Alicesmith.com

There are some artists who just do not make it “big” in the way we think they should. Singer Alice Smith is absolutely one of those people.

Her style is eclectic, mixing rock, funk and soul music into one sound.  Her first album, For Lovers, Dreamers and Me, was a critical success with many publications dubbing her the “next best thing.” She even reached daytime status when she performed on Ellen. But despite having an undergound following, Alice’s career never fully took off.

Over the last seven years – when her first album was released – Alice has been signed to a major label and finally was able to get off in or around 2010. Fans didn’t know if they’d ever get any new music from her and all they could do was replay the debut album and watch live Youtube videos.  Oh, did I forget to mention she has a four octave vocal range? Yeah, she does…and it might even be five on a good day.  But anyway, it could have virtually been the end of a career that didn’t have a fully chance to develop.

And then, Alice took to Twitter in 2012. She informed her fans that she was now an independent artist and was ready to start recording an album tentatively titled She.  In order to get it done, she would need help with funding and to do so, Alice started a Kickstarter fund to gain financial help from fans and supporters. She ended up raising about half of the money needed and She was officially a go!

Alice released She in March and it is a gem.  From the opening a capella of the “Cabaret (intro)” to the end of the album which closes with “She,” the title track, Alice takes the listener on a journey of a love lost and also find the love of your life. You feel every emotion and every note has the ability to pierce right through your heart. She even remade Ceelo Green’s “Fool For You” which is, arguably, better than the original…just don’t tell Ceelo I said it.

Let’s get to the bottom line here: I know I can’t turn everyone into a believer, but you have to give Alice Smith a chance.

You can trust me…I wouldn’t steer you wrong. But if you don’t believe me, check the “Fool For You” video below.

For the last few men of the moment, we brought you regular ’round-the-way guys that you could reach out and touch yourselves. But this time we’re switching it up with a little celebrity sexaaay by way of singer, songwriter, and rapper Kevin McCall.

We’re sure you remember this chocolaty goodness from Chris Brown’s “Strip” video, and though we tried to get him to take it all off when he came to our office, we found out his personality is just as enticing as those abs of his. Who knew?

Check out our  intimate chat with the LA man of many talents as he talks about digging cocky women and wanting people to pay more attention to his vocals than his physique.

MORE MAN OF THE MOMENT

• Episode 1: Todd Anthony
• Episode 2: Sneak Peek: Eyan Edwards 
• Episode 3: Eyan Edwards 
• Episode 4: Sneak Peek: Gideon Emmanuel
• Episode 5: Gideon Emmanuel
• Episode 6: Sneak Peek: Jarvis
• Episode 7: Jarvis

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Unfortunately, this is real. Very, very real.

First of all, let’s just get this out of the way: you all remember singer Tweet, right? She had the song “Oops  (Oh My)” from her amazing debut album Southern Hummingbird.  Okay good, we’re all on track now. Back to business.

Well, she recently had a little chat with All Hip Hop about where she’s been since the release of her second album and the new music on her latest EP. They then mentioned to her that Twitter has become insanely popular and asked if she considered changing her name. This was her response:

“No. If anything, Twitter would have to change something up. I was here first, and they took everything that I brought to the table. I brought the bird, the name and I will never change. I’ve been Tweet since I was a little girl. It’s not a phase name, that’s who I am. My father gave me that nickname, so no way am I changing that at all.”

They went on to ask her about the rumor of her possibly suing Twitter:

“No, it’s no rumor. I didn’t go that far, yet. Yes, there is a case, and there is room for that. I haven’t really pursued it fully yet.”

There’s just so much confusion here. First, singer Tweet actively uses Twitter to tweet to her fans.  The only reason anyone knows she has a new EP out is because she uses the site to promote her music (I don’t know about you but I don’t think any of my local radio stations have asked her to come promote it). The excitement over her, so to speak, has dwindled – at least from a record label perspective – so Twitter is the easiest and cheapest route for her to get info out to the masses.

Second, whether or not Twitter decided for themselves that the word “tweet” would be used to define what people are doing on the site, a lot of people just decided that’s the word they would use to describe what they were doing anyway.What other word would there eve be? “Twittering?” That just sounds silly.

Third: With all due respect, ma’am, the vast majority of people on Twitter probably don’t know you. The head honchos at Twitter don’t know you. Personally, I’m a fan; back when Southern Hummingbird came out, my friends and I would sing the entire album and actually, we called it “tweeting.” So, while I think it is funny how the two have that connection in my world (and maybe a few of you too), let’s not get too crazy. It’s not like the use of the word on Twitter has caused her to lose money or for people to become insanely confused.

If she actually decides to pursue this, I’d be really interested to hear what she’d like them to change.  I’d also like to know if she would sue them for money because to move forward on something like this and possibly ask for money, the figure would likely be pretty high. Hilarious.

By the way, Tweet does have an EP out called Simpy Tweet and she says her new album will be out during the summer or in September. Now, that’s something to be [cautiously] excited about.

What do you think about this? Would Tweet have a leg to stand on?

Yesterday, news broke that the baby of the Braxton crew is going to have a baby of her own. Now we all know Miss Tamar has a mouth on her — not to mention catchphrases for days — and we have a feeling that trait might be passed down to her mini me, which means Tamar better watch out because she’s about to get a taste of her own medicine.com. Here are the hilarious things we bet Tamar and Vince’s little bundle will say.

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It sounds like wedding plans are slowly but surely starting to form for singer Brandy’s wedding to music executive, Ryan Press.

In an exclusive interview with Sister2Sister Magazine, Brandy revealed exclusively in the March 2013 issue that her maid of honor will be none other than…her daughter. That’s right, 10 year old Sy’rai will play quite the role in the big day:

S2S: Is your daughter Sy’rai going to be in the wedding? I assume she is going to be in the wedding.
Brandy: Since Sister 2 Sister is family, I’m just gonna tell you.

S2S: So, she is going to be in the wedding?
Brandy: She’s my maid of honor.

S2S: Oh gosh! I think that’s wonderful.
Brandy: So, y’all heard that first, honey. Sister 2 Sister exclusive.

S2Se: Well, alright!
Brandy: And y’all wouldn’t even give me no coins for that. Just playing.

Well, isn’t that cute! Luckily for Sy’rai, her age will really help her in this scenario. As most of us who’ve been in a wedding before know, being part of the wedding party almost always includes financial contributions in order to have parties celebrating the bride and groom.

Perhaps her other friends like Shay (who was in the Norwood family’s reality show), Serena Williams and Kelly Rowland will serve as bridesmaids. She’s also close friends with Niecy Nash so there’s a chance she’ll be the matron of honor.

This will be the first marriage for both Brandy (don’t you all even start) and Ryan. We can’t wait to find out more deets!

Yesterday we gave you a little sneak peak of up-and-coming R&B artist Jarvis, now we’re going to show you the full thing. We know you enjoyed this singer’s smooth voice yesterday, but now we’re going to show you there’s more to him than his vocals. Watch our interview with Jarvis here, and if you want to know more, email him at manofthemoment@madamenoire.com, subject line: Jarvis.

MORE MAN OF THE MOMENT

• Episode 1: Todd Anthony
• Episode 2: Sneak Peek: Eyan Edwards 
• Episode 3: Eyan Edwards 
• Episode 4: Sneak Peek: Gideon Emmanuel
• Episode 5: Gideon Emmanuel
• Episode 6: Sneak Peek: Jarvis
• Episode 7: Jarvis

And for even more Jarvis, check out his music video, “Make a Little Room.”

What woman wouldn’t love a man who can serenade her for those special coupe occasions — or after he’s messed? Well, we’ve got your man here in Capitol records singer, Jarvis. The Tulsa, OK, native and Atlanta resident stopped by the MadameNoire office to give us a little taste of those vocals, and we couldn’t help but notice he’s quite easy on the eyes. Check out a sneak peek of what’s to come in our full interview with him tomorrow when he spills on what he likes in a woman and how he likes to woo her — besides using that lovely voice of his.

MORE MAN OF THE MOMENT

• Episode 1: Todd Anthony
• Episode 2: Sneak Peek: Eyan Edwards 
• Episode 3: Eyan Edwards 
• Episode 4: Sneak Peek: Gideon Emmanuel
• Episode 5: Gideon Emmanuel
• Episode 6: Sneak Peek: Jarvis
• Episode 7: Jarvis

Source: WENN

Mary, this is…out of hand.

In documents obtained by TMZ, singer Mary J. Blige has been hit with a tax lien by the state of New Jersey. The documents state that Mary owes the government $901,769.65 in back taxes.  They didn’t state what years the IRS is seeking back pay but she’s probably missed at least two years.

This is just the latest string of financial problems and embarrassments for Mary.  It was just over a week ago that we told you she defaulted on a loan from Bank of America and now owes them over $500,000. When she was asked about it, she said was that all she can do is just keep pushing on on and “let haters hate.” Ahhh yes, those haters sure do know how to get you in alleged financial trouble, don’t they?

But even prior to that, she defaulted on a $2.2 million dollar loan and  before that, she was sued because of her charity not paying back money.

It would seem like when you suddenly find yourself in major situations like this on an almost consistent basis, not only would you fire your accountants (even if they’re flesh and blood), but you might also consider taking some accounting classes so you can figure out how to go over the books yourself.  There just doesn’t seem to be a logical reason for these things to keep happening.

TMZ reached out to Mary’s reps but so far, they’ve received no response.

Source: WENN

Queen Latifah

Calling: Rapper/Actress/Singer

Why we’re saluting her: 

Queen Latifah is truly a jack of all trades and master of many. First introduced to her as a rapper, Queen has gone on to wow us with her acting ability, smooth jazz voice, television productions, and beauty as a Cover Girl and model.

It should come as no surprise that Queen Latifah, born Dana Owens, has come to be such a symbol of empowerment and inspiration for Black women. On her third studio album, Black Reign, she gave us the ladies anthem U.N.I.T.Y , letting everyone know women should be called and treated as nothing less than that. And from there, she went on to star in one of the ‘90s – and our personal favorite – sitcoms, Living Single, and had a long string of film roles on the big and small screen from Set It Off, Bringing Down the House, Hairspray, and Chicago to Steel Magnolias and Life Support, the captivating movie loosely based on the true story of Ana Wallace, an HIV-positive woman.

In every role, whether in the studio recording The Dana Owens Album, or behind the camera producing shows like Single Ladies, or being on film in Just Wright, the Queen’s undeniable beauty shines through. That’s why companies like CoverGirl have brought her on as a spokesmodel to represent their products, and have even given the 42-year-old her own line os cosmetics, appropriately titled, “The Queen Collection.”

Now that the Queen is ready for her next act, trying her hand as a talk show host once again, we have nothing but high hopes for her future in the entertainment industry. And for her resilience in the face of family tragedy and speculation over her sexual orientation, as well as the grace and business savvy she exemplifies at all times, we salute Queen Latifah.

 Click here to meet all of our salutes.

For those of you who have a Twitter account and may follow Mr. Pretty Wings, you know that Maxwell is pretty even-tempered.  I mean, after you reach a certain age, you’d hope that rants on social media sites wouldn’t really appeal to you.  So color us surprised when around 2am, Maxwell went clean off via Twitter.  The tweets were very specific in action but clearly subliminal in terms of his target. Take a look (for those of you unfamiliar with Twitter, read from the bottom up):

Twitter

Clearly, he was pretty ticked off about this situation.  It’s also pretty obvious that whatever is going on is extremely personal as he claims his phones have been tapped and there are cars hanging outside his house.  The question is: who is the girl he’s talking about?  Max actually tweeted a few other subliminal messages on Thursday but deleted them, seemingly after many fans began asking if he was alright.

You know, for the sake of not having another celeb having a Twitter rant (especially one like Maxwell who is really well loved), hopefully these are just the makings of a song and he’s playing around with ideas for lyrics.

Yeah, that’s it. We hope.