Archives

News Headlines Archives for July 2007

Editor's Letter: The Brother's Gonna Work It Out

July 31, 2007

For the first time in VIBE's 14-year history, a political figure graces our cover. It's time.
Music and all amusements are important to you and important to us, but it's time to turn down the speakers and pull out the ear buds - at least for right now. Music is great; it inspires us. Films can change minds. Fashion makes us feel more alive. But, really - check the clock. Do you want to feel alive? Or actually be alive?... (read more)

CBS Debuts VIBE's Obama Covers

July 30, 2007

... (read more)

Rock the Bells, Randall's Island, NY (review)

July 30, 2007

... (read more)

BARACK OBAMA, and 40 More Who Will Change the World.

July 30, 2007

VIBE is proud to announce our 14th Anniversary Juice issue, starring Barack Obama and 40 more who will change the world. For the first time in the history of the magazine, a politician graces the cover. And: The Ultimate Kanye West Mixtape. Eve's Fly New CD. Oprah on Hip Hop. 20 Stars Then & Now. The Wildest Jay-Z Party Ever. Jermaine Dupri's New Superstar. So much more.... (read more)

IT'S OBAMA TIME.

July 30, 2007

Introducing our September '07 Juice issue, starring Barack Obama and 40 more who will change the world. It's the first time VIBE has featured a politician on the front - and it's double covers! Check VIBE.com Friday, August 3, for the full transcript from our Obama interview, plus Q&As with Rev. Al Sharpton, Obama's sister Maya Soetoro-Ng, and the entire 40 stars from our annual Juice list.... (read more)

Jill Scott: Private Investigator?

July 27, 2007

Who is... Precious Ramotswe? It's the moniker of the gumshoe Jill Scott will portray in the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" - a TV movie based on the bestseller by Alexander McCall Smith. It's also the name of the soul singer's first-ever starring role, scheduled to begin filming later this month in South Africa.... (read more)

Ron Isley Fans Petition Prez for Pardon

July 26, 2007

As the sentence for Ron Isley's tax evasion charges looms, fans are petitioning President Bush to keep the ailing singer from incarceration. In 2005, Isley, who has no prior criminal history, was convicted of five counts of tax evasion and one count of failing to file a tax return. Prosecutors charge he evaded taxes by requesting cash payments for performances in the years between 1997-2002. He is scheduled to report for a three-year federal sentence August 7.... (read more)

BET Changes Title of Controversial Show

July 24, 2007

BET has changed the title of new show "Hot Ghetto Mess" to "We Got to Do Better" after drawing criticism that it was exploitative.In a statement released to the press, BET claimed:
"This week, BET will be launching a new series called WE GOT TO DO BETTER, a half-hour video clip show that, at its core, is pure social commentary.
"The show's original title was HOT GHETTO MESS: WE GOT TO DO BETTER. We've decided to change the name because we want to highlight the show's real intent, which is to offer social commentary in a context that sparks dialogue, debate, and most importantly, change.
"Additionally, the early misperceptions about the show and its title were diverting attention from the overall original programming strategy we've begun implementing at BET Networks - which is to deliver smart, creative shows that explore the full range of the Black experience. Our 2007 slate is... (read more)

Lil Wayne & Friends, New York City (review)

July 23, 2007

Wayne has grown in recent years into a gurgling non sequitur-spouting arthropod, expected to deliver a fresh freestyle with turns of phrase and little else. I say 'growth' because while his stylistic moves have been roundly resisted by doubters, he's no doubt more invested in his art than ever before.... (read more)

Lil Wayne, Ja Rule Arrested After NY Performance

July 23, 2007

Not long after Lil Wayne's first Manhattan concert Sunday night (July 22), he and fellow performer Ja Rule were arrested in separate incidents for allegedly carrying illegal .40 caliber handguns. Even before the show began, NYPD presence was heavy outside the Beacon Theater, the venue at on New York's Upper West Side where the concert occurred. ... (read more)

Katrina Survivors Take Government to Court

July 18, 2007

It's been two years since Hurricane Katrina and Rita ripped through the belly of the South, and survivors, along with various scholars and activists, are seeking to hold the US government responsible in a tribunal court hearing scheduled for this August. On Tuesday (July 17), New York City Councilman Charles Barron and former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney met at Manhattan's Center for Constitutional Rights for a press conference to discuss the upcoming trial. The tribunal will target President Bush, the US government, State of Louisiana, State of Mississippi, and various other agencies who were involved in the Katrina and Rita relief efforts. ... (read more)

Remy Ma Arrested in Shooting Incident

July 14, 2007

After being sought by NYPD for allegedly shooting a woman in the early morning hours of Saturday (June 14), Bronx rapper Remy Ma, 26, has turned herself in to police. She was accompanied by her lawyer, and arrested on charges of attempted murder, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. She pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan court and was released on $250,000 bail.... (read more)

Eddie Pinder, Emmy Winning Producer, Dies

July 12, 2007

Eddie Pinder, a beloved ABC News producer and one of a handful of African Americans on broadcast network television, has died at the age of 36. ABC World News Tonight will air a tribute to Pinder tonight (July 12) at 7 pm. Meanwhile, his ABC News colleagues have been blogging their own memories of Pinder here.... (read more)

"T.I. vs. T.I.P." Debuts at Number One

July 12, 2007

And the man stays laughing. T.I. vs. T.I.P., the fifth-album by plat rapper T.I., debuted at number one on the Billboard charts its first week, selling 468,000 copies, so says Soundscan. That top spot-grabber is a little less than the first week sales of his last hit record, King, which moved 522,000 copies. But King was propelled by the oomph of "What U Know," the monstrous DJ Toomp track that ruled 2006 with a #3 on Billboard. Meanwhile this album's single, "Big Sh*t Poppin (Do It)," debuted at #30 on the Hot 100. ... (read more)

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From the Blogs

Critical Noir

In a cultural and commercial world largely defined by the myopic pretensions of a largely invisible white male elite (the more visible they are, the (read more)
The Nappy Diatribe

Despite the fact that I'm spending this holiday season alone, perusing Craigslist with the sole purpose of finding some low self esteem having young l (read more)
Critical Noir

Marvin Sapp--"Never Would Have Made It" (from Thirsty)--with 24-hour Gospel stations populating the FM airwaves, Yolanda Adams hosting a very popula (read more)
Roses y Handcuffs

Onstage, Sunday night, at the Gibson Amphitheater, the coquettish Miss. Keri Hilson opened the "I Am Music" Tour by introducing herself w (read more)