Here's To A Great 2009!

To my faithful FG2BH readers, bloggers, and lurkers, here's to a great 2009!

Best dressed females in 2008 - Thandie Newton, Lola Ogunnaike, Iman, and Estelle.

Best dressed male in 2008 - Idris Elba

Best dressed couples in 2008 - Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, Djimon Hounsou and Kimora Lee Simmons

Best editorials in 2008 - Nnenna's Jil Sander Fashion mag shoot, Alek Wek & Liya Kebede for ARISE, Iman for Italia Vogue, Oluchi & Ugo's Vogue Moment.

Fashion designer of 2008 - Project Runway finalist Korto Momolu

Best TV Moment - 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards

Actress of the Year - Sophie Okonedo (Oscar nominee)

Actor of The Year - Chiwetel Ejifor (two-time Golden Globes nominee + OBE receipent)

Model of The Year - Oluchi Onweagaba-Orlandi

Political figure - President-Elect Barack Obama (January 20th is Inauguration Day!)

Writer of the Year - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Her Latest Short Story)

Male Eye Candy - Ngo Okafor

Athlete of The Year - Osi Umenyiora (NY Giants Defensive End)

Song of the Year - "If She Knew" by Lemar

Comeback of the Year - Seal's "Soul" album

Ones to Watch in 2009: Lady Gold, Dr. Ben Igwe's "Against The Odds, and Chasity Nwagabara. (Read the full blog post over at FG2BH WORDPRESS)
Photos: AP, Getty, Wireimage, Linda Ikeji Blog

OSI'S OUT & MICHELLE O AT DNC

My jaw dropped when I read the following headline from The Happy Go Lucky Bachelor blog, "Damn it! Osi Umenyiora out of season!" Talk ABOUT when bad things happen to good folks, huh?! Damn...

An MRI today revealed that Giants DE Osi Umenyiora suffered serious ligament damage Saturday night against the Jets and will be forced to undergo surgery, which will probably knock him out for the entire season.

There was some talk about whether to do the short-term rehab or the surgery, but in the end, the Giants opted for surgery to make sure Umenyiora will be better off in the long run. [source/credit: NJ.COM]

Michelle Obama, in a teal Maria Pinto dress and her own personal silver star Erickson Beamon brooch, gave a reviving speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Michelle used her platform to talk about her humble beginnings, her husband Senator Barack Obama, and children Malia & Natasha.

I come here as a wife who loves my husband and believes he will be an extraordinary president.I come here as a Mom whose girls are the heart of my heart and the center of my world — they’re the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning, and the last thing I think about when I go to bed at night. Their future — and all our children’s future — is my stake in this election.

And I come here as a daughter — raised on the South Side of Chicago by a father who was a blue collar city worker, and a mother who stayed at home with my brother and me. My mother’s love has always been a sustaining force for our family, and one of my greatest joys is seeing her integrity, her compassion, and her intelligence reflected in my own daughters. [CREDIT: BCK/AP]

Sasha and Malia chat with their father after Michelle's speech. Too adorable:


Thanks Black Celeb Kids!

Michelle Obama's good style sense was all the rage during the '08 Democratic National Convention live telecast. As The Black Snob brillantly pointed out Michelle dresses better than you. MARIAPINTO.COM.

Okay who wouldn't love her black Azzedine Alaia belt???

Photo credits: FACTIO/AP/NEWSWEEK/GETTY IMAGES


The full trailer for Sophia Okonedo's upcoming film, "The Secret Life of Bees" debut online recently....I had to freeze frame on Nate Parker for a good minute, lol!

I.cannot.wait.until.this.OCTOBER! Check out the film's colorful poster over at Thick Misses.

Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker had a great time at their former "Soul Food" co-star Malinda Williams' wedding over the weekend at Newark's The Messanine. (Nicole was one of Malinda's bridemaids...and here is the advice Nicole had to offer to Malinda: "Enjoy each other fully and let one another know how much you enjoy one another, because remembering to appreciate your mate doesn't mean you remember to really enjoy the life, love and romance you have together.") Malinda tied the knot to her long time boyfriend Derrick "DJ D-Nice" Jones...CONGRATS!

Photo credits: Jason Blaney for ESSENCE.COM


Rants/thoughts:
Don't you hate when a song keeps playing over and over in your mind? These three are in constant rotation and I think I just made it worse for my peace of mind, lol!

No Doubt - "Magic in The Makeup"


Solange Knowles - "T.O.N.Y"


112 - "Nowhere"

Thank goodness for HBO In-Demand. Check out Katt Williams demonstrating how to get down in the club:

That dress rountine would be hot with this classic Hakeem song...

disclaimer: all thoughts/rants are in GOOD humor!
Afro/Naija News:

• Jennifer Hudson to sing National Anthem for Barack this Thursday. [Thick Misses]
  
• Angela Simmons and Cassie were caught in one another's closets apparently. [Mrs. Grapevine]
  
• Vivica A Fox joins the reality series circuit with Glam God [Hip Candy]
  
• Kanye West drops the COMPLETE video treatment for "Good Morning". [Straight Outta NYC]
  
• Rihanna and Kelly Rowland are crazy about plaid t-shirts! [Steal Style]
  
• Beyonce has a style obsession with this python Armani bag. [Genuine-Imitation]
  
• Vote on Solange's style. [SET]
  
• Chamillionaire made the Forbes list. [Naija Gal]
  
• Who caught your attention more - John Legend or Cassie? [Quick's Catch Up]
  
• Jazmine Sullivan proves WHY she's one to watch. [Fresh & Fab]
  
• Aubrey O'Day confirms Diddy and Cassie relationship to Wendy Williams. [World Star Hip-Hop]
  
• Omarion cuts off his hair...WHY??? [YouTube]
  

SPOTTED: OSI AND WALE

While browsing the latest galleries from INDMIX.COM, I stumbled across photos of Osi Umenyiora, Juelz Santana, Sanaa Lathan, and Wale Ogunleye at Amobi Okoye's 21st birthday party. (Shout-out to Collins Metu!)

Amobi threw a huge birthday celebration over the June 13th weekend which had Sanaa Lathan as the host and Juelz Santana as the musical guest at the Westin Galleria in Houston, Texas. Amobi Okoye plays for the Houston Texans.

No signs of Osi's girlfriend Selita Ebanks at the event, though. These photos prove that Wale and Sanaa are still going strong.

Photos: Collins Metu/INDMIX
(Do contact me before taking legal action about the photos! I'll remove photos as requested if there is a problem!)

All about Amobi Okoye:

photo credit: AP

• Official website: AMOBIOKOYE.COM
  
• Amobi is the youngest player EVER to be drafted into the NFL! (He got into the football industry at age 19.)
  
• Amobi is from Anambra Nigeria!
  
• His date of birth is June 10th, 1987.
  
• His team is the Houston Texans.
  
• For his college education, Amobi chose the University of Louisville over Harvard.
  
• Amobi was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month back in September 2007.

editorial source: NFL.COM, wikipedia.org

From one Wale to another...check out this music video featuring Wale, The Roots and Chrisette Michele. The song is called "Rising Up"...

Yes I know I'm really late on reporting this but I'm still getting over seeing Chrisette Michele live! When I did see Chrisette live, I immediately thought about Wale.

Wale has a new single out called, "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E":

All About Wale:

Photo credit: thefader.com

• He's signed onto Mark Ronson's Allido Records record label.
  
• Lindsay Lohan is a hard-core fan of Wale.
  
• He has a new mixtape out called, "The Mixtape About Nothing" which is inspired by "Seinfield".
  
• Official myspace page: MYSPACE.COM/WALE202

editorial source: Soulbounce

In celebration of June being Black Music Month, enjoy this throwback video from Oliver De Coque:

"Biri Ka Mbiri"

And yes I do know I posted up this video up twice. I can't help that I enjoy this tune!

Afro/Naija News:

• Say it ain't so...Oliver De Coque is dead! [Linda Ikeji]
  
• AFRICANEVENTS.COM launches a new blog [Blog.Africa]
  
• Why do we hate on our hair? [Expand Ur Hair-Izon]
  
• Check out this new Hair by Us for Us blog [Bellazra Hair]
  
• Jennifer Hudson has her eyes set on that spotlight. [That Grape Juice]
  
• Rihanna, Meagan Good, and Michelle Williams Take over "TRL" [Fresh & Fab]
  
• Find out why gypsy maxi dresses are in! [Boutique Mix Fashion]
• The African "Sex & The City" has arrived in Congo. [Cos We African Women Are Doin' & Doing It Well]
  
• South African actress Charlize Theron promotes her latest film, "Hancock" in style [SAWF]
  
• This blog has the hottest banner PERIOD! [Beauty in Baltimore]

No rants and thoughts other than I'm adding Wale to my "look but don't touch" list, lol!.

OSI AND SELITA COURTSIDE

New York Giant player Osi Umenyiora treated his girlfriend, Victoria's Secret model Selita Ebanks to courtside seats at the Memphis Grizzlies vs NY Knicks game. Aren't you glad to see these two all smiling?

[Osi Umenyiora and girlfriend Selita Ebanks]

And on that note, here's one of my favorite Igbo Christian artists- Bro. Paul Nwokocha - singing "Agam Adi Ndu". This song never fails to put me in good spirits. In case you're wondering, that's his wife in the video. To all FG2BH readers, enjoy your Easter weekend!

YouTube user DaJon3z has more videos from Bro. Paul Nwokocha!

Photos: YBF via WIREIMAGE

OSI AND SELITA OUT AND ABOUT

New York Giants football player Osi Umenyiora treated his girlfriend Selita Ebanks for some retail therapy at the luxe Roberto Cavalli boutique.

Read up about how these twosome meet in this earlier post.

Photos: splash news online/bossip

OSI UMENYIORA AT SUPER BOWL XLI

This past Sunday, the New York Giants soak up victory at the Super Bowl XLI.

Osi Uwenyiora is the reason why I rooted for the Giants. And just who is Osi Uwenyiora?

All About Osi Uwenyiora:
-Umenyiora was born on November 16, 1981.
-He's British-Nigerian. (He was born by Nigerian parents in Golders Green, London, England.)
-"Umenyiora is one of three British born players to have won the Super Bowl, alongside Scott McCready and Giants teammate Lawrence Tynes".
-Osi's college-educated. He's a Troy State graduate.
-He's only been in the NFL for five years.
-Osi's a millionaire! Way back in December 2005, Osi signed a lucrative six-year contract with the NY Giants for $41 million dollars.
-His full name is Ositadinma Umenyiora.
-Osi is his nickname.

---

Check out this funny youtube clip of Osi with a tee-shirt that says "Talk is Cheap. Play The Game":

Osi's currently in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, where he's the only Giants member playing. "It sounds incredible. There's no better feeling than being world champions," Umenyiora said after the NFC's practice yesterday. "I'm a little sad that no teammates made it with me, but I'll represent for New York." [Newsday.com]

UPDATE: Bella Naija and PEOPLE.COM are reporting that Osi is off the market. Victoria's Secret model Selita Ebanks confirmed dating the NFL defensive end.




Source, source 2, source 3
Photos: gettyimages.com, youtube: TVJersey