'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story': Second official trailer released (video)

**Looks at my phone, sees that it's not Dec. 16, cries hysterically.**

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," as noted earlier, comes out Dec. 16.


Video via Star Wars' YouTube Page

'The Crown': New Netflix series on Queen Elizabeth II gets official trailer (video)

Netflix's highly anticipated series, "The Crown," based on the early reign of Queen Elizabeth II, released its official trailer today. Claire Foy ("Wolf Hall") stars as Her Royal Highness alongside Matt Smith ("Doctor Who"), who plays the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

With the Queen celebrating her 90th birthday earlier this year, it's nice to look back on how things all began.

"The Crown" begins streaming on Netflix Nov. 4.

Frank Ocean drops new album, 'Blonde,' on Apple Music

Update!: The album is now available for streaming on Spotify, Amazon Music and other digital retailers.

The wait is over, world! Frank Ocean has a new album out. It's called "Blonde" and it's on Apple Music right now. This follows last night's release of a 45-minute visual album by Frank titled "Endless," which is also solely streaming on Apple Music. It is unclear if the two are connected.

Enjoy.


Photo via Rolling Stone

'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story': Official trailer released (video)

You know what? I just...I can't.

"Rogue One" comes out Dec. 16. Go see it.


Video via Star Wars' YouTube Page

'Justice League': First trailer is released at Comic-Con (video)

So, what did we see? Ben Affleck returns as Batman, Gal Gadot returns as Wonder Woman, and we see the first glimpses of Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Ezra Miller as the Flash. Are you excited?

"Justice League" hits theaters November 2017.


Video via Warner Bros. Pictures' YouTube Page

Keyanna Butler's 'Maybe Forever': Now Available for Pre-Order

UPDATE (7/19/16): The book is out NOW! Get your copy via the Amazon link below!

Just two weeks ago, I posted the cover reveal of my friend, Keyanna Butler's, first book, "Maybe Forever." Now, I am happy to announce that the book is available for pre-order on Amazon for only $3.99. The book will be released July 19.

Get your copy now!

You can also add it on Goodreads, and feel free to reach out to the author on Facebook and Twitter. 

Congrats again, Keyanna!


Cover via Limitless Publishing and Redbird Designs

Cover Reveal: 'Maybe Forever' by Keyanna Butler

Everyone, I have some exciting news to share: My good friend, Keyanna Butler, is releasing a book! It's called "Maybe Forever" and it's scheduled for release July 19. The gorgeous cover was revealed today (see above) and I wanted to share it with you all.

Check out all of the details below and make sure you grab a copy when it comes out! Congrats, Keyanna!

'Beauty and the Beast': Live-action film, starring Emma Watson, releases first teaser trailer (video)

I have to say that when I first heard that "Beauty and the Beast" was being turned into a live-action film, I became a bit nervous. "Beauty and the Beast" is one of my favorite Disney movies and, as we know, with a lot of reinterpretations, things can go wrong.

But, when Emma Watson was cast as Belle and slew of other stellar actors were named in the film too—including Dan Stevens as the Beast, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts (voice actor), Josh Gad as LeFou, Ewan McGregor as Lumière (voice actor), and Ian McKellen as Cogsworth (voice actor), according to E! Online—I felt a bit better about the situation. And now that the teaser trailer is out, I'm getting a bit excited about it too.

"Beauty and the Beast"—the live-action version—hits theaters March 17, 2017.

See the promotional photo below:

Lemonade: Beyoncé's sixth album now available on iTunes & Amazon

Photo via Beyoncé's Facebook Page

As the world knows by now, Beyoncé released her sixth album, "Lemonade," Saturday night (April 23), after its accompanying visual film debuted on HBO. Originally available for streaming solely on TIDAL, it is also now available on iTunes and Amazon.

Get your copy now!

Prince has died

Photo via The Guardian (via Michael Ochs Archives)

As many of you know by now, the phenomenal artist known as Prince has passed away. He died yesterday (April 21) at his home near Minneapolis at the age of 57, the Associated Press confirms.

A slew of artists and entertainers have shared their thoughts on the musician and his legacy, including Michael Jackson's estate, Justin Timberlake and Spike Lee. Fans have also set up and gathered at memorials across the world, including one outside of his home at Paisley Park.

For more details about the sudden death of Prince, as well as other related coverage, visit AP.org, Billboard.com, RollingStone.com and any other major outlets.

Syreeta Martin talks sex & relationships in fifth grade; having 'the talk' w/ 10-year-olds (video)

A former classmate of mine, Syreeta Martin—known professionally as Sincerely Syreeta and owner of the fabulous Sincerely Syreeta & Co., LLC, brand—stopped by Fox 29 today to talk about an article she wrote for PhillyVoice on discussing sex and relationships with her 10-year-old daughter, who is in the fifth grade. It's a fantastic interview and I encourage you to check out the clip above, as well as the full article, which you can find here.

Great job, Syreeta! You continue to make us Temple Owls proud!


Video via Fox 29

'Doctor Strange': Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Marvel's Sorcerer Supreme in first trailer (video)

SIDE NOTE: I'm usually not one for comic books or superheroes, but this...looks...FANTASTIC!

"Doctor Strange," starring everyone's favorite Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch, hits theaters this November.

Check out the first official poster for the film below:

'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story': Official teaser trailer released (video)

SIDE NOTE: So, "The Force Awakens" was just released on Blu-ray and Digital HD on Monday (Friday if you exclusively bought the digital download) and on Thursday, we get hit with this?

If I wasn't at work right now, I'd be going to bed. I can't take this! It's too much!

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," starring Felicity Jones as the heroine, is scheduled to hit theaters this December.


Video via Star Wars' YouTube Page

Music VIDEO!: Rihanna feat. Drake in 'Work' (NSFW)

SIDE NOTE: Will they just go ahead and start a relationship or have kids already? I mean, I know they could be acting, but...really?

Video via RihannaVEVO

Music Video SURPRISE!: Beyoncé in 'Formation (Explicit)'

This video has floored me in more ways than one. I just...I have no words.

If you want immediate commentary, just search "Beyonce Formation" on Google and see what comes up, or check out Kid Fury's Twitter page, he being one of the biggest Beyoncé stans known to man.

Can't wait for tomorrow.


Video via Beyoncé's YouTube Page

Music VIDEO!: Coldplay feat. Beyoncé in 'Hymn For The Weekend'

What a wonderful day it is to be a Coldplay fan!

Not only did tickets go on pre-sale today for the band's first U.S. stadium tour, but they also released the music video for their new single "Hymn For The Weekend" feat. Beyoncé (seen above), taken from their new album "A Head Full Of Dreams." (Though the new visual may have excited some fans, it has received some backlash.)

To score your tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, and be sure to catch Coldplay and Beyoncé at the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show next Sunday, Feb. 7. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS.


Video via Coldplay's YouTube Page

Let @notkarltonbanks 'bless' you with reflections of the black church on Instagram (video)

That ONE member that don't need no music while they shouting 😂😂😫💀

A video posted by Karlton Humes (@notkarltonbanks) on Jan 19, 2016 at 11:39am PST

Hi Everyone!

I know I haven't been on or posted anything in a while, but I want you to know that I am alive and well and do plan on posting things on the blog in the near future.

Photo via notkarltonbanks' Instagram page.

During the meantime, however, I would LOVE IT if you would take a look at notkarltonbanks' Instagram page. His real name is Karlton Humes and he posts many comedic videos reflecting the black church experience, he being COGIC, himself. He's from Hayti, Missouri, according to an article on BuzzFeed (yes, he's caught BuzzFeed's attention), and is a student at University of Pine Bluff Arkansas, posting many of the videos in his downtime. Since starting his account, he has amassed 323,000 Instagram followers.

If you are an African-American and have grown up in the church, like I have, then these videos will be a treat for you. Many of them include different characters, all played by Humes, with different wigs to match their personas—and they're all tasteful, so feel free to watch them at work, when you're...you know...not working. 

These videos are truly a joy, so I suggest you check them out and be sure to share them with a friend or two who could use a laugh.