07-31-08 EURxtra: Obama Catches Heat Over New Ludacris Song

EUR Headlines

OBAMA CATCHES HEAT OVER LUDACRIS SONG: Rapper's anti-Hillary line causes calls for senator to denounce rapper.
*The Obama campaign had to release a statement yesterday denouncing lyrics from Ludacris that call his former Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton the b-word and also disparages John McCain, President Bush and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Read Full Story

NELLY THROWS MONEY BEHIND NEW ENERGY DRINK: Rapper becomes part owner of ZizZazz Explosive Energy Mix.
*Nelly is expanding his business portfolio with part ownership in ZizZazz Explosive Energy Mix, which sets itself apart by coming in a portable single-serving stick. Read Full Story

BORIS KODJOE: The All about Us Interview with Kam Williams
*Boris Frederic Cecil Tay-Natey Ofuatey-Kodjoe was born in Vienna, Austria on March 8, 1973 to Eric, a physician from Ghana, and Ursula, a psychologist from Germany which is where he was raised along with his siblings, Patrick and Nadja. Read Full Story

TRIAL DIDN'T STOP R. KELLY'S SEXUAL LYRICS: Leaked songs from forthcoming album as salacious as ever.
*A round of songs leaked from R. Kelly's upcoming "12 Play 4th Quarter" album are making headlines for their steamy content despite having just been acquitted of child pornography charges. Read Full Story

NEW MCCAIN AD TARGETS OBAMA'S CELEB STATUS: Clip shows pics of Britney and Paris Hilton to drive home point.
*The latest campaign ad from John McCain tries to use Barack Obama's worldwide adulation against him by suggesting he's too much of a celebrity to be President. Read Full Story

JEEZY PREPS FOR NATIONWIDE 'RECESSION': Rapper outlines tour dates for new album.
*Young Jeezy's new album, "The Recession," will be released on Sept. 2 via CTE/Def Jam and will be preceded by a three week promo tour throughout the U.S., reports Billboard.com. Read Full Story

SOMMORE BRINGING NEW STANDUP TO COMEDY CENTRAL: 'The Queen Stands Alone' to premiere in September.
*Comedienne Sommore will present "The Queen Stands Alone," a film version of her stand-up act, on Comedy Central Saturday, Sept. 13. Read Full Story

CED THE ENTERTAINER HEADED TO BROADWAY?: Rumor has it comic is in talks to join John Leguizamo in 'American Buffalo.'
*Cedric The Entertainer is rumored to be joining the cast of Broadway's upcoming revival of "American Buffalo." Read Full Story

CHUCK BERRY SAYS HIS HEALTH IS FINE: Rumors of illness spilled after rock vet pulled out of two sold-out gigs without explanation.
*Chuck Berry says thanks for the concern, but he is in "perfect" health despite rumors to the contrary after he pulled out of two sold-out concerts in Spain at the 11th hour and without explanation. Read Full Story

KLEOPATRA GIRL'S RINGSIDE REPORT: Luenell hosts private viewing party for her 'Shock of Love' segment of Comedy Central's 'Reality Bites Back.'
By Eugenia Wright a/k/a Kleopatra Girl
*It was a gloriously clear and balmy night as I drove to the Baldwin Hills area of Los Angeles to attend Comedienne Luenell’s private soiree to watch “Shock of Love” segment of Reality Bites Back on Comedy Central in which Comedienne Luenell starred. Read Full Story

JACOB THE JEWELER SUES WYCLEF OVER BLING: Jail-bound Arabo trying to collect on $319,000 tab.
*On the heels of a 30-month prison sentence for lying to federal investigators about a multimillion-dollar drug ring, the infamous "bling king," Jacob Arabo, has filed a lawsuit against rapper Wyclef Jean over an unpaid tab. Read Full Story

MR. T'S SNICKERS AD PULLED IN UK: Mars scraps spot after receiving complaints in the U.S. that it was homophobic.
*Candy giant Mars decided to pull its UK TV ad for Snickers after receiving complaints in the U.S. that the spot, featuring Mr. T harassing a male speed walker, was offensive to gays. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: The Order of Myths
By Kam Williams
*Judging from The Order of Myths, recent pronunciations of America as a post-racial society are a bit premature. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Ne-Yo and New Kids; David Banda's half-brother; Jim Jones pushes education; Rush's Art For Life benefit.
*Ne-Yo has teamed up with New Kids on the Block to record "Single," a song from the group's upcoming album "The Block," due out Sept. 2. Read Full Story

THE EURweb FREE-4-ALL PAGE/BOARD: Talk about the stories we didn't cover in this issue.
Just like the headline says, this page/board is where you can discuss the stuff that we didn't cover in today's issue. (It's sort of like feedback with a twist) Remember, NO name calling, racial taunting, graphic sex talk and vulgarity in general, PLEASE. Read Full Story

07-31-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR ALL on ONE page! Read Full Story

07-30-08 EUR: Keys Set For 'Bond' Theme / Chris Rock's Ex Writing Tell-All

EUR Headlines

ALICIA KEYS, JACK WHITE TEAM FOR 'BOND' THEME: Plus, singer apologizes to Indonesian fans over tobacco sponsor; producer wants her for 'Last Man.'
*It's official – rumors of Alicia Keys being considered to record the theme song for the next James Bond film have proven true. Read Full Story

CHRIS ROCK'S EX WRITING TELL-ALL: Kali Bowyer still insists son is actor's seed, despite DNA tests proving otherwise.
*Although DNA tests have showed that Chris Rock is not the father of her 14-year-old son, Kali Bowyer still claims the teen is the product of a fling she had with the comic several years before his marriage to Malaak Compton-Rock. Read Full Story

SNOOP'S BOLLYWOOD BIZ IN JEOPARDY?: Will rapper be able to promote his new song in India as a convicted felon?
*Snoop Dogg appears on the soundtrack of the new Bollywood film "Singh is Kinng," but will he be able to plug the song inside of India? Read Full Story

JL KING PART 2: 'Down Low' author/activist launches new book series
By Kenya M. Yarbrough
*Author JL King created a firestorm of controversy with his 2005 book "On the Down Low - A Journey into the Lives of Straight Black Men Who Sleep With Men." Upon giving the low down on the down low, King became the poster boy of such behavior, but he’s since given up the life and now he’s now even taken a different direction with his latest tome. Read Full Story

FOXY BROWN'S CAMP EXPLAINS BOOK LAWSUIT: Lawyer claims publisher allowed her to suspend manuscript during hearing loss.
*Foxy Brown's lawyer has no idea why Simon and Shuster is suing her client for breach of contract, when they were the ones who cancelled her book deal, she alleges. Read Full Story

TRIAL BEGINS FOR OPRAH DORM MATRON: Tiny Virginia Makopo pleads not guilty to indecent assault charges. Alleged incidents detailed.
*Tiny Virginia Makopo, the 28-year-old former dormitory matron at Oprah Winfrey's school for girls in South Africa, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that she indecently assaulted six students and a fellow matron at the academy. Read Full Story

J.LO SCORES ROLE IN NEW ROMANTIC COMEDY: Film written by screenwriter of her 2002 film 'Maid in Manhattan.'
*Jennifer Lopez will balance new motherhood with a role in the upcoming romantic comedy "The Governess." Read Full Story

NEGRO ENSEMBLE COMPANY ATTEMPTS COMEBACK: Historic group to launch new season at Signature Theater.
*Off Broadway's Signature Theater has announced it will stage an entire season of revivals from the Negro Ensemble Company, a New York City-based theater company established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward. Read Full Story

RICK ROSS STILL DENIES C.O. PAST: News comes as Smoking Gun digs up more proof from Fla's Dept. of Corrections.
*The latest in the Rick Ross drama surrounding his past employment as a prison guard comes, again, from Smoking Gun, as well as the Boss himself, who claims all of this drama is nothing more than a smear campaign. Read Full Story

MARK WHITAKER NAMED NBC'S D.C. BUREAU CHIEF: Veteran journalist takes over post held by the late Tim Russert.
*NBC News Senior Vice President Mark Whitaker has been appointed the network's Washington bureau chief in the post held by Tim Russert, who died in June. Read Full Story

OBAMA MEDIA BIAS DISCOUNTED BY STUDY: Research actually shows Senator had tougher coverage than McCain, despite complaints to the contrary.
*A new study has called into question claims by some backers of Republican John McCain that the news media are being unduly critical of him while fawning over Democratic presidential rival Barack Obama. Read Full Story

T.I. BEHIND VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORT: 'Respect My Vote!' targets 18-29, non-college folks.
*T.I. and the Hip Hop Caucus have teamed to launch a new voter registration and Get Out the Vote campaign that targets young people between ages 18 and 29, who are not in college. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: Man on Wire
By Kam Williams
*On the morning of August 7, 1974, a street performer named Philippe Petit sucked the collective breaths out of the world's stomach when he performed a death-defying, high-wire act between the roofs of the Twin Towers. Read Full Story

SMOOTH JAZZ VIRTUOSO ANDRE DELANO RELEASES SECOND ALBUM: “My So Fine” due in stores August 19.
Saxophonist Andre Delano, an accomplished musician with a distinctive original sound, releases his highly anticipated second album “My So Fine” on August 19th, distributed through Nu Groove Records. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Diddy's family day; Mr. Olympia sues; 'W.' trailer.
*Diddy had another photo op with his twin girls over the weekend. This time their mother, his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter, was also present during an outing to Central Park's Sheep Meadow area. Read Full Story

MO' ITTY BITTY BITS: Oprah at Wal-Mart; NFL online; Robin's love life; LeBron's headphones.
*There has been an Oprah sighting at Wal-Mart. TMZ.com has photos of Ms. Winfrey in Hawaii buying a Nintendo Wii and two games at the discount chain. "She was extremely friendly to the staff and even gave the saleswoman a hug before leaving," the website reported. Read Full Story

THE EURweb FREE-4-ALL PAGE/BOARD: Talk about the stories we didn't cover in this issue.
Just like the headline says, this page/board is where you can discuss the stuff that we didn't cover in today's issue. (It's sort of like feedback with a twist) Remember, NO name calling, racial taunting, graphic sex talk and vulgarity in general, PLEASE. Read Full Story

07-30-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR ALL on ONE page! Read Full Story

07-29-08 EURxtra: Nelly's The New Face of Diddy's Drawl's In Ad Campaign

EUR Headlines

NELLY THE NEW FACE OF DIDDY'S DRAWLS: St. Louis rapper signs on as spokesman for Sean John Underwear.
*Diddy has tapped rap superstar Nelly to be the spokesmodel for his upcoming fall collection of Sean John Underwear. Read Full Story

'I AM LEGEND' PREQUEL BEING PLANNED: Director confirms effort during annual Comic-Con event.
*Director Francis Lawrence has confirmed that he is working on a prequel to last year's Will Smith blockbuster, "I Am Legend," reports the Web site Digital Spy. Read Full Story

WHITNEY AND RAY J, STILL GOING AT IT: Paparazzi footage shows 'couple' hugged up in backseat of a car.
*Within hours of her new track being "leaked" onto the Internet, Whitney Houston was snapped by paps being softly kissed by her rumored boy toy Ray J in the backseat of a car in Los Angeles. Read Full Story

PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS AND MEDIA: Black Radio is to Obama what Limbaugh is to McCain.
*While debate may continue over whether Democratic presumptive nominee Barack Obama is drawing an inordinate share of attention from mainstream news and entertainment outlets, there is generally little pretense of balance in major African-American media outlets. More often than not, the Obama campaign is discussed as the home team. Read Full Story

CHUCK BERRY PULLS OUT OF SOLD-OUT GIGS: Rock legend cancels without explanation, raising concerns over his health.
*The health of rock legend Chuck Berry has been called in to question after he pulled out of two concerts in Spain at the last minute and without explanation last weekend. Read Full Story

VING RHAMES JOINS SPY FLICK: Actor cast in indie comedy alongside Ellen Barkin and Rob Corddry.
*Ving Rhames booked a role in the upcoming indie comedy "Rogues Gallery," a spy romp set in an underground government intelligence agency. Read Full Story

IT'S ABOUT 'TIME' FOR LEBRON JAMES: Baller covers Aug. 4th issue of weekly news magazine about top Olympic athletes.
*He may be sidelined right now with a mild sprain to his right ankle, but that hasn't stopped Time Magazine from putting him on the cover of its next issue celebrating the top 100 athletes to watch at the Olympic Games. Read Full Story

DR. J. WOULD LIKE TO BE A PEPPER, TOO: NBA legend joins other famous "doctors" for new ad campaign.
*Dr. J (a.k.a. basketball icon Julius Erving) joins actor Kelsey Grammer as his former character Dr. Frasier Crane in a new spot for soft drink, Dr Pepper. Read Full Story

'EVENING OF STARS' TURNS 30: UNCF celebrates anniversary with salute to Patti LaBelle.
*UNCF–the United Negro College Fund– celebrates its 30th Anniversary with a salute to Patti LaBelle during its upcoming television special, "An Evening of Stars (AEOS) presented by Target." Read Full Story

KEKE PALMER PREPS FOR 'VP' ROLE: Teen actress stars in new Nickelodeon series to debut this fall.
*Keke "Akeelah and the Bee" Palmer will topline Nickelodeon's newest live-action series "True Jackson, VP," which was just given a 20-episode commitment from the network. Read Full Story

JOHN LEGEND'S 'EVOLVER' TAKING SHAPE: New studio album expected in stores Oct. 28.
*Kanye West, Estelle and Andre 3000 are just some of the artists appearing with John Legend on his upcoming album "Evolver," which is still in the recording process and is expected to be released on Oct. 28. Read Full Story

KLEOPATRA GIRL'S RINGSIDE REPORT: Paige Hurd's Sweet Sixteen 'Giving Back' @ The Rec Center
*I was literally running back and forth from one event to another and my next event was a pit stop at pretty Paige Hurd’s (Everybody Hates Chris, CW, Beauty Shop) Sweet Sixteen party. Her ‘tween celebration was so special because it was a “giving back” gesture for children’s cancer foundations. Read Full Story

MARK WHITAKER NAMED NBC NEWS' D.C. BUREAU CHIEF: He succeeds the late Tim Russert
NBC News announced Monday that Mark Whitaker has been named Chief of the network's Washington, D.C. bureau. His appointment fills a vacancy left by the untimely death of Tim Russert in June. Whitaker, a veteran, award-winning journalist who is currently a Senior Vice President at NBC News, will assume his duties immediately. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: Mardi Gras: Made in China
By Kam Williams
*If you’ve ever witnessed the annual New Orleans ritual of wanton women baring their breasts for beads at Mardi Gras, you probably were too engrossed by the sordid spectacle to stop to think about where all those shiny necklaces came from. Read Full Story

EUR DVD REVIEW: Never Back Down
By Kam Williams
*After her husband dies in a car accident while driving under the influence, Margot Tyler (Leslie Hope) decides to relocate from Iowa to Orlando, Florida for a fresh start with her two teenage sons. Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: Georgia church gives kids 'a Chance'; Obama's hip is hurting; Winehouse hospitalized; Harlem man arrested by 'black doll head cops'.
*Canaan Land Church International in Snellville, GA is offering relief to local families this school year with its first “Give a Kid a Chance” event. Read Full Story

THE EURweb FREE-4-ALL PAGE/BOARD: Talk about the stories we didn't cover in this issue.
Just like the headline says, this page/board is where you can discuss the stuff that we didn't cover in today's issue. (It's sort of like feedback with a twist) Remember, NO name calling, racial taunting, graphic sex talk and vulgarity in general, PLEASE Read Full Story

07-29-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
EUR ALL on ONE page! Read Full Story

07-28-08 EUR: Halle Vs. Paparazzi / New Whitney Houston Track Leaked

EUR Headlines

HALLE BERRY VS. THE PAPARAZZI: Actress files criminal complaint against photographer over backyard photos of baby.
*Halle Berry has taken legal action against photographers she claims crossed the line in snapping a photo of her four-month old daughter, Nahla Ariela Aubry, on her private property. Read Full Story

CNN'S 'BLACK IN AMERICA' IS RATINGS WINNER: Thursday's finale pulls 2.6 million; giving network timeslot win.
*Say what you will about CNN's two-part documentary "Black in America," but enough folks tuned in Wednesday and Thursday to give the news channel a ratings victory in its 9-11 timeslots. Read Full Story

SEN. OBAMA SPEAKS AT UNITY CONFERENCE: Back in Chicago after overseas trip, Democratic nominee talks about need to continue affirmative action.
*Sen. Barack Obama told minority journalists Sunday that affirmative action is still needed in the U.S., even if he is elected the nation's first African American president this fall. Read Full Story

JL KING NO LONGER ON 'THE DOWN LOW' (PT 1): But author/activist says black community is still holding his past against him.
By Kenya M Yarbrough
*JL King became known as the infamous "Mr. Down Low" after he guested on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and shared the story of his double life as a loving husband who had homosexual affairs. After writing two books on the subject, King has written a novel called “Love on a Two-Way Street,” that expects to be just as intriguing. Read Full Story

NEW WHITNEY HOUSTON TRACK LEAKED: Internet gets hold of song, 'Like I Never Left.'
*The first new music from Whitney Houston in five years found its way onto the Web over the weekend. [Listen to track below.] Read Full Story

RAPPER TRINA AND NBA BOYFRIEND IN CAR CRASH: Kenyon Martin and Miami artist uninjured during incident in Belize.
*Rapper Trina and her boyfriend, NBA star Kenyon Martin, were involved in a car crash in Belize last week that left a 12-year-old boy and his 9-year-old brother injured. Read Full Story

SAPP IN, SHARPTON OUT OF ABC'S 'DANCING': Leaks hit Internet ahead of next month's official announcement of new lineup.
*Retired NFL star Warren Sapp is among the confirmed celebrities set to appear on next season's "Dancing with the Stars," while Rev. Al Sharpton has gone public with his rejection of ABC's offer to join the cast. Read Full Story

FOXY BROWN, LIL KIM SUED OVER BOOK DEALS: Rivals never made good on promises to deliver memoirs.
*Friends-turned-enemies Foxy Brown and Lil' Kim found themselves in the same headline Friday as subjects of separate lawsuits from book publisher Simon & Schuster Inc. Read Full Story

TIMOTHY WRIGHT STILL AILING AFTER CRASH: Gospel singer remains in critical condition three weeks after accident.
*Grammy-nominated gospel singer Timothy Wright is still listed in critical condition three weeks following an automobile accident that killed his wife and grandson. Read Full Story

MYA EXPLAINS NO-SHOW AT BARBADOS EVENT: Rep says non-payment was behind decision to forgo scheduled club appearance.
*Mya's camp has released a statement denying that "diva behavior" kept her from making a scheduled appearance at a club in Barbados. Read Full Story

DIDDY & CASSIE ARE NOT ENGAGED: Mogul's rep releases a statement denying rumors.
*Sean "Diddy" Combs is attempting to squash rumors that he gave an engagement ring to his artist Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura, who has been rumored to be his girlfriend. Read Full Story

ROSA PARKS ITEMS UP FOR BID: Money will benefit the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute and Parks family.
*Memorabilia belonging to civil rights icon Rosa Parks are going on sale courtesy of auction house Guernsey's, with proceeds to benefit the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development and the Parks family. Read Full Story

CIARA DETAILS 'FANTASY RIDE' ALBUM: Plus, singer's 'Mama I Want to Sing' to get DVD release in early 2009.
"My mission is to take fans on a musical journey to three different sounds that represent me," Ciara tells Billbaord.com of her upcoming CD "Fantasy Ride," a concept album due in November with three distinct musical styles. Read Full Story

LENNIE MOVES FROM 'JERICHO' TO AMC: Actor cast in new mini-series 'The Prisoner.'
*Lennie James, last seen as Robert Hawkins on CBS' popular-but-cancelled drama "Jericho," has signed on to AMC's remake of the classic 1960s show "The Prisoner." Read Full Story

ITTY BITTY BITS: J.Lo's b'day; Paula's meltdown?; Gucci Mane arrested; Wendy vs. Omarosa staged?; 'Lights Out' lawsuit; no MiJac for New Kids; Kim K wedding.
*Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony took time away from 5-month-old twins Max and Emme Thursday to take in a Broadway show for J.Lo's birthday. Read Full Story

EUR FILM REVIEW: Step Brothers
This sorry shocksploitation flick elicited exactly one unforced laugh from the audience at the screening I attended, and that was from a scene already spoiled by the commercial. It’s the one where John C. Reilly jumps on the top of a bunk bed causing it to collapse onto Will Ferrell on the lower mattress. So, if you’ve watched the trailer, then you’ve already witnessed the comedic high point of Step Brothers, a sitcom which breaks the genre’s fundamental law by failing in its ever endeavor to be funny. Read Full Story

EUR TV REVIEW: Black in America
By Kam Williams
The CNN special report “Black in America” was such a disappointment that it’s not really worthy of a detailed review. The only reason I’m even bothering to do a post mortem on the program is because it had been so hyped by the network that it enticed millions of viewers to tune in on successive nights. Hosted by Soledad O’Brien, the series was aired in two parts, the first entitled “The Black Woman and Family,” the second, “The Black Man.” Read Full Story

THE EURweb FREE-4-ALL PAGE/BOARD: Talk about the stories we didn't cover in this issue.
Just like the headline says, this page/board is where you can discuss the stuff that we didn't cover in today's issue. (It's sort of like feedback with a twist) Remember, NO name calling, racial taunting, graphic sex talk and vulgarity in general, PLEASE. Read Full Story

07-28-08 EUR All On ONE Page
07-28-08 EUR All On ONE Page Read Full Story