Vibe Magazine Celebrates its 17th Annual Juice Issue

VIBE's 17th Annual Juice Issue (on newsstands August 17th) celebrates the Best of the Best of Everything Urban; a virtual who's who in all fields ranging from music, fashion, entertainment, media, sports and beauty. The Juice issue is traditionally the largest issue of the year. This is the first Juice issue under the guidance of new VIBE Publisher & Integrated sales director Jeff Mazzacano.

Mazzacano joins the VIBE Lifestyle Network as Publisher, Integrated Sales Director to reposition the brand, create integrated programs across the print title and online network and spearhead the sales and marketing departments. Joining his former publisher and mentor Len Burnett, Mazzacano will help grow the VIBE brand across multiple platforms.

"Jeff brings a wealth of experience in magazine advertising, having successfully lead ad sales for Vibe, Giant, Russell Simmons' OneWorld and Interview among others," said Len Burnett, Vibe Magazine Group Publisher.

Mazzacano began his career in publishing as an Advertising Assistant at Interview Magazine handling the women's and men's fashion accounts in the retail, jewelry, and beauty categories. From there he moved on to VIBE Magazine multi-tasking as the assistant to the Fashion Director, Corporate Accounts and Sportswear Managers, becoming the first assistant to be promoted to a full-time sales representative at VIBE where he handled the boom of the dot.com business including BET, Hookt, UBO and many others.

"It's great to return to the Vibe family with years of expertise under my belt," said Mazzacano.

Real Talk with Solange

Refinery 29 spent time with Solange at The Standard Hotel in New York to discuss her personal style and the new cd she has coming out in the fall.

You've got such unique style, would you ever consider being involved in the family fashion business, Dereon?

"Why thank you very much! It's funny you ask because I initially was involved as the spokesperson, but the clothes just didn't reflect my personal style and I decided to hand that over. That's the great thing about my family. We work together so closely that if something's not working out, we can be honest about it and there won't be any grudges or issues. I wrote a couple of songs on my sister's last album and if there's a line she doesn't like, she changes it and we keep on moving. I will say though, they did just do a bedding line that I am extremely in love with and I was like, 'Can I model that... in my house?'"

Tell us a little bit about working on the new album.

"I went up to Santa Barbara, found this house on five acres in the mountains and invited a bunch of amazing musicians to come live there with me for a month and just experiment. We woke up around 10 a.m. and made music until midnight, all of course while drinking good wine, picking avocados from the trees outside to make guacamole, and maybe enjoying a joint or two. I left the process a little crazy, but I really feel like I came into my own."

Queen Latifah says give Chris Brown a break already

Queen Latifah has responded to all the hype over Chris Brown's tearful performance at BET Awards. Rumors have widespread since the show, everything from Lloyd's statements about Chris' performance that was taken out on context to Chris using tear drops. 

In a recent interview Queen Latifah said it's time to let Chris Brown live. 

"The guy is a young guy and he made a big mistake and he needs to bounce back from that. And he needs an opportunity for a second chance. We can't condemn that kid. He's a kid and he needs to correct the mistake for the future, not live in the past.

"He needs to be forgiven. Enough already. We can't keep beating him up. [Rihanna's] going to grow and he's going to grow and we have to allow them both to do that."

Hip hop hamsters in Kia ad not endorsed by The Black Sheep

Hip hop has become an esstential tool in today's advertising. Recently Kia Motors is using the Black Sheep track "The choice is yours" in their latest tv ad featuring hip hop hamsters. Former Black Sheep member Dres spoke out on the ad, claiming that Kia has not asked for permission to use the Black Sheep track for their advertisement.


Apparently Universal Records was the ones to sign off on the song being used.  Since the ad, Dre is still talking with Kia, but in the meantime explains that as young artists they did not take the time to understand the contract that the group signed.

R Kelly sued for not paying overtime

With a warm reception from South Africa, R Kelly returned to the states to be welcomed to a lawsuit filed by a former employee. Anthony Navarro, who was formerly employed by Kelly, has filed a lawsuit claiming that he and his team where forced to work more than 80 hours per week preparing for tours and studio prep.

Paying overtime requires payment of time and a half, Navarro is stating that Kelly has only paid the regular rate. Navarro is seeking undisclosed damages and court costs.

JabbaWockeez presents MÜS.I.C Additional show dates added

The "JabbaWockeez presents MÜS.I.C" (Muse-I-See)" continues to take Las Vegas by storm as a third run of the show has been added for August. With two sold-out runs already completed in May and June, this show is proving to be one that you definitely don't want to miss! As the first dance show to ever hit the Las Vegas strip, the show is directed by Emmy-nominated choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha and features original music produced by bay area's heavy hitters, The Bangerz. The show, described as an audio-visual story of inspiration brought to life through the harmonization of sound and movement, will be featured in the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino from August 19-25, 2010 at 9:30pm nightly. For more information please visit www.jbwkz.com.

Dates:

August 19, 2010 – August 25, 2010

Times:

8/19/10 – 9:30 PM

8/20/10 – 9:30 PM

8/21/10 – 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM

8/22/10 – 9:30 PM

8/23/10 – 9:30 PM

8/24/10 – 9:30 PM

8/25/10 – 9:30 PM

2010 Essence Music Festival announces Coca-Cola Super Lounge Headliners

Few cities have as much heart or a spirit as resilient as New Orleans, and Coca-Cola is joining the community in a weekend full of cultural celebration and empowerment at the 2010 ESSENCE Music Festival presented by Coca-Cola. Once again, Coca-Cola is the presenting sponsor of the Festival and is tapping into the excitement to offer a lively series of activities throughout the weekend. In addition, Coca-Cola and ESSENCE are celebrating a new three-year sponsorship agreement under which the brand will continue as the Festival's presenting sponsor and official non-alcoholic beverage through 2012.

"The ESSENCE Music Festival presented by Coca-Cola continues to provide the opportunity for us to put ice-cold Coca-Cola in the hands of thousands of African Americans as they enjoy a weekend full of music and fun with friends and family," said Yolanda White, assistant vice president, African-American Marketing, Coca-Cola North America. "Over the next three years, the growth of the Festival will present new opportunities for us to effectively connect with African Americans."

This year, Festival attendees will refresh themselves with ice-cold Coca-Cola, enjoy delicious food and entertainment at the Taste the Celebration cookout hosted by DJ Biz Markie and listen to great live performances at the Coca-Cola Super Lounge by Mary Mary, Joe, Lalah Hathaway and more. Coca-Cola will also have three Happiness Stations that feature R&B and hip-hop artists like MC Lyte and Doug E Fresh, step team performances hosted by Chilli, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef G. Garvin and more.

As a special way to honor and recognize ESSENCE Magazine's 40th anniversary, Coca-Cola has also created a commemorative glass Coca-Cola bottle for the occasion, which will be distributed at the Happiness Stations during the weekend-long activities.

Coca-Cola activities include:

Youth Outreach Program
Coca-Cola will participate with other sponsors in the Festival's youth outreach program featuring messages of empowerment. Speakers will share stories of their personal triumphs, and Coca-Cola will bring in entertainer Lil Chuckee to perform. Teens will have the opportunity to win prizes and will receive premium giveaways.

Happiness Stations
Coca-Cola will have three Happiness Stations set up throughout the convention center to refresh and excite Festival-goers. Station activities will include karaoke, DJ mix sessions, dance and step team demonstrations, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef G. Garvin and more.

Taste the Celebration
Hosted by DJ Biz Markie, this event will allow more than 1,500 Festival attendees to enjoy delicious summer favorites and refreshing Coca-Cola beverages. The invitation-only special event includes an array of dishes prepared by local New Orleans grill masters.

Coca-Cola Super Lounge
As the host of one of four Super Lounges, Coca-Cola will provide live entertainment to attendees. Artists include Mary Mary, Irvin Mayfield and The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Joe, Rebirth Brass Band, Lalah Hathaway and Ivan Neville and Dumpstafunk.

Mainstage Moments
To keep the excitement going, Coca-Cola is hosting three "Mainstage Moments" to give fans another opportunity to enhance their experience. Each night during the concert, Coca-Cola will have a call-to-action that will allow people to win tickets to the Taste the Celebration barbecue and upgrade their seats to the front row.

Coca-Cola and ESSENCE Celebrate First Multi-Year Partnership Commitment

Coca-Cola and ESSENCE are excited to continue their relationship by extending the agreement under which Coca-Cola is the presenting sponsor and official non-alcoholic beverage of the ESSENCE Music Festival for another three years. With this agreement, ESSENCE Festival Productions, producer of the music Festival, and Coca-Cola are strengthening their long-term relationship and building for a stronger future.

"With 2010 marking the 40th Anniversary of ESSENCE Magazine, this is an exciting time for us to announce our commitment to the ESSENCE Music Festival. This is an unprecedented cultural event that we are proud to be a part of and look forward to supporting every summer," said White.

Coca-Cola has shown tremendous dedication to the music Festival as its presenting sponsor for the past 15 years. The newest sponsorship agreement includes this year's Festival and continues through 2012.

"We are excited to extend our association with Coca-Cola via the ESSENCE Music Festival's first multi-year partnership commitment," said Michelle Ebanks, President, ESSENCE Communications, Inc. "The support of Coca-Cola has been invaluable in establishing the ESSENCE Music Festival as a world-class cultural event and we will continue to work together to create one-of-a-kind experiences around music, arts and community for our loyal attendees."