Whitney Houston's Last Interview on the Set of the Movie "Sparkle"

Bishop T.D. Jakes got with Whitney Houston to make her last movie "Sparkle." The movie takes place in a church setting which happens to have the same name as her now famous New Hope Baptist Church home church in Newark New Jersey. Whitney not only looked good, but she sounded good. Look at the interview below.

Tyga Feat. Wale, Fabolous, Young Jeezy and Meek Mill "Rack City" Remix

Ya'll have probably heard this song over and over again on the radio. Well here's the remix with some added fire!

New Video: Diggy Feat. Jadakiss "88"

Rev. Run's SON Diggy is a young hottie and he spits! Check out his new video "88" featuring Jadakiss.

Jay-Z's POP Artist Rita Ora "Party and BullSh*t"

The ROC is in the building! Jay-Z's first pop artist Rita Ora and himself took to the radios yesterday to introduce her new single, "Party and Bullsh*t." Looks like Jigga is about to make his mark in the Pop arena. Another score for HOV! Listen to the single below...

DMX Reunites with Swiss Beatz in N.Y. For a Sold Out Show

After DMX's contraversial interview yesterday on Power105, he hits the stage in N.Y. for a sold out show. Swiss Beatz showed love and joined him for a Ruff Ryders Reunion. I love DMX, I can't front, even after his comments about my fav Jay-Z

Andre 3000 Says no Outkast Album, but Solo Project OTW

Andre 3k sits down with GQ Magazine and talks about a solo project being on the way, but no Outkast Reunion Album.GQ: A new ‘Kast album!

Andre 3000: There’s been a lot of talk on the Internet about an OutKast album and I have to say that as of now, there are no plans for another OutKast album. There’s a lot of music on the horizon. I’ve been living off the excitement of new artists. I’ve been privileged to have these new artists kind of reach out and grab back and say, “Hey, Andre, we want you on this song.” So I’ve been taking those calls and for the last two years, I’ve been doing collaborations. So these new artists have kind of been keeping me alive. I’ve just really been feeding off of that and this year I think I’m planning to do a solo project. I don’t know when it will come out, but hopefully it’ll come out this year. As far as OutKast, I really don’t know if or when that will happen.

GQ: What’s the new solo album going to be like?
Andre 3000: The only thing I can really say is I’m going to get back to having fun because that’s what it was all about when I started this in high school—with OutKast—those were like high school dreams. I’m 36 now, so I have grown-man dreams. This album will just be me being myself as normal.

New Video: Young Jeezy Feat. T.I. F*** the City Up

Young Jeezy is back with another video. F*** the City Up features T.I. They take you on a ride through their city, Atlanta.

New Video: 2 Chains Feat. Jadakiss "One Day at a Time"

2 Chains dropped a new video featuring Jadakiss. I lie the feel of this track. I can just zone out to it. I wish the lyrics were a doper though. There is some eye candy in this video. Check it out.

Curren$y Takes You Through Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Want a visual of a little of what you see at Mardi Gras day in New Orleans looks like, Rapper Curren$y gives it to you.

New Video: Vado "I See You (Black People)

Harlem's own Vado released a new video fro his old joint "I See You." I guess he wanted to release this during Black History Month. Check it out.

New Nicki Minaj Feat. Lil Wayne "Roman Reloaded"

On the wake of her sophomore album, Nicki Minaj is dropping singles. This one feature Lil Wayne and is entitled "Roman Reloaded." Not sure if I'm feeling this track. Listen below.

Nicki Minaj - Roman Reloaded (Feat. Lil Wayne).mp3

President Obama Sings the Blues

Mardi Gras night, there was another party going on at the White House. New Orleans own Trombone Shorty was invited to play. It was a Jazz and Blues event in honor of Black History Month. Jazz legend B.B. King got President Obama to sing the blues. Looks like the entire White House was rocking.

DMX Speaks His Mind on the State of Hip Hop

Rapper DMX who's been off the scene for a while, because of jail time and a stint with drugs is back. DMX has been doing shows around the country. He's completed his album and is shopping for labels. Apparently Rick Ross's MMG label reached out to him while he was in prison. He declined to sign with them. He says he is NOT impressed by Rick Ross at all. He speaks on his relationship with Def Jam. He says when Jay-Z became President of Def Jam, he wanted to "eliminate the competition," because Jay-Z had come out of retirement. He says, Lil Wayne is cool. (a slightly political answer) He expresses how deeply he doesn't like Rapper Drake. DMX is hilarious in this interview. Alot of what he is speaking, real hip hop heads feel the same way. The game has changed though. It has evolved, believe it or not. Rappers went from being broke to being rich. That's what they got in it for. Check out the interview.

New Music: J. Cole "Grew Up Fast"

Man after his first album, I became a J. Cole supporter. After listening to this joint, I'm a J.Cole FAN!!! Cole goes in on this soulful track. I love it.

Basketball Wives Season 4 (My Thoughts)

So I missed the premier for obvious reasons, but I finally got a chance to view the show online. First let me say this, after watching what happened in the end of "Love and Hip Hop" anybody with sense should know that VH-1 is rigging up most of the drama. This is what I got from this season. There are two new girls added, for extra drama. Forgive me, I don't remember what their names were. Tami is the catalyst in all of the drama in this episode as Yancy was in most of the drama on "Love and Hip Hop." Shaunie also instigates as she's been doing. VH-1 puts these women in rooms together, that they know don't like each other for a better show with more ratings. From the looks of it, this season is full of drama. All of them turn on each other in some way. While Shaunie, the Boss just sits back, watches and collects checks. Evelyn is acting out majorly in this season, defending her fiance, Chad Ochocino Johnson. Of course she has a new show coming out with him soon, so that's understandable. Jennifer is on her high horse. She's always been, but she is giving it EXTRA this season. Susie is still a clown and Royce still holds her own and has her own mind.
Click on the link to view the episode. or watch below --> Fast, Free Video Hosting & Video Sharing - VideoBam

S.W.V. is Back! (New Video) "Co-sign"

Remember "I Get So Weak" 90's song group S.W.V.??? Well child, they are back together and dropping videos. I posted this single a while back, but now that they put the video out to go with the song, I'm "Co-signing" it even more! S.W.V. encourages MARRIAGE in their new single and I absolutely support that 100%. The ladies are looking good and flashing diamonds. Check out the video.

Diddy Launches New Network!!!! (REVOLT)

Yesterday, late last night as I was working on my Mardi Gras piece. I kept seeing Diddy saying he is making a BIG announcement at 10am. Of course I was at Mardi Gras when he actually tweeted the announcement, but now that it's over, I'm able to see what Diddy had to say. He is launching his own cable network called REVOLT with the help of Comcast. Diddy says his network will be the number one music network, knocking out B.E.T., M.T.V. and VH-1. I am certain that this scares all of those stations. Diddy has been a major player in music and television since the early 90's when he was called Puff Daddy. I absolutely LOVE his hustle though. This is Bigger than anything he's ever done, and he's done some big stuff. I also love how he used that Steve Job's Commercial line when he made the announcement via Twitter.com. "Here's to the crazy one's," he tweeted before posting this video announcement.

HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!!! (New Orleans Tradition)

Mardi Gras throws (beads)

The History

Mardi Gras is by far New Orleans' oldest celebrated holiday. Brother's Iberville and Bienville set up their first encampment on the Louisiana Gulf Coast on Mardi Gras day 1699. They named the spot Point du Mardi Gras. It was initially believed to be a pagan holiday until Christians incorporated it into their Easter holiday by doing a fast for 40 days up until Easter. The days leading up to Easter were known as the Carnival, meaning, (Farewell to Flesh). This is why Mardi Gras is also called Carnival. The day prior to Ash Wednesday, which starts the 40  day fast is the day to have fun and to be a glutton. Hence, giving the day the nick name Fat Tuesday. The season traditionally begins on the Catholic King’s Day, January 6th, or the Feast of the Epiphany. This was the day, twelve days after Christmas, when the kings visited the manger of Jesus. On this day, bakeries across the city begin selling King Cakes, brightly colored sugary cakes that have a small plastic baby baked inside to represent the baby Jesus. Cakes are eaten at work, school, or at King Cake parties. Tradition has it that whoever gets the baby in their piece of cake has to buy the next cake, typically for next week’s party.

Mardi Gras eats (King Cake)

 (For more on the history go here --->  http://www.gmc.edu/library/neworleans/NOmardi.htm

Mardi Gras Day

King Rex

King Zulu

On Mardi Gras day, the day after Lundi Gras in which the two Kings Rex and Zulu have made their toast, the Krewes of Zulu and Rex roll out. They roll out on beautifully ornate decorated floats. The floats carry a group of people who distribute out the groups throws. 

Zulu coconut a throw from the Zulu Krewe

Zulu rolls out a 8 am and Rex follows behind them. Families gather together in the streets of New Orleans. Everything in the city is shut down. Alot of streets are closed and blocked off and businesses are shut down. Everyone is out celebrating Mardi Gras. There's food, fun, drinks and good MUSIC. It's one BIG party.

A Mardi Gras Float

The party doesn't end until Bourbon Street is cleared out at 12 midnight to start Ash Wednesday. Bourbon St. is a famous street in the New Orleans, French Quarters. It holds many resturants, bars, strip clubs and clubs. Live music, karaoke, and dancing can be found down there. All kind of exotic drinks can be found also. One of the most famous is the "Hand Grenade." Another is the "Hurricane." Patrons party on Bourbon all day until it's time to shut down. Mardi Gras throws are often thrown from the balcony's of the balcony's of condo's and hotels. Often time, women "show their Tits" to get bigger throws.

A packed Bourbon St.

Bourbon St. has nothing on Orleans and Claiborne Streets though. (Under the Bridge) Which was once only the African American spot to hang out for Mardi Gras has quickly grown to be a big mixed environment (Post Hurricane Katrina). The masked Mardi Gras Indians come out under the bridge. The story behind the Indians come from the History Books. Native Americans taught the African American slaves who had escaped from slavery and hidden out in the marshes how to survive out in the marshes. To pay homage to them, African Americans mask out as Indians in colored, highly beaded or sequined feathered outfits. They dance and chant along the streets. 

Masked Mardi Gras Indians

If you have never been to Mardi Gras, you need to make a plan to do so once in your life. New Orleans is the best in Southern hospitality, good food and a good party. Today I'll be out celebrating with my family. I'll post pictures to my Twitter page, so follow me ---> @lanino_brown  https://twitter.com/#!/Lanino_Brown
Also check out some good Mardi Gras Music here ----> http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL73B9E0D0083CB315

Dear Old Nicki (Please Come Back)

At first I was not too fond of Nicki Minaj. That was until this producer went ham for her on Twitter and told me to go check out her Youtube videos. Being that I had only heard the mainstream stuff from her, I took his advice. Immediately, after watching her redo of The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Warning" video, I fell in love with her. I then peeped out a ton of her "OLD" stuff and realized, she could really flow. Of course she took alot from Foxy Brown and Lil Kim, but she was good at it. A video of her old flow resurfaced on the web recently in slew of her new album release. Check out the old Nicki.

Dirty Money - Nicki Minaj from JAMES DELGATTO on Vimeo.

New Music: Rihanna and Chris Brown "Birthday Cake"

So yes, it's true, Rihanna and Chris Brown are officially working together. Today Rihanna released "Birthday Cake" Remix featuring Chris Brown. I am not a supporter of abuse in any way, shape, form or fashion, but as a child of God, I do realize that forgiveness is a must. If Rihanna can forgive Chris Brown, so can the world.



Also Check out the two of them on "Turn Up the Music"

Celebrating Black History Month: Inventors

Granville T. Woods invented  contributions to the telephone, the street car and more

African Americans are so talented. I think about some of the things that were invented by Black people and I think to of the old saying, "When you have little or no resources, you must make due with what you have." Most of the old African American Inventors didn't have much and they made something out of what they had. That just shows you how brilliant the mind of a Black person is. Oh the possibilities of what we can do if we just used what we had and put our minds to work. A serious spirit of laziness has come upon us as a people though. Much of it has to do with the fact that we don't know who we are and we are not often reminded where we come from. We come from great thinkers, inventors.

Lewis Latimer - Inventor

This leads me into a story.When I was a teenager, hanging in the Lafitte Housing Project, clearly up to no good, I witnessed some young Black inventors. I was a look out girl for this older girl named Donetta. Donetta was a drug dealer. She was selling drugs in the Lafitte Housing Projects for years. I took a liking to her, because she was making plenty money. She took a liking to me, because I reminded her of a younger her. She would give me money at the end of the day for looking out for her stash that she would hide under a pile of leaves in the middle of the court yard, stuffed inside a Lay's potato chip bag. She would hide the dope under the leaves so that dope fiends wouldn't get to it and so that she wouldn't have it on her if the cops rolled up. As I sat there on watch one day, there were kids playing near the leave pile. I kept my eyes on those kids, because they were playing in the dirt, fooling with the rocks and debris that lay on the ground. One of the boys began to fill up an aluminum soft drink can with dirt and rocks. He then took a plastic grocery bag and tied it to the cap's opener. His friends began to do the same thing. When they were done, they began to throw the inventions up in the air. They had created parachutes out of cans, rocks and grocery bags. As they threw the cans up, the bag opened up and allowed the cans to float in the air. I would have never thought to do something like that. But these kids with limited toys to play with, only rocks and debris had created their very own toys.   I was so amazed by that, that it stuck with me until this day. Look how great their minds were.

Madame C.J. Walker invented Hair straightener , 1st self made African American Female millionaire

Peep out our history....where we come from and where we need to get back to. #GREATthinkers
Some of them are listed below:

Benjamin Banneker

His inventive spirit would lead him to be called the "first African American inventor." Banneker published a noted Farmers' Almanac.

Janet Emerson Bashen

Janet Emerson Bashen is an African-American businesswoman and inventor.

Patricia Bath

The first African American woman doctor to receive a patent for a medical invention.

Andrew Jackson Beard

Beard received a patent for a railroad car coupler and a rotary engine.

Andrew Jackson Beard - Patents

The original patent drawings of Andrew Jackson Beard.

Miriam E. Benjamin

Benjamin was the second black woman in history to receive a patent. She received a patent for an invention she called 'a Gong and Signal Chair for Hotels.'

Henry Blair

Henry Blair was the second black inventor in history to be issued a patent by the United States Patent Office.

Bessie Blount

Blount invented a device to help disabled persons eat.

Sarah Boone

An improvement to the ironing board (U.S. Patent #473,653) was invented by African American Sarah Boone on April 26, 1892.

Otis Boykin

Boykin invented an improved 'Electrical Resistor' used in computers, radios, television sets and a variety of electronic devices.

Charles Brooks

C. B. Brooks invented a street sweeper truck for which he was issued a patent on March 17, 1896.

Phil Brooks

Black inventor, Phil Brooks patented a disposable syringe.

Henry Brown

Henry Brown patented a "receptacle for storing and preserving papers on November 2, 1886" It was special in that it kept the papers separated. Perhaps an early forerunner in filofax history?

Marie Brown

Invented a video home survelance security system.

Norman K Bucknor

African American inventor and GM engineer Norman Bucknor is a prolific patent holder

John Albert Burr

Patented an improved rotary blade lawn mower.

George Washington Carver

Agricultural chemist, George Washington Carver invented three hundred uses for peanuts and hundreds more uses for soybeans, pecans, and sweet potatoes. More than anyone else in history.

George Washington Carver - Help for the Hard Times - Pamphlet

George Washington Carver wrote the pamphlet Help for the Hard Times

Benjamin S. Carson

Benjamin Carson was a pioneer in surgery technology

Emmett W. Chappelle

Chappelle was a biochemist, photobiologist, astrochemist and black inventor.

John Christian

John Christian invented and patented new lubricants used in high flying aircraft and NASA space missions.

Donald Cotton

Donald Cotton invented propellants for nuclear reactors.

David Crosthwait

Black inventor, David Crosthwait holds 39 patents for heating systems and temperature regulating devices. He is most well known for creating the heating system for New York City's famous Radio City Music Hall.

Mark Dean

Dean co-invented improvements in computer architecture that allowed IBM compatible PCs to use the same peripheral devices.

Ronald Demon

The famous inventor of the Smart Shoe - an athletic shoe whose cushion support automatically adjusts to suit the shape of the wearer's feet.

Joseph Hunter Dickinson

Invented several improvements to different musical instruments.

Big Sean and Wale "Slight Work" (Directed by Chris Brown)

Peep the latest from Big Sean and Wale. The video was directed by Chris Brown. Chris is starting to get his hands ON everything. There is some eye candy in this one for the fellas.

Get More: Wale, Slight Work, Music, More Music Videos

Weezy's Sports Center?

I actually like Lil Wayne's sports talk. I watched him go head to head with Skip Bayless and was shocked that he was very aware and well prepared to battle Skip. Weezy is a sports fan ultimately. Weezy also expressed how he isn't a Jeremy Lin (New York Knicks) fan. Weezy calls Jeremy Lin (Lin Laden) LOL He also shouts out the New Orleans, Hornets.


WEEZYS SPORTS CORNER NBA 2/18/12 from DERICK G on Vimeo.

Rick Ross Makes #1 on MTV's Hottest MC List

So MTV has finished it's Hottest MC list and guess who made number one? The Big Boss himself, MMG Kingpin Rick Ross. It was a battle between him and YMCMB Rapper Drake. I thought Drake would be number one honestly, but I can see their argument. Rick Ross has been kind of hot lately.
The list is as follows:

MTV’s Hottest MC’s In The Game VII:

1. Rick Ross
2. Drake
3. Kanye West
4. Lil’ Wayne
5. Nicki Minaj
6. Jay-Z
7. Meek Mill
8. Big Sean
9. Wiz Khalifa
10. Wale

Get More: Music News

Tyler Perry "Whitney Houston Loved the Lord"

I was VERY moved by "Pastor" Tyler Perry's speech at Whitney Houston's funeral. Halleluerrrr *Madea voice* Tyler's presence alone had me excited, because he holds it down for New Orleans so well. But this message about Whitney was the TRUTH. Tyler expressed how Whitney would be so honest and open about her failures and mishaps, yet she'd still say, "But my Lord and Savoir, Jesus Christ and his amazing GRACE." Whitney KNEW the Lord. She knew his GRACE. She knew his MERCY. It was absolutely amazing that more than one person expressed her tremendous love for GOD. She may have had her struggles, we all do, but SHE LOVED THE LORD.

Tyler dipped into the Bible and spoke on the Apostle Paul and what he stated in Romans 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?


Tyler ensured to the world that NOTHING that Whitney had been through separated her from the LOVE of GOD. 
"If it was the GRACE that carried her all the way through, then it was the same GRACE that carried her HOME." - Tyler Perry

Bishop T.D. Jakes "Love Will Last Forever" (Whitney's Funeral)

There were so many highlighted moments at Pop Legend Whitney Houston's funeral. Whitney lived on PURPOSE. Her life was meant to had been lived the way it was and it was meant for her to be sent home the way she was sent, from the church. Whitney brought the CHURCH to the WORLD. I just caught chills typing that. That is the same way I felt, throughout the entire service. It was chilling, exciting, encouraging and uplifting. It was emotional, entertaining and empowering. One of the moments that stood out the most to me was Bishop T.D. Jakes address to Whitney's mother, Cissy.

Bishop Jakes who was accompanied by his wife, the Honorable Serita Jakes and daughter Sarah D. Henson, took to the pulpit with such an extraordinary anointing. Bishop Jakes delivered a profound, prolific message that led us right into the love of our GOD, Jesus Christ.

"In moments like this, it feels, it feels like DEATH has won. But the Bible says that LOVE is stronger than death." - Bishop Jakes

 "I want you to understand in a very practical and pragmatic way that DEATH HAS NOT WON." -Bishop Jakes

"It might appear as if death has won, but it's a lie LOVE will last forever for GOD is LOVE."