Month: November 2015

  • Cookie or Nicki? Quiz

     

  • Empire TV Show Season 2 Coonery Debate

    Empire TV Show Season 2 Coonery Debate

    Empire TV Show Season 2: Coonery Debate
    The Empire TV show, season 2 debate regarding whether the show is coonery continues as some argue that Fox’s hip-hop drama negatively portrays African American culture.
    The Empire TV Show Season 2
    The Empire TV Show Season 2
    Jason Moore posted the following video in an article titled ‘In Just 90 Seconds The Poet Destroys Shows Like ‘Empire’ for Negatively Portraying Black People in the Media’.
    The poet does not mention ‘Empire’ yet the title clearly suggests that the poet’s words are directed towards the show.
    In the words of Don Lemon, “No TV show can represent an entire community or ethnicity, nor should it have to.”
    The poet states, “Do you really think you got more influence over your kids than we do?” implying that the impact of children’s television consumption cannot be regulated.  If the poet was referring to Empire, he has completely ignored the positive aspects of the show.
    Television shows like Empire increase the viewer’s interest by exposing them to a variety of activities the individual may not otherwise know: music, acting and even launching a record label.  Seeing people that look like you create beautiful art that impacts the world inspires you to start creating and living your dreams.
    The Genius of Shakespeare
    For aspiring actors, Empire acts as a reminder of the importance of William Shakespeare.  Empire’s cast, season 2, includes talented actors that are passionate about their craft.  For many of them, Empire brings them back to acting school where they had to learn about Shakespeare, as the show is based off Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’.
    Shakespeare provides contemporary connections that open pathways to learning for some of society’s most marginalized.  In prisons, inmates that take advantage of educational opportunities have even found valuable lessons about Shakespeare and his plays.  Empire offers a pathway to Shakespeare’s priceless themes, which continue to resonate today.
    Although Shakespeare is known for his beautiful love stories he is also praised for his murderous imagination.  It’s only entertainment.
    Viewers that are unable to relate to Shakespeare find it easy to relate to Empire.  These viewers are able to discover Shakespeare’s lessons through the amazing acting of Empire’s cast. Season 2 has been packed with numerous Shakespearean themes including love, treachery, honor, bravery and political intrigue.

    Gabourey Sidibe’s Empire Excellence
    Some believe that overweight black females are not cast as desirable, love interests on television because people will find it unbelievable.  Not Lee Daniels, who has done a wonderful job with Gabourey Sidibe as Becky on Empire.  When you allow the “black on black” crime to tell Empire’s only story you are limiting your viewing experience, as the show offer so much more.

    White filmmakers have ignored overweight black females while black comedians have made millions poking fun at her (Martin, Tyler Perry, Eddie Murphy, etc.).  Gabourey Sidibe’s Empire role is yet another positive aspect of the show.  Television shows typically do not hire actresses

    Change the Channel
    When an idea is put on television, the viewer must decide to agree or disagree with the message.  If you do not agree, change the channel.  If your child is watching television when you are not home, eliminate access to it.
    As Madam Prezident explains in the following video “It’s up to the parents to control what the children intake.”
    The video was posted on Dr. Boyce D. Watkins YouTube channel.  The same Dr. Watkins who argued that Empire, dramatic television show, is coonery because of the way in which it negatively portrays African American culture.
    Are there any dramatic television shows that do not feature a negative ethnic, racial or social stereotype?
    Dr. Boyce D. Watkins argues that Fox would never put a dysfunctional white family on television yet Fox put ‘Married… with Children‘ on television for 11 seasons.  The show featured a white dysfunctional family in Chicago.
    The New Digital Divide
    Dr. Watkins is now selling his app exposing African Americans that are viewed as the perfect consumption machines that often purchase apps like the one recently launched by Watkins.  African Americans that live in urban communities are typically unable to afford the laptops necessary to create content.  Instead they rely on their phones to consume content, like Dr. Watkins’ new app.  This content comes at a cost as blacks are typically enticed by the advertisements perfectly positioned on each of their phone’s apps.
    Blacks access the Internet by cellular phones more than the general population.  Many rely on phones to complete tasks that they need actual computers for.  There are too many critical tasks that people are unable to complete via their smartphones including helping their children with homework, accessing important tax information and filling out job applications.  African American households need high-speed Internet access and computers as opposed to smartphones.
    Dr. Watkins knows exactly what he has to do to keep African Americans consuming as opposed to creating: offer them an app that adds another $10 expense to their monthly budgets and any time a show, like Empire begins to inspire blacks to create, attempt to shut it down by any means necessary to ensure they continue to consume.
    Blacks do not meaningfully contribute to online communities at the same level as their white counterparts.  Moreover African American males have the lowest level of computer and Internet use of any subgroup.  Blacks use the Internet to purchase items, listen to music and visit social media while others generally use the Internet to create content and generate an additional stream of income.
    The Internet can be used to conduct the research necessary to write a script for a television show, creating financial freedom and opportunities for other blacks.  This is how Lee Daniels used the Internet to create Empire, hire his own and even offer the Fox Next Empire Artist initiative that will more likely than not create additional opportunities for more African Americans.
    Dr. Watkins has a YouTube channel where he can provide his followers content for free and continue to collect the advertisement income that he has been collecting.  Dr. Watkins does not offer any innovative advice on his app that is not available online, for free.  Dr. Watkins, unlike you claim in the video above, we are far from connected.
  • When Does Empire Come On?

    When Does Empire Come On?

    When does Empire come on?
    October 28, 2015 was the first Wednesday of the second season of Empire that the show did not air.  As a result, we all ask: When does Empire come on? Hoping we will never have to deal with another Wednesday without our beloved hip-hop drama.

    Empire is on air Wednesdays at 9/8c.  The show’s remaining schedule is as follows:
    • November 11, 2015 – “True Love Never”
    • November 18, 2015 – “My Bad Parts”
    • November 25, 2015 – “Sinned Against”
    • December 2, 2015 – TBA
    • March 30, 2016 – “Death Will Have His Day”

    When does Empire come on?

    Empire Soundtrack Season 2

    The Empire Soundtrack Season 2 will include all the amazing songs from the series along with Jussie Smollett and Alicia Keys’ duet ‘Powerful’.  The soundtrack was produced by Timbaland, NE-YO, J.R. Rotem and Swizz Beatz.  
    The set features songs by Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon), Yazz (Hakeem Lyon), Terrence Howard (Lucious Lyon), Timbaland, Pitbull, Alicia Keys, Bre Z, V. Bozeman and Serayah.
    The official title of the soundtrack is Empire: Original Soundtrack, Season 2 Volume 1.  The soundtrack will be available on Friday, November 20th.
  • Decoding The Trailer For ‘Empire’ Episode “True Love Never”

    Decoding The Trailer For ‘Empire’ Episode “True Love Never”

    Hakeem Empire Gif
    Hakeem Empire Gif
    Mallory Carra | Entertainment

    There’s never a dull moment in Empire Season 2 for the Lyon family and it doesn’t seem like this week’s episode will be any different for our favorite family. Last week, we left off with Cookie hooking up with the sexy and mysterious Laz, while Hakeem had some doubts after he was kidnapped and beaten.

    So, what’s in store for this week? Let’s decode the trailer below.
    • Oh boy! Cookie and Laz are still going at it. But will it last? Hakeem seems to has his doubts about the new man in his momma’s life and his influence on her.
    • And so it’s come to this: Jamal and Cookie start sneaking around Lucious’ back. Jamal, probably unhappy with Lucious’ feedback lately, seems to turn to Cookie for thoughts on his new track. I knew these two couldn’t stay away from each other forever. Remember how close they used to be in Season 1?
    • Naturally, Lucious figures it out once he hears the song. Uh oh.
    • Whoa! Laz is working with someone and he tells him “we need to get paid.” Is he working with the guys who broke into Lyon Dynasty? Or the ones that kidnapped Hakeem? Or are they the same ones? This is intriguing! What a twist.
    I can’t wait to see how it all plays out in full on Wednesday night!
  • 50 Cent’s Empire Beef, A Complete Guide

    50 Cent’s Empire Beef, A Complete Guide

    On Sunday, Vivica A. Fox visited Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live and social media went crazy after her remarks about the 50 Cent Vibe cover.  The two began discussing Vivica Fox’s Empire role leading to questions about 50 Cent blaming the Empire TV show’s rating drop on the “gay stuff” on the show.

    Cohen asked Vivica, “What were your thoughts when 50 Cent blamed the season ratings dip on ‘gay stuff’?”

    Is 50 Cent Gay
    Vivica responded, “First of all, you know the pot called the kettle black is all I’m saying.” Vivica had the world wondering: Is 50 Cent gay? Cohen then asked the 51-year-old actress if she meant 50 Cent was gay and she answered “he’s not.”

    Vivica Fox then added, “I’ll just never forget there was a Vibe cover with him and Souja Boy that made me go, ‘hmmm’ he looked like a booty snatcher on that one to me.”

    When Fox commented on the 50 Cent Vibe cover she was actually referring to the 50 Cent and Soulja Boy XXL cover, which featured 50 wearing a white mask with his arm on Soulja Boy’s shoulder.  50 Cent and Soulja Boy are rather close on the magazine’s cover.


    50 Cent Vivica Fox Empire
    50 Cent Vivica Fox Empire



    Vivica Fox 50 Cent Soulja Boy
    Vivica Fox 50 Cent Soulja Boy

    50 Cent Vivica Fox Empire TV Show
    50 Cent Vivica Fox Empire TV Show

    Is 50 Cent Gay?
    Is 50 Cent Gay?

    50 Cent’s Response to Vivica Fox
    50 Cent did not take long before responding to his former lover’s comments: “Oh No!!! Now she thinks I’m gay because I let her lick my Ass. LMAO. Wait, I didn’t want her to, she forced me, my hands were tied. 50 shades of grey,” the producer of Power wrote.

    50 Cent also posted an image of Fox’s breasts accompanied by the words “Really bad boob job.” Soulja Boy Instagrammed: “Everybody hit up this cougar…she’s single and ready to mingle…1-800-GrannyDesperateForAttention extension I’mWashedUp.”

    Following her appearance on WWHL, Vivica Fox posted “Boom!! That’s 4 my #EmpireSeason2 family yall!!” via Twitter.  “Drops mic ;) #WWHL.”

    Vivica Fox 50 Cent Diss
    Vivica Fox 50 Cent Diss

    You gotta love social media:

    50 Cent Dies Trying
    So there’s more 50 Cent, Empire beef.  The Vivica Fox, 50 Cent beef marks yet another instance of 50 feuding with stars of the Empire TV show.


    With the public waiting on Vivica to round up the cast of Empire to clap back at 50, lets do a rundown of the history of 50 Cent v. Empire.

    January 2015
    50 Cent Complains about Ads for Empire
    In January 2015 50 Cent complained about Empire’s promotional content being too similar to the promotional content for his show, Power.

    50 complained that Empire used the word ‘Power’ in advertising images: “They didn’t have to do that.” Jackson used social media to post about the similarities and Taraji P. Henson responded: “I pay attention to $, no cents,” with a peace sign emoji:

    The Empire TV Show
    The Empire TV Show

    “Can you say anything bad when a woman says something to you and not be inappropriate?” 50 responded. “So I just laughed about it and let it brush.  That’s cool.  I think there’s room for more actual television shows.”

    February 2015
    50 Cent Compares Empire to Glee
    During an interview with MTV in response to a question about Empire 50 Cent states, “It’s like Glee with a little hip-hop music in it.”



    50 Congratulates Empire
    “Taraji, you fine motherf–er, I’m happy to date you one day,” 50 proclaimed. “How you know this ain’t the love connection we been waiting for girl? You know I say things I don’t mean.”

    July 2015
    50 Congratulates Taraji P. Henson
    50 Cent congratulates Taraji P. Henson to get a nod for her role as Cookie.  “I’d like to see Taraji recognized.  Black people really like the Cookie character,” 50 stated during the taping of a episode of Drinking With The Stars.





    September 23, 2015
    Cookie Claps Back
    In Episode 1 of the Empire TV show’s second season Cookie calls 50 Cent a thirsty ass for being too eager on Instagram.  While looking at her phone, Cookie states, “50 cent still taking jabs at us? Look at what he posted on the Gram, thirsty ass”:

    50 Cent Empire Beef
    50 Cent Empire Beef

    Empire 50 Cent Beef
    Empire 50 Cent Beef

    September 24, 2015
    50 Cent Responds to Cookie
    50 Cent posted a video response to Cookie’s comments.  He posted a video montage dedicated to Cookie stating, “I can’t believe Cookie would say some shit like that about me. Thirsty, me? Thirsty? Come on. You stupid.”

    “Man, me and Cookie go way back, you know I hit that!”



    October 2015
    50 Cent Blames Empire Ratings Drop on ‘Gay Stuff’
    As mentioned above Vivica’s comments were made in response to 50 Cent blaming Empire’s ratings drop on the show’s gay plot. “There are 3 million less viewers who tuned into last night’s Empire episode!!!! did you watch it?” he stated. “We could not take the extra gay stuff or celebrity stuff last night!!!!”

    50 Cent Empire TV Show
    50 Cent Empire TV Show

    Similar to the way he created beef with Kanye West in order to catapult himself to the top of hip-hop, we are certain 50 Cent will continue to manufacture beef with Empire to promote Power.

  • Empire Season 2 Episode 6 Recap: The Cooler

    Empire Season 2 Episode 6 Recap: The Cooler
    Subscribe today! http://www.youtube.com/user/alldefdigital?sub_confirmation=1 Jon Scarlett & Doboy breakdown Empire Season 2 Episode 6 “A High Hope for a Low Heaven”, Big Hakeem Episode. We find out he gets kidnapped by the same neighborhood thugs that have been harassing Cookie and the Lyon Dynasty offices. Get caught up with another Episode of The Cooler!! #ADD #TheCooler For the extended version make sure you check out the Podcast on soundcloud! (http://ift.tt/1L9zEzo) @JonScarlett @iamdoboy → CONNECT WITH ADD ← https://twitter.com/AllDefDigital http://ift.tt/1cp543I http://bit.ly/ADDfacebook http://bit.ly/ADDgoogleplus [CREDITS] Producers: Russell Simmons, Harris Sherman, James Lourie, Sydney Kim, Josh Gonzales, Kevin Fredericks Staring: Jon Scarlett, Doboy Edited by: Brandon Scharf Graphics by: Ryan Kehoe Post Supervisor: Rich Song

  • Vivica Fox Tries to Call 50 Cent Gay and Gets Instantly Checked by 50.. “You Ate My A**”

    Vivica Fox Tries to Call 50 Cent Gay and Gets Instantly Checked by 50.. “You Ate My A**”
    CLICK TO SUB TO THIS CHANNEL: http://bit.ly/TheNegrotiator See Vivica Fox Comments Here: http://ift.tt/1QtOl7p DJ Akademiks Speaks on Vivica Fox trying to Call 50 Cent Gay and Gets Instantly Checked by 50.. “You Ate My A**” Also Sub to DJ Akademiks – Negrotiator http://bit.ly/1Cvr2FI Follow on Instagram http://ift.tt/1xGBNNV Follow me Elsewhere. Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/iamakademiks Instagram – http://ift.tt/1xGBNNV Facebook – http://ift.tt/1dOFq9y Subscribe to my Other Youtube Pages too. DJ Akademiks Main Page – http://bit.ly/JoinAkademiksArmy DJAkademiksTV – http://www.youtube.com/djakademikstv2 DJ Akademiks: War in Chiraq – http://www.youtube.com/chiraqwar

  • EMPIRE | Cookie’s Cookout from “True Love Never”

    EMPIRE | Cookie’s Cookout from “True Love Never”
    Cookie tells Laz how he’s going to promote Lyon Dynasty. Subscribe now for more Empire clips: ‪http://fox.tv/SubscribeEMPIRE See more of Empire on our official site: http://fox.tv/Empire Like Empire on Facebook: http://fox.tv/Empire_FB Follow Empire on Twitter: http://fox.tv/Empire_Twitter Follow Empire on Instagram: http://fox.tv/Empire_IG Follow Empire on Tumblr: http://fox.tv/Empire_Tumblr Like FOX on Facebook: http://fox.tv/FOXTV_FB Follow FOX on Twitter: http://fox.tv/FOXTV_Twitter Add FOX on Google+: http://fox.tv/FOXPlus Having taken TV audiences by storm in its record-setting first season, EMPIRE enters Season Two as the No. 1 series on broadcast television. From its jaw-dropping storylines to its chart-topping hip-hop soundtrack, EMPIRE instantly gained a legion of die-hard fans, creating a social media frenzy and making “Cookie” a household name. The series recently was nominated for three Emmy Awards, including one for Taraji P. Henson in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. It also has received four TCA Award nominations, including Program of the Year, Outstanding Program, Outstanding Achievement in Drama and Individual Achievement in Drama (Henson). Henson and Howard both recently won the BET Awards for Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, and Henson also won the NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year. EMPIRE | Cookie’s Cookout from “True Love Never” https://www.youtube.com/user/EMPIREonFOX

  • EMPIRE | Bottoms Up from “True Love Never”

    EMPIRE | Bottoms Up from “True Love Never”
    Cookie tells Hakeem to make a change to his girl group. Subscribe now for more Empire clips: ‪http://fox.tv/SubscribeEMPIRE See more of Empire on our official site: http://fox.tv/Empire Like Empire on Facebook: http://fox.tv/Empire_FB Follow Empire on Twitter: http://fox.tv/Empire_Twitter Follow Empire on Instagram: http://fox.tv/Empire_IG Follow Empire on Tumblr: http://fox.tv/Empire_Tumblr Like FOX on Facebook: http://fox.tv/FOXTV_FB Follow FOX on Twitter: http://fox.tv/FOXTV_Twitter Add FOX on Google+: http://fox.tv/FOXPlus Having taken TV audiences by storm in its record-setting first season, EMPIRE enters Season Two as the No. 1 series on broadcast television. From its jaw-dropping storylines to its chart-topping hip-hop soundtrack, EMPIRE instantly gained a legion of die-hard fans, creating a social media frenzy and making “Cookie” a household name. The series recently was nominated for three Emmy Awards, including one for Taraji P. Henson in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. It also has received four TCA Award nominations, including Program of the Year, Outstanding Program, Outstanding Achievement in Drama and Individual Achievement in Drama (Henson). Henson and Howard both recently won the BET Awards for Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, and Henson also won the NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year. EMPIRE | Bottoms Up from “True Love Never” https://www.youtube.com/user/EMPIREonFOX

  • EMPIRE | Off The Top from “True Love Never”

    EMPIRE | Off The Top from “True Love Never”
    Hakeem joins in on the negotiations. Subscribe now for more Empire clips: ‪http://fox.tv/SubscribeEMPIRE See more of Empire on our official site: http://fox.tv/Empire Like Empire on Facebook: http://fox.tv/Empire_FB Follow Empire on Twitter: http://fox.tv/Empire_Twitter Follow Empire on Instagram: http://fox.tv/Empire_IG Follow Empire on Tumblr: http://fox.tv/Empire_Tumblr Like FOX on Facebook: http://fox.tv/FOXTV_FB Follow FOX on Twitter: http://fox.tv/FOXTV_Twitter Add FOX on Google+: http://fox.tv/FOXPlus Having taken TV audiences by storm in its record-setting first season, EMPIRE enters Season Two as the No. 1 series on broadcast television. From its jaw-dropping storylines to its chart-topping hip-hop soundtrack, EMPIRE instantly gained a legion of die-hard fans, creating a social media frenzy and making “Cookie” a household name. The series recently was nominated for three Emmy Awards, including one for Taraji P. Henson in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. It also has received four TCA Award nominations, including Program of the Year, Outstanding Program, Outstanding Achievement in Drama and Individual Achievement in Drama (Henson). Henson and Howard both recently won the BET Awards for Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, and Henson also won the NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year. EMPIRE | Off The Top from “True Love Never” https://www.youtube.com/user/EMPIREonFOX