Miss Lawrence Joins The Steve Harvey Project

Miss Lawrence Washington from the Real Housewives of Atlanta has joined the cast of BET’s Steve Harvey Project, airing Tuesdays and Thursdays 9/8 Central, on BET’s Centric Network

Miss Lawrence will host a segment titled "Spilling the Tea with Miss Lawrence" and provide reviews of the latest in celebrity news/music/entertainment, red carpet, and fashion/beauty critiques.

"I'm so excited about joining The Steve Harvey Project!! I've found the chemistry and talent between us to be really natural. I’ll be 'Spilling the Tea' on all the latest Who's-Who's, something Miss Lawrence loves to do! Talking music, entertainment, beauty and fashion is so me, Honey! They picked the right girl for this one, and it’s ALWAYS tastefully done!" says Miss Lawrence.

Lawrence Washington is the owner/operator of the successful Atlanta, Georgia based salon, Lawrence Washington Atlanta.

Credit: Monsters and Critics (April MacIntyre)

Miss Lawrence Joins The Steve Harvey Project

Miss Lawrence Washington from the Real Housewives of Atlanta has joined the cast of BET’s Steve Harvey Project, airing Tuesdays and Thursdays 9/8 Central, on BET’s Centric Network

Miss Lawrence will host a segment titled "Spilling the Tea with Miss Lawrence" and provide reviews of the latest in celebrity news/music/entertainment, red carpet, and fashion/beauty critiques.

"I'm so excited about joining The Steve Harvey Project!! I've found the chemistry and talent between us to be really natural. I’ll be 'Spilling the Tea' on all the latest Who's-Who's, something Miss Lawrence loves to do! Talking music, entertainment, beauty and fashion is so me, Honey! They picked the right girl for this one, and it’s ALWAYS tastefully done!" says Miss Lawrence.

Lawrence Washington is the owner/operator of the successful Atlanta, Georgia based salon, Lawrence Washington Atlanta.

Credit: Monsters and Critics (April MacIntyre)

Viacom Cutting Many Jobs

Even the music industry isn't immune to the current economic downturn! (To be fair, however, MTV hasn't played music since Kurt Cobain passed away...)

Viacom, the parent company of MTV (and VH1, Nickelodeon, BET, and CMT), has fired 850 people, and unless the remaining employees up their game, more are due to get the axe.

The following is an email that was sent out this morning to all Viacom employees from the CFOs:

"Dear Colleagues:

With less than a month until the close of 2008, our entire organization continues to do everything possible to anticipate and adapt to the unprecedented changes affecting all our businesses. We know it hasn’t been easy and we couldn’t be more proud or more appreciative of how you have risen to the challenge.

Even in these tough economic times, Viacom has a strong hand to play. We have a broad stable of outstanding brands, diverse revenue streams and an impressive global footprint, backed up by exceptional financial strength. Added to that we have talented employees, extremely able leaders and a creative ingenuity that runs deep.

Unfortunately, our advantages and best efforts can’t completely protect Viacom from the very serious and broad-based challenges of this economic recession. Viacom’s long-term health will depend on our shared commitment to adapt, to innovate and to make difficult choices. To compete and thrive, we need to create an organization and a cost structure that are in step with the evolving economic environment.

Today, we are announcing a company-wide restructuring plan that includes staffing reductions in all divisions. This will result in a reduction of our worldwide workforce of approximately 7 percent, or about 850 positions. We are also suspending salary increases for the Company’s senior level management in 2009. In addition, after a comprehensive review of our operations, we will write down certain programming and other assets. These three actions will bring us significant cost savings and other efficiencies.

Top managers at every part of the company worked thoughtfully, carefully and compassionately to create a leaner, more focused organization. It was not an easy task, but it was an essential step that will keep Viacom at the competitive forefront today and tomorrow. Department heads and supervisors will provide you with more information about the changes that will be taking place in your division.

Saying goodbye to friends and colleagues is always difficult, particularly when we have shared so much. Those of you who will be leaving should be proud of your contributions, which we will always respect and appreciate. We thank you and we wish you the best.

The true measure of an organization is how it deals with change and overcomes challenges. We know that you are up to the task and that together we will push through the difficulties ahead and go on to even greater achievements.
We truly appreciate your continued commitment and hard work and we thank you for everything you do each day.

Sincerely,
Philippe and Tom"

LIL' WAYNE LEADS THE ROSTER OF HIP HOP ALL-STARS WITH A RECORD-BREAKING 12 NOMINATIONS, AS THE BET HIP HOP AWARDS RETURNS TO "HOTLANTA"

BET Networks today announced the outstanding list of nominees for the annual BET HIP HOP AWARDS. Leading the pack is the "Lollipop man" Lil' Wayne with an astounding 12 nominations, followed by Kanye West with 8 nods and Jay Z with 6 nods. There is no comparison. This years' BET HIP HOP AWARDS will be the preeminent hip-hop event of the season! Hosted by the one and only Katt Williams, the awards will tape on Saturday, October 18 at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center and premiere on the network on Thursday, October 23 at 8:00 p.m.*

Lil' Wayne has had an extraordinary year and now has 12 record-breaking BET HIP HOP AWARDS nominations to prove it. Chosen from an illustrious group of music and entertainment executives, he's been nominated for Lyricist of the Year, MVP of the Year, Hustler of the Year, CD of the Year, Best Hip Hop Video, Best Live Performer, Best Collaboration, Best Ringtone, Alltel Wireless People's Champ and two consecutive nominations for Track of the Year with his hits "A Milli" and "Lollipop".

This year, BET Networks will also honor Russell Simmons with the "I AM HIP HOP" Icon Award. The "I AM HIP HOP" Icon Award is presented by BET Networks to an individual who, during their lifetime, has made notable contributions of outstanding significance to the hip hop community. Simmons, recently named by USA Today as one of the "Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years," is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist who has been a trailblazer in the areas of music, fashion, television and film. He devotes over 50% of his time to philanthropic causes, focused on putting an end to poverty and ignorance. The co-founder of DefJam Records, the founder of Phat Fashions, Def Comedy Jam, Def Poetry Jam and his new Argyle Culture and Atman fashion collections, Simmons has been a hip-hop pioneer, bringing its culture to the American mainstream. It is for these reasons we celebrate his life and highlight his achievements. In a year as significant as this, let's continue to bring change and honor an individual who's committed to making a difference.

The BET HIP HOP AWARDS returns with its Hot 16 challenge (www.bet.com/hot16), a partnership with BET.com, uber-producer Jermaine Dupri and MySpace in which users will enter an online rap battle for a chance to win a VIP trip for four (4) to the 2008 BET HIP HOP AWARDS and an in-studio session with Dupri. Online viewers have until Monday, September 15 to vote for their favorite entries and help determine the five (5) finalists. The finalists' videos will then be posted on BET.com on Wednesday, September 17 for users to vote for their favorite before Wednesday, September 24, with Jermaine Dupri determining the grand prize winner. The Alltel Wireless Peoples Champ voting will start on BET.com and BET Mobile Friday, September 19th - users can pick their favorite artist and video! For all BET HIP HOP AWARDS information, log on to www.bet.com/hiphopawards.

This year, BET once again teams up with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen G. Hill, BET Executive Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, are executive producers of the telecast.

*All times ET/PT

Following are the nominees and categories for the 2008 BET HIP HOP AWARDS:
2008 BET Hip Hop Awards Nominees

Best Hip Hop Video
David Banner f/ Chris Brown and Yung Joc - Get Like Me
Common - I Want You
DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross - I'm So Hood (The Remix)
Lil' Wayne f/ Static - Lollipop
Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction
Kanye West f/ T-Pain - Good Life

Best Hip Hop Collabo
David Banner f/ Chris Brown and Yung Joc - Get Like Me
DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross - I'm So Hood (The Remix)
Flo Rida f/ T-Pain - Low
Plies f/ Ne-Yo - Bust It Baby Pt. 2
Kanye West f/ T-Pain - Good Life

Best Live Performer
Busta Rhymes
Jay-Z
Lil' Wayne
T.I.
Kanye West


Lyricist of the Year
Jay-Z
Lil' Wayne
Nas
T.I.
Kanye West

Video Director of the Year
Gil Green
R. Malcolm Jones
Rage
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams

Producer of the Year
Akon
Bangladesh
David Banner
J.R. Rotem
The Runners

MVP of the Year
DJ Khaled
Jay-Z
Lil' Wayne
T.I.
Kanye West

Track of the Year
A Milli - Lil' Wayne produced by Bangladesh
Dey Know - Shawty Lo produced by Balis Beatz
Good Life - Kanye West f/ T-Pain produced by Kanye West and DJ Toomp
Lollipop - Lil' Wayne f/ Static produced by Jim Jonsin & Deezle
Roc Boys (And the Winner Is) - Jay-Z produced by Sean Combs & The Hitmen

CD of the Year
Jay-Z - American Gangster
Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter III
Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's "The Cool"
Nas - Untitled
Kanye West - Graduation

Rookie of the Year
Ace Hood
Flo Rida
Maino
Rocko
Shawty Lo

DJ of the Year
DJ Drama
DJ Felli Fel
DJ Khaled
DJ Tony Neal
DJ Greg Street

Hustler of the Year
50 Cent
DJ Khaled
Jay-Z
Lil' Wayne
P. Diddy

Alltel Wireless People's Champ Nominees
Lil' Wayne - A Milli
Lupe Fiasco f/ Matthew Santos - Superstar
Plies f/ Ne-Yo - Bust It Baby Pt. 2
Rick Ross f/ Nelly and Avery Storm - Here I Am
Young Jeezy f/ Kanye West - Put On
Yung Berg f/ Casha - The Business

Hottest Hip Hop Ringtone of the Year
Flo Rida f/ T-Pain - Low
Lil' Wayne f/ Static - Lollipop
Plies f/ Ne-Yo - Bust It Baby Pt. 2
Rocko - Umma Do Me
Yung Berg f/ Casha - The Business

Best UK Hip Hop Act
Chipmunk
Dizzee Rascal
Ghetto
Giggs
Skepta
Wiley