All hail the queen! MTV announced its Video Music Award nominees this morning, and Beyonce walked away with five nods, including Best Video of the Year and Best Pop Video for 7/11. Other names we spotted? Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd. Catch the VMAs on Aug. 30 at 9 p.m. [Hollywood Reporter]
The Black Eyed Peas dropped a surprise comeback video for their new single, “Yesterday,” over the weekend, but not everyone is too excited about it. Erykah Badu called out the pop group for stealing the concept from her video for her 2007 “Honey.” “I think THE BLACK EYED PEAS borrowed my idea lil lol,” she tweeted. [Colorlines]
Raven is making headlines (again), and this time, it’s for her support of the frowned-upon phrase “All lives matter.” Yesterday, Raven defended Martin O’Malley, a Democratic presidential hopeful who apologized for saying “All lives matter” at a campaign rally. Raven didn’t exactly see the problem. “I understand what the ‘Black lives matter’ hashtag means,” she said during The View. “…but he is right: All lives matter…I think you have to open yourself up. It should be all lives matter.” That darn Raven. [Vibe]
It was only a matter of time! Over the weekend, two of America’s most iconic trans icons—Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner—met at a screening for Jenner’s new documentary, I Am Cait. “[Caitlyn] is such a sweet woman, loves her family,” Cox said to People. “I think she’s [transitioning] very eloquently and beautifully and publicly.” [People]
The NBA could be getting some Rihanna flare in the coming months. Everyone’s favorite bad girl was just named the creative director of Stance, the company that designs the NBA’s socks. Her first project? Limited edition crew and over-the-knee socks called—what else?—Murder Rih Wrote. [BET]
Rachel is still making headlines. Less than two months after the former NAACP chapter president made headlines for passing as Black for years, Dolezal opened up to Vanity Fair, admitting that she still identifies as Black. “It’s not a costume,” she said. “It’s not something that I can put on and take off anymore.” She also revealed that she is now doing “braids and weaves” full time. Hmmm… [MSNBC]
Michelle Obama is getting some Grade A help in promoting higher education. The two stars will joint the First Lady on Thursday during the 2015 Beating the Odds Summit, which inspires all high school grads to enroll in a form of higher education. Wale will perform for the students who will be attending, and Terrence J will help moderate a panel with Michelle O and the U.S. Secretary of Education. [Hello Beautiful]
