Barack Obama’s Grandmother Dies November 3, 2008

Barack Obama’s grandmother, who raised him while his mother pursued a career in anthropology, has died, the Democratic presidential candidate and his half-sister announced. 

Just a week-and-a-half ago, Obama suspended his campaign for two days to pay a visit to his ailing grandmother in Hawaii. 

In a statement released Monday, Obama, 47, and Maya Soetoro-Ng, 38, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility.” 

Dunham was 86, and Obama called her “Toot.” In a campaign ad earlier this year, he described her as the daughter of a Midwest oil company clerk who “taught me values straight from the Kansas heartland.”

The family statement adds: “She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure. 

“Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes, and prayers during this difficult time. It brought our grandmother and us great comfort. Our grandmother was a private woman, and we will respect her wish for a small private ceremony to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to any worthy organization in search of a cure for cancer.”

Jay-Z Honored For Glastonbury Diss November 3, 2008

 

Jigga snags “Most Memorable Moment” prize at the UK Festival Awards

Rap star Jay-Z was honored on Thursday with the “Most Memorable Moment” award at the UK Festival Awards. According to WENN, Jay won for his headlining mocking performance at June’s Glastonbury festival. 

It was all in the intro: Jay-Z stepped out in dark shades on a dark stage lit up by a ray of red and blue. Instead of his one mic, he had a guitar slung around his chest. He leaned into the microphone with a sneer and bellowed, “Today is going to be the day that they’re going to throw it back to you!” 

The line was quite familiar…it was, ironically, the opening to Oasis’ hit song “Wonderwall.” It came right on the heels of Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher, calling hip hop at Glastonbury “wrong.” 

“They say you don’t want me here, Glastonbury,” Jay-Z told the elated audience, “Now tell me, where is the love?” 

10 Reasons Why Wealthy Men Are Better Than Poor Ones! November 3, 2008

10 reasons why wealthy men are better than poor ones

1) If you are with a rich man, you’re going to want more for your life
Being on the arm of a rich guy you are going to want everyone to know about your talents, not just his. Go to school, buy a business or develop your talents with his funding the project-YOU. A poor dude won’t have access to the funds to help you pay for developing your talents.

2) Dating a rich guy is a self-esteem booster
Going out with a rich man is indeed a self-esteem booster. You’d feel lucky that even though he can choose any other woman he wants to, given his status, he had chosen you.

3) Your chance for a dream vacation would be possible.
Have you been wishing to go to St. Tropez or on a European cruise? You may coyly tell your rich boyfriend that you want to unwind with him without the hassle and bustle of the city life. If he asks you where could it possibly be? Here’s your chance!! Suggest a place you’ve been dying to see. With a poor dude, it will all be just a fantasy.

4) Generally, rich men have less “drama” than poor ones
A rich man has an enormous ego so he would be afraid to pour out his dramas on you. Besides, he may be content enough with his life because he’s already where he wanted to be. In a poor man’s case, you will probably be listening to a list of bills he has to pay (he may even want to borrow money from you).

5) It’s about the ride, baby
A rich man will bring you to a party in his Porsche or Benz while a poor dude may just tell you to meet him there or take the cab with you to the date.

6) As a rich man’s main squeeze, you gain popularity
From Miss Nobody to the Mr. Rich Man’s girl. Admit it, the attention you will get from other people will be flattering. Some poor girls may be envious of your newly acquired status, but surely, they will trade anything to be in the spotlight. With a poor dude, people look at you like you are STUP to be with him.

7) Expensive gifts will surely come your way
It will be such a shame for a rich guy to scrimp on the presents he will give you. A rich man can afford all the extravagant gifts that you desire. Let him (accidentally) see you browsing over a magazine, salivating over a Cartier watch or the latest Louis Vuitton bag. Before you know it, the presents will be coming your way. When you’re dating a poor dude everything will be budgeted. His vision of shutting the mall down is, hitting all the sales rack, and this is only on a special occasion.

Your parents and friends will most likely approve of the rich guy
Parents want to see their beautiful daughter going out with a cultured rich guy. With the poor dude, Mom will be trippin every chance she gets. Your friends and Mom will ask you over and over again what you saw in him… and your answers will never be right.

9) You will be in an elite circle
You gain socialite girlfriends, thanks to him. But be warned, you should know how to play your cards with the rich femme fatales. Some of them (maybe 99%) can be hypocritical bitches. Just in case you need to ditch your rich boyfriend, you’d easily get another rich one since you’re already moving in the so-called upper echelon.

10) Rich men can afford to pamper you
Who wouldn’t like a good amount of comfort, right? You’d be booked in the finest five-star hotels. You’d be able to taste the expensive hobbies of the rich and famous, you’d be wined and dined in the best places. This may be in a Material Girl’s point of view, but in reality, women would rather be with a rich guy, not only for his money, but because of the power that comes with it. I don’t have any explanation in regard to the poor man’s case.

Photo of the Day November 3, 2008

 AC is 23 yrs old he is from Salisbury, MD

a_sizzl@yahoo.com

Nelly Admits He and Ashanti Are ‘Serious’ November 3, 2008

Whoa, Nelly! 

The rapper – who has kept mum about his romance with Ashanti for years – is finally ready to dish. 

The key to their below-the-radar relationship, he tells PEOPLE, is that they both love to have a good time. 

“That’s the thing between me and her, we just like having fun,” he said Sunday at Las Vegas’s Lavo club, where he was celebrating his 34th birthday. 

Although Ashani was in Japan and couldn’t attend the party, Nelly admitted that the two have been “hanging out for a minute.” (That’s a bit of an understatement. In fact, they’ve been linked on and off since 2003.) 

So is it serious? 

“I think it’s always serious,” he said, “when you can hang with a person continuously … and [“still”] have fun.” 

Earlier this summer, Ashanti would only call Nelly a “good friend.” But, she coyly told PEOPLE, an engagement could “definitely [be] in the future.”

UPDATE: Details of Shakir Stewart’s Suicide Emerge November 3, 2008

 

Stewart’s family releases statement. Long-time friends Kenny Burns and Ian Burke baffled over executive’s demise.

Me and Shake, we’re men’s men. We had kids, we’re responsible fathers. And the man that I know wouldn’t take his life. That man was strong, it ain’t no street pressure, music business, L.A. Reid, these fake ass artists…that ain’t gon’ tear nobody like Shake down. It’s just something that I can’t see, nor accept. We wouldn’t do that.

More details into the recent tragic death of Def Jam Record’s Vice-President, Shakir Stewart, have emerged. On Sunday, Stewart’s family released a statement about the executive’s death.

 ”We would like to thank Shakir’s friends for the tremendous outpouring of love and support we have received during this difficult time,” the statement from Stewart’s fiancée, Michelle Rivers, and family read.

“It has helped us to cope with our overwhelming grief and sadness. It is difficult to express or explain in words what led to the tragic occurrence on Saturday. Over the past several weeks, Shakir’s behavior was inconsistent with the man we all know and love. As much as we all tried to help him, Shakir was in deep pain and largely suffering in silence. Please remember Shakir for who he was … a wonderful father, partner, son and friend.” 

According to Georgia’s Cobb County police, 34-year-old Stewart— who died Saturday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, reportedly shot himself with a handgun in the bathroom of his house on Lindsey Drive in Marietta, Georgia. Stewart was pronounced dead at Kennestone Hospital later that day. 

“Whatever happened over the past 24 hours is not a testament to who we all know,” Christopher Hicks, a music executive and longtime friend of Stewart, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday. 

Police have not confirmed who found Stewart’s body, or any motives leading up to the suicide. 

Stewart is best known for signing rappers Young Jeezy and Rick Ross to Def Jam Records. On June 3, Stewart was promoted to VP of Def Jam, where he reported directly to his mentor, Island Def Jam’s chairman, Antonio “L.A.” Reid.

On Sunday night, Blog Talk Radio hosted a special online show called, “Celebrate Shakir ‘Shake’ Stewart.” Former college roommates, hometown buddies, and industry friends called in to share memories of Stewart. Many were left confused over Stewart’s exit. 

“It had to be something very very bad for him to even think about doing something of this nature,” Atlanta record executive Ian Burke, said. “And whatever it was, I guess it was something that… I guess he felt, at the time, he couldn’t turn back from.” 

Industry mogul Kenny Burns, Stewart’s friend of 17-years, recalled how he and Stewart dreamed of making it big in the industry.

“From that time and period, all of us were looking for something. The business was starting to bubble and we were all blessed to be there early. Looking back, we were like,  ‘Aww shit, we need to get in that, the women, the girls’… But it just became more important to make a mark and build a legacy.” 

Burns, clearly shaken, says he doesn’t believe Stewart killed himself. 

“Me and Shake, we’re men’s men. We had kids, we’re responsible fathers. And the man that I know wouldn’t take his life. That man was strong, it ain’t no street pressure, music business, L.A. Reid, these fake ass artists…that ain’t gon’ tear nobody like Shake down. It’s just something that I can’t see, nor accept. We wouldn’t do that.

“Like, [Stewart] wouldn’t leave his kids without insurance like that. We tried to rush to the hospital before they rushed him to the morgue yesterday…” Burns says, before breaking down in tears on the phone.

“I want to say something about this fake ass business that these young’ns are enthralled with: this business is not that. Educate these people. Money does not make you happy. I don’t believe he took his life. But it’s because of this fake ass business, and these niggas and bitches,” Burns said. “I’m personally setting up a college fund for his kids.”

For more on Shakir Stewart, go here. Stay tuned to ontherecordmagazine.com for further details regarding this tragedy. 

Weekly Lovescopes November 3, 2008

ARIES (March 20 – April 19) 
You have an air of mystery about you that makes you most intriguing and attractive. Nobody has the key to your heart, but you could give them a few pointers.

Key word for the week: new encounter
Your luckiest aspect this week: financial
Who to spend time with: Gemini

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) 
You are not one to back out of an argument, but you should consider making an exception if you want to save a close relationship.

Key word for the week: ambition
Your luckiest aspect this week: career
Who to spend time with: Libra

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) 
Just as you have made one of your dreams come true and you should be fully satisfied, a new desire emerges. Such is life. This is your next challenge to be dealt with.

Key word for the week: love
Your luckiest aspect this week: communication
Who to spend time with: Gemini

CANCER (June 21 – July 22) 
A little flattery and perhaps even a white lie will serve you in good stead. At times, this is the only way to get what you want, and you won’t be doing any harm.

Key word for the week: discovery
Your luckiest aspect this week: travel
Who to spend time with: Virgo

LEO (July 23 – August 22)
AIf you put your foot down a little more often you will see that nobody dares to push you around. You are feeling dynamic and ready to take a risk.

Key word for the week: friendship
Your luckiest aspect this week: family
Who to spend time with: Scorpio

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22)
Your fiery temper or bright personality will be a subject of discussion. You are the centre of attention, much to your embarrassment. 

Key word for the week: curiosity
Your luckiest aspect this week: money
Who to spend time with: Aries

LIBRA(September 23 – October 22)
You feel unappreciated in a close relationship. You have to rely on your own judgment to make yourself feel better. It is up to you to provide inspiration and encouragement at the moment. 

Key word for the week: understanding
Your luckiest aspect this week: relationships
Who to spend time with: Sagittarius

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 22)
You are a bit of a scatterbrain, and you have a tendency to lose personal belongings. Home affairs and housework will be unsuccessful so you may as well not even bother. 

Key word for the week: consistency
Your luckiest aspect this week: career
Who to spend time with: Leo

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21)
Don’t let a seemingly complex situation put you off. Your desires are soon to be fulfilled, no matter what you may think. 

Key word for the week: order
Your luckiest aspect this week: home life
Who to spend time with: Aquarius

CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19)
A suggestion or offer involving travel and good fun should not be turned down. You will find a way of overcoming financial barriers. 

Key word for the week: flirtatiousness
Your luckiest aspect this week: romance
Who to spend time with: Capricorn

AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18)
Don’t judge a book by its cover. Look deeper inside someone and you will discover a heart of gold. If the festive season is causing stress, then cheer up and look ahead. 

Key word for the week: decisiveness
Your luckiest aspect this week: finances
Who to spend time with: Pisces

PISCES (February 19 – March 19) 
Your emotions are stirred up and you cannot relax and feel at ease. Find a way of expressing yourself, preferably to the person involved. 

Key word for the week: patience
Your luckiest aspect this week: working relationships
Who to spend time with: Taurus

EX-SOURCE EDITOR OSORIO RELEASES TELL-ALL November 3, 2008

 

In her new tell-all memoir “Straight from the Source,” Kim Osorio describes the sexual harassment she encountered as the first female editor of The Source magazine.     

      The book also details the historic court case that netted her a million dollar judgment and the music industry a legal precedent for gender discrimination, defamation and retaliation in the workplace.

 

       A press release states: “From her corner office, Kim got the goods on hip-hop’s hottest names: Jay-Z, Nas, 50 Cent, Lil’ Kim and more. She developed close — and sometimes intimate relationships with the artists she worked with.       

       “But behind the scenes; the magazine’s volatile owners would puppeteer every issue. The Source even declared war on hip-hop’s highest selling artist Eminem and began the notorious assault that would send the magazine into swift decline.       

       “After it all came to a head, Osorio was fired, but resurfaced in 2006, filing a sexual harassment, gender discrimination, defamation and retaliation lawsuit against the Source. She details the drama in this tell-all, and provides the context for a lawsuit that has shaken up the entire music industry.”

SURPRISE – TYRA ENDORSES OBAMA November 3, 2008

 

After months of praising Sen. Barack Obama, Tyra Banks has finally given her official endorsement of the Democratic presidential nominee.

 

      The creator of “America’s Next Top Model” and host of “The Tyra Banks Show” released a statement over the weekend supporting Obams’s run for the White House.

 

       “Throughout this historic presidential campaign, I have been inspired by Senator Barack Obama and his message of change,” she said. “I believe he will uplift all Americans during these critical times. I will be voting for Obama because I feel America is not only ready for this change, we are in need of it.”      

       In September, Tyra was featured in Harper’s Bazaar posing as Michelle Obama with a Barack look-a-like in the Oval Office.

ANGIE STONE TO HELP GET ELDERLY TO THE POLLS November 3, 2008

 

Angie Stone has decided to spend her Election Day taking seniors who reside at the Summer Hill Senior Apartments in Austell, Georgia to the voting polls.       

       “I feel it is my civic duty to help those who are less fortunate or don’t have the resources to get to the polls…I am trying to aid them in having a voice on one of the most historical election days ever,” says Stone in a statement to OTR.        

       “I implore others to do the same…we can change our communities one block at a time,” she says.      

       One of Stone’s partners is Abundance Luxury Limousine Company headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, who will be sponsoring the transportation.