Another spotlight for you all! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, producer, designer, etc., please visit our Features/Submissions page for more information to be featured on The Spotlight!

Today, we have radio hosts (and twin sisters!) Jordan and Joelle Hernandez! Since they were little, they have had a passion for the entertainment industry, snagging roles as babies! The twins were featured at six months old in a commercial for the United Negro College Fund. About about a year and a half later, they were cast as baby Sarah in Dead Presidents, starring Larenz Tate and Chris Tucker. The sisters put their auditioning to the side to focus on school, until the age of 10 when they started up again. “We were constantly traveling in and out of NYC to shoot various commercials, educational videos and magazine/catalog spreads, including the cover of New York Magazine, a Spongebob product commercial, Limited Too catalogs and Toys R Us catalogs just to name a few,” the twins said in an email interview. They also became very active in the Perth Amboy, NJ Chapter of New Jersey Orators. “As members of NJ Orators, we developed a love and skill for being in front of an audience through public speaking competitions,” Jordan and Joelle stated. In high school, they continued to pursue their love of television, getting involved in the Newscasters Club, reporting the school news on television, two or three times a week.


Inspired by celebrity hosts like Joan and Melissa Rivers as well as Wendy Williams, as well as their aunt, Toya Beasley, who has her own major radio career, Jordan and Joelle went on to study Communications at Loyola University Maryland, continuing to develop their love of entertainment and media! The sisters stated that they knew they wanted to major in Communications since the 4th grade, and Loyola was a place for them to grow even more in the field. They also cited their family obsession with award shows as being a part of the reason as well as to why they moved towards entertainment as their main focus. “Our mom would call her sisters during the awards and they would comment on the outfits, performances, winners, losers, etc., similar to how people “live tweet” awards shows now but way before Twitter!” they reminisced. After visiting Loyola in their senior of high school, they also knew that they wanted to have their own radio show focused on entertainment, which Jordan named, Double Dose of Entertainment. “I am not sure where I came up with name but it sounded good!” she said.

While at Loyola, the twins indeed hosted Double Dose of Entertainment, a weekly radio (and eventual television program) that reported on the latest entertainment news. They admitted, however, that it was quite difficult to pitch the show, to WLOY, Loyola’s radio station, which is a mainly alternative rock station that focuses on local Baltimore music with DJs instead of actual hosts. The twins wanted to play R&B/Hip-Hop music, while still having a talk show format. “They had us record two demos to see if the show would fit into the format,” the hosts acknowledged. “After handing the demo tapes over, we were allotted one hour on Friday nights from 7-8 to do the show live! During our second semester, the show moved from being one hour, to two.”

Jordan and Joelle found it hard, at first, to balance being full-time students and running their own show. “At first, researching and preparing felt like having an extra class with a consistent homework assignment,” the hosts admitted. “However, as time went on and we had a better handle on where to look for reliable news, it became a hobby rather than a chore.” As their years at the university went on, they took on more tasks, eventually becoming WLOY’s first Hip-Hop & R&B Music Directors, vetting new submissions and going through past music in the genres. “We cannot say enough about WLOY!” they said. “It will always be the home of Double Dose and we are truly grateful for the experience and the willingness of the staff to give our show a shot.” Double Dose expanded beyond radio to television during the twins’ sophomore year, with Loyola’s student-run television station, GreyComm Studios, extending an offer for the show to be brought to campus TV and their YouTube channel. “We began shooting a shorter version of the radio show weekly,” Jordan and Joelle said. “Being on television allowed us to connect to another audience as well as bring Double Dose to life through graphics and photos.”

Graduating from Loyola in 2014, the hosts received the opportunity to host Double Dose on Christian/inspirational station Yes Hour Radio at the start of 2015. Jordan and Joelle currently serve as contributors for Dream Team Magazine, which was featured on Yes Hour in November 2014. The twins were able to connect with hosts at the station, Serious and Mr. C, and send over demos of their show, which began officially in January on Yes Hour. “We cover the positive side of entertainment news,” Jordan and Joelle said. “We look to the celebrities we all know and love and focus on the good that is being done in Hollywood.” In a world where shade and messiness definitely draws in more viewers, they believe it’s important to share the positive side of the industry because there is a lot that is often overlooked! Yes Hour allows them to share the great things that celebs are doing, as well as connect with others that share their love for God and radio. They are free to be themselves doing what they love, and do a great job at it! On the show, they’ve interviewed upcoming artist Marialana, journalist Brandon Robinson, and even entertainment writer Brittany Shawnté (yes yours truly! Check out our interview here, which starts at the 39:55 mark).

In addition to working full-time and hosting their own radio show, Jordan and Joelle are also in the final stages of publishing their first children’s book, Twin Tales: Sasha and Sophie Go To School, which will be available later this year! The sisters are also co-founders of their own non-profit organization, 4 Little Souls Inc, which they started along with two of their friends about 12 years ago. “[We] saw that there were children, our age, who were less fortunate than us,” they said. “We did many fundraisers and [hosted] many community service projects through Little Souls and have helped hundreds of children in various capacities.” The organization is back in full force, with 4 Little Souls recently completing a school supply drive and winter accessory/toiletry drive! “We are gearing up for more projects in the spring and are so happy to have the privilege to continue to help God’s little souls everywhere,” Jordan and Joelle said.

Wow! I am so proud of and inspired by these two! I first met them during my time at Loyola (we’re very proud alums!), and they have beautiful spirits and are very driven towards their goals. These twin sisters are doing amazing things, and I know that they will continue to make a big name for themselves in the entertainment biz!

You can check out more from Jordan and Joelle on their website, as well as connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, be sure to check out their radio show, Double Dose of Entertainment, every Monday at 7 p.m. ET on Yes Hour Radio!
Looks like congratulations are in order! Actors Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed have officially tied the knot!

The couple was married Sunday (April 26) in Malibu, California, according to PEOPLE.  From pictures of the wedding ceremony, which was held at Topanga Canyon, the bride wore a fishtail gown with lace sleeves, while Ian's handsome self rocked an all-white suit.





The couple have been together for close to a year, and quickly fell in love. They were engaged in January, after first being spotted out as a couple in July. "What's actually I think nurtured this long friendship that we've had is that we are passionate about similar things," Nikki told reporters in February before Ian presented her with an award for her work with animals. The two are actively trying to make the world a better place together, and they actively discuss and work towards that.

Ian tweeted yesterday:

This is a first marriage for Ian and a second for Nikki, who split from American Idol musician Paul McDonald in March 2014.

Congrats to the happy couple!

Image vix X17


Queens rapper Kai Roy'al has dropped his new track "They Ain't Saying Nothing," for the listeners! The hard-hitting track speaks to all of the posers pretending to be something they're not, including some of these other rappers out.

Check out the track below!
You can keep up with Kai Roy'al on his official website and listen to his music on SoundCloud. You can also follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
"I'm not the smartest chick in the world....I don't have a PhD from Harvard. Didn't grow up with a silver spoon...see I've been test[ed] and tried, now I'm approved!" 

Some morning motivation for the women! R&B/Soul singer Finnli has released her official music video for "Beautiful Girl," an inspirational track just for the ladies!

Directed by The Last American B-Boy, the video features Finnli singing and dancing along with other beautiful women and girls as they celebrate their beauty and worth. This song was so moving and fun to rock to, so I had to share with yall this morning!

Check out the uplifting video below!




Finnli is currently working on her first debut album on AMH Music Group! She is also in the process of being scheduled to take part in BET's Music Matters. With her talent and seemingly great spirit, I'm sure she'll go far in the industry!

Be sure to purchase "Beautiful Girl" on iTunes! You can also keep up with this great singer on Facebook and Twitter!
Lady Gaga is approaching a decade in the business in a few years, and already is considered iconic!

According to ABC News, the singer will receive the first Contemporary Icon Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 18. The award is to honor a performing songwriter "who has attained an iconic status in pop culture," according to a statement from the hall.

In addition to Gaga receiving her award, Bobby Braddock, Willie Dixon, Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia, Toby Keith, Cyndi Lauper and Linda Perry are being inducted into the hall. Van Morrison will receive the Johnny Mercer Award and fun.'s Nate Ruess will receive the Hal David Starlight Award, which is given to young songwriters.

Congratulations to Gaga for this honor!

Image via Jason Merritt/Getty Images


At the beginning of the month, I had the opportunity to feature Washington D.C.'s own DJ iShine, who is set to drop a new album, The Playback Session, next week!

The Playback Session is a compilation album, which features some of DJ iShine's best work. Collaborations on the album include artists like: Jean P the MC, Thonio, DC King of Hearts, Raven Seiara, Ricky Ricardo and DJ Willie Beemen.

Check out the trailer below!







The Playback Session will be available on Amazon and other online outlets on April 28! wherever you download or stream digital music. 

You can learn and listen to more from DJ iShine on his official website as well asSoundCloud. You can also connect with him on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.
Sandra Bullock has been named PEOPLE's World's Most Beautiful Woman for 2015!

In her interview with PEOPLE for the cover, she discussed motherhood, her diet and health, and her ideas on how life should be. Her healthy diet and exercise regimen, which she stated helps keep her balanced and grounded, includes green juice and working out with Body By Simone four to five times a week. That helps her stay "balanced and grounded" as well. "I love that it's not big weights, you move the entire time, it's a torture chamber of sorts," she said of her routine. "When I started, I could barely do 20 seconds, and I'm not kidding. I'm crying on the floor, and she's like, 'Are you a smoker?' I was like, 'I hate you.'

Read more from the interview below!



Her main focus right now is being a great mom to her 5-year-old son, Louis, which constantly reminds her what's most important. "Real beauty is quiet. Especially in this town, it's just so hard not to say, 'Oh, I need to look like that,' " she explains. "No, be a good person, be a good mom, do a good job with the lunch, let someone cut in front of you who looks like they're in a bigger hurry. The people I find most beautiful are the ones who aren't trying."

The gorgeous actress doesn't take the title all that seriously though, saying that she laughed when she heard the announcement. "I just said, 'That's ridiculous,' " she tells PEOPLE. "I've told no one." Sandra will be heard in the upcoming animated film, Minions, as a super villain.

I absolutely love her. She may not really care about the title, and as legendary as she is, she doesn't need to. However, I admire her and her work so much, and she really is a beautiful woman. She seems to be beautiful on the inside too!

What do you think of Sandra being named PEOPLE's World's Most Beautiful Woman for this year?

Image via PEOPLE
Another great spotlight for you all! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, producer, designer, etc., please refer to our Features/Submissions page for more information on a feature.

Today, we have media brand Art Heart ATL! Established by Jared and Mesi James, Art Heart ATL began as an art company, which featured photographic 3D graffiti art from all over the country. “Art Heart ATL’s name represents art from the heart, created by artists such as Mesi,” Jared said of the brand’s name. “ATL signifies the birthplace of the ‘We are Culture’ movement, which is the mission of Art Heart ATL, as well as bringing education and class back to the community.”


Opportunities arose to expand the brand beyond just an art company to provide platforms for artists, entrepreneurs, and overall creatives to promote their work. Inspired by media professionals such as Diddy, Oprah, and Damon Dash, Jared and Mesi created ArtHeartATL.com to feature these talented and motivated individuals, as well as a docu-series covering a variety of topics, Art Heart ATL TV, which films from the APEX Museum in Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn District. They’ve also recently launched a global internet radio show, Art Heart ATL Live. “On Art Heart ATL LIVE, we cover topics from business, current events in the news, gossip, art, music, and fashion,” Jared said of the new show. “We aim to appeal to all races, ages, and regions.” The show is broadcast live every Friday from 6-8 PM EST, and can be heard via the Tune-IN app and CaribRiddims.com.

Hailing from Atlanta, Jared and Mesi have been inspired by their city to become more involved in their community. “The culture of Atlanta has inspired us to be involved in every aspect of art, music, and fashion within the state of Georgia,” Jared said. The brand has been received very well, and the pair has been invited to host in participate in various community events, showcases, and festivals. Some of the events ArtHeartATL has participated in include the first annual #WeAreCultureAtlanta Festival, ArtHeartATL.com Valentine's Day Giveaway with BreathofLifeDaily.com, and DJ Young Steez Presents: Art Heart ATL LIVE Artist Showcase. The brand has also served as media sponsors for the Youth Prison Prevention Conference with Desiree Lee, Charles McCree Presents: Walk A Mile In My Shoes charity shoe drive, and KCamp's Kampsgiving Charity Concert.

Always growing, Jared and Mesi James established James &James, LLC, which serves as the parent company for ArtHeartATL.com, RAWPassionPhotography.com, and KristinsDollhouse.com. They are currently working with others to begin production on the second season of Art Heart ATL TV and other events, as well as features on artists for ArtHeartATL.com. They work hard to balance everything, efficiently delegating tasks and keeping organized, and it works very well for them!

The plan is to grow Art Heart ATL brand into a household name, not only in Atlanta but worldwide. “We are seeing syndication and elevation in the near future. We will cover every aspect of the media industry with this brand!” Jared said. “We hope to make a difference in the community by encouraging entrepreneurship and creativity. We also hope to promote and bring exposure via our platform, which others will benefit from.” I definitely see this brand growing and reaching even greater success in the future. Definitely inspiring to see others in the media industry doing big things!

Be sure to check out the official website for Art Heart ATL and check out Art Heart ATL TV for great programming and intriguing topics. You can also follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates and events for Art Heart ATL! 
Oh my Lanta! This Full House reboot is really happening!

John Stamos announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live! late Monday (April 20) that Netflix has ordered a 13-episode season of Fuller House, a continuation of hit series Full House! Under Warner Horizon Television, Miller-Boyett Productions and Jeff Franklin Productions, the reboot is set to hit Netflix in 2016!

Check out the announcement below!






The series centers around D.J. Tanner (Candace Cameron-Bure), who plays a pregnant veterinarian widowed with two sons. She raises them along with her sister and aspiring singer Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and best friend Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber), who is also a single mom. They all will live together, and have some crazy adventures I'm sure, much like the original plot of Full House.

John himself is set to produce and guest star in his role as Jesse Katsopolis. Netflix also has stated that the company is in discussions with Dave Coulier (Joey Gladstone), Lori Loughlin (Rebecca Katsopolis), Ashley Olsen (Michelle Tanner), Mary-Kate Olsen (Michelle Tanner) and Bob Saget (Danny Tanner) regarding guest appearances. "If we can't get the Olsen twins, we're gonna dress you up," John jokingly said to Jimmy.

I can pretty much bet that the Olsens won't be coming on. The last actual acting I've seen from either one of them was Mary-Kate in the movie Beastly, and that was back in 2011. So I'm not holding out much hope on seeing either of them. However, I am excited for this reboot! Watching reruns of Full House as a kid was always funny, and I'm sure that this show will be too.

Are you excited for Fuller House

Image via Hypable
A music video for you all this morning. Check out the visual for "Cherish," from singer Dejah!

Shot in Miami, the video features Dejah cleaning and taking care of her man, but he is completely unappreciative of her! "Cherish," produced by Isaac "Isosik" Johnson, opens up the lack of appreciation and love shown in relationships (on both sides honestly). This song was created in the hopes that "listeners walk away feeling empowered and hopeful of true love that will come to recognize their importance and allow them to value their qualities." I hope it does that for someone! 

Check out the video below!



I love Dejah's voice, and the work that went into this video from the actual story to the fashion and location choices. This video and song really pushes a valuable lesson: cherish what you have while you have it people!

You can check out more from Dejah on her official website, and listen to more of her music on SoundCloud and YouTube! You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
This season of Being Mary Jane has definitely held my attention, and last night's two-hour season finale had my eyes glued to the TV! Picking up from last week, Mary Jane has an interview with Don Lemon at CNN about her rant with author Elizabeth Foy, where she called the woman "an ugly black woman." MJ claims that this "ugly black woman" title isn't dependent upon race, gender, or sexual orientation, It's about shedding light to those whose stories do not matter. She plans to continue to use her show to showcase these stories.

Afterwards, Mary Jane gets a call from PJ, who tells her that Mama Helen has been bragging about how MJ's all over the TV. There's even a new autotuned song that has gone viral (of course)! Literally, this interview is EVERYWHERE, and everyone has an opinion, good and bad. When she gets to the station, there are even supporters with signs there to welcome her and get her autograph! Mary Jane clearly loves the attention. Cynthia, who currently is in the primetime slot, is waiting in her office to talk. Turns out that Cynthia wasn't sick that day that MJ filled in for her. The executives at SNC told the woman to take a few days sick leave. Cynthia expresses that she feels that the network is using Mary Jane to push her out.  MJ doesn't agree that that's going to happen, but Cynthia doesn't feel like she's sincere or really concerned.


After her show, Mary Jane talks with Kara, who wants to talk about Cynthia. However, they are both asked upstairs by Greg and a higher up, Cheree, to talk about the viral impact of the interview. Cheree is very happy about the exposure to the network. She tells them that the decision has indeed been made to fire Cynthia, and to have MJ and Kara replace her on primetime in two weeks. Kara is excited, though MJ looks a little apprehensive. Cheree then asks for a moment alone with Mary Jane. Cheree commends MJ on her style, but tells her that some people will be threatened by her. This is still a business, and when it comes to primetime, MJ is told that she will have to tone down the "all-black agenda," from her show. To an extend, I understood. This is a primetime show, with a wider demographic, and the stories need to cater to a majority. However, again, you can tell Mary Jane isn't sure about this, but she will keep the offer in mind. After MJ leaves the office, Greg comes back in, and Cheree tells him he needs to keep her on a short leash. They plan to ride her popularity for as long as they can, and if it doesn't work out, they'll find someone else.

Afterwards, Kara and MJ talk about the conversation. They know they're being used, but Kara says they need to use this opportunity to get to where they want to be. However, Mary Jane feels like she's finally doing work she's proud of. She feels like she'll be stifled on primetime, which is true. Right now, other opportunities are coming for her from book deals to speaking engagements, and she wonders if this is right for her. MJ plans to think everything through, determined to make the best decision for both her and Kara.

That night, Mary Jane has dinner with Sheldon, and she tells him about the job offer and that she feels like she's selling out. Sheldon himself has planned a very nice dinner with candles everywhere and music softly playing. MJ laughs at the fact that he even brought out foreign films, feeling like he's playing a game to get her in bed. She says that this may impress 25 year olds, but not for someone her age, and calls him corny, which upsets him. I was so mad at her! He did something very nice yet simple, and Mary Jane blasted him for no good reason. Girl, you ought to be happy somebody is putting in any effort with you! Over this past two seasons, you haven't had that at all, and now it's "corny?" Okay, Mary Jane.

Back at Mary Jane's house, Mark scolds her for acting like that. Mark talks about his first experience with a guy, who laughed at him when Mark got naked. In that moment, the guy realized he wasn't gay and freaked out. That situation upset Mark badly, so he knows exactly how Sheldon feels. Mark tells her that she should reach out to Sheldon soon, because the more time that passes, the harder it will be for them to recover.

Meanwhile, Kara goes to visit her parents in New York, after a cryptic call from her mother. Kara asks her mother what's really going on. Apparently, her father wants to sell their house, and move to a condo. Her sister Lily wants them to sell as well, arguing that this house is falling apart. The sisters argue back and forth for a minute, but then make up. Kara's father, meanwhile, is way too into the game on TV, making me think that he's in deep with some gambling debts.

At work that night, Mary Jane struggles to come up with the right text to Sheldon to apologize. Mark tells her that she's trying too hard, and ends up writing for her, saying simply that she was wrong and she's sorry. Meanwhile, Kara talks to her father, stating how they are a lot alike, obsessed with winning and thinking that they can do everything by themselves. Kara tells him to give her a number to help him, knowing that he's gambling. It turns out he already signed over the deed to the house! He's been paying rent to someone else, pulling from their savings so Kara's mother wouldn't find out, but that's almost gone, which shocks Kara.

In the bathroom, MJ bumps into Cynthia awkwardly. Cynthia has found out that she has been fired, and harbors some resentment towards Mary Jane for it obviously. Later, at the end of the first half of the finale, Mary Jane and Kara talk about Kara's family situation. Kara can't afford to pay that rent, but she would do anything for her parents. Mary Jane did indeed decide to take that primetime slot, which will definitely help Kara a little bit with the bump in pay. Meanwhile, MJ gets a simple thank you from Sheldon from her text, which drives her crazy. She ends up going to his house, and admits how she felt and apologizes again. Sheldon tells her kind of coldly that he'll call her tomorrow.

*******************************************************************************

In the second part of the finale, Mary Jane wakes up to her alarm going off in the house. She gets a call from ADT, and is scared to death. The police come, and it looks like the kitchen window alarm malfunctioned, but it still freaks MJ out. She calls Sheldon to ask to come over, and he obliges. Before she came over, he was reading some love letters between slaves, and she looks through them. She feels like he should exhibit them, which he is actually planning. She climbs into his bed, but he leaves her, wanting to finish reading the letters. The next morning, as he makes her breakfast, she asks if they are in a relationship, to which he responds that he has been operating as if they are. That night, as Mary Jane still stays with Sheldon, she gets a call from Valerie, asking if David has called. Turns out David's longtime dog had to be put down, which throws Mary Jane a lot, because she knows David is devastated. Sheldon actually encourages her to call and check on David, but Mary Jane doesn't feel like it's her place. After finding out that Sheldon got rid of her toothbrush that she kept at his place, she finds a bunch of different toiletries in his cabinet, as if he prepares to have girls over! It throws her for a serious loop, but she doesn't say anything.

At the station the next day, Cynthia comes into Mary Jane's office angry, stating that the higher ups at SNC won't let her leave with dignity. They want her to do a taped sign-off for her final show, feeling like she'll probably go off in a rant if she were to do it live. The woman is entirely frustrated with the fact that she's losing her job, and tells MJ that she has no idea what she signed up for, but she will soon see.

At the Patterson house, Helen makes a speech in celebration of PJ's graduation and his job offer in Los Angeles, showing that PJ has decided to do the bid rigging anyway. Patrick's daughter Naime (who we barely see) and her boyfriend Kenny announce that they are newly engaged and will be moving to North Carolina with their family to pursue new jobs. Patrick is a little upset that his daughter is leaving, and Niecy is a little thrown too. Meanwhile, Lisa, who was sitting at the celebration the whole time, and MJ have a brief, awkward conversation in the kitchen, with Lisa congratulating MJ on the primetime spot. I'm honestly not sure if they will ever repair their friendship, or if there was ever really a true friendship to repair.

Later, Mary Jane manages to essentially break into Sheldon's house and make herself at home, which Sheldon isn't really feeling but he doesn't say anything. That night, Mary Jane pees in the bed from stress, which is so embarrassing! She wakes Sheldon up, and as they change the sheets, Mary Jane expresses that she thinks it's about the dog and David. Sheldon tells her she needs to call him. He feels like if she doesn't deal with this, it's going to start affecting their own relationship. He's a little irked by the fact that he's changing his sheets, too. He seems like the type that likes his space, and things in order, so I can only imagine what he thought when he woke up to find MJ had peed in the bed!

The next day, at the Patterson house, Helen has a brief conversation with Niecy, letting Niecy that she will figure out her life. Niecy is clearly upset that she hasn't worked her own life out yet. It's hard to see people move on with their lives when you feel stuck, but she will figure it out.

That night, Sheldon congratulates Mary Jane on negotiating her primetime deal, and also getting
Cynthia a sign off. She asks about him throwing out her toothbrush, and he tells her he likes things a particular way. "Housing her toothbrush" symbolizes cohabitation, which he isn't down with. Turns out he doesn't want to get married or have kids either, which pisses Mary Jane off, because he knew that she wanted kids from watching her go through the egg freezing story. He thought that he could introduce and warm her up to his lifestyle, but obviously not! They end up getting into an argument back and forth about their dating situation, with Mary Jane admitting that she doesn't want to waste her time. He starts talking about how they could maybe get condos on two different floors, or some kind of compound and live on separate sides. He wants them to want to be together, and not feel obligated to do so, but Mary Jane is not feeling his ideology. She refuses to settle and walks out, and I applaud her!

When Mary Jane gets home, she calls David and gets his voicemail, and leaves a simple message for him offering her condolences about the dog. On her final show, Cynthia gives her sign off, as Kara and MJ celebrate with champagne. Later, Lisa drops off some things to David, and they chat a little bit happily.

As Mary Jane gets ready to leave work, she gets a call from Sheldon again congratulating her. He also apologizes because he knew what she wanted, but thought he could show her his way. However, she doesn't want him to apologize. MJ recognizes that she may not get married or have kids, but she does know that she wants to at least wake up to someone every day with her toothbrush still there. She tells him goodbye for good. I was SO proud of her! Probably crazy to be that proud of a fictional character, but I really was! Mary Jane has been settling for a while now, I think out of fear that she won't find anyone else that's good out there. Now, she's starting to realize that relationships mean nothing if her standards aren't met, and I'm glad that she's refusing to back down. No, you don't get everything you may want in a relationship, but you ought to have some set standards, and it's nice to see her sticking to them.

Back at his house, Lisa  opens up about her fight with Mary Jane, and admits that she herself suffersfrom depression but has been seeing a good therapist. However, she also says that David is a trigger for her, because of her feelings for him. She wants to be honest with Mary Jane about it, as well. As they're having this conversation, David ends up butt dialing Mary Jane, who hears everything! Lisa talks about how she and David had oral sex, and Lisa took care of him when he and MJ broke up. She was the one who told him about about the sperm, and she even gave him $50,000 as an investment in his company. In shock of it all, Mary Jane ends up crashing her car, and it looks very, very bad!

I don't know what's going to happen in season three, but I'm mad I have to wait until next year to find out!

What did you think of the season 2 finale of Being Mary Jane?

Images via BET
Wanted to share an upcoming fashion event, specifically for my Philly readers and those in the surrounding areas! Philadelphia-based fashion designer Milan Rouge of Milano Di Rouge apparel line presents, "The High Road," a luxury street-wear fashion showcase revealing Milan's Spring/Summer collection.

Via Our Diverse PR: "Guests should expect an evening of high-energy vibes and aesthetics as models strut this year's hottest trends from the popular line." You're invited to attend and rub elbows with socialites from New York to Atlanta as we celebrate the evolution of Milano Di Rouge - a collection that guarantees to push the limits of sex appeal for fashion lovers world wide."

Check out more about the event below!







When: Sunday, April 26, 2015 | 6-10 PM
Where: Skybox Studios | 2424 E York St. Philadelphia, PA 19125
Price: $40 for General Admission; $80 for VIP
Attire: Dress to Impress
Tickets can be purchased online- http://tinyurl.com/qffk62q or call 215-688-6847 to pickup.

The event is sponsored by Uber, Miss Jessie's, Belaire Rose, Cerebellum Water, iBeard, Mia & Me Catering and Our Diverse PR. 

Milan has been doing great things in fashion, and this collection will definitely be great to check out. Celebrs spotted in Milano Di Rouge include Meek Mill, Chris Bosh, B.Y. Jennings, Angela Simmons and many more. Be sure to check it out if you can!

Another music video for you all tonight! Back in October, I had an interview with NY rapper G5 Elz. The artist released his visual for single "X Drive" back in December, and I wanted to share with you all. Directed by Travito of LiveAction Creative Group, the video features G5 in his native streets surrounded by his crew, just rhyming and on chill vibes.

Check out the visual below!







You can connect with G5 Elz on Twitter, and hear more of his music on YouTube and Soundcloud!
Singer/actress Coco Jones, known for her role in the 2012 Disney Channel film Let It Shine, has released a new music video for her latest single "Let 'Em Know!"

In the video, which premiered on Billboard this week, we see Coco's smooth dance skills and mature look. Though she is 17, she is branching away from that "child star" title, and making her way as a more mature artist in the industry. The song itself, produced by Thaddeus Dixon, showcases her strong and confident vocals, and is definitely a banger! This is her first project since splitting with Hollywood Records, as she branches out as an independent artist.

Check out the video below!



I really like this song, and, like I said, Coco's vocals are amazing! It's a strong way to come out as an indie artist. Working on getting her story featured on The Spotlight, so be on the lookout!

You can learn more about Coco on her official website. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!


Happy Friday y’all! Excited to have another spotlight for you today! As always, if you or your client are interested in being featured on The Spotlight, visit our Features/Submissions page for more information.

Today, we have pop/R&B artist and designer Axel Jordan! Originally from Brooklyn, NY, the singer was raised by a single mom along with his brother and sister. Though he learned the importance of being kind and respectful, and doing his best in whatever he did, Axel acknowledged that creativity and expression weren’t a part of his upbringing. However, he still knew in his heart that singing and performing was what he was meant to do. “My family didn't understand it because it went against everything they knew but I did it anyway,” he said. “I sang. When nothing else made sense, I sang.” Axel joined the choir at school, and never looked back.

Growing up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant (“Bed-Stuy) neighborhood of Brooklyn, Axel admitted he “stuck out like a sore thumb” but learned to use that to his advantage. “It allowed me to understand I was different and trying to fit in would never work,” he said. “It allowed me to follow my instincts at an early age.” Axel uses that ideology in his music today, determined to simply be himself instead of a manufactured copy.

Axel dropped his debut album, Shine, in October 2014, which is a great piece of work! “This album is about my honesty—growing up, falling in love, falling out of love and all the in-betweens,” he said. Recorded in both New York and LA, the album details Axel’s own life experiences. He couldn’t bring himself to choose a favorite track, stating that they are all pretty special to him in their own ways. “When I wrote Shine, it was in a moment when I felt my strongest after feeling very lost and insecure for a long time,” the artist said “The lyrics and emotion are truthful in expressing that. I like to think that every track has that strength and honesty factor.” You can purchase Shine on iTunes now. Check out a few tracks from the album below!





In addition to his music, Axel is also very involved in the fashion world, and has launched a custom clothing line SHANE by AxelJordan! Fashion was always something the singer was interested in, but he confessed that he was being taken seriously by other designers for requests for clothes for his own shows and appearances. Instead, he started making his own clothes himself. “In the beginning, I struggled a bit, messed up a lot of fabrics but eventually, I got pretty good at it,” Axel said. “And like any craft, when you give it time and dedication, it develops and grows.” His pieces are truly creative and daring, which is exactly what he going for. “I wanted my clothing to be loud, to make a statement,” the artist declared. “My clothing is about one’s ability to be free, inspired, bold and truly confident.”

Axel’s main focus right now is promoting his album. However, he admits that “as a creative mind, the wheels are always turning,” so there will definitely be some new projects on the way from this great creative! In terms of what sets him apart from other artists, Axel believes it is his individuality, creativity, and difference of expression with his life circumstances. He hopes to continue to grow and expand his platform as both artist and designer.

You can check out more from Axel on his official website, and listen to more of his music on SoundCloud and YouTube. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!



The third season of Orange Is The New Black is a few months away, and we have finally gotten a full look of what's to come!

Check out the trailer below!









Alex Sause is officially back at Litchfield (thanks to Piper), and it looks like we have a few new faces, including one who might have eyes for Piper. Plus, Crazy Eyes is writing some STEAMY literature! There will be great drama, laughter, and tears, and I CAN'T WAIT!

The entire third season of the show will be available to stream on Netflix on June 12! And I plan on shutting myself away from the world that weekend to binge. #SorryNotSorry.
It's hard to believe that this season of Being Mary Jane is almost over. It went so fast! Picking up from last week, Mary Jane has another night with her cutty buddy Brandon! They watch a foreign movie, which quickly turns to sex. Afterwards, they talk about the fact that he wants to stay in the NFL though he's been released from his team, instead of going to school or another country to play. Brandon asks MJ about Sheldon, joking about the fact that Sheldon's old. He also reminds her that it's not in their arrangement to have sex with other people while they are involved, though part of me doubts that he hasn't been sleeping with other women. However, it seems like this friends with benefits thing is working out nicely for them.


The next day, MJ goes shopping, where her favorite saleslady pries into her personal life, Turns out the girl is in law school, and knows Sheldon! Not too long after meeting at the store (Sheldon had the girl try on clothes for another woman he was dating at the time), the two began dating themselves. However, things got weird because he purposely wouldn't have orgasms during sex, and he would never let the girl stay the night. She says that he normally dates young girls, too, which throws Mary Jane off.

The next day at work, Mary Jane speaks to a gardener, Ron Finley, who plants food for healthy eating in poorer communities in Los Angeles. Though they have a good discuss, Kara tells Mary Jane after the interview that she didn't dig deep enough. fter the interview, To Mary Jane, good journalism isn't just about interrogation, but Kara feels like this story was advocacy, not journalism. She gives MJ examples of questions she should've asked to kind of push back to get more answers and clarification, The way Mary Jane looked, she knew that Kara was telling the truth a little bit.

Meanwhile, Paul, Jr. speaks to his prime investor, who pulls out of his retirement community deal after he admits that he lost David. She tells him of a new stadium in Inglewood, and asks him to be a project manager and oversee purchases of foreclosed homes. He is to acquire properties from the lowest price point, basically rigging bids, which is illegal. She offers $25 million for him to do it, though he risks jail time. It's a lot of money, and PJ looks like he may actually be considering it.

Later at the station, Kara comes into the conference room where Mary Jane is working to talk about how she's been feeling. She thinks MJ pushed her out of something that was theirs from the beginning. They clicked from the very beginning, but, lately, they've been fighting way too much,  Kara admits she wants to go after what she wants, and not let their friendship fall apart in the process. She doesn't know if SNC is the right place for her anymore. Kara doesn't plan to leave right now, especially since she doesn't have anywhere to go. She thinks it's time though, which brings tears to MJ's eyes. It was a conversation that needed to be had, though. In the same way that Mary Jane is trying to forge a new path and decide what she wants now, Kara needs that too.

Later, Sheldon and Mary Jane go on a date, and MJ is very cold towards him. She opens up about her conversation with the salesgirl. Sheldon admits that he did used to date 20-somethings because of their flexibility and availability. He didn't want anything serious, because he was focused on his career. In terms of holding back on orgasming, he says it keeps him aroused longer. Though it was a clear-cut explanation, Mary Jane still isn't happy about it all. She probably feels like he'll do the same to her, or get rid of her for a younger model.

The next day, Valerie and Lisa have lunch, and talk about Lisa's relationship with Mary Jane. Lisa feels like people thinks she's crazy, and that she's drowning, and nobody wants to save her in fear of going down with her. She claims to want everything out in the open (more secrets?!), but Valerie doesn't believe that's the way to go. Something more is definitely going on there, and I cant wait to find out what!

At the station, Kara tells Mary Jane that Cynthia from the primetime show called in sick, and the higher ups are considering Mary Jane to fill her slot for the night! It's a huge deal! Kara then takes back everything from the night before, and they get happy again! Mary Jane preps for the show, but is visibly nervous.

During the show, Kara tells her that she's doing great, and they are both so hyped yet nervous still! However, everything goes left when Mary Jane has an interview with author Elizabeth Foy about her book regarding public and private schooling. Mary Jane brings up the fact that the publishing company may be racist, which leads to a big on-air confrontation between the two of them. and I'm completely taken aback. This was really supposed to be a simple interview, but Mary Jane took it too far. Kara tries to have her back on this in the production room, but there's no way this is going to be okay. Afterwards, MJ and Kara just sit, refusing to look at emails or texts. There's definitely going to be a fall out later on with this.

Meanwhile, at the Patterson house, Paul, Sr. comes in with a job opportunity with a base salary for PJ, which will get him started in his field the right (and legal) way. However, PJ says that he doesn't know if it's right for him, clearly still thinking about that bid rigging deal he was offered earlier in the episode.

Back at home, Mary Jane calls Kara, who tells her that nobody has called about the interview yet, and that they will deal with whatever comes in the morning. Sheldon calls moments later, saying that she can't shut him out in situations like this. He didn't want MJ to find out about him that way, but says that she's unlike any woman he's ever dated. He wants more in their relationship, and that's a first for him. Meanwhile, Brandon drops by, and they both agree to pull back from their situation, especially since MJ thinks things might get serious between her and Sheldon. Sheldon's past is no longer an issue to her, but she wants things to go slow, which he agrees to.

Make sure you watch the TWO-HOUR season finale of Being Mary Jane will air next Tuesday, April 14 at 9 p.m. ET only on BET! 

Images via BET

Another great spotlight for you all! Be sure to check out our Interviews section to see more of the great up and coming stars that have been featured here!

Today, on The Spotlight, we have Toronto-based singer Deniz Reno! Coming from a family of visual artists and sculptors, Deniz has always been surrounded by wonderful creativity and artistry. Also, living in Central Asia for the first 10 years of her life had a strong impact on her life and music. “I’m influenced by my Eastern European roots, my Middle Eastern roots, my Asian roots,” the singer said. “These cultures have always been very rich in musical talent.” She also listened to a variety of artists and genres through her parents including Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Dassin, Whitney Houston and Janice Joplin.

At a young age, Deniz herself became involved in the visual arts, winning competitions and showing her art in galleries. She acknowledged, however, that others in her family knew she would be a singer long before she ever did. Her aunt showed her old tapes back when she was only a few weeks old, of her lying down and humming melodies, and her dad stated that she was going to be a singer. “I found that absolutely wild, especially knowing that the decision to sing and write professionally didn’t come naturally to me,” Deniz admitted. “There was a lot of second guessing and back and forth. Meanwhile, it’s like it had been decided for me way before I was even aware of it.”

To keep her well rounded, Deniz’ parents sent her to a school to concentrate specifically in music and dance. She began playing the flute and singing in the choir as a youth, eventually joining a show choir in high school. “We used to perform and compete with other show choirs in the States, winning silver and finally gold,” Deniz said. “At this point, I realized that singing was something I wanted to pursue professionally.” At the age of 15, Deniz flew to New York, and afterwards wrote her very first song, titled “New York City.” “I think I must have channeled some energy into it back then, because I still love playing it. It’s still one of my favorite songs,” the singer reflected. From there on, it was clear that this soulful singer was truly meant to make music.

In addition to her blended roots in music mentioned above, the singer is also influenced by Western jazz, soul and pop music, and by artists like Sting, India Arie and Fiona Apple. Her all time favorite artist, though, is Ray Charles, who she states she can listen to every day for the rest of her life. “To me, he epitomizes music, and the beautiful struggle to be able to create it and share it with the world.” Deniz’ eclectic taste in music shows in her own soulful and creative sound.

Deniz released her debut song “Higher” in 2013, which was she wrote after a trip to Cuba. “I remember sitting up in my bedroom looking out on the veranda and the rays of sun penetrating through my window,” the singer reminisced. “I just felt so happy and grateful for everything in my life, and I think ‘Higher’ embodied my emotions at the time. It was like a little prayer.” She gave the song to Russian DJ Matvey Emerson to play around with, and he created a great melody for the song, which made a big splash after being signed to Armada Records through its sub label Planet Love. With the assistance of Myon, Shane 54, Marcus Schossow and Paul Oakenfold, Deniz was able to co-produce a music video for the track. Directed by Planet Love’s owner and producer York and cinematographer Anderson Andrew in Antigua and Barbuda, the video was used throughout Canada in ads for Canada Philippine Fashion Week in support of the Kol Hope Foundation for Children.


Currently, Deniz is working on her full solo record. Last year, she was blessed to meet and begin working with Mike Schlosser of Little Noise Records in Toronto. “What started out as one song to just see if we can write together quickly turned into two, three and we are indeed working on something very exciting that in due time I can’t wait to share with my audience,” the singer said. While Deniz didn’t reveal a release date, it’s definitely a project that she’s excited about and will be sharing with everyone very soon.

In addition to that record, Deniz will be featured on the Bang Boom EP with production duo Micah Sherman and Oliver Schmitz, which will drop this month courtesy of Indiana Tones Records (in Switzerland). She has also signed to do another EP that will be set for release later this year, as well as an upcoming collaboration with producer and DJ Patrick Podage. Deniz is definitely busy!

In terms of what sets her apart from other artists, it’s definitely Deniz’ strong knack of channeling emotions through her music to relate to listeners. “I reach out to people through my music and invite them into my life through sound and lyrics,” she said. “In retrospect, that’s what every performer does, but each one of us does it in a way that’s unique to our experience and skill.” She also made it a point to actually learn the business side of this industry early on through an internship with Sony Music, which gives her a leg up on other artists fresh in. “After having that experience and seeing how things work behind the scenes, I have been very proactive in not just making music but being very aware what it takes to deliver my music to a wider audience,” Deniz stated. “Many artists resent or simply don’t know much about the music business, but I’ve found a way to stay true to my art and make friends with the business side of it without sacrificing my integrity as an artist.” She goes after what she wants, and gets her tasks done, and done well, which people see and respect.

In the future, Deniz wants to be able to grow as an artist, songwriter, and producer, taking her current work to a global level. “I want to show people who dream of having a career in the arts that, with a certain belief and tenacity, it’s possible to achieve your goals without compromising your integrity artistically, emotionally or physically,” the singer said. “I’d like to think that what I do and how I do it inspires people and I’d love to be able to do that on a global scale, to give others opportunities to see their dreams come to fruition.”

You can learn more about Deniz on her official website, and hear more of her music on SoundCloud and YouTube. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


Wale released his fourth album, The Album About Nothing, on March 31, which you KNOW I copped (three physical copies with the different covers plus the digital version from iTunes...no games here). I contemplated long and hard whether or not I was going to review this album. As a huge supporter of his, I knew that this album was going to be different, and I partly just wanted to enjoy him telling his story. As an entertainment blogger, I felt obligated to share my thoughts on the album. I decided to sit with the album this week, and THEN review (I mean, as J. Cole said, "1 listen reviews are fxcking up hip hop."). For lyricists like Cole and Wale, you need to really study their work to truly understand, so I did.

Using a Seinfeld theme, as used in previous mixtapes The Mixtape About Nothing and More About Nothing, Wale incorporates dialogue from the show, as well recorded conversations between him and Jerry Seinfeld himself! The album features production from DJ Dahi, Pro Reese, No Credit, Ayy Dot, and more, as well as vocals from stars like J. Cole, SZA, and Usher. I literally haven't stopped listening since the album's release. Honestly, I was impressed, the most impressed I've ever been by any of his studio albums. The vulnerability and expression is on another level on TAAN, and that is impressing many people, beyond just his fans.

Check out more of my review below!



Olu doesn't hold back at all from the beginning. He goes in on "The Intro About Nothing," explaining the concept of this album. The album goes through a variety of topics, seemingly about nothing, but it's everything at the same time. This project is Wale's self reflection on his personal life and career, with Jerry acting basically as his conscience throughout the album (and seemingly in real life).

On a good portion of the album, Wale opens up on how he feels about where he is in his career. He is getting to the point now where he is beyond irritated from the lack of respect from others for his work and contribution to the hip hop culture. He wants to be allowed to grow, and demands understanding from everyone, including even his fans. "They like, 'You stuck with us, cause you let him fly,' / Swear this life is like a helium balloon, I'm sorry, but I gotta fly," he raps on "The Helium Balloon." He refuses to be held back by anyone from growing in his career, making the music he wants to make, regardless of who may accuse him of selling out since signing to Maybach Music Group. This is in direct response to those fans who say they miss "the old Wale," when, in all actuality, Wale's lyrical content hasn't died one bit. Regardless of what people feel, the rapper knows that he has done pretty well, opening up on his accomplishments on "The Success," and telling haters "fxck you, leave me alone" on "The Middle Finger." He admits on the track too, that he was suffering from depression and taking drugs just to stay awake and work.  He also admits on "The Glass Egg" that it's hard to balance his stardom with the material things along with friends and women. It's hard to know who to trust, especially with people constantly hounding him for opportunities. These songs help to explain why Wale has snapped as much as he has.

Wale's incredible story telling and metaphors shine on the album as well. "The Girls on Drugs" is a prime example. First appearing on Wale's Festivus mixtape late last year, the track made the album, after some serious work for sample clearance of Janet Jackson's song "Go Deep." A continuation of "90210" from Attention Deficit, Wale tells a vivid story of women using drugs to mask pain, insecurities and other issues, specifically within the industry. However, this is a true life story that exists with every day people, as well. "The White Shoes" is another song that connects the shoe culture with vanity in today's society, but serves also as an inspirational track for listeners. In spite of others who may judge, he lets them know that everything will be all right, using the "white shoes" as a symbol of happiness and confidence in oneself.

"The God Smile" is probably my favorite track on the album. It's Wale's proclaimed "Moonz Anthem," where he lays out his plan to continue shining for his home area, the DMV, but also plans to bring others together to make an even bigger impact than if they were to all shine individually. The rapper plans to continue to "illuminate" in the midst of darkness, as does a moon, and he knows that his core fans will be there, no matter what ventures he goes into.

Another stand out track on TAAN is "The Pessimist," featuring J. Cole on the hook, where Wale speaks candidly on black culture, and how, looking around, it admittedly has him feeling hopeless about where we're headed sometimes. We hear his views on issues in the black community, from police killings of innocent blacks, to black on black crime, to situations leading to incarceration and even blacks' mostly negative representation on reality TV. It's one of those tracks that can be a great conversation starter, as well as a catalyst to actual change if people truly pay attention.

Another great track on the album to listen to is is "The Need To Know" featuring SZA. The sultry song, which samples Musiq Soulchild's "Just Friends" on the hook, speaks on a secret friends with benefits situation with Wale and a friend. Everything between them is on a need to know basis, meaning no one needs to know and they can go on about their business. The track is just HELLA SEXY, and, though I personally wouldn't be able to handle this I don't think, it's definitely one of my favorites. I hope he makes a video!

Wale has another sexy track, "The One Time In Houston," a cautionary stripper tale for all those who get caught up in thinking that these girls really love yall, when, in all actuality, they love that loot! The rapper has other tracks specifically for the ladies including single and bonus track "The Body," featuring Jeremih, and the third rendition of "The Ambitious Girl," titled "The Bloom (AG3)," which is a Motown-feel, uplifting song for all the real ambitious girls out there. He compares us (yes, I'm including myself...the song is beautiful!) to flowers on the verge of blooming. We will face our struggles, of course, but Wale encourages us, knowing that we will succeed. Wale also shares his views on marriage on "The Matrimony," admitting that his love life took a back seat to his career, but he does want marriage and a family (honestly, he thought he would have it by now). Featuring vocals from Usher, the song serves as a retrospect for Wale in terms of that lack of balance, and how it had a negative effect on his former relationship. He opens up quickly about some real situations in life, like his breakup with Solange Knowles and a miscarriage with the ex that he mentions before in the Intro, which I'm sure was extremely hard for him to do.

Though the Seinfeld theme is nothing new for Wale, TAAN is the album that I most connect with, and the only album since Attention Deficit that I loved listening to straight through from the beginning (to be honest, there are a few tracks on Ambition and The Gifted that I had to personally warm up to). With TAAN, I play this straight through, or on shuffle, depending on how I feel, and I have some tracks on constant repeat. The album is that smooth. There is no "Clappers" on this album. You won't hear another "No Hands." Just straight story telling with Wale's lyrical content and impeccable wordplay. He's way more vulnerable on this album than others, which makes him really relatable as a person. I think now, and this is just my opinion, that he's getting older and he's thinking more and more about what he wants out of life in general. This album truly reflects his thoughts and feelings, and, as a fan, I loved that he opened up this way. As a music lover, I admire and respect him for letting listeners in on a deeper level. There is no doubt in my mind. On TAAN, he definitely illuminates.

RATING: ★★★★★ (Five stars)
Tuesday's episode of Being Mary Jane was definitely an interesting one (but then again, that's every episode!). Picking up from last week, Mary Jane does a story about human trafficking in the United States, discussing various statistics and laws, as well as conducting an interview with Leah Albright-Byrd who went through this, and created an organization dedicated to a friend called Bridget's Dream. I loved it, because it actually seemed like a natural conversation with Leah explaining her story.

That night at her home, Mary Jane has a small party to celebrate getting nominated for an Emmy for Talk Back. The next day at work, however, there's tension between MJ and Kara, who feels like MJ needs to give more direction to the writers and producers. She is going in this new direction and loving it, but the ratings are still low, in spite of the Emmy nom. Greg doesn't want them to wait until it's too late to change things. At the production meeting, later, Mary Jane wants to go back to her "ugly black woman" story, which Kara feels is dead news. The writers try to spin it, but Kara is not feeling it at all. She's uncomfortable with dealing with race completely, it seems, so I'm not surprised.


That night, Mary Jane goes to meet Valerie, thinking they were celebrating her Emmy nom, but Valerie is trying to go to bed! Valerie asks about MJ's drinking, to which Mary Jane admits that she just had a shot of tequila. However, Valerie calls her out on even that, saying that Mary Jane was always the "responsible one," and wouldn't think to drive at all after drinking anything. She also advises MJ to maybe take Xanax to help ease her stress, but Mary Jane believes she's just fine. I think she's on the road to getting better, honestly. She let go of David finally, is working on a better direction of her show that she's passionate about, and is talking to Sheldon now. She's on her way.

At home, MJ calls her cutty buddy for some fun. She tries to walk him through what goes into creating the show with Kara, but he's just so dumbfounded. Clearly, she's just in it for the sex.The next day, she asks her father if he has been watching the new shows, and he hasn't. She explains that she's branding herself, doing stories that she actually cares about it, which Paul understands. I can tell it bothers her a little bit though that he hasn't been watching.

Meanwhile, Patrick attempts to do D'Asia's hair before school, when there's a knock at the door. It's D'Asia's grandmother, who explains that Tracy has been arrested for shoplifting. She also tells him that she's a little short on rent, and that Tracy borrowed $200 from her last week, looking for him to help her out. Patrick doesn't really have it, and she asks if he can ask his family. He refuses, but pulls a little together, planning to get her the rest by the end of the week. More and more, I'm seeing that he's not a bum trying to mooch of Mary Jane, but just a man down on his luck trying to get things back together with his life. It's rough out there.

At the station, Gary approaches Kara in the lunch room about Mary Jane's new direction. He openly wonders why black people get so "sensitive over this stuff" and why MJ is so upset. He thinks she should just "do the damn job and shut up." Kara walks away, without even defending MJ. Literally tells him that the microwave is "all his" to use, and walks out! I can't deal with her! At this point, it's not even about just defending Mary Jane. It's about defending cultures and educating people. I've found, just in my short 24 years of life, that, yes, some people are racist, but many are simply uneducated. She is really disappointing. She tries to play it a little too safe all the time. You are an executive producer, so you have a little more room to speak your mind, Kara! Okay, rant over.

As he tries to get D'Asia to school, Patrick's car won't start yet again. They have to walk, and, when they arrive, D'Asia asks if her mom is picking her up. Patrick tells her that her grandfather will instead. The kid definitely knows that something is up. After D'Asia leaves, the Vice Principal wants to talk about D'Asia's tardiness and her lunch. Apparently, D'Asia hasn't had lunch technically for five months, and the school has been providing it. Of course, because nothing comes free, there is a charge that Patrick will have to pay.

At the store, Mary Jane gets into a dispute with a guy in the parking lot who calls her a "black bxtch" and then an "ugly black monkey," which tears her up. She literally stands in shock, and then goes home to cry. She gets a call from Valerie, who comes over to chill and celebrate her nomination. MJ asks about Lisa, who is doing yoga with Valerie. MJ asks if she was wrong for what she said to Lisa, and doesn't understand why she has issues with everyone. At that point, Mary Jane calmy releases everything that's on her heart. She feels like she's going through the motions when it comes to her relationships with others. She helps out all the time, but when everything is okay with everyone, no one is checking up on her at all. It's very true, and that can make a person wonder what is wrong with them to not deserve that love back from the people in her life.

That night, D'Asia sleeps over at Patrick's place. He gets a call from Tracy in jail, who asks about D'Asia. She reveals that her bail is $3,000. Patrick then texts Mary Jane, who gives him a check  to talk about it, further proving her point, but she does it with peace.

On her show, Mary Jane has a panel on black women's beauty, about a negative article that came out regarding black women's beauty. The conclusion was this: People will continually try to debunk that beauty. At the end of the day, black women have to believe themselves that they are beautiful. It was a very interesting discussion that I would have loved to see in real life. As Kara watches, she's irritated. I can tell that Kara and MJ are going to have a huge argument soon.

Meanwhile, Patrick goes to see Tracy in jail, who admits that she messed up. She looks like she's been using, and claims to want to get help as soon as she gets out. Tracy is shaking like a fiend, and Patrick lies to her, saying that he didn't get the money for her bail, but is working on it. He instead uses the money to pay off the balance for D'Asia's lunches. I don't blame him at all. Not trying to be unsympathetic to Tracy, because she DOES need help. However, making sure D'Asia is good is more important to Patrick, and it should be

Later, Mary Jane watches a documentary about black women and beauty, and gets a call from Sheldon, who takes her out on the town. They go to a chicken shack, which Mary Jane is a little taken aback by, but she obliges. Again, I LOVE them together! I hope that they are able to form a real relationship, and that she doesn't mess it up!

Images via BET