See why we’re sipping dark coffee.
•Chris Brown has been no stranger to legal issues lately and he’s just been hit with yet another case. Sha’Keir Duarte, who is the cousin of singer Frank Ocean, has sued Brown, claiming the singer’s bodyguard attacked him during a fight that took place earlier this year. On January 27, a huge brawl between Brown, Ocean and their entourages broke out at an L.A. recording studio after Brown parked in Ocean’s spot. Duarte says a bodyguard named Hood punched and kicked him and that Brown egged on his violent behavior. Duarte is suing Brown for unspecified damages claiming that had suffered a concussion, humiliation and mental anguish following the attack. Brown’s attorney Mark Geragos says that the case is not to be taken seriously and is an attempt at blackmail. “This is what gives lawyers and lawsuits a bad name is garbage like this,” Geragos said. Brown and his lawyer will work to get the lawsuit dismissed and will proceed to countersue Duarte. [TMZ]
•New York Fashion Week is right around the corner and Model Iman is urging for a boycott against high fashion brands that don’t use African American models. “There is something terribly wrong. We have a President and a First Lady who are black. You would think things have changed,” says Iman. “Then you realize that they have not. In fact, things have gone backwards.” Black models currently account for less than six percent of models featured on high fashion runways and Iman is hoping to change that. She suggests that consumers not buy from or support designers who refuse to diversify their runways. “It feels to me like the times need a real hard line drawn like in the Sixties, by saying if you don’t use black models, then we boycott,” said the fashion icon. “If you engage the social media trust me, it will hurt them in their pockets. If you take it out there, they will feel the uproar.” [New York Times]
•Nelly is creating a lot of buzz lately as the newest brand ambassador for Honey Nut Cheerios. The rapper has teamed up with Cheerios’ Buzz the Bee for the ‘Must Be The Honey’ campaign and has recorded a remix to his 2001 hit “Ride With Me,” also called “Must Be the Honey.” Nelly will serve as the face behind the brand’s mass media initiative including digital ads, billboards and a social media effort for the General Mills cereal. The campaign will also help the rapper push his upcoming album M.O. which is set to release in October. On Tuesday, General Mills released a commercial, directed by Hype Williams, featuring Nelly and Buzz the ‘Homebee.’ “I’ve worked with some very talented artists and thought – I think it’s about time I work with the Bee,” said nelly of the collaboration. “I love the sweet taste of Honey Nut Cheerios and Buzz’s sweet sound on this track. When I hear it, I can’t help but smile.” [Rap-Up]