BAD BOY PROMOTES HARVE PIERRE: Industry vet named President; will oversee multiple divisions at the label January 30, 2008

Harve Pierre’s long and winding road under college buddy Sean “Diddy” Combs reached a new height this week when he was announced as the new president of Bad Boy Records.

 

      Still reporting directly to Diddy, Pierre will oversee the finance, creative, promotional, marketing, A&R, international, and sales divisions of the label. In addition, his Crazy Joint production imprint will develop artists and projects for the company.

 

       “Harve’s promotion to President is well deserved” says Diddy. “He has been with Bad Boy since the beginning and has worked hard to learn all aspects of the business.  He has always been an important part of the A&R process and it is only fitting that Bad Boy would house his imprint, Crazy Joint.” 

 

       Pierre and Diddy, both New Yorkers, first met while attending Howard University in Washington D.C., where the two students promoted campus parties, both together and separately.        

       By 1992, Diddy had become VP of A&R at Uptown Records and Pierre was his intern, setting up studio sessions for the likes of Mary J. Blige and Jodeci.  After Diddy was notoriously fired, Pierre left along with him to help launch Bad Boy Entertainment.  He quickly went from being Diddy’s assistant, to being the label’s Director of A&R.

 

       In 1995, Pierre left Bad Boy and became Associate Director of Black Music at RCA Records, shepherding hit albums from SWV, Rome, and Shante Savage. He returned to Bad Boy and advanced from Vice President of A&R to Senior Vice President in 1999 and Executive Vice President/General Manager in 2003, all the while retaining his role as head of A&R.        

       In 2002, when Bad Boy inked a deal with MTV, Pierre made his television debut as part of Diddy’s “Making The Band 2,” for two seasons.

FOXY BROWN DENIED EARLY RELEASE: Judge decides rapper’s request to deal with ear implant in California January 30, 2008

A New York judge has denied a request by Foxy Brown to be released from jail early so she can deal with her hearing problems at a specialized clinic in California.

 

      The 29-year-old Brooklyn rapper said her hearing had gotten worse since entering prison last September for violating probation. She claimed her hearing would be irreparably damaged unless her implant could be reprogrammed and repaired by specialists at the House Clinic in Los Angeles.

 

       Earlier this month, she petitioned the court for an early exit from her year-long sentence. The Manhattan district attorney’s office revealed Monday that State Supreme Court Justice Melissa Jackson ruled against the request on Thursday and sent the Ill Na Na back to serve out her time at Rikers Island.       

       Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, was sentenced in September 2007 to a year in jail for violating probation. Jackson had put her on probation after she pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault of two manicurists at a Manhattan nail salon in August 2004.

Weekly Lovescopes January 30, 2008

ARIES (March 20–April 19)
An intriguing conversation should put a smile on your face and a skip in your step. This will soon lead to a romantic inclination and a passionate encounter.
Key word for the week: self-expression
Your luckiest aspect this week: finances
Who to spend time with: Libra

TAURUS (April 20–May 20)
Enjoy yourself and don’t hold back. Accept invitations and enjoy the company of those from afar. Keep an eye on spending however. Don’t overdo it.
Key word for the week: self-expression
Your luckiest aspect this week: finances
Who to spend time with: Libra

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)
Your love life may be calm at the moment and at times you despair of anything new coming along. It could be that you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Key word for the week: discovery
Your luckiest aspect this week: home life
Who to spend time with: Scorpio

CANCER (June 21–July 22)
Energy may be low, but this is not bad news for your love life. As you feel calmer and less inclined to be an extrovert, you will see the true value of those you care about.
Key word for the week: determination
Your luckiest aspect this week: business
Who to spend time with: Virgo

LEO (July 23–August 22)
Make an effort to get to know a friend of a friend. It’s time you broadened your social circle and met new people. The stars give you a head start, and if you believe you can get someone or something, then you can. It’s all about positive thinking.
Key word for the week: originality
Your luckiest aspect this week: travel
Who to spend time with: Taurus

VIRGO (August 23–September 22)
Some unsatisfactory elements in a relationship are about to be cleared up. You can speed up this process by using your communication skills and trying to understand how the other person ticks.

Key word for the week: originality
Your luckiest aspect this week: social life
Who to spend time with: Aries

LIBRA(September 23–October 22) If you want to put your love life back on track, you really have to work at it. Don’t be fatalistic. A change is just around the corner. You are so convinced that you know what’s best that you have a tendency to be autocratic. There’s no point expecting others to toe the line if you adopt that kind of attitude.

Key word for the week: creativity
Your luckiest aspect this week: romance
Who to spend time with: Cancer

SCORPIO (October 23–November 22)
When you find yourself trying to figure out what friendship really means, and why some people seem to let you down, it probably means you have doubts about someone in particular.
Key word for the week: honesty
Your luckiest aspect this week: finances
Who to spend time with: Leo

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21)
You tend to sweep obstacles to one side in the hope that they will not return. This won’t work and you must listen to what others have to say. It’s up to you to keep the peace.
Key word for the week: flexibility
Your luckiest aspect this week: friendship
Who to spend time with: Virgo

CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19)
You can’t keep quiet any longer and have to say what is on your mind. If you are not sure exactly what is troubling you, take a moment to get to the bottom of new feelings.
Key word for the week: harmony
Your luckiest aspect this week: romance
Who to spend time with: Gemini

AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18)
Part of you feels like being indulgent and letting things go, whilst the other part wants to lay down the law and snap everything into shape. A close family member is suddenly being more cooperative than ever before. This could be quite bewildering and you need some time to get used to this new state of affairs.
Key word for the week: understanding
Your luckiest aspect this week: romance
Who to spend time with: Sagittarius

PISCES (February 19–March 19)
When you find yourself with some time to spare, don’t be glum. Use this time to reorganize your living space and add new color and light. You may feel like rocking the boat, but, you have to play by the rules. The time will come for a more revolutionary approach.
Key word for the week: compromise
Your luckiest aspect this week: family
Who to spend time with: Virgo

XZIBIT, IS THAT REALLY YOU?! January 30, 2008

YOU DECIDE!

Jim Jones to officially release “Harlem’s American Gangster” January 29, 2008

The wait is over, as hip hop superstar Jim Jones kicks off the New Year with a brand new mixtape, Harlem’s American Gangster on KOCH Records, which hits streets on February 19th, 2008. The mixtape is hosted by Dame Dash and features the entire Byrdgang crew.

Jim Jones is currently recording a new album which will be released later this summer via Columbia/KOCH, but fans won’t have to wait that long to hear new Jim Jones music.

Jones’ latest album, Hustler’s P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment), was released in 2006 and became a monster hit, selling over 500,000 copies and included the feel good anthem and Jim’s signature song, “We Fly High,” which has sold over 3.5 million digital and ringtone units combined.

Harlem’s American Gangtser was previously available on a limited basis, but the mixtape has been completely remixed/re-mastered and also features new songs, including the track “Rockefeller Laws.” When asked about this latest inspiration, Jones had this to say, “Some people do soundtracks to the movies about Harlem, we do soundtracks to the streets of Harlem, which made us who we are today. Hustlers are some of the flyest people the world has ever set their eyes on.”

The first single “Love Me No More” is at urban radio now and a video for the single will be shot shortly. It will be once again co-directed by Jim Jones and RAGE, who also directed the smash videos for “We Fly High” and the “We Fly High” REMIX.

For more information, go to www.myspace.com/jimjones or http://www.capostatus.com/

BEYONCE TO PLAY ETTA JAMES?: Co-star Ced the Entertainer may have spilled the beans January 29, 2008

Beyonce Knowles will play singing powerhouse Etta James in the upcoming film “Cadillac Records,” which explores the black music scene during 1950s Chicago while telling the story of Chess Records founder, Leonard Chess.

 

      Confirmed cast member Cedric the Entertainer mentioned that Beyonce had booked the role while promoting his upcoming film, “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins.” He told reporters at the roundtable it was a small role.

 

       As previously reported, Jeffrey Wright will play Muddy Waters, while Adrien Brody, Columbus Short, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Tammy Blanchard are also on board.

 

       Filming will take place in New Jersey and Mississippi.

ESSENCE TO HONOR SAG AWARD WINNER RUBY DEE: Actress to be saluted during mag’s first annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon January 29, 2008

Forget “Juno’s” Ellen Page. Ruby Dee is fast becoming the darling of this year’s award season with an Oscar and NAACP Image Award nomination, as well as her upset supporting-actress win Sunday night over favorites Cate Blanchett and Amy Ryan at the 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

 

       Essence magazine will honor the Academy Award nominee next month at its first annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, to be held during Oscar Week on Thursday, Feb. 21, in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hills Hotel.       

       “Essence is thrilled to honor a living legend like Ruby Dee for her contributions not only to the Hollywood community but to the African-American community as well,” said the publication’s editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray. “The Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon will celebrate the ongoing legacy of Ms. Dee, who launched and sustained a phenomenal career when there were not a variety of well developed or diverse roles for African Americans.  Because of Ruby Dee’s hard fought battles, our presence in Hollywood is much greater today and she continues with grace to inspire a new generation of black actresses and filmmakers.”

 

       Dee, 81, will be one of four women honored by Essence during the event. Jada Pinkett Smith, producer Suzanne de Passe and young actress Jurnee Smollet will be recognized as well. Kerry Washington and Quincy Jones are among the celebs expected to attend the ceremony.

       Dee won the supporting-actress SAG award for her role as Mama Lucas in the crime story “American Gangster.” Her acceptance speech included a nod to her late husband and frequent acting partner, Ossie Davis, who died in 2005.       

       “I accept it also for my husband Ossie,” Dee said, “because he’s working on things up there.”

 

      Queen Latifah was a SAG winner in the category of best female actor in a TV movie or mini-series for her role in HBO’s “Life Support,” beating such veteran talent as Vanessa Redgrave, Gena Rowlands and Ellyn Burstyn.

DIANA ROSS BOOED IN JAMAICA: Fans upset because she wouldn’t allow cameras to film her for the large screens January 29, 2008

Imagine being a life long Diana Ross fan and paying some 70 or 80 bucks to see her in concert, only to be so far away that you can’t see any part of her, or even the stage itself.      

       This was a frustrating reality for many Jamaican fans at Saturday’s Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Montego Bay. The event turned ugly when host Don Topping announced Ross’ request that she not be filmed for large video screens that would allow everyone at the Acquaduct Rose Hall to see her performance.      

       Needless to say, her decisions caused many in the crowd of roughly 40,000 to boo and heckle The Boss throughout her hour-long performance, which went unseen by most audience members seated too far away.      

       Festival rep Carlette DeLeon released a statement admitting that “the much anticipated performance of Diana Ross on Saturday proved somewhat disappointing to many patrons who expected a very interactive set.”      

       “Miss Ross’ request to have a restricted display of her performance however, inconvenienced patrons who were left feeling distanced from the stage and her performance,” she continued.      

       Jawn Murray of AOL Black Voices was on hand with a video camera and captured one round of booing after Topping announced there would be no videotaping of Ross’ set. [See video here.]       

       According to local entertainment television correspondent Candice Buchanan, many fans had been looking forward to the performance for months, only to come away without actually seeing the Detroit native.        

       “[They were] saving up their moneys to make sure they wouldn’t miss this once in a lifetime performance by their favorite star Diana Ross,” said Buchanan. “Now for them to get there and be deprived of even a glimpse of Miss Ross was indeed a major blow. That coupled with the fact that her performance was low energy and filled with lip synching lead to the [reaction] she received. Apparently Jamaicans felt dissed by the diva and lost interest.”

NEW VIDEO: JAY-Z- “PRAY” (LIVE) January 29, 2008

Check out Jay-Z’s newest video for “Pray”.

NEW VIDEO: ERYKAH BADU- “HONEY” January 29, 2008

Check out Erykah Badu’s “Honey” video. You might remember the song premiered on an episode of the WB’s “GirlFriends”.