Kanye West Goes After ‘White Publications’ Following T.L.O.P. Album Reviews

It’s been less than 48 hours since Kanye West released his new album, The Life of Pablo, but the reviews are already rolling in. And Kanye’s seen them. And he’s not particularly pleased — with a select few, at least.

On Monday night, the 38-year-old called out any “white publication” — naming, specifically, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone and The New York Times — with a strong suggestion: “Please do not comment on black music anymore.”

The Rolling Stone piece — which was only a review of the 10-track version that ’Ye played at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, rather than the full 17-track release from Sunday — was a bit of a mixed bag; there was praise and criticism.

Both the Pitchfork review — which gave the album a nine out of 10 — and the Times review were each largely positive.

Two other, unrelated, tidbits of note from Kanye’s latest flood of tweets: He says his album, which was released on Tidal, will “never” be available on Apple Music, and he claims he’s got 40 songs with both Kendrick Lamar and Young Thug.

And there you have it. Until next time, folks.

source:mtv

fashion: Islamic-Inspired Fashion Turns Heads In Southeast Asia

With Islam being the largest religion in Southeast Asia, Islamic-inspired fashion runway shows in Dubai, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur now offer an elegant, quirky, fun or sophisticated way for today’s Muslim woman in the region to express herself through fashion.

Zalora, an online retailer in Southeast Asia, created the “Zalia” collection of modest yet trendy clothing last Spring. It continues to introduce about 50 to 60 new products each month. “By producing more options for the community, we are helping the Muslim fashion industry grow, and fuel the interest in trendy Muslim wear in Southeast Asia” says a spokesman for Zalora.

Zalora’s “Zalia” collection (Photo credit: ZALORA)

Uniqlo is another mainstream retailer among the first to market hijabs in their Southeast Asian marketplace. Following a successful run in July of 2015, they came out in January with a second collection of Islamic-inspired clothing retailing in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

The Indonesia Islamic Fashion Consortium has plans for Indonesia to become the world’s Islamic Fashion Capital by 2020. While Islam is the largest religion in Southeast Asia, the largest Muslim population in a country is in Indonesia.

Islamic-inspired fashion is potentially a brilliant move on behalf of retailers, too. According to a study co-commissioned by Reuters, Muslims spent $266 billion on clothing in 2013— which is more than the combined spending in Japan and Italy on fashion. This number should double by 2019 to $484.

The option for popular brands to simply sell a classically composed and comfortable hijab creates a new conversation about what clothing might be taken as normative, neutral, and free from special attention— particularly outside of Southeast Asia, where the Islamic faith is not a majority.

Still, there is risk. The Muslim woman bares a fashion burden that she must wear alone: having her choice of clothing scrutinised where Islam is a minority religion as well as where it is practiced by the majority. In France, face coverings are banned and in Iran and Saudi Arabia, a head covering and long cloak (hijab and abaya) are required. The choice to wear Islamic-inspired fashion is never one that will please everybody.

Even if the hijab is to be embraced among mainstream fashion distributors, there is a question of how global muslim populations may react to Islamic-inspired fashion. DKNY, Oscar de la Renta, Tommy Hilfiger, Mango, and Monique Lhuillier have been selling capsule collections in the Middle East, generally around Ramadan. The real test may come soon, after the launch of Dolce & Gabbana’s new abaya and hijab collection.

Dolce & Gabbana Launches New Hijab And Abaya Collection (Photo credit: The Daily Fashion’ Instagram)

Dolce & Gabbana announced its debut on style.com/Arabia, but has not yet revealed where it shall sell. Their haute-hijabs and abayas will match fashion from their Spring 2016 collection while conforming to the modesty requirements of most versions of Islam.

On Instagram the rise of fashionable hijabs is gaining attention, too. Lagos, Nigeria is home to Hijarbie, the trendy yet conservative hijab-clad Barbie, whose Instagram account has attracted roughly 36k followers. The account was created by 24-year old medical science student, Haneefa Adam, who hand-sews the doll’s outfits.

Hijarbie Is An Instagram Sensation (Photo credit: Hijarbie’s Instagram)

The verdict is in that enough people are interested in seeing a movement take place for Islamic-inspired fashion to transpire. Southeast Asia is turning heads for their unique marketplace— now what remains to be seen is how the economic success of Southeast Asia’s Islamic-inspired styles may uphold and trickle onto other regions, affecting the social and political lens through which a Muslim woman’s spirit gets dissected.

SOURCE: FORBES

USA GRAMMY: Breakdown of Tonight's Grammy Winners

Before The Grammys even started history was made as Kendrick Lamar raked in 11 nominations including ones for Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Rap Album for To Pimp A Butterfly. It would be something that put him initially in disbelief, but then in a state of confidence as he along with the general public were happy that a kid from Compton, and hip hop in general are getting their due on music’s biggest stage.

Now we’re here as not just K Dot, but others in urban music both are both up for and have already took home hardware. Located at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the 2016 edition of The Grammys is slated to feature star-studded performances and a lot of winners. Can Kendrick and The Weeknd take home the most awards? Check out a list of winners below (they're in bold):

Song of the Year

“Alright”, Kendrick Lamar
“Blank Space”, Taylor Swift
“Girl Crush”, Little Big Town
“See You Again”, Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth
“Thinking Out Loud”, Ed Sheeran

Best Music Video

A$AP Rocky, "LSD"
​Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, "Bad Blood"
The Dead Weather, "I Feel Love"
Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"
Pharrell, "Freedom"

Rap Album of the Year

2014 Forest Hills Drive, J. Cole
Compton, Dr. Dre
If You're Reading This Its Too Late, Drake
To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar
The Pinkprint, Nicki Minaj

Best Rap Performance

J. Cole, "Apparently"
Drake, "Back To Back
Fetty Wap, "Trap Queen"
Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"
Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Wayne and Drake, "Truffle Butter"
Kanye West, "All Day"

Best Rap Song

Kanye West, "All Day"
Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"
Common and John Legend, "Glory"
Drake, "Energy"
Fetty Wap, "Trap Queen"

Best Rap Performance

J. Cole, "Apparently"
Drake, "Back to Back"
Fetty Wap, "Trap Queen"
Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"
Nicki Minaj, "Truffle Butter"
Kanye West, "All Day"

Best R&B Album

Coming Home, Leon Bridges
Black Messiah, D’Angelo and the Vanguard
Cheers to the Fall, Andra Day
Reality Show, Jazmine Sullivan
Forever Charlie, Charlie Wilson

Best R&B Performance

“If I Don’t Have You,” Tamar Braxton
“Rise Up,” Andra Day
“Breathing Underwater,” Hiatus Kaiyote
“Planes,” Jeremih featuring J. Cole
“Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey),” the Weeknd

Best Traditional R&B Performance

“He Is,” Faith Evans
“Little Ghetto Boy,” Lalah Hathaway
“Let It Burn,” Jazmine Sullivan
“Shame,” Tyrese
“My Favorite Part of You,” Charlie Wilson

Best R&B Song

“Coffee,” Brook Davis and Miguel Pimentel, songwriters (Miguel)
“Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey),” Ahmad Balshe, Stephan Moccio, Jason Quenneville and Abel Tesfaye, songwriters (the Weeknd)
“Let It Burn,” Kenny B. Edmonds, Jazmine Sullivan and Dwane M. Weir II, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)
“Really Love,” D’Angelo and Kendra Foster, songwriters (D’Angelo and the Vanguard)
“Shame,” Warryn Campbell, Tyrese Gibson and DJ Rogers Jr., songwriters (Tyrese)

Best Urban Contemporary Album

Ego Death, the Internet
You Should Be Here, Kehlani
Blood, Lianne La Havas
Wildheart, Miguel
Beauty Behind the Madness, the Weeknd

Best Country Album

Montevallo, Sam Hunt
Pain Killer, Little Big Town
The Blade, Ashley Monroe
Pageant Material, Kacey Musgraves
Traveller, Chris Stapleton

Best Pop Vocal Album

Piece by Piece, Kelly Clarkson
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, Florence + the Machine
Uptown Special, Mark Ronson
1989, Taylor Swift
Before This World, James Taylor

Best Dance Recording

“We’re All We Need,” Above & Beyond feat. Zoe Johnston
“Go,” the Chemical Brothers
“Never Catch Me,” Flying Lotus feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Runaway (U & I),” Galantis
“Where Are U Now,” Skrillex and Diplo with Justin Bieber

Best Dance/Electronic Album

Our Love, Caribou
Born in the Echoes, the Chemical Brothers
Caracal, Disclosure
In Colour, Jamie XX
Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack U, Skrillex and Diplo​

Best Pop Solo Performance

The Weeknd, "Can't Feel My Face"
Taylor Swift, "Blank Space"
Ellie Goulding, "Love Me Like You Do"
Kelly Clarkson, "Heartbeat Song"
Ed Sheeran, "Thinking Out Loud"

SOURCE:BET

Kendrick Lamar dedicated his Grammy to these pivotal rappers who have never won one

Kendrick Lamar used his Grammy win for best rap album to honor hip-hop artists who have surprisingly never won the music industry's most-coveted award.

Lamar came into this year's Grammy Awards with a leading 11 total nominations. And even before Monday's live show started, he had already won five of them. But Lamar really took the chance to honor the genre when he accepted the award for best rap album for "To Pimp a Butterfly."

After thanking his parents and wife, Whitney Alford, and his label Top Dawg, Lamar dedicated the award to hip-hop, then named two legendary artists and their pioneering rap albums.

"This for hip-hop," Lamar said after Ice Cube presented him the award. "This for Snoop Dogg 'Doggystyle,' this for 'Illmatic,' this for Nas. We will live forever, believe that."

Neither Nas nor Snoop Dogg has won a Grammy.

The dedication is absolutely in line with the show's special hip-hop theme of the night. The cast of "Hamilton," Broadway's hit hip-hop show, is performing. And rap trailblazers Run DMC will be honored with the Grammy lifetime achievement award.

In addition to rap album, Lamar also won best rap performance (“Alright”), best rap/song collaboration (“These Walls,” with Bilal, Anna Wise, and Thundercat), best rap song (“Alright”), and best music video (“Bad Blood,” with Taylor Swift).

At the time of this writing, he was still up for album of the year, song of the year for “Alright," and best pop duo/group performance on “Bad Blood” with Swift.

source:businessinsider

Rihanna canceled her Grammy performance because of illness

Rihanna was scheduled to perform during Monday night's Grammy Awards, but has canceled her performance.

According to TMZ, Rihanna was at the Staples Center, where the awards show is taking place, and rehearsed but canceled her performance due to health reasons. 

She has reportedly been struggling with bronchitis and doctors warned her to avoid performing or risk vocal chord damage. 

Billboard has confirmed her cancellation. 

A rep for the singer said that a doctor put her on 48-hour vocal rest because she "was at risk of hemorrhaging her vocal cords." She had been taking antibiotics for three days, but they "did not kill the infection adequately."

source:busineesinsider

USA: Lottery winner who bailed bf with over $21m sued by pastor for $10m for not giving him $1.5m

For Marie Holmes, more money has definitely meant more problems. Since the 27-year-old mother of four won the lottery last year, her life has included a series of arrests and legal battles.

In February 2015, Holmes had one of three Powerball tickets worth $564 million.
She opted for the lump sum of $127 million, which was approximately $88 million after taxes. While most people use their winnings to buy their mom a house, get out of debt and go on vacation, Marie made some very unusual choices with her fortune.
The North Carolina native made headlines and was crowned “Donkey Of The Day” by The Breakfast Club radio show after she bailed her boyfriend Lamarr McDow out of jail not once, not twice or even three times, but a total of four times. Being a ride-or-die
checkchick allegedly cost her $21 million.

Now Holmes is being sued for $10 million. Here are the details via a Black America Web exclusive:
Pastor Kevin Matthews says he is experiencing emotional and mental distress due to her backing down from a verbal contract they had regarding $1.5 million to purchase land to build a retreat facility.

“I had to start taking more medicine for anxiety and depression due to this situation,” says Pastor Kevin Matthews.

According to Matthews, he provided prayer to Holmes and several others at her house and he casually mentioned that he has been praying for land to build a retreat center and he asked the young mother if she would consider helping out. Supposedly they both agreed to the $1.5 million although there was no paperwork or written agreement regarding their conversation.

Holmes’ attorney, Ruth Sheehan has since denied Matthews’ claims.

Kim Kardashian steps out in Kanye's Yeezy 3 perspex boots

Kim Kardashian stepped out in New York City on Saturday in a pair of Yeezy Season 3 perspex boots. The see-through shoes were a dead-ringer for the same pair she shared on her Instagram account on Thursday, which she captioned, 'YEEZY SEASON 3.'. She stepped out with her blonde braided hair. More photos after the cut...

Kanye West reveals he is $53 million in debt

Kanye West went on another twitter rant where he said he was $53million in debt. Now don't know if he's just saying it because he's trying to get attention or being truthful. Read his tweets after the cut...

source:lindaikejisblog

grammy: Russell Wilson & Ciara step out in style for a Pre-Grammy Party

Singer Ciara and her NFL boyfriend Russell Wilson looked great as they attended the pre-Grammy Party that took place Saturday night hosted by LL Cool J.

Lady Gaga gets sizeable David Bowie Tattoo

Lady Gaga is set to perform an eight-minute tribute to David Bowie at the Grammy's tomorrow. The singer shared series of snapchat videos which shows her getting a tattoo of the iconic singer who died last month aged 69 after a battle with cancer. The tattoo is believed to be her 18th. The body art was done by Mark Mahoney at Shamrock Social Club in West Hollywood, and is a copy of the Aladdin Sane album cover. More photos after the cut...