D.J's Music Site Forum

Tomorrow is the BIGGEST night in black music, it's time again for the annual BET Award's. This year show will be hosted by the one and only Chris Tucker and airs live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on the BET cable network tomorrow (Sunday, June 30) at (8PM ET/PT). See the BET Awards commercial featuring Chris Tucker below.

This year's Awards is doing something new, it's offering their music fans for the first time the show will serve as anchor for the BET Experience, which is a three-day destination festival in downtown Los Angeles that will include concerts and other cultural events.

This year the Awards will honor R&B legend Charlie Wilson with its lifetime achievement award and Drake leads the nominations with 12.

Wilson will be among the performers on Sunday. The Award performers that are schedule are: Chris Brown, J. Cole, 2 Chainz, Pharrell Williams, Charlie Wilson,R. Kelly, Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion, Miguel, Kendrick Lamar,Stevie Wonder,Nicki Minaj, Ciara, India.Arie, Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, T.I., Janelle Monáe, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Tamela Mann, and Kirk Franklin.

It will be a competitive night to see who takes home the most awards, as Drake is nominated for 12 including five in the video of the year category. Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz each have eight nominations, followed by A$AP Rocky and Jay-Z with five and Justin Timberlake and Miguel with four. The show will also honor Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade with its humanitarian award and pay tribute to Wilson, whose appeal has spanned generations.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Tulsa native joined his brothers Ronnie and Robert in the Gap Band and had hits like You Dropped a Bomb on Me, Outstanding, Early in the Morning and Yearning for Your Love. In recent years, Wilson been embraced as Uncle Charlie, working with and influencing countless hip-hop stars.

 The BET experience festivities kicked off Friday night in multi-venue, one major event that's about of the experience is Friday night when Beyonce premieres her U.S. leg of her Mrs. Carter Show world tour with a concert at the Staples Center.  Snoop Dogg aka Snoog Lion and fellow hip-hop stars Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Miguel and ScHoolboy Q take over the venue on Saturday night. After Sunday's televised show, R. Kelly is joined at Staples by the Jacksons and New Edition. There will be numerous other BET-related events throughout the weekend, including concerts, film screenings, afterparties and seminars.

"We're expecting tens of thousands to come through the various venues," says Debra Lee, chairman and CEO of BET Networks, which partnered with promoter AEG Live to create the fest. "We've been selling tickets nationwide and I think it's going to be one of the events people look forward to every year. The BET Awards are the Super Bowl of black entertainment."

Stephen Hill, BET's president of music programming and specials, says the idea for the festival grew out of the various activities that sprang up around previous shows.

"We just decided to organize what had just been organic," says Hill, who adds that highlights from the weekend will be made into a show that will air at a later date.

Lee says she has no concerns about the festival running so close to the Essence Music Festival, now in its 19th year and traditionally held on July 4 weekend in New Orleans.

"Essence has loyal following," says Lee. "We get 40% of our attendees from the Southern California area. I think the market can sustain both."

 "Anything can happen and this year's show will absolutely prove that again," Hill says.

Some of the more memorable past surprises include King of Pop Michael Jackson showing up to present King of Soul James Brown with the 2003 lifetime achievement award; Dreamgirls stars Jennifer Hudson (the 2006 film) and Jennifer Holliday (the 1982 Broadway musical) singing together in 2007; Maxwell ending his years-long hiatus in 2008; and El DeBarge's comeback in 2009.

Lee says that kind of unpredictability helps with live viewership.

"We don't want people recording it," Lee says of the show, which attracted 7.4 million viewers last year. "We want everyone to show up Sunday night. This is one of the most talked-about shows of the year and our audience is very active on Twitter and Facebook."

As reported by sources such as 'The Yolanda Adams Morning Show' and thegospelguru.com, the Gospel duo Mary Mary father, Eddie Atkins, has pass away.

Thanks 4 all the kind words & prayers sent today. Our Dad was a great man, but he's with Jesus now he taught us how to pray & trust God

Erica & Tina (@therealmarymary) June 26, 2013

Our hearts are heavy but we can rejoice knowing our father knew we Loved him RIP Elder Eddie A Atkins Jr. Rest in the arms of Jesus Daddy..

Erica & Tina (@therealmarymary) June 26, 2013

 Eddie Atkins, was an community leader & youth minister. Mr. Atkins laid the foundation for Erica & Tina's (who is Mary Mary) broad reaching musical perform that allows them to deliver their brand of gospel music not just to the church fot to the masses regardless of their walk of life & spiritual understanding.

As of right now, the cause of death is currently unknown. And our prayers & thoughts are with Mary Mary's Erica & Tina during this time.

Billboard.com has reported that police in north Louisiana say a 36-year-old man accused of killing the 18-year-old rapper known as Lil Snupe has turned himself in to authorities.

Winnfield Police Chief Johnny Rap Carpenter, in a new release, said Tony Holden turned himself in Wednesday morning (June 26).

He was booked into the city jail on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. No bond has been set. It was not immediately known whether Holden had an attorney.

Police say Holden shot the rapper, whose real name is Addarren Ross, last Thursday after an argument broke out during a video game at a friend's apartment. Ross, of Jonesboro, had been shot twice in the chest.

Ross had recently signed a recording deal with the Meek Mill's Dream Chasers label. Ross also just celebrated his 18 birthday the week before he got killed.

According to Billboard.com and WVLA NBC 33, a funeral for Ross has been schedule for Saturday morning (June 29) at 11:00 am at the Jonesboro-Hodge High School Auditorium.

Our prayers and thoughts are still with Meek Mill and Ross family.

Former teen pop stars & Disney channel stars Aly & AJ have grown up and re-branded themselves. Now in their 20s, the sister duo has changed their named to 78violet. They are coming back with an new single "Hothouse," which is their first single from the new upcoming album, and both will be released on July 8.

The duo will also perform live for the first time in five years when they take the stage for a special show at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles today and the Gramercy Theater in New York on July 9. You can get ticket here to the show.

Aly & AJ tweeted about the show from their 78Violet band Twitter:

See you guys at the Roxy tomorrow night ;) #78Violet #FirstShowIn5Years

Aly & AJ Michalka (@78Violet) June 26, 2013

Today JustJared.com exclusively premiere the cover art for Aly & AJ brand new 78Violet single "Hothouse." (which you can see below.)

"We couldn't be more ready or excited to introduce our amazing fans to the new and evolved sound behind 78Violet," says Aly and AJ Michalka in a press statement. "These two upcoming shows will allow us to share a small taste of the alternative pop vibe that you'll hear on the album in an organic and up close and personal setting."

The Emancipation of Mimi is changing up the game on the album release date. Mariah Carey has announced on Twitter to her fans that she will be delaying her upcoming album, which was set for release on July 23.

While making this album, I got so immersed in the creative process that I just don't feel I would be doing it justice to release it on 7/23.

Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) June 25, 2013

 The former American Idol judge shared. She also added:

I'd rather not exclude meaningful songs. I want to give you this album as it's meant to be heard.When I'm ready, you'll be the first 2 know!

Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) June 25, 2013

D.J's Music Site wants to send our condolences to the Demi Lovato and the Lovatics on the passing of Demi's biological father. We heard the news over the weekend when it broke but was stung by the news. It has been know that Demi and her biological father wasn't that close.

Lovato broke the silence to her fans and thank them and her family for the support after the death of her father, Patrick Lovato who died at 54.

I feel so humbled to have had so much support from my fans, friends, family and complete strangers.. God bless you all, thank you so much ?

? demetria lovato (@ddlovato) June 23, 2013

Demi's 25-year-old sister, Dallas Lovato broke the news with her tweet on Saturday.

Rest in peace daddy I love you..

? Dallas Lovato (@dallaslovato) June 22, 2013

The show creator and fellow judge Simon Cowell expressed his own support on Twitter also.

My thoughts are with you Demi. X

Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) June 23, 2013

Patrick Lovato and Demi's mother Dianna De La Garza divorced in 1994. Demi's song "For the Love of a Daughter" from her 2011 album Unbroken reflects her strained relationship with her dad. In the song, she sings, "How could you push me out of your world, lie to your flesh and your blood, put your hands on the ones that you swore you loved?"

In 2009, Lovato told New York's Daily News why she cut ties with her father.

"The last time I talked to him was two years ago," she said. "You try to have faith in somebody, even when you're the last person that believes in him. But when somebody lets you down after you've been the only one there for them, and so many times, you don't know what to do."

JustJared reported that Patrick was reportedly battling throat cancer in recent years.

Demi's mom Dianna De La Garza and Patrick's ex-wfie also went to Twitter after the news broke.

Thank you all for the outpouring of love and prayers. Y'all are amazing! http://t.co/tG0vBGC0zm

Dianna De La Garza (@DiannaDeLaGarza) June 23, 2013

Well... "I'm Gettin That!" in my B Smyth voice.

The raising R&B superstar has a new follow-up single and a new video "Gettin' That" from his last one which was "Leggo." Smyth is schedule to appear on Monday's edition of BET's 106 and Park to premiere the new video but the R&B sensation couldn't wait by premiering it early on VEVO.

He premiering it early thru a tweet.

( "Gettin' That ) my Mixtape is now on VEVO. Check it put. http://t.co/TufDjU4mU7

? B Smyth (@TheRealBSmyth) June 24, 2013

In this video, Smyth taking it 'Nice & Slow' as he shows off his dance moves and singing in the lyrics "I'm getting that... getting that love." The video flashes back to Smyth in a red blazer with a mardi gras mask on at a party with a girl with an mardi gras mask on as well to a room with him and 3 back-up dancers. At the end Smyth gets the  girl number as she take Smyth phone out of his hand, put her number in it and throw it back to him in his chest.

D.J's Music Site artist B Smyth just a couple months ago when we saw his video "Leggo" featuring 2 Chainz which premiered on BET's 106 and Park. Now Smyth will be going back to 106 this Monday to premiere new music + the video to it. The song is entitle "Gettin That."

Smyth also premiered another song recently title "Win Win" which features Future, you can hear that song here.

Smyth will be coming to the Chicago area where D.J's Music Site is based out of to perform in the Young Jeezy and friends Summer Jam at the Arie Crown at Mccormick Place on July 6, which includes Elle Varner and Fabolous as well. You can buy tickets here.

Watch B Smyth's "Leggo" video featuring 2 Chainz below and tune into BET's 106 and Park on Monday at 6P/5C.

After the 'Would You Like a Tour?' announcement with Miguel & Future. October's Very Own coming back to take over. Drake has dropped four new songs in anticipation and promotion of his upcoming album Nothing Was the Same.

The third album from the Young Money rapper is set to drop on September 17. He made the announcement in the early morning hours of Saturday on his new website, OVOSound.com.

N O T H I N G W A S T H E S A M E S E P T E M B E R 1 7 T H

Drizzy (@Drake) June 22, 2013

Upon the announcement, he also released four new songs including the J. Cole-assisted "Jodeci Freestyle" and "The Motion" featuring Sampha. Plus he guests on PARTYNEXTDOOR's "Over Here" and Atlanta trio Migo's "Versace."

Would You Like Some Music? http://t.co/QnAHYMEqch

Drizzy (@Drake) June 22, 2013

A week after the album's release, Drizzy will be kicking off his 42-city "Would You Like a Tour?" with Miguel and Future on September 25 at Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon.

Drake also just covered on a new edition of the GQ magazine, (as you can see on the right).

Listen to all of the new release track's from Drizzy here.

CHICAGO -  On Friday, things got worst in the Windy City as thousand of Chicago area residents were lining up at social service centers, waiting for a chance to get help from the state to pay for flood relief from the April and May storms.

D.J's Music Site Senior Editor DJ Jr, participated to experience the cause.

Friday was the deadline to apply for disaster relief funds from the state which started assisting people on Wednesday but due to the high demand of people the state is excluded the assistance help again on Monday.

In West Pullman, where DJ Jr went, many people started waiting in line overnight. Senior Editor DJ Jr, lined up with people starting at 2AM with his a person who wanted to apply for the assistance and didn't get help until 11AM the same day. But hundreds of people were lined up outside by actually 9 p.m. the day before, waiting in the cold night air into the heat to get an Illinois Link card to help pay for food. Many brought folding chairs as they spent the night waiting in a line that wrapped around a large city block outside the state office.

The line move gently medium slow-fast to the front door as everyone in line wants their turn inside to seek assistance and as the line moved the office actually took at least 30 people at a time into the office

Officials were handing out tickets to everyone who moved up so far in line, which means you can count on getting in for be assisted.

CBS 2 Chicago covered a story about it and interviewed people as they were waiting to be seen. They interview a couple, Walter and Trina Jones of Harvey, "It was really bad. I had water on my walls, my clothes was mildewed, my backyard was flooded," Walter Jones said.

The estimated that their house sustained a few thousand dollars in damage.

Trina said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rejected their request their request for flood assistance funds. "They came out to our house, did an inspection, and send us a letter, and told us that we didn't have enough damage." she said.

On Friday, if they can prove to a state worker they qualify for state assistance, they will go home with the state's equivalent food stamps, a Link Card that can be used to pay for food from the grocery, or seeds and plant for gardens. According to CBS 2 Chicago, the average payout for flood victims is $380.

"It would really help us. You could see I like to eat," Walter Jones Joked.

Our Senior Editor, DJ Jr. and his people he went with, got assisted around 11AM and got finished to beat the storm and it rumbled through Chicago. Some where still out there during the storm when it came through to wait to get assisted still. There also was a little riot stumbling to happen.

As our Senior Editor, DJ Jr. joined many that camped out overnight. He talk to some that ask he where was the line, he stated; "It's doesn't start here, is the front, you have to go all way around the corner toward 120th & Peoria." And some people walked toward the end of the line to start their wait to be assisted and some just turn around and say they not waiting, it's too long to be worth it. Many got in line early this morning and some got in line in the middle of the day.

CBS 2 Chicago interviewed someone that stated; "I'm not going anywhere. I been waiting too long now." State worker Lavonne Banks said; "She is not surprised by the turnout." She also said; "I think, because the demand is so great, they came early. The early bird catches the worm,"

The participating state offices had to have seen over a million Chicago arena residents over the three day period. They did it in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood office and in the Skokie neighborhood office where there was also long lines for state aid on Friday

"We're going to service everybody that we can. We won't be turning anyone away," Banks said.

Anyone seeking state aid must be in line by 1 p.m. to get a ticket. The state is expecting to help 65,000 people statewide, but 90 percent of the people are from the Chicago area.

To be eligible for benefits, flood victims must live in specific ZIP codes, have suffered damage to their home or business, paid flood-related expenses that have not yet been reimbursed by the state or FEMA, and have had a loss of income due to floods between April 16 and May 15.

If you miss the deadline for state aid, the deadline to apply for FEMA assistance from the spring floods in Illinois is July 9. Storm victims can visit the agency's disaster assistance website to find out how to apply, here.

Jackson, MS. - Who has the BEST HBCU of all time???? Well I guess we will find out between this Thursday and Saturday as Jackson State University is set to host the Third Annual HBCU Awards during their inaugural National HBCU Media Week June 27-29.

So the question is; Whose the BEST HBCU of the Year? The nominees are Alcorn State University, Hampton University, Howard University, Fayetteville State University, Saint Augustine's University, Spelman College and Winston-Salem State University.

Our Senior Editor's DJ Jr, college the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is nominated for three awards. Best Student Government Association Award, Male Coach of the Year and Team of the Year.

You can see the rest of the nominees and the nominated HBCUs here.

Can't stop? I know We Can't Stop after Miley Cyrus drop her music video for the single.

Miley took the new to Twitter,

 t?s finally here! The music video for ?We Can?t Stop? is now on @VEVO!! #WeCantStopPremiere http://smarturl.it/WeCantStopV?IQid=TW ?

The song is already an summer anthem and has blown up charts, score up charts and the video is awesome.

Miley cuts off her fingers with a knife and bleeds Pepto Bismol! She also has dancing teddy bears and a tweek off! ( I'm whispering, "Yeah, Miley is black!").

Miley has grown so much, you can tell how much she change from Hannah Montana to an adult now. Cyrus was just in Chicago this weekend at the B96 Radio's Pepsi SummerBash, thanking the fans for the support of her new single and introducing Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to the stage.

OK. I'm done talking... Now watch the video below.