Soraya Mathias Blog

Performing in front of sold out crowds and making cameo appearances in movies and TV shows, music artists are always down to showcase their talents in various arenas. Singer Mary J. Blige has done all these things and more as she has continued to be a dominating force in the industry. But now “The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” is under fire for her appearance in one of Burger King’s latest commercials for their new Crispy Chicken Snack Wrap. And needless to say, some people were highly upset while others well…found their anger to be quite ridiculous.

“I’m a Black woman and I by no means was offended by this commercial. All she was doing was singing about a product that just so happened to be chicken. I don’t see what the fuss is about. If she was up there singing about shackles and chains, maybe my thoughts would be totally different.”

Alicia C.
Age: 23
Silver Springs, MD

“Come on are people really serious right now? Where is the racism in this commercial? The real problem with this commercial was the singing. I love Mary J. Blige just like the next fan, but that was what I found bad about the whole thing, not the fact that it was being so “disrespectful” to Black people because it obviously was not.”

Jennifer M.
Age: 33
Salem, OR

“So tell me, how is this any different from the Black actors and actresses that we see rapping on the McDonald’s commercials? Was that the product of a racist’s mind? I didn’t see people getting all outraged about that and those commercials have continued to air. If a white, Hispanic or a person of any other race was singing about chicken, I guess it would be okay then. The race card can not be pulled in every situation and this is one where it doesn’t need to be.”

Latisha E.
Age: 25
Yonkers, NY

“I may be reaching a little bit here but I think the commercial was very distasteful due to the fact that she was singing about chicken. It is a known fact that chicken is coined as “black food”, right along with watermelon so to see Mary J. Blige participate in something like this is feeding into the negative stereotype that is placed on us already. And God knows, we don’t need anyone else doing that.”

Ashlee T.
Age: 27
Boston, MA

The commercial was quickly snatched off the air after the heavy criticism that it received. And was followed by a statement from the singer, assuring fans and critics that what they saw was not “MJB” certified:

"I agreed to be a part of a fun and creative campaign that was supposed to feature a dream sequence. Unfortunately, that's not what was happening in that clip."

"I understand my fans being upset by what they saw. But, if you're a Mary fan, you have to know I would never allow an unfinished spot like the one you saw go out."

Was it really that serious?

Take a look for yourself:



Is the anger justified?

After sweeping the Grammy Awards this year, Singer Adele has continued to remain a hot topic in the music industry. Her powerful vocals, full of soul, have earned her six grammys and album of the year, setting her apart from many other vocalists in the industry. She is what many people feel has been missing in the world of music, pure raw talent with no extra sound effects in the background.

Accompanied by music or complete silence, Adele’s natural gift shines with perfection.

As she has created quite a name for herself, the 23-year old singer has informed fans that she will be releasing another song shortly for their listening pleasure before the end of the year. And to add to that, she is also looking to collaborate with other artists. As many artists may come to mind, she is hoping to get into the studio with one in particular by the name of Mrs. Carter.

Adele has made it known that she is a huge fan of superstar diva Beyonce’ and has followed her career since she was a young girl. And the chance to pair up with one of the greatest performers of this era is a dream of hers that she is hoping will soon be a reality:

"I adore Beyonce. I''ve been listening to her since I was about 11. I think her work as an artist and a singer is enviable in terms of the length of her career and how she's grown and grown"

Beyonce’ and Adele on the same track…I feel a hit coming on don’t you?

To be coined a true diva is something that must be earned. That title is not just attached to any female with a cute face and a few dance moves under her sleeve. An abundance of talent this person must have, along with a set of pipes that are unmatchable to any ones ever heard of. Of the old school R&B crowd, many names are notably mentioned from Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan and Patti LaBelle. This list however would not be complete without one woman, whose powerful vocals still go untouched…Whitney Houston.

An angelic voice and a striking natural beauty, she had it all.

Her voice was incredible and pierced the very soul of those who listened to her music and who witnessed her live performances. One of her most memorable live performances was when she sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl XXV in 1991 between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Giants.



To this day, this has been said to have been the best rendition of the National Anthem ever.

And it still has the same effect on people that it had years ago when it was first sung by her.

With her sweetheart image, Houston gained millions of fans over the years, along with releasing a countless number of awards for her chart-topping songs. Her self-titled debut album Whitney Houston was released in 1985 and became the best-selling debut album by a female artist during that time. The album also made Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Success is what she continued to find as Houston won a total of 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards and 22 American Music Awards. Some of her classics include “I Will Always Love You”, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)”, “How Will I Know” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”. Not straying far from her gospel roots, Houston also received much applause for her singing of "I Love The Lord" featuring the Georgia Mass Choir.


Aside from her musical stardom, Houston graced the big screen, making her way into the film industry, starring in “The Bodyguard”, “Waiting Exhale” and “The Preacher’s Wife” alongside Academy Award Winning Actor Denzel Washington.

Often imitated but never duplicated, Whitney Houston was the epitome of a songstress.

And she has had a major influence over those who have a true love for music like she did:

"I’m still in shock about her passing. It’s so hard to put into words. Whitney Houston was my childhood. I grew up pretending to be Whitney. She made girls who were singers and even those who weren’t want to be like her. An entertainer at heart she was. And even through her trials, you could always see the beauty in her. If it wasn’t for Whitney, there would be no Beyonce’, Jennifer Hudson, Brandy or any of the other young stars. The 80’s produced icons. And she was one that no one could compare to. The music industry as a whole suffered a huge loss but more importantly, her family did. My heart goes out to them. I hope that she knew how much she really touched her fans and how much we will miss her."

Krystal R.
Age: 27
Los Angeles, California

"Whitney was a beautiful woman with one of the most gorgeous smiles I've ever seen. Her voice was angelic and uniquely incomparable to any other female artist I've heard. My most memorable performance was her 1991 National Anthem rendition at the Superbowl. The way she sung it in my estimation has never been sung like that before. It was technically pitch perfect and I was in total awe and that is still my reaction today. She was definitely before her time and it's sad that her life ended the way it did. It should serve as example of what happens when we consistently make damaging decisions in our lives. Fame and fortune can never fulfill the void of emptiness and lack of peace. She will be missed."

Jeremy M.
Age: 27
Whitsett, NC

Despite the ups and downs she faced throughout her lengthy career and her untimely death, Houston will always be remembered for her one of kind talent and ability to touch the souls of her fans with timeless hits. She has influenced numerous acts in the music industry and the legacy that she leaves behind will continue to live on for years to come through her family, friends and fans.

“Every Woman” is what she was and will always be; a sweet spirit that touched the hearts and souls of those who understand the essence of music. Instrumentals she did not need for her voice alone was more than enough to grab your attention and keep it.

Thanks to you Whitney Houston for leaving your everlasting footprint in the world of music.

For weeks, much hype has been centered on the release of George Lucas’ latest production Red Tails, based on the true story of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. Lucas’ previous work including a countless number of Star Wars flicks, have earned him tons of praise, not to mention money, over the years. But exactly how well did he do with a movie based on something so instrumental to the progression of African Americans?

For starters, there is much that can be said about the actors who took on such powerful roles. Terrence Howard did an outstanding job, nailing his role as “Colonel Bullard”. With a touch of arrogance mixed with an abundance of confidence, Howard’s character, along with Major Stance (played by Cuba Gooding, Jr., who did an equally great job as Howard), reflected how African American males were given authoritative positions in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Though true, the movie still showed how they had to go above and beyond to prove themselves and those associated with them worthy individuals for true combat.

As for the tone of the movie, it was overall a serious one. The blatant racism during these times was evident in the film as the “N” word was dropped a time or two in addition to some “awkward situations” that the men experienced as well. Aside from the rather serious moments, there were a number of humorous moments too, fueled by funnymen, “Smokey”, “Lightning” and “Joker”, allowing the audience to let out a few laughs. Even with that being said, neither of those things took the audience’s attention away from the main focus of the story.

As educating the audience was the mission, Red Tails can be summed up in one word…Action.

Nearly two hours of action packed footage is what one should be prepared for. This movie was filled with it from scene to scene, with the occasion down time. The dull moments were held to a minimum. Not harshly graphic in nature, Red Tails was typical of most war-based films, capturing full fledged combat and the fatalities that went along with it.

Red Tails was a solid, updated film of the legendary story behind the courageous African American aviators from now Tuskegee University. Focusing in on the general history was not all this film did. It zeroed in on the racial discrimination that the men faced as well as the comradery and the brotherhood that these men shared.

For those who knew little about the Tuskegee Experiment, they will most definitely walk away with more knowledge than they came in with.

Red Tails had a healthy mixture of battle, historical references and humor and it was a wonderful break from the stereotypical roles that Black men tend to play in Hollywood movies, making it a must see film.

The life of an industry diva can be quite hectic at times. It’s almost unheard of for them, or any other star for that matter, to have one pathway that they are sticking to. Singers are not only going for Grammys anymore. They are striving for Academy Awards too as many of them have made their way into the acting game. When they choose to add to their resumes, it often leaves many of them with little free time on their hands for romance.

Singer Kelly Rowland admitted that her heart has been stolen but not by a handsome face and nice body. She has been swept off her feet by her career, which has kept her from settling down with a significant other.

“Most of the men find me too busy. Which is a real problem, because I like being busy,”

Droppin’ the mic for a man doesn’t seem to be something she is willing to do right now.

Rowland went on to say that she is quite content with devoting the majority of her time to her career.

“At the moment I'm in love with my job. But that doesn't bother me [because at least] my job doesn't nag.”

Rowland’s plate has been staying full here lately as her latest album “Here I Am” continues to get much airplay. She is also set to be one of the judges for the United Kingdom version of “The X Factor”.

Whenever she does have a chance to step back out on the dating scene, she knows exactly what she is looking for though.

“He has to be real and most of all he has to have confidence.”

Talented, educated and self-motivated…These are just a few words that describe our “Belle of the Month” Mrs. Ci Ci Foster. From writing her own books to dishing out relationship advice to those in need of it, Ci Ci has made her presence known in numerous areas and continues to take on more as her career progresses. Being the multi-talented person that she is, Ci Ci wears many hats and has told UBM about how she manages to balance all of them.

Urban Belle: Ci Ci, I see that you are a native of the Chicago area and you relocated to Los Angeles in the late 2000's to further pursue your career. How was that transition for you? Is Los Angeles like night and day compared to Chicago as far as the residents and living environment?

Ci Ci Foster: The transition was definitely a challenge. Moving the entire family across the country where we knew no one was a bit scary, but we were able to quickly acclimate ourselves into the LA lifestyle, and it’s so different from Chicago where I spent my entire life. LA has parties and events every night of the week, so there’s always something going on. In Chicago, people are more accustomed to working hard during the week and partying on the weekends. What I miss most about Chicago are the people. It’s one of those very friendly places where strangers will greet you as you pass them on the streets. That rarely happens in LA. I love both places in a different way.

Urban Belle: As a graduate of Chicago State University, you received your bachelor's degree in psychology. Was that always what you desired to get your degree in? Or had you considered majoring in theater, film or another related area?

Ci Ci Foster: Initially, I did want to get a BS in theater, but after giving it deep thought, I actually decided to take on theater as a minor to have something to fall back on. At the time, I was more of a person who always played it safe. If I had to do it all over again, I would have just went for it full speed ahead. If you don’t plan on failing, you wouldn’t need anything to fall back on.

Urban Belle: "Sunny Rain" was the debut novel that introduced Ci Ci Foster to world of published writers. How long did it take to complete it? What was that feeling like of having your very first book officially published?

Ci Ci Foster: It took me at least 5 years to complete Sunny Rain because I kept putting it down and then I’d pick it back up. Once I actually got serious about writing it though, things moved pretty quickly. I remember the first time I held my book in my hands, I cried. It was like all my hard work was finally starting to pay off. I’m still amazed at how great everything turned out.

Urban Belle: I know that was a wonderful feeling. In addition to being an author, you are also a relationship advice columnist. When giving your advice, do you ever feel like your own relationships (and even current marriage) were under close watch from your readers? Are people really looking to see if you follow your own advice?

Ci Ci Foster: I think anytime you offer people advice on relationships the first thing people are going to want to know is what is your marital status, and that’s a valid question. I mean, I won’t take relationship advice from anyone who doesn’t have their own house in order.

Urban Belle: That is so true; a lot of people feel that way. Giving relationship advice, even to a close friend or relative, can be challenging at times. Has there ever been a time when you were asked a question that you didn't quite know how to answer?

Ci Ci Foster: Not yet, but I’m sure as I do this long enough, someone will have a question that stumps me. I am fine with being honest and admitting when I don’t know something.

Urban Belle: In the entertainment industry, we see many husbands and wives working together like Beyonce' and Jay-Z and Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. How has it been for you working with your husband with the production of "Digg Into Books"?

Ci Ci Foster: Working with my husband on Digg Into Books has definitely brought us closer together. I’d be lying though if I said every moment is bliss. LOL! There are times when we don’t see eye to eye on something and then go home and argue about it some more. But overall, working with him has been a great experience. We support each other 100% and challenge each other to produce the best work possible.

Urban Belle: Sound like you all are a great team. Now your documentary, "I Heart Hollywood", is about the struggles of 14 women that are attempting to break into the industry. What event or people inspired you to do this?

Ci Ci Foster: I became inspired to produce this documentary after moving to LA and seeing how hard it is to break into this industry. My production partner, Mashari Bain and I met through a mutual friend and discovered we had similar goals. The I Heart Hollywood project was our way of saying we don’t have to wait on Hollywood to hire us, we can create our own projects.

Urban Belle: Being a member of Cali Connect, you get the opportunity to interact with other authors, some of whom share your same passion for the craft of writing. Have you ever considered starting an organization of your own?

Ci Ci Foster: No, I’ve never considered starting my own group because I couldn’t commit the time needed to make it successful. I’ve met some really great people through the Cali-Connect group, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with them in the future.

Urban Belle: Working with at-risk teens, I'm sure you hear a lot of different stories about what these girls have gone through in their young lives. Other than giving educational advice, what is your overall message to these young girls?

Ci Ci Foster: I always try to open young girls’ eyes to the fact that they are more powerful than they know and that they can do anything they put their minds to. When young girls tell me they want to be a lawyer, I tell them to think about owning the law firm. It’s really important to teach kids to dream big and follow those dreams.

Urban Belle: I totally agree with you on that. Those who dream big are often the ones who find long term success. Back to your writing, the title of your upcoming book "Hollywoodn't" has me intrigued already. Can you give us a snippet of what to expect from this read?

Ci Ci Foster: Hollywoodn’t is about a rising actress named Nile who gets blackmailed by a scorned ex lover, Steve. He is fresh out of jail, armed with a sex tape of her, and things get really crazy when he stops taking his meds. Hollywoodn’t is so different from Sunny Rain, but it still has the “sexy drama” theme. I think the readers will enjoy it.

To learn more about Ci Ci and her upcoming projects, Click here.

The HBO series Sex And The City had women all over the globe glued to their TVs. Whether it was keeping up with the unpredictable relationship between Carrie and Mr. Big or hearing about the "friendly" yet stylish Samantha Jones’ sex tales, the show took hold of viewers’ attention and never let it go. It created such a buzz that a genius mind thought it would be an instant hit on the big screen and it was, so much that a sequel soon followed.

The fabulous four were not the only ones putting out a successful show as another group of women became some our favorite “friends”.

Since its very first airing back in 2000, Girlfriends has made a name for itself as the Sex And The City for the sisters. Picking up where the popular 90’s show Living Single left off, Girlfriends lasted for eight seasons making it one of the longest running sitcoms ever. Aside from the record-breaking numbers that it drew in, the one thing that many people applauded the show for was its realism; the realism behind the characters and the things that they went through.

As fanatics were not at all looking forward to its last episode, it still remains a topic of conversation, even amongst those who were once apart of the cast.

The former Joan Clayton, the motherly one of the bunch, has spoken out about her willingness to pursue Girlfriends beyond the sitcom arena.

On her recent appearance on The Wendy Williams Show, Actress Tracee Ellis Ross eluded to the fact that she wouldn’t mind taking the show a step further:

“I would love to do a 'Girlfriends' movie. I want to see Joan get married,”

She also longs to see Toni and Joan rekindle their damaged friendship too. It sounds like Joan is very much alive and well in Ross’ heart.

Be that as it may, Ross knows that the ultimate decision is not up to her:

“I think the fans have to ask for it,”

Could she be on to something here? Does Girlfriends have enough clout to make it to the big screen?

Reed Between The Lines may have her hands tied at the moment but I doubt that she would turn down the opportunity to do a movie like this.

When you think of Hip-Hop music and those who brought it to the forefront, so many different names come to mind.

Run DMC: The Hip-Hop trio responsible for making the combination of kangol hats and shell toe adidas a lasting trend through the 80’s and 90’s.

Slick Rick: The UK native that perfected the art of storytelling and telling us how much teenage love can hurt.

Doug E. Fresh: The king of beat boxing.

The list could go on for days of the greats that have paved the way for Hip-Hop music.

As there were many that brought their own style and creativity to the genre, one artist in particular was not only a true emcee but he was no stranger to the dance floor either.

Dwight “Heavy D” Myers first stepped onto the music scene in the mid 80’s as the lead member of the group Heavy D and the Boyz. The group was a successful unit, drawing the attention of Hip-Hop heads all over the country. They were most known for hit singles “Nuttin’ But Love”, “Now That We Found Love” and “Black Coffee”.

Heavy D continued with his music, launching a solo career and he dabbled in acting, making appearances on “Living Single”, “Roc” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”.

The talent that he had poured out from all directions. And let’s not forget the fact that Hev moved like no other as his dance skills were impressive for a man of his size.

As we continuously recognized him for his contributions to the world of music, his life sadly came to an end on Tuesday in Beverly Hills, California. It was reported that the rapper collapsed outside of his condo after having difficulty breathing. Gaining consciousness before heading to Cedar Sinai Medical Center, he later died at the hospital. Heavy D was 44 years old.

“The Overweight Lover” will always be remembered for his music, “big boy” swag and dance moves.

We got nuttin’ but love for you Heavy D…Thank you for leaving your footprint in the game.

Heavy D. and The Boyz "Nuttin' But Love":

This week, many people’s focus was centered on the anniversary of the 9/11 attack on the United States. Special ceremonies and gatherings to honor those who lost their lives in the tragic event took place all over the country. As September 11th marked a grave loss for hundreds of families, 15 years ago today, the world of Hip-Hop lost a heavyweight in the game; some even claim him to be the greatest of all time.

Truth teller, street poet, rebel, philosopher…Tupac Shakur has been said to have taken on these titles and much more. Often the center of controversy, Shakur was no stranger to troublesome behavior but that doesn’t mask the fact that he had raw talent when it came to lyrics. 2Pac told stories and kept it real with fans about what was going on in the world. He had the ability to create a track that was coined a club hit, and at the same time, he could leave you with a song that really made you think and even led you to the point of tears. Looking back on the legacy that he left behind, some of our readers were asked which one of his songs they would deem as his greatest of all time:

“Dear Mama is the best dedication song that any rapper has ever done. This song relates to me on so many different levels. I have the utmost respect for my mother and all that she has done for me and every time I hear this track, I can’t help but to shed a tear or two. This song is just a solid reminder of how talented Tupac Shakur really was”

Rodney B.
Age: 32
Marietta, GA

“Unlike many artists of today, Tupac Shakur rapped about real life situations. To me, Brenda’s Got A Baby was his greatest hit. The song and the video were both huge eye openers to many important issues that some young black women are enduring every day; having to prostitute themselves to feed their families, watching their parents abuse drugs right in front of their eyes and becoming a teenage mother. The song kept it real about the things that were going on. To me that’s one thing Pac did best was bring truth and realism to his lyrics”

Brayden C.
Age: 24
Columbia, SC

“We all know 2Pac was a philosopher, a poet in his own right. But one thing I always loved about him was that he also had a fun side to him. When I Get Around came out, I remember first hearing the song at a pool party in my neighborhood. From that day on, I kept that song on repeat for like a month. By far, one of, if not his greatest hit of all time”

Xavier R.
Age: 35
Oakland, CA

“Just like many G.O.A.T.’s, Tupac’s list of hits goes on for days. His serious songs were timeless and so were his club bangers. They still get airplay even years after his death. After some real thought and hearing some of his songs on the radio this morning, I would have to say that Keep Ya Head Up was his greatest song of all time. Who could forget Jada Pinkett-Smith’s cameo appearance in the video? Keep Ya Head Up showed Pac’s sensitive side. It was nice to see a rapper uplift the black woman, taking a moment away from all the disrespectful s**t that floods the airwaves nowadays. It also touched on world issues of poverty too which is still a huge problem today”

Alyssa W.
Age: 38
Knoxville, TN

What do think was Pac’s greatest hit?

Arguably the most anticipated rap album of 2011, Jay-Z and Kanye West released a 12-track collaborative project on August 8^th that has much to live up to. They released their album in a revolutionary way; it is first released on ITunes and began selling this week via “pop-up” stores. The Throne duo then released a video for “Otis” directed by acclaimed director Spike Jonze, which featured a Maybach worth over $1 million being transformed into a spark-throwing, donut-spinning dragster.

With a tour beginning this fall, Jay-Z and Kanye are expecting to reach platinum-status asap. But many of their fans are wondering if the duo found their lyrical stride again in the making of this “epic” album?

Well, the opening track, “No Church in the Wild” feat. Frank Ocean, makes it seem that these two decided to throw their lyrical weight around, especially Jay-Z. This song may rub people the wrong way as they speak of religion as the wrong path in life but it does make you seem that they are going to blow your mind lyrically. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Kanye in particular seems to depend on basic rhyme schemes and a lack of actual content beyond the usual braggadocio flow regarding being a very rich black man that can have any woman he wants. On tracks such as “Lift Off” Feat. Beyonce, “N----s in Paris” and “Otis,” Jay-Z raps circles around 'Ye which is not saying much because Jay-Z just seems like he is getting lazy in the studio. For those looking for deep, profound lyrical content, you are not going to find that on “Watch the Throne” except for a couple of stand out tracks such as “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Made in America” feat. Frank Ocean and “Why I Love You” feat. Mr. Hudson.

The highlight of “Watch the Throne” will be its production which is some of the best in 2011. Even the Swizz Beatz produced “Welcome to the Jungle” is just a “straight head-knocker.” As soon as the beat drops, you just can't help but nod your head. The track is reminiscent of the late 90's/ early 2000's stuff that was coming out on Def Jam. Just straight pure unadulterated “dope”.

Overall, “Watch the Throne” will be one of the best albums to release in 2011, mostly due to the production which is amazing. But, as I said earlier, those who are looking for Jay-Z to return to his “Blueprint” glory and for Kanye to re-live his “College Dropout” days, you will be disappointed.

Did this black woman really eat fried chicken on stage during "Good Morning America?" And most importantly, did anybody else see this or was the nip slip supposed to overshadow the coonery that is Nicki Minaj devouring fried chicken during a live performance?

This woman is breaking records, but simultaneously settling for stereotypical exploitation for a paycheck. Silly me for somehow believing that success would somehow create a fearless artist in the Harajuku Barbie. And by fearless, I mean one who is not submissive to the jiggabooin' the executives continue to compensate with unearned hefty salaries.


I'm sure this was supposed to be some sort of joke and invoke a little humor, but it seems as if Ms. Minaj has herself become the joke in exchange for fame and fortune. But it's hard to laugh at her and point at her in all her ridiculousness when you realize that another woman has sold out completely in exchange for pop star domination. It's not enough that we're whoring out in big numbers for measly reality television pay checks, but even as we begin to dominate in music, we begin to lose ourselves in some manufactured image.

In 2011, do black people really have to resort to eating fried chicken on stage? This woman is doing things that no female rapper has ever been able to accomplish, but she chose to get her lips greasy during a live taping of "Good Morning America."



For any sell out, as long as the money is green, dignity is no longer essential. Too bad, considering Nicki Minaj actually has enough talent to not have to actually resort to fried chicken based performances, butt pads, and FLYING SUITCASES.

I'm pretty sure her show would have been complete if she broke out the watermelon and began to, "did it on em."

Blond wig, hot pink lipstick, with a cheap and dreadful wardrobe to match; the hottest female rapper of the moment who is already notoriously known for her questionable large derriere, just like the modern day Sara Baartman (the first black woman to be exploited for a large bottom, who was treated like a circus freak until her untimely death), makes it harder for me to just turn up the music and ignore the antics.

Do we really have to resort to being treated like circus freaks and adopting stereotypes for a little fame and fortune?

No, but it seems like lately, most have simply forgotten that they too can have standards and success.

When fried chicken becomes the main prop in a black woman's nationally broadcast performance, it's clear that the music industry has surely become the modern day plantation.

Beyonce and Kelly Rowland have released arguably the two most anticipated R&B albums this year. Both artists have singles that are in heavy rotation on radio stations across the country and both have their albums selling well both stateside and abroad. Beyonce's “4” reached platinum status not too long ago and Kelly's “Here I Am” debuted at number 3 on Billboard's top 200 album charts. But whose album is better?

So what we decided to do here at Urban Belle Magazine is to compare Beyonce's album, “4” versus Kelly's album, “Here I Am” to see which one is better. We did not compare the bonus songs that appeared on the Itunes and Deluxe editions. So without further ado, here is my take on both albums track by track.

Track 1: “1+1” vs. “I'm Dat Chick” - The sappy ballad versus the upbeat dance track. It really seems that Beyonce tried too hard on “1+1” and the way she sang this song is absolutely annoying. She took one too many song cues from The Dream, whose hand prints are all over her album. Winner: Kelly.

Track 2: “I Care” vs. “Work it Man Feat. Lil Playy” - Both of these songs are some of the better songs on their prospective albums. The writing and singing on "I Care" is an improvement compared to the opening track and perhaps should have been the opening track for “4”. Kelly's “Work it Man” is the stereotypical R&B song with an unknown rapper, Lil' Playy, who should perhaps pick another stage name. Despite Lil' Playy, who may be the producer's little cousin that most likely begged him to hop on this song, Kelly has perhaps another single that should fly up the Billboard charts. Winner: Draw

Track 3: “I Miss You” vs. “Motivation Feat. Lil Wayne” - Many will say that "Motivation" is Kelly's signal to the world that she can indeed hold her own as a solo artist. Will this song stand the test of time? Perhaps. Will this song annoy you after you hear it on the radio 50 million times? Definitely. Is it better than Bey's "I Miss You?" No. The highlight of "I Miss You" are the lyrics, co-written by rising star Frank Ocean. Winner: Beyonce

Track 4: “Best Thing I Never Had” vs. “Lay It on Me Feat. Big Sean” - Beyonce's lead single “Best Thing I Never Had” versus another possible second or third single for Kelly. Both songs will most likely be in rotation on many radio stations and "Lay It on Me" will be played heavily in the club, if it is not already. Fortunately for us and our ears, both songs are not bad actually. But in the slightest of margins, Beyonce gets the edge. Winner: Beyonce

Track 5: “Party Feat. Andre 3000 & Kanye West” vs. “Feelin' Me Right Now” - Beyonce definitely gets the nod with "Party." It has the upper-hand not just for the Andre 3000 feature, but because it is just a better song. Party just has a more organic feeling to it while Kelly's "Feelin' Me Right Now" feels kind of forced and fake. Winner: Beyonce

Track 6: “Rather Die Young” vs. “Turn It Up” - Both songs are good, however Kelly is starting to get redundant with the club tracks. It would be nice to actually hear Kelly's range much like we are hearing Beyonce's. On “Rather Die Young,” although the lyrics of the song are kind of sappy, Bey really seems to pour out her soul on the song. Winner: Draw

Track 7: “Start Over" vs. "All of the Night Feat. Rico Love" – The Runners produced “All of the Night” and that beats anything Beyonce could do. The Runners are very underrated producers. Winner: Kelly

Track 8: “Love on Top” vs. “Keep it Between Us” - Kelly's “Keep it Between Us” is definitely the better track. “Love on Top” just does not stick with me too much and it is nice to finally hear Kelly sing a slow jam on this album. Winner: Kelly

Track 9: “Countdown” vs. “Commander” - Dance tracks are either hit or miss and to me, Kelly's “Commander” is a miss. “Countdown”, on the other hand is a pretty decent track. I like the use of the Boyz II Men sample on the hook. Winner: Beyonce

Track 10: “End of Time” vs. “Down for Whatever Feat. The WAV.s” - It really seems like Kelly is running with that Electric Daisy Carnival (Techno, DubStep, EuroTrance) sound on this album as an attempt to gain a larger cross over audience. Fortunately for her, "Down for Whatever" is not a miss especially when compared to “End of Time." Winner: Kelly

Beyonce also has two extra tracks on her album “4." They are “I was Here” and “Run the World (Girls)." Both songs didn't really move me and “Run the World (Girls)” is just terrible honestly.

Overall, Kelly's album just seems more crisp and polished then Beyonce's. Kelly really seemed as if she approached her project as if she had something to prove to her audience and that definitely paid off. Beyonce, on the other hand, just seemed to be going through the motions and using the Dream as a writer on some of her songs just did not work out as one expected. Perhaps it is time Beyonce goes back into the studio and approaches her next project with the same passion that Kelly seemed to have on “Here I Am."

As reality TV continues to reign in ratings, black women are at the center of a sick joke that just never seems to get old. Shaunie O’Neal is not only the executive producer of an embarrassing spectacle centered on baby mommas and basketball groupies, she is a certified pimp who’s managed to make a living off the oldest target in America: the black woman.

Despite the increasing number of educated, corporate reigning African American women, we are still considered to be everyone’s bitch, which is completely fueled and funded by the new age media. This time, it is another black woman who has cosigned every bit of the assassination of our integrity, identity, and image in exchange for a title she was never qualified enough to take on in the first place.

Reality Television made it that much easier to pimp the black woman, and entice her to make a full fledged career out of it when being the spouse of a NBA star is no longer an option.

Is the economy that bad that we’ve resorted to selling out for a short stint on VH1?

Surely no one should get offended by my observation as we continue to overwhelmingly support a genre of music that continuously refers to us as bitches and hoes, then remain loyal to a culture that encourages black men to treat us like bitches and hoes; and then ironically afterwards, we then label ourselves bad bitches and hoes. Why is it that so many of us refuse to demand, if not just better representation in the media, just a better variety of that representation? Perhaps it’s because somewhere down the line, we stopped thinking that we were that big of a deal ourselves.

Most of us have settled and our taste in entertainment shows it.

Is anyone else a little uncomfortable watching someone who we thought was fabulous make a living from a franchise centered on black women behaving trashy?

For me, the show is just too hard to get through, so watching it on a weekly basis is just not plausible.

Sure, I could probably be somewhat entertained by watching grown women snatch off wigs and argue over who screwed which professional athlete last. But inside of me dwells a black woman who is tired of being entertained by the same stereotypes I fight so hard to remove myself from.

And inside dwells a black woman who just wants to finally be stimulated by a modern day black show. Entertain me, but don’t you dare insult my intelligence.

We say, "we are not angry," but the bulk of black women on TV are rolling necks, hating black men, and snatching wigs as if we do not somehow know any better.

The perplexing part of the conversation is how we are appalled that other races could get the idea that we are animalistic in nature, yet we do not consider the bulk of the images on television do not feature educated black women, wives, and corporate phenomena. We could absolutely change the way we are perceived by stepping out of our ghetto warped boxes and creating invoking television programs centered on strong black families and black women who don’t resort to lying on their backs for professional athletes; but we have not had the itch to do that in years.

Shaunie has sold us out completely, and it is her opportunistic nature that pisses me off more than Tami’s need to be an absolute hoodrat on every reality show she’s ever been on.

Not often have black women been able to be executive producers, yet when most of us get the chance, we’ll oblige to jigga-booing and showcasing the atrocities of groupie behavior. Sure, I get that white women have their own trashy spectacles on "Mafia Wives," and the "Real Housewives" series; but damn it, it is not the only representation that they have.

In addition to being trashy, cat fighting, obscene and ridiculous females; on the majority of shows we see on television, they are wives, doctors, lawyers, detectives, and respectable. But when I try to think of black women featured in any of the aforementioned roles on current day television programming, my mind draws a blank.

I can’t really think of too many decent TV roles with black women since the end of the 90's, but VH1 has made a fortune off single, angry, and bickering black women. They have even gone as far as suggesting that we are so desperate to have a man that we would even take Flava Flav’s old, raggedy, embarrassing, coon-tastic ass than remain single.

How could any respectable black woman resort to sleeping with a man who wears a gigantic clock around his neck and opens up a fried chicken shack-franchise?

Is the problem that there are trashy black reality TV shows? No. But the problem continues to be that we have more shows featuring those hurtful stereotypes, than black women who aren’t baby mommas and obvious hoodrats. I’m an educated, professional, man having black woman, but I have not seen a character like me in years. Is it because I’m rare? Actually, I’m quite normal, and that is despite the 70% of black women are single MYTH the media keeps recycling without FACTS.

When Shaunie gets a chance to revolutionize how black women are viewed, she settles for showing the world that black women can’t really be wives. And yes, we must settle for being Tami's (ghetto, angry and violent) and Evelyn's (willing to spread our legs for any man that has more money than us), or resort to pimpin’ black women like Shaunie has in order to have some sort of career.

I just can’t find too much entertainment or mental stimulation in watching 30 and 40 somethings attack each other over an exchange of snide remarks on bad lacefronts and skanky behavior with professional athletes they’ll all end up sharing regardless.

Do I somehow think I’m better than the women who watch this show? No, I just want us all to start questioning what we’re watching, and most importantly, why. If music alone has shaped the way we’ve labeled ourselves today, I can only imagine what a decade of "Basketball Wives" will do.

But there is a growing trend of selling out that has rappers, politicians, groupies, and "regular" people becoming numb to the degradation of the black woman. Will we continue to sell out to entertain? Sure seems that way, doesn’t it?

Although many believe that the Hip Hop game is not what it used to be lyrically, there is one thing that seems to remain consistent amongst the new age artists of today…attire. The style of dress for a rapper is pretty typical nowadays: over-sized, iced up chains, baggy or now thanks to Lil’ Wayne, skinny jeans, fitted hats and a pair of fresh 1’s to officially make them a complete fashion package, to some. Luckily, there are those who add something extra to their look, often times looks that can’t be duplicated even by the most fashionable person alive.

Cee Lo Green, member of Goodie Mob and Pop/Rock Neo-Soul group Gnarls Barkley, is a person that could never go overlooked. His raspy, yet soulful sound has laced many of tracks. But his fashion sense is something that always seems to have crowds buzzin’ on the regular:


Even if you aren’t running to the store to find this colorful bird outfit, I guaranteed that that image is forever sketched in your head.

Cee Lo is not the only one that likes to be extreme when it comes to his clothing.

Look at Andre 3000.


The colorful bow ties, plaid bell bottoms pants, furry coats and the freshly pressed hair is not the typical look for Rap/Hip Hop artists of today; we are used to seeing the thousand dollar diamond necklaces hanging from their necks. Now Andre 3000 didn’t come into the game with this image; hell, he didn’t come into the game with the name he has now. But he and Big Boi, his close friend and the other half to the group Outkast, let it be known early on that they are not afraid to test the waters of uniqueness when it came to their music and their style of dress.

Grabbing the attention of your fans by not only your lyrics but your appearance too has a lot of positives to it. Andre 3000 hasn’t put out an album in awhile now but has anybody forgotten what he looks like and his extraordinary abilities on the mic? No. That’s the beauty of being creative.

Now here’s where being too different brings about the ignorance in folks.

Questions about a person's sexuality begin to pop up out of nowhere. There were a few occasions where Andre 3000 spoke on how people started to question whether or not he was gay or on drugs because his dress game was so elaborate compared to those of other artists. Is that so huh? The last time I checked, being a homosexual goes much further than what meets the eye.

His reaction to these comments: He still kept doing his thing, and quite well might I add.

Andre 3000 has seen much success with ‘Kast and as a solo artist so how much did his bob cut really affect? Not much of nothing.

I see no harm in artists, whether they are male or female, adding some originality and spice to their wardrobe. Clearly, the originality as far as song content goes is lacking HORRIBLY when it comes to the majority of the rap songs that are out now, even boiling down to how rappers sound on a track. So we need something to help us distinguish the difference between artists.

These two artists have proven that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being the “Outkast” and having people think that you are “Crazy”.

It all boils down to what you bring to the table lyrically, despite what kind of hairstyle you may be rockin’ or what you have on your back or feet.

It’s about what is coming out of your mouth…the lyrical content. And who’s to say what one should be wearing when they do so.

Daring to be different has its negatives but the perks are much greater; artists have the chance to embed their own coined style in the minds of their fans and their critics.

Everybody loves Raymond…Usher Raymond that is. And that is very evident as he has stolen the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. The chart topping R&B/Pop artist has been lighting up the stage for over 19 years now and appears to have no plans to take a break from the music scene. Releasing album after album filled with classic songs that still get much airplay even years after they dropped, the 32 year old continues to outshine those half his age.

He has the fame. He has the fortune. But there is one thing that is still missing from his life. And that is a female companion.

After the ending of his two year relationship with former TLC member Rozonda “Chili” Thomas, Usher didn’t give up on his quest for love as he later married Tameka Foster in 2007. Two children later, the couple headed to Splitsville in 2009, leaving Usher single again. He can’t seem to get over that two year hump. Now, several years after his divorce, Usher is back on the dating scene again, in search of something that many of us women are looking for and can’t seem to find…a companion. Not a boo or jump off but a real companion.

He has hinted that he has his eye on a few people but has yet to drop any specifics. When one young starlet's name was mentioned as a possible match for him, Usher claimed that the relationship he had with her was platonic, well at least for now:

“Rihanna is beautiful. But she's not necessarily on my hit list - she's like my sister right now. Or cousin - we have kissed.”

No Rihanna on the radar at the moment but who knows, things could change.

It’s obvious though that a stunning outward appearance is not the only thing that he is in search of. Usher is diggin’ a little deeper; he is looking for someone to bring out the best in him:

“Companionship is important - every man should have a woman to make him better..."

After all his ups and downs with women, it sounds like Mr. Raymond is looking for a true soul mate and not someone just to have by his side on the red carpet. Much more than a big butt and a smile will be needed to steal his heart.

It’s a wonder if any other male celebrities are in search of the same thing that Usher is…

The Misconception: This song is deep, emotional, and touching for those who have regrets in past relationships.

The Truth: Too many people confuse ego stroking for the complete opposite...LOVE.


Breakups are devastating--please believe me when I say that I totally get that. However, most of us allow our breakups to consume us, hold us hostage, and carry uneccessary baggage into our future relationships. This fact is evident with the surging popularity of Drake's latest track, "Marvin's Room,"--a song penned from the perspective of a drunk loser ex boyfriend who still somehow needs his ego stroked by an ex who finally managed to move on.

Continuously throughout the song, he attempts to explain his inability to remain faithful and nasty habit of creeping with outside "bitches..." all while he taunts her:


Well isn't better moving on from a cheating douche bag who only sees women as "b-tches" and "ho-s?" I mean can we not call going from a whining, pussycat chasing, insecure egotistical selfish bastard to someone who can actually be in a relationship an upgrade? Sounds like to me, she is doing better. I'm just saying...

Many feel as if they can relate to the lyrics and message of this song, and here in lies the real problem:

We're not wanting people because we love them, we're wanting them because we love our egos. Had we really wanted them, we would have given them what they needed when he had them.

But instead, we'll settle for drunk dialing/texting fueled by jealousy, and this could have all been avoided if somewhere, a grown man or woman acted grown and handled his or her business the first time. But too often, some naive young woman will mistake this mess for love, when in all actuality, her ex just needed a reminder that regardless of who she's dealing with now, he can have her attention whenever he wants it.

It's not love, it's self-entitlement, and ego strokin' disguised in remorse.


If Drake's message wasn't "f'd" up enough, we were then bombarded by the ridiculous remixes from JoJo and Teyana Taylor. You know...business as usual; two beautiful, naive young ladies holding on to a man that doesn't want them, meanwhile, they'll continue to remind their exes of just how valuable (and fly) they were.

Maybe I'm just a bit melodramatic, but should we really want to be with men that need to be reminded of our value?

Could it be that we just place way too much energy into the wrong people and opt to carry baggage versus moving on to something lighter to carry or something that doesn't bring us down?

And when someone does move on to better, why do we somehow need to feel that we're better? Does it make us feel better that we're prettier than the new girl they are seeing, or that we dress better than her, or make more money than she makes? Will any of this truly change the current dynamics of the situation? Probably not, considering our exes knew we were prettier, flyer, and more successful; yet they still chose to walk away from the situation.

In my mid 20s, I can say confidently that I don't need any of my exes to think I'm the best, because when a chapter ends, so does my concern with the characters and their accompanying plots.

Just maybe one day as we mature in love and relationships, we'll  all learn that when a relationship ends, there's no need to seek validation. Especially since validation should come from within, not from our relationships or unstable people who failed us repeatedly.


Marvin's Room may be a hit, but the message is a disturbing one that highlights that too many of us rather carry baggage and get our egos stroked than be adults and move on the mature way. Yeah, we rather get pissy drunk than admit that just maybe...we kind of suck. And perhaps even we could improve and become better people for ourselves and others.

In the meantime, perhaps it's just smarter to date the guys who don't need alcohol to see things (and us) clearly.

Rihanna is no stranger to controversy, in fact, at this point of her career; it's quite clear that she enjoys every second of it. So it should come as no surprise that she would release another dark and "edgy" video that ends in a murder that is supposed to somehow simultaneously convey a "message" that the world "needs" to receive. I'm sure if you've been reading this blog long enough, you already know that I wasn't moved nor convinced that Rihanna is anything more than the typical self serving, spot light seeking industry puppet...even if her PR team is trying to make her some feminist, woman rights activist. Hell, I just can't take her seriously.

Regardless, her recent video Man Down is causing shock waves from the PTC, and many parents everywhere who for some "strange reason" (insert sarcasm) prefer their children not to be exposed to rape, and premeditated murder in a matter of 5 minutes.

Rihanna and her supporters see nothing wrong with the video itself, or the "message" it sends...but Rihanna is childish, reckless, quite expected to make bad decisions all for the sake of press and the ability to continue to refer to herself as a "rockstar."

Here's her response via Twitter, the only social networking site that makes it painfully difficult to hide a celebrity's or non celebrity's ignorance in 140 character or less:










Sooo....Rihanna just said she was our "voice," however, in the following tweets she says she's not a role model. Well, how are you going to be a voice, but not be a role model? I thought the two pretty much work hand in hand.

Secondly, Rihanna does NOT live in the real world. She works in an industry where in order to become a big star, you must lose yourself, and become what some industry executive wants you to be. In the real world, doing the aforementioned will get you eaten alive. In her little Hollywood fantasy world, you will embark on success using that method. Rihanna probably doesn't even know who she is her damn self, considering she changes with every album she puts out. They wanted her sweet her first two albums, and then a bad girl on the third, and a sexual object the following albums. She's whatever these people pay her to be. You want some respect? Try standing up to the same executives that pay you well to be the black Britney Spears and show these little girls that a real strong woman doesn't let a group of men, no matter how wealthy, dictate her life and who she becomes.

And what's so real about Hollywood? Damn near everyone in it is paid to be fake...rather it's the plastic surgery, the fake and forced personas...ridiculous marriages...I mean seriously, these people pay millions to not live in the real world they try so hard to claim when the media throws them just a little heat. Excuse me if I'm somewhat offended that she feels she's a part of the real world that I fight daily to survive in. And guess what, I didn't have to become someone's bitch, robot, sexual object, or example to make a living. Now THAT'S real Ms. Fenty.

Secondly, I'm glad Rihanna's finally admitting what most of us have known all along, and that is that celebrities are some of the most f'd up people in the world, and we damn sure better not encourage our kids to turn out like them. Our society may put them on a pedestal, but most of these people aren't worth the admiration and worship they receive. They are just regular people, who get paid ridiculous salaries to do very little and contribute little to the world, besides entertain. Meanwhile, in the real world Rihanna pretends she lives in but doesn't, the people that make the real difference make the crappiest salaries ever.

I guess it pays to pretend...

Sure parents must raise their kids, but complaining and putting a stop to the broadcast of violent music videos IS parenting Rihanna. Kids are impressionable, and maybe she needs to bust a few out herself before she'll get that.


Now someone will say I'm just a hater, but if you take Rihanna's millions away, you have just another lost soul who's yet to master womanhood. It's okay to dance to her music, or enjoy her reckless Twitter antics from time to time...but to look at her as a role model or a real feminist activist? Don't be naive.

The real activists live in the real world and they do real work, while Rihanna just makes...music videos.

After going on what appeared to be a fun filled trip down in Miami, Florida, Singer Kisean “Sean Kingston” Anderson’s time on the waters of Palm Island was cut short this past Sunday after a his jet ski crashed into the Palm Island Bridge around 6pm that evening.

Kingston was not alone on the jet ski as he was accompanied by a female passenger. She managed to escape from the incident with minor injuries, none of which appeared to be very severe. As for the driver, that was said to have not been the case. Sean Kingston’s rescuer Coast Guard member Jonathan Rivera, who discovered the two victims and the jet ski that they were on in the water, said that it was clear that Kingston needed immediate medical attention.

Jimmy Vega, a man who was present with Rivera, described the singer having a distinct gash under his chin and Rivera added that he was “puking up blood out of his mouth”. It was also said that he did not have his life vest on when found in the water.

Although his condition at that time would probably lead people to think that he was unconscious and unable to communicate, Rivera claimed that Kingston was verbal and responded to him even though he was severely injured.

The latest on the accident is that Kingston is stabilized and has been moved from the trauma unit to ICU.

The pop singer is most popular for his hit song “Beautiful Girls”.

Sticking to one area of the industry is not something that most musical artists have a tendency to do. Once they have established themselves as creditable talent to their fan bases and fellow artists alike, they often venture off to do other things. And for this West Coast Hip-Hop icon, he is about to start up something that no one probably ever imagined him doing.

Rapper Snoop Dogg has tried his hand at a number of things outside of the Rap game. From the television series Father Hood which showed his life as a family man to his roles in Big Screen films like Baby Boy and Training Day, Snoop Dogg does not shy away from any idea that is brought to his attention. And he has always seemed to be very open to going where no one else has gone before.. Although he has covered some of the same business grounds as moguls Puff and Jay-Z, he is about to step into some territory that no other Hip-Hop cat has successfully tried thus far.

He is on the verge of creating his own news network on his YouTube channel. Out of all that he has done, The Dogg Father seems to be more than ready to get this project started ASAP:

“I am excited to launch another project for my fans to get up close and personal with me. Being the social media guru that I am, the Ggn: Dogg News Network gives me a chance to be innovative and create my own original programming.”

The Double G News Network will cover various issues that most other news networks cover including current events.

Move over CNN?