Gotham! Gotham! Gotham!

Jada Pinkett-Smith as "Fish" Mooney

Gotham is a new television series on the Fox network, and if you haven't viewed it yet -- it's an absolute MUST SEE!

The mini-series is more like a pre-cursor to the movie Batman, in which you see how all the characters in Batman became who they are from this "earlier" rendition. You see how "Penguin" became how he is, you see how "Batman" grew up from childhood, you see how "Cat Woman" started out and so on and so forth. 

I originally heard about this thriller by word-of-mouth because I have mutual friends and family that LOVE Jada Pinkett-Smith, so when I was told that she was apart of the cast I was ALL IN. 

Jada's character as "Fish" Mooney is a sexy, sinful, and seductive woman who's the head honcho of her operation and when she instructs her followers to jump their only response is, how high. I've never seen Jada play a role quite like this before but I must say, she's giving the character and this show much life with what she brings regarding her artistic abilities. And every actor thus far as exuded A-MA-ZING talent -- in which I am permanently a Gotham fan for life.

This awesome series kicks off every Monday on Fox, check your local listings and use your OnDemand to catch up from the last 3 episodes! I promise you will not be disappointed.

#GothOnWithGothamCity

2014 LA

Alicia Keys' 'We Are Here' Movement

Soulful singer and uniquely connected to the universe visionary Alicia Keys, hits us with the #Real as she uses her wisdom and in depth mental to educate us all on why "We Are Here".

I appreciate the candor of the soon-to-be momma of two, who appears to want desperately for the world what she wants for her own children; a place that's safe, loving, and full of opportunity. Her words are empowering and the message is clear; if we are to have positive, peaceful and progressive change in our world it must start with you...me....all of us. 

If you want to be apart of the why "We Are Here" movement, click here and subscribe to receive more information about this important mission. And while you're at it check out Ms. Keys' video here, and hopefully it'll embolden you to action.

#OneLove

2014 LA

Karrueche Tran Disses Blue Ivy in Tasteless Joke

Karrueche Tran attends The Kill Collection launch at Vanquish Lounge on January 17, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/FilmMagic)

Karrueche Tran, the on-and-off again girlfriend of singer Chris Brown, made some disparaging remarks about Beyonce's daughter Blue Ivy while hosting on BET's 106 & Park.

During a segment in which the hosts highlighted the "top six things Blue Ivy thought about at the MTV VMAs," Karrueche, 26, said, "I really did wake up like this because my parents never comb my hair."

Needless to say, the Twitter community didn't take her remarks kindly and blasted her on social media about picking on a two year old baby, while lambasting her for appearing desperate to be Chris Brown's girlfriend.

Again, I'm not sure why people feel the need to make comments about Blue Ivy's hair -- but the negativity needs to STOP! This is a child and public bullying should be OFF LIMITS, period.

Although Ms. Tran tweeted that the comment she made was apart of her script, if you're truly a fan of Beyonce', then something deep down inside of you would've told you that making such a remark wasn't right. 

If it were me hosting on BET's 106 & Park, and they asked me to recite those horrible words about Blue Ivy or any baby for that matter, I would've told them NO! Some things aren't worth the money Karrueche, including your character but it's understandable that this is a learning process for many individuals.

And in case you weren't aware Ms. Tran, Blue Ivy's hair is naturally curly and if you were aware of black culture -- especially since you date a "black man", then you'd know that there are many textures and tones to black hair and if a black woman chooses to wear her hair -- or style her daughter's hair in its natural state, then it is for her to choose to do so and not the concern of any outsider.

It would behoove you to learn a bit about black history and how black people have been demeaned for centuries with regards to the texture of one's hair....you know, just in case you decide to have a black baby and need advice on how to properly groom a black child's mane. 

But whatever you do Karrueche, please stop perpetuating black stereotypes because it does nothing for your reputation and only seeks to isolate and degrade little black children -- potentially the ones that sit in the BET audience listening to your comments.

#ReadKarrueche

2014 LA

Update: BET and Karrueche Tran publicly and privately apologized to the Carters, regarding the tasteless joke made about their daughter's hair. #GoodJob #SubjectDead

2014 LA

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