News

Exclusive: Dr. Holly Carter (The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel) today announced the launch of her family, faith and lifestyle network MergeTV on James DuBose’s In The Black Network, a streaming service that highlights Black voices and original stories.

Carter also announced MergeTV’s slate of original programming dropping on April 2, which includes its flagship show Food for Thought with DeVon Franklin, hosted by the bestselling author, producer and preacher. Franklin will be joined by some of his famous friends “to bake up delicious desserts and share deep conversation,” according to the series description, with guests ranging from Smokey Robinson to Cedric the Entertainer.

MergeTV’s slate also includes talk show Chatter, dating show Finding My Romeo, hosted by musician and actor Romeo Miller; Preachers Reunion and Preachers Wedding Edition, and cooking show Katching Kierra, hosted by Gospel standout Kierra Sheard-Kelly. Complete descriptions follow below.

“We are thrilled...

Stars: Cam Gigandet, Natalie Burn, Ser’Darius Blain, Jason Patric, Nicole Arlyn, Orlando Jones, Pancho Moler, D.Y. Sao | Written by Chad Law, Shane Dax Taylor | Directed by Timothy Woodward Jr.

As Til Death Do Us Part opens The Best Man sits in a pew working on his speech as upbeat music plays in the background. That’s followed by similar glimpses of other wedding party members prepping for the ceremony. A flashback to The Bride and Groom, nobody in this film has a name, on vacation serves to reinforce the happy image.

But Til Death Do Us Part isn’t a Hallmark Channel rom-com or Lifetime Channel thriller. Because when The Bride gets cold feet and bails on the wedding, we find out everyone involved in the ceremony is a highly skilled assassin. Now the stood-up Groom wants more than just his ring back, and their employer doesn’t take resignations well.

Doechii isn't trying to convince the world of her star power. As she explains to Popsugar, "I don't usually think about that." The 24-year-old Tampa, Fl, rapper isn't concerned with "setting intentions" with her music, either. That's why, so far, she's seamlessly tapped into different lanes of hip-hop without holding herself to a specific label. Her boom-bap, autobiographical breakthrough hit "Yucky Blucky Fruitcake" sounds nothing like the upbeat, airy rhymes delivered on her 2022 single "Persuasive." The same could be said for the rest of her multifaceted discography. And the fun of that leaves her little time to cater to her fans' every whim and want - she's too busy making the music they need.

"It's up for them to have that," Doechii says, unconcerned with fans' expectations. "However the art is interpreted, that's how it's interpreted. All I know is how I want them to feel."

Doechii's always been "super imaginative" with her art.

Easter is coming, and there’s no better place to celebrate than BET and BET Her this year! That’s because those networks are the best place to watch the Gospel Superfest Easer Special. For the past 23 years, Gospel Superfest has been one of the top gospel music presentations on TV in the United States. This celebration of love, faith and family is the perfect way to celebrate Easter in style this year. You can watch BET with a 7-Day Free Trial of Philo. You can also watch with Sling TV, Directv Stream, Hulu Live TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV.

How to Watch Gospel Superfest 2023 Easter Special When: Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 8:00 Pm Edt TV: BET Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Philo. 7-Day Free Trial$25 / month philo.com About Gospel Superfest 2023 Easter Special

The Gospel Superfest is one of the nation’s largest TV recordings in the...

Stevie Wonder serenaded thousands of purple-clad Prince fans with his rendition of “Purple Rain” during a tribute to the music icon at L.A.’s City Hall on Friday night. Eric Benet, Aloe Blacc, Faith Evans and Deitrick Haddon were also among the performers to honor Prince at the free show. Prince was born in Minnesota, but “we all know the City of Angels is where he found his wings,” council member Marqueece Harris-Dawson told the crowd. At one point during the tribute show, several doves were released into the crowd as “When Doves Cry” played. Also Read: Prince's...

[[tmz:video id="0_9h72tfjs"]] Stevie Wonder brought down L.A. City Hall Friday, but not because of pothole issues ... he headlined a City of Angels tribute to Prince. At leat 5,000 fans joined Stevie for an awesome rendition of "Purple Rain."  Lots of singers joined, including Faith Evans, Eric Benet, Aloe Blacc, Deitrick Haddon and Sebu Simonian. Check out the end ... Eric Benet grabs the mic, and he's also awesome. Read more...

Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams and gospel superstar Deitrick Haddon, the stars of Oxygen's “Fix My Choir,” have teamed with YouTube “beat scout” Fresh Big Mouf and YouTube collaborating influencer Tyler Ward on a music video. TheWrap has an exclusive first look at the video for the crew's remake of the hit Clean Bandit song, “Rather Be.” The video stars Ward as a bus driver who picks up a waiting Fresh Big Mouf and a stranded Williams and Haddon on the street. Together, the group sings the tune with the help of the sound of bus brakes, windows and horns.

Seated side by side on a sofa in a Beverly Hills hotel lounge, former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams and Preachers of L.A. star Deitrick Haddon are radiating positive energy. The pair has just turned a room full of exhausted TV critics into a sea of smiling faces courtesy of a rousing performance with the Hermosa Beach Gospel Choir — just one example of their costars on Oxygen’s uplifting new series Fix My Choir. Over the course of eight episodes, Haddon and Williams crisscross California — and the country — to turn a variety of struggling vocal groups into united … Continue reading →

The post Fix My Choir: Michelle Williams and Deitrick Haddon prove the healing power of song appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.

Oxygen's new unscripted music series “Fix My Choir” will debut Nov. 5. The show stars Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams and gospel star Deitrick Haddon, who travel around the country mentoring dysfunctional choirs. The musicians spend a week with each choir, teaching them how to sing and work together in harmony so that they can be taken to the next level. Williams made her name as part of super-group Destiny's Child, but recently she's taken a turn toward gospel. The Grammy winner collaborated with Beyonce Knowles and Kelly Rowland on a Jesus-centered single “Say Yes” in June. Co-star Haddon is a prolific gospel singer,...

Oxygen Media unveiled seven new original series for its 2014 slate today under new president Francis Berwick and said it is planning a rebrand for later this year “targeting modern, young women.” Docu-series on the roster range in subjects from finding the next female hip-hop star (executive produced by rapper T.I.) to comediennes, and competition series involving street artists and nail designers. They will join returning series Preachers Of La, which recently was picked up for a second season after becoming the most-watched freshman series in network history among adults 25-54, averaging more than 1 million total viewers. It will premiere in summer. The network said today it will soon begin casting new Preachers editions in New York, Atlanta, Dallas and Detroit. Berwick, the president at sister NBCUniversal network Bravo, was tapped in September to oversee Oxygen. Here is more detail from the network on the new series: Related: Bravo Unveils 15 New Series,...

Oxygen Media is picking up a second season of Preachers Of L.A. and expanding the franchise with casting to begin for new editions in New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and Detroit, the network said today. Preachers of L.A. became the most watched freshman series in Oxygen history among P25-54 and averaging over 1 million total viewers. Bishop Noel Jones, Minister Deitrick Haddon, Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Jay Haizlip, Pastor Wayne Chaney and Bishop Ron Gibson are set to return to Preachers Of L.A., which centers on the lives of mega-pastors in Southern California. Season 2 is slated to debut in the fall. Preachers Of L.A. is produced by L. Plummer Media in association with Relevé Entertainment, with Lemuel Plummer and Holly Carter serving as Executive Producers.

Which music stars went home with awards at the 2014 Grammy Awards? Find out with this full winners list.

Winners in each category are bolded.

Record of the Year

"Get Lucky" -- Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers

"Radioactive" -- Imagine Dragons

"Royals" -- Lorde

"Locked Out of Heaven" -- Bruno Mars

"Blurred Lines" -- Robin Thick feat. T.I. and Pharrell

Album of the year

"The Blessed Unrest" -- Sara Bareilles

"Random Access Memories" -- Daft Punk

"Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" -- Kendrick Lamar

"The Heist" -- Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

"Red" -- Taylor Swift

Song of the year

"Just Give Me a Reason" -- Jeff Bhasker, Pink and Nate Ruess (Pink feat. Nate Ruess)

"Locked Out of Heaven" -- Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine and Bruno Mars (Bruno Mars)

"Roar" -- Lukasz Gottwald, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Katy Perry and Henry Walter (Katy Perry)

"Royals...

While Lamar Odom's away Khloe Kardashian still has a knight in shining armor -- The Game raged out at the crowd surrounding her outside a nightclub. It was definitely a crazy scene ... but did it warrant Game's Kanye-like response?Plus, Cee Lo Green is on the verge of finding out if he's gonna face date rape charges. The case is more than a year old, and a lot of people thought the case was cold.

Renowned gospel singer and preacher Deitrick Haddon is adding another job to his resume: TV star! He's is one of six mega-pastors featured on the new Oxygen show, "Preachers of L.A.," premiering October 9.Deitrick recently opened up to toofab's Lawrence Yee about everything from heeding his higher calling to his haters. Check out their candid conversation below: toofab: You're the son of a bishop and an evangelist. Was it inevitable that you would become a preacher?Haddon: I was pretty much groomed to be a minister in our church, and to ultimately take over the church in Detroit. My dad is a bishop who has a lot of churches all over.toofab: Was there a moment that you heard the call?Haddon: When I was 10 years old, God spoke to my heart. He said I was supposed to teach people and preach and sing the gospel. That day, I...

Bad girls, aspiring models, tattoo artists -- they've all been profiled on Oxygen.This fall, the network is shining the spotlight on another group: men of God."Preachers of L.A." follows the lives of six bold -- and boldly different -- Southern Californian preachers: Bishop Noel Jones, Minister Deitrick Haddon, Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Jay Haizlip, Pastor Wayne Chaney and Bishop Ron Gibson.The cameras won't be limited to the church. These preachers are also businessmen, husbands, fathers, and friends. Viewers will also meet the strong women who stand behind these church leaders, and often work just as hard to balance their lives in the spotlight with their commitment to family.Check out the extended trailer below:"You should expect to see it all," Haddon tells toofab. "The guys are brave enough to let people in on how they handle their business ventures, how they handle their family, how they handle their crises,...

Drake might have been the top nominee at the 2013 Bet Awards, but he wasn't the top winner. Heck, he didn't even show up! The winners were spread out pretty evenly across the wide pool of nominees.

Check out the full list of winners below. Do you think the deserving artists won?

Best Collaboration

2 Chainz f/ Drake - No Lie

A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar - "Problems"

French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne - "Pop That"

Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake - "Poetic Justice"

Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-z - "Suit & Tie"

Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz - "Mercy"

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

2 Chainz

A$AP Rocky

Drake

Future

Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Azealia Banks

Eve

Nicki Minaj

Rasheeda

Rye Rye

Best Actor

Don Cheadle

Common

Jamie Foxx

Samuel L. Jackson

Denzel Washington

Subway Sportswoman of the Year...

In anticipation of one of the summer's hottest award shows, Bet announced its nominees for the 2013 Bet Awards on Tuesday (May 14).

Taking place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on June 30th, the annual event celebrates African-American and other minority achievement in music, acting, sports, and entertainment.

This year's show will be hosted by Chris Tucker while Chris Brown was recently confirmed to perform. At the ceremony, Drake hopes to bring home a record number of prizes with 12 nominations.

Check out the full list of nominees below and catch the Bet Awards following the first ever Bet Experience, a three-day music and lifestyle fest.

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Beyoncé

Tamar Braxton

Alicia Keys

Rihanna

Elle Varner

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Chris Brown

Bruno Mars

Miguel

Justin Timberlake

Usher

Best Group

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Mary Mary

Mindless Behavior

Slaughterhouse

The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-z)

Best Collaboration...

In anticipation of one of the summer's hottest award shows, Bet announced its nominees for the 2013 Bet Awards on Tuesday (May 14).

Taking place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on June 30th, the annual event celebrates African-American and other minority achievement in music, acting, sports, and entertainment.

This year's show will be hosted by Chris Tucker while Chris Brown was recently confirmed to perform. At the ceremony, Drake hopes to bring home a record number of prizes with 12 nominations.

Check out the full list of nominees below and catch the Bet Awards following the first ever Bet Experience, a three-day music and lifestyle fest.

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Beyoncé

Tamar Braxton

Alicia Keys

Rihanna

Elle Varner

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Chris Brown

Bruno Mars

Miguel

Justin Timberlake

Usher

Best Group

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Mary Mary

Mindless Behavior

Slaughterhouse

The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-z)

Best Collaboration...

Some of the biggest names in entertainment will collide at the 2013 Bet Awards! Did your favorites make the cut?

Chris Brown is practically a staple of the Bet Awards at this point, so it was only fitting to have the singer on-hand May 14 for the announcement of the 2013 Bet Award nominees. The Chris Tucker-hosted ceremony takes place June 30 at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater, and now, we know exactly who we’ll see there!

Bet Awards Nominees — Full List:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Beyoncé

Tamar Braxton

Alicia Keys

Rihanna

Elle Varner

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Chris Brown

Bruno Mars

Miguel

Justin Timberlake

Usher

Best Group

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Mary Mary

Mindless Behavior

Slaughterhouse

The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-z)

Best Collaboration

2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie

A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems

French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne – Pop That...

Oxygen Media is partnering with Lemuel Plummer (Vindicated, The Sheards) and Holly Carter (106 & Gospel) on Pastors Of L.A. (working title), set to debut this fall. The docu-series will center on six mega-pastors in Southern California who are willing to share diverse aspects of their lives, from their work in the community and with their parishioners to the very large and sometimes provocative lives they lead away from the pulpit. The cast includes Bishop Noel Jones, Deitrick Haddon, Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Wayne Chaney, Bishop Ron Gibson, and Pastor Jay Haizlip. Pastors of L.A. is produced by L. Plummer Media in association with Relevé Entertainment, with Lemuel Plummer, Holly Carter and Chris Costine serving as Executive Producers.

The press release doesn't say, but I think this might be TV One's first original film acquisition for a TV world premiere. The film (covered previously on this site) comes from producer/writer/director Jeff Byrd, described as an urban contemporary re-telling of It’s a Wonderful Life, and titled A Beautiful Soul. Here's a synopsis for the film: R&B superstar Andre Stephens (Deitrick Haddon) is on top of the world. He has success, fame, and fortune but spiritually he has lost his way. However, his “perfect” world is shattered when his entourage is brutally attacked, leaving Andre and his best friend Chris Johnson (Robert Ri’chard)...

A big week in soundtracks, with five new film soundtracks and two new television soundtracks released.

Avengers Assemble[Soundtrack] by Various Artists

One would think by looking at the track list for this soundtrack that The Avengers came out ten years ago. Avengers Assemble is advertised as music from and inspired by the film. It features new songs from artists like Soundgarden, Bush, Evanescence, Papa Roach, Shinedown and more.

Cabin in the Woods by David Julyan

David Julyan has composed for a number of thriller and horror films, including Memento, Insomnia and The Descent. Cabin in the Woods showcases his experience with a satisfyingly suspenseful score.

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by David Newman

The music for this British comedy about a group of retirees travelling to India is composed by Thomas Newman. Newman has been handling film scores for 25+ years. His latest for Marigold honors the music of India and truly...

Here are the new MPAA ratings from Bulletin No: 2218 which include ratings for Chernobyl Diaries, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, Steven Soderbergh's Magic Mike, Oliver Stone's Savages, the upcoming documentary Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap and Michael Winterbottom's Trishna. 1666 Rated R For pervasive language and some violent images. 6 Month Rule Rated R For language including some sexual references. Bully: PG-13 Version Rated PG-13 For intense thematic material, disturbing content, and some strong language - all involving kids. Release Date: April 12, 2012 Note: Content Is Different From The Surrendered "R" Version, Bulletin No. 2189 (9/14/11) - Formerly Titled "The Bully Project". Only This Edited Version Is Rated. Chernobyl Diaries Rated R For violence, some bloody images and pervasive language. Release Date: May 25, 2012 Compliance Rated R For language and sexual content/nudity. The Dark Knight Rises Rated PG-13 For intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language.

As expected, Tate Taylor's "The Help" won big at the 43rd Annual NAACP Image Awards. The film won Outstanding Picture of the Year with Viola Davis winning Outstanding Actress and Octavia Spencer taking home the Outstanding Supporting Actress award. Taylor lost to "Jumping the Broom's" Salim Akil for Best Director because apparently, it's a better picture than "The Help!"

Here's the complete list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the 43rd Annual NAACP Image Awards (To visit other award-giving bodies, check out our Awards Avenue coverage right here)

Motion Picture

Outstanding Motion Picture

.Jumping the Broom. (TriStar Pictures)

.Pariah. (Focus Features)

.The First Grader. (National Geographic

Entertainment)

*** .The Help. (DreamWorks Pictures/

Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)

.Tower Heist. (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Eddie Murphy . .Tower Heist.

(Universal Pictures)

Laurence Fishburne . .Contagion.

(Warner Bros. Pictures)

*** Laz Alonso . .Jumping the Broom.

(TriStar Pictures)

Oliver Litondo . .The First...

Los Angeles — Amid awards for the top artists, actors and athletes, Steve Harvey was recognized for his humanitarian work at the Bet Awards.

Bet Chairman and Chief Executive Debra Lee called the 54-year-old entertainer "a true gentleman who acts like a comedian but thinks like a citizen of the world" as she presented him with the Humanitarian Award.

Harvey thanked God and his fellow philanthropists as he accepted the honor.

Patti Labelle also accepted a special honor at Sunday's ceremony; Gladys Knight presented her with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

"I plan to hold myself up higher because I've gotten this wonderful award," the 67-year-old singer said, and then she grabbed a microphone and sang a pair of hits, including the breakthrough hit "Lady Marmalade."

Harvey and Labelle were among dozens of artists recognized at the Bet Awards, which were presented at the Shrine Auditorium.

The night's leading nominee, Chris Brown,...

Chris Brown‘s career comeback reached a new high on Tuesday when the singer was nominated for six Bet awards!

Chris Brown has worked endlessly to rebuild his reputation after pleading guilty to felony assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 and HollywoodLife.com thinks it’s about time the public shifts the focus back to his music! The singer is already getting accolades for his hard work at making a comeback — he even scored six Bet award nominations for his new album! Chris’s “Look at Me Now” will be pitted up against Rihanna’s work with Drake on “What’s My Name” for Best Collaboration!

Chris’ F.A.M.E. album earned #1 earlier this year, but the singer hit a set-back after losing his cool on Good Morning America in March when the interviewer tried to steer the conversation back to his assault charges. We hope the six Bet award...

Nomination list of this year's Bet Awards has just been announced on "106 & Park" with Chris Brown leading the pack. The R&B artist, who sparked controversy with his emotional tribute to Michael Jackson when performing at the Bet stage last year, scores a total of six nods.

Breezy is vying for Best Male R&B Artist against the likes of Cee-Lo Green, Bruno Mars, Trey Songz and Usher. He is also up for Best Actor, going head-to-head against Laz Alonso, Don Cheadle, Idris Elba and Jamie Foxx.

His song "Look at Me Now", which features Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes, is additionally nominated for Best Collaboration and Viewer's Choice Award. In the former category, the "Yeah 3x" singer gets a double nomination as his other track "Deuces" is also up for the battle.

"Look at Me Now" music video, meanwhile, is one of the Video of the Year contenders along...