Sasha works the sex kitten stance on the December 2008/January 2009 cover of Giant Magazine and your girl was spotted at the NYC Premiere of Cadillac Records with Jay-Z last night.
Chris Brown a big hit with on-demand viewers December 2, 2008
Chris Brown is in demand with on-demand viewers.
The TV on-demand service Music Choice said Monday the soul singer was its most requested artist in a one-year period ending in September. Fans ordered free plays of Brown’s videos or interviews 43 million times.
Music Choice honored Brown on its first “Most Demanded” awards show that was available — logically enough — on-demand starting Monday.
Network executive Damon Williams said teenage girls were primarily responsible for Brown’s win. He said fans would invite friends over to watch or show off the video on their cell phones.
The Jonas Brothers and Lil Wayne were big draws, too. Wayne’s “Lollipop” video was seen 12 million times.
Despite being available in less than one-third of the nation’s TV homes, Music Choice says it is behind only YouTube as a popular place for people to seek out music videos on demand.
Music Choice, perhaps better known for its suite of channels that play different genres of music, sees growth opportunity with its on-demand features, Williams said. Surveys show fewer than 10 percent of the people who have the capability of getting on-demand video actually use the service, he said.
The company just started offering music videos on-demand 2 1/2 years ago.
Photo of the Day December 2, 2008
JamesOglesbyMale |
MM URL: http://www.modelmayhem.com/JaySwag
Akon Says T-Pain Best Hook Man Of All Time: “I Don’t Think Nate’s Any Competition To What We’re Doing Right Now” December 2, 2008
Akon is one of three crooners to have held hip-hop’s hook man crown since R&B hooks became the norm in the 90s.
Nate Dogg, Kon and his protege T-Pain, have all taken turns as the hook man du jour -seemingly establishing a monopoly on rap hooks during their respectives reigns. While Nate, the senior of the group has been hooking rappers up for 16 years, Kon thinks he’s no match for what he and Pain have been doing the past few years.
“I mean it depends on what you consider to be a hook man,” Kon told XXLMag.com. ”Nate, I don’t think he’s any competition to what we’re doing right now. The West Coast, which was incredibly hot, there wasn’t nobody touching Nate Dogg at that time. I was around at that time. It wasn’t no getting through them doors.
“Nate had it locked down,” Kon continued. “But I think as time started changing, I slowly took over because I came with more than just a hook. I came and gave you the song itself. When you came to Akon for a record, you’ll get the record, you’ll the track, you’ll get the song and the concept for it.”
But when it comes down to best hook man off all time, Kon gives it up to his own signee, T-Pain.
“If I had to give it personally to anybody, I would give it to T-Pain,” Kon revealed. ”I always looked at him as someone that can add a lot of color to someone’s record. I do it a lot of different ways, but I’m always thinking business when I’m doing it. Pain is doing it for the fun of it. I strategize differently. I do it according to what territories I need to take over. Pain does it just cause he loves to do it.”
Is Kanye West Done With Rap? December 2, 2008
Is Kanye West quitting rap for good?
While the Louis Vutton Don never revealed plans to hang his mic up, word has apparently spread that he may do just that. Per a reporter who took part in West’s New Zealand Press Conference earlier this week, The Observer quotes Yeezy as saying, “hip-hop is over for me now.” West quickly discredited the quote and explained that
“What does that mean,” West asked. “Hip-hop is over for me? I never said that.”
Per West, The Observer likely took the revelation that he didn’t listen to rap in his apartment, out of context.
“That quote is like so wrong,” West responded. ”I never said that. I still listen to hip-hop in my car. I listen to old Wu-Tang or something while I’m designing and stuff like that. I really don’t listen to new hip-hop albums that come out like that. I really don’t learn the lyrics the way I used to learn the lyrics when I was 18 years old and stuff like that. Even albums like Lil Wayne‘s album, which I love, I couldn’t recite the raps for you. I’m just not in that position. Maybe I’m just busy. It disturbs me that they paraphrase me.”
Bassett announces SAG noms; Naomi in Miami; BET & PlayPhone; Prince to rock Obama ball?; Marbury meeting fruitless; Hendrix in Grammy Hall December 2, 2008
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ER’s” Angela Bassett and “Will & Grace” star Eric McCormack will announce the nominees for this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards in a live broadcast on Dec. 18. The nominees for five film and eight television categories will be revealed at 9 a.m. ET on TNT, with TBS.com carrying a live webcast, reports People.com. The 15th Annual SAG Awards Ceremony will air Jan. 25 on TNT and TBS at 8 p.m.
*Supermodel Naomi Campbell is in Miami to attend tonight’s “In Fashion Photo,” a retrospective of more than 50 photographs and illustrations of her from the past 20 years. Campbell was expected to throw her after-party for the expo at the Cipriani sales center in the former Saxony hotel, according to the New York Daily News, but the restaurant is currently dealing with some legal issues. Instead, the bash will be held at SET nightclub down the street.
*BET Networks has partnered with PlayPhone, Inc. to build and manage its mobile entertainment and personalization business. The new BET Mobile destination (http://mobile.bet.com) powered by PlayPhone is a place where fans can download new and exclusive mobile content directly to their mobile phones. The service is accessible on the Web or WAP deck (wap.bet.com) and is also easy to access from more than 2,000 wireless devices across all major North American wireless networks.
*Spike Lee, Anne Hathaway and Susan Sarandon are reportedly confirmed to attend the Creative Coalition’s Gala Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center, where two tickets cost $10,000. According to People.com, Prince, Rihanna and Elvis Costello are in talks to perform at the event celebrating Barack Obama’s presidential election, while Mary J. Blige and Common are reportedly interested.
*An attorney for New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury said nothing was resolved during their meeting Monday with team president Donnie Walsh, who suspended the player for one game without pay and docked him an additional game’s salary last week after he reportedly refused Coach Mike D’Antoni’s request to play in a loss to Detroit last Wednesday. The athlete’s representative, Hal Biagas, wouldn’t say if Marbury was reinstated or if there had been any progress toward a buyout.
*Jimi Hendrix’s famous version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that opened the 1969 Woodstock Festival is among 28 new recordings added to the Grammy Hall of Fame, a featured part of the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles opening on Dec. 6. Queen’s “We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You” also joined the Grammy Hall. Inductee “Let The Good Times Roll” by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five will be featured in a live performance by B.B. King and John Mayer on “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!” airing tomorrow (Dec. 3) at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
VANESSA WILLIAMS LAUNCHES FUNDRAISER December 2, 2008
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Vanessa Williams appeared in Mount Kisco, New York Sunday to officially launch a breast cancer fundraiser that will last through mid-Spring.
The “Ugly Betty” star drove a pink fence post into the ground to mark the start of the Post for a Cure campaign for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life effort, reports the Associated Press.
As part of the campaign, a Mahopac fencing company will donate $1 for every post put in the ground through April 18.
Campanella Fence Center owner Anthony Campanella says his friends and relatives have been affected by breast cancer this year. He says posts are symbols of stability and strength and fences are symbols of security and safety.
PHILANTHROPY HONORS FOR DUPRI, MAGIC December 2, 2008
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Jermaine Dupri and Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be in Beverly Hills Monday (Dec. 
to accept the 2008 Bill of Rights Award from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California.
The ceremony, to take place at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, honors the music producer and legendary NBA player for their long history of philanthropic work, and their shared views on community uplift and development.
Dupri has been a long time member of the board of directors of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN). He’s also worked to repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws, designed a signature pair of Cartier sunglasses to benefit the Hurricane Relief Fund and has been a significant voice for the “Rap the Vote” campaign.
Entertainers recognized by the ACLU of Southern California within the past 50 years include Barbara Streisand, Dustin Hoffman, Martin Scorsese, Rosa Parks, Antonio “LA” Reid, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Harry Belafonte, Ellen Degeneres, Oliver Stone and Sarah Jessica Parker.
LUDACRIS, SOULJA BOY TEAM FOR FREE SHOW December 2, 2008
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Ludacris and Soulja Boy Tell’em will perform in Atlanta Saturday (Dec. 6) at the “Unofficial’ SEC Championship Afterparty” following the 2008 SEC Football Championship.
Doors open at 8 p.m. ET at the Tabernacle (152 Luckie St. NW), following red carpet appearances by the artists.
Fans can text ATTLUDA to 66937* for the chance to win a mobile ticket good for two people. Mobile tickets will be sent to the winners by Dec. 3. The first 1,000 fans in line on Saturday with a mobile ticket will be admitted.
“I’m excited to be helping AT&T recognize and celebrate the SEC Championship, which is such a time-honored tradition,” said Ludacris.
Soulja Boy Tell’em added: “I receive an amazing amount of love from the South when it comes to supporting my projects — especially in college football games where I see some of the players and fans doing my dances when they score. We even tried to capture some of that excitement in the video for my new single, ‘Bird Walk.’ Performing a free show at an SEC Championship game afterparty is the least I can do to give some of that support and love back.”
Following the concert, AT&T will also have exclusive concert footage available for viewing through Cellular Video (CV). Fans who text ATTLUDA to 66937 will receive an alert when the footage is available for viewing.
OPRAH WINFREY TO HELP HONOR SUSAN TAYLOR December 2, 2008
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Oprah Winfrey is among a number of celebrities due in New York tonight for a benefit honoring Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief of Essence magazine.
Sean “Diddy” Combs, Terry McMillan and Ruby Dee will also attend the gala, which celebrates Taylor’s 37 years with the magazine targeted to African-American women.
Tonight will also serve as a fundraiser for the National CARES Mentoring Movement, which is dedicated to pairing vulnerable African-American children with a caring mentor. The organization, founded by Taylor as Essence CARES, currently operates in more than 50 U.S. states.
Gospel stars Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin are scheduled to perform. Other notable attendees will include Michael Eric Dyson, Common and the Rev. Al Sharpton.
