Beyonce's 15 Minute VMA Performance was Epic

After you watch the MTV VMA's, do you ever only remember those distinct performances that had a chilling affect on you?

For me, it was performances by Beyonce', Nicki Minaj, and Maroon 5, that completely stole the show. I also appreciated the SNL funnyman Jay Pharoah, who was hilarious and had me chuckling quite a bit.

Nicki Minaj's Anaconda; I hardly know where to begin as her live performance was just as great as her music video! The set design, costumes, and choreography all intertwined perfectly while Nicki spit her venomous lyrics as she shook that rump shaker all over the stage, while making you comprehend the true meaning of the name...Anaconda. 

As Nicki gyrated all around -- the look on singer Rita Ora's face was absolutely priceless, as she appeared to be hypnotized by the twerk master that stood before her.

Newly married front man Adam Levine, led the Maroon 5 band into a rocking first song that tore the house down as he belted out his words with eyes closed, head back, foot tapping, and his signature staccato voice drove the chorus home. All you could do was rock your head and shimmy your shoulders, as you fully understood that the song Maps -- is a definite must have.

Beyonce. Beyonce. Beyonce.

One can hardly find the words to describe the amazing artistry of this extraordinary woman. If I had been near her as her performance ended, I would have taken slow strides toward her and then poked her with one finger -- to see if she was really human. But that's the feeling that she gives me when she performs -- a feeling that she doesn't seem almost real. Her level of performance intensity and drive surpasses anything that I would've ever imagined coming from any one artist. 

She took you from slow pace to fast pace so quick that it left your head spinning, and her words were so real and poetic as it captured a unique blend of:

- Grimy; "How did you wake up this morning?" 

- Reality; "We're taking this a little to far." 

- Charisma; "You're no angel either baby." 

- Sarcasticness; "Sometimes sh*t goes down when there's a billion dollars on the elevator." 

- Sexiness; "You want me -- I walk down the hallway -- you like it -- the bedroom's a runway -- slap me -- I'm quick to the doorway -- kiss -- bite -- foreplay." 

- Raunchiness; "Let me sit this ass on you -- show you how I feel -- let me take this off while you watch me -- that's mass appeal -- don't take your eyes off it -- watch it -- if you like you can touch it baby -- do you want to touch it baby?"

- Purity; "Come on baby won't you hold onto me Blue?"

- Beautifulness; "I'm just jealous -- I'm just human -- don't judge me -- If you're keeping your promise I'm keeping mine." 

Like an onion has many layers that one must peel back to get to the core of it; Beyonce' is a W-O-M-A-N with many different layers -- so many complexities, which she brilliantly fit all that is her into one concert of song and movement. She gave all of us -- all of her, on all of her many levels at one time and personally I appreciate her candidness, and how she made a masterpiece with it.

I've been riding with Beyonce' since her Destiny's Child years, and to watch her evolve into the true artist that she is today only makes me super excited about her future evolution, and what fantastic musical rides that she has in store for us. 

I want to ask Beyonce "does it get any better than this?" But something tells me that her immediate response would be, absolutely.

Queen Bey's performance closed out the show -- and rightfully so, as her husband and baby girl joined her on stage to reward her with the Michael Jackson Vanguard award. Congratulations Mrs. Carter, you definitely earned this prestigious award for your unshakable, undeniable, and truly gifted soul.

#Smh #MakingHistory #OutOfBodyExperience 

Catch the MTV VMA's on a repeat, I promise you won't be disappointed. 

2014 LA

Comedian Kevin Hart Pops the Big One

The funny man himself decided to put "a ring on it" to his girlfriend of five years, Eniko Parrish. 

He proposed on his girl's 30th birthday and released an Instagram post citing beautiful words to his lady love, which of course ended with a funny Kevin Hart punchline; it wouldn't be Kev if it didn't.

Second times the charm Kevin -- or is it third time the charm? Either way, A HOOD TALKS wishes for you much love, joy, happiness and unconditional love, for your second time down the aisle. 

Congrats to the happy couple! Click to view Kevin's proposal here.

2014 LA

Gimmie Shelter

After watching this riveting piece of artwork; Vanessa Hudgens and Rosario Dawson, are permanently programmed in my list of mental notes as "go-to" actresses for future films. 

This movie was extremely raw and unapologetic in its bluntness, and after reading the story-line and viewing the film in its entirety -- you come to realize that there's no other way it could've been. 

A child grows up...barely reaching her teenage years, never knowing her father and being raised by a drug addicted mother who only wants her child around as a form of income -- which she receives from the state government. Eventually, the child is old enough to realize that her life hurts and the only way to get relief, is by running away from her mother's death trap. 

Throughout the movie you follow the child's difficult journey and endure with her the insurmountable obstacles; witnessing the many firsts of her life...love, happiness, peace, pride, structure and confidence, all the things that were desperately lacking in her life at the beginning of the film.

Vanessa Hudgens;Rosario Dawson

Gimmie Shelter is the perfect title for this movie because you literally watch a child's struggle to find that very thing -- that most of us know as "home."

This film will soften hearts and make you think but most importantly, it'll create new advocates and activists for the well-being of children. 

Kudos to the writer and all who were involved with this project -- it's a must see for sure. 

On a side note: This movie reminded of a song titled Brenda's Got A Baby by rapper Tupac Shakur, and because the words fit so well with this film I decided to link the video and lyrics here -- for any young girl that finds herself in a situation as the above mentioned; know that there's a way out and people that are willing to help you.

2014 LA

New Black Starz TV Series 'Power'...is FIRE

Have you seen the new Starz TV series titled, Power?

It's produced by and features rapper and businessman 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson), and written by Courtney Kemp Agboh.

A HOOD TALKS highly suggests this programming for anyone into really good acting, espionage, and plot-lines that leave you guessing with drama for days; mild violence and sex are also apart of this jaw dropping series. 

The first season has already ended but you're in luck, because if you have On Demand all you have to do is go to the Starz network to watch the entire season -- this way you'll be caught up when the second season commences next year. I promise you -- this show is extremely addictive.

Kudos to 50 Cent for bringing this entertaining piece of art form to our TV screens, and something tells me that this show is going to be around for a long time.

2014 LA

Kanye West in Robocop: Unreleased Music Video with Ex-Girlfriend Amber Rose

Apparently, a snippet of Ye's back in the day video recently surfaced online to many of his fans delight. 

Why? We don't know. Is there a hidden message being given by the Yeezus rapper? We don't know.

Because the video was to short for me to understand what he was talking about, I found the actual lyrics and posted them here for your viewing. I suggest reading the lyrics first and than watch the video, it makes more sense that way.

Another day in the life of Ye, using his relationships to inspire his creativeness. 

#Word

2014 LA

Tiny and Tip Use Art to Communicate

The ongoing public feud between Mr. and Mrs. Harris, has carried over into art form -- where Tiny appears to be stepping up her game as if to show Tip, that he better recognize what he has before it leaves him. 

In Tiny's latest single WTFYGD, which has reached number one on the iTunes chart -- she kicks the real to her husband while facetiously telling him "I'm gon show you what it feel like to be on the other side of the gun."

The latter can be chalked up as a reference to the latest rumors that Mrs. Harris cheated on Tip with boxing champ Floyd Mayweather, as a way of getting back at him for all of his infidelities. 

Actually, Mayweather stated in an interview that he indeed slept with Tiny -- which in turn triggered a brawl between the rapper and heavyweight champion in a fast food restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

However, Tip obviously wants to reconcile the marital differences with his wife as he released a new track called Stay, with the name of the title alluding to the conclusion that he's hoping for?

Will Tiny take Tip back? And will the success of her new single embolden her to make a new album?

With regards to Tiny and Tip, #WhatIsYourHoodTalkingAbout?

2014 LA

Singer Alicia Keys Expecting Second Baby

Instagram | @aliciakeys

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life @therealswizzz !! And to make it even sweeter we've been blessed with another angel on the way!! You make me happier than I have ever known! Here's to many many more years of the best parts of life!

Alicia Keys recently announced via social media that she and hubby Swizz Beatz, are indeed expecting their second child together.

The super star couple will be making their 3 year old son Egypt, a big brother very soon.

Congrats to the happy couple!

2014 LA

Adrienne Bailon Hits Kim Kardashian Where It Hurts

Kim kardashian;Adrienne Bailon

Former 3LW singer, Disney Cheetah girl and actress, and now current co-host on The Real -- Adrienne Bailon, fired back at reality star Kim Kardashian for interjecting herself into a social media scuffle over comments made by Bailon, in the September issue of Latina magazine. 

Bailon made comments about a tattoo that she wishes to have removed which bares the name of her former beau, Rob Kardashian. While speaking on her tattoo issue she proceeded to talk about how Rob strategically cheated on her, which she found to be very disloyal and hurtful. Adding to her comment she stated that her career was even affected due to the "Kardashian label" that was bestowed upon her. 

Obviously, Kim K didn't appreciate the blow and replied via Tweeter, "Funny how she says being with a Kardashian hurt her career yet the only reason she has this article is bc she is talking about a Kardashian."

To which Bailon fired back stating, "Fame and a Career are two different things. I've always had a career. I have been working hard since I was 15 years old. Being someones "girlfriend" was never what I wanted to be famous for. What makes you "famous" isn't always what you want to be "labeled" as, or known for. If anyone should understand that...it should be you."

Bailon continued, "I also stated in the article that none of this would have stopped me from being in love and being in that relationship. I just would have gone about it differently. You can love someone just as much in private. We all learn from our first loves." #GodBless

As of late, Kim Kardashian has yet to respond.

On a side note: Kendall Jenner also stated that being related to the name "Kardashian" hurt her career as well, so why all the hoopla over Adrienne's comment?

2014 LA