Common Sells Over 81K, EPMD’s Comeback Fails To Chart In The Top 200 December 17, 2008
Chi-town vet Common just missed the top 10 on his debut week on the Billboard 200, while label boss Kanye is steadily on pace to reach platinum status.
According to the Nielsen SoundScan, Com’s 8th studio album, Universal Mind Control, landed at the number 12 spot, selling around 81,700 copies in its first week. The 16 year vet opted for a more party vibe with this record, working extensively with The Neptunes and OutKast producer Mr DJ. UMC features appearances by G.O.O.D. music leader Kanye West and Cee Lo Green, among others.
With his third week on the charts, the Louis Vuitton Don’s latest release, 808’s & Heartbreak is inching its way to platinum status. After officially going gold last week, Ye now sits on 719,900 albums sold. Standing 6 seats up from his associate Common, the super producer/rapper sold 126,800 discs this week.
On his second week on the charts, hip-hop hookman extraordinaire Akon drops from the number 7 position to number 18, selling 63,000 copies of his new album, Freedom. The Senegalese-born singer has sold a total of 173,900 CDs so far.
Failing to make it on the top 200 this week is We Mean Business, the comeback disc by hip-hop legends EPMD. Bay Area heavyweights Keak Da Sneak and San Quinn’s collabo CD, Welcome To Scokland, also failed to make the charts.
Next week look for new releases by Soulja Boy and Plies to debut in the top 10.
Relationship Holiday Gift Guide December 17, 2008
Christmas is rapidly approaching, and you still have no clue what to get your significant other. There’s no need to get anxious though, as I’ve designed a nice guide to direct you through this tedious process. Now if your relationship is in great shape, and you’ve found the man or woman of your dreams, then by all means follow your heart when purchasing them a gift. There are a few instances however, when the selection process can be confusing. That’s where I come in with my Fly Guy Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide.
The Mogul
The Low Down: This man or woman has it all thanks to hard work and sacrifice. So what do you get someone who already has everything?
The Gift: A personalized compass. With it, attach a note explaining the true purpose of the compass—to guide them to your heart.
The Fence Sitter
The Low Down: You think they want to be with you exclusively, but you’re not sure. Some days they show you attention; other days, not so much.
The Gift: A watch is always a great gift to give a fence sitter, as it can be stylish without hurting your pockets too much. If they inquire about your selection, use that opening as the perfect opportunity to let them know that time is ticking, and you won’t be around forever while they make up their mind.
Daddy’s Little Girl
The Low Down: I could have said spoiled brat, but I decided to be politically correct on this one. This is for the woman that has had everything given to her, but has never worked hard a day in her life.
The Gift: Get her a gift certificate to Home Depot with the following instructions: Relationships take a lot of work. I’d like to build something with you, but we have to work at it together. Maybe she’ll understand the symbolism, and agree to contribute to the relationship. If not, you can always take the gift card back and buy a leaf blower.
The Charity Case
The Low Down: You’re only with this person because you don’t want to be alone for the holidays. Now don’t get me wrong, they treat you very well. But you’re just not that into them.
The Gift: A nice bottle of wine. Present it, and tell them to take the time to cherish it in the same way that you cherish what they add to your life. This should keep them satisfied for a couple of weeks.
The Gold Digger
The Low Down: Do I really need to explain what a gold digger is? This person only wants to be with you for what you can give them…and for some reason you allow it to happen.
The Gift: Buy her a book—preferably anything written by Karrine Steffans. That way you can teach her how to use her unique skillset to make something of herself. Hey, if she’s going to be a groupie/gold digger, then she might as well have some goals, and become the best in her field.
**In you need specific gift advice, feel free to email me at flyguychronicles@gmail.com
50 SPEAKS OUT ABOUT HOUSE FIRE December 17, 2008
Rapper 50 Cent gave a candid interview to “Access Hollywood/TV One Access” about the fire that destroyed his Long Island home, and the circumstances leading up to the blaze.
The G-Unit leader said his home was scorched within days of his ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins being ordered to leave the residence.
“The courts told her she had to leave,” 50 told TV One Access correspondent Quddus. “It’s kind of more like, ‘If I can’t have you, you can’t have it.’”
Asked directly if Tompkins set the fire in response to the order, the rapper said: “Well, I don’t want to say that… don’t try to make me say something I don’t want to say.But the circumstances to it might seem that way.”
TV One Access’ interview with 50 Cent is scheduled to air in its entirety at 7 p.m. on January 4.
ALL ABOARD – THE INAUGURATION EXPRESS December 17, 2008
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U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will travel to their historic swearing-in ceremony by train to kick off a series of events for inauguration week.
Organizers said Obama and his family will begin the day-long journey on Jan. 17 with an event in Philadelphia. He’ll then board a train and travel to Wilmington, Delaware, where he’ll pick up the vice president-elect and his family, before they head to Baltimore, and finally Washington D.C.
Organizers say the rail trip is the “final leg” of Obama’s journey that began on the steps of the Old State Capitol in his home state of Illinois, to end on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, where he will be sworn in Jan. 20.
Event planners also say the trip will help make the inauguration more accessible for those who cannot travel to the nation’s capital, where large crowds are expected to attend the event.
DIDDY THROWS B-DAY BASH FOR EX KIM PORTER December 17, 2008
Although Diddy and his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter have had their issues, the mogul threw a lavish birthday party Monday in West Hollywood for the former model and mother of three of his kids.
Nearly 30 guests, including “Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo and husband Chris Ivery, co-star Sara Ramirez and reality TV’s Lisa Gastineau, were on hand at Murano Restaurant & Lounge to celebrate Porter’s 38th birthday, reports People.com.
Porter – the mother of Diddy’s nearly 2-year-old twin girls and 10-year-old son – strolled in “fashionably late to the restaurant, which was filled with red balloons and streamers,” the Web site reported. “The night’s soundtrack was a mix of old school 70s R&B prepared by Murano owner Sandy Sachs.”
The guest of honor was reportedly serenaded with Stevie Wonder’s version of “Happy Birthday,” and then presented with a cake.
While Diddy sipped on ginger ale throughout the night, the other guests drank a specialty lemon drop martini made with Ciroc vodka designed for the occasion, People.com reports. A four course tasting menu created by Executive Chef Luciano Sautto was served.
ISAIAH WASHINGTON IS AN AFRICAN CITIZEN December 17, 2008
Gossip blogger Perez Hilton says former “Grey’s Anatomy” star Isaiah Washington, who recently traced his DNA back to a village in Sierra Leone, has announced that he has just become a citizen of the African country.
The statement, emailed to Hilton, said the following:
Hello ALL,
Well…as I sit here in the TGMF office completely numb yet elated. I am at a lost for words. Minister Zainab Bangura has phoned me from New York to “officially” tell me that I am now a citizen of Sierra Leone and that I need to send her 2 photos for the Sierra Leone Passport that awaits me in Freetown. I could go on and on about how much that phone call means to me, but I will simply defer you all to the “Recent Work” section on Google’s Wikipedia. President Koroma now goes down in history as the “first” African President to issue an African-American full citizenship based on DNA. Congrats to all who have been on this historical journey with me. Mission Accomplished. That said, I’m so moved right now that I am literally wiped out with the gravity of this new reality. Going home to celebrate with my “dual citizenship” with my family…One Love
IW
BASSETT TO ANNOUNCE SAG AWARD NOMS December 17, 2008
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Angela Bassett and Eric McCormack join Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg to announce nominees for the 15th Annual SAG Awards tomorrow (Dec. 18) at 6 a.m. PT/9 a.m. ET at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.
Nominations were chosen in five film and eight television categories and will be telecast live on TNT and webcast live on TNT.TV and TBS.COM.
Bassett joined the cast of NBC’s “ER” this fall as tough new ER head Dr. Cate Banfield. December 19 brings the premiere of her latest film, Rod Lurie’s political thriller “Nothing But the Truth,” with Bassett starring opposite Alan Alda and Kate Beckinsale.
Also upcoming is her portrayal of Voletta Wallace, mother of slain rapper Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace in “Notorious,” due out January 2009, and a starring role opposite Danny Glover in Giancarlo Esposito’s directorial debut, “Gospel Hill.”
An Academy Award nominee for her portrayal of Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” Bassett received a SAG Award nomination in 2002 for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for the title role of Louisiana juke joint owner Ruby Delacroix in “Ruby’s Bucket of Blood.”
TIGER CALLS CADDIE’S MICKELSON DIG ‘INAPPROPRIATE’ December 17, 2008
Tiger Woods said Monday he is “disappointed” with his longtime caddie Steve Williams for making a disparaging comment about Phil Mickelson at a charity dinner.
Williams was quoted in the Taranaki Daily News as saying he wouldn’t call Mickelson a great player “because I think he’s a (expletive).” In an interview the next day with another New Zealand newspaper, the Sunday Star Times, Williams confirmed making the comment and said it was no secret they don’t get along.
Woods criticized his caddie and said he would handle it privately.
“I was disappointed to read the comments attributed to Steve Williams about Phil Mickelson, a player that I respect,” Woods said in a statement. “It was inappropriate. The matter has been discussed and dealt with.”
Mickelson responded to Williams’ statements in a statement released Sunday. He said: “After seeing Steve Williams’ comments, all I could think of was how lucky I am to have a class act like Bones (Jim Mackay) on my bag and representing me.”
J.LO HAS A ‘PLAN B’ FOR CBS FILMS December 17, 2008
Jennifer Lopez will star as a single woman caught up in an artificial insemination dilemma in the new romantic comedy “Plan B,” a production of CBS’ new movie division.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, J.Lo’s character attempts to conceive via artificial insemination and winds up in a quandary after she finds romance.
Cameras are scheduled to begin rolling in the spring, making it one of the first projects to get a green light at the new CBS Films.
Also on deck for the actress-singer is the heist picture “The Governess” for Columbia.
