The February 26th Annual Academy Awards ended the 2016-2017 award show season run. I'll be honest, I'm definitely a lot more interested in the fashion than the actual awards! Every year, the red carpet is graced with the most elaborate fashion looks from dresses to suits.

Hailee Steinfield at the 2017 Golden Globes Photo: Getty / Frazer Harrison

Priyanka Chopra at the 2017 Golden Globes Photo: Getty / Frazer Harrison

Chrissy Teigen at the 2017 Golden Globes Photo: Getty / Frazer Harrison

Lily Collins at the 2017 Golden Globes Photo: Rich Polk/Getty Images for Essence

Chloe X Halle at the 2017 NAACP Image Awards Photo: Greg Doherty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Anika Noni Rose at the 2017 NAACP Image Awards Photo: Mintaha Neslihan Eroglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Maxwell at the 2017 NAACP Image Awards Photo: Greg Doherty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Yvonne Orji at the 2017 NAACP Image Awarda Photo: Greg Doherty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Rick Ross at the 2017 Grammy Awards Photo: Joe Scarnici / Getty Images

Hasley at the 2017 Grammy Awards Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Jiddena at the 2017 Grammy Awards Photo: Joe Scarnici / Getty Images

Solange Knowles at the 2017 Grammys Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez at the 2017 Grammys Photo: Frazer Harrison  / Getty Images

Cynthia Erivo at the 2017 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards Photo: Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Essence

Aja Naomi King at the 2017 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards Photo: Rich Polk/Getty Images for Essence

Tracee Ellis Ross at the 2017 Essence Black Women In Hollywoof Awards Photo: Getty Images

Emma Stone at the 2017 Oscars Photo:  David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock

Janelle Monae at the 2017 Oscars Kevin Mazur via Getty Images

Taraji P. Henson at the 2017 Oscars Photo: Tyler Golden via Getty Images

There are so many more award shows that happen within the first couple of months of 2017 and so many more great looks to choose!

Welp! I guess those shots on Nicki Minaj's "Make Love" verse may definitely have been aimed at Remy Ma because the Bronx rapper released "Shether" today and the Internet has gone nuts. I guess the meddling stans finally got what they asked for after about a decade of rumors and online comments stating that the two femcees had beef.

Unsurprisingly, I always felt there was tension between the two regardless of how "cool" they claimed to be via interviews because Remy Ma is definitely letting it all out and speaking her truth bar for bar.

Some people suspect this may be a publicity stunt, but I think this could be very real. While it may not be the best thing for two to be beefing, I think having one of Minaj's peers challenge her is interesting because for so long she's held the "queen of rap" title by default based on being the only female rapper in the mainstream. This will definitely challenge Nicki Minaj, even if it's "healthy" competition.

Take a listen below:

Photo: bossip.com

This morning, Twitter erupted when Gucci Mane's "Make Love" track released. Word around the web was that the Queens, NY rapper Nicki Minaj took shots at rapper Remy Ma. Even prior to Remy Ma's 2008 imprisonment, there have always been rumors circulating that the two had beef with each other and would throw subliminals in records. Remy Ma even mentioned it in an interview when she was locked up. I'm going to break down my opinions of the "beef" between the two rappers:

1. A lot of people want Remy Ma and Nicki Minaj to go at it sssoooo bad. Chile. Every time either of them puts out a track or freestyle, there's a slew of articles, posts, and blogs that assume they're taking shots at one another. Some people even suspect Nicki Minaj was coming at Azealia Banks in her "Make Love" verse, so it's not clear whether or not the shots were aimed at Remy Ma. 
2. While both ladies claim to be "cool" with one another, I personally don't think they really are. I mean, I don't think they hate each other, but they seem to definitely keep it cute for the public. I do think there is some slight tension between the two. Perhaps they're "besties" behind the scenes and publicly keep their distance from each other because the media and fans are always trying to stir up drama between them. (We gotta have a discussion about the media and fans always trying to stir up drama between Black women artists also).
3. It's clear Remy Ma is the lyrically superior rapper between the two. Personally, I've come to the realization that Nicki Minaj is extremely mediocre when it comes down to lyrics. Home girl has some cute songs that I like and she has great flow and delivery. I'll never not give her credit because she has worked her ass off and we've seen her grinding since 2007 during "The Come Up" days. However, she is lyrically stagnant, and being "the only rap bitch in the game" has made her the "queen of rap" by default and not through pure talent. For almost a decade, there hasn't been any other new, mainstream female rappers to compare her to. When it comes to current mainstream male rappers, one can actually have a debate on who is the best lyrically because there is a multitude of rappers to choose from. When it comes down to female rappers, Nicki Minaj has been the one and only mainstream female rapper for so long (with the exception of Iggy Azalea who I personally think was an "experiment"). To sum it up, I don't think Nicki Minaj wants those problems with her, especially since Remy Ma comes from a battle rapping background. Nicki Minaj also has a history of throwing the rock and hiding her hand (with the Lil' Kim beef for example) and being very distant from fellow female rappers. I've always felt she sees other female rappers as competition and wants to be the only female rapper out. On the flip side, because Nicki Minaj is so popular, especially in the mainstream, many people may side with her more. Nowadays it's not about the actual culture, lyrics, or talent, it's about numbers, stan bases, and hype. Hence why all the teenage "Barbz" were on Twitter gassing Nicki's verse. 

Remember I said that Litehouse Whole Food Grill is my favorite (Black owned) restaurant in Chicago? Well, Batter & Berries is definitely my other favorite restaurant! This brunch restaurant has to be one of the most popular spots in Chicago. Every time I visit, it's packed and people are waiting outside to get their grub on. Believe me, the food absolutely lives up to the hype.
Batter & Berries is owned by Craig Richardson, his wife Tanya Reeves-Richardson-MD, and Chef Derek Rylon and was opened in May 2012. The restaurant's most popular dish is the divine french toast which is the reason why folks come from all over the city to experience Batter & Berries. Before I went the gluten-free/dairy-free route, I was fortunate enough to try their french toast and it was delicious.


While it's always crowded at Batter & Berries, especially on the weekends, the staff is always on point, professional, and gets the job done. Last October I came for brunch and sat next to a group of customers who I feel were purposefully giving the waiter a hard time. Probably in attempt to get a free meal. The waiter was kind, professional, and patient with the customers, and I applaud that because those customers were a hot mess on purpose.

The Lamb Trio

Source: Batter & Berries restaurant owner talks French toast

If you live in the big city like me, you already know how hectic a morning commute can be. Whether you're taking public transportation, running to get coffee, or stuck in traffic, it can surely be a pain in the ass, especially if you're headed to a gig you're not too fond off. Well whether you like your job or not, these selected songs are sure to keep you motivated and positive.

1. Certainly- Erykah Badu
 "The world is mine when I wake up" Can it get anymore clearer than that?


2. "Unwritten"- Natasha Bedingfield 
"Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins"


3. "Step by Step"- Whitney Houston
The late Whitney Houston taught us no matter what you're going through to take things "step by step".


4. "Feeling Good"- Nina Simone
"It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life, and I'm feeling good." Effortless good vibes and sunshine even on a rainy day.


5. "Jammin'"- Bob Marley
"Jammin'" or any Bob Marley song is forever appropriate to bring positive vibes to your morning routine.


6. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"- Cyndi Lauper 
"When the working day is done, oh girls, they wanna have fun!" To my ladies; that's more than enough inspiration for post-work shenanigans.


7. "Optimism"- Sounds of Blackness
"You can win, as long as you keep your head to the sky"


8. "Use It"- Kerwin DuBois
Bring some Trinidadian soca music to your morning with Kerwin DuBois. I swear you'll be inspired to book a trip to the Caribbean for Carnival.


9. "Stir It Up"- Patti LaBelle 
Straight from the "Beverly Hills Cop" soundtrack, "Stir It Up" will have you dancing down the street


10. "Don't Stop Believing"- Journey
Show me a more epic song than this. I'll wait!