Langfield Entertainment
424 Yonge Street, Suite 301, Toronto,
ON M5B 2H3
(416) 677-5883
langfieldent@rogers.com
http://members.rogers.com/langfieldent
NEWSLETTER
Updated: May 1, 2003
Hopefully the threat of SARS is behind us as the World Health
Organization has lifted its travel advisory against Toronto! Well, I can guarantee that the events listed this week WILL
go on as scheduled!
This week’s SCOOP is about Kayte Burgess and Chef
Anthony Mair.
EVENTS include the first and best party of the summer - Irie Food
Joint – Patio Opening – Monday, May 5. Also, check out the new Bambu
on Ryddym Sundays!
MUSIC NEWS includes an update on Elaine Overholt, BrassMunk, 50
Cent, Monica, Motown’s latest star – Kem, a listing of the '50 Greatest Hip-Hop
Artists', Kelly Clarkson, new teen boy reggae act, Patti Labelle, Sananda
Maitreya and Craig David (formerly Terrance Trent Darby).
OTHER NEWS is exciting news on Moses Znaimer, Jay-Z's
sneaker line and Queen Latifah.
FILM NEWS includes an update on what Boris Kodjoe is
doing.
TV NEWS involves MC Lyte - - and much, much
more!
This newsletter is designed to give you some updated
entertainment-related news and provide you with our upcoming event
listings. Welcome to those who are new members. Want your
events listed by date? Check out EVENTS.
SCOOP
Kayte Burgess Update
If you’ve been listening to either FLOW 93.5 or KISS 92.5 lately, you must have
heard the track “Wanna” by Kayte Burgess featuring Michie Mee! It’s Kayte’s hot new single and it’s soon to
be followed up with a video. Stay
tuned! If you like what you hear, please
request WANNA at FLOW at (416) 214-5000 or at KISS HERE.
Chef Anthony Mair Update
Do you remember the culinary skills of Chef Anthony Mair from the days
he was the chef at The Parlour? Well, Chef
Mair is now the executive Chef of The Manor Banquet and Reception Facility
situated on a private golf course, located north of the city in Kettleby.
Also of particular interest is Anthony’s television appearance in the new
informal cooking show entitled Beer Buddies on Global. All the
recipes have various Labatt beer products used in its components. You can see Anthony on Beer Buddies for the
next few weeks on Sunday afternoons at 1:30 pm on Global, Channel 3.
THOUGHT
MOTIVATIONAL
NOTE: Everyone has insecurities
Excerpt from www.eurweb.com
- by Jewel Diamond Taylor, JEWEL@DoNotGiveUp.net
Everyone has insecurities. When you show yourself to the
world and display your talents, you naturally stir up all kinds of playa'
hatin' like resentment, envy and criticism. This is to be expected. Don't let
it discourage you.
You cannot spend your life worrying about the small thinking
from others. In my book, Success Gems, I refer to several African proverbs. One
of them speaks to this issue of insecurities and how you should not shrink,
hide your light or stop climbing your ladder of success because of the
insecurities of people around you.
This powerful and relevant African proverb teaches that, "Around every
flower are insects."
HOT EVENTS
Irie Food Joint – Patio Opening – Monday,
May 5
It’s patio season
again! Well, almost. What better way to celebrate the inevitable
coming of summer than to come out to Irie on Monday, May 5th for
their “Patio Opening Party”. This night will feature all sorts of Irie’s
culinary specialities as well as the music stylings of Three-O featuring Neil Brathwaite, Joel Joseph and J.K. as well as the DJ stylings of Carl Allen!
This will become a regular Monday night at Irie so dust off your sandals and
come check out the party at Irie!! Check them out at www.iriefoodjoint.com.
MONDAY, MAY 5
Irie Food Joint Patio Opening
745 Queen Street W.
8:00 pm
Ryddym Sundays Launch at Bambu – May
11, 2003
Come and check the new Bambu and the grand opening of Ryddym Sundays! It all starts on Sunday, May 11th
– a blend of foundation reggae with the right touch of old skool! Brought to you by Erica, Alvin, Mike and
Canadian Reggae World. Launch features
the live reggae stylings of Ibadan and the DJ stylings of Carl Allen –
recent winner of a lifetime achievement award from the Urban Pool Awards. Come and join the fun on the new Sunday
night to hit Toronto!
SUNDAY, MAY 11
Ryddym Sundays
Bambu by the Lake
245 Queen’s Quay West (east of Spadina)
(416) 214—6000
8:00 pm
$10
Parking at Raddison Hotel
MUSIC NEWS
Elaine Overholt Update
Remember way back in January I
mentioned that Elaine Overholt had received the big “thank you ” from Richard
Gere when he won the Golden Globe for Best Actor
for Chicago? Well, her life has been
busier than usual as a result! See the
flyer attached about an upcoming workshop she is holding as well as the funny,
related article below.
How Richard Gere helped me unleash my inner pop star
By LEAH McLAREN (lmclaren@globeandmail.ca)
Source: Globe and Mail - Saturday, April 26,
2003 - Page - L3
It is a sunny Sunday afternoon in
April and I am standing in a carpeted room with mirrors on the walls, jumping
up and down with my legs spread, mouth open, going
"ahya-ahya-ahya-ahya-ahya!" It's called the Richard exercise, after
Richard Gere, who did this every morning during the shooting of Chicago in Toronto.
He learned to jump up and down and go "ahya-ahya" from highly
paid, world-renowned Canadian vocal coach Elaine Overholt. That's her standing on a platform at the front
of the room holding a microphone -- the middle-aged woman with the blond shag
and big features. About 25 other
people are jumping up and down in the room with me. Ranging from preadolescents
in platform sneakers to choir ladies in their 60s, all of these people have
paid $200 for the privilege of being coached toward pop stardom by Overholt.
The people are here for a bit of stardust, and Overholt happily delivers,
slipping in casual mentions of the "Catherine Zeta pose" (magazine
cover pout) and the day Gere had his technical breakthrough. His pipes were
rusty and so he practised and practised his exercises with Overholt until one
day -- shazam -- he could sing like a bird. He was so happy he danced around
the room. According to her Web site (www.elaineoverholt.com), "It is
Elaine's passionate philosophy that every individual on the planet has an
incredibly unique and powerful voice waiting to be set free."
All right then, I think, as I wiggle around the room, making funny faces and
working my quads. But what the heck does this have to do with releasing my
inner pop star? I do have one. As a
child, I used to sing all the time. And in high school, I was cast in all the
great bitchy musical roles -- Rizzo in Grease, the Queen of Hearts in Alice: the Rock Opera, Sally Bowles in Cabaret . . . well, actually, I was in the chorus for Cabaret, but I would have been a wicked Sally.
This room is filled with the sort of girls I went to high school with: curly
hair, dark lipstick, big boobs, uptown attitude, almost certainly named Stacey.
Great girls. Still, I would be a better Sally. I am transported back to the
early nineties, standing in a hallway outside the drama studio, listening to my
friend Stacey (or was it Michelle?) belt out The Body Electric as I waited my turn to be barked at by the
student director. I realize Overholt is
my last chance. If she doesn't discover me, no one will, and then my talent
will go unrecognized. I will live out the rest of my days, typing away in the
newsroom, leashed by a regulation headset, when I should be on stage, wiping
the dew from my throat and smiling as the audience brays with pleasure. Oh,
will somebody please release my inner Gypsy Rose?
Overholt is telling us to hydrate our voices. "Hydrate, hydrate,
hydrate," she says. Everyone has a bottle of water except for me. We learn
to take a noiseless breath, and where our diaphragm is located. We choose
partners and do exercises where we place our fists in each other's diaphragms
and lean into them going, "Huh, huh, huh." My partner is Elle Spencer-Lewis, 27, a singer-songwriter. She is
very pretty and thin with burgundy hair. I can tell just by looking at her that
she is a great singer and, if this was an audition for Cabaret, would probably get the part of Sally, while I
would get cast as the old landlady who sings the song about the pineapple. I ask her why she came here if she already
knows how to sing and she is super upbeat in the way performing artists usually
are. "I believe all the experiences you have in your life get stored in
you somewhere," she says. "Your vocal cords are a reflex muscle.
There's no way to get your brain to control your voice. Singing well is a
Pavlovian response. It's all practice."
But what if someone is tone deaf?
"Tone deafness is a physical impossibility," she tells me.
"If you can walk, you can run, and if you can talk, you can sing." (I
read the same thought on Overholt's Web site.)
Now, the workshop is half over and we have not even begun to sing. We break for
water and fruit, and for the TV camera operators to interview all the
best-looking people in the room about why they like working with Overholt (they
are making a promotional documentary).
Now comes the real test. Overholt teaches us a song. Well, not a whole
song. Actually just a couple of lines she wrote herself so she can use it in
the promotional documentary without infringing on copyright laws. The words
reflect Overholt's inspirational approach: "When you open your heart/You
will find/There's a warrior inside."
We walk around the room practising the ditty until Overholt tells us to
sit down. One by one, people get up and sing the song so Overholt can give them
feedback. One of the first people is a tiny little girl of maybe 9 with curly
hair and glasses and the voice of an angel. Overholt asks if she has taken
singing lessons before. "Uh, maybe a little."
Next is a middle-aged woman whose alto voice sounds like a cross between Joni
Mitchell and Yo-Yo Ma's cello. Overholt says she has natural "It
quality," which can't be taught. A
vampy girl in high black leather boots warbles through the song with such
brazen off-key confidence I have to cheer her on. Overholt is tactful: "I
love the way you went for that," she says. I sidle up to the microphone and give it my best Sally Bowles. My
hands are shaking. Overholt makes me sing the line again with the sound
"neeah" in place of the words. Something about finding my head voice.
She tells me to move my body and to "own it." I try. After a couple
of minutes, she smiles and says, "Thank you for being brave."
I'm still waiting for the call.
BrassMunk is BIG!
Fresh from debuting their newest video on MuchMusic this past Saturday, BrassMunk are back
with the sizzling video "BIG"
directed by Michael Douglas (OzMedia).
Check out the cool 3-D effects – all effects done by the talented Toxik
Media. Check out the BIG video at http://www.urbnet.com/brassmunk/brassmunk-big.wmv.
Brassmunk just returned from Vancouver and recorded some bangers with
Checkmate + Concise and Moka Only (Swollen Members). You can check out the Moka Only/BrassMunk track called "Live
It" in the Audio/Video section also.
http://www.brassmunk.com/go.html
The New BrassMunk album will be coming summer 2003!
Also, their site has been fully updated with some special treats. www.brassmunk.com
50 Cent Hits #1 With New DVD; Inks Label
Deal With Interscope/Universal; And Is Confirmed For First Canadian Appearance!
Canadian fans can’t seem to get enough of hip-hop sensation 50 Cent, as
his DVD, The New Breed, exploded into the number 1 spot on
SoundScan’s DVD chart this week. His debut Shady/Aftermath/Universal Music
album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ has been a permanent fixture at the
top of the SoundScan albums chart since its release 11 weeks ago, and the hit
album has achieved amazing sales of 4x Platinum in Canada, and 6 million
worldwide!
50’s newest smash single, “21 Questions”, is set to follow in the
footsteps of previous #1 radio and video hit “In Da Club”, as it is ‘The
Big One’ at MuchMusic and was also added into heavy rotation at MusiquePlus.
The single, featuring Nate Dogg, is steadily climbing the CHR charts and is the
#1 request at stations across the country.
Also just announced, 50 Cent has signed a label deal with
Interscope/Universal Music. Under the
structure of the deal, 50 Cent will sign and develop artists on his own
G-Unit Records imprint, which will be marketed and distributed by
Interscope/Universal. The first release expected from G-Unit Records will be 50
Cent’s like-named group, G-Unit, whose album is slated to come out
by the end of the year.
Catch 50 Cent’s first appearance in Canada, as part of KISS 92’s Wham
Bam in Toronto on July 1st at the Molson Amphitheatre.
We’re
“So Gone” off Monica’s new single
Excerpt from www.eurweb.com
From the soulful
vocals to the infectious beats, the new Missy Elliot produced single from
Monica, “So Gone,” is sure to satisfy your craving for something you can pop in
your CD player and set on ‘Repeat.’
Like an old 45 that you just can’t get enough of, Monica passionately
delivers a soul-stirring performance of what could very well be the next anthem
for being “crazy” in love. To perfect the authentic soul feel, this set comes
complete with the mesmerizing crackle of an old dusty spinning on a
turntable. Who ever said that the
classic sounds of R&B and soul had been eclipsed by hip-hop? Monica shows
us that we can enjoy both with this offering. And what else should we expect
when you put Missy Elliot’s Midas touch on a multi-platinum selling artist like
Monica?
In speaking with the 22 year-old Atlanta-bred vocalist, she had this to say
about why she chose this as her first release: “The feeling was so good on “So
Gone” it was a given that it would be the single. Missy also told me the night
that we recorded it, that it should be the single. We recently finished
shooting the video for the song.” When
asked how she feels she has grown since her multi-platinum selling first album
“Miss Thang,” she said, “Starting at 12 years old, I have changed in every way
even physically. My life and the people in it are the most important thing to
me -- next to God. I value life so much more, and I am thankful for my gift,
which is the gift of song.” Monica’s
new album is yet to be titled, but it’s scheduled to be released June 17 on J
records. The album features some of the hottest producers in the biz, including
Missy Elliot, Jermaine Dupri, Dallas Austin (who first signed Monica to his
Rowdy Records label), the duo Soulshock and Korlin, Bam, Brian Cox and Jazzy
Pha. The record will also include guest appearances by DMX, whom Monica says is
like a brother to her; Tyrese, her label mate; and her best friend Mia-X, which
Monica tells us was one of the biggest treats of all!
We asked what’s the most important thing that she wants her fans to know about
her soon-to-be-released project and she told us this, “I would want my fans to
know that this album is a true reflection of the person that I have become. I
shared a tremendous amount of my life.”
“So Gone,” is the perfect teaser to Monica's upcoming album, and it’s
certainly enough to make you lick your lips for more! Keep your radio tuned in
for this sure-fire chart topper!
Here's are links (below) to Monica's new video, "So Gone." Windows Media
player is required.
http://www.jrecords.com/media/monica/video/monica_so_gone_56.asx
http://www.jrecords.com/media/monica/video/monica_so_gone_300.asx
Gerald A. Radford is a freelance writer who resides in Atlanta, GA and
is President/CEO of Urban Jamz Productions, the premiere platform for aspiring
artists. (gerald.radford@urbanjamz.com)
Meet
Motown's Rising Star: Kem. His debut album is 'Kemistry'
Excerpt from www.eurweb.com
Nothing can be better than KEMISTRY for the soul. Motown's
rising star, KEM, delivers a debut album rich in emotion and vocally textured.
KEMISTRY blends saucy scats and soothing lyrics with bass, drums, guitar and
percussion. KEMISTRY is the essence of everything we love and miss about soul
music. KEM, a self-taught musician, wrote
and produced KEMISTRY. He was born in Nashville and raised in Detroit, the
birthplace of Motown Records. "I wanted to make music all of my life. I
started playing piano when I was five," he recalls. "My grandparents
had a piano in their house and my earliest memory of playing was on that piano.
There's something about a piano that turns me on." The first single released, "Love
Calls," speaks to the magnetic force of love. This song tugs at our
emotions through an intense urban groove and a moving hook, "... there's
no where to hide when love calls your name."
KEM's captivating singing style carries listeners from the past into the
present, reminiscent of a time when music played a significant role in
"break ups and make ups." The KEMISTRY odyssey is a 10-song
heart-felt journey through love, loss and redemption. It begins with
"Matter of Time," one of KEM's personal favorites. This track sets
the tone for an album that tells stories of hope and persistence. KEMISTRY
realizes that occurrences in life, which we might think are bad, prepare us for
better things. "Matter of Time" is a reflection of my life,"
reveals KEM. "The rough spots in our lives give us character. I don't
regret the past...it's an integral part of who I am today," he shares. "Miss You" is a sexy ballad laced
with the sweet sounds of tenor sax and the attitude of a smoke-filled room.
This one has soundtrack written all over it.
The album's signature song "Brotha Man," is a deep testament of
faith. A uniquely crafted arrangement of beats, melodic vocals and an
intermittent flow, "Brotha Man" is KEM's story of the wondrous
workings of God. A welcomed reassurance that spirituality has a home in soul
music. This complex arrangement also features KEM's soulful, vocal
interpretation of musical instruments, a scatting style that is uniquely
KEM. Deep admiration for musicians
like Grover Washington Jr., Steely Dan, the O'Jay's, Stevie Wonder and Prince
played a major role in shaping KEM as an artist. KEM and his band have
performed on the same stage with acts such as WAR, Donald Byrd, Rachelle
Ferrell and MeShell N'degeocello.
KEMISTRY, a timeless album came together after years of career-changing
experiences, and has been more than two years in the making. While working on
the CD, KEM waited tables, sang with a gospel troupe and a Top 40 wedding band.
But he never lost sight of his dream. Instead, he stepped out on faith,
quitting his job and going after his dream. He looks at this album and it's
upcoming releases as "great testimony to any one who's ever been told to
go out and get a real job."
"Success is an inner job, for me doing anything less than what
brings me joy is not an option," states KEM. In March of 2002, KEM
independently released KEMISTRY and sold more than 10,000 CDs to music lovers
before piquing the interest of Motown Records. KEMISTRY is soul music for the mind, body and spirit. For more
and to sample Kem's music, .go here
'Kings
of Rock' Run-D.M.C. Reign Supreme: Group is 1 on VH1's '50 Greatest Hip-Hop
Artists'
Excerpt from www.eurweb.com
More than a musical style, hip-hop is a history of American
culture, and a testimony by its artists of their life experiences. In 1985, when Run-DMC ordained themselves
the "Kings of Rock," in their lyrics of their hit song of the same
name, they probably never imagined that one day they would be recognized as
such. As the pioneers of hip-hop music, they convinced the world to dance to
poetry with a beatbox. They invited
anyone who would listen to "Walk This Way" in "My Adidas,"
all the way to the top of VH1's list of the "50 Greatest Hip-Hop
Artists." And in the words of the great Run-DMC themselves, "It's
like that! And that's the way it is! Huh!"
Hosted by hip-hop music mogul Sean "P-Diddy" Combs, VH1's "50
Greatest Hip-Hop Artists," premieres on Friday, April 18th at 8:00 P.M.
(ET/PT), the two-hour special features provocative interviews with hip-hop
music legends Afrika Bambaataa, Chuck D., Grandmaster Flash, MC Hammer and
KRS-One. Newer artists interviewed
include Snoop Dogg, OutKast, Busta Rhymes, Eve, and Nelly. Each offer a unique
perspective that pays homage to their predecessors, speaks to future of the
music, and proof that hip-hop music has woven itself into the fabric of
American music and culture.
VH1's "50 Greatest Hip-Hop Artists" serves as a platform for hip-hop
music's superstars of the past, present and future to acknowledge their hip-
hop peers. Following is a sample of what some of them had to say:
P-DIDDY on RUN-DMC "They've inspired me so much as an artist, a producer,
a businessman, and entertainer. They would have to be hip-hop's greatest
entertainers."
BUSTA RHYMES on PUBLIC ENEMY "Public Enemy is probably the greatest thing
that ever happened to my experience of hip-hop . . . I think they actually
brought the conscious level of hip-hop of the game on an unprecedented level.
On a level that was so, so bone chilling that it, it actually put a dent in the
Teflon on the government."
ICE-T on TUPAC "You don't become the greatest just by being able to rap
good. You become the greatest by being able to touch people . . . that was
skill."
NELLY ON THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. "I would say no one was better as far as . .
. putting words together. And he showed that, you know. .. the tightest emcees
don't always have to be ... quote unquote the 'best looking ones' . . . and the
'best style' and all that. Because Big, Big Dog was smooth, you know what I'm
saying."
VH1's "50 Greatest Hip-Hop Artists," is the latest installment of
VH1's hit "Greatest" franchise. In our "Greatest"
tradition, "50 Greatest Hip-Hop Artists" features archival clips,
classic performances and exclusive interviews with the some of the world's greatest
entertainers. It also represents VH1's recognition of hip-hop music as a
significant music form and the integration of the genre into our music
programming repertoire.
Viewers can log onto VH1.com for more information on their favorite hip hop artists
at http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/65574/episode.jhtml.
"50 Greatest Hip-Hop Artists" is a VH1 production. Executive
Producers are Robert Weiss and Bernie Kaminsky.
MTV Networks owns and operates the cable television programming services MTV:
Music Television, MTV2, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, VH1, CMT: Country
Music Television, and TNN, as well as The Digital Suite from MTV Networks, a
package of thirteen digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV
Networks. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing
agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.
VH1 50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists
1. Run-DMC
2. Public Enemy
3. Tupac Shakur
4. Notorious B.I.G.
5. LL Cool J
6. Eminem
7. Dr. Dre
8. Grandmaster Flash
9. Salt-N-Pepa
10. Jay-Z
11. Beastie Boys
12. P. Diddy
13. N.W.A.
14. Missy Elliott
15. Wu-Tang Clan
16. Ice-T
17. The Fugees & Lauryn Hill
18. Afrika Bambaataa
19. Nas
20. Eric B. & Rakim
21. KRS-One
22. DMX
23. OutKast
24. Queen Latifah
25. Snoop Dogg
26. Ice Cube
27. A Tribe Called Quest
28. Busta Rhymes
29. Nelly
30. Will Smith & DJ Jazzy Jeff
31. Naughty By Nature
32. Cypress Hill
33. De La Soul
34. Lil' Kim
35. Big Daddy Kane
36. Master P
37. The Roots
38. Biz Markie
39. Ja Rule
40. Gang Starr
41. MC Lyte
42. Kurtis Blow
43. Coolio
44. MC Hammer
45. Heavy D & The Boyz
46. Eve
47. Arrested Development
48. Kool Moe Dee
49. Tone Loc
50. Sugarhill Gang
American
Idol Is Moving Units: Kelly Clarkson’s debut album is No. 1
Excerpt from www.eurweb.com
Move over 50, Kelly Clarkson is America’s idol. Clarkson’s
debut album, “Thankful,” is No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with approximately
300,000 copies sold. This is good news
for the AI television show and for the folks at RCA which released the set.
There were questions whether Clarkson, the winner of the televised talent show
in 2002, could sell records. There were also concerns that the public had cooled
on Kelly since the album was originally slated for release last December. RCA’s general manager, Richard
Sanders, attributed the album’s success to the power of television.
REGGAE
UPDATE FROM JAMAICA: Caribbean nationals comprise new teen boy act
Excerpt from www.eurweb.com - by Kevin Jackson
With so many boy groups permeating the music scene, Take
Note, a Florida-based duo comprising two teenage Caribbean nationals, is set on
making a statement with its lovelorn lyrics, choreography, songwriting and
production capabilities and youthful appeal.
Take Note’s members are 18 year old Jino Valsaint, a native of Nassau,
Bahamas, and 17-year-old Jason “J-Dub” Jean Baptiste, a Haitian/Dominican. Both met on a basket ball court 3 years
ago, and decided to team up to explore their musical aspirations. As Jason explains “We were on a basketball
court, and Jino was in a group called Ground Zero. We realized we like music a
lot and we branched off to form Take Note.”
The duo is under the guidance of Richie Effs Entertainment, a
Florida-based entity.
But what makes Take Note different from the glut of boy acts on the scene? “We differentiate ourselves from the
competition out there by not focusing on sex and material things. We also write
our own songs, we have our own choreographers and we also produce some of our
material,” said Jino. The duo is
heavily influenced by hip-hop. They produce their own tracks and write their
own songs. Their sound embraces rhythm and blues with essences of hip-hop and pop
music. Their influences are varied.
From Shabba Ranks, to Bob Marley, to Michael Jackson, Ginuwine, to old school
vocalists Marvin Gaye, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations to Usher. A 13-track disc with their songs has been
serviced to overseas press and radio stations in the US for airplay
consideration. However, their debut album, which is simply titled Take Note,
isn’t expected out until mid summer.
Tracks such as “Little Things,” “Don’t Wait,” “The Way it is,” and “Up
and Down” are testament to the talent that these guys possess.
The duo prides their morals, style and talent as their essentials in making it
above the glut of boy acts currently permeating the scene. “Most of our songs
we write them from our experiences. There are a lot more exciting stuff to
write about instead of sex,” said Jino.
The duo performed on Florida’s Reggae Fest show in November
last year. It was their first major performance.
Craig
Is Cool On J-LO: Singer says a collabo with Jenny can wait
Craig David has come out in America and has been a huge success. He's now in
the midst of putting some other songs together for another run at
greatness. Though
there were some duets on his set, David said he shunned away from getting down
with artists who had a more pop flavor to them simply because he didn't want
people to feel he was using them to get ahead. He could have hooked up with
actress/pop star Jennifer Lopez.
"She's into doing a collaboration and I'd love to do something with
her. I think ultimately when the time is right it'll be cool." When it first came around I was just about
to go to America. I think people would have looked at it as me trying to use
Jennifer Lopez to get into that massive state. When the time's right it'll be
cool."
Lady
Labelle At Def Jam Classics: Singing diva has new album at a new label
Excerpt from www.eurweb.com
Singer Patti LaBelle joined Def Jam approximately one month
ago and has already completed two tracks for an upcoming album under Def Jam
Classics. The tracks completed were
projects with Wyclef Jean and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Prince also wants to collaborate
with the diva–he wants to do her gospel project. “He wants to do my whole gospel album, according to Prince,”
LaBelle told Launch Radio. “And you
know, it’s very deep so he and I are going to have to talk, you know, about
different things.” Prince doing
gospel? ‘Deep’ ain’t even the word...
Terence
Trent Who? Eighties artist is back with a new name
Excerpt from www.eurweb.com
Remember Terence Trent D’Arby? The petite, double-platinum soul
singer with braids who sang a stirring rendition of “Who’s Loving You?” Well, he’s back but like his kindred
spirit, Prince, D’Arby has changed his name. The artist formerly known as TTD
is now Sananda Maitreya (My-ah-TRAY-ah) and his new CD, “Wildcard!–The Joker’s
Edition,” drops in the US on June 3.
Already released in Europe, “Wildcard” is the first set from D’Arby in
eight years. It’s on the artists’ own label, Sananda, with distribution through
Compendia Music Group. There are 19
songs on the CD some of them produced by Dallas Austin.
FILM
NEWS
More
Kodjoe To Go: Sexy Soul Food star to lead in a new movie
Excerpt from www.eurweb.com
Actor Boris Kodjoe is set to star in a feature film that
began principal photography on April 16 in New Orleans. The movie is called “The Playmaker” and
it's about a gifted football player who must deal with mistakes from his
past. Other actors in the film include
Omar Gooding, Michael Jai White and NFL players Terrell Owens and Jason Taylor.
NFL legend Jim Brown will also appear.
“Playmaker” will be Kodjoe’s first leading role in a feature film. He
appeared in the hip-hop romance “Brown Sugar” and he’s seen weekly on the
Showtime drama Soul Food.”
TV
NEWS
MC Lyte Goes Platinum: She’ll appear on the UPN show with that name.
Excerpt from www.eurweb.com
Unlike some people, MC Lyte has no problems with the new UPN
drama, “Platinum.” “I feel the new UPN
series ‘Platinum’ depicts the hip-hop game in a real authentic way,” Lyte says.
“In fact, a lot of what goes on in the series has actually happened within the
music industry.” And since the UPN show
is imitating life anyway, Lyte will appear on the April 29 episode as diva
artist Camille FaReal. “Working with
Lyte was incredible,” says director Marcus Raboy. “She brought a realness to
her character, and that, combined with Lyte’s great instincts as an actress
allowed her to really shine in the episode.”
OTHER
NEWS
Moses steps down as CHUM TV prez
Source: Metro Toronto news services
Moses Znaimer, one of the
founders of Citytv,is stepping down as the head of 17 CHUM Ltd. television
stations CBC.ca reports. Znaimer, who will also leave his post as
vice-president of corporate development, will focus on “distance education ”
and “life-long learning ” projects. He will continue to serve as
director, chairman and executive producer of Learning And Skills Television of
Alberta Limited — which owns and operates ACCESS, Canadian Learning Television,
Book Television: The Channel, CourtTV Canada and The Learning Annex. ”I’m
aiming to do a few things I ’ve not done before such as producing movies, maybe
doing that book that everyone ’s been urging me to write; even trying my hand
at something completely different,” Znaimer said.
Jay-Z's
Sneaker Line Sets Reebok Mark
Source: Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Jay-Z's signature Reebok tennis shoe sold out in only a few
hours over the weekend -- making it the fastest-selling shoe in Reebok's
history. While exact numbers were not
officially released, sources said about 10,000 pairs of the white sneaker were
sold at $95 a pair. Additionally, the first 10,000 pairs included a CD sampler
featuring some unreleased cuts as well as a taste of Jay-Z's forthcoming
record, "The Black Album." To keep up with demand, Foot Locker stores
that carry the line are expected to restock by Monday. The first-day sales of Jay-Z's S. Carter
Collection (named after his birth name, Shawn Carter) also make the rap star
the first non-athlete to have a shoe line resulting in record sales for
Reebok. Jay-Z said the S. Carter,
which he designed, is not necessarily an athletic shoe. "I know that
people buy sneakers not really to play basketball," he said. "They
buy them to match their shirt, to look cool. It's not an athletic shoe; it's
more for the cool kid who can't jump on the sideline. There's never been a shoe
for that."
"Black Album," which Jay-Z said will be his last, will hit stores in
November. Reebok already has plans to roll out a limited edition S. Carter
black sneaker in September and October to help promote the release. Jay-Z is no stranger to the fashion market.
His 3-year-old Rocawear clothing line is a $300 million business. "We as artists set trends, and we
dictate fashion through videos and various things like that," Jay-Z said.
"I just want to make sure that I sell and make good products. Rocawear was
initially successful because of the Roc-a-Fella (Records) and Jay-Z (brands),
but it's been three years now, and something must be right because it's a
growing business. The jeans must fit right. After a while, the hype goes down.
You can fool (consumers) for the first six months, but after that you have to
make a good product." Jay-Z will
step back from recording after "Black Album" is released in November.
He said he plans to take Hollywood by storm thereafter -- he's working on a
screenplay, is looking into producing films and may even take on an acting
role.
Essence
Awards Chooses Its Entertainer Of The Year: Queen Latifah
Excerpt from www.eurweb.com
Queen Latifah will be named the "Entertainer of the
Year," an honor awarded as part of an online ESSENCE reader's poll, at the
16th Annual Essence Awards on Friday, June 6 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood,
CA. The Essence Awards celebrates the power of the word in a variety of forms:
music, film, and theatre, television and radio, humour and activism. The
two-hour special will air June 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Long acknowledged as the most prolific
female in rap, Grammy Award-winning Queen Latifah became a household name and
premiere presence in film the past year with her performance in the multi-award-winning
from Chicago as Matron "Mama" Morton -- a role for which she was
honoured with a Screen Actors Guild Award and received nominations as Best
Supporting Actress for both an Oscar® and a Golden Globe. She also hosted her
own nationally syndicated TV talk show.
"As an actress, recording artist, author, producer and more, Queen Latifah
embodies the spirit of ESSENCE," said Susan L. Taylor, ESSENCE editorial
director. The 2003 Essence Awards is executive produced by Taylor and Suzanne
de Passe. In 2002, Janet Jackson was
named the first-ever "Entertainer of the Year," edging out the other
top contenders Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Jill Scott and Michael Jackson. The Essence Awards was first held in 1987
and has become one of the country's most important awards shows. The Essence
Awards is one of the few awards shows that make tickets available to the
public. Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster
outlets, the Kodak Theatre box office or by calling (213) 480-3232. Tickets
range in price from $50 to $450 and are subject to additional service charges.
The
event is sponsored by American Express, Budweiser, DaimlerChrysler, JCPenney,
Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Singles, L'Oreal, McDonald's, Pepsi-Cola,
Pine-Sol, Post Cereals, Soft Sheen/Carson Inc., State Farm Insurance and
Toyota.
CD
RELEASES
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
KEITH MURRAY
He's Keith Murray (Def Jam)
KELLY PRICE
Priceless (Def Jam)
LIL MO Meet The Girl Next Door (Elektra)
NATALIE COLE
Anthology (The Right Stuff)
STICKY FINGAZ
Decade (EMI)
TYRESE How
You Gonna Act Like That (J Records)
Tuesday,
May 6, 2003
ARETHA FRANKLIN One Faith, One Lord, One Baptism (BMG
Heritage)
AVRIL LAVIGNE Losing Grip (CD Single) (Arista)
CHRISTINA
AGUILERA Fighter (CD Single) (RCA)
ETTA JAMES Let's Roll (Windham Hill)
FOO FIGHTERS Times Like These (RCA)
FOXY BROWN The Fever (Def Jam)
MELANIE DURRANT Where I'm Goin' (CD Single) (Motown)
SANTANA The Birth Of Santana (Navarre)
SHAWN DESMAN Spread My Wings (CD Single) (BMG)
YOLANDA ADAMS Priase & Worship Songs of Yolanda Adams
(Zomba)
EVENTS - MAY 1 -
11, 2003
SUNDAY,
MAY 4
SOULAR
College Street Bar
574 College Street (at Manning)
10:30 pm
$5.00
EVENT PROFILE: Featuring Dione Taylor, Sandy Mamane,
Davide Direnzo, Justin Abedin, Dafydd Hughes and David French.
MONDAY, MAY 5
Irie Food Joint Patio Opening
745 Queen Street W.
8:00 pm
EVENT PROFILE: It’s patio season again!
Well, almost. What better way to celebrate the inevitable coming of
summer than to come out to Irie on Monday, May 5th for their “Patio
Opening Party”. This night will feature all sorts of Irie’s culinary
specialities as well as the music stylings of Three-O featuring Neil Brathwaite, Joel Joseph and J.K. as well as the DJ stylings of Carl Allen!
This will become a regular Monday night at Irie so dust off your sandals and
come check out the party at Irie!! Check them out at www.iriefoodjoint.com.
MONDAY,
MAY 5
VIP JAM WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Revival Bar
783 College Street (at Shaw)
10:00 pm
NO COVER
EVENT PROFILE: Featuring Rich Brown, Joel Joseph and
Shamakah Ali with various local artists.
MONDAY, MAY 5
ACOUSTIC SOUL MONDAYS
Spaha Bistro
66 Harbord St. (at Spadina)
10:00 pm
NO COVER
EVENT PROFILE: Featuring Syreeta Neal and Adrian
Eccleston.
TUESDAY,
MAY 6
JAM SESSION
Lava Lounge
507 College Street (west of Bathurst)
10:30 pm
NO COVER
EVENT PROFILE: Featuring Divine Earth Essence, Calvin
Beale, Michael Shand, Joe Bowden, Thomas Reynolds and various local artists.
SUNDAY, MAY 11
RYDDYM SUNDAYS LAUNCH
Bambu by the Lake
245 Queen’s Quay West (east of Spadina)
(416) 214—6000
8:00 pm
$10
Parking at Raddison Hotel
EVENT PROFILE: Come and check the new Bambu and the grand opening of Ryddym
Sundays! It all starts on Sunday, May
11th – a blend of foundation reggae with the right touch of old
skool! Brought to you by Erica, Alvin,
Mike and Canadian Reggae World. Launch
features the live reggae stylings of Ibadan and the DJ stylings of Carl Allen –
recent winner of a lifetime achievement award from the Urban Pool Awards. Come and join the fun on the new Sunday
night to hit Toronto!
SUNDAY,
MAY 11
SOULAR
College Street Bar
574 College Street (at Manning)
10:30 pm
$5.00
EVENT PROFILE: Featuring Dione Taylor, Sandy Mamane,
Davide Direnzo, Justin Abedin, Dafydd Hughes and David French.