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Sunday, April 8, 2007

Whitney Gets Custody of Bobbi Kristina
Whitney Gets Custody of Bobbi Kristina

Houston awarded custody of her daughter with Bobby Brown.

This month, after Whitney Houston's divorce from Bobby Brown is final, the singer will retain custody of their 14-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

Houston attended court yesterday in Orange County, and told Judge Franz E. Miller that Brown was "unreliable. If he says he's going to come, sometimes he does. Usually he doesn't." Miller awarded custody to Houston, but Brown's lawyer claims he will seek to overturn the judge's ruling. Bobby Brown was not in attendance.

Sun, April 8, 2007 | link

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Gushing from the "Grindhouse"
 
Gushing from the "Grindhouse"

Wildly entertaining, but too hammy. Fennessey goes in.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the dripping, drooling new double feature Grind House is the grandest compliment to exploitation movies Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez could have mustered. Their new dual set of films, Rodriguez's Planet Terror and Tarantino's Deathproof, comprise the three-hour film and are broken up by four shockingly smart faux trailers with wonky titles like "Machete" and "Werewolf Women of the S.S." (each directed by a fellow hip auteur, like "Hostel's Eli Roth and Shaun of the Dead's Edgar Wright). They're hoping to simulate the experience of a night at a seedy Grind House theater, where film after cheesily made film is played throughout the night, like those found on Manhattan's 42nd St. in the 1970s. Reels go missing, scratches and hairs appear on the reel, blood splatters, flesh hangs - it's a gory delight, mostly.

The plots of the respective films are almost beside the point. Rodriguez does a zombie flick, set in Austin where a government-released infection has turned the town's populace into brain-hungry killers. The pace is frisky and crisp from the opening shot, a titillating sequence wherein the ashen-skinned actress Rose McGowan shimmies across the screen as go-go dancet Cherry Darling. McGowan is too glamorous to be stuck in Podunk, Nowhere's greasiest strip club, but this being a fake B-flick, it's hardly the most unrealistic thing here (take, for example, the replacement of McGowan's disembodied leg with an automatic rifle late in the movie). Rodriguez writes like he's trying to get every punny joke out of his system and 'Hey-it's-that-guys!' like Michael Biehn and Jeff Fahey and Naveen Andrews are game for the writer/director/editor/cinematographer/composer's shenanigans. Josh Brolin, in particular, as an abusive husband and thermometer-chewing doctor, seethes his lines like some of his oral fixation's mercury has crawled down his throat at his wife - the gutty, eye-shadow-streaked Marley Shelton. But Planet Terror's only as good as its gore, and when the exploding limbs, puss-filled tongues and clipped testicles (seriously) are washed away, we're left with a flick that is clearly too highly budgeted to be a low-brow, low-rent crowd-pleaser. This is high form entertainment and very fun, from a highly skilled stylist. But Rodriguez is intentionally slumming to recreate something most young viewers will never understand.

Where Rodriguez goes for bombast, Tarantino revels in the minor keys. Deathproof, a women-in-peril/car chase takeoff is damn near languid compared to its predecessor, full of talky scenes populated by strong, catty female characters, a personal favorite of the writer-director. The film takes a good 35 minutes to get cooking. Again the story - about a maniacal drifter called Stuntman Mike (played brilliantly and scarily by Kurt Russell) who terrorizes girls in Austin with his indestructible stunt car - is about 1/5 of the equation. Initially things feel weak - actresses Vanessa Ferlito and Jordan Ladd feel ill-equipped to handle Tarantino's dialogue, and the auteur's lauded writing feels a bit overwrought (text messaging is a peripheral plot point, ugh). But when a second cast of chatty girls shows up halfway through - including the splendid Tracie Thoms and real-life stuntwoman Zoe Bell, an onscreen risk-taker of the highest order - the movie suddenly comes alive. No more so than when the second crew get crazy and attempt a famous car trick that feels almost unreal when executed. Bell is truly a magician in this movie, if not a seasoned actress. By the time the girls get around to their inevitable revenge on the disturbed psycho, the third hour is rolling around and gasping with glee is almost unavoidable. Tarantino, in what could be looked at as a competition between two friends, has clearly bested his partner's outing.

But it ought be said, imitation isn't flattery - here it can feel like a heavy dose of egotism. And that's the problem with Grind House. It's a technically proficient, wildly entertaining movie. But these are two directors who love movies too much for their own good. And though they break ground all the time - Tarantino with non-linear storytelling, Rodriguez with hi-tech kids flicks and his multi-hyphenism - one wishes they'd stop hamming it so hard. There's only so much blood you can pull from a stone.

Sat, April 7, 2007 | link

Friday, April 6, 2007

Beyonce is Ready to Experience You
Beyonce is Ready to Experience You

Bey announces "The Beyonce Experience": The Tour Dates

Fresh off the release of B'Day: Deluxe Edition and its accompanying B'Day: Anthology Video Album (read VIBE's interview with her photographer director here), Beyonce has announced the dates for her summer tour. Entitled "THE BEYONCE EXPERIENCE," it begins April 10 in Tokyo, and will arrive stateside on July 6 at the Superdome in New Orleans. VIP Concert packages are available via @ http://WeLoveBeyonce.com.

The Experience. The Dates.
Fri 7/6 - New Orleans, LA - Superdome
Sat 7/7 - Memphis, TN - FedEx Forum
Sun 7/8 - St. Louis, MO - Savvis Center
Wed 7/11 - Monterrey, Mexico - Monterrey Arena
Fri 7/13 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
Sat 7/14 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
Sun 7/15 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center
Wed 7/18 - Nashville, TN - Gaylord Entertainment Center
Fri 7/20 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
Sat 7/21 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
Sun 7/22 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - BankAtlantic Center
Tue 7/24 - Orlando, FL - AMWAY Arena
Fri 7/27 - Charlotte, NC - Bobcat Arena
Sat 7/28 - Raleigh, NC - RBC Center
Sun 7/29 - Hampton, VA - Hampton Coliseum
Tue 7/31 - Albany, NY - Pepsi Arena
Wed 8/1 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun
Thu - 8/2 - TBD
Fri - 8/3 - Meadowlands, NJ - Continental Airline Arena
Sat 8/4 - NYC - Madison Square Garden
Wed 8/8 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
Thu 8/9 - Washington DC - Verizon Center
Fri 8/10 - Philadelphia, PA- Wachovia Center
Sat 8/11 - Atlantic City, NJ - TBD
Sun 8/12 - Boston, MA - Fleet Center
Tue 8/14 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
Wed 8/15 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada
Fri 8/17 - Detroit, MI - Palace
Sat 8/18 - Chicago, IL - United Center
Sun 8/19 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Arena
Wed 8/22 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Arena
Fri 8/24 - Phoenix, AZ - US Airways Center
Sat 8/25 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM
Sun 8/26 - San Diego, CA TBD
Thu 8/30 - Lake Tahoe, CA - Harrah's Outdoor Theatre
Fri 8/31 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Arena
Sat 9/1 - Anaheim, CA - Honda Center
Sun 9/2 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
Wed 9/5 TBD
Thu 9/6 Calgary, Canada Pengrowth Saddledome
Fri 9/7 Vancouver, Canada GM Place

Fri, April 6, 2007 | link

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Jay-Z Inspired Hip-Hop Movie Musical

Jay-Z Inspired Hip-Hop Movie Musical, Confessions of a Thug Hits the Streets, Featured on Cover of Billboard

The DVD is in stores now After the death of a friend, Southboy (Daron Fordham) performs a spiritual rap song in the hip-hop musical Confessions Of A Thug. Daron Fordham (Writer, Director and Star Of Confessions Of A Thug)

The new award-winning, highly-anticipated hip-hop musical, Confessions Of A Thug, starring Daron Fordham and featured on the cover of the current (March 31st through April 6th) edition of Billboard Magazine, has been released on DVD in the U.S. domestically by Polychrome Pictures, a subsidiary of Warner Home Video.

Confessions Of A Thug, is a groundbreaking, hip-hop musical chronicling the life of a college-educated street hustler, who explores the path his life has taken. In addition to directing, Daron Fordham (Black Spring Break I & II) starred in and also wrote the picture. In an interview, Fordham said that he was "inspired by the entrepreneurial example of hip-hop mogul Jay-Z to make the picture." The movie is a cutting edge urban crime drama, with an outstanding soundtrack of original music, presented with a fresh, new approach to the genre. The movie also includes performances by multi-platinum rap artists J. T. Money and The Lady of Rage.

"This film is a morality tale. You reap what you sow. We wanted to portray that in a non-traditional way and raise the bar artistically on what an urban film can be and look like," says Fordham. By merging hard-hitting rap performances with dramatic filmmaking, and edgy photography, Fordham gives his audiences the best of both worlds. "Confessions is a movie for the young urban crowd and the art crowd," says Fordham. Among other honors, the movie gained the award for Best Director at this year's 2007 San Diego Black Film Festival.

Raymond Forchion, producer of Confessions, couldn't agree more. "We've created a product that transcends the borders often set for this type of movie. The musical numbers alone elevate this picture and give it a whole new level of excitement. The soundtrack album includes eleven original hot tracks from the movie that have created a buzz on the underground and club circuits."

The Confessions Of A Thug DVD is in stores now. Also, the March 31st edition of Billboard is currently on newsstands. In addition to the Confessions cover spot there is also an article about the picture.

Starting with Birmingham, Alabama, Director/Star Daron Fordham, Producer Raymond Forchion and other stars from the picture will be touring several U.S. cities and visiting various retail outlets in the coming weeks to promote the PolychromePictures/Warner Brothers release.

For more information about the film and to view trailers, visit www.confessionsofathug.com and www.polychromepictures.com

Thu, April 5, 2007 | link

Monday, April 2, 2007

50 Album Title Change?
50 Album Title Change?

CUR-TIS!! 50 Cent is changing his forthcoming album title, according to a source close to the project.

VIBE.com has learned that 50 Cent (nee Curtis Jackson) is scrapping the working title of his next album, due this summer. Previously, the record was called Before I Self-Destruct. But according to a source close to the project, 50 is planning to retitle the album Curtis, a reference to his beef with Cam'ron, wherein Cam repeatedly screamed "Curtisssss!" into a phone on Hot 97.

In other news, 50 Cent was reportedly at home in Farmington, CT, recording songs for the new album when the alleged Tony Yayo / Czar Entertainment incident went down, and has said he will launch his own investigation into the matter. It was also recently announced that he will star in Live Bet, a new film about gambling and illegal street racing co-produced by G-Unit and his management company, Violator.

Mon, April 2, 2007 | link

Sunday, April 1, 2007

Ricky Martin Speaks Out for Gay Performers
 
Ricky Martin Speaks Out for Gay Performers

The pop star expresses solidarity with RBD's newly out Christian Chavez.

Ricky Martin told the AP today that he empathized with Mexican rock group RBD's newly out Christian Chavez, and he defended out musicians' right to come out. "Life is too short to live closed up, guarding what you say," he said. "I wish [Christian] much strength."

Chavez, 23, came out earlier this month after photos of his legal Canadian wedding to his man-friend leaked. He wrote on the RBD website, "I don't want to keep on lying and lie to myself because of fear. I feel bad for not having shared this with all my fans before, as they are the ones that worry and it is because of them that I decided to be honest. [The photos] show a part of me, a part that I was not prepared to speak of in fear of rejection, of criticism, but especially for my family and its consequences. Although I'm scared and filled with uncertainty I know that I can rely on the support of my fans. Their love is bigger than all of this. I ask them from the bottom of my heart, not to judge me for being honest and to feel proud of who they are and never make the same mistake I did. Tolerance to diversity!"

Sun, April 1, 2007 | link

Friday, March 30, 2007

R. Kelly Covers VIBE's May Issue!
R. Kelly Covers VIBE's May Issue!

Cop VIBE's hot May issue, now on stands in NY and LA.

Unfinished Business: Five years after R. Kelly's indictment on child-pornography charges, there have been plenty of allegations, denials, hearings, motions and countermotions, but no sign of justice. As Kelly's wife and brother turn against him, and as his fifth year without a trial comes to a close, R. Kelly keeps dropping hits, collecting awards, touring the world, and stepping in the name of love like it's all good. VIBE investigates. Don't miss this cover story by Abdon M. Pallasch in our May 2007 issue.

Plus: Timbaland. Charles Rangel. Mike Jones. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. "Pretty Boy" Floyd. Amy Winehouse. Collie Buddz.

Fri, March 30, 2007 | link

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Disney To Unlock A Never-Released Animated Film About Slavery

Disney To Unlock A Never-Released Animated Film About Slavery

Walt Disney Co.'s 1946 film "Song of the South" was historic. It was Disney's first big live-action picture and produced one of the company's most famous songs - the Oscar-winning "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah." It also provided the inspiration for the Splash Mountain rides at Disney's theme parks.

But the movie remains hidden in the Disney archives - never released on video in the United States and criticized as racist for its depiction of Southern plantation blacks. The film's 60th anniversary passed last year without a whisper of official rerelease, which is unusual for Disney, but President and CEO Bob Iger recently said the company was reconsidering.

The film's reissue would surely spark debate, but it could also sell big. Nearly 115,000 people have signed an online petition urging Disney to make the movie available, and out-of-print international copies routinely sell online for $50 to $90, some even more than $100.

Iger was answering a shareholder's inquiry about the movie for the second straight year at Disney's annual meeting in New Orleans. This month the Disney chief made a rerelease sound more possible.

The question of 'Song of the South' comes up periodically, in fact it was raised at last year's annual meeting," Iger said. "And since that time, we've decided to take a look at it again because we've had numerous requests about bringing it out. Our concern was that a film that was made so many decades ago being brought out today perhaps could be either misinterpreted or that it would be somewhat challenging in terms of providing the appropriate context."

"Song of the South" was re-shown in theaters in 1956, 1972, 1980 and 1986. Both animated and live-action, it tells the story of a young white boy, Johnny, who goes to live on his grandparents' Georgia plantation when his parents split up. Johnny is charmed by Uncle Remus - a popular black servant - and his fables of Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear and Brer Fox, which are actual black folk tales. (An honorary Oscar to James Baskett for his portrayal of Uncle Remus.)

Remus' stories include "The Tar Baby," a phrase Republican presidential hopefuls John McCain and Mitt Romney have been criticized for using to describe difficult situations. In "Song of the South," it was a trick Brer Fox and Brer Bear used to catch the rabbit - dressing a lump of hot tar as a person to ensnare their prey. To some, it's now a derogatory term for blacks, regardless of context.

The movie doesn't reveal whether it takes place before or after the Civil War, and never refers to blacks on the plantation as slaves. It makes clear they work for the family, living down dirt roads in wood shacks while the white characters stay in a mansion. Remus and other black characters' dialogue is full of "ain't nevers," "ain't nobodys," "you tells," and "dem dayses."

"In today's environment, 'Song of the South' probably doesn't have a lot of meaning, especially to the younger audiences," said James Pappas, associate professor of African-American Studies at the University of New York at Buffalo. "Older audiences probably would have more of a connection with the stereotypes, which were considered harmless at the time."

Pappas said it's not clear that the movie is intentionally racist, but it inappropriately projects Remus as a happy, laughing storyteller even though he's a plantation worker.

However, Pappas said he thinks the movie should be rereleased because of its historical significance. He said it should be prefaced, and closed, with present-day statements.

"I think it's important that these images are shown today so that especially young people can understand this historical context for some of the blatant stereotyping that's done today," Pappas said.

From a financial standpoint, Iger acknowledged last year that Disney stood to gain from rereleasing "Song." The company's movies are popular with collectors, and Disney has kept sales strong by tightly controlling when they're available.

Christian Willis, a 26-year-old IT administrator in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., started a "Song of the South" fan site in 1999 to showcase memorabilia. He soon expanded it into a clearinghouse for information on the movie that now averages more than 800 hits a day and manages the online petition.

Willis said he doesn't think the movie is racist, just from a different time.

"Stereotypes did exist on the screen," he said. "But if you look at other films of that time period, I think 'Song of the South' was really quite tame in that regard. I think Disney did make an effort to show African-Americans in a more positive light."

Though Willis is hopeful, there's still no telling when - or if - the movie could come out (beyond its copyright lapsing decades from now).

In a statement to The Associated Press, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Disney's distribution arm, said: "'Song of the South' is one of a handful of titles that has not seen a home distribution window. To this point, we have not discounted nor committed to any distribution window concerning this title."

Thu, March 29, 2007 | link

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Denzel Washington Producing Iraq War Film
Denzel Washington Producing Iraq War Film

The star might also take the lead role in a film based on the real journals of a US soldier in Iraq.

Deja Vu star Denzel Washington has signed on to produce and possibly star in Journal for Jordan, based on a letter written from a US soldier to his newborn son one month before being killed in Baghdad.

The film is based on an essay published in the New York Times by the soldier's fiance, Dana Canedy, detailing the 200-page diary he wrote for their son. First Sgt. Charles Monroe King left for Iraq before the child was born, and was killed in Baghdad a month before his return. In the interim, he wrote the words as a kind of instruction manual for his son on living a good life, and possibly living a life without a father.

Wed, March 28, 2007 | link

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Snoop, Diddy UK Tour Canned
Snoop, Diddy UK Tour Canned

Brits deny Snoop visa on April '06 arrest.

Snoop and Diddy had to cancel British dates on their European tour after Snoop was denied visa entry to the country. Tour promoters in the UK had said the show would continue sans Snoop if such a block went down, but according to a statement, "With late notice of Snoop being denied a visa, time has run out and it is too late reconfigure the show."

In April 2006, Snoop was arrested for allegedly starting a brawl when he and five other men were denied entry to a first-class lounge at Heathrow Airport. He and five other men were arrested and spent the night in jail. British rule says foreigners may be denied entry if the country is worried about their presence.

Tue, March 27, 2007 | link

Monday, March 26, 2007

Soul Summit 2007 Dates Set
Soul Summit 2007 Dates Set

Common, Rahsaan Patterson, Jaguar Wright, Gordon Chambers and more scheduled to attend.

The dates for the second annual Soul Summit, a conference dedicated to soul music, have been set for July 25-29 at the downtown Marriott in Atlanta, GA. Creator/executive producer Terry Bello christened this installment of the festival "Underground Meets Mainstream: It's Time to Connect." "Like jazz and hip-hop before us, this music is an underground movement," said Bello in a statement. "But it's poised to be the next big thing and we're ready to be the catalyst for that elevation."

The summit combines performances, panels, networking sessions, unsigned artist showcases and more in an effort to strengthen the soul music industry. For more information or to register, visit Soul Summit Online.

Mon, March 26, 2007 | link

Friday, March 23, 2007

Vivica Volunteers
Vivica Volunteers

Vivica A. Fox launches Red Cross Ad Campaign; VIBE catches up with the Fox on the topic.

In this trite moment of celebrity obsession, many female actresses choose a diet of cigarettes and coffee, starving themselves in hopes of securing placement as the face for one of fashion's elite brands. But recently, some celebrities - Patti Labelle, Julianne Moore, The Rock and Pierce Brosnon - have been posing for top photographer Timothy Greenfield Sanders. Not for brand recognition with an Italian fashion house or a million-dollar contract, but as part of the Red Cross' "Hometown Heroes" Celebrity Portrait Campaign to encourage volunteerism. Vivica A. Fox, actress and television star, lent her image, too: she's become a Nation Celebrity Cabinet Member for the American Red Cross.

It's 10:11am on a Sunday morning when Vivica starts texting: "Where ya at? It's 10am luv!"

Vivica is a no-nonsense woman - you know the type - well put together, a businessperson who arrives promptly to meetings and appointments - sometimes earlier, but never, ever late.

Vivica was just arriving at The Beverly Hot Springs for a manicure and pedicure, appointment when she answered the phone in a serene tone and immediately began conversation in her joking, mama-don't-play-that demeanor. But talk got serious as the philanthropic diva chatted about her desire to give back to the community, Dancing with the Stars and the book of Revelations.

How did you get involved in the Red Cross' most recent celebrity volunteer ad campaign?
They contacted my office directly and asked if I would be involved with their volunteer campaign. And we would help to raise awareness, considering all the tragedies that have been going on, like Hurricane Katrina and the tornados that hit Miami recently. And I always just feel like it is my duty to give back. I have had such an incredibly long career and the community has supported me whether I'm on television, movies, pretty much whatever it is I do. This is my way to let them know I care about them as well.

You posing partner in the ad, Garfield Richards, has been a Red Cross Volunteer for 11 years, now that you're a celebrity cabinet member, how long will you be a volunteer for?
Gosh! I hope for a lifetime to be honest with you. I don't mind getting out there and helping out when things happen because you never know when tragedy may occur.

So you are on call for the Red Cross whenever and wherever they need you?
Absolutely. Because I never know if a tragedy may affect my family or anybody. I like helping out wherever I can and giving back.

Have they called you yet?
No. They haven't called just yet, but they've got my contact numbers!

Have you ever been affected by a natural disaster such as a Hurricane Katrina?
You know, the only natural disaster I was affected by was when we had the earthquake out here in the late '90s. I can't think of the area, but it was one of the biggest earthquakes that had hit California in a very long time.

Was your house ok?
Yes. But I went to help my girlfriend, Lela Rochon Fuqua, and I walked in her house to see it completely destroyed. I helped her clean up and it just showed me how 10 seconds can change a person's life.

Did you ever make it to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina?
No I did not.

Do you think the world is coming to an end?
Uh, no. I am not going to say that we're coming to an end because I want it to last for a bit more!

But the weather is crazy right now!
Well that's letting you know global warming is definitely in effect. If you don't believe it, look at the tsunami that came in - there are things that are happening. And also read your Bible because it says in the book of Revelations that this would happen - so you know, we have to pay attention to things.

You have very limited time on your hands, but you still find time to give back. What do you say to others to encourage more philanthropic efforts?
We, especially in the African American community, have to learn to stick together and to lift one another up and that means giving back to those who are less fortunate. [I want them] to care about generation next and that will be your nieces and nephews - our babies! We need to make sure that they have wonderful opportunities that our forefathers sacrificed so much for - they got bit by dogs, sprayed by water - to not forget those sacrifices made by others so that we have the right to vote, to sit in the front of the theater, to walk down the street, to not be discriminated against and for all of us to continue that legacy.

Your Red Cross advertisement was influenced by your stint on Dancing with the Stars; what was it like participating in that show?
Well, you know, [it's seen] by 28 million viewers every single week, twice a week. And everywhere I go now, I am shocked by the awareness that show brought back. The week that I got unfairly booted off, I landed a roll on Curb Your Enthusiasm for the 2007 season, coming out in September. It helps to keep your face on the block. A lot of people have a problem with reality shows - I don't, especially that one because it's about skills. I have a tendency to take on jobs where I have to do something very physical - Kill Bill, Independence Day, Set It Off. So I'm just a physical kind of babe!

Fri, March 23, 2007 | link

Fla. Judge Issues Warrant for Foxy Brown

LOUIS LANZANO/AP Photo
Fla. Judge Issues Warrant for Foxy Brown

An arrest warrant was issued for rapper Foxy Brown on Thursday after she failed to appear in court on charges stemming from a scuffle in a beauty supply store.

Brown was applying beauty products in the bathroom of Queen Beauty Supply when an employee told her the business was closed and it was time to leave, according to the arrest report. She refused and threw hair glue at the employee, then spat at the man as he called 911, the report said.

She later struggled with a responding police officer, the report said. She was released on a $1,500 bond.

She was charged in February with battery and resisting arrest without violence. Judge Joel Lazurus issued the bench warrant after she did not appear in court in Fort Lauderale, The Miami Herald reported.

Brown's lawyer, New York state Sen. John Sampson, was participating in the legislative session and was unreachable, an aide said.

Brown's real name is Inga Marchand. Her albums include "Ill Na Na" and "Chyna Doll," and she is known for her sexy outfits and racy lyrics.

Fri, March 23, 2007 | link

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Steve Harvey: He's So Sincere (Part Two)
Steve Harvey: He's So Sincere (Part Two)

Wendy Raquel Robinson speaks on Steve Harvey: Read Harvey's original interview in VIBE's April issue, on stands now.

Don't get it twisted; Steve Harvey is not corny, he's country. Take it from Wendy Raquel Robinson, who worked alongside the comedian for six years. Having taped on the set of The Steve Harvey Show from 1996 to 2002, Robinson has profound memories and closeness to a motivated individual whose candid, spontaneous personality bestowed pleasure amongst those he worked with. "Principal Regina 'Piggy' Grier" was fortunate to get to know the 'teddy bear' beneath the act, behind the voice, and before the jokes.

The Steve Harvey Show was a huge success. What was Steve like on a day-to-day set?
[Laughs] Out of control. He speaks his mind, unashamedly and unapologetically. You definitely know where he's coming from at all times. You never knew what each day was going to be like. It was very unpredictable. He had the balls, but he also had the integrity to speak out without being beat up on. Not many people can do that especially in TV. It's a genre where they will get rid of you and they'll be like 'Next!'

From your time working with him, what's something no one else knows about his personality?
How endearing he is and how much his family really means to him. I was there when he suffered the loss of his mom, as well as his father. I witnessed how hard he really took it and still he showed up for work. He came with a smile on his face when there was just so much pain behind it. He put aside emotions and just kept it moving for the sake of the show and production. And I think that's one of the authentic things that I know, like even when we suffer the lost of Merlin Santana (who played Romeo Santana on the show). So many times, with comedians, they make us laugh all the time and wear the masks. Steve is emotional and compassionate when it comes to his family, as well as his friends.

What do you think makes Harvey excel at all he's involved in?
Steve is dedicated, and he perseveres. He knows what he wants to do. He's focused and he's not afraid of doing the work. A lot of people, we want so many things but we don't want to put in the work and the time, the energy and the effort.And here's this man who stands behind all that, and he'll do what it takes to get it done. So I applaud that and I think he more than deserves for everything he's gotten and everything he's going to get.

Despite the fact that he has a very successful syndicated radio show, do you want him to go back to TV?
Of course. There are so many people that identify with his style of comedy. There's definitely a void in our audiences. Especially for the age and the demographics that he covered. A lot of things he says give a lot of young people direction. He was out there on the streets. He's not afraid to roll up his hands talk to these youngins' like they need to be talked to.

Has victory changed Steve?
He's still the same Steve that I knew back then. Still treats me with the same amount of respect that he did the first day that he met me. When I see him now, he makes me feel like little Wendy. Big Daddy, Uncle Steve is going to clown you. So if you come around, you better be on point. That's why every time you see him; he's never in jeans. He's never in sweats. I've seen him in jeans, like maybe three times. Out of seven years. And he looked so uncomfortable. Poor thing.

Aside from his character, what is he like as a man?
He's classy, down to earth and a hard worker. That's one of the things that I admire about him most. The cast would be going home to chill out but Steve was already off to his third and forth job. He's a dedicated artist who loves what he does. He's a hustler all the way around. He once told me, "It's all about the ABC: Always Be Closing the deal."

Wendy Raquel Robinson has been featured in several television series, including "The Steve Harvey Show," "All of Us," "The Parkers" and "NYPD Blue." She's also starred in the motion pictures Two Can Play That Game (2001) Miss Congeniality (2000). She currently appears on CW 11's "The Game."

Wed, March 21, 2007 | link

Steve Harvey: He's So Sincere (Part One)
Steve Harvey: He's So Sincere (Part One)

Funnyman AJ Jamal on his good friend Steve Harvey. Don't miss Harvey's interview in VIBE's April issue, on stands now.

AJ Jamal can tell you a lot about blazing paths in the comedy industry. The hard-working comedian has appeared on Comedy Central, The Arsenio Hall Show, In Living Color and Def Comedy. He's currently working on his own TV network, Swirl TV. And he'll tell you it's the biggest thing since toilet paper.

Having built up his resume since 1989, Jamal made some friends along the way, one of whom he credits for giving him his start in stand-up: the King of morning radio, Steve Harvey. No more than 20 houses apart in their hometown of Cleveland, AJ Jamal and Steve Harvey became best friends, bonded together by a couple disastrous start-up businesses, and their shared love for laughter. Jamal had a couple things to say about Harvey, then and now.

VIBE: When did you first meet Steve Harvey?
I know he played basketball for a church; he was a superstar basketball player. That's where I probably met him. Then we ended up at Kent State together, and that's when we really started hanging out. Once we graduated, he was working at Lincoln Electric and I was working at IBM over in engineering. He called me one day and said he had to get out of there -- and [then] we started our own [carpet-cleaning] business. It was the most hilarious thing in the world. Really, we had no clue; we went out and bought some raggedy equipment, wall-to-wall carpet, and went to Sears and got some uniforms.

How did the carpet business work out?
Well, looked like UPS guys in our uniforms. None of the equipment worked right. We started getting jobs and we were tearing up people's houses and leaving water on their carpet. One time we left almost an inch of water in somebody's house because our machine wouldn't suck the water up - we didn't know you had to suck it up. We're like, "I thought that came with the machine!" When the lady called us and asked us what we were going to do with the water, Steve said, "Open the window—let it dry." After four days she called back and said, "It stinks. It smells like mildew." Steve was like, "Open some more windows."

And that was it?
We almost got lawsuits, so I told Steve, "You can have the carpet cleaning business. I'm going to try the comedy thing." Steve would tell me how the carpet cleaning business was just too hard. I told him quit it and do comedy. Just do it.
And so, I put Steve on his first show. I said, "But you gotta know how to do five minutes of comedy. You need to go out there and make sure you capture the audience. When Steve comes out, he's on stage for 40 minutes! I'm backstage yelling at him, 'You gotta get off! I mean, you can't do the whole show. You have to get off." That was his first time on stage; I ain't never seen a comic do that.

What was Steve like growing up?
Steve's always been a very good person. I hear a lot of people say things about him. If anybody talks bad about him, you don't really know Steve. I'm really proud of Steve because he's done a lot of stuff to get to where he is. I'll always love him like a brother; Steve does whatever he can to be successful. And I admire that.

Did Steve write your jokes early in your career?
Yeah, he used to. What he did was, let's say I write a joke and I don't see all the funny in it. He would make it funny and he would write some of the funnies for it and we would do that with each other. He can take a joke and make it even funnier. Now they call it "punch up."

Steve was getting 10 bucks for each joke he wrote for you? I'd have to hustle to pay him 10 bucks a joke, but we would play Pac-man and I'd take him out on the machine. I was supposed to play him ten dollars but we would play Pac-man and he owed me. Tell Steve I owe him about $70 if he wants me to pay him for his jokes. We played Pac-man and I thought I paid $70 worth of Pac-man fees because that's all we did. And Steve, I need my key back to my house in Cleveland.

Steve has come along way since wall-to-wall carpeting. What are your thoughts of him now?
I'm very proud of Steve and what he's done. He's accomplished a lot and people don't realize to get where you're at, there's just certain ways you have to do. I hope he gets on TV again. I thought he'd probably be doing film now or either making his own films or something like that. You turn on a microphone in front of him and he starts talking. He's just saying what's on his mind, that's what he's always done. Even though he is a natural at radio, that big-lipped boy should be doing films.

What about Steve makes him so appealing? I think because he's honest and he tells you what's on your mind, some people don't like that. And he's always been a family person - he's always been about his family. Steve is real; his personality comes off like that. He's not going to hold nothing back. I'll color stuff up if I want to tell somebody they have bad breath. But Steve would say, "Your breath stinks. You need a tic-tac or something." Period. Me, I'd offer them some gum.

Wed, March 21, 2007 | link

Monday, March 19, 2007

Lloyd: Love is All
Lloyd: Love is All

Street Lover Lloyd on how he got so fly - and it could be all in the hair.

You can see the passion in his eyes. Hear the energy in his voice. And when you ask him about his interests other than music, he'll tell you like his mother told him: Lloyd learned to sing before he could talk, learned to dance before he could walk. With his sophomore album, Street Love just dropped and his single "You" still riding high in Billboard's top 100, Lloyd is far away from the basement where he recorded that first hit single with Lil Wayne over a year ago. Despite the dramas of his label, The Inc., the "young Jermaine Jackson" (he likes to think sounds like him) is adding Executive Producer to his resume. His career is steadily going up, and maybe, just maybe, it's all in the hair. His Lion's Mane represents him. Yeah, yeah, long hair don't care.

You just turned 21 in January, how did you celebrate?
I'm not really a partier; I'd rather work. I was actually in the studio finishing the album. I had a few friends drop by. A few days later, they threw a surprise party for me at the Velvet Room Lounge in Atlanta. My friend Cee Lo Green came by, Michael Vick, TI, Lil Wayne and Jazze Pha was the host. It was a way to bring it in.

Since the release of your first album in 2004, Southside, you've missing in action.
I've been perfecting my craft. People ask me all the time where have I been. I just tell them, "Listening to Young Jeezy and Rick Ross, Lil Scrappy and 8Ball & MJG." I've been doing a lot of other projects with other people. Just trying to stay moving, always in the studio making music.

You appear to be heavy into Hip Hop.
I really think R&B influences rap a lot. And even they'll tell you. That's kind of where it all started, with R&B music. To know that they appreciate what I do is very overwhelming. I look up to a lot of these guys. The fact that they're reaching out to me and want to involve me in what they are doing is a great thing.

You're originally from New Orleans. Were you at all influenced by the culture of New Orleans?
I was there until I was the age of two years old, when my father was murdered. My mother felt like there wasn't a lot of opportunity there. Even before Hurricane Katrina, people didn't really have much down there. She decided to take me out of that and move to Atlanta. From birth I was influenced by the culture. My father is a saxophonist and my mother was in the choir. Music is very strong down there. I would go back and people would always tell me stories about how good my father was when he was around, how people loved his voice. Some of my first fans come from New Orleans.

It's been a long ways since Ntoon - describe the growth you've experienced within music?
I witnessed a lot of growth and development amongst my peers. When I was younger, people really took the time out to develop an artist. Sometimes it would take a year to make a record and you would practice, and have media training and they would really prep you. Now you have to have a following before people are interested. Today, people are taking more control of their careers and forming their own labels and companies.

I read an article a couple years back where you expressed your feelings about music; you mentioned it was in a "cornball" state. Do you still feel this way?
People are becoming more innovative these days. We're trying new things and not being afraid to take it there. My only problem was that music was just content with itself. For me, I can never be content. There's always another place to take it, always a higher level to reach. I love music period. Even when I feel like its saturated with too much of one thing, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel that pulls me back and makes me love it again.

The remix to the hit single "You" featuring Andre 3000 and Nas has received has been hitting the radio in a major way. Dre 3000 only gets on a track if he personally feels it.
I've wanted to work with Andre for a very long time. He recorded his verse on Thanksgiving Day. He called me said, "I really like this song. I don't care what anybody says, I'm going to rap on it." The first time I heard it, I was like "wow," because I grew up admiring these guys. He was the first person to put Decatur, Georgia on the map in his song "Elevators" (from the album Big Boi and Dre Present Outkast, 2001).

Tell us about Street Love.
I try not to limit myself, and to hit every angle. I wrote one of the songs on the album, "My Valentine" when I was 16 years old. At the time, people would tell me, "It's too grown, too old for your sound." Now that I'm 21 I decided to revamp it. It's timeless.

What's your relationship like with The Inc.?
The Inc is one of the first labels to believe in me. At one point in time things kind of slowed down and I just got really frustrated. The most frustrating thing to me is sitting on the sideline and watching the game knowing that I should be apart of it. I just had this music lying around and I didn't know what to do with it. I just took my career into my own hands. The whole Inc is like a big family. The thing about the family is you don't always get along, you don't always see eye-to-eye. But at the end of the day, that's what makes you closer, what makes you stronger. I've just been so focused lately I had to separate myself from everyone in order to find my zone.

When did you realize performing is your destiny?
I had this Michael Jackson movie called Moonwalker (1988). I would watch it back to back. Everyone was chasing Michael, and he was just invincible. I wanted to be like that when I was a kid. I remember going to my first concert and I would just witness the energy that was on the stage and their ability to really touch people. I always thought that was the coolest thing in the world, to be able to showcase your gift.

Acting is on the to-do list for many artists who dominate R&B and Hip Hop genres. Is it something you plan on checking off?

Well if you dabble in it again, do you have a dream role you'd like to play?
I always wanted to play Jackie Wilson; he's a very entertaining guy.

What keeps you moving in an industry so cutthroat and growing?
I do music because I love music. I don't do it for the money, fame and notoriety. Dreams come true. And I encourage everyone to follow them. I'm a living testament of that.

Mon, March 19, 2007 | link

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Live Music From Nicky Alrica & Friends
Sun, March 18, 2007 | link

Saturday, March 17, 2007

First Black Princess in Disney Animation

First Black Princess in Disney Animation

The Walt Disney Co. has started production on an animated musical fairy tale called “The Frog Princess,” which will be set in New Orleans and feature the Walt Disney Studio’s first black princess.

The company unveiled the plans Thursday at its annual shareholders’ meeting in New Orleans.

John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Disney and the Disney-owned unit Pixar Animation Studios, said the movie would return to the classic hand-drawn animation process, instead of using computer animation that has become the industry standard. He called the film “an American fairy tale.”

“The film’s New Orleans setting and strong princess character give the film lots of excitement and texture,” Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook said.

The movie will be scored by Randy Newman, who also wrote the music for Disney’s “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars.”

Newman performed a song from the score for the shareholders.

John Musker and Ron Clements, who co-directed “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Hercules” will co-direct the movie. The pair also wrote the story for the film.

Disney said its new animated princess – Maddy – will be added to its collection of animated princesses used at the company’s theme parks and on consumer products.

The film is set for release in 2009.

Sat, March 17, 2007 | link

Friday, March 16, 2007

Oprah Opens Another School in South Africa
 
Oprah Opens Another School in South Africa

Seven Fountains Primary School opens in Shayamoya; meanwhile, Tyrese defends her against critics

Oprah's Angel Network opened its second school for poor South African youth today in Shayamoya, following the January opening of Johannesburg's Leadership Academy for Girls. The talk show host/ philanthropist attended the opening and spoke with teachers and students. The $1.6 million dollar school is fully equipped, and has a rainwater-recycling water system which pumps using seesaws and merry-go-rounds.

Meanwhile, Tyrese Gibson - the singer, the model, the actor, the rapper - issued a statement defending Oprah against her critics. "There is a staggering amount of millionaires and billionaires out in the world that do nothing to effect positive change within society," read the statement. "The fact that Oprah Winfrey took a monumental step to create a school in South Africa for the betterment of African children rather then just speak of change is commendable. The bible says, 'No good deed shall go unpunished,' and there are many critics out in the world turning up negative stones to find a flaw in this wonderful gift donated to South Africa by Oprah Winfrey. I stand with Oprah in the fight for change and positive world reform and I hope that people realize there will always be struggle and without struggle there is no progression. Please leave her alone and let the blessings she is offering outshine the public scrutiny she is facing."

Fri, March 16, 2007 | link

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Akon Certified Double Platinum
Akon Certified Double Platinum

"Konvicted" was certified as selling 2 million copies by the RIAA this week.

Akon's second album, Konvicted, was certified double platinum by the RIAA. In addition, he was named Cingular's best-selling ringtone artist of all time, with two double-platinum ringtones in "Smack That" and "I Wanna Love You."

Meanwhile, "Don’t Matter," the third single from Konvicted, continues to ride high, placing at No. 2 on the Billboard "Hot 10" chart, the Billboard Rhythmic "Top 40" chart and the Billboard "Hot Digital Songs" chart, all simultaneously.

Akon heads up the latest issue of VIBE, which lands on your newsstand March 20. Keep vibe.com locked for outtakes from the magazine and behind-the-scenes info from our Akon cover story

Thu, March 15, 2007 | link

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