BV Entertainment Newswire June 26

Jay Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’ Radio City Music Hall Concert

Jay Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’ concert at Radio City Music Hall Sunday Night was an unforgettable 10-year anniversary tribute to the artist’s debut album. The Rockefeller Records’ CEO made his grand entrance on stage, and kicked off the ‘Reasonable Doubt’ concert in a 1996 Lexus, then stepped out on stage in a crisp white suit to perform his 10-year-old album, back-to-front.

Guest performers included many of the original artists who appeared on ‘Reasonable Doubt’ 10 years ago – Sauce Money, Memphis Bleek, Foxy Brown – and a special appearance by Beyoncé singing Mary J. Blige’s vocals in ‘Can’t Knock the Hustle’ -- turned the venue upside down. Jay Z and ?uestlove, music director for the performance, made sure that fans got more than they bargained for.

Mo’Nique’s ‘F.A.T. Chance’

If anyone can pull off a full-figured beauty competition that turns out to be a network’s highest rated show, and come back for a second helping – it’s Mo’Nique. During an interview with Black Voices, Mo’Nique talked about her experiences launching ‘F.A.T. Chance.’ “No one’s ever questioned Tyra Banks,” she said. “That’s my girl, I am so proud of her, but no one has ever said, ‘Why do a show like this?’ Because that’s what’s considered beautiful.”

After more than 2,500 auditions nationwide, 10 plus-size beauties were selected to head to L.A. for “Beauty Boot Camp,” a series of mind/body/soul training exercises, and then go on to compete for the second title of “Miss F.A.T. (Fabulous And Thick.).” The full-figured beauty queen debuts her second 2-hour premier of ‘Mo’Nique's F.A.T. Chance’ July 15 at 8 p.m. on the Oxygen Network.

Lionel Richie Happy To Be ‘Coming Home’

Lionel Richie put together an all-star production team for his upcoming album, ‘Coming Home,’ on Island Records. Richie says the album is all about “Coming back to the basis of what my whole career started on in the first place. It’s not only me coming back to my roots, but it’s me coming back to America,” he told Black Voices.

The album, which features songwriting and production collaborations with Jermaine Dupri, Raphael Saadiq, Dallas Austin, Sean Garrett, Chuckii Booker, and others, is scheduled to hit stores September 12.

Hip Hop and Politics Don’t Mix, They Marry!

The Game has formally announced his engagement to Valeisha Butterfield, daughter of U.S. Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC.). Valeisha Butterfield admitted in a recent interview that the engagement came as a shock, stating that the two never dated, instead they went from “being friends to being engaged.”

This good news comes after ‘Waist Deep,’ the new feature film starring The Game, received mediocre reviews. Valeisha Butterfield appeared in ‘Remember the Titans’ as a cheerleader and also as a college student in ‘Road Trip.’ The couple recently had an extravagant dinner party formally announcing their engagement, with guests from Lil Jon to Hillary Duff. And though Congressman Butterfield gave The Game the “third degree,” the couple plans to wed in March 2007.