On Monday’s “The Colbert Report,” Stephen Colbert called out Kanye West for his arrogance to think he was the voice of this generation in this decade. And to counter West’s superiority complex, Colbert showcased his own and challenged West to an iTunes download sell off. Check out the video.

With the economy in the tank, many analysts believe that Americans are foregoing life’s extras and putting a tight watch on their household budgets. Yet despite slow retail sales on Black Friday and confirmation of a recession, Americans are buying “Material Girl” (a.k.a Madonna) tickets (so far 550,000 have been sold). Her North American tour called Sticky & Sweet for her “Hard Candy” album has grossed close to $91.5 million dollars reported Reuters. According to Coolfer, the average cost of a single ticket is $166.

Madonna’s North American blitz ended Wednesday in front of a crowd of 50,000 people at Miami’s Dolphin Station. The Pop Queen then took her show on the road to Mexico City this past Saturday and Sunday, and then onto Europe. Madonna has sold about $207.5 million in ticket sales including her Europe shows. And by the time the Material Girl concludes her tour in Sao Paolo, Brazil on December 21, she will have sold about $282 million worth of tickets.

Always pushing the limits and mocking those who think she’s washed up, Madonna’s Sticky & Sweet is on course to be the “top-grossing tour ever by a female artist or solo artist.” (And she is breaking the previous record held by her Confessions tour in 2006, which took in $193.7 million.) See her in action above!

Rihanna is starting to grow on me. And choosing Justin Timberlake for her latest video, “Rehab,” was a step closer to making me a fan. Check out the duo walk back and forth (and back and forth some more) in heated passion I suppose. Don’t you wish love was that intoxicating?

Grammy award-winning Justin Timberlake decided to show off his “Sexy Back-ness” in a skit with Beyoncé on Saturday Night Live. In the piece, Timberlake is one of Beyoncé’s back-up dancers for her music video, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It).” Why men are in Beyoncé’s video about women, no one knows! Check it out.

Many of you may be surprised…. but I’m a Lil Wayne fan. I know all of his lyrics are not politically correct or paint women in the best light. And I think his music (and a lot of hip hop at the moment) is for grown folks only. But it doesn’t stop me from being a hip hop head. With that being said, the beats are the JAM!!!! This is one of my favorite songs at the moment. It’s “Mrs. Officer/Comfortable” featuring Bobby Valentino. (Hey, a bella has to dance too.) Doesn’t the “wee-a-wee” stick in your head?! Check out the vid. Maybe it will become one of your favs too?

Smooches,

The Caramel Bella

I love politically active celebs and music with powerful messages. LL Cool J and Wyclef have created a song called “Mr. President.” It is a direct address to Mr. George W. Bush. They bring up topics like the Iraq war, Sept. 11 and the lack of health care. Hopefully, our President-Elect, Barack Obama, will do a much better job.

Smooches,

The Caramel Bella

Although I hate doing Beyoncé stories back to back, this one called for it.

So, speaking of Beyoncé… The Los Angeles Times reported on Friday, Nov. 7 that Beyonce wants to play superhero Wonder Woman. Apparently, she has had her fill of emotional, tearjerker movies and wants to take on the world of the fantastic.

Beyoncé tells LA Times Reporter/Blogger, Geoff Boucher:

“After doing these roles that were so emotional I was thinking  to myself, ‘OK, I need to be a superhero.’ Although, when you think about the psychology of the heroes in the films these days, they are still a lot of work, of course, and emotional. But there’s also an action element that I would enjoy.”

Well, we’ll see if she gets the part. According to the LA Times, Beyoncé has met with DC Comics and Warner Bros to stake her claim on the role, but there is no guarantee at the moment of a future Wonder Woman film.

Smooches,

The Caramel Bella

Photos courtesy of Los Angeles Times

As most of you know by now, Beyoncé is back! Her latest video, “Single Girl (Put a Ring On It),” is a true dance video. And Beyoncé, along with her two dancers, are working it out. Although I am not in love with the song (and I consider myself a fan), I think it’s one of those jams that grows on you! I’m betting on a remix with some hot rapper like Lil’ Wayne, Jay-Z or T-Pain (Mr. Collabo). Her album comes out on November 18th. Check it out!

Oh my goodness. The superfine Ginuwine (did that rhyme) is back. Well almost… In the first quarter of 2009, Ginuwine will return from his hiatus with a new single and album. And keeping with the sexy theme, singer/songwriter/producer Tank is executive producing his album. I’m sure there will be a couple of hits like “So Anxious” and “In Those Jeans” on this release. We can’t wait Ginuwine! Where have you been?!

Here is Ginuwine in a BET live performance of “So Anxious.”

Smooches,

The Caramel Bella

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

“Yes, we did” was the resounding chant last night at the California Obama Headquarters event in downtown LA at the Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel. As Obama won the key swing states of Ohio, Virginia and Florida, the chant became louder and louder among the several-thousand strong throng of supporters and activists. The words turned from a murmur into a roar when CNN reported that Senator Barack Obama had been declared the next president of the United States of America.

For many people, the cheers turned to tears. And the crowd began hugging, kissing and high-fiving each other. “Obama! Obama! Obama” would erupt from all corners of the room. People of all races, ethnicities and ages turned to their neighbors beside them and said, “Yes we did. Yes, we did.”

As Obama’s victory speech was played on the big screen, the crowd watched with full attention. Men and women of all ages really began to cry with Obama’s mention of history being made.

I spoke to a middle-aged black man who was in tears during Obama’s speech. He said, “I can’t believe it. I thought I would never live to see the day when an African American was elected president.”

I also spoke with a 31-year-old white man named Mark Lafferty, who said he had never been more proud of this country. His words were reminiscent of Michelle Obama’s words only months ago.

The celebration really began after Obama’s speech ended and the balloons and confetti filled the room. His supporters worked, played, prayed, cried and now… partied together as their candidate made history for the American people.

Comedian David Allan Grier, DJ Z-Trip, artist Shepard Fairey, Mayor Villaraigosa, spoken word artists Sekou Andrews and Steve Connell, and gospel group, Mary Mary, took the stage to kick off the celebration.

And all throughout the night, you could feel energy of the room vibrating and hear someone chanting: “Yes, we did” with a face full of hope for tomorrow.

Note: Also posted at Pop + Politics