- 6 hours ago
- #slayedorshade
The ESSENCE Fest party continues with ESSENCE Live! On part two of today's episode: The Game star Wendy Raquel Robinson dishes on her next moves, Adrienne Bailon gives a tour of the Empowerment hall, our #SlayedorShade panel weighs in on hot topics.
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00:00Calm.
00:30All right, all right.
00:41Let's keep the party going.
00:42Can we have some energy up in here?
00:44Essence live!
00:46Whoo!
00:47Whoo!
00:48I'm about to rest my nerves.
00:49These heels are high.
00:50I'm not as young as I used to be,
00:52but I have a fabulous surprise for all of you.
00:56You may know her as Regina Greer or Tasha Mack.
00:59Or just that fly sister you saw walking through the convention center.
01:04Please put your hands together and welcome the beautiful and talented Wendy Raquel Robinson.
01:11What's up, Essence?
01:13Everything.
01:14Everything.
01:15No, you are.
01:16I'm like...
01:18No, thank you.
01:19Welcome.
01:20Have a seat, please.
01:21Thank you so much for joining us.
01:22Well, thank you for having me.
01:23You are not new to Essence Festival, so how does 2015 feel?
01:27You know what?
01:28Actually, this is going to be my first real festival.
01:31Really?
01:32Where I'm not like working, working.
01:33Oh, you're not working.
01:34You're just enjoying.
01:35Yeah, exactly.
01:36So I came last year for my real first time, but I'm excited.
01:39I'm looking forward to the artists and everything.
01:40Because we consider your family here, Essence.
01:42Your family here.
01:43Thank you so much for joining us.
01:44Now, many of them, I'm just going to jump right into it, are really sad about the game being in its final moments.
01:50What does it feel like for you?
01:53People probably run down the street and call you Tasha.
01:56No, people are all out here.
01:58And you know what?
01:59And I love being called Tasha Mack.
02:00It's really, it's bittersweet.
02:02You know, it's been nine years of the most amazing relationships, a character that I love.
02:10I love all my single parents and single sisters out there that are doing it, raising their children.
02:15Tasha Mack, I've learned so much from her.
02:17Right.
02:18Mentally, spiritually, you know, what to do, what not to do.
02:21Right.
02:22But it's been a ride and I'm just so thankful.
02:24And I feel so blessed.
02:26What do you feel might be next for you?
02:28You know, I'm taking the time and really smelling the roses.
02:32That's a blessing.
02:33And I don't want to just jump into anything because it's the next best thing.
02:36But oh, you guys can't check me out.
02:39I am Cruella DeVille and the Descendants with Disney.
02:43I've gotten in bed with Disney.
02:44So I'm really, really excited about that.
02:46And that's an extreme departure.
02:49Yes.
02:50From everything that I've done, but I enjoy doing theater.
02:52So I'm back on stage and I've been working with my conservatory, Amazing Grace Conservatory.
02:57And you got started in theater.
02:59You were a dancer or tell us how you got started into television.
03:03I started as a dancer.
03:05I went to Howard University and I majored in drama.
03:08Clap it up for Howard.
03:09Any Howard Bison out there?
03:10I know there's some Howard out there.
03:11Yes.
03:12I know there's some Howard out there.
03:13Yes.
03:14So I trained, you know, I was there with Isaiah Washington, Taraji.
03:17We were all in the trenches.
03:18Wow.
03:19Anthony Anderson.
03:20And then after that, I came back and I did a lot of theater.
03:23I did a lot of auditioning.
03:25I did a lot of pilots and projects that you guys have never seen.
03:28But then I landed, my first series was Minor Adjustments on NBC.
03:33Okay.
03:34And that was great.
03:35And then from there, the Steve Harvey show.
03:37And then from there, the Cedric show.
03:39And then from there, God has been so good.
03:41The game.
03:42You stay working, girl.
03:44No, God, honey, that's God working through me and using me.
03:48And, you know, you mentioned some names like, you know, Taraji and Anthony Anderson.
03:51And there's been a movement right now in mainstream television for African Americans in front of the lens as well as behind.
03:59How do you feel about that?
04:00Do you feel, I don't want to keep calling it a movement because I like to think it's something more sustainable than that.
04:04But how do you feel as someone who's been in the industry and you've seen that growth?
04:08I'm excited.
04:09And more than anything, I feel like now is the time that we're finally getting the due because we've been doing it a long time.
04:17Right.
04:18We've been doing it.
04:19All right.
04:20We are the trendsetters and we always have been.
04:21But now to see women and African American women, not only behind the camera, but like Mara Brucker-Kill who created the game as well as Girlfriends and being Mary Jane.
04:30To see Shonda Rhimes doing what she's doing on ABC with scandal and murder and all of that.
04:36It's just, it's overdue, but it's time.
04:39And I just see, I know the best is yet to come.
04:41Yes.
04:42And we are groundbreaking even with Empire.
04:44And I'm just really excited to see black writers telling our stories by us, about us, for us.
04:51Right.
04:52And I think we're representing our culture in a wonderful way that is so diverse and so necessary and so overdue.
04:59Definitely overdue.
05:00And will we, by chance, see you behind the lens anytime soon?
05:05Is that something that you would like to do?
05:06Yeah.
05:07No, I've always been directing.
05:09I even directed a pilot with Nephew Tommy.
05:11It's so funny.
05:12Uh-oh.
05:13Yeah, exactly.
05:14But I've been directing, but acting is definitely my first love.
05:17I love writing.
05:18I love producing.
05:19But I do want to take the time and make the time to really do that project that's behind the scenes.
05:26So get ready for it.
05:27All right.
05:28Y'all heard it here first.
05:29You are absolutely stunning.
05:31No, you are.
05:32Your body is always on a thousand.
05:33What do you do to stay in shape and to stay so flawless?
05:37Flawless.
05:38No.
05:39Flawless.
05:40No, I woke up like this.
05:41Doesn't she look amazing, everyone?
05:42No, no, no.
05:43I'm kidding.
05:44I'm kidding.
05:45I'm an avid of working out.
05:46It's a stress reliever for me.
05:47I don't know.
05:48It's a stress reliever for me.
05:49It's a stress reliever.
05:50I do the elliptical.
05:51Wow.
05:52I do the elliptical.
05:53I do the treadmill.
05:54I like to lift.
05:55But for me, I do it for fun.
05:57And then I still dance for fun.
05:58I exercise for fun.
05:59Oh, I love that.
06:00It's not a chore at all.
06:01So it's just a part of my lifestyle.
06:03And yoga's been good to me.
06:04It centers me as well.
06:05Awesome.
06:06Thank you so very much for taking the time to join us.
06:09I hope that continues to be throughout the weekend.
06:11If you do, I'm not being Tasha Mack.
06:14I'm being Raquel.
06:15Wendy Raquel and joining the Essence Festival.
06:17So I'm going to try and turn up with y'all.
06:19Thank you so much.
06:20And thank y'all for supporting the game for all these years.
06:24I mean, we broke records.
06:26I just got to give a shout out wherever I can.
06:28I can, but we broke records.
06:30And I really think we changed the landscape.
06:33So now the shows that we are seeing and watching,
06:36our voice matters.
06:38Our stories matter.
06:39And our lives matter.
06:40So please support all of the African American programming
06:44and really good quality programming
06:46because everything out there ain't really out there for us.
06:49Exactly.
06:50Thank you guys so much.
06:51Thank you so very much for joining us.
06:53Wendy Raquel Robinson.
06:54I'll see y'all.
06:55Coming up, more Slade or Shade.
06:57Don't go anywhere.
06:58Essence Live will be right back.
07:00Tickets are on sale now.
07:01Tomorrow in the Superdome, our main stage acts are
07:04Usher, Missy Elliott, Erykah Badu, Common, BD Man, and the Zagazal Band.
07:09In our super lounges, the Art of Hip Hop sponsored by Coca-Cola features
07:12Cool Mo D, Mystical.
07:14Hot Right Now sponsored by Ford features Esperanza Spaulding, Molly Music,
07:18and 7th Streeter.
07:19For the love of R&B in the Essence Lounge features
07:21Bilal, Tank and the Bangers, Tanya Boyd Cannon,
07:24and now playing sponsored by Verizon features Raheem Devon, El Varner.
07:28Buy your tickets now and bring the love.
07:30Hello Essence family.
07:31I'm Dana Blair and I want to welcome you to Essence Live.
07:35Essence Live.
07:36Essence Live.
07:37Essence Live.
07:38This magazine that has been a staple in my life.
07:41Join us every Thursday at 4 p.m. for exclusive interviews.
07:44Yo!
07:45Come on!
07:46Stirring performances.
07:47I can't hear!
07:49Hilarious games.
07:50And of course, Slade or Shade?
07:52Shade, Shade.
07:53Oh, Slade!
07:54Every Thursday at 4 p.m.
07:55Essence Live.
07:56Essence Live.
07:57Essence Live.
07:58Essence Live.
07:59Essence Live.
08:00Always on Essence.com.
08:03What's up you guys?
08:04It's your girl Adrienne Bailone here at the Samsung Galaxy Experience.
08:08Guys, we're here live from New Orleans at the 21st annual Essence Festival.
08:13It's my first time and I get to be your Samsung host and hang out in this really cool place
08:18called the Samsung Galaxy Experience.
08:21You guys, I'm about to give you the grand tour and let you know what's going on here.
08:24It's about to get live here on Essence Live.
08:27Starting with the Galaxy Virtual Shot.
08:30This is where all the ladies are stopping by to look out for the weekend.
08:34And they are providing makeovers, you guys, with CoverGirl.
08:37And you actually get to pick four different looks on the Samsung Tab S, you guys.
08:42You get to pick either a jazz look, looking like Janelle Monae, Queen Latifah.
08:46Super exciting, you guys.
08:47Come back here.
08:48You get to pick your look.
08:49Then they'll actually call your name and give you the makeover with a real, like, makeup artist,
08:55which is super cool.
08:56I actually got my lips set up here and I'm ready to go.
08:58So let's get started, you guys.
08:59Next station is called the Design Station.
09:03Now, you guys, there's so much going on here.
09:06The energy is crazy.
09:08This is super cool, though, you guys, because you actually get to design this yourself
09:12on the Note 4 with the S Pen, which is super cool.
09:15So come on, you guys.
09:16Let's check it out.
09:20All right.
09:21So here it is, you guys.
09:22This is the design bar.
09:24You actually have options.
09:25You can design a t-shirt.
09:26You can put a Florida Lee on it.
09:28You can design, there's actually makeup bags, which are super cool, and a tote.
09:32I would grab the tote because I'm sure there's so much going on here that you could pick up.
09:36Buy yourself something.
09:37Grab a Galaxy phone.
09:39You'll need that tote bag.
09:40But you get to design it right here on the Note 4 with the S Pen, which is super cool.
09:46So head on over here, guys.
09:48Moving right along.
09:49There's more.
09:50Yes, there's more, you guys.
09:51We are heading on over to the Samsung Milk Music Lounge.
09:57They're obviously providing the music here.
09:59And we're going to hear all about what's going on in this area.
10:05What up?
10:06Hey, how are you?
10:07Are you holding this area down?
10:08Holding it down.
10:09Holding down the fort?
10:10Holding down the fort.
10:11This is called the Samsung Milk Music Lounge, you guys.
10:13And we're going to hear all about what's going on here.
10:15So tell us.
10:16So over here, we have Guest This Artist.
10:19Yeah.
10:20And at Guest This Artist, you will hashtag Samsung Milk Music.
10:22Yes.
10:23And here, if you have a Twitter account, you're able to win a TV.
10:26You're able to win a phone.
10:27You're able to also win a tablet as well.
10:29Oh my gosh.
10:30And a gift card as well.
10:31A lot of different features.
10:32Oh my gosh.
10:33That is super cool.
10:34A lot of great features going on.
10:35So all you have to do is actually guess the artist at the game?
10:37That's it.
10:38That's it.
10:39Self-explanatory.
10:40Okay, I'm definitely coming by after and I'm going to play because I'm pretty good.
10:43You got to come over and try.
10:44I know a lot of artists.
10:45I think you can get the TV.
10:46I think I can.
10:47I can win a TV.
10:48How exciting.
10:49Has anybody won anything?
10:50Yes.
10:51Tablets are going fast.
10:52Come on over, you guys.
10:53You can win something good.
10:54Thank you so much.
10:56All right, you guys.
10:57Moving right along.
10:58Now we are heading over to the Galaxy Rewards.
11:01As if that wasn't a reward enough, people were winning tabs.
11:04All right, we're going to head on over this way.
11:06We are going to the Gap.
11:09We are going, you guys, to Galaxy Nails.
11:14Everybody knows that I love me some fly nails.
11:17Let's see what's going on over here.
11:20Hey, how are you?
11:22What's going on over here?
11:24I'm doing nails to all kinds of different designs.
11:28Dope.
11:29So this is called the Galaxy Nails.
11:32Has anybody actually asked anybody to draw galaxies on their nails?
11:35I don't think so.
11:36We haven't had anyone yet.
11:37Not yet.
11:38Not yet?
11:39Okay.
11:40What kind of designs have you guys been doing?
11:42Pretty much anything, whatever.
11:43Pretty much simple things on them.
11:44Yeah.
11:45What do people ask for?
11:46We have a lot of little girls on the floor building time.
11:48I know.
11:49We're in New Orleans, you guys.
11:50It's the thing to do.
11:51I might step by.
11:52I need a design on this.
11:53I'm looking real basic over here.
11:54Thank you, guys.
11:55All right, we're heading on over to the next station.
11:56I was excited about the rewards.
11:57I thought we were going there first.
11:58So we're heading on over now, you guys, to the Galaxy Rewards.
11:59As if getting your nails done, designing, you know, a t-shirt wasn't a reward enough.
12:14You actually get to come on over here to the Tab S, and all you've got to do, you guys, this
12:21is actually super cool because this is for a Galaxy owner.
12:24And this is where you're actually going to get rewarded for being a Galaxy owner.
12:27I am a Galaxy owner, so I'm going to tap right here.
12:30You ready?
12:31You ready?
12:32Here we go.
12:33All you've got to do is just tap this.
12:35Boop!
12:38And congrats!
12:39You've won.
12:40What did I win, you guys?
12:41You actually won a 30-day premium subscription for Samsung Milk Music.
12:45How sick is that?
12:46And it's just as simple as that.
12:47You're literally going to walk over, tap that Tab S, and you could win something.
12:52How cool is that?
12:53So if you guys have a Samsung, you definitely want to head on over here and get your Galaxy
12:57Rewards.
12:58It's so necessary.
13:00How cool is that?
13:01That is so awesome.
13:03I love it!
13:06This is going on here too, guys.
13:08That's why it's called Essence Live.
13:09It's live, people.
13:10I love it.
13:11I love it.
13:12I love it.
13:13I love it.
13:14All right, what else do we have going on?
13:16Hey!
13:17All right, you guys.
13:18Come on through.
13:19Let's see what's going on over here.
13:21Let's head on over.
13:24All right.
13:25This is the Gear VR Experience.
13:28That's right, you guys.
13:29The Gear VR Experience.
13:31Now, this is super cool because this is very 2015.
13:34This is 2020, okay?
13:36This is virtual reality we're talking about right here, which is super exciting.
13:40Now, what you're actually going to do is you can actually get the 360 experience by
13:46putting on the Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition for the S6.
13:51Now, what you're going to do is you're actually going to put this on and, guys, we can take
13:55you anywhere, literally anywhere.
13:57We're going to take you.
13:58You can go to South by Southwest and you can be ASAP Rocky on the stage like you're in concert,
14:04which is super cool.
14:05Or imagine even being on the slopes, you know, snowboarding.
14:09That's what this does.
14:10Virtual reality can actually take you into the 360 experience.
14:14I'm definitely going to do this because this is super cool and I've never experienced anything
14:19like it.
14:20And that's what the Samsung Galaxy Experience is all about.
14:24All right, all right, all right.
14:27Are y'all ready for some Slade or Shade?
14:32I'm not hearing you.
14:33I'm not hearing you.
14:34Are you ready for some Slade or Shade, Essence Live?
14:37All right.
14:38So, I have some pretty freaking awesome people joining me today.
14:41You know her as a hilarious comedian and actress.
14:46Please welcome to the stage, Lunell.
14:51Y'all could do better than that.
14:52I can't hear you.
14:53Essence Live?
14:54What's going on?
14:56Are you in New Orleans or what?
14:57Hello, how are you?
14:58Please, right here.
14:59How you doing?
15:00Hi, I'm glad to be here.
15:02We are very happy to have you.
15:04What's been going on?
15:05All you know, Hotel Transylvania 2 comes out in October,
15:11sequel to my Hotel Transylvania 1, Adam Sandler film.
15:15You can catch me on the new season of Black Jesus.
15:19Okay.
15:20And also, Real Husbands of Hollywood.
15:23And I'm just glad to be here at Essence with everybody in New Orleans.
15:28Yes!
15:29Woo-hoo!
15:30Yeah!
15:31So, I have to ask you a couple questions before we start to bring everyone else out.
15:34Guys, you think they can hear us for real?
15:36I don't know if they can hear us.
15:37That's kind of crazy, right?
15:38I don't know.
15:39I don't know.
15:40I don't know.
15:41I don't know.
15:42Can everyone find you this weekend?
15:43Are you performing this weekend?
15:44When I leave you here, I go straight to the Superdome.
15:47Okay.
15:48And I host one of the stages over there.
15:51Uh-huh.
15:52And then after that, I think that's all evening, I'm going to host for Guapile and stuff.
15:57Yes, okay.
15:58And then after that, I'll be in these streets turning up.
16:01Turn up!
16:02Turn up!
16:03Turn up!
16:04I hope y'all out there turning up, too, because y'all feeling so quiet today.
16:07Yeah.
16:08All right.
16:09Are y'all ready for my next guest?
16:10Yeah!
16:11I can't hear you.
16:13Yeah!
16:14All right.
16:15We have TV and film producer, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, Devin Franklin.
16:20Please give him one round of applause.
16:22Devin!
16:23Yeah!
16:24How are you?
16:25Woo-hoo!
16:26Yeah!
16:27Welcome, welcome, welcome.
16:29All right.
16:30How you doing today?
16:31I'm doing good.
16:32How y'all doing?
16:33All right, all right.
16:35Now, is this your first Essence Festival?
16:37My second.
16:38Your second festival.
16:39My second.
16:40Yeah, we came about three years ago, so I'm glad to be back.
16:42What do you enjoy so much about coming to New Orleans?
16:44The people.
16:45Yes.
16:46The people of New Orleans are some of the best people in the world.
16:48Uh-huh.
16:49And to have everyone together in the fellowship and the community, I love that.
16:53What have you been up to lately?
16:54Talk to them.
16:55Oh, man.
16:56I'm producing a movie right now.
16:57Okay.
16:58Which will be out for Easter, called Miracles from Heaven.
17:00All right.
17:01All right.
17:02It stars Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah.
17:03Anybody got Queen Latifah fans in the house?
17:05Yup.
17:06I didn't get that call.
17:08I must.
17:09I didn't get that call.
17:10You know what?
17:11What had happened was.
17:12What had happened was, you know, on the next one.
17:13I'm going to get you on the next one.
17:14I'm going to get you on the next one.
17:15On the next one.
17:16On the next one.
17:17On the next one.
17:18And my wife, Megan, and I are writing a book together called The Weight.
17:20Oh, nice.
17:21And it'll be out February of next year.
17:22Anybody heard of Megan Good?
17:23Yeah!
17:24Yay!
17:25That's my wife.
17:26Amen.
17:27And we have a book we're writing called The Weight.
17:29And it's all about how to get the love of your life.
17:31And it comes out for Valentine's Day of next year.
17:33Awesome.
17:34So you sound like you're a little busy.
17:35Just a little busy.
17:36Just a little bit.
17:37Just a little bit.
17:38All right.
17:39So, are y'all ready for our third and final guests for Slade or Shade?
17:42Yes.
17:43You can catch them performing this weekend at the Superdome in one of the Super Lounges.
17:48They are international music stars.
17:51Please welcome Niko and Vince.
17:53Yeah!
17:54Yeah!
17:55Woo-hoo-hoo!
17:56Yeah!
17:57So, hello.
17:58How are y'all doing?
18:01We're doing good.
18:02Doing great now that we're here.
18:03How you guys doing?
18:04I mean...
18:05Y'all can do better than that Essence Live.
18:08Now, I follow y'all on Instagram.
18:11So I know that you just jetted over here from the Superdome.
18:14You were in Soundcheck?
18:15Yeah.
18:16That's right.
18:17It's looking good.
18:18It's looking great.
18:19If you want to see a good show tonight with a lot of energy, come out.
18:22What time is it?
18:238.40 in the Super Lounge.
18:25I'll be there.
18:26I'll be there for sure.
18:27I know.
18:28I'm definitely going to be there fanning out.
18:29I'm supposed to be working, but I'll just be there in the audience.
18:32We're going to have fun.
18:33I don't really need to work.
18:34Y'all not going to be able to find me.
18:35So is this y'all's first time in New Orleans?
18:37First time, yeah.
18:38First time ever?
18:39How do you feel?
18:40What do you think?
18:41Feels great.
18:42You know, it's such an energy happening now in the city.
18:45It's amazing to be a part of.
18:47So we're really grateful.
18:48Did you get to the French Quarter yet?
18:49No, not yet.
18:50Okay.
18:51You got to go.
18:52Maybe after the show, though.
18:53You and me, after the show, huh?
18:54You got to go to French Quarter.
18:55Yeah, we got to do it.
18:56We got to head out.
18:57So y'all already prepped them people, sending them to Bourbon Street.
18:59Yeah, yeah.
19:00Bourbon Street.
19:01They don't call it that for nothing.
19:02They might not come back, though.
19:03They might not come back.
19:04You might not want to come back.
19:05All right.
19:06Are y'all ready to play some Slate or Shade?
19:07Yeah!
19:08Yeah, let's do it.
19:09All right.
19:10Can y'all bring out our Samsung tablets, please?
19:12All right.
19:13For those of you, I know everybody watches Essence Live each and every week, so y'all already know
19:17how Slate or Shade is played.
19:18We're going to talk about different topics that are happening right now in pop culture
19:23and entertainment, and then I will ask you if it's a Slate, which is good, or Shade, which
19:28is bad, and then we're just going to talk about it for a little bit.
19:31Y'all ready?
19:32I'm ready.
19:33All right.
19:34So first up, our first subject is, lately, a few rappers who will go nameless have been
19:41getting in trouble for their rap lyrics.
19:43Trouble as in arrested or investigated.
19:46So, is this a Slate because they may be speaking the truth from their experiences, bringing
19:51it to life?
19:52Or is this a Shade because it's an art form?
19:55It doesn't necessarily mean you're living this, and you necessarily should not put all
19:59your business in the street in that capacity.
20:01All right.
20:02So, is this a Slate or Shade?
20:04Think about it.
20:05Let me know what you swipe, and on the count of three, reveal.
20:08Oh, Lunell has a Shade.
20:10Shade.
20:11Shade.
20:12Okay, Lunell, I'll start with you.
20:14Why is this a Shade?
20:15It's the same as in comedy, the censorship type thing.
20:20Mm-hmm.
20:21Now, I do think that some of the lyrics could stand to be revived.
20:25Right.
20:26I don't think that we need to say the N-word so much and the B-word so much and all that.
20:30But as far as people telling you that you can't and arresting you for that, like in comedy,
20:35Lenny Bruce used to get arrested for talking a certain way on stage.
20:40I don't think that police and your language are two barriers that need to meet and cross.
20:46So, you shouldn't police the art form then?
20:48No, I don't think that you should.
20:49They ought to have sense not to say it they self.
20:51She said, you ought to have sense.
20:53Mm.
20:54Yeah, no, I totally agree.
20:55I mean, it's as ludicrous as arresting The Rock or Bruce Willis.
20:59Right.
21:00Or Sylvester Stallone for making an action movie, right?
21:02That's true.
21:03That's true.
21:04It is entertainment.
21:05Now, with that being said, I think that any artist out there has to be mindful that we
21:08do not live in a racially equal society.
21:11Mm-hmm.
21:12So, people of color, especially artists of color, have to be monitoring what they say.
21:16I wouldn't say censor it, but just be smart and say, okay, I'm going to say this and I
21:20know that there may be repercussions because I live in a society that may not view it as equal.
21:24But I don't agree that anyone can be brought to trial on lyrics that are just lyrics,
21:29that are not based upon actual evidence that they've committed to anything they've spoken
21:32about in their records.
21:33All right.
21:34Well said.
21:35Now, Nico and Vince, y'all are artists.
21:37Y'all are musicians.
21:38That's right.
21:39You know, you bring your life to, excuse me, you bring real events to life through your
21:42music.
21:43What do y'all think about this?
21:44No, like, as artists, you know, we think it's important to be honest in the music.
21:47Right.
21:48But, you know, it comes to the point where it's like, you know, snitching on yourself a
21:53little bit.
21:54I mean, it's good to share your life experiences, but I mean, it's, it's, it's, I think it's
21:58it's, it's, I think you got to watch out, you know, not put everything out as you would.
22:02It's up to you though.
22:03Yeah.
22:04You know, it's up to the artists themselves.
22:05Mm-hmm.
22:06Okay.
22:07Fair enough.
22:08All right.
22:09So everybody agreed on this.
22:10So we're going to move on to topic number two, Rihanna.
22:12She released her, I can't even say it, better have my money video.
22:16And everyone saw it.
22:17It's blowing up social media, blowing up the internet, but she's getting some kickback.
22:21Some are saying that there's a too much nudity.
22:24There's too much blood.
22:25There's too much violence, too much aggression.
22:28Again, we're talking about art here and creation.
22:31So slay because you know what?
22:32It's just a great video and her interpretation of the song.
22:35Or is it shade because you know what?
22:38Maybe she went a little too far this time.
22:41All right, here we go.
22:43On the count of three, one, two, three.
22:46A slate, a shade, I can't see your, oh, we have two slays and a shade.
22:51I'll start with you, Devin, in the middle.
22:53Shade, why you shading, brother?
22:55Here's the thing.
22:56I thought that the video was beautifully directed.
22:59I thought that the cinematography was great.
23:01I thought the shots were excellent, right?
23:02Mm-hmm.
23:03Just not my taste, personally, you know?
23:04I mean, it just feels like, I don't know, the culture, we just keep,
23:09every artist can do what they want, you know?
23:12But I just have to ask the question, what's the impact?
23:14Right.
23:15So when I saw the video, I loved it artistically.
23:17I'm a filmmaker myself, I produce films, so I respected the artistic ambition.
23:22Just from a matter of personal taste, it wasn't my taste.
23:24It wasn't for your taste.
23:25That's fair enough.
23:26Nico and Vince?
23:27Yeah, we chose Slade.
23:28We chose Slade, yes.
23:29Speaking as an artist, again, I think that every artist should be allowed to express themselves
23:33the way they want to.
23:34And it was controversial, but art is controversial sometimes.
23:37Mm-hmm.
23:38And you know, and also, honestly, sometimes people do stuff like that in order to get a response.
23:43Yeah, you're right.
23:44Now we're here talking about it, you know?
23:45Yeah, you're right.
23:46So that may have been a strategic, you know, choice from their part.
23:49But, so, Slade.
23:50Slade, you agree?
23:51Absolutely.
23:52Got you.
23:53Linnell?
23:54Shade.
23:55No.
23:56No, no.
23:57I had Slade.
23:58Oh, you had Slade.
23:59Okay, I'm sorry.
24:00It's Shade.
24:01Okay, so she had Slade.
24:02But what it is for me is I shouldn't even have answered this because I haven't even seen
24:06the whole video.
24:07Okay.
24:08But from what I saw of it, I just say, if it was Madonna, we wouldn't even be sitting
24:15up here discussing it.
24:17Madonna can do whatever she wants as, you know, risque and violent or whatever she wants.
24:23And they say, oh, she's an artist, that's her.
24:26Rihanna has been killing the game for a long time.
24:29As they said, we are talking about her.
24:32The society that we live in, it seems like you have to go extra, extra, extra to get
24:37noticed.
24:38So she's just doing what she had to do to get us talking about her.
24:42Plus, it's not just her decision.
24:44There's a whole bunch of executives behind the making of that video.
24:48Right.
24:49And they all agreed to do it.
24:51If they had said not do it, she'd be doing a different type of video, so.
24:54Right, so all the weight shouldn't fall specifically just on the artist.
24:57Yeah.
24:58Fair enough.
24:59I think it's probably going to be all right.
25:01Yeah, I think it'll be all right, too.
25:02Because Rihanna, like you said, she's been in the games killing it for a long time.
25:05Okay, so our third and final topic is a little bit more serious.
25:09TV Land has decided to pull reruns, some of you may or may not know this, of Dukes of
25:15Hazard in the middle of all the Confederate flag controversy that's been taking place.
25:19You remember the show, the Confederate flag on top of the General Lee.
25:23So, do you think this is a sleigh because all symbols of the flag should be removed?
25:28Or a shade because, you know what, it's just nostalgia.
25:32Now we're starting to take it a little bit too far.
25:35All right, so here we go on the count of three.
25:38Sleigh or shade?
25:41What do you think?
25:42I know this is a tough one.
25:43Wow.
25:44This is a tough one.
25:45Because we grew up with the Dukes of Hazard.
25:47You know, I used to think I could jump in and out the car window.
25:50Like, you know, so let's see.
25:52What are we thinking?
25:53You ready?
25:54All right, what do you have?
25:55Shade?
25:56Oh, we got shade.
25:57Slade.
25:58You're on the fence about this one, Lunell?
26:00I messed up.
26:01Uh-oh, it's okay.
26:02Just tell me, which one do you have?
26:03Shade.
26:04Okay, so Lunell has shade.
26:05Nico and Vince, I'll start with you.
26:06Why do you feel it's a shade?
26:07I feel like taking that show off doesn't solve the problem to me, you know?
26:14Right.
26:15I don't believe that it should spark that kind of stuff, you know?
26:22I think that it's terrible what has happened, but that show was never the problem.
26:27If we remove that, then what's next, you know?
26:30Right.
26:31Are you going to remove other stuff from TV just because it's affiliated to something?
26:35Mm-hmm.
26:36That's not right for me.
26:37And it's been off the air for decades now, so I'm not even sure if people were making
26:41the connection between Dukes of Hazzard and, you know, what's happening right now.
26:45I'm not...
26:46I mean, I'm a huge Dukes of Hazzard fan.
26:48Mm-hmm.
26:49Like, grew up, you know, Bogue and Luke Duke.
26:51I mean, loved the General Lee growing up.
26:54I mean, I am a huge Dukes of Hazzard fan.
26:56The reason why I said Slade is with an asterisk, right?
27:00Given the current temperature in the culture, I don't agree with a permanent removal, but
27:06I understand stopping airing the show just for a moment to get a sense of where this conversation
27:12is going to go so that they aren't insensitive.
27:14Mind you, it's a corporation, right?
27:16Right.
27:17So what they don't want to do is put themselves in liability, right, where they would lose
27:21money.
27:22So I understand the reason why corporately they would stop.
27:25Mm-hmm.
27:26My hope is that they do ultimately re-air.
27:28But I also would say if we were in a Jewish nation and we were watching television and
27:33there was a prominent television show that displayed a swastika.
27:36Right.
27:37No one would be up in arms about that show going off the air because of what that insensitivity
27:40means to the people.
27:41Mm-hmm.
27:42So I understand their move.
27:43I respect the show creatively, but I think it's probably going to be a temporary decision
27:48and it will probably re-air ultimately.
27:49First of the long term.
27:50Fair enough.
27:51Luenell, you get the final word on this one?
27:52I just think that it'd be like taking, you know, Bill Cosby's show off for what he did.
28:02Mm-hmm.
28:03It's not about the show, you know, or taking Archie Bunker's show off for what he did.
28:10We still enjoyed the show.
28:11Right.
28:12The show isn't the problem.
28:13The flag is not the problem.
28:15It's the people and their mindset that is the problem.
28:18There you go.
28:19When people are born, they don't, they're not born into racism.
28:22It has to be taught.
28:23Right.
28:24So there's, we got to change the minds of the people that are out there teaching this
28:27disease, you know.
28:28Yeah, clap it up for that, yeah.
28:29Mm-hmm.
28:30That's a very good point.
28:32I want to thank all of you for joining me.
28:34That wraps up Slade or Shea.
28:35Be sure to check out Nico and Vince at the Superdome.
28:38And I'll see you in the French Quarter later tonight.
28:40She'll see you in the French Quarter.
28:42Please give another round of applause.
28:44All right, Essence Live will be here 3 p.m. each and every day for the rest of the festival.
28:49Please continue to join us.
28:50We have tons more performances, guests, and special interviews.
28:53Justine Skye, New Orleans' very own Luke James, he'll also join me later this weekend.
28:58Please continue to watch Essence.com.
29:00Enjoy the rest of your Essence Festival.
29:02I'm Dana Blair and I'll see you next time.
29:05Bye.
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