"A Milli" may have been the most remixed song in 2008 but there were other great songs that was remade.



Maroon 5 featuring Rihanna -"If I Never See Your Face Again". This Rihanna-assisted song righfully jumpstarted the re-release of Maroon 5's sophomore album. The releases was great and the chemistry between Maroon 5 lead vocalist Adam Levine and Rihanna was undeniable.



T.I. featuring Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil' Wayne - "Swagger Like Us". Who knew the one statment made in M.I.A.'s Paper Planes would become instrumental in Hip-Hop?! This song easily became the street anthem of 2008.


Usher featuring Beyonce & Lil' Wayne - "Love in This Club Pt.2". For the remix version of his club banger, Usher slow down the pace with vocals from Beyonce and Lil' Wayne. Radio and bloggers ate up this song completely.


Janet Jackson featuring Ciara - "Feedback". Pop music's diva and crunk & B came together on the remix of Janet's Darkchild produced jam "Feedback." Was this song a passing of the torch?



What was your favorite remix song in 2008?

Labels: Best of 2008, Music Hoopla

President Elect Barack Obama and First Lady Elect Michelle Obama


Dressed consistently to compliment one another, the Obama's effortlessly showcase their fashion style. Michelle prefer looks from Thakoon, Narciso Rodriguez, and her favorite designer Maria Pinto. WWD had designer sketch up their dream Inauguration Day outfits for Barack and Michelle.


Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith


These two just like Barack and Michelle complimented each other at various events in 2008. (They even got a recent Essence magazine cover to prove it!) Their kids (Trey, Jaden and Willow) as expected picked up their style.


Lance Gross & Eva Marcille


Newly engaged couple Lance Gross and Eva Marcille put their modeling skills to the test each time they stepped out together.


Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z


The Carters (re: Forbes' Richest Couple in Hollywood) pulled a fast one on critics and fans when they got married on April 4th. Their style whether laid-back or dressed up to the nines has been admired.

Tia Mowry & Cory Hardrict


Newlyweds Tia Mowry ("The Game") and Cory Hardrict (Brandy's video guy in "Right Here Departed") were the young hip couple (right after Lance & Eva) on the red carpet.

Chris Brown & Rihanna


Who knew puppy love could bring out the very best out of these two? From Rihanna's style picks to his BBC Obsession, these two never missed a beat.

Paula Patton and Robin Thicke

Robin celebrated the release of his album, "Something Else" and Paula had a new movie ("Swing Vote") out on the scene. Together they put their best game face forward at various events.

Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri


From front row at fashion week to Dubai, Janet and JD kept their look sleek and fun to watch.

Honorable Mentions: Seal & Heidi, Iman and David Bowie, Dawn Richard & Q, Jessica Alba & Cash Warren, Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon, Reggie Bush & Kim Kardashian

What was your best dressed couple in 2008?

Labels: Best of 2008, Fashion Hoopla, New Couple

Liquid leggings - Kerry Washington, Dania Ramirez and Meagan Good were just the handful of folks rocking this trend. Olivia Newton-John's character from the cult classic, "Grease" would be please to know this trend came back hard.


Over the knee leather boots - Ciara, Fergie and Brandy dressed up and down in these over the knee boots which they paired alone or with skinny jeans in 2008.


Lace/patterned leggings - These funky leggings has had a good style comeback thanks to Kelis, Gina Torres, and Nia Long. Say goodbye to the pantyhose!



3-Finger Custom Rings - Keri Hilson, Melody Ehsani, and Alicia Keys singlehandedly brought back this chic style from the 1980's to 2008. (Other Melody Ehsani hits: Erykah Badu's album cover + Ciara's Pow Pow bamboo doorknockers)


Minx nails - Chrome nail polish (done by celebrity manicurists Lisa Logan and Kimmie Kyees) never looked so good thanks to Rihanna, Beyonce, and Eve. (Rihanna's Black Minx with Silver Lightning Polka Dots was done by Kyees.)


Obama tee-shirts - Supporting President-Elect Barack Obama via a custom-made tee shirt was the norm in 2008...just ask Halle Berry, Solange Knowles, and Kim Kardashian.


Other style trends in 2008: Sneakers with dresses, Kimono, Geek shades, This BEBE dress, and the Maxi Dress. (Hats was the big trend in 2007. Green was the ideal color to wear in 2007.)(Photos: Getty, Splash, Wireimage, Fame)

Labels: Best of 2008, Fashion Hoopla

The year belonged to designs made by Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Gucci, Pierre Hardy, Christian Louboutin, and Giuseppe Zanotti.



The footwear lifted from Gucci Fall 2008 was a hit with Amerie and Fergie. (Other Gucci hits: Babouska studded boots & Babouska studded bootie.)



Designs made by Pierre Hardy were worn by Nicole Richie, Selita Ebanks, Cassie and Estelle.



Yves Saint Laurent had a good year thanks to Naomi Campbell and Alicia Keys. (Other YSL hits: Starry sandals, The Trooper patent leather pumps and Tribute Canvas Leopard Pump.)



Mariah Carey and Lauren London completed their looks in these black Burberry Prorsum t-strap sandals and Givenchy open-toe strappy booties.



What's a shoe countdown without Christian Louboutin? Balenciaga, Louboutin, and Louis Vuitton had a good run thanks to Ciara, Vanessa Simmons, Rihanna, Kerry Washington, and Heidi Klum. (Other funky footwear hits: Bebe & Versace)



What was your favorite funky footwear trend in 2008?

Labels: Best of 2008, Fashion Hoopla

Many historical and entertainment newsstand accomplishments went down in 2008. From the all-Black Italia Vogue issue to President-Elect Barack Obama, the newsstand showcase plenty of talent and familar faces.

Ad campaigns in 2008

Rihanna for Gucci's Tatto Hearts - Gucci played off Rihanna's tattoo obsession and the rest is fashion history.
Erykah Badu for Tom Ford White Patchouli - Miss Badu turn to her musical influence Diana Ross for inspiration in this black and white print AD.
Nelly for Sean John Underwear - When news of Nelly collaborating with Sean John Underwear hit the blogosphere everyone assumed that he'll pull a David Beckham...but Nelly kept it quite tame both times (unfortunately).
Lauren London and Cassie for Sean John Women - New New and Diddy's Official Girl became instant best friends for Sean John Women...and Diddy approved.
Maxwell for Gap - Do I need to elaborate on why he made this list? No really?!

Naomi Campbell for Yves Saint Laurent - Amidst the hoopla from Italia Vogue, Naomi positioned herself front and center as the face of YSL -a fashion designer that admired black models.
Beyonce & Solange for Samantha Thavasa - That Knowles charm spilled over in the Japan market for Samantha Thavasa handbag collection.
Liya Kebede for Tiffany & Co -The mother of two/Ethipoian model opted for a classic Audrey Hepburn look for the jeweler's print ADs.
M.I.A for Marc Jacobs - Right before "Paper Planes" and "Swagga Like Us" hoopla kicked off, a pre-pregnant M.I.A pose for her designer friend Marc's AD campaign.

Buzzworthy covers in 2008

Italia Vogue - The All-Black issue featured Alek Wek, Naomi Campbell, Chanel Iman, Sessliee Lopez, Liya Kebede, Iman, Tyra Banks, Tocarra, and many notable Black models. Why the hype? It was a first and a major power move in the fashion world. The hoopla paid off as evident in the latest edition of Vogue magazine which featured Jourdan Dunn and Chanel Iman.

Ciara Vibe October 2008 - With a new album ("Fantasy Ride") set to be released, Ciara shed all of her clothes for her birthday attire. The negative feedback was quite harsh from critics, fans, and bloggers. Did the controversy work in Ciara's favor or against her? Well it all depends on who you'd ask.

President-Elect Barack Obama - Simply put the newsstand was overloaded with Barack Obama and his family. From Vibe's endorsement to that New Yorker feature, Obama dominated the newsstand and come January 20th the hoopla would only intensified.
Tyra Banks Harper's Bazaar September 2008 - Fresh off her self-imposed model retirement, Tyra pose as First Lady-Elect Michelle Obama for the fashion publication. She even added Barack, The White House, Malia and Sasha into the fun photo shoot.
LeBron James Vogue April 2008 - This historical cover caused a huge uproar not because Lebron was the first black man to cover the famous fashion magazine but because of its possible inspiration. Lebron=King Kong + Gisele Bundchen=Fay Wray?! Oh the controversy!!!


Honorable mentions: The Hollywood Issue 2008 Essence, Halle Berry InStyle Februrary 2008, Beyonce The New York Observer Style, Usher & son Essence August 2008, Naomi Campbell Liya Kebede Alek Wek ARISE The Africa Issue, Stacey Dash KING June 2008, Aaliyah Fader May/June 2008, Eva Mendes for Calvin Klein, Madonna for Louis Vuitton, Nate Parker & Chanel Iman for GAP, and Janet Jackson Vibe April 2008.

Labels: Best of 2008, Newsstand Snapshots

Here's another fun installment of Urban-Hoopla's Best of 2008. This time around let's focus on celebrity weddings.



Weddings: 2008 was the year of weddings. From The Carters (Beyonce & Jay-Z) to The Cannons (Mariah & Nick) weddings occurred year around.

Malinda Williams and Derrick "DJ D Nice" Jones - Malinda documented her bridal showers and pre-wedding prepartions via a blog on Essence. When they finally got hitched in New Jersey, their celebrity friends Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Vanessa Williams and Terri J. Vaughn all came through with support.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon - These two came across as an unlikely pair when they wed on April 30th. The Cannons event set tongues ablaze via their matching his/her tattoos. (Nick has Mariah's name across his back and she has "Mrs. Cannon" on her lower back.)

Tia Mowry and Cory Hardrict - "The Game" actress wed her long-time boyfriend Cory with her fraternal sister Tamara and brother Tahj in attendance.

Eddie Murphy & Tracey Edmonds - Just as soon as these two tied the knot, they quickly filed for divorce.

Honorable mentions: Here are handful of celebs who got hitched in 2008 as well as renew their vows.

Seal & Heidi Klum, Cherish vocalist Noeshe King, Jessica Alba & Cash Warren, Joy Bryant & David Pope, Melanie Brown & Stephen Belafonte, and Beyonce Knowles & Jay-Z. (What was your favorite celebrity wedding in 2008?)

Labels: Best of 2008, Cherish, Eddie Murphy, Jessica Alba, Joy Bryant, Malinda Williams, Mariah Carey, Melanie Brown, New Couple, Nick Cannon, Seal, Tia Mowry

2008 presented itself with a boatload of celebrities joining the blogosphere circuit. Known folks like Solange, Diddy, Britney Spears, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Kanye West, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Michelle Obama, Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow, Erykah Badu, and Malinda Williams all got heavily involved with communicating with their audience.


Simply put, you actively sought out their next blog entries. What was your favorite celeb blog moment in 2008? Stay tune for the next installment of Urban-Hoopla's "Best of 2008."

Labels: Best of 2008, Beyonce Knowles, Britney Spears, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, Solange