Diddy on 'Downton'? Sort of
Diddy on 'Downton'? Sort of
"Downton Abbey" has added a ton of new actors to its cast for season four, and some fans might've thought Sean "P. Diddy" Combs was among them.
The music mogul (and hip-hop's wealthiest) sent out a flurry of tweets on Wednesday that suggested he was the newest resident of "Downton," along with a supposed picture of himself on set:
"I have to admit that 'Downton Abbey' is one of my favorite shows- and thats why Im so excited today," he posted Wednesday. "MY BIG NEWS: So happy to announce that Im a series regular on DOWNTON ABBEY-my favorite show+i'll be debuting a sneak peek tonight 12am PST!"
But then PBS, which airs the hit British series in the States, went on the record saying that the Diddy on "Downton" casting just wasn't true.
As it turns out, the mogul *has* been cast ... but in a Funny Or Die spoof of the period drama (which has strong language). The nearly five-minute clip jokes about "Downton's" recent casting of its first black character, Gary Carr. Diddy, a self-professed "Abbey-head" who still can't help but call it "Downtown" instead of "Downton," says he broke that barrier first:MORE
Rapper Eve says she wants her biracial kids to be ‘colorblind’
from theGrio.com
Rapper Eve has been opening up about raising biracial children with her longtime Brit boyfriend Maximillion Cooper.
In a recent interview with Vibe Vixen, the Grammy-Award-winning rapper-songwriter talked candidly about the desire for her kids to be “colorblind.”
“I don’t want them to see color. I never did,” said 34-year-old Eve, who is currently prepping for the May 14 release of her latest album, Lip Lock.
“I grew up in the hood and my mother was very good at it not being a black thing, even though I grew up around all black people. I want them to want to know everything about all kinds of races.”
Eve, who has been dating multimillionaire entrepreneur and racing driver, Cooper, 40, for more than three years, adds, “I’m a black woman and I love being a black woman. And I think my child should know that black part of themselves.”
But at the same time, she says when she finally becomes a mom she wants her children to know the white “side of themselves.”
Her comments echo the same sentiment as reality star Kim Kardashian, who is expecting her first child with Kanye West.
“The most important thing is, the way I want to raise my children is to not see color,” Kardashian said in a televised interview with BET.
Though, actress Halle Berry is quoted as saying she believes in the “one drop rule,” where a person with any trace of sub-Saharan ancestry, however small, is considered black. Using this definition, Berry’s fair-skinned daughter, Nahla, is classified as black.
This raises the question over whether biracial children can ever really be “color blind” in a society so marked by race. Is this the formula for an identity crisis or can mixed-race people truly embrace their black and white sides?
by Kunbi Tinuoye
Rapper Eve has been opening up about raising biracial children with her longtime Brit boyfriend Maximillion Cooper.
In a recent interview with Vibe Vixen, the Grammy-Award-winning rapper-songwriter talked candidly about the desire for her kids to be “colorblind.”
“I don’t want them to see color. I never did,” said 34-year-old Eve, who is currently prepping for the May 14 release of her latest album, Lip Lock.
“I grew up in the hood and my mother was very good at it not being a black thing, even though I grew up around all black people. I want them to want to know everything about all kinds of races.”
Eve, who has been dating multimillionaire entrepreneur and racing driver, Cooper, 40, for more than three years, adds, “I’m a black woman and I love being a black woman. And I think my child should know that black part of themselves.”
But at the same time, she says when she finally becomes a mom she wants her children to know the white “side of themselves.”
Her comments echo the same sentiment as reality star Kim Kardashian, who is expecting her first child with Kanye West.
“The most important thing is, the way I want to raise my children is to not see color,” Kardashian said in a televised interview with BET.
Though, actress Halle Berry is quoted as saying she believes in the “one drop rule,” where a person with any trace of sub-Saharan ancestry, however small, is considered black. Using this definition, Berry’s fair-skinned daughter, Nahla, is classified as black.
This raises the question over whether biracial children can ever really be “color blind” in a society so marked by race. Is this the formula for an identity crisis or can mixed-race people truly embrace their black and white sides?
by Kunbi Tinuoye
Nicki Minaj calls Mariah Carey "insecure" and "bitter"
And the war between American Idol judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey rages on...
This time around? Well, celebrity blogger Perez Hilton did stoke the fires.
Let's backtrack, shall we?
On Wednesday's Idol, upon critiquing a contestant's performance, Carey made a jab in Minaj's direction, saying: "Again, back to the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 song, which you just performed -- which is difficult to get; not everybody has that."
Here's where Hilton comes in: responding to a Thursday morning post on his gossip website which declared "Mariah Carey BURNS Nicki Minaj on 'Idol'," Minaj tweeted to Hilton, "Bwaha! Burn? Shes sad i tied her record for Hot 100 entries in only 3 years of being in the game. Yep, a black female rapper @perezhilton."
And then: "What u SHOULD be doing (wit your messy [expletive]) is asking why a woman SO successful at her age, is still so INSECURE, and bitter @perezhilton."
Oh, and Minaj also alluded to rumors that Idol wants Jennifer Lopez back on the judging panel: "All dem #1s but JLo phone ringin? Lol. I guess having a personality, being a secure woman, and giving genuine critique still trumps that."
This time around? Well, celebrity blogger Perez Hilton did stoke the fires.
Let's backtrack, shall we?
On Wednesday's Idol, upon critiquing a contestant's performance, Carey made a jab in Minaj's direction, saying: "Again, back to the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 song, which you just performed -- which is difficult to get; not everybody has that."
Here's where Hilton comes in: responding to a Thursday morning post on his gossip website which declared "Mariah Carey BURNS Nicki Minaj on 'Idol'," Minaj tweeted to Hilton, "Bwaha! Burn? Shes sad i tied her record for Hot 100 entries in only 3 years of being in the game. Yep, a black female rapper @perezhilton."
And then: "What u SHOULD be doing (wit your messy [expletive]) is asking why a woman SO successful at her age, is still so INSECURE, and bitter @perezhilton."
Oh, and Minaj also alluded to rumors that Idol wants Jennifer Lopez back on the judging panel: "All dem #1s but JLo phone ringin? Lol. I guess having a personality, being a secure woman, and giving genuine critique still trumps that."
R&B Divas returned to TV One
R&B Divas Atlanta returned Wednesday, for a second season on the cable network TV One. Tene’ Croom talked to Grammy winner Faith Evans, the creator and star of the hit show, about why her show is different from the others, a stage play she’s working on, dating, and more.
Reach Tene’ at tene.croom.tc@gmail.com
Reach Tene’ at tene.croom.tc@gmail.com
Faith Evans with Tene Croom
Allegheny County Lineup for 2013 Summer Concert Series
Features three Grammy Award winners & three Grammy Award nominees
PITTSBURGH – Following a brief performance this morning by J.D. Eicher, one of the local rock artists from the Hometown Music Festival, Allegheny County Rich Fitzgerald today announced the lineup for the 2013 Summer Concert Series.
“We have an amazing line-up this year including three Grammy Award winners, three Grammy Award nominees, local cultural mainstays, and our popular Blues Festival, Hometown Music Festival, and Allegheny County Music Festival,” said Fitzgerald. “Each year, Special Events plans the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series with a goal of providing something for everyone. We’ve really accomplished that objective for this year in a big way. Our lineup is as diverse and vibrant as our county and its residents. So, grab your friends and family and join us in the parks this summer for a concert, or two, or all!”
The concert series begins on Friday, May 31, when the Pittsburgh CLO presents “A Gleeful Evening, Vol. 3” featuring Gene Kelly Award winners at 7:30 p.m. at the South Park Amphitheater. The Pittsburgh Opera kicks off the season at the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 2.
The Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater will host Grammy Award winners Sarah Watkins on June 30, the Yellowjackets on August 4, and Rickie Lee Jones on August 25. The South Park Amphitheater will feature Grammy Award nominees Monty Alexander on June 28, Sixpence None the Richer on July 26, and James Hunter on August 16.
The South Park Amphi6theater will feature reggae legends the Wailers on June 21, Jamaican jazz legend Monty Alexander on June 28, and pop legend David Cassidy on July 12.
Allegheny County is proud to once again feature local cultural institutions. In addition to the Pittsburgh Opera on June 2, the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater will host the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on July 7 and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater August 18. South Park performances will include the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on July 6, August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble on August 2, and Duquesne University Tamburitzans on August 23.
The Pittsburgh Blues Festival will take place July 19-21 at the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater. Performances will include: Big Sam’s Funky Nation and the Slide Brothers on July 19; Los Lonely Boys, Joe Louis Walker, Eric Lindell and Gina Sicilia on July 20; and Tab Benoit, the Nighthawks with Billy Price, and J.D. McPherson on July 21. Several local bands will also be added to the schedule. Online ticket sales begin May 15 at www.pghblues.com. Proceeds benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
The South Park Amphitheater hosts the Hometown Music Fest on August 30. J.D. Eicher, Caleb Lovely and Danielle Barbe will perform.
The summer concert series comes to an end at the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater on September 1 with the Allegheny County Music Festival featuring Rusted Root with special guest Joel Plaskett. A $20 per car donation is requested. Proceeds benefit children and youth receiving services through the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Family Division’s Juvenile Section. The Allegheny County Music Festival Fund pays for life-enriching opportunities and items that are not otherwise available through traditional government funding.
All performances are free and open to the public, with the exception of the Pittsburgh Blues Festival and Allegheny County Music Festival. The complete schedule of summer concerts is listed below and is also available on the Allegheny County web site at www.alleghenycounty.us/summer. All concerts are subject to change. For additional information, please call the Special Events Office at 412-350-2528.
PITTSBURGH – Following a brief performance this morning by J.D. Eicher, one of the local rock artists from the Hometown Music Festival, Allegheny County Rich Fitzgerald today announced the lineup for the 2013 Summer Concert Series.
“We have an amazing line-up this year including three Grammy Award winners, three Grammy Award nominees, local cultural mainstays, and our popular Blues Festival, Hometown Music Festival, and Allegheny County Music Festival,” said Fitzgerald. “Each year, Special Events plans the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series with a goal of providing something for everyone. We’ve really accomplished that objective for this year in a big way. Our lineup is as diverse and vibrant as our county and its residents. So, grab your friends and family and join us in the parks this summer for a concert, or two, or all!”
The concert series begins on Friday, May 31, when the Pittsburgh CLO presents “A Gleeful Evening, Vol. 3” featuring Gene Kelly Award winners at 7:30 p.m. at the South Park Amphitheater. The Pittsburgh Opera kicks off the season at the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 2.
The Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater will host Grammy Award winners Sarah Watkins on June 30, the Yellowjackets on August 4, and Rickie Lee Jones on August 25. The South Park Amphitheater will feature Grammy Award nominees Monty Alexander on June 28, Sixpence None the Richer on July 26, and James Hunter on August 16.
The South Park Amphi6theater will feature reggae legends the Wailers on June 21, Jamaican jazz legend Monty Alexander on June 28, and pop legend David Cassidy on July 12.
Allegheny County is proud to once again feature local cultural institutions. In addition to the Pittsburgh Opera on June 2, the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater will host the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on July 7 and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater August 18. South Park performances will include the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on July 6, August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble on August 2, and Duquesne University Tamburitzans on August 23.
The Pittsburgh Blues Festival will take place July 19-21 at the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater. Performances will include: Big Sam’s Funky Nation and the Slide Brothers on July 19; Los Lonely Boys, Joe Louis Walker, Eric Lindell and Gina Sicilia on July 20; and Tab Benoit, the Nighthawks with Billy Price, and J.D. McPherson on July 21. Several local bands will also be added to the schedule. Online ticket sales begin May 15 at www.pghblues.com. Proceeds benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
The South Park Amphitheater hosts the Hometown Music Fest on August 30. J.D. Eicher, Caleb Lovely and Danielle Barbe will perform.
The summer concert series comes to an end at the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater on September 1 with the Allegheny County Music Festival featuring Rusted Root with special guest Joel Plaskett. A $20 per car donation is requested. Proceeds benefit children and youth receiving services through the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Family Division’s Juvenile Section. The Allegheny County Music Festival Fund pays for life-enriching opportunities and items that are not otherwise available through traditional government funding.
All performances are free and open to the public, with the exception of the Pittsburgh Blues Festival and Allegheny County Music Festival. The complete schedule of summer concerts is listed below and is also available on the Allegheny County web site at www.alleghenycounty.us/summer. All concerts are subject to change. For additional information, please call the Special Events Office at 412-350-2528.
Rip the Runway Models One on One with UMT's Allegra Johnson
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Pittsburgh was in the house for BET's annual Rip The Runway fashion and muisc show. UrbanMediaToday's Allegra Johnson has more with two models with Pittsburgh connections who walked in the popular BET show.
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Juney Boomdata and "Suzzurp"
Lil Wayne, the 30 year old Grammy winning and multi-platinum selling rapper, has been released from Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles. Wayne is now convalescing at home. He spent 6 days there after suffering a series of severe seizures. He’s admitted to taking medication for the seizures. But is he taking something else that might be making his medical condition worse or causing a medical problem?
There have been reports that “Weezy,” as friends of the “Lollipop” singer call him, has a fondness for sizzurp, the slang term for prescription cough syrup with codeine mixed with soda. The New Orleans born Wayne rapped about how it made him “feel so great” in his song “Me and my Drank.”
Sizzurp is said to be popular among Southern rappers. I wanted to get the 4-1-1 about the drug. So, I talked to Atlanta rapper Juney Boomdata, who had the hit, “Wuz Up Wit Da Cookiez” about sizzurp and why he thinks some rappers use it. Listen to what he had to say.
Reach Tene’ Croom at tene.croom.tc@gmail.com
Click on the audio symbol to hear her interview.
There have been reports that “Weezy,” as friends of the “Lollipop” singer call him, has a fondness for sizzurp, the slang term for prescription cough syrup with codeine mixed with soda. The New Orleans born Wayne rapped about how it made him “feel so great” in his song “Me and my Drank.”
Sizzurp is said to be popular among Southern rappers. I wanted to get the 4-1-1 about the drug. So, I talked to Atlanta rapper Juney Boomdata, who had the hit, “Wuz Up Wit Da Cookiez” about sizzurp and why he thinks some rappers use it. Listen to what he had to say.
Reach Tene’ Croom at tene.croom.tc@gmail.com
Click on the audio symbol to hear her interview.
Tene' Croom with Essence Atkins
We all first came to love actress Essence Atkins on UPN's sitcom, "One On One," when she played the spoiled rich brat Dee Dee Thorne. Well, she's returned to TV in not one, but two, comedy series. She's a mom on the big screen spinoff, "Are We There Yet?" And she has a recurring role as a teacher in the syndicated "Mr. Box Office."
She also blasts reality TV shows during an exclusive interview with Tene' Croom.
“Are We There Yet?” airs on TBS, Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Eastern and Pacific times.
She also blasts reality TV shows during an exclusive interview with Tene' Croom.
“Are We There Yet?” airs on TBS, Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Eastern and Pacific times.
Justin Chon talks with Tene' Croom. Listen In
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Justin Chon has returned to the big screen as Jeff Chang in "21 and Over," an over the top comedy from the makers of "Hangover." Chang hilariously and drunkenly celebrates his 21st birthday with friends the night before an important medical exam. Tene' Croom talked exclusively to Chon, best known as Eric Yorkie from the hit “Twilight" films.
"21 and Over" now in theatres nationwide. Reach Tene' at tene.croom.tc@gmail.com |
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