Drake Sells Half a mill in Week One

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, AOL Black Voices

I took a poll of some of my industry homies last week to get a sense of how"Thank Me Later," the debut album for Drake, was going to sell. It turns out that out of those bold enough to make a prediction, my friends Michael Bivins (formerly of Belle, Biv, Devoe and New Edition) and Vigalantee (a rapper in Kansas City, MO), were closest. Vigalantee predicted 450,000 units and Mike Biv predicted 400,000. No matter how you slice it, Drake is now officially the shizzle.

It's not as if anyone is surprised by Drake's stellar debut. He and the rest of the Young Money clique did an outstanding job creating buzz for the album and Drake proved that even in the age of massive Internet pirating, he can still make his money.

 

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What's New in the world of Black Folks - 6/11/10

NBA Gets High Marks for Diversity in Annual Report Card

• According to Professor Richard Lapchick, author of the recent Racial and Gender Report Card for ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 12th 2010 11:20AM | Comments (0)

Obama's "Angry Black Man" Criticism: Isn't He Also Half White?

• In light of all of the interesting analysis that others have done regarding why President Barack ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 9th 2010 9:36PM | Comments (34)

CNN Asks Why Black Men Are Not Graduating From College

• Richelle Carey at CNN Headline News recently reached out to me to find out why black men aren't ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 5th 2010 4:24PM | Comments (32)

Dwyane Wade Given Temporary Custody of His Sons

• NBA star Dwyane Wade's divorce just got a little uglier. This week, the court gave Wade custody ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 4th 2010 8:51AM | Comments (33)

Could LeBron James' Mother Rumors Push Him Out of Cleveland?

• The world seems to be buzzing incessantly about the statements made by former NBA great Calvin ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on May 24th 2010 10:41PM | Comments (4)

 

Slim Thug and his comments about black women continue to get the artist into trouble.  Is he going to lose big money because of this?

Time for Hip Hop to Change

The age of the Hoochie Mama is over

by Dr. Boyce Watkins | TheLoop21 in Culture & Society

It's time for hip hop, and its audience, to grow up.

read more

Your Black News – 3/4/10

Was Ciara Mistaken For A Stripper?

NYC Courthouse Still Closed, Weezy Sentencing Delayed Again

Guru Issues Statement About Heart Attack

Regina King Excited & Frustrated About Return Of The Boondocks

Lil Wayne Performs At Jay-Z Concert For Last Night Of Freedom

St. Louis Rapper J-Kwon Is Missing

BP Member Spotlight: Paper Dolls Radio

Khia Says Trina Got That "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle"

Sources: Jackson Kids Tried Stunning Blanket

Allen Iverson Out For Rest Of Season

Arsonist Who Burned Gamble & Huff Studio Gets Bail Reduced

Jamie Foxx: "I Like ‘Em Thick In The Waist & Cute In The Face"

Rihanna Is Being Sued By Her Personal Trainer

Mo'Nique's Secret To A Happy Marriage? An Open One

Naomi Campbell Wanted For Allegedly Beating Up Her Driver

NAACP Image Award Trends: Blacks, Nudes + Plum Shadow

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Your News: Regina King Talks Boondocks

While promoting her upcoming comedy 'Our Family Wedding,' actress Regina Kingcouldn't contain her excitement for the return of the hit Cartoon Network series 'The Boondocks.'

She also talked about her frustration too.

After a more than two-year hiatus, post-production is underway for the third season of the beloved show, which should be airing in coming months.
Although the Cartoon Network has yet to send out an official announcement confirming a premiere date for the new season, 'Bonndocks' creator Aaron McGrudersaid via his social networking site that it should air March 28. The news coincides with his previous Twitter message on Christmas Day, in which he wrote, "Finally got an airdate for Season 3. Not sure if I'm allowed to put it out yet, so I'll just say you got about three months."

King, who voices two of the show's lead characters, brothers Huey and Riley Freeman, has been a little peeved about how the show's producers are handling the long-awaited return.

"I am so happy that it is coming back," King told BV Newswire, but added, "I wish there was some Web site that people could send [a message] to Sony [Television Entertainment] ... and say 'What are you doing?'" she charged.

"'Boondocks could be so bigger than what it is," the former '227' actress furthered. "If I had the money to buy 'The Boondocks' off Sony, I would because all of you would be wearing 'Boondocks' T-shirts and there would be Huey and Riley dolls. I would capitalize off of that, and I would be a very rich woman."

King cited Sony's lack of experience with animation as a reason for the show's delay and its failure to capitalize on 'Boondocks' merchandise.

The 38-year-old 'Ray' actress says her work on the show, based on McGruder's popular comic strip of the same name, is her most popular to date.

"Actually more than any other project that I have done, that's the one that I get asked about the most," King revealed. "For a show to take two and half year hiatuses and people still want it to come back, that's big," she said.

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce: Russell Simmons Rants on Banks

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons seems to feel that banks are not treating the poor in a proper fashion. This week, in a rant on his site, “The Global Grind,” Simmons had this to say:
“They trick customers into doing things that are not good for them through lack of transparency, and surprise them with new fees when they can least afford it. I’m learning an important lesson about ethics or lack of ethics in this industry. In fact, I’m fighting with a bank right now that doesn’t know what kind of ass whipping they are going to get when I expose them for the abusive practices and exuberant fees they are charging the poor. What they are doing is trying to double their already outrageously high fees in exchange for providing absolutely nothing to my customers.”
Simmons went on to try to create a “movement” by adding a call to action:

“Let’s start the biggest public discussion ever about how banks treat us and expose these banks for their unequal treatment and unconscionable conduct. The time is now.”

 

Click to read.

Huh? Kanye West Compares Himself to Maya Angelou?

Kanye West is stepping back into the limelight — and bringing his ego, too.

The "Heartless" rapper took to his blog Monday and announced his return to the studio, reports People.com. West, who has laid low since hijacking Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Music Video Awards in September, promised to "bring you the best I have to offer with the same dedication that Kobe [Bryant] has on the court."

The star continues, "It's funny how so many rappers get worse as their careers stretch out, but true poets get better." West writes that he wants to follow in the footsteps of giants like Maya Angelou, Nina Simone and Gill Scott-Heron (whose name West misspells "Herron").

Click to read.

50 Cent Lays Out on Tiger Woods

During an appearance on The George Lopez Show on TBS last night (December 14), 50 Cent revealed he is reconsidering a line of condoms and may even add a “tiger” stripe to the packaging, in honor of Woods’ numerous trysts outside of his marriage.

“Thirteen women and no condoms – you’re a gambling man ain’t you Tiger? Rappers use condoms often. Golfers apparently don’t use condoms,” 50 Cent joked. “It’s interesting when you pick your women at Perkins. That’s why you get told on. When she tells it’s not really her fault, especially when you didn’t give her nothing and she’s at Perkins.”

The rapper went on to say that the women in Tiger’s life didn’t respect or fear him.

“The woman needs to feel like maybe he’s gonna snap, so I aint gonna say that,” 50 Cent told Lopez. “Tiger there ain’t no fear.”

 

Click to read.

Hip Hop Wired – 11/7/09

LL Cool J's “NCIS: Los Angeles” Heading To Syndication After Only 7 Weeks On The Air

NEWS

» By MICHAEL ICEBLUE HARRIS   Nov 7 2009, 9:07 Am

LL Cool J is showing no signs of slowing down after more than 20 years in the game. The Queens MC is about to receive some major paper from his moonlighting gig away from the mic. His new television series “NCIS: Los Angeles” has just been sold into syndication after only seven weeks on the air.

CBS TV Distribution has licensed the show to USA for roughly $1.9 million per episode. It will start airing weekly in the fall of 2011.

“NCIS: Los Angeles” is a spin-off from the popular

Comments 0 Tags def jam, ll cool j, rock & roll hall of fame,“NCIS: Los Angeles”

Dr. Boyce Watkins Editorial: Black Men Continue To Get Pimped By The NCAA

FEATURES, NEWS

» By Dr. Boyce Watkins   Nov 7 2009, 8:06 Am

The revolution has been televised.

I always knew it would be, since African American athletes have always been center stage in the NCAA's multi-billion dollar money machine. Millions of Americans go mad during the month of March to see "Tyrone G. Anyhood," the latest corporate product being lined up on the Great American assembly line of mass exploitation and academic fraud.

The NCAA has profited handsomely from the Black community's commitment to producing and delivering hoop dreams that put young Black men on the court during the hours they should be spending in a book. We perform death-defying athletic circus acts for the amusement of America, while

Comments 1 Tags boyce watkins, Ed O'Bannon, NCAA

Ludacris On Hand To Pay Tribute To Soul Legend Otis Redding

NEWS

» By JORDAN C. ALSTON   Nov 7 2009, 6:35 Am

Feelings and memories of a better time were aplenty at the Wooddruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday as some of this era's most bright and promising talent paid tribute to a man that left an indelible mark on the world with his music.

Artists such as Anthony Hamilton, Estelle, and Grammy-winning rapper, Atlanta's Ludacris, were on hand to give respect to soul music titan Otis Redding.

Estelle sang Redding's classic,

Comments 1 Tags Anthony Hamilton, atlanta, ludacris,music, Otis, otis redding, Redding, Soul, the rolling stones

Mos Def To Join Jay Electronica & Curren$y To Form Trio

NEWS

» By Jason Weintraub   Nov 7 2009, 6:11 Am

If you are a Hip-Hop fan who tends to care more about lyrics and meanings to tracks than the catchy hooks and repetitive beats, then do we have news for you!

Mos Def, Jay Electronica, and Curren$y are all teaming together to make a much needed “Hip-Hop” album that will give the game something it has been missing for awhile.

According to Curren$y, the three, all by complete coincidence, met up at Dame Dash's new music facility

Comments 0 Tags damon dash, jay electronica, lil wayne,mos def, rapper currensy

Wyclef To Receive RFK Center For Justice & Human Rights' Ripple Of Hope Award

NEWS

» By Moguldom   Nov 6 2009, 16:09 Pm

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights today announced that Wyclef Jean and Bono will receive the organization's 2009 Ripple of Hope Award. The award, which will be presented at the Center's annual dinner on November 18th, recognizes the bold leadership demonstrated by the two honorees on humanitarian issues.

"As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from

Comments 0 Tags bono, The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, U2, Wyclef Jean

Bone Thugs Speak On Flesh's Incarceration & Eazy-E's Death

NEWS

» By MICHAEL ICEBLUE HARRIS   Nov 6 2009, 14:53 Pm

"It's both, it's a place where you can rehabilitate but it's also a warehouse. Because mind you, that place is there for a reason. You got real live monsters that deserve to be there that committed crimes that are absolutely heinous. They are never gonna see the light of day and they are there forever and for a reason."

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is gearing to release their long awaited unified front, Uni5:  The World's Enemy, which will be dropping on December 22^nd.  Speaking with Hip-Hop Wired, Krayzie spoke on the conception of their latest album saying,

“Flesh was locked up for ten years, he just came home.  As everybody knows Bizzy Bone was away from us for a while. Flesh came home and we just felt the need…it was going to happen regardless. We felt the need to come back together and give the world that Bone magic that we brought to the world years earlier. It was like a must. The whole concept of the album, Uni5:  The World's Enemy… the unifying came from us being back unified and the world enemy concept came from we always felt like we was

Comments 0 Tags Bone Thugs N Harmony, eazy-e, flesh n bone, ruthless records

50 Cent Still Considering Signing Beanie Sigel, Promotes New Fragrance

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Nov 6 2009, 12:44 Pm

“You can't sign a deal in a conversation — it's a process. We'll see what happens."

50 Cent, the man whose name has become synonymous with controversy in the weeks leading up to his official release of Before I Self Destruct, is speaking out on his alleged contractual agreement with Jay-Z's latest enemy, Beanie Sigel.

As previously reported , Fif and Beanie caused mass speculation of a possible new G-Unit alliance after appearing on a Philadelphia radio show.

Now 50's

Comments 1 Tags "before i self destruct, 50 cent, beanie sigel, g-unit, jay-z, Power By 50, thisis50

DMX To Pull Out Of MMA Fight?

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Nov 6 2009, 11:59 Am

DMX made headlines in September after announcing that he was willing to allow bodily harm to be inflicted on him by the hands of a mixed martial arts fighter. Now reports are circulating that he came to his senses and pulled out of the scheduled beat down.

As previously reported, he was scheduled to take on Eric Martinez on December 12 in Jefferson, Alabama. He even caused promotional melee about the upcoming production by stating that he wouldn't train for the event. Instead, he had the bright idea to

Comments 0 Tags dmx, DMX Cancels MMA Fight, Eric Martinez, mixed martial arts, MMA Fight

Ludacris Donates Coats For Charity

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Nov 6 2009, 11:17 Am

The always philanthropic and always present in the Atlanta community, Ludacris, strikes again with his charitable ways.

September brought an onslaught of tumultuous flood waters that left parts of metro Atlanta devastated. Offering to aid his ailing city, Luda stepped up through his Ludacris Foundation to donate

Comments 2 Tags Atlanta Floods, Clarkdale Elementary,LudaCares, ludacris, Ludacris Founation

Ying Yang Twins Release Greatest Hits Album

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Nov 6 2009, 10:17 Am

The Ying Yang Twins, Atlanta's hyper hood brotherly duo, helped usher crunk to the musical forefront and gave the world music to dance to. Now just shy of four years out of the limelight, the dynamic duo of Kaine and D-Rock is bringing their trademark shake anthems back to listener's ears through a collection of their greatest hits. Titled

Comments 0 Tags Champs Is Here, deep entertainment,mannie fresh, ying yang twins, Ying Yang Twins Greatest Hits

Young Jeezy Added To Blueprint III Tour

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Nov 6 2009, 10:01 Am

As Jay-Z begins to wrap up his ‘North American College Tour' with Roc Nation affiliate Wale and his signee, J.Cole, he's still prepping for his highly anticipated Blue Print III tour. The man, who apparently never sleeps, will trek across the country again to bring fans cuts from his #1 album. Jigga won't be alone however and has announced plans to bring his “Real As It Gets”, collaborator Young Jeezy

Comments 0 Tags Blueprint 3 Tour, J. Cole, jay-z, North American College Tour, roc nation, wale, young jeezy