URBAN CHANNELRihannaThis good girl is BAD,and we like it!

the

PLUS:Summer StyleESSENTIALS

SUMMER MUSIC & STYLE ISSUE

Jennifer HudsonIn shape & on topof the charts

INSIDE:BEYONCEKID CUDIWho will rule the charts thissummer?

May/June 2011 TheUrban-Channel.com

CONTENTS

7 Rihanna On Top

9 Beyonce’ Kid Cudi make a run for summer

4 Jennifer Hudson’s Transformation

10 SummerStyle: We went shopping for you

theURBANCHANNEL

theUrban-Channel.comMAY / JUNE 2011 ISSUE

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JENNIFER HUDSON’S BIG TRANSFORMATION

By Michael Howard Oscar winner, Jennifer Hudson, has proclaimed in her Weight Watcher’s commercials that it’s a “new day.” The Grammy winning singer and actress has come back with a triumphant return after suffering the loss of her mother, brother, and nephew in 2008. After going through one of the darkest moments of her life, many wondered if the star would ever be able to recover.

The year 2011 has truly been a major year for Jennifer. So far, she performed at Aretha Franklin’s tribute at the Grammy Awards and gave one of her first major interviews to Oprah Winfrey where she discussed the death of her family mem-bers and her weight loss.

In 2009, Jennifer had a baby with fiance, David Outanga, and over the course of a year she has lost approximately 80 lbs., shrinking from a size 16 to a 6. She is set to star in a few film projects and released her second studio album “I Remember Me” in March.

“I’m excited about this album because it’s almost like a re-newal for me, reflected through the chapters of my life,” she told ET. “I’ve called it ‘I Remember Me’ because of the jour-ney I’ve been on. I’ve learned that life constantly surprises you, no matter your plans.”

BEFORE AFTER

MUSIC

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the Magic of summer... Nights

Hmacys

the Magic of summer... Days

Hmacys

How this Pop Princess has stayed on Top

The pop music world is a much different place than it used to be. It used to be you release a solid hit or two, produce a cool video, and get people to buy your album and you would be fine. But now in this world of twenty four hour media. And then in world where we have Face-book, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace (yes people still use this website), iTunes, and countless other web and TV it is hard for any pop mu-sic act break through and be able to continue to reign on the charts.

Rihanna is a part of a rare breed of new pop artists of the last decade and entering this new one who has been able to captivate audiences and make their mark on pop mu-sic history. Rihanna has sold more than 45 million singles and 15 mil-lion albums since she first broke onto the music scene in 2005 with her debut album “Music of the Sun”. Every since her first hit “Pon de Re-play” Rihanna hasn’t stopped ruling the charts each and every summer, having her biggest breakthrough in 2007 with the record “Umbrella”. She was able to win a Grammy and the album “Good Girl Gone Bad” helped

propel her into pop music’s elite.Even through controversy Rihanna has been able to stay on top. Her much publicized domestic violence attack by Chris Brown could have stalled her career, but she was able to pick up and continue on being a positive role model for young wom-en eventually leaving Brown after going back to him which many said was a bad move. Her carefully craft-ed image is sexy but not too sexy, over the top but still mainstream, which is what makes Rihanna work.

She keeps us talking, she keeps us paying attention to her, and in a world of distractions we continue to listen to her. Her lure could be her island Barbadian roots or maybe her girl next door smile, but whatever it is we like this bad girl. Rihanna’s album “Loud” is in stores now. P

KRihanna- SUMMER MUSIC ISSUE -

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Sounds of SummerWho will rule the charts this summer?

These are our answers.- SUMMER MUSIC ISSUE -

Many do beleive that the immense success of Beyonce has been her constant work ethic over the last 10 plus years she’s been in the business since her Destiny’s Child days. Beyonce is set to release a new al-bum this summer and her new song “Run the World (Girls)” is already heating up air-waves. Beyonce hopes to strike gold again with her new album full of songs she says will be a “gumbo” of all the genres she loves.

Kid CudiThe Grammy nominated rapper has had two successful studio albums that have in-cluded mega collobartions with the likes of Kanye West and Cee Lo Green. The world is still waiting for that huge defining record from Kid Cudi who some music crtics say should defenitley be on the top with of the charts with this next album that is to be re-leased in this summer. Cuidi has been pe-forming songs this spring at music festivals and college campuses from his album Man on the Moon II that was released last fall.

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D&G ‘Primetime’ Large Logo Dial Watch - $295 at Nordstrom.com

Swim Shorts $29.95 at H&M stores

FASHION

COOLSummer ESSENTIALS FORMEN

Ray Bans Wayfarer - $144.95 at sunglasshut.com in select stores

Jack Spade Nylon Canvas Gym Bag - $275 at Nordstrom.com

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Slim - $60 at Piperlime.com

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FASHION

D&G Aviator Sunglasses - $149 at Nordstrom.com

Kate Spade new york 'essex scout' leather flap crossbody bag - $395 at Nordstrom.com

Cool STYLESfortheSummer FASHION Diva

Vera Wang Lavender ‘Burke’ Platform Sandal$425.00 - at Nordstrom.com

Dress - $14.95 at H&M stores

Lily faceted necklace - $69.50 at Banana Republic

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