WHO'D SING IT BETTER? JOJO'S "IN THE DARK"

I'm really liking Jojo's buzz single "In The Dark" from her upcoming Mixtape Can't Take That Away From Me. It's a completely different direction than we've heard from the young singer, and is despcribed as a "very sensual record and there’s an undertone of sadness to it." Read more to find out who i thought could have sang this song better. 

JANELLE MONAE IS TARDY FOR THE PARTY, DISAPPOINTS AT OUTSIDE LANDS

Janelle Monae recently played the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco, but she didn't leave a good taste in the crowd's mouth.  I was browsing one of my favorite music sites, Indie Shuffle, and came across a less than stellar review of her performance...which started 25 minutes late (which is no good in the festival world).

"It might have been a combination of the anticipation, excitement, and expectation. It might have been a combination of too much standing, too much beer, and too many spicy corn dogs. But Janelle Monae’s Outside Lands performance can only be summed up in a very popular, albeit overused, internet slang acronym: WTF?

First, her tardiness. Absolutely unacceptable at a festival when music-lovers painstakingly plan their schedule and swim through crowds to see a favored artist."

CLICK TO READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW   

VENUS WILLIAMS PARTNERS WITH MAJOR FASHION LABEL FOR 2010 US OPEN LOOK

I know you all remember the lace dress and skin-colored shorts that Venus Williams rocked at this years French Open.  Well, the seven time Grand Slam champ plans to rock a completely different look for the 2010 US Open which kicks off today.

In partnership with her clothing line Eleven and Ralph Lauren, Venus designed the limited-edition US Open Stretch Venus Dress.  The dress retails for $198.00, and 15% of sales will be donated to the Women's Sports Foundation.

I wish Venus luck in her quest to grab another grand slam title before she retires her racket.  I would personally like to see her win another US Open, and this is the perfect opportunity since kid sis, Serena, will not be playing due to a foot injury.  In regards to her French Open look, Venus has no regrets telling PageSix:

"[That dress is] very historical at this point. I would do it the absolute same way. I was trying to do something fun that was still functional."

PARIS HILTON ARRESTED FOR DRUG POSSESSION

Paris, let Lindsay be great! According to the Associated Press, "Smoke wafting from a Cadillac Escalade on the Las Vegas Strip ignited Paris Hilton's latest legal troubles late Friday, when a motorcycle officer who suspected the smell was marijuana stopped the vehicle and police say a bag of cocaine fell out of the 29-year-old socialite's purse. It's the second time this year Hilton has been arrested on drug possession allegations, although authorities in South Africa dropped marijuana charges earlier this summer."

FULL STORY HERE

imagery: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

WALKS TO THEIR OWN BEAT: MARY-KATE OLSEN

My favorite Olsen twin (we're not politically correct around here), Mary-Kate, is the cover girl for the September issue of Marie Claire.  Just over five feet tall, MK serves up some sex appeal along with her unique sense of style for the inside spread.  She's an actress, designer, producer, and entrepreneur, and definitely someone who walks to their own beat. 

Scans via The Fashion Source

CIARA TO THE STAGE: RIPS POWER 105 SET

Forget the RUMORS that Ciara had harsh words with Miss Keri Baby Hilson prior to taking the stage at The Power 105 concert this past weekend, and focus on the hot performance she gave of  "Pretty Girl Swag," "Gimme Dat," & "Ride." Props to REALTALKNY for the footage. 

YAYA & JURNEE SPOTTED AT SUMMER SOIREE

WHO: Actors Jurnee Smollet (above) & Yaya Dacosta

WHAT: InStyle Summer Soiree

WHERE: Private Residence, LA

 

"soiree: a party or reception held in the evening"

imagery| Getty

SEE IT FOR YOURSELF: AMY WINEHOUSE LOOKING FAB IN LONDON

Fixate on these photos for a moment, then give a hand clap of praise! I don't believe i have seen Amy Winehouse look this good...ever. 

The 26-year-old singer was spotted leaving the hospital where her father is staying...he was rushed to the hospital after suffering chest pains. I'm hoping this is a new era for Amy. As much as i like to make fun of her crack-headedness, i'd rather see her looking like this from now on. 

imagery| PacificCoastNews.com

DESIREE ROGERS LANDS CEO GIG AT JOHNSON PUBLISHING

Back in 2009, Desiree Rogers served as White House Social Secretary when the infamous Tareq and Michaele Salahi (Real Housewives of DC) crashed Obama's state dinner.  She took the blame for the security breach, and resigned after just 13 months on the job.  

I was watching CNN around midnight yesterday and was surprised to see Rogers pop up for a brief interview with anchor Don Lemon. At first, the interview focused on how crashing the state dinner launched the Salahi's into reality stardom, but eventually the real reason for Rogers appearance came forth.  

The Harvard Business School grad has recently been appointed as CEO of Johnson Publishing, which produces iconic African American mags Ebony and Jet.  

In the interview, Rogers shared that she remains friends with both President Obama and first lady Michelle; for the cover story of her first Ebony issue, Rogers chose none other than President Obama to lead the September issue.  

CHANEL IMAN, AN INCREDIBLE ANGEL

WHO: Supermodel Chanel Iman

WHAT: Incredible by Victoria's Secret Bra Launch

WHERE: SoHo VS Store, New York City

 

imagery| Bauer Griffin

CAPRIS FOR MEN. HIT OR MISS?

Nylon Magazine and Express Denim recently hosted a trendy issue party in West Hollywood at the London Hotel. Shane's Replacement America's Best Dance Crew host, Omarion, hit the red carpet rocking a look which i can't figure out if i love or hate. 

The tribal pattern on his jacket, vintage Janet tee, and boat shoes are pretty much amazing, but the Capris (man-pris) are what's throwing his look off to me. Omarion's good friend Chris Brown has also been rocking this  Capris look lately.  In my mind, my shorts should be just above the knee, and sometimes slightly higher if i'm feeling frisky. 

  

"Independence, assurance, originality, self-control and refinement should all be visible in the cut of his clothes."

-Ellen Moers

imagery| Getty + Splash

MUSIC: KANYE'S "SEE ME NOW" FT. BEYONCE & CHARLIE WILSON

♪"SEE ME NOW"♪

(HOT!!)

"I'm Socrates, but my skin mo' choclately!" Kanye raps in the first verse of "See Me Now", the second single off his untitled fifth studio album. Beyonce puts her rap/sing talent to use on the track, and Uncle Charlie, last name Wilson ad-libs like no other.  Download by clicking on the title above.

link via UrbanGifted

NO AMERICANS REMAIN IN MEN'S TENNIS TOP TEN

Arthur Ashe was the first African American male to win a major.

For the first time since rankings began in 1973, there is not a ONE American player in the  ATP top 10.  Andy Roddick was holding down the fort since 2006, but has now fallen to number 11 after a recent third-round loss. 

Things aren't looking to bright for American women either.  The only American players in the WTA top 10 are the Williams sisters, Venus & Serena.  Serena is still dominant and number 1, while older sis Venus is steady in the number 4 position. 

I remember the days of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi dominating for America, and it's a bit disheartening to see that we're no longer major players in the game.  Hopefully some up-and-comers will make a splash in the sport sooner than later.  

source| Bloomberg

HALLE BERRY RUMORED TO COVER VOGUE'S SEPTEMBER ISSUE

Reporter Dhani Mau, from Fashionista, recently revealed that inside sources at Vogue have shared that Halle Berry will be on the cover of Vogue's most-important September issue. If Berry is indeed the cover girl, this will be the first time that a black woman is featured on the cover of the fashion mag's September issue since Naomi Campbell in 1989. Berry's upcoming film "Frankie and Alice" hits theaters this fall and she has a new fragrance in stores later this month.

Vogue choosing to put an African American woman on the cover of the 2010 September issue isn't much of a shock to me. Ever since the monumental success of Vogue Italia's "All Black" issue, more and more fashion mags have been recognizing the fact that models (and celebrities) of color are more than capable of selling magazines. 

RAW EMOTION FROM THE LATE 70s

Before there was Beyonce and Lady Gaga, there was Kate Bush.  Quicksters and gentlemen i present Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights" video for your viewing pleasure. 

Now THIS is how you work a red dress.

HEY GENEVIEVE! SOCIAL SPOTTED IN NYC'S WEST VILLAGE

Socialite Genevieve Jones was spotted hailing a cab in NYC's West Village with a gal pal after enjoying lunch at Sant Ambroeus. Since Jones does not come from "old money," and she is black (gasp!), many are hard pressed about how she supports herself. When asked, Jones told The Wall Street Journal, "It's more mysterious if people don't know so much about me." 

Vogue editor, Uncle Andre Leon Talley, is a fan of the social saying, "She is one of those mysterious, New York girls who just shows up on the scene." 

imagery| Bauer Griffin

MODEL NOEMIE LENOIR IN GOOD SPIRITS MONTHS AFTER ATTEMPTED SUICIDE

Stunning French model Noemie Lenoir was in good spirits waving to the paparazzi after they recently spotted her running errands in NYC.

Back in May, the 30-year-old model was found unconscious by a man walking his dog after a suspected suicide attempt near her Paris home. It was reported that Lenoir had large quantities of drugs and alcohol in her system. 

I'm glad that this beauty is now in a far better condition and recovering, since she has a five-year-old son named Kelyan. She had to be in a pretty bad state of mind to try and take her life knowing that she'd be leaving her young child motherless.  Her career didn't take much of a blow as a result.  She is currently a face of Tiffany & Co's spring/summer 2010 campaign, and was featured in spreads in both Elle & V Magazine in July. 

imagery| PacificCoastNews.com

PHARRELL SPEAKS ON THE SCIENCE OF MUSIC IN INTERVIEW MAGAZINE

"If you think about all the different genres of music, they’re all descriptions of something else that has nothing to do with music—like the blues. Whoever coined that term, they completely got it right, they knew that those chord progressions, and the nature of those chords, the way that they were built, would give off a hue that was more blue, and not necessarily happy and sunny."

-PHARRELL WILLIAMS

 FULL INTERVIEW + MORE PHOTOS --> HERE. 

CHELSEA CLINTON & ALICIA KEYS WED OVER THE WEEKEND (PHOTOS)

Saturday, July 31st, was a big day for both Chelsea Clinton and Alicia Keys.  Clinton, the daughter of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, married Marc Mezvinsky in an interfaith ceremony in Rhinebeck, New Jersey. Meanwhile, Keys wed producer Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) on the island of Corsica.

Both Alicia and Chelsea dawned  Vera Wang gowns, however Clinton opted for a more traditional veil and Keys chose a Grecian inspired head piece. 

Celebrities said to have attended the Clinton wedding include actors Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, fashion designer Vera Wang, and Madeleine Albright (Secretary of State during Bill Clinton's second term).  Meanwhile, Queen Latifah and Bono were rumored to be on the list at Alicia's wedding.

CONGRATS TO THE NEWLYWEDS!  I toast to them and hope that they have not wasted millions on a wedding for a marriage that won't last.

imagery via Getty |  aliciakeysweb.com