Beyonce Spends 7 Million to House the Homeless in Houston

Queen Bey's philanthropic work never ends -- as she continues to give generously to her fellow man.

This past June she gave to Chime for Change -- a charity which empowers young women, last Christmas she gave out gift cards at a New Jersey Walmart, and now she's working to house homeless individuals in her native Houston, Texas.

This beautiful superstar continues to show her enormous heart and was even praised by her Houston Pastor, Rev. Rudy Rasmus who had this to say,

“She’s an incredible human being. Has an incredible heart and has been extremely helpful in our mission and our ministry here,” Rasmus said in a recent interview with KHOU.

“She has a global platform and is doing some amazing work and I’m glad she’s a friend of mine,” he continued.

Well said Pastor Rasmus, wonderful words for an extraordinary human being. Keep up the good work Queen Bey!

2014 LA

BET Awards 2014 Rocked the House

The BET awards never ceases to amaze me, as I am always ready for some 'good ole' authentic black soul music and I love to feed my political appetite as well, which was effectively done by this years host, comedian Chris Rock. 

Mr. Rock (seen above), always gives you the political realness for reality with a side of laughter to go with it and lets face it, with the political sphere being what it is today it helps to laugh when you really want to cry -- which is why I enjoyed his comedic skit at the Monster Truck rally where he quizzed white people on all things BET, it was absolutely hilarious!

Singer Pharrell and infamous rapper Missy Elliott opened up the show with 'Come Get It Bae', which seemed to get everyone in the mood for a good time. I was most impressed and excited to see Chris Brown perform his infamous hit 'These Hoes Ain't Loyal', and waited anxiously for him to bust out in one of his legendary dance routines which he did, and I was thoroughly entertained.

It was great to see rapper Lil Wayne again -- and in good health might I add, since he has been pretty much hidden

from site lately and I often missed his lively performances coupled with his poetic lyrics. And Hip Hop Queen Nicki Minaj, never disappoints as she meshed femininity with her at times hardcore lyrics during her 'Pills and Potion' theatrical segment, giving you rough and smooth all at the same time while flashing that fabulous body that keeps your eyes glued to the television set.

As Nicki (seen-r) accepted her fifth award for the Best Female Hip Hop Artist category, it was said that she threw slight shade at rapper Iggy Azalea who performed earlier in the show, as she calmly and facetiously stated "What I want the world to know about Nicki Minaj is when you hear Nicki Minaj spit, Nicki Minaj wrote it," and she went on to thank the CEO of BET Debra Lee, for rewarding "Authentic" artists. Calling out the carbon copies, Nicki? I ain't mad at you!

Singers John Legend, Ledisi and Yolanda Adams sang brilliantly their tributes to the legendary Lionel Richie, who received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award. Then Mr. Richie got on stage to remind us why we've followed him for so many years, as he performed hits like 'All Night Long' and 'Easy Like Sunday Morning'.

Then BET took it back to the 90's with hits like, 'All I Do is Think of You' by Troop, 'I Wanna Sex You Up' by Color Me Bad, and 'Freaky With You' by Silk.

Actress Phylicia Rashad walked out on stage looking timeless, graceful and womanly, as she delivered her speech on legendary artists who've recently passed on, Maya Angelou and Ruby Dee. 

Chairman and CEO of BET Debra Lee, gave the audience a history lesson as she took us down memory lane with her speech and background images to remind us of Freedom Summer 1964, using it as a symbol of the progress we've made thus far with Civil Rights Activist Myrlie Evers-Williams, accepting the BET Humanitarian Award as she eloquently stated that there's still more progress to be made and to keep up the good fight, as she expressed that there was a time when black people weren't allowed on television networks.

Which is why I was especially happy to see so many new black movie trailers during the commercial breaks, it was at least 4-5 new black films coming out with all black casts -- and that's something to be proud of for sure.

Towards the end of the show Robin Thicke pleaded his 'Forever Love' case through song once more to his estranged wife Paula Patton, as a means of trying to win her back after she left him due to his previous infidelities. 

But the highlight of the evening was the performance by Jay Z and Beyonce, which seemed like a bit of a trick as most people thought the duo was in the building and set to give a live show -- but no such luck. The married couple is still carrying out their 'On The Run' tour but allowed BET to show their 'Partition' performance via satellite, which was as equally entertaining, sexy and impressive even if it wasn't a live show.

Overall, the 2014 BET Awards rocked the house and I can't wait to see how next years show will top this one. 

2014 LA

Open Letter to Blue Ivy Carter

Dear Blue,

How are you doing? I hope well, considering that you're only two years old, and already experiencing the harsh reality of what it means to be "black" in America.

I've been seeing a lot of articles and social media sites that have berated you for being a little black girl, but of course you wouldn't know the first thing about articles and social media...after all you're still a baby!

Coming from one sista girl to another, I just wanted you to know that I think you are absolutely beautiful. The features that you hone from your mommy and daddy are essential to you, and the naturalness of your hair is also essential to you...it is what makes you Blue!

Because your parents are famous you will almost always be in the limelight, even when you may be having a bad hair day -- but we've all had those days before...you are not alone. But just know that when you become older it is imperative to stay true to who you are, no matter what others may say or do. Love yourself first because when you do that, it becomes easier for you to love others.

You will be taught many history lessons but the greatest of them all, will be the lesson about your blackness; the melanin in your skin, your high cheekbones, the

fullness of your lips, the wideness of your nose, the natural curves of your body which you will more than likely inherit from your Momma B, and of course the kinky, coily nature of your hair. Your entire being is a history lesson and you'd be wise to take heed, so that it becomes easier for you to understand who you are and where you come from.

No matter what Blue, make sure to love all of your person -- the inside and the outside for you are uniquely wonderful. God made you exactly the way you are supposed to be and don't ever let anyone tell you different. 

And always remember Blue, what you inherited naturally millions of people pay thousands of dollars to receive through needle injections, tanning salons, augmentations and implants, hoping to hide the deeply held insecurities that lie within.

Love, 

LA

Destiny's Child Reunites for Michelle Williams' Song 'Say Yes'

It's great to see the dynamic trio back together again! Michelle Williams, Beyonce Knowles-Carter and Kelly Rowland-Witherspoon, bringing us a positive, uplifting, and upbeat Jesus jam. 

Do we see another reunion in the near future?! Get it girls!

2014 LA

Kanye West Feeling the Weight Over His Interracial Relationship?

Kanye West: People Didn't Understand His Interracial Relationship.

First, interracial relationships are nothing new and have been around even when it was illegal.

Second, the only reason why people can't understand his relationship with Kim K, is because of how intellectually different they are; Kanye raps about oppression and the black struggle and then he gets with a female, who just recently announced she hadn't a clue racism existed until she had a mixed race child.

On top of that, Mr. West continuously ranted and raved about corporations being the adversary, which in turn brought about his last album being released a la carte Yeezus, and then he gets with a female who is a corporation and who stands for the very things that he's against! But Kanye West, is indeed a smart man who fully understands the "two sides of the same coin" strategy, and uses it well, even if it causes good or bad reactions.

Personally, I thought Kanye was trying to make a political example out of Kim, especially with his Bound 2 song and his remix verse on Beyonce's Drunk in Love track, where he completely degraded the mother of his child by making her look like a complete slut - in which he used the very words "fake", "phony" and "white trash", when describing the song about his then future fiance. But when you truly love someone why would you talk so ill of them?

Then, he makes a song with rapper Future about Kim K and all of her sisters being "trophy wives", meaning them only being good enough to look at but have nothing else to offer. Which makes sense of why when he addressed Kim at their wedding he described her as the "ideal celebrity" and the "ideal art", meaning she's well-known enough to be his spouse and like a painting - very nice too look at. 

Kanye West has married his favorite painting and the perk of it all, is that the painting actually gets to touch him back in those special ways he enjoyed watching during her porno debut with then beau, Ray J. Don't you just love Kanye's infatuation [cough] in love talk?

The sad part, is that Kim didn't respect herself enough to demand better treatment because maybe she was to concerned with trying to use Kanye to become an A-lister, and of course for those KUWTK TV ratings? So she married Kanye, because after all he is the father of her child and how would it make her look if she didn't? I can answer that question; it couldn't make you look any worse then you already do.

Kanye was perfectly fine with Kim being his "baby mama" because his plan was always to get rich with them being a dynamic duo, using her to wear his fashions and of course to produce his off spring, ie, the next heirs to the Yeezus throne.

Yes, it's a fact that intelligent men often get with women that aren't as smart or smarter than them - as a means of being able to "control" their environment, but when Mr. West decided to wife up Kim Kardashian after getting her pregnant, it would seem that all of his political art work would be for nought as he completely allowed wealth building to take over his agenda, not foreseeing the futuristic train wreck waiting to happen - or did he?

If the couple stand the test of time it will probably be to prove others wrong, as Kim would most surely endure more of a public backlash if she decides to move on to husband number four and as for Kanye, he would simply receive an "I told you so", but something tells me that the Cold rapper is absolutely okay with that.

Hang on to your lapels Kim, because Kanye is "Bound 2" take you for the ride of your life!

On a side note: Kanye West commented that Kim is his muse.

 

Kim K and Ray J; Kanye and Kim K

Mmmmhmmm....I bet she is.

2014 LA

Why A HOOD TALKS Will No Longer Write About Or Watch 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians'

Last Sunday's KUWTK episode, which I didn't get a chance to watch until last night, completely solidified for me why I stopped following them on Twitter and will continue to not "Keep Up" with them via the tube. My reason? Well, there are a few allow me to explain.

When the family first started out it was obvious Kim K, gave her entire family a platform in which to build their brand. The family unit then, seemed tight nit and close and it was even hilarious to watch the children prank their mom and her being super cool about it. It seemed like it was all good family fun and games with an occasional Kim throwing crying fits, and appearing somewhat shallow as she was hell bent on receiving her designer labels - hence, the infamous "Bentley" episode that caused major drama between herself and her siblings.

However, as time went on the family dynamics began to change as well as the looks of certain family members, but the absolute turning point for me was when Kim K totally manipulated NBA player Kris Humphries, by using her sexual and seductive prowess to pull him into her TV ratings trap while using him to have an extravagant wedding that didn't mean a lick to her - hence, the reason she tried to keep the huge engagement ring he gifted her. 

And this showed me exactly what kind of woman she is; it wasn't about her just being spoiled, shallow and nonintellectual, it was about her being vindictive and conniving while playing on the emotions of these men to get what she wanted. 

So when the next lap she hopped on was Kanye West, I was completely disgusted and appalled; not only because she cheated with the Yeezus rapper knowing he had a girlfriend, but because she was determined to continue using the backs of these men as stepping stools to pull herself to the top of....I still don't know.

And with last Sundays episode being not only boring but absolutely annoying as Kylie Jenner, mouthed off to her mother, Kim K being of no interest, Khloe seemingly trying to find relevance, Kris arguing with Bruce over his "transformations", and Kourtney and Scott appearing money hungry by trying to sell-off a family heirloom from the passing of Scott's parents; I am simply done.

If 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' continue to go on like this the TV ratings will continue to decline , until they become virtually non-existent. #Fade2Black

Lets have a before and after look at the "first family" of reality TV. 

2014 LA

Kanye West's 34 Minute Manifesto

Mr. West, is in the building!

Representing life, art and culture to the fullest; in his own voice he narrates the video below and ties it in with incredible imagery, giving an obvious visual of what his words mean.
 

The verbiage is strong, soft at times, aggressive and powerful, as he explains the world as a whole. He gives you the real, the truth, the education, almost as if he's unlocked the "Da Vinci Code" of sorts, while expressing himself enough to help one express ones-self.

This art work is so deep, so touching, so chilling, so uplifting and freeing all at the same time. It's obvious that Kanye, is an intellectual force to be reckoned with as I found myself being drawn into his works - simply because of how he spits the political realness that so many are blind to today. 

And after this manifesto goes viral some people may still not "get it", but for those that do consider yourself one of the lucky ones who's fortunate enough to take heed to the knowledge, so that you may move forward with proper action.

Thank you Mr. West, for being the incredible spirit you are regardless of your reckless actions at times lol. No one is perfect, but we can all strive to be our own "personal perfect" to ourselves - whatever we deem it to be.

#Love #Create #Uplift #BeYourOwnArtist

2014 LA

Kelly Rowland is Preggers!

Former Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland, announced her pregnancy via Instagram, shortly after marrying her manager beau Tim Witherspoon, last month in Costa Rica. 

Congrats on your marriage and pregnancy joy, Mr. and Mrs. Witherspoon!

2014 LA