Despite the Senate vote that failed to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” this week, Lady GaGa, a BET Award winner, has vowed to carry on the fight against the policy that currently prevents gay and lesbian troops from serving in the military.

In fact, GaGa hopes her efforts – which include holding a rally in Maine earlier in the week – will convince other young people to join her efforts.

She said:

“(It) was an enormous disappointment, for myself, and for many young American people. Not only because Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was not repealed by our Senators, but moreover because legislative procedure is being abused to stop public business, public debates, from happening while America is watching.

“There was a debate… we just didn’t get to watch it. Instead, it has been customary now for antiquated procedures and partisan politics to take precedence over debate, America’s needs, and today, sadly, over the needs of U.S. troops.

“I will keep fighting, I will not give up. I am passionate about the rights of the LGBT Community… and I will continue to activate as many young people as I can, and encourage them to get politically involved in their future.”

Maybe a Black entertainer will join her efforts?

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Lady GaGa fused foreplay and fine jewelry for Beyonce’s birthday gift.

The pop star and two-time collaborator with the birthday girl, joined Beyonce at the recent Jay-Z and Eminem concert in Detroit.

There she delivered Bey her custom-made diamond entrusted whip with matching bra and panties.
Via The Sun:

GaGa, who splashed out thousands on the gift, presented it to the singer in Jay-Z’s dressing room after he played with EMINEM in Detroit, in the US, last week.

She also sang Happy Birthday to her pal before opening a bottle of bubbly.

A source said: “GaGa wanted to give her something special. The whip was made out of hundreds of diamonds and leather.

“When Beyonce received it she squealed with excitement. The dressing room was decorated with balloons and banners and a lot of champagne had been put on too.”

Most would settle for a bottle and birthday cake. Must be nice. Good to see that these two are legitimate friends.

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Lady Gaga might be ruling the pop-airwaves but not everybody is ready to bow down. The legendary Grace Jones, for instance, is not impressed by Gaga’s gimmicks, especially when they look all too familiar: “You know, I’ve seen some things she’s worn that I’ve worn, and that does kind of piss me off,” Jones told the UK Guardian. (So we’re guessing Amber Rose and Rihanna are on her list too?)

When asked what she thought of the “Poker Face” pop star Jones replied, “I really don’t think of her at all. I go about my business.” Well then!

Turns out Lady Gaga wanted to collaborate with Grace Jones but the 61-year-old style trailblazer said no: “I’d just prefer to work with someone who is more original and someone who is not copying me, actually.”

Ouch!

Grace’s comments come hot on the heels of M.I.A. trashing Gaga for being a copycat. M.I.A told EW.com: “People say we’re similar, that we both mix all these things in the pot and spit them out differently, but she spits it out exactly the same! None of her music’s reflective of how weird she wants to be or thinks she is. She models herself on Grace Jones and Madonna, but the music sounds like 20-year-old Ibiza music, you know? She’s not progressive, but she’s a good mimic. She sounds more like me than I f—ing do!”

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After India.Arie took issue with Beyonce and Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” video, calling it “socially irresponsible,” a gang of folks hurled insults and attacks at her. Not one to let the Internet thugs shake her, India jumped back on her Twitter account and wrote a lengthy response to everyone who disrespected her after she gave her opinion. “I don’t need Internet anonymity to be speak my mind,” she declared.  “I will KEEP standing up for what I believe in ….And I will KEEP SPEAKING AND SINGING MY TRUTH, trusting that ANY ONE who is attracted to my music will be moved by in what ever way they need….if you don’t like ME, UN- FOLLOW!” Well then!

In addition to addressing her attackers India also took the time to clarify her previous statements and let it be known that, for the record, she does not have any beef with Gaga or Bey, she actually digs them as artists. More of her response to the backlash below:

“I woke up this morning to the news that my Great Grandmother who was 99 years old, made her transition. She was a courageous and Noble very intelligent Bold spoken women. I was going to write this ANYway, but now, I have added incentive. Life’s to precious to live it for anybody else.

So let’s clarify one good time, for myself, for my fans and friends, and anyone attempting to disrespect me, twist my words or intimidate me.

To be clear, I made the mistake of thinking that I could have a conversation about current events with a mass group of people, of course that NEVER works, because obviously there are too many people who think too many ways to keep it to a simple debate and sharing of ideas.

BUT I speak to mass groups of people through my music, I write songs of social commentary, so, I continue to speak my heart and mind. I never intend to disrespect any one if it ever comes across that way, it’s a misrepresentation of who I am and intend to be.

Sadly, not surprising that some kids will be THAT disrespectful…LOL! I have to laugh to keep from crying. It scares me for our kids. I know were better than that. No one can make you be a kinder person, but why not be kinder for yourself? Being Crude and vulgar is such a waste of time and mind. I see all of that type of talk as childish games. If you really want to communicate with me be eloquent and respectful. I enjoy debate and understanding other points of view. Anything other than that is just bad childish jokes, I haven blocked you yet because I find it astonishing and curious… I’m scared for our youth, we gotta be better than that.

And to GROWN people saying little slick stuff… This Internet anonymity syndrome, where people say mean things ONLY because they know they won’t have to be held responsible for it … Sad sign of the times man.”

Click below to read the letter in its entirety and tell us what you think!

SOURCE

Add India.Arie to the list of people who have a problem with Lady Gaga and Beyonce’s music video for their latest collab “Telephone” but while a lot of critics aren’t feeling Beyonce’s lack of acting skills and the length of the video, India sees a bigger problem and calls the production “socially irresponsible.” The neo-soul singer took to her Twitter account and says that she can appreciate Gaga’s creativity and understands that artists push the envelope but asks “When is it too far?”

Says India:

“Don’t be offended this is all MY opinion… Am I the only one who thinks the “telephone” video is going a bit too far? I’m not referring to the abstract nature of the video … I’m talking about the IMAGERY – the unspoken back story, the language the message. I agree gaga is being her image .. I dig her creative mind But still … Thers a such thing as socially irresponsible… I’m just sayin. Its not long before somebody does a straight NAKED video. Not like Alanis morrisette “thank you india” like NAKED dancing around. LOLhahaha

Let’s be CLEAR! I know it gaga M.O. – I don’t live under a rock. And I get that a lot of work put into it. I’m talking social responsibility. There’s an artist every 10 years who pushes the envelope … but its bout to fall off the Table. When is it too far? I respect the creative mind but disagree with the “choices” as a dish meant to be served for mass consumption ..Crazy to me that the Dark, underbelly, s shock at all cost thing is a TREND like asymmetrical hair and big shoulder jackets. Slippery slope!”

She then continues with a story about running into a mini fan:

“Love life. 6 year old at the store  her mom say who’s your favorite singer. This girl is CUTE! She says “india arie” “aaaaaand?” Her mom prompts her she says “beyonce “aaaand” her mom says again “Lady gaga”

Mom turns to me and says “but I won’t let her watch the “telephone” lolhahahaahha! Haha! Tooo Funny.”

While six-year-olds probably shouldn’t be watching Gaga bust out of jail and ride out with “Honey B” in their “Pussy Wagon” before poisoning Tyrese and gyrating in a diner, there are a lot of videos out there that aren’t suitable for children, so is it fair to single this one out?  Gaga explained the video herself earlier this month and said: “It was sort of a pop-art venture for me to bring her into my world in a way, the video is an attempt for her and I to erase pop music as we know it up until this very point. It’s meant to change the perspective of the world on what a pop music video should be.”

What’s your take on the “Telephone” video? Socially irresponsible or just another kooky Gaga production?

Say what you want about Whitney Houston’s singing voice and whether or not it’s back but when it comes to voicing her opinion, the diva is still telling it like it is. Whitney was interviewed about her upcoming “Nothing But Love” world tour, and  had a mouthful to say about the current state of the music industry and its power players.

“Music doesn’t change, people change the music; they become characters instead of really displaying their gifts,” she said. “If you look behind a lot of the people that are out there that are wearing these, you know, weird clothing–I’m not talking about anyone in particular, I’ve just seen for myself–there are some extremely gifted and talented young women and young men out there who don’t have to put on Halloween costumes, just be themselves. A little extravagance, a little flair, a little sexiness or a sultriness is cool, but some of them are very dark….” Shots fired Lady Gaga and Rihanna!

Interestingly enough Whitney is asked how she feels when she looks back on her outfits from the ’80s (you know, the decade that pretty much inspired the fashion of today’s artists) and she replies: “But that was the ‘80, I look at myself, I look at Madonna, I look at Prince, I look at Michael I look at all of us and I go, we had costumes. They weren’t scary, it was that we were performers, performing. Having artistry is one thing, but being dark and just you know, different weird stuff it’s not becoming. To me it’s not becoming at all.”

Interesting… she does make a good point about some people in the music industry relying on gimmicks rather than talent though. Thoughts?

The political coverage found on FOX News makes me about as happy as biting into a big pointy rock. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that the channels musings on pop cultural are just as enjoyable.

This week anchors on FOX News debated Lady GaGa’s influence on children. According to one person, GaGa is poisoning the minds of our nation’s youth with her videos.

This conservative blowhard spent seven minutes proving that out of touch old people don’t get satire, are more homophobic than their younger counterparts, and like to regurgitate the same old talking points hoping that one day someone will actually believe their nonsense.

Do you think Lady GaGa is destroying our nation’s youth?

Or better yet should a news station that couldn’t tell you a straight fact even if you slapped them with it (uh oh, that sounds violent – blame hip-hop) be holding debates about morality?

I say no to either, but then again, I liked the video.

Kelis revived her old lesbian rumors when she was spotted kicking it with her “BFF” Dania Ramirez at Voyager night club in Hollywood last weekend but I’m less interested in who she’s asking to “Blindfold Me” in the bedroom…all I want to know is why would any “friend” of hers ever let her step out the house like that!?

The grandma-gray colored mullet? That Bollywood nose ring? The stuffy button up/broach combo to the club?  She did say if Nas isn’t paying for an expense, it’s not getting paid, so is being broke what’s causing her recent fashion crisis?

She channeled the Statue of Liberty and added a crown to the gray mullet at the Sundance Film Festival:

Wore the same ‘do and scared the world when she showed up in this freakish Avatar ensemble–complete with fake blonde lower eyelashes, a spandex catsuit and and Alexander McQueen heels– at last week’s Data Awards:

And got PETA’s panties in a bunch when she wore this Cruella DeVille look last month (I would almost rather see her reach for this hat again to cover up her latest hairstyle! Almost.):

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always loved Kelis’ eclectic style. She’s was setting trends way back when Rihanna and Lady Gaga where just regular looking girls-next-door named Robyn and Stefani. Lately though….notsomuch.  Maybe she’s too busy being a mom to care about what she looks like  (or what we think about it!) and that’s fair but I really miss the fly, Bossy Kelis of the past!

What do you think of Kelis’ recent style choices?

Was it just me or were the 2010 Grammys kind of lackluster?  Throughout the red carpet, awards announcements and every single performance I kept checking for Kanye West to stir things up! Unfortunately, he was noticeably absent (sigh, when is he off industry time-out!?) — much to the delight of Taylor Swift who gave her acceptance speech uninterrupted for the “Album of the Year” award.

Although the Louis Vuitton Don wasn’t in the Staples Center swigging Henny with his bald model chick last night, there was still plenty of Kanye-centered drama buzzing this morning. Blogs and message boards are on fire with Bey and Gaga stans outraged that Taylor scooped Album of the Year (Dave Mathews Band and the Black Eyed Peas were also nominated) and most blame Kanye and his MTV VMA stunt.

Album of the Year rarely goes to young artists (Taylor is reportedly the youngest to receive the award in 20 years!) so some wondered if the 20-year-old country singer just won because everyone felt sorry for her after the VMAs.  Beyonce had to be some kind of salty that out of all the 16 Grammys she’s won over her career, none of them have been for the top honor! But are we giving Yeezy the credit for the upset?

If you weren’t familiar with Taylor Swift pre-Kanygate, know this: she’s been scooping up awards for her music the past three years! The chick has won over 50 awards, including 6 American Music Awards and 5 CMT Awards! Although many of them have been from the country-music circuit, the point is she didn’t come out of nowhere with zero talent! Taylor also writes and performs all her music, which is something that most of today’s singers can’t claim.

Kanye undoubtedly made Taylor more recognizable to a broader audience thanks to the scandal at the VMAs, but I’m still not sure that he was the reason she won at the Grammys.  Do you think that Kanye’s VMA stunt helped Taylor steal the win?*

*”I’mma let you finish” the discussion in the comment section, but at the end of the night, Beyonce still walked away with six Grammys and really, I think Lady Gaga was the one who was robbed. #kanyeshrug

Um aren’t we still in a recession!?  Guess that only applies to some folks.

According to NewYearsEve.com some ballers out there are paying $425-$25,000 (!!!) to see Lady Gaga perform at  Fontainebleau in Miami Beach when the ball drops!

The quirky singer has one of the hottest tickets for New Year’s Eve performances: she’s already sold $1million, generating more cash flow that a lot of other artists who are performing to ring in 2010.

Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon’s bash at New York’s M2 has nearly sold out, raking in more than $500,000, Christina Aguilera’s big night at Tao in Las Vegas has topped $250,000 in sales, while 50 Cent and the Black Eyed Peas are also hosting bashes in Sin City but they’re not touching Gaga’s sales either.

Last new on New Year’s Eve you could’ve seen Lady Gaga perform in New York for $75+! Somebody came up in 2009!