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February 2015

Entertainment

‘Empire’ Character Lucious Lyon Was Inspired By Jay Z

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Turns out that Taraji P. Henson’s Empire character Cookie isn’t the only one inspired some of the finest in hip-hop. The show’s creator Danny Strong has revealed that Lucious Lyon, played by Terrence Howard, is based off of Jay Z.

During a visit to Sway in the Morning, Strong and Sway addressed the negative feedback the show has gotten for the stereotypical aspects of some of the characters’ story lines, like Lucious being a drug dealer-turned-music mogul.

“I’ve heard that, but there’s certainly some truth in that,” Strong said. “The Jay Z story, which very much inspired Lucious Lyon, certain elements of Lucious Lyon, was that story.”  He continued “So for me, I don’t think in terms of  ‘Okay we have to be careful of certain things because of certain negative stereotypes’. I view it as the entire cast is African-American [so] we’re gonna have all different types of characters and we’re gonna tell good stories. We’re not gonna sit here and play defense or think that our show is a representation as Black culture in its entirety. It’s not; it’s just this story.”

Source:AllHipHop


Entertainment Featured Red Carpet

Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Annual Heritage Dinner

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The Annual Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Heritage Dinner was held at the Georgia World Congress Center and was hosted by Chris Tucker and Cynne’ Simpson. I have to say that Chris Tucker is STILL the MAN!! He was a great host and he kept the crowd entertained the entire night.

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James Brown, Ray Charles, and Otis Redding were honored at the event while Kenny Leon and Will Packer received the 2015 Heritage Award. Check out some of the photos from the night and special thanks to Diane Larche’ for giving Kingsmen Media Group the V.I.P. media access.

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MORE PHOTOS HERE!!!

Entertainment Featured

Iggy Azalea says The HipHop Industry is Mad and can’t Accept that…….

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“They know, deep down. I think they know. They just don’t want to admit it. That’s what I think. I have a feeling. That’s why they’re mad. Because they do know that I actually am good, and they can’t really accept that. But we could be friends, and this could all be easy. Or we could not, and I could send Bitcoin sh*t chocolate boxes to your door. But I’m still going to be here.” (“Zach Sang & The Gang”)




Entertainment

Southwest will continue to Fly Planes without Inspections

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The carrier worked out an unusual deal with the FAA

Southwest Airlines jets will continue flying over the next few days despite missing scheduled inspections.

The low-cost carrier failed to perform required rudder checks on 128 of its planes, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Federal Aviation Administration, though, agreed to let the aircraft keep flying for five days while the inspections are completed between routes.

Southwest told the FAA on Tuesday afternoon that it missed the inspections. It then took the jets out of service voluntarily, resulting in 80 cancelled flights. By early Wednesday morning, the FAA and Southwest had worked out a plan to allow the aircraft back in the skies while the inspections were done.

Minimal disruption of Southwest’s flight schedule is expected for Wednesday.

Entertainment Featured

Louis Farrakhan Speaks On Rappers and the Color of Your….:

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During his Saviours’ Day 2015 keynote address in Chicago, Farrakhan discussed having a conversation with Kanye. The Minister later added he met West’s wife Kim Kardashian and daughter North as well.



“The rappers rapped on the condition of the hood. But they’re all becoming conscious now, and White folks are upset,” Farrakhan told the audience at  the Christ Universal Temple. “I had a talk with Kanye West. He visited me at our farm, just he. We had a good talk. I know that there’s a better world coming. I know that there’s a world coming that the color of your skin – as Dr. King said – is not going to be the ticket in. It’s your desire to do righteousness.”

Kanye and Farrakhan are also working on a film project together. West announced he was creating a documentary about the Million Man March organizer’s musical history.

Entertainment

Epic Says it’s NOT their Responsibility to Bail Out Artist

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Shmurda’s entertainment lawyer Matthew Middleton spoke with the New York Times. Middleton expressed Epic is not required to offer bail money for its artists, but Bobby expected more financial and emotional support than he has received from the label.

“These companies for years have capitalized and made millions and millions of dollars from kids in the inner city portraying their plight to the rest of the world,” said Middleton. “To take advantage of that and exploit it from a business standpoint and then turn your back is disingenuous, to say the least.”

The seriousness of the allegations may be the reason Epic has decided not to back Shmurda, but Middleton points out so far there have only been accusations of crimes being committed. He also notes the label has already made a profit off its deal with Bobby.

“[Epic] made their money back at least two or three times over,” Middleton added. “I understand from a corporate standpoint that companies cannot put themselves in a position where it appears they’re supporting and condoning criminal activity. But he hasn’t been found guilty of anything yet.”

(Allhiphop)

Entertainment Featured

Kanye West UPSET w/ Critics After Fashion Line Diss

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Everyone who is anyone has weighed in on the line.

The Washington Post said, while it was his best effort so far, he ” didn’t dazzle the eye.”

The Daily Beast said “he’s not there just yet.”

Refinery29 called it “meh.”

An Uber driver called it ” a bit frumpy.”

That criticism was echoed by legendary fashion icon and creator of New York Fashion Week Fern Mallis.

“I’m kind of over Kanye,” she told the New York Post. “I mean, I’m not a fan of his music, and the attitude and the agenda is not my style.”

In true Kanye style, however, he did not take that criticism in stride

He defended himself, his collection, and his vision on Twitter in a nine-tweet tweetstorm:

He also discussed his hardships and his difficulties entering the design world because he was “too famous.”

He then reminds Mallis that he will persevere through her criticism and he “will win.”

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Entertainment

Mo’Nique Says She Was “Blackballed” By Hollywood

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Oscar-winning actress Mo’Nique is saying that after her role as an abusive mother in the movie Precious that she was blackballed for about five years in the industry.
E! News reported that in an issue of the Hollywood Reporter set to come out Feb 27th Mo’Nique had this to say:
“I got a phone call from Lee Daniels,” said the actor. “And he said to me, ‘Mo’Nique, you’ve been blackballed.’ I said, ‘Why?’ And he said, ‘Because you didn’t play the game.’”
She also suggested that her limited roles were due to people thinking she has no tact and her response to that was:
“That’s why I have my beautiful husband because he’s so full of tact. I’m just a girl from Baltimore. But being from that place, you learn not to let anybody take advantage of you.”

Entertainment Sports

Chargers, Raiders propose joint $1.7 billion stadium near LA

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Two division rivals could be sharing a stadium soon. According to the Los Angeles Times, the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders are in the beginning stages of a plan that would result in the two teams sharing a $1.7 billion stadium in Carson, Calif.

The Chargers want to stay in San Diego and the Raiders want to stay in Oakland, but if the two teams can’t get a deal done in their respective cities by the end of the year, they’re going to move forward with plans to move to LA.

The teams released a combined statement to the Los Angeles Times on Thursday.

“We are pursuing this stadium option in Carson for one straightforward reason: If we cannot find a permanent solution in our home markets, we have no alternative but to preserve other options to guarantee the future economic viability of our franchises,” the statement said.

The proposed stadium would be built on a 168-acre site in Carson on land that’s already been purchased by the Raiders and Chargers. The tentative plan calls for the stadium to be privately financed.

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FULL STORY

Entertainment Featured

Baby is using His EXECUTIVE POWER to Keep ‘Carter V’ on Ice

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Wayne tells Rolling Stone that he and Birdman are no longer on speaking terms. “I have no words,” he says. “I’m super-numb to it, to tell you the truth.” After we talk some more, he admits that the legal wrangling has been weighing on his mind. “I’m human,” he says. “But it’s nothing that a good blunt can’t cure.” (Rolling Stone)

Wayne says that Tha Carter V, which he finished recording some time ago, is on ice for now. “It’s super-done,” he says. “Cake baked, icing on top, name on top, candles lit. I would have released it yesterday if I could. But it’s a dead subject right now. It’s a jewel in the safe. It’s that stash-house money.” (Rolling Stone)

Entertainment

Drake’s IYRTITL Moved 535,000 Units First Week

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The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late moved 535,000 units in the week ending Feb. 15, according to Nielsen Music, with pure album sales comprising 495,000 of that figure — all from digital downloads. (Billboard)

Entertainment

Wiz Wants More Custody since Finding Out The ‘N-Word’ being Used in the Home

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We’ve learned Wiz’s camp has put together a laundry list of complaints, including:

— Amber often stays out all night, requiring that relatives and staff take over

— The family dog eats its own feces and then licks Sebastian’s face

— When she wakes up she’ll play with the kid for 15 minutes or so and then disappear

— Amber and her mom have a volatile relationship, laced with “shouting matches and vulgar exchanges,” which upset the boy. And during the arguments the N word was hurled by Amber’s mom

Wiz has not filed legal docs to change custody, but we’re told that’s coming … which is why he’s getting relatives and others involved to help him make a case.

Source:TMZ

Entertainment

Rick Ross Announces “Artists First” Partnership

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Earlier this evening (February 16), Maybach Music Group boss Rick Ross traveled to Atlanta to announce a new partnership with Twelve Music Group founder Dina Marto. The “Movin’ Bass” rapper and the former Island Def Jam executive have joined forces to launch the new platform Artists First.

Not only will Ross and Marto work together to discover and develop aspiring writers, producers, and performers through Artists First, the new tandem will host a talent search to find the next member of the MMG roster as well. The imprint home of Wale, Meek Mill, Stalley, and Omarion is also opening an office in Atlanta at Marto’s Twelve Studios.

“This is the new home for Maybach Music,” reveals Marto. “Their artists will be recording here. Executives will have offices here, so they can get work done while they’re in the city of Atlanta.”

Marto opened Twelve Studios in 2012. Hit singles such as Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” and Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop” were produced at the site.

Read Full Story

Entertainment

Why Did Diddy Pass on ‘0-100’ Beat???

Sylvester

Originally it was a three-minute idea that had all these different parts and I didn’t really write it with any intent of it being used, for Drake or for anyone in particular. I just kinda wrote it and gave it to Boi-1da, who was in session at the time in Miami, this was with Diddy. This was like the whole controversy of the incident. From what I understand he made the beat on the spot, played it for Diddy and Diddy passed on it, he said it wasn’t life changing enough and that was that. Then fast forward, “0 to 100″ becomes this huge hit and then there’s this weird… whatever happened there? I don’t know, but as far as I understand that’s how it went down.”

Read Full Story

Entertainment Featured

Drake’s “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” Expected To Open With Huge Sales Numbers

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Photo Credit: Kingsmen Media

According to the site, IYRTITL could top 550,000 units sold first week. The total is remarkable considering Drake released the project without any promotion and the “mixtape” is not available for physical purchase.

There are even predictions If You’re Reading This could sell over 700,000 digital copies out the gate. That means Drake could set a new single week iTunes record, besting Beyoncé’s self-titled album haul of 618,000 in 2013. Beyoncé was also released overnight on iTunes without any promo.

Entertainment Featured

Raven-Symone says ‘Empire’ was Perfect Timing

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Raven-Symoné appeared on Wednesday night’s episode of the new hit drama, “Empire.” She was ushered into the show as the possible mother of Jamal’s child. Writers of “Empire” are gearing up to shock viewers with her next appearance that will take place in Episode 10.

“Interestingly enough, I was on the set already visiting friends — Jussie Smollett, Terrence Howard, and everybody — just saying hi and seeing how everyone was doing,” she explained. “I was there for a little while and then I got a call from my manager and he was like, ‘Are you in Chicago?’ I said, ‘Yeah, why?’ ‘They want you to do this role coming up.’ And I said, ‘Wow! I would like to.’ So it was perfect timing.”

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Entertainment

Vivica A. Fox Still In Love with 50 Cent

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He is absolutely the love of my life,” Fox revealed in an interview. “I really, really cared for him and I loved him very, very much and I always will, but he just wasn’t right for me. That’s hard when you really, really love a person in your heart, you want to be with them, but you finally have to say, ‘He’s just not right for me.’” (“The Meredith Vieira Show”)

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Entertainment

Envogue Sued for $100 Million Dollars

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Rene Moore, Rufftown Entertainment founder and owner, has filed the lawsuit against the R&B girl group claiming that En Vogue has failed to abide by a deal.

According to legal documents, Moore alleges to have spent an amount of nearly $200,000 in 2010 to fund the major comeback of En Vogue, and it included three originals members— Cindy Heron, Maxine Jones and Terry Ellis. The deal included a new album and a tour.

Sources confirmed that in 2011, video footage showed the trio asserting that they were working on the album. But as it turns out, the ’90s group never managed to complete the album, nor did they execute a tour that was planned to promote their come back.

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Unfortunately for Rufftown Entertainment, the money was pledged in vain, as En Vogue abandoned the project while in the middle of working on it.

Entertainment Featured

Dipset Reunion Confirmed

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With seven confirmed dates and more to come, the Harlem group is set to hit the road with DJ Funkmaster Flex in tow. The Hot 97 mainstay is also allegedly hosting their upcoming EP. Confirmed dates are as follows:

02-24 New York, NY – B.B. King Blues Club
02-27 Elizabeth, NJ – Club Allstar
02-28 Brooklyn, NY – CPAC
03-13 New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
03-19 Austin, TX – SXSW
03-20 Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
03-29 Miami, FL – LIV

Entertainment Featured

Cookie Fires Back At Critics Slamming ‘Empire’

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I’m just proud that people are talking. Everybody don’t like Barack Obama,” she says, referencing the second episode of the season where her on-screen son, Hakeem (Gray) slams the POTUS, calling him a sellout. “People are out there saying that. That’s what art is supposed to do: expose this shit. You know, we’re dealing with subject matter that’s not really dealt with. Art is supposed to challenge, start a conversation, so let’s lift the carpet up and deal with this dirt. It’s not like we bashed Barack Obama and the show went off. No, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) jumped in his [son’s] ass. That’s real life stuff. So I’m glad you’re mad. Do something about it. Go in the hood and talk to the kids so they don’t do dumb stuff like that.

Read more in Uptown Magazine

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Entertainment

Empire’s Gay Kiss Sends Ratings Plummeting

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FOX’s hit series Empire proved that some things can take a little while to get used to, like the image of two gay lovers kissing on TV. We’ve seen it before in other shows, but for some reason, Black people aren’t quite ready for it yet.

‘Empire’ creator Lee Daniels wasn’t too happy with the test audiences that disapproved of 2 men smooching onscreen. After actor Jussie Smollett (Jamal) kissed his onscreen boyfriend Rafael de La Fuente (Michael) in an intimate scene, Washington Post entertainment reporter Cecilia Kang reported that the ratings “plummeted.”

“The test audiences they showed this to…the ratings plummeted,” Kang said. “They did not like that scene at all.

source: NaturallyMoi

Read Full Story

Entertainment

Stevie J Pleads NOT GUILTY

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The reality star and former beatmaker for Diddy is charged with failing to pay more than $1M in child support for his two kids, despite being paid handsomely for his part on the VH1 show. The judge noted it was strange that the case was being held in federal instead of state court, but prosecutors said that Family Court ‘has not worked.’

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Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta” star Steven (Stevie J) Jordan pleaded not guilty Tuesday to being a deadbeat dad.

The reality star and former in-house beatmaker for P. Diddy is charged with failing to pay more than $1 million in child support for two kids despite making $27,000 a month as a star of the VH1 show.

Over the course of 10 years it has not worked.”

Jordan was ordered to pay $6,608 in 2001 for their two kids, which was increased to $8,557 in 2011.

Entertainment Featured

Toya Wright Speaks about Separation from Memphitz, Beef with K Michelle, and Turning Down LHHATL

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In an Exclusive Interview w/ NECOLE B Toya Wright speaks about Marriage and separation, turning down Love and Hip Hop and the ongoing beef with K. michelle.

On the status of her and Memphtiz relationship and Why He’s Acting Out

The current status of me and my husband [is] we are separated at the moment. And, we’re just- everybody has their marital issues. And right now, you know, we’re separated…..READ MORE ON PAGE 2

Entertainment

Chilli is The Mane Choice @theRealChilli @theManeChoice

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The beautiful @therealchilli as the newest brand ambassador for @themanechoice!

For anyone wanting to grow their hair out or looking 4 something to reduce shedding, I use @themanechoice hair vitamins & their green tea conditioning mask. The vitamins have great ingredients that help stimulate growth & this conditioning mask cuts down on excessive shedding and promotes GROWTH! That’s what we want!

Entertainment Featured

Lecrae on Grammy Win: You Can’t Celebrate Gifts, Without Celebrating the Giver, I Wanna Celebrate Jesus

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Photo credit: Kingsmen

Lecrae took home his second Grammy this week as he won the award for Best Contemporary Christian Song/Performance for his song “Messengers,” which also features the Christian music group for KING AND COUNTRY.

During his acceptance speech he took some time to reflect on his faith in Jesus Christ.

“Love and respect to everybody out here because this is a celebration of gifts. And there’s so many people out here who are gifted, but obviously you can’t celebrate gives without celebrating the giver of all gifts. So I want to celebrate Jesus for gifting us all with the gift of love and sacrifice,” he said.

Entertainment Featured

Jay Z and Beyonce Working on Joint Project

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Married music couple Jay Z and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter are reportedly inching closer to putting together a joint project.

According to mega producer Detail, he has something in the works with the superstar duo.

“I’m working on a couple of new projects that I don’t want to unveil — me and Beyoncé and Jay Z are actually doing something this year,” Detail said in an interview at the Grammy Awards red carpet. “When you think of Jay and Bey together, you think ‘album.’ In my imaginary mind, I will work to say it’s true.” (Billboard)

Entertainment Featured

Kanye West Is Pissed about Beck’s Win Over Beyonce

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“I just know that the Grammys, if they want real artists to keep coming back, they need to stop playing with us. We ain’t finna play with them no more,” said Kanye. “And Beck needs to respect artistry, and he should have given his award to Beyoncé.”

As West made his way to the stage, cameras captured the reaction of Bey’s husband and Kanye’s Watch The Throne collaborator Jay Z. The Roc Nation boss initially looked disturbed that his “little brother” was about to repeat his VMA rant, but Jay and most of the crowd ended up laughing off Kanye’s move.

Entertainment

Iggy’s Grammy Nomination for Best Rap Album: O_O

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Australian rapper Iggy Azalea took to the red carpet in a figure-hugging, cobalt Armani Privé gown and, um, a rather odd choice in hair-wear. The star rocked a milkmaid-meets-crown braid that didn’t quite do it for us, mainly because it gave Iggy makeshift helmet head.
Seriously, the star’s normally cascading blond locks would have been a better counterbalance for her structured Armani dress, but we can at least give it to Iggy for trying a new, unexpected look.
Hairmet aside, the star took another loss tonight: Iggy is not, we repeat, not the Grammy winner for Best Rap Album. Twitter users sounded off on the rapper’s loss, with most expressing relief that Eminem nabbed the award instead.

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Entertainment

Kanye West Taunts NIKE (Video)

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Taking over the stage, Kanye took a brief minute to taunt and speak out at Nike, the company responsible for his previous two Yeezy sneakers. “I just want to talk to Portland right quick……everybody at the Nike office right quick,” said Kanye before pointing up at Jay Z in the crowd. “Hov..Hov I ain’t going to talk too long, but I got to say something. Cause I know the execs are saying ‘Nike ain’t scared of Kanye West’,” he continued. “Should Nike be scared of Kanye West?,” Kanye asked the crowd before going into a medley of “Black Skinhead,” “New Slaves,” “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” “Gold Digger,” and “Clique” while Travi$ Scott crowd surfed. (Miss Info TV)

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO ON THE NEXT PAGE

Entertainment

Adidas Sneakers by Kanye West

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Given reports that the rapper will unveil his year-in-the-making new Adidas line on Thursday, Feb. 12 (which is when the countdown ends), during New York Fashion Week, the odds are good that Yeezy.Supply is teasing a sportswear collaboration, and not one with a Beatle. (Wall Street Journal)

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adidas has announced the launch of adidas Confirmed, a revolutionary sneaker reservation app which will debut the release of its highly anticipated collaboration with Kanye West. Sneakerheads will receive push notifications for the most coveted releases, before allowing them to reserve a pair in their size at local adidas stores and select wholesale partners. (Hypebeast)

Entertainment Featured

InStyle Magazine Responds to Lightening Rumors for Kerry Washington Cover

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“We are super fans of Kerry Washington here at InStyle. To feature her on the cover of our March spring fashion issue is both an honor and a delight. We have heard from those who have spoken out about our newsstand cover photograph, concerned that Kerry’s skin tone was lightened,” the magazine said in a statement posted on their website. “While we did not digitally lighten Kerry’s skin tone, our cover lighting has likely contributed to this concern. We understand that this has resulted in disappointment and hurt. We are listening, and the feedback has been valuable. We are committed to ensuring that this experience has a positive influence on the ways in which we present all women going forward.”

Entertainment

2Pac Was Working on Massive Collabo With Outkast

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The letter, which was verified by The Roots’ Questlove as having truth to it, details a collaboration that was in the works at the time featuring some truly legendary hip-hop names representing the East, West, and South.

“I’m doing a record now called ONE NATION it’s a group album with me, Greg Nice, Buckshot, Smiff & Wesson, Outkast, The Outlawz, Scarface & E40,” Shakur revealed in the letter thought to be addressed to a friend.

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Entertainment Featured

Criminal Investigation Underway

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There is an active criminal investigation underway in Georgia in the Bobbi Kristina case … it centers on possible foul play and the target is her boyfriend … TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell us … Bobbi Kristina had certain injuries that have piqued their interest. We do not know the nature of the injuries. Multiple sources tell TMZ there is a history of violence between Bobbi Kristina and boyfriend Nick
We’re told police are looking into a possible altercation more than an hour before Bobbi Kristina was found submerged in a bathtub.

Read More on TMZ

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