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ALICIA KEYS IN AUSTRALIA

2008-12-21T15:00:00.000-08:00

Alicia Keys and mom where caught catching some rays in Perth, Australia recently.

The lovely Ms Keys is representing the thick set female and proudly showing curves that she usually keeps under wraps.

Check out more pictures of the ladies sunning it in Australia by clicking HERE.

ONE SMOOTH BROTHA : BARACK OBAMA - THE COLLEGE YEARS

2008-12-21T12:31:00.000-08:00

Peep Barack Obama's ‘only black dude at an Ivy League school’ swagger in full effect. Here is our President elect in vicious game mode.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL GALLERY OF YOUNG BARACK

URBAN AWARENESS : ENRIQUE PIERRE CLOTHING

2008-12-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

The foundation of fashion comes from grass root designers who take the risk of putting their creations out there and producing something different to cater to a specific market.

Designer Enrique Pierre was one of them when he took his brainchild and created concious female fashion by putting together a range of tee's for women who weren't scared to make a statement.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL INTERVIEW & GALLERY

WEEZY F BABY IS NOW A BLOGGER!

2008-09-26T05:09:00.000-07:00

Lil Wayne is an amazingly confusing, interesting dude. He also happens to love sports. That’s all he watches. If you listen to the Carter III, he has one of those lame fake-interview interstitials where he says so.

So of course, like everyone else in the world that’s slightly crazy and that likes sports, he’s blogging. Why not, right? Wayne penned his first blog post for ESPN the Mag yesterday, and its completely not what we expected.

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HALLE BERRY'S READING MATERIAL SPARKS INTEREST

2008-09-26T05:06:00.000-07:00

Actress Halle Berry was spotted by the paparazzi leaving her morning workout at the Brentwood gym. Dressed casually and listening to her iPod, the actress carried along an interesting book that caught the the attention of the photogs. Ordinarily, being seen reading a book titled “Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Personality Disorder” would be cause for alarm, but in Halle’s case it is more than likely just research for her new movie role.

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50 CENT : ' JAY-Z WAS NOTHING BEFORE BEYONCE'

2008-09-26T00:06:00.000-07:00

50 Cent has taken a sly swipe at rap rival Jay-Z, insisting the 99 Problems hitmaker was a "no one" until he wed Beyonce Knowles.

Superstar Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, wed the Bootylicious beauty in April (08), and 50 Cent claims it was their union - not the rap mogul's music - that raised his profile on the international scene. He says, "I'm a big fan of Jay-Z, but outside of the States and hip-hop circles, no one really knew who he was until he married Beyonce."

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T.I'S NEW CLOTHING LABEL - AKOO

2008-09-25T23:58:00.001-07:00

Rapper, T.I. is getting ready for the launch of his new clothing line, Akoo this fall. He plans on launching the line in late October-early November. I haven't heard too much about it but I did see an ad for his clothing line in this months issue of Complex.

I had to do a double take because I'm thinking "When did T.I. become the face of a line?" I guess ever since he got his own! The logo of Akoo is a fox, a pretty cool one at that, with a story to go with it.

"Once upon a time there was a young fox...a young fox prince named Akoo traveling down a heavily wooded road. Now even though Akoo was a prince he was still very wild and unlearned in the ways of the more mature and crafty foxes..."

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE & GALLERY

BABY PHAT MEDICAL WEAR?!?!

2008-09-25T23:50:00.000-07:00

Kimora Lee Simmons, owner Baby Phat Company, had a line of Medical Wear. We completely respect this woman's hustle but a line of lab coats and scrubs?!?!. The website quotes that :

"Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons celebrates the diversity and beauty of the career-oriented woman ..."

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CIARA'S DISPUTE WITH VIBE MAGAZINE

2008-09-25T23:47:00.001-07:00

RnB diva Ciara would like to set the record straight about the photo spread she shot for the October issue of Vibe magazine: She was not nude, and yes, she’s very upset by the magazine’s depiction of her as such — but she is not planning any legal action against the urban glossy. “I think, at this point, I’d rather just be quiet about things such as that but I definitely want to make it clear that I was going in to do something artistic, and I was upset that when I saw the photos, everything was gone”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL ARTICLE

OBAMA CAMPAIGN RELEASES OFFICIAL ALBUM

2008-09-25T23:45:00.001-07:00

Barack Obama's U.S. presidential campaign, which has inspired a multitude of songs by stars and amateurs alike, is now getting an official soundtrack.

Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement, which takes its title from an Obama campaign slogan, features Kanye West, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder and others. It will be available for sale exclusively through Obama's campaign.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL ARTICLE

JANET JACKSON LEAVES ISLAND DEF JAM

2008-09-25T23:41:00.001-07:00

After just 14 months on Island Def Jam, Janet Jackson announced today (Sept. 22) her departure from the label. According to Jackson’s publicist, the label agreed to dissolve their relationship with the artist at her request. After a long stint with Virgin, Jackson inked a deal with Island in July 2007 and released her label debut, “Discipline,” in February. When album sales failed to meet expectations, the singer expressed dissatisfaction with IDJ.

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LIL WAYNE'S EX IS WRITING A 'TELL ALL' BOOK

2008-09-21T02:55:00.000-07:00

Lil Wayne is interesting, we marvel at his lyricism, concerned about his drug habits and question his sanity during interviews when he says stuff like:

What are you reading right now to help you? I don’t read a damn thing. That’s why I don’t write music. I’m too cool to be reading and writing…I’m a very intelligent nigga.

So we guess he won't be reading his ex Antonio Carter's bio on their relationship!

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

SALT N PEPA TO BRING THEIR STORY TO THE BIG SCREEN

2008-09-21T02:51:00.000-07:00

80s rap icon Sandy “Pepa” Denton recently revealed that she, Salt and Spinderealla were working on bringing their life story to the big screen.

As many of you know, Salt n’ Pepa were the first female rappers to garner mainstream success with such hits as Shoop and Whatta Man. However, after finally striking it big in the early 2000s, the group disbanded, and only recently united via their VH1 reality series The Salt n’ Pepa Show. “It’s a story that needs to be told,” Pepa told WENN.

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NAUGHTY BY NATURE BACK IN THE RECORDING STUDIO

2008-09-21T02:46:00.001-07:00

Two years after officially reuniting, Naughty By Nature is in the final stages of completing their first album as a trio in eight years. Tentatively titled Anthem, Inc., the group exclusively tell AllHipHop.com that music from the album will be available to fans before the end of the year.

“It’s all about when the album is done, to be honest with you,” revealed producer DJ Kay Gee, who departed from the group in 2000 over a financial disagreement.

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DJ AM & TRAVIS BARKER IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER CRASH

2008-09-21T02:44:00.001-07:00

Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and disc jockey Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein were in critical condition with extensive burns Saturday after a jet crash the night before that killed four people, authorities said.

Lexington County Coroner Harry O. Harman said all the dead were Californians. He identified them as pilot Sarah Lemmon, 31, of Anaheim Hills; co-pilot James Bland, 52, of Carlsbad; Chris Baker, 29, of Studio City; and Charles Still, 25, of Los Angeles.

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NATALIE COLE HOSPITALIZED

2008-09-21T02:42:00.001-07:00

Natalie Cole has suffered a setback in her treatment for hepatitis C and has been hospitalized in New York.

The side effects of Cole's grueling chemotherapy treatment for the liver disease, paired with a strenuous promotional schedule in support of her just-released new album Still Unforgettable, are what led to the Grammy winner's hospitalization say her reps.

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MUSIC REVIEW : NE-YO 'YEAR OF THE GENTLEMAN' INCLUDING 3 EXCLUSIVE TRACKS

2008-09-18T21:51:00.002-07:00

When Ne-Yo said he was tired of "straight urban music" and started name-checking The Beatles and Billy Joel as influences for "The Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam), it shook up some people. After all, he helped build that sound - writing "Irreplaceable" for Beyoncé and "Hate That I Love You" for Rihanna, as well as "So Sick" for himself.

The alarm was unnecessary, even as two release delays compounded fears. Yes, he expands the boundaries of urban music slightly, adding some Euro-influenced beats for the first danceable single, "Closer," and some upbeat synths for the bouncy "Miss Independent." But for the bulk of the album, Ne-Yo has simply honed his hit-making skills, churning out one memorable melody after another, building an album that finally lives up to the potential he only hinted at on his first two releases, both lyrically and vocally.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE + 3 EXCLUSIVE TRACKS

OBAMA RAISES MORE THAN ANY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BEFORE HIM - $440 MILLION

2008-09-18T21:51:00.001-07:00

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama raised $66 million in August, a record for a presidential candidate that illustrated his continuing appeal to donors and his robust outreach to new contributors.

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama raised $66 million in August, a record for a presidential candidate that illustrated his continuing appeal to donors and his robust outreach to new contributors.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

RHIANNA - MILLION DOLLAR BABY

2008-09-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

For a girl whose legs alone are insured for $1 million, Rihanna doesn’t seem to mind taking risks. During an interview she did for the Mail On Sunday, the island beauty who has the biggest single of the decade, sold ten million albums and is still only 20 discusses her past and present balancing on a balcony ledge in Barcelona.

In the past, she’d been entirely unforthcoming on the subject of her childhood. Now she started to open up about the experience of growing up in Barbados with a father who was addicted to alcohol and crack cocaine. She says :

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE & PICTURES

JENNIFER HUDSON ENGAGED TO DAVID 'PUNK' OTUNGA

2008-09-14T22:13:00.000-07:00

Dreamgirls Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and boyfriend of less than a year, David Otunga, both from Chicago are engaged. Hudson’s rep confirmed the good news to People magazine exclusively.

Otunga, who’s nickname is ‘Punk’, proposed on Friday night, Jennifer’s 27th birthday, with a beautiful Neil Lane diamond ring. For those of you who are not familiar with Punk, he was on the reality TV show I Love New York 2.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

J-LO COMPETES IN MALIBU TRIATHLON FOR CHARITY

2008-09-14T22:10:00.001-07:00

Jennifer Lopez first thought about competing in a triathlon when she was 8 months pregnant with her twins Emme and Max. She declared that she would begin training after their birth as a way to make them proud of her. They are now 6 months old and she is walking the talk by participating in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon - a weekend fund raising event that partners with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Cash prizes of $40,000 are awarded in the Elite competition. The two day Zuma Beach event bills itself as a 1/2 mile swim, 18 mile ride, 4 mile run - all for one great cause. There is also a celebrity event on Sunday that features male and female teams who compete for bragging rights and money for charity. The celebrity competition was not nearly as rigorous as the main event but it was definitely for a good cause.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE & PICTURES

ZULY'S EARRING SPOT

2008-09-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

It's always a pleasure for us to highlight entrepreneurs with creative talent, especially of the ethnic persuasion and Virginia based Zulane sums up both qualities beautifully.

The fashionista started her own handmade jewelery company, and its quickly expanding providing much sought after accessories to women who want to stand out in a crowd. Here's how her company developed!

"OK so here's my story. I finally decided to share my small talent with the world. I make earrings, the are big and beautiful - just like me - and I love them, the are one or two of a kind (got to have some for myself!!! sorry).

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JANET JACKSON LAUNCHES LINGERIE LINE

2008-09-14T22:03:00.000-07:00

The R&B diva is taking a page from Jennifer Lopez's empire-expanding book and has announced plans to launch Pleasure Principle, her own line of lingerie, come November.

"People have come to me with other ideas, but lingerie is a passion for me, and just like music and acting ...

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

LAILA ALI GIVES BIRTH TO BABY BOY

2008-09-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

Congratulations are in order for Laila Ali and husband, Curtis Conway:

The American Gladiator host, 30, and her husband, retired NFL star Curtis Conway, 37, welcomed their first son together, she announced on her Web site Thursday. “Although mom and baby are both healthy and happy, there were some surprises during labor that altered Laila’s birth plan,” the statement said.

KANYE WEST ARRESTED AT LAX

2008-09-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

Kanye West has just been arrested at LAX for felony vandalism. A still photographer was trying to take pics of Kanye at the American Airlines terminal. According to a photographer on the scene, Kanye allegedly confronted the photog and smashed his camera to the ground.

They began videotaping the scene when Kanye’s assistant grabbed the camera — a struggle ensued and the assistant threw the video camera to the ground, breaking it.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

BOW WOW DENIES QUITTING RAP

2008-09-14T21:56:00.001-07:00

Rapper Bow Wow wants to take a break from the music game to pursue his acting career, but denies that he will quit rapping for good.

The rapper/actor confirms that his eighth album will be his last because he wants to spend more time focusing on being a movie star. However, the 21-year old, admits that he will take a two-year break away from his music career.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

RICH YUNG BY FABOLOUS

2008-09-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

New York's John "Fabolous" Jackson, stated in 2005 that he wanted to release his own clothing line in the coming years. Without publicizing details, the artist went into a search for designers and manufacturers for his line to accomplish the task.

After finding qualified staffing Fabolous announced the name for his line is Rich Yung Society Clothing.

According to nonaffilliated resources, the line's name represents a lifestyle that many people aspire to live. Even beyond that lifestyle the rapper and his street family counterparts live, it also celebrates the more glamorous fashions found in Japanese street wear and urban boutique settings.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE AND PICTURES

BEYONCE'S $5 MILLION ENGAGEMENT RING

2008-09-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Jay-Z sure knows how to pick the bling!

All eyes were on Beyoncé Friday night, when, for the first time, the singer publicly displayed her engagement ring on the red carpet for Fashion Rocks at Radio City Music Hall in N.Y.C.

The singer, 27, who reportedly secretly married rapper Jay-Z in April, flashed an 18 carat flawless diamond by Lorraine Schwartz, valued at more than $5 million dollars, according to the jeweler.

Neither Beyoncé nor Jay-Z have publicly confirmed their marriage but in recent weeks, Beyoncé’s younger sister Solange referred to Jay-Z as her brother-in-law during a television interview.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE & PICTURES

JESSE JACKSON HOSPITALIZED FOR STOMACH PAIN

2008-09-08T08:32:00.001-07:00

Rev. Jesse Jackson was being treated Thursday in Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago after falling ill.

Jackson told the Tribune during a morning telephone interview he had stomach pains, but the pains were subsiding. "I have high regard for these doctors," Jackson said.

Doctors told him he has viral gastroenteritis but are conducting more tests, he said.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

FEMALE ARTISTS 'STAND UP' TO CANCER

2008-09-08T08:30:00.001-07:00

From left to right - singers Keyshia Cole, Leona Lewis. Fergie, Ciara, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, and Nicole Scherzinger pose after performing “Just Stand Up”.

The performance aired on the September 5, on the “Stand Up to Cancer”. Check out the pictures and the video.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE & PICTURES

MC BREED ON LIFE SUPPORT

2008-09-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

Michigan rapper MC Breed is in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital in Atlanta, where he is on life support due to kidney failure.

His manager, Darryl Morris, said the rapper, born Eric Breed, was playing a game of pickup basketball yesterday evening, when he collapsed and fell unconscious. “He had to be revived three times,” said Morris. “He had to be rushed to the hospital where they diagnosed him and told him his kidney’s have failed.”

PHARREL FASHION - BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB / ICE CREAM

2008-09-05T23:45:00.001-07:00

Not many cats can have their own unique style, own it and have fun with it but N.E.R.D's Mr William's most definetly has.

Amongst his many acheivements in the music industry, he has made time to market his quirky sense of style with both regular and high end labels, including the handling of a shoot with Louis Vuitton.

Pharrell also has his own label in the 'Billionaire Boys Club' and more recently 'Ice Cream', an apparel collection co-licensed Nigo who is the founder of Bape which he says “puts together something for the consumer who is always well dressed but never loses his individual spirit. It's a collection of sexy, grown-up apparel for a truly unique lifestyle and state of mind.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE & PHOTO GALLERY

EVERY MALE'S FASHION BASIC - THE T SHIRT

2008-09-05T23:42:00.000-07:00

OK we called them a fashion basic, but maybe we should have made allowances for the not-so-basic lines out there.

Theres a time and a place for the traditional wifebeater but when you want to move away from the completely casual alot find that a fly t-shirt can make an outfit with its design and coloring.

On the back end of a long summer (which is still in full force over here in Cali) we are showcasing some of the tees we are loving at the moment.

The t-shirts listed are "Paulies" available at Vinny's Styles in Brooklyn, "Rogue Status", is available online at www.limitededitioninc.com, and finally a new brand "Soulful Commandoes" available online at karmaloop.com.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO GALLERY

FERGIE'S SHOE COLLECTION

2008-09-05T23:38:00.000-07:00

Fergie has definitely established herself in her music career with the Black Eyed Pea’s and her independent singing career. Now it seems she’s blossoming into a fashion designer by unveiling a shoe collection with Brown Shoe in Las Vegas at the WSA Show.

She showed the collection of exotic and colorful platforms, cool gladiators, exotic sandals, and sporty kicks in a classic white Dolce et Gabbana Sheath sitting front and center at the mini-runway show and everyone looked pleased — especially her.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE & PHOTO GALLERY

RAY J GETS HIS OWN REALITY TV SHOW ON VH1

2008-09-05T23:04:00.000-07:00

What happened to Whitney Houston? Apparently Ray J has moved on because he's got his own new dating show along the same lines as the Bachelor.

VH1 is looking for “single, beautiful women” who think they can turn singer Ray J, a tabloid-heavy playboy who has famously dated Mrs Bobby Brown and Kim Kardashian, into a one-woman man. Here’s VH1’s casting notice:

''If you are over 21, single, and love the hip hop scene, we want to meet you. Dating a hip-hop artist can be a full-time job requiring not only looks but infinite amounts of smarts and stamina. So we’re looking for women who can handle the pressure that comes with being on the arm of a hip hop star including red carpet events, the paparazzi, and all the crazy fans".

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

HOOPZ IN OCTOBER ISSUE OF KING MAGAZINE

2008-09-05T23:01:00.000-07:00

Hoopz has snatched the cover of King Magazine the way she seems to be snatching points in the VH1 show 'I Love Money'.

The reality show star graces is featured in the October issue of the prestigious “King” Magazine with a front cover and spread and we have the pictures right here for y'all.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO GALLERY

USHER TO PERFORM A 'LADIES ONLY' TOUR

2008-09-05T22:30:00.001-07:00

Usher is planning a tour with only the ladies in mind. Yessir!. The R&B singer revealed in a recent interview that he will soon announce details of his “One Night Stand” tour. He said specific dates are still being worked out for about 15 “intimate” venues.

Asked why he wanted to perform a “ladies only” tour, Usher said he relishes the challenge. “There’s only a few artists that can pull that off.

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ROBIN THICKE : VIBE WOULDN'T PUT ME ON THE COVER BECAUSE I'M WHITE

2008-09-05T22:25:00.000-07:00

Robin Thicke speaks on color in the new Billboard magazine:

"When I did a recent interview with Vibe magazine I asked, “Why can’t I get the cover? This is a magazine I love. If there’s one magazine that I’d want to be on the cover of, it’s Vibe.” Their response was they don’t have white artists on the cover; that the only white artist they’ve had on the cover was Eminem. I guess if that’s what it is, it is what it is. And I respect that because I live in a house with a black woman .. "

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JAY Z RESPONDS TO FOXY & TEAIRRA MARI

2008-09-05T22:22:00.001-07:00

Jay Z responds to the females who 'were' in his camps crying :

“As far as Foxy or Teairra Marì, these are people that I have given chances to. It’s understandable that they would be upset, but you got to look at it from my point of view as well. I gave Teairra Marì the same shot I gave Rihanna. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t."

In her recent XXL cover feature, Foxy lamented over Jay’s lack of visitation and encouragement during her incarceration, emphasizing that everyone else in her circle made time beside him ... "

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BEYONCE'S WEIGHT GAIN !!

2008-09-05T22:16:00.000-07:00

Beyonce Knowles is well known for her smoking hot body and her “bootylicious” behind. But Miss Knowles recently got a break from the gym, as she had to pack on the pounds for her role in the upcoming movie “Cadillac Records”.

Interestingly enough, the “Irreplaceable” singer told press that she had to gain twenty pounds to play the role of Etta James in her new flick.

Beyonce spoke of the weight gaining process saying it “was so much fun” but adds that she had difficulty losing the weight for her next role in the psychological thriller Obsessed, saying: “I was so angry with myself. I was like, ‘D’oh! Why do you have to go through this?’”The diva says that she limits her diet “No chips, no candy, no desserts, no junk food, no fried food.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

ACCESSORIES TO 'WATCH'

2008-09-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some hot watches to keep your wrist looking high end and classy during the short sleeve months. The two watches highlighted are the Bape G Shock designed by Pharrell and the second is the Titanic DNA watch which has an interesting story behind it.

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL ARTICLE & GALLERY

DIDDY - KING OF STYLE?

2008-09-05T21:48:00.001-07:00

When it comes to iconic style, undoubtedly you have to call on ya boy Diddy. This has been a big year for him, he receives his own star on Hollywood Boulevard, he has two hit shows on MTV and VH1 which are both executive produced by him and both of his bands released number 1 albums.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE & GALLERY

EXCLUSIVE FOOTWEAR COLLABS

2008-09-05T21:31:00.000-07:00

OK so maybe we are a little shoe obsessed here at Brown Crown Media. But if we are going to throw down articles on women who like to rock some heels then we need to rest our ankles up and showcase some cool kicks that allow more functionality than 4 inch stilettos.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE