'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Season 2 Preview: "New Rules, New Players, New Love"

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Last season of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' things left off with Van going to jail, Kat leaving 9Mag and Don and Ashley getting engaged. 

This season on 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' two new tattoo artists named Cobra Kat and Junior joins 9Mag. There will also be partying like never before, secrets will be revealed, rivalries will be formed and unexpected hook-ups won't go unnoticed. 

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Don and Ashley
Black Ink Crew Chicago

On top of that Ashley who made several appearances on the first season is now an official cast member of the reality series. Don and Ashley are set to get married but a wrench has been thrown in the mix. Don who messed around on Ashley with Charmaine, allegedly has another child with another woman.

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Kat Tat Black Ink Crew Chicago

While Van is away, Kat who left 9Mag has a new look and has taken her business upstairs unbeknownst to Ryan. Charmaine, the manager of the shop reveals to Ryan that Kat and Phor haven't been paying their share of the rent, which ultimately is what caused him to hire new editions to the shop. 

Charmaine is back and with a new look and tighter body.  She is still the same Charmaine who's not afraid to speak how she feels when it comes to the newbies. She and Danielle are still close but can't say the same for her and Kat. The beef between the two led to a physical confrontation that we will all see on this season of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago'.

Phor and Kat may have had a thing last season but it seems like the Chicago rapper has moved on. With all the groupies vying for Phor's attention he isn't able to focus on his music or his business with 9Mag.

In the words of Ryan this season is going to be filled with new rules, new players and new love. So who is he referring to when he says new love? Well, we know it's not Danielle, because she's still with her boyfriend. Don and Ashley are engaged. So who could it be? Based on the preview it looks like Ryan and Charmaine are getting closer than usual. Wasn't it Ryan who said no fraternizing with co-workers? Thar rule was broken last season. So maybe that's one of the new rules.

Tune in to the new season of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' beginning Monday, October 3 on Vh1!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin

Bad Girls Club Social Disruption: "Producers Need To Set No Fighting Rule"

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Bad Girls Club 16 Social Disruption

This season of 'Bad Girls Club' is by far the worse one of all and the most violent. Already in the beginning of the season there has been several fights which led to one of the cast members to go home.

On the first episode of BGC 16, Kaila, Tabatha, Elliadria, and Zee teamed together to try and put Kailie out. Kaila physically attacked Kailie and elbowed her in her face while security stood between them. They then proceeded to try and evict Brynesha because she has children at home but she stood her ground. Kailie appeared to be defenseless and the mean girls took advantage of that. Kailie was sent to a hotel as a result of the bullying from her roommates.

When Kailie returned from the hotel she had a ACE bandage wrapped around her right foot. As Zee was trying to make amends with her Brynesha found her actions to be fake. As soon as she told Tabatha how she felt it led to a fight between her and Zee. Shortly afterwards Zee realized Tabatha wanted her and Brynesha to fight. She also became closer to Kailie.

All of the girls including Kailie did a photo shoot for the 'Bad Girls Club'. None of the girls had any problems but that was short lived. Later on that night all of the girls except Zee and Kailie went out to the Ace of Diamonds. Brynesha who went out with the mean girls had a little too much to drink. 

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Tabatha kicking Kailie as her back was turned on
Bad Girls Club Social Disruption

When the girls arrived home Kaila and Tabatha's plan was to get Kailie out the house but Brynesha had other plans. She immediately went for Zee to fight her which ended with Zee on top of her for the second time around. Meanwhile Kaila and Tabatha were trying to get Kailie out of the house. Kailie defended herself as best as she could. As soon as she turned her back Tabatha kicked her in her back causing her to fall and add more injury to her foot. Kailie tried to call the producers on the phone but Tab and Kaila kept blocking her. She finally got their attention and they put her up in a hotel.

The following day the producers warned the girls that what happened to Kailie was unacceptable. To them it was bullying and they sent Tabatha packing. 

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Zee and Brynesha before the fight
Bad Girls Club Social Disruption

Although sending Tabatha home was the right decision, Kaila should have went home too. She initiated the bullying and was just as guilty as Tabatha. With that being said the producers of the 'Bad Girls Club' should set a "No Fighting Rule" and if they should break that rule they should be sent home immediately. Fighting is not entertaining, especially when it's unnecessary. There was no reason for them to do what they did to Kailie even if she did partake in bullying in her past. 

Who's going to be sent home next? If Brynesha continues to pick at Zee she could be next to leave. Yes, Zee was wrong for coming at Brynesha the first time but that was no excuse for Brynesha to attack her the second time. For every action there's a reaction.

On the flip side Brynesha was able to showcase her lyrical skills at an open mic event. Can't wait to see what talent the other girls have!

Tune in to 'Bad Girls Club Social Disruption' Tuesday's on Oxygen!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin

BET: 'One Shot' Finale: "Three Triumphs The Competition"

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BET 'One Shot' with Sway Calloway

The latest reality television series 'One Shot' which premiered in late August on BET has now come to an end.  The hip hop competition show hosted by MTV news and hip hop ambassador Sway Calloway, showcased who the judges believed to be the best hip hop artists from Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami and Chicago. 

The judges included hosts of the Wake Up Show, Sway Calloway and DJ King Tech, music writer and producer Mike Smith and rapper and member of the group Slaughterhouse King Crooked. Celebrity judges for this season included RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, DJ Khaled, T.I., DJ Drama, Tech N9ne and Twista.

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Rapper Lord Owen from Atlanta

In round one after 50 performances the judges narrowed the numbers down to eight contestants, two from each city. In the semi-finalist round the "Rap 4 Your Life" contest and video challenge sent five artists home, including Lady Ki, Chi Candi and Lord Owen. 

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Rapper Three winner of BET 'One Shot'

On the finale of BET 'One Shot' the final three Justin Freeman, Doja and Three had one last shot to compete for $100,000 and a record deal. Female rapper Remy Ma was the celebrity judges for the finals. 

Justin Freeman was up first and he brought some conscious flavor with a catchy hook and powerful wordplay. Dora moved the crowd with her diverse creativity and dressed in all black swag. Three who performed last delivered a catchy hook that the crowd gravitated too instantly. Three who was dressed like what some would perceive as Jesus, blessed the stage with his impeccable verses and the memorable hook "I Been In This Game For Too Long, It's Gon Pay Off". He put on a show as if he was in a concert. Three went hard for what he wanted and it definitely paid off!

Congratulations Three!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin

2016 BET Hip Hop Awards: "Chance The Rapper Nominated For Lyricist of the Year"

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It's almost that time again! In less than two weeks the '2016 BET Hip Hop Awards' will be making it's debut. Hip Hop legend and actor Snoop Dogg hosted the last three years of the hip hop ceremony. This year music producer DJ Khaled will be hosting the '2016 BET Hip Hop Awards'. 

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Drake "Views" Album Cover

Rapper Drake is up for 14 nominations this year including Album of the Year, Lyricist of the Year and Best Hip Hop Video. Along with Drake rapper Future is also up for double nominations.

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Kanye West "The Life of Pablo" Album Cover

Chicago rapper and music producer Kanye West will be nominated in eight categories including Album of the Year for the album "The Life of Pablo". Joining the "Sorry" artist for Album of the Year Award are Future "DS2", Fetty Wap "Fetty Wap", Drake "Views",  Dr. Dre "Compton" and DJ Khaled "I Changed A Lot".

So who will win the Album of the Year Award? Will it be Future, Kanye West, ,Drake, Dr. Dre, Fetty Wap or DJ Kahaled?

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Chance the Rapper

Two Chicago artists Kanye West and Chance the Rapper known for the hit single "No Problems" have been nominated for Lyricist of the Year. 


Who will win for Lyricist of the Year? Will it be Kanye West, Drake, Chance the Rapper,  J. Cole or Kendrick Lamar?

The '2016 BET Hip Hop Awards' will air on Tuesday, October 4 on BET!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin 

OWN Queen Sugar Recap: "The Darker Sooner"

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Every family has problems but there comes a time when you have to put your differences aside and come together, which is what is shown in the Bordelon family on OWN's latest hit drama series 'Queen Sugar'.

In the fourth episode titled "The Darker Sooner" Ralph Angel tries to prove to his siblings that he can run the farm while they take care of other things. A co-worker offered to work Angels hours while he went to buy some seed cane. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to get the seed cane so he went to his co-worker who led him to his cousin that sold seed cane. Ralph spent $15,000 on the seed cane and thought he was good to go,  until Remy the irrigation specialist examined the cane and noticed it was tainted with fungus.

Charley and Micah returned home so Charley can continue to manage her husband, Davis.  The NBA player was accused of raping who appeared to be a prostitute named Goalie. While Charley was busy helping Davis with this matter, their son Micah was dealing with the affects of his father's actions at school. His girlfriend, Stella showed excitement when Micah returned back to school. However, Micah wasn't so welcomed by Stella's mother like he once was. Later on Charley was called to the school after he was accused of sending a pic of his private part to Stella's phone. The school suspended him but as it turns out it wasn't his private part, it was the other young lad Stella was cheating on Micah with. 

Nova is very passionate about journalism and helping African American males and their families. After she visited her friend's son in prison he was brutally attacked. Nova visited the young man in the hospital. Her brother Ralph felt she cared more about him and other males more than she cared about him when he was on lock down. Nova found out about this incident from her secret lover and police officer Calvin who is also married with a child. 

Towards the end of the episode Charley met up with Davis new lawyer. They wanted to make the rape charge go away by offering $500,000 to the accuser. To Charley's surprise the alleged prostitute turned down the offer. Is it because half a million dollars is not enough? Does she want more money? What does she really want?

Watch episode 5 of 'Queen Sugar' Wednesday, September 28 on OWN Oprah Winfrey Network!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin 

Former D4L Member Shawty Lo Dead At 40

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Rapper Shawty Lo

On Wednesday, September 21, rapper Shawty Lo aka Carlos Walker died following a car crash in Atlanta, according to his manager who reported the news to a radio station in Atlanta.

As reported by CNN, Shawty Lo's death which was confirmed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office stated that the cause of the car crash is still in question. Shawty Lo was age 40 at his time of death.

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Rap Group D4L

Walker was the founder and member of the rap group D4L who is mostly known for the hit "Laffy Taffy", which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 charts in 2006. "Laffy Taffy" also became the first song to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records for the most downloaded song in 2007. Lo is also known for the hit singles "Dunn Dunn" and "Dey Know" released in 2007. In 2008 Shawty Lo won for "Rookie of the Year". That same year the song "Dey Know" won for "Track of the Year".

Lo who was born in Jonesboro, Georgia leaves behind 11 children in which he hoped to showcase on a reality show called 'All My Babies' Mamas'. The show was set to air on Oxygen network in 2013 but was later cancelled.

We here at Mahogany magazine sends their deepest sympathy and condolences to The Walker family. May Carlos aka Shawty Lo forever rest in heaven!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin  

BET 'One Shot': "Lady Ki & Lord Owen Gets Cut"

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On the semi-finals of BET 'One Shot' the top eight contestants from Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte and Miami made it to New York to compete. In their first challenge called "Rap 4 Your Life" the rappers were put on the spot when they had to write 16 bars in 60 minutes. 


After the judges deliberated on the first round it was Stichez, Lady Ki, Chi Candi and Metane who were sent home. It was surprising to see Lady Ki get cut so soon. If Chi Candi would have brought the same flavor she brought during her audition she would have probably made it to the next round.

In the next challenge the four remaining artists were to make a video. The judges had a hard decision to make between Lord Owen and Justin Freeman due to their powerful videos.
Justin Freeman was first to make it to the finals and Three came in second. When it was down to Lord Owen and Doja, the judges chose Doja. 

Lord Owen was one of the best rappers in the competition. He was very emotional following the elimination process. Lord Owen said he will continue his journey on being one of the best rappers alive. We hope to see him out there soon!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin