Music: Jennifer Hudson Premiers New Video for 'Where You At'

Jennifer Hudson I Remember Me Album Cover

Vocal powerhouse Jennifer Hudson recently premiered the new video for her new single Where You At as well as her sexy, svelte new figure. The song is the first single from her second album I Remember Me set for UK release on the 25th April 2011. The video, directed by Anthony Mandler sees the songstress returning to her hometown of Chicago, where in recent years she has suffered much personal tragedy, but also drew inspiration from for the album title. The single, co-produced and written by R.Kelly flaunts Hudson's soaring vocal range over a soulful chord driven instrumental.

The singer showed her excitement about the release of her new album at  the recent Annual Essence magazine Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California when she said , "I'm excited about this album because it's almost like a renewal for me, reflected through the chapters of my life. I've called it I Remember Me because of the journey I've been on. I've learned that life constantly surprises you, no matter your plans. My fans have been so loyal, I feel like they have been on this journey with me and I can't wait for them to hear the new album."

Check out the video below:

Music: Floetry's Marsha Ambrosius drops debut album

 
 

Marsha Ambrosius debut solo album Late Nights & Early Mornings

We all fell in love with the soulful voice of Marsha Ambrosius as the singing half of the Floetry duo back in 2000 when their debut album Floetic debuted to great critical acclaim. With classics such as Say Yes and Getting Late, the album secured four Grammy nominations. The second album Flo'Ology soon followed in 2005 and with creative and personal differences flowing between them, the duo soon parted ways to pursue solo careers.

 

The former Brit School student, Marsha's debut album Late Nights & Early Mornings is destined to become a classic, set for release on the 28th February in the UK, the album will certainly propel her into the legions of the best mainstream female artists the UK has to offer like fellow Brit attendees, Adele and Jessie J. Artists and producers  featuring on the debut album include, Alicia Keys, a reunion with Dre and Vidal (producers of Say Yes), Just Blaze and Focus.

 

Since departing from Floetry, Marsha has continued to garner a name for herself not only as a singer with an incredible vocal range and ability, but as a very talented songwriter and producer, penning Butterflies for the late Micheal Jackson among other hits for artists such as Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx, Justin Timberlake and Nas to mention a few.

Marsha cites icons such as Stevie Wonder, Prince and of course Michael Jackson as inspirations for her songwriting stating that, "My pen and my point of view has a certain aggression to it because I've listened to a lot of male influenced music, which I think makes me one of the most outspoken writers out here. Sometimes as a woman you don't wanna say what's on your mind for fear of being judged. But why wouldn't I say it like that if that's how I felt?" I couldn't agree more, and this mentality has certainly worked for her as she has earned an astonishing six Grammy nominations and has also been honored by BMI as their Songwriter of the Year.

I have already pre-ordered a copy of the album which I am sure will be taking me through Late Nights & Early Mornings aplenty.

Pre-order yours now with free delivery for only £8.93 at Amazon via the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nights-Early-Mornings-Marsha-Ambrosius/dp/B0044HLA7W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298514146&sr=1-1-spell

Fashion: Italian Vogue's All Black Everything

Italian Vogue recently showcased a revolutionary spread featuring all black models in haute couture garments from a multitude of the finest designers for the February 2011 issue of the magazine entitled Black Allure. The shoot was directed by Vogue Italia's esteemed Editor-in-Chief, Franca Sozzani, who said the shoot was, "in admiration with the richness and fullness of black female beauty."

Photographed by Emma Summerton and styled by Edward Enningful the shoot pays homage to the 1920's Harlem renaissance era with finger waves, and the models draped in fringing and opulent furs. Featuring top black models such as Ajak Deng, Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, Joan Smalls, Kinee Diouf, Melodie Monrose,Mia Aminata Niaria, Alenis Sosa Pena, Rose Cordero and Sesilee Lopez. Summerton commented that, "To some people of the opposite race and maybe not fashion related, they sometime think and say, 'what is all the fuss? Why are we still talking about race?'’ They sometime say, 'enough is enough..won't we leave it alone.' Some even think it is reverse racism to care to have an all black model story or runway show. That of course is laughable."

Sozzani has continually set a presidence with black models in the magazine by previously featuring the legendary July 2008 Black Issue and July 2009 special supplement Black Barbie Issue. An all black sub-website for Vougue Italia soon followed called Vogue Black which features black beauty in all of the arts. Hopefully other mainstream magazines from the dominant countries of the world will take note and follow suit in showcasing black beauty with such great reverence. As this is by far the most beautiful fashion spread I have ever seen!

To view Vogue Black visit: http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-black 

Fashion: Channel 4 New Series - Premier Models Agency

The Model Agency premiers tonight on Channel 4 at 10pm and promises to showcase inside the offices of the leading models agency Premier Model Management to reveal the realities of life in the world's most glamorous industry. Renowned worldwide for launching the careers of top models such as Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Claudia Schiffer.The new series will follow the bookers, scouts and models of the agency during the hectic weeks of Show Season. Make sure you tune in if you love all things fashion!

Fashion: Net-A-Porter Launches Mr Porter



Junya Watanabe Two Button Jeresey Style Blazer £830



Acne Mic Rigid Straight Jeans £150



Balenciaga Leather High Top Sneakers £345



Mulberry Medium Clipper Holdall Bag £460




 

Leading online fashion portal to millions the world over, Net-A-Porter.com has launched it's equivalent in mens fashion with Mr Porter.com. Now ladies will be able to fashionably dress their gentlemen or indeed direct said gentelmen to what will certainly be the hub for all that is fashionable for men. With the ability to  shop from an edited selection of the world's best menswear designers, such as Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Burberry and Lanvin, as well as specialist brands including John Lobb, E Tautz and Lock & Co there is something to maketh an unfashionable man into a stylish man, and a stylish man into a luxurious adonis of fashion, thus there is something available for every man!

http://www.mrporter.com/





Fashion: Beyonce's Black Face Homage to Fele Kuti

Beyoncé in black face in L'Officiel Magazine

Pop sensation Beyoncé has come under fire for a black faced photoshoot paying tribute to Fela Kuti, a revered Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician and human rights activist for the French magazine  L'Officiel de la Mode's 90th anniversary issue. Adorned in full African inspired dresses and jewellery by top designers, including Gucci, Azzedine Alaia, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Lanvin, and a design by Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles.

L'Officiel set the record straight on the matter by claiming that Beyoncé mentioned the artist Fela Kuti in an interview as one of her musical inspirations and said that this was later misquoted as the inspiratio­n for the shoot. When in fact the inspiration for the shoot was conceived as using art and fashion in paying homage to African queens.

L'Officiel magazine stated, "We would like to clarify that it is not the case. As for the artistic makeup, the inspiration­n came from several African rituals during which paint is used on the face. We find the images beautiful and inspiring. L'OFFICIEL is very proud to present its March issue featuring Beyoncé. A queen, a goddess, Beyoncé is a bombshell beauty with a divine voice. We're thrilled she's opening a season of celebrating the 90th anniversary­ of L'Officiel de la Mode."

Now, one could say why not use a model such as Alek Wek with the desired black hue for the shoot, instead of blackening a light-skinned Beyoncé. Also, L'Officiel state that paint is used on the face during African rituals which is true but in my opinion, I doubt it is used in such a  'minstrelsy' inspired way by fully blackening the entire face. Equally, the songs, dances, skits, and stagecraft of the 19th century American black face minstrel shows were neither artistic, fashionable or entertaining to black people during the 19th century and it certainly is not entertaining or artistic today in the 21st century.

Obviously, these are just my opinions, let me know yours..

Fashion - Nike Dunks on High Heels



Womens Nike Dunk SB High Heels Aqua Black White Silver



Womens Nike Dunk SB Heels Low White Gold

Womens Nike Dunk SB High Heels Black Yellow

Womens Nike Dunk SB Heels Low Yellow Grey Red Gold White

Womens Nike Dunk SB High Heels Yellow Black

I'm not one for wearing any form of trainers or sneakers unless I am partaking in some form of exercise - which is a rarity! Nonetheless, Nike have realised a gap in the market and have created the Ladies Nike Dunk High Heels which are right up my high heeled loving street. When I first layed eyes on these diva-esque Dunk's, I genuinely had that Carrie Bradshaw SATC shoe fetish moment - I'm sure you have had them too when your eyes caste upon a sexy pair of shoes. These Dunk High Heel heavenly shoes would add a touch of  glam to any understated outfit such as a skinny jean and t-shirt combo - and I'm sure they will go down well with impressing the guys on the basketball court too (I wouldn't attempt dunking any balls whilst wearing them though) - it's casual street but oh so sexy! Prices range from £62.20 - £73.97.

I  will definitely be getting my hands on a pair of Dunk's pronto!

Get your Dunk's here: http://www.airyeezystock.net/nike-dunk-sb-low-heels-c-174.html?page=1&sort=20a

Sex in the City - Where's My Valentine?

All the single ladies put your hands up! Valentines Day is yet again approaching and like myself and many of my beautiful, intelligent girl friends - We have yet to find a Valentine. We shall walk past Clinton Cards and the like with the same sense of  dismay and want. Dismayed that we have yet to find an eligible bachelor and wanting an eligible bachelor to share our time with. We ask ourselves, where have all the good men gone? Don't get me wrong, we all get approached by men but not the right man. Some of us ladies have even succumb to researching ways to improve our understanding of men and most importantly our understanding of ourselves.

A book of great reference for my friends and I, which might I suggest you buy as a present for yourself this Valentines Day is Steve Harvey's 'Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man. Now, my friends and I have read and referred to said book as if it were a text book for a bachelor's degree in attracting a good man, and have attempted, with generally much success, to implement certain suggestions into our courting and more significantly, being courted by men.

In Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man Mr. Harvey discusses the three month abstinence rule - that of abstaining from full sexual relations with any man that you are dating for three whole months, if you wish for him to remain as a permanent feature in your life as your man and partner. Now, as extreme as this might

sound it will distinguish the 'Sports Fishers' from the 'Keepers'. Meaning, you will soon discover who is simply 'fishing' for many different women and who is actually looking for a 'keeper' to keep and hold onto in the long run. Once you have mastered 'Act Like A Lady Think Like |A Man, you might wish to progress to the follow up title, 'Straight Talk, No Chaser: How to Find, Keep and Understand a Man', also by Steve Harvey.

Here's hoping that with these two books in your possession by the time Valentine's day 2012 comes around, you will most likely have a 'Keeper' who is willing to or has already -  put a ring on it!

Get your Steve Harvey Valentines gifts by clicking the links below:

 http://www.amazon.com/Act-Like-Lady-Think-Relationships/dp/0061728977/ref=bxgy_cc_b_img_b

http://www.amazon.com/Straight-Talk-No-Chaser-Understand/dp/0061728993

Jessie J's Debut Album Drops in February

Island Records today announced via Twitter that the release date for Jessie J's new album 'Who You Are' has been brought forward to the 28th February in the UK! With a US release date set for the 12th April. This is great news for all Jessie J fans eager to get their hands on a copy of her debut album. I have a feeling that 'Who You Are' is sure to go down in history as one of the fastest selling debut album's to reach the number one spot!

Jessie J also revealed the new cover for the release of her next single 'Casualty of Love' which will be released Stateside on US iTunes on the 15th February.

Music - Rihanna Premiere's S&M Video

Rihanna on the red carpet

Rihanna in new S&M video

Popstar and rising fashion icon Rihanna recently premiered the raunchy new video for the fourth single release 'S&M' from her chart topping latest album 'Loud' online via twitter. The Basian starlet once again teams up with diector Melina Matsouka, who also worked on Rihanna's previous video's for 'Hard, 'Rockstar 101'' and 'Rude Boy'. The purposely shocking video, unlike anything Rihanna has ever attempted before depicts her dressed as a seductive, dominatrix in a latex bondage outfit as well as a Playboy bunny in other scenes.

With lyrics such as "Cause I may be bad but I’m perfectly good at it. Sex in the air. I don’t care, I love the smell of it,” . “Sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me.” The video is a fitting accompaniment, if not bordering on soft porn, in my opinion, but once again sex ultimately sells and the singer herself has confessed to wanting to be the black version of Madonna. Well, she's certainly on her way as this is erotica at its best!

The video however, is presently being overshadowed by reported nude pictures of the star rumoured to have been leaked by a sports star the singer dated. It might just be a coincidence or clever PR, whichever it is, it will undoubtedly harness more press for the purported kinky starlet. See the video below for yourself and let me know your thoughts.

Fashion - London Fashion Week

Matthew Williamson SS11

Peter Pilotto SS11

Ashley Isham SS11

Erdem SS11

London Fashion Week kicks off from the 18th - 23rd February, with catwalk shows from a multitude of designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Matthew Williamson, Erdem and Peter Pilotto. However, the likelihood that you will recieve invitations to such shows is second to none. But don't despair as you can grab yourself  a piece of the fashion action at the Vodophone London Fashion Weekend which is taking place from the 24th - 27th Feburary at the coveted Somerset House. This is an event you simply must attend if you want to catch a piece of the Fashion Week catwalk action, with the added luxury of discount designer shopping, beauty treatments and so much more!

You can literally shop till you drop with over 100 designer brands, from high profile labels such as Marc By Marc Jacobs, Moschino, See By Chloe and DKNY Jeans. All selling a selection of present and past season's collections along with samples and one-off designs at discounts from up to an incredible 70% off the retail price - So you can update your look from lustre to luxe for far less with entry ticket prices staring from as little as £13.

Go on book your tickets here now at http://www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk/ 

Fashion - Bag A Bespoke Burberry Mac

Burberry Cadet Trench Coat with Leather Belts

The iconic British fashion label Burberry recently announced it is to launch Burberry Bespoke - A new website that allows customers to customise their own bespoke Burberry mac. Any dedicated fashionista will already know how unique and quintessentially fashionable Burberry macs are, and with the opportunity to now create and tweak your own mac, this will surely be a welcome addition to any woman's wardrobe. I expect a virtual stampede to the site as soon as it launches! Get looking now to see what mac will be adorning your back: http://uk.burberry.com/