Welcome to the July/August 2009 GLOSSY BLOG!

Thank you for Checking out the Glossy Blog! Have comments on one of our top stories?

Love Trey Songz?

Are you a fan of Bad Girl Tiffany Davis or BET’s Ray Cunningham?

What about Celeb stylist Ursula Stephen or the lovely media divas Chundria and Nekia Nichelle?

Are you interested in how Ethnicity Model’s LaShawnna Stanley got her start or in becoming a novelist like Joy “Deja” King?

Leave Your Glossy Comments here!

The Official Cash Only Blog Post

Creative Writing

Cash Only, Chapters 1 , 2, 3, 4 , 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 available now!

Hello GMO Family! Thank you for taking the time to read chapters one and two of my in-production novel, Cash Only. So, what do you think so far? Do you know a Tracie – an artsy type whose had her heart broken one too many times, but who hasn’t lost hope and always falls for the WRONG guy?

How about a Lynda? She’s the youngest one in your clique – the “baby.” She’s smart, a little defensive about being called the baby (among other things) and has a tendency to push just a little too hard? And we all know a Nyla. This is the mom of your crew -- the one you call to talk you off a ledge, the one who tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear? She’s the strong one, but if you’re really her girl you know there’s a vulnerable side to her too – she’s growing just like you. Or maybe you know a Punisher? He’s the bad boy with a good heart. He knows his power over women and he uses it to his advantage (not maliciously of course).

There are many more colorful characters to come. What I want to know is how you feel about these central characters first – are they believable, where do you see them going and what would you change, if anything? I have a pretty strong tolerance for the truth when it comes to my writing (you don’t get through Journalism classes and red pens without building up a pretty tough skin) so let me know what’s working and what’s not. Cash Only is in infancy and I mean it when I say I want you, my Glossy family, to come with me as the novel, and myself as a novelist, grows.

-Tiffani, GMO Publisher

July/August '09 GMO Blog

Fashion & Beauty

GMO Staff Picks for Fashions We Want to Disappear!

Skinny Jeans? Hammer pants? Socks and sandals? What summer fashions do you wish would just disappear – forever?! Let us know!

Lifestyle

FAM: Things Women Shouldn’t Do While Driving

Ok ladies. We know you have something to say about Billy’s July/August "From A Man’s Perspective" column! Are women the only ones who don’t give their undivided attention to the road? I’m sure we can come up with a few things that men shouldn’t do while driving (or period!). Post Your Glossy thoughts here!

Trying to Get Your Face Back?

Addicted to Facebook and want to get your face back? Tell us about your experiences on the social networking site. Are you connecting with old and new friends or neglecting your school work, friends and hobbies?

July/August '09 GMO Blog

Lifestyle

So you’re “Acting Like a Lady” and “Thinking Like a Man?” How is that going for you?

Do you agree with Steve’s thoughts on how women should approach dating and dealing with the opposite sex? Let us know your thoughts on the book and maybe share a thought or two from your own personal experiences (come on, we’re all family!)

Health & Fitness:

Have you added “super foods” to your diet? Do you notice a change in how you feel and look? What other tips do you have for maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

The article on Fibroids was very informative, as was this discussion about STDs and sexual health.

Leave your thoughts here and let us know what other health-related topics you would like to see addressed in GMO.

Ne-Yo, Keri Hilson Perform at Taste of Chicago

By Samantha Battle

Many Chicago Taste goers didn’t let the rain ruin their day when it came time for this year’s performers, Keri Hilson and Ne-Yo, to perform at the Taste of Chicago concert presented by Chicago’s 107.5 WGCI.

Everyone with tickets stood in long lines for hours with parkas, pullout chairs and umbrella’s hoping to get close to the stage. When it came time to go into the stage area, people were running as soon as they had their hand stamped to get a good seat up close to where they were performing.

Keri Hilson, dressed in a black spandex jumpsuit and her signature sunglasses, came out first with her dancers all dressed in matching colors. The crowd screamed as Keri performed her hit songs “Energy” and “Knock You Down.” She also performed other songs from her album, “A Perfect World,” which the crowd cheerfully sang along with.

With Hilson being an established songwriter also, she performed songs that she wrote for other artists such as Mary J. Blige’s “As I Am.”

Hilson closed the show with her hit single, “Turning Me On” saying, “Y'all know I couldn’t leave y'all without turning me on!”

Ne-Yo then took the stage after a 20-minute intermission dressed in khaki pants, a white shirt, a tan vest and his signature Kangol hat in white. His male dancers were dresses in similar attire and the women dancers changed multiple times during the show from black body suits and fishnet stockings to black slacks, white vests and black top hats.

Ne-Yo performed songs from all his works, going back to the first album he made. He performed songs like “Sexy Love,” “So Sick” and “Because of You.”

After performing a tribute to Michael Jackson at the BET Awards last Sunday, he also paid tribute the King of Pop in this concert performing Michael Jackson hits and imitating Jackson’s signature dance moves.

Along with performing some of his hit songs, Ne-Yo also performed songs that he has written too. He performed the hook to “Irreplaceable” that he wrote for Beyonce, Rihanna’s “Take A Bow” and Mario’s “Let Me Love You.”

Ne-Yo closed the show with his hit single “Closer” reenacting the dance moves from the “Closer” video. Before he left the stage, Ne-Yo took off his crisp white Kangol hat and through it into the crowd where one lucky fan caught it.

Trey Songz to Release Mixtape

On June 15, 2009 Trey Songz will release his original demo that landed him a deal with Atlantic Records. “Genesis” will include songs like “About the Game,” a track that was featured on the Bathing Ape website and on the Coach Carter soundtrack prior to his first album “I Gotta Make It.”

Trey Songz is known for being very personal in the sense that he allows his fans to experience certain aspects of his life that are otherwise unavailable to the general public. He will take this even further when he releases “Genesis,” which is a mixtape comprised of his original demo that struck him the deal with Atlantic records in 2004. This mixtape will be available for free download as Trey shares even more of himself with his fans. In support of “Genesis,” Trey Songz is in the works of planning a mixtape tour where he will also perform songs from his highly anticipated third album “Ready,” which will be available in stores and online on August 4, 2009.

Look out for an exclusive interview with Trey Songz in Gloss Magazine Online's July issue!!

For more information on Trey Songz, visit his website at www.treysongz.com or www.myspace.com/treysongz . Also follow him on Twitter @songzyuuup.

Music Review: Eminem "Relapse"

By Bonita Holmes

After a four-year hiatus, Eminem is back and more expressive than ever with the release of his sixth studio album "Relapse." It seems that Eminem hasn't lost his touch, making "Relapse" his fifth consecutive # 1 album selling 608,000 during the first week.

Throughout the album, Eminem revisits some very emotional periods in his life and speaks out about his drug addiction to cough syrup and prescription medicines, the death of his best friend Proof and a second attempt at marriage with his ex-wife Kimberley Scott. The title of the album itself represents Em coming face to face with his addiction and relapsing back into the hip hop world, or maybe relapsing back into depression.

In the song “My Mom,” Eminem continues to express his anguish towards his mother, blaming her for his drug addiction and emotional distress. Many of Em's songs from previous albums expressed how he felt growing up without a father and witnessing his mother abuse drugs. On the this album, Em admits in the song "Insane" that he was molested by his stepfather. On the very popular song titled “Beautiful,” Eminem raps about still being one of the best rappers despite disappearing from the entertainment world for a few years.

Many of the songs on the album have a funky hardcore beat which complement the new sound Em has adopted. He does a great job of touching on various subjects besides his personal triumphs.

Many fans and other rappers and artists wonder if this is the last album for Eminem who once again collaborated with his longtime friend, labelmate and producer Andre “Dr. Dre” Young. With "Relapse," Eminem has more than proven that despite tough times and years spent away from his passion, that he still has what it takes to make good music. You could even say that he's reclaiming his thrown.