MTV is back with a new season of The Challenge, and, this time, it's family business! The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines brings together past cast members of The Real World, The Challenge, and Are You The One, along with their family members in Turkey. Definitely great idea to shake things up a little bit for the show. I could tell from this season's trailer, there is going to be A LOT of drama and emotions, and I'll be watching and recapping it all season!

The show's esteemed host, T.J. Lavin, is back as well, and, at the beginning of the episode, he gathers the cast together to discuss the game.  The cast match-ups, by the way, are as follows: Nicole and Nany (cousins), Raphy and Dario (twin brothers), Jenna and Brianna (cousins), Cory and Mitch (cousins), Camila and Larissa (sisters), Cara Maria and Jamie (cousins), Johnny Bananas and Vince (cousins), Leroy and Candice (cousins), KellyAnne and Anthony (cousins), Cohutta and Jill (cousins), Aneesa and Rianna (cousins), Christina and Emily (sisters), Thomas and Stephen (twin brothers), and Tony and Shane (brothers).


T.J. announces that they are standing in The Pit, which is where the eliminations will be held. The losing team from each challenge will automatically be sent in to face elimination. He also announces that there will be a huge prize of $350,000 for those who make it to the end. Sounds good, but here's yet another twist: they're not announcing how the money will be broken down until before the final challenge! WHAT?! What if you make it to the end, and the first place team gets all the money, or they decide to split it up evenly, or some craziness?! I could see them giving everything to the first place team, which would definitely piss me off if I made it to the end. However, I guess that would be more motivation for the final teams to fight harder to win. Another issue: gender. There are same-sex teams (both girls and boys), and boy/girl teams, which could work in the favor of, in my opinion, some of the stronger guy teams in more physical challenges.

Back at the house, everyone drinks, gets to know each other a little more, and talk about the game. These relatives, of course, have watched their brothers, sisters, or cousins go through these challenges, but I can tell already many of them really have no idea what they're in store for.

Of course, hook ups and relationships are a part of the drama with these challenges. We find that Cohutta and Nany, who made things official after their stint on The Challenge: Free Agents, didn't make it. Cohutta broke up with her, which broke Nany's heart. Aww! I liked them together, but they also have two polar opposite personalities, so maybe that's why it didn't work. Tony, who has a girlfriend, may or may not have hooked up with fellow rookie Christina during the first full day, even after declaring that he was serious about his girlfriend. Christina says they did hook up, but Tony says they didn't. Her sister Emily gets upset, knowing that there is already a target on their backs since they're rookies. They need to be focused on the game, especially in the beginning.

Later, Larissa mentions to her sister Camila that Tony told her that she will be the first one to leave because she's so tiny. Larissa claps back at Tony, proving to have the same hothead personality as Camila, and Camila gets emotional because he was talking about her sister. I understand it. Tony, of course, denies it, which pisses off not only the sisters, but Nicole, who heard him say it too. When Tony starts arguing with Nicole, her sister Nany hops into it, in defense of her blood. You see how this game is going to be really emotional?! It's one thing to speak up for a teammate you got paired up with by chance, but when it's your blood?! It's a whole other story.

Tony's own brother, Shane, eventually pulls Tony to the side, calling him out for the way he approached the women. He goes OFF, telling Tony to own what he did. Tony is a rookie, and he's not making a great first impression. Everyone knows that the rookies get tossed in for elimination first anyway by the vets, so why would you want to put an even bigger target on your back. Shane and Tony, who keep arguing, get close to fighting, as Tony shows his violent side. All of this is going on, and the actual challenges haven't even started! My question is, can you get sent home for fighting your own relative? I mean, I know MTV doesn't condone violence, but family should get to have some love taps every now and then. The guys quickly calm down and make up, but is Tony going to be able to make amends with everyone else?

The next day at the first challenge, T.J. calls Tony and Shane. Violence isn't condoned, even if they are family, but he gives them a warning, letting it be a fair warning to everyone really. Even if you're related, you can't fight. Aww boo! T,J. presents the first challenge of the season, "Water Battle." There are two giant piles of dirt, with a hose at the very top. The objective is to climb up the hill, and fill up buckets with water for 10 minutes, to deposit in their team barrels. The team with the least amount of water will go straight to The Pit.  The team with the most water will be the champions, and get to choose the other team to face elimination. The guys will compete together, and the girls witll compete together, regardless of teams.

This challenge is slippery and dirty, with the water coming down really hard and heavy, as everyone tries to fill up their buckets. Several of the girls do well, but a few really struggle, including Candice, which pisses off her cousin Leroy (though he tries to be as calm as possible since this is his family).

The guys' heat is even more intense, with all of the guys trying to throw their body weight around. While the guys compete, Cara and Jill come up with the idea to have some of the guys pour their water into Cohutta's container so that he and Jill can win. It was a smart move, potentially setting up an alliance and saving Cara Maria and her cousin Jamie.

T.J announces that Nany & Nicole and Jenna & Brianna were the bottom two teams. Jenna and Brianna had a little less water, though, so they are heading to the Pit. Of course, Cohutta and Jill win, and now they have to send another team to face elimination. T.J. states that, since the team chosen will be facing a girl team, the team picked must have at least one female, So the all-boy teams are automatically safe! Back at the house, Cohutta and Jill debate who Jenna can beat, and come back, since she's not that strong of a competitor anyway. Though they bring up Candice, the two vote Christina and Emily in, since they're rookies.

At the club that night, Vince tells people that Cory slept with Nany, after they spend a few moments cuddled in bed earlier. Of course, Cory gets mad, and the two have an argument at the club. Nany gets pissed off too, because she's always in the center of drama when it comes to guys, and didn't even do anything...most of the time, anyway. Of course, partying and drinking is conducive to hooking up, and Rianna kisses and cuddles up with Mitch.

At elimination in The Pit, T.J. announces that each nominated team has to choose one player to go in. If that person loses, she and her teammate both go home. Jenna and Christina go in, playing "End of My Rope." There are two ropes wrapped around rows of poles, and there is a clip at the end of each rope. The object is to unravel the ropes from around the posts, and clip the rope to a ring at the end of The Pit.  The ropes will not stretch to that ring unless you unravel it from around all of the posts, so it will be long enough to clip on their ring. Christina kills it until towards the end, where she struggles to get her rope over the last two poles. Jenna eventually passes her, winning the elimination, and sending Christina and Emily home. It wasn't for lack of effort though. I was very impressed. Always sucks to be the first team to go home, but Christina fought hard.

I can already tell that this challenge is going to be super duper emotional and dramatic! Like I said, these are blood relatives fighting for this money! People are going to get into fights, and their family members will, of course, jump in and defend them. To me, this is kind of a dangerous challenge, because these challenges are known to bring out the worst in people and start beefs. Are these family ties strong enough to survive The Challenge? I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Check out all new episodes of The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET only on MTV! 

12:36:00 PM

Singer Donye'a G. has released his first single, "Wherever Wherever!"

On the song, Donye'a describes being on a search for the love of his life, while trying to keep whats real and fake into perspective.

Check out the track below!



You can purchase "Wherever Wherever" now on iTunes as well as other online outlets! Also, be sure to check out more from Donye'a G. on his official website, and connect with him on Twitter and Instagram!

5:11:00 AM

 

Another great episode of Being Mary Jane! Picking up from last week, Mary Jane and her family have a cookout at her house. Patrick excitedly talks to Paul about his work, clearly hopped up on those pills he's been taking. At the table, Niecy mentions possibly getting a car and MJ tells her that she needs to think about saving her money instead. Paul agrees, stating that he will buy her a car. Irritated, Mary Jane tells them that they all need to do better with their finances as a family. She thinks they need to brainstorm ideas about financial security and communal accountability, and literally the entire family walks away from the table. She wasn't lying though! Don't get me wrong. Mary Jane can be judgmental and preachy, but, in my opinion, she has a right to be when it comes to her family. A lot of times, they all end up falling back on her because of the money she makes and it's not a bad idea for them all to really get their finances together, especially Niecy and Patrick.

 

The next day, Mary Jane goes to speak at a class of journalism students at Clark Atlanta University, who have mixed opinions on if TV reporters are real reporters or just going along to get along with mainstream stories. Mary Jane talks about how all people really look at now are headlines and sound bites, believing "I didn't sell out. I bought in." It's a clear formula. Ratings = Advertising = Money. It's just the game. She tells the students that drama sells, which is why quite a few of her stories are fluff, especially for her slot being literally prime time for viewers. Viewers complain about wanting real, in depth stories that matter, but then the majority of them either skim over them or don't watch at all. It was very interesting to watch.  However, a student calls Mary Jane out for losing her real voice on PrimeTime, calling her indeed a sellout, and it clearly affects her.

 

Later, Cece hosts an author at her bookstore, where they and the attendees discuss black children living in America today. Again, what I love about this show, is that it brings up many different topics that can start great discussions in your own house, with co-workers, on social media, etc. Mary Jane swings through to give Cece her final payment, and asks Cece if she's a sellout like the students believed. Cece answers honestly, and says yes. MJ admits that her episodes surrounding people of color brought in her lowest ratings, bringing up the issue again of mainstream stories doing well. However, Cece mentions that if MJ's position now is so good, she wouldn't be so defensive. She thinks that MJ misses the freedom she had with Talk Back, and advises that MJ should get back into it, even if it is less money and billboards. Mary Jane congratulates Cece on her bookstore, and wishes her luck. That night, though, Mary Jane watches her past episode of Prime Time, seeming to be contemplating what Cece and the students says.

 

The next morning, MJ meditates and takes before spending with the white boy she met at the club (we still don't know his name, and I doubt she does still, either). Before they have sex, she brings out a wide variety of home HIV/STD tests. Though he's a little thrown off, he agrees to go along with it. She fakes taking her tests, and then administers his. He tests negative, and they get it in! As they sleep, she takes a picture of him and send to Kara. Kara comes over the next day, and MJ admits she had never been with a white boy before that.

 

A little later, Cece comes by advising Mary Jane not to "tear down to build," meaning that she shouldn't quit PrimeTime, a major opportunity, to go back to Talk Back. Cece tells her to go for both. MJ tells Cece not to come back to her house, warning her that she'll call the cops if Cece does. However, she takes the woman's advice, going to talk to Greg about returning to Talk Back. She pitches the idea that the show can be revamped and she'll do a better job than the journalist running it now. She even tells Greg that they can "exploit" the black audience, getting ratings on issues that matter to them, which gets Greg happy. However, Mary Jane really wants to have the show again to use her voice and discuss issues that matter.

Later that night, Kara notices that MJ is still in the office, working on a new format for Talk Back. Mary Jane proposes having an hour long show to discuss issues surrounding not just blacks, but also other minorities, including Latinos and women. Kara thinks it's great that MJ wants to do this, but admits that she can't do this show on top of everything that she has going on, and still be a good mom to her kids. She suggests that Mary Jane produces the show herself and find new people who come up with fresh ideas, saying that it's time that she trusts herself without Kara. Mary Jane thinks maybe Marisol could be brought in, which Kara doesn't like, but I think that could be a great idea as well.

 

Meanwhile, Patrick, Tracy and D'Asia have dinner together. When D'Asia goes to bed, Tracy announces that she's getting out of the halfway house, and wants to talk about getting them back together. Patrick rejects the idea, just wanting to co-parent. He wants her to do well, but doesn't want to be with her. Tracy is hurt, because she was with him through so much. He loves her, but however, he never promised her anything after she got herself together. Patrick just wants them to do right by D'Asia. Of course, Tracy storms off, enraged.

The next day at the office, Mary Jane has made the decision to produce Talk Back herself, and is steadily working on it. She gets a visit from her "sister-in-law," Tracy, who thinks that Patrick's on drugs again, after seeing him all energized at dinner. MJ doesn't believe her, but Tracy, as an addict, seeing the signs well, and knows that Mary Jane is probably the only person he'll come to. Mary Jane asks for proof, which Tracy doesn't have, of course. Mary Jane tells Tracy the next time she comes to SNC like that, MJ will have her arrested.

 

However, Tracy's words must have struck a nerve, because later on Mary Jane talks with Patrick, telling him what happened with Tracy and asking him nonchalantly if he's taking drugs Patrick admits he's taking a little something to help him focus, and Helen and Paul walk in on him as he says it. Angry, Paul states that Patrick promised he wouldn't take any drugs at all, and, until he gets himself together, they're taking D'Asia. Though Patrick denies being into anything serious, Paul also says he needs to go back to rehab, because they can't do anything more to help him, which Helen agrees with. Patrick storms out, pissed off at his parents, and especially at Mary Jane for bringing them. I get their anger and concern, though. Patrick's family has seen him at his lowest, and he can easily fall back into addiction.

Be sure to check out all new episodes of Being Mary Jane at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesdays only on BET.

Images via BET

4:41:00 PM

Interesting episode of Scream Queens last night. Picking up from last week, the Chanels prep for Black Friday. Chanel loves shopping for cheap gifts for the rest of the sisters, all so she easily manipulate them. She even bribes people to let her in half an hour early to tease other shoppers. This girl is too much. As the ladies try to leave Kappa House to go shopping that night, Dean Munsch stops them. Of course, she plans to call the police since Gigi's head was found on a platter at dinner a few hours before, and wants all of the girls to stay in. Chanel defiantly calls out the Dean for being utterly powerless in stopping the killer, believing that it's because she is the killer herself. She states that, in all the Dean's efforts to shut down the house, Kappa is alive and well, while the university is shut down and the dean's job is in jeopardy. She and the Chanels leave anyway.

Meanwhile, Grace, Wes, and Pete go down to the precinct to report Gigi's murder. However, mostly everyone there has been fired by the mayor because there were no leads on the Red Devil case. So, with a serial killer on the loose, there are essentially no cops to help anyone. Grand.

At the mall, the rest of the Chanels spend big money on Chanel, though she only buys them cheap gifts as planned. When she asks the other girls why they got her an expensive bag that she probably already has, Number 5 says simply because it's Christmas. Chanel, seemingly moved, decides that th she should use her money for gifts that everyone will actually enjoy, like Pink Jeeps! As the ladies try to leave the mall, the lights mysteriously go out, and they find out that they are locked in! Of course, the Red Devil appears, and the girls take off, with Hester, Numbers 3 and 5 eventually escaping. Chanel stays behind, stupidly, to confront the killer, believing it to be Dean Munsch. The Red Devil shoots her in the shoulder with a cross bow, planning to shoot again to kill her. At that moment, Denise, who has been named the new Chief of Police, shows up with a few cops, waving guns. In her drawn out speech revealing that she's chief, the Red Devil manages to shoot one of the cops with the cross bow, and get away.

Later that night, Chanel calls a house meeting with the Kappas. She truly believes now that Dean Munsch is the killer, since she knew that they would be at the mall. Chanel thinks that the only way to stop the killers is by killing Dean Munsch, and Grace actually agrees, wanting to protect everyone. The two even agree to poison her, much to Zayday's dismay.

Meanwhile, Chad meets with Pete at the Dollar Scholars house. Chad reads Boone's will, which leaves a lot of stuff to Pete. Turns out that Boone was Pete's source for his investigative story on the Greek system at Wallace, but all of this stuff could hold clues to who the other killer is. We also find out that Pete tried to join the Dollar Scholars the year before, but was denied. Chad invites him to join again, which Pete now refuses. Chad challenges Pete to a duel, stating that it's a tradition that, if you refuse entry in the Dollar Scholars, you must fight to the death. As Pete dismissively walks out, Chad states that Pete will get murdered by walking away.

That night, Grace and Chanel go suck up to Dean Munsch at her house to make her feel comfortable so they can easily poison her.  As they talk about creating a feminist movement at Wallace, the girls slide the Dean a jar of apple cider, which is the Dean's favorite. The Dean is really touched and drinks the entire glass, but doesn't die, and even assigns them a term paper! Grace vents to Pete about it all, later. He reveals that Chad invited him to be in the Dollar Scholars, but refused because he believes that the fraternity structure is outdated. Moments later, as they kiss, Pete attempts to have sex with Grace. However, she's not in the right headspace, and he agrees to wait. When she makes a comment that maybe she will be after they kill Dean Munsch, Pete tries to convince her how wrong this is. If she does this, she is becoming the same type of person that she was trying to get rid of in Kappa in the first place, and it will break Pete's heart.

Later, the Kappas try to figure out what went wrong with poisoning Dean Munsch. Moved by Pete's words, Grace has a change of heart about killing her, and Chanel decides to kick her out of Kapa. Zayday doesn't leave with her, having a change of heart herself, agreeing that killing Dean Munsch is the right thing to do. Afterwards, Grace goes to check on Wes, who has been doing research with Pete about Gigi. Pete reveals Gigi was checked in at the mental hospital under Jess Meyer after her sister Amy "committed suicide" after having these babies. Clearly it was a cover up for the '95 Kappa sister dying. Gigi then raised the babies on her own, seeking revenge. After Pete leaves, Grace tries to talk to Wes about sex, which is super awkward. Wes advises her that if she doesn't think she's ready, she probably isn't.

Later, the rest of the house takes the Dean to the cryosauna to "rejuvenate her skin" However, once she gets in there, the girls lower the temperature to -200 degrees so Dean Munsch will freeze to death. However, the woman still doesn't die! At the same time, Pete gets a mysterious call, telling the person on the other end that they need to get away while they still can, and that  that person better not call him again. He opens his closet and gives his Red Devil costume another look. I knew he had to be involved somehow! With Boone being Pete's source for his story, it's possible that Pete knows more about the murders than he's been letting on!

Again, the Kappas try to figure out why Dean Munsch isn't dead. Hester compares her to Rasputin, a mystical advisor to Czar Nicholas II of Russia. Eventually, other influential people attempted to kill him, but he wouldn't die either, and was eventually drowned. Hester thinks that maybe Dean Munsch has mystical powers of her own, and maybe drowning her might work. Chanel agrees, giving them all new smartphones.When she calls, the edge will quietly flash red. That will be a sign for them all to meet her at the university pool, where Chanel plans to lure the Dean to drown her. However, during a trip to the mall, Hester and the other Chanels miss Chanel's call as they argue with a salesperson in a store. The Dean meets Chanel at the pool, clearly suspicious. After a short conversation, the Dean leaves, probably figuring out the plan. Chanel goes home, pissed.

Meanwhile, Grace goes to see Pete. She has decided that she's ready to have sex with him, but he reveals he can't. Pete tells her that she doesn't even know him, and she can't have sex with him, because he doesn't want her first time to be with a murderer! Boom. Next week is the season finale, and we better find out who this Red Devil is!

The TWO-HOUR season finale of  Scream Queens airs next Tuesday, December 8  at a special time,  8 p.m. ET,  only on FOX!

Images via FOX

10:03:00 AM

Another spotlight! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, poet, etc., and are interested in being featured on The Spotlight, please visit our Features/Submissions page for more information! 
Today, we have Electro / R&B artist Devin Nash! This singer started writing little songs and rhymes at a young age with his brother, which jump started his love and passion for music. In high school, he began to take his passion and craft more seriously, and was able to form and be a part of a music group, recording and performing for about eight years. From there, he broke away on his own, moving down to Atlanta to pursue songwriting. He has done some songwriting work for artists like LeCrae and Sisqo, as well as a few contestants from hit singing competition The Voice. The singer is inspired by artists such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Kings of Leon, and Kanye West. "I love Kanye's drive, how he's always trying to do something more," Devin said. With these artists, among others, Devin admires their creativity and the fact that, rather than dropping back to back songs or albums, these artists take the time required to create quality, classic music. "To me, it's always been about the quality, not the quantity, even though, in today's world, it's kind of the opposite way around," he said. 
Devin has been steadily grinding towards his passion of music, focusing on his own music and sound. One of his newest tracks, "Kristols," was inspired, admittedly, by a broken heart. "I wanted to look for love in all of the wrong places," Devin said of his inspiration for the song. "When I was going through what I was going through, [the song] kind of just came out. It wasn't anything that I had to force." Interestingly, the singer stated that a lot of guys really related to the track, and understood exactly what he went through. 

Though he came down to Atlanta for songwriting, he began writing tracks inspired by his heartbreak that he knew were for nobody else but him, thus creating his upcoming EP, Her, The entire 8-track EP takes listeners through Devin's journey through the ups and downs of love, from the beautiful beginning to the bitter end. Through tracks like "Part Time Lover," "Her," and "Kristols," Devin sings through all of these different phases of being with someone. "It's a relationship in a record," the singer stated. "It was something that I was glad I was able to do." Devin worked on the EP with producer Ryan Marsh, and it is set for release sometime in January 2016.
Currently, the singer-songwriter is still writing for other artists, but is going to be working on new music, already planning for another EP, as well as a tour. He's also working on a vlog where he will be release short, behind the scenes videos of creating Her. "I kind of got the bug of doing my own stuff," Devin laughed. "I love doing this, so I'm going to continue to do it." 
Devin believes his personal experiences, as well as inner rhythm and sound separates his music from others. "It's electro-R&B. It's definitely very moody," Devin said of his sound. "It's very honest." In terms of his future in the entertainment industry, he wants to have an extended fanbase all over the world, and assist other artists in reaching their dream of making it in the industry as well. Devin would also like to start his own label, and work with some of the same artists that have inspired him. 
You can check out more from this talented artist on YouTube, Reverb Nation, and SoundCloud. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! 

10:49:00 AM

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve is definitely going to be amazing this year!

According to PEOPLE, Demi Lovato, Luke Bryan, Wiz Khalifa, and Charlie Puth have joined the lineup for the NYE special. These stars join Carrie Underwood and host Ryan Seacrest for the annual celebration. Definitely going to be a great night for music!

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve kicks off at 8 p.m. ET Dec. 31 on ABC. Will you be watching?

Image via Cosmopolitan

6:55:00 AM

New music for this Tuesday! Going through a bunch of submissions today, so should be posting a few new songs today. If you are interested in a future feature on The Spotlight, please visit our Features/Submissions page for more information!

Right now, check out singer Jordy Searcy's new EP, Seasons! The EP comes after Jordy's stint on NBC's The Voice, and definitely shows off his abilities as a vocalist and songwriter. "Seasons is best described as folk-songwriter-pop," Jordy said of the project. "I focus on lyrics a lot, and let the acoustic guitar, groove and lead vocals carry the tracks."

Check out the EP below!






You can check out more from Jordy on SoundCloud and YouTube. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! 

5:00:00 AM