Birthday Spotlight: Josephine Baker

June 3rd marks the birthday of dancer extraordinaire and cultural phenom, Josephine Baker.  Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri in 1906, Josephine rose to fame in the 1920s primarily in France. As an entertainer, actress, and dancer, she split her early career years between New York City, where she performed at the legendary Cotton Club and Paris, where she hit the stage for Folies Bergere. This production is where Josephine’s memorable banana skirt and “suggestive” dancing style became all the rave.

She also appeared in a series of European films including the silent piece Siren of the Tropics, ZouZou, and Princess Tam Tam.  It is said that Josephine was a muse for such artistic greats as Langston Hughes, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso and Christian Dior. In the late 1930s Josephine became a French citizen and later an activist for racial equality in the United States. Josephine is equally famous for her “Rainbow Tribe” family where she adopted and raised several children of various nationalities. She died in 1975 from a brain hemorrhage.

It’s a BabyPhat Boy for Kimora and Djimon!

Kimora Lee Simmons and beau Djimon Hounsou announce the birth of their baby boy Saturday via, what else? Twitter. The BabyPhat tweet read:  “It’s a boy!
Thanks to everyone out there for all your well wishes! More to come.
Thank God. And God Bless! Kimora + Djimon Love & Light, KLS”.

Prior to giving birth, KLS, much like Erykah Badu, even tweeted that she was having contractions: “Having contractions now! Ooo- wee! It’s like WHOA! Love & Light, KLS” and that “It’s time !! No turning back! At hospital in labor right now!! Love & Light, KLS.”

And before the miracle of child birth, Kimora even posted this very tres natural twitpic.

Congratulations to the entire family!

Beyonce Releases Another Album…

Have you been jonesin’ for that Beyonce “Ego” remix featuring Kanye West with his tongue and cheek verbal gymnastics? Well pretty soon you’ll be able to score that along with a slew of electronica tunes.

It’s called Above and Beyonce Video Collection & Dance Mixes and starting June 16, you’ll be able to get your hands on it.

In addition to the dance remixes, this package also includes videos “Ego” (as seen on the right of the homescreen) and the epic success “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”.

 Above and Beyonce Video Collection & Dance Mixes - tracklisting
    DVD
    1.  If I Were A Boy
    2.  Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
    3.  Diva
    4.  Halo
    5.  Broken-Hearted Girl
    6.  Ego (Fan Exclusive)
    7.  Ego (featuring Kanye West)
    b-roll footage

    CD
    1.  If I Were A Boy (Maurice Joshua Mojo UK Remix)
    2.  Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) (DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio Remix)
    3.  Diva (Karmatronic Remix)
    4.  Halo (Dave Aude Remix)
    5.  Broken-Hearted Girl (Catalyst Remix)
    6.  Ego (DAC Remix)
    7.  Sweet Dreams (dance mix)
    8.  Ego (Remix featuring Kanye West)

Birthday Spotlight: Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes

Today would have been the 38^th birthday of stand-out rapper/singer Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes. Born in Philadelphia, Lisa was one third of the flamboyant pop/R&B girl group TLC which also consisted of members T-Boz and Chili. Throughout the 90’s and into the early 2000s, TLC experienced severe ups and downs. From Left-Eye’s arson of then boyfriend Andre Rison’s home, to the group filing bankruptcy to ultimately returning to the top of the charts, the girls had more than a dozen hits from their multi-platinum albums Oooooooh On the TLC Tip (1992), Crazy, Sexy, Cool (1994), Fanmail (1999), 3D (2002). Sadly, on April 25th, 2002, Left-Eye was killed in a car accident while on a retreat in Honduras.

I Am Not My Hair… Or Maybe I Am?

Chris Rock’s “Good Hair” documentary is set to arrive in theaters this year. On the tails of Tyra Banks‘ recent “Good Hair” episode, Rock’s documentary will not only hit the silver screen stateside, it will also be released internationally.

The documentary, which Rock co-wrote and produced, features discussions on hair with celebrities Maya Angelou, Nia Long, Raven Simone, Ice-T, and get this… Rev. Al Sharpton. Now, I’m sure he has some serious hair stories. This documentary was inspired by Rock’s daughter who asked her daddy that very tough question about hair.

Budget Friendly Fashion: Rachel Roy

Designer Rachel Roy is following the trend of many of today’s high-priced, high-end, haute couture designers by offering a more affordable line. Roy, who recently filed for divorce from hubby, Damon Dash, has plans to launch her economical line this summer with Macys. Rachel Roy’s offerings will consist of contemporary sportswear, shoes, and accessories. Prices are reported to be in the $50.00 to $300.00 range.

“Push” to “Precious” Movie Trailer

I hated this book. I mean projectile vomitting, uber disgusted, knee jerk angst reaction to the story. I don’t even know how I came upon it some 10, 12 years ago, but I got my hands on it and felt it to be the dirtiest, evilest, most vile piece of work I’d ever read.

Part of the reason for my uncontrollable disdain for Push was a) I couldn’t didn’t want to believe a story like this could happen or even be dreamt up, b) if it could happen, it certainly wouldn’t be written about, and c) it was, strangely enough, embarrassing for this brown girl who normally doesn’t allow herself to feel responsible  or represented by the acts of others of the same race… But this tale of an unhealthy, overweight, depressed young woman, pregnant by her father and abused by her mother hit a very low note. And maybe that was what it was supposed to do. But I did not appreciate the  provocation. So maybe I’m just too terrified of mothers who don’t protect their young. Or maybe I’m fearful of demented, psychopathic men who can’t differentiate between their offspring and a hooker. Call me crazy… scared.

And then a film production was announced. And Lee Daniels (producer of Monster’s Ball - another film that left me feeling icky and sickly all over) was helming the lens for this one. Ugh. I thought. And then more news - Oprah and Tyler Perry were involved. Eyebrow raises. And then the award and rave reviews from the Sundance Film Festival. Wow. Fence balancing. Still.

Well now, what was titled Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire has become Precious (after the protagonist) and Mariah Carey, Mo’Nique and Lenny Kravitz are all lending their acting talents to the film. The trailer (below) was just recently released and the movie opens on November 6, 2009.

Aisha Tyler to Talk, Talk, Talk

Actress and comedian Aisha Tyler is slated to host a new talk show pilot called “The Aisha Tyler Show”. The show is reportedly aimed at younger audiences and will utilize normal talk show elements along with comedic political commentary, produced comedy segments and social networking opportunities for fans to connect with Tyler via Facebook, Twitter and other platforms.

Production on the pilot will begin this season.

Tyler was most recently seen in the feature film Bedtime Stories and on her own Comedy Central special “Aisha Tyler Is Lit: Live at the Fillmore.”

Denzel Washington, Cameron Diaz To Present @ MTV Movie Awards

Denzel and Cameron will be joined by fellow presenters Lil’ Wayne, Vanessa Hudgens and Will Ferrell for this year’s MTV Movie Awards which will take place live at the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City, CA on May 31, 2009 at 9:00pm.

Eminem will hit the stage performing new music from his upcoming album Relapse and the event will be hosted by Adam Samberg.

For the opportunity to vote in a movie category, log on to www.MovieAwards.MTV.com.

Returning the Favor? J-Hud on Bended Knee!

Super star singer Jennifer Hudson and her fiance, one time reality star turned pro-wrestler, David Otunga have added a twist to the series of traditional marriage events. It’s been 5 months since the two announced their engagement. Much like he did, Jennifer proposed to David by presenting him with a five carat Neil Lane engagement ring on his birthday.The ring is said to be very intricate and designed with mucho amore by Jennifer Hudson. Still no word on an official wedding date.

This brings about a very interesting topic. Should women propose? Granted, Jennifer had already secured her 5-carat Neil Lane engagement ring from David months ago, but obviously it was important to her or both of them to have a reciprocal engagement. What do you think? Would you propose to a man?

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