Photo of the Day November 12, 2008

 

Jeremy J Black Male 27 years old  Olive Branch, Mississippi

MM URL: http://www.modelmayhem.com/jeremyblack

Tracklist For Lil Wayne’s Dedication 3 Mixtape November 12, 2008

 

The highly anticipated DJ Drama collaboration drops this week

Last month, VIBE.com got the kids excited with news about Lil Wayne’s Carter IV album, and Dedication 3 mixtape. 
The 26-year-old rapper says that after Dedication 3 drops he’s going to re-release it with 20 bonus tracks that will be available free on his Web site. No release information for the Carter IV album has been revealed yet. 

But what has been revealed is the tracklisting for Dedication 3. DJ Drama told MTV that the mixtape is expected to hit the streets on Thursday. 

Dedication 3 Tracklisting: 

1. “Welcome Back” 
2. “Dedication 3″ (featuring Mack Mane, Willie the Kid and Gudda Gudda) 
3.  “What Else Is There to Do” 
4. “Di– Pleaser” (featuring Jae Millz) 
5. “Ain’t I” (featuring Jae Millz) 
6. “You Love Me, You Hate Me” 
7. “Bang Bang” (featuring Jae Millz and Gudda Gudda) 
8. “The Other Side” (featuring La the Darkman, Jae Millz and Gudda Gudda) 
9. “My Weezy” (featuring Shanell, Lil Twist and Tyga) 
10. “A Dedication” 
11. “She’s a Ryder” (featuring Gudda Gudda) 
12. “Still I Rise” (featuring Nicki Minaj) 
13. “Magic” (featuring Gudda Gudda) 
14. “Do’s & Don’ts of Young Money” 
15. “Whoever You Like” (featuring Jae Millz and Gudda Gudda) 
16. “That Was Easy” 
17. “Get Bizzy” (featuring Gudda Gudda) 
18. “I Got That Gangsta” (featuring La the Darkman and Willie the Kid) 
19. “A Message to the DJs” 
20. “Stuntin’” (featuring Drake) 
21. “Dedicated” 
22. “Put on for the Game” (featuring Tyga and Gudda Gudda) 
23. “Dedication 4????” 

Sometimes Rejection Is A Good Thing November 12, 2008

 

By The Fly Guy

I was just two months into my journey as the Fly Guy, and the buzz surrounding my love advice brand was already building. As a result of my increased visibility around the city, a local radio station invited me down to do a guest spot as a love expert. While relaxing in the staff lounge, a young lady walked in, and was easily one of the most beautiful women that I had ever seen in my life.

“Hey, how are you,” I politely asked.

“I’m good,” she responded in a less than inviting tone.

“Would you happen to know how things work around here,” I inquired. “I was asked to do a guest spot on the show this afternoon, but I haven’t been given much direction.”

This piqued her interest.

“Oh, you’re going to be on the air today,” she replied, now visibly invested in the conversation. “So what is it that you do?”

“Oh, they invited me to be today’s love expert,” I responded. “I write a love advice column called The Fly Guy Chronicles. It’s been making the rounds in national newspapers and magazines. You may have seen it.”

Love expert? National newspapers and magazines? You could literally see the wheels spinning in her head. Now my usual policy with such an obvious opportunist is to simply walk away. But I was admittedly intrigued, so I decided to capitalize on the moment.

“Hey, why don’t we catch up for dinner,” I offered. “I’ve spent all this time talking about me, and I’d love the opportunity to find out more about you.”

She blushed. As she began to answer, the door flung open, and her girlfriend rushed in to share some good news with her. “Tonya, guess what,” she frantically blurted out. “________’s road manager just called me, and he wants you to come to the studio tonight!!!” (Sorry, I had to block his name out.)

“I knew he was feeling me,” she boasted. “Well, shit, let’s go now. I’m not doing anything around here. See you later Fly Guy.”

And off she went. At first I was a bit dejected that I was blown off. I mean sure, I’m no superstar recording artist, but I do think that I possess the qualities that most women find appealing. It actually messed with my head for a while.

It wasn’t until a few week’s later that my rejection was placed in its proper perspective. It happened when my business manager, who was also there at the station, called with a bit of shocking news.

“Yo Fly Guy,” he barked into the phone. “You remember that chick who shot you down at the radio station a few weeks back? Well I know I was clowning you at the time, but I just found out that she is HIV positive. That’s crazy right? I got this email from Dre, and the whole industry has been put on alert to stay away from her. Apparently she’s been out there infecting people. They even posted her picture in the email. You really dodged a bullet on that one.”

He was right. As I hung up the phone, I was reminded of a life lesson taught to me long ago: Sometimes rejection is God’s protection.

Boy, is it ever.

Fly Question: Has there ever been a time when rejection turned out to be a blessing in disguise? (relationship related instances only please)

Makeba returns home; Legend on Latin Grammys; N. Richie hosts Lighting ceremony; civil rights DVD; Flo Rida in Gap ad; Van Peebles on panel; Lohan praises first ‘colored’ prez November 12, 2008

 

The body of singing legend and activist Miriam Makeba, also known as “Mama Africa,” will return home to South Africa sometime today, per the wishes of her family. The widely-respected artist will have a funeral service and cremation, according to foreign affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa.

 

       *Five-time Grammy winner John Legend and 12-time Latin Grammy winner Juanes will team for a performance on the 9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards telecast, set for tomorrow (Nov. 13) at the Toyota Center in Houston and broadcast live on the Univision Network from 8 – 11 p.m. ET/PT. Tickets are available at the Toyota Center Box Office atwww.toyotacentertix.com, or by dialing 1.866.4HOUTIX (1.866.446.8849).

 

       *The U.S. Fund for UNICEF announced that Nicole Richie and her husband, UNICEF Ambassador Joel Madden, will host UNICEF’s 2008 Beverly Hills Snowflake Lighting ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Blvd. The ceremony highlights the City of Beverly Hills’ “Light the Night” annual holiday event where the UNICEF Snowflake and the 20 Baccarat chandeliers that grace Rodeo Drive are illuminated to kick off the holiday season. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. with the official lighting at 6 p.m.

 

       *”Dare Not Walk Alone,” a feature-length documentary about little-known events in America’s civil rights struggle, is now available on DVD from Brooklyn-based artist and director Jeremy Dean. While documenting Dr. King’s heroic campaign to end segregation, the film also paints a disturbing portrait of lingering inequality, some 40 years later, in one community where that campaign was waged. The “Dare Not Walk Alone” trailer can be seen at the film’s Web site: http://darenotwalkalone.com.  

 

      *The Gap has recruited rapper Flo Rida and singers Trey Songz and Janelle Monae for its new “Merry Mix It” ad campaign. The clip features a “street smart rendition” of “Jingle Bells” that will be used in select store-video displays, as well as online and in movie theaters beginning tomorrow (Nov. 13).

 

       *IFP will present conversations with Melvin Van Peebles, as well as Gus Van Sant and HBO’s Sheila Nevins at the Gotham Independent Film Awards Series. The program will include panels featuring breakthrough director and actor nominees from the 18th annual Gothams, as well as Museum of Modern Art screenings of “Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You” award contenders. The series runs Nov. 20 to Dec. 6 at venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn. A complete schedule and lineup of participants is available here.

 

      *Lindsay Lohan, a supporter of Barack Obama for president, actually used the term “colored” when discussing her joy over the Election Night results. In an interview with “Access Hollywood’s” Maria Menounos that aired Monday night, Lohan said of Obama: “It’s so amazing. It’s our first colored president. So that’s like – I’m so thrilled to be a part of the country while that’s going on.” View clip here.  

CORBIN BLEU BUSTS A ‘FREE STYLE’ November 12, 2008

 

High School Musical” star Corbin Bleu is trading his dancing shoes for a motorbike to star in the upcoming film “Free Style.”

 

       The actor plays a young man determined to win a spot on the Grand National motocross racing team with the support of his mother (Penelope Ann Miller), little sister (Madison Pettis) and new girlfriend (Sandra Echeverria).       

       Bleu’s real-life father, David Reivers, and 2007 U.S. Open Supercross Champion, Grant Langston, also star.      

       Samuel Goldwyn Films and Fox Home Entertainment have nabbed U.S. theatrical and home video rights, respectively, to “Free Style” from Rigel Entertainment. A February theatrical release is planned.

NAACP SETS A DATE FOR IMAGE AWARDS November 12, 2008

 

The 40th NAACP Image Awards will broadcast live from Los Angeles’ historic Shrine Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 12 (8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT) on Fox.       

       Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Former Vice President Al Gore and Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai will be awarded the NAACP Chairman’s Award during the special. The Chairman’s Award, chosen by NAACP Board Chairman Julian Bond, is bestowed in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service.

 

       “I am very proud to recognize Former Vice President Gore and Dr. Maathai for their substantial efforts in environmental awareness, sustainable development and peace,” said Bond. “Their courageous and historic accomplishments have benefited not only current but future generations, and they clearly reflect the values that we have so valiantly fought for over the past century.”      

       Nominations for the annual award show that recognizes the artistic achievements of people of color and honors projects and individuals that promote diversity in the arts will be announced Wednesday, Jan. 7 in Los Angeles. Hosts, performers and presenters will be announced shortly.      

       The star-studded broadcast will coincide with the NAACP’s 100th anniversary.

MARIAH CAREY SHOVED INTO ‘PUSH’ November 12, 2008

 

Mariah Carey is reportedly set to play a small role opposite Dakota Fanning in the upcoming film “Push,” reports WENN.       

      The entertainer says she’ll play a dowdy New York social worker in the sci-fi thriller, which follows a group of young American ex-pats with telekinetic and clairvoyant abilities who are hiding from a clandestine U.S. government agency. They must utilize their different talents and band together for a final job enabling them to escape the agency forever.

 

       “I’m not going to be a pretty picture. The role’s a supporting part – a little scene – but it’s a very important scene,” Carey says of her role. “I don’t want to reveal what happens, but my character is important because things are revealed through her.”

 

       Djimon Hounsou and Camilla Belle also star in the film, which is due in Feb. 2009.      

      In other Mariah news, London’s Daily Mail detailed every penny of the expenses needed to transport and house Carey for Monday’s World Music Awards in Monte Carlo.

 

      The paper reported: The singer’s extraordinary demands included a £100,000 private jet transport to the ceremony in Monte Carlo and a £10,000-a-night penthouse suite at the exclusive Hotel de Paris for two nights. Never one to travel light, she also asked for similar VIP treatment at the hotel for her 15-strong entourage of stylists and personal assistants.

 

        And when she felt a little peckish, she decided that the five-star hotel just wasn’t quite up to standard.  Instead she had renowned Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse brought to her hotel to cook her a private dinner. Seemingly impressed with the results, she then asked if he could stay and teach her how to cook the clam linguine for her new husband Nick Cannon.       

        Never mind that the 38-year-old was appearing for only 15 minutes on the night. After collecting her Special Achievement award, she made a short speech before being escorted immediately home.

 

       During her stay in London, Carey appeared on the TV competition show “X Factor,” where she sang her latest single “I Stay In Love” before joining the show’s finalists on stage to sing her hit “Hero.”

 

       Similar to her appearance on “American Idol,” Carey’s “X Factor” face time included mentoring sessions and each contestant performing a Mariah ballad.

WHOOPI MAKES A NEW DISCOVERY November 12, 2008

 

Whoopi Goldberg, a co-host on ABC’s “The View,” has signed a development deal with Discovery Emerging Networks to develop shows for Investigation Discovery and Science Channel with partner Tom Leonardis.

 

       According to Variety, the programming will be presented under her production shingle Whoop Inc. The pact includes a proviso that at least one of Goldberg and Leonardis’ ideas be greenlit.       

       “Since I’m really curious about the world, what better place for Tom and me to exercise this interest than at Discovery?” Goldberg said.       

       In addition to Goldberg’s short-lived, self-titled 2003-04 NBC sitcom, Whoop Inc. has produced the Lifetime series “Strong Medicine”; telepics “Ruby’s Bucket of Blood” and “Call Me Claus”; and feature “The Piano Man’s Daughter.”

ARETHA FRANKLIN RANKED ‘GREATEST SINGER’ November 12, 2008

 

The Queen of Soul has just become the Queen of Rock in a new poll of the rock era’s 100 greatest singers, conducted by Rolling Stone magazine and due on newsstands Friday with four different covers.

 

       Aretha Franklin, 66, tops a list that includes Ray Charles at No. 2, Elvis Presley at No. 3, Sam Cooke at No. 4 and John Lennon at No. 5, according to the magazine’s survey of 179 musicians, producers, Rolling Stone editors, and other music-industry insiders.      

       The list also comes with testimonials from musicians. R&B singer Mary J. Blige, for example, writes that Franklin is “the reason why women want to sing.” Former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, who was No. 15 on the list, describes Presley’s voice as “confident, insinuating and taking no prisoners.”      

       Besides Franklin, the only other living people in the top 10 were Bob Dylan at No. 7 and Stevie Wonder at No. 9. Marvin Gaye was No. 6, Otis Redding No. 8, and James Brown No. 10.      

       Other notables included Paul McCartney at No. 11, one place ahead of his idol, Little Richard; and Mick Jagger at No. 16, also one ahead of a key influence, Tina Turner. Among the top 25, 50-year-old Michael Jackson was the youngest, coming in at No. 25.

QUEEN LATIFAH TO HOST PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS November 12, 2008

 

Queen Latifah has been tapped as host of the 35th Annual People’s Choice Awards, airing live, Jan. 7 on CBS.

 

      The rapper-turned-actress, and star of “The Secret Life of Bees,” is up for favorite leading lady against Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway.

 

      Will Smith, meanwhile, earns nods for favorite action star and favorite male movie star.

 

       “The Dark Knight” goes up against “Iron Man” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” for favorite movie. “Mamma Mia!” has been nominated for movie comedy as well as “Get Smart” and “27 Dresses.”       

        In the TV categories, the drama field consists of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “House.” Vying for top comedy series honors are “Two and a Half Men,” “Ugly Betty” and “Samantha Who?”       

       Patrick Dempsey (“Grey’s”), “House” star Hugh Laurie and Charlie Sheen (“Two and a Half Men”) are up for favorite male TV star, while “Samantha Who?” lead Christina Applegate will vie with Sally Field of “Brothers and Sisters” and Mariska Hargitay of “Law & Order: SVU” for female TV star honors.      

       To celebrate its 35 years of publication, People Magazine will present the first People’s Choice Award for favorite star under 35. Other new categories include superhero, movie cast and TV drama diva.       

       The People’s Choice Awards honor fan favorites in television, movies and music. Awards will be presented at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.