Saks Builds An "Empire"

Saks Fifth Avenue partnered with Fox to produce a multiplatform partnership that includes "Empire"-themed windows at the New York and Beverly Hills flagships, from Sept. 10 to Oct 7. “Empire’s” second season will premiere on Sept. 23. Gold, being the color of the records everyone wants to produce, the color of Empire Enterprises’ logo and the color of the shows’ promo shot, will fittingly be the operative tone in the windows.

"Empire" will be featured in the Saks fall magalog, on saks.com and social media channels, where the winner of a contest, "How to Build an Empire" will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the show.

'Straight Out Of Compton' Blew Away Expectations

"Straight Outta Compton," the N.W.A biopic produced by Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, blew away industry expectations over the weekend with a $60.2 million debut, higher than the $56.1 estimated on Sunday. The film, co-financed by Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures for $29 million.

Dr. Dre To Donate Royalties From Soundtrack To The City of Compton

Yesterday Dr. Dre stated he "decided to donate all of my artist royalties from the sale of this album to help fund a new performing arts and entertainment facility for the kids in Compton."

In an interview with Zane Lowe on Beats 1 Radio, Dr. Dre said he spoke to Compton Mayor Aja Brown about ways to give back to the city with the release of his first album in 16 years.

Kangol Teams Up With Ten Underground Record Labels To Launch Radio Kangol

PRNewsFoto/Kangol

Iconic headwear brand Kangol, is launching a radio streaming station-featuring music exclusively curated by ten global underground record labels including Golf Channel, Rockers International, Stones Throw, Foundation, Burger, PPU Records, Soundway, Workshop, Plant Records and Minimal Wave. Available at www.radiokangol.com. 

Eminem Earns Two Digital Diamond Awards

Photo Credit: Jenny Risher

Eminem is the only artist in The Recoding Industry Association of Amwerica (RIAA) Gold & Platinum history to earn two Digital Diamond Awards. Eminem has four total Diamond Awards: two Digital Diamonds for songs "Not Afraid" (Shady, Aftermath/Interscope 2010) and "Love The Way You Lie" (Aftermath/Interscope, 2011) featuring Rihanna, and two Diamond Awards for albums "The Marshall Mathers LP" (Aftermath/Interscope, 2000) and "The Eminem Show" (Aftermath/Interscope, 2002).

Vanity Fair Introduces Caitlyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce, reveals all to Vanity Fair. On news stands, June 9th, the digital edition is available today.

“This shoot was about my life and who I am as a person. It’s not about the fanfare, it’s not about people cheering in the stadium, it’s not about going down the street and everybody giving you ‘that a boy, Bruce,’ pat on the back, O.K. This is about your life.” Jenner told Vanity Fair writer Buzz Bissinger for the cover story.

As revealed in the magazine, Jenner underwent at a 10-hour “facial-feminization surgery” on March 15, but she has not had genital surgery.

Brandy Norwood on Broadway

On April 28th, Brandy Norwood made her debut on Broadway as Roxie Hart in the musical "Chicago".

Roxy Hart is a wanna be vaudevillian star who murders her lover and is arrested. This part is showing the Grammy-winning songstresses' sexy side; something we haven't seen much of in the past.

Brandy is feeling refreshed and renewed, "I have more life in me than  I've ever had in a very long time. I feel 15 again. I feel like a kid," she stated last week.

Brandy will be starring as Roxie until June 21, 2015.

Bobby Brown Told Audience Bobbi Kristina is Awake

ATLANTA (AP) - Bobby Brown told concert goers Saturday night that his daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown is awake nearly three months after she was found face down and unresponsive in a tub at her Georgia home.

 Brown's attorney, Christopher Brown, declined to comment.

Mariah Carey #1 To Infinity

On May 18th, Mariah Carey will release her new album titled, Mariah Carey #1 To Infinity. The 19 track album is a collection of 18 of her Billboard #1 singles, more than any solo artist in history. and her new single "Infinity".

Mariah recently signed an exclusive contract with Epic Records, a division of Sony where she started out - this album will be the first release. 

Hip-Hop Revolution on Exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York

The Museum of the City of New York is running a photo exhibition capturing the birth of hip-hop. "Hip-Hop Revolution: Photographs by Janette Beckman, Joe Conzo and Martha Cooper," will run through September 13.
starting in the late 1970's. The exhibition, "

This is a must-see for all music lovers.

Ciara Announces U.S. Tour

Grammy award winner, Ciara will embark on a U.S. tour in May.  This marks her first live concert tour in over six years.  The first leg of the tour will make stops in 18 major cities beginning May 3 in Chicago and continuing to May 31 in San Francisco.  

Fans will have the opportunity to pre-order the Jackie album and receive a special access code to purchase concert tickets beginning today, April 1, at 10am, before they go on-sale to the public. 

MET GALA 2014 RED CARPET CHAOS TO COUTURE

Beyonce

Bobbi Kristina Ties The Knot

On Friday, a rep from the family confirmed that Bobbi Kristina is married to her long time friend Nick Gordon. The rep did not give any indications on a date or place in which the wedding took place.

Bobbi Kristina tweeted a picture of the couples wedding bands on Thursday with caption, "#HappilyMarried. So #InLove. If you didn't get it the first time that is."

Jennifer Hudson: Favorite Humanitarian At The People's Choice Awards

Jennifer Hudson held back tears when she accepted the favorite humanitarian award at the 2014 People's Choice Awards.

Accompanied on stage Wednesday night by her sister, Julia Hudson, the Oscar-winning actress became choked up as she said: "My mother always taught us without family you have nothing. Whether you know it or not, we all are family. What happens to the other happens to us. It's one thing to be a celebrity and have power, but it means nothing if we're not making a difference and helping someone else."

The Yeezus Tour Continues With February Northeast Run

Kanye West Announces Additional Yeezus Tour Dates.
Photo credit:  Nick Knight.  (PRNewsFoto/Live Nation)

Kanye West's sold-out Yeezus Tour – continues in 2014 with a two week run of the Northeast.  The limited run, presented by Live Nation, will launch on February 13 at Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA and conclude on February 23 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY.  This run of shows will be the last chance for North American fans to see the Yeezus Tour's creative concept. Tickets are on sale now at LiveNation.com. 

Yeezus Tour Dates
*All dates and venues below subject to change.

2/13	University Park, PA	Bryce Jordan Center
2/14	Baltimore, MD	Baltimore Arena
2/15	Newark, NJ	Prudential Center
2/17	Montreal, QC	Bell Centre
2/18	Hamilton, ON	Copps Coliseum
2/19	Albany, NY	Times Union Center
2/21	Uncasville, CT	Mohegan Sun Arena
2/22	Atlantic City, NJ	Boardwalk Hall
2/23	Uniondale, NY	Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

JANUARY|FEBRUARY ISSUE AVAILABLE NOW!

Queen Latifah & Josh Hutcherson Will Present at TeenNick Halo Awards

Queen Latifah and Josh Hutcherson will present trophies to four teen volunteers for outstanding community service at the fifth annual TeenNick Halo Awards. The awards show will broadcast live on Nick at Nite on November 17.

The TeenNick HALO Awards were founded by Nick Cannon and is set to be broadcast live for the first time. Cannon says HALO, which stands for Helping and Leading Others, aims to "continue the conversations about issues that impact teens today, and empower young people to take action and make a difference."

This year's honorees are involved with causes such as transgender rights, autism awareness, urban revitalization and girls' education.

Gaye Family Sues Over 'Blurred Lines'

Two of Marvin Gaye's children, Nona & Frankie, sued Robin Thicke, Pharrell and T.I. on the hit song "Blurred Lines" on Wednesday, accusing them of copyright infringement and alleging music company EMI failed to protect their father's legacy

The Gaye's Family suit follows the case filed by Thicke and his collaborators in August asking a federal judge to rule that the singers did not copy "Got to Give It Up" for their hit. The Gaye Family lawsuit seeks to block Thicke, Pharrell and T.I. from using elements of their father's music in "Blurred Lines" or other songs.

Diahann Carroll & Cheryl Boone Isaacs Honored At 'House of Flowers' Dinner

Some of the top African-American women in entertainment, business and philanthropy attended a "House of Flowers" dinner honoring Diahann Carroll and Cheryl Boone Isaacs on Saturday at the home of  television producer Tracey Edmonds.
The dinner was also hosted by Tracey Edmonds and film and television producer Debra Martin Chase. The theme of the evening, "House of Flowers," was inspired by Truman Capote's Broadway play, in which Carroll made her acting debut in 1954. The dinner was meant to "celebrate female empowerment and to help open doors for future accomplishments," said Edmonds.

 "A lot of times there is so much superficial competition, because there are so few opportunities for women of color to succeed in the industry, so you've got to compete versus help each other. It was really beautiful that I got this opportunity to share this evening with Debra Chase, who is a fellow producer," said Edmonds.

Cee Lo Green Pleads Not Guilty

Cee Lo Green pleaded not guilty yesterday to giving a woman ecstasy at a Los Angeles restaurant during a 2012 dinner, and prosecutors declined to file a rape count against the singer because of insufficient evidence.

Green, 38, whose real name is Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, appeared in court where prosecutors charged him with one felony count of furnishing a controlled substance. He could face four years in prison if convicted.