Essence Communications, Inc. and iClips Network, L.L.C. today announced a partnership to present live video streaming of the 2008 Essence Music Festival on essence.com and iclips.net. The live video stream will be comprised of musical performances from the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans this Fourth of July Weekend, as well as interstitial programming including celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

This first-time broadcast of the 14th Annual Essence Music Festival inaugurates a three-year deal with iClips to expand the Festival’s footprint online. In addition, select performances will be available on-demand on essence.com and iclips.net at the conclusion of the Festival. Viewers can register at Essence.com and iClips.net from July 4-6 to access the iClips player and launch the video streaming event.

The 14th annual Essence Music Festival will celebrate another momentous year in New Orleans this July 4 (at 7 PM - CST), 5 and 6 with the biggest names in entertainment. Performing on the mainstage at the Louisiana Superdome: Kanye West; Mary J. Blige; Chris Brown; Rihanna; Chris Rock; Keyshia Cole; Jill Scott; Maze featuring Frankie Beverly; Morris Day & The Time; LL Cool J; J. Holiday; Musiq; plus, a star-studded celebration of living legend Patti LaBelle featuring original LaBelle members Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx; Angie Stone; Ledisi; Chrisette Michele; Ruby Amanfu; and more!

There’s actually a list called “The 16 Sexiest Women Alive.” And “TV One Access” will be counting down the names on the list. But here’s the headline: Oscar-winner Halle Berry takes the top slotThe program will debut at 2 p.m. Sunday on cable channel TV One.

The list also includes model/host Tyra Banks, singer Alicia Keys and “Deja Vu” star Paula Patton. There are other categories, such as “sexiest athletes” and “sexiest sense of style.” Michelle Obama, wife of Sen. Barack Obama, receives a special mention for “quintessential complete package.” Wouldn’t you like to know what she thinks of that? “TV One Access” didn’t mention Oprah Winfrey — proving that you can’t be on every list. But wait … “The women selected as our 16 sexiest black women aren’t just pretty faces,” said Monique Chenault, senior producer of “TV One Access.” “Each one of them is uniquely talented, strong-minded and self-assured. Now what could be sexier than that?” Is strong-minded and self-assured are the keys, where’s Oprah?

Here’s the list of the “16 Sexiest Black Women Alive”:

16. Alek Wek
15. Beverly Johnson
14. Tyra Banks
13. Alicia Keys
12. Jada Pinkett Smith
11. Janet Jackson
10. Vanessa Williams
9. Iman
8. Angela Bassett
7. Lauren London
6. Paula Patton
5. Rihanna
4. Naomi Campbell
3. Beyonce
2. Gabrielle Union
1. Halle Berry

Thanks Kenyanpebbles!

Billboard Review:
Disturbia:RIHANNA
Producer(s): Brian Kennedy
Label: Def Jam

Rihanna has scored 10 top 40 hits since her career launched in 2005. More staggering, the 20-year-old has four songs riding the Pop 100: top two “Take a Bow,” Maroon 5 duet “If I Never See Your Face Again” just entering the top 40, “Don’t Stop the Music” inside the top 40 after 30 weeks—and now “Disturbia.” It’s safe to say that Rihanna is the premier artist of the second half of the decade, with no signs of wear and tear. This latest is a sort of “Thriller” for partygoers, with multilayered vocals cascading across Ri’s lower register, alongside fun scatting, a la “bum bum bi dum bum” with co-writing (and background vocals) from the irrepressible Chris Brown. Rereleased albums with added cuts have become a tedious trend, but “Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded” is actually worth its weight in platinum. In short order, Rihanna has become the trustworthy “it” girl of our time.—Michael Menachem

Thanks Kenyanpebbles!

(LW: 1) 1 KATY PERRY - I KISSED A GIRL
(LW: 2) 2 LIL WAYNE - LOLLIPOP
(LW: 3) 3 LEONA LEWIS - BLEEDING LOVE
(LW: 4) 4 RIHANNA - TAKE A BOW
(…)
(LW: 18) 11 RIHANNA - DISTURBIA

1. Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards (1984)
2. Sarah Jessica Parker in the opening credits of Sex and the City (1998)
3. Michael Jackson in the ”Thriller” video (1983)
4. Sharon Stone at the Oscars (1996)
5. Kurt Cobain and grunge style (1991)
6. Mr. T’s gold chains in The A-Team (1983)
7. Amy Winehouse’s frocks, bold bras, and sky-high bouffant (2007)
8. The best red carpet dress: Jennifer Lopez at the Grammys (2000)
9. The worst red carpet dress: Björk at the Oscars (2001)
10. Jennifer Aniston’s haircut, The Rachel, on Friends (1994)
(…)
33. Rihanna’s hair bob (2007)

Click here to see the complet list.

Thank you so much Mounir! To see more pics of this photoshoot, click here (x004 - HQ) or here (x010 - MQ).

Rihanna dons a strange feathery headpiece as she continues to shoot her new “Disturbia” music video in Los Angeles on Monday. In another strange (but very hot) outfit, the 20-year-old Barbadian beauty wore tattered pieces of tartan in various colors, fishnet stockings and bright red pumps. This video is shaping up to be another hot hot hit! “Disturbia” was co-written and feautres background vocals by boyfriend Chris Brown. The director of the music video is famed photographer/director David LaChapelle. Source: JustJared

x005 | Disturbia - Day 2 [HQ]
x004 | Disturbia - Day 2 [MQ]

Thanks CBloverRiRi and Chriannaluv!

Rihanna had a relaxing afternoon with her friends as she was seen shopping around in West Hollywood on the 29th June 2008.

On June 28th Rihanna was photographed on the set of her new video video. Click the thumb below to view the pic. Thanks Damiloa!

My lovely friend Sarah sent me a new Cover Girl ad, click the thumb below to view it:

Click here (Take A Bow) and here (If I Never See Your Face Again) to watch Rihanna’s amazing performances at FNMTV. Thanks Ishmarsha!

By clicking here you can watch the Take A Bow performance on YouTube. To download the audio, click here.

I think you all remember the post I made asking for informations of what Rihanna will do in Europe in the next weeks. Luca sent me an e-mail with informations about Rihanna’s concert in Italia:

Hi there,

I’m Luca, an Italian Rihanna fan and I’ve got important information about Rihanna in Italy next July.
She will be in Milan on 15th July, 2008 for a FREE special concert which will be held in Vittorio Pisani Rd. so outdoor. She is going to be the last perfomer after two important Italian artists, Fabri Fibra and Irene Grandi.
Sources of the news are:

* ZERO: Events in Milan
* Italian Newspaper “Il Mattino”

According to the appearances calendar Rihanna will be in Italy on 13 and 14 July but I think that 15th will be the right date to be marked for Rihanna’s Italian Fans!

The Italian concert is an event set up by MTV Italy and it is called “MTV MOBILE BANG”. As a matter of fact, MTV will be broadcasting the event live on cell phones.

Congrats for your beautiful site!

Luca D.

Thank you so much Luca! If other people have more informations about the next Rihanna’s appearances, please e-mail me at ultimaterihanna2008@gmail.com.

And if you’re going to attend the italian concert, I’d be glad to receive some pics. I’d post in the site and would credit to the fan.

x006 | FNMTV - June 25, 2008 [HQ]
x097 | FNMTV - June 25, 2008 [MQ]

Fan Video:

Thanks Bri_dat_chick!

#1 Rihanna

Rihanna has definitely earned her spot as #1 Best Dressed on the red carpet. Her outfit had elegance, sex appeal and summer’s hottest trends all mixed into one. The dark lipstick and short cut saved the look from being too sweet - a good choice for the Bad Girl.

Kanye West, Mary J Blige, Rihanna and Chris Brown will be kicking off America’s Independence Day celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana next weekend (04-06Jul08) when they take to the stage at the 14th annual Essence Music Festival.

Rihanna and Chris Brown are still keeping fans guessing about the state of their relationship after coming up with different answers to the dating question at the BET Awards on Tuesday (24Jun08).
Just a day after Brown’s mother cooed about the Umbrella singer at a pre-awards gift lounge event, the sexy Barbados-born star was still insisting she’s single.
Speaking on the red carpet at the BET Awards, Rihanna said, “We aren’t dating; we’re very good friends.”
But when Brown was asked if he and Rihanna were an item backstage, he playfully said, “Possibly, possibly!”
And his mum hopes the two really are dating - she was overheard telling a friend, “she’s the sexiest and sweetest girl Chris has ever dated”.
The couple has become inseparable in recent weeks and rumours of a romance were sparked when the pair was spotted kissing and cuddling in a fast food restaurant last month (May08).
Source : Contact Music.