Posts By Bené Viera

May 18th, 2012 | 3:03 pm by Bené Viera

Serena Williams Mad Over Song Leak, Calls Out Backstabbing Friend

Serena Williams doesn’t play when she feels she’s been disrespected or stabbed in the back. Nobody is off limits (umpires included) from feeling her wrath if they cross the line. Ms. Williams is not too happy with the recent leak of her spitting rhymes in a studio, according to NecoleBitchie.com. We thought she sounded good though! In the song she raps, “I ball hard, no tennis racket.” Whether anyone likes it or not didn’t make much different to this all-star tennis player. As far as she’s concerned the track wasn’t supposed to be leaked at all.

At a press conference forthe Italian Open earlier this week a reporter asked her about the song, and Williams had some choice words for the anonymous song leaker. In the interview she said, “Well, I was in the studio with friends and I wanted to do something and so they said, ‘Do this’ and it was for me. The next thing I know — that was one or two years ago and then I read online that I was a rapper, and so my back-stabbing friends did that to me and so if I see them, I will act like a rapper — if you can get my drift.”

That sounds like a threat “if you can get my drift.” Rappers are notorious for beefing or rapping about slapping someone (or doing worse) if they feel disrespected. Don’t mess with Serena, on or off the court. With her track record, whoever this alleged backstabber is better make nice with her or it’s on.

Serena Williams Not Happy Over Leaked Rap Song, Feels Betrayed [NecoleBitchie.com]

[Photo: Getty Images]

May 18th, 2012 | 1:56 pm by Bené Viera

The Top 5 Most Anticipated Billboard Music Awards Performances

The Billboard Music Awards may not be known for scandalous surprise girl-on-girl kisses like the VMAs or interesting collaborations like the Grammys, but the 2012 Billboard Music Awards is offering performances by the hottest artists of today. Carrie Underwood, Linkin Park, Nelly Furtado and Kelly Clarkson are only a few of the A-listers hitting the stage this Sunday at MGM in Las Vegas. We’re curious to find out if BMA can pull off a tribute to the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer, in just three days. Watching how artists bring their songs to life at a major award show is always exhilarating, but here’s the five singers we’re most excited to see and why.

1. John Legend and Jordin Sparks honoring Whitney Houston.

Finally, a full Whitney Houston tribute. Jennifer Hudson did an amazing job at the Grammy Awards, but we were left wanting so much more. Thanks to Billboard, our wish came true in the form of John Legend and Jordin Sparks (who actually co-starred with Houston in the remake of Sparkle). It’s no easy feat to cover The Voice’s songs for even the best vocalists in the business. We’d love to hear the two sing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” or “How Will I Know” as they are Houston’s earlier songs that are light and fun. It was announced that Bobbi Kristina and Cissy Houston are making special guest appearances to accept awards on Houston’s behalf. Will the gospel legend sing and take everybody to church? A lot is riding on this tribute, we’re hoping they nail it. Read more…

May 18th, 2012 | 10:53 am by Bené Viera

Kanye West Taking On Filmmaking With Debut Of “Cruel Summer” At Cannes Film Festival

Falling head over heels in love with Kim Kardashian isn’t the only thing Kanye West is up to. According to MissInfo.TV, West is screening his short art film “Cruel Summer” at Cannes Film Festival in France, which is open to the public on May 24 and May 25. As if being a super producer, rapper and fashion designer weren’t enough to keep the superstar busy, he’s moving forward full throttle with his interests in filmmaking and directing. He’s taken a stab at directing before with his 35 minute video to “Runaway” from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. What exactly “Cruel Summer” will be about was left a mystery. But it’s Kanye West, so we’re confident it’s going to be an explosion of abstract art following a concept that is provocative. It will get the people going!

Per the Def Jam released press release, Kanye and his creative collective DONDA are screening the film out of competition. It promises to deliver something unlike anything we’ve seen from Yeezy before. The press release stated, “Inspired by the new G.O.O.D. Music album of the same name, CRUEL SUMMER is a fusion of short film and art installation; an immersive ’7 Screen Experience’ for the eyes and ears unlike anything West has attempted before.” If you’re in France, the RSVP details are on Mr. West’s website.

For those of us that can’t make it to Cannes, France, we’ll have to live vicariously through YouTube (at least we hope it ends up on there anyway). The possibilities of what Yeezy will do are endless. And considering he’s working on an upcoming album of the same title makes it all the more sweet. Let the “Cruel Summer” begin.

Kanye West to Debut ‘Cruel Summer’ at Cannes 2012 [MissInfo.TV]

[Photo: Getty Images]

May 17th, 2012 | 4:35 pm by Bené Viera

50 Cent Hospitalized, Cuddled Up With Stuffed Animals

Mr. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ is feeling a little under the weather. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson tweeted photos of himself lying in a hospital bed and alluded to a forthcoming surgery. According to Gossipcop.com, the rapper tweeted a series of tweets on Wednesday showing himself in a hospital gown, but he did not mention why he was in the hospital outside of the mystery surgery. Out of the blue 50 Cent took a page from Rihanna’s book and tweeted: Read more…

May 17th, 2012 | 4:06 pm by Bené Viera

Nicki Minaj Juggles Nas And Chris Brown In “Right By My Side”

So far Nicki Minaj is holding it down with the summer boo anthem “Right By My Side” featuring Chris Brown. Nicki puts aside the characters and trades in the over the top costumes for pretty frilled dresses in the the fun, hold-hands-with-your-significant-other video. Instead of going with Chris Brown as the obvious romantic interest, Nicki opts for Nas to play her leading man. The track alone instantly sparks a warm fuzzy feeling of wanting a beau “right by [your] side.” With the complement of the on screen couple showing affection through hugs and strolls walking arm-in-arm, we’re feeling a double side of warm and fuzzy. On the rocks. Read more…

May 17th, 2012 | 2:43 pm by Bené Viera

Bobby Brown Emotionally Sings About Regrets And Still Being In Love With Whitney Houston On “Don’t Let Me Die”

Whitney Houston‘s death has been an emotion roller coaster for those that loved her the most. If it’s not the Houston’s upcoming Lifetime reality show it’s salacious interviews with Bobby Brown‘s sister claiming the pop star’s death wasn’t an accident. On a brighter (but still sad) note, Bobby Brown debuted a song for Whitney on “The tonight Show with Jay Leno.” “Don’t Let Me Die” is featured on his upcoming album Masterpiece, scheduled for release on June 5. Brown details his feelings in the heartfelt tribute to his late ex-wife of 15 years. Disguised in dark sunglasses Brown sings, “I didn’t realize, every breath I took was for you, and you were my air.” Beautiful words to honor The Voice, but we don’t know if his current fiancee will think it’s so sweet.

Struggling to get the words out in what sounds more like him talking than singing, Brown reveals he has regrets from his tumultuous relationship. “I guess I messed up pretty bad,” he croons. “I didn’t know who you were, I didn’t know what we had.” Recently he rebutted the rumors that he was the cause of Whitney’s drug use in an interview with “Today’s” Matt Lauer. But he’s not denying the fact that the relationship was troubled, which we all witnessed on “Being Bobby Brown.” Emotions are high when he nearly hollers, “It’s killing me softly…don’t let me die.” Dang, Bobby. We can’t imagine the type of pain he’s in, especially since he’s admittedly living with regrets. This is a thoughtful tribute coming from an honest place. We want the reformed badboy to take some time to grieve. And while he’s doing that hopefully his fiancee doesn’t question whether or not he’s yearning for the love that once was.

Bobby Brown Song For Whitney Houston ‘Don’t Let Me Die’ [TMZ.com]

[Photo: Getty Images]

May 17th, 2012 | 12:35 pm by Bené Viera

Summer Jam Vs. Rock The Bells: Who Runs It? (POLL)

Hot 97 Summer Jam vs. Rock The Bells

Summer is fast approaching and we’re ready to bring on the BBQs, rooftop parties and most of all the concerts. What’s summer without indulging in live performances of the artists you love? Two of the biggest hip-hop concerts this summer, Summer Jam and Rock the Bells, have some acts lined up that are going to be bananas! Not that you’d go wrong attending either, but because they’re as different as night and day, we’ve broken down why one of these concerts rules as the must-see concert of the summer.

1. The headliners tell you everything you need to know about a show.

One of the biggest names in hip-hop, Nicki Minaj, is headlining Summer Jam along with Rick Ross, Waka Flocka and Young Jeezy. As far as mainstream rap, Summer Jam has it covered. With Nicki you’ll get a bit of hip-pop, Waka will make everyone dance and Rick Ross and Jeezy offer the trap anthems to make even the most suburban girl get hype.

Where do we even begin with the headliners for Rock the Bells? Its very big name acts run the gamut of the likes of Nas, Kid Cudi, Wiz Khalifa, Missy Elliott & Timbaland and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. It doesn’t get more versatile than Nas, one of hip-hop’s legends, and the fairly newbie Wiz Khalifa rocking the stage at the same festival. And Missy Elliott & Timbaland…together! That’s some epic 90s skeez right there. We’re singing, “Supa dupa fly, supa dupa fly” just thinking about it.

2. Whose lineup has the most artists hot in the streets right now? Read more…

May 17th, 2012 | 12:02 pm by Bené Viera

Donna Summer Loses Battle With Cancer, Dead At 63

Sad news to pass along today. We’ve just learned that Donna Summer has passed away at the age of 63. TMZ reports the Queen of Disco was battling cancer, but chose to keep her illness under wraps. She was in Florida at the time of her death.

Summer’s career began in the mid 70s when she met producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. Summer rose to fame in the 70s with disco hits like “Last Dance,” “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girls.” She climbed the charts with 20 Top 40 hits and 4 No. 1s: “MacArthur Park,” “Hot Stuff,” “Bad Girls and “No More Tears.”

At the beginning of her career Summer signed to European label Groovy Records creating her first album Lady of the Night in 1974. Her first American hit, “Love to Love You Baby,” was what would lead to a successful international career. In the UK “Love to Love You Baby” charted in the Top 5, and by 1976 reached the No. 2 spot on the US Billboard 100. The album of the same name sold over one million copies. “I Feel Love” from her 1977 album I Remember Yesterday led to the second Top 10 single for the Queen of Disco. Nearly a year later she landed her first US No. 1 hit with “McArthur Park” featured on her first live album Live and More. It was also her first album to top the charts at No. 1 on Billboard. Live and More went platinum becoming one of the stand out records of her early career. Read more…

May 16th, 2012 | 3:37 pm by Bené Viera

2 Chainz And Kreayshawn Play With Knives And Blood In “Murder”

If scary movies tickle your fancy you’re in for a treat with sort of new rapper 2 Chainz’s new video “Murder” featuring Kreayshawn. In all its bloody gory the video has finally arrived four months after behind the scene sneak peek photos surfaced of the video. In an odd collaboration, 2 Chainz and Kreayshawn make murder look, uh, scary. Directed by Alex Nazari, “Murder” is set in an old creepy house where 2 Chainz sits while looking at double antelope heads. Even the common act of shaving (where blood spurts from his face) looks freaky. The basement is the hub of scary artillery like huge wrenches and saws, plus the unknown substance hanging that could be someone’s guts. Ewww! Read more…

May 16th, 2012 | 2:30 pm by Bené Viera

Jill Scott Storytellers Sneek Peak: “Blessed”

Jill Scott takes the audience to church in her live performance for VH1 Storytellers’ 16th season premiere. Everyone rose to their feet for the live performance of “Blessed,” the fourth single from her No. 1 Billboard album Light of Sun. It wouldn’t be Jill if she didn’t give a positive, motherly spiel on living life before jumping into the catchy number. “You better live that life like it’s yours,” Jill said as the crowd clapped. “It’s the only one you got, and nobody else has control of it at this point.” She reveled in celebrating other women by shouting out two of the women in the front row for their trendy fashion and beautiful hair. “Make something magical happen every day if you have the opportunity,” she preached. “Like fashion, hello darling. Like hairstyles, hello darling,” she said enthusiastically.

Similar to a Baptist pastor in the pulpit on Sunday morning, Scott asks, “Are we blessed in the house tonight?” Scott coos softly about the blessings of her son. And just waking up in the morning. “Woke up in the morning feeling fresh to death, I’m so blessed,” she sings. Her incredibly talented band complemented her wide vocal range in what sounds like a mix between gospel, soul and jazz. All the while the audience is entranced, hanging on to every note. Clapping, swaying from side to side, and wanting more, it’s safe to say the crowd felt blessed to witness the greatness of Jill Scott.

Check out the full episode of Jill Scott’s VH1 Storytellers when it airs on Monday, May 21 at 11:00 P.M. ET/PT.
Read more…