Source: WENN

It’s like 1998 all over again, because everywhere we turn there’s Lauryn Hill again. However, we’re not getting her back in the way we were hoping for, as she’s come out of her sabbatical to do some touring (to not so rave reviews) and to battle legal troubles. In the midst of all that, the singer took to her Tumblr yesterday to speak on the reports that while trying to stay out of jail, she had inked a new record deal with Sony, to also announce that new music will be on the way, and to of course speak on how she had been bamboozled by the industry:

It has been reported that I signed a new record deal, and that I did this to pay taxes. Yes, I have recently entered into an agreement with Sony Worldwide Entertainment, to launch a new label, on which my new music will be released. And yes, I am working on new music.

I’ve remained silent, after an extensive healing process. This has been a 10+ year battle, for a long time played out behind closed doors, but now in front of the public eye. This is an old conflict between art and commerce… free minds, and minds that are perhaps overly tethered to structure. This is about inequity, and the resulting disenfranchisement caused by it. I’ve been fighting for existential and economic freedom, which means the freedom to create and live without someone threatening, controlling, and/or manipulating the art and the artist, by tying the purse strings.

It took years for me to get out of the ‘parasitic’ dynamic of my youth, and into a deal that better reflects my true contribution as an artist, and (purportedly) gives me the control necessary to create a paradigm suitable for my needs. I have been working towards this for a long time, not just because of my current legal situation, but because I am an artist, I love to create, and I need the proper platform to do so.

The nature of my new business venture, as well as the dollar amount reported, was inaccurate, only a portion of the overall deal. Keep in mind, my past recordings have sold over 50,000,000 units worldwide, earning the label a tremendous amount of money (a fraction of which actually came to me).

Only a completely complicated set of traps, manipulations, and inequitable business arrangements could put someone who has accomplished the things that I have, financially in need of anything. I am one artist who finds value in openly discussing the dynamics within this industry that force artists to compromise or distort themselves and what they do, rather than allowing them to make the music that people need. There are volumes that could (and will) be said.

MLH

Very interesting. This lack of creative control and behind-the-scenes manipulation going on in the industry in the quest for money is something Lauryn has been vocal about in the last few years, and we’re glad to hear that she has received a deal where she will be free to get back in the lab and create what she wants and say what she wants. But the question is, are you still down for some new music by Lauryn Hill?

Both companies and their employees got in on the April Fools Day (ICYMI) fun… with mixed results. Both on the Internet and IRL, folks were trying to get their funny on. But what was a winner and what was a fail? We take a look at nine jokes worth noting.

Are the robots coming? This one is a “human ride robot.” The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images

We’ve already seen the crazy technologies that CES introduced to the world. But what will we actually see in 2013? Many tech blogs have been speculating about what devices and cool technologies will be available for the masses to purchase this year—and some that are a little more out there.

Here are nine cool technology product launches to expect this year—and ones that you might even be able to afford.

Checking out the Sony smartphones at the CES event, taking place through Friday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is underway in Las Vegas and already new products and launches have made waves. Companies including Samsung, Lenovo, Intel, Ford, Toyota, and more are at the event, touting new innovations and technologies.

Rumors were rampant about what to expect at CES this year: smart appliances, including TVs and refrigerators; new technologies for mobile phones; and in-car apps and technology. And this year’s press day on Monday, prior to CES’s launch on Tuesday, didn’t disappoint.

Intel hosted a press conference on Monday, showing its roadmap for PCs through 2014. The company highlighted how its “Haswell” chips will make devices thinner and smarter going forward, demonstrated a tabletop touch-screen device, and announced a microprocessor for tablets.

AP Photo/Lenovo

Lenovo also debuted its 27-inch, IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC (at right), with full internet capability and, at the size of a coffee table, space for four people to get their hands on the touch screen. The Los Angeles Times said of the device, “it’s easy to imagine this in your living room.”

Other innovations in the living room included smart TVs. Samsung, Panasonic, and Sony debuted their collections of smart TVs, which bring together live TV, social networks, and personal content such as photos. Additionally, Samsung debuted a refrigerator with a LCD screen and Sony, meanwhile, introduced its water-proof mobile phone, the Xperia Z.

LG is also focusing on appliances at CES 2013, with the debut of a washing machine and refrigerator with touch screens and wireless technology. Chief technology officer Skott Ahn spoke to Forbes about getting consumers to embrace these types of technologies.

“We really try hard,” he said. “Consumers don’t need to understand what they have to do, or what kind of functions really spread over all the devices and what kind of technologies are involved to implement that. We’d like to make our consumers do something they just want to do. Then all the other background steps should be done by all the connectivity we have provided.”

On the automotive side, car companies such as Ford, Toyota, General Motors, Kia, Audi, and more have been coming to CES for several years, touting the in-car technologies they have introduced. This year, Ford and GM are both reaching out to developers and software designers to create apps that will translate to use on the road, the Wall Street Journal reported.

CES will be going strong all week, so look for continuing coverage on tech blogs and outlets. While Apple and Microsoft will not be at the event, there will still be plenty of news out of Las Vegas this week.

Are you a gadget-freak who is paying close attention to CES?

Daniel Deme/WENN.com

Jamie Foxx in a tight suit playing a supervillain? I’ll take a serving of that.

According to Variety, actor Jamie Foxx is in talks to play Electro, a supervillain, in the sequel to The Amazing Superman.  The film is set to hit theaters in 2014 but Sony Pictures apparently didn’t expect to be so far in the casting process this soon; Emma Stone and and Andrew Garfield are already returning and Shailene Woodley is in talks to be cast in a role.

While the film studio would not saying anything about Foxx being signed on or even in talks to do it, you know Twitter makes people feel a little more free-flowing of the words. Jamie tweeted last Thursday, “Dressed up as Electro for Halloween last night. Costume fits.” So either he’s letting the world know he definitely has the role or an overzealous person excited to give a story toVariety saw him out on the street and ran with it.  I guess we’ll have to see.

Jamie is quite the busy man: he’s currently gearing up to promote his upcoming film Django Unchained, co-starring Kerry Washington and Leonardo DiCaprio, which will be released on Christmas Day.

About This Episode

Madeline Nelson, Senior Vice President of A&R at Sony, gives her take of the joys and challenges of being a single mom in New York City with a hectic career. Plus we chat with Madeline about her tips on raising an athletic pre-teen son.

About Madeline Nelson

Madeline Nelson is a single mom to a fantastic 12 year old son named, TJ. She is also a busy mom balancing motherhood and career as she is currently the VP of A&R, Artist and Label Relations at Sony Music. Her responsibilities at work include developing and nurturing new talent in coordination with the A&R teams across three labels: RCA, Columbia, and Epic.

Prior to Sony, she worked at Urban Zen, Donna Karan’s non-profit where she served as VP of Foundation Operations. Prior to that she also was a Project Manager at Steve Stoute’s marketing, Translation, LLC. She has served as a VP of Music Operations for New Jack Swing Productions/Interscope Records, where she managed hit-makers BlackStreet and worked with other talents such as Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams.

Madeline is a Harlem native and continues to support philanthropic efforts aimed at helping women and children through her own non-profit organization, The Good-Well Giving Group. She is truly a superwoman and Mommy in Chief!

About Karyn Parsons

Karyn Parsons is best known as the character “Hilary Banks” on the long-running television show, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Today she is a wife and mother of two. Parsons is also the Founder and President of the Sweet Blackberry foundation after being inspired by the true tale of a determined slave and the remarkable lengths he travelled to find his freedom.  While growing up, Parsons’ mother, a librarian in the Black Resource Center of a library in South Central Los Angeles, would share stories of African-American accomplishment with her daughter.  A mother and activist, Karyn created Sweet Blackberry to use the power of stories to inspire youth. Follow her on Twitter @Karyn_Parsons.

Want More Mommy In Chief? Watch these episodes:

Season 2

• Episode 1: Are You A Good Enough Mother?
• Episode 2: New Motherhood and Balancing A Busy Work Life
• Episode 3: How to Decorate an Eco-Friendly Baby Nursery
• Episode 4: Foodie, Nicole Friday on Kids and Career
• Episode 5: From Hollywood to Stay At Home Mom
• Episode 6: Single Mom in The City
• Episode 7: Mommy Mogul and Marketing Wiz Monique Jackson at Home With Her Boys 
• Episode 8: Beauty Maven Jodie Patterson Talks Four-Day Work Week for Moms 
• Episode 9: Tonya Lewis Lee on Motherhood and the Importance of Women’s Health

Season 1

• Episode 1: Back 2 School
• Episode 2: Happy Halloween
• Episode 3: Socially Responsible Kids
• Episode 4: Money Talks
• Episode 5: Keeping Families Healthy
• Episode 6: Thanksgiving Madness
• Episode 7: Highlights and Best Moments
• Episode 8: Stylish Moms
• Episode 9: Best Apps for Moms
• Episode 10: Socialite Kids
• Episode 11: Hair Talk with AfroBella
• Episode 12: Happy New Year!

Steve Harvey’s “Think Like a Man” feature film, inspired by his similarly titled book, hasn’t even hit theaters yet and already a sequel has been approved, according to Rainforest Films’ Will Packer.

The movie producer tweeted that the president of Screen Gems was on Steve Harvey’s radio show yesterday morning and he announced that a sequel to the upcoming movie will happen.

Maybe the executive felt compelled to say something “big” for his radio cameo because it seems a little premature to announce a follow-up to a movie that hasn’t even been released yet. But then again, women went out in droves to buy the best-selling book, the team must expect people to do the same when the movie comes out this spring.

As long as there isn’t a silly cliffhanger at the end of the first movie, this could be good. What do you think?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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• 7 Underrated Hollywood Actors
• Checking Your Baggage: Sorting Through Your Issues Before Settling Down
• Sisters In Hiding: Not So Famous Sisters of Famous Celebs
• President Obama Can Handle it, But I Can’t
• 8 Signs The Guy You’re Messing With Is NOT a Grown A** Man
• Traits of Trifling Parents
• He Loves Me: Men Who Just Adore Their Wives
• New Documentary Gets ‘In Our Heads About Our Hair’

Not only should artists watch what they say, they better watch what they sing. Sony Music’s Brazilian branch is paying out $1.2 million ($656,000 in American dollars) in retroactive compensation for a song Brazilian singer, comedian, and politician Francisco Everardo Oliveira Silva released in 1997. The song, “Veja os Cabelos Dela” (Look at Her Hair) has been deemed racist for it’s lyrics which call a black woman a “stinking beast” and liken her hair to “a scouring pad for pots and pans.”

The lawsuit was brought forth by 10 non-governmental associations that fight racism. They argued that black women were offended, exposed to ridicule, and felt violated due to the lyrical content of the song. Sony stood by its position that the song was not intended to offend women and that Silva, who goes by the stage name Tiririca, was referring to his wife in the song and that the terminology in the song is often used by Brazilians to describe both white and black women. No matter how they try to spin it, Sony still has to pay up. Check out the translation of the lyrics below and tell us if you think the organizations were right to file a lawsuit.

Veja veja veja veja veja os cabelos dela (4x)
(Look look look look look at her hair (4x)

Parece bom-bril*, de ariá panela
(It looks like a scouring pad for pots and pans)

Parece bom-bril, de ariá panela
(It looks like a scouring pad for pots and pans)

Quando ela passa, me chama atenção
(When she goes by, she catches my attention)

Mas os seus cabelos, não tem jeito não
(But her hair just isn’t right)

A sua catinga quase me desmaiou
(Her stench almost made me faint)

Olha eu não aguento, é grande o seu fedor
(Look, I can’t take it, her smell is so bad)

Veja veja veja veja veja os cabelos dela
(Look look look look look at her hair)

Parece bom-bril, de ariá panela (2x)
(It looks like a scouring pad for pots and pans) (2x)

Eu já mandei, ela se lavar
(I told her to take a bath)

Mas ela teimo, e não quis me escutar
(But she’s stubborn and doesn’t listen to me)

Essa nega fede, fede de lascar
(This black woman stinks, she stinks horribly)

Bicha fedorenta, fede mais que gambá
(Stinking beast, smells worse than a skunk)

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

More on Madame Noire!

• It’s Bad Boy For Life? Artists Whose Talents Are/Were Wasted Under Bad Boy Records
• Should I Confess My Affair?
• Can D’Angelo Make A Comeback Without Bringing Swexy Back?
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• S*** Black Girls Say vs. S*** White Girls Say to Black Girls
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Last night, the first season of the U.S. version of ‘The X Factor’ came to a close with Melanie Amaro taking first place. The 19-year-old Florida resident who’s originally from the British Virgin Islands, snagged a $5 million prize as part of her win, which Simon Cowell says is just an advance against her future earnings.

Many have compared the young singer to Mariah Carey with her impressive renditions of “Hero,” “Listen,” and “Feeling Good.” As the winner, she will release her first CD through Sony Music next year.

“I have a big voice, so there will be ballads,” Amaro says. “But I guarantee there will be upbeat songs that will make you want to dance.”

With the hit or miss success American Idol winners have had over the course of the show’s 11 seasons, only time will tell if X Factor winners fare better.

Were you happy with the outcome of Season 1? Do you think Melanie Amaro will make it big as a solo artist?

Mariah Carey’s ex-boyfriend and former producer, Damion Young/Damizza, is writing a tell-all book about his relationship with the diva songbird, and judging by this quote alone, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be sharing too many positive memories: “Yes. Mariah and I dated. It was hell.”

According to Perez Hilton, Damizza’s purpose in writing the book is to come clean about his and Mariah’s relationship, J Lo stealing Mariah’s music through SONY, and Mariah using Facebook’s lawyers to serve him a confidentiality agreement. I’m thinking Damizza’s producer money dried up and bills are coming due. It’s bad enough when a woman writes a tell-all, but there’s something about a man who kisses and tells that’s extra slimy.

The book is set to come out Dec. 14. Will you pick up a copy?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

More on Madame Noire!

• Differences That Are Worth Overcoming, And Those Worth Being Stubborn About
• Well You Don’t Say: 10 White Singers We Once Thought Were Black
• Breaking It Down: What Men Think of Things Women Do
• The Questions He Hopes You Never Ask
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