“Soul Men” Drama September 24, 2008

The comedy “Soul Men,” co-starring Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac, doesn’t premiere at the Apollo Theater for another month but already the legendary Sam Moore is complaining because of the parallels the movie draws to his life.

Sam and Bernie play an estranged R&B duo known as the Real Deal. In real life, Sam and Dave Prater, who died in  an auto accident in 1988, were considered the greatest of all soul duos. They performed together beginning in 1961 but split up several times. One of their biggest hits was the single “Soul Man.”

Although Sam, who makes his first appearance in 40 years at The Apollo on Monday, hasn’t seen the movie, that didn’t stop him from popping off to Rush & Molloy:

“In the movie, they have a reunion concert. Dave and I had a reunion in 1982 after not talking with each other for years.

“Sam Jackson and Bernie Mac sing ‘Hold On, I’m Coming.’ That’s also our song.”

In fact, Moore, who hasn’t seen the movie, says he has been told that Jackson and Mac listened to Sam and Dave’s original to get pumped up for the scene.

Moore says that Bob Weinstein’s Dimension Films “tried to buy me out” by offering him $1,000 for a walk-on role.

“A thousand dollars!” he exclaims. “Whoa. You know, slavery times have ended.”

Moore, 72, is vexed, too, by the free use of the N-word in the film. “Even when Dave and I were fighting and cursing, we never used that word,” he says. “It’s an insult to every one of us who fought in the civil rights movement.

“I don’t understand how this can happen,” says Moore, who’s going to consult lawyers. “It’s not right.”

“Soul Men” producer David Friendly insists, “Everything in the movie is completely made up. The characters are backup singers, unlike Sam and Dave, who were headliners. [Bob Weinstein’s brother] Harvey Weinstein suggested at a party that Sam might be in the movie. But Sam declined the offer. No money was ever discussed. Just because they sing one Sam and Dave song doesn’t make it a movie about them. I think it’s unfair of [Moore] to criticize a movie he hasn’t seen.”

Topless Mermaid Loses Suit Against Diddy September 24, 2008

A warning to the ladies: don’t go to Diddy’s annual star-studded White Party dressed as a topless mermaid then sue for $3 mil when your photo ends up in a national magazine. That’s what one woman did – and she lost her case.

A Manhattan judge threw out the case of hedge fund manager Maria Dominguez, 28, who sued Diddy, VIBE and an unidentified photographer for $1 million each for violating her privacy rights by printing a photo of her and two other scantily clad sirens with the caption “Mermaids Gone Wild,” according to the New York Post.

Dominguez said she never gave anyone permission to take her picture at the 2003 party in East Hampton, and the magazine never asked for her permission to run it in their November 2006 issue, where it was featured in a spread on Combs’ parties over the years.

Dominguez said the publication of the picture showing her topless – with the exception of what appears to be a small starfish-shaped pasties – gave her “mental strain and distress and disturbance of peace of mind.” It also caused “irreparable harm” to her “reputation, goodwill and to her person” and forced her to lose “certain business opportunities.”

You’d think Maria would have thought about her rep and job as she slipped into the mermaid costume. She obviously wanted attention and she got it.

Janet And Jermaine Celebrate His 36th September 24, 2008

With a few nights off in between concert dates, Janet Jackson, who performs in Rosemont, Ill., tomorrow, breezed through New York to hang out with her boyfriend Jermaine Dupri at his 36th birthday last night at Tenjune.

Ne-Yo, LA Reid, Ice T and his ho wife Coco, DJ Envy, Jaslene Gonzalez, VJ Julissa Bermudez, BET’s Danella, DJ Cassidy and Rapper Q were a few of the names to help the producer celebrate.

80 Million Reasons To Love Beyonce September 24, 2008

Struggling folks on Wall Street (and me too!) might try hitting Bey up for a loan. The girl raked in $80 million in a 12-month period, making her music’s second-highest paid performer.

Only The Police, with $115 million, ranked higher than Bey on Forbes’ list of the world’s best-paid musicians, based on money earned from June 1, 2007 to June 1, 2008. (Hip-hop stars have been ranked separately.)

Forbes points out that musicians don’t just get rich by making records. Beyonce is where she is because she “built a successful entertainment empire that includes fashion, film and publishing deals. She has found still more time to sell $50 million in tickets on a recent tour, take a lead role as Etta James in the upcoming flick Cadillac Records and shill for a slew of brands, including L’Oréal, American Express and an Armani fragrance.”

Jay-Z married well, I must say.

The top 10:

1. The Police, $115 million

2. Beyonce, $80 million

3. Toby Keith, $48 million

4. Justin Timberlake, $44 million

5. Madonna, $40 million

6. Celine Dion, $40 million

7. Rascal Flatts, $40 million

8. Van Halen, $35 million

9. Genesis, $31 million

10. Gwen Stefani, $27 million

Is Paper Trail Therapeutic For T.I.? September 24, 2008

Does T.I. gives himself the ULTIMATE pep talk on Paper Trail?

Usually when an album comes out I’ll rifle through the tracks for several days in search for those collection of tracks that’ll entice me. So when Paper Trail, T.I.’s fifth solo Lp hit the internets late last week, I did just that.

On average, it takes me a good while to embrace an entire body of work, but given the current circumstances of T.I.’s mangled career (not as mangled as it use to be), I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to digest Clifford’s latest thoughts.

As said before, the Lp is basically a moment of self reflection; a pep talk even. Though the entire set isn’t a reminiscent voyage about what Mr. Harris has endured over the past 18 months, about 80% of the disc locks you into the mind of a troubled young man who’s made some poor judgment calls, but not in a malicious manner.

In no way, shape or form is this an album review (we don’t do those anymore around these parts), but given the obvious topic, some of my commentary might be pointed in that direction. By now, a majority of you have probably heard a vast amount of Paper Trail (the man has 4 singles in rotation right now lol) and if you haven’t, scoot your musically sheltered butt over to this part of town. After doing so, you’ll be caught up to speed which will then enable you to join the current SoundOff festivities.

 Now Paper Trail isn’t a project inviting the “feel sorry for me cause I’m going to jail in a year” ambiance, but it’s more like an extensive face-to-mirror sit down where T.I. basically gives himself a stern talking to. You know when you got a bad grade in school and you tried everything in the book to convince yourself the D- you just scored in History wasn’t that bad, but you know DAMN well your parents were going to rip you a new one because of your moronic efforts?

 Well, TI is the student, History is the Music industry, the D- is the bevy of gun charges and the parents are the public (not that he gives a damn anyway, but you see my point). For instance, “Slide Show”, a cut featuring the soulful vocals of John Legend, joins reflective commentary and motivational rhetoric at the crossroads.

 Peep game, “Don’t forget impossible is nothing, your environment is irrelevant/just don’t let your emotions empower your intelligence” (Reflective commentary). He continues, “As I look back at a fly young cat/who could rap wth a dream, look where I took that, Beginning on Bankhead, then it spread out/vision in my head, all I had to do was get it out,” (Motivational rhetoric).

 

Not only does he take time to address his current state of legal affairs on several tracks, “Dead & Gone”, “Ready For Whatever”, “Live Your Life” and “You Ain’t Missin Nothing”, which actually happens to be the ultimate self pep-talk of all time (take a listen and you’ll understand my point), but I also got the feeling he wanted to reassure the consumer his lyrical abilities were still intact; “56 Barz”, “I’m Illy”, and “Every Chance I Get”, exercise that sentiment to a “T”.  

Paper Trail a classic, nah, it’s still missing a couple of ingredients to deem it just that. However, I might suggest, this could be TIP’s best body of work to date. Paper Trail is sort of like his swan song; 6 months early to be exact. He reflects, vents, celebrates, reveals and lays it all on the table for haters, lovers, and everyone in between to digest, to say the least.

GEORGIA MUSIC HALL GRABS LUDACRIS September 24, 2008

Atlanta-based entertainers Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Keith Sweat were among the seven artists who were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Saturday.

 

      “And just think 10 years ago I was trying to put pizzas through the oven at Pizza Hut to make sure I didn’t get fired,” Luda told the audience gathered at the Georgia World Congress Center. “Now the only way I’ll get fired is if I fire myself, so that’s a beautiful thing right now for sure.”

 

       Ludacris, whose new album “Theater of the Mind” is due Nov. 11, is the Georgia Music Hall of Fame’s first rapper to be inducted. He was introduced by Atlanta’s Mayor Shirley Franklin.        

       The artist did not perform, but Keith Sweat sang a few of his numbers to mark the celebration of his 23 years in the music industry.      

       The evening’s other inductees were Widespread Panic, Dottie Rambo, Hamp Swain and Fred and Dinah Gretsch.

FLAV, FAT JOE, LATIFAH ADDED TO ‘HIP HOP HONORS’ September 24, 2008

VH1 has added more than a dozen artists to its talent roster for the Fifth Annual Hip Hop Honors, including Flavor Flav, Fat Joe and Queen Latifah, the network announced yesterday.

 

       The network has also changed the show’s airdate from Tuesday, Oct. 7, to Monday, Oct. 6 at 10 p.m.       

       Actor Tracy Morgan returns as host of the annual affair saluting hip-hop luminaries who broke new ground and pioneered the genre into a true cultural phenomenon. This year’s honorees include Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Naughty by Nature, Slick Rick and Too $hort.       

       Other new additions to the lineup announced Tuesday are: Busta Rhymes, Cee-Lo, Chuck D, Estelle, EPMD, Gym Class Heroes, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Luke Campbell, Mack 10, Michael Rapaport and The Roots.      

       They join previously-booked guests Big Boi, Biz Markie, Bun B, DJ Kaos, Ghostface Killah, Kid Rock, MC Lyte, Lil’ Jon, Q-Tip, Scarface, Wyclef Jean, and Sanaa Lathan.      

       “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” tapes at New York City’s famed Hammerstein Ballroom on Thursday, Oct. 2. Additional performances and appearances will continue to be announced.

‘IDOL’S’ RANDY SAYS CONTROL YOUR DIABETES September 24, 2008

American Idol” judge Randy Jackson is again teaming up with the American Heart Association to encourage people with type 2 diabetes to enroll in The Heart of Diabetes campaign.       

       The effort provides educational information and tools for people with type 2 diabetes to better manage their disease. Only 7.3 percent of those who have the disease achieve blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol treatment goals.      

       As one who has lived with type 2 diabetes for years, Jackson will travel throughout the U.S. to urge the more than 21 million adults with diabetes to work with their healthcare providers, develop a comprehensive plan to achieve their treatment goals and ultimately improve their management of type 2 diabetes.       

       “I know first hand the impact this difficult disease can have on someone’s life,” Jackson said. “That’s why I’m encouraging folks to log onto IKnowDiabetes.org and enroll in The Heart of Diabetes program. When they enroll, they will learn more about how I personally manage type 2 diabetes and get some great educational information and tools to help them manage their disease more successfully

EBONY-JET BRANDED PRODUCTS NOW ON SALE September 24, 2008

Two publications considered staples in the African-American community for decades now have a line of apparel and accessory merchandise named in their honor.      

       Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. (JPC), publishers of Ebony and Jet magazines, recently announced the official launch of branded products through Ebony-Jet Licensing. The products, available online, range from apparel for all sizes to home and office furnishings such as coffee mugs and wall clocks. “Jet Beauty of the Week,” named for the popular weekly swimsuit centerfold feature, appears on T-shirts, mouse pads, jogging suits and several other items.      

       “The African-American community has been extremely loyal and supportive of our brands for many years,” said Linda Johnson Rice, president and CEO of JPC. “This product line further establishes the quality of the Ebony and Jet brands while introducing new generations to our legacy.”

 

       To commemorate the historic presidential election, a special line of Ebony and Jet Barack Obama products were created. Framed artwork of classic Ebony covers is also available.      

       For more information about Ebony and Jet branded products, visit http://www.cafepress.com/ebonyjetshop or http://www.ebonyjet.com/shopjpc/   

DMX BROUGHT TO EMERGENCY ROOM September 24, 2008

TMZ.com reported that rapper DMX was admitted to a hospital in Florida Tuesday for “fear of a stroke.”      

       The hip-hop star, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was reportedly taken to the emergency room at a hospital in Aventura, Florida.       

       He was due to remain in doctors’ care through his scheduled court appearance on Tuesday in Arizona – where he was set to face theft charges.      

       According to TMZ, his attorney has drafted a letter to the judge on the case, detailing the rapper’s condition.      

       The rapper also faces several animal cruelty and drug possession counts in the state.