News: Bob Johnson's Wife is Ashamed of BET

by Dr. Boyce Watkins

Thirty years ago, with $15,000 dollars in seed money and another $500,000 in bank loans, Sheila Crump Johnson and her ex-husband, Bob Johnson founded Black Entertainment Television. Since that time, the couple has earned over $1 billion dollars from their tiny investment, and BET is a household name. They sold the company to Viacom in 2000 for $1.3 billion, making them richer than Oprah Winfrey.

Now, the 60-year old woman who founded the company with her husband says that she is ashamed of the channel:
"Don't even get me started," says Mrs. Johnson. "I don't watch it. I suggest to my kids that they don't watch it... I'm ashamed of it, if you want to know the truth."

Johnson goes on to admit that BET may be contributing to the spread of AIDS in the black community by promoting raunchy, unprotected sex in rap music videos.
"When we started BET, it was going to be the Ebony magazine on television," Johnson told The Daily Beast. "We had public affairs programming. We had news... I had a show called Teen Summit, we had a large variety of programming, but the problem is that then the video revolution started up... And then something started happening, and I didn't like it at all. And I remember during those days we would sit up and watch these videos and decide which ones were going on and which ones were not. We got a lot of backlash from recording artists...and we had to start showing them. I didn't like the way women were being portrayed in these videos."

 

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Nushawn Williams: Infected Women with HIV - Set to be Released from Prison

by Dr. Boyce Watkins

You may not know the name Nushawn Williams, but it's probably a name you need to know. You would especially want your daughter to know his name, as well as anyone else in the community who has reason to fear a more disturbing style of sexual predator for the new millenium.

Williams is in prison right now for knowingly infecting women with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. His victims were as young as 13 years old, and authorities believe he may have infected as many as 50 women prior to going to state prison in 1998. Police are working to keep Williams behind bars because they fear what might happen if he is released to the American public.
"He is prone to further sexual contact with underage individuals because of deficits in his emotional capacity to understand why this is wrong and attitudes that support these types of exploitive encounters. His emotional callousness, lack of remorse and impulsivity undermine important internal mechanisms for managing his sexual behavior," said examiner Jacob E. Hadden from the New York State Office of Mental Health. Authorities have determined that Williams suffers from a mental health abnormality that makes him incapable of understanding why his actions are wrong or harmful.

The possible release of Williams reminds us of the urgency of managing the public health alarm called HIV infection. African Americans are taking the lead in HIV infection rates, and what is also true is that the experience in our community is nothing less than a precursor to what is eventually going to happen all throughout America. What is most frightening about the case of Nushawn Williams is that he is probably not the only person deliberately spreading the disease: there are likely women and other men doing the same thing. To make matters worse, there are many in our community (and others) who are being incredibly irresponsible with their sexual behavior and infecting scores of people in the process.

As I felt empathy for celebrities like Magic Johnson and Eazy-E for their battles with HIV/AIDS, I wondered how many of us thought about the long list of partners they infected before finally getting their own positive test results. Did you ever think about the fact that many of those people are out in the community right now, quite a few of whom may have taken years to become aware of their HIV positive status? This is scary indeed, so the truth is that to protect yourself from the silent community killer, a general strategy of protection must be put into play.

 

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LIL WAYNE OFF TO JAIL IN 2010

NEW YORK – Lil Wayne heads to jail in February in his New York guncase, just days after his next album comes out.

The rap star's sentencing date is Feb. 9, set in a Manhattan state court Tuesday. The Grammy winner said nothing during his brief court appearance.

He pleaded guilty in October to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. The charge stemmed from a 2007 traffic stop of his tour bus. His plea deal calls for a year in jail.

Cash Money Records co-founder Birdman announced on his Twitteraccount last week that Lil Wayne's next album, "Rebirth," is due for release Feb. 1.

read more click here 

Black Gossip: Was Whitney snubbed at the Grammys?

Of many unexpected admissions and omissions in last night’s Grammy nominee announcement, few are as surprising as the total absence of Whitney Houston on the ballot. Granted, her August release I Look to You was not her finest hour, and it yielded few commercial singles; her often uneven performances to promote it didn’t help.

But she’s also the stuff these shows are made of (26-time Grammy nominee, seven-time winner); her label even moved the release of her album up a day to make sure it was eligible, and Look’s redemption tales seemed calibrated to hit Academy voters right in the solar plexus—and the voting-finger.  And yet, not a single nod for the chest-thumping title track or slinky “Million Dollar Bill,” penned by Grammy darling Alicia Keys. So is it the notes Houston hit (or didn’t) that kept her out?

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Kanye Gets a Whole Bunch of BET Nominations

Although he's having one hell of a week getting bashed by what seems to be everyone in the mainstream media – since calling out MTV during Taylor Swift's award acceptance speech, Kanye West may have a better shot at love from the black community.
BET just announced that he has garnered nine nominations for 'The BET Hip Hop Awards '09.'
The Def Jam Records rap superstar leads the pack of nominees, which also includes Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, T-Pain, T.I., Fabolous and Drake.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES BELOW.

DMX HAS NO RESPECT FOR JAY-Z

DMX has broken his silence on his thoughts of Jay-Z and his time as president of Def Jam records. Stating that he respects Jay-Z but he could not stay at the label as long as he was president, DMX says "I f*cks with him and had respect for him -- until he became the president of Def Jam and I ain't gonna say too much more about it, but you know what it is. There's a difference between doing wrong and being wrong. There's a difference between doing wrong and 'being' wrong, at one point you were 'being' wrong. N*ggas can't do it like we could, n*ggas couldn't do it like we could. N*ggas weren't able to -- we're artists. Jay is a talented motherf*cker. Don't misunderstand me. He is talented but he has no heart behind it. There's no soul behind it. It's motivated by money...But I still maintain the respect, because our birthday is in the same month and you know, we have history. But I lost it when he became president of Def Jam, that's why I left Def Jam.

" [DMX Talks About Jay-Z - Watch Here]

DMX blasts Jigga saying that he was two different people. "When you became the president, you hit me 'yo dog, the inmates is running the building!!!' You know what that mean, your mans is in charge...That's what it is, we good,' 'cause we had history. And then you go do that. You come down, listen to my sh*t -- we ready. Then you go on vacation. N*ggas take a picture of you with chancletas on. That's what you leave the hood for, son? That's why you walk out on your man for, son? Flip-flops? Serious? You serious? Real talk son, I respected you. I'm in my feelings about that. I'm hurt. I ain't ever talk about that." [DMX Talks About Jay-Z - Watch Here]

MASE IS RETURNING TO BAD BOY, BUT IS HE LEAVING THE PULPIT???

Diddy recently confirmed rumors that Ma$e had reached out to him about possibly returning to Bad Boy & the music game. Speaking to MTV, Diddy says that he's focussing on the future of his label. "With the future of Bad Boy I definitely think it's time for me to really come up with a game plan because a lot of things have changed. I got a great legacy that I have to protect. I don't want to sign anything new right now. I'm not making anything new. I just want to come up with a game plan that works for the future of Bad Boy."

[Diddy Talks Ma$e Returning To Bad Boy - Watch Here]

Diddy then talks about his previous rapping partner. "It could [include Ma$e]. Mase has called me," Diddy said. "We've spoken. He's basically said, 'Just keep your eye on me. Making this switch, I gotta kinda bear this cross myself for a second. Just watch what I do.' I said, 'I've seen.' He's definitely one of the dopest emcees to ever touch the game. People can't deny that. He's one of the most successful. I've seen people come back from different things in this game. I said, 'Yeah. Without a doubt, I'll keep my eye on you.' I spoke to him today. He's out there working."

[Diddy Talks Ma$e Returning To Bad Boy - Watch Here]

JAY-Z MAD AT BEYONCE FOR BEING DISLOYAL

According to insiders, it turns out that Jigga is pissed at Beyonce for being disloyal to him and Kanye after the crazy incident at the VMAs. Jay was apparently upset for the way MTV execs treated him. They asked him to apologize for what he did to Taylor Swift, but Kanye refused and chose to leave the event instead. Jay stood by him.

Apparently, Jay was irritated with what Beyonce did by inviting Swift on stage later during the show. He considered it a sign of disloyalty. Guess what? Jay left the show without Beyonce and attended after parties with Rihanna.

I guess Beyonce will have to find a new pet camel.

Technorati Tags: vma,black gossip,jay-z,beyonce,rhianna

50 CENT THINK LIL WAYNE LYRICS ARE FAKE

  

Well we finally know a real answer (we think). 50 Cent's long-awaited upcoming "Before I Self Destruct" album will now reportedly hit stores in mid November. Almost an entire year after it's original release date, the G-Unit general's fourth studio album will hit the shelves on November 17th. 
 

In related news, a new song from the "Before I Self Destruct" album hit the radio yestereday in New York. Debuting on Funk Master Flex's radio show on Hot 97,

"Baby By Me" [listen here] also features a guest appearance from Ne-Yo. 

In related news, 50 Cent is currently on a promotional tour for his new "The 50th Law" book that recently hit stores. During a recent interview, 50 stirred it up by stating he thinks Lil Wayne grew up on TV so there is no way that his lyrics can be real. What do you think? [50 Cent Says Lil Wayne's Lyrics Are Fake - Watch Here]

MADEA IS NUMBER ONE AGAIN, AND SO IS TARAJI P HENSON

 

There's more life, more heart, more simple pleasure in "I Can Do Bad All by Myself" than in any Tyler Perry movie since his first, "Diary of a Mad Black Woman."

He stages a decent fistfight, a riveting and potentially deadly showdown in a bathtub and half a dozen big, moving musical numbers. He gives his cross-dressing creation Madea a botched Bible stories monologue ("That's when Noah showed up, with his Arch, the St. Louis Arch ... ") that ranks as the funniest thing that pistol-packing mama ever did.

And he builds his film around the terrific Taraji P. Henson, who proves her "Benjamin Button" Oscar nomination was no fluke by utterly classing up the joint — and singing, to boot.

"All by Myself" still has scenes, characters and dialogue that cry out for more polish. By shoving half a dozen songs — gospel, funk and soul — into the film, Perry shows he still hasn't mastered pace and learned to sacrifice scenes to make his movies faster and smoother.

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50 CENT SAYS “HE WASN’T DISSING JAY-Z”

"It was the glasses," 50 says why he compared Hov to Steve Urkel. "They saw the glasses. I didn’t Photoshop glasses on him. I think Jay is really conscious of his actual moves. He does those things to make a statement in different ways to create clarity that he doesn’t have to be the way people want him to be. He can do what he wants. But [I wrote the song] out of the perspective of me mentioning things I thought were interesting."

[50 Cent Says He Wasn't Dissing Jay-Z - Watch Here]

It’s Official C. Mili is Pregnant by The Dream

 

Christina Milian is pregnant!

She married music producer The-Dream on Sept. 4 at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

And they got engaged two months ago.

"Of course, I would love to have kids," she told Us earlier this summer while promoting "Bring It On: Fight to the Finish." "I think that's some of the reasons why I do movies like this."

And The-Dream (Terius Hagert Youngdell Nash) has also been talking babies.

"I love kids, and [Christina] loves kids probably more than I do," he told Us in July.

This is definitely sooner than expected. But congrats, kids!

Source

Tyra Banks’ Real Hair

 

Tyra Banks is pretty hot to have such a huge forehead.  What do you think?

Is She a Man or a Woman? Track Star Does a Photoshoot

 

 

Remember the girl who got the gender test?  She just did a photo shoot to prove she is a woman.  Not bad…kinda

50 CENT WANTS CIARA TO BE HIS WIFE

Just caught wind of some EXCITING news - it came from a usually reliable insider (this person also happens to be an Atlanta celebrity). Word is that rapper 50 Cent has PROPOSED to R&B singer Ciara.
It has been reported to you in the past, Ciara and 50 Cent have been dating for almost 2 YEARS and in recent months, the couple's relationship has ratcheted up.
The insider stated that last night Ciara called her mom and closest friends to tell them the good news.

Technorati Tags: ciara,50 cent,hip hop,rap,marriage

Damn Chris, In Trouble Already?

 

According to mwza.com, Chris Brown may be in big trouble for violating the rules of his probation.After being sentenced on Tuesday, Brown decided to celebrate by hitting West Hollywood hotspot Guys and Dolls, the only problem is that the singer is too young to be in that club.Los Angeles Probation Department spokeswoman Kari Webb said this: "(Breaking probation) won't be taken lightly. If you break the law, you're in trouble."

Black Man Gets Crazy Paid

A retired South Carolina state employee who spent two bucks on the lottery was all smiles Tuesday as he claimed a $260 million Powerball jackpot. "For once in my life, I really experienced the old saying, pinch me to see if I'm still alive, or if this is real," Solomon Jackson Jr. said.

South Carolina Education Lottery officials say the Powerball jackpot is the largest ever won with a ticket bought in the state, which has the nation's fifth-highest unemployment rate. Powerball is played in 30 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Jackson, a lifelong Columbia resident, shared few details about himself or his plans for the money. He did say he is married and has 10 siblings, though he would not say how many children he has or give his age.

 

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Stephon Marbury’s Uhhhhh Freestyle Rap

 

Stephon Marbury decided to spit a freestyle rap on youtube.  Yes, he sucks.  Does he have a job anymore?  Maybe he needs to go work at Walmart to occupy his time.

Click to watch the video.

Sports Gossip: Why Can’t Iverson Get a Job?

Dr. Deborah Stroman, a leading scholar on Leadership and Sport, was asked why Allen Iverson can’t find a job.   Here is what she had to say.  Other notable athletes, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison and Derrick Brookes are also on the sidelines.

“Money is only one aspect of a good veteran not being picked up by a team. The other factor is leadership. If the organization is trying to develop new leaders, the coach and/or general manager will not gamble the new leader’s development and team chemistry with the introduction of a  veteran leader. And this veteran leadership may be displayed by performance or verbal acumen. For example, you may have a veteran wide receiver or running back who doesn’t talk much but has the potential to dominate on the field. A younger player may be drawn to that performer as a role model and not the new leader (often times the quarterback) who is trying to gain influence and control of “his” team. Or the veteran leader may be charismatic and draw attention to himself and away from the leaders that the organization is rightfully trying to impose on the other players. The organization feels that the signing of the veteran player is just not worth the risk.”

Michelle Obama Wears Target

Turns out that the first lady got this dress from Target.  What ya’ll think?