Category: Entertainment

BET Awards 2010: The ReCap

Leave a comment

Now how does the Afro Chic sum up the 10th Annual BET Awards 2010 into one sentence?  I honestly can’t but I will say that via twitter I had an enjoyable evening commentating on the stars every move from the glitz to the glam, to the facial expressions and bloopers. www.twitter.com/QueenReesa. For those of you that missed the show I’m sure it will be on like every night for the next 4 months so you will be filled in sooner or later but I will give you a brief re-cap of my favorites.

(Photos Courtesy of the Examiner)

Kanye West opened the ceremony with his comeback single “Power” which probably cost most of BET’s budget for the awards show but I was not mad at him for it.  The barefoot “literally” and pregnant Alicia Keyes was definitely glowing as she won best female R&B artist and also did a performance medley of all of her top award winning songs and added her risky piano dance to the Prince Tribute.

Speaking of Prince Tribute, I found that all that unique and different artists like Janelle Monae, Patti LaBelle, and Esperanza Spalding did an awesome job at reenacting the legendary Prince.  BET gets mad props for allowing El DeBarge to grace the stage with his medleys and J.Cole for getting time to shine as one of the leading new artists.  Other artists like Trey songz, Usher, B.O.B, Alicia Keys, and Nicki Minaj also graced the stage to showcase their talents.  The most tear jerking and sentimental performance award goes out to Chris Brown’s tribute to Michael Jackson.  Although, his reclaim to fame is borderline staged I do want to know who his PR team because he is really making a GREAT comeback with Rhianna left in the past.

Following was a gospel tribute to Haiti with phenomenal singers Kim Burrel, Fred Hammonds, Kirk Franklin, and Yolanda Adams.  Last but not least, one of the realest MC’s out there, Queen Latifah kept me going with her many outfit changes and different acts as she kept the awards moving smoothly as host for this year.  So what do you know, I was almost not about to add the coonery to Reesa Speaks but BET did a classy job this year and I must pay my respect!

If I missed any of the winners:

Alicia keys best female R&B

Usher- there goes my baby

Drake- Best Male hip hop artist

Nicki Minaj- female hip hop artist

Best collaboration- Jay Z Alicia Keys Empire state of mind

Trey Songz- best male r&B artist

Humanitarian award- John Legend

Female MC’s- Queen Latifah

Best Video of the Year- Video Phone- Beyonce

Remembering MJ. . .

Leave a comment

I still can’t believe that it is the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Death.  It seems like yesterday I was moon walking in the kitchen, talking about his mysterious kids, and watching The Jackson’s movie for the 32942 time.  But it never occurred to me that such a great of a man could have such an impact on the world, hell even the universe.  Even before MJ’s passing we have always lived through his legacy he has created and paved music for today’s aspiring artists.  It’s not one artist that has been interviewed that can’t say that they grew up following MJ’s footsteps.  Whether it is a song, a trendy jacket from “Bad”, or even the dance moves from thriller, I still see him in every performer out there.  I am not going to make this a sad day because although the world was in mourning June 25, 2009, we should continue to celebrate his legacy so enjoy the tributes on your radio station, favorite TV channel, and live through the spirit of MJ.  Just think what would MJ want?  For the world to be a better place. 

Here is one of my favorite songs of lil’ MJ “Who’s Loving You”.  It’s a true love song about the blues and its crazy that he was just a little kids singing such a thing.  It still gives me chills up my spine!

now check out this girl Jamia Simone Nash….she’s a lil sassy but I feel like she came close to a good perfect MJ remake.

W.ants W.orld W.omen- Dwele

Leave a comment

Wants World Women

(album Review)

Dwele does it again with the three symbolic aspects of his life streaming through his album “W.ants W.orld W.omen”.  It’s a creative compilation of the three different ego of Dwele.  As I see him, rough but tightly stroked fro, cocoa skin, dark frames, a tailored jacket, and a soulful sensuous voice repeating its melodies in my ears…Now that would be how I see him, but the cover of his album that is released June 29th, illustrates more than just a bunch of songs put together, but what I like about this one is he has mixed who he is with what he knows and what you would want to hear. 

The CD represents his ego in three different stages.  As I listened to the song for the first time, I realized that the songs go in sequence of the titles.  From his world to his wants to his woman, the song “Love You Right” is a beautiful melody that there is someone out there to love you how you want to be loved.  He talks about his mistakes with women and how he promises to do better, ladies who wouldn’t want a brotha to confess that?  There are also some talented artists featured throughout the album like Raheem Devaughn with the headboard knockin’ song “Dim the Lights”, Slum Village, and even David Banner.  From his “Hangover” to “I Understand” Dwele makes sure that his voice goes in sequence with his world, Detroit minds, History meets. W.ants W.orld W.omen is yet another enjoyable album that I can add to my feels good playlist when I just want my mind, body, and spirit to feel right.

Afro Chic’s pick!

Celebrating Juneteenth

1 Comment

This past weekend I had an opportunity to experience a Juneteenth festival at Leimert Park in Los Angeles, California.  Among the plethora of festivals going on that weekend it was an honor to have a very cultural and historical experience in the other stomping grounds of my mother’s neighborhood.  I was able to capture a few photos that highlighted my beautiful Saturday afternoon.  Leimert Park is a black owned and influenced community in the Crenshaw district that has black owned businesses like bookstores, restaurants, and boutiques.  I love this place because it has so much culture and just by walking down one block my five senses are active as I touch, smell, feel, and see the black heritage unveiled.

            For those of you that don’t know, Juneteenth is a commemorative celebration of African American Freedom which takes place on June 19th.    It is a time of special observance that originated in Galveston, Texas in 1865.  Communities would gather and share food, guest speakers, music, and dancing.  This is a time of reflection and remembrance of all of our achievements as a people and the influence it has on our society today.  Not only is it celebrating the independence from slavery but how far African Americans have come in the U.S. and how far that they are willing to go in the future.  With the support of business, community leaders, and officials celebrating Juneteenth has been a nationwide event for 145 years and counting!

Kelly Rowland- Commander

Leave a comment

I think I’m going through a phase just as much as all these female R&B artistswith the dance/techno music.  I find myself bobbing my head and grooving to dance music more often in the club atmosphere than usual.  Kelly Rowland’s “Commander” video ft. David Guetta is so new age and powerful.  Although she is always compared to Beyonce I think that Kelly really worked this video to make it give it her own cutting edge with the graphics, makeup, and wardrobe.  Can’t wait for the new album, I feel the diversity. What do you think?

J. Cole- Who Dat

Leave a comment
Vodpod videos no longer available.

J. Cole just premiered his FIRST video for “Who Dat” on his upcoming album.  I had a chance to catch him right before he blew up at HU performing all his mixtape hits and now look at him, I’m so proud he is so talented and dynamic with his lyrics, to be honest there are no other rappers I can agree with that new to the hip hop scene.  Check it out!

Lauryn Hill is back. . .

1 Comment

Lauryn Hill performed this past weekend at the Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa California.  She was rocking a new look with her freshly blown out hair and retro suit.  I am excited for her appearance and can’t wait to see what her new music projects are going to be like.

Did she deserve the punch?!

2 Comments

watch this clip, read, and give me feedback!

So I’ve been following this story on my own and being the journalist that I am have come to conclusion that this black girl might have deserved a shove but NOT a punch.  A couple of days ago a seattle officer stopped a group girls for jaywalking which is against the law.  As you saw one of the girls she began to retaliate and resisted the arrest flinging and swinging her arms all crazy like she had no home training.  The first thing I would have done was tazed her but since that wasn’t available the officer punched her clear in the face.  The NAACP have finally stepped in on this making it a racial controversy on the judgement of combative resistance.  Now, I do believe that the relationship that the black community already has is on pins and needles with law enforcement so it was definitely in his wrong doing to protect himself like that in this situation.  I think it was out of anger and possibly fear that he sucker punched her because I probably would have too but the fact that he was not BLACK stirs up the drama. But then again if the woman was white and the officer was black  I think the tables would have turned and it would in fact be a racial issue. What do you think about this controversal video?  Did this black girl deserve to be treated like that for breaking the law twice; jaywalking and resisting an arrest?

“People are denying the plight of poor people, the plight of people of color, the plight of anybody that’s different that comes in contact with law enforcement. A change needs to happen.”- NAACP

Curls gives you a “Sweet Rush”

1 Comment

The two Somalian and Canadian Natives Shiam and Hashi have the cutest combination of bouncy curls not to mention their aspiring music abilities but together with sisterly love.  The sister duo “Sweet Rush” have new single that released a few months ago entitled “Keep Chasing Me”.  It has a very pop and girly vibe that can be rocked with your top dropped or even in the club.  These are girls are so chic that you probably won’t resist their sweet rush!

follow them on twitter for updates www.twitter.com/sweetrushworld

Miguel- All I want is You ft. J. Cole

Leave a comment

I think I just like this song because J. Cole is in it but peep the video to Miguel’s latest song “All I Want is You” it’s pretty hot!