Long before you knew Keshia Chante as the host of BET’s 106 & Park, she had a career as a productive singer in her native Canada.

A Juno Award winner, which is a Canadian equivalent to a Grammy, did you know that way before she even graced the stage as the daily host of 106, she was given a star on the Brampton Walk of Fame and had her song, Table Dancer hit # 1 on Billboard in Japan.

Yeah, she’s a pretty big deal. Her chat with me on community and the future stood out on yesterday’s episode of Scoop B Radio.

Check out Keshia Chante and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio. 

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The post Keshia Chante is Staying Busy & Positive & Talks About Old School BET Teen Summit appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Back in November, BET announced that 106 & Park will go off the air in December and will move to a digital format. So in honor of the show’s last televised episode, we composed a list of ten of the show’s most memorable moments. Time to take a trip down memory lane.

10.) August Alsina Spazzes on Keisha

August Alsina made an appearance on the show to promote his debut album, Testimony. Before the interview started, August asked for no questions regarding the riff between he and Trey Songz. Newly hired co-host, Keisha, completely disregarded his request and asked him about the beef anyways. Which soon followed was one of the most memorable moment on the show in recent years.

9.) Free and Beyonce do the “Uh Oh” Dance

Beyonce had the entire world doing the “Uh Oh” dance with her hit “Crazy in Love”. So when she came to the show to premiere the song’s video, former host, Free, wanted to learn how to properly do the dance. Needless to say she had it down on the first try.

8.) Bow Wow and Tyra Banks kiss

Another recent memory came last year when model Tyra Banks and “Mr. 106 & Park”, Bow Wow, shared a somewhat passionate kiss on camera. This wasn’t the first time these two lip-locked, they also kissed on The Tyra Show.

7.) Lil’ Wayne admits that he and Birdman kiss

We all have seen the picture, but few remember when Lil’ Wayne confessed that he and Birdman do in fact kiss each other. Free asked Birdman about how it feels to kiss girls with his grills in his mouth. Before Birdman could even answer, Lil’ Wayne said “I’m the only one he kisses!”. Things went from 0 to awkward real quick.

6.) Michael Jackson’s death

Many remember where they were when they heard the news of Michael Jackson‘s untimely death. The whole world was in complete shock, including former hosts Terrence J and Rocsi. Though they were at a loss for words, the two still had to break the devastating news on live television.

5.) Tom Cruise does the “Motorcycle” dance

Back in 2006, 106 & Park had a special episode for the premiere of Mission Impossible III. Tom Cruise came on stage and did the then popular “motorcycle” dance. Although Tom didn’t get the dance all the way down, it still made for great television.

4.) Aaliyah’s last interview

Four days before traveling to the Bahamas to film her “Rock the Boat” video, Aaliyah paid a visit to the 106 couch to talk about the video and song. Sadly, Aaliyah passed away in a plane crash following the video shoot. This interview is special moment because it was ultimately her final interview.

3.) Rocsi walks off during a live show

There were times where some 106 & Park hosts didn’t get along. One time in particular was when Rocsi walked off during the show. During the entire show, Terrence J was making fun of Rocsi and constantly pointing out her mistakes. Eventually she had enough and walked off the set during the show. The two went on to host shows separately for awhile until singer Mario read a nice apology letter written by Terrence. Everything went back to normal soon after.

2.) AJ and Free emotional farewell 

Obviously, one of the saddest moments in the show’s history was when AJ and Free said they were leaving 106 & Park. Everyone remembers the emotional announcement that the original hosts were moving on from the show. Free was not on the set, but AJ had her on speakerphone so she could say her goodbyes. (Unfortunately there isn’t a video clip on the Internet)

1.) Michelle Williams trips and falls

Arguably the best and most memorable moment was when Michelle Williams tripped and fell during Destiny’s Child’s performance of “Solider”. What made things even funny was how both Kelly and Beyonce completely ignored Michelle and continued with the performance. Of course, the Internet was full of GIFs of Michelle’s tumble.

Do you agree with our list? What was your favorite moment from 106 & Park? Let us know in the comment section below.

The post 106 & Park’s Top 10 Moments appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

It’s a sad day in the world of media.

BET has decided to cancel 106 & Park after 14 years of being on television. The daily music countdown showed will be airing its final episode on December 19th.

But that’s not it for 106 & Park. BET Networks has made the decision to shift the brand to a digital space on BET.com, while special events such as 106 & PARTY New Year’s eve show and live events during their award shows will continue on tv. BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials said in a statement:

All of us have been touched by 106 & Park.

Now it’s time for 106 & Park, as a daily TV entity, to take a bow and exit.

It’s been a great 14 year run as America’s top music/variety show on cable. And now that very valuable brand is going to take its talents to the digital realm. The interactive brand you helped build, 106 & Park, is alive and well…and it’s moving to the space in which our audience NOW interacts with music the most; online. It’ll be very exciting to connect with the millions of people that are already engaged with 106 & Park and other BET digital and social media entities and bring content that will further evolve the 106 & Park brand…and enhance the overall BET Networks brand. As we transition to the digital space, we look to continue 106 & Park’s role as both a leader of and a mirror to youth culture. We’ll have more information to share about how that is to roll out very soon.

He also mentioned:

I’m not trying to minimize it; this is a very big change. We thank all the people who have worked on the show over the years; the talented hosts, the hard-working staff, production crews, and all the incredible guests we’ve had. Most of all, we’d like to humbly thank the “livest audience”, both in studio and at home, who fueled this landmark TV show from the very beginning. Meet you in the digital domain.

What are your thoughts on the show being cancelled and going digital?

The post The End of An Era: BET’s 106 & Park Is Airing Final Episode on December 19th appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

2 Pistols is prepping the release of his Evil Impire-assisted project, “Comin Back Hard,” his ninth mixtape. The lead single “Know That,” featuring French Montana, recently premiered on BET‘s 106 & Park. The track was produced by Bolo Da Producer , a long-time collaborator.

His goal is for this tape to be received well, particularly in the streets: “You want people to actually ask for the album. By the end of the year I need to solidify that I’m back, and that I came back hard. This is a movement. This is me.”

Once a Cash Money artist, 2 Pistols is now releasing his music independently. He had this to say when asked what he learned from the label heads:  “The work ethic is key. When you get to a certain amount, some people can get lazy and lay down. But they stay hungry and hustlin’. Everyday you have to wake up and try to find a check. Hats off to everyone out of there who allowed me to soak up some game. They opened my eyes up to what the game is. Slim told me you can be a rapper or a superstar, it depends on what you are trying to do with this.”

2 Pistols did not intend to be an artist from the start. Instead, he had aspirations for the CEO suite. But his promotional activity brought him in close contact with talented and powerful artists and he ended up in the studio instead of the boardroom. For instance, after hearing that T-Pain would be in the Tampa area for a radio event, 2 Pistols reached out to him about an after party that night in the city. The party was successful and the two stayed in touch and eventually released “She Got It” in 2008, which peaked at #2 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.

When he is not releasing music or promoting shows in Florida, 2 Pistols is taking part in Maykers, a motocross themed clothing line and website. Nevertheless, his main focus is on music and making his mark as an artist. “When I came into the game there were artists coming in and going out like fast-food. And now it’s wide open for something that is authentic.” He likens his upbringing and story to that of Jay Z in terms of the abundance of experiences he has to draw from.

Currently represented by Impire Management, 2P credits Bottom Feeder Movement for energizing his efforts. Keep your ears open for 2 Pistols’ upcoming mixtape Coming Back Hard,  due on November 12th. It’ll be interesting to see just how reloaded he actually is.

The post Interview: 2 Pistols is Reloaded appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Joey Bada$$ and a few of the other Pro Era boys stepped up to the mic in the latest of 106 & Park’s The Backroom series. After Joey, we get eight bars each from Nyck Caution, Dessy Hinds, A La $ole, Kirk Knight, Dyemond Lewis, and CJ Fly.  Though it’s hard to crown the cypher’s nicest with just a few seconds of spitting from each, either Nyck or Kirk would be a good pick. Both came correct, throwing jabs like “Expect the Era Era, like a Disc Jockey yo / she flop like Bosh and now it be Toronto cold / but she used to be on Nyck like the Cosby Show” and “alchemy, triple-beamin’ grade-A batteries / I came through chargin’, charge me for battery.” Who do you think was nicest? Watch below.

The post New Video: Pro Era Freestyle in the 106 & Park Backroom appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Early last week the east coast connection was in full swing when Skyzoo and !llmind joined up for a freestyle in The Backroom. The Brooklyn, N.Y.-bred emcee graced the stage at BET‘s 106 & Park and his collaboration with !llmind (who happens to be a New Jersey native) certainly didn’t disappoint. Be sure to check out their offering below, but also Skyzoo’s album, A Dream Deferred, is out now. Duck Down Music has been making some noise lately so pay attention.

The post Video: Skyzoo Freestyles In The Backroom At 106 & Park appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

BET’s 106 & Park  wisely took it upon themselves to not censor Lupe Fiasco’s single “Bitch Bad.” Despite its controversial title, the message of the song persuaded the network to allow the music video to be played on the teen-focused music show. Rocsi chops it up with Lupe to gauge his reaction to the song and its reception. Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album out September 25th.

The post Video: Lupe Fiasco talks “Bitch Bad” on 106 & Park appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.