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Friday, October 27, 2006
Actor Jesse Martin Is Robbed In Hometown
Actor Jesse L. Martin, who plays a cop in the television series Law & Order, became
a real-life crime victim after returning to his hometown of Buffalo to shoot a film.
Martin was eating breakfast in a restaurant on Monday (Oct. 23), signing autographs
and even offering career advice to the cook, when someone broke into his sport utility vehicle and stole his luggage, video
iPod and dozens of autographed photos.
"He's lived in New York City for 20 years and has never been robbed or a victim of theft," director Peter
McGennis said. "He comes back here and in two days he gets fleeced."
Martin, 37, was filming scenes for McGennis' independent movie "Buffalo Bushido." He flew back to New York
City with only the clothes on his back and his wallet.
A graduate of the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, Martin plays Detective Ed Green on the NBC
series.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Naomi Campbell Arrested Again?
Supermodel Naomi Campbell was transported by police to a local London police station Thursday after
her alleged involvement in an altercation the day before, police and news reports said.
Metropolitan Police reports said officers were called to an address in central London Wednesday (Oct. 25)
afternoon and arrested a 36-year-old woman at 1:20 p.m., who was eventually released on bail.
Police declined to say whether Campbell, 36, was involved. However, those involved did confirm inquiries,
stating that "a 36-year-old woman" had returned to a police station Thursday morning and was released on bail until an undisclosed
date in December.
The force does not name people who have ben arrested unless they are charged with a crime.
A statement from the Outside Organization, which represents Campbell, said, "We believe there has been a misunderstanding.
Once police have investigated we are sure this will be resolved satisfactorily."
Campbell admitted in 2000 that she attacked her personal assistant Georgina Galanis, with a bejeweled cell
phone. The model paid an undisclosed sum to Galanis and was not convicted of a crime.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Kelly Price Back With ‘This Is Who I Am’
Singer Kelly Price transitions from the secular to the spiritual with her first gospel/inspiration album,
This is Who I Am.
Kelly Price’s 2003 gold-certified effort, Priceless, featured the singer’s usual R&B flair,
but Price takes a different turn in her latest album, This Is Who I Am.
This Is Who I Am is a “collection of eleven
songs, that are very eclectic, which is what I am musically. I love all kinds of music and this album reflects that,” Price
told Vibe.com exclusively.
Some of the biggest artists in gospel music today are featured in collaborations with Price
including Donnie McClurkin, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Richard Smallwood and Joe Ligon from the legendary gospel quartet, Mighty
Clouds of Joy.
The first single, "Healing", is a track “was written for anybody who has dealt with emotional things
that they need to be healed from."
Price, a self-described “preacher’s kid, who grew up in the church,” did not necessarily
aim to make an album filled with “church songs” but rather “an album that embodies anything anybody would want to hear– songs
that touch you from the inside out."
Although switching genres on this record, Price has no plans to stop recording R&B.
“I always wanted to make a gospel record…to pay homage to the way I grew up." states Price. "The music that I grew up on.
The music that my mother listened to.”
Price’s platinum debut, A Soul of a Woman, released in 1998 featured the hit,
“Friend of Mine” which was later remixed and featured R. Kelly and Ronald Isley. The song made history by reaching Billboard’s
top spot twice for the same song. It also reached the #1 spot with no music video at television.
The thrice Grammy-nominated
Price who also writes, produces and acts, began her recording career as a backup singer for Mariah Carey. Hip hop heads will
also be familiar with her vocals on the Notorious B.I.G.’s “Mo Money Mo Problems” and Diddy’s “No Way Out”.
 Healing drops October 24.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Russell Simmons Announces Humanitarian Fact-Finding Mission to Southern Africa
Hip hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons announced today that he has accepted an invitation by
the Diamond Information Center to travel to south africa for a humanitarian fact-finding mission.
As the owner of the Simmons Jewelry Company, Simmons is interested in learning
how his relationships in the diamond business can help to enhance the educational and economic empowerment of people and communities
in Africa.
Simmons will lead the mission to South Africa and Botswana from November 26 to December 4, 2006.
Friday, October 20, 2006
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Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Def Jam Creates Hip Hop Video Game For 2007
Def Jam and Electronic Arts (EA) announced the release of DEF JAM: ICON for Playstation3 and Xbox 360
video game consoles, set to hit stores March 2007.
The hip-hop-influenced game, which fuses music with culture and hip hop lifestyle
elements, will premier in North America and Europe, and is said to be the next generation in video gaming.
“Music is the cornerstone of hip hop culture so we wanted to incorporate music and rhythm into the actual
game play mechanics,” says Kudo Tsunoda, executive producer and General Manager of EA, a computer company based in Chicago.
“In DEF JAM: ICON, we are changing the way fighting games are played! We are completely innovating
the role of the environments in the games, moving from the typical lifeless arenas," Tsunda added. "The hip hop celebrities
are fighting in to environments that play an instrumental part in the fight where they will react to the music and interact
with both characters like a third fighter."
The game will feature simulated reality action street fighting and hip hop beats as players live out the life
of a hip hop mogul through T.I., Ludacris or Big Boi of Outkast. The music will effect how players fight in each venue, while
interactions with other characters will be a key strategy to staying alive.
"DEF JAM: ICON will guarantee the ultimate combination of a real hip hop experience and revolutionary
fighting game play,” concluded Lauren Wirtzer, VP Marketing, Def Jam Enterprises.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Girls From Danity Kane In Car Accident
First Cassidy, now reports have it that Aubrey, Aundrea, D. Woods, Dawn and Shannon -
the girls from Danity Kane - have been involved in their own freeway mishap.
According to a myspace blog posted
today (Oct. 13), the girls were in a "really bad car accident," stating that Aubrey had a "really mild concussion and a black
eye, Dawn hurt her shoulder and they all have whiplash injuries."
The post goes on to say "Aubrey wanted everyone to know that Danity Kane
is very sorry and upset about not being able to make their appearance at the club tonight."
An Atlantic rep confirmed all members of the group are still in the hospital. No word on when they will be
discharged.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Not James Brown But Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves A Woman
Baltimore, MD (BlackNews.com) - Men waking "singing in hieroglyphics" the sweat from their love making creating
a new Nile? Is this possible? To restore black love is as challenging as rebuilding the pyramids. Personal Passion is a poetry
and photography collaboration that is symmetry between the visual art and the written word. Of course the women are beautiful,
and distracting, however "Personal Passion" is also a mirror to encourage the reader to love and celebrate the erotic.
Black
women have not always been proud of their bodies, so Personal Passion is then a walk to freedom. Let's begin with the lady
with cuffs. You look at her holding them in her left hand. Do you want to play with her? Or is this a reminder that perhaps
many of our men [and women] are outlaws?
Personal Passion, by Jesse Sharpe, brings together photography and poetry
(phoetry). One is therefore directed to the image and the metaphor. It is seductive, and the visual connection between the
poetry and the photography is not only moving, but requires the reader to look from the photograph to the poem for explanation.
"The poems included in Personal Passion have a fragrance to them. It's a combination of incense and flowers. The sensual
tone captures a degree of moisture and one assumes all the wetness is from two bodies and not one."
- E. Ethelbert Miller,
poet and literary activists Director of the African American Resource Center at Howard University
From a woman's point
of view:
Personal Passion is remarkable book of poetry and erotic photography. Jesse Sharpe and his colleagues are
able to capture the beauty and sensuality of the women and the tenderness of the men. The work is a journey of love and passion.
-
Carolyn Johnston, Prof. of American History at Eckerd College
All those who have reviewed this collaboration agree,
the best advice is to purchase a copy and to become immersed in it. Personal Passion is such a tasteful tribute of phoetry
(photography and poetry) to women, that it is deserving of a both golden quill and golden frame.
Jesse Sharpe is a
native Washingtonian (D.C.), and now writes now just a stone's throw away in Maryland, that is if you don't catch him writing
on the city's subway. The sequel to Personal Passion, Mannerizmz is due to be released in January 2007. His other books include
Hurry Home (war chronicles), a collection of love poetry in the midst of war; Menfolk Talk'n, poetry and a short story lamenting
the destruction of young black boys; Foreplay (hands gliden'n ovah me), erotic poetry; and an amazing children's activity
workbook - My Afri-bets Learning Book - that combines poetry, vocabulary building, Swahili, cutting and pasting as well as
handwriting practice in one book.
Personal Passion, as well as the author's other books may be ordered online at www.sharpebooksonline.com or from bookstores and other online sources. Email Jesse Sharpe at sharpesolutions1@comcast.net
or contact him at 240-375-6033 for reviews, book signings, or more information.
Monday, October 9, 2006
BET in Talks to Air Reruns of HBO's 'Wire'
HBO is finalizing a deal with BET to make the black-oriented cable channel the syndicated home of its critically
acclaimed original series The Wire.
According to the Associated Press, the pact allows HBO, which recently ordered a fifth and final season of
the drama series, to give BET all five seasons of The Wire, - which is currently four episodes into its fourth season
- amounting to a total of 62 episodes.
The AP also reported that BET is looking to begin airing one episode per week in primetime as soon as the
first quarter of next year, with multiple runs for each installment. The Viacom-owned network is expected to put a substantial
marketing push behind The Wire - perhaps in the range of $100,000 per episode, a low sum by syndication standards.
The Wire is not BET's first syndicated acquisition from HBO; the network also purchased the critically
acclaimed miniseries The Corner, which, like Wire, chronicled the harsh realities of inner-city life.
Friday, October 6, 2006
R. Kelly Back In Court, Accused of Assault
R. Kelly is no stranger to court, but this time around, the hearing is due to a personal
strike against the Pied Piper, as Henry "Love" Vaughn, who describes himself as a longtime "mentor and guide" to R. Kelly,
claims to have been attacked by the Chi-Town R&B legend.
Yahoo.com reports that in a suit filed Wednesday (Oct. 4), Vaughn was at Kelly's South Suburban Olympia Fields home last
February when, following an argument, Kelly and other employees dragged Vaughn to the basement, attacked him and held him
against his will.
The suit goes on to say that the song "Step in the Name of Love" was allegedly Vaughn's creation and that
Kelly went back on a promise to give him half the proceeds from the song.
In a written statement issued Wednesday, a representative of Kelly characterized Vaughn as a "disgruntled
former employee and hanger-on" who is using the lawsuit to extort money from the singer.
Vaughn's suit seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages and court costs.
Thursday, October 5, 2006
R&B Singer Case Signs With New Label, Prepping New Album
R&B singer Case is back, equipped with new label backing and a new album set to drop
next year.
Case, who was the first R&B artist signed to Def Jam's Def Soul label, releasing three albums while under contract, has taken his project independent.
With the help of his manager Blue Williams, whose Indigo Blue Music Group imprint is furnishing the
project, Case was able to negotiate a release from Soul and sign a new deal with Skeleton Key Entertainment.
Skeleton Key happens to offer the same services as the majors - funding, distribution, in-house marketing,
promotion, and publicity services - but structures their deals so the artists retain ownership, creative control, contribute
tremendously to the way their product is marketed and promoted, and are only committed for short-term contracts.
Case's project is expected to drop early 2007.
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Aretha To Perform Benefit For Deadly Disorder
In the name of charity, Aretha Franklin will perform at the Hammerstein Ballroom next month, and if
you plan on checking her out, you might want to start saving now.
On November 14, The "Queen of Soul" will be performing at The National Marfan Foundation Presents Aretha
Franklin, a benefit show intended to raise money and awareness for Marfan syndrome.
Franklin’s musical legacy is ubiquitous. Considered by many to be America’s
finest singer, Franklin’s powerful voice has produced hits since the 1960s. But for nearly as long, this minister’s daughter
has worked with many charities. The benefit for the Marfan Foundation is something that will come “from her heart.”
Marfan syndrome is a condition that affects many organs and organ systems, causing harm to body parts including
the skeleton, heart, eyes and lungs. While skeletal issues characterize the ailment, the most serious problem associated with
the disorder is enlargement of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When
the disease is not properly diagnosed, tearing of the aorta can cause sudden death. That was the fate of Jonathan Larson,
the Tony Award-winning playwright of the hit musical “RENT.”
Tickets start at $75 for mezzanine seating and go up to $500 for choice orchestra seating, and can be purchased
on Ticketmaster.
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
DMX Causes Ruckus At Back To School Concert
DMX might be making his way down the court room aisle sooner than later after his Saturday
night (Sept. 30) performance during Hot 97’s Back to School Jam, in which he allegedly beat a soundman among other
things.
Due to time restraints, the audio crew was forced to cut the sound twice during his performance - which ran
over the alloted 15-minute-per-performer time frame - causing X to go berserk, running towards the audio boards, slamming
his fists into them and assaulting the sound man with a mic.
After the violent temper tantrum was over, X made his way back to the stage, at which point his crew - about
20 men in white tees with the 'Ruff Ryders' logo emblazoned on them - began throwing microphones and water bottles into the
audience.
It is not clear whether the fans were the first to send objects flying.
The unfortunate event not only prevented Jim Jones and Foxy Brown - who were also on the bill - from performing,
but it also forced organizers to kill the rest of the event.
Dark Man X’s (DMX) Year of the Dog…Again, is in stores now.
Beyoncé Cops Old Cher Costumes
Singer Cher will auction off more than a closet full of gowns, costumes, and jewelry this week, and
Beyoncé has already put her bid in for several of the items.
According to Miss Jones, a DJ on New York’s Hot 97 radio station, the “Ring the Alarm” singer is a
huge Cher fan, and more specifically, a fan of the elaborate gowns the singer wore during her days as co-star on the hit 70’s
show “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.”
No word as to whether Beyoncé will actually wear the dresses in upcoming appearances
or shows.
The gowns, along with more than 700 Cher -owned pieces, including costumes, jewelry, furniture, and paintings
will be auctioned by Sotheby’s and Julien’s Auctions today and tomorrow at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills California
A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit The Cher Charitable Foundation, which aids organizations
such as The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Operation Helmet, and The Children’s Craniofacial Association.
Sunday, October 1, 2006
Toni Braxton Gets Personal As She Sizzles On The Vegas Strip
The lights dim, the music begins, and Toni Braxton is elevated to the top of the stage. She looks
stunning. But there’s more to her than meets the eye. The sultry R&B singer proves this during her Las Vegas production
“Revealed,” as she shares some memorable moments, touching times, and a little bit of humor.
“My fans don’t really know a lot about me,” says Braxton. “Little things they read, little tidbits
about my career have been aloof, and I wanted to reveal more about my personal side, and show my silly side, so I wanted it
to be a personal evening.”
And what an evening it is! “Revealed” has all the fixings that one would expect in a Vegas show–special
effects, dramatic lights, dazzling dancers and a superstar who shines brighter than her $1 million, diamond-encrusted microphone.
Braxton lives up to the title as she exposes herself through song, dance, videos, personal stories, and a wardrobe that is
bound to leave even a star athlete gasping for air, and spectators shouting their approval.
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