MEET THE NEW FACE: SALIEU JALLOH

Salieu Jalloh is 18 years old... In just two months after he began modeling he'd done 7 runway shows, shot 3 major magazines (Vogue Hommes, Flaunt and Plastic) and just recently shot the Autumn/Winter 08 campaign for Benetton with superstar photographer David Sims and top stylist Karl Temple. He's definitely one to be on the watch for, eating up runways and editorials alike. He's the new face in town. Represented by Red Model Management. Get used to it...

Salieu wow's them in the new Benetton campaign:

JAY-Z COVERS VIBE MAGS 15TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

Vibe Magazine has tapped who else for the cover of their 15th Anniversary 'Juicy" issue, other than Jay-Z.

NEW MUSIC: RYAN LESLIE 'WANNA BE GOOD 2 U" AND 'I.R.I.N.A.' REMIX

This Harvard prodigy can pretty much do everything... Here are a couple dope tracks from the your boy Ryan Leslie rumored to appear on his upcoming self-titled album. as he comes thru with another 1-2 punch R&B jam with stand-out lyrics on Wanna Be Good. He also showcases his rap and beat-box skills in the I.R.I.N.A. Remix. Check it out.

DOWNLOAD/LISTEN: Ryan Leslie “Wanna Be Good”


Ryan Leslie “I.R.I.N.A. RMX”

IS VOGUE ITALIA STILL A FAN OF BLACK MODELS???

The August 2008 issue of Vogue Paris is dedicated to the legacy of Yves Saint Laurent, and likewise, the editors at Vogue Italia had their own August 2008 YSL tribute in mind. The follow up to the hugely successful July All-Black Issue, features Karen Elson, Linda Evangelista, Guinevere van Seenus, and Iris Strubegger in a 'funereal' Steven Meisel cover story aptly titled Silent. In one picture, a huge headstone features the name "Black," strangely implying that "black is dead." I wonder if the message was purposeful? A strange choice to follow up the celebratory nature of July's issue, especially considering that there are no black models in this editorial . . .

ALL IN THE FAMILY: SOLANGE KNOWLES TAPPED FOR ARMANI JEANS

Beyonce's baby sister, Solange Knowles, is joining the Armani family. Following in her sibling's footsteps (she is the face of Emporio Diamonds fragrance) the 22-year-old has been recruited to represent Armani Jeans.

"Armani Jeans expresses my vision of a young, independent, casual lifestyle with a strong and cool fashion sensibility," said Giorgio Armani. "Solange epitomizes this style perfectly and brings to it that swing so evident in her new single, 'I Decided.'"

The singer has agreed to wear the brand during her current European press tour through London and Cannes.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: 'THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES'

I am so amped to see The Secret Life Of Bees movie which stars a roster of greats like Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, and Sophie Okondeo. After doing a little research about the movie, it made me want to see this film even more! Set in 1964 South Carolina, the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and the troubled relationship with her father, she flees with her caregiver and only friend (Hudson), to a small town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Okonedo and Keys), Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping. The film was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and executive- produced by Will Smith.

Be on the lookout when it hits theatres October 17, 2008.

CROWDS LINE UP FOR THE LIMITED EDITION BBC | NYC TEE

Yesterday BBC released their second NYC Flagship store exclusive T-shirt. The t-shirts which went on sale to massive lines at 11am, were sold out in 1 hour in all sizes. Two lucky customers who purchased the T-shirt

were randomly selcted to receive a pair of tickets to the Glow In The Dark concert at Madison Square Garden on August 5th or 6th. The concert features Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Rihanna and N*E*R*D.

The lucky winners were William Gable(Size L) and Christian Guerriero(Size S). Don't they look happy.

NEW MUSIC: YOUNG JEEZY FEAT. JAY-Z 'PUT ON' REMIX

Check out this ill remix to Young Jeezy’s, Put On featuring Jay-Z. Once again Jay proves exactly just how well he “puts on!”


LISTEN/DOWNLOAD->>YOUNG JEEZY FT. JAY-Z- “PUT ON” RMX

FASHION ROCKS | BEYONCE ROCKS HARDER

Beyonce looks AMAZING! in a black-on-white Giorgio Armani suit in the new issue of Fashion Rocks, the special magazine that will be included in the September issues of 16 Conde Nast titles, including Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair and Allure. The magazine is a tie-in with the Fashion Rocks concert. (You've already seen the cover featuring Justin Timberlake) The magazine is set to hit stands in the coming weeks so be on the lookout.

It's crazy how excited I am to see the concert...

SPOTTED: RIHANNA IN NYC

Taking a break from her regular role of Chris Brown’s personal hip attachment, a casually-dressed, but very cute, Rihanna enjoyed dinner solo at Da Silvana restaurant in New York's West Village yesterday.

The Bajan beauty is in New York to rehearse for her performance at the 4th Annual Fashion Rocks benefit at NY's Radio City Music Hall. The star-studded-show, which features Lil' Wayne, Beyonce and Justin Timberlake, will air on September 5 on CBS, just days after the live event.

NEON EYES: 'SUPER' SUNGLASSES

When the Italian brand Super launched last year, they were immediately snapped up by celebrities who love acid colors. (Yes, that means Kanye.) But there's more going on here than just flash: The handmade frames allow for intriguing design (exposing layers of color when the materials are cut down, like in the ones pictured), and all the glasses have Zeiss lenses. There are, of course, more understated options available than the ones pictured here, but if rainbow's your thing, you'll have to wait until next February, when these will be at Barneys, Oak, and others for $160.

HALLE HEARTS BARACK!!!

Halle Berry was spotted as she left a shopping center in Century City today proclaiming her love for Barack Obama via t-shirt. It read “Barack The Vote.”

Obama must be extremely stoked considering there isn’t enough advertising money or space better than to have your face and endorsement hoisted on Halle's body!

KANYE WEST AND MICHELLE OBAMA MAKE THE 'VANITY FAIR' BEST-DRESSED LIST

Each year the highlight of Vanity Fair's September issue is its International Best Dressed list, and we have an advance copy of the full rankings!

Michelle Obama - the brains behind the Barack Obama campaign machine — is always impeccably dressed and elegantly appointed whenever she steps on the scene. (Remember the Maria Pinto purple dress and black Azzedine Alaïa belt she wore the night Barack claimed the nomination or the chic Isabela Toledo gown and Tom Binns necklace, which she picked out herself, at the Vogue magazine fundraiser, pictured above.) It comes as no surprise that she tops Vanity Fair’s Best-Dressed List for 2008 - a major feat for a non-celebrity. VFair calls her ur "commander-in-sheath.”

Also making the style cut are Brad and Angelina, Kanye West, and David Beckham.

Click here for the complete list.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: LANVIN FALL '08

Here is the first image from Lanvin's Fall 2008 ad campaign, with Liya Kebede and Raquel Zimmermann caught mid-motion on a dark city street. Hard to believe this was shot by Steven Meisel at Smashbox Studios in LA, huh?

ALICIA KEYS LANDS BOND THEME

Alicia Keys will record the coveted theme for the upcoming Quantum of Solace, the 22nd James Bond film, which hits U.S. theaters Nov. 7. The song, Another Way To Die, also featuring the White Stripes' Jack White will be the first duet in Bond soundtrack history.

Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis, and Beyonce had previously been rumored as the vocalists for the theme.

Congrats to Alicia, who will join the ranks of Tina Turner, Shirley Bassey and Madonna as those who have sung the theme to the classic film franchise.

“SLY FOX” GETS BUSTED!

Check out this video clip further confirming Nas’ “Sly Fox” allegations…a White House rep admits to MSNBC's Chris Matthews to using FOX News as a propoganda machine. I'm not surprised at all! I've been aware of their antics for years. So glad it's finally coming out.

CHRIS BROWN AND NE-YO REMAKE JINGLES FOR WRIGLEY'S GUM

Wrigley’s has turned to contemporary artists to remix its signature gum jingles. Earlier today, Chris Brown and Ne-Yo debuted their remade Wrigley’s Gum Jingles at a press conference/concert at the Nokia Theater in New York.

The Wall Street Journal reports that, unbeknownst to the public, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company paid Brown to rerecord the gum’s 1960 jingle, and the company also covered his studio costs as he added new lyrics “double your pleasure, double your fun,” and expanded the jingle into 4½ minutes of “Forever.” The song was added to Brown’s 2007 album “Exclusive” after it became a hit.

Ne-Yo chimes in with his interpretation of Big Red's “Kiss a little longer” jingle. The ads are set to air beginning next month.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE DOES FASHION ROCKS

Justin Timberlake is well on his way to attaning fashion-icon status. Looking very sophisiti-chic in a white tux, he lends his graces to the new issue of Fashion Rocks magazine. Aside from this. he has recently been named the new face of Givenchy’s men’s fragrance, Play!

Inside the mag, Justin takes credit from pal Ashton Kutcher for launching the trucker hat fad in the late 90s.

Says JT: “It’s funny. I keep hearing Ashton Kutcher say how he was responsible for trucker caps. I’ve heard him make that statement before . . . Trace [his best friend] and I were wearing them when we were seventeen.”

Hmm…. not too sure if that’s something to be proud of or claim at all for that matter. Whatever the case, let’s just hope he goes sans headwear when he hits the stage at this year’s star-studded event in September.

T.I. AND THE 'RESPECT MY VOTE' CAMPAIGN

The Hip Hop Caucus along with spokesperson, rapper T.I., joined forces for the launch of the Respect My Vote campaign in Washington D.C. on Monday. The voter registration and get-out-the-vote campaign will mobilize young people in aims to urge the, to exercise their voting rights. Other celebrities and high profile figures have been enlisted and will contribute to the campaign in the form of PSAs, in person appearances, press events; mobile and email alerts from celebrities themselves as well as an aggressive online campaign.

Also at the event: DJ Green Lantern, Dawn from Danity Kane, Yung Berg and Maino.

NAOMI CAMPBELL STARS IN NICK KNIGHT'S NEW POLITICAL FASHION MOVIE

Fashion photographer Nick Knight just unveiled his latest movie on Showstudio.com; this one tackles "the outright taboo subject of racism in the fashion industry." It stars Naomi Campbell wearing two dresses by Rodarte (drool), one black and one white (get it?). She points two handguns at the camera, and Knight's words appear on the screen. They read:

I am virtually never allowed to photograph black models for the magazines, fashion houses, cosmetic brands, perfume companies and advertising clients I work for. Whenever I ask to use a black model I am given excuses such as “Black models are not aspirational in some markets” or “they do not reflect the brands values,” normally, however, no reason is given.

He goes on to say black models are "virtually unrepresented" in the fashion industry. And at the end of the two-minute film, Naomi puts those guns to use. Naomi wielding a weapon hits a little too close to home (it had to be said), but at least her rage is directed toward a good target. A must-see.

Click here to play movie

JAY-Z, N*E*R*D AND COLDPLAY DO THE PEMBERTON MUSIC FESTIVAL

Explosive back-to-back sets by Jay-Z, N*E*R*D, and Coldplay capped the closing day of the inaugural Pemberton Festival, an ambitious weekend long event in a dusty British Columbia (Canada) mountain valley that, minus a few snags, was a tremendous success.

Pharrell continued to spaz and dance around providing one of the most energetic preformances of the festival. And Coldplay never disappoints. There is nothing that can be said about this band that hasn't already been said. With the new album out they had a load of new material with a highlight being the performance of their new single Viva La Vida.

More than 30,000 fans gave a thunderous welcome to Jay-Z, who arrived via helicopter and performed hits like 99 Problems and A Hard Knock Life. "He brought Canada a hip hop show that will be talked about for a while," a fan proclaimed.

"To come up and here and get this much love, don't think I don't appreciate it," Jay-Z declared. "I appreciate each and every one of y'all out there."

CIARA COVERS BILLBOARD MAG

Ciara graces the cover of the August Billboard Magazine . R&B singer Ciara has slated her third album, Fantasy Ride, for a September release via Jive Records. Rather than one standard CD, the music will be spread across three separately packaged discs, bundled together, each with five to six songs catering to a different theme."

NEW VIDEO: LIL' WAYNE FEAT. T-PAIN "GOT MONEY"

Check out the video for Lil' Wayne's current smash, Got Money featuring T-Pain and Mack Maine off of that now double-platinum, Carter III album, in stores now!

NELLY AS THE NEW FACE, WELL BODY, OF SEAN JOHN UNDERWEAR

Sean John has just announced Nelly as its new spokesmodel for the line's underwear division.

In a press release, Sean Diddy Combs said, “I have known Nelly for many years and I really admire his work. To me, Nelly is the quintessential definition of the Sean John man. He has the attitude, the swagger, and most of all the physique that our customers can both aspire and relate to. And let’s be honest, all of the ladies... (and some of you gentleman) ... out there are going to be thanking us for this campaign. The images are so strong; they speak for themselves. We are truly excited to welcome Nelly into the Sean John family.”

This is the first time the brand has appointed a spokesperson just for underpants and it's our expert opinion that Nelly's doing a pretty good job so far. He looks chiseled and shiny, but in a clean-new-drawers sort of way.

WHAT DO YOU THINK of Nelly as the new face for Sean John underwear — YAY or NAY?