Principal Big Sean?

One of my favorite Hip-Hop artist, Big Sean, acted as "Principal for the Day" at Lincoln High School in Detroit, Michigan this past Monday.

Lincoln High School incredibly beat out 16 other high schools and won the Get Schooled Detroit Challenge by improving their attendance by nearly 9 percent.  Not only am I excited to be seeing more of Big Sean (the more the merrier) but the fact that he’s promoting education, makes me love him even more.

Fellow celebrity Michigan natives Mike Posner and Shady Records artist, Royce da 5’9 came and encouraged the students. Royce da 5’9 also performed his verse from the Bruno Mars’ hit single, Sky Full of Lighters. MTV V.J. host, Sway and WJLB’s Coco, emceed the assembly.

Big Sean reportedly said the experience reminded him of his days at the city’s Waldorf School and Cass Technical High School where he graduated with a 3.7 GPA. He was also offered a scholarship to Michigan State University but apparently turned it down to make us all “Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance…”

Chevrolet, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Viacom and Get Schooled joined together to present a Metro Detroit Attendance Challenge. In hopes to encourage schools to focus on perfect attendance in preparation for graduation, students earned points by participating in each activity and going to school every day, all day. It’s fantastic to see such big business come together for a great cause and incorporate entertainment as a means to do so.

Big Sean’s last album, Finally Famous, spent 16 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 Albums of the Year in 2011. With hits like “I Do It”, “Marvin & Chardonnay” and “Dance (A$$)” I can see how. But it is songs like “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” and “Get It (DT)” that make me jam this album every time I ride more than 15 minutes in my car. Finally Famous told stories of memories, good times and good people over an original Hip-Hop/Pop/Rock track.

Presently, summer anthem “Mercy” featuring Pusha T, 2 Chainz (more on him later) and Kanye West is reverberating through streets everywhere.  I wait in great anticipation for any music from him, but ultimately an album is what I need in my radio these days. Preferably, he’ll be breaking the summer one-hit wonders with an album to set me until next summer.

Fire at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta

Tyler Perry’s mega studio complex in Atlanta, Georgia caught on fire late Tuesday night.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that over 100 firefighters responded to the blaze and managed to extinguish the fire within an hour, but stayed on the premises to put out hot spots in the building. Several units were still there around midnight conducting a damage assessment, including salvage and overhaul.

Fire officials say there was a partial collapse to the façade of the 200,000 square-foot facility, but its structure was not effected.

Neighbor Dorothy Ware, whose apartment building is right next to the complex, told the press, “Whatever the fire was hitting, was blowing up. There were plenty of sparks coming over here where we are.”

“Flames shot as high as nearby trees, which are about as high as a six-story building,” Ware said.  She first learned about the fire from a guard who came to alert residents.

The cause of the fire and the extent of damage to the studio are not known, but are under investigation. No one was harmed as a result of the fire.

Tyler Perry himself reportedly surveyed the damage at the scene, but neither him nor his staff has made any official statements.  

The 200,000 square-foot facility has five sound stages, and a 400-seat theater. It includes a chapel, dining hall, gym and a five-acre pond. 

The complex also includes an art department, where sets for shows are created. A post-production facility where “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne” is shot are on the grounds as well.

Perry has worked as director, writer, producer, actor and playwright. His film credits include “A Family That Prey’s,” “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” and “Madea’s Family Reunion.” His latest movie, “Madea’s Witness Protection,” is scheduled to open June 29, according to Ajc.com.

(Huffingtonpost.com)