Hot 96.3 » Essence Magazine

Idris Elba Is A “Laid Back Lover” In Essence Magazine

indyhiphop Staff — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:45:39 +0000

Idris Elba covers Essence magazine’s November 2011 issue and inside, he takes off his usual photo shoot suit and gets comfy in casual wear while playing chess, laying back in his living room, and walking the city streets.

Read a few excerpts below:

On his 9-year-old daughter Isan:
“She’s a nerd really, which I couldn’t be more grateful for. She’s not much impressed with what I do, but she does see how people react to me in the streets.”

On his career:
“I think what audiences expect of me is to act my ass off, and that’s great, because that’s what I do, that’s what I love doing.”

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Essence Profiles Amar'e Stoudemire & More Sexy Black Athletes

Web-Cam — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:45:54 +0000

Essence magazine features Amar’e Stoudemire and 3 other sexy, single Black athletes in it’s latest August 2011 issue. Inside, Amar’e speaks on his biggest passion, clothing line and how he gives back to the community, as other athletes James Ihedigbo, Curtis Granderson and Kerron Clement pose for the camera, as well.

On how he gives back to the community
My foundation is helping to cure poverty through education, especially in the hood. Everyone needs to see the link between education and getting a better job.

On what you’d be surprised to know about him
I read a lot. I wanted to be a teacher when I was growing up. I still consider it after I retire.

On his biggest passion (besides basketball and education, of course)!
Fashion, I love Tom Ford button-downs and his tailored suits. Whenever I’m dressed up, it gives me a positive energy.

On the outfit a woman can wear to turn his head
Anything from my women’s fashion line with Rachel Roy, due out this fall. Our clothes are comfortable and sexy, perfect for looking great on your way to a game.

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Should Ciara Be Worried About Amar’e Stoudemire’s Business Partner Rachel Roy?

Essence Magazine’s “Men Of Sports”

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Viola Davis Covers Essence Magazine, Talks "Devastating Experiences"

indyhiphop Staff — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:00:19 +0000

Viola Davis covers the August 2011 issue of ESSENCE Magazine as “Hollywood’s Best-Kept Secret.” The actress (of “Doubt” and “Law Abiding Citizen” fame) is currently starring in the upcoming film “The Help,” based on the best-selling book.

Inside, she talks about the struggles black women face, especially as a dark-skinned woman in the industry.

“As Black women, we’re always given these seemingly devastating experiences — experiences that could absolutely break us. But what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly. What we do as Black women is take the worst situations and create from that point…”

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Viola Davis

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Beyonce Writes Her First Cover Story For Essence Magazine

indyhiphop Staff — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:30:45 +0000

Beyonce covers Essence magazine’s July 2011 issue. And she’s all smiles as she talks about the year that changed her life (as promised by the headline), but the biggest bonus is that she wrote her very first cover story for the mag, titled “Eat, Play, Love.”

In her own words, she reveals how a nine-month break both relaxed and reignited her!

“I had talked about taking a vacation before, but always ended up in the studio after two weeks, so no one believed me. This time, though, I was serious. I was going to give myself a year to do the things I never get to do. Simple things like play with my nephew, pick him up from school, visit museums, go to concerts, see some Broadway shows, learn to cook a meal and spend time with my husband…Yes, I needed some relaxation, but I wanted inspiration too, from regular, everyday things. They did not have to be over-the-top productions. I was looking for tiny moments that would speak to my heart and make me smile…”

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Beyonce

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BLACK MUSIC MOMENT #99: First Essence Music Festival

indyhiphop Staff — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:01:21 +0000

Where: (click below to visit venue on Foursquare)
2121 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

When: July 4, 1995

What: The Essence Music Festival debuted in 1995 and is now the largest festival to celebrate African-American contemporary music and culture in the United States. The three day celebration has always been held in New Orleans, excluding 2006 when it was held in Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

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In celebration of Black Music Month, TheUrbanDaily’s “It’s All Black Music” presents 100 Rewarding Black Music Moments, sponsored by Southwest Airlines.

Each Black Music Moment is associated with an actual place that you can visit. During the month of June, check in to at least three of these places on Foursquare to unlock TheUrbanDaily’s exclusive “It’s All Black Music” Badge. Check out the locations and details on our Foursquare page!

Alicia Keys Addresses being a “Homewrecker”

rioontheradio — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:47:18 +0000

The multi-Grammy winning R&B diva Alicia Keys has kept silent about her personal life and relationship with husband Swizz Beatz.

In the new edition of Essence magazine, she addresses claims of being a “homewrecker” by R&B singer Mashonda.

Keys told Essence mag.“We didn’t start seeing each other until months after they had separated…I was aware of all the false things that were being said about me it definitely hurt.” As to the reason why Keys didn’t reply to Mashonda’s claims, “I was sure that if I engaged it would become back-and-forth like some sick entertainment, which goes against everything I believe and would have made things worse.”

Keys and Swizz Beatz tied the knot last July (2010), only months after he finalized his divorce from Mashonda, whom he has a son with.

Mashonda, exploded at first, writing a letter, insisting that “Keys was destroying her family.”

Now the two ladies are in a better place with each other. Keys and Mashonda are cordial and they Mashonda has accepted Alicia as a “partner” in caring for her son. “Things are really good now,” said Alicia, who adds “Kasseem is very present in his children’s lives. I wouldn’t be able to love him otherwise.”

Spotted at Singersroom.com

Jennifer Hudson Covers Essence Magazine

indyhiphop Staff — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:15:24 +0000

Jennifer Hudson covers the April issue of Essence, where “the award-winning actress and singer talks about being a working mom, her wedding plans — and yes, her amazing 80-pound weight loss!”

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30 More Black Women You Should Know

Essence says, “With an Oscar and Grammy under her belt — along with a happy family, healthy lifestyle, a new album and a much-anticipated role portraying South Africa’s Winnie Mandela in “Winnie” — she returns to the spotlight happier than ever…”

An excerpt from Jennifer: “My wish is to be at least half as good as my mother was, as patient and as loving as she was, and to just give that to my son…”

Jennifer Hudson Stayed In Prison Cell For 3 Days For “Winnie” Role

Jennifer Hudson Dishes On Wedding Band, Dress & Other Details

Jennifer Hudson Brings Baby Boy With Her On “Ellen” [VIDEO]

Jennifer Hudson

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Jill Scott Is Head-To-Toe Glam In Essence

Web-Cam — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:30:19 +0000

Jill Scott is covering the May issue of Essence magazine. And here, she debuts the first photo of her baby boy, Jett, as well as some gorgeous floor-length dresses.

“I feel driven and smarter.” Jill says about how motherhood has changed her. “I definitely feel like a lion.”

VIDEO: Jill Scott On Interracial Dating, “We Should Hold On To Our Culture”

Jill Scott: No Plans To Marry Again, Says “I Used To Pray For A Man”

Jill Scott

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FIRST LOOK: Meet Jill Scott's Son Jett

indyhiphop Staff — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:50:52 +0000

Baby pics poppin’ up EVERYWHERE! Essence released this photo of Jill Scott with her beautiful baby boy, Jett.

“I feel driven and smarter.” Jill says about how motherhood has changed her. “I definitely feel like a lion.”

VIDEO: Jill Scott On Interracial Dating, “We Should Hold On To Our Culture”

Jill Scott: No Plans To Marry Again, Says “I Used To Pray For A Man”

Jill Scott

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Janet Jackson To Headline Summer Music Festival

indyhiphop Staff — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:45:55 +0000

Essence announced this morning that Janet Jackson will be headlining their 2010 Music Festival, which is scheduled for Fourth of July weekend.

It will be her first time at the Fest and her first full concert since her ‘Rock Witchu’ tour stop in New York’s Madison Square Garden back in 2008.

Janet will perform on July 2, the opening night.

Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Keri Hilson, Gladys Knight, Raphael Saadiq, and tons of others are also part of this summer’s line up.

Hot 96.3 » Essence Magazine

Idris Elba Is A “Laid Back Lover” In Essence Magazine

Essence Profiles Amar'e Stoudemire & More Sexy Black Athletes

Viola Davis Covers Essence Magazine, Talks "Devastating Experiences"

Beyonce Writes Her First Cover Story For Essence Magazine

BLACK MUSIC MOMENT #99: First Essence Music Festival

Alicia Keys Addresses being a “Homewrecker”

Jennifer Hudson Covers Essence Magazine

Jill Scott Is Head-To-Toe Glam In Essence

VIDEO: Jill Scott On Interracial Dating, “We Should Hold On To Our Culture”

Jill Scott: No Plans To Marry Again, Says “I Used To Pray For A Man”

FIRST LOOK: Meet Jill Scott's Son Jett

VIDEO: Jill Scott On Interracial Dating, “We Should Hold On To Our Culture”

Jill Scott: No Plans To Marry Again, Says “I Used To Pray For A Man”

Janet Jackson To Headline Summer Music Festival

Janet Disputes Rumors, “I’m Not Working On An Album”

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