By Alexis Stodghill, BlackVoices.com

Ballers. Players. You see black celebrities on television and on the blogs living a life of luxury -- partying every night, throwing money in the air and drinking bottles of champagne that cost hundreds of dollars. Baller Alert™ is a service designed to help any and all connect with this scene. Sign up, and get text messages with info on the hottest parties with the biggest ballers in your city.

It is no secret that many search out ballers hoping to exchange sex for currency, fame or otherwise, and that many of these people are women. In making this process easier, does Baller Alert™ promote the intense materialism of our culture, and the resulting objectification of women? The creators of Baller Alert™, the companies Lyon Entertainment and Teccworks (whose managers choose to remain anonymous at this time), respond to these ideas and more in our exclusive interview.

What is a "baller"? Can a baller be female? Who are the hottest ballers out now (boxer Floyd Mayweather pictured here with hefty stacks)?

A baller is not just a person that is on the field or court. It can be a male or female that is confident and has some swagger and style with them mentally and physically. Although there are millions of men and women who hold these characteristics we focus on the ones that are in the limelight.

The hottest ballers out there now are Jay-Z, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade, Beyonce, Lebron James, Chris Lighty, Steve Stoute, Don Coleman, Bob Johnson, Funk Flex, Tyra Banks, Raven-Symone and Swizz Beats. These people have one thing in common. They are BALLIN!!!! Whether it's in music, on the court or behind the scenes. They are getting PAID.

Talk more about the perception that all groupies are female, and any differences between male and female fans.

The perception is that women are the only groupies, but men are just as bad. While male groupies may not want to have sex with the ballers (then again it is 2008) they crave to be acknowledged by them. The men camp out just like the women do waiting for a glimpse or a pound from their favorite baller. The difference is that a female wants to be with the player for his benefits as far as the attention and the money goes but the male wants to be his boy so he can blend in and get the "leftovers" of the baller.

On your site, you give advice about how to "snag a baller." How did you collect this advice?

It came from me seeing these girls in the club looking, walking and smelling like a hot mess! Then some of them had the nerve to be upset when they didn't meet a baller before night's end. I don't know how in the world they expected to meet anybody (especially a baller) by looking the way they did. This advice can be applied to everyday life though. It doesn't matter if you don't fit the model type that a baller usually has on his/her arm. If you follow those tips I'm sure you will snag something.

How successful has Baller Alert™ been so far in connecting the average person to superstar party people?

Actually a poster did email me to thank me for the heads up of an alert she received that Mayweather was in Visions in Atlanta. When she got there she and her friends received free bottles of champagne and "got rained on with money." They were able to pay their cell phone bills from just going to a party. It's not everyday that someone meets Mayweather and he hands them an $800 bottle of champagne.



Are you at all concerned for the privacy and safety of the celebs who are tracked by this service by complete strangers?

We at Baller Alert™ don't promote or endorse the stalking of ballers. We send out alerts when the ballers step into the hottest parties. Everyone wants to party like a rock star and this is a chance for people to party with their favorite ballers. This is the downfall of stardom. No privacy whatsoever.

Do you think your site may contribute to young women and men trying to become hos and groupies?

Again, Baller Alert™ is not meant to promote sexual acts or groupie activities. It's a way for people to experience the best party in the city. When a baller comes through, they always do it big and they tend to treat others around them. People always hear about things happening after the fact and wish that someone would have told them to come out, and all they are left with is pictures the morning after and the recap from their friends and favorite blogs. Groupies will be groupies with or without a text message. While we highlight the rich and famous on the website, it isn't all about the negativity. We profile ballers behind the scenes and we encourage our readers to be entrepreneurs and go-getters. We at Baller Alert™ don't pass judgment on anyone.

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There you have it from the makers of Baller Alert™. The site does promote the idea of a baller as a successful person who is not afraid of showing it. What groupies choose to do to get a baller's attention is not a reflection on most people, who just want to have a great time. At the same time, Baller Alert™ gives us something to think about in terms of our collective worship of celebrities, and its potential effects.

What do you think? And who are some of your favorite ballers?

Photo Credit 1: Seth Browarnik/WireImage.com; Photo Credit 2 & 3: Courtesy of BallerAlert.com, Prince Williams photographer and owner of ATL Pics