Raven-Symoné showed off her natural curls while attending the Simon G. Jewelry Annual “Summer Soiree” at The Palazzo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas recently. Looking pretty in pink, she rocked a ruffled one-shoulder dress, nude pumps and a playful bow. Raven-Symone: “My Perfect Man Would Be A Mannequin” Raven-Symone Shows Off Amazing New Body For Shoot [PHOTOS] 30 Under 30: Raven Symone FACT OF THE DAY: Ashanti Was Once A Bad Girl Remember Snoop’s Perm & Curls? THEN & NOW: 1990s Music Icons CLASS OF 2001: Was G-Dep The Last Bad “Boy” Standing?
Khloe Kardashian and other celebs attended the Forbes Celebrity 100 Event, “The Entrepreneur Behind The Icon.” Wearing a black Gucci jumpsuit with a plunging neckline, she and her sisters received the Next Gen Entrepreneur award for starring in their own reality show, co-owning boutiques and launching fragrance lines. Her hubby Lamar Odom came out to support, as did Tyrese, Terrell Owens, Laila Ali, and Regina King. Uh-Oh! Lamar Odom’s Baby Mama Is Writing A Book Rihanna “Hates” Khloe Kardashian & Lamar Odom [AUDIO] Lamar Odom Schedules Sex With Khloe, Reveals Father Is Drug Addict [VIDEO] FACT OF THE DAY: Ashanti Was Once A Bad Girl Remember Snoop’s Perm & Curls? THEN & NOW: 1990s Music Icons CLASS OF 2001: Was G-Dep The Last Bad “Boy” Standing?
Tracy Reese, one of HB’s favorite designers, celebrated the 5th anniversary of her flagship boutique in New York last night where fashionistas Tika Sumpter and June Ambrose joined in on the fun. Both ladies wore multi-patterned frocks designed by Reese, herself. Model Veronica Webb also attended, in an understated menswear-inspired get-up. Tracy Reese Debuts 70s-Inspired Fall 2011 Line At NY Fashion Week [PHOTOS] Tika Sumpter Shows Off Fit Body For Esquire Magazine [PHOTOS] June Ambrose Launches A Line Of Turbans [PHOTOS] Did You Know Nicki Minaj Plays The Clarinet? See The Video Here! BLACK MUSIC MOMENT #62: Ludacris Debuts As Radio Personality “Chris Lova Lova” NEW MUSIC: Beyonce Ft. Andre 3000 “Party”
A new report has surfaced claiming that New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor Bishop Eddie Long is paying nearly $25 million and has given a private apology to settle claims he had improper sexual relationships with four young male parishioners. According to Redding News Review , a source who claims to be familiar with the details of the settlement and did not wish to be identified, said that Long refused to give a public apology, which ended up costing him more. Long allegedly gave each men a private apology. What began as a $2 million agreement to settle the case for each of the four men quickly rose to $5.5 million for the respective plaintiffs, the source said, only because Long refused to publicly admit guilt. The final figure comes to $22 million for the four men and $2.8 million for the plaintiffs attorneys. The church had reportedly already been paying these four young men $40,000 annually each before any charges were filed, the source said. Redding News Review has decided not to print the source’s paraphrasing of that apology. Read the full story here. RELATED: Creflo Dollar Tells Former New Birth Members To Go Back, Compares Scandal To Car Wreck [VIDEO] RELATED: Sherri Shepherd Goes In On Eddie Long [VIDEO] RELATED: Settlement Reached In Eddie Long Sexual Misconduct Case [VIDEO] RELATED: Eddie Long’s Church Is Collapsing, Says Source RELATED: Bishop Eddie Long: “I’m Gonna Fight” [VIDEO & PHOTOS]
In the new series Batwing DC Comics is bringing one of the world’s most popular super heroes to the cradle of civilization. “Batwing #1” will feature the first black character to don the Batman suit. Editor Mike Marts told IGN that this wasn’t a flight of fancy on their part. This is a legitimate story line from the Batman universe and that he will be African, not a Black American. “Batwing #1 is a series that spins right out of Grant Morrison’s Batman Incorporated storyline. This is the first time that we have an in-continuity black character wearing the Batman costume.” READ MORE AT THEBLACKBOXOFFICE.COM RELATED POSTS: VIDEO: Rhymefest Hates On Batman VIDEO: Batman Arrested For Beating Up Black People FACT OF THE DAY: Ashanti Was Once A Bad Girl Remember Snoop’s Perm & Curls? THEN & NOW: 1990s Music Icons CLASS OF 2001: Was G-Dep The Last Bad “Boy” Standing?
Big Boi of the legendary group OutKast celebrated his Crown Royal Black partnership in true ATL fashion recently at Door 44 in Atlanta. Fellow ATLlien rappers Killer Mike (aka Mike Bigga) and Pill were on hand to celebrate and perform with Sir Licious Left Foot to a packed crowd in Midtown. The three ATL heavyweights announced recently that they have begun recording an album together. CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS HERE! RELATED: ATL’s Own Pill Talks About Deal With Rick Ross’ Maybach Music [EXCLUSIVE] RELATED: EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Big Boi Talks Solo Album, OutKast Label Drama
Looks like LeBron James’ lackluster performance in this year’s NBA playoffs may be related to some rumored off the court drama. Word on the street is that Rashard Lewis of the Washington Wizards slept with LeBron’s girl Savannah while he was visiting South Beach! Here’s what we found out : I have a very reliable source who clubs and drinks with all of the athletes that come through Orlando. He was all over the Tiger Woods issue and knew what all happened with Tiger prior to it being released publicly. My buddy has a place in Orlando, Lake Nona to be exact, and he lives among some athletes that live there in Orlando. Needless to say he golfs, drinks, and parties with some of the best people in central Florida. So when word got to him while at the bar last night, he called me. Word got out while drinking with friends, that Rashard Lewis slept with Lebrons girl while visiting South Beach. ESPN’s analyst Stephen A. Smith recently said on his radio show that Bron Bron is going through personal off court issues and that’s the reason for his poor play in the finals. LeBron’s Girlfriend: “Miami Was Not My Favorite Place” LeBron James’ Mother Arrested For Assault Delonte West Denies Having Sex With LeBron’s Mom
Songwriting/production duo Rock City say reggae-infused tune is ‘the female version’ of ‘I Shot the Sherriff.’ By Rebecca Thomas, with reporting by Steven Roberts Rock City Photo: MTV News The encounter begins simply enough. A handsome guy walks into a dank club and makes a beeline for the pretty girl with waist-length, red locks who’s dancing by herself. He moves gently, showing only a hint of force when he grabs her wrists and pins them against the wall. But it’s what happens afterward in Rihanna ‘s new “Man Down” video that has had critics decrying the clip since it debuted last week. Rih’s onscreen character strolls out of the Jamaican nightclub with her dance-floor partner pursuing her. A terrifying struggle ensues. When it’s over, his red mesh tank is torn, his cheek bruised, and the visibly shaken pop star is weeping. Rih decides to exact her own justice with a .22 caliber handgun that she calls “Peggy Sue.” (“I didn’t mean to end his life/ I know it wasn’t right,” she sings.) While the Anthony Mandler-directed clip appears to mirror the lyrics of the dancehall-flavored tune, when MTV News caught up with Rock City, the songwriting/performing duo behind “Man Down,” they said the verses were meant to be open to interpretation. “We wanted the song to be something to where everybody had an opinion,” Theron (a.k.a. Da Spokesman) revealed. “Some people felt it was literal, some people felt it was a metaphor.” U.S. Virgin Island-born Theron and his brother Timothy “Don’t Talk Much” Thomas — their Free at Last album is due June 21 — along with producer Shama “Sham” Joseph (a.k.a. Sak Pase), served up the narrative track specifically to let the Barbados beauty tap her island origins in a way that sounded authentic. And in a city like Kingston, Jamaica, where guns and gangs often mar the lush landscape, what could be more authentic than a girl seeking violent retribution for a sexual assault, only to find herself overcome with regret as the singer does in the visual? “When we wrote the song, me and my brother was trying to re-create in the best way possible, you know, like, Bob Marley ‘I Shot the Sherriff,’ ” Timothy told us. “The female version of what that would be.” But now that the siren-laced tune’s companion clip is stirring up controversy, Theron thinks some viewers are forgetting that the song, like so much Caribbean music, is about telling tales. “It’s like somebody wrote a script for a movie and she delivered it perfectly,” Theron argued. “I just think sometimes people need something to talk about, and this is a thing to talk about. … ‘Cause when you listen to the song word-for-word-for-word, if she shot it theatrically how [the lyrics are], it probably would have been a little [more graphic], if you ask me,” he laughed. When we interviewed Rihanna back in November, just before Loud dropped, she defiantly described “Man Down.” “The special thing in that song is the fact that it’s a female singing those lyrics,” she said. “Then you have that reggae thing and the chant; the overall energy in that song is so gangsta!” What do you think of Rihanna’s “Man Down” video? We want to hear from you in the comments below! Related Photos The Ultimate Rihanna Photo Gallery Related Artists Rihanna Bob Marley
Eminem and Lil Wayne top the bill, but there are plenty of other worthy bands to see. By James Montgomery Eminem Photo: John Shearer/ WireImage If, for some reason, you weren’t aware of it by now (perhaps you don’t read Relix magazine on the regular?), the 10th annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival kicks off Thursday (June 9) in its spiritual home of Manchester, Tennessee, bringing with it tens of thousands of voracious music fans, a whole lot of creatively griddled arepas and some seriously wasted Wookies , too. And while some say this year’s lineup — topped by the likes of Eminem, Lil Wayne and Arcade Fire — strays too far from Bonnaroo’s generally crunchy roots (you know, aside from bands like Widespread Panic, My Morning Jacket and the String Cheese Incident), the true beauty of Bonnaroo has always been in its ability to provide something for everyone, even if that something is “watching basketball in an air-conditioned theater” (yes, Game 5 of the NBA Finals will be shown). That’s especially true of this year’s bill, too, which is teeming with talent. And so, as we prepare to head down to this year’s ‘Roo, we’ve decided to put together a list of 10 must-see acts, our favorite bands on the bill not named Eminem or Lil Wayne. Because the headliners get all the love (and everyone’s going to check them out anyway) — it’s time to let someone else shine. Best Coast When? Thursday, 7:15 p.m., the Other Tent Why? Their Crazy for You was one of 2010’s best surprises: a hazy, lazy collection of lo-fi surf rock that also managed to capture classic California pop hooks. Most of the credit is due to frontwoman/mastermind Bethany Cosentino, who, in addition to being a cat obsessive (always a plus in our book), wrote the tunes and possesses a preternatural pop sensibility. Did we also mention she’s best pals with Hayley Williams? Dam-Funk & Master Blaster When? Thursday, 1 a.m., This Tent Why? Dusty, lusty, loced-out electro courtesy of Damon Riddick, California’s self-proclaimed “Ambassador of Boogie Funk.” Steeped in the hazy traditions of West Coast G-funk (and the smoove sonics of groups like Shalamar), Riddick’s at his best when the lights are down low, which makes his 1 a.m. Bonnaroo set all the better. As a bonus, he’s backed up by his cracking live band, Master Blaster. Yet another reason why sleep is overrated. Wanda Jackson When? Friday, 5:45 p.m., the Other Tent Why? Why not? She’s the Queen of Rockabilly, a legend who’s been making music for more than 50 years now, scoring no-nonsense country, pop and gospel hits along the way. And she’s showing no signs of slowing down, either. In January, she released The Party Ain’t Over, a whip-smart collection of roiling rockabilly produced by none other than Jack White. Oh, and she once dated Elvis Presley. Swag. Florence and the Machine When? Friday, 6:45 p.m., This Tent Why? By now, you know who she is. And you’ve probably downloaded her album. But if you haven’t gotten the chance to see Ms. Welch (and her Machine) live, well then, there’s probably no better place to do so than at a giant summer festival. No matter how big the stage, there’s an intimacy to the most minimal moments of her set, and when Flo powers up her formidable pipes (like on “Dog Days Are Over” or “You’ve Got the Love”), the outpouring of joy is practically too huge to be contained. So, yes, it will sound pretty excellent in a gigantic field. On drugs. Big Boi When? Friday, 12:45 a.m., the Other Tent Why? Dude, it’s Big Boi. Not only is he Southern rap royalty, but his 2010 album Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty was one of the year’s best , full of wacked-out funk (“Shutterbugg”) and wide-screen weirdness (“General Patton”), cameos by everyone from Yelawolf to George Clinton and enough trunk-rattling funk to fill three Outkast albums. And live, he more than matches its sonic wallop, getting soulful, silly and downright stanky . Portugal. The Man When? Saturday, 5 p.m., That Tent Why? Their upcoming major-label bow, In the Mountain in the Cloud (due July 19), is one of the year’s best rock efforts, brimming with angst, atmosphere and angular, indie-leaning guitars (for a taste, check out the 13-minute short film they just premiered on IFC ). You’ll be reading much more about them in the months to come, so why not check them out at Bonnaroo? You will hold supreme bragging rights over all your friends. Trust us. My Morning Jacket When? Saturday, 8 p.m., What Stage Why? Yeah, we know, they’re not exactly up-and-comers, but if you consider yourself a music fan, then you owe it to yourself to experience MMJ at Bonnaroo at least once in your lifetime. Over the years, they’ve seemingly harnessed the vibes of the fest to produce some downright epic shows, including a near four-hour marathon gig in 2008 that’s become a thing of taper lore. As a bonus, their brand-new Circuital album totally rips. Dr. John with the Original Meters and Allen Toussaint When? Saturday, 12:30 a.m., That Tent Why? The kind of once-in-a-lifetime show that Bonnaroo has become famous for over the years, it’s a trio of New Orleans legends performing the Good Doctor’s classic 1974 Desitively Bonnaroo album in its entirety. And yes, that’s the inspiration for the fest’s name. Combine all that with a slightly magical after-midnight set time (which, as anyone who caught Dr. John’s “Night Tripper” show at Bonnaroo 2006 can attest to, genuinely means something), and you’ve got the makings of a truly epic experience. The Mardi Gras Parade When? Saturday, 2:15 a.m., the campgrounds Why? An annual Bonnaroo tradition, featuring floats, bands and all manner of debauchery. The official word from the fest is that it won’t be happening this year, but we’ve heard the opposite from a few sources. We hope the latter is true, since it’s one of the highlights each year. Guess you’ll just have to show up and see… Robyn When? Sunday, 4:30 p.m., the Other Tent Why? No offense to any of her contemporaries, but for our money, Robyn is the best pop star on the planet , a hard-working, genre-busting force responsible for some of the most memorable electro-tunes in recent memory (and three of the best albums of 2010 , too). Live, the bittersweet Swede harnesses all that hustle for a show that’s sweaty, sexy and, above all, uplifting. Not to be missed. Related Photos Bonnaroo 2011 Lineup Related Artists Eminem Lil Wayne
Chris Brown’s “Next To You” music video featuring Justin Bieber leaked onto the web this week. Looks like the duet has become a movie, with burning buildings, cars set on fire and people getting hit by cars. Here’s an unofficial version of the Colin Tilley directed video: Chris Brown Humps Again At Boston’s Summer Jam [VIDEO] Chris Brown Humps Female Fan On Stage At 2011 SpringFest [VIDEO] Hot 97′s Summer Jam 2011 [RECAP] Chris Brown Has Twitter Beef With Tyler The Creator Of Odd Future
