Omarosa Manigault accepting Spotlight Award at Gemini’s Give Back event in Manhattan. Photo Provided By: Ivan McCartney Photography

The New York Metropolitan area was infused with happenings yesterday. The Puerto Rican Day Parade was a hit during the day in midtown Manhattan, Hot 97’s Summer Jam was the place to be in the early evening at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. But, the late night belonged to Melky Jean and her Carma Foundation in Manhattan’s West Village. 

The Grammy-nominated songwriter and sister of musician Wyclef Jean, not only celebrated her birthday, but she also celebrated the ten year anniversary of her non- profit and it’s Gemini’s Give Back event at Invite Only nightclub. 

Long before the Haiti Earthquakes in 2010, Carma has been addressing the needs of Haitian people. Geminis Give Back is always a highly anticipated event which has garnered the support of various celebrities such as Anderson Cooper, John Legend, Patti Labelle, Ashley Graham, Hill Harper, Vivica Fox and Lynn Whitfield.

“It was surreal,” Melky Jean told me via text message. “A dream come true.”

Melky Jean & Wyclef Jean Signing Hymne National D’Haiti at Andre Berto Fight Back In 2010

Melky Jean engaging with family and friends at her Carma Foundation Party. Photo Provided By: Ivan McCartney Photography

Former Celebrity Apprentice star, Omarosa Manigault was this years honoree. Now Director of Communications for the Office of Public Liaison for U.S. President Donald Trump, Manigault was honored with a Carma Foundation Spotlight Award, an award given to notables who shine light on political issues. Manigault has been vocal in the U.N.’s role in the Cholera outbreak in Haiti. Manigault, a close friend of Melky Jean, was happy to receive her award.

While on the red carpet, the political strategist took her obligatory photos with award in hand, expressed her ‘thank you’s,’ but declined interviews despite accepting such a prestigious award.  “I can’t do interviews unless you arrange it through the White House,” she told me.

“I know that sounds weird.” 

Other notables in attendance were Peter Kellner, the founder and Managing Partner of Endeavor Global. Additionally, Robert Jones, a Senior Executive at General Electric was in attendance and received a Carma Foundation Leadership Award. Actor, John Amos were also in attendance along with celebrity chef, ChefTheRose, Miami 103.5 The Beat’s radio personality K. Foxx. 

Featured Sponsors for Carma Foundation Include: Chef the Rose, Toast Vodka, Bartunera, Papi Wines, Pray Urban Attire, Love Logan Productions, Invite Only, G Carma Inc, Scotch Porter, Law Swag Flu, & Vamp Life Clothing.

For more info on Melky Jean’s Carma Foundation, visit: www.carmafoundation.org

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The post Scoop B: Melky Jean, Sister of Wyclef, Honors Trump Aide, Omarosa Manigault With Spotlight Award At Manhattan Birthday Bash appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Raven

Photo Credit: Pete Monsanto

Photo Credit: Greenlights

Photo Credit: Raven

The post Hot 97’s 2015 Summer Jam in Photos & Videos appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

There is always a memorable moment at Hot 97’s Summer Jam, whether its Jay Z bringing out Michael Jackson, orWu Tang Clan dissing the radio station during their set. But back in 2007, fans got to witness two of  hip-hop’s greatest producers engage in a friendly “beat battle.” During Swizz Beatz‘s set, Kanye West made a guest appearance and challenged him to a competition to determine who was the best producer. They went back and forth playing their biggest hits for the audience, creating another classic moment in Summer Jam history.

However, the battle was not supposed to end on the Summer Jam stage. According to Miss Info, the super-producers were planning to make a joint album.  “The best part was that afterwards they were so excited about it Swizz was telling me backstage that they wanted to do an entire CD like that,” she said.  “They wanted to do an album going back and forth.” It seems that the album will never come into fruition,but we can use footage from the now infamous battle to imagine how incredible the album would have been. Check out the video below.

The post Flashback Friday: Kanye West vs. Swizz Beatz At Hot 97’s Summer Jam 2007 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.