2008 Woodie Awards
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Chris Brown was the big winner, but it was Kanye West's night at the American Music Awards. Instead of his typical tantrum - a trend West started four years ago when he lost the favorite new artist prize - the rapper claimed two trophies Sunday and called on his colleagues to up their game.
CINCINNATI (AP) _ Rapper T.I. testified Friday that he believes the bullets fired at his entourage during a wild vehicle chase two years ago were meant for him. He took the witness stand in the trial of Hosea Thomas, 34, who is accused of firing the shot that killed Philant Johnson during a gun battle on Interstate 75.
NEW YORK (AP) _ Rapper 50 Cent is facing a challenge to his street cred - from Taco Bell. Lawyers for the fast-food chain are calling his federal lawsuit, filed in Manhattan, another attempt to "burnish his gangsta rapper persona by distorting beyond all recognition a bona fide, good faith offer.
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ The Screen Actors Guild said Saturday it will ask its members to authorize a strike after its first contract talks in four months with Hollywood studios failed despite the help of a federal mediator. The guild said it adjourned talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers shortly before 1 a.
NEW YORK (AP) _ Carson Daly chatted with Eminem, Beyonce gave a show-stopping performance, girls shrieked at the sight of Justin Timberlake and hundreds of fans lined up outside in Times Square for a glimpse at superstars. It seemed like old times at MTV's "Total Request Live," back when the show was not only music's most powerful force but a dominant part of pop culture.
If you're a fan of Eric Jerome Dickey's edgy novels about love, sex, scandal, and seduction than you're probably anticipating the arrival of the thrilling trilogy, Dying for Revenge. This novel is the final installment of hit man Gideon's adventurous journey through a criminal underworld that spans globally.
Last week's round of "Dancing with the Stars" was lost by Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani. Monday's score of 44 out of the 60 total points to be earned was not enough to keep the couple on the show. Specifically, on Monday, for the first time ever, the judges not only critiqued the couple's individual dances, but they also judged a group dance. The two scores, the score from the couple's individual dance and the score the groups earned, would later be combined to give the dancers one score. The couples were put into two groups consisting of six members each: Team Paso Doble and Team Cha-Cha.
After a long hiatus (if you don't count the unreleased 2002 album Kamaal the Abstract, which I happen to have in my stash), the vivrant-bonita-applebum-man is back--and bidding hip hop to come to the light. Q-Tip and his Renaissance are a breath of fresh air into the sometimes tar filled lungs of hip hop.
ATLANTA (AP) - The executive who succeeded Jay-Z as the head of hip-hop music label Def Jam Recordings died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound near Atlanta, police said Sunday. Executive vice president Shakir Stewart, 34, died on Saturday, his New York-based label said in a statement.
Robin Thicke's newest album, "Something Else," is definitely something else. Not in a good way either. "Something Else" lacks the diversity that Thicke's previous album "The Evolution of Robin Thicke" had. "Something Else" does not showcase different styles of music, but rather sticks to the same boring, bland style.
There are several movies that came out on October 24. "High School Musical 3: Senior High" (HSM) was one of them. The main characters from the previous two High School Musicals were back in their roles and it was better than ever for some. This movie is definitely geared towards a younger audience, but if you're reminiscing about your high school days, this movie will certainly make you nostalgic.
DJ Drama and KFC pride 360 teamed up for a meet and greet at Norfolk State University Friday Oct. 24. Only selected students who entered the show your pride contest were allowed to attend this uplifting event. DJ Drama, best known for producing mixed tapes, really opened up and talked about his life in the music industry.
The second annual Midnight Madness celebration hosted by the DTLR street team and featuring recording artist Slim from 112 kicked off the upcoming 2008-09 basketball season. The celebration included two intra-squad scrimmages, a three point shootout and a slam dunk contest.
The mother and brother of the Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson was found slain inside their Chicago home Friday. A cousin of the family was the one who discovered the two victims bodies. Chicago police are saying that the deaths could possibly be linked to a domestic disturbance and would be considered a homicide.
Norfolk State University's Homecoming Concert with Plies and Shawty Lo had an enormous turnout. The crowd was primarily female, but the males were definitely there enjoying themselves, and all the ladies. Prior to the show, music played and the crowd was hype as if they were at the club or a party.
Ripped bodies, seductive lingerie, and exclusive clothes. All this mixed with constant reminders to get off your butt and vote Nov. 4. That was Norfolk State University's "Walk the Vote" Homecoming Fashion Show in a nutshell. With Election Day less than two weeks away, it was natural that the fashion show theme was patriotism.
Spartans gathered together in Joseph Echols Hall for the Homecoming Comedy Show featuring comedians: Tony Roberts, Cocoa Brown, and Sean Larkins. This group definitely had the whole house in tears.
"The Secret Life of Bees" is a very inspirational film. This movie tells the story of Lily Owens, Dakota Fanning, and her adventures in finding out about her deceased mother's past. Lily is joined by her black housekeeper, Rosaleen, played by Jennifer Hudson, as they embark upon a journey to Tiburon, South Carolina.
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Movie-goers elected a "W," but it was Mark Wahlberg, not George W. Bush. Wahlberg's action flick "Max Payne" debuted with $18 million to outdo Oliver Stone's film biography of George W. Bush, according to studio estimates Sunday, Oct 19.
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