Xyrena announced today that it is releasing Aaliyah by Xyrena, a fragrance tribute to the late performer, who was known as the “The Princess of R&B.” This first and only official Aaliyah fragrance was developed in close collaboration with Diane & Rashad Haughton, the singer and actress’s mother and brother. It comes 14 years after her tragic passing.

“I grew up with Aaliyah’s music,” said Killian Wells, CEO of Xyrena. “As a huge fan, this is a very personal release for me and my company. We set out to create a fragrance to be cherished by Aaliyah’s fans and also introduce her to a new generation.”

By consulting with both her mother and brother, Xyrena was able craft a true aromatic tribute inspired by actual fragrances Aaliyah wore. The resulting fragrance is unisex but leans masculine, as Aaliyah favored traditional men’s scents in line with her signature, sexy tomboy image. The formula is also a hue of black, which was Aaliyah’s favorite color. Aaliyah by Xyrena has base notes of vanilla, sandalwood, amber, and jasmine; middle notes of black pepper, violet and leather; with top notes of mint, lavender and mandarin.

“It has been wonderful working with Xyrena to create an incredible fragrance that embodies the beauty, mystery, and creativity that my sister infused into every aspect of her life,” said Rashad Haughton, Aaliyah’s brother.

Aaliyah by Xyrena is a luxury Extrait de Parfum and is available for pre-order (at Xyrena.com/Aaliyah) starting today for $64. Shipments will begin in mid-October. Xyrena will donate 5% of the gross sales from the fragrance to The Aaliyah Memorial Fund.

Xyrena has released an official commercial spot, which can be viewed at Vimeo.com/Xyrena/Aaliyah. The high-energy spot features a group of talented young dancers including popular Vine stars Joey Arias and Fiña DuBois.

ABOUT XYRENA:
Based in Los Angeles, Xyrena is the world’s first celebrity-partnered on-demand perfumery. Xyrena was founded by Killian Wells, who coined the name as a compound of two terms, XY for Male and Female chromosomes (echoed by the brand’s unisex fragrances and cosmetics) and RENA, from the Latin word renascor, which means “to be renewed or reborn.” Certified 100% vegan and cruelty-free by PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Vegan Action, Xyrena offers fragrances that fuse the upscale quality of niche cosmetic brands with the added personality of celebrity curation.

Fans of Kanye West seem to be all in on him running for President in 2020…  Check out Yeezus2020.com…  the hip-hop icon now has his own political action committee with campaign videos…. I don’t know but having Kim Kardasian as the first lady… Whoa!!! What would Kanye do with all that power for real?  Jay Z for Vice President?

Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor, and reality star T.I. announced via Twitter that he’s released a surprise EP, Da’ Nic, via his Grand Hustle Records label via Empire Distribution today, marking this the first independent release. The five-track project includes features from Young Thug and Young Dro, as well as production from Jazz Feezy, Sho Nuff, League of Starz, London On The Track, and Mars. Named after the slang term for a nickel bag, the five song EP, Da’ Nic, serves as the precursor for the forthcoming 10-track full album, The Dime Trap.

T.I. also declared that he’s returning to his old nickname Tip, to mark his return to making trap muzik. T.I. has released nine studio albums (I’m Serious, Trap Muzik, Urban Legend, King, T.I. vs. T.I.P., Paper Trail, No Mercy, Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head, and Paperwork) throughout his career, along with several highly successful singles such as “Bring Em Out,” “Whatever You Like,” “Live Your Life,” “Ball,” and more.

T.I. began to gain major recognition in 2003, after he was featured on fellow Atlanta-based rapper Bone Crusher‘s hit single, “Never Scared.” He began to gain more prominence with the release of Trap Muzik (2003), which includes the Top 40 hits, “Rubber Band Man” and “Let’s Get Away“. In 2004, T.I. appeared on Destiny’s Child‘s international hit, “Soldier“, alongside Lil Wayne. His sixth album, Paper Trail (2008), became his most successful album to date, with first-week sales of 568,000 copies in the United States, making it T.I.’s third chart topping album in a row. It included three international hit singles, “Whatever You Like”, “Live Your Life” and “Dead and Gone”. In 2013, he was featured on Robin Thicke‘s hit single “Blurred Lines“, alongside Pharrell Williams, which peaked at number one on several major music charts. In November 2013, T.I. announced that he had signed with Columbia Records, to release his ninth album, Paperwork (2014).

Da’ Nic Tracklist:
1. Broadcast Live
2. Ain’t Gonna See It
3. Check, Run It
4. Peanut Butter Jelly (ft. Young Thug & Young Dro)
5. Project Steps

Listen to Da’ Nic:
Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/3xIOxSe4aJ52HMzjuhlnf3

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/da-nic-ep/id1038302466?ls=1

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tiofficial/sets/da-nic

Audiomack: https://www.audiomack.com/playlist/grandhustlegang/da-nic

VEVO stream: https://www.youtube.com/tivevo

Complete program and tickets: www.montrealblackfilm.com

11^th Montreal International Black Film Festival
presented by Global News Montreal – September 29 to October 4, 2015

MONTREAL, Sept. 9, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ – At the Former NFB Theatre, programming for the 11th edition of the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) was announced. The MIBFF, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by Global News Montreal, will take place from September 29 to October 4, 2015 with a variety of memorable events that will leave a mark in the Festival’s history.

Canada’s biggest black film festival, the Montreal International Black Film Festival, is returning with a rich and bold programming honouring Afro-American History. The programming includes the “Black Market”, exciting special events, the “Cinema Without Borders” professional development activities program for the youth from the South, tributes, attendance of international guests and much more. In addition, the MIBFF will debut an exhibition and after parties. Moviegoers will get the chance to watch uncut, quality films; feature-length, mid-length, shorts, documentaries and narrative films will all be presented, most making their Canadian debut! Festivalgoers will also get the chance to see actors and directors from all corners of the globe sharing their passions. And there’s something for everyone!

Some of the highlights include: Sweet Mickey for President, The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, Selma, Breathe Umphefumlo, Dennis Rodman’s Big Bang in Pyongyang, Dry, Terrible love, Manos sucias (Dirty Hands), White water, En quête d’identité, Thina Sobali (The two of us), Una vida: Of Mind and Music, 3 ½ minutes – ten bullets, Game Face, O KA (notre maison), My father’s land, La belle vie, Imperial dreams, Battle dream chronicle many more! Productions are divided into several categories: drama; art, poetry, and music; comedy; accomplishment or portrait; Haitian films; identity, history, and traditions; immigration and segregation; bullying; and the human condition.

After the success of its 10^th anniversary edition, the MIBFF continues its innovation with a variety of entertaining events that transcends borders, where the past meets the present.

A SYMBOLIC CONTEXT: SPECIAL AMERICAN PROGRAM
With the generous support of the Consulate general of the United States in Montreal

2015 is a symbolic year of many ground-breaking anniversaries in American history: 50 years since the historic march from Selma to Montgomery led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; 60 years since Rosa Parks’ refusal to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a public bus in Montgomery, initiating a new era in the American quest for freedom and equality; and 50 years since the assassination of human rights activist Malcolm X. The 11^th MIBFF is proud and honoured to be featuring a strong and significant Special American Program that will give Montrealers access to more independent films, actors, speakers and American directors. This Program includes tributes, screening of 20 films which include the festival’s opening and closing films, an exhibition on 25 trailblazing Afro-American women, movie discussion on the power of non-violence and the Festival’s Kick-off Party.

2015 also marks the 5th anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. To commemorate this event, the festival chose to open with an excellent film that unveils an important chapter in Haiti’s political history.

TRIBUTES AND HONORARY AWARDS

TRIBUTE TO MARTIN LUTHER KING III
Tuesday, September 29, 7PM, Imperial Theatre | $25
Presented by Global News Montreal

Serena stars in the 3 minute ad that debuted Wednesday… Williams is currently competing at the U.S. Open with the Calendar Slam at her fingertips… If she wins she will have 22 career grand slam victories…

BET Networks Original Docu-Series “THE BET LIFE OF…” is an Exclusive Look at the Musical Careers of Beyonce, Chris Brown, Janet Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Trey Songz

“THE BET LIFE OF…” Is a One-of-a-Kind Journey Through These Superstars’ Careers with Interviews, Appearances and Performances from Your Favorite BET Shows of All Time: “Video Soul”, “BET Awards”, “106&Park”, “Hip Hop Awards, “Rap City” and More

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– BET Networks announces its new original, one-hour docu-series featuring the careers and evolution of Beyonce, Chris Brown, Janet Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Trey Songz through BET’s camera lens including exclusive on-air interviews, phenomenal televised performances and unforgettable moments only captured by BET. Each episode also features commentary and one-on-one interviews with some of the industry’s most influential entertainers, television and movie stars, former BET hosts, music executives and the people who worked behind the scenes to create the featured artists best and most memorable on-air moments. “THE BET LIFE OF…” premieres Tuesday, September 8th at 9:00 P.M.

The premiere episode features international superstar Chris Brown and the evolution of the artist and performer we know him as today. From his humble beginnings as a young man from Virginia with hit song “Run It” to an international superstar performing a once-in-a-lifetime tribute to the late Michael Jackson to facing his fans in an exclusive 106&Park sit-down interview where he discussed his personal challenges, trials, and path to retribution as well as Chris Brown the “street art” artist, skilled basketball player and all-around extraordinary performer.

“BET is so fortunate to have been there since the beginning with these amazing artists. It’s been fun looking back at the early years of these superstars; many of whom have their very first look on BET. Through this show you’ll get nostalgic, but also realize the work, dedication and growth to today of your favorite performers.” – Stephen G. Hill, President of Programming.

The full season of “THE BET LIFE OF…” will feature the following (Schedule subject to change):

• Chris Brown (Tuesday, September 8^th at 9pm)
• Trey Songz (Tuesday, September 15^th at 9pm)
• Nicki Minaj (Tuesday, September 22^nd at 9pm)
• Janet Jackson (Tuesday, September 29^th at 9pm)
• Beyonce (Tuesday, October 6^th at 9pm)

For video sneak peeks and first looks of “The BET Life Of…” visit BET.com

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks – BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

Rick Ross is set to drop ‘Black Dollar’ …. Check first track “Foreclosures”