The Young, Black, and Fabulous

PLAXICO BURRESS: Free To Ride!
BABY MAMA DRAMA! Chris Bosh & Allison Going At It Over Daughter Attending FINALS Games!
Jennifer Hudson Reveals Obesity Struggle & Avoiding Relapse In New Book
EVENT FAB: Celebs Hit The London GLAMOUR Awards+ Hope For Children Gala
MUSIC FAB: The Dream's "Body Work/F**K My Brains Out!"
Lauryn Hill Pens Open Letter To Fans About Pregnancy
VIDEO FAB: Chris Brown & Justin Bieber's "Next 2 U" Video
Beyonce Sexes It Up In Chaps On A Ranch For ESSENCE Mag
Rohan Marley Says He's Not Having A Baby With Lauryn Hill
University Of Southern California Stripped Of Its BCS Title After Reggie Bush Scandal
ON THE SET: Swizz Beatz, Rick Ross & Busta Rhymes At The "Reebok Back" Shoot + Will Smith Filming "Men In Black III"

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 08:54 AM PDT

What's one of the first things a free man does when he gets home from jail? Take a ride on his motorbike of course. Former NY Giant Plaxico Burress, who was just released 2 days ago from Oneida prison after serving 20 months, was spotted back in his home of Pompano Beach, FL having some fun.

Pics of the newly freed Plaxico when you read on....

Plax and his green motobike had some fun at home with his son and his pups:

And headed out for some errands. Ahhh. Feels good to be free doesn't it? His NFL career is still up in the air as the league is still facing a lockout and he's still on the hnt for a team home.

Photog: Schanker

BABY MAMA DRAMA! Chris Bosh & Allison Going At It Over Daughter Attending FINALS Games!

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 08:27 AM PDT

And there's more baby mama drama on the horizon for Heat baller Chris Bosh. He's playing in one of the biggest series of his career, and he wants his daughter to be able to take part.

But her mama Allison Mathis isn't trying to have it. Deets on Allison and Chris battling out custody, and Allison not allowing their daughter to attend the Finals games, when you read on....

Chris Bosh and his ex-girlfriend Allison Mathis have been going through a hard core custody battle. If you recall, the two have been through all types of drama including stalking accusations and just all around crazy baby mama ish. And they're currently abiding by a temporary shared custody set up, and Allison currently has their little girl, 2-year old Trinity.

Chris sent Allison an email pleading for her to allow Trinity to come to his game now that he's in the NBA Finals. And she refuses to respond.

The email, copped by TMZ, shows Chris asking Allison to allow Trinity to attend his games as this is a very important tome in his life. Chris apparently showed the email to the judge in their case, in an attempt to show he tried to work something out on his own without involving the courts. And he's currently waiting to hear back from the judge.

Thankfully, Chris takes his share of custody on June 11th--right before Game 6. So Trinity will probably be at a game afterall.

Jennifer Hudson Reveals Obesity Struggle & Avoiding Relapse In New Book

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 07:40 AM PDT

Jennifer Hudson is working on a memoir about her struggle with obesity. Despite rumors that the book wouldn't get off the ground because the content didn't focus enough on her family's traumatoc events, the book is indeed a go. Jen will reveal what led to her weight issues and how she avoids a relapse. Deets inside.....

You'd have to be living under a rock to have missed the huge body transformation of WeightWatchers spokeswoman Jennifer Hudson over the past two years, and now the "Spotlight" singer is opening up about it.

Jen's book will be published by Dutton in January, who released a statement saying:

"The book will chronicle Hudson's experience growing up in an environment where healthy living was not a priority.

She'll talk about her weight as she competed on American Idol and won her first Oscar, to her eventual decision to get healthy after the birth of her son, and her success losing weight with the help of Weight Watchers.

Now, 80 pounds lighter, Hudson wants to inspire anyone coping with weight issues, share some of her own best tips for losing and maintaining weight loss, fitting in exercise and keeping it fun and much more."

Remaining upbeat, Jennifer's book will not deal with the tragedy that struck her family in 2008, leading to the horrific murders of her mother, brother and nephew.

By the way, you can catch her this Friday on "GMA" as a part of their Summer Concert Series and later this year in the new film about the Three Stooges.

EVENT FAB: Celebs Hit The London GLAMOUR Awards+ Hope For Children Gala

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 07:00 AM PDT

YBF folks hit the GLAMOUR Women Of The Year Awards in London last night. We've got pics of Keri Hilson and Alexandra Burke, plus pics of Jenny Lopez, Selita Ebanks, and more in NYC for the Samsung Hope for Children Gala inside...

Keri Hilson hit the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards 2011 at the Berkeley Square Gardens in London last night. She rocked a grey below-the-knee figure hugging dress with deep blue velvet booties.

And "X-Factor" celeb Alexandra Burke was there as well:

Cute pink maxi dress from the D&G Spring 201l line. But I don't love how it fits her. Does nothing for her bod. Maybe a skinny belt to cinch the waist would have made it work.

Over on this side of the pond, Jennifer Lopez and others got fab for the Samsung Hope for Children Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC:

We're loving Jenny's red one shoulder curve hugging cocktail dress. She hit the carpet with her hubby Marc Anthony and former President Bill Clinton.

Hot.

John Legend was also there to perform.

Model Selita Ebanks kicked it with Estelle and publicist Marvet Britto.

Loving this velvety blush Carlos Miele gown for Selita and her new short blonde 'do.

Gorgeous look for her.

Branford Marsalis and his wife Nicole hit the carpet.

Sherri Shepherd and her fiance' made an appearance.

Not loving Estelle's dress too much. A bit too busy and the neckline is confusing. Glad the YBF folks tuned up for a fab and charitable occasion though.

MUSIC FAB: The Dream's "Body Work/F**K My Brains Out!"

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 06:06 AM PDT

The Dream has released a new single from his upcoming album L.IV: Diary Of A Madman. The track is called "Body Work/F**K My Brains Out!" and is a double single. Check it out inside.....

Talking about his new single, The Dream said,

"My Records are intended for Sensual, sexual and intelligent people. Lovers and Lost Lovers a like. I Don’t Want any New Fans!”

His latest track is a double single, which begins as a slow jam, and has an old-school Prince vibe from the late 80s. Then the track hits an up-tempo beat with a bit more suggestive lyrics and imagery.

Listen to The Dream's "Body Work/F**K My Brains Out" here:

We feelin' it?

Lauryn Hill Pens Open Letter To Fans About Pregnancy

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 05:48 AM PDT

We told you previously that Lauryn Hill told fans at a concert in Detroit, that she was pregnant. Now, she has announced it to the world via an open letter on twitter. And she also addressed showing up tardy to her gigs. Read her open letter to fans inside....

Lauryn Hill penned an open letter to fans about her growing family and thanked them for their support, while she takes time off to prepare for the birth.

And not that she owes us an explanation, it's interesting that she does not address that Rohan Marley announced on twitter that he is not the father of her baby. Maybe that -ish will get cleared up in the next letter.

Read the letter here:

We love you Lauryn!

VIDEO FAB: Chris Brown & Justin Bieber's "Next 2 U" Video

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 04:03 PM PDT

The video for "Next 2 U," the duet with Chris Brown and Justin Bieber recently leaked and we have it for you inside....

An unfinished version of the Colin Tilley directed clip for "Next 2 U" recently hit the web and it features burning buildings, cars on fire and lots of kissing.

Watch the dramatic clip here:

Beyonce Sexes It Up In Chaps On A Ranch For ESSENCE Mag

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 01:27 PM PDT

The scans from Beyonce's new ESSENCE magazine spread from the July 2011 issue have hit the net. And she's giving us stars and chaps for the occasion. Pics of Bey tapping into her Texas roots for a subtly sexy shoot...on a ranch. And behind th scenes video too. All inside...

As we previously reported, Beyonce Knowles penned her own cover article for the mag, entitled Eat Play Love. And it looks like her mental, emotional, and physical vacay from the business brought her inspiration from some unlikely places.

Here's a few scans of Bey lassoing it up in chaps, in a horse trough, and in the stables. And we love it:

Beautiful pics. A totally different setting than her usual. And we can't wait to see the rest.

Here's video of her cover shoot.

Pics via Global Grind

Rohan Marley Says He's Not Having A Baby With Lauryn Hill

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 01:04 PM PDT

We told you previously that Lauryn Hill is expecting her sixth child, but -ish hit the fan yesterday when Rohan Marley (the father of Lauryn's five kids) spoke out and denied paternity of the sixth child. Deets inside....

After Lauryn Hill announced she was expecting her sixth child during a concert in Detroit, most folks assumed the father of the unborn child was Rohan Marley, whom has fathered five children with Lauryn.

However, Rohan Marley put out a tweet yesterday denying paternity saying, “2 things, I’m not married and I don’t have anyone expecting anything."

To get clarity on the statement, a Clutch Magazine reporter reached out to Rohan on twitter and you can read the exchange here:

SMH.....there are many things going on below the surface here. It sounds like he is not even with Lauryn anymore. Very interesting.

University Of Southern California Stripped Of Its BCS Title After Reggie Bush Scandal

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT

The University of Southern California has been officially stripped of its 2004 Bowl Championship Series title after the fall-out over the Reggie Bush "ineligibility" scandal. Deets inside....

The Bowl Championship Series stripped Southern California of its 2004 title yesterday, stemming from an NCAA investigation that star tailback Reggie Bush was ineligible when he played.

Reggie was ruled ineligible because he received improper financial benefits from two aspiring marketers during his time on the team. Back in September of last year, the Superbowl Champ handed over his Heisman and his legacy was erased from USC.

The BCS made the decision after USC's appeal of their NCAA sanctions was denied on May 26. The sanctions included a two-year ban from postseason play and a loss of 30 scholarships over three seasons.

ON THE SET: Swizz Beatz, Rick Ross & Busta Rhymes At The "Reebok Back" Shoot + Will Smith Filming "Men In Black III"

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 09:39 AM PDT

Swizz Beatz and Rick Ross were spotted in Brooklyn yesterday, filiming the video for their new "Reebok Back" single. They were later joined by Busta Rhymes and DJ Khaled. See pics from the shoot inside and shots of Will Smith filming Men In Black III.

I really think all these "so-and-so is back" songs need to quit.

DJ Khaled and John Wall later joined them on set.

How cute. Little Kaseem Jr. went to work with daddy and gave DJ Khaled a high-five.

Also in New York........

Will Smith was spotted filming scenes from Men In Black III.

And we got a shot of his muscles in his white t-shirt after it was over.

BONUS:

On tonight's episode of WE tv’s "Braxton Family Values" the sisters learn the shocking details of mama Evelyn’s divorce and Toni revisits the painful memories of growing up as a “religious kid.” Watch the show tonight June 7 at 9pm ET/PT.