This is what is happening on the blotter of Musical
news and in entertainment in general with more to say. As it happens,
it is on the top, the old news on the bottom, so read from top to bottom.
So look at the link and click to find out the latest, all additions will be
added in another color added,
so check link for latest news.
It was International Pickle week
this week from Sept 10th to last weekend. You must check out the
international pickle week. Unbeknownst to me, you can pickle even
watermelon. Well, it was amazing, and the kids had
a great time. It was informative and fun for all that came out to any
event this week or weekend.
Also this week is San Genero Festival in China town
to the Village. A great festival that fills the streets in downtown
Manhattan and filled with games and snacks and food of Italy. Please
come and eat, eat eat.
Hispanic Heritage month starts September 15th to
October 15th. Join us and celebrate our heritage, language and culture
during this month. There are several events all over.
Historical facts, this month: The Association of Negro Life and History founded on
Sept. 8th, The Black Masons formed their first lodge on Sept. 12th in 1767,
The Hampton Institute was founded on Sept. 17, 1861,
Everyone who has heard an
Eddie Griffin routine has heard him say
If you're holding a pen, a brush, an instrument or a microphone, there's an
amendment that says you can say pretty much whatever you want. Pretty much.
Just don't say the N-word. That may be the lesson learned by black comedian
Eddie Griffin, whose recent standup routine at a Black Enterprise magazine
event in Miami was halted when he asked his audience, "Why are some black
leaders telling us to stop using the N-word?" That was it, stuff got hot
from there. Griffin's mike promptly cut out. Earl Graves, the owner and
publisher of Black Enterprise, took the stage and said he refused to let
Griffin finish his act if "that's the way he's going to talk." A
spokesperson from the magazine later said, "We believe that ending the
performance was the appropriate action." Stuff has gotten hot since
Seinfeilds 'Kramer' (Michael Richards) and Who can forget Don Imus. So is it
any wonder that this has happened in a forum of professionals and
politicians. Now Griffin has become the first black entertainer to have his
act canned because he used the racial slur employed by a slew of black
comedians and rappers. It seems that when it comes to who can and cannot get
away with the N-word, race has nothing to do with it. Say it and odds are
public castigation will follow.
Jay-Z is reportedly hoping to put
Rocawear's name on the side of Continental
Airlines Arena when the airline ends its current deal with the New Jersey
sporting facility. Clothing companies Southpole, was reportedly offering the
highest bid of $2 million per year, and Izod are also allegedly vying for
the arena's naming rights. The bids could be reviewed and decided as soon as
Oct. 4.
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The bigoted and dizzy Adrianne Curry blogs, when she
does it just makes her look like a crazy beooch. Maybe it's just showing her
in true feelings, or her listening to the wrong people, but her
latest Blog makes her look a little like Strom Thurmond with big fake
boobs. The America's Next Top Race-Baiter! The first "America's Next Top
Model" initially wrote on her MySpace blog that she's boycotting Black
History Month and the BET network, and that while the history of slavery of
African-Americans "does suck some major balls," she's imploring them to
"move the f**k on. "Now, after some serious backlash, the empty-headed model
takes another stab at blogging in order to clarify her ridiculous rant,
explaining that she feels "horrible that people misunderstood" her message.
Perhaps this girl should think before she blogs! The annoying Adrianne
writes, "I am appalled that anyone would claim I am just some stupid white
b**ch that doesn't know s**t about anything." How could anyone think such a
thing?! Well, I can answer that with this one from her own blog.
Unfortunately, there's more! She says that she comes from an "incredibly
political family." Sure. All this worldly philosophy coming from someone who
dropped out of high school in her junior year. Stay in school kids! I mean
it, Stay in school kids!
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In the deposition, Anderson
claimed that he only fingered
LAPD officers Rafael Perez and David Mack, the latter of whom is also
currently serving time in a federal prison for stealing nearly $750,000 from
a bank as complicit in Biggie's murder after Anderson was promised between 5
and 10 percent of a settlement sought by the family of the slain rapper. The
family of the Bad Boy star, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, have
filed suit against the city of Los Angeles, alleging that the LAPD, in
particular Mack, were responsible for the artist's death on March 9, 1997.
The rapper's mother, Voletta Wallace, and his widow, singer Faith Evans,
filed the suit back in 2002. Previously, Anderson testified to having had
several conversations with both officers, claiming they were somehow
involved in facilitating and covering up the murder. In his new deposition,
he claims he was offered up to $150,000, by Voletta Wallace via an inmate
intermediary, for his cooperation in testifying against the officers.
Anderson said he was first approached to take part in the scheme by a fellow
inmate in 2001 and that he was one of three prisoners recruited to lie in
the scam. Eventually, he claims, one of the family's lawyers, Perry R.
Sanders Jr., contacted him by phone and confirmed the terms of the deal,
parroting that he would come into a financial windfall if he testified.
Sanders, for his part, told the Los Angeles Times that the new deposition
and allegations of city scamming, are "100 percent, demonstrably false. This
is wholesale, made-up-out-of-whole-cloth perjury." "I don't know David Mack,
I don't know Rafael Perez," Anderson said in his deposition, adding that the
officers "had no involvement with the...murder." Perez earned a degree of
infamy, and a prison sentence, as the lead figure in Los Angeles' Rampart
police scandal.
They haven't revealed a wedding date yet,
but
engaged couple Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds
are in the planning stages for their nuptials. "It's getting closer and
closer," Edmonds, 40, said at the Los Angeles premiere of Good Luck Chuck,
which she produced. "We've got a lot of work to do yet." It also appears
that the work is getting divided up by the bride- and groom-to-be. "We keep
checking in with each other," Edmonds said. "Like, 'What do you think about
this?' So we're getting a little closer, figuring it all out. It'll come
together really soon." While the wedding planning is a joint effort, Murphy,
46, and Edmonds also plan to collaborate in a more public way soon.
After
canceling a string of recent European performances, 50
Cent has booked a new run of eight dates in the United Kingdom for Nov.
7 to 16. In related news, Curtis is the No. 1 album on the European Top 100,
which includes sales figures from 19 territories in the region. The album is
tops in France, Germany, Holland, Austria and Norway.
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Danny
Bonaduce is getting a divorce and is doing great. He wanted to do
it with his wife giving her everything but a few clothes but a judge denied
his request and made him get lawyers for him and his wife. They are
now splitting the assets. He was on WB11 news being interviewed.
The star is now doing a radio show and doing well. He has been known
to do many crazy things. He has new tattoos that appear, usually when
he drinks. His wife saw a new one and called him about it after
reading In-Touch magazine article and looking at the tat Amy. She
asked him if he was serious about Amy and he said, 'Depends on what you call
serious, I think she was a waitress'. Guess it happens when you drink
too much. He is
part of a comedy showcase coming up. he was a child star as a kid in
'The Partridge Family'
and has done much to stay in the limelight. Even fighting another Star
in the ring. But he is comical and has a lot of talent nonetheless.
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Ashlee
Simpson's dad, Joe, and her rocker boyfriend, Pete Wentz, teamed up to
defend the pop songstress against a Vegas bodyguard. A Fight erupted as
the Simpsons and Wentz were trying to leave the Decaydance/GQ party at the
Mirage's Jet nightspot. Bouncers were willing to let Ashlee, Joe and Pete
through but they blocked the Simpson entourage, which included the Gym
Class Heroes MC, Marc DeJesus. "What are you doing?" yelled Wentz, demanding
that his crew be escorted to a waiting SUV, words were exchanged then
tempers rose, and, before long, a security guard shoved Wentz, knocking
Ashlee against a wall. Wentz rushed to her aid. The Fall Out Boy bassist
rained punches on the much-taller door security guards. Joe Simpson then
dove into the chaos. "When somebody messes with my baby, then it's over!"
Joe told us later, drawing his finger across his throat. The fight didn't
result in any serious injuries, and the Simpson-Wentz group managed to
leave. One fan tried to snap a picture of Simpson and Wentz after the melee,
prompting Ashlee to lunge for the guy's camera. Wentz quickly grabbed her
around the waist. All the well, at least no lives lost, no jail visits.
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Hip-hop stars
Hoovered up the swag at MTV's Video Music
Awards suites last weekend. When he wasn't hitting the Star Lounge and
grabbing goodies from Ray-Ban, guitar maker Gibson and Nike, Nelly was
stopping by the Dermalogica booth for some Shave Microfoliant for his
ingrown hairs. (You needed to know that.) Maybe he should tell Timbaland
about the art of schnoring. Accepting a pair of Prada shades, the beefed-up
producer asked the rep how much he owed her. Told that everything was free,
he responded, "I don't like to take stuff for free. You sure I can't pay?"
Meanwhile, Britney Spears' cousin Alli Simms collected thousands of dollars
in goodies, including Hanes underwear and custom shirts by Zazzle.
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Lil' Wayne has been
slapped with a second lawsuit by Carlisa Dixon, who was injured last year
during a melee at Morgan State University's homecoming concert in Baltimore.
In her suit, she claims she was "impaled" in the left thigh by a metal pole
during a riot that erupted after Wayne allegedly threw money into the crowd.
She also claims to have suffered "disfigurement" from the incident, and is
seeking $2 million in damages.
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From left, Luciano Pavarotti's daughters
Giuliana, Cristina and Lorenza attend their father's funeral in Modena's
Cathedral , northern Italy, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007. Pavarotti, whose
vibrant high C's and ebullient showmanship made him the most beloved and
celebrated tenor since Caruso and one of the few opera singers to win
crossover fame as a popular superstar, died Thursday Sept. 6 in his home. He
was 71.
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While
most millionaire rappers invest in cars, beat-maker Swizz
Beatz would rather invest in rare paintings. An avid painter himself, Swizzy
is a passionate art collector. "It's always been in my soul," he says. "That
Benz is going to lose value. You lose $30,000 when you [drive it] out the
parking lot. With [art], you appreciating $30,000-plus just by hanging it up
on your wall."
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T.I. received a pack-leading
nine nominations, including Lyricist of the Year
and CD of the Year (T.I. Vs. Tip),
for the upcoming BET Hip-Hop Awards. Lil
Wayne and Kanye West follow behind with seven and six nods, respectively.
Other multiple-nominated artists include 50 Cent, Common, Jay-Z and Ludacris.
Veteran rhyme-slinger KRS-One will be honored with the "I Am Hip-Hop" icon
award at the event, which is being televised live from Atlanta on Oct. 17.
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DJ
GRANDMASTER FLASH SET TO WRITE HIS MEMOIRS BEGINS A DJ STINT AT NEW
YORK'S CHINA CLUB AND IS WORKING ON A NEW ALBUM
DJ Grandmaster Flash is one of hip hop's founding fathers. And even though
he is in the fourth decade of a career that is legendary by any industry
standards, 2007 promises to be a banner year for Flash.
24-7PressRelease - NEW YORK, NY, September 09, 2007 - DJ Grandmaster Flash
is one of hip hop's founding fathers. And even though he is in the fourth
decade of a career that is legendary by any industry standards, 2007
promises to be a banner year for Flash: he is finally setting his memoirs to
the page—and releasing a new album on his own label, Adrenaline
Entertainment.
The Grandmaster Flash Story will be penned by David Ritz, who wrote both
Marvin Gaye's and Ray Charles' memoirs, as well. Although Flash has been
asked to write his memoirs many times over the past few decades, he has
finally felt he has found the right editor in Janet Hill at Doubleday.
(This is a
reprint, for full story)Back to top
Jennifer Hudson of
American Idol fame, is in final negotiations for a role in
the
upcoming Sex and the City film. The Dreamgirls star, who just finished work
on the drama Winged Creatures, is set to play the assistant to Sarah Jessica
Parker's character, Carrie Bradshaw. The story picks up four years after the
events of the 2004 series finale. Shooting for the film begins Sept. 19.
We hope she is picked, she is a gem.
Eve has developed her own
film-production company, so now she will establish a bigger presence in
Hollywood and become more
financially secure in the future. "I love movies and acting so when I'm
ready for kids and marriage later on, I want it to be my stability and my
life," she says. On the music side, Eve's new disc, Here I Am, will hit
stores Oct. 16. She is a force for reckoning with acting and singing.
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Jennifer Lopez is
developing a TV series about five Miami
teens who run a Quinceanera party-planning business. "The Amigas Sweet 15
Club" is being billed as a half-hour comedy with dramatic undertones. It is
based on an original idea by Jane Startz, who produced the film and TV
series based on the popular "The Baby-Sitters Club" books. Startz will be
executive producer with Lopez. In addition to the music-centric TV show,
they plan to develop "Amigas" into a series of
young adult books, Latin music-inspired CDs and potentially other franchise
properties targeting female tweens-teens. The TV series follows the "Amigas"
as they use their collective talents (one is a singer, one is a DJ, one is a
graphic artist, etc.) to launch an after-school party-planning business
aimed at helping Latina girls throw their dream Quinceanera (Sweet 15)
bashes. Each episode of the potential series would focus on a different girl
and on how her family and cultural background play into planning the event.
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A old village eatery
is now up for sale. The Mo Pitkins House of Satisfaction. The
multi-level East Village Eatery, bar and performance space that looks like
a New Orleans Bordello and hosts celebrities like Deborah Harry, Janeane
Garofalo, Al Franken, Paul Shaffer, Moby and Mario Batali has fallen on hard
times and is now up for sale. The Avenue A building is owned and
occupied by the Hartman Family-artists and entrepreneurs best known for
their chain of funky Two Boots Pizza in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The
pizzerias are doing great but Mo's is not. It's funny since the family
just did a renovation about 2 1/12 years ago, in excess of $1 million
dollars. Back to
top
Beyoncé,
50 Cent, Dwayne "The
Rock" Johnson and Oscar winners Three 6 Mafia are among the artists that
will take part in the upcoming television special Elvis: Viva Las Vegas. The
two-hour retrospective, which airs Sept. 18 on ABC, will feature artists
reworking classic Elvis Presley tunes and discussing his music. Meanwhile,
Beyoncé is the latest celebrity spokesperson for the American Express credit
card. Click
here to peep her new ad.
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The manager of such rock
legends as the Ramones, Iggy Pop and the MC5 says Out magazine concocted
fake quotes that made him sound like a creepy pedophile who lured underage
kids into bed by promising they could meet the bands. "My reputation is
ruined because Out has called me virtually a sexual predator. It is
atrocious," Danny Fields, who's filed a $100 million defamation suit against
the magazine. Fields, who is 65 & once shared a loft with Warhol star
Edie Sedgwick and was an influential figure in the East Village punk rock
scene says he was interviewed by Out's editor-in-chief Aaron Hicklin for a
sidebar to accompany an October 2006 article, "They Say If You Remember the
'70s, Then You Weren't There," written by Village Voice columnist Michael
Musto. Mike is a friend and I have followed his columns for years in
the Village Voice. I miss getting the voice, since I broke my leg and
ankle but will be getting it again soon. If you have never read a
Michael Musto column, do so soon.
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