Brandy and Monica in People Magazine

On what happened when Whitney Houston stopped by their Pre-Grammy party rehearsalBrandy: She was like our godmom. I kept asking, ‘Does it sound good?’ and she said, ‘It sounds great but turn the band down’
Monica: She was lively and she us to make her proud. I thank God for those last few moments with her.
On what it was like for them to work together againBrandy: I’m honored. It doesn’t feel like work [tears up]
Monica: Don’t start. In the studio she’d have glassy eyes. I’m like ‘Brandy!’ She’s very emotional.
On how they both been affected by deathMonica: Death made me appreciate life. After burying my first love, I realized life was too short.
Brandy: I wish I had spoken to Monica after that terrible accident. It was a very hard time. My life had to be perfect; I didn’t want to show my mistakes. I learned the hard way you had to take responsibility.
On their relationshipsMonica: I sing differently since I’ve met my husband. And he is so attentive to my kids [Rodney 6, and Romelo, 4 with rapper Rocko Hill].
Brandy: My daughter Syrai [9; dad is producer Robert Smith] loves Ryan, and he loves me for me. But I don’t have a ring.
Monica: Girl, I got you. I talked to Ryan. You’re good.
Brandy: You did? I told Ryan I’d marry him with a bubble-gum ring

I know that Brandy is trying to be cute but she just seems desperate. I feel like Brandy would marry anyone who asks. I'm glad both women are happy.

Brandy and Monica- It All Belongs To Me

I love Brandy and Monica. I had The Boy is Mine and Never Say Never and both were on heavy rotation. And like every teenage girl in 1999, I fought with my friends about who would be Brandy and who would be Monica. I think I had a preference for Monica, but I don't remember. With all my Brandy and Monica love, I have to admit I wasn't counting down the days for this Brandy and Monica duet part II.

This song is a hit. People like the nostalgia factor, love Brandy and Monica, and people love the male bashing theme. You know when I say something is a hit, it doesn't mean that it's good. This song is okay. The chorus is kind of weak and if this song comes on the radio, I will search from something better. This song is also awkward. Are they singing to each other? About the same man? Do they both know the cheating man? It's a song for one person that they made a duet. I would love if the song had some sort of back and forth to it. It doesn't even feel uniformed for both of them.

 Did they really say, "log off your Facebook?"

Amber Rose Caught Lying

Really, Amber Rose? This is the second time that Amber Rose has been caught lying. The first time, she  said that Vh1 has picked up her reality show and Vh1 quickly deaded that rumor. As far as I know, Amber Rose's show has yet to be picked up or given an air date. All I know is she filmed a pilot. I don't think she's even currently filming. Yesterday, Amber Rose posted the above picture stating she was "in" the studio with Monica. I think most people take "in" the studio to mean that her and Monica are recording music together. Maybe Amber should have said "at."

Producer Rico Love, who is working on the new Monica and Brandy duet, twetted this:

Media takeout be making shit up. As much as we love Amber Rose she was not working w/ @Monicabrown last night. It was just a pic lol #TTLO
— Rico Love (@IamRicoLove) January 19, 2012

I love how he calls out MediaTakeOut when he should really be calling out Amber because she put out the misleading tweet. I guess he didn't want to be messy or ruin a potential collaboration.I know that MediaTakeOut is not the blog with this story on it. Heck,  I thought she was working on music with Monica because of the tweet. I'll say Amber Rose lied or was deliberately misleading. She thought no one would call her out. Monica certainly wouldn't because she's not messy like that but Amber, girl. If you get caught lying twice, is it safe to say you're a liar? How many times does one have to lie before they're labeled?

Beverly Bond and BET's "Black Girls Rock! (2010)"

"Black Girls Rock!"



After witnessing last night's event, yes they do!

Here are some photos and performances from Beverly Bond's "Black Girls Rock!" event that broadcasted last night on BET. Sunday night marked the fifth, but first ever televised "Black Girls Rock!".



Hosted by actress Nia Long, the event highlighted the positive achievements of women of color. In an effort to highlight the diverse spectrum that comprises women of color, "Black Girls Rock!" celebrates and honors the brilliance of black women around the country for their achievements.



“This historic partnership with BET marks the beginning of an empowerment movement for women of color across the globe because 'Black Girls Rock' all over the world. Our girls are not being told how amazing they really are or how amazing they really can be. It is time that we start telling them. It is time that we start shouting out to the entire world that 'We Black Girls Rock!'" - Beverly Bond, founder/chief executive officer/executive producer of "Black Girls Rock!"

Here is a list of recipients of "Black Girls Rock!" awards from last night:


Actress/singer/producer, Raven Symone received the "Young, Gifted & Black" award.


Hip-Hop/R&B artist, Missy Elliott received the "Visionary" award.


Actress/singer Keke Palmer was the recipient of the "Who Got Next?" award.


Iconic actress Ruby Dee was named a "Living Legend".


Teresa Clarke, founder of Africa.com, received the "Shot Caller" award.


Major General Marcelite J. Harris, who was the highest ranking woman officer in the Air Force and the the country's highest ranking African-American woman in the Department of Defense, was the recipient of the "Trailblazer" award.


Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant received the "Motivator" award.



A few of the performers included Monica, Shontelle, Fantasia, Kelly Price, Keyshia Cole, Keri Hilson, Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott, Ledisi, and VV Brown.





In one of the most memorable moments of the night, Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott, and Ledisi sing a rendition of Nina Simone's "Four Women".

Here are some more performances below:

Jill Scott - "Golden"


Keri Hilson - "Breaking Point"


Monica - "Still Standing"


Shontelle - "Impossible"


Keyshia Cole - "I Remember"


Fantasia, Marsha Ambrosius, Ledisi, & Kelly Price - "Brand New Day"/"I'm Every Woman"

To learn more about the "Black Girls Rock!" foundation, you can visit their website here.

I must admit, I applaud BET's recent efforts in improving it's programming. With "Black Girls Rock", The View-esque "My Black Is Beautiful", the comeback of BET News in the form of "Conversations with Ed Gordon", and the re-launch of "The Game" in January 2011, BET has taking considerable action against the numerous complaints they have received about their programming. I just hope they keep the ball rolling.

Trey Songz and Monica Announce Tour Dates

Trey Songz and Monica recently announced their Passion, Pain & Pleasure Tour via press releases to bloggers.

“This has been an amazing year for me… The ‘Passion, Pain, & Pleasure Tour’ is not just another show; it will be an up close and personal experience for everyone. With the help of one of the best R&B female vocalists out today, my sister Monica, we promise you a night to remember.”~Trey Songz

AUGUST
———-
6 Shreveport, LA Municipal Auditorium
7 Dallas, TX Nokia Theatre
8 Kansas City, MO Midland Theatre
12 Savannah, GA Johnny Mercer Theatre
13 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
14 Birmingham, AL BJCC Concert Hall
15 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theater
19 Louisville, KY Palace Theatre
20 St. Louis, MO Fox Theater
21 Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee Theater
22 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theater
25 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theater
26 Cleveland, OH State Theatre
27 Baltimore, MD Pier 6
28 Norfolk, VA nTelos Wireless Pavilion
29 Richmond, VA Landmark Theater


SEPTEMBER
———-
2 Cincinatti, OH Aronoff P&G
3 Greensboro, NC War Memorial
4 Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall
5 Mashantucket, CT MGM Grand @ Foxwoods
9 San Francisco, CA Warfield
10 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
11, 12 Los Angeles, CA Club Nokia
16, 17 New York, NY Beacon Theatre

(sandrarose.com)

Monica Sings The National Anthem

Here is Monica singing the national anthem at game 3 of the NBA finals. Who brings back up singers to help them sing a two minute song? But Mo still did good.

Tell Em' Why You Mad: Monica Fans

The List of nominees for the 10th annual BET awards are out and Monica fans are not happy. The songstress, who has been in the game for 15 years, was only nominated for one award. Don'
t know how to feel about this one. We all know award shows are one big click. Beyonce will be nominated whenever she puts out new music, so will Jay-Z, and we also know Drake and Nicki Minaj won't go away empty handed.

Jay-Z leads the pack with five nominations at the BET Awards 2010, it was announced today. His wife Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Trey Songz, and Melanie Fiona follow with four nods each, while Beyoncé and Lady Gaga (“Video Phone”), B.o.B and Bruno Mars (“Nothin’ on You”), Melanie Fiona (“It Kills Me”), and Jay-Z (“Empire State of Mind” and “Run This Town”) will compete in the Video of the Year category.

The 10th annual show will feature performances from Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Diddy-Dirty Money, who was on hand to announce the nominations, along with Oscar nominee Queen Latifah, who will serve as host.

The BET Awards 2010 will air live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 27, at 8 p.m. Click below for the nominees.

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Alicia Keys
Rihanna

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Raheem DeVaughn
Maxwell
Trey Songz
Usher

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Ester Dean
Lil’ Kim
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Trina

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
B.o.B
Drake
Fabolous
Jay-Z
Ludacris

Best New Artist
Justin Bieber
Melanie Fiona
Nicki Minaj
Wale
Young Money

Best Gospel
The Anointed Pace Sisters
Kirk Franklin Presents Artists United For Haiti
Tamela Mann
Marvin Sapp
Vickie Winans

Best Group
Black Eyed Peas
Clipse
Diddy-Dirty Money
New Boyz
Young Money

Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ Lady Gaga – “Video Phone”
B.o.B f/ Bruno Mars – “Nothin’ on You”
Drake & Trey Songz – “Successful”
Drake f/ Lil Wayne, Kanye West & Eminem – “Forever”
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”
Trey Songz f/ Fabolous – “Say Aah”

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Gil Green
Anthony Mandler
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams

Video of the Year
Beyoncé f/ Lady Gaga – “Video Phone”
B.o.B f/ Bruno Mars – “Nothin’ on You”
Melanie Fiona – “It Kills Me”
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West – “Run This Town”

Viewer’s Choice
Beyoncé – “Sweet Dreams”
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”
Monica – “Everything to Me”
Rihanna f/ Young Jeezy – “Hard”
Trey Songz f/ Fabolous – “Say Aah”
Young Money (Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Jae Millz, Drake, Tyga) f/ Lloyd – “Bedrock”

Best International Act
Kojo Antwi (Ghana)
Chipmunk (UK)
Dizzee Rascal (UK)
Estelle (UK)
Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) (South Africa)
K’NAAN (Somalia)
M.I. (Nigeria)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Corinne Bailey Rae (UK)
Sade (UK)

Centric Award
Melanie Fiona
Maxwell
Chrisette Michele
Monica
Sade

(rap-up magazine.com)