What in the world is a Frangela?

If you’ve watched VH1’s Best Week Ever, you’ve experienced Frangela.

The comedy duo, comprised of Frances Callier and Angela Shelton may be most famous for their funny take on celebrities from a black girl’s perspective but the duo have been at it for years. Remember the Oxygen animated series Hey Monie (that later ran on BET)? Yep, that was Frangela.

The LA Times calls them “a rare black female humor duo…” but the Cocoa Lounge calls them simply, “genius.” These two women are definitely making their mark and their brand of comedy only improves with age.

Remember When? [#001]: Whitney Houston on Arsenio

Thought we'd post an 80s Flashback courtesy of youtube:



Remember when Arsenio's show was just about the best thing on television?

Whitney's voice was definitely a gift.

Movie News: Black Panthers in (and out of) love?

A Black Panther love story set in the late 1970s starring Mos Def and Sophie Okonedo? Say it is so.

If the project goes as planned, Okonedo and Mos Def will star in the independent film, Stringbean and Marcus. First-time filmmaker Tanya Hamilton, who also wrote the story, will direct.

Sounds like an interesting plot: the drama of the politically-charged panther party mixed with a love story? We know it's tough to get an independent film off the ground but we certainly hope this one's a go!

The Cocoa Lounge Remembers: Octavia E. Butler

Literature has lost one of its greatest modern writers: Octavia E. Butler, a pioneer in science fiction, died recently at her home in Washington.

We just learned of her passing and like many of her fans, are stunned to say the very least.



Do yourself a favor and pick up Kindred, Wild Seed or any of her other titles and get acquainted with the work of Octavia Butler.

She will be deeply missed.

Corinne Bailey Rae: Put HER record on

UK native, Corinne Bailey Rae, was recently hailed the "sound of 2006" by the BBC. Find out why as she performs her hit "Put your records on" live.

Fresh Face [#005]: Jordan Richardson

Do we really need a tv show to tell us who America's Next Top Model will be? Maybe. But if young Jordan Richardson sticks around the fashion scene, we're pretty sure who at least one of them will be.

Chances are, you haven't heard of Jordan Richardson just yet, or even seen her face. But if this supermodel in training keeps up her pace, she could join the ranks of models who we've come to know and love on a first name basis: "Naomi," Tyra", "Iman" and "Gisele."


Keep your eye out for the young beauty who has already landed campaigns with United Colors of Benetton and Abercrombie and Fitch. Recently, she was spotted on the runway at New York Fashion week 2006, modeling for Project Runway finalist Chloe Dao.

Jordan is definitely a contender for the "Best 'fro in the business" and certainly one to watch.

Jordan is represented by VNY Model Management

5 reasons to see Chappelle's Block Party

Mix Dave Chappelle's hilarious brand of comedy with hip-hop's hottest stars and you get a movie you'd be glad you shelled out 10 bucks to see. If this isn't enough to convince you that Dave Chappelle's Block Party is worth the hype, check out 5 more reasons to see it.

1. Dave Chappelle himself



So we all know that Dave Chappelle is inarguably THE hottest comedian of the moment, some of us discovered that he was a closet social activist during the infamous Oprah interview...but budding musician? You'll have to see the film to find out what instrument he plays.

Dave Chappelle is hilarious without trying in this one. Prepare to alternate between dancing and laughing whenever he's onscreen.

2. Erykah Badu



Singer Erykah Badu has one of the most memorable on-stage moments of the film--and one of the funniest, too. (Also look for Erykah Badu's collaboration with Jill Scott and The Roots.)

3. Mos Def



Mos Def has TWO films opening in the same weekend; along with Block Party, he's co-starring with Bruce Willis in 16 Blocks. His versatility is amazing; reminiscent of multi-dimensional legends such as Paul Robeson and Sammy Davis Jr. About the only thing Mos Def doesn't do in this one is dance.

4. Lauryn Hill


Reuniting with bandmates, The Fugees, for the first time in seven years and returning from her own hiatus, Lauryn Hill emerges as if she never left. Her performance of "Killing Me Softly" is beautiful and emotional and sadly, won't be included on the Block Party soundtrack. The only place you'll see this one is in the film.


5. Brooklyn!


The energy of the Brooklyn audience and neighborhood dwellers is infectious. Several New Yorkers stated, after the screening, how much they miss that energy. Well, Block Party allows outsiders to capture just a fraction of what makes Brooklyn so unique. It's fitting that the documentary was filmed in New York city, the birthplace of Hip Hop music.

Dave Chappelle's Block Party hits theaters today.

Mood Music [#001]: The fact is (I need you)

From Jill Scott's sophomore album, Beautifully Human, comes the Cocoa Lounge song of the day:

Listen: The Fact is (I need you) (real player sample).

Madea Does it Again!

As far as the Hollywood Machine is concerned, Madea's Family Reunion had several strikes against it:

Over the years, studios have been reluctant to release films a.) with all-black casts b.) with female leads and c.) starring relative unknowns. Add in the fact that film critics nation-wide virtually ignored the film and most Hollywood insiders would predict a sure-fire flop.


(Boris Kodjoe and Lisa Arrindell Anderson)

Not the case with Tyler Perry's ridiculously successful Madea franchise. The film, which cost an estimated $6 million dollars to make, grossed over five times that amount this weekend, raking in a box office total of $30.25 million dollars.


Like it's predecessor, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea's Family Reunion is a varied blend of a film; it mixes tough subject matters like domestic violence and child abuse, with soap-opera romance and Christian values. But where it really shines is with the character of Madea, herself, and her raucus brand of comedy.


(Blair Underwood and Rochelle Aytes)

Madea features solid performances from new faces, Lisa Arrindell Anderson, Rochelle Aytes and Keke Palmer as well as veterans Blair Underwood, Lynn Whitfield, Cicely Tyson and Jennifer Lewis.



Tyler Perry is expected to release another Madea film next year with Lionsgate Films.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words [#003]: Separated at Birth?

Usher Raymond and Ben Vereen



These two performers share many talents but from these photos, it looks like they share the same gene pool.

Meagan Good and Robin Givens



We might be reaching with these actresses...you be the judge!

Academy Award Countdown [#002]: Claudine

In 1973, Diahann Carroll received a Best Actress nomination for her performance as the title character in Claudine, a love story set against the trying times of the 1970s social services system. The role of a single mother on welfare was a huge stretch for the 60s glamour girl, who was sometimes criticized for her perceived distance from the struggles of African Americans during the civil rights era. Diahann Carroll's gritty performance in Claudine proved that the singer/actress was ready for more than just a close-up.

Joining Diahann is James Earl Jones.His booming energy and presence as Roop, a garbage man trying to fight for love is riveting. Other stirring performances come from Claudine's eldest children played by teen hearthrob Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs and Tamu Blackwell.

Strong performances by Carroll, Jones and the cast of children is one reason to check out this classic film; another is the soulful soundtrack by Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Naomie Harris Sets Sail

You may remember Naomie Harris from her role as the bad-ass heroine of 2002's runaway horror film, 28 Days Later. Since her dark, zombie-fighting days, Naomie's career has seen the light.

From last year's moderate success, After The Sunset, with veterans Pierce Brosnan, Woody Harris and Don Cheadle, Naomie Harris is on to uncharted territories in BOTH Pirates of the Caribbean sequels as Tia Dalma a Jamaican Gypsy.

She's also on-board the highly anticipated Colin Farrell/Jamie Foxx Miami Vice film as Jamie Foxx's reported love interest.

Along with fellow successful UK actresses Marianne Jean Baptiste, Sohphie Okonedo (both Academy Award nominees) and Thandie Newton, Naomie Harris is just one of several British thespians taking Hollywood by storm.