‘Awkward Black Girl’ is hit web series

 

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It all started when a 26-year-old African-American woman decided to create her own web series, “The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl,” because of the limited roles for people of color on television.
 
Issa Rae, born Jo-Issa Rae Diop, plays J, and the show follows her professional and love lives, the AP reports.
 
“The Web series came about because I really didn’t see anybody like me on the screen, nobody that I could relate to,” said Rae, the show’s producer, writer and director. “There’s are just so many limited archetypes for black females in particular, and just people of color in general, and it’s frustrating to look at the screen and only be able to relate to people like Tina Fey or Amy Poehler, people who don’t look like me.”
 
Since the series first posted online in February, the debut episode has garnered more than 240,000 hits, the AP reports. Subsequent episodes have received more than 100,000 hits and 1,000 viewer comments. Nearly 17,000 people are dedicated to the show’s Facebook page.
 
View the first episode of the series after the jump.
 
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Jay-Z, Pharrell featured in new web series

 
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Nas’s former manager and Jay-Z’s current business partner, Steve Stoute, in conjunction with Thursday’s release of his new book, The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created A Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy, is launching a new video series, “The Tanning Effect” with AOL HuffPost Media Group where he talks with stars such as Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, and Lady Gaga.
 
Stoute is a former music executive that created endorsement deals for Beyonce with Tommy Hilfiger to launch the Tue Star fragrance, Justin Timberlake with McDonald’s for the “Lovin’ it” campaign, and Chris Brown with Wrigley, according to XXLmag.com.
 
He also runs the advertising agency Translation LLC with Jay-Z with campaigns with McDonald’s and Reebok.

Idris Elba is new face of Smart Water

 

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British actor Idris Elba will be featured in a new print ad campaign for Smart Water.
 
The ads can be seen this fall in upcoming issues of GQ, Essence and Men’s Journal magazines, USA Today reports.
 
Elba is known for his roles in the HBO series, “The Wire,” and movies such as “Takers,” and “The Losers.”
 
Elba just celebrated his 39th birthday on September 6.
 
See more of Elba’s new ads and where he’s set to pop up next after the jump.
 
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“Basketball Wives LA” premieres this summer

 
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This summer, get ready for a new cast of basketball wives. This time from Los Angeles as the successful VH1 series launches another installment.
 
“Basketball Wives LA” premieres Aug. 29 and includes a member of the original Miami cast, Gloria Govan, who is the fiancée of Los Angeles Laker Matt Barnes. Govan will be joined by her sister, Laura Govan as well as Kimsha Artest, wife of Los Angeles Laker Ron Artest; Jackie Christie, wife of Doug Christie, former player for the Los Angeles Clippers; and Imani Showalter, ex-fiancée of Charlotte Bobcats’ Stephen Jackson.
 
Shaunie O’Neal, former wife of Shaquille O’Neal, is an executive producer of the popular show.

Video: Jill Scott feat. Anthony Hamilton ” So In Love”

 
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Jill Scott is gearing up for the June 21st release of her fourth album, “The Light of the Sun,” with a summer tour which kicks off July 28 in New York. Check out her new single “So In Love” featuring Anthony Hamilton.
 
The concert, sponsored by the Budweiser Superfest, will feature soul singer Hamilton and Mint Condition as the opening acts, while DJ Jazzy Jeff will spin the beats and Doug E. Fresh will host, reports Billboard.
 
See her upcoming tour dates under the cut.
 
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