You may remember Aaron Smith aka “Shwayze” from the Alternative Rap-Rock duo of the same name for their hit songs “Buzzin’” and “Corona and Lime.” Well, now Shwayze (now known as Shwayze and Cisco Adler) have a third album coming out called Island in the Sun, slated to be released Aug. 16. It’s their first truly independent album under Bananabeat Records. The duo has grown a lot since their first album and will be going on tour this summer July 21-Aug. 27 with Slightly Stoopid and Rebelution.

Marissa Kendrick, an art and design student at Columbia College Chicago, is like any other student. Having school projects, going to class and pursuing her dreams are things that are normal for her. One thing that may set her apart from some students, however, is that singer Keri Hilson owns a piece of the jewelry she created.

Vonzell “Baby V” Solomon was the second runner-up in the fourth season of the FOX Television series, “American Idol.” From the small town of Fort Meyer, Fla., Vonzell has been doing so much since “American Idol.” She is currently on tour with “Burn the Floor,” a musical traveling across the country, and she has an album coming out this summer.

“Brown Skin Lady,” “Black is Beautiful,” “Rep Chi,” and most recently, “Brown Skin Baby” are some of the sayings on the shirts and totes made by Shari Neal, creator of the line Bon Bon Vie.