“Sell outs”.
Ask hip hop’s reigning highnesses – Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, and Nicki Minaj – and they can attest to being titled such at some point in their illustrious careers (the latter more than her rap predecessors).
Indeed, in the heavily male-dominated genre of rap, trying to “hang with the boys” has either constituted hypermasculinization or explicitly detailing bedroom antics. Either way, rap’s estrogenic entities have had to take the extreme route often to little notoriety…
Filed Under: Azealia Banks, Eve, Feature Article, Iggy Azalea, Khia, Kreayshawn, Left Eye, Lil Kim, Lil' Mama, Missy Elliot, Nicki Minaj, Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, Trina
Over the past year, we at That Grape Juice have turned to the readers for their thoughts on the roles age, race, and even sexuality play in one’s success in the music industry. Now, let’s weigh in on a heavier topic – weight.
Our culture is collectively becoming more stylized, making substance a thing of the past. As image drives the culture, often filling media with airbrushed or digitally altered representations of “beautiful”, the standard of beauty has never been more sought. An anomaly indeed given that statistics have proven most of the people subscribing to those very standards oft do not meet them.
So, what’s the big deal?
The Queen has spoken.
In support of her latest TV showing ‘Steel Magnolias’, Queen Latifah took to Anderson Cooper‘s ‘Anderson Live‘ for a conversation with the talk show host and his pal Andy Cohen.
Of course, as one her idols, Latifah was quizzed on Nicki Minaj’s current spat with calculated diva Mariah Carey, spawned on the set of ‘American Idol’ season 12, in which they both star on.
Latifah’s comments below…
The 82nd Annual Academy Awards is moments away from coming on air. Check out who rocked what on the red carpet.
The 3rd Annual BET Honors were filmed last evening at the Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. The event commemorated the achievements of diva Whitney Houston, Hip-Hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, and rapper/actress Queen Latifah. Guests were treated to performances by Jennifer Hudson, who sang Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ in tribute to the icon, Mary J. Blige, Maxwell and others. Check out more pictures below (courtesy of Rap-Up.com):
Despite laying the smacketh down on him a few weeks back, Mary J. Blige was all smiles with husband Kendu Issacs at the 36th annual People’s Choice Awards last night at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre. Many other celebs hit the event, including Mariah Carey and hubby Nick Cannon, Nicole Scherzinger, Queen Latifah and LL Cool J. Peep more pics below:
It appears Janet Jackson is a very busy lady these days. In between releasing an album, preparing for a tour and recording a reality show, the superstar is set to launch a ladies lingerie line before the years end. Check out the report via Women’s Wear Daily:The legendary hip-hop and R&B diva teamed with Bruno Schiavi, the Australian lingerie designer behind Dr. Rey’s Shapewear line (named for “Dr. 90210″ fixture Dr. Robert Rey), for her debut fashion duet. The 18-piece line is named after the hit single from Jackson’s 1986 multiplatinum album “Control,” is designed to be comfortable for a range of sizes – 32A to 44G, and is crafted of mostly satin and lace.Items will be manufactured in China and will be in department stores by late this year or early 2009. Jackson and Schiavi are currently in negotiations with major chains to carry the line; U.S. stores will be revealed in coming months, with releases in Australia, Japan and Europe to follow.
Jackson said the combination of beauty and comfort was the primary driver for the designs, though affordability was also paramount. Price points for the bra and underwear pieces are all under $40.
“I hate when you’ve had on a bra all day long and you just can’t wait to take it off – every woman has experienced that,” she said. “A lot of lingerie tends to leave those marks and be uncomfortable. This line is about detail, fit and comfort as well as beauty and making women feel sexy.”
It’s good to see Janet expanding her profile in other fields. More power to her…
I’m liking the look of this one. The movie hits theatres in the US on October 17th.
Will you be going to see ‘The Secret Life Of Bees’?
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