As of August, both Mr. and Mrs. Carter will have officially taken over HBO.  Jay-Z’s new performance art project for the single “Picasso Baby,” will make its debut, early next month, on the cable network known for groundbreaking documentaries.

The hip-hop mogul and self-proclaimed Renaissance man spent six hours filming the extended music video in a Manhattan art gallery, which will air Friday, August 2nd at 11 p.m.

The video, entitled “Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film,” features art-makers from across the spectrum. Artist Marina Abramovic, producer Judd Apatow,  rapper Wale, and actors Alan Cumming and Adam Driver make appearances. True to Jay-Z’s style, the “Picasso Baby” video shows the rapper reasoning about the fears and vulnerabilities involved in making music.

The short film was directed by Mark Romanek, who also shot Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” video, En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind,” and Michael and Janet Jackson’s “Scream.”

Watch the trailer here.

Courtesy of the Huffington Post Black Voices

“Free in 63.” In the late 1950s, that phrase could be heard among any gathering of black activists and civil rights leaders working tirelessly toward the cause of equality in America. It also became the rallying cry that helped bring more than 250,000 people to the U.S. capital in one of the country’s landmark demonstrations, the March On Washington.

Fifty years later, by most quantifiable measurements, Black America is still not free. Although they make up only 13 percent of the population, African-Americans make up 38 percent of the United States’ prison population. Almost 30 percent of blacks live in poverty, and 18 percent under 65-years-old lack health insurance coverage. At 13.7 percent, blacks bear a disproportionate share of the unemployment burden, and with only 13 percent pursuing higher education, they make up a small sect of the country’s educated elite.

Faced with numbers like this, can Black America truly be considered free in 2013? It depends on whom you ask.

Continue reading here.

We’re in the age of the Internet, smart phones, social media and online dating. You can find the man of your dreams with just a couple clicks of your mouse! While that might be convenient for some, it’s also a little scary since you never know exactly who (or what) is talking to you on the other end. If you’ve seen MTV’s television show “Catfish”, then you’re all too familiar with the downside of online dating.  If you’ve been keeping up with the series, you’ve seen countless of hopeless lovers, desperate to meet a boyfriend, girlfriend (and in some cases fiancé) in person after months and even years of online dating, only to find out that they’ve been deceived.  For those of you who take Internet dating very seriously, here’s eight tips that we’ve learned from the people at “Catfish” to ensure that you don’t become a “catfish” victim.

Continue reading at HelloBeautiful.com

Forty-two-year-old rapper DMX is bankrupt. DMX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy citing $1 to $10 million in debt with $50,000 in assets. Some of the debt includes $1.24 million  in back child support.

In April, DMX appeared on an explosive episode of Iyanla Vanzant’s OWN original series, Fix My Life, in which his son briefly touched on their personal issues including money problems.

DMX has been silent on the musical front and more notably for his legal and financial problems. Last week, he was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence and driving without a license in South Carolina. Simmons was released after on $1,235 bail.

A brief  summary of his publicist’s statement yesterday:
“DMX’s financial strains have been inhibiting his career for several years. … The purpose of this bankruptcy filing is for reorganization so he can perform for his fans oversees. We are currently planning a tour in Europe and Africa for the fall of 2013.”

By Naima Turner

From 2013 through 2014, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson definitely has A LOT cooking.

The actor, producer, and philanthropist strong-arming both the small and big screens with a multitude of projects. This year alone, his film projects include, Snitch, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Pain & Gain, Fast & Furious 6, and Empire State. Dwayne has also been teasing pics from the production of his upcoming film Hercules: The Thracian Wars, which is slated to hit the theaters on August 18th, 2014, via his his social network. Fans have also been tuning in to watch “The Hero,” a TNT adventure competition show produced and hosted by The Rock, himself.

The wrestler-turned-actor maintains a handsome, well-dressed appearance that complements his muscular physique. For men with athletic shapes and husky builds who want to revamp their look and get their style cookin’, dress your rock-hard body using inspiration from this week’s Star Style: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Ties can be a bit problematic when it comes to a muscular neck. For a night out or an after-five event, it’s OK to nix the tie. However, if a tie is required in your formal work environment, then go for a tie that is wide, which will balance out your upper body. Thin ties won’t be the most flattering on you.

Of course, women love checking out your muscular build just as much as you enjoy showing it off, but when selecting a suit, be mindful of finding the perfect fit. Solid color two-button suits will give your hulky body a superb, clean, slender, and heightening effect.

The perfect fitting pair of jeans for you is one that will complement your ripped rump and thighs.

Like Dwayne, tastefully show off your chiseled arms, legs, and torso in a well-fitting pair of shorts and a coordinated tank on a laid-back day. However, don’t show off, by actually showing off! Wearing garments that are too short or tight can look rather cheesy.

Invest in season-less suit pieces that can be worn interchangeably. If you’re brawny like Dwayne, opt for garments that are monochromatic from head to toe. When adding a vest to the mix, choose for one that doesn’t have bulky pockets and isn’t made from a thick fabric.

To avoid extra bulk, look for blazers that are made with moderate shoulder pads.

A broad chest requires a shirt that gives your neck, shoulders, and chest room to move. To that point, go for V-neck and rugby shirts.

Courtesy of BlackEnterprise.com

In recent years, elevator pitch competitions have become another popular way for entrepreneurs to raise capital. Several contests are held annually across the country. Even ABC’s competition Reality TV show, “Shark Tank,” has proven to be fertile ground for entrepreneurs seeking investment capital.

In addition to the chance to win money, the benefit is that there are also endless networking opportunities at pitch competitions, as there are an abundance of entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and potential co-founders who attend these events.

Precious L. Williams walked away with $10,000 as the 1st place winner of the 2013 Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch, sponsored by PepsiCo and hosted by filmmaker and comedian Robert Townsend. Every year at its Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo, Black Enterprise rewards the entrepreneur with the best business pitch. Candidates submit their best video pitch, and from there the top ten are selected to present in front of judges and a live audience.

Keep reading …

Courtesy of Elev8

An estimated three of every four women will have to address the issue of uterine fibroids during their lifetimes and 80 percent of black American women are likely to get them before the age of 50.

Fibroid tumors grow in the uterus, generally are not cancerous and can be as small as a pea or grow as large as a melon.

Fibroids are two to three times more common in African American women than other American women, tend to be larger, more numerous, more symptomatic, and can cause or contribute to pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, infertility, and miscarriages, and are the leading cause of hysterectomies for black women who have a threefold higher risk for hysterectomies compared with white women.

New technologies, however, can reduce the pain and difficulties in treating fibroids.

Keep reading …

[Image: Shuttestock]

Courtesy of the AP via Black Voices

A federal appeals court says Oscar Grant‘s father can sue the Northern California transit officer who shot and killed his son on a train platform.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected former officer Johannes Mehserle‘s claim that he was acting in his official capacity when he killed the younger Grant during a 2009 New Year’s Day melee captured on video by several bystanders.

Keep reading …

By Jaia Thomas

Since its launch in 2010, over 16 billion photos have been shared on Instagram. But one in particular from user @Imreallyaniceguy (The Game to you) stands out from the rest. The image has recently landed him in trouble with the Los Angeles Superior Court. Earlier this summer The Game (whose birth name is Jayceon Taylor) made the ultimate social media faux pas. He posted a photo of former babysitter, Karen Monroe and stated that she was “busted having sex with her then boyfriend and leaving a used condom and the wrapper in his daughter’s room.” He further warned his 1.1 million followers to take caution because she was a dangerous babysitter.

The photo coupled with the comments led Karen Monroe to file a lawsuit last week in Los Angeles Superior Court claiming defamation. Defamation is any intentional false communication, either written or spoken that harms a person’s reputation. Under California law (Cal. Civ. Code §44, 45a and 46), the elements of a defamation claim are: i). publication of a statement of fact, ii). that is false, iii). unprivileged, iv). has a natural tendency to injure or which causes “special damage” and v). the defendant’s fault in publishing the statements amount to at least negligence. Monroe will have to prove all of these elements to succeed on her claim.

Luckily, Taylor has a number of legal defenses at his disposal to fight the suit. In particular, California courts recognize opinion and truth as defenses to defamation suits. In regards to the opinion defense, the US Constitution protects the right to voice opinion and criticize others. If Taylor can demonstrate that his statements were merely statements of opinion as opposed to statements of fact, he could succeed on the suit. It is worth noting that courts are generally more likely to consider comments made on social media platforms as statements of opinion as opposed to statements of facts. In regards to the truth defense, if Taylor can demonstrate that the statements he made were actually true, he will be free and clear.

Monroe claims that since Taylor’s Instagram posting, she has received numerous death threats and has also experienced bouts of depression. Not only has she lost her job but she claims she has been blackballed from working in the industry. She is seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages. This isn’t Taylor’s first stint with defamation law. Last year a North Carolina court awarded five police officers with $1 million each in damages on claims of defamation against the rapper.

With the surge of social media (it’s now the #1 activity on the web), social media defamation is becoming a regular occurrence. This suit, however, marks the first Instagram defamation lawsuit. This lawsuit begs the question – should celebrities be held legally accountable for the potentially harmful postings they make on such sites as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram? Or does this lawsuit take it too far and stifle free speech?

With the Season 2 premiere of “Marrying the Game” on the horizon, expect to see just as much drama unfolding in the courtroom as on the television screen.

Jaia Thomas is an LA-based sports and entertainment attorney. A naive of Cincinnati, Ohio, she is a graduate of Colgate University (BA), The George Washington University Law School and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. For more information: www.jathomaslaw.com or @jaiathomaslaw.

Courtesy of Hello Beautiful

Joseline Hernandez was discovered in the strip club. Her buxom body and pretty face made her the target of every man’s imagination. But one man in particular–Stevie J – saw what we found in Joseline, star quality. Eventually, he invited the bad boosh on his bus and changed her life forever.

It was in the strip club, that Joseline seduced men (and perhaps women) with her moves. Since being thrust (pun-intended) into the limelight, the Puerto Rican princess maintained her sex appeal on high and even taught us a few things about confidence in the bedroom.

Joseline followed the release of her first video “Mi Colta” with steamy visuals to her boss chick anthem–”Shotz.” Jos, who once proclaimed that she won’t ever go back to the strip club, visited the place where she got her start to portray her own “started from the bottom” story.

Keep reading …

By Colby Carrington

Detroit has been the butt of many jokes and lots of ‘why’s?’ following its July 18 bankruptcy.

Beyonce performed at a sold-out show in the Detroit area two days after the announcement and performed a touching rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come,” dedicated to the beleaguered city.

The performance has been edited into a music video, released to her YouTube channel last night.

Pretty much anything Sam Cooke is a tear-jerker and this particular dedication makes me especially weepy.

Grab tissues and watch here:

By Colby Carrington

I wonder what it feels like to be the answer to a trivia question. Cheryl Boone Isaacs would know. She made history Tuesday night by becoming the first African American president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Of the organization’s 32 previous presidents, Boone Isaacs is the first black person and only the third woman to hold the post. Among her first responsibilities will be picking the host for the 2014 Oscars, to be broadcast March 2.

Boone Isaacs currently heads CBI Enterprises, Inc., where she has advised on marketing strategy for films including “The Call,” “The Artist,” “The King’s Speech,” “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” “Spider-Man 2” and “Tupac: Resurrection.” Her 25+ years in the movie industry included theatrical marketing and publicity positions with New Line Cinema and Paramount Pictures.

Courtesy of Cocoa Fab

Tamar Braxton stopped by “Good Morning America” on Wednesday to reveal more truths about motherhood.

The youngest Braxton sister says she didn’t connect with her son right away and reiterated her statements that it took time for her to get used to the idea.

“I loved him, you know. But I wasn’t like ‘oh, gosh, yeah my, ooh,’ you know. It wasn’t that. It was more like what do I do now, you know?
You’re in shock … And you know, it took me a few days to really, like, come to terms with the fact that I am a mom and this is my baby.”

Keep reading …

Courtesy of The Frisky

It’s every man’s worst nightmare to wake up from a nap and find out one of his balls is missing. For an anonymous 39-year-old man in Trumann, Arkansas, it was bloody reality.

Keep reading …

[Image: Shutterstock]

Since we learned about Stand Your Ground laws through the tragic killing of Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman‘s subsequent acquittal, it’s also come to light that these laws often don’t protect people of color.

Take for instance the case of Marissa Alexander, 32, who fired a warning shot into a wall to scare her abusive husband, who wasn’t hurt at all. Alexander had a restraining order against her husband and he admitted to abusing her and his other children’s mothers. Alexander tried to use a Stand Your Ground defense. However, a Jacksonville, FL jury took only 12 minutes to sentence the mother of two to 20 years.

Feministing did a bit of Googling and found the FreeMarissaNow Tumblr, which details ways we can demand justice for Alexander.

Keep reading to find out how you can help Marissa Alexander.

Courtesy of The Root

Netflix’s original series “Orange Is the New Black” has taken the Internet by storm since its release July 11. Not everyone is on the bandwagon, but many are lauding the show, describing it with words like “addictive,” “fresh” and “ambitious.”

We’re big fans of the show, too, and “Orange Is the New Black” has us all waiting not so patiently for the second season, which we won’t get until next year. In the meantime, we’ll just have to sit and reflect on why we like it so much. Here are six quick reasons.

Keep reading …

Courtesy of Cocoa Fab

So exactly how do Hollywood actresses like Zoe Saldana stay skinny?

“I mean, I don’t work out a lot, but I like to eat healthy,” Zoe says in an interview clip, and when he asked what she had for lunch, she replies: “I haven’t had lunch yet … it’s very Hollywood, I know … It’s not the only meal you can skip in one day.”

Keep reading …

Courtesy of Black Voices

After an unruly mob ran amuck on the heels of the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, California on Sunday, Gawker columnist Cord Jefferson penned a piece taking oft-made generalizations about “violent black youth” and turning them around on white people.

Jefferson expanded on that theme in a segment on “All In With Chris Hayes” Tuesday night, playing the part of a concerned citizen wondering how the white community is going to deal with the “problems of white culture.”

Keep reading …

By Leesa Fenderson

I am rather optimistic. So as I flipped through my favorite weekly, I stopped to take a closer look at a sketch entitled The Optimism of Breakfast by Maira Kalman. The image included breakfast for one with the requisite coffee, jelly donut, and table setting. The caption read: “In the optimism of the morning, it is wise to get going, to be confident, expansive, exuberant. If you find yourself at the cup and saucer coffee shop – or any coffee shop – with a jelly doughnut and a cup of coffee, staring out the window at the parade of passerby, you could do worse. A whole lot worse.”

I found myself agreeing completely and imagining myself older, retired self happily visiting my favorite coffee shop in the city, a Cheers of sorts where everyone would know my name, and the server would know that I prefer the simplicity of a plain glazed to a jelly donut. I let my imagination complete this ideal life, daring to imagine retirement. While, relishing in the idea of retiring at thirty-five and the beauty of this idyllic life, I realized that nowhere in my fantasy did I have a love to share the breakfast of my life. I wish I could say I realized this painfully, or mournfully or regrettably, however, the realization elicited something equal to the nonchalance of a mental shrug. I was perfectly fine with the idea of singularly enjoying my glazed donut. Where was my desire for a life companion? When did my optimistic mind decide that I would be single? More importantly, when did future Leesa become okay with it?

The honest answer is that my faith in monogamy had been waning. This, my new lack of faith, wasn’t due to a new-found respect for polygamy or open relationships. Further, I wasn’t corrupted by infidelity. I simply could not hold in my mind the idea of two people deeply in love and in a healthy monogamous relationship for a life time. I thought perhaps this disillusionment was a phenomenon among Black women. I have entirely too many single girlfriends who are incredible, successful in life, not just in their careers, but where it matters the most in their personal growth. These black women are unattached and like myself not bitter just accepting that our longing for a life companion may never come to fruition. Surprisingly, however, unlike rhythm and natural tans, we could not own this disillusionment as our own. I have come to find out that my single white female friends and colleagues, who are equally successful, are equally disillusioned. A colleague shrugged with acceptance during such a conversation, “I just don’t see it happening,” she said and smiled, “but I will enjoy being perpetually single.”

As her smile brightened, mine fell. I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with that possibility. Was I to look forward to a life of hauling groceries on my own, rolling over into the cold spot in my bed, raising adopted kids by myself? Who would be my partner in crime? With whom would I commiserate over life goals? Certainly I could borrow my best friend’s husband for a pep talk, but I am sure she would want him back by dinner. I would be left to singularly enjoy take-out because home cooked meals are not meant for one. I could not resign myself to that life.

So I was encouraged when the Times in an article entitled, Despite Two New Studies on Motives for Monogamy, the Debate Continues by Carl Zimmer, reported that the evolutionary study of monogamy has made new findings, “The scientists found that mammals shifted from solitary living to monogamy 61 times over their evolution.” As for an evolutionary strategy it didn’t make sense to scientists, male mammals should spend time looking for additional females to mate. However, the drive to spread the male seed is not what has evolved. It seems that evolution, the shift in inherited characteristics over generations in order to sustain a species, has chosen monogamy as strategy. For example, “The golden lion tamarin, a one-pound primate that lives in Brazil, is a stunningly monogamous creature. A male will typically pair with a female and they will stay close for the rest of their lives, mating only with each other and then working together to care for their young.” Perhaps if primates and other mammals can choose to live and love monogamously and raise a family there is a chance for the rest of us. Now instead of imagining the simplicity of a singular glazed donut, I am choosing to re-imagine my retirement with two place settings, each plate with a serving of an optimistic breakfast.

(Photo credit: Shutterstock)

By Colby Carrington

Amanda Bynes has a friend in Nick Cannon, who penned an open letter to the embattled actress today.

In the letter, Cannon gives some background on life as a celebrity, citing ‘access to excess’ and the unique troubles that child stars face as being the breadwinners in their families.

Related: What Went Wrong – 7 Child Stars Turned Criminals

Imagine being the breadwinner in your household before you can even drive. Imagine you parents, teachers, and employers NEVER telling you NO. Anything you ask for or want, the world gives you, at some point you are bound to self-destruct. I call this “access to excess”.

While at times he admits that it sounds ridiculous to imply one should actually feel sorry for famous people, the takeaway is that one should. And in Bynes case, I’m pretty sure that most people with any type of soul are more disturbed than amused by her most recent caper.  (Those of us with a certain number of years remember Richard Pryor’s downward spiral that ended with a human fireball.  Well-adjusted people don’t set themselves, driveways or pets aflame for sport.  It’s an indicator of a much deeper issue.)  While today’s media has a habit of creating headlines off celebrity trainwrecks, Cannon makes a valid point – reminding people to be less judgy in general:

We say things like, ” I’m glad I’m not famous “, “Celebrities are Crazy”, “See what fame and money does to people”. And most of the time your assumptions and accusations maybe accurate but also inappropriate. No one on this planet needs to be judged or even has the right to judge. We are all equal and we all have our downfalls, fame or no fame. Money or no money. Life is hard for everyone in some since. And we need each other to in times of despair. No one can make it through anything alone. So I ask people who are quick to judge, tweet, report, or comment to ask yourself; what if that person was my sister? My brother? My Mother? Or me? What then would I say? In the words of the great poet and artist Bill Withers, “Sometimes in our lives We all have pain, we all have sorrow”. We all end up alone in that dark hole at some point in our lives and if you don’t have a foundation of friends and family to help bring you up and out it makes that journey long and detrimental. So I say to my sister Amanda Bynes you’re not alone. I’m here for you. I understand. I care and I appreciate you, because that’s what family does and that’s what family is for. I also extend this to anyone else in my life, past or present that may find themselves in hard times. I’m here! Call me!

Read the full letter here.