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Marian Wright Edelman: Still Hungry in America
Some have said Chris Brown's career is over since allegations surfaced of him attacking his on-again-off-again girlfriend Rihanna.
Amidst all of the criticism, the chart-topping crooner hasn't let his pending legal ordeal stop him from living his life. In fact, the estranged couple now seem to have moved on from their relationship and are taking things in stride.
On June 11, the two young singers were seen at Game Four of the NBA Finals in Orlando. People.com reports they each retreated to separate private lounges.
Just days before the Barbados-born CoverGirl cosmetics spokeswoman was seen in New York hanging out with 'It' rapper Drake -- to whom she's also rumored to be dating.
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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Last month, Brown, 20, took to the internet in a short YouTube video made with Bow Wow at NBA star Shaquille O' Neal's home. The Virginia native said, "I just wanna say 'what's up' because I ain't been out there in a minute." He added, "We ain't going nowhere. Everybody that's haters, they just haters. All my real fans, I love you. I ain't a monster."
He pleaded not guilty to two felony counts following his alleged February 8 assault in Los Angeles. And though, the 'Run It' singer's attorney Mark Geragos attempted to stall his upcoming preliminary hearing to allow for more time to prepare, things are going ahead as scheduled.
The Jive Records singer is expected back in court on June 22, where Rihanna, has been subpoenaed to appear to testify against him. At the preliminary hearing, the court will determine whether there is enough evidence to bring Brown to trial or whether plea deal discussions can begin.
In the meantime, both stars are remaining mum about what really took place on that dreadful night and have, instead, retreated to their first love – music. Brown is reportedly calling his third offering, 'Graffiti' and has been in the lab working with Pharrell Williams and Scott Storch, who produced his breakout single 'Run It.' Meanwhile, Rihanna has been rumored to be working with Kanye West and on a new project.
No word yet on when either singer's albums will be released.Black Music Notes June 1
6/1/09: Minnie Riperton
A very fitting homage will be paid to late, great songbird Minnie Riperton when a new batch of the acclaimed TV One docu-series 'Unsung' hits the small screen this month. Best known for her signature ballad 'Lovin' You,' the Chicago-born singer/songwriter's career and life were cut short after a three-year battle with breast cancer in the late 1970s. After Riperton's cancer diagnosis, she went public instead of retreating, serving as a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. . She was only 31 years old when she died at the prime of her career. 'Unsung' premieres June 7 at 8 PM ET, repeating at 11 PM, as well as Thursday, June 11 at 10 PM and Friday, June 12 at noon and midnight.
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6/1/09: Grace Jones
The one and only Grace Jones has been tapped to perform live at the 'We Love' festival in Ibiza on Aug. 9. For the first time ever, the 'Pull Up To The Bumper' singer will grace the Spanish island's celebrated summer concert series, as part of the Wall Of Sound recording company's 15th anniversary. Last year, festival organizers bought The Chemical Brothers back to the Ibiza after a ten-year hiatus. This year, they are ready for Amazing Grace, who recently released a new music project titled 'Hurricane' on the United Kingdom based label. "We are putting on a line-up to inspire and one that will take all lucky enough to be there on a journey they will never ever forget," Wall of Sound founder Mark Jones said.
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5/28/09: Chaka Khan
Fresh from a headlining gig at the 2009 St Lucia Jazz Festival, Chaka Khan is ready to take on the nation's capital. The 10-time Grammy Award winning diva will fill in for previously announce headliner Natalie Cole, who is recovering from a live saving kidney transplant surgery, at 'The 18th Annual Capital Jazz Fest' running June 5 - June 7. The 'I Feel For You' chanteuse will join a slew of noted musical acts at the lovely wooded setting of Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. According to a spokesperson for the event, the line-up includes performances by Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Lalah Hathaway, Fourplay, Norman Brown, Roy Ayers, Will Downing, Kirk Whalum, Pieces of a Dream with special guest Phil Perry, Guitars & Saxes (f/ Jeff Lorber, Euge Groove, Jeff Golub and lady saxophone newcomer Jessy J) , Regina Belle, Marion Meadows and trumpeter Joey Sommerville.
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5/28/09: Grandmaster Flash
Grandmaster Flash will be honored with the Living Legend award at the Urban Music Awards USA 2009, set to be held at New York City's Highline Ballroom on July 17. According to a spokesperson for the event, more than 175,000 music fans across the world have voted online for the hip hop veteran to receive the honor. "Flash is an absolute legend and he remains an inspiration to the hip hop culture all together by flying the flag from its inception to the success it has become today," said Jordan Kensington, who is the C.E.O of Invincible Group & Founder of the Urban Music Awards. Nominees for the inaugural awards show include Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, Bobby Valentino, M.I.A, Day 26, The Dream, Estelle, Kat de Luna, Akon, Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo and Eminem.
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5/21/09: Jay-Z
Despite stepping down from his Def Jam presidency in late 2007, hip hop mogul Jay-Z has finally left the label as an artist. Rumors started surfacing online that the platinum-selling lyricist, who owed the label one last album, brought himself out of his contract for $5 million. "I can honestly say, working with Doug Morris and LA Reid has been a unique and fulfilling experience and I respect them immensely," he revealed to hip hop site Rap Radar. "I've been in the family for almost my entire career. Doug and I spoke directly and had one of the most unique 'negotiations' ever...I thank him for allowing me to be a completely independent artist. Not every artist can say they own or are given the opportunity to own all of their music."
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5/19/09: Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige recently expanded her brand by signing with The William Morris Agency. According to Variety, the diversified entertainment agency, which also represents Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Kanye West, and Prince (to name a few), will assist the Queen of Hip Hop Soul in all areas of her career including the expansion of her entertainment company, Matriarch Entertainment. This fall the Queen of Hip Hop Soul will make her feature film debut in Tyler Perry's 'I Can Do Bad All by Myself,' scheduled to hit theaters September 11. She can be heard in the trailers for the Oprah Winfrey-presented drama 'Precious,' due out in November.
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5/19/09: The Dream
Following in the veins of fellow hip hop stars DMX and Tupac Shakur, singer-songwriter The Dream is planning on releasing his second album of 2009 entitled, 'Love King.' The R&B crooner, who recently released his certified gold album 'Love vs. Money' in March, revealed to Billboard magazine that he already has seven songs in the can and expects the album to hit stores in December. "I have to pace myself 'cause there's so much time between here and then," he said, "but the seven records I do have are timeless records. Whether they come out now or later it's not really going to matter what kind of records they are." In between recording sessions for 'Love King,' fans can now catch The Dream on tour with Keyshia Cole.
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5/19/09: The Whispers
After releasing classic hits such as 'In The Mood' and 'Rock Steady,'R&B stalwarts The Whispers are set to release their first gospel album on Kingdom Records. Grammy Award-winning gospel star Fred Hammond is expected to produce a bulk of the tracks. "We've been wanting to do this for ten years," explained founding member Nick Caldwell. "God has been really, really good to the Whispers. He was looking out for us even when we were ignoring Him. He allowed us to live long enough to do this inspirational CD that we want to use to inspire people to get closer to God." The as-yet-untitled anticipated album is tentatively scheduled for release later this year.
5/19/09: Mariah Carey
On May 23, Mariah Carey is set to perform a one-hour set at the opening of the most expensive resort in Europe, The Mardan. Carey alongside legendary British soul singer Tom Jones will reportedly be paid £1 million each to perform at the exclusive £926 million Turkey development, which features five acres of fresh water swimming pools and a sunken aquarium. Actress Sharon Stone and Paul McCartney are among the many guests invited to the 560 room hotel opening.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
5/19/09: Will Downing
Overcoming his bout with the muscle disorder Polymyositis, Will Downing has set the stage to release is latest musical offering, 'Classique.' The balladeer's 14th album and second Peak Records project features his signature baritone vocals over 10 smooth-sensual tracks. Vocalist Phil Perry joins the 'After Tonight' singer for Marvin Gaye penned 'Baby I'm for Real.' Other album highlights include 'Love Suggestions,' 'More Time,' 'Something Special' and Barry White's classic hit 'I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby.' 'Classique' hit stores June 16.
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Comments: (26)
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By: "DimePiece" on 6/13/2009 7:22PM
I don't know? It is unfortunate that this violence had to occur but I hope the two of them received and continue to get support and help. People and fans aren't going to forget what happened that night. It's going to take a long time before Chris Brown's fans and the media to regain respect for him. I guess I can say the same thing for some of Rhianna's fans and the media. I'm sure, if Chris Brown goes on tour, his ticket sales will be low and his album won't sell as much? Maybe some of them won't? They both should have concentrated on their careers instead of falling in love so young. They both have issues. I am so sick and tired of seeing Rhianna EVERY WHERE! I seen her on Kayne West's new video. It looked CrAzY.
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By: molly on 6/16/2009 7:52AM
If he isn't found Guilty, there will be more women beaten up & Rhianna it will be your fault for Not telling the Truth. The Truth shall set you free and the Young Man behind the Bars. He needs to Think about what he did and that he can Never do this again. Young people look up to you; buy your records and you have a responsibility to them. You two are living High on the Hog because they buy your records & tickets to your concerts. Grow Up! Be responsibile!
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By: Tru on 6/16/2009 11:28AM
I dont condone violence on any level but its interesting to me that this whole thing seems so one-sided. I agree that no man should hit a woman, but consider that sometimes the woman can be the aggressor...im very familiar with this, and cause a situation to escalate. Everyone is painting rihanna out to be such a perfect angel, when her friends have stated that she has been aggressive with chris in the past. My point is, she should have been aware that this whole situation would get to a boiling point and have repercussions, and it became a media blitz with everyone throwing a pity party for her and serving up a crazed mob for him. Time will eventually cause all of this to subside, and frankly I can hardly wait because Im so sick and tired of hearing about it...they have moved on, lets do the same.
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By: Prince on 6/16/2009 11:06PM
oh be quiet YA'LL NEED TO LEAVE CHRIS BROWN ALONE: homeboi did something stupid,but if you look at things real good everyone is out to ruin his career by saying he did this to her and he did that and in the meantime rihanna is sitting back playing the innocent victim card knowing she had something to do with this mess: she went through the mans phone got jealous cause a unidentified female was texting him she got mad started provoking him and thats when the fireworks exploded she know whats going down she's sitting there trying to manipulate this situation about chris brown hitting knowing that she started the crap she's mad foul for that come on now look at it real good he's there trying to get his act together and rihanna is partying like there's no tomorrow stupid female that is everyone acting oh he wrong for hitting her but america can i ask ya'll one question:DID YA'LL ASK RIHANNA WHY DID CHRIS BROWN HIT HER?????
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By: molly on 6/16/2009 8:13AM
I ment Not Gulity! I screwed up! Sorry!
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By: dew on 6/16/2009 8:26AM
I didn't realize that being arrested for attempting to choke the life out of your girlfriend could qualify as 'legal drama'. Do we call repeat domestic violence 'relationship woes' now too?
I'm disgusted that anyone would stand behind him after what he did. Worse still are the deluded little girls who still proclaim their love for him; I hope to God they don't grow up to allow themselves to be beaten down by the men in their lives.
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By: leon on 6/16/2009 8:52AM
I like how you think. It's like since the situation everyone is like poor Rhianna and showing her love... So all those people who got hit songs because of Chris Brown,why aint nobody supporting him??? It's like she aint been doing nothing but trying to hook up with soemone since the situation... She just needs some attention and to me that's a problem... You get strangled let the media tell it and you right back out there trying to date again... She's sick minded and She is the one who needs help if you ask me... I say screww Rhiana and hope she gets the same badness as chris brown...
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By: scott on 6/16/2009 8:45AM
Wow how sad, this culture is really messed up. What about the next generation of young men and women? This is what you have them see? I'm glad my parents seriously took the time to teach me the right way in which I should go. I just turned 18 and graduated from high school I know better then that and your excuses are ''you didnt like her in the first place''. Disgusting people
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By: Churdle on 6/16/2009 9:29AM
LOLWUT?
Didn't Brown turn himself in the next day after Rihanna was reported to be in the hospital?
Guilty, son!
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By: MAC on 6/16/2009 9:43AM
Yeah, he's SO over this, that he actually hired a Rhianna look-alike to accompany him to the NBA Finals the other night. He's a thug, who slaps his women around, and finally got caught. He'll get off with a slap on the wrist, as do most of the celeb's, who break the law. Thankfully, I've never bought one of his CD's, and never will. Unless he's putting money away, he'll just be another washed up singer in a few years, begging for bucks on Reality TV. "I'm a Convict, Get Me Outta Here!!" sounds like the perfect show for him...
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