Wendy Raquel Robinson in Denim Magazine

(theybf)

I like the styling in this issue. I love the dress and I never would have thought to put a multi-colored skirt with an animal print top. I love the last outfit, although I don't know if I'll recreate it. Maybe if I'm feeling adventurous. 

I don't watch The Game, so I don't know know much about what's going on. I do know a few of my favorite vloggers have stopped reviewing it because of the direction the show is going on. I think I may watch it and form my own opinion but from what I've heard, The Game is doing too much and veering too far left. 

DENIM:  While “The Game” is receiving record ratings since its return last season, there is still a bit of backlash. How do you and the cast handle negativity towards the show?

WRR: You know people are always looking for something fresh- something new. The criticism last year was that we [The Game] were moving too fast. Now we’re moving too slow.  We have 22 episodes and it has to build up. It’s hard for me to watch the show to see where improvement is needed- I mean if we’re in it we don’t see it.

DENIM: Do you ever see pieces of yourself in your role as Tasha Mack?  If so, in what ways are you similar?

WRR: Well I do have an alter-ego similar to Tasha Mack! [laughs] Her name is Miss Wendy! Miss Wendy about her business and will snap.  She crazy and wants things done her way! [laughs]

Star Magazine's Fake Beyonce Interview

There's an interview floating around the blogosphere that Beyonce supposedly gave to Star UK. (Major Side Eye) In the interview Beyonce talks about giving birth, Jay-Z changing diapers (whatever), and the security. Beyonce's rep has confirmed that this interview is a fake but you can read Star's fiction below:

Nothing can describe the feeling. You have the instant connection once you know your child is growing inside you, but when you hold it for the first time, the words can’t be found.“It’s an old cliche that the thing expectant moms look forward to the most is holding their child in their arms for the first time, but it’s one of those clichés that is a real truth.”“I am so excited. From the time I knew I was pregnant we have been parents. A child is the greatest gift you can receive, and we are so excited and blessed to be in this situation.

Beyonce on Jay-z as a father‘He would not have missed it for anything. He is a very protective and loyal guy by nature. He is a very protective husband, and since we found out I was pregnant I have seen the protective father in him. He is not only an inspirational artist, he is an inspirational husband. I know the next step on his journey is going to be being an inspirational father.’‘He will change diapers, of course he will. He is going to be a very hands-on father. He has already said publicly that providing isn’t love. Love is being there. Love is doing the little things for your child.’

Beyonce on the security controversySecurity was very tight, but not just for the sake of it, it was for the security of our daughter. At home, she’ll be part of a normal, loving family with a loving mom, a loving dad, a loving aunt and loving grandparents, just like any other kid.

First, I doubt that Beyonce would talk in depth about the security controversy because Beyonce does not address controversy. Second, she will only say that she looked forward to holding Blue Ivy and how much her life has changed, Beyonce only gives minimum details. Third, I doubt Beyonce or Jay-Z will change diapers. I know people deem that controversial and elitist but you know if you could/can afford to have someone change your child's diapers you would. I know I would. I don't know know anyone who looks forward to changing poopy diapers and getting peed and pooped on. 

How Not To Give An Interview 101

I knew Kris Humphries couldn't spill too much Kardashian tea because of the confidentiality agreement but I was hoping the interview would be more interesting than this. The interview was so painfully awkward that I changed the channel. This is why people under confidentiality agreements shouldn't give interviews, this interview was a lesson in how not to give an interview. On another note, you gotta love the Humphries, Kris and his momma were there to sell a cookbook and they threw in the first post divorce interview for the segment. No one knew who the Humprhies were before this divorce debacle and now they're capitalizing on whatever momentum they're getting from this divorce drama, at least they learned something from his 72-day marriage.


Although I've been going hard in the paint for Kris Humphries, I need him and his people to have a seat. After the interview, he said he was "blindsided" by GMA's questions. Okay. Kris, this is your first post divorce interview, did you really think that people wanted to talk about the basketball career no one knew you had before this Kardashian marriage and your mom's cookbook? No one cares about your mom's cookies and people barely care about your basketball career. You knew what this was because they promoted it as such for the entire half hour before you came on. I think Kris was scared because he knew that Kim had her lawyer on speed dial in case he slipped and said something she didn't like, so he lied and said he was blind sided. These morning shows don't blindside people. They do pre-interviews, they usually clear the questions with the publicists, and they make sure everyone is on the same page, there is no blindsided interviews. Have a seat and don't get up until this confidentiality agreement is lifted.

Nicki Minaj - HoneyTV Interview

Nicki Minaj waxes about her last 9 to 5, 'massive (fan) attacks', her worst performance experience, the last time she cried, and more

Down low we have Nicki Minaj performing "Roman's Revenge" and her current single "Right Through Me" on the 106 & Park soundstage.

Pink Friday is in stores now.

Kanye in His Own Words

Kanye West is in the October issue of XXL with his self penned story. Talking about what else? Taylor Swift. I'm tired of hearing about it, let it go. No more sappy songs Taylor or I'm going to be forced to take your guitar.

In his candid cover story, Ye speaks on the reaction he received from the infamous 2009 MTV Video Music Awards debacle. “I stress that the incident wasn’t about Taylor personally,” he explains in the story. “And it definitely wasn’t about race. Where I messed up is, at the end of the day, it’s your show, Taylor. It’s your show, MTV.”

“The relationship with the public and with your fans is like the relationship with your girlfriend,” he adds. “How could I not, at a certain point, be like, ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been at the awards show. I’m sorry.’ Not that I don’t deserve to get beat up or change who I am inside, to make sure that that doesn’t happen again.”

Diddy Covers Vibe

Diddy and his Bad Boy fam are set to cover Vibe in their August 2010 issue. Diddy sat down with Vibe Editor-in-chief Jermaine Hall for the cover story.

Dr. Dre said that the last beat that floored him was “All About the Benjamins.”
How does that make you feel?
It’s humbling. I was in the studio with Dre the
other day. He started working on a record for me. Watching him as a producer is
watching greatness. We had a lot of similar traits. It was like looking in the
mirror. He would ask questions like, “How you feel about this?” People don’t
really understand true producers want to know how you feel about things. We are
some of the most observant people on the planet.

What happened during the Martin Bashir interview on Nightline?
There were times in the interview
when I had to give him an ultimatum. The questions weren’t being handled the
right way. In hindsight, when I saw him I shouldn’t had done the interview
because I know the style of interview that he does . . . The whole thing about
giving a Maybach to my son, that’s really like a racist question. You don’t ask
White people what they buy their kids. And they buy ‘em Porsches and convertible
Bentleys and it ain’t no question. It’s really a racist question and put things
back in perspective with money and the way that people still look at you. And
I’m not saying that consciously he’s a racist. But he probably don’t even
realize that he would not ask Steve Jobs that. He would be like Steve Jobs has
that money and that’s the gift his kid is supposed to get.

Are the comments from Lil’ Kim about Nicki disheartening?
When I heard her say what
she said, it didn’t really affect me. I didn’t get mad at her or anything like
that. I knew how she felt. I ain’t agree with it. But also I know the
motivation. I know that people say, “Oh, he’s trying to get a new Lil’ Kim.” I
guess people will see in time. Yeah, Nicki’s had flavored wigs on, but besides
that it ain’t even the same approach to the writing.

(vibe.com)

The 15th annual Juice issue hits stands on August 6th.

VII Interview: D. Woods Riding Solo

Although she didn't get too much face time in Danity Kane, D. Woods remains one of the most popular member of Danity Kane. Maybe it's her quiet determination, which often took a back seat to Aubrey's vocal opposition to Diddy, or her "homegirl" demeanor that made her the member you wanted to hang out with. Whatever it is about D. Woods, she's still hot with her EP The Gray Area, appearances in music videos and movies, and references in numerous songs.
A few months ago, I spoke to D. Woods about her new music, Danity Kane, Shanell (of Young Money), and her current challenges in the music.

Congrats on the new album and single, tell us about that project?

The single is called Legalize me and it is available on online stores, itunes, rhapsody, amazon, any store you can think of produced by soundz and it has high energy and it’s kicking off what I like to call they gray area experience. The space where my fan base is familiar with me and my sound being with Danity Kane and taking them on a journey into my world where I will be for the full album. It’s not just an Ep but a transitional project.

When does the album come out?

The full album comes out this year. I haven’t determined the exact date but it’ll be sometime in 2010.

How is The Gray Area Experience different from anything fans have heard from you before?

It’s not very different just more information. It’s getting to know me and where my head is at and growing as a writer and as an artist. The independence mixtape series was about my claiming my independence, leaving the past situation behind me and making a mark for myself. The gray area is more serious and experimental and shaping my sound.

Right after Danity Kane split, you were involved in a project called "The Girls Club," what are you doing with that now?

The girls club is like a sorority, a network and support system. There are a lot of things in the works and supporting the individual projects of each female. We’re constantly out there supporting each other, keeping each other out there working, bringing each other on each one’s projects and helping to promote each other. That’s kind of what the aim is for the girls club to just get everyone to a comfortable place. One day we’ll do more visible things together but now we’re just kinda like split out and hopefully we’ll come together.

What are the challenges of being in the music industry right now?

This is a challenging industry period. It’s a challenging thing to get your vision executed and realized. Right now it’s just the economy where you’re doing a lot more but you don’t really see the profit. You still have to keep it going. A lot of people aren’t spending like that and you’re competing with how technology is advancing rapidly and it’s almost saturated with artists fighting for the same space. That’s challenging but it makes it excited at the same time. If we were the type of people who needed structure and guaranteed anything, I don’t think we would have chosen this profession because you never what’s going to happen. You have to take the pros and the cons and keep moving.

Congrats on your new label, Woodgate Records, how did that come about?

I have kind of been on that path I believe my whole life and I didn’t realize it. Each situation that I put myself in kind of prepared me for this day. Even me graduated from NYU, I graduated with an individualized major. I made up my own major in college because I was in a program and the program didn’t work for me, so I made up my own. It’s like I did that again. I started out in a structure that did what it did but I outgrew it and once the group disbanded. I was trying to gage what I wanted to do next and going out and getting another record deal didn’t really feel like what I wanted to do. I was basically promoting myself anyone, putting together my own projects and seeing the live shows and the marketing strategy and I was doing all this to a small degree so I decided to do it officially. I don’t have other artists on my label as of yet. I’m really focused on putting out D. woods material first and foremost. That’s something I want to do. I know of so many talented people who are looking for the right situation and being in the same situation that they are in now I want to establish an exception. I have to focus, one step at a time.

So do you still speak to the members of Danity Kane?

Every now and then

Are you and Aubrey still friends?

Yes, we're still friends

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from that experience?

Having the right team around you to get your vision maximized and available to the world.

Besides the album, what else are you working on?

I’m working on some film and tv projects. I just finished movie called We Are Family and some other film and TV projects in the works and fine tuning my project and getting Woodgrain entertainment up and running. I see a lot of work

What advice do you have for people who want to do what you are doing?

I would keep working on your craft, fine tune your vision and just keep visualizing it. There are so many doors that are going to close or things that seem like obstacles but if you always have that vision and do something to make it happen everyday, it’ll happen eventually. It may be an unexpected curve ball but keep that vision and you’ll get there.

What do you want people to know about D.woods?

I want to be able to open their imaginations and give them an experience for what I’m doing. To be able to take them somewhere else whether they are in the car listening to it, sitting at home watching the video, or come to the actual concert. I want every time they’re in my presence or in the presence of my music for it to take them somewhere. To show them the multifacetiousness of me.

Do you have a five year goal, and if you do what is that?

I see more of the goals I’ve come up with actually happening some of the albums, tours, movies. Hopefully all the things I’m thinking of now, I’ve done or I’m doing and I’m coming up with new stuff. Rolling the snowball.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

Go get my single on itunes and thank you for your support and being patient.

Side Eye of the Day: Prince and the Internet

Maybe there's a reason why we barely hear from Prince. In an interview with the UK's Daily Mirror, Prince pronounced the internet dead. What? I don't see the internet dying anytime soon. If it does, I'd like to see it's replacement. And not to Prince, MTV is still going strong. I feel like Prince should get with the times and put his music online. It's going to be there anyway, why not get a cut of the profits?

"The internet's completely over. I don't see why I should give my new music to
iTunes or anyone else. They won't pay me an advance for it and then they get
angry when they can't get it. The internet's like MTV. At one time MTV was hip
and suddenly it became outdated. Anyway, all these computers and digital gadgets
are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can't be good for
you."