Wednesday, October 19, 2016

"Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le"

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"Surviving Compton" Cast


As a cast member of the reality series 'R&B Divas' singer Michel'le spoke about her past relationships with her ex and children's fathers' Dr. Dre and Suge Knight. The little information that she revealed left viewers wanting to know more. What really happened to Michel'le?

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Singer Michel'le

On Saturday, October 15, Lifetime television network presented the docufilm "Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le" featuring the songstress herself. Playing Michel'le was Rhyon Nicole Brown who also starred in the family drama series "Lincoln Heights". Music producer Dr. Dre was played by Curtis Hamilton from the television series "Castle" and Suge Knight was played by R. Marcos Taylor who also played Suge Knight in the biopic "Straight Outta Compton".

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Rhyon Nicole Brown

Rhyon Nicole Brown went from playing the baby sister in "Lincoln Heights" to playing a female legend in the hip hop game. She did a great job playing the role of Michel'le almost as good as Angela Basset did in the biopic film "What's Love Got To Do With It" the story about Ike and Tina Turner. 

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Curtis Hamilton
Curtis Hamilton also did a good job acting as Michel'le's ex Dr. Dre. His portrayal of Dr. Dre was better than Corey Hawkins who played Dr. Dre in "Straight Outta Compton". Hamilton's look and attitude was similar to the real Dr. Dre R. Marcos Taylor who played Suge Knight for the second time around wasn't the best impression but it doesn't take much to play a bodyguard!


Like most biopics "Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le" focuses on how Michel'le made her debut into the music industry. She went from being featured on World Class Wreckin Cru's track "Turn Off The Lights" to making tracks of her own. Michel'le's first break out single was titled "No More Lies" followed by "Nicety" and the popular hit "Something In My Heart".

While Michel'le was pursuing her music career she and Dr. Dre became close ans started seeing each other. Michel'le knew she wasn't the only woman in Dre's life but she believed she was the main woman. As toxic as Dre's and Michel'le's relationship was she stayed hoping he would get better, but he only got worse as he continued to be physically abusive towards her. Noone ever stepped in to help Michel'le not even their manager Jerry.

After Michel'le had her first baby boy with Dre he left her stranded at home alone, with no food and no lights. Michel'le called Suge who came to her rescue and put her in rehab. When Michel'le returned home she was in a better place and she didn't go back to Dre. Instead she started dating Suge Knight. The singer described Knight as being gentle and kind. He made her feel loved in a way Dre never did. 

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R. Marcos Taylor as Suge Knight


Sooner or later Michel'le saw a different side of Knight when she asked him about releasing her second album. Knight hit Michel'le but according to the movie, it only happened once. When Suge took over Death Row Records things started to look suspicious to Michel'le but she was in the dark as to what was really going on. By then she had two children, a son with Dr. Dre and a daughter with Suge. While Suge was locked up, his attorney persuaded Michel'le into signing documents that earned her $30,000 a month. She later found out Suge was involved in some illegal shady business with the company and used her to do it. She also found out he was still married which meant she was not legally married to Suge.

Towards the end, Michel'le courageously confronted Suge and let him know that she knew everything.  She then left Suge where he was standing, took her two children and moved back home with her grandmother. 

"Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le" didn't have a five star cast or a five star performance, but compared to the Aaliyah biopic it was well worth watching. Every documentary tells a person's story but not every documentary is going to be satisfactory to it's viewers. 

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Money Power Respect Premiere Review: "Opening Arguments"

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On the reality series 'Love and Hip Hop' you see aspiring female rappers and singers, but on the new WeTv reality series 'Money, Power, Respect' these women are already established high profile attorneys in the entertainment world.

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Dana, Kelly, Wendy, Nakia, Tiffany, Kendell

Dana who aspires to be an artist manager like her husband wanted to prove to him that she has what it takes to manage an artist. During what Dana called "Industry Rules" she introduced a Brooklyn rapper named Shaun Doe to Lord Jamar and some other players in the music industry. 

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Rapper Shaun Doe

Jamar wasn't impressed with Shaun's initial impression. He felt as if he came off too arrogant with someone who could have possibly helped him get further in his rap career. As the conversation continued Shaun questioned what Jamar had done lately. He told him he didn't need him and the tension grew deeper, forcing Jamar to dismiss Shaun for good.

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Lord Jamar and wife Dana Whitfield

Later on in the episode while Dana and Jamar were out playing pool, they got into another heated discussion regarding Shaun. Jamar who called the rapper Bozo the clown, advised his wife to try again with another artist. He also added that managing a male artist was out of the question. Jamar made it clear that he wasn't going to accept her being out til 5 or 6 in the morning with another man. No matter how much Dana tried to get her very conservative husband to change his mind he stood by his decision. That's it, That's all!

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Andre Harrell and Wendy Credle

Meanwhile Wendy met up with her ex and music producer Andre Harrell to discuss their son's college education. Wendy wanted him to finish school in Paris, whereas, Andre wanted him to come back to America. Wendy assured the former CEO of Motown Records that she would do whatever it takes to pay for their son's final year in college which would cost $65,000. 

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Kendell Renee Kelly

Kendall received some unexpected news about the man she is currently living with. An unknown woman reached out to her to inform her that she and her man have been seeing each other. Kendell even agreed to meet the woman. Did she make the right decision? Only Kendell knows the answer to that. She has to do what she feels is best for her. It's better to find out now before she walked down the aisle.

Stay tuned for more upcoming episodes of 'Money, Power, Respect' Tuesdays on WeTv!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin






Sunday, October 9, 2016

'60 Days In': "Shakedowns, Defiance and Snitches'

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This season of '60 Days In' is way more intense than the previous season. Ryan has gotten way to comfortable while Quintin is being smart about the decisions he makes. Sheri and Ashleigh approaches MonaLisa but the outcome is far from what they expected. Dion seems to holding on as best he can but he is able to break at any point.

Sheri and Ashleigh approached Mona to let her know they knew she was in the program. Mona was shocked but as soon as Sheri revealed she passed a note, she wanted no parts of Sheri or Ashleigh. Mona felt Sheri passing a note could jeopardize their purpose for actually being there so she walked away. 

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Ryan of '60 Days In'


At first Ryan was frustrated when he entered C-Pod until he became accustomed to the dealings within the inmates. He started traded commissary, which he was forbidden to do. Ryan was going against the grain and it could cost him his life. He feels that he way of doing things is the right way verses what he was taught in training.

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Ashleigh of '60 Days In'


Towards the end of the last episode of '60 Days In' Sheri passed a note to get the attention of the CO's. As a result to her note, there was a shake down in the females pod twice. Inmate Ashley became suspicious of a snitch and went in a verbal rage. Ashleigh who is a participant called Ashley's bluff after she heard her call white girls b*****s. 

Ashley tried to intimidate Ashleigh but she stood her ground. Ashleigh then went into her room and laced up just in case she had to throw some hands.

See who's going to make it to the end as you tune in to '60 Days In' Thursdays on A&E!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin

Marriage Bootcamp Reality Stars 6 Premiere 6 Recap: "Trouple or Nothing"

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If you thought last season of 'Marriage Boot Camp Reality Stars' was something this season is going to have you more anxious than before. And for the first time two new professionals and a trouple will be apart of this process!

This season on 'Marriage Bootcamp Reality Stars' Jade and Tanner and Amber and Jim have nothing compared to what Keke Wyatt and Michael, Karen and Storm and Margeaux, Merika and Nikko are going to bring.

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Nikko and Margeaux

Do you remember the couple in the picture above? Both of these reality stars were casted on the Vh1 series 'Love and Hip Hop Atlanta', but that was short lived. Anywho, after the couple appeared on their final reunion many viewers assumed the remained married and started thing over like most married couples do. Nikko had lost Mimi and Margeaux was still up for grabs. So we thought!

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Margeaux and Merika



As it turns out, Margeaux has moved on but too bad we can't say the same thing about Nikko. During the couples evaluation at Divorce court with Judge Lynn Toler there was a surprise mystyer guest waiting to reveal himself. The judge evalutaed each couple one by one and Margeaux and Merika were the final litigants. 

Lo and behold! The surprise guest was for Margeaux. You can tell by Margeaux's reaction that Nikko was the last person she expected to see. It's obvious he still loves Margeaux or is this just apart of one of his get poor schemes?

Although Margeaux and Merika had been together for the past two years, Nikko revealed that he and Margeaux were still married. 

Will Margeaux end up saying good-bye to Merika and stay married to Nikko? Or is this the end of their estranged marriage?

Tune in to more of 'Marriage Boot Camp RealityStars' Friday on WeTv!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin


Basketball Wives LA: "Will Tami Or Duffy Get Sent Packing"

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Tami Roman and Duffy 
Basketball Wives LA

Well, well, well, looks like things are getting really messy on 'Basketball Wives LA'. On this weeks episode Tami tried her best to hold her composure but Duffy pushed her buttons to the point of no return. Meanwhile Jackie got in her feelings when no one wanted to get a buzz when she was ready to.

Even though Tami wasn't going to go on the trip to Portugal at first she decided to put her big girl panties on and give it a run. It just so happened that just as soon as we thought things were going good it ended up badly. Just when Duffy had the opportunity to express how she was really feeling. Suddenly, she changed her mind. But what happened? She made it very clear that she had no more issues after Tami addressed the fact that she was going to whip her a**, but she didn't fall through because she felt differently now. Well so much for now I guess, because she had a lot to say the following day.

As soon as Duffy said what she had to say Tami did the mature thing and got up and walked away. Somehow, someway, Duffy got amped up and  begn to speak on how she really felt which prompted Tami to make a u-turn.

When Tami reutrned to the table of drama it wasn't long before she began to came at Duffy ready for attack. Because of security and the cast mates Tami wasn't able to get to Duffy. Apparently, Duffy was able to get to her and throw some thing at her rather it ws liquid or food we are not sure but time will teel real soon.

Following the incident Tami had a hard time trying to get to Duffy because of the tight security. However, when she portrayed as if she was good and calm she ran off and Shaunie went chasing after her. 

Was Tami able to get up with Duffy? Did they fight head on?

On the next episode of 'Basketball Wives LA' Tami or Duffy is going to be asked to leave Portugal. Who will it be? Will it be Duffy or Tami? Who do you think should go home/?

Stay tuned to see what happened on the next episode of 'Basketball Wives LA' Mondays on Vh1!


Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
mahoganymagazin



Tuesday, October 4, 2016

'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Season Episode 1&2: "King Louie Guest Stars, Van Gets Out Of Jail"

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On the premiere of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' secrets were revealed, Ryan was blindsided and Kat and Charmaine got into a physical confrontation. Two well-known Chicago celebrities stopped by 9Mag and a new tattoo artist was introduced. Van was released from jail and the real Chris Gardner  got tatted up.


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Charmaine, Ryan, Kat and Don of
Black Ink Crew Chicago
In the first episode of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' rapper King Louie stopped by to get tatted but not by Ryan or Phor. When King Louie said he was getting tatted by Kat, Ryan was surprised. He had no idea that Kat was tattooing clients upstairs. Ryan approached Phor and Kat in regards to the rent. They both informed him that they wasn't aware they had to pay for Van's half. While Kat was expressing herself to Ryan, Charmaine took it upon her self to remove Kat's things. Kat wasn't having it so she attacked Charmaine. Ryan made it clear to Kat that she didn't have to no longer be in the shop since she was doing shadiness business upstairs.

Photo by Google Images
Rapper King Louie
Black Ink Crew Chiago


Meanwhile Don and Ashley went shopping to furnish their new home. Although they appeared to be in a good place that will all be shattered real soon. Danielle and Charmaine found out Don was dipping out on Ashley with another woman and there could be another baby. Don shared this information with his brother Phor and decided to take a DNA test. Ashley doesn't know yet but when she finds out Charmaine is going to be the first motherly suspect on her list.

In the second episode of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Ryan hired a new tattoo artist named Junior. It was a shocking to all the employees but Danielle took it personal. As soon as Kat stopped by she ran to Kat and revealed that a new artist had taken her spot and Charmaine threw her drawings in the garbage. Danielle who is suppose to be Charmaine's cousin had Kat's back all the way. Maybe she missed the part where Kat chose to leave the shop and do her own thing. What else is Ryan suppose to do if his artists are not paying their share? Charmaine should have stayed out of it but she didn't so Kat attacked her again. Charmaine may have been wrong for touching Kat's items but where was Danielle, Charmaine's cousin, when Kat was attacking her. How can you defend one wrong act but not the other?


Photo by Google Images
Van released from jail on
Black Ink Crew Chicago

Photo by Google Images
Van and friends of
Black Ink Crew Chicago
Before Van who went to jail towards the end of the first season was released, Ryan and Charmaine took his daughter shopping at AKIRA. Charmaine wanted her to be the mini version of her while Ryan was trying to keep her conservative and appropriate for her father. When it was time to go get Van, everyone including Kat was on the Chicago prison bus. As soon as Ryan spotted Van across the street they all ran to greet him with hugs.There were drinks and strippers ready to show him what he's been missing. Despite all the chaos that was going on between Ryan, Kat and Charmaine they were all excited to have Van back. 


Also on the premiere of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Chicago Bears linebacker Lamar Houston and the real Chris Gardner stopped by 9Mag. Just in case people don't know, actor Will Smith played Chris Gardner in the movie 'Pursuit of Happiness' with his son Jalen Smith who played Chris Gardner Jr.

The new season of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' has just begun. Catch up with the reality series Mondays on Vh1!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin