ThE bEt AwArDs 2008

During the BET awards this year, did you notice that the audience didn't appear excited to be there and barely clapped?

Actors Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, and Cuba Gooding Jr., made stage appearances and the audience gave them no love! Since the veteran actors haven't been in the spotlight in a while, you'd think the audience would've been happy to see them -- but excited clearly wasn't the magic word of the evening.

Every word Cuba Gooding Jr. uttered, was answered by the audiences' absolute silence. Maybe the "Boyz in the Hood" actor shouldn't have commented that "it's hard in the hood", especially since his residence is nowhere near "the hood".  And why were those his choice words for the crowd? Did he assume the audience was in fact from "the hood", and would Cuba have used this same phrase if he were in attendance at the Oscars?

Singer Keisha Cole took the stage next looking gorgeous nonetheless, but it appeared as if she were struggling a bit with her vocals. Then rapper Lil Kim appeared -- as if she were Keisha's saving grace, and the performance came together like glue. They killed it; but the goodness kept on coming! 

Old School singer Alicia Keys, came on the scene singing her sexy love ballad "Teenage Love Affair." Keys took it a step further by reintroducing an old school SWV song "I get so weak", while welcoming the 90's musical group back to the world. 90's groups TLC and En Vogue, also joined the stage in which  everyone sang the old school joint "Hold On To Your Love."

Singers Nelly and Fergie gave energetic performances, while soulful singers Jill Scott and Anthony Hamilton paid tribute to the legendary Reverend Al Green -- who received the 'BET Lifetime Achievement Award'. Al Green then took to the stage; taking us way back with the smooth grooves of the past. 

Synthesizer rapper extraordinaire T-pain, performed his many cameo songs with artists Kanye West and Rick Ross, and proved to be an anwesome set. Pop singers and dance magicians Chris Brown and Ciara, were electrical and all the way live; while singer Rihanna truly showed her vocal ability and strong emotion behind her song "it's over now", holding nothing back the Barbados beauty shined like a star throughout her performance. 

Towards the end of the show Alicia Keys, accepted her award for "BET Female R and B song" in which she proceeded to give an empowering message to the audience. that we shouldn't use the word "can't" in our vocabulary, and that we should get out and vote.

Lyrical genius Lil Wayne and rapper T-Pain, closed the show by performing "Lollipop" and "Amilli." The entire performance was fire, but we all know Weezy rarely disappoints. All in all, the good parts of the show definitely outweighed the bad and if you missed it -- catch it on repeat!

2008 BET Awards Nominees and Winners

*Best Female R and B Artist:  

Alicia Keys

Mary J. Blige 

Mariah Carey 

Keyshia Cole 

Rihanna

*Best Male R and B Artist: 

Chris Brown

Raheem DeVaughn

J. Holiday

Ne-Yo

Trey Songz

*Best Group: 

UGK

Danity Kane

Day 26

Gnarles Barkley

Playaz Circle

*Best Gospel Artist: 

Marvin Sapp

The Clark Sisters

Deitrick Haddon

Kirk Franklin

Trin-I-Tee 5:7

*Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: 

Missy Elliott

Eve

Kid Sister

Lil Mama

Trina

*Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: 

Kanye West

Common

Jay-Z

Lil Wayne

Snoop Dogg

*Video of the Year: 

'International Player's Anthem' - UGK and OUTKAST, 

'The Way That I Love You' - Ashanti

'Honey' - Erykah Badu

'Just Fine' - Mary J. Blige

'Like You'll Never See Me Again' - Alicia Keys

'Good Life' - Kanye West featuring T-Pain

*Best Video Director: 

Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto

Benny Boom

Gil Green

Chris Robinson

Hype Williams

*Best Collaboration: 

'Good Life' - Kanye West featuring T-Pain

'Kiss Kiss' - Chris Brown featuring T-Pain

'Let It Go' - Keyshia Cole featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim

'Low' - Flo-Rida featuring T-Pain

'I'm So Hood (The Remix)' - DJ Khaled featuring T-Pain, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe and Birdman

*Viewer's Choice:  

'Lollipop' (featuring Static) - Lil’ Wayne

'No One' - Alicia Keys

'Kiss Kiss' (featuring T-Pain - Chris Brown

'Let It Go' (featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim) - Keyshia Cole

'Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)' - Soulja Boy 

'No Air'(featuring Chris Brown) - Jordin Sparks

*BET J Award:  

Raheem DeVaughn

Chaka Khan

Ledisi

Jill Scott

Angie Stone

*Best New Artist:   

The Dream

Estelle

Flo-Rida

Chrisette Michelle

Soulja Boy Tell 'Em

*Best Actress: 

Halle Berry

Angela Bassett

Queen Latifah

Jill Scott

Chandra Wilson

*Best Actor:  

Denzel Washington

Anthony Anderson

Don Cheadle

Idris Elba

Terrence Howard

2008 LA

FuTuRe FiRsT lAdY mIcHeLlE oBaMa On ThE vIeW

June 18, 2008 -- First lady in-waiting Michelle Obama, visited the day time talk show The View. Co-host Whoopi Goldberg was overcome with so much excitement, that she knocked her cup over and spilled her drink all over herself. I guess the thought that the first lady could actually be a Black woman, is enough for any minority to be enthusiastic over.

Michelle Obama was poised, elegant, comforting, humble, and down to earth. Co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck seemed a little nervous around Mrs. Obama, which is probably why she brought up the fact that bloggers (like myself) continue to write about an ongoing beef between the two women. 

  

Mrs. O, has probably become accustomed to Ms. Hasselbecks' jabs towards her husband; but Michelle gracefully dismissed any rumors and instead extended her hand to Elisabeth -- who grabbed her hand so quickly and with so much eagerness almost as if to say, "I'm really not a bad person and I'm sorry."

This was a particularly touching moment displayed between the future first lady and Elisabeth; I even commend her for not bashing Senator Obama at all in the past week and a half!

Great show, great ladies, good times! 

2008 LA

KaNye WeSt LaTe To HiS oWn CoNcErT

Apparently, Hip Hop artist Kanye West showed up late to his concert at the 'Bonnaroo Music Festival' in Manchester, Tennessee. 

Kanye was supposed to take the stage at 2:45am, after that time passed he was to be delayed until 3:15am, and that time passed as well -- but Kanye finally made his appearance around 4:25am. The rapper stated that his lateness was due to difficulty setting up the concert stage, but some concert goers negated that excuse and instead commented that the stage was already set up. 

After the performance concert goers remarked that Kanye's show "wasn't worth the wait", and that they'll never go to another "Kanye West" concert again. 

Was the concert only horrible to the audience because they were already angry? 

The audience boo'ed the "college drop-out" artist when he took to the stage, and was completely flabbergasted that he didn't apologize for being late. 

Better luck next time, Kanye?!

2008 LA

NiCk HoGaNs CaR aCcIdEnT cAsE

Have you seen the news about Nick Hogan's car accident case?   

The accident caused Hogan's "best friend" and former US Marine John Graziano, to permanently succumb to a vegetative state which implies no walking or talking ever again. He won't marry his fiancee or live a normal healthy life ever again.

After a drunk Nick broke the speed limit by 100 mph he was arrested and taken to jail, shortly thereafter a recorded phone call between Nick and his mother surfaced. In the recording Mrs. Hogan appeared to baby her son, all while he complained about being locked up for hours with nothing to do.

Did Nick seem more concerned with his own well being than his friends?

Apparently so, and his complaining obviously gave way to  preferential treatment, in which he was moved to a cell with other cell mates to remain social, he gained unlimited access to a phone, Play Station, television, and was even granted his own shower.

On another recorded call -- this time to Mr. Hogan, Nick was told by his father that "God punished the victim for his ways." Nick responded to his father that his friend was "a negative person." 

The newly imprisoned Hogan then proceeded to tell his dad that he wished to have a reality show "lined up" for him when he gets out of jail as a means of making money right away. To which the infamous wrestler obliged his son stating "yes" -- he'll set things up.

Does it seem as if Nick's parents are trying harder to be his friend than his parent? 

How do you not reprimand your child for being more concerned with money than his own friend? Nick seemed completely oblivious to the amount of pain he caused, and proved it by ranting and raving over material possessions when another persons life is in jeopardy as a result of young Nicks' reckless actions, and all the Hogan's can do is fault the victim while thinking about money? 

Hogan senior was caught speaking erroneously on the late night talk show 'Larry King Live', when he stated that his relationship with the victims' parents were good and that they were understanding. When in fact the victim's parents released a statement calling the Hogan's "unremorseful, hypocrites, and the biggest phonies."

Money talks?

Nick Hogan was set to serve 8 months in jail however, a deal was worked out for an earlier release date.

Should Nick serve more time? Will he learn a viable lesson from this situation? 

2008 LA

KeEpInG uP wItH tHe KaRdAsHiAn DrAmA

    Seen l-r: Kris Jenner;her husband Bruce Jenner;Khloe;Kourtney;Kim Kardashian

Have you seen the new reality show, 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians'?

One episode brought me to tears, as the family visited their deceased father's favorite Armenian restaurant 'Carousel', paying homage to his life. 

Afterwards, the Kardashian sisters partied it up at a local club with young Khloe, who appeared to have gotten completely enbriated. Kim and Kourtney, left the club and didn't make Khloe aware and as a result, the fair-haired Kardashian was pulled over by the police for driving under the influence.

Arrested and charged with a DUI, Khloe calls Kourtney from jail asking for a ride home the next afternoon. Khloe pleaded with her sister to not tell their mother so Kourtney tells Kim, (which means telling their mother) and by the time it reaches Kris she is fuming! 

I know Khloe, is considered grown but maybe her sister's could've checked on her before they left the club?  

Khloe walks out of jail the next afternoon and to her surprise it wasn't Kourtney there to pick her up, instead it was her mother that stood waiting - and she wasn't shy about expressing her feelings regarding her daughters behavior. Eventually, Kris came to understand Khloe's "acting out", came from the grief she still felt over her father's death.

Later in the episode, the family sat around watching old home videos of their dad when they were little. It was definitely an emotional episode.

In up coming Kardashian drama, Kourtney thinks she's pregnant by her boyfriend Scott! Uh oh, more Kardashian chaos! 

2008 LA