Candy Girls - First Ladies of Hip-Hop?

Video Girls.

Where do you even begin when it comes to the beautiful, scantily clad women that grace the videos of today's hottest stars. We've seen the likes of Karrine Steffans (Superhead anyone?), Melyssa Ford (tried to turn her video chick status into hosting a show on BET... where is she now?) and Buffy the Body (really the epitome of chicks with a fat ass getting a pass in life) but really have any of these women been able to flip their short lived video honey status into a lucrative career?

Someone that has taken the motto "if you can't beat them, join them" to a new level of what I like to call "If you can't join them, run them" is Danielle Crawley. As the owner of Bella Talent Agency based in Los Angeles (I wasn't able to find a website), Danielle is the manager of 4 chicks (she claims she has more girls but these are the ones that have been with her the longest) who are being marketed by E! Entertainment as the cream of the crop of "elite" and "glamorous" hip-hop "it girls".

While I do respect Danielle's hustle (as a black, female entrepreneur she was able to get a show on E!) it can't be overlooked that she got the show at the expense of these women who are portrayed as nothing more than hip-hop eye candy... and listening to her call these women "atmosphere" makes me want to laugh.

In a preview for the show which premiered on Sunday night after Keeping up with the Kardashians, Danielle can be heard saying to a client:

(click here for a preview of the show)

"If you want them within 30 minutes i want the best airplane you've got..."

Umm, this reminds me of something Heidi Fleiss would say. I didn't knock her hustle either but she wasn't trying to fake the funk on a tv show. She knew what she was doing and there was no shame in her game. I mean, prostitution is the oldest profession in the world. I do, however, have an issue with people trying to put up a front and over glamorize an industry that is anything but that for the many women that it chews up and spits out every year.


Are video girls really models? Actresses? I feel like it's using the word loosely... couldn't we all be considered actors if we play a role on a daily basis? How many people "pretend" or "act" when they're at work? Lol...


To sum up this show, Danielle has armed herself with her stylist best friend with the famous baby daddy (April "token white girl" Roomet has a son with Tyson Beckford), a personal asst (Kysha), and 4 chicks (Olivia - the innocent newbie that struggles with being mixed, Terricka - the slightly bitchy, even more ghetto single mother, Blanca - the Latina drunk that's new to the game and LA, and Brooke - the agency's top money maker and spoiled diva).

(L-R) Blanca, Brooke, Olivia, and Terricka

Will this show be entertaining? Yes. It comes on after Keeping up with the Kardashians (which I am a fan of) and will probably pull a following and get some decent numbers. Should it be taken seriously? Of course not. I'm sure people will watch this and take it to heart but I'd take this show with a grain of salt. It's a gimmick. Like the career span of a video chick is short lived I doubt this show will be around for long.

In the words of E! Network,

".....Candy Girls follows Danielle, who has built her company 'Bella' into one of the premiere talent agencies for the music industry’s casting needs. Every woman who wants to break into this industry knows Danielle is the best in the business and holds the key to the biggest jobs. For Danielle, between negotiating deals, entertaining famous clients, stomping out fires and doing reconnaissance on her girls, her hectic, non-stop lifestyle has her on the go 24/7. This year she will be sending her talent to events like the Grammy Awards, the Super Bowl, Magic Convention, NBA All Star Weekend, album release events and music video shoots for all the major labels. Through it all, Danielle must manage the lives and attitudes of her stunningly-beautiful divas –– working overtime to keep them out of trouble and make sure they are successful on the job. The series tracks Danielle’s efforts to manage some of the most sought-after women in the industry as they navigate a harsh and highly-competitive landscape. Her talent has formed a tight crew – they are all friends first, but at the end of the day it’s about getting paid and these women must balance their friendships when competing for the same opportunities. Adding to the pressure is that these women know full well that they have limited time to make a big splash in this industry before times take its toll on their looks and bodies."

It's an Epidemic pt. II

Daisy Dukes? Check.
Purse? Check.
Stilettos? Check.

As a follow-up to the blog I previously wrote concerning the skyrocketing number of flamboyant gay, young black men - - I saw this photo on YBF and was appalled. This picture was taken of a man, apparently trying WAY too hard, at a birthday party recently thrown for Niecy Nash in the ATL. I'm not sure what made him rock this outfit or even who he calls a "friend" that actually co-signed on this, but all it does is reinforce my opinion that things are getting out of control.

A purse? Really...was it that serious! Did he really think that the shorts would highlight his legs...wait, maybe that was the job of the stilettos. There needs to be an end put to men thinking it's the business to look like this.

Is this really the future of our black men? Can gay black men not retain any masculine qualities? Any thoughts?

Harlem Heights

Harlem Heights is a swagger jack of "The City" but I must give BET props for upping their budget, camera quality and cast. Unlike Baldwin Hills which shows a mix of 16-22 yo kids (in real life a 21 yo like Seiko wouldn't be hosting a party with 16 yos there ...I don't buy it) the cast of Harlem Heights features urban 20-somethings navigating their way thru love, life, career and friendships in Harlem, NY.

I watched the first 2 episodes online here (my TV is still allergic to BET) and was impressed. It's not that the show isn't a rip off of "The City" or "The Hills", but for BET the standards were set so low with some of the College Hill-eque shows they've put out they had no where to go but up! I actually like the cast, their story lines, and what the show seems to be about.

It's refreshing to see people my age and my color, on top of their shit, looking good and living life! BET has done a good job with this show and I urge everyone to check it out. The only downside to watching online are the forced commercials between each segment but they had to pay the bill some way.

"Harlem Heights" Cast

It's an epidemic

This is something that has bothered me for some time now... I think that there's a devastating epidemic of ridiculously over the top, flamboyant gay guys in the black community - - primarily in the 16 - 25 age range. Now, don't get me wrong, I love gay guys. I think they're fab... but I don't buy for one second that you popped out the womb switching your hips, rolling your neck and snapping your fingers. Every time I go into Forever21 there is always a group of young, gay, black males and they are like WAY over the top with how they're acting. It makes you feel like asking "are you putting on a show?" I don't remember gay guys when I was in HS acting like fools. I mean, I have no problem with guys wanting to play catcher and receiver but why can't you just act normal. I mean, does H&M really require a dramatic entrance? Must you roll your eyes, smack your lips and pop your hip with folded arms? It's baffling and disturbing on some levels. Maybe the best way to describe it is like the way I detest ghetto, ignorant acting people on the bus ... I equally find my stomach doing flips when I see guys that are acting like women... hood ass chicks at that with entirely too much sass.

I was sent this video from a girlfriend of mine and it shows some teenage boys dancing at their school. They're performing to Beyonce's "Freak 'Um Dress" and while they definitely entertain and put on a good show, I must admit that if I was the parent in the audience I can't say I'd be holding my head up high watching my son shake it across the stage better than most women...

Maybe I'm being narrow minded on this one... Any thoughts?

Designer Inspired

I've always loved L.A.M.B. shoes but could never bring myself to pay the $300 - $600 price tag. I mean, they're cute but they aren't THAT cute (not to mention that Gwen Stefani is a singer, not a designer. These aren't Louboutins... If I don't wanna drop $20 for her cd why would I throw hundreds of dollars her way?) Still, the price didn't change my eternal lust for all things L.A.M.B. Their shoes are absolutely delicious to me. I haven't seen a design I didn't like... yet, I'm always brought back to the price tag. Even on sale they're over $200 and that's just not the business (especially in a recession).

"Hunter" by L.A.M.B. - $380

While perusing the shops in Water Tower I came across Wet Seal's version of the L.A.M.B. "Hunter" shoe in black and white. Being the shoe addict I am I copped both colors.... Sometimes you can't just pass up a good deal.

Wet Seal Version - $34.50
**They do look better in person**

I don't have an issue with designer inspired items but I do draw the line at those knock-off Louis V bags that don't even bother jacking the LV but instead use like stars on something. Yeah, those make my flesh crawl... but L.A.M.B. isn't that serious to me to not want to buy these shoes. I'm actually wearing them today and must say that I like them a lot. They aren't as comfortable as my Steve Madden or Sam Edelman shoes I've been rocking lately, but for $34.50 ($27.50 with my discount card) these were a must have and nice addition to my closet.

**Sidebar: If you're a fan of the Sam Edelman boots I have and you're in the Chicago area, he'll be having an in-store at the Nordstrom on Michigan Ave. on March 26th, 12-3 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet the designer and see a preview of the spring 09 collection.

Adventures on the CTA - Priceless Quotes Edition

Gosh, the CTA has been on a freaking role providing me with classic material. During my ride home today I encountered the most... umm, boisterous personality that I've come across in a while. In between laughs I was able to jot down a few of this lady's priceless quotes... Enjoy!

1. "We in a crowded ass elevator. You don't get any personal space."

2. "Bitch, push me again and I'm gon kick you in yo throat."

3."....then she cut my hours. All they can tell me to do is get the fuck outta the office."

4. "Fuck y'all. I'm gettin the stimulus package" ***my absolute favorite***

5. "You gotta be checkin these bus drivers. They be bogus throwin you all over the bus."

6. "Girl okaaaaayyyyyy! You is so wrong."

7. "He tried to make the book perplex to make you feel slow. I had to read it twice - 20 pages."

From the rest of my conversation jacking skills (though she was speaking loud as shit on the bus...) I was able to determine that her name was Nicolette and in addition to appearing to be in her 40s it's official that she set us back 52 years, 10 months and 8 days. Though her conversation was hilarious it's sad that we as black people continue to do ignorant shit on a daily basis. Try keeping your outrageous convos to a minimum while on the bus.