Nicki Minaj

Apr 24 2013

Another panel shake-up could stem “Idol’s” low ratings

Simon Cowell’s “The X Factor” might not be the only Fox singing competition headed for another season of change.

The Hollywood Reporter heard whispers from sources in the know that the network’s “American Idol” was considering swapping new judge Mariah Carey for former judge Jennifer Lopez.

Lopez departed the competition along with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler in 2012 after two seasons aboard the series, but THR notes that she did cultivate a solid fan following.

Mar 22 2013

Writer says most genres of music have dealt with drug issues

Lil Wayne is down on drugs — for others.

For himself, well, it’s a different story.

The man who infamously told Katie Couric during a 2009 interview “I’m a gangsta, Miss Katie. I don’t take nothing from no one. I do what I want to do,” has been equally outspoken about his use of “sizzurp” or “purple drank,” a prescription cough syrup made with a combination of promethazine and codeine.

Nov 5 2012

Winners will be determined by online voting

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Ke$ha, No Doubt and Usher will perform at the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards, Dick Clark Productions announced today.

They’ll join previously announced performers Carrie Underwood, P!nk, Pitbull, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Linkin Park and Christina Aguilera on the show, which will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE on Sunday, Nov. 18 and aired on ABC.

Oct 9 2012

Drake, Usher each earned three

Nicki Minaj and Rihanna each earned four nominations today for the 40th American Music Awards, putting them atop the pack of hopefuls, while Justin Bieber, Drake, Maroon 5, Usher and One Direction each earned three.

Minaj and Rihanna were both nominated for favorite female pop/rock artist, along with Kelly Clarkson and Katy Perry. Rihanna and Perry also received nods for artist of the year, as did Bieber, Drake and Maroon 5.

Jul 5 2012

BET Awards 2012

After a year jam-packed with tons of new talent and veterans fighting tooth and nail to hold on to their top spots as Black entertainment’s elite, the BET Awards 2012, held Sunday at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, was a must-see for those wanting to know who was going to take home the gold.

Kevin Hart is pictured holding his award for Best Actor which surprised some when he beat out heavy-hitters Denzel Washington, Idris Elba, Common, and Don Cheadle.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”