Urban Lifestyle

*Season 2 of “The Soul Man” begins TONIGHT, June 19 at 11/10C on TV Land! Cedric the Entertainer and Niecy Nash sat down with EURweb associate LaCora Stephens on a new set that will be introduced this season (hint: Boyce will be co-owner of a bar/restaurant). “The season is really turned up with more focus on the love and relationship instead of the ‘churchy’ aspect,” Cedric told LaCora. ”However, the backdrop is still the same, as I am still a man on transition. I think people are going to enjoy it, it’s more energy and the episodes are really funny.” Niecy Chimed in: “It so much fun! We turned the whole show all the way up; I’m excited!” When asked how does it feel to be a part of a television show that uplifts black love, Niecy said: “I didn’t want to do something where their just married for the sake of being married, I wanted to be in love! I love being a Black woman in love with a Black man on television…I Love It!” But don’t let the chemistry fool you! The two of them are very, very married to OTHER people. When asked if their spouses ever complained about the “great chemistry” Cedric said he can imagine that their mates watching it would say: “I know you’re a good actor, but pull up!” He explained, the chemistry is real because in so many ways they have come to have a great affection with each other by being on set every day. Niecy mentioned that they have new storylines where Cedric brother’s Stamps moves in and her sister is introduced.  She also said that several celebrities have appeared like Kim Wayans, Dawnn Lewis, Jamie Kennedy and others. Simply put, “we have real life story lines that can apply to anyone’s life.” Be sure to tune in to TV Land tonight, June 19tat 11 (10 Central) for the premiere of “The Soul Man!” If you are in the Los Angeles area, they tape in front of a live studio audience, so be sure to drop in on all the fun! Get ticket info at: www.tvland.com Watch Cedric, Niecy and LaCora:

Is there anything Jill Scott can’t do? The Philly-bred songstress has captivated millions of fans with her honey coated vocals and wowed us with her…

Rand Paul displays the sort of lack of self-awareness that could only make a sociopath smile – which I suppose explains how he’s managed to become a leading national politician despite, well, everything about his entire career as a politician. Still, his willingness to say anything cannot overcome his inconsistency. The best example of this is the Republican Senator’s recent claim that the GOP can increase their share of the black vote from 5 to 20 percent in the next presidential cycle. Paul made this comment to a champion of the black community (insert sarcasm pill here), Sean Hannity, who tried to goad Paul into admitting the obvious: He’s running from president in 2016. Paul wouldn’t bite, but he did explain that he wants Republicans to embrace a 50-state strategy and point out that one way to do so is to secure a greater portion of our support. Can he really lead the charge on that? A Republican who has reached out To his credit, Rand Paul has been actively trying to engage with black voters. He stopped by my alma mater, Howard University, and proved himself to be very proud that he showed up. Indeed, Paul quipped at the podium, “Some have said that I’m either brave or crazy to be here today.” You know, ‘cause us Negroes are so intimidating! Paul then proceeded to deliver a condescending, historically inaccurate speech that led to a Q&A session in which Howard students schooled him about the America of yore and the one he’s seeking a big time come up in today. After that disaster, Paul expressed shock that students at a HBCU would know the history of the NAACP’s founding. “This is my first time to go to a historically black college,” Paul said. “In retrospect, it sounds like it is a dumb question but it’s like, Republicans haven’t been going to Howard for 20 years.” He went on to add, “I learned something, that everybody there knows. I was told that in no uncertain terms.” Someone should also tell him that the GOP has taken plenty of field trips to Howard in the last two decades. Civil Rights Act position is slippery at best After he’s schooled on that, a friendly reminder that his past comments about the Civil Rights Act may prove it quite difficult for him to lead the beginning of the retreat of blacks back to the Grand Old Party. At Howard, Paul said, “I have never wavered in my support for civil rights and the Civil Rights Act. The dispute, if there is one, has always been about how much of the remedy should come under federal or state or private purview.” But back in 2010 Paul said, “I like the Civil Rights Act in the sense that it ended discrimination in all public domains, and I’m all in favor of that.” “I don’t like the idea of telling private business owners — I abhor racism. I think it’s a bad business decision to exclude anybody from your restaurant — but, at the same time, I do believe in private ownership. But I absolutely think there should be no discrimination in anything that gets any public funding, and that’s most of what I think the Civil Rights Act was about in my mind,” he added. Paul went on to note, “In a free society, we will tolerate boorish people, who have abhorrent behavior, but if we’re civilized people, we publicly criticize that, and don’t belong to those groups, or don’t associate with those people.” Ron Paul’s influence This is the political equivalent of “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy” given his father and future fellow failed presidential candidate, Ron Paul once said on the House Floor that the Civil Rights Act (on its 40th anniversary, no less) was “a massive violation of the rights of private property and contract, which are the bedrocks of free society.” In a recent The New Republic profile, Paul refused to offer a definitive answer on his CRA stance, but acknowledged federal intervention had been justified. And yet, “I’m not a firm believer in democracy,” he said. “It gave us Jim Crow.” Embracing Pell Grants and bashing “urban reconstruction” is great, b

George Lopez & Hugh Hefner *Hollywood – The Playboy Jazz Festival, 35th edition, returned to the iconic, historic landmark Hollywood Bowl on Saturday, June 15th and Sunday, June 16th. The Playboy Jazz Festival presented in cooperation with the L.A. Philharmonic Association is an annual event in which thousands of music aficionados travel from near and far to attend the festival. The Hollywood Bowl continues to contribute magnificently to the cultural heritage of the City of Los Angeles. The program got under way by ushering in a new era with multi-talented entertainer George Lopez taking over as Master of Ceremonies. The Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Jazz Ensemble directed by Jsaon Goldman is a remarkable and talented group of young jazz musicians. Early arrivals to the festival were entertained brieftly on the tunes “Low Down” by Thad Jones, “Bags Groove,” by Milt Jackson, with arrangements by John Clayton, and concluded their set with “Cottontail” by Duke Ellington. Pedrito Martinez Group featuring Ariacne Trujillo servd up a tasty, fiery set of Afro-Cuban jazz and Rumba. Their sounds had enough fuel to start the first conga line of the weekend. The crowd and I enjoyed their take on “I’ll be There” by Michael Jackson with snippets of “Tell Me Something Good” with Ariacne Trujillo on vocals. Grace Kelly Quintet came onstage swinging hard on material from previous CDs to satisfy the jazz purist in the crowd. She peformed “Filosophical Flying Fish,” and “Night Time to Star” about her ex-boyfriend. The crowd marveled at her youth, as well as her enormous talents as a saxophonist and vocalist. The group took it up a notch, inviting special guest, alto-saxophone giant Phil Woods onstage. They romped thru material from the CD Man With The Hat featuring the tunes “Gone,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” the title track “Man with the Hat” and “People Time. The stellar group of musicians on this gig consisted of Jason Palmer-trumpet, Evan Gregor-bass, Josh Nelson-piano, and Bill Goodwin on drums. Gregory Porter There was a ton of buzz generated about vocalist Gregory Porter prior to making his debut at the festival. He lived up to the hype and upped the Wow Factor. The crowd set-up and took notice as he wowed them with his upbeat vocals from his heart and spirit. He had the crowds rapt attention on the tunes “Painted on Canvas,” “On My Way to Harlem,” “Be Good,” and an amazing version of “Work Song” with an a capella intro and ending. He followed with “No Love Dying” and “Real Good Hands”-which is going to be a classic Valentines Day tune, and help to put fellows minds at ease when they meet the parents of their future spouses. Robert Glasper Experiment treated and delighted the crowd on a journey thru the inner workings of his latest CD Black Radio. His latest project is a synthesis of sounds with jazz, hip-hop, R&B and Rock. The crowd and I were in for a treat as vocalist Dianne Reeves joined the group to add lyrics to “Afro-Blue” and other tunes. Vocalist Angelique Kidjo made a return engagement to the festival for another outstanding, high powered set with special guest trumpeter Hugh Masakela. She shared her youthful energy with members of the crowd onstage. The momentum continued to flow during the sets by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band with special guest Lee Ritenour on guitar. Naturally 7 returned for a triumphant, record breaking third time for another jaw dropping set. They blew the crowds mind and knocked their socks off with another brilliant set of vocal play. People are still talking about their set with special guest Herbie Hancock on the tunes “Watermelon Man,” “Chameleon,” and “Rock It.” Rounding out day one of the festival were Ole Coltrane featurin

Tip & Trae Got The Whole Hood Behind 'Em Tip and Trae got the whole hood supporting their cause. The Grand Hustle rappers bring the team out and rep hard in "Check This, Dig That,” a cut off T.I.'s 2012 Trouble Man album.

TMZ is reporting that Legendary songwriter Diane Warren who is notorious for writing songs like; Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart” and Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss…