Black Celebrity Men

Laz Alonso. Many of you may remember him from his roles in movies like G, Stomp the Yard, This Christmas (I hated him in that movie! But that's a good thing though!) or Miracle at St. Anna. I remember him from my days as a morning news producer here in Tallahassee and in Jacksonville. When my co-workers has the televisions on their desks tuned in to CNN or MSNBC, mine would be tuned in to B.E.T.'s morning show A.M. @ B.E.T. I needed my early morning eye candy and he fit the bill and then some. At the time, I had no idea he was a Howard graduate and held a lucrative position as an investment banker at Merill Lynch on Wall Street; and I definitely didn't think I'd ever see him years later in hit movies.

Since this is BlackCelebrityMen.blogspot.com and since Laz is without a doubt a BlackCelebrityMan, I had to look out for my readers and get the goods on his personal life and what he looks in a potential wifey, right? Well, ladies, although he isn't married, he is in a relationship right now according to his updated Myspace page. Last fall in his Jewel magazine interview he spoke about marriage and said, 'I'm definitely looking to be married. I don't really have a time frame, but I'd like to do it fairly soon so I'm not that old dude who always gets complimented on his grandson.' Bless his heart. He's also an only child who 'grew up surrounded by strong women' including his mother, grandmother and aunts, he says. 'So that's the type I'm usually attracted to. She has to be self-confident and hold her head high. You feel her energy when she walks in the room, and when she opens her mouth, she's got something to say.' Now, as I perused his Myspace page, I came across a blog entry of his where he lists his personal Top 10 Traits of a Great Girlfriend which I found to be a very entertaining read.

Below are scans from a photo shoot the actor posed for in Jewel magazine. I had to dig waaaaaaaaaaay deep in my old magazine collection for these. Click on each picture to see its full image. Hope you Laz fans enjoy them.

 READ LAZ' TOP 10 TRAITS OF A GOOD GIRLFRIEND WHEN YOU CLICK THE LINK BELOW!

Last week, Jermaine Jackson blabbed to reporters about his family's (Michael and Janet included, because let's face it, there would be no reason whatsoever to attend a Jackson tour if these two aren't performing) plans to reunite for a worldwide tour next year. "This has been a long time coming for the Jackson family to get back together. It is just the timing, so what we've been doing is working on the music and all the logistics. It is going to be more like a family affair, Janet's going to open and, of course, the original Jackson 5 ... Michael, Randy and the whole family ... we're in the studio, we're planning on being out there next year," Jermaine was quoted by the national Australian Associated Press news agency as saying.

Well, either someone forgot to mention this to Michael or Jermaine's perm/conk relaxer has seeped into his brain making him delusional. Soon after this story leaked, Michael released a statement to Billboard.com saying he has no intentions of going on tour with his siblings. "My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we’ve certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them. I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look
forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon."

In the meantime, check out several candid shots of the brothers out and about recently. Jermaine was spotted with his third, fourth or fifth wife (I can't remember and I don't feel like looking it up) in London; while Michael tried his best to dodge photographers while out shopping in Los Angeles.

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New Jersey Net Vince Carter and his mother Michelle Carter-Scott agreed to donate $1.6 million towards the construction of the Vince Carter Sanctuary, a 100-bed treatment center for those with chemical addiction problems. The total cost of the facility is at $8.6 million and will open next summer in Bunnell, Florida. The idea for the center apparently came after the experience Carter and his mother had when dealing with Carter's brother battle with addiction. "If there's something we can do to help them get their lives back on track, that would be wonderful," Carter-Scott told NetsDaily.com of those who will be treated at the Sanctuary. "[This is] something near and dear to me," Carter added. "We all have family that go through tough times."

According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Carter's younger brother, Christopher Allen Carter has been arrested for possession of marijuana and cocaine and, most recently, drug possession with the intent to distribute.
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Kevon Edmonds is without question, one of R&B/Pop Music's most adored vocalist and songwriter for well over a decade. Edmonds began branding his recognizable sound (Heat of the Moment, Ready or Not, Can't Stop, 24/7) within the subgenre of the American Pop Music culture known as R&B music. As the founder and lead singer of the world renown Pop/R&B vocal group, AFTER 7, Kevon Edmonds has successfully delivered a multi-platinum selling LP, 2 gold LPs, 3 gold singles and 11 Top-Ten radio singles. Kevon Edmonds is also credited with co-executive producing his debut solo project, aptly titled, 24/7 alongside sibling and music icon, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The title track, 24/7 rose to No 2 on R&B radio formats nationwide, quickly crossing over to POP radio. 24/7 also certified gold status (500,000+ units sold) adding to Kevon Edmonds' collection of platinum and gold selling records!

Now this great talent has chosen his most personal songs yet for his highly anticipated second, as-yet-untitled, sophomore solo CD. Kevon Edmonds recently signed a recording and distribution agreement with Make Entertainment/Image Distribution with plans to release a new collection of songs in March 2009. Edmonds is a modern testament to timeless quality. When asked about his upcoming solo project, Edmonds explained, "I simply want to create a body of work that will take listeners on a musical journey; the style of music that will allow people to get in touch with their highs and lows and their joys and pain of living through song. At the same time, I am hoping to bridge the gap between good old R&B and R&B of today."

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At least one show from Usher's One Night Stand: Ladies Only tour has been canceled due to low ticket sales. Usher, who's tour kicked off just tonight in Atlantic City (I'll post pictures from the show later, but you can read a review of the show by clicking HERE) has had to nix his November 20th show at Club Nokia in Los Angeles and other venues on the 14-day tour have been forced to lower their ticket prices in order to sell more tickets. Could poor sales also be the reason behind Usher allowing men to attend his 'ladies only' shows? Last month when he announced the tour he was asked why he only wanted ladies to attend, he said, "I feel like I've had such a connection with my audience. I felt like my current album was definitely the type of one that was more intimate. So, what better way to get up close and personal with my fans than to make it all women? It will be the best 'One Night Stand' they've ever had!" Fast forward a few weeks later and his people are telling Billboard.com that although ladies may be the focus of the tour, men are more than welcome to attend the shows. Mmmm-hmmm. Anywhoo, the show runs through November 25th in Dallas.

After the jump, find out if Usher is going to be in a city near you PLUS take a glance at the movie character he attempted to be for Halloween this year! Oh, and below are images from a recent photoshoot of his....and even I have to say there more than easy on the eyes! Yes, sir!!

PEEP MORE PICS OF USHER WHEN YOU CLICK THE LINK BELOW!

T.I. is featured in a swagged-out photo spread in Smooth magazine. The rapper expounds on everything from the kind of swag he believes Barack Obama, our soon-to-be president of the United States (hey, can you blame me for being blatantly presumptuous in confidently thinking so?) should possess to his upcoming clothing line called AKOO (A King of Oneself) which he describes as 'upscale, classy American apparel' that crosses party lines to bring together Dope Boys and Democrats. Let him tell it, it's all done off the cuff. 'My music and my style both come natural. It's not in a rule book.'

T.I. ON FOLLOWING THE RULES OF FASHION: I do what feels right. If we're talking about white after Labor Day, I feel, as an older cat--or, should I say, distinguished gentleman--white pants are a no-no for me. If we talking about the ensemble I wore for the (the magazine's) photo shoot-black pants, white jacket-I can wear that year round. The '70s, the '60s and the Harlem Renaissance era inspired me. It was just clean back then. That Harlem Nights era was just real with the white sport coat and black tie, black pants, with the scarf over the overcoat.

T.I. ON HIS CLOTHING STYLE FROM BACK IN THE DAY & THE NAME BRANDS HE WORE: Polo, Jordans, Guess jeans suits, Used, Damaged, at one point. I'm not that proud of that error. I ain't do the Cross Colours. I did Tommy Hilfiger for a hot minute. One thing that I must say I grabbed from New York was the snorkels and bubble vest. I used to wear Starter suits. I went from one extreme to the next.

T.I. ON HIS NEW CLOTHING LINE AKOO: AKOO is for the guy who cares about how he looks. It's also for the cats who don't have as much swag as the next cat. Just because you ain't got no swag don't mean you have to look like it. If you buy my clothes, then the swag is on me. Furthermore, if you dress in AKOO and your girl doesn't like it, I'll replace her with a girl who does. I can't give you your money back, but I will get you a girl.'

Earlier this week, T.I. was photographed getting his pre-election vote on in Atlanta. It's a good thing seeing as though by the time Barack Obama gets himself situated in the White House, our boy T.I. will be taking up residence in the Big House.

Find out what T.I. thinks of Obama's swag and view more scans of T.I.'s photoshoot when you click on the link below.

Here's someone we haven't seen in a while. Bill Cosby's favorite Cosby kid, Malcolm Jamal Warner performs live with Jody Hill and Deep Fried Funk band during the Deep Fried Soul Concert at 88's Dueling Pianos in Hollywood, Florida on Friday (10.31.2008)

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Actor James Lesure was spotted backstage at the 'Shakespeare in the Brave New World,' a benefit for the New Globe, at the Scirball Center for the Performing Arts at New York University on October 27th. Most recently he'd been seen on the NBC crime-drama Las Vegas, but most of us remember him in his role as 'Mel Ellis', the husband to 'Malena Ellis' (played by Holly Robinson-Peete) in For Your Love (created by Yvette Lee Bowser) which ran from 1998-2002. I absolutely LOVED that show and I still watch its reruns on TV One. It looks like James still has much love for the show as well. He's sporting a windbreaker jacket emblazoned with the For Your Love logo!!

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Dancing with the Stars contestants Warren Sapp and Maurice Green was spotted outside STK restaurant in Los Angeles last Thursday night.

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First of all let me say I'm mad as hell that they have Bobby 'Busted' Brown in the middle/front-and-center of that flyer as if he's still the King of R&B. This ain't 1987! Second of all, it is with tremendous shame and embarrassment to tell you all that I had no idea that New Edition members Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill have banded together to form a supergroup who goes by the name The Summit (the group is also referred to as 'Heads of State'...I'm still trying to figure this name issue out!). Not only will the guys perform together under that moniker, they will also incorporate fashion, fragrance, film, television, music and of course, touring under The Summit brand. The trio kicked off their tour (check Ticketmaster to see if they're coming to a city near you) with a concert performance at the Atlanta Civic Center on September 27th where they also confirmed their plans to record an album together. What is really going on and why? I guess they decided to go this route after failed attempts of reviving their solo careers. Can't knock their hustle. But can you imagine Bobby and Johnny on the same stage trying to out-sing each other? That has got to be a sight to see! A sight I would love to see even though I'm still beyond miffed at Johnny for lying to me two years ago when he was here in Tallahassee...but I'll digress...at least for now. Besides, this blog post is long enough already.

Anywho, as for the remaining members, Ronnie is busy operating his Atlanta-based real estate company. Last I heard, Mike scored a gig as a game announcer for the NBA. As for Ricky? An even better question would be are they still going to go through with releasing a 25th anniversary album and television special THIS YEAR?

Watch the guys talk about The Summit during an interview on My Fox Atlanta news broadcast.

Does he look familiar to you all? It's Terrell Carter. 6 feet 5 inches of pure fineness. He may be a new face in this entertainment industry, but he is one that will be all over television and more movie screens in the future. He honed his acting skills in the Tyler Perry school of acting, with a part in the movie version of Diary of a Mad Black Woman (he played the singing pastor in the final church scene where ol girl's ex-husband gave his life over to the Lord), and costarred in the new DVD release of Perry's stage play What's Done in the Dark as well as the stage production of Perry's Meet the Browns. But the Buffalo, New York, native is not just an actor. Carter is also an accomplished singer and music producer--he's worked with Quincy Jones, P. Diddy and Kirk Franklin--who has released three independent albums and a fourth album entitled Finally, which was released last summer.. With such a fitting album title, Carter is more than ready for his national close-up. "I'm really looking forward to this album because I have songs on here that are amazing. They really define the music side of me," says the 20-something-year old.

His movie fans can catch him in the much talked-about HBO series Zane's The Sex Chronicles which debuted on September 5th. It's a new territory for him, but Carter is sure at least one segment of the population will enjoy it. "The Sex Chronicles is nothing like the Tyler Perry show," says the man whose mother bore him at the tender age of 12. "This is an HBO show that I think the ladies will definitely like."

Below are some of the sexiest photoshoot shots of Terrell I have ever come across! Click on them to see each in its full image. You will not be sorry. Trust. *wink*

Also, Terrell recorded an 'answer' to Rihanna's single Take a Bow. Peep it below. Check out his official Myspace page for more music.

MORE PICS OF TERRELL WHEN YOU CLICK THE LINK BELOW!

Tallahassee native T-Pain (real name Faheem Najm) says his bank account has put a strain on his relationship with his family. T-Pain voiced his wealth woes in a feature story in Blender magazine. “Now my dad asks for money every time I talk to him, and that’s just weird. He and I used to get along fantastic — until all the dollar signs. My whole family, man, they see what they see and they automatically ask for stuff. It ain’t a problem except when they ask for sh*t they don’t need. I bought my mom a house and a Porsche truck. I bought my sister a Buick truck. I gave my dad $20,000. I didn’t even feel that one. But he asked for more, like, two days later. It got to the point where he straight up said, ‘Gimme $250,000 and you don’t have to worry about me no more.’ Like, what the f*ck? That’s a payoff for your dad. God d@mn.”

Seven years into a gold-and-platinum-honored career, top R&B singer/songwriter/producer AVANT is joining the Capitol Records roster of urban chart-topping artists. His first Capitol Records album was released on October 28. Fresh off a live appearance at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, the artist says he chose to title his first Capitol Records album with his own name, AVANT, to acknowledge his established track record, as well as the sense of creative accomplishment and ownership that marks the project overall: "I've proved my point. (The album) reflects who I am. I think one of the reasons I've been able to enjoy the kind of longevity I've had, is that I write songs that are about real-life situations."

Accordingly, the album's kick-off single, is the probing, emotive and sophisticated When It Hurts, an impassioned and irresistible plea about the true meaning of unconditional love, produced by the Anonymous Entertainment team of Eric Dawkins and Tony Dixon (Fantasia).

LISTEN TO 'WHEN IT HURTS.'

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AFTER THE JUMP!

LL Cool J. has removed himself as the opening act of Janet Jackson's on-again/off-again Rock Witchu tour. According to the BBC, the rapper will be leaving his position as the events' opening act due to scheduling conflicts. Joined alongside the tour by Bad Boy's Donnie Klang, no replacement performer has been announced for the remaining tour dates. This drawback is yet another issue the platinum-selling singer has to face having just been diagnosed with an unusual migraine sickness that forced her to cancel nine shows since being rushed to a hospital late last month. Janet was reportedly suffering from a rare form of migraine called vestibular migraine also known as migraine-associated vertigo.

In the meantime, LL Cool J. is still out and about. Last week, the veteran rapper made an appearance at Sears in Chicago, Illinois to promote his new clothing line LL Cool J Collection.

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Black Celebrity Men: Marion 'Pooch' Hall, Keith Robinson and Jackie Long attended 'The House of Hoops' after-party presented by Nike and Foot Locker Los Angeles, California in October.

MORE PICS WHEN YOU CLICK THE LINK BELOW!