Married Judge Defends Nude Texts: ‘No Shame in My Game’ [VIDEO]

April 25, 2012, 12:02 pm

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Courtesy of NewsOne

Detroit’s 3rd Circuit Judge Wade McCree, who specializes in trying sexual misconduct cases, was recently busted for texting a nearly nude photo (from the waist up, shirtless) of himself to a married court bailiff on his payroll.

When confronted by Fox 2 News, McCree had a surprising reaction — he admits, quite proudly, to not only taking the picture, but to having sent it to various women.

“Hot dog, yep that’s me. I’ve got no shame in my game. I ain’t talking to nobody else’s wife. You can almost get that here and now,” said the married man.

Continue at NewsOne…

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Brandy on Her Eating Disorder

April 25, 2012, 8:20 pm

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The 2009 novel titled “Not All Black Girls Know How to Eat” tracked the story of a black woman who has what is commonly thought of as a white woman’s problem: an eating disorder.  R&B singer Brandy, shared a similar issue in the ’90s, as revealed on Wednesday’s episode of VH1′s Behind the Music.

In the documentary, the now 33-year-old artist recalls “not eating properly, not eating at all, diet pills, regurgitating, and all of these things that girls do.”  As a teenager, she harbored feelings of not feeling worthy enough, and no matter how many hit singles she made, no matter how much she earned as the star of the hit UPN series Moesha – it didn’t bring a feeling of satisfaction.

The episode opens with Brandy shooting her latest video,  just a couple of days after her 33rd birthday – the same day her mentor Whitney Houston died.  Later, Brandy also details being heartbroken post-breakup with Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men in early 1997 and continuing guilt about her involvement in the 2006 car crash that left another driver dead.

For more about her lows – and even better, her recent highs – catch bonus clips on VH1.com.

Top 10 R&B Songs From the ’90s

April 26, 2012, 6:00 am

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By Chantell Black

Oh, the 90’s.

Even if you weren’t old enough to go the club or go on a date during this decade, you definitely had your eyes tuned to MTV Jams and Video Soul. In fact, these songs were so big then, you can still hear them on the radio and in the clubs today. Here are our Top 10 R&B diddies from the decade of Cross Colors jackets, color-blocked shirts, and furry Kangols.

RELATED: ’90S ARTISTS: COMEBACK OR STAY BACK

90’s R&B Artists: Comeback or Stay Back

April 26, 2012, 6:00 am

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By Chantell Black

I keep hearing a lot that music isn’t what it used to be. We can all agree that change is good –and necessary over time. However, I think we can all also agree that the R&B music genre has taken a drastic turn musically and lyrically. The days of innocent “I Love Your Smile” are over like lunchboxes and Thermoses. But now, many artists we enjoyed as pubescent teens and ollege coeds are making comebacks, competing for radio airplay with artists 20 years their junior. I am a lover of all things old school, but should we welcome these artists back with open arms or send them back to the era of flat tops and cassette tapes? Let’s compare then and now.

RELATED: TOP 10 R&B SONGS FROM THE ’90S

Twenty years ago this week, “Don’t Be Afraid” by Aaron Hall was Billboard’s #1 U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop song. On that list, sensations like Mariah Carey, En Vogue, and Tevin Campbell graced the chart. Back then, songs had more lyrical quality. En Vogue was a girl power group demanding respect toward women while Hall was the bald crooner every woman wished their man could be more like. You really loved what the artists had to say. Now, the sole requirement for a good song is a catchy beat to get you bouncing on the dance floor.

About Town: Laugh Riot

April 26, 2012, 8:00 am

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Did you hear the one about the comedian whose first calling was to dance? Yeah, we didn’t either, but it turns out Eddie Griffin began his career as a choreographer when he was just 16. Now is your chance to find out if that enterprise provided funny fodder—the Kansas City, Mo., native will surely bust guts at the new Riot Act Comedy Theater in Northwest May 3 through May 6. Don’t miss your chance to see one of Comedy Central’s 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time. Tickets start at $35; $50 for VIP seating, with 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. shows daily.

riotactcomedy.com | eddiegriffin.com

9 Things Men Find Attractive About Women Other Than Looks

April 26, 2012, 8:12 am

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Men are visual creatures. There’s no doubt about that. But when it comes to the potential for commitment and anything more than sideways pokey, there are several things we find attractive about women that have nothing to do with looks. I did a little social media poll and came away with seven nonphysical traits and/or behaviors that give him the hots (or more hots) for her.

D.C.: Get Live

April 26, 2012, 10:00 am

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What do you call a band that’s been together for more than two decades, but still manages to create boundary-pushing sonic landscapes? Mint Condition. Twenty-one years after they earned a spot on everyone’s personal mixtape with “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes),” the heirs to the Minneapolis sound still tour regularly, playing hundreds of live shows each year. Fans can’t get enough of the band, whose members play their own instruments seamlessly blends funk, R&B, jazz, rock, and hip-hop, to create songs that make you feel…everything. Head to The Birchmere Music Hall May 3 and 4 to hear your favorite old cuts, plus songs from their seventh album, titled 7… Tickets start at $55.

birchmere.com | mintconditionmusic.com

Biden-ism of the Day: Obama Has A Big Stick [VIDEO]

April 26, 2012, 1:06 pm

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During a foreign policy speech at NYU on Thursday afternoon, Vice President Joe Biden did it again.

The Veep, who has a storied history of public speaking gaffes almost finished the speech without incident.  Almost.

While speaking about the administration’s policy toward Iran policy, he noted it was time “to heed the timeless advice of Theodore Roosevelt… to speak softly and carry a big stick.”

He then added, “I promise you, the President has a big stick.”

Would have loved to see FLOTUS’ reaction to this.

Catch the latest Biden-ism from here:

Video Courtesy of NBCNewYork.com

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AIQ: Brian McKnight, Star Jones, Brandy & more…

April 27, 2012, 6:16 am

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Another week, another day and another round of outrageous celebrity musings! This week, the celebrity sound bites making headlines include a former R&B princess little white lie to an NFL Hall of Famer’s Twitter plea to a former ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ star’s shade towards Basketball Wives. Plus, guess which actress does not want to ‘Think Like A Man’ and Brian McKnight said what?! AND I QUOTE …

Paint the Town Cherry Noir

April 27, 2012, 8:43 am

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Blooming cherry blossoms are a springtime ritual.  To help New Yorkers ease into the season, Grey Goose recently invited a handful of NYC personalities to launch events for its newest flavor, Cherry Noir.

Chefs Roble Ali and Marcus Samuelsson curated menus of cherry-inspired dishes to pair with the new tipple.  Crispy lobster roti, duck bacon crack & cheese, baked cod w. oyster cream and chocolate cake w. red velvet ice cream were just a few of the eats served up at 632 on Hudson and Red Rooster.

Want to know how black cherry themed cocktails fit with such a feast? Check our slideshow of recipes, plus pictures of the people, plates and potions from the events.

5 Financial Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Marriage

April 27, 2012, 10:45 am

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Courtesy of Ebony

Whether you’re a newlywed or have been married for many years, having a good handle on your finances needs to be a top priority for couples.

Spouses that can make financial decisions together are usually in a better position than those who avoid talking about money or rely on one spouse to handle every aspect of the household finances.

If you and your partner have different money “personalities” – different spending habits, savings goals, or just different philosophies about money – you could have arguments about money and endure financial problems that taint an otherwise happy marital life.

Here are five financial mistakes that could wreck your marriage:

#1: Attempting to Change Your Partner’s Money Personality 

Everyone has their own money personality, a set of habits or concepts about money that guide their purchasing decisions, dictate how much and when they save, and determine their spending comfort level.

If one spouse is very frugal and the other is used to living a lavish lifestyle, you can expect some conflicts to arise. However, trying to change your partner’s money personality – and you insist that your way is the “best” way all the time – that can hurt your marriage.

#2: Having Joint Accounts Before You’re Ready 

Many couples struggle with the idea of having joint accounts when they get married.

If you’re 100 percent sure that both parties are comfortable sharing expenses or seeing how each parties saves, spends and so on, then joint accounts can be just fine. Also, if neither one of you has a problem determining who gets what “share” when each person is earning a different amount of income, you could go ahead and open joint accounts and not experience any real conflict.

Continue reading at Ebony.com

Can You Turn A Ho Into A Housewife Or Husband?

April 27, 2012, 11:01 am

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Courtesy Hello Beautiful

Should you hold someone accountable for their past sexual encounters? What is an acceptable number of partners for a female? Will females/males be honest about their number of sexual partners?

Our dating experts share their thoughts on this hot topic.

(Jozen Cumming) HE SAID:

Of course you can turn a ho into a housewife. In order to do that, a man has to grow up and stop letting rap songs define what makes and doesn’t make a woman worthy of wife status.

Women should have a right to do what they want without being called a ho. It’s not wrong, what any woman does, it’s wrong they get called derogatory names for doing exactly what men want to do.

The fact is, a woman has a past, and in that past may be some things with which we don’t agree, but holding it against her to the point where we believe she can’t change or evolve? Ridiculous. We live life in stages, and a lot of women go through a ho stage, but they don’t stay there. Men go through one too, and eventually, whether a man wants to or not, he will outgrow a similar stage. For anyone who has ever skipped the ho stage, I would actually go so far as to say, they missed a very important step.

In other words, a woman who has had her ho stage arguably will become a better housewife.

Continue reading at HelloBeautiful

Would You Rather….Be Good Looking and Hated Or Ugly and Loved?

April 27, 2012, 2:11 pm

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By Niki McGloster and Krystal Holmes

Life often makes us choose between things we’d rather not. Often times the choice lies in things we can control, but other times we aren’t that lucky. If you take a trip down memory lane with us to the games you used to play does “Would You Rather” come to mind? You know you remember the game where you had to decide between two outcomes for all eternity, but you lose either way.

Today’s dilemma: Would you rather be beautiful and hated? Or ugly and loved?

 

 

If you choose to be beautiful but hated..

Being attractive is no easy task. Your flawlessly stunning looks will make people insecure, causing them to loathe your entire existence. Consider yourself one lucky looker, though, just be painfully aware that no one will like you…ever. Mainly because you’re impossibly vain. Don’t worry. Having stylish clothes, great hair that never falls out of place and a perfect complexion can do that to a person. In turn, that person in the mirror will become your one and only friend, so learn to adapt.

Having tough skin will be your strongest defense against those who will gossip, nitpick and essentially avoid you like the plague. But hey, at least you’re beautiful, right?

If you choose to be ugly but loved…

You’re grotesque, almost as if you should be exiled to Notre Dame. No makeup or Alexander McQueen threads can cover up the ugly. However, your heart is a ray of sunshine and people flock to you. Adored by everyone you meet, you’re used to a fleet of friends from every walk of like…even the beautiful ones (Ha!)

You, yourself, may be pained by your own not-so-stunning reflection, but those who love you build your confidence and esteem daily. And just think: one of those who adores you may be a plastic surgeon.

What’s your choice?

(Photo via Shutterstock)

Women Save Child From Cemetery Sacrifice

May 2, 2012, 12:50 pm

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Courtesy of The Root

When a 30-year-old San Diego father took his family to a local cemetery and told them his dead grandmother had instructed him to sacrifice the 8-year-old boy, he allegedly got as far as using a piece of broken glass to slash open his son’s forearms and his own, NBC San Diego reports.

Luckily, medical assistant Corey Granberry witnessed the incident and jumped in to help, along with her best friend, Jaymisha Pires. The two women put a stop to what could have been a real tragedy. “I think sometimes people are put in places. And honestly, we were at the right place at the right time,” Granberry said.

Continue reading at The Root

[Cemetery image via Shutterstock]

Amar’e Stoudemire Says Fans Have ‘Wrong Perception’ Of Glass Incident

May 2, 2012, 1:52 pm

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In a press conference Wednesday, New York Knicks’ star Amar’e Stoudemire aimed to set the record straight on his glass-shattering incident.

The frustrated All-Star slashed his left hand while punching a fire extinguisher Monday night after the Knicks fell to 0-2 against the Miami Heat in the NBA Playoffs series. Stoudemire had surgery on Tuesday, which many speculate will end his season.

But the 6’11” power forward is optimistic of his future and plans to participate in Game 4 on Sunday.

“I think there’s a great chance [but] I’m not totally, totally sure yet. I’ll be back soon,” he told reporters. “[...] I’ve persevered through a lot of injuries and worked hard to recover from injuries.”

Stoudemire has received much criticism from fans and sports analysts for his poor judgement, but he claims they have the wrong idea on what really happened.

He said:

“We‘re down 0-2 and I knew how important it was to get a win in Miami. We played somewhat well enough to win Game 2. I was more  frustrated we were down 0-2. It wasn’t like I was trying to take out the fire  extinguisher door. I wanted to make noise and let out frustration.

Fans actually think I had a closed fist and punched through that glass door.  They have [the] wrong perception of what happened. I walked by and swung my arm  backwards it hit [the] fire extinguisher door and I slashed my hand by  accident.’’

I just walked by the door and it’s made of 85 percent metal and 2 percent strip of glass. I didn’t try to hit the glass. I walked by and hit my hand on the wall. I didn’t see the strip of glass.’’

Stoudemire apologized after Monday’s game via Twitter stating, “We all have done thing [sic] out of anger that we regret.  That makes us human. Bad timing on my part. Sorry guys. This to shall pass.”

Knicks coach Mike Woodson said “it’s up to the doctors” if Stoudemire will be ready to suit up for Sunday’s game.

Source

 

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Never Before Seen Images of a Young Andy Warhol

May 2, 2012, 2:10 pm

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Over the next few weeks, BlackBook will be rolling out an online series of exclusive, never before seen images of pop art icon and ultimate fame whore Andy Warhol.

The images are part of the exhibit Before They Were Famous: Behind The Lens of William John Kennedy, (on view through May 29) at gallery Site/109 in New York.

The photos (like the one to the left of Warhol sandwiched between canvases of the Birmingham Race Riots) were taken by photographer William John Kennedy, one of the first photographers to capture Warhol in his early days as an artist.  They’ve sat untouched for over 50 years, until Kennedy uncovered them within his archives and decided to release them.

The fact that these early images of iconic American artists happened isn’t the exciting part, necessarily. It’s that the stars aligned – literally – to create these amazingly early, naïve portraits of the artists with their own work before they were famous. “That would be like us going to the Lower East Side and finding, out of the hundreds of artists, the two rising stars, with their work, choosing it, and then all of the sudden in the future becoming something so,” said Michael Huter, founder of Kiwi Arts Group who produced the show, “allowing them to sit in a box for fifty years, and then showing them to the world. It’s so off the charts crazy!

Continue reading and see more photos at BlackBook.

 

Condensed Soup: Usher

May 2, 2012, 2:40 pm

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Keeping up with all the happenings of Usher can be a full-time job, but luckily we’re here to help.

So here’s a spoonful of the Condensed Soup, where we give you 100 percent of the info. No fillers!

New York: Frieze Frame

May 3, 2012, 5:00 am

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NYC art enthusiasts can enjoy newly commissioned pieces from international artists (John Ahearn, Uri Aran, Latifa Echakhch) at this spring’s Frieze Art Fair. In addition to the commissioned works, the Randall’s Island fair features more than 170 galleries, allowing visitors to buy from the world’s leading contemporary artists. The gallery experience is translated onto the island’s landscape, mostly outdoors, with a pop-up village and interactive art displays that navigate visitors throughout the entire expanse. Frieze Talks offers art aficionados panel discussions and keynote lectures throughout the exhibit. A ferry service is included in the admission price, making the commute as enjoyable as the art. No passport required. May 4-7. friezenewyork.com — JESSICA MATOS

Above photo by John Ahearn

Gift Guide: Chic Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

May 3, 2012, 6:00 am

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What do you give the woman who has given you life? Coming up with great gift ideas for mom can be quite challenging, even stressful … to say the least, especially since our days of crafting greeting cards out of construction paper are over. I know DIY-ing is all the rage these days, but come on, our moms deserve a little more than a crayon-drawn card. Don’t you think? And running out last minute to buy her another bouquet of flowers is just not going to cut it. Not sure what to buy? Think a little outside the box, something she’ll love to have or do, but would never partake or indulge in herself. Don’t be afraid to splurge a little if you’re able. Hey if anyone deserves it, it’s Mom!

UPTOWN Gentleman: In The Trenches

May 3, 2012, 7:00 am

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Wholly embrace the tradition of donning a stylish trench coat during the rainy days of spring, but do so in a non-traditional manner — with an unpredictable splash of color! Already intimately acquainted with the run-of-the-mill khaki trench coat, a gentleman would greatly benefit from a fresh approach to an old favorite. Unfortunately, this classic staple has inherited the unbecoming stigma of being worn by grizzled detectives (ahem, Columbo) or retirees headed to the park to feed birds. However, trimmer cuts and more color options have modernized this proverbial spring favorite. Dispel any misconceptions you may harbor about the trench coat. Today’s version is slimmer, cooler and badder. And it needs to be in your rotation of outerwear as the rain starts to fall.