Pour it up ,pour it up! Its time to celebrate! Last Tuesday Rihanna officially became the Creative Director/Global Ambassador for Puma. The beauty inked her deal in Herzogenaurauch,Germany. Puma stated that Rihanna's global profile,ambition,charisma,individuality, and ambition all make her perfect to represent the Puma brand.Rihanna will definitely bring some hard , rockstarish' flavor to the new designs. There's so much going on in the uRIHverse. Her first ever "Diamond Ball" fundraiser was a success.  Rih started the Clara Lionel foundation in 2012, in honor of her grandparents Clara and Lionel Brathwaite. CLF promotes health, education, arts, and culture globally.Rihanna said "One of the greatest benefits of my job was being able to start the Clara Lionel Foundation in honor of my grandparents. There is truly nothing I'm more proud of and we've just gotten started.I'm excited to continue my work and thrilled to be able to host the Diamond Ball -a night that promises to be elegant and inspirational".Rihanna's family was there to support .Celebs such as  Big Sean , Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Neyo,Vashtie,Jay Brown, Tyrese, to name a few all partied with Rih at The Vineyard in Beverly Hills.It was a great turn out and Rihanna was truly the Diamond of the ball. Her fourth fragrance "ROGUE" was released as a perfume for women and a cologne for men.As you can see there's tons of big things happening in the uRIHverse.Rihanna is also being an amazing Auntie OhNaNa to her niece Majesty. 2015 is going to be a Rihnomenal year #R8 !!!!!!!!

There comes a time in every young women's life where they break free and step into a life of their own. They're not afraid to express themselves, to be different, or hold things back. Shanavea Brown aka "Monay" of Tacoma, Washington D.C, currently in ATL has broken the shackles and is letting her beauty, unique style, rap and writing skills soar high. Growing up Monay was deeply inspired by hip-hop legend Afrika Bambaataa. Monay participated in numerous rap battles which caught the attention of producers that invited her into the studio. Monay has modeled, danced, and opened up for Ginuwine, Mystikal, H-Town and many more.Her attention-grabbing style is very bold and creative similar to her lyrics. She released her  mixtape "Shackles Off" featuring her hot new single "Off Them Bandz". The song is super catchy and it will definitely get you turned up. 
Her mixtape hosted by Dj Kurupt is definitely dope and fresh. Here's my exclusive interview with "Monay". 


1.) What song made you fall in love with music?
A song in particular is not what made me fall in love with music, I was introduced to hip hop by a man named Mr. T in middle school .He taught me the culture of hip hop and where it came from .Ever since then I wanted to be apart of the movement and tell my story so one day kids and adults will look up to me and I can inspire others.

2.) So Shanavea when did your alter ego “Monay” show up?
Monay came about a little later after I started my music. It represents my middle name Monisha.  I kind of switched it up an came up with Monay.

3.) What was your first rap battle experience like?
After middle school I started high school. I went to a big school in California where I didn’t know too many female rappers like me which didn’t make me want to stop. It made me want to go harder, so some guys invited me to the cafeteria to be apart of their cypher/battle. I joined them and I remember it being a lot of people around me standing in a circle and it was my turn to go. I just went in with something I wrote .After that kids always asked me to rap for them and I would battle everywhere from the bus to school to anywhere after school.

4.) If you could remix any old-school hip hop track which would it be and why?
I’ve always wanted to do an old school mixtape and remix all the old school popular songs that were out back in the day. I started writing to a couple artist songs like Lil Kiim, Tupac, Jay Z ,  Slick Rick , and Notorious B.I.G. So maybe one day I’ll throw a mixtape like that out. I think it would be different because most rappers in the industry only know about current artist,  I would be able to show that I know who my roots .

5.) You are very stylish! If you could describe your style as a food which would it be?
I think my style is like a dragon fruit, it’s exotic and different!

6.)What do you want the world to know about you?
The main thing I want the world to know is my story. I try not to hide what's going on in my life. I like to be open about everything and show my character. 

7.) You shot a video for your single “Off The Bands.” What was it like on set?
When I shot the video for “Off Them Bandz” it was my first time being on a real set. I had props , a black wall behind me, and smoke, so that was cool. A lot of my friends came out to support. I’m happy with how the video turned out. My camera guy Ed Keels did a great job.  I like working with him because he gets the job done.  I’m looking forward to the next video because I know it’s going to be bigger and better than the last one.

8.) Where would your dream performance be?
My dream performance would be for the president. I know once I do that I know I’ve made it. 

9.) Your mixtape is titled “Shackles Off”, What made you break free?
The mixtape is called "Shackles Off"  because I was young when I got into the industry.  I was sixteen, so most of things I wanted to talk about I couldn’t say . I couldn't dress or act the way I wanted. I was trapped into a certain image, as an artist and that bothered me. So when I finally turned eighteen,  I started to evolve into another artist and I was free and my mind was too. I got to be more creative and there's no limit to what I talk about or how I act. 

10.) What’s your favorite Monay song?
My favorite song is the song I first wrote when I was Shanavea it was called "Perfect Picture".  I remember I was feeling angry at the time and I sat down and wrote for like an hour letting out every image I had in my head. It was also my first time writing to a beat .That song was on some Wale/Tupac lyrics. That was when I was adolescent to music so it was pure. I wrote it about 4 years ago.

11.) Girls growing up these days face a lot of challenges due to the harassment on social media. Do you have any advice for them?
Girls who get harassed on social media the only advice I could give is to stay away from all the stuff . Most people only know how to copy and be like everybody else, they don’t know what being different is. Everyone is different in every way so if they don’t understand it, then that’s on them. But I live everyday thinking positive . I don’t let negativity in my life that’s why I always walk around with a smile. Never let anything get to you unless it makes you stronger.

Twitter.com/IAmMonay
Instagram @IAmMonay
Download "Shackles Off"  (Here)

Remember when Joan, Toni, Maya, and Lynn were your favorite ladies to watch on TV? 
You couldn't wait to see what new artistic idea Lynn had, what new fashionable item Toni was rocking, how real Maya kept it, and how Joan was business savvy and had a knack for leading. These ladies let their beauty shine as they navigated through life, relationships, and the working world. These women kept us laughing and even made us want to cry sometimes but that's what girlfriends are for ,there through thick and thin right? Their sister-hood is unforgettable. Not only did their characters keep us entertained but they helped women to accept themselves as well as others, to handle their business, and to realize the guy you might think is one (just might not be). There were relatable issues and great moments. The magnificent Kelsey Grammer executively produced eight seasons of the record breaking series with Mara Brock Akil and Regina Hicks. Wouldn't you love them back on your TV along with the hilarious William and your other favorites ? Well there's talks of our precious girlfriends getting their own MOVIE! Yes a "GIRLFRIENDS MOVIE" .  We're super stoked and hoping this goes through. As of now Mara Brock Akil is in the process of getting the rights! You know you're definitely in for a great time when Tracee Ellis Ross, Jill Marie Jones, Persia White, and Golden Brooks get together! So if you'd like to see these ladies in a the official "Girlfriends" film  Tweet @CBSTVStudios along with the #GirlfriendsMovie and follow @GFTheMovie on Twitter ! 

Stop the clocks! Singer and actress Antonique Smith just turned time way up with her new video "Hold Up Wait A Minute" (Woo-Woo) . The beautiful and trendy Jersey girl has starred in various movies such as Notorious, Yelling to the Sky, Abduction, and she's been on Broadway. Antonique is letting her powerhouse vocals shine on this song. "Hold Up Wait A Minute" (Woo-Woo)  is definitely an anthem. Ladies you have to know that you deserve respect and you can't stay in a relationship that's not working for you. Antonique is sending a strong message to everyone that you have to know your worth and to not settle for less. Hold Up Wait A Minute , did you know the incredible actor Larenz Tate directed this video? He did a great job, didn't he? I love this video. The handsomely talented Lance Gross and that funny vine guy KingBach are Antonique's co stars. Congrats! This song definitely gets you pumped up to dance , clap you hands, and sang!!! 

   Edith Wharton once said, “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” The company PixMob has fully included and defied this action in a unique source of their own.  PixMob has established a new way to infuse light, creativity, technology, social media and gigantic crowds of people. PixMob patented technology enables wireless control of light emitting PixMob products such as wristbands, balls, helicos, pendants, and beads. PixMob has transformed and connected normal crowds into an enormous collective mob of euphoric energy. PixMob has broken and united the barriers of separation of stage and audience. This company has now made you, the audience member,  a highly important aspect of the show that you are attending. 
   On September 19th and 20th in Washington D.C I was invited to Oprah Winfrey’s incredible “Life You Want Tour” by the Step Up organization. The sound of her voice saying, “We are in the stars” sent a powerful feeling throughout the Verizon Center as each PixMob wristband lit up when she spoke. I was immediately immersed and fascinated by the technology I was wearing. The wristbands illuminated with red, white, orange, purple, blue and even green lights throughout the building. The energy from the thousands of people wearing the PixMob wristband was not only beautiful to see but an exhilarating experience that is truly unforgettable. It was super interesting that people from all aspects of life including Oprah Winfrey, Iyanla Vanzant, Elizabeth Gilbert, Deepak Chopra, and Rob Bell were connected as one through light, time, and space.
   I absolutely loved being apart of the PixMob experience. I enjoyed it so much that I reached out to them for this exclusive interview. I appreciate Director of Marketing & Communications Laeitia Bedout for confirming this interview with Commercial Director Jean Olivier Dalphond. Check out the interview below and join in the PixMob galaxy. 

1.) In your own words what is the meaning of PixMob?
I love our tagline. Connect Crowds, Reinvent Rituals. That’s the essence of what we seek to do. Provide people a new kind of togetherness, euphoric and meaningful. You look around, everybody pulsate in sync with light. It’s nothing short of magical.

2.) Every innovation has a story. What is PixMob’s story? 
We’ve been at this since 2006. First as a design shop, creating custom interactive experience. Then as a technology innovator.  Now we are creating light show. What’s next? Connecting crowds even more. 

3.) Cirque de Soleil was PixMob’s first client, how memorable is that experience? 
They are the best client to work for. Driven by artistic direction, they push while supporting. None of us will ever forget that communal gasp when the LED ponchos light up. It was deep, almost animal. The light were hidden so people had no idea what would happen. 

4.) As commercial director what are some effective marketing strategies you have learned throughout the years?
Although we work with technologically advanced product, our most effective way to get to know the market is simply calling our prospective clients. We get to understand what their vision is. We don’t sell pens, we sell an experiences, so that’s the key.

5.) How did you become involved with PixMob?
After my MBA, one of my fellow student got hired there and brought me on as an entry-level project manager. I was looking for a job, so going to an office was great. Then 6 weeks later I got the director job. Dream job. 

6.) Describe your first experience using PixMob products? 
I was a little confused! It took me a minute to understand how it affected a crowd. You see, one unit is ok, but not magical. Then I went to Brazil for Lollapalooza and was among 65,000 people screaming to the bottom of their lungs when PixMob got light up for a Heineken. I was like, right. This is great. 

7.)What effect does RFID technology have on PixMob products? 
It extends the magic. The light affects the senses, the spirit. The RFID speaks to the wish to connect inside of us, to share our story seamlessly to our friend, to social media. 

8.)How important is the connection between social media and the PixMob experience?
It provides a way to share such a special moment. It is not simple to figure out though. The moment is a climatic point, a sense of collective euphoria. To get that recorded needs the proper tool. We`re still figuring this one out. That’s ok, we like challenges.

9.)Do you have a favorite product?
The PixMob Balls are our pixies of mayhem. Throw them in a crowd and you are destabilized, brought into a frenzy, overwhelmed with pulsating light. I like that. 

10.) How are products pitched and developed? 
We listen to clients constantly. We build with three design principle, simplicity, comfort, magic. We are vertically integrated so we do it all in-house. It`s a lot of work, but ultimately gives us the flexibility we need to innovate. We’re in so deep that we know the name of the factory workers in China who assemble our product. I’m not kidding. 

11.)What event would you love to see PixMob light up? 
Burning man! The entire crowd, pulsating with light, in the desert, visible from space. 

*How is PixMob challenging the present and how will it change the future?*
PixMob is part of a paradigm  shift where people no longer just watch a just like they watch TV. They become immersed in the show. Not with simply adding ‘more’. More lasers. More videos. More confettis. More base. No, they are becoming themselves the source of light, they can control their experience and ultimately share it with others. We’re all glued to monitors and screens. Let us be free to be together, to build a story to share. I think that’s where the future is going, away from digital experiences, towards an analog moment amplified digitally. 

             For More On PixMob Visit www.pixmob.com and follow them on Twitter @PixMobOfficial