Dr. Boyce - Wyclef Can’t Be President: Is that Good or Bad for Haiti?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University Scholarship in Action 

 

I just returned from Haiti, a country that continues to be devastated by the recent earthquakes that rumbled the soil in it's capital, Port-au-Prince. Haitians lived under an umbrella of tragedy long before the earthquakes took place, and the suffering has only intensified since the media has left its shores. One thing that most of us believe, including myself, is that Wyclef Jean loves Haiti. His candidacy for president of Haiti was met with open arms by some, and folded arms by a few others. The evidence of disdain was presented to me personally when Wyclef had to cancel an appearance on my show due to the number of death threats he'd been receiving.
The mixed response to Jean's announcement reflects the multitude of perceptions that various stakeholders have when it comes to the idea of Wyclef becoming president. I have spoken privately to friends in hip hop who've assured me that Wyclef has an infinite supply of love for his home country and wants to do what's right. But I've also met with friends who feel that Wyclef is a beacon of self-promotion who cares far less for Haiti than for his own bank account.

 

Click to read.

Drake is the Man - First Week Sales are Huge

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, AOL Black Voices

I took a poll of some of my industry homies last week to get a sense of how"Thank Me Later," the debut album for Drake, was going to sell. It turns out that out of those bold enough to make a prediction, my friends Michael Bivins (formerly of Belle, Biv, Devoe and New Edition) and Vigalantee (a rapper in Kansas City, MO), were closest. Vigalantee predicted 450,000 units and Mike Biv predicted 400,000. No matter how you slice it, Drake is now officially the shizzle.

It's not as if anyone is surprised by Drake's stellar debut. He and the rest of the Young Money clique did an outstanding job creating buzz for the album and Drake proved that even in the age of massive Internet pirating, he can still make his money.

 

click to read

What's New in the world of Black Folks - 6/11/10

NBA Gets High Marks for Diversity in Annual Report Card

• According to Professor Richard Lapchick, author of the recent Racial and Gender Report Card for ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 12th 2010 11:20AM | Comments (0)

Obama's "Angry Black Man" Criticism: Isn't He Also Half White?

• In light of all of the interesting analysis that others have done regarding why President Barack ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 9th 2010 9:36PM | Comments (34)

CNN Asks Why Black Men Are Not Graduating From College

• Richelle Carey at CNN Headline News recently reached out to me to find out why black men aren't ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 5th 2010 4:24PM | Comments (32)

Dwyane Wade Given Temporary Custody of His Sons

• NBA star Dwyane Wade's divorce just got a little uglier. This week, the court gave Wade custody ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 4th 2010 8:51AM | Comments (33)

Could LeBron James' Mother Rumors Push Him Out of Cleveland?

• The world seems to be buzzing incessantly about the statements made by former NBA great Calvin ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on May 24th 2010 10:41PM | Comments (4)

 

Slim Thug and his comments about black women continue to get the artist into trouble.  Is he going to lose big money because of this?

Still Livin in the 90s

The original mad rappers, Onyx, are back, and they're not happy about Damon Dash's 'Blak Roc' collaboration album with The Black Keys. In a recent interview on Angela Yee and Leah Rose's Lip Service radio show on Shade 45, the baldhead rappers discussedyelled about Dash's project, which features notable MC's likeLudacris, Jim Jones, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch and more.
"N----s is biting the whole f---in' movement," explained a ticked off Fredro Starr. "The 'Black Rock' s---, we been rocking with that. Now I'm hearing other n----s coming out with it...I ain't sayin' no f---in' names. You know what it is man, holla at me n----, 100 mad n----s with guns n----, stop playing games with me!"

read more click here

News: Kanye West Needs to Chill

It is our opinion at YBG that you should no longer feel obligated to ride the Kanye West emotional roller coaster, as this brother has obviously lost his damn mind.  First, the rapper makes a non-rap album that seems stupid, with a bunch of crazy songs that show that he is not in his right mind.  Second, there is the craziness of that ridiculous relationship with Amber Rose.  Last night was the kicker:  his assault of Taylor Swift’s moment on stage. 

We’re not Taylor Swift fans, but if she won the damn award Kanye, leave her alone.  You would be livid if Garth Brooks went up on the stage and took your sh*t.  Just kill it Ye and get that therapy you been needin.  It’s starting to get on our nerves.

Your Black News: Hip Hop Wired – 9/10/09

Death Row Gives The Masses A Bone With Snoop's "Lost Sessions"

NEWS

» By Moguldom   Sep 9 2009, 16:15 Pm

Fans of the “Dogg Father” will be pleasantly surprised when they visit store shelves very soon as the new guardians of Death Row Records have raided its illustrious musical collection to bring the people a true gem, classic music from none other than Snoop Dogg.

Called The Lost Sessions, Vol.1, the compilation is sure to spark instances of nostalgia as the West Coast don's classic flow can be felt over

Comments 0 Tags death row resords, dr. dre, snoop dogg,snoop dogg/ the lost sessions vol.1, suge knight

50 Cent Recruits Wale, Kid Cudi and Corey Gunz for “50 Fest”

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Sep 9 2009, 15:30 Pm

Fresh off the release of his new book, 50^th Law, 50 Cent is creating even more buzz around his name. The G-Unit founder is announcing more additions to his highly anticipated “50 Fest” concert. Leaders of the new school, Wale, Mike Posner and Kid Cudi were already confirmed for the show and now the lineup has been bumped up even more. Along with the previously announced lineup, 50 added Maino, Jim Jones, Uncle Murder, Ron Browz, D-Block, and Corey Gunz. The concert is set to take place October 3 at

Comments 0 Tags 50 cent, 50 fest, 50th law, kid cudi, Maino,rapper 50 cent, wale

J. Cole Embraces Newfound Stardom As He Rocks "Blueprint 3"

NEWS

» By JUSTIN STEWART   Sep 9 2009, 14:32 Pm

While everyone has been raving and girls are screaming at everything that Drake touches, there are certain artists on the radar whose subtle approaches have resulted in big rewards.  In the case of North Carolina rapper, J. Cole, time and dedication has landed him alongside Jay-Z as he was placed on the Blueprint III.

Tuesday, Cole made a trip to the Hall of Fame Music Shop in Queens where he purchased 10 copies of the latest from Jigga.  While being filmed by

Comments 0 Tags blueprint 3, J. Cole, j. cole/ a star is born,jay-z

New Funds Supporting Independent Artists

NEWS

» By JUSTIN STEWART   Sep 9 2009, 14:27 Pm

Due to major record label pressure and issues with creative control, many artists have made the decision to break themselves out from the major leagues and go at it on their own as an independent.  As artists without the constraints of what records executives feel is best for sales numbers as opposed to quality of work, they are able to deliver material that comes off as authentic and as their own body of work.

The independent life isn't always flashing lights as money comes into play.  Without the big checks from the big labels, certain factors such as

Comments 0 Tags Hector Fund, help for independent artists

Was T.I. Behind Mullage's Two Versions of “Trick'n”???

NEWS

» By JORDAN C. ALSTON   Sep 9 2009, 13:54 Pm

Hotlanta newcomers B Boi and B Town are two young MC's living the life of their dreams. Signed to Jive Records via From The Ground Up Records, the Atlanta natives have set the country on fire with their melodic summer anthem dedicated to the have and the have not's, “Trick'n.”

Though only new comers to the music business, the duo has already experienced some of the issues that have made and broken careers, with one of the most important of such instances stemming from none other than their first and biggest hit to date. Speaking exclusively to Hip-Hop Wired before their

Comments 0 Tags mullage, mullage feat. t-pain, mullage ft. t.i., mullage/ trick'n, t-pain, T.I.

Diddy Backs Students at Howard University

Diddy has backed the students at Howard University in their recent protests against the administration.  Check out what he had to say!

The latest from Hip Hop Wired – 8/24/09

Hip-Hop Wired is striving to bring you the best informative news on the Hip-Hop culture as well as stellar interviews with top artists, key spokespersons, and truth fighters for Black America’s causes and justice.

Hip-Hop News
Raekwon Speaks On OB4CL2, Releases Tracklist & Artwork

Mickey Factz Speaks On New Projects and Warren G Diss
Lawyer Wants Artists Held Accountable For Actions

Roccett Explains The "Fallout" With Young Jeezy
Snoop Dogg Partners With Tommy The Clown To Help Inner City Youth

Da Beatminerz Launch Online Radio Show

More News

Ghostface Killah Giving Relationship Tips

Ghostface is doing a weekly video series called "Wizdom of the Week." In the first installment, he explained to women that all men cheat, but that doesn't mean we don't love y'all. "That's what it is. We love the s--- out yall. But we just be f-----. I'm not sayin everybody, cause i got a couple of friends that don't cheat on they girls, or don't do nothin' because they feel like they don't want it comin' back. I could dig it. That's some real s---. I didn't move to that level. That's another level I gotta f----- go to on some 'Martin' s---, when he f----- around and left Gina to go find himself." Kinda wish Ghost would do this daily, or have his own talk radio show. Or just hang out on our roof and give us tips on stuff. [Rapradar]

Click to read.

Black News: Death of the Auto-coon? Dangerous Negro Takes Issue

Dangerous Negro, a t-shirt company, has taken issue with some of the silliness in the black community.  Click to watch the video!

News: Queen Latifah Loves Mustangs

Queen Latifah loves Mustangs!
Not the horses but that iconic muscle car that just celebrated its 45th anniversary this year as one of the industry's most successful

nameplates. Word of the Queen's affinity for Mustangs spread near and far. A few of her majesty's subjects over at FordMotor Company got wind of this news and presented her with a hot 2010 Mustang GT.

Click to read. 

 

Technorati Tags: black celebrities,black celebrity gossip,queen latifah

Lil Kim Dancing with the Stars: Good or Bad?

Lil Kim makes an appearance on Dancing with the Stars.  Click the image to see the performance!

Technorati Tags: lil kim,hip hop,black news,african american news,black celebrities,african american celebrities

Queen and Wyclef Join Together to Save Homes

Queen Latifah and Wyclef Jean have joined together in a bus tour of Newark, N.J., to promote options available to help homeowners avoid foreclosures. According to reports Newark has the largest number of foreclosure rates.

Your Black Celebrities: Jay Z Reportedly Furious Over Chris Brown Situation

In more Chris and Rihanna news a website called contact music is reporting that Jay Z is furious about the recent incident with Rihanna (like we didn't already know that)! In any event read the juice below:
CHRIS BROWN is set to incur the wrath of hip-hop king JAY-Z over his alleged assault on R&B star RIHANNA. Brown was arrested on Sunday (08Feb09) for felony battery after an incident with an as yet unidentified woman, reported to be Rihanna, in a vehicle in Los Angeles.
And Jay-Z, who discovered and mentored Rihanna, was reportedly enraged upon hearing the allegations, warning of retributions for Brown. A source tells Us Weekly magazine, “He hit the roof. Chris is a walking dead man. He messed with the wrong crew.”
I'll just be glad when this is a wrap because like the elastic on some old undies it's getting stretched out to capacity!
--
Posted By Lady Drama to Your Black Gossip at 2/11/2009 08:40:00 AM

Technorati Tags: jay z,chris brown,rihanna,chrianna,chris brown domestic violence

Kanye West, TI Speak on Chris Brown, Rihanna

 

 
Not only are all the blogs talking about the assault that Rihanna endured from Chris Brown, now their celeb friends are speaking out too. Rapper Kanye West expressed his feeling about the situation earlier today stating,
She (Rihanna) has the potential to be the greatest artist of all time and, in that sense,…… I feel like that’s my baby sis and I would do any and everything to help her in any situation,... I feel like, just as a person, I don’t care how famous she is or even if she just worked at McDonald’s, that should never happen. It should never come to that place"

Rapper T.I. also commented on the situation on the Last Call With Carson Daly Show. 

 

Seems like they both are taking sides, and since Kanye said he would do ANY and EVERYTHING for Rihanna maybe he can whoop Chris for her!!!

Labels: black celebrity gossip, Chris Brown, chris brown and rihanna domestic violence, kanye west, T.I.

Diddy's Rep Releases Statement About Mark Curry's Book

Diddy's rep released a statement in response to the recent announcement of a book by former artist Mark Curry titled Dancing With the Devil: How Puff Burned the Bad Boys of Hip-Hop . “This is a work of fiction, filled with lies, written by a disgruntled former artist ,” Diddy’s rep responds to Curry’s claims. “He was properly credited for the two songs he wrote and never produced any other material worthy of release by Bad Boy.”

Your Black World: Black Celebs Show Out for Grammies

J. Hud looking FABULOUS

M.I.A. and her new edition

Jay Z. minus Beyonce
Snoop and his wife
Jamie Foxx and his daughter

Leona Lewis

Rising star Karina Pasian

Technorati Tags: black news,african american news,black celebrities,african american celebrities

Diddy Throws Kim A Party

Diddy threw his baby momma Kim Porter a lavish birthday party Monday in West Hollywood.
Word is that Nearly 30 guests arrived, including "Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo and husband Chris Ivery, co-star Sara Ramirez and reality TV's Lisa Gastineau. They party of course Diddy style took place at Murano Restaurant & Lounge to celebrating Porter's 38th birthday.The dj spinned nothing but old school 70s R&B and Kim was also serenaded by Stevie Wonder's singing his version of "Happy Birthday." Of course, guests drank a specialty lemon drop martini made with Ciroc vodka designed for the occasion, People.com reports. A four course tasting menu created by Executive Chef Luciano Sautto was served.

Kanye and Estelle performed at MTV European Music Awards