2015 BET Awards June 30th, 2015

The Annual BET Awards came off live at the Microsoft Theater, L.A on Sunday, June 28^th 2015.

With this year being its 15^th year awarding and recognizing various talents in the film, music and sports industry in the Black Entertainment Community, BET promised to give nothing but the best its viewers.

The show had its’ jaw-dropping moments, funny and best moments, as well as awkward moments. Talking about the fashion piece, let’s just say some celebrities need new stylists and of course, Black Twitter did not let go of the shade while the event was on-going.

The show started with the red carpet hosted by Lala Anthony, Lloyd Boston & Terrence Jenkins with pre-show performances by Lil Mama, Machine Gun Kelly and so forth.

With Best Male Hip-hop artist- Kendrick Lamar performing to open the main event leading the introduction of two MC’s of the night, Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, These two did fabulously well as well as the various tribute performances for Smokey Robinson & Janet Jackson.

These performances seems to be the jaw-dropping & best moments during the event, as Neyo and co performed for Smokey whiles Ciara, Jason Derulo & Tinashae performed for Janet Jackson.

An unforgettable night for Sean “Diddy” Combs who unknowingly step in a whole meant for Lil Kim to appear on stage and fell whiles Rihanna was in-search for her money from co-celebs on the night.

The show ended with Fetty Wapp performing his most popular song “Trap Queen” and Rihanna premiering BBGMM video.

See complete list of winners below: Best International Act UK: Stormzy

Best International Act Africa: Stonebwoy

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Beyonce

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Chris Brown

Best Group: Rae Sremmurd

Best Collaboration: Common and John Legend – “Glory”

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

Video of the Year: Beyonce – “7/11”

Video Director of the Year: Beyonce, Ed Burke and Todd Tourso

Best New Artist: Sam Smith

Best Gospel Artist: Lecrae

Best Actress: Taraji P. Henson

Best Actor: Terrence Howard

Youngstars Award: Mo’ne Davis

Best Movie: “Selma”

Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams

Sportsman of the Year: Stephen Curry

Viewer’s Choice Award: Nicki Minaj Ft. Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown – “Only”

Centric Award: The Weekend – “Earned It”

Source: US Weekly Magazine.com

 

 

 

 

 

Black Wednesday in the Capital of Ghana

Accra, Ghana, June 3^rd 2015- On this faithful Wednesday as one goes by his or her day normally, little did citizens residing in the capital city of Ghana know that the early down pour that had started would submerge to huge flooding as the day was coming to a close.

It rained from morning till evening, and as the sun was setting, the rain turned into flood causing workers to stay in work even after the day’s work was done, cause street hawkers to find shelter somewhere else and cab drivers to pause on their ride services.

Due to power outages in the country, the usage of power plants or power generators has been frequent leaving a citizen to spend more than a day’s budget on fuel in order to have power mostly at night.

On this faithful Wednesday, a house owner who was quite unfortunate allegedly created another disaster aside from the flood.

Apparently, since it was still raining with thundering, his generator caught on fire instantly exploding and spreading towards a nearby gas station, which caught fire and killed almost 150 people around.

In an interview with one vendor whose daughter drowned in the flood, she said, “I’m very saddened that Ghana has to go through this situation almost every year.

This year, I have sadly lost my daughter and it is tragic; I cannot even look at her corpse.” Also, talking to a taxi driver who was fortunate to have survived both the explosion and flood, he narrated his whole ordeal till how he was saved by a firefighter.

He said, “I had parked my car somewhere and decided to come get dinner, while there we started seeing fire rolling on the water, I quickly climbed a building yet my face still burned from the heat wave.”

A friend to the manager of the gas station was interviewed and also stated that almost every employee at the gas station died with the gas station burning till no recognition.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

 

What is Love?

One question people seem not to have answers to in our modern day society is,“What is Love?”

Wars have been fought over it. Billions have been spent over it. People love it. People hate it. Some, still do not understand it.

But this age-old question has already been answered by God in the Holy Bible.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” John 3:16.

If the creator of the world loved us so much, why can’t we as humans love each other? Why do we hate and do horrible things to each other? Why do we think about reciprocating the bad things people do to us instead of the good things? Why don’t we love each other enough to treat people well?

Why don’t we teach love and why do we limit love?

For those who try to show love, it’s often in the wrong ways.

Some think love can only be shown through sex, but having sex with someone doesn’t necessarily show you love them.

You can be attracted to someone sexually but not have love for them. Sex doesn’t really show how one can love the other. Sex does not equate to love.

Love really takes a lot of sacrifice, meaning love has to be patient, polite, caring, gentle, and compromising.

Ugandan blogger and self-proclaimed love expert, Mahbuba Matovu agrees.

“Love is compromise. Meet each other in the middle,” Matovu said.

Even families struggle with love. Some don’t compromise and others simply don’t show or teach love.  For example, some mothers, even after carrying their children in the womb for nine months, have trouble showing love to them.

This brings about issues that go beyond this particular circumstance because then that child isn’t properly taught how to show love. This can create a domino effect and cripple communities.

While love is supposed to encompass great qualities, it is sometimes difficult to fully express it in the 21^st century.

Love has no boundaries or limitations. Love does not know color, race, gender and religion.

But our times limit what should be limitless.

Someone cannot show their love to another person of same sex without it being classified as gay and without these people being discriminated against.

Love should not be classified by or limited with gender. There’s a difference between loving someone genuinely that happens to be the same sex, and having sexual relations with the same sex. Love does not know gender. Love does not have a face.

Love can be shown, taught and given by family, friends, spouses, coworkers and even from church and religious groups.

As humans, we have a natural affinity for love. That’s what differentiates us from other species.

Love should be welcomed and limitless because everyone deserves a chance to love and to be loved.

As a society, we need to have compassion and embrace people with love and affection.

This world would be a better place if we did.

 

The world loses Prince on Thursday morning at the age of 57.

On Thursday, legendary musician Prince was found dead at his home, according to reports. The world-renowned singer and songwriter passed away at the age of 57.

Although the cause has not officially been released, nor an autopsy been concluded, reports say the singer was battling “a bad bout of flu” and had been hospitalized last week, apparently in relation to his illness.

The identity of the deceased at Paisley Park has not been confirmed by authorities to be Prince. Prince’s publicist confirmed Thursday that Prince had died at his home. Bustle has reached out to the Carver County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota, which also confirmed his death.

On Thursday night, reports circulating around claimed that Prince allegedly suffered an overdose days before his death. Sources claimed that he was issued a “save shot” by doctors — a maneuver typically issued to counter the effects of an opiate — when his plane made an emergency landing on April 15.

On Friday morning, a lot of blogs claimed that Prince was taking Percocet, a prescription painkiller. Prince’s reps are yet to response to these reports. Authorities are still investigating the cause of his death.

During the week an autopsy would be conducted, but the results are expected to take weeks to emerge.

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office stated in a release that it will not release any information on Prince’s cause of death until the autopsy is complete and all the results are obtained. This includes a toxicology report which could take weeks.

The office stated Prince’s medical and social history will be gathered as part of the examination.

According to reports, an illness also caused Prince to cancel two shows on his tour in early April.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Prince tweeted on April 15, hours after being hospitalized: “I am #transformed.”

Then on Thursday, emergency medical personnel received a report of a “male down not breathing” at around 9:30 a.m. local time, First responders found Prince unconscious in an elevator.

Prince couldn’t be revived, and a medical examiner was called to the scene shortly after.

The overdose happened after his final concert in Atlanta on Friday, the report states.

Several fans in attendance at Prince’s last shows told US Weekly there wasn’t any evidence of the singer being sick.

“He sang well and was emotive and just incredible, of course. He didn’t seem unwell,” one fan said.

His last shows were in Atlanta on April 14 where a fan  said Prince’s recent illness was apparent when he spoke, but when he sang, “he sounded sublime.”

Texas Southern University (TSU) hosts High School day during Communications week

Each year Texas Southern University hosts Communications Week (CommWeek), it is hosted to celebrate the various specializations in the school of communications.

High School day was an open House to Local High School students to explore and experience New Media Opportunities in Education & Industry. Before the students had the opportunity to explore the campus.

Before the students had a chance to tour the campus they gathered in the Martin Luther King Auditorium Room 104 where Professor Walker welcomed them to this great institution.

The students were briefed about the importance of having a college education and other opportunities that come with it in the future.

Current TSU students also had the opportunity to share their experiences with the high school students, whiles they also had the opportunity to ask questions.

Other faculty and staff were also in attendance to share more experience and other opportunities TSU can offer every incoming freshman.

After the brief introduction the students were divided into groups to have a tour of the campus.

Current students served as ambassadors to take high school students around.

They were taken through the various schools located on the campus. Including the Fairchild building which is the oldest building on campus.

High school students who were interested in pursuing a career in science and engineering were taken to The College of Science, Engineering and Technology (COSET) located located at the western gate of campus.

For them so experience a world class building which houses most of the science and engineering programs.

For those interested in business also had the opportunity to visit the Jesse H. Jones School of Business (JHJ) located in a world class city with state of the arts facility.

The college of Pharmacy and Health sciences was one the schools the students visited. Due to the high rate of Pharmacists who graduate from TSU it is known to be one of the most accredited school on campus.

TSU has also been known for providing world class media personnel’s, journalist, public relations personnel’s, producers and movie makers just to mention a few through the school of communications.

Which houses excellent professors such as Professor S. Walker, Professor Matthew Knowles (Former Destiny’s child manager and father of Beyoncé), Professor Zantel Nichols, and Dr. B. Brown among others.

High school students had the opportunity to use the television studio go gain first hand experience using cameras and also utilize KTSU which is the campus based radio station.

Professor Val Wilson who is also a professor in school of communications welcomed the students and took them through some of the activities that goes on in the radio station.

All high school students had the chance to explore a lot on the campus. After which they were treated to lunch in the school’s cafeteria located inside the Ernest Sterling student center.

Before the day came to a close the students were taking through all the necessary process of applying to TSU as well.

 

Hundreds of people rescued from high water in Houston flooding.

At least ten people have lost their lives due to the recent flooding that occurred in the Houston region.

The situation forced the evacuation of hundreds of people out of their homes and even knocking out power to thousands of homes, schools and businesses in the metropolis.

“This has caused a life-threatening emergency,” the city of Houston said on an emergency website. “Houston residents should avoid travel at all costs today.”

Four of the deaths happened in hard-hit Harris County, officials said.

A driver of an 18-wheeler was found dead inside the cab after he drove into high waters, a Harris County constable reported, and another man was found dead in a submerged car, the Houston Fire Department said.

Two dead bodies were found after driving around a barricade on Houston’s west side, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said.

Another death occurred in Waller County, where a 56-year-old man was found dead in a submerged vehicle, County Judge Trey Duhon said.

“It is believed the car rode off the road and into a ditch,” Duhon said.

 

On Monday afternoon, Harris County Emergency Management said.

“There’s flooding in every part of Houston,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said, telling stranded citizens. “We will rescue you.”

At least 1,500 homes have been flooded in Harris County, according to Emmett. Most people were trapped in their homes after the floods, the fire department spokesman Ruy Lozano said.

Most parts of the city had water too deep for crews to reach them in high-water vehicles, so rescuers were trying to get to those people in boats, he said.

“Over nine hospitals in the region were closed to additional patients because of the flooding, the mayor said. Three apartment buildings were evacuated and residents were being sheltered at a mall,” Turner added.

On Monday afternoon Emmett estimated 240 billion gallons of rain has fallen in the Houston area. The estimate may soon rise: more rain and thunderstorms are forecasted for Houston through late Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Emmett called this the most significant flood event since Tropical Storm Allison in the year 2001, which left over 41 people dead. This caused more than $5 billion in property damage in Harris County alone, according to the county’s Flood Control District.

At the Royal Phoenician apartment complex located on the north side of Houston, the brown floodwaters submerged cars in the parking lot early Monday, one resident said. He was able to post a video through social media showing the water had gone down slightly, though levels still reached car windshields.

Also on the other side of north Houston, residents also posted videos of residents leaving their flooded homes in a canoe as the rain continued to fall.

Some parts of I-10 and numerous roads throughout the metropolitan area were shut down, as well as many government offices.

Metro buses and rail services were shut down early Monday amid “severe and ever worsening weather conditions.”

The city of Houston has encouraged residents to stay away from water logged areas to keep them safe and sound, also the weather crew is constantly checking the weather to keep residents updated on what would be happening in the next couple of days.

Blushhhh Music headlines Texas Southern University’s (TSU) Communication week 2016 kick off concert.

When it comes to music and entertaining audience, Blushhh Music delivered a great performance at the kick off concert for TSU Communication Week celebrating #TSUCommWeek, leaving the crowd wanting for more.

Blushhh Music consists of three young talented and beautiful girls, making history in the state of Texas through music.

The three girl group is made up of two rappers; Sunnie and Bunni Ray, and one singer; Tali.

“They consider themselves as a hip-hop trio, with two rappers and a singer,” Tali said. “We write our own music and come up with our own dance routines.”

Former Destiny’s Child manager and music mogul, Mathew Knowles is the manager for Blushhh. Knowles has a keen sense for putting together great talents and making them into world class artist. He’s the mastermind behind Destiny’s Child success and pushing this group to the top as well.

“We were not put together, Mr. Knowles found us and agreed to mentor us and make us better,” Tali said.

TSU Comm Week 2016 music showcase provided a platform for many up and coming artists in TSU and around Houston like Blushhh Music to perform, to show their talent.

Each artist needs development which includes performing as much as possible in front of audiences both big and small to help channel nervous energy, grow an artist fan base and connect with the crowd. To know how the crowd would receive them.

The ladies of Blushhh Music said it is very important for them to prepare psychologically, mentally and emotionally ready before performing.

“One most important thing; we always do is we begin with a prayer, we run through the steps, the songs and the steps, communicate with  one another and fix each other up,” Sunnie said.

“It’s really getting ourselves prepared mentally.”

These days it is a very competitive industry to get into when it comes to the music industry. Some reality music show such as X factor, American Idol and The voice just to mention a few.

Most up and coming music artists are also using platforms such as Mona Scotts’ franchise, ‘Love and Hip-Hop,’ as a platform to gain popularity in the industry.

“Mathew Knowles has encouraged us to partake in another form of documentary which would show our journey, to let people know how we started,” Sunnie said.

“That way a lot of new artist who would come after us can relate to our journey and know everything we went through to get to where we are now, because when you work hard you can achieve everything you want,” Bunni said.

Blushhh Music girls drive their inspiration from each other, through different aspects of their lives.

“Tali is the creative one and we all trust her with her input when it comes to issues concerning the group. They trust her because she able to multitask singing and choreography together.

We do listen to a lot of old and new school songs, we also drive inspiration from them to make ours sound different.

One thing we also love is cartoons; we take positive energy from each situation and make it better for ourselves.