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Rihanna

Rihanna

Born on the Island of Barbados, Rihanna always had dreams to become a star. She is a trail blazer in many ways. After having a demo sent to various record companies in 2005, Rihanna’s talent was recognized by Jay Z and she was signed to the Def Jam music label. With her top ten hit, Pon De Replay Robyn Rihanna Fenty burst onto the music scene with a bang.

Rihanna has had unbridled success with a string of top 10 hits, and been crowned one of the youngest fashion icons of our generation. She was only the 2^nd artist from Barbados to win a Grammy and all before the age of 20.

All of the success hasn’t changed the young singer from her Island values and perspectives. Here's is the quintessential story of a young Island girl making it in the big city. Rihanna's song, Umbrella” was so successful that she won a Grammy. Her song spawned a line of umbrellas with the accessory company Totes. She cut her hair in a dramatic shift from the music company’s desire to keep her with long hair and as a result her haircut...now known as the “Rihanna” has been awarded the best haircut of 2008. She is seen as a fashion icon with a style that is definitely all hers. She recently walked the runway in Milan.

It’s clear that the marketing of Rihanna is almost genius in nature, but having Jay Z adopt her almost in the role of big brother...it’s clear that the sky is the limit when it comes to what Miss Fenty will achieve in her career.

http://www.rihannanow.com/news/reloaded/

Guess What?

Rihanna's "Believe Foundation" is dedicated to helping children in need.
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Chic and Swag Friday.

Horse Racing in Dubai.

Louis Vuitton 2009 Spring/Summer

Photo by Randy Olson/Melissa Farlow

City Planning Museum of People's Square in the Puxi side of Shanghai. Models show not only the buildings that are already done, but plans for the future.

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Donatella Versace in Her Helicopter

Pharrell in BBC Ice Cream

Seven astronauts will board the STS-125: Final Shuttle Mission Hubble Space Telescope; Target launch :Oct. 8,2008.

From the left are astronauts Michael J. Massimino, Michael T. Good, both mission specialists; Gregory C. Johnson, pilot; Scott D. Altman, commander; K. Megan McArthur, John M. Grunsfeld and Andrew J. Feustel

Sailing in Dubai City.

Rich sailors in their expensive sailing toys sailing away.

Polynesian Bungalows in Bora Bora/Tihiti

Lisa Ling

The byline for Lisa’s website is ,”Trying To Do Good” a net-work that focuses on informing about issues and sorries that make headlines or people, and showing individuals who are simply doing "good work." This is the true crux of what Lisa is trying to do with her journalistic skills. Her strength is in her powerful reporting.A woman who is sincerely passionate about making the world socially aware of different conditions different nations are

Born in Los Angeles to Chinese American parents, Lisa got her first big break as co host of the LA magazine program "Scratch" at the age of six-teen. And at the age of eight-teen she auditioned for the position of co-anchor for the "Nationally Syndicated" news Channel one. This is a news channel for schools that is nationally syndicated. Through her work as a reporter, Lisa was able to travel all over the world. It was the beginning of her passion to travel and report what she saw. She was able to work forty hour weeks and study at the same time at USC. By the age of twenty-five she was a co-host of the winning daytime show, "The View." But her first love was always for social reporting, so in 2001 she left the view to pursue a different focus in her career.

She began presenting National Geographic’s, "Ultimate Explorer" a program on the Discovery channel. During her time as host of National Geographic's "Ultimate Explorer", Lisa a was able to visit those places that cried out for the world to focus on them. She also is special reporter for the "Oprah Winfrey Show"and a special reporter for CNN, recently given a spot as contributor for Nightline.

Do not be surprised if you see Lisa presenting her own news show one day.

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Guess What ?

China is expected to overtake the U.S. as the world's largest economy in ten years.
National Geographic

Kanye West

No one could ever describe Chicago Rapper Kanye West as being ordinary, boring, or safe.

In the same vein of Mukarami…Kanye West can be considered a production in his own right. Bursting on to the scene with "College Drop Out," Kanye has proven that raw energy and self-confidence can make your vision both seen and heard. He has the ability to deliver even through trying times. He gives his audience his all - one may think that he possess supernatural powers.

Sometimes considered over confident, at others times just plain rude, but you will never forget who he is.

Kanye cites many influences in his early growth, but there is no doubt that his mother Donda West was the one who influenced him the most.

Known for speaking out when others are silent. Some may consider Kanye’s outbursts at the Grammys to be divaesque, but non-the-less he has never shied away from speaking his mind. Who can forget his statement about President Bush not liking Black people at the benefit for Katrina? Speaking from the heart and meaning it, there is no doubt that Kanye uses his music not only to entertain, but to inform too.

Isn’t that what real hip hop is about?

Kanye takes time out for his fans through his blog. A place where you can go and see the things that inspires him, such as fashion, art, music and don't forget the "Where Are You Yeezy?" girls.

Kanye and Donda West worked together to created the Kanye West Foundation dedicated to help stem the severe drop-out rate in high schools. The first initiative is “Loop Dreams.” A child at risk from dropping out can learn how to write and produce music whilst working on improving his or her academic skills.

Giving back can be a very clichéd thing in the music business, but Kanye definitely works to give back.

I think Mama would be proud to see that Kanye continues to contribute.

erniebarne

wikipedia

Quote of The Day

"Do you realize you are a champion." Kanye West

Graduation

Coldplay

Listening to Coldplay’s Grammy winning song,” Clocks”, one is reminded somewhat of U2’s "Beautiful Day." The comparisons to U2 are inevitable. Similar alternative rock sounds, the same social responsibility and the desire to enhance is how they interact with fans and the media . But Coldplay isn’t U2, or Radiohead or any of the bands that they have been compared to. Coldplay is more like an adoring younger brother looking up to an older brother that’s already left home.

With their at times abstract lyrics, Coldplay has forged its own place in music. Formed in 1992, These four young men seek to infuse their music with the issues that they believe in. "Vida La Vida"(their new album) is very genuine and polished in its sound and pushes Coldplay into the public eye.

In 2002, the band was invited to tour Haiti by Oxfam where Chris was promoting the "Make Trade Fair" campaign. That visit was life changing. Chris Martin, Lead singer, usually makes public appearances with a wristband with the words Make Trade Fair. He is the most visible celebrity representative for Oxfam’s campaign. He leant his name, among others such as Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, to the Big Noise petition in 2003. That was designed to bring about awareness of this issue that constricts the ability of poorer countries to rise out of the economy trap.

The band works hard to maintain social integrity, by not allowing their songs to be used to advertise those things that they consider against their own beliefs. They have lost millions in endorsements but they have held onto their integrity. As Chris says their music isn’t geared to the studio suits who don’t listen to the music but to the fans. They split their music earnings equally, they don’t engage in the usual rock and roll lifestyle. They even have a contractual obligation NOT to engage in hard drugs. Drug abuse is an automatic firing.

Starting with responsibility with themselves and keeping the groups integrity from the inside definitely is reflected on their outside dealings. Possibly loosing millions in endorsements as a result but you can’t help but like and want to support a band that literally holds their heart on their sleeve. Coldplay isn’t U2 and Chris isn’t Bono, but as he says, “I don’t mind not being cool I’ve never been cool in my whole life.” "Being voted the worlds sexiest vegetarian is about as cool as it gets.”


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Quote of The Day

"If a few companies were less greedy, the people at the bottom would have a lot more."
Chris Martin

brainyquote

Dr.Nahed Taher

Dr.Nahed Taher is a trail blazer for Saudi Arabian Woman….and women all around the world. Born into a family of bankers and financiers, Naher says that it was her father who first sowed the seeds of her interests in economy by asking her opinion on matters at a very young age.

She spent five years with her family in Houston while her father worked for the Saudi state owned Oil Company.

She was married after high school and still went on to pursued her education at the University of Riyadh where she received her BA degree. She went on to study economics at Lancaster University in the UK and received her Master’s degree.

Her thesis was on the deficiencies of the Saudi monetary system. She received her PHD for economics in 1998. After finishing her education in the United Kingdom, Nahed was offered a high profile job for the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She turned it down choosing to pursue a job within Saudi Arabia. She was the first female chief economist in Saudi Arabia, whilst working for the National Commercial Bank.

Nahed is an anomaly in a land where women are not allowed to drive.

As a mother of three children, Dr. Taher shows that it is possible to have a fulfilling career whilst raising children.

In 2005, she became the CEO of the Gulf One Investment bank , one of the leading banking institutions in the in the Middle East.

She certainly breaks glass with her commitment to the development of her country and breaks ground in the Middle East. She is a refreshing contrast to the idea that a woman cannot progress within the structure of an Islamic society.

Who says a women who wears a hijab (head covering) and abaya (outer body covering) can't be a "Baller Shot Caller"!

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Art Crimes: Japan

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Elie Saab Couture 2008 Fall Collection