BEYONCE BACKLASH OVER GRAMMY DECISION?: Mathew’s picket line talk not going over well January 22, 2008

The New York Daily News is reporting that Beyonce may run into static from her industry peers if she goes through with plans to cross a potential picket line to perform at the Grammy’s.       

       “Hours after her dad promised she’d be at the Feb. 10 event, people were ready to call the R&B superstar a scab,” columnists Rush & Malloy wrote for Monday’s paper.        

       “Beyoncé was not aware her name was going to be used,” one insider told the column regarding the announcement last week from Mathew Knowles that his daughter was planning an “incredible performance” for the telecast.        

       “Beyoncé, as well as my other artists Solange and Trinitee 5:7, have been asked to participate and will do so,” Papa Knowles said in the statement.

NE-YO SINGS FOR SMOKEY: A great is honored by UNCF, Ne-Yo feels honored to be there

Some of the biggest names in show business were on hand last
September at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to witness Smokey Robinson being presented with the United Negro College Fund’s Award of Excellence at the “An Evening of Stars” taping. The vent will air this weekend.       In accepting the award Robinson was classy and humble as ever. The Motown great has touched many hearts and minds of millions of fans. Some of those fans have gone on to become great fans of his. Anita Baker, Joss Stone, Ne-Yo, John Legend and Yolonda Adams to name but a few. 

      EURweb was one the scene that evening and we found another star, among the many, who was influenced by Robinson. Pop sensation Ne-Yo was so inspired that he felt emboldened enough to sing Smokey’s “Cruisin'” with the legend on hand.

      “It’s hard to put it into words,” Ne-Yo told our reporter.  “I just hope and pray that I lived up to his standards.  That I didn’t get up there and disrespect his song.”

      Show business moves at a lightening fast pace. In fact, the night moved along so quickly for Ne-Yo after the performance that he didn’t even get a chance to meet the one who he says he wishes to model his career after.  Ne-Yo told our reporter that he would have simply asked Smokey for the secret to his career longevity, that’s all.

      “How do you do it,” said Ne-Yo. “How do you keep making number one hits?  How do you keep making classic records over and over and over again? I think that is the question any songwriter would ask.”

      “If I could do that,” he continued “They’ll probably be having one of these events for me some day.”

      We would dare tell Ne-Yo not to fear about his maintaining his own  great success.  Some think it’s only a matter of time, but Ne-Yo knows it’s not as easy as he sometimes makes it look.

      “Let us pray,” he joked.

      Early on Ne-Yo has proven himself to be a triple threat in the entertainment industry.  When asked to choose his between acting, singing and songwriting, he chose his original love.

      “Mine would probably be songwriting,” he responded.

      Motown has always been the inspiring engine for Ne-Yo.  He tells EURweb he was introduced to it in much the same way all children who were not of the 60s were.  Their mothers listened to the music while cleaning the house every Saturday afternoon. The artist says if he even comes close with his interpretation of that era’s sound then he knows he’s on the right track.

      “Then I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.  That was the whole  idea towards what (I am doing). That’s the kind of music that I grew up listening to. From Smokey, to Stevie, to the Temptations.  That whole era was my mother’s era. My mother was and still is my hero.  Whatever she was in to, I was in to.”

      The positive and soulful influence of one generation’s idea manifested in physical form for future generations to behold.  Is there anything blacker than that than Ne-Yo’s relationship with his mother?  We doubt that.  But we do know this. The United Negro College Fund is definitely a body for positive change influencing the future generations with positive works and intentions.  UNCF is currently supporting over 65,000 students in 900 colleges and universities across the nation.

      As we said, the “An Evening of Stars” affair was taped in late September and is slated to air the weekend of January 26-27. Keep an eye on your local listings for details or visit www.uncf.org for more info.  

USHER’S FATHER DIES IN ATLANTA: Funeral for Usher Raymond III scheduled for Wednesday

The father of R&B superstar Usher has died, reports the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

 

      Usher Raymond, III passed away Friday at a hospital in Atlanta, according to reports. His cause of death were not immediately known.

 

       Usher and his dad were reportedly close, even following his father’s split with his mother when the singer was young, reports gossip site MediaTakeOut.com. The website also says Usher, his wife Tameka and his mother Jonetta were at the elder Usher’s side when he died.

 

      Services will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Taylor Funeral Home in Chattanooga, TN with Elder James Penny officiating.  Burial:  Highland Memorial Gardens.  Visitation:  Tuesday, January 22, 2008 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Usher Raymond, III

      According to the Taylor Funeral Home’s website, Usher Raymond, III was 52 years old.

EDDIE MURPHY EARNS MULTIPLE RAZZIE NODS: “Norbit” singled out by annual celebration of year’s worst films and performances

Eddie Murphy has joined Halle Berry in the rare class of actors who have received nominations for both an Academy Award, honoring the best in film, and a Razzie Award, which “rewards” the year’s worst.      

       Berry was a winner at both ceremonies – earning a best actress Oscar for “Monster’s Ball” in 2002 and a worst actress Razzie three years later for “Catwoman.”       

       While Murphy was unable to bag the supporting actor Oscar for “Dreamgirls” last year, chances are good that he’ll take home at least one of eight Razzie nominations for his 2007 fiasco “Norbit.”      

       Murphy alone received five Razzie nods, more than anyone has ever gotten in a single year.  Besides worst picture, “Norbit” had nominations for Murphy as worst actor in the title role, supporting actress as Norbit’s morbidly-obese wife, supporting actor as an Asian man and worst screen couple for Norbit opposite either of Murphy’s other characters.       

Eddie Murphy as Rasputia in ‘Norbit’

       “We decided that each of his characters was so offensive that he deserved individual nominations,” said Razzies founder John Wilson. Murphy also shared a screenplay nomination for co-writing the film.      

       “Norbit’s” biggest competition comes from Lindsay Lohan’s thriller “I Know Who Killed Me,” which received a leading nine Razzie nominations, including worst picture.      

       The other worst picture nominees were “Bratz,” a live-action take on the cartoon about four chic young girls; “Daddy Day Camp,” with Cuba Gooding Jr. starring in a sequel to Murphy’s “Daddy Day Care”; and “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry,” Adam Sandler and Kevin James’ comedy about firefighters posing as a gay couple.       

       Sandler and Gooding joined Murphy in the worst-actor category, along with Nicolas Cage for “Ghost Rider” and Jim Carrey for “The Number 23.”      

       Razzie “winners” will be announced Feb. 23, a day before the Oscars.

Weekly Lovescopes

ARIES (March 20–April 19)
You are in great need of affection but you also have a lot to give, so make sure you create opportunities to express that love and tenderness which is welling up inside you.
Key word for the week: creativity
Your luckiest aspect this week: home affairs
Who to spend time with: Aries

TAURUS (April 20–May 20)
You are ready to make some changes in your love life, and this is a good week to make a fresh start, as soon your life will be full of new opportunities for you love-wise.
Key word for the week: motivation
Your luckiest aspect this week: career
Who to spend time with: Taurus

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)
When entering a tricky discussion, try to understand the other person’s point of view. Don’t let others force you into expressing an opinion until you are in possession of all the fact.
Key word for the week: freedom
Your luckiest aspect this week: family
Who to spend time with: Libra

CANCER (June 21–July 22)
Energy may be low, but this is not bad news for your love life. As you feel calmer and less inclined to be an extrovert, you will see the true value of those you care about.
Key word for the week: determination
Your luckiest aspect this week: business
Who to spend time with: Virgo

LEO (July 23–August 22)
Your emotional life is in a bit of a turmoil at the moment, and many buried feelings are rising to the surface. Pay attention to your dreams, as they contain important messages.
Key word for the week: professionalism
Your luckiest aspect this week: ambitions
Who to spend time with: Pisces

VIRGO (August 23–September 22)
You will be happier if you have a wide range of activities, so don’t just stick to what you know. Try something daring and unusual and make sure that social activities are varied
Key word for the week: timing
Your luckiest aspect this week: travel
Who to spend time with: Aquarius

LIBRA(September 23–October 22) This is a good week for clothes shopping, and your self-esteem will be boosted by a change of image.

Key word for the week: organization
Your luckiest aspect this week: ambitions
Who to spend time with: Cancer

SCORPIO (October 23–November 22)
Energy could be low as you find that all the efforts you have made in the past few weeks have tired you out. You deserve a break so take it easy.
Key word for the week: seduction
Your luckiest aspect this week: love
Who to spend time with: Libra

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21)
Life at home will be somewhat hectic, as your schedule is full and your energy level high. Do what you can, and the remaining domestic chores can wait until next week.
Key word for the week: patience
Your luckiest aspect this week: family
Who to spend time with: Sagittarius

CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19)
A chance encounter could mean you have to push back your limits and explore new territory. This adventure off the beaten track could lead to unexpected happiness.
Key word for the week: adventure
Your luckiest aspect this week: travel
Who to spend time with: Scorpio

AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18)
Be sure that you save some time for those closest to you, and share some happy moments together, relaxing and discovering new venues for socializing.
Key word for the week: enthusiasm
Your luckiest aspect this week: friendship
Who to spend time with: Gemini

PISCES (February 19–March 19)
Practice being more communicative. You will enjoy feeling the support and love of those closest to you as you decide to wear your heart on your sleeve.
Key word for the week: discovery
Your luckiest aspect this week: finances
Who to spend time with: Capricorn

“Hip-Hop represented at Fashion Week 2008″

 

For the love of style and the pursuit of being fresh at all times is Hip-Hop. This lifestyle embodies so many elements, but looking fly has always been at the forefront of it all. From the very first moment Run DMC got on stage at some arena in Glasgow, it wasn’t the rhymes that spoke for them first but instead it was the tight black tees, fresh Kangol and crisp white lace less Adidas shell toes that said hello first. The rhymes would come second and it backed up the reason why Run DMC were the “Kings of Rock.”

Evolution is a mandate for survival and as we grew – so do our tastes and that includes fashion. For those that know about Fashion Week, you know that it’s one of the biggest events in fashion period. For a whole week designers, showcase their new designs for that particular season to a mass audience of retailers, journalist and on-lookers. There are two Fashion Weeks in NYC every year, February is meant to showcase spring collections and September is meant to show fall lines.

Despite the glare of sophisticated designers and snobbish elitists at the mega event, the aura of Hip-Hop culture is still felt. Not only do models rip the runway while celebrities like music mogul Russell Simmons, the sexy Kerry Washington and Zoë Kravitz sit along the aisle, but they also party like rock stars at A-list parties at after hour spots around the city.

During this time you’ll find an array of DJ’s spinning the best of Hip-Hop at these events while rocking True Religions, Foamposites in the Cactus color, a lime hoody and a green dooby underneath the Seattle Seahawks fitted. Fashion week is young in its existence. The event has only been around since 1993 and was started by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Between 6th & 5th Ave., and placed on the 8 acre lawn of Bryant Park that’s adjacent to The New York central library – it’s a perfect location because of it’s proximity to Times Square and Herald Square. This year’s fashion week is presented by Mercedes – Benz and the event starts February 1 and will end on the 8th.

Heath Ledger Found Dead

The actor Heath Ledger was found dead this afternoon in an apartment building at 421 Broome Street in SoHo, according to the New York City police. Mr. Ledger was 28.

At 3:31 p.m., a masseuse arrived at Apartment 5A in the building for an appointment with Mr. Ledger, the police said. The masseuse was let in to the home by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of Mr. Ledger’s bedroom. When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom and found Mr. Ledger unconscious. They shook him, but he did not respond. They immediately called the authorities.

The police said they did not suspect foul play. Officials said pills were found near the body.

Fat Joe’s New Album Cover

Spotted at Complex