Kanye West Shows His Dual Personalities On The October 2010 Cover Of XXL

He's not only XXL's October 2010 coverboy, but he also served as the creative director of the special collector’s issue 40-page section.  Kanye West is talking out his two heads (it's literally a two headed cover) about the 2009 VMA aftermath and how he felt so alone after Swiftgate '09.

Pics and quotes when you read on...
'Ye actually penned his own cover story.  Which means there would be no interruptions...or misunderstandings....by a reporter:

On realizing his mistake
“I stress that the incident wasn’t about Taylor personally.” And it definitely wasn’t about race. Where I messed up is, at the end of the day, it’s your show, Taylor. It’s your show, MTV.”

On apologizing to his fans
“The relationship with the public and with your fans is like the relationship with your girlfriend.  How could I not, at a certain point, be like, ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been at the awards show. I’m sorry.’ Not that I don’t deserve to get beat up or change who I am inside, to make sure that that doesn’t happen again.”

On going into seclusion after the hoopla
“I knew I wasn’t in a great spot publicly after the incident, but I would just block it out and work as hard as possible and let my work be my saving grace.  In a way, I had thrown a Molotov cocktail at my own career, and it gave me an opportunity, for the first time, to go away and find out who I was. Because I felt very alone.”
Well, he's back now.  And hardly anyone's complaining....

Jay-Z, Kanye, Trey Songz, Solange, Melanie Fiona, & More Party It Up For The GQ & Rocawear Party

It was party time last night at Jay-Z's GQ & Rocawear party to celebrate the fall campaign with Trey Songz & Melanie Fiona.  pic  We've got the of the YBF folks who came out to party with the Roc when you read on....

Jay let "Entourage" star Adrian Grenier snap some flicks of him as he hit the Provacateur venue..

Then he got dapper and hit the black carpet.  Say what you want about this dude, but he almost always looks effortlessly damn good in a suit.

I see Omarion thought he outfit was the ish because he surely didn't change clothes. Just...why?
Solange hit the 1's and 2's of her bro in law's party:

Lookin' cute as usual.

Serena kicked it with her sis Isha and model Selita Ebanks.

Lookin' fab ladies.

Loving this look on Melanie Fiona.

The Rocawear campaign girl kicked it with Common and Melody Thonton.

She performed as well of course.

Jessica White rocked a white dress and kicked it with Bun B.

Estelle and PR guru Marvet Britto were there.

Trey Songz performed and poured out the liquor for the ladies.

Maino was spotted at the event.

So was Johnta Austin.

Kanye West and June Ambrose rolled through.

And Big Bro and Lil Bro chilled out.  Fab times all around...

EVENT FAB ANNOUNCEMENT: The 2010 Soul Train Awards Honorees & Hosts

Centric, a BET network, just released the honorees and hosts of the 2010 Soul Train Awards. Find out who will be honored when you read on...

The Soul Train Awards will air November 28th at 9pmET in a special simulcast on both CENTRIC AND BET and will be hosted by Oscar-nominated actors Taraji P. Henson and Terrance Howard. 
The show will honor the careers of Anita Baker and Ron Isley and focus of blending old school R&B to today's soul music.  Paxton Baker, Centric's General Manager and Executive Vice President is excited about the show saying,

"We are excited to welcome the return of the SOUL TRAIN AWARDS to CENTRIC, Last year’s show was a stellar success and we’re charged to be better this year. The Soul Train brand is part of the very fabric of American Culture, and has played a vital role in shaping the cultural framework and musical tastes of CENTRIC’s 25- to 54- year old audience. It is our goal for this show to become a staple among television viewers."

Will you be watching the Soul Train Awards??

EVENT FAB: US Weekly's 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers 2010

Around the globe, most fashion people in the know consider New Yorkers to be among the most fashion forward trend-setters in the world.  And last night, US Weekly's 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers party paid homage to many of them.
And of course our YBF celebs were there in their Sunday and Saturday night best.  See the fab pics inside...
US Weekly hosted their party at Lavo and Supermodel Iman was there in all her legendary flesh. 

I love Mary J Blige's look.  Very suburban mother....

Talk show host Wendy Williams was out and about.   

Tyson rode his bike there....or maybe that's just a "stylish" accessory.

Swizz Beatz was there.  I know Alicia is very pregnant but I just don't trust him out by himself...

Ryan Leslie was out and about too.

Hey Omarion...all these "pieces" may have worked as separates but together...you look like Satan's agent.  Working on his new reality show "Satan's Best", the mixtape:  "Hell Up In Harlem" and the movie For Devilish Girls Who Considered Stripping When McDonald's Was Not Enough.

Kwame Jackson still get invites...but forgot to "tailor" his suit.

YaYa was there in a dress that looks ill-fitted to me...but the hair is cute. 

Kat DeLuna showed off her legs.

Nice to see June Ambrose in something simple (for her) but fab.

DJ Moss and DJ Kiss prove you can be "Sexy While Mixing."

SPORTS NEWS: Reggie Bush Hands Over His Heisman!

Reggie Bush just made history today.  But not in a good way.  News on him becoming the first person in history to give back his Heisman Trophy when you read on....


All the drama surrounding USC and their breaking of the rules as it relates to recruitment efforts in 2005 has come to a head.  Former USC star and New Orleans Saints baller Reggie Bush just handed over his Heisman Trophy he received in 2005. It was determined that he had received "unproper benefits" while at USC.

He's the first player in history to do so.  There's no word yet if the Heisman Trust committee will hand over the trophy to the second runner up--now Tennessee Titan Vince Young--or just vacate the trophy for that year all together.
In his statement released today, he said:

“One of the greatest honors of my life was winning the Heisman Trophy in 2005. For me, it was a dream come true. But I know that the Heisman is not mine alone. Far from it. I know that my victory was made possible by the discipline and hard work of my teammates, the steady guidance of my coaches, the inspiration of the fans, and the unconditional love of my family and friends. And I know that any young man fortunate enough to win the Heisman enters into a family of sorts. Each individual carries the legacy of the award and each one is entrusted with its good name.

It is for these reasons that I have made the difficult decision to forfeit my title as Heisman winner of 2005. The persistent media speculation regarding allegations dating back to my years at USC has been both painful and distracting. In no way should the storm around these allegations reflect in any way on the dignity of this award, nor on any other institutions or individuals. Nor should it distract from outstanding performances and hard-earned achievements either in the past, present or future.
For the rest of my days, I will continue to strive to demonstrate through my actions and words that I was deserving of the confidence placed in me by the Heisman Trophy Trust. I would like to begin in this effort by turning a negative situation into a positive one by working with the Trustees to establish an educational program which will assist student-athletes and their families avoid some of the mistakes that I made. I am determined to view this event as an opportunity to help others and to advance the values and mission of the Heisman Trophy Trust.
I will forever appreciate the honor bestowed upon me as a winner of the Heisman. While this decision is heart-breaking, I find solace in knowing that the award was made possible by the support and love of so many. Those are gifts that can never be taken away.”

And he just Tweeted:

"Now that this is behind me I look forward to the future and winning more awards and championships here in New Orleans! Who Dat!"

Damn homie.

Critics And Fans Unimpressed By Host Chelsea Handler's Off-Color Racial Humor

People are talking...and they are not saying great things about Chelsea Handler's hosting skills and her off-color racial humor (which seems to center on making fun of black rappers). See what people are saying when you go inside...

If you watch Chelsea's show on E!, you already know that she loves rappers and they love her. And she does really funny interviews.  But the MTV VMAs started out with her walking down the hall and being "sexually harassed" by a bunch of black men (mainly rappers) who all wished her well about hosting the show, before smacking her butt.  This bit would have worked on her show.....but many found it uncomfortable.

Then after her lackluster monolouge, she "summoned" Rick Ross to whisk her away from the stage...and of course she straddled him. This is what critics had to say....

The New York Times said of Handler:

"She was among the worst in the show's history — purposefully out-of-touch, with brief, alarming flashes of off-color racial humor. On her talk show, “Chelsea Lately,” in a smaller setting, her interviews with musicians, rappers in particular, are consistently hilarious and inappropriate. Here, she never looked comfortable, undone by nerves, brittle material and the wattage of those around her."

The Washington Post said:

"...comedian Chelsea Handler declared in her opening monologue, a string of flat punch lines that felt a few degrees below crass. Sample zinger: “It’s time to acknowledge the big black elephant in the room. Where’s Kanye?” Ugh.

Entertainment Weekly was also unimpressed:

"As the live portion of the show began, Handler turned in a moderately funny Gaga sendup, appearing amid red-lycra-clad dancers wearing a dollhouse on her head. Though, again, it felt a little like Host the VMAs Paint-by-Numbers — Gaga’s both the easiest and the lamest (not to mention the most willing) target around. Her monologue then brought us typical crowd-pleasers like drinking and drug references like, “That’s the last time I do a prayer circle with Snoop Dogg.” There were herpes digs at the cast of the Jersey Shore, and a mention of “that series of duets released by that Russian woman featuring Mel Gibson — those were cute.” The obligatory Kanye nod — calling him “the big black elephant in the room” — was equally edgy-but-boring. There was even use of the word “vagina” for good measure (as in, “imagine how good [Justin Bieber's] music will be when he sees a vagina”)."

AOL TV said:

"Handler was giddy and game for a good time throughout the night, but most of her skits fell flat: She jumped in the hot tub with the 'Jersey Shore' cast (heels and all) and exited with a tired joke in the form of a faux baby bump. She addressed last year's West-Swift debacle by warning off stage crashers with a stupid self-defense demonstration. She filmed a running skit with Ke$ha about a VMA meet and greet. And she made an unfortunate joke about riding home on the face of the hot werewolf from 'True Blood.' "

I absolutely love Chelsea's TV show, so I expected a lot from her.  I actually didn't think she was absolutely horrible, but I see where folks expected more.  People have to realize different networks, wider audiences, and different time slots allow for different standards.  So she possibly couldn't be her usual self due to restrictions.  Even though she did manage to slide in some eye brow raisers.
She did seem a bit tipsy during the opening.  But hey...that's Chelsea.  And this is MTV.
Your thoughts?