Another dramatic episode of Scream Queens! It's a horror-comedy soap opera that I can't help watching. (By the way, last week's two hour premiere counts as two episodes, in case there's any confusion why we're at episode 3).  At the beginning of the episode, Zayday and Grace go to a convenience store to grab some snacks, and talk about Pete's having a Red Devil costume in his closet. Zayday is extremely suspicious of him, and she makes Grace promise to never go anywhere alone. At that moment, though, we see that the Red Devil is in the store! Once the ladies see him, Grace tases him  and Zayday pushes over a shelf on him. Turns out that it's this guy Eugene from Zayday's Political Science class! But is he really involved?

Back at the Kappa House, Chanel and Number 5 discover that, like Ms. Bean, Number Two's body is missing from the freezer. Number 5 is over this entire situation, and wants to quit Kappa, stating that all of this is Chanel's problem since she's Kappa president.

Meanwhile, Zayday and Grace goes into Number 2's room, and finds a huge stain on the floor. Denise comes in stating that it probably is blood, telling them to hit the light as she sprays luminol, revealing that it is blood (duh). She's the only one who makes any kind of sense on this show. Nobody's looking for this girl, even though Number 2 tweeted that she was being murdered by the Red Devil! However, there are still current Instagram posts from her account, which throws Zayday and Grace off. They decide to go to Bel Air to visit Number 2's parents to see if they can get any insight on where she might be.

Later that night, there is a Take Back The Night vigil in honor of Tiffany and Boone (though only Tiffany is really dead). While there, people are holding up signs to separate themselves from Kappa so they don't get killed by the Red Devil. Clearly, Kappa House is a social pariah at Wallace University this year. Chanel tries to make up with Chad, simply asking him to have sex with a smaller number of people (GIRL WHET?!), but Chad freaks out like it's not a problem at all that he cheats, of course. He tells her to pray that all the pledges get murdered so she can be popular again, and maybe he'll give her another chance. Dean Munsch tries to silence the truth that there is a serial killer on the loose, stating that Tiffany's murder is still being investigated to see if it was a murder and that Boone's death was a suicide (but who slashes their own throat to kill themselves lady?). She also announces that Eugene was not actually the serial killer. Because of the incident at the store, it has been determined that the Red Devil mascot is no longer appropriate to represent the university now, and they get a new mascot--Coney, an actual ice cream cone. The Wallace University Cones...how about that?

Later, Zayday, Grace and Denise go to Bel Air to talk to Number 2's parents and express their concerns
that she may be missing. Her parents reveal that Chad and Number 2 were messing around, and he even came to their house for Thanksgiving! Who hasn't this boy slept with?! Though normally parents would be worried about their kid, Number 2's parents don't even want the girl to come home! But why?

The next day, during Grace's film studies class, her father Wes pops up as the new professor, though he actually teaches literature. She storms out angrily, knowing that he's only here to watch her. Wes continues the class though, showing The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in class, which is freaky considering everything going on on campus. Afterwards, Gigi speaks to him, announcing that she is starting a teacher's neighborhood watch, and invites him too. Dean Munsch comes in, and invites Gigi to her tennis court to talk about something later as well.

Later, a young nerd named Aaron Cohen is revealed to be the Coney mascot. Surprisingly, everyone loves the mascot, and he even plans to be a professional mascot. However, the Red Devil comes in, and hacks him to death with a chainsaw at his prime!

Meanwhile, Hester goes into Chanel's closet and tries on clothes, and, of course, Chanel busts her. Apparently, Karl Lagerfeld is close to Chanel's parents, so that's why she gets so many clothes. Hester always wanted to be a fashionista herself, and Chanel plans to fix her up a bit so she won't be such a disaster. Dean Munsch and Gigi meet up for tennis, where the Dean tells Gigi that they are going to move into Kappa House for a week to continue to try to be "good examples" for the Kappa girls. She also warns Gigi  to stay away from "her man" Wes. Delusional woman.

Later, Number 3 talks to Sam (the lesbian pledge in the house...this is the first time I remember actually hearing the girl's real name), and reveals that she wants to be best friends. "Like...soul mates," she says with a huge hug, because she wants to reveal a secret. She is a child of the owners of Swenson frozen dinners (the B-list of Swanson frozen dinners), stating she is a billionaire. However, her dad isn't her real dad. She reveals that her mom was crazy paranoid, and a year before Number 3 was born, she started corresponding and having conjugal visits with serial killer Charles Manson! Number 3 took a DNA test, which revealed that he is her real dad. She doesn't want anyone to know because if people found out the truth, they would automatically think that she is the killer. Number 3 asks Sam to be her alibi when the next murder happens, and she'll look out for Sam, too.

Meanwhile Grace and Zayday go talk to Number 5 about Chad dating Number 2, and we find out that he dated Number 5 too (again, who wasn't this boy sleeping with?!). Chanel reveals Hester's new look, and that Hester will become Chanel #6. Number 5 goes off on Chanel, telling her that a pledge shouldn't get to be a Chanel and that Chanel herself isn't fit to be president. Chanel dismisses Number 5's words, and announces another hazing activity for the pledges, when Dean Munsch and Gigi walk in with their bags to stay there for the rest of the week. Needless to say, the pledges are shocked!

Later, Chad holds a meeting with the senior council of the Dickie Dollar Scholars, who find out that Boone was gay, though Chad doesn't think his death was a suicide. He even saw bloody footprints in the hallway! He proposes that they run through the streets with baseball bats, call out the Red Devil, and avenge Boone's death, which the rest of these fools go along with.

Meanwhile, Grace goes to see Pete, and apologizes for not returning his messages and thinking that he
was the killer. She thinks that Chad is actually the killer, revealing how he's been with basically every girl at Kappa, and has a knife obsession. She wonders if Chad is the baby from 20 years ago? Pete has been doing some research himself, but there is no record of any of the girls at Kappa that year except for a former sister with the last name Greenwell, who was two credits short of graduating that year. He found her, though she's six hours away.

That night, the Dickie Dollar Scholars roam the streets, jacking up a random car they see. The Red Devil appears with a chainsaw, but then another one appears behind him! They split up to try to attack both, but, of course, the chainsaws rips their bats apart. One guy gets his arms cut off trying to save Chad! Meanwhile, Denise picks up Zayday as she walks back to Kappa, but handcuffs Zayday to her, believing that she's the killer. Denise has found out that Zayday plans to challenge Chanel to become Kappa president, and found a CD the girl bought from Best Buy where Shondell worked. She thinks Zayday may be working with someone else, and that's how Shondell was killed, even though Zayday was in the Kappa house at the time of the murder. Denise even pulls out a tweet Zayday sent to Shonda Rhimes about her show, How To Get Away With Murder, stating that if Annalise Keating really wanted to get away with murder, she would team up with somebody to do it! AND ZAYDAY HAD A CHAINSAW UNDER HER BED TOO! Zayday explains that her grandmother sent her the chainsaw after her taser was taken away, and Denise lets her go. However, she plans to keep an eye on Zayday, and now I am too. It makes some sense, and, with this crazy show, everybody is a suspect here!

Gigi and Wes have dinner with Dean Munsch, and Zayday practices pulling out the chainsaw from under her bed. When she comes downstairs to go to her philosophy study group, Wes discovers Grace isn't with her and Zayday has no idea where she could be. He quickly leaves to call Grace, who lies and says she's at the library, though she left with Pete to go find this ex-Kappa.

As they try to sleep, Gigi butts heads with the Dean over the Dean playing loud whale distress calls to lull herself to sleep, which she changes to murder victims screaming. Gigi leaves the room, which Dean Munsch planned all along. As Gigi makes a bed on the couch downstairs, the Red Devil appears with his chainsaw, trying to kill her! Wes comes in to try to save her, and gets cut in the process, and the Red Devil escapes. As Dean Munsch comes down to see what the commotion is, Wes and Gigi stop her in her tracks, believing that Dean Munsch is the killer! This is all too much. Literally EVERYONE IS A SUSPECT!

Check out all new episodes of Scream Queens on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET only on FOX!

Images via FOX

9:27:00 AM

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 1997 hit ensemble film, Soul Food, will be getting a sequel! George Tillman Jr., who wrote and directed the original, is writing the new script with Nathan Skulnik.



The movie was based on a close-knit African-American family who had a tradition of eating a big dinner together every Sunday but began to fall apart after the death of their matriarch. It included the likes of Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, and Mekhi Phifer. The film, which earned $43.7 million, also spawned a Showtime TV series, Soul Food: The Series,which aired from 2000 through 2004.

The new sequel will focus on the new millennial generation of the family and their quest to return to their roots of family and tradition. Stay tuned to The Spotlight and all our social media links for more information as they become available for the movie. And if you haven't seen the original, definitely check it out, along with the Showtime series! I own the entire series on DVD!

1:53:00 AM

Looks like Nicki Minaj's life story will be gracing our TV screens very soon! According to Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva, who broke the news, “the untitled series will focus on the Trinidadian-born rapper's childhood in Queens in the 1990s with her vibrant immigrant family and the personal and musical evolution that lead to her eventual rise to stardom.”













“Nicki Minaj is a force to be reckoned with at everything she touches,” said ABC Family’s EVP Programming and Development Karey Burke. “Nicki is an international superstar, yet not everyone knows how inspiring and hilarious her true story is, and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”

We here at The Spotlight are very excited to hear about this news and will definitely be tuning into Nicki's new series!

1:16:00 PM

Another spotlight, with more on the way! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, producer, etc., and are interested in a feature, please visit our Features/Submissions page for more information! 


Today, we have hip hop artist Lua Proc! Raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Lua Proc is one of the city's buzzing artists. Though he started off working on his own music as an artist, he became the head of a record label after his friend who served as CEO was incarcerated. "I put myself on the back burner, and started pushing our top artist at that time," the rapper said. After going his own separate way from that label, Lua Proc began his own label,  High End Society Records, committing to invest in himself and his work. After receiving music from Pittsburgh producer Stevie B, he recording his song "Stunt Hard." "That helped me gain the confidence [I needed] and start making hit after hit, which got my buzz going across the city and and surrounding areas," he said.



Lua’Proc’s sound is inspired by his hometown of Pittsburgh and his real life experiences. “I've been through a lot from the struggle to the “ballin’” to fake friends crossing me. I've been through it all!” he stated. In addition to his own life, the artist draws inspiration from artists like Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, among others, as well as local artists like 2 GZZ and Tuffy Tuff.

His latest track, “Work,” features Kevin Gates. "We shot the video as well, which will be dropping soon," Lua Proc said.



Currently, Lua Proc is working on his debut album, Fish Tailing. "Fish Tailing is going to be all about my life, both good and bad," the artist stated. "It's going to have a little balling, struggling, love, hate, street, club and radio records on it." Wit the record, he hopes that listeners get to know and understand him better.

Right now, Lua’Proc is focusing on his upcoming project, as well as performances across the country. In terms of what separates him from other artists, he believes his experiences which impact his lyrics and messages are what make him unique. He strives to be the best artist, businessman and CEO he can be. “I plan on putting Pittsburgh on the map from my stand point,” Lua’Proc said. “I'm planning to become the industry’s next powerhouse!”

You can check out more from this artist on his official website, and hear more of his music on SoundCloud and Reverb Nation. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

12:55:00 PM

Shonda Rhimes, the creator of hit shows Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder, revealed the cover of her forthcoming book, Year of Yes!

According to PEOPLE, the book explores a year in the writer's life when, as the title suggests, she decided to say “Yes” to everything. “Saying yes for an entire year turned out to be one of the most amazing decisions I have ever made,” Shonda said in a statement. “It was also a little insane, a lot terrifying and sometimes wildly embarrassing. So this is not a story I ever planned to share with anyone.”

Check out the cover below!

Year of Yes is set to be released November 10, and I definitely have to snag a copy! Shonda is a very creative and inspiring person, so I want to read her advice and get to know more of her story. This is her very first book, and I'm sure it will be a great read! 

Images via Evan Agostini/Invision/AP & PEOPLE

12:12:00 PM

Last night was the series premiere of FOX's newest show, Scream Queens! Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, the horror-comedy series has a star-studded cast including Emma Roberts, Keke Palmer, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Jamie Lee Curtis, Skyler Samuels, Nick Jonas, Niecy Nash, and more!

I'm following along this season, and recapping for the blog, so read up on what went down below!


The two-hour series premiere started with a flashback to 1995 at sorority Kappa Kappa Tau at Wallace University The sorority is hosting a party, and one of the sisters comes downstairs with blood mysteriously all over her hands! Turns out another sister has had a baby (she thought she was dealing with the Freshman 15 apparently). A small group of Kappas surround the girl, who is holding the baby in a bathtub, but are more concerned about going back to the party and dancing to TLC's "Waterfalls." Most of the girls leave, only to come back to discover that the new mother has bled out and died in the tub!

Flash forward to 2015. Kappa sister Chanel Oberlin (Emma Roberts) runs the house now, house. She has minions, who she couldn't care less about (including their names), so she calls them Chanel #2 (Ariana Grande), Chanel #3 (Billie Lourd), and Chanel #5 (Abigail Breslin). Apparently, Chanel #4 got meningitis and died during the school year last year. (To avoid any confusion with all these Chanels, only the original with be called Chanel in the recaps. The others will just go by their numbers. Sad, but serious note). The Dean of Students, Cathy Munsch, (Jamie Lee Curtis) calls for a meeting with Chanel to talk about Kappa, and they clearly don't like each other. Dean Munsch calls her out about all of the issues going on at Kappa, from wild, drunken nights, to an assault case. We also find out that the president of the house mysteriously died after acid was added to her spray tan. The Dean thinks that Chanel did it, so that she could take over the house, and plans to take them all down. She revokes their charter, but Gigi Caldwell (Nasim Pedrad) , the national president of the chapter and also a lawyer, takes over, informing Dean Munsch that it's up to the board of trustees to make that decision, not her.

Meanwhile, Grace Gardner arrives to Wallace as a freshman. Her dad, Wes (Oliver Hudson) is trying so hard to convince her not to join a sorority. However, her mom was a sorority girl at Kappa, and she feels like she would be following in her footsteps and become closer to her in a way. Grace meets her roommate Zayday (Keke Palmer) is her roommate, and she's very talkative and confident. They establish a good relationship from the jump, with Grace admitting she's rushing Kappa, and convincing Zayday to do the same.

That night, Grace walks to the Kappa house, where she sees a mysterious figure pass through quickly (little did we know that this was the Red Devil, a central character who seems to be avenging the death of the girl from 1995!). At the rush party, while Chanel is getting ready, Gigi and Dean Munsch announce that Kappa will be required to accept ANYONE that wants to pledge, even the misfits! That turns off A LOT of people who quickly leave. Number 5 runs to tell Chanel, who quickly freaks out. In addition to Grace and Zayday, there a few weirdos left, most of whom get cruel nicknames from Chanel: Hester "Neckbrace" Ulrich (Lea Michele), "Deaf Taylor Swift (literally the girl is deaf and only sings Taylor Swift)," "Predatory Lez," and Jennifer who is a candle vlogger.

The next day, Chanel talks to her boyfriend Chad Radwell (Glen Powell) of the Dollar Scholars fraternity, who has an issue with the pledges because it will knock down her popularity level. "I would love you a lot more if other people love you too," the douchbag admits. Chanel then decides to recruit the Kappas' housekeeper, Ms. Bean, to help her with a plan to get rid of the pledges. She plans to dip Ms. Bean's head in an unplugged deep fryer to scare the pledges off. After meeting at a coffee house, barista and editor of the school paper Pete Martinez (Diego Boneta) tries to convince Grace not to pledge Kappa, thinking that it's truly dangerous. However, Chanel reveals that Pete was a bit of a stalker last year towards her, and Grace dismisses his warning.

That night, the Chanels see a creepy collage of Chanel along with a slew of candles in Ms. Bean's room. They gather up the pledges, and run to Ms. Bean to confront her. At that moment, Chanel dips and holds Ms. Bean's head in the fryer as she planned, only the fryer was actually on! After a dramatic moment, Ms. Bean falls to the floor, dead. Grace runs to get the campus police, but Chanel threatens that if Grace opens her mouth, Chanel will tell everyone that Grace was the one who did it. Chanel gets everyone else except Zayday to back her up by promising them a trip on her jet to Cancun for spring break. She swears them all to secrecy as they leave Ms. Bean in the freezer!

Later, Dean Munsch goes on a feminist rant about the Kappas, when we find her in bed with CHAD! Apparently, her love life is so terrible, the only way she gets sex is by blackmailing students on academic probation. Meanwhile, Grace runs to Pete, deciding to help him with his expose of the Kappas, and get the sorority back to its original state (not realizing that it wasn't that great to begin with). The two go to examine Ms. Bean's body, but Chanel and Chad pop in at that moment, scaring them off. However, we all see that the body is mysteriously missing!

That night, Chanel leads a blood oath with the other Chanels, but the others freak out, especially
Number 2 who plans to go home. As she packs, she gets a mysterious text asking if she's brave enough to open the door! She does and it's the Red Devil! They have a text conversation back and forth (even though they're right in front of each other), and the Devil texts that he is going to kill her, and stabs her to death. However, not before Number 2 sends out a Facebook status about her death! Are we that wrapped up in social media and texting?!

The rest of the Chanels find Number 2's body, with Chanel believing that  Ms. Bean is alive and that she is the one who killed Chanel #2. Later, the sisters welcome the pledges to Hell Week, and they plan to haze them BAD. Grace and Zayday, standing up for themselves, reveal that they want Kappa House to be a sorority of empowerment. Chanel then takes Grace to the coffee house to talk, inviting her to be one of her minions. Grace thinks that Chanel, deep down, is miserable, but could create a real sisterhood here. However, Chanel doesn't really care, and refuses to hear Grace out.

That night, the Chanels leave the pledges buried in dirt overnight in the backyard. As the pledges attempt to sleep, they hear a lawnmower start! As they helplessly scream, the Red Devil runs right over Deaf Taylor Swift! The next morning, the media is all over the campus to report on the murder, not realizing that Number 2 is dead as well as Ms. Bean (whose body is still missing). Dean Munsch states that all of the Kappa girls are suspects, and none of them are excused to leave campus. The Chanels realize though, that they still have to get ride of Number 2. As they plot, Neckbrace pops in on them creepily, giving them an extremely detailed plan to cut up and get rid of the body, because she's obsessed with death! However, Chanel is grossed out, and just throws Number 2 in the freezer.

Later, Gigi hires Officer Denise Hemphill (Niecy Nash) to be the Kappa's security guard. She doesn't have a gun though, so how much help can she really be?! As the pledges clean the house, Grace goes to get more soap and finds a secret locked room. Number 5 busts in on her trying to break in. and makes her leave. Grace later tells Pete, and they both plan to break into the secret room and the dean's office to see if there are any records of craziness at the Kappa house.  The two also randomly kiss.

The next day, Dean Munsch brings Wes into her office, trying to convince him to keep Grace in the house for some reason. She confidently guarantees him that his daughter is not a target (ODD!). She also tries to seduce him, but he states firmly that he wants a job as a professor at Wallace to watch over Grace himself.

Later, Grace breaks into the locked Kappa room, finding the blood-stained tub from 20 years ago, and a trunk full of stuff from the party that night. Chanel finds her, admitting that this is where Kappa keeps its darkest secrets. She tells Grace the story of the death, and how the girls covered it up. Apparently, Dean Munsch and Ms. Bean knew about it as well. Grace wonders if it's related to what's happening now, but Chanel tells her to let it go.

Aftewards, Chanel breaks up with Chad. His best friend Boone (Nick Jonas) believes she'll come running back to him. He admits to Chad that he's scared because of the serial killer, and is having trouble sleeping. He wants to sleep in bed with Chad, but apparently, the last time that happened, he tried to touch Chad (turns out Boone is gay). However, Chad lets him sleep in the bed anyway, and Chanel catches them the next morning after trying to apologize. Chad "forgives" her, only to break up with her moments later.

That night, Pete breaks into the dean's office, and finds a list of five names (maybe of the Kappa girls involved in the cover up?). However, he is quickly found by the Red Devil who knocks him out, and then leaves him stuck to a pillar outside of the administration building, with a small note attached to him warning Pete to "MYOB." As Pete later tells the story to Grace, she discovers the devil costume in his closet, and immediately believes he's the killer!

Boone himself later goes to see Chanel, admitting that he wants to come out on his own and then pledge Kappa! Though Number 5 protests, Chanel thinks that it will be a great way to advance her future media career if she is the first sorority president to let in a gay guy as a member.

That night, Denise's security guard friend Shondell brings her burgers. As the two of them talk, Gigi spots a new car outside of the house, but it's only Grace's dad. Gigi runs to the car to introduce herself. The two vibe from music from 1995, oddly the same year the original sorority girl died. Gigi invites him to get a coffee, and they drive off, as Dean Munsch mysteriously pops up and looks on.

All of a sudden, Denise hears a scream from the house. Turns out Chanel was attacked by the Red Devil, but managed to escape! The girls all run upstairs, though Denise smartly tells them not to. In fact, I was surprised Zayday went with them! Upstairs, they find a message in blood, saying "Sluts will Die." As Denise runs back to her car, attempting to call Shondell on the walkie talkie, we see the Red Devil has killed Shondell already. My question here is this: could Gigi possibly have been trying to get Wes away while all of this was going on?

Meanwhile, as Boone works out in his room, the Red Devil comes from behind him. Boone sees him, but, weirdly, isn't scared at all. He's later seen slashed up and laid out on a table in the fraternity house, surrounded by candles!

At the end of the episode, the Chanels and pledges debate who the killer might be, with several of them thinking it could be Chanel herself. At that moment, Chad and Denise burst in, revealing both Shondell and Boone are dead. The episode wraps with a visit to the morgue, where the Devil pulls out Boone's body. However, Boone quickly opens his eyes, and pulls off a fake neck slash that had been applied to his neck, revealing he isn't  actually dead! Which is great, because Nick Jonas is serious eye candy. but what is going on here?!

All in all, the premiere was decent. I don't think it needed to be two hours long, but I'm going to keep watching and recapping.  I have so many questions already. For one thing, I'm not quite sure why the Red Devil is killing off  Kappas now if he (or she) is trying to avenge the cover up of the original Kappa death! I get him killing Ms. Bean, but why not Dean Munsch? Unless the devil is Dean Munsch! Why is Boone involved? Who else is in this murder scheme?! Could Grace be the baby from 1995, or is it Pete? Lawd, it's so much going on! Guess we just have to keep watching to find out what happens!

Check out all new episodes of Scream Queens on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET only on FOX!

8:06:00 AM

I have a bunch of music submissions to hopefully get through and post before the month is out! Right now, check out this cover of Van Hunt's "Down Here in Hell (With You)" from singer Chandenie!

This cover is one of three songs on the singer's EP, is that a crime?, which was released on August 29th. "This project is an ode to counter-normativity, an introspective questioning of what is the ideal in romantic relationships, self-love, and beauty, addressed by each song, respectively," Chandenie said.

Check out the cover below!




You can check out the EP in full on BandCamp, and more of her music on SoundCloud. You can also follow her on Instagram! 

6:40:00 AM

Happy Friday everyone! We have a new track to share with you all today. Artist Genius, formerly V.I.C. (known best for his smash hits "Get Silly," and "Wobble"), has released his new track, "Murder She Wrote," for listeners!
known as

The mid-tempo track, which give tribute to a woman's nice and thick frame, is really chill to listen and rock to. I found myself moving a little bit in my seat as I listened to it. Really cool vibe!

We look forward to featuring Genius on The Spotlight soon, and hearing about his plans for his future in music! Check out "Murder She Wrote" below!



You can purchase the track now on iTunes and other digital outlets! Be sure to check out more from Genius on his official website, as well as SoundCloud and YouTube. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

9:16:00 AM

Lupita Nyong'o is absolutely stunning on the cover of October's issue of Vogue!

In her full feature with the magazine, the actress speaks about her new upcoming acting projects (the girl is GRINDING!), fashion, fame, and her family. She seems so down to earth and friendly, and the article does a great job of showing that, too. And her photos? My goodness! Lupita is absolutely beautiful, and knows how to work the camera!

Check out more pictures from the shoot and behind the scenes video below!








Watch Lupita talk about her upcoming role in the new Star Wars film, Shakespeare, and her secret talents below!

Watch this video on The Scene.

...

Images via Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Vogue

10:13:00 AM

Rapper Mosliano has released his debut EP, Moments, for listeners this week (Sept. 15)!

Mosliano himself serves as executive producer for the project, along with Daniel Sullivan, Mixed by Colin "Pyrex" Sprows, the EP is a small sample of Mosliano's work. We get a sense of where he is in life at the moment, hearing pieces of his life.

Check out the EP and my short review below!





The mellow intro track, "The Moment," Mosliano makes it clear that he is working towards developing his craft and making a name for himself in this industry. The artist is taking chances, living in the moment, and stepping out of his comfort zone to advance. "I'm flying out overseas," he raps. "Hardly in my city anymore, hard to believe." From his rapping, he's clearly hungry for his moment in the spotlight, and a better life. On the sexy "City Nights," the rapper admits that he is tired of waiting  "We've been talking all that big sh*t and I just want to break you off," Mosliano boldly admits. On this track, and the next,"3 AM," however, the words can be hard to understand, and the message can be lost on listeners.

On "Aliyah's Interlude," we hear a woman's voice, seeming like she's leaving a message, expressing her feelings about, I'm assuming, her relationship with Mosliano. She admits it's hard for them to understand each other, showcasing there's some trouble in their relationship.The final track, "She Knows," seems like a continuation of this interlude, with the relationship officially ending. The two went their own separate ways, and don't talk anymore, which many of us have gone through.

Listen to the EP in full below!


From what I have heard from Mosliano, I know that he incorporates singing and mellow melodies in his music. This project, he revealed, was actually inspired by the R&B tracks on Drake's So Far Gone, which can definitely be heard. However, I have to admit I would have love to hear more actual rapping than singing on this debut, but I get where he was coming from, from a creative aspect. I appreciated him revealing his thoughts on where he is in his life, currently. Like I stated earlier, though, it's hard to understand the words as he sings, and the message can be lost on listeners. I truly do believe in Mosliano's potential as an artist, though, and I know he has a strong passion for music. I look forward to hearing more from him in the future.

RATING: ★★★ (Three stars)

9:45:00 AM

The official trailer for Walt Disney Pictures' live-action version of The Jungle Book has been released, and it's a wild one!

The movie stars Neel Sethi as Mowgli and features the voice talents of Emjay Anthony as Grey Brother, Idris Elba as Shere Khan (*faints*), Giancarlo Esposito as Akela, Ralph Ineson as Father Wolf, Scarlett Johansson as Kaa, Ben Kingsley as Bagheera, Bill Murray as Baloo, Lupita Nyong'o as Raksha and Christopher Walken as King Louie.

This is NOT the cute and cuddly version we're used to. This movie is full of action and suspense and I definitely want to see it!

The Jungle Book is set to be released in spring 2016! Check out the official trailer below!



What do you think of the teaser trailer for The Jungle Book?

11:27:00 AM

DJ Money, who serves as DJ to rapper Wale, has released his latest track,"The Night Is Young," under Wale's own imprint, Every Blue Moon (EBM).

On the track, Money effortlessly combines house music and hip hop vocals from Mello. The video, directed by Riley Robbins, incorporates black and white footage of actress Amber Borzotra. 

According to YourEDM.com, the DJ gave a statement about the inspiration behind the song and video:

“I have always wanted to create songs that were a mix of different genres of music. A combination of soul, R&B, hip hop, house with a new age twist. I think that people who are fans of mine or who know me from working with artists such as Wale, Mac Miller, Raheem Devaughn and Phil Ade will be surprised with this record. I had so much fun making this video with the star, Amber Borzotra and the video director, Riley Robbins. These are people who believed in me and have supported me and were able to help me bring my vision to life with my first record.” 

Check out the video below!



You can check out more from DJ Money on his official website and SoundCloud. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

8:00:00 AM

NBC has announced a new "CEO" for Celebrity Apprentice--Arnold Schwarzenegger!

According to Entertainment Weekly, the former California governor and actor will lead the series, set to return in 2016. He takes the reins from Donald Trump, who was fired himself from the show back in June, when NBC reportedly cut ties with him after his derogatory remarks towards Mexican immigrants.



“We are thrilled to be opening a powerful new chapter in the story of the Apprentice franchise,” said Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming for NBC Entertainment. “Arnold Schwarzenegger is the epitome of a global brand in entertainment and business, and his accomplishments in the political arena speak for themselves. It was Arnold’s personal passion for the format that Mark Burnett and Donald Trump built over the last decade, as well as his fresh take on how to take it to new heights for today’s audiences, that made him the man to hire. The Celebrity Apprentice … will be back!”

“I have always been a huge fan of The Celebrity Apprentice and the way it showcases the challenges and triumphs of business and teamwork,” Arnold said in a statement. “I am thrilled to bring my experience to the boardroom and to continue to raise millions for charity. Let’s get started!”

I'm not a huge fan of the show myself, but I'm intrigued to see  how Arnold will be as a host. Guess we'll see next year!

Image via Johannes Simon/Getty Images

1:04:00 PM

This one is for the romantics out there! Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union have previously
released pictures and some video from their nuptials last August in Miami. Well now the couple has released an ENTIRE trailer for The Wade Union in honor of their first anniversary!

Complete with a gorgeous venue, beautiful attire, and a star-studded guest list including LaLa, Chris Bosh, Essence Atkins, and Kevin Hart, the ceremony looked absolutely beautiful! Dwayne and Gabrielle look so happy!

According to PEOPLE, this is a trailer for potentially an actual movie about their wedding?! The hopeful romantic in me would definitely watch!

Check out the cute trailer below!


Image via Bob Metelus for Bob Metelus Images

8:36:00 AM

After multiple teases of the track on Snapchat, and in the midst of working on multiple projects including Self Made 5 and his next solo album, Wale releases the Pro Reese produced track, "Spoiled," with vocals from JaeFromVine!

Check out the track below and let us know how you like this new jam because I'm loving it!

12:55:00 PM

London-based singer/songwriter Florieme has released her video for her song, "Lady Sings The Blues!"

This music video is different than many would expect, with a touching story behind it. "I have suffered from alopecia (hair loss) for the past 2 years," the singer admitted. "After reaching the end of my tether with it, [I] decided to not only shave my hair off, but be filmed doing so for my first music video." In the video, Florieme emotionally sings as she shaves her entire head, bravely sharing that vulnerable moment with viewers. "My hope is that the video will no only raise awareness of the autoimmune disease but inspire men and women with body image issues," she added.

Check out the emotional video below!




This couldn't have been easy for her, but I commend Florieme on showing that she is not defined by her hair. The song is a beautiful listen as well!

You can read more of Florieme's story here, as well as listen to more of her music on Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and YouTube. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

6:43:00 AM

This interview is A MUST SEE! This past week, Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club spoke with school psychologist Dr. Umar Johnson on various social and cultural issues in the school system and society, hip hop supporting HBCUs and more! 

Check it out the full interview below! 

4:15:00 AM

Diggy Simmons has been releasing new music lately and recently let go this little gem "Fakin' " featuring two of the West Coast's popular crooners Omarion and Ty Dolla $ign. Reportedly it's the first official single off his next project! I'm glad to see Run's son back on the scene.

Check out the track below and let us know how you like it in the comments!

2:44:00 AM

Happy Friday y'all! I hope everyone has a great (and safe!) Labor Day Weekend. Here's another great spotlight for you! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, poet, etc., please visit our Features/Submissions page for more information on how to be featured.

Today, we have producer Jamon “Truebeatz” Turner! Raised in Cincinnati and then Alabama, Truebeatz has been around music all of his life. In the mid to late 80s, as a young kid, he listened to songs like “Self Destruction” from the Stop the Violence Movement featuring East Coast rappers and “We’re All in the Same Gang” by the West Coast Rap All-Stars, and became even more passionate about music and listened to and studied some of the greats. “When Bobby Brown came out with that “Don’t Be Cruel,” I used to beat that beat on lunchroom tables or the walls at home,” Truebeatz stated. “Right then and there, I knew I wanted to make music.”



Inspired by the talent around Ohio and Alabama, as well as other producers like Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Devante Swing (Jodeci), Truebeatz officially got his start in music in 2004. “My cousin Dearis Murray had this game on the Sony Playstation called Music Maker and eJay Clubworld,” the producer said. “So I started making beats on a Sony PS2 until I upgraded to a computer, FL5 [software], and a MPD24 [pad controller]. Truebeatz began to create tracks for other artists, which pushed him to take his craft more seriously.

Check out some of his instrumentals below!





Currently, the producer is working on instrumentals for TV and films. In fact, one of his beats will be featured as background music on Keeping up with the Kardashians sometime in 2016. In a music realm where several producers create similar-sounding work, this producer is determined to stand out. Using his gift for production, Truebeatz wants to truly build a name for himself in the entertainment industry. “Music is my passion and I enjoy creating new sounds,” Truebeatz said of his craft. “I want to leave my mark and live off my music, [and] produce tracks for future up and coming artists around the globe.”

You can check out more from Truebeatz on his official website and SoundCloud. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

10:59:00 AM

Singer B.Wash has released his brand new track, "FlatScreens," from his upcoming mixtape, While You Were Sleeping!

As the artwork suggests, this is a track specifically for the bedroom! B.Wash sings of having a great night with his lover, and making a special little tape for them to enjoy later. It's definitely a passionate song that I'm sure the ladies especially will like!

Check out the sexy track below!







You can learn more about B.Wash on his official website, and hear more of his music on YouTube and SoundCloud. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

7:17:00 AM

Another spotlight for you all! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, poet, etc., please visit our Features/Submissions page for more information!

Today, we have singer/songwriter J.R. (aka Rome)! Hailing from Hartford, CT, the musician got his start in music while his parents were pastors at a small church. J.R. also acknowledged that, at home, his house was “filled with music.” “My mother is a singer and she would sing gospel 24/7,” he said. “I think that’s why melodies constantly play in my head in the sound of my mother’s voice. Sounds crazy I know, but she is a vital part to my creativity.” Jerome’s mother introduced him to gospel music with an R&B twist, which Jerome loved and eventually made his own. The singer was also inspired by his older brother, who produces a lot of his music. “I watched his gift grow and just really wanted to follow in his footsteps,” J.R. said. Around his sophomore year of high school, he realized that he wanted to pursue music seriously, and began to truly hone his craft for a professional career.



Inspired by artists like Tank, Tyrese, Michael Jackson, Teddy Pendergrass, and the Isley Brothers among others, J.R.’s R&B music is truly passionate and emotional, and speaks on several different topics. “From heartbreak records to taboo subjects, I try to give you all a glimpse of what goes on in my head,” the artist admitted. His latest track, “Haunted,” definitely gives us a look into his personal life as he sings of being “haunted” by the memories of an ex. “In the time period where you’re trying to move on, there are certain things that can happen,” J.R. admitted. “Sometimes no matter what you do there will be things that remind you of them. Pictures, a TV show, even smells can drudge up painful or fond memories.” In those times, the artist stated that it’s possible to try to do things to fill that void. Check out the official video for “Haunted” below!


J.R. believes his approach to creating music is what separates him from other singers out now. “I put a lot of emotion and time into creating something that the listener can feel on a deeper level than what most music gives you these days,” he said. Currently, the artist is putting the finishing touches on his debut project, Finding Myself, which is set to be released in the fall! You’ll hear his influences on the project, and will be able to get to know more about the artist and his thoughts. “It will definitely reveal a lot about me,” J.R. said. “Prepare for it. It gets wild!”

In the future, J.R. wants to truly make a lasting mark on the industry, and know that he has it in him to do so. “ I really believe that I make timeless music that the listener can enjoy for years on in,” he said. “Just wait and see.” We look forward to hearing more from this artist in the future!

You can hear more from J.R. on his SoundCloud and YouTube pages!

9:20:00 AM