🎤 Do People Still Watch the BET Hip Hop & Soul Train Awards? Or Is It the Money? 🧐 lifestyle music awards show

🎤 Do People Still Watch the BET Hip Hop & Soul Train Awards? Or Is It the Money? 🧐

Remember when the BET Hip Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards were must-see TV? The cyphers, the fashion, the tributes, and the drama—we used to be glued to our screens. But fast-forward to 2025, and both shows are on pause. No red carpet, no performances, and definitely no “hottest MC” debates.

So what’s really going on? Do people just not watch anymore… or is BET facing money issues?

BET says they’re “reimagining” the awards for today’s audience. Translation? Viewership dropped, streaming took over, and ad dollars might be tighter than a lace front in July. These shows cost money to produce—venues, performers, lighting, sets—and if the ratings aren’t matching up, execs start pulling plugs.

But here’s the real tea: a lot of us stopped tuning in. Why?

• We get our music and drama from TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram Reels now.
• Award shows often feel predictable or out of touch.
• And let’s be honest… half of the BET crowd is arguing online, not watching the actual show.

Still, it’s a loss. These awards gave Black artists a platform that mainstream shows ignored. It celebrated our culture, our legends, and those coming up. Now it feels like BET is ghosting us—and nobody’s even sending a goodbye text.

So what do we need to know?

• The awards aren’t officially dead—but they’re in the ICU.
• BET is trying to find a “new format” (whatever that means).
• If we want these shows back, we need to show up, stream, tweet, and care.

Do you still watch award shows? Or are you over it?

Let’s talk in the comments. 👇🏽

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💼 Airbnb Ain’t for the Weak: When My Brother’s Friend Turned Tenant Tried It

Let me tell you something about mixing friendship and rent—don’t. Or at least don’t without a contract, a camera, and ChatGPT on standby.

So here’s the setup: my brother’s friend needed a place to stay. His grandma put him out—and listen, I don’t know what he did to Granny, but the fact she had enough says a lot. Anyway, we got a room, it’s Airbnb-style, side hustle business, keep the rent flowing—right?

He moves in, says he has half the rent now, and will give the rest when his paycheck drops. Classic. But when rent day came? Crickets. Not a dime. Instead, he got bold, cussed my brother out, said he “knew his rights,” and threatened to call the police—yes, over a room he never signed a real lease for.

Now you KNOW my brother don’t play. He turned into a Google lawyer real fast. Started searching renter’s rights, eviction notice templates, and asking ChatGPT like it was Judge Judy. 😂

To keep it cute (and legal), he typed up an agreement and gave Mr. Paycheck Pending a 5-day notice. We don’t play shady games over here—you rent it, you pay it.

Here’s the kicker: this man really waited till 11:58 PM—TWO minutes before the deadline—to drop the rent off. Like it was Cinderella and his bank app was the glass slipper. 🕛

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📝 Renters, Let Me Ask You This:

If you knew your money wasn’t right, why move in without a plan?

Because at this point, the Airbnb business turns into a whole Judge Mathis episode.

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✨ Tips for Renters (and Friends Who Turn Into Tenants):

1. Sign an agreement—verbal don’t cut it when rent is due.
2. Communicate early—waiting till the last minute only makes it messy.
3. Don’t bring drama to the doorstep—cussing folks out will only get you cussed out back.
4. Know the rules—renter’s rights and owner’s rights matter.
5. Don’t test a landlord with Wi-Fi and ChatGPT access—they will find a loophole.

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What would you do if someone dropped off rent at 11:58 PM?
Have you ever had a renter who thought they were on Love & Hip Hop instead of just trying to rent a room?

👇 Drop your stories below. Because Airbnb ain’t for the weak, and clearly—neither is family, friends, or roommates. 💅

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Why My Books Didn’t Sell—And What I’m Doing Differently Now

Less Than $200: What I’ve Learned (And What I’d Do Differently)

Let’s keep it real—I've been selling books for three years and have made less than $200.

That’s not a typo. Not $2,000. Not even $500. Nope. Two hundred dollars. Over three years.

That’s less than what people spend on coffee in a week. Less than what somebody might spend on a fast-food combo meal and a tip. Sometimes, I’d go weeks promoting and walk away with nothing but a few likes and “I’ll check it out” comments that went nowhere. 🥴

I Thought All I Had to Do Was Publish...

When I started, I was excited. I wrote my book, uploaded it, and thought, “If even 50 people buy this, I’ll be straight.” But here’s the thing—I wasn’t giving anything away. I was keeping the book close to my chest, like a secret. I barely shared quotes, gave previews, or told people why they should care.

I’d promote for a few weeks, hope for a miracle sale, and then move on. The truth? You can’t be quiet and expect loud results.

Did I Make Sales? Yes.

But they were few and far between. I’d celebrate every single one like it was a lottery win. I was grateful, but if you add it all up, the total was still less than what a venti Starbucks costs.

And here’s the hard truth: selling many books is not easy. Especially when you’re independent and doing it all yourself.

What I’d Do Differently Now

Looking back, here’s what I’d absolutely change:

• I’d focus on one book. Just one. Not five. Not twenty. ONE. And I’d put all my energy into promoting that one until it paid off.
• I’d give away free game. Quotes, chapters, behind-the-scenes stories—something to hook people. Nobody buys a mystery product from a mystery author anymore.
• I’d be consistent, not just hopeful. Hoping doesn't equal sales. Consistent posting, showing up every week, does.
• I’d build a community, not just sell. People don’t just buy books. They buy stories from people they connect with.

The Lesson?

It’s not about how many books you write. It’s about how much love and focus you give to one. You can have 20 books, but if no one’s reading them, what’s the point?

Today, I’d rather sell one book a hundred times than have 100 books that barely move.

And that’s on growth. 📈

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Fresh Meal Kit – It Went Bad (Literally)

Fresh Meal Kit – It Went Bad (Literally)

So, I tried one of those fresh meal kit delivery services. You know the type — ingredients in a box, pre-portioned, ready for you to “just cook” at home. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Less grocery shopping, fewer decisions, no food waste, right?

Wrong.

Let me tell you how it really went.

The Food Arrived — and Sat There

The box came, neatly packed with recipe cards, colorful veggies, and vacuum-sealed proteins. I was actually excited at first. But then… life happened. I got busy. I didn’t feel like cooking after work. A few days passed. Then a few more.

By the time I opened the box to finally cook something, most of it had gone bad. Wilted greens, funky smells, slimy chicken — the whole thing turned into a guilt-filled trip to the trash can. And with it, I tossed away $60+ worth of food and a reminder that convenience still requires effort.

What You Should Know Before Ordering a Meal Kit

Here’s what I wish someone told me before I signed up:

1. You still have to cook.
   It's not "ready in 5 minutes." Some meals take 30–45 minutes — and they don’t cook themselves.

2. You need a flexible schedule.
   If your week is unpredictable or you’re not home a lot, fresh ingredients go bad quickly. You're better off freezing your own groceries.

3. It’s not as cost-effective as it seems.
   You’re paying for packaging, marketing, and convenience. If you don’t cook every single meal, that money goes straight to the trash.

4. You might feel worse wasting “healthy” food.
   Tossing out kale and salmon hits different than tossing old takeout.

Why the Supermarket Wins

At the end of the day, going to the supermarket is just better — if you do it right. Here’s why:

• You’re in control. You buy what you know you’ll use.
• It’s cheaper. Bulk groceries = better value.
• Less waste. You're not forced into meals you don’t want (or won’t cook).
• You can shop smart. With a list, you avoid impulse buys and get exactly what you need.

Stop Being Lazy — Make a List and Go

Let’s be real: It’s not that hard to hit the grocery store once or twice a week. Grab a coffee, put on a podcast, and go with a plan. A 10-minute shopping list on your phone can save you money, reduce waste, and give you more flexibility to cook what you actually want — when you want it.

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TL;DR: Meal kits are cool in theory but can be a total waste if you're not committed. Sometimes, good old-fashioned grocery shopping (with a solid list) is the smarter, cheaper, and more practical way to eat well.

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Shereé Whitfield Secures the Bag and the Spotlight: RHOA’s Highest-Paid Housewife Ever?!

 Shereé Whitfield Secures the Bag and the Spotlight: RHOA’s Highest-Paid Housewife Ever?!

Hold your wigs and your edges, baby, because the OG bone collector is back—and this time, she’s cashing ALL the checks!

Shereé Whitfield, the queen of joggers, Chateau delays, and iconic shade, is strutting her way back to The Real Housewives of Atlanta for Season 17—and rumor has it, she’s doing it with the biggest Bravo bag ever. That’s right, insiders say Ms. Whitfield just made franchise history by signing the highest-paying contract in RHOA history. Kenya who? NeNe what?

Now let’s be honest—Shereé has had more comebacks than She by Shereé launch dates, but this one hits different. Why? Because Bravo finally understood what we’ve known for YEARS: Shereé is the moment. While some peaches go sour, hers stays juicy and just shady enough to start a whole orchard of mess.

She dipped out for a minute, probably to fluff some pillows at the Chateau and dodge more fashion deadlines, but the streets (and the group chat) said we needed her back. And now that she’s returned with a history-making paycheck, it’s giving: “Don’t call it a comeback, call it a takeover.”

Expect fireworks, side-eyes, and more bone-collecting than a dinosaur dig. Whether she’s checking castmates or collecting checks, one thing is clear—Shereé’s not just part of the cast, she is the show.

Buckle up, Bravo fans. Season 17 might just be the most She by Shereé season ever.

#RHOA #ShereeWhitfield #ChateauSheree #SheBySheree #BravoTV #MessyMondays #BoneCollectorReturns

Story Time: The Airbnb Guest Who Came for Love and Stayed for a Hustle

 Story Time: The Airbnb Guest Who Came for Love and Stayed for a Hustle

Running an Airbnb in Chicago has its stories—but none quite like the lady from New York.

She messaged us saying she needed a place to stay because her lover had just died. Grief is heavy, so of course, we showed compassion. She booked the room and stayed for a few months. Each morning, she’d wake up, put on her shades, and head to the movies. She always said she was looking for a job and trying to start over.

The rent here is under $700, and we allow some flexibility—but not confusion. Still, she would pay in random pieces. $200 here, $150 there. The rent is due between the 1st and the 5th, but she’d always have a new excuse. She told us stories about shelters, abuse, a degree, and that she speaks fluent Spanish and French.

But after a while, I told my brother, “She’s been doing this all her life. Working the system.” It wasn’t about the rent. It was the pattern—the stories, the delay, the performance.

Advice? If you're hosting, have a clear agreement and trust your gut. Compassion is beautiful—but don't confuse survival stories with scams. Boundaries keep everyone safe.

Question for You: Would you have let her stay, or asked her to go?

🎬 Only in America: Commit a Crime, Skip Jail, Land a Reality Show, and Cash the Checks! 🇺🇸📺💸

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🎬 Only in America: Commit a Crime, Skip Jail, Land a Reality Show, and Cash the Checks! 🇺🇸📺💸

Let’s talk about the real American Dream. It ain’t always about hard work and clean records anymore—it’s about scandals, headlines, and camera-ready drama.

Only in America can someone get caught up in a federal case, shed a few courtroom tears, and still get offered a reality show, a book deal, and brand endorsements. 🤯

Fraud? Fame.
Cheating scandal? Prime time.
Mugshot? Merch.

From housewives flipping tables to influencers flipping indictments into income, it’s clear: the road to celebrity might just run through the courtroom.

So, do crime really not pay? In the land of lights, likes, and loopholes—it just might.

#OnlyInAmerica #RealityTV #ScandalToSuccess #BookedAndBusy

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