NEW PICS: STEVE HARVEY'S 2008 6th ANNUAL HOODIE AWARDS.

Steve Harvey's 6th annual Hoodie Awards (short for Neighborhood Awards) took place last weekend at the Orleans Arena in the Orleans Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. The Hoodie Awards, which was created by Steve, is considered the awards show for the 'people.' As a matter of fact it's the only awards show where celebrities (from the A-list to the Z-list, respectively) not only give awards to other celebrities, but also honor and hand out awards to us civilians who provide extraordinary services to people in our communities by acknowledging local business establishments, religious and community leaders, churches and high schools for their contributions and excellence within various neighborhoods. Some of the categories include Best Barber Shop, Best Gospel Choir, Best Hair Salon, Best High School Teacher, Best Soul Food Place, Best Car Wash/Detail Shop, Best Nail Salon, Best Fried Chicken Place (stop laughing yall) as well as the The Best Community Leader just to name a few. I actually heard someone say the Hoodies is quickly becoming as popular as the Soul Train Awards. Whether the person who said it was trying to facetious or not is still a mystery. Especially since it's been a couple of years since we've seen a Soul Train Awards broadcast. Steve, once described the Hoodies as the urban/hood version of the Oscars with a twist. I would ask Steve to stop playing with me if Barack Obama hadn't deemed this event worthy enough to make a surprise call during the taping to commend Steve on executing such a positive event.

Anyhoo, celebrities who attended this year's awards show included: Steve Harvey with is wife Marjorie, Wendy Raquel Robinson (Steve's former The Steve Harvey Show castmate), Patti LaBelle, Regina King, Dwele, Cupid, comedian Bruce Bruce, Kirk Franklin (with his wife Tammy), LisaRaye's rival Rocsi, Judge Greg Mathis, House of Payne stars LaVan Davis and Cassi Davis, Steve's radio show co-hosts Shirley Strawberry and Carla Ferrell, comedienne Sommore, Dr. Ian Smith and more.

CHECK OUT MORE PICS FROM THE 6th ANNUAL HOODIE AWARDS BY CLICKING 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!' ON THE BOTTOM LEFT.






To peep pictures from the 5th annual Hoodie Awards, click HERE.

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CELEB SHARE THEIR MEMORIES OF NEW EDITION IN HONOR OF THEIR 25th ANNIV; NEW ALBUM, TOUR & MOVIE IN THE WORKS.

Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Johnny. Just typing that makes me giddy as hell! I don't think anyone except for Meek, my best friend of 20+ years, will ever, ever, ever, ever understand my undying love and devotion for New Edition. To me, those dudes--with the exception of Bobby...I'm sorry, that's just how I feel...--will always be true, history-making, original icons in my eyes. And that's real talk. What other successful male group has had each and every one of its members to musically branch out on their own and achieve superstardom in their own rights? What other male group endured the trials and tribulations that came along with bankruptcy, drug addiction, Diddy's sheisty-ass ways, pesky rumors, jheri curls, shags and tight-ass Levi jeans only to flip the script on the naysayers by reuniting as a group and claiming their celebrity status all over again? Think about. I'll wait.

And to this day, I still find myself reverting to my teenage years anytime I hear a New Edition song or see a New Edition video. These dudes are the truth. Hell, I don't even have a problem telling yall that when I listened to this particular part of their song, N.E. Heartbreak: ...Just to be on top/And to give the best that we can give you/And to never let you down/We'll keep strivin' for perfection/N.E. Heartbreak is coming to your town....

I believed every single word. That's why I wasn't surprised one bit after Meek and I called the Tallahassee Civic Center hotline and found out that N.E. Heartbreak was really coming to our town!! LOL! And before I knew it, me and Meek had secured front row seats! If I keep on with all this reminiscing I'll never get to the point of this post. In celebration of New Edition's 25 years in the music industry, several celebrities shared their memories of New Edition and how they influenced their lives.

“I fell in love with Ralph’s voice when I first heard Is This The End back in the 80s. Then I saw the video and was in awe. Their N.E. Heartbreak album talked about the different stages of love. Their songs are memorable and their subject matter is very relatable.”
—R&B singer, Deborah Cox

“New Edition influenced me to put Dax in my hair! Candy Girl reminds me of when I was on the playground chasing after all of the girls. New Edition's music is universal and has inspired many young R&B singers.”
- actor, Mike Epps

“I was on the fence about liking New Edition initially but then the video for Popcorn Love came out and I was in! So much was taking place when their music was being played ­- good memories -- and their music brings it all back to life.”
—music producer, Jermaine Dupri

CONTINUE READING MORE CELEB MEMORIES OF NEW EDITION & FIND OUT WHAT UPCOMING PROJECTS THE GUYS ARE WORKING ON AFTER THE JUMP!

“New Edition can still tour now because their music and unity has stood the test of time.”
- R&B singer, Omarion

“My first memory of New Edition is all the posters my aunt had on her bedroom wall. I actually remade Candy Girl on my second album, Doggy Bag. When a New Edition song comes on the radio [now] people still remember where they were and what they were doing at that time."
-rapper, Bow Wow

“My favorite memory of New Edition was dancing on Soul Train in high school when [they performed as] the featured artists. I loved their chemistry on stage. My Prerogative by Bobby Brown and My, My, My by Johnny Gill are in my iPod today.”
- actress, Wendy Raquel Robinson

“My first memory of New Edition was at a concert at Six Flags in Dallas when I was 15 years old. Can You Stand The Rain is my favorite N.E. song because of the chord changes and melodies. It sounds like a gospel song. They came from an era where there was true artistry.”
- gospel singer, Kirk Franklin.

Also, be on the lookout for several projects from the guys of New Edition. According to Michael Bivins, a 25th anniversary album and television special will be released later this year. And in 2009, a movie chronicling the life and times of New Edition will be released through BET Films and Paramount Pictures followed by the launch of their 25th anniversary tour.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!