keys and Robinson have been partners for over a decade and would like opportunities to pursue other endeavors. Their decision is mutually agreed upon and amicable," the statement read.

"This decision will allow Alicia more control over all aspects of her career from singing and songwriting, to leading many business ventures and social causes," the statement to BV Buzz continued. "Keys' company, AK Worldwide, will now have responsibility and oversight for Alicia's touring, endorsements, sponsorships, licensing, new business development, television and film ventures. MBK, a multifaceted entertainment company with a film, television, publishing and independent marketing divisions, will have the opportunity to focus on developing the careers of new, young talented artists. The company will also delve deeper into the gospel music format with their newly formed Glory to Glory Records."


Swizz Beatz & Alicia Keys
Keys' personal life has been a constant in the headlines in recent months after the singer went public with her relationship with hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz.

According to Beatz's ex-wife Mashonda, the 'Karma' singer supposedly began her relationship with the 31-year-old producer in December of 2007 though the couple was still married. Beatz, whose real name is Kasseem Dean, apparently made his then-wife aware of his extramarital affair with Keys on Mother's Day in 2008.

Beatz's child with Keys will be his third.

Vonetta McGee: Leading Lady of Blaxploitation Era Dead at 65

Vonetta McGee, an actress who scaled the ranks of black Hollywood during blaxploitation film era of the 1970s, died after experiencing cardiac arrest and being on life support for two days. She was 65, though some have her year of birth listed as 1940.


McGee appeared opposite Fred Williamson in the black action movie 'Hammer' in 1972 and had starring roles in the crime drama 'Melinda' and the popular horror film 'Blacula.'

One Los Angeles Times movie reviewer once considered McGee "one of the busiest and most beautiful black actresses."

The San Francisco native also appeared with Richard Roundtree in 'Shaft in Africa' (1973), and co-starred with her lover, Max Julien, in 'Thomasine & Bushrod' (1974).McGee also appeared alongside Clint Eastwood in the 1975 action-thriller 'The Eiger Sanction,' which was considered a coup for a black actress during that period.

"I was pleased to see her get a role with Clint Eastwood," Williamson told the Los Angeles Times. "Not many black actors had that opportunity to be in a movie where color doesn't matter."


"Vonetta McGee was like a lot of actors and actresses at that time, like myself, Jim Brown, Richard Roundtree, Billy Dee Williams and Pam Grier, in that we had more talent than we were allowed to show because everything was perceived as a black project. Once they categorize you, your marketability becomes limited," he added.

Known to be outspoken herself, McGee didn't care too much for the blaxploitation label that was attached to many of the films of her heyday. The label, she said, was used "like racism, so you don't have to think of the individual elements, just the whole. If you study propaganda, you understand how this works."



"She was a brilliant actor, with a distinctive style and grace," Pam Grier told BV Newswire upon hearing about McGee's death. "I hope everyone revisits her films and enjoy. I wish peace and love to Carl, her husband, her son and and her family."

Ne-Yo Debuts 'Beautiful Monster,' 'Champagne Life' Videos "The singer takes on superhero powers in two new clips from his upcoming Libra Scale."

By Jayson Rodriguez

Ne-Yo took over BET's "106 & Park" on Wednesday evening (July 14), premiering two story-driven videos, "Beautiful Monster" and "Champagne Life." The singer promised MTV News last month that the clips accompanying his forthcoming album, Libra Scale, would form part of a larger overall visual narrative.



" 'Beautiful Monster' is one piece of a very long and intricate story," Ne-Yo revealed. "When you see the first video, make sure that you're paying attention because all of the videos tell a story. So pay attention — you don't want to miss nothing."

Under Ne-Yo and Wayne Isham's (Madonna, Aaliyah, Adam Lambert) direction, the clips present the singer as a member of a crime-fighting trio called "The Gentlemen." Ne-Yo is granted otherworldly powers by a mysterious figure (Columbus Short), who assures the three blue-collar workers that their new powers will remain active so long as they don't fall in love.

In "Beautiful Monster," Ne-Yo is portrayed as a disheveled superhero, à la Will Smith in "Hancock," who must battle his former flame Princess Sinclair in order to save the world from danger. Fans later learn in the "Champagne Life" video that Ne-Yo's superhero and Sinclair were once romantically involved. As a result, she assumed some of Ne-Yo's powers, but in adverse fashion. The transfer turned Sinclair into Diamond Eye, a "crazy, psycho mass-murderer," as Short's character describes her.

Short's shadowy character revisits Ne-Yo, now four years after first granting him those special powers, and offers the star an ultimatum: Both Sinclair and her alter ego, Diamond Eye, must die to save the world or Ne-Yo must reverse her curse and give up his own life to save the world. The singer then sets off in search of his onetime love and must make the difficult decision.

" 'Beautiful Monster,' in a nutshell, represents the love interest/ archnemesis in the story [of] Libra Scale, which the entire album is based off of," Ne-Yo told MTV News about the theme of the LP, due September 21.

What did you think of the "Beautiful Monster" and "Champagne Life" videos? Let us know in the comments below!

Rihanna: Lending a Helping Hand to Save the Life of 11-Year-Old Broadway Star Shannon Tavarez

The platinum-selling music superstar is lending her name and using her influence for something other than promoting a product. The 'Pon De Replay' singer is urging her fans to help save the life of Shannon Tavarez, an 11-year-old star of Broadway's hit musical 'The Lion King' who was recently diagnosed with acute leukemia.

"Being a performer myself I know what it's like to be given the opportunity of a lifetime at a young age, and I would have been destroyed if that was taken away from me," the Def Jam Records chart topper and CoverGirl spokeswoman said. "Shannon deserves to live and share her beautiful voice with the world."

Rihanna, who Tavarez considers her idol, got wind of her plight and felt she had to do something to help – urging her fans to register with DKMS at WWW.GETSWABBED.ORG to save Shannon's life and the lives of other leukemia patient's life.


Tavarez, who performed four shows a week as young Nala in 'Lion King,' needs a bone marrow transplant. Her mother is African American, and her father is Dominican. According to a spokesperson, only 8 percent of the 7 million registered donors are African American, which means that only 17 percent of African Americans in need of a transplant will receive one.

"When I found out, it hit me really hard, like someone was throwing a ball at me," said the talented tween, who currently lives at Schneider Children's Hospital in Long Island, where she receives daily chemotherapy treatments. "It was shocking and I thought, why me?"Brought to America in 2004 by Katharina Hart, the organization's mission is to save lives by recruiting bone marrow donors for leukemia patients. More than 20,000 DKMS donors have helped save lives by donating their bone marrow. Founded in 1991 by Peter Hart in Germany, DKMS is the largest bone marrow donor center in the world with more than 2 million registered donors.

"When I listened to Shannon's voice, I got really sad. Her voice is so beautiful. She should be performing on Broadway, but she is confined to her bed, fighting for her life. Shannon needs to find a bone marrow donor to survive. I urge all my fans to register with DKMS," said Rihanna, who has close ties to DKMS.

The cost to DKMS for registering a new potential bone marrow donor is $65. DKMS does not make paying the fee mandatory, but it depends on public donations and appreciate any contribution.

Jay-Z & Rick Ross Backstage: Making Of "Free Mason." [Footage]