In Case You Missed It: 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards
A lot of people have an opinion of this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards, which aired last night. The awards took place in Atlanta’s Civic Center 2 weeks ago. Even before the first award was handed out, calls, texts and tweets were sent out by those in attendance complaining about everything from the budget (‘there was none this year’), the host, Mike Epps (‘he was weak’), the schizophrenic ravings of Nicki Minaj, and more.
Even my dentist, Dr. Joe Wolf, called me to voice his opinion on the lack of talent, creativity or originality with today’s Hip Hop artists. “Is it the music industry [that's garbage], or the artists themselves?” he wondered aloud.
Personally, I thought the Cypher features were the best parts of the show. My favorite line was delivered by rapper Royce Da 5’9:
“The day I stop dropping the hotness will be the day I start driving a Datsun with 50 Tyson and Antoine Dodson.”
What did you think about this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards?
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Waka Flocka’s Mom, Debra Antney, Speaks on the Industry Turning Their Backs On T.I.
The numbers are out for last week’s albums sales, and they don’t look good for Atlanta’s bad boy rapper Waka Flocka Flame.
The Riverdale, Georgia transplant from Queens, NY, dropped his debut album, titled Flockaveli, on October 5, 2010.
But Waka’s first studio effort couldn’t push more than 37,200 copies in the first week, even on the strength of his raucous Summer ’09 anthem, “O Let’s Do It”, and his current hit “No Hands”.
Recently, I spoke with Waka’s mom, industry veteran Debra Antney, who named her son Juaquin Malphurs 24 years ago. She told me that Waka and rapper Gucci Mane are very good friends, despite all the rumors to the contrary.
Antney, who still manages Gucci, said Gucci Mane gave Waka that gold and diamond encrusted camera pendant that we saw him wearing at the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards. She said there is no beef between the two rappers, who hang out regularly in the clubs together.
Antney also talked about the industry turning their backs on rapper T.I., who, along with his wife Tiny, was arrested on drug charges last month in LA.
“Now [that] T.I. done went to jail, he ain’t the man no more!,” said Antney, who was calling from her cell phone.
“Everybody out there been doing drugs! But once upon a time, everybody was riding his ass! He was everything! And now the man takes a fall, and look how fast everybody start flippin’. Look how fast people start flippin’. He was EVERYTHING!, she said emphatically.
T.I. faces a federal judge on Friday (Oct. 15) to answer to charges that he violated his probation. It is expected that the judge will sentence him to at least 30 days in prison. In the meanwhile, T.I. started shooting several music videos last night in Atlanta with featured artists such as Sean Combs, The Dream, chris brown and others.
“There’s a lot of stuff that people are not paying attention to,” Antney added. “They’re really not watching. They so caught up in the illusions of things. Instead of condemning people, get off your ass and try to help people! You only as big as your last record. When it’s all over with, it’s all gone!
Image: RashaEntertainment.com
Monica’s Big 30th B-Day Bash Canceled in Atlanta; Moved to LA
R&B Diva Monica covers Essence magazine’s 1st Hot Hair issue, that’s currently on news stands. She rocks the same light streaks and short bob as singer Kelly Rowland. They both wear it so well!
Inside the magazine, Essence explores the “unique relationship between African-American women and their hair”.
Yesterday I heard from someone in Mo’s camp, who advised me that the plans for Mo’s huge 30th birthday bash in Atlanta has been canceled for this weekend.
Instead, the party moves to Los Angeles, probably because her boo, Lakers guard Shannon Brown, will be playing in a pre-season game on the west coast and he wouldn’t be able to make the trip to the A this weekend.
Even though Monica will celebrate her 30th with a private bash on the left coast, we will still be in attendance to bring you all the excitement! So stay tuned.
NEW COUPLE ALERT: Kelly Rowland and Devyne Stephens Step Out As a Couple!
Last week I told you that former choreographer-turned-music mogul Devyne Stephens wined and dined singer Kelly Rowland during the BET Hip Hop Awards weekend in Atlanta.
Some scoffed at the news that Devyne and Kelly Rowland were a romantic item. They doubted my word, as they always do. But Devyne and Kelly set tongues wagging when they stepped out as an official couple for the first time last night in Atlanta!
The occasion was the ASCAP event honoring outstanding females in the entertainment industry.
Honorees in Atlanta included Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Kelly Rowland; Hannah Kang, General Manager of Grand Hustle Records; and Sandra Brown, Entertainment Attorney.
Celebrity photographer Prince Williams of ATLPics.net was there to capture the moment when Devyne stood up to proudly applaud his lady, Kelly Rowland, as she walked up to the podium to accept her award. Isn’t love grand?
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Celebs Out & About: Drake
Canadian rapper Drake is in Atlanta recording an album with Trey Songz and others, or so I’m told.
During a break in recording, Drake decided to partake in the skills of the local talent — a business woman — so to speak.
The couple — who had known each other for all of 3 hours — stopped by the newly christened “Monday Nights” at Tongue & Groove last night.
Monday nights at Tongue & Groove is a new joint venture by AG Entertainment’s Alex Gidewon (pictured above with Drake) and Upscale Entertainment, who moved Mondays from the Gold Room to Tongue & Groove.
Drake and his date chilled in the VIP, smoking Newports and downing a few drinks before calling it a night. I assume they went back to Drake’s hotel room to make a movie?
See more Exclusive pics over at ATLPICS.net!
Celebs Out & About: 50 Cent, Kanye West, Kelly Rowland, Kim Porter, Christina Milian
Rapper 50 Cent, who’s been acting quite bizarre lately, was spotted at the Los Angeles Premiere of “Red” at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood yesterday. I wonder if he stayed to watch the movie, or if he just walked the red carpet and left like everyone else does?
Stylish rapper Kanye West is still in Sydney, Australia promoting his 40-minute movie/music video.
Is it a little late in the evening for some Morning Wood? Sexy singer Akon performed at the Think Pink Rocks concert to benefit breast cancer research charities at Mizner Park Amphitheatre on Saturday (Oct. 9) in Boca Raton, Florida. That’s confetti all over him, not blood.
Photos: Wireimage/Getty, Zimbio.com and Bauer Griffin
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Put ‘Em On Blast: Peter Thomas
A loyal reader emailed me to ask why I never covered the Peter Thomas/ Uptown scandal. the answer is: I couldn’t care less. I guess I have other things going on in my life that take precedence over worrying about nobodies and what they’re up to.
Anyway, my reader accuses Thomas of not paying his workers when Uptown Restaurant was open. She also says Bravo network hired stand-ins to act as employees of Uptown, which was closed 6 months ago.
**Loyal reader Ruby Kisses writes:
Your stuff is always FIRE! However, Im curious as to why you have not address Peter Thomas the con man that is NOT the owner of Uptown Restaurant and Lounge, everyone (except the chick he married) knows his game….. The place is closed I personally saw a marshal’s eviction note slapped on the door —- when it was open there was always bs, this dude would not pay the people who worked there.
Imagine working for 2 weeks, and being told: “you started on an off pay week, payday is in two MORE weeks for you.” You could wait it out for 2 more weeks, and on payday he has another lie, or just doesnt show up! Eventually the staff (one by one) would quit and he would just replace them, with another naive cocktail waitress. (Oh he is goooooood at what he does: CONS) -The “staff” on tv tonight were Bravo stand-ins as they did not work there… Too funny!
Im sure he hoped to capitalize on celebrities being in town for the BET hip hop awards. He has never owned ish..just a front for the real owner (Uptown is OWNED by a retired nfl player …. Research the spots he claims to have owned in other markets (NYC, LA, MIA etc)! He will “do the town” and get run out of town. He usually dates “celebrity woman” to use them for who they know and of course their money!
Cadillac Kimberly was right: there is nothing Real about this show! He claims to have been an executive at Def Jam….. more lies. He is NOT an executive at anything. There are a million pending lawsuits, people would come to the club to serve him all day every day — he doesnt care due to the fact that is NOT HIS PROPERTY HE OWNS NOTHING!!!!!!! Fraud, Phony, BS! This spot for the longest didn’t even have a liquor license and was shut down because of that, he just would reopen and buy liquor himself – ILLEGAL IN GA!!!!!!!!
I heard Bravo peeps “had enough” and wanted a real married couple……… and he desperately needed the money so………. wha-la, opportunity a knocking! He only would hire woman, because he knew he would take advantage of them! A real punk!
Ruby kisses for you, love what you do, cuz you bring it to us first!
** Email edited for clarity and for length.
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