Okay so I think Red Carpet’s have officially jumped the shark. How else can I explain that celebrities, like Estelle, posed for the paparrazi at the celebration of the new Super Mario Brothers for Wii launch to coincide with the popular game’s 25th anniversary. Kudos to Estelle who actually dressed for a chilly day in New York (instead of looking like she’s living in some sort of alternative reality).

With all the running I did last week I only got to spend one day at the Urban World Film Festival. Believe me, I maximized that time by packing in a few documentaries as well as a block of shorts. One of the highlights for me was Nirit Peled’s labor of love, “Say My Name”, which puts the spotlight on lady lyricists. Israel native Peled fell in love with hip-hop while living in Amsterdam—where she went to study and decided to stay—and at the time she started this film (five years ago) she thought the discussion surrounding ‘video vixens’ was distracting people from talented females in the rap game. (Personally, I don’t think one has much to do with the other.) Read the full story

Swedish import H&M has done a good job of turning fashion on its ear by making great style both affordable and fun. To keep things fresh the retailer keeps thinking of new and better ways of partnering with names that we know. Their most recent effort—Fashion Against AIDS—has icons like Cyndi Lauper along with newbies like Katy Perry and hipsters like Pharrell among its lineup of designers creating tees and tanks to bring awareness to the cause. UK chanteuse Estelle has gotten in on the act too. Her Life Is Too Short racer-back tank ($12.90) combines substance and style. What’s not to love?

British singer Estelle celebrates the visual arts at the Museum of Modern Arts Party In The Garden in New York City last night. She strikes a pose in this colorful yet classic shift and keeps the hair, makeup and accessories on the subdued side. She was partying with the likes of Meryl Streep after all.

When I think of this year’s Grammy Awards I can’t help thinking of that Frankie Beverly & Maze classic “Joy & Pain.” Because it was certainly a night of mixed emotions when it comes to the sisters. Let’s start with the glaringly obvious one: the reason Rihanna may not have been there. First we heard that she had been in a car accident. But as the night wore on rumors began to speculate that something went on between the singer who was set to perform at the award show and her boyfriend, singer Chris Brown. TMZ reported that the young R&B singer turned himself in to police before the show wrapped. I am sure the truth about what really happened to them will materialize bit by bit. I will say however, if this is a case of domestic violence than this kid’s squeaky clean image should be over. Read the full story

There was a time when an award show wasn’t complete without a hot female hip-hop artist being called up to the podium. If we were to judge by the lineup of VH1 Hip-Hop Honors or the nominations for BET Hip-Hop Awards, there are no sisters worthy of this honor.  Just the usual suspects Kanye, Lil Wayne, and Jay-Z. Margeaux Watson provided the scoop in this week’s Entertainment Weekly. Read the full story