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Kanye West revealed on Friday (May 18) the title of his highly-anticipated G.O.O.D. Music compilation album. The collection is titled ‘Cruel Summer’ and it boasts contributions from labelmates Big Sean, Pusha T, Q-Tip, Kid Cudi and newly-signed member Teyana Taylor.

In addition to the album, Yeezy will also present his self-directed short film of the same name on May 23 at the Cannes Film Festival as an out-of-competition film. According to NBC Chicago, West promises “a fusion of short film and art installation” and an “immersive seven-screen experience.” Fans can cop tickets at kanyewest.com/cruelsummer for a limited time.

As we previously reported, West filmed the movie last month in the Middle East nation state of Qatar. The hush-hush movie project is 30-minutes long and reportedly will star rapper-actor Kid Cudi and funnyman Aziz Ansari.

“Kanye conceived the story, which is set in the Gulf,” said an insider about the film. “It’s supposed to showcase the beauty of the region, a piece that’s culturally sensitive and embraces the customs and traditions of the region.”

As for the G.O.O.D. Music compilation, no release date has been set for the LP, but judging by the title, it’s definitely coming in the summer. The set’s first single is ‘Mercy,’ which features Big Sean, Pusha T and (maybe, possibly G.O.O.D. Music artist) 2 Chainz.

This isn’t the first time West has sat in the director’s chair. In 2010, he directed a 35-minute video for his song ‘Runaway,’ which appears on his Grammy-winning rap album ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.’

Watch the Kanye West ‘Runaway’ Video

Source: PopCrush.com

Wood County Authorities said the body found by the property owner matches the description of 62-year-old Gerald Haley, who left his home on Tuesday.

A search of the area was conducted by several fire departments, citizens, East Texas Flying Services ,and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.

The body has been sent to Dallas for a positive ID and cause of death. The Sheriff’s office does not suspect foul play at this time.

KKTV

How would you feel if a Caucasian person dressed as an African-American figure with a painted on black face for a presentation? Sean King, a second grade student at Meridian Ranch Elementary school in Colorado Springs, Co., landed himself and his parents in the principal’s office this week for painting his face black for a class presentation.

His class was having “wax museum” day and each student was assigned a historical figure to present. Sean was assigned Martin Luther King Jr., so he dressed in a suit, put on a black mustache and painted his whole face black to portray him as he presented King’s famous speech.

Teachers complained to the principal by saying that them as well as other students thought King’s appearance was offensive to black people.

King explained, “They thought it was inappropriate and it will be disrespectful to black people and I say it’s not. I like black people. It’s just a costume and I don’t want to insult anybody.”

When the principal demanded King wash the paint off of his face, Sean and his family refused and he was pulled out of school for the day. King’s parents said they are very proud that Sean stood his ground.

The Colorado chapter of the NAACP issued this statement:

When I saw the story about the young scholar who decided he would portray Martin Luther King for a class project, I was so proud of him,” NAACP president Rosemary Harris Lytle told KRDO. “Unfortunately, by having blackface as part of his presentation, it ended up harkening back to a really tragic time in the life of this country, a time when blackface was used by entertainers primarily to demean African-Americans, and in a way I know this young man couldn’t have intended to do.”

Many people thought that the school went too far, so many emotions were expressed about the issue on Meridian Ranch Elementary school’s Facebook page.

Frazer Harrison / Chris Trotman, Getty Images

Sounds like Rihanna has a new “rude boy” in her life. Rumors are spreading like wildfire that the ‘Where Have You Been’ singer has been getting hot and heavy with New York Knicks player JR Smith.

The Boombox reports that RiRi has been engaging in quite a bit of PDA with the Knicks’ bad boy. A spy told InTouch that the pair hung out at New York City’s Veranda nightclub and dished, “They were very flirty in the club all night and holding hands. She was sitting on his lap and was really into him.” Ow ow!

Smith is one of the most controversial players on the New York team and is frequently in trouble — which seems to be just Rihanna’s type, however unfortunate that may be. Smith, who has two kids, plead guilty to a reckless driving charge in 2009 (the same year Rihanna was dealt blows from her bad boy ex, Chris Brown), earning himself a month in jail, 500 days of community service and a seven-game suspension from the NBA. Further adding to his dangerous appeal? Smith was fined $25,000 for tweeting a photo of a thong-clad model in his bed — and later shut down his old Twitter account after rumors spread that he wrote in the same style as the Los Angeles-based Bloods gang. Sounds like a winner to us!

We bet mentor and Brooklyn Nets co-owner Jay-Z won’t be too pleased about RiRi’s new romance — though he’s probably just relieved that she’s not with Breezy!

Watch Rihanna ‘Where Have You Been’ Video

Source: PopCrush.com

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He may have just been hanging with friends or even merely rehearsing for a new role for a movie, but sexy actor Idris Elba was spotted leaving a know gay club in London on Wednesday night. Now with the rumor mill buzzing about Elba’s sexual orientation, his female fans are freaking out! Elba is the new spokeman for Vitamin Water, and was recently featured in GQ magazine. His handsome Nigerian roots have been of massive appeal for thousands of female (ans some male) fans.

Personally, I don’ care if Idris is gay or not. I think he’s a hansome, and very talented actor. Why do people always seem to jump to conclusions that everyone is gay or lesbian? And… if he were, does that mean he can’t still be sexy or talented?

Developing…

Craig Barritt, Getty Images

After 7 years and thousands of fans worldwide, BET’s 106 & Park hosts, Rocsi and Terrence J have been axed from BET. Not in the way it may sound, but after 7 years on the show, their contracts with BET are up and BET execs are not renewing.The good news is that fans of the show can still Terrence J and Rocsi on the big screen! Think Like A Man has boosted Terrence J’s acting career, and Rocsi is rumored to be working on some television and movie projects as well. Rocsi still has her radio show as well.

We wish them both the best of luck.

Now if BET would bring back AJ and Free to 106 & Park, all would be right with the world.

Watch: Lisa Raye Talks About Rocsi

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It’s Nicki time! Her latest video steams up the screen with rapper Nas! They even share some lip and tongue action! There’s lot’s of typical Nicki faces and behavior in this video, and Chris Brown is on the track, plus Nas with glasses…?  Peep the video and tell us what you think? Is this song hot or not.

We have to admit that Nicki has a nice singing voice too!

@50cent, Twitter

With pictures of the rapper surrounded by stuffed animals in a hospital, 50 Cent has been admitted for an emergency surgery. Fiddy hit up Twitter to announce his remorse for going into the hospital, and did not mention the extent of his medical issues, but insiders have shared what exactly he’s been admitted for.According to insiders, the rapper must undergo a major surgery to free up a blockage in his small intestine. His good pal, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. even went on the radio asking fans to keep 50 in their prayers:

“Please keep 50 Cent in your prayers he is in the hospital and he is extremely sick…we will remain positive.”

The surgery is extremely risky and we are hoping that 50 comes out stronger and healthier than ever!

And here’s some “Baby By Me” so we can remember Fiddy during this hard time. So talented!

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

According to TMZ, disco legend Donna Summer passed away this morning at her home in Florida. The singer, 63, was battling cancer, although she kept the extent of her illness quiet. TMZ reports that they were told Donna was in fact focusing on finishing up another album at the time of her passing.

Summer was a 5-time Grammy winner who became a superstar in the ’70s with dance hits like “Last Dance,” “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girls.” Summer married singer Bruce Sudano back in the early 80′s. The couple had two daughters together. We will bring your more information as it is released.

R.I.P Donna Summer.

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A second earthquake in as many weeks hit East Texas early this morning in nearly the same location.

The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the 4.3-magnitude earthquake, which occurred about three miles outside of Timpson in Shelby County at 3:17 a.m. this morning.

KSLA.com is reporting viewers from Mount Enterprise to Bienville Parish, La., called the station reporting they felt the earthquake. Some from as far north as Whitehouse and Longview said they felt shaking this morning.

This second earthquake’s epicenter was in about the same location as the 3.7-magnitude quake that happened last week. There are currently no reports of serious damage.

The cause of last week’s quake and this one remain under investigation, although one meteorologist speculated it could be caused by fracking, since there is no known fault line in the area.

Mario Tama, Getty Images

The separation of church and state doesn’t mean religious leaders can’t express political opinions. And in the wake of President Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage there has been talk that some houses of worship may encourage their flock not to vote for the president in 2012 to protest his reversal on the issue.

However, the majority of Americans would rather that churches and other religious institution keep out of politics altogether. According to a Pew Research Center Poll of 1,503 adults, 54 percent said that churches should keep out of political matters, whereas 40 percent think churches should express views on political questions.

In 1996, these percentages were just about reversed, with 54 percent in favor of churches being involved in politics and 43 percent opposed.

[Pew Research Center]

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Verizon Wireless announced today its plans to get rid of its unlimited data plan that was grandfathered to previous users in favor of “tiered” data plans — and Verizon subscribers are NOT happy about it.

FierceWireless reported earlier today that Verizon CFO Fran Shammo was speaking at the J.P. Morgan Technology, Media and Telecom conference and said the unlimited data users who were grandfathered after the company’s switch to tiered plans last year will be required to pick a data-share plan.

Verizon reportedly is launching the data-share plan this summer, which will move the unlimited 3G data plan users to 4G LTE, but they will lose their $30 unlimited plan.

“Everyone will be on data share,” Shammo said.

Users on the Verizon Wireless Facebook page did not respond kindly, and many said they were leaving the nation’s largest wireless carrier.

Facebook: Verizon

Shammo did not elaborate on when exactly the change will take place, although with the data-share plans coming this summer, it looks to be soon. The data share plan is more geared at family plans and small businesses — the plan will have one amount of data purchased that is shared among everyone on the plan.

Verizon eliminated unlimited data plans in July of 2011 but kept previous subscribers to the plan. AT&T has done the same but is still keeping its unlimited data intact for grandfathered users. Sprint offers unlimited data to new users.

This announcement comes shortly after the company announced last month it would start charging a $30 fee for users to upgrade their phones.

Neilson Barnard, Getty Images / NBA

When the Brooklyn Nets unveiled in April their black-and-white logo, which was approved by part owner Jay-Z, it drew a wide range of reactions. Particularly, from New York Post sports columnist Phil Mushnick who felt Jay was “urbanizing” the basketball team.

The logo with its royal crest is simplistic by design, according to Hov. “I wanted to make it really classic and strong; a throwback to Brooklyn and what we’re about,” Jay-Z tells MTV News about the image. “It’s real gritty and we’re not about flash — well, sometimes. Just the roots of Brooklyn as this very bold, strong, simple logo.”

We are surprised that MTV didn’t ask Jay about Mushnick’s response to the logo, and his inflammatory column about him and his basketball team. In it, the writer suggested that the other team owners take the urbanizing to the extreme. “Why the Brooklyn Nets when they can be the New York N—ers? The cheerleaders could be the Brooklyn B—-es or H–s. Team logo? A 9 mm with hollow-tip shell casings strewn beneath. Wanna be Jay-Z hip? Then go all the way!” he wrote in his column.

We can only assume that like his anthemic hit ‘Dirt Off Your Shoulders,’ Hov simply brush those opinions off his shoulders and kept it moving.

In the end, Jay-Z’s inspiration for the logo came from the vintage New York transit system signage of yesteryear. “It was really a take off the old subway signs, if you look at the old subway signs they were in black and white,” he says. “It was that strong, beautiful, iconic black and white. I wanted to pick something that would stand the test of time and be here forever.”

Watch Jay-Z Explain The Nets Logo

Source: PopCrush.com

Jemal Countess, Getty Images

NBC execs have signed on Ms. Leakes to star in a show called, The New Normal, and is about a gay couple that is trying to start a family. When talking about her “gays” Nene stated to reporters:

“I’m Rocky, one of the gay guy’s assistants. I take it very personal, honey, if you talk about my gays, honey. Only I can talk about them and I’m fabulous. She’s very different from Roz Washington on Glee; she’s always in workout outfits and sneakers. Rocky wears high heels every day. This is very fitting for me because in my real life, you don’t mess with my gays, honey. I don’t play that.”

So… does that mean that Nene will quit her other shows? When asked that in an interview, she denied leaving RHOA and expressed that she would love to remain on GLEE:

“I hope to stay on Glee, I hope to still be a Housewife and I hope to do The New Normal. I just want to do it all! Why not? I’m only going to be young for a little while longer.”

We think this is great news for Nene! Go girl!

Watch: Nene Leakes as “Coach Roz” on GLEE

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Last week, boxing champ Manny Pacquiao reacted to President Barack Obama’s recent acceptance of gay marriage by allegedly quoting Bible verses against homosexuality. As a result, a Los Angeles-area shopping mall has banned the the WBO welterweight champion.

While Pacquiao’s representatives claim his quotes in a National Conservative Examiner article were taken out of context, The Grove, an outdoor shopping mall near Los Angeles, has banned the boxer and canceled a scheduled interview of Pacquiao with ‘Extra’ and host Mario Lopez in advance of his June 9 fight with Timothy Bradley.

…(Pacquiao) is not welcome at The Grove and will not be interviewed here now or in the future. The Grove is a gathering place for all Angelenos and not a place for intolerance.”

Pacquiao allegedly quoted Leviticus 20:13, which calls homosexuality “detestable” and advocates that gays “must be put to death.” Pacquiao says he’s never read Leviticus, nor quoted that verse. “I’m not against gay people … I have a relative who is also gay. We can’t help it if they were born that way.”

Regardless of his position on gay marriage, Pacquiao may find this still-developing controversy an unwanted distraction as he prepares for his fight against Bradley.

[NBC Sports]

Herkie, flickr

Seeing how the spring semester recently wrapped up for a lot of college students and with high school graduation coming up soon, the graduation invitations are in the mail and going out. With their arrival, a couple of questions came to my mind:

When you get the invitation, do you feel obligated to attend the graduation? If you send a gift to the graduate, how much is too much to spend?

Labelle’s hot new single, “Sexify,” recently debuted on MTV. She was discovered by music artist Pharrell Williams and Jermaine Dupri after hearing Labelle’s singing on her MySpace Page. Her music can be described as sexy, catchy, upbeat and fun.

“Sexify is the theme for women, cosmopolitan women of the world. It just inspires women to feel fun, free, sexy and flirty,” Labelle told BET in a behind-the-scenes special for her new video.

Go check her out on her Facebook page and follow her on Twitter. She’s about to take R&B by storm!

Leah Labelle: ‘Sexify’

People’s Petroleum Building, Facebook

As you drive by the old People’s National Bank Building in Tyler you can look at it fondly now as a Tyler Historic Landmark. The designation became official in a ceremony yesterday as part of National Historic Preservation Month.

The building that’s now the People’s Petroleum Building went up in 1932, and claimed to be the tallest building in East Texas at the time, and the largest skyscraper construction project west of the Mississippi River.

Renovation projects that could take years to complete are in the works now, and the building’s owners are keeping us updated on Facebook.

There are no plans to rip out the original marble, or make other changes that might compromise the historic integrity of the building during the renovations, and they’ll keep the history in mind all the way down to the light fixtures.

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

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Throughout its colorful history, East Texas has been home to a variety of celebrities, professional athletes and notable characters.

Most Tyler residents are familiar with Earl Campbell, a local legend who steamrolled defenders as a running back for The University of Texas, the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. Years before he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the “Tyler Rose” led John Tyler High School to the 1973 Class 4A state championship.

If you follow the local music scene, you’ve probably heard of Eisley, a Tyler-based indie rock band consisting mostly of four siblings. Eisley’s debut, Room Noises, earned the band the chance to perform with other popular acts, including Hot Hot Heat, Switchfoot and Taking Back Sunday. In 2007, Eisley made their national television debut on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

While many know the local connection to Eisley and Campbell, there are many other noteworthy individuals you probably didn’t know have ties your neck of the woods.

Here are a few:

Arthur “Dooley” Wilson, better known as Sam from Casablanca

About 56 years after he was born in Tyler, Dooley Wilson landed a supporting role in the 1942 classic Casablanca. The charming pianist and singer warmed the hearts of audiences across America as he repeatedly fulfilled Humphrey Bogart’s request to play “As Time Goes By.”

Wilson’s character is referenced in the famous quote, “Play it again, Sam.” As it turns out, that line is never said in the film.

Patrick “McDreamy” Dempsey

Dempsey has appeared in many popular films, including Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Enchanted and Sweet Home Alabama. However, he is undoubtedly most known for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd – or the character’s more common name, McDreamy – on the award-winning TV series, Grey’s Anatomy.

Dempsey bought a home on Lake Jacksonville several years ago, to much fanfare from curious neighbors. He reportedly splits his time between East Texas and Malibu. Every now and then he’ll be spotted in a local store — you can tell when it happens because the women are all on the floor.

Matthew McConaughey

Before landing lead roles in A Time to Kill, We Are Marshall, The Lincoln Lawyer and a slew of chick flicks, McConaughey attended Longview High School. He recently starred alongside Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine in the film Bernie, which was set in Carthage.

An avid Texas Longhorns fan, McConaughey currently lives in Austin, Texas.

Freddie King

King was one of the most influential blues guitarists of his time, inspiring the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton. He was born in Gilmer in 1934 amid the pre-war era of blues music. He eventually became a prominent figure on the Chicago blues scene, alongside legends including Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Sonny Boy Williamson.

King was named No. 25 25 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. In 1993, Texas Governor Ann Richards declared Sept. 3, 1993 to be named Freddie King Day.

Sandy Duncan

Born in Henderson in 1946, Duncan went on to appear in many popular TV shows in the 70s and 80s. She landed a starring role on Funny Face in 1971, which appeared on the CBS primetime lineup with All in the Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. When the show ended, Duncan’s character was repurposed for The Sandy Duncan Show.

From 1987-1991, Duncan was a regular character on Valerie’s Family, which starred Jason Bateman. She voiced the character Vixey in Disney’s The Fox and the Hound and has appeared on Law and Order and The Love Boat.

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And those are only a few. Who’s your favorite East Texan?