Tyra Banks' Empire Grows

Urban Chameleon news

TYRA’S TITLE: Tyra Banks has produced a reality TV show about a fashion magazine, and now she’s launching a fashion title of her own. The former model-turned-media personality is taking her brand into the online publishing world with the Web-only magazine Tyra: Beauty Inside & Out. Banks had been approached several times to publish a tangible magazine, but given the state of the industry and the growing popularity of online media, she decided to go the Internet route. When the site launches, it will feature an audio “manifesto” that asks readers to dream big, ignore the haters, celebrate uniqueness and seek the beauty in everything.

The magazine, which will have six full-time staffers, will explore subjects in beauty, fashion, healthy living and relationships. There also will be behind-the-scenes footage from “America’s Next Top Model,” “The Tyra Show” and photo shoots. The site kicks off today at 5 p.m. with a competition to fast-track one application for cycle 14 of “America’s Next Top Model.” The winner will receive an interview in the final round of the selection process, bypassing previous rounds. — Amy Wicks

full article on WWD

What is it with Black Magazines?

by today's Urban Chameleon contributor













I recently took a trip and at the airport I decided to pick up an issue of Black Enterprise. I never really read the magazine but had been meaning to subscribe- you know as a part of the whole “support Blackness” thing especially during this recession as so many of the businesses are suffering. But after reading one issue I’m sorry but I’m back to white magazines and ARISE. I just cannot support poor content and in this recession I cannot afford to support nolstalgia. Too many of these Black publications including Vibe, Ebony and Jet (which is really suffering) aren’t keeping up with the times. The articles lack complexity and innovation and don’t speak to today’s person of color. It’s as if I find better information on Black people anywhere else but Black media outlets. Problemo.

I can't help but think about a deeper meaning to this whole recession thing and how it has severely forced a cleansing of old regimes (Wall Street, Madoff, Black Entertainment) the list goes on. I wonder that it may just be for the better. A heartless irony as the downfall of these systems (many of which have been corrupt) has caused so much freakin' heartache.

However, if you've ever read Susan Miller's Astrology Zone on "The Age of Aquarius" she has a pretty fierce break down on why and how this was all bound to happen and what's next.

Have your Urban Chameleon story featured by e-mailing tickles.tv@gmail.com

click here for: How the Urban Chameleon Came to be

Hip Hop IS Officially Dead

by today's Urban Chameleon contributor

Between watching the BET awards and the downfall of Vibe Magazine it’s confirmed for me that Hip Hop is officially over but I guess naturally it would be. If you think about it Hip Hop was always a catch 22. The rhyming used to be about getting out the ‘hood and legitimately so! But once we got out the ‘hood we have not looked back. With mainstream success we now brag about how many cars, houses, gold chains, yachts, and b*tches we have with thick thighs and fat asses over variations of Kanye and Timbaland beats. Could we have ever known the detriments of being out for self would be so discombobulating for the community? I mean this game did just start out trying to put food on the table and talk to the young Black youth.

“Remember Rappin' Duke, duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip hop would take it this far”

No we di’ in’t. The irony is that the ‘hood hasn’t changed. Same shit that was going on then is still goes on now. But you would never know for as soon as Hip Hop became a business that the rest of the world bought into why wouldn’t you get that money?

I just feel badly for children whose parents have left them with today’s rap icons as their only role models- role models who just aren’t equipped to be role models. We are a society that glamorizes and glorifies nothing but wealth so I wonder what kind of leaders the young generation will grow up to be when “this” is what defines character for them. ‘Cause we all know if the wealthy tells us to stomp that ho’ we… gonna stomp that ho’.

Have your Urban Chameleon story featured by e-mailing tickles.tv@gmail.com

click here for: How The Urban Chameleon Came To Be

PLEASE NOMINATE US FOR ALL FOUR CATEGORIES!!!

Vibe Magazine Folds Another End of an Era

Even though I haven't read Vibe Magazine in a MINUTE I still can't believe it's folding (ooh I hope it wasn't because of me?). But I guess if the New York Times shares could take a dramatic tumble it was only a matter of time before Vibe was on the welfare line, wit a can of refried pork beans clutching on to last seasons Gucci's for dear life.


p.s. I love how Tiny (TI's girl) and Toya (Lil' Wayne's ex) got a show on BET but Vibe is dying. My god whose baby do you have to mama to keep it poppin' out here? What is happening people????

Full article here from Gawker.com

Have your Urban Chameleon story featured by emailing tickles.tv@gmail.com

click here for: How The Urban Chameleon Came To Be

PLEASE NOMINATE US FOR ALL FOUR CATEGORIES!!!