NEW: KIRK FRANKLIN FEAT. PHARRELL – ‘123 VICTORY (REMIX)’

Kirk Franklin and Pharrell Williams are victorious.

Teaming for “123 Victory,” the duo delivers a gospel-tinged remix with an uptempo vibe, revamping the Losing My Religion single.

“When will we see we are one?” sings Pharrell. “We’re all descendants from the son / Waiting for the master to come.”

Released last year, Losing My Religion features guest appearances from Tasha Page-Lockhart, Zacardi Cortez, Kim Burrell, Lalah Hathaway, Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs, and Tamela Mann.

Since then, Franklin has teamed up with the likes of Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, Kelly Price, and The-Dream on “Ultralight Beam” and again with Chano on “Finish Line/Drown.”

Listen to “123 Victory (Remix)” below.

NEW REALITY SHOW LEBRON JAMES "CLEVELAND HUSTLES"

Cleveland stand up! I’m so excited to hear this news and especially since Cleveland is my hometown! Are you a small, local business owner looking to take your business to the next level?

To celebrate the launch of “Cleveland Hustles,” CNBC’s new show from executive producer LeBron James, they are giving brick-and-mortar small, local business owners across the country a chance to win the promotional package of a lifetime. The prize includes a social media endorsement from LeBron James, and promotion on CNBC TV, digital and social channels. More info inside…

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Step 1: Create a 23-second video pitch answering the question, “How would my business uniquely benefit from a LeBron James social media endorsement?”
Step 2: Post your video on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #PitchLeBronContest

The perfect 23-second pitch tips:

Be memorable and show your passion!
Tell us what’s unique about your business
Keep it short! You have 23 seconds
Entries will be evaluated for originality and creativity by a judging panel. Participants may be contacted for additional information based on the quality of their video pitches. The contest entry period ends August 18, 2016 at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be announced online on August 23, 2016.

PRIZE

One local, small business owner will win a promotional package, which includes:

one (1) social media post from LeBron James
fifteen (15) on-air promotional spots mentioning the winning small business to air on CNBC
ten (10) lower-third promotional snipes mentioning winning small business to air on CNBC
five (5) social media posts mentioning winning small business across CNBC social media platforms
one (1) digital post mentioning winning small business on prime.cnbc.com

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Businesses must have no more than 250 employees
Businesses must have a brick-and-mortar physical location
Business is not a franchise and does not service customers outside of its immediate local area (e.g., does not have a mail-order business or online store)
Contestants can only enter once

More info here

NEW EMPIRE TRAILER SHOWS A TEENAGE LUCIOUS & COOKIE

Empire is about to show viewers how its royal couple, Lucious (Terrence Howard) and Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), first met. As shown in this trailer, season 3 of the Fox hit will flash back to show the pair as teenagers and the beginnings of their epic, on-again, off-again romance.

In the clip, Cookie tells Lucious, “When I first saw you rap, it changed my life.” Viewers then get to see their first glimpse of teenage Lucious (Jeremy Carver) and Cookie (Ajiona Alexus).

Also heavily teased is the arrival of Lucious’ half-brother Tariq (Morocco Omari), who was introduced in the season 2 finale and seems hell-bent on bringing down the Lyon patriarch in season 3.

Empire premieres Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.

NEW MOVIE HIDDEN FIGURES: TARAJI P. HENSON, JANELLE MONAE & OCTAVIA SPENCER

20th Century Fox has just released the FIRST poster for their upcoming film, HIDDEN FIGURES, based on the women you don’t know behind the mission you do. This incredible untold story stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer & Janelle Monáe and hits theaters this January. Also, be sure to check out the trailer for HIDDEN.

HIDDEN FIGURES is the incredible untold story of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)—brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.

OFF THE MARKET...RAY J. MARRIES PRINCESS LOVE!

True Love and hip hop! Congrats are in order for Ray J and Princess Love. The couple, who chronicled their romance on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood,” had a fairytale wedding ceremony on Friday night at Vibiana in Los Angeles.

“I just want her to have the time of her life and remember it as the best day in the world,” Ray J told PEOPLE before the wedding. “Even when I wasn’t with her, I told my friends ‘She the one, she the one.’ It was just something about how I felt when she was around me.”

Princess had similar feelings. “He’s the only person I’ve ever been with that I couldn’t see myself without,” she added.

Love wore a Lazaro ball gown, while Ray J donned a dapper black tux with a white shirt and white bow tie. The royal couple also added luxurious details to their fits with Love wearing a tiara and Ray J sporting gold.

Of course, Hollywood stars were also part of the celebration. The Game was one of Ray J’s nine groomsmen and Brandy was a bridesmaid. Ray J’s older sister sang “At Last” for the couple’s first dance and Anthony Hamilton serenaded them with “The Point of It All” during the ceremony, which was attended by 150 guests including Ray J’s “Love & Hip Hop” co-star Safaree Samuels.

MEET THE HARTS! KEVIN HART & ENIKO PARRISH MARRIED!

Comedian Kevin Hart 37  and his heartthrob, Eniko Parrish  31 got married Saturday. His children were part of his wedding train. Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union, Ludacris and his wife, Nelly and his wife and a host of other stars were in attendance.

The bride wore a custom Vera Wang lace mermaid gown which featured hand-embroidered French Chantilly lace appliqués, luxurious French tulle skirt and silk covered bridal button accents. Parrish then changed into another custom lace Vera Wang gown for their reception, this one featuring hand-placed French Chantilly lace appliqué. 

The couple shared shots of their nuptials on Instagram, which included photos of Hart’s two children. The couple got engaged almost two years ago, when Hart proposed to Parrish on her 30th birthday. 

  

GABRIELLE UNION TO OPEN A WOMEN'S SNEAKER STORE IN MIAMI

Black girl magicGabrielle Union is one of the most stylish women in Hollywood. So it comes as no surprise that the actress is taking her love for fashion to the next level with her very own shoe store!

The Being Mary Jane star’s close friend and fellow Miami Heat basketball wife Faith Rein Haslem revealed that the two have been discussing an upcoming footwear venture in The Coveteur.

“Gabrielle Union and I are working on a women’s shoe store,” Faith Rein Haslem told The Coveteur. “It’s in the very early works, but we’re definitely taking steps in planning. Baby steps, but that’s definitely the goal.”

  Their sneaker store in Miami, Florida which is currently being called, Borrowed From The Boys. But unfortunately, don't think that you're just going to be in here copping your chick some of the freshest Jordan, Nike, or NMD silhouettes. Gabby and Rein are expressing that they want to enter the high-fashion sneaker game. With that being said, expect to see Buscemi, Giuseppe, and Balenciaga sneakers on deck at the sneaker shop.

JENNIFER LOPEZ HBO FILM TO PLAY DRUG LORD GRISELDA BLANCO

Jennifer Lopez is about to become the “Cocaine Godmother” in an HBO film about famed drug lord Griselda Blanco.

The singer-actress’ Nuyorican Productions and LBI Entertainment are working on a film that focuses on the life and death of Blanco, who is known for her role in drug trafficking in the 1970s and ’80s.

Lopez will play the role of Blanco and she is also set to executive produce the film along with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina, Julie Yorn, and Rick Yorn, among others.

“I’ve been fascinated by the life of this corrupt and complicated woman for many years,” Lopez said, according to Deadline. “The idea of teaming with HBO felt like the perfect fit for finally bringing Griselda’s story to life.”

Blanco has been the focus of rap lyrics, as well. “Karma catches up to all you head honchos,” The Game rapped on “See No Evil.” “Two dome shots in that head, Griselda Blanco.”

The “Cocaine Godmother,” also known as the “Black Widow” and “Cocaine Cowgirl,” was shot and killed in Medellín, Colombia in 2012. She was 69.

Currently, Lopez is on the other side of the law as a star on “Shades of Blue,” an NBC drama in which she plays a police officer. She also executive produces that series with Goldsmith-Thomas and Medina. Nuyorican Productions has also worked on “The Fosters” and The Boy Next Door.

GIN & JUICE SNOOP DOGG & MARTHA STEWART TEAM UP FOR VH1 ‘DINNER PARTY’ SERIES

Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart are bringing the party to VH1.

The odd couple will star in a series for the network called “Martha & Snoop’s Dinner Party.” Each week, the domestic diva and hip-hop mogul will invite their celebrity guests over for a “half-baked evening of cocktails, cooking, conversation, and fun where nothing is off limits,” according to a press release.

“My homegirl, Martha and I have a special bond that goes back,” said Tha Doggfather. “We’re gonna be cooking, drinking, and having a good time with our exclusive friends. Can’t wait for you to see how we roll together!”

Martha concurred. “At our dinner party, we will exemplify America’s fascination with food, entertaining, and celebrity,” she said. “‘Martha & Snoop’s Dinner Party’ will redesign the traditional food competition shows in a new, different and very funny way.”



This might seem like an unlikely pairing, but Snoop and Martha have a long history of appearing on TV shows together, including Justin Bieber’s “Comedy Central Roast” and ABC’s “100,000 Pyramids.”

HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE DIRECTOR AVA DUVERNAY MAKES A FIRST.

Selma director Ava DuVernay is set to break a major milestone: she will become the first woman of color to direct blockbuster movie with a budget of at least $100 million when she gets behind the camera for her upcoming film, A Wrinkle in Time.

DuVernay joined the production earlier this year, and in doing so, became one of a select group of filmmakers, ones who directed a major movie with a budget in excess of nine figures. According to the LA Times, she’s also part of two much smaller groups: women who have directed a film of that scale, as well as directors of color.

The milestone is a notable one: it demonstrates the faith a studio has in its director, and puts DuVernay’s name before a wide audience. The film will be written by Frozen co-director Jennifer Lee and will star Oprah Winfrey. Winfrey is an executive producer for DuVernay's OWN show Queen Sugar.

DuVernay pointed out that she wasn’t the first woman of color to be capable of directing such a feature.

She noted that the milestone comes with a downside: audiences have certainly missed out on the visions of numerous other directors who could have come before her in another tweet.

KERRY WASHINGTON COVERS INSTYLE MAG & WHY SHE TOOK A BREAK FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

 Sometimes all the information is simply overwhelming.

That's why Kerry Washington felt the need to drop her social media connections, albeit briefly, in May, the Scandal star explained in her cover interview for InStyle magazine's September issue, due out August 12.

'I started to feel overwhelmed, like there was too much noise,' the 39-year-old said. 'I felt like I had to get back to who Kerry really is.'

The star, who is expecting her second child, said it was her success - and her unborn baby - that forced her to pull back a little.

'I think that's where the need for quiet is coming from. You arrive at a certain place of achieving and suddenly you feel like your goals are being dictated by other people,' she said.

'Right now, as I get ready for this second baby, it's really about me being in touch with what I want.'

The actress is expecting her second child with her San Francisco 49ers cornerback husband, Nnamdi Asomugha.

The couple, who married in 2013, already share two-year-old daughter, Isabelle.
And she looked stunning in the cover shot and two others that InStyle released on Thursday, all showing her from the chest up.

 In a second picture she posed in a black Bottega Veneta bra-top with spaghetti string straps and draped a Prada black and white plaid coat over her shoulder.

 In the third she wore a white Celine T-shirt with a black sequin design on the front and statement Leigh Miller earrings. Her hair was slicked down to appear as if she had just got out of a swimming pool.

SUICIDE SQUAD PREMIERE WILL SMITH, VIOLA DAVIS & MORE

He's a dead ringer for Deadshot. Will Smith was joined by his lookalike son Jaden on the red carpet for the world premiere of Suicide Squad in New York on Monday.

The 47-year-old looked sharp in a charcoal suit, with a lighter grey shirt and tie, finishing in gleaming brown shoes. Worst heroes ever: Will was joined by co-stars Margot Robbie and Jared Leto - who play Harley Quinn and The Joker - on the (black) red carpet.  Bad guys: Viola Davis and Joel Kinnaman also joined the trio. 

Over the top Margot Robbie stunned on the red carpet premier of her latest film Suicide Squad in New York.

Wearing an Alexander McQueen unicorn sequin maxi dress that shines and dazzles. She looks absolutely divine and the center of attention in her $12,000 above. Suicide squad in theaters this Friday.

 

VIDEO: MALIA OBAMA DANCING AT LOLLAPLOOZA

Being a teenager...It was a historic week at the Democratic National Convention, but Malia Obama skipped the event altogether in favor of Lollapalooza.

Fans captured footage of President Obama’s oldest daughter attending the four-day festival at Chicago’s Grant Park. On Friday, she and her friends were spotted on the side of the stage dancing during Mac Miller’s set (to his hit “Donald Trump,” no less)

FIRST COMES DIVORCE & THEN COMES MARY J. BLIGE ANNOUNCES NEW TOUR WITH MAXWELL

R&B veterans, Mary J. Blige and Maxwell, are hitting the road this fall for the King & Queen of Hearts World Tour. The duo’s first joint venture is set to kick off on October 15th in Frankfurt, Germany before making subsequent stops in Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.

Maxwell is currently already out on tour, having hit the road earlier this summer with singer Ro James. Together the pair picked up Fantasia, who joined their tour last month in North Carolina.

As for Mary, she’s reportedly finished recording the follow-up to her highly acclaimed 2013 album The London Sessions. Early rumors have her debuting new songs on the tour.

And, as I’m sure many of you have already heard, Mary will have lots to share thanks to news of her divorcing Kendu Isaacs, her husband of twelve years.

Mary’s rep released a statement a few moments ago, which you can read below.

Ms. Blige is saddened to say it is true that she has filed for divorce, saying sometimes things don’t work how we hoped they would… but there is a divine plan and a reason for everything,” the statement read. “Mary will continue writing and working on her album, which is due out later this year, along with her world tour. She thanks and appreciates her fans for their support and love through this very difficult emotional time.

REALITY STAR! TOYA WRIGHT BROTHERS MURDERED IN NEW ORLEANS

Senseless...Reality star Toya Wright has lost two of her beloved brothers to gun violence  The two young men were discovered shortly after midnight Sunday inside a car near the corner of Pauger and North Miro streets in the city's 7th Ward. 

Both had been shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene, New Orleans police said. Less than an hour later, a man was shot to death in the Seabrook neighborhood of New Orleans East.

Police have not released any information about a motive or possible suspects in either fatal shooting

Wright, a New Orleans native, is the ex-wife of Lil Wayne and is one of the stars of "Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars" on We TV. She is also a musician, author and owner of a Magazine Street boutique. 

She could not be immediately reached for comment but she did release a statement on Instagram.  So we ask does Black lives matter?  Our prayers go out to her family.

To be continued...details are still coming in...