Tyra Banks kicked off the third season of her hit talk show with an interview with Rihanna. The interview – which was recorded last month – was hilarious and Tyra left no stone unturned, hence the ‘Umbrella’ singer was grilled on the endless comparisons to Beyonce, her rumored relationship Jay-Z and her troubled family life. Though I’m by no means I fan of her music, she gives a great interview.

What do you think of the interview?

The above video of Kanye West was filmed by ET Insider following Sunday night’s MTV Video Music Awards. Evidently enraged, the rapper vented about feeling used by MTV and how it was ridiculous that he won no awards for the second year in a row. The rapper later announced that he’s boycotting MTV. Read more by clicking here

Though he may have been justified in some of what he said, he’s lost points with me. I mean what was he thinking. Here’s Kanye, a Grammy Award winning artist, now whining about not winning a Moonman from MTV. It just doesn’t make any sense. He came across real dumb for that. Anyway, all is likely to be forgiven as many – including myself – are rooting for him to outsell 50 Cent this week.

What do you make of Kanye’s outburst?

Wyclef debuted his new video ‘Sweetest Girl’ (Dollar Bill) last night on BET Access Granted. Featuring Lil’ Wayne and Akon, the song is the first single to be lifted from the former Fugees star’s forthcoming album ‘The Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant’ (due November 6th). I’ve had this great track on constant rotation for a while now and the vid is just as good. Wyclef may be on to a hit with this one.

What do you think of the video?

{Credit: Janet Media}

MTV’s Tim Kash managed to catch up with Janet Jackson at boyfriend Jermaine Dupri’s post-VMA party on Sunday. The ‘All For You’ singer reaffirmed that she is still in the recording process for her as yet untitled new album – her Island/Def Jam debut. She also confirmed Ne-Yo’s involvement in the project.

Janet must be back in MTV’s good books, seeing as they didn’t give a damn about her last two albums. Anyway, is it me or does it seem Janet is trying to keep ‘hush hush’ about the project (“I’m trying to do me”)? With JD’s comment about the album coming “soon”, it’ll be interesting to see how things unfold in the coming months.

Your thoughts?

The much publicised chart battle between rappers 50 Cent and Kanye West begins today, as their albums – ‘Curtis’ and ‘Graduation’ hit stores across the US (both albums were released in Europe yesterday).

Which album will you be picking up?

Having disbanded several years back, rap group Salt-N-Pepa are set to star in a new VH1 reality series. Check out the premise of the show below:

Salt is angry about being unappreciated when they were together and Pepa blames Salt for breaking up the group. Their lifestyles are also polar opposites: Salt has indeed found God and is living a quiet life in Long Island with her husband while Pepa is still the party girl and desperately wants to re-capture the glamour of Salt-N-Pepa’s glory days. Can they overcome their differences long enough to heal their friendship and perform again?
{Source}

Judging by the trailer and the show’s overall concept, it looks like this may be pretty good. I’ve known Salt had turned to the Lord, but had no idea she had fallen out with Pepa. What about Spinderealla? I’ll definitely be tuning in whenever this airs in the UK. The show will air on VH1 starting October 15th.

Will you be tuning in?

The video for Cassidy’s new single ‘My Drink N’ My 2 Step’ debuted yesterday on BET. I’ve liked the song for the longest time, so it’s great to see the video finally out. The rapper has apparently found God after a rough few years (legal issues, being shot etc), which explains the prayer at the beginning. Honestly, the video isn’t all that great but it serves it’s purpose. ‘My Drink N’ My 2 Step’ is the first single to be lifted from Cassidy’s forthcoming album ‘B.A.R.S (The Barry Adrian Reese Story)’.

What do you think of the video?

Break-out star Jennifer Hudson has landed a role in the forthcoming ‘Sex In The City’ movie:

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson has joined the cast of “Sex and the City: The Movie” for New Line Cinema, which begins filming next week in New York.

Hudson will play “Louise,” the assistant to Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Carrie Bradshaw” in the film based on the hit HBO comedy series.

The movie revolves around the four main characters’ lives in Manhattan four years after the series ended.

Hudson, who won a best supporting actress Oscar for “Dreamgirls,” recently completed production on Rowan Woods’ ensemble drama “Winged Creatures” starring Kate Beckinsale, Forrest Whitaker, Jackie Earle Haley and Dakota Fanning. Sony is distributing the film.

The former “American Idol” contestant is also in the studio working on her debut album for Arista Records, due for release in the first quarter of 2008.

{Source}

Though the role doesn’t seem to be major, I can’t fault Jennifer for taking it. She’s really working overtime to establish herself beyond her ‘Dreamgirls’ success; starring in two films, alongside recording her long-awaited album. More power to her.

Your thoughts?

The video for Kelly Rowland’s latest single ‘Ghetto’ premiered on BET’s Access Granted just a few moments ago. I was hoping for something a bit more than what the vid had to offer, but it turned out pretty good nonetheless. Kelly was looking on-point and both she and Snoop had real good chemistry. I’m not so sure about some of the effects – they worked in places and didn’t in others. Still, I don’t have much to complain about… Jesus lives, Kelly finally has a new video out! Here’s hoping this reignites interest in the project in preparation for the ‘Ms. Kelly’ re-release.

What do you think of the video?
Currently riding high on the charts with her smash hit ‘Let It Go’, Keyshia Cole also appears on the cover of the October issue of Essence Magazine. In the main feature, the singer speaks on her tough upbringing, relationships and being compared to Mary J. Blige. Check out her take on being compared to the ‘Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul:

ESSENCE: How do you feel about constantly being compared to Mary J. Blige?

COLE: I feel like we are very similar based on everything we’ve been through in our personal lives. It’s helped make us sing the way we sing. Because she didn’t have a vocal coach, and neither did I. And when I met her I told her, “You winning all those Grammy’s—congratulations—it gives me inspiration to this day that maybe I can do the same thing.” You know, it’s just a real big life circle. I think there are a lot of things that she could tell me that’d help me. I’m not trying to take nobody’s place or nothing like that. But I’m just saying, as a woman—as a young Black woman—if she knows some of the answers, Give ’em to me!” (Laughing.) But she said that I could call her anytime. I just haven’t done it yet.

I’m liking the way she answered that one. Still, I’m sure the comparisons will continue. You can the whole interview in the magazine – which is on newsstands now. A tidbit: the second season of Keyshia’s BET reality show will premiere October 30th.

What do you think of the cover / comment?
Following the news early last month that Kelly Rowland will be re-releasing her ‘Ms. Kelly’ album, it has now been confirmed that this indeed is the case. A Columbia Records rep confirmed the news, saying: “We are planning to re-release the album later this fall”. Rowland has reportedly gone back into the studio to record new tracks for the beefed up CD. Producers Brian Michael Cox (‘Be Without You’, ‘Bad Habit’) and JR Rotem (S.O.S) are among those enlisted to craft potential hits for the former Destiny’s Child star. {Source}
I guess this explains why there hasn’t been much going on with the project as of late. If the the promo side of things is handled right this time, then I’m all for a re-release. Kelly deserves to shine and here’s hoping she does this time around.

Your thoughts?
This year’s VMA’s may have been a shambles, but it didn’t stop the stars from partying away after the show. Jermaine Dupri and Nelly hosted a joint post-VMA party at the TAO club in Las Vegas last night. Each were accompanied by their girlfriends, Janet Jackson and Ashanti. Other celebs in attendance included T.I. and Alicia Keys.

{Click pics to enlarge}

What do you think of the pics?
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