Quantcast
Channel: UPTOWN Magazine
Viewing all 6567 articles
Browse latest View live

‘Love and Hip Hop’ Yandy Smith Welcomes Baby Girl

0
0

UPTOWN_love-hip-hop-yandy-mendeecees-labor-2

Congratulations are in order for Love and Hip Hop New York stars Yandy Smith and Mendeecees Harris as they welcomed their first baby girl yesterday, and the VH1 cameras were rolling through her labor.

As of yet, no pictures have been released of their daughter. The two have not shared her name with fans, but Harris posted some photos of his fiancée in labor on his Instagram. This will be the couple’s second child together as they also have a baby boy together named Omere.

UPTOWN_love-hip-hop-yandy

In an interview with Essence, the Harlem born beauty shared how she learned that she was pregnant:

“Mendeecees and I went on this big health kick. We were working out together and running. I could always beat him on the treadmill. When he started beating me and I started to get tired, I was like something isn’t right. I was working out but gaining weight. After three weeks I finally took a pregnancy test. I was shocked it was positive and took another. When I went to the doctor a week later, I was seven weeks along.”

The love birds are planning a summer wedding.


Chris Brown Postpones Tour After Judge Denies Travel

0
0

Chris Brown postpones tour

If you were looking forward to the Between The Sheets Tour with Chris Brown and Trey Songz, you will have to wait a little bit longer. The highly-anticipated R&B tour was set to begin this week, but Chris revealed to fans last night that he had to push dates back after a judge wouldn’t sign off on his travel. Since he has 100 hours of community service left to complete, the singer says that the judge wouldn’t budge on letting him hit the road in time to perform for his loyal admirers.

Breezy told fans, “I would first like to apologize to all the fans and people who have been supporters of me and all the music over the years. The beginning of the BTS tour has been moved to later dates now. The judge would not sign off on my travel to do the tour until I finish these last 100 hours of community service,” the “Autumn Leaves” singer explained. “I promise that I am busting my ass doing it everyday until it’s complete. This is the most disappointing news I’ve gotten in a while. Everything happens for a reason so I wanted to personally inform my fans. The show must go on. Out of 1000 hours I only have 100 left. I will work my ass off to complete it and I will be on that stage. Once again I’m sorry for the delay. I love yall! We will let yall know the dates that are changed. It’s not cancelled. Just moved around a couple weeks.”

So far, there are no details on how far into the future the tour will be pushed back, as it mostly depends on Chris’ status to complete the community service. He is due back to court in March for another probation hearing, and could result in jail time if he is found guilty of violating his probation. We will keep you updated on any tour details.

Benedict Cumberbatch Apologizes After Referring To Black Actors As ‘Colored’

0
0

Uptown_Bendict-Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch is in the process of pulling his foot out of his mouth at the moment, after he reportedly referred to black actors in Hollywood as “colored actors.” During an interview on the Tavis Smiley Show, which airs on PBS, the 38-year-old actor discussed the differences between the U.S. and the U.K. as far as opportunities for diversity. He told the host, “I think as far as coloured actors go, it gets really different in the U.K., and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here [in America] than in the U.K., and that’s something that needs to change.”

The outdated term in his comment rubbed many people the wrong way, although some did recognize his praiseful message. After the backlash, Benedict released a statement on the matter, saying, “I’m devastated to have caused offence by using this outmoded terminology. I offer my sincere apologies. I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done.”

A spokesperson for Show Racism the Red Card has argued that Benedict Cumberbatch was shedding light on an important issue in Hollywood, but also displayed the issue that comes along with “appropriate terminology.” The spokesperson told the press, “Benedict Cumberbatch has highlighted a very important issue within the entertainment industry and within society. In doing so, he has also inadvertently highlighted the issue of appropriate terminology and the evolution of language.”

Source: The Guardian

Denver Police Kill Teenager Who Ran Stolen Car Into Cop

0
0

Denver police shot and killed a female suspect

Denver police fatally shot a 16 year old early Monday morning after they say she struck and injured an officer with a stolen car. Authorities did not release the girl’s name, but friends identified her as Jessica Hernandez.

Police Chief Robert White said an officer was called to check on a suspicious vehicle when a second officer arrived after it was determined the car was reported stolen. In a statement, police said the two officers then “approached the vehicle on foot when the driver drove the car into one of the officers.”

According to White, both officers then opened fire. The officer hit by the car was taken to a nearby hospital with a leg injury. The four other passengers in the car were not injured by gunfire, but were questioned as part of the investigation. It’s unclear whether they were arrested.

Several dozen neighbors with candles and protest signs gathered near the alley where Denver police killed the teen, demanding answers for the shooting.

UPTOWN_jessica-hernandez-protest

Both officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

 

ABC Orders ‘The Catch’ from Shonda Rhimes

0
0

ABC's "Good Morning America" - 2014

I imagine the execs at ABC must be throwing rose petals at Shonda Rhimes‘ feet “Coming To America”-style when she stops by headquarters. Her current three-hour time block has given them their best Thursday night ratings in five years, while Viola Davis and Kerry Washington continue to rake in the awards and nominations. So it’s no surprise that the network has ordered yet another pilot from the prime time showrunner.

According to Variety, the new crime thriller, called “The Catch,” will be executive produced by Rhimes and her business partner Betsy Beers. The show will center around a strong female character with an extremely powerful professional career as a forensic accountant who focuses on fraud. But much like Shondaland leading ladies Meredith Grey, Olivia Pope, and Annalise Keating, her work will be complicated by a difficult personal life.

The pilot is set to air during the 2015-2016 season, presumably during Rhimes’ monumental #TGIT lineup. If It’s anything like “HTGAWM,” “Scandal” or “Grey’s Anatomy,” we can’t wait to watch!

Google Scrubs Translation Software of Anti-Gay Slurs

0
0

UPTOWN_gay_definition

Google had to retool its translation software after it was discovered that typing in the word “gay” yielded derogatory terms as synonyms.

Andre Banks, the executive director of the advocacy organization All Out, started a petition that gained 51,000 signatures in under a day in order to draw Google’s attention to the anti-gay slurs being used.

“People use Google translate every day to make sense of the world, learning languages, trying to communicate,” Banks told ABC News. “What we wanted to say is the common words aren’t the same as the terrible words being used to describe us across time.

A Google spokesperson told ABC News that the company made sure to scrub the software of any offensive language.

[Image: Shutterstock]

Uptown_GoogleTranslate

“We apologize for any offense this has caused people,” the spokesperson said. “Our systems produce translations automatically based on existing translations on the web, so we appreciate when users point out issues such as this.”

Banks praised the company for its prompt response, sharing that he “expected Google to do the right thing.”

“It’s important Google is able to provide an accurate translation of these words that describe so many people,” he said. “We were really glad to see this change happen in hours, not weeks and months.”

D.C. Provides $20 Million Investment for Male Minority Students

0
0

UPTOWN_male_student_library

Male minority students in Washington, D.C. are receiving a huge boost, according to D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson. She announced a plan to invest $20 million to support programs for the district’s boys of color, which will include opening an all-boys college preparatory high school in 2017 under the “Empowering Males of Color” initiative.

Henderson said the decision to seriously invest in minority boys was purely a mathematical one. The graduation rates, reading and math scores, and attendance are all lagging in the District, where Black and Latino boys make up 43 percent of the public school population. By the fourth grade, almost half of the city’s Black and Latino males are reading below grade level.

The four-year graduation rate for Black and Latino males in the city are 48 percent and 57 percent respectively, as compared to 66 percent for the rest of their classmates. According to DC CAS scores only around one third of Black male students are proficient in reading and math compared to nearly 66 percent of students who aren’t Black or Latino males.

[Image: Shutterstock]

Mayor Muriel E. Bowser is leading the charge to level the playing field and increase opportunities for male students of color. The initiative is in line with President Obama’s work to help keep minority males in school and out of jail.

Funding for the support programs will come from private and public sources. The D.C. Public Education Fund is working outside of the operating budget to raise money for this new initiative.

Source

Bow Wow Shades Mya for Strip Club Performance

0
0

UPTOWN_mya_strip_club
Singer Mya had social media on fire after pictures and videos of her performing on a strip club’s stage over the weekend went viral. Many clowned the 35 year old, but Bow Wow, born Shad Moss, was even more outspoken about Mya’s uber-sexy erformance.

After gyrating on dollar bills at Miami’s G5IVE strip club, many had something to say about the Grammy winner’s choice of venue.

Bow Wow took to his Facebook page:

image

UPTOWN_bow_wow_facebook

Former Basketball Wives: LA reality star Brooke Bailey also chimed in, commenting on Instagram that the ’90’s star looked “so dumb.” Some argued that an urban model, who poses half-naked for likes, shouldn’t have an opinion on Mya. Many also offered Bow Wow the side eye given his engagement to Love & Hip Hop New York’s Erica Mena, whose sometimes violent and risqué behavior has been widely criticized by viewers.

Mya, born Mya Marie Harrison, wasn’t phased by all the controversy she seemed to cause. She clapped back on social media saying:

“I am whatever I choose to be when I choose to be it. The joy of life. Live it. Been doin straight clubs, lgbt clubs, strip clubs, dance clubs, straight clubs, concerts, festivals since 1998 to date. I love all my fans and it don’t stop. Instagram generation is late as hell.”


Star Style: Miguel is a Style Rebel

0
0

UPTOWN_star_style_miguel

We can often count on Miguel for good tunes to get us grooving. Have you heard the Grammy Award-winning singer’s recent releases, “N.W.A.” featuring Kurupt, “Hollywood Dreams,” and “Coffee”? But Miguel not only presents his creativity through his chart-topping hits, but also through his distinguished sense of style. Although many have criticized Miguel’s finesse, I appreciate his confident and rebellious attitude. He presents an eclectic mix of soul and rock style.

If you’ve been wanting to take a risk with your fashion choices and still look hot, but are unsure of how to do so, take note and be inspired by this week’s Star Style, Miguel.

Uptown_star_style_Miguel1

Yes, men can wear metallic garments. Like Miguel, you can simply pull off the look with a solid neutral. When in doubt, black will work just fine.

Uptown_star_style_Miguel2

Create a polished casual-meets-rugged look with ripped jeans and leather.

Uptown_star_style_Miguel3

This look is by far the most toned down look that Miguel has worn, but it still has a 1950s rockabilly edge.

Uptown_star_style_Miguel4

Miguel goes monochromatic in a bold fiery outfit. His black and white platform oxford shoes adds a welcomed contrast.


Uptown_star_style_Miguel5

Whether you are classic, rock, or an all-around city guy, a pair of camouflage anything can take your wardrobe far.

Uptown_star_style_Miguel6

Consider stocking up on blazers in a range of modern textures with eye-catching details that add an edge. Miguel’s blazer took his plaid shirt and jeans up a notch.

Uptown_star_style_Miguel7

If a modern motorcycle jacket seems overbearing and bulky, go for a moto vest that give the same impression.

Uptown_star_style_Miguel8

Miguel cleverly mixes distressed denim with a stripped crew neck shirt, creating an urban spin on nautical.

Uptown_star_style_Miguel9

If the previously shown red pants seem to be too colorful for you, going for the Pantone color of the year, Marsala, is more laid-back.

Uptown_star_style_Miguel10

Black and white is a strong and classic color combination that is timeless and en vogue for men and women for spring 2015.

Uptown_star_style_Miguel11

What says superstar more than a studded leather jacket?

Uptown_star_style_Miguel12

A simple white Tee is a classic juxtaposition to a hot pair of detailed pants.

QVC Hosts Make Fun of Black Model’s Afro on Live TV

0
0

afro

QVC has come under fire for a televised segment featuring two of its Caucasian hosts making fun of a Black model’s natural hair.

In a clip that is still on the network’s website, hosts describing a Dooney and Bourke purse, begin to talk about hair, just as the camera pans over to the Black woman who’s modeling the purse.

“You might look back and think, ‘Why’d I wear my hair like that?’ but you’ll still like your purse,” said one host. The other responds, “That’s right. You won’t look at your hair in the picture; you’ll look at your handbag.”

The model contained her composure, but her facial expressions suggested that she heard the hosts’ insensitive comments.

Was this a case of extremely bad camera cutting or racially insensitive comments? According to one of the hosts in question, Sandra Bennett, they were not talking about the model’s gorgeous Afro, but implying the “timeless-ness” of the purse; when looking back at old photos of oneself, one tends to cringe at their fashion choices, she reasoned. Bennett did apologize for offending anyone when confronted by blogger L.A. Moore on Twitter, but all tweets regarding the comments have since been deleted.

On January 25, Bennett took to her Facebook page, apologizing:

UPTOWN_sandra_bennett_facebook

NEXT: Watch the hosts comment.

According to a viewer, the model returned to showcase a second purse, but something was noticeably missing. Her kinky Afro was flat-ironed into a sleek hairstyle. Hmmm.

UPTOWN_QVC_model

J.Cole to Let Single Moms Live Rent-Free in Childhood Home

0
0

UPTOWN_j-cole

If you needed another reason to love rapper J.Cole, here ya go. The North Carolina rapper, born Jermaine Lamarr Cole, has offered single mothers a chance to live rent-free in his childhood home at 2014 Forest Hills Drive, also the namesake of his highly acclaimed latest album.

In an interview with “The Combat Jack Show,” the 29 year old said that every two years a new family will move in, at no cost.

“The neighborhood we lived in was f—ed up,” he recalled. “The reason why it had such a big effect on me is that I was coming from somewhere else. I was coming from a military base.”

Cole lived on a military base while his parents were married, but after they separated his mother moved him and his brother to a trailer park on the outskirts of Fayetteville, N.C. She eventually purchased a small home on Forest Hills Drive, but later lost it, but Cole was able to buy it back years later. Now he has a clear plan on how to use his childhood residence for something positive.

“The idea is that it’s a single mother with multiple kids and she’s coming from a place where all her kids is sharing a room,” he said. “I want her kids to feel how I felt when we got to the house.”

 

Marissa Alexander Released from Prison to House Arrest

0
0

UPTOWN_ marissa_alexander

Marissa Alexander, the Florida woman who was originally sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing a warning shot to scare off her abusive husband, was released from jail late Tuesday afternoon. She will spend the next two years on house arrest.

As she left the courthouse, Alexander read a prepared statement:

“Today, after the sentence given by Judge Daniel, my family and I will be able to move on with our lives. Although the journey has been long and there’s been many difficult moments, I could not have arrived here, where I am today, without the thoughts, many thoughts and many prayers of so many people who voiced their support and encouragement. Words can never express my gratitude for those who stood beside me, including my children and family. I am also grateful that Judge Daniel approached this case with such care and diligence.”

For the next two years, the 31 year old must wear a GPS ankle monitor and will only be allowed to leave her home for work, job interviews, church, family medical and dental appointments, and children’s schools visits. She’ll have to get a judge’s permission to do anything else.

Alexander’s case showcased the unfairness of Florida’s Stand Your Ground law as well as the relentless discrimination of State Attorney Angela Corey, who chose to prosecute Alexander to the fullest extent of the law while failing to convict George Zimmerman and Michael Dunn, two men accused of killing Black boys in public.

In November, Alexander was sentenced to three years in jail after pleading guilty to three felony charges for firing a shot in the direction of her husband and two step-children. She got credit for all the time she was held after her initial arrest and first conviction, which was overturned on appeal.

How a Black Yale Student Was Held at Gunpoint by a Cop

0
0

yale_campus_in_winter_by_hesitation-d5zdq24

In 2012, I wrote an article titled “Proper Negro Fatigue,” in which I outlined the exhaustion many Black people feel from constantly having to code-switch and appeal to Caucasian sensitives in how we dress, act, talk and behave, just to avoid being stereotyped and coming off as angry or scary. That article was inspired by Charles M. Blow and his brilliant New York Times piece, The Curious Case of Trayvon Martin,” in which he attacked racial profiling and how upsetting it is for Black folks to play the game of respectability politics and yet still find themselves victims of racial oppression. As a socially-conscious Black man in America raising three Black children, I’m sure Blow feared for his children’s safety from the day they were born, but I doubt he could have ever predicted that only three years later his eldest son, a third-year chemistry student at Yale University, would be staring down the barrel of a police officer’s gun.

According to Blow, on Saturday, Jan. 24th, his son left the campus library at around 5:45 p.m. when he spotted an officer jogging across the school grounds who eventually ended up following him. Blow’s son heard the officer say, “I got him,” into a shoulder-mounted radio before instructing him to turn around, which he did, only to find a loaded gun pointed directly at him. The boy raised his hands, got down on his knees, and laid on his stomach. The officer interrogated him, and then another officer, moments later, detained him and grilled him about his I.D. According to Blow, the police stopped his son because he “fit the description” of a burglary suspect.

What enraged Blow about the entire incident was the immediate use of deadly force, and the highly unprovoked escalation that led a police officer to push a gun into the face of a possible suspect, his son. He then went on a lengthy Twitter rampage that excoriated unnecessary police force and lauded the Black Lives Matter movement, followed by a New York Times article that further explained his rightful anger. Blow mentioned a great point about how any less poise exhibited by his son during that incident could have resulted in his murder, right there on the spot.

UPTOWN_silhouette_man_holding_gun
Police pointing a gun at you, as I unfortunately know from first-hand experience, is incredibly alarming — especially the first time. The feeling to run, or dodge, or just leave the entire situation is natural when a loaded weapon is pointed at you. It’s more than understandable why Blow, or any parent for that matter, would be infuriated at their child being that precarious situation.

Some white conservative writers have openly criticized Blow for being a race-baiter because be didn’t mention that the police officer, who pointed the gun at his son, was also a Black man. And therein lies the confusion white America has with the African-American experience with state sanctioned brutality and overreach. There is a prevalent desire amongst factions from both sides of this debate to paint this as a simplistic racial divide, where Black citizens are being openly oppressed by white cops. The truth is, the blue wall is comprised of many different races, religions, and ethnic identities, so believing that this issue can be framed as one race against the other is inherently wrong. Hell, anyone who has seen Boyz n the Hood knows that.

The real problem with this situation is that incidents like this occur every day in America — only to Black men and women who don’t go to prestigious schools like Yale, or have a father who is an award-winning author and journalist for the New York Times. Oppressive and unnerving events like this occur far too often, and, for many different reasons, they all do not end with just emotional scars. We fight for Mike Brown, Yvette Smith, John Crawford III, and the many other men and women extrajudicially murdered by police mainly because they don’t have high-level advocates as family members. But, as Charles Blow so eloquently wrote, “There is no amount of respectability that can bend a gun’s barrel. All of our boys are bound together.

LAB

Lincoln Anthony Blades blogs daily on his site ThisIsYourConscience.com, he’s an author of the book “You’re Not A Victim, You’re A Volunteer” and a weekly contributor for UPTOWN Magazine. He can be reached via Twitter @lincolnablades and on Facebook at This Is Your Conscience.

[Image: Shutterstock]

Old World Jamaica Meets Modern Luxury.

0
0

“Much like Hemingway’s Havana” – This was the exact line that sold me on visiting Port Antonio in Jamaica. I have an obsession with Ernest Hemingway and his many travels ( I had visited every place he ate and drank at in Paris two years ago) so any place that could have the atmospheric feel of a Hemingway conquest, well I am there. In the 1950’s Portie – as the town is affectionately called, was where Hollywood and Aristocrats gathered for their lavish holidays. Back then Portie was a small banana, shipping village , favored by the global elite, that luxury traveller. Errol Flynn, arrived on his schooner in 1946 and established the coconut and cattle estate, that his widow Patrice Wymore, called home until her recent passing. Port Antonio has sort of remained the same since the 1950’s , it almost has the feeling of a town lost in time. There are no huge family and couples resorts like Negril or Montego Bay. It is also a two and half hour drive from the Norman Manley airport in Kingston. There are private charter flights leaving Kingston to Port Antonio ( Raymond our driver mentioned to us, he drove singer Beyonce’s luggage recently to the new Trident, the same hotel we stayed at, while she took the helicopter.) A rugged drive winding through a piece of the Blue Mountain. Our journey was bumpy and I was quite dizzy but the views were breathtaking and worth every turn down a hilly road. I enjoyed driving through the small towns dotting the mountain as well as through the quaint fishing villages with it’s colorful shops, locals hanging out at the rum shops and school children playing football in their school yard. I describe Port Antonio as a combination of luxury and rustic, the magical lush green landscape ( Port Antonio is known as the wettest and lushest Parish in all of the 14 districts of Jamaica) is what you come to Port Antonio to experience. A far difference to the commercial , touristy feel of the huge resort attractions.

3A8B11843A8B08353A8B08433A8B08573A8B08383A8B08473A8B08323A8B1189

 

Wall Street Journal quoted British- born Hotelier Jon Baker – “ Port Antonio is the “other” Jamaica, with little crime and incredibly welcoming locals eager to please foreigners to join their community. This is a place whose renaissance is firmly in play.” Mr. Baker a former Island Records executive opened GeeJam in 2008. A resort nestled in the lush rainforest with only four suites and one villa, plus a world renowned state of the art recording studio. Several artists recorded at GeeJam Studios including No Doubt, Amy Winehouse and Alicia Keys to name a few. It’s most recent project the Jolly Boys, is a legendary Mento band. We were able to see them perform at GeeJam and it was one of the best highlights of my trip. To expand the brand and luxury appeal, Mr Baker joined forces with Jamaican-Canadian billionaire Michael Lee Chin to open the gorgeous 13 villa Trident Hotel where my Husband, Son and I stayed during our magical week in Port Antonio. Following our travel theme “ Luxury Family Holiday”…The Trident Hotel is decadent , low key luxury located in a most dramatic setting besides the deep blue Caribbean ocean , the waves crashing along the cliffs gives the area a Mediterranean look. The Trident is so peaceful and pristine, a great place to come back to after our daily adventures in lush green, eco friendly Port Antonio. The staff at Trident were the friendliest I had ever come across. My eight old son was welcomed with open arms. My husband and I are very particular about where we stay when we choose a hotel. We are design buffs and our villa at the Trident met our design aesthetic perfectly. My Husband loved the personal heated plunge pool that came with the villa, my son the Apple T.V which he looked at endless mine craft videos on. Did I mention we also had a lovely outdoor bath-tub? While in sunny, hot Jamaica, I was gifted gorgeous resort wear. Silk tunics by BAZAAR28 .

3A8B03063A8B03053A8B02993A8B03523A8B09223A8B09133A8B11503A8B07743A8B05553A8B03123A8B03803A8B08023A8B0770

I had four adventures I absolutely needed to do once In Port Antonio. All of them booked through the Trident Hotel. The first three were : We went to famous Boston Bay beach to check out its surfing culture ( Errol Flynn’s fashion model grandson still hits the swells) and to eat what is described as the best jerk chicken in all of Jamaica ( the jerk chicken was delicious but we also had more during our week in Portie that was equally as good. One such place was Piggy’s Jerk Chicken Shack.). The next day we headed to Frenchman’s Cove. A gorgeous beach that a natural spring runs into. Words cannot describe our visuals. You shall just have to go yourself to see it. A side note, Frenchman’s Cove is private and there is a fee. Brooke Shields immortalized this magical place in the movie entitled the Blue Lagoon. We rented a boat to the Blue Lagoon and stopped off at a few beaches including one of my favorites the only one that is public called Winnifred Beach. The Blue Lagoon is mesmerizing and full of pure beauty. All three of us swam in the deep clear blue waters.

3A8B04223A8B04323A8B04473A8B04843A8B05103A8B06403A8B06753A8B06613A8B0659

Our fourth and one of our favorite adventures in Port Antonio was rafting eight miles down the Rio Grande River. The raft is made of local bamboo, we drifted down the river commanded by a lovely oarsman. Passing the lush green jungle, banana plantations, it was beyond scenic and peaceful. We stopped a couple of times to swim in the river. Halfway down the Rio Grande, we pulled over to a spot for lunch. Cooked by the famous Belinda . I told Belinda I felt like I knew her already, since I had seen dozens of pictures of her prior to my trip on Instagram. She smiled and gave me a huge hug. We still dream of that lunch Belinda prepared for us in a huge cast iron pot in the middle of the jungle. Especially the curried crawfish cooked in coconut milk.

3A8B10043A8B09923A8B10453A8B10563A8B10823A8B10873A8B1100

It was important for me to get out and meet the people of Port Antonio. Every one of them were lovely and welcoming. The first photograph below is of Steve Beaver, co- owner of the GeeJam Collection. He was so hospitable to Joe, Jaden and I .We chatted on numerous occasions about the future plans for Port Antonio, more importantly for the magical Blue Lagoon. The last picture I took is my Husband Joe and eight year old son Jaden.

3A8B03973A8B06663A8B05023A8B08513A8B07133A8B1181

 

Entering and departing Jamaica at the Norman Manley Airport in Kingston, Jamaica was made such a fabulous experience due to the folks over at Club Kingston. It is truly a first class lounge experience. My son Jaden exclaimed “ This is the life.”

3A8B1210

* all photographs are the sole property of the author Naima Anthony

Naima Anthony also writes fro her own blog theadventurista.com and you can also follow her on instagram at theadventuristachronicles

 

All-Female Cast Selected for ‘Ghostbusters’ Reboot

0
0

Uptown_GhostbustersReboot

Word of a Ghostbusters remake has been swirling for some time now, but the official cast of the all-female reboot has finally been confirmed.

The film cast relies heavily on SNL talent, as three of the four leading ladies got their start on the sketch comedy show. The official cast includes Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon. McCarthy has long been considered for the lead role, but it looks as if the rest of the cast has solidified.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Negotiations are ongoing, but the quartet are expected to sign on as the specter-seeking, poltergeist-punishing, phantom-phollowing foursome in the reboot, which is eyeing a summer shoot in New York.”

What truly confirmed the casting, however, was director Paul Feig tweeting a photo of the four ladies—no caption needed.

McCarthy and Wiig both worked with Feig on the breakout comedy Bridesmaids. The director was called in after the initial reboot concept for Ghostbusters failed. Original director Ivan Reitman was on board to return with original castmembers Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson set to reprise their characters. However, they had issues getting Bill Murray to return, and Reitman bowed out after Ramis passed away last year.

The film is set to hit theaters July 22, 2016.


Kanye West Features North West In ‘Only One’ Music Video

0
0

North West has to be one of the most adorable, talked about babies on the planet, and she’s already making her first music video debut. Kanye West recently stopped by The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he debuted the music video for his new song “Only One,” which is a tribute to his little baby girl. Nori stars in the Spike Jonze-directed visuals, where the father-daughter duo has some special bonding time at a field in the rain.

Yeezy, who usually isn’t one for smiling on camera these days, couldn’t contain his happiness as he spent time with his little girl, and smiled throughout the video. The visuals even capture a close-up shot of Kanye holding Nori. He appears to be whispering something into her ear as she looks at the surroundings. Hopefully, the full video will make its way to the internet in the near future.

Source: EllenTube

Cop Arrests Elderly Veteran for ‘Walking While Black’ [VIDEO]

0
0

UPTOWN_william_wingate_seattle_police
What was a seemingly normal day for a 70-year-old Air Force veteran, ended in an arrest for simply walking down the street. William Wingate was using a golf club as a cane, as he did everyday, when a Seattle police officer pulled over and demanded he drop the club. The incident, which was captured on arresting officer Cynthia Whitlatch’s dash camera, happened on July 9, 2014, but the footage was recently acquired by The Stranger.

The video shows Officer Whitlatch (pictured below) stay in her vehicle, but yell at least 17 times for Wingate to drop the club, claiming “it was a weapon.” At one point Whitlatch claims the military vet swung the club at her, hitting a stop sign, but the alleged swing was not on the video.

UPTOWN_cynthia-whitlatch

“The allegation that he swung at the police car wasn’t corroborated by any other facts and was not caught on any video,” city council member Bruce Harrell told The Stranger. “What was caught on video was him minding his own business with the golf club at his side.” To many, the only “crime” of which Wingate is guilty is “walking while Black.”

Officer Whitlatch called for back up. When Officer Chris Coles asked for Wingate’s club, the senior citizen handed it over. The officers then arrested him, booking him on harassment charges and obstruction.

UPTOWN_william_wingate_arrested

Whitlach was never disciplined for her actions. Wingate, a local bus driver, has filed a claim seeking damages from the city, saying his crime was “walking in Seattle while black.”

Watch the disturbing video:

Get GPS-Enabled Safeti at Your Finger Tips

0
0

We’ve all been there. You’re walking in the dark to your car or down a street and you want to alert a relative or friend to your whereabouts, but you’re scared. You know pulling out your expensive mobile phone to text could make you a target for theft or could distract you from an impending assault. But someone needs to know you’re on your way home. So do you send that text or simply hope for the best? Now, fortunately, there’s a third option.

UPTOWN_safeti_devices
Safeti is the first of its kind personal safety alert system and GPS tracking device that connects the user to an on-demand security concierge, all at the push of a button. And yes, your smart phone can track and share your location, but it requires a cell network or WiFi. Safeti doesn’t require WiFi nor Bluetooth to connect. Plus, the battery for Safeti can last about a year with normal use. Your cell definitely can’t do that.

So how does Safeti work? You simply click and hold down the button for two seconds on the handheld device, which is about the size of a lipstick, and an SOS message with your exact location is sent to your Safeti circle. Users can tailor their emergency contacts circle, as well as a specific alert message, with the Safeti app. The circle can be changed depending on what the user is doing. Click the device three or more times and an emergency alert message with your GPS location is sent to your Safeti circle and a private security professional. The security concierge, then, calls the user to deescalate a threatening situation and notify 911, family, and friends if necessary.

UPTOWN_safeti_deviceThe Safeti features are available 365 days per year and 24 hours per day. The device is also perfect for children walking home from school, a runner on a nighttime jog, and an elderly person fearing a medical emergency.

Safeti costs $89.99 with no monthly fees and includes four free calls to your private security concierge. It’s available in red, gold, blue, silver, and black. Safeti will raise money to begin production through a crowdfunding campaign, and will release the first round of alert devices to supporters of the campaign by August 2015, according to a press release. A portion of the money raised through the crowdfunding campaign will go to developing a free HIV vaccine, through the non-profit Immunity Project.

Learn more about Safeti here.

Post-partum Blamed for Mother Slicing Children’s Throats

0
0

UPTOWN_christina_booth_family
A Washington state mother has been arrested for attempted murder for cutting the throats of her three young children because they were crying non-stop.

Christina Booth, 28, sliced the throats of her 2-year-old and 6-month-old twins, then called 911 to report that her children needed medical attention. When officers arrived, they discovered a grisly scene. Police found the twins on the couch crying “uncontrollably” and “bleeding from their necks.” Another officer found the 2-year-old under blankets on a bed, covered with “dry blood.”

UPTOWN_christina_booth_twins

The children are expected to survive after undergoing surgery. They remain in stable condition and are in protective custody.

The young military wife of Thomas Booth, also the father of the children, is believed to have suffered from post-partum depression, according to the probable cause filing.

UPTOWN_christina_booth1

Booth confessed to the crimes, admitting “she knew if she killed all the kids the house would be quiet for Thomas.” Her husband has not been charged in the attack, but his wife is being held on $3 million bail.

Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon Sued by Ex-Nanny

0
0

UPTOWN_mariah_carey_nick_cannon

After estranged couple Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon visit divorce court, they can visit civil court as their ex-nanny is suing them for unpaid overtime.

In the lawsuit filed Wednesday in New York district court, Simonette Da Costa claims she worked for Carey and Cannon as a nanny, caring for the couple’s twins Monroe and Moroccan, but was fired after showing the tots too much attention.

The couple is also accused of refusing to pay overtime, despite Da Costa working more than 100 hours a week, according to the claim. Due to extreme working hours, the former caregiver alleges at times she would be unable to sleep, take a break or eat. She claims she made from $6,000 to $7,200 any given month.

Mariah Carey Nick Cannon

Da Costa is seeking “unpaid overtime wages, premium wages, liquidated damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, pre-judgment interest” and other relief.

The nanny worked for the singer and the comedian from October 2013 until January 2014.

Cannon, 34, filed for divorce from 44-year-old Carey on December 12, and they have reportedly already hashed out a settlement.

Viewing all 6567 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images