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November 10, 2006
GOSPEL CONCERT AT SALEM BAPTIST IN MINNEAPOLIS
Join Z 1470 Totally Gospel Radio as Freddie Bell Presents a Thanksgiving Celebration of our Over the Rainbow Capital Campaign!
The gospel concert takes place on Sunday November 19th, at
5 o’clock at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis.
The fund raising event to support KZTG’s radio ministries stars James Greer and Company
Excelsior, Gregg Washington and the Voices of Praise of Greater Friendship Baptist Church and Sara Renner. More great Gospel Performers will be added as the date approaches.
The Gospel Concert also features special presentations from area Pastors and Totally Gospel Radio Host, Freddie Bell!
Mark your calendars now and plan to join Totally Gsopel Sunday, November 19th for a hand waving, foot tappin, God Praisin’ event.
The Gospel Concert is free and includes a freewill offering designed to support Totally gospel’s radio ministries.
Bring the entire family and be blessed by the music… as Freddie Bell Presents, a Thanksgiving Celebration of KZTG’s Over the Rainbow Capital Campaign!
The concert starts promptly at 5pm, Sunday, November 19th at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, in Minneapolis where the Reverend Jerry MacAfee is pastor.
Call totally gospel, 952-820-8500 for more details.
NEW YORK — Ed Bradley, the award-winning television journalist who broke racial barriers at CBS News and created a distinctive, powerful body of work during his 26 years on “60 Minutes,” died Thursday. He was 65.
Bradley died of leukemia at Mount Sinai hospital, CBS News announced.
With his signature earring, Bradley was “considered intelligent, smooth, cool, a great reporter, beloved and respected by all his colleagues here at CBS News,” Katie Couric said in a special report.
“He certainly was a reporter’s reporter,” fellow “60 Minutes” correspondent Mike Wallace told CBS News Radio.
Bradley’s consummate skills were recognized with numerous awards, including 19 Emmys, the latest for a segment on the reopening of the 50-year-old racial murder case of Emmett Till.
Three of his Emmys came in 2003: for lifetime achievement; a 2002 “60 Minutes” report on brain cancer patients; and a “60 Minutes II” report about sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church. He also won a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Black Journalists.
“He was a great journalist who did the most serious work without ever seeming to take himself seriously,” Barbara Walters said in a statement.
Bradley grew up in a tough section of Philadelphia, where he once recalled that his parents worked 20-hour days at two jobs apiece. “I was told, `You can be anything you want, kid,'” he once told an interviewer. “When you hear that often enough, you believe it.”
After graduating from Cheyney State, a historically black college, he launched his career as a DJ and news reporter for a Philadelphia radio station in 1963, moving to New York’s WCBS radio four years later.
He joined CBS News as a stringer in the Paris bureau in 1971, transferring a year later to the Saigon bureau during the Vietnam War; he was wounded while on assignment in Cambodia.
After Southeast Asia, Bradley returned to the United States and covered Jimmy Carter’s successful campaign for the White House.
He followed Carter to Washington, in 1976 becoming CBS’ first black White House correspondent — a prestigious position that Bradley didn’t enjoy.
He jumped from Washington to doing pieces for “CBS Reports,” traveling to Cambodia, China, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. It was his Emmy-winning 1979 work on a story about Vietnamese boat people, refugees from the war-torn nation, that eventually landed his work on “60 Minutes.” He officially joined the show in 1981.
“60 Minutes” producer Don Hewitt, in his book “Minute by Minute,” was quick to appreciate Bradley’s work. “He’s so good and so savvy and so lights up the tube every time he’s on it that I wonder what took us so long,” Hewitt wrote.
In 1993, Bradley responded to rumors that he might be lured to ABC News by commenting: “I happen to be on the No. 1 show on television. That’s a pretty strong incentive. Besides, CBS is home. There are people here I grew up with.”
Bradley retained a lifelong interest in jazz and art, and recently served as a radio host for “Jazz at Lincoln Center.”
Wynton Marsalis, artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, called Bradley “one of our definitive cultural figures, a man of unsurpassed curiosity, intelligence, dignity and heart.”
Accepting his lifetime achievement award from the black journalists association, Bradley remembered being present at some of the organization’s first meetings in New York.
“I look around this room tonight and I can see how much our profession has changed and our numbers have grown,” he said. “I also see it every day as I travel the country reporting stories for ’60 Minutes.’ All I have to do is turn on the TV and I can see the progress that has been made.”
Morning Show Update
November 9, 2006
Welcome to the Update
Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS – 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.
Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at http://www.totallygospel.com.
Totally Gospel On the Internet
To enhance your gospel listening experience, you can now hear Z 1470 Totally Gospel on the new http://www.totallygospel.com website. Click on the web stream and then click on the link for KZTG.
No matter where you are, lock it in and write it down. The dedicated Minnesota stream for Twin Cities listeners is up and running. Tell a friend that Z 1470 Totally Gospel is now on the radio and on the internet. Churches, Pastors, Ministers and Evangelists in the Twin Cities and from around the country looking to expand their electronic ministries are invited to partner with Totally Gospel. Call 888-639-9738 today for rates and availabilities.
JANET JACKSON GETS PERSONAL WITH ’20 Y.O.’
Janet Jackson couldn’t help but write personal lyrics for her new album, 20 Y.O. The 40-year-old singer teamed up with longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for the new set, and told me that the tracks are about real life situations: “I always write about life experiences. That’s the way it’s always been. I really don’t know any other way to write. Truly. I’m very thankful that I have a very open mind when it comes to music.”
Jackson also worked with her boyfriend, producer Jermaine Dupri, on 20 Y.O.
The singer will perform at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, which air live December 4th on Fox.
ALICIA KEYS ADDRESSES CELEBRITIES AND CHARITY WORK
Alicia Keys has done her part to aid charities in the past and is currently gearing up to host her annual Black Ball fundraising concert this Thursday (November 9th) in New York City. Her upcoming bash, which will benefit AIDS and HIV patients, comes amid much talk over celebrities’ efforts in charitable work, particularly Madonna’s recent move to adopt a Malawian boy. Keys told the Associated Press that she thinks that type of criticism hurts the people who need help, saying, “I think that’s horrible, and I think that really degrades and tries to discourage people who do have a voice, who do have power, who do have money, who do have the ability to reach out to people and get involved in situations.”
The 25-year-old singer added, “I think if you make a choice to do something positive, that shouldn’t be diminished. I think that takes away from what’s actually going on.”
Keys visited Africa earlier this year to help with charitable causes.
Keys will debut on the big screen early next year in two projects: The Nanny Diaries alongside Scarlett Johanssen, and Smokin’ Aces with Jeremy Piven and Ben Affleck.
BEYONCE SAYS NEW SONGS DON’T REFLECT REAL LIFE DRAMA
Ever since Beyonce released her new album, B’Day, there’s been speculation that some of the songs on the CD about cheating and unfaithful lovers might be about her relationship with Jay-Z. But Beyonce says her new songs are not necessarily based on real-life experiences, telling Elle magazine, “Even though I’m very happy and I don’t have any drama, I didn’t want to do another album full of love songs” Beyonce added, “I’m sure people will read into that, but there’s nothing to read into. Sorry to disappoint you.”
B’Day features the singles “Ring The Alarm” and “Deja Vu.”
Beyonce stars in the upcoming movie Dreamgirls, which hits theaters on December 21st.
RUBEN STUDDARD RELIEVED TO ‘RETURN’ TO THE MAINSTREAM
Ruben Studdard has put his inspirational side on hold for now, and is happy to be back with the non-Gospel album The Return. The American Idol winner told LAUNCH that he worked really hard on 2004’s I Need An Angel, but is glad that he decided to release an R&B album this fall: “I put an inspirational album out in November 2004, and we worked that for a whole year. So, you know, I’ve still been working with that and it went gold in about five or six weeks. And we were really pleased with the success of that album. Now I’m just really looking forward to coming back to the mainstream.”
Studdard’s new album features the single “Change Me,” produced by the Underdogs.
Studdard recently said that he’s lost 100 pounds after being put on a strict 1200- to 1500-calorie diet at a Duke University weight management center. He also told NBC’s Today show that he’s now a vegetarian.
LIONEL RICHIE SAYS DATING IS TOUGH ON THE ROAD
Lionel Richie may have an audience of swooning female fans at his feet when he does his live shows…but that doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to meet someone. The twice-divorced singer told the Toronto Sun, “When you tour and you’re single and famous, they rush you out the back door. ‘Get in the car!’ The only people that have the fun…are the band and the crew. And I keep calling their phones going, ‘Did you see the girl in the third row? Did somebody say hello to her?’ ‘Yeah, Lionel, we’re looking for her right now, but she’s gone.’ ”
Richie is currently touring behind his album, Coming Home. He told me that he’s grateful for the longevity of his career: “In our business they only give you three records and maybe two tours, and then you retire, it’s over. And 30 years later we’re talking about a continuation of the music. It’s still on the radio, from the very first song that the Commodores ever did. I’ve got 17-year-olds walking up to me going, ‘I can’t wait to get your next album man, see your next show.’ What are we talking about? But that’s where we are.”
The first single, “I Call It Love” is at Number Eight on the Smooth Jazz chart.
NATALIE COLE GOES HER OWN WAY
She’s the daughter of the legendary singer Nat ‘King’ Cole and a Grammy-winning artist on her own, but Natalie Cole has still felt the pressure to conform to certain expectations in the music industry. Cole tells the Detroit Free Press that the business tends to “package” artists these days, rather than let them be individuals. Despite her success, she admits that she must battle certain pressures including, “To not try to be hip- hop! To act my age (56)!…To not… be out on the stage in little short skirts and shake my behind. There’s a temptation to do that because I look good! ”
Cole has had success in the pop genre, R&B and smooth jazz. But she doesn’t like to be labeled, adding, “My versatility is a blessing.”
Cole’s current album, Leavin’, returns her to the R&B world, as she covers greats from that genre as well as some pop hits.
Her first single from that project, a cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Day Dreamin,” is currently at Number 16 on the Urban A/C chart and Number 20 on the Smooth Jazz chart.
MADONNA CALLS ADOPTION SAGA ‘HELL’
Madonna has opened up even more about her efforts to adopt 13-month-old David Banda, in a new interview with Time magazine. She said that her stardom worked against her, adding that if you’re a famous person who’s trying to make a difference in the world, “you’d better be prepared to find yourself in the headquarters of hell.” Madge also said that she had never worked so hard for anything in her life and that she’s never been given such a hard time about anything.
Madonna said that she’s dealt with criticism before, but nothing like this, saying, “Now they’re going into a village and terrorizing innocent people who live simple lives, terrorizing the father, terrorizing the children that I already have. There are a lot of people who are indirectly being affected by it. That’s the difference.”
NBC will air a two-hour Madonna Confessions concert special on November 22nd.
According to the New York Post, Madonna’s drivers were causing a bit of a ruckus while she was in New York last week, reportedly going through red lights, making illegal U-turns, and “burning rubber on major thoroughfares.”
ROSARIO DAWSON ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO VOTE
Clerks 2 and Sin City actress Rosario Dawson has been gearing up for today’s (November 7th) election for months. As founder of the nonprofit group Vote Latino, Dawson’s been working to get young people to the polls. She spearheaded a campaign that sent voter registration forms to phones via text message, and she’s pushing for new voters to make their marks at the ballot box.
Dawson told me that she’s concerned about getting young people involved in politics and voting because they are the country’s future: “Kids have a lot to say and I think it’s important for them to participate ’cause we’re having the same problem all around the world where it’s so much more glamorous and sexy to be a basketball player or to be this or that and there’s no one getting into science, no one getting into math, no one getting into politics ’cause they don’t think it’s sexy or fun or interesting anymore. And it’s like, what’s going to happen a couple of generations from now? We’re gonna be stuck. So it’s important to participate in that way.”
According to Vote Latino, 4.3 million more 18- 29 year-olds voted in 2004 than in 2000. The non- partisan organization hopes that trend continues in this week’s national election and in years to come.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise
Press on anyhow
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738http://www.freddiebell.com
Morning Show Update
November 8, 2006
Welcome to the Update
Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS – 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.
Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at http://www.totallygospel.com.
Totally Gospel On the Internet
To enhance your gospel listening experience, you can now hear Z 1470 Totally Gospel on the new http://www.totallygospel.com website. Click on the web stream and then click on the link for KZTG.
No matter where you are, lock it in and write it down. The dedicated Minnesota stream for Twin Cities listeners is up and running. Tell a friend that Z 1470 Totally Gospel is now on the radio and on the internet. Churches, Pastors, Ministers and Evangelists in the Twin Cities and from around the country looking to expand their electronic ministries are invited to partner with Totally Gospel. Call 888-639-9738 today for rates and availabilities.
ELLISION BREAKS NEW GROUND IN WIN
Two-term Minneapolis State Representative Keith Ellison easily won the U.S. House seat from the 5th Congressional District on Tuesday. In doing so he becomes the state’s first black congressman and America’s first Muslim on Capital Hill. With a majority of the voted counted, Ellison has benefitted from 56 percent of the vote. Republican Alan Fine and Independence Party candidate Tammy Lee were tied at about 21 percent, followed by Green Party candidate Jay Pond garnering a mere two percent of the vote. Ellison’s issues include single-payor health care and strong environmental protection.
Nationwide Democrats have regained control of the house, while at this writing control of the Senate is yet to be definitively decided with three races hanging in the balance.
BEANIE SIGEL HOSPITALIZED WITH DOUBLE HERNIA
Rapper Beanie Sigel was admitted to a Philadelphia hospital on Wednesday, November 1st after the rapper woke up in severe pain. Allhiphop.com reports that he was diagnosed with a double hernia and is expected to be released from the hospital today, Monday, November 6th. The cause of the hernias wasn’t immediately known but the rapper had been on an intense workout regimen.
Sigel is currently working on a new album, The Bad Guy, which he plans to release next year. Although Sigel is no longer signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, the album will still be released through Def Jam Records via Sigel’s State Property imprint.
The Bad Guy will feature the production of Dre & Vidal with guest appearances by Cee-Lo, Scarface, and Murder Mil.
TRICK DADDY RELEASES NEW SINGLE
Veteran Miami-based rapper Trick Daddy will release his seventh studio album, Back By Thug Demand, on December 19th. SOHH.com reports that the album will feature guest appearances by Trina, Jaheim, Lil’ Wayne, Baby, Young Buck, Webbie, Trey Songz and 8Ball. The first single from the project is “Bet That” featuring Chamillionaire and Goldrush.
Trick Daddy explained why he doesn’t stray too far from street-related subject matter on his albums. The rapper said: “I express the streets on my records. That’s all I know. I don’t know nothing else. Even if I had a college degree — doctor’s, master’s — even if I hadn’t went to prison, if I was a football player or a basketball player, I would still be ghetto because that’s who I was brought up. So maybe it was meant for me to be in this type of profession because imagine somebody with my mentality and attitude on the football field, then there would be another Ray Lewis situation or Rae Carruth.”
BUSTA RHYMES GETS CELL PHONE TICKET
Rapper Busta Rhymes was upset when he was pulled over on Thursday, November 2nd, and hit with a ticket for talking on his cell phone while driving. New York’s Daily News reports that Rhymes’ GMC Denali SUV was pulled over in front of Manhattan’s Midtown North Precinct station house because officers observed Rhymes talking on the phone without a headset. The rapper allegedly cursed at the cops who stopped him, then crumpled up the ticket and threw it out before pulling away.
Rhymes has had a tough year with the police. He was arrested in August for assaulting a fan who spit on his Maybach. He was also a little less than cooperative when authorities attempted to question him after the shooting death of his bodyguard on a Brooklyn video set in February.
JA RULE GETS SOME HELP FROM FRIENDS FOR UPCOMING BENEFIT
Rapper Ja Rule is getting some help from Russell Simmons, the Giants’ Michael Strahan, and Irv “Gotti” Lorenzo for his upcoming LIFE Camp fundraiser, to be held on Thursday, November 9th, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Club Lotus in New York City. The rapper will serve as host and his friends will attend the event which raises funds for LIFE Camp, a year round camp for at- risk kids who are on the fast track to incarceration. Ja Rule told Allhiphop.com, “I grew up in Jamaica, Queens and it is through the preservation and dedication of my family and mentors that I was able to make it. Unfortunately, many of my friends lacked a significant support system and are now incarcerated or deceased.”
LIFE Camp was launched in conjunction with York College and has educated young people through tutoring, music, athletics, theater, photography, educational and cultural workshops. The program, which runs seven days, includes in school activities, after-school, weekend and summer programs.
C-SIDE GETS HELP FROM JAZZE PHA ON DEBUT SINGLE
Atlanta-based trio C-Side, which is made up of Kenny Kold, Gator, and Bo Q, has a minor hit on their hands with their debut single, “Myspace Freak” featuring Jazze Pha. The group was able to secure a single deal for the song through the Peachtree music Group and 17.20 Records after the song exploded on Myspace.com. Group member Kenny Kold explained how the whole thing started as a joke.
He said: “Yeah, pretty much ’cause it wasn’t even a serious attempt to really get a song that was out there, you know what I’m sayin’? You know when we made that song, we did that song for a joke and it just exploded the first day it went on, you know what I mean?”
The C-Side will release their self-titled debut album next year.
FANTASIA TO DELIVER SOPHOMORE ALBUM THIS CHRISTMAS
Fantasia will release the long-awaited follow-up to her debut album Free Yourself with the self- titled set Fantasia on December 12th. The first single, due at radio next week, will be “Hood Boy” featuring a guest rap by OutKast’s Big Boi.
The 2004 American Idol champion will get assistance on the new set from producers Missy Elliot, Babyface and Swizz Beatz, among others. Other songs include the ballad “I Feel Beautiful” written by Babyface and Diane Warren; “Not The Way It Is” written by Sean Garrett and produced by Kwame; and the club burner “Baby Makin’ Hips” and dance track “I Nominate U,” both produced by Dre & Vidal, according to USA Today.
Fantasia’s 2004 debut, Free Yourself, was certified platinum for sales of 1.7 million copies. The artist’s autobiography, Life Is Not A Fairy Tale, was made into the Lifetime movie Life Is Not A Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story, in which Fantasia starred as herself. The telefilm, directed by Debbie Allen, was among Lifetime’s top-rated movies when it was broadcast this past August.
JANET JACKSON COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT SUIT DISMISSED
A federal lawsuit filed against Janet Jackson by a man who claimed he owned the rights to her 2001 hit “All For You” was dismissed by a judge on Friday because the man’s attorney missed deadlines for filing documents related to the case.
Aaron Anderson had accused Jackson of infringing on his copyright to the song. But U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder found that Anderson’s attorney repeatedly failed to comply with court orders regarding the case, including filing documents on time. Snyder dismissed the suit for lack of prosecution.
Jackson’s tune “All For You” was the hit title track of her 2001 album. The tune, produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, won a Grammy that year in the best dance song category. The track samples heavily from the 1980 tune “Glow Of Love” by Italian group Change, which featured singer Luther Vandross. Jackson’s current album, 20 Y.O., is Number Seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
LIONEL RICHIE AMUSED BY RETURN OF ’70s FASHIONS
Lionel Richie is currently on a national tour to promote his new album,
Coming Home. The multiple Grammy Award winner has managed to keep only his voice in great shape, but he has also kept both his choice of material and his image on the contemporary edge as well.
Richie says that public appearances have forced him to stay abreast of fashion trends and it amuses him that so many of the styles of the ’70s are popular again. In fact, it was during that era when Richie had his first flush of fame as a member of The Commodores.
Richie says he laughs when stylists bring him expensive versions of the very pieces he wore as an up and coming musician. Asked if he would grow a full-blown Afro again like he had in those early days, Richie told me: “I thought about it and then I thought, what problems I had having it the first time. You know what, I would gladly cut it off and surrender it to the next generation. The whole thing is back. How about something as simple as a four- dollar pair of blue jeans are now between four and six hundred dollars. And I kept thinking, these are the same shoes I had back in ’71, ’72. They’re bringing ’em all back. It just has Gucci written on it now.”
Richie will perform tomorrow, November 7th, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.
MARY J. BLIGE LOOKING TO NEW FILM, RECORDING PROJECTS
Mary J. Blige’s long-awaited greatest- hits package, Reflections – The Journey, is due December 12th. But the “queen of hip-hop soul” is reportedly looking ahead to other projects. She is still being considered to make her big-screen acting debut in the Nina Simone story, and MTV.com reports that she has begun work on a new studio album featuring duets. Singer- songwriter Robin Thicke is reportedly already on board with a tune called “Ask Myself” that she re-did for her project.
Asked recently about the long-rumored film project, Blige stated: “Yeah, I got a lot of things coming up, got a lot of scripts. This Nina Simone thing is still … there, you know. I guess the director, the producer of the film, they’re still trying to figure out what they want to do. So I’m just reading the script and that’s it.”
Blige recorded three new tunes for the Reflections set, including the tune “We Ride,” which is the first single. The tune was co-written by Bryan Michael Cox and Johnta Austin and produced by Cox.
HEATHER HEADLEY A SPOKESWOMAN FOR HEALTHY BABIES
Vocalist Heather Headley has signed on as a spokeswoman for the March of Dimes in a new campaign to educate women about reducing the risk of premature births. The singer stars in a series of PSAs for the “I Want My 9 Months” educational campaign linked to Prematurity Awareness Month, which kicked off at New York’s Harlem Hospital last week.
“I’m not pregnant, but I want my nine months someday,” Headley says in the new campaign, which consists of 60-second, 30-second and 10- second television and radio spots, print PSAs, and an educational flyer. Heather’s single, “Am I Worth It,” from her current album, In My Mind, is featured in the campaign.
Headley’s current single, “Me Time,” reached number seven on the national urban AC airplay chart. The Trinidadian-born singer has recently been added to the lineup of the 2007 Tobago Jazz Festival, set for April 27th through 29th at the Plymouth Recreation Ground in southwest Tobago. Also on the bill are Elton John and Al Green.
MO’NIQUE OPENS ‘FLAVOR’-FUL ‘CHARM SCHOOL’
VH1’s Flavor Of Love series netted high ratings for the antics of a range of bachelorettes battling it out — both verbally and physically — to become the love match for the outrageous Flavor Flav.
Now, 13 of the ladies from that series are back to compete once again, but this time they will have to show more style and grace.
For the new show Charm School, VH1 has called in comedienne and actress Mo’Nique as the host to put the ladies through an intensive etiquette boot camp. The winner will walk away with cash, prizes, and the title of Charm Queen.
“These girls are outspoken and outrageous, but they need some focus and direction. I’m just the woman to give it to them. You will see a metamorphosis in these girls, I promise!” stated Mo’Nique.
VH1’s Charm School will see the ladies trained in proper etiquette and social skills, then put through a series of challenges testing their poise and grace. They will also be judged on their ability to handle pressure in difficult situations.
No premiere date has yet been scheduled for the new show.
‘DREAMGIRLS’ TO GET A ‘ROAD SHOW’ PREVIEW
The upcoming film musical Dreamgirls, an all- star screen version of the popular ’80s Broadway show, is due in theaters across the country December 25th. But some lucky folks in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco will get to see the highly-anticipated flick at special previews on December 15th.
Billed as a “road show” by distributors Paramount and DreamWorks, the preview screenings will be ticketed at $25 per person with each seat assigned. In addition to seeing the film, fans can view a gallery display of costumes and design art from the film. An array of souvenirs as well as the soundtrack CDs will be on display, and each guest will get a glossy program booklet.
Dreamgirls stars Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson, and Tony winner Anika Noni Rose in the story of the rise of a ’60s girl group.
NEW BOOK EXAMINES HISTORY OF ‘BLING’
A new book being published celebrates hip-hop’s obsession with ‘all things shiny and stylin’.”Bling: The Hip-Hop Jewelry Book”, was written by Reggie Osse and Gabriel Tolliver and gives a brief history of the term “bling” as well as how hip-hop came to perfect and promote its own brand of flash.
The book features numerous photos of rap stars and their jewels and accessories, including rings, necklaces, grills, pimp cups, Jesus medallions, watches, and more. The book also included profiles of some of the hottest jewelry designers in the game.
More than just a photo album, the book gives props to the pioneering artists and designers and demonstrates the impact of bling on popular culture.
Bling: The Hip-Hop Jewelry Book is published by Bloomsbury publishing. For more information, go to blingbook.com.
CHRIS ROCK FILES FOR DIVORCE
Comedian Chris Rock is splitting from his wife, Malaak Compton. The couple has been married nearly a decade, and have two daughters, Lola and Zahra. Rock recently began divorce proceedings by hiring a high-powered attorney, according to TMZ. His reps are not commenting on the split.
Ironically, Rock is currently putting the finishing touches on the movie I Think I Love My Wife, which he wrote and directed. The 41-year-old entertainer has often used his marriage as material for his stand-up routines. He’s also spoken frankly about the challenges of wedded life during interviews. He once told NBC’s Stone Phillips that a man’s individuality is gone once he has a wife. Rock said,”Take yourself to the door and wave. It sounds horrible. I’m happier now than I’ve ever been now that I’ve shot myself in the head.”
Rock’s soon-to-be ex-wife is founder and executive director of StyleWorks, a non-profit salon that helps ready former welfare recipients for re-entry into the job world.
Besides, acting and directing, Rock is also the creator of the Monday night CW comedy, Everybody Loves Chris.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise
Hold on to your faith
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738
Morning Show Update
November 7, 2006
Welcome to the Update
Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS – 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.
Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at http://www.totallygospel.com.
Totally Gospel On the Internet
To enhance your gospel listening experience, you can now hear Z 1470 Totally Gospel on the new http://www.totallygospel.com website. Click on the web stream and then click on the link for KZTG.
No matter where you are, lock it in and write it down. The dedicated Minnesota stream for Twin Cities listeners is up and running. Tell a friend that Z 1470 Totally Gospel is now on the radio and on the internet. Churches, Pastors, Ministers and Evangelists in the Twin Cities and from around the country looking to expand their electronic ministries are invited to partner with Totally Gospel. Call 888-639-9738 today for rates and availabilities.
TODAY IS ELECTION DAY
Make sure you get out to the election centers and vote for the candidates of your choice. Your vote makes a difference. As you go to the polls, check to see if others in your area need help with transportation. Their votes count too.
PARIS BENNETT NEW CD SET FOR EARLY ’07
Published reports indicate that American Idol finalist Paris Bennett is putting the finishing touches on new material for a CD to be released next year. Her fans across the country will get to sample the new music in a couple of months. Bennett is scheduled to perform her first single during the nationwide telecast of the Macy’s Day Parade from her own float.
KANYE WEST FREAKS OUT ONSTAGE AT MTV EUROPE VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS
Kanye West jumped on stage at the MTV Europe Video Music Awards last night in Copenhagen, Denmark, after another act won the award for Best Video, reports MTV.com. At one point during the show the inebriated West took to the stage, interrupting Justice vs. Simian’s acceptance speech for Best Video for “We Are Your Friends,” looked around the theater, and burst out in a string of profanity, explaining why his video “Touch the Sky”should have won.
Kanye’s tirade: “This video cost a million dollars! I had Pam Anderson. I’m jumping across canyons and s***. Oh hell. Oh! Hey, if I don’t win, the awards show loses credibility…. I appreciate it man. I appreciate it. You know, it’s nothing against you, I’ve never seen your video, it’s nothing against you. But hell no!”
The other act on stage treated him with good humor, and one member said “Well, you’re going to have to share.” West replied, “Hey, if I don’t win the awards show loses credibility. I appreciate it man, you know, it’s nothing against you, I’ve never seen your video, it’s nothing against you, but hell no, man!”
Later West was speaking to backstage commentators, and said “I don’t have anything against the act that won, that’s the liquor, sorry.”
West did win for Best Hip Hop Act.
At a post-show press conference, West defended his outburst, saying, “I haven’t seen (the Justice vs. Simian video). Possibly it could have been quite good but no way better than ‘Touch The Sky.’… That is complete bull****, I paid a million. Obviously it’s not all about the money, but the response it got transcended everything, it really made great TV. It took a month to film; I stood on a mountain; I flew a helicopter over Vegas. I did it to be the king of all videos and I wanted to walk home with that award.”
REDMAN AND RAEKWON TO HEADLINE FIRST EVER ‘ROCK THE BELLS’ TOUR
Redman and Raekwon have been tapped to headline the North American leg of the first annual Rock The Bells World Tour. The tour hopes to build on the success of the Rock The Bells Festival which has been held in California since 2003. Festival founder Chang Weisberg told Allhiphop.com, “Rock the Bells started out the very same way in LA with multiple club dates and grew into something larger because it had integrity. We hope that by bringing quality hip hop shows to these other markets, eventually it will set the stage for something better.”
Weisberg added, “We want to expose new music, a new perspective, awareness, and a fresh mindset. That’s what conscious hip hop is about. That’s what Rock the Bells hopes to provide.”
Keith Murray, DJ Kool, and Supernatural will serve as opening acts on the trek which kicks off on November 21st in Washington, DC, and wraps on December 22nd in Anaheim, California.
In related news, Redman will finally release his new album, Red Gone Wild, in March.
THE GAME HIT WITH LAWSUIT BY GREENSBORO POLICE OFFICERS
Earlier this week, The Game got some bad news when his new album, The Doctor’s Advocate, was leaked online. Things are getting worse for the rapper as five Greensboro, North Carolina police officers have hit him with a defamation lawsuit stemming from the rapper’s arrest at a North Carolina mall last year.
The Associated Press reports that Officers Hien Nguyen, Matthew Brown, Ryan Childrey, Romaine Watkins and David Gregory hit the rapper with a lawsuit that alleges that they were libeled and slandered and had their images misappropriated. The lawsuit, which was filed this week in Guilford County, is seeking more than $10,000 in damages. One officer also alleges that he lost $7,500 in off-duty pay because he was scared to return to the mall after the incident.
The lawsuit stems from comments made by The Game that his October 28th, 2005 arrest was similar to that of famed Los Angeles motorist Rodney King and that he was arrested for signing autographs. The lawsuit also stems from a videotape of the incident taken by a member of The Game’s entourage which is currently available online. The video is described as The Game “being wrongfully arrested and brutalized by the police in North Carolina.”
The Game was arrested when police officers responding to a call from the Four Seasons Town Centre in Greensboro, North Carolina, were allegedly unable to get the rapper to calm down. The Game was in the mall wearing a mask and signing autographs and he was allegedly talking loudly and being disruptive. After he refused a request by mall security to leave, the authorities were called in. The police were unable to calm the rapper down and eventually arrested him. They were also allegedly forced to use pepper spray when the Game’s associates surrounded them.
DIDDY ENTERS INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH ELEPHANT MAN
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment has entered into a partnership with VP Records that will allow the companies to jointly release product by Elephant Man. SOHH.com reports that Bad Boy will handle the marketing and distribution of the reggae star’s next album, due out next year.
Elephant Man said, “You know we are excited to work with P. Diddy, the vibes are there, and with this combo we are gonna take dancehall to another level. I’m looking forward to dropping (the album) and the promotion, ’cause Diddy is creative, and with him and the Energy God together … It’s gonna be madness!”
Diddy added, “Elephant Man is one the greatest entertainers in his genre of music. When I saw him at Madison Square Garden ripping down the stage, I knew that he was the one. He will be a great addition to our team.”
Elephant Man will join Diddy on the road when the mogul launches his world tour in February.
50 CENT MAY LAND A ROLE IN NEW DENIRO FILM
Rapper and actor 50 Cent has already landed roles opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Nicholas Cage, and now the rapper is poised to work with living legend Robert DeNiro. According to the Hollywood Reporter, both 50 Cent and DeNiro are in final negotiations to join the cast of New Orleans.
The movie follows a police officer as he discovers that his former partner wasn’t actually a victim of Hurricane Katrina but was murdered instead. DeNiro will play the lead officer while 50 Cent would play his new partner who helps him solve the murder.
The film is slated to go into production in New Orleans in February.
In related news, 50 Cent’s latest film project, Home of The Brave, is slated to hit theaters later this year. The rapper will play a soldier who is returning from combat in the Middle East who has issues. The film also stars Samuel L. Jackson.
The rapper is also slated to star in The Dance, a boxing movie starring Nicholas Cage which is slated to hit theaters in 2008.
JANET JACKSON AND FERGIE TO PLAY ‘BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS’
Fergie and Janet Jackson are among the first acts confirmed to perform at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, which will air live on Fox from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 4th. Also scheduled to perform are American Idol runners-up Chris Daughtry and Katharine McPhee, Chris Brown, the Killers and Rihanna. According to Billboard.com, nominees, additional performers and the show’s host will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Billboard awards honor the most popular records and artists of the year based on their performances on the trade magazine’s weekly charts.
50 Cent and Green Day led last year’s winners, taking home six awards each.
RUBEN STUDDARD SAYS HIS VOICE IS STRONGER THAN EVER
Vocalist Ruben Studdard says that his voice is better than ever, thanks to the non-stop singing he’s been doing since the day he became part of the American Idol experience more than two years ago. The artist dubbed “The Velvet Teddy Bear” by Gladys Knight during his American Idol run in 2003 explained: “I mean, I sung all the time before now, but it was different because I would sing and leave. And now I do a concert and then go to the studio and sing, or write a song and sing, or play … I just, I’m always singing somewhere, my voice has gotten stronger since the years have gone on. It’s just maturity. Like, everything gets better with age.”
Studdard’s third album, The Return, was released last month and has already spun off one hit, “Change Me,” which stands at Number Two on the national urban adult radio chart for another week.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE HITS NUMBER ONE WITH ‘MY LOVE’
Justin Timberlake has scored his second Number One single of the year with “My Love” featuring T.I., which now sits on top of the Billboard Hot 100. The former *NSYNC singer worked on the track with Timbaland and told LAUNCH that it has some interesting production elements: “A lot of the songs that we did, it was kind of like everyone was just throwing these ideas into this pot and we were just kind of stirring them around. ‘My Love’ is sort of a contradiction of sounds that worked, to me, very poetically. As far as the production, it’s definitely a poetic contradiction because you’ve kind of got this operatic thing going on.”
“My Love” appears on Timberlake’s sophomore solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, which also features the Number One hit “SexyBack.” Timberlake is the first male artist to have back-to-back Number One hits since Usher landed four in 2004.
Timberlake hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards yesterday (Thursday, November 2nd) in Copenhagen, Denmark.
He kicks off a tour with Pink in January.
SARA STOKES READY FOR LIFE AFTER DA BAND
R&B singer Sara Stokes, formerly of Bad Boy’s Da Band and MTV’s Making The Band 2, is back and ready to start her solo career. Despite several reports that the singer had signed with Trillville’s Don P, she actually entered into a partnership with Quan Entertainment for her untitled solo album, which hits stores next March.
Stokes was in New York City this week to shoot the video for the set’s lead single, “You,” which was produced by Quan Entertainment co-CEO Kiyamma Griffin.
As for her past life, Stokes shared that she was proud of Diddy’s recent Number One album, Press Play. The singer said: “I haven’t seen him in a while but when I saw that he was Number One doing his thing… I mean I’m always proud of him ’cause he inspires me to keep working hard.”
As for the latest Making The Band group Danity Kane, Stokes was also happy for their success. She said: “I like them. I’m happy for them that they went to Number One. That’s real good, you know. I know I could have been in that group though, I ain’t gonna lie. I mean when I was watching I was like, ‘Diddy now you know you should have called me on that one.’ That’s like my field pop/R&B you know. But it’s good. It’s good. It went the way it was suppose to go.”
TONI BRAXTON LOOKING FOR MORE ACTING ROLES
Grammy winning vocalist Toni Braxton is enjoying her run at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, but the artist says she dreams of getting bigger film and TV roles. The Maryland-born singer has already starred as Belle in Broadway’s Beauty & the Beast and has made appearances in the film Kingdom Come and the short-lived Taye Diggs dramedy Kevin Hill. But she says that acting in front of a camera made her pretty nervous until she got advice from veteran character actress Jenifer Lewis.
Lewis has made a career out of playing earthy, plain-talking characters like Mrs. Childs on Girlfriends, the receptionist on Strong Medicine, and Dean Davenport on A Different World, among numerous other film and TV roles. Braxton says she’s a big fan of her work, and when she ran into the actress in Los Angeles, she consulted her about her acting jitters.
Said Braxton: “I ran into her one day at a breakfast place in L.A., and I’m talking to her, like, ‘You know what? I really like acting but when I do it I get so nervous, when they say “action,” I get so nervous, I can’t concentrate.’ She said, ‘All right, when you out there singing on that stage, do you be concentrating–‘(laughs) You know how she talks. So she goes, “‘You need to be Toni Braxton as an actress how you are as a singer. You need to be confident. When you’re singing, do you care who’s out there, who’s watching you? That’s how you have to approach acting.'”
Lewis’ advice continued, and Braxton says she reaped the benefits: “‘You can’t be Toni Braxton the singer trying to act. You gotta be Toni Braxton the actor.’ And she gave me some little tips, and from that one 35-minute conversation my acting ability changed. And it was from that one moment on that I noticed with people talking, like, ‘OK, she can kinda act a little bit!’ As to in the past. like, ‘It was all right, all right.'”
BILL WITHERS NOT QUITE READY FOR A COMEBACK
Bill Withers says he’s not sure that he wants all the attention he’d receive from staging a comeback. The semi-retired Withers told Record Collector magazine, “I don’t know. The thing about it, it’s a different time for me… I found that when I based too much of my own personal value (on music), it wasn’t the smartest thing for me to do.”
He added that, “There is a chance I’ll do something. I just might wake up and in the morning and decide I want some attention and find out a way for everyone to look at me.” He went on to joke that, “So if I ever wake up with the urge to show off you’re gonna get sick of me.”
Withers, who earlier this year was honored with the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, is best remembered for his ’70s and ’80s hits “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Just The Two Of Us,” “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Use Me,” and more.
Diana Ross covered Withers’ “Lovely Day” on her new album I Love You.
WESLEY SNIPES WORKING OUT A DEAL WITH THE FEDS?
Wesley Snipes is currently working out a deal to settle his multimillion-dollar tax fraud case with the feds. A Justice Department spokesman told E! Online Thursday that attorneys for the actor are in contact with the government. “We have been in contact with his representatives and are making progress as far as getting him to return to U.S to face criminal charges,” said Steve Cole, of U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tampa, Florida, where the indictment was filed. “No timetable has been set.”
However Cole would not confirm or deny a report in Thursday’s Daily Variety that Snipes had reached a settlement with the IRS that would keep him out of prison. According to the trade magazine, Snipes will surrender to authorities when he returns to the States in December, but has supposedly agreed to a payment schedule to catch up on the back taxes. In exchange, federal prosecutors will reportedly allow him to continue working to erase his debt.
Snipes, who is 44, was indicted on eight counts of tax fraud and accused of cheating the government out of nearly $12 million in false refund claims and not filing returns for six years. Without the current deal, a conviction for Snipes would carry a sentence of 16 years in prison.
Snipes is currently in Namibia filming the horror thriller Gallowwalker. The country does not have an extradition treaty with the U.S.
SCHOOL’S IN SESSION FOR ‘CLASS OF 3000’
After two years in the works, Andre Benjamin’s Class Of 3000 is debuting tonight (November 3rd) on Cartoon Network. The animated series stars Benjamin — a.k.a. Andre 3000 of the hip-hop group Outkast — as the voice of Sunny Bridges, a world-famous musician who drops out of showbiz to teach the craft at a performing arts high school. Sunny’s students come from a variety of social and economic backgrounds but they all speak the common language of music.
Each Class Of 3000 episode ends with a new song by Benjamin, and as he puts it, has a “curvy, fluid, musical feel to it.” The characters slink instead of walking normally and the Sunny Bridges character looks and dresses just like Benjamin. On top of that, Benjamin said Class Of 3000 is family friendly: “It has some of the great voice actors. Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob, is actually one of the voices in it. And it’s going to be, like, visually and musically right. So check it out, Cartoon Network. It’s prime time, not Adult Swim, so you’ll be able to let your kids watch it and not be mad they’re cussing and stuff.”
Class Of 3000’s one-hour premiere is tonight at 8 on Cartoon Network.
Before that at 7, there’s also a special with footage from the Class Of 3000’s Atlanta premiere with performances from Chris Brown and Unk, who sings his single, “Walk It Out.”
MADONNA WOULDN’T RULE OUT ANOTHER ADOPTION
Madonna said she would think about adopting again despite the media frenzy surrounding her recent adoption of 13-month-old David Banda of Malawi. She told the BBC, “I wouldn’t rule it out…but I would like to experience David for a while and see how it works out.” Meanwhile, she has her hands full with David, who she first spotted in a documentary shot by her husband Guy Ritchie in April. Madge said on NBC’s Dateline, “I kept saying, ‘Who’s that baby? And who is that boy?’ I was drawn to his face and something about him, his eyes.'” She added, “And I became completely fixated on, ‘I have to help him, whether he is my child or not.'”
Madonna and Ritchie were granted an interim court waiver allowing them to take temporary custody of David for 18 months. The adoption can then become official.
Madonna also said that she has no intention of retiring any time soon because she loves her job.
She’s working on a new project, which could involve directing a movie.
Madonna’s Confessions concert will air November 22nd on NBC.
MAYA ANGELOU, DAVE CHAPPELLE CHAT ON SUNDANCE CHANNEL SPECIAL
Poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Maya Angelou is paired with funnyman Dave Chappelle in a conversation about the African American experience and how laughter is essential to life and the creative process on an episode of the Sundance Channel series Iconoclasts, airing November 30th at 9 p.m.
The Iconoclasts series, which debuted October 26th, pairs two personalities from different fields of endeavor to talk about their lives and their professions.
Other pairings are musician Eddie Vedder and surfing pro Laird Hamilton, which aired on October 26th; dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and chef Alice Waters, airing tonight (November 2nd); director Quentin Tarantino and singer-songwriter Fiona Apple, airing November 9th; actress Isabella Rossellini and Segway inventor Dean Kamen, airing November 16th; and musician Paul Simon and Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels, airing November 23rd.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise
You are mightily made!
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Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738
Morning Show Update
November 6, 2006
Welcome to the Update
Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS – 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.
Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at http://www.totallygospel.com.
Totally Gospel On the Internet
To enhance your gospel listening experience, you can now hear Z 1470 Totally Gospel on the new http://www.totallygospel.com website. Click on the web stream and then click on the link for KZTG.
No matter where you are, lock it in and write it down. The dedicated Minnesota stream for Twin Cities listeners is up and running. Tell a friend that Z 1470 Totally Gospel is now on the radio and on the internet. Churches, Pastors, Ministers and Evangelists in the Twin Cities and from around the country looking to expand their electronic ministries are invited to partner with Totally Gospel. Call 888-639-9738 today for rates and availabilities.
JAY-Z & GREEN LANTERN TO RELEASE MIXTAPE
Jay-Z has been retired as a recording artist for three years, but it appears the mogul has an abundance of new material that he plans to release this month. The rapper will release his new album, Kingdom Come, on November 21st but SOHH.com reports that he will be dropping a mixtape of new material, titled Presidential Invasion, this month as well.
The project will be mixed by DJ Green Lantern but no official release date has been announced.
In related news, Jay-Z also responded to comments made by The Game that the rapper should push his album back since The Game plans to release his new album, The Doctor’s Advocate, on November 14th. Jay-Z said, “I was thinking about it. I’m thinking about pushing my album up. Just for ‘The Game.’ No pun intended.”
LUDACRIS INKS DEVELOPMENTAL DEAL WITH THE N NETWORK
Rapper and actor Ludacris is getting into television production. The rapper has signed a developmental deal with Viacom’s The N Network to executive produce and star in a new drama series, titled Hall of Fame. Allhiphop.com reports that the series will center around two sisters — 21-year-old singing sensation Starla and her 15-year-old sister Taylor, who is an aspiring fashion designer. The two sisters are new to Philadelphia and attend the Philadelphia High School of Performing Arts.
Ludacris will have a recurring role on the series and he will write original music for each episode. The rapper said in a released statement, “Halls of Fame promises to be a realistic journey into how young people can get started in the entertainment business. It’s about working hard and being dedicated toward your goals and will hopefully help to empower more kids into believing that they too can realize their dreams.”
Ludacris added, “Whether it’s music, fashion, dancing or acting, everyone has to start somewhere. Hopefully this program will show teens one way to go about it as well as the realistic obstacles they’ll come up against. And there’s no better place than The N for this show.”
In related news, Ludacris will be reprising his role as Darius Parker on NBC’s Law & Order: SVU next year.
FLAVOR FLAV INKS MOBILE CONTENT DEAL
Reality television star Flavor Flav released his self-titled debut album this week and the rapper recently entered into an agreement with Oasys Mobile and Redeye Distribution that will allow them to act as an exclusive provider of Flavor Flav’s mobile content. SOHH.com reports that the content is currently available to fans who purchase the rapper’s new album at Wal-Mart where they will receive an access code for free Flavor Flav content at the oasysmobile.com website.
Redeye Distribution representative Jim Logrando said, “Demand for Flavor Flav content is at an all time high. Oasys Mobile is a great partner which reaches the young consumers, humor enthusiasts and college students seeking this content.”
In related news, Flavor Flav is currently expecting his seventh child. The child’s mother is a woman from Las Vegas that the rapper had been seeing off-and-on. According to Flavor Flav, the new baby will not interfere with his plans to date Flavor Of Love 2 winner Deelishis (London Charles).
TALIB KWELI GOES TO VIRTUAL COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE NEW ALBUM
Rapper Talib Kweli is currently making himself available to his fans at the new 3D virtual community Second Life, in which users — known as ‘residents’ — build and own their content online. In the community, users can create and dress up characters, build homes, form neighborhoods and live out alternative versions of their lives in the 3D, computer-generated environment. Users can also spend money (Linden Dollars) in the virtual world.
Kweli has created his own virtual community in Second Life which allows fans to visit his Brooklyn brownstone. The brownstone features a pool table, bar area, chill-out room, and a rooftop stage where his live concerts from around the country will be streamed. Second Life users will also have access to videos and music from the rapper’s new album, Ear Drum, which hits stores next year.
Kweli’s manager, Corey Smyth, said in a released statement, “Second Life is the logical progression for online web communities. It brings web interaction to life. You are able to enter the mind of your favorite artist through online concerts, neighborhoods and basic one on one interaction. We are excited that Talib Kweli is part of such a progressive community and look forward to continue to build with Second Life.”
PRINCE CONFIRMED TO OPEN LAS VEGAS NIGHTCLUB, PLAY REGULAR WEEKEND SHOWS
Rumors that Prince would open up a new nightclub in Las Vegas have been confirmed. Prince’s new club at the Rio casino and hotel will be called the 3121, reports TMZ.com, and it will open November 10th. Prince himself will perform there on Friday and Saturday nights, with ticket prices set at $125
Wednesday night shows will feature performances by friends of Prince, and Thursday night shows will be called “3121 Latin Labido Night.” Tickets for Wednesday and Thursday nights will cost $31.21
The Rio will also open a new restaurant called 3121 Jazz Cuisine, and special dinner-and-show packages will be available.
Tickets for Prince’s shows go on sale this week, through the Rio’s box office, or through vegas.com or Ticketmaster.
It has not been announced how many weeks out of the year Prince will perform.
DIDDY HOOKS UP WITH CHRISTINA AGUILERA FOR NEW SINGLE
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ latest album, Press Play, debuted at Number One on the Billboard 200 albums chart and the mogul is hoping to build on the momentum by releasing a new single, “Tell Me” featuring Christina Aguilera.
The new single and the remainder of Press Play are deeply rooted in relationship-related issues. Diddy explained why he decided to go in that direction with the subject matter of the new album. He said: “I mean it was just my truth, you know what I’m sayin’? It was something that occupies a lot of my time during the day. I think if violence occupies your time or you want to be a gangster, that’s what you write about.”
Diddy added: “If you love women and love the feeling of being in love that’s what you gonna write about and perform about, you know what I’m sayin’? I just had to have it be the truth to me even if it wasn’t the coolest thing at the time.”
JOHN LEGEND SAYS IRAQ WAR IS A MISTAKE
Singer and songwriter John Legend gives Jet magazine some harsh words about “the mess we have created in Iraq.” Legend, whose latest album Once Again includes a song called “Coming Home” as a tribute to the troops stationed in Iraq, told the magazine, “I never thought the war in Iraq was a good idea. I never thought Iraq was an important fight in the war on terrorism. I think the war will encourage more terrorism… and encourage more people to want to inflict harm on Americans and our allies.”
He goes on: “I thought it was a distraction and I think it was trying to clean up on the old war that we didn’t finish before (because we didn’t finish off Saddam Hussein.) He didn’t have any weapons of mass destruction, we were deterring and containing him We didn’t need to destroy his regime. And what we ended up doing is creating a mess. And now we can’t leave immediately because the mess we created is the reason we need to stay there now.”
He says that he’s saddened by the way our media and government counts casualties: “It’s sad to me that so many people are losing their lives over there, both Iraqi and Americans. I also think it’s sad that when we count casualties we only count Americans. So many civilian Iraqis are dying over there as well, we have to ask ourselves what did we gain for all this and what did we lose? I think we lost more than we gained. Easily.”
Legend’s sophomore album, Once Again, was released last week, and he’s in the middle of a national tour that wraps up December 2nd in Norfolk, Virginia.
He is also featured on the new Tony Bennett album Duets: An American Classic.
MARY J. BLIGE GETS REFLECTIVE
Mary J. Blige is putting together a retrospective collection for a December 12th release, according to Billboard.com. The set, called Reflections: The Journey, will feature old favorites and previously unreleased tracks, including the upcoming single “We Ride.” The entire track list hasn’t been revealed yet.
Blige has recorded another new song, called “Never Gonna Break My Faith,” also featuring Aretha Franklin. It will appear in the movie Bobby, which hits theaters on November 23rd.
Blige is expected to announce some holiday performances soon.
She’s currently part of a Product Red advertising campaign to promote a global fund for people with AIDS.
MADONNA SAYS SHE OFFERED DAVID’S FATHER MONEY
Madonna appeared on NBC’s Today show yesterday (Wednesday, November 1st) to talk about her plans to adopt 13-month-old David Banda of Malawi. She told host Meredith Viera that the boy’s father, Yohane Banda, refused her financial offer to help raise his son. Madge said, “When I met (Yohane), I said I would be happy to bring (David) back to your village and help you financially raise him. And he said no.” She added, “I think he truly felt in his heart of hearts that — and who knows if he was telling me the truth — that he would have a better life with me. So, when he said no, that was my sign that it was my responsibility to look after him.”
Madonna also said that she was saddened by all of the criticism surrounding her decision to adopt David, adding that a week ago she was in “the depths of my depression” about the negativity and the state of the world. She thinks that racism has something to do with the reaction as well, saying, “I think a lot of people have a problem with the fact that I’ve adopted an African child, a child who has a different color skin than I do…I think it’s still considered taboo. You know, I have people say to me on the streets, ‘Why did you adopt a black child?'”
As for David, Madonna said he’s doing well, describing him as very flirtatious and hysterically funny. He also has a temper.
More of Madonna’s interview will air today (Thursday, November 2nd).
Meanwhile, David’s father said in a recent interview, “Madonna was like a bulldozer who has cleared the way for a better life for my son,” according to the Associated Press.
Madonna’s new children’s book, The English Roses, Too Good To Be True, came out last week.
HEAVY D SUES INSURANCE COMPANY FOR $1.5 MILLION
Rapper and actor Dwight “Heavy D” Myers has filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh. MTV.com reports that the rapper is suing the company because he believes the policy he purchased should cover his liability for his involvement in the infamous 1991 celebrity basketball game at City College where nine people were crushed to death in a stampede.
Heavy D and Sean “Diddy” Combs organized and hosted the celebrity game where 5,000 fans showed up to City College of New York gymnasium which could only hold 2,700.
Heavy D is seeking reimbursement for the cost he incurred as a result of personal-injury and wrongful-death suits filed by victims and their families.
In related news, Heavy D is still working on an untitled comeback set. The album will feature the production of the Neptunes, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mike City, Warryn Campbell, Trackmasters, and Tim & Bob.
NICOLE ARI PARKER AND HUBBIE WELCOME BABY #2
Congratulations go out this morning to Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe, the new parents of a baby boy. It’s the photogenic couple’s second child and he was born in Atlanta on Tuesday morning (October 31st). Little Nicolas Neruda Kodjoe has a one-year-old older sister, Sophie, and the family is doing well, according to Parker’s rep.
Parker and Kodjoe have been married since May 2005. They met on the set of the television series Soul Food and starred opposite one another on the short-lived series, Second Time Around. Parker has also appeared in Blue Streak, Boogie Nights, and Dancing In September, and the European-raised Kodjoe was featured in Madea’s Family Reunion, Brown Sugar, and Love & Basketball.
NICOLE RICHIE WEIGHED 87 POUNDS AT LOWEST POINT
Nicole Richie is seeking treatment for her weight issues and word is that it was her extended family who finally forced her to face the fact that she was severely underweight. Richie reportedly dropped down to 87 pounds at one point this summer and her still-gaunt frame shocked relatives at a recent gathering.
According to US Weekly, Richie was so skinny at her grandmother’s funeral last month that loved ones took notice. A friend who attended the memorial told the magazine, “They told her she was too skinny and it really hit home. It was a turning point.” Richie is now undergoing consultations and a rigorous battery of tests at a treatment center in Southern California.
As for her job on The Simple Life, the production on the television series has been postponed to accommodate Richie’s treatment.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise
Faith is active substance
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738
Morning Show Update
November 3, 2006
Welcome to the Update
Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS – 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.
Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at http://www.totallygospel.com.
Totally Gospel On the Internet
To enhance your gospel listening experience, you can now hear Z 1470 Totally Gospel on the new http://www.totallygospel.com website. Click on the web stream and then click on the link for KZTG.
No matter where you are, lock it in and write it down. The dedicated Minnesota stream for Twin Cities listeners is up and running. Tell a friend that Z 1470 Totally Gospel is now on the radio and on the internet. Churches, Pastors, Ministers and Evangelists in the Twin Cities and from around the country looking to expand their electronic ministries are invited to partner with Totally Gospel. Call 888-639-9738 today for rates and availabilities.
THE GAME ALBUM LEAKED
The Game’s new album, The Doctor’s Advocate, isn’t due in stores until November 14th but the album has turned up online in its entirety. SOHH.com reports that the album started to turn up online last week but by last weekend the entire set was leaked. The album doesn’t feature any production by Dr. Dre and was released on The Game’s Black Wall Street label through Geffen Records.
The rapper isn’t taking the leak lightly. Prior to the leak, The Game shared how hungry he still was despite the triple platinum success of his debut album, The Documentary. He said: “Yeah, I’m hungry, man, ’cause I bought a couple of houses for, you know, my mom and myself, and I need some more money, man. So I got to get back out there, man, and give the people what they want.”
In related news, The Game has launched two online contests through Bix.com. The first is an open casting call for The Game’s “Video Girl” contest. The winner will land an aspiring dancer a role in his next video. The rapper has also launched the “Freestyle Battle” where he will select one lucky winner to rap on his next mix tape.
DMX LAUNCHES SIGNATURE CLOTHING LINE
Rapper and actor DMX is following in the footsteps of Jay-Z, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and 50 Cent by launching his own clothing lines. Allhiphop.com reports that the DMX and DMX Signature collections will include designer apparel, footwear, head wear and outerwear.
The clothing lines will not differ too much from their namesake and have been described as “rough edge of hip-hop mixed with the practicality of the no nonsense, no frills clothing that active and rugged men want.”
The line will be available at the rapper’s shows, specialty stores, and online retail outlets. The rapper is also launching an e-commerce site that will coincide with the nationwide launch of the line in 2007.
DMX is also working on a line of garments for canines.
BIZZY BONE INKS MAJOR DEAL WITH EMI-VIRGIN
Former Bone Thugs-N-Harmony member Bizzy Bone has landed a new recording contract with EMI’s Imperial Records. SOHH.com reports that the rapper will release a new album, called A Song For You, next year. The project will be produced by After Platinum Entertainment.
After Platinum CEO Ernie Romero said in a released statement, “After Platinum and Bizzy Bone are both very excited to have joined with Imperial Records and Virgin Records for Bizzy’s major label debut. A Song For You is the breath of fresh air that so many fans have been gasping for. It’s official: He’s back, and better than ever!”
Imperial Records CEO Neil Levine, who formerly ran Penalty Records (Capone-N-Noreaga and David Banner), added, “Working with a true visionary like Bizzy is a dream come true. Bizzy has made a truly amazing record that both Imperial and Virgin Records are ecstatic to be involved with. This record will firmly cement his place in hip hop history.”
Bizzy Bone’s last release was 2005’s Speaking In Tongues. The rapper was kicked out of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in 2002 because of substance abuse problems and his failure to show up to engagements.
Bizzy Bone dealt with his abuse problems and has come full circle. He explained that, for him, walking was part of the detox process so he spent many days just walking around Texas and Ohio. The rapper said: “You know taking that walk, cleaning up. Walking in these days and these times. Just cleaning up, you know, doing a little bit of cleaning up, you know, spring cleaning, you know how it go.”
The remaining members of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony have signed a new deal with Swizz Beatz’s Full Surface label and are working on a new album tentatively titled, Strength & Loyalty.
Bizzy Bone appears to have moved on. He said, “It’s all love with Bone Thugs. I love and support what they’re doing. If they ever need anything I’m right here to deliver. I wish them much success, peace and prosperity as they are much deserving and I’m certain they reciprocate the same feelings for me.”
THE DIPLOMATS’ HELL RELL WORKING ON VIDEOGAME
The Diplomats’ Hell Rell is currently developing an untitled videogame that will be set in New York and will star the rapper as its main character. Ballerstatus.net reports that Hell Rell’s character will be thrown into vicious gun battles throughout the streets. The game is being developed by Sun Sparks Studios.
Hirokazu Tachiki, the game’s executive producer, said in a released statement, “[Hell Rell] has a natural animated personality, and his true life story translates well into a video game.”
Lead programmer Brad Wright added, “With the current decline in albums sales in the music industry, we’ve created a gateway to combine the video game and music industries. We can create a game for an artist and place it on their album. Now an artist/label can promote an album and a game at the same time, giving them a potential increase in album sales, as well as a new stream of revenue generated from sales of their game via Internet downloads.”
Hell Rell, who is currently working on his solo debut and a group project with J.R. Writer, has also launched his own film company, called Hells Vision.
The new videogame is slated to hit stores next year.
CIARA AND MICHAEL EALY A COUPLE?
R&B singer Ciara had a well publicized break up with Bow Wow, as did Michael Ealy and Academy Award winner Halle Berry. Now the two may be on the road to bliss. The New York Post Page Six reports that Ealy “was quite fixed on” Ciara during the singer’s 21st birthday celebration last Wednesday at Marquee in New York City.
Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and NBA player Jamal Crawford were also at the party.
In related news, Ciara will release her sophomore album, Ciara: The Evolution, on December 5th. The singer is currently on 16-city club tour.
GNARLS BARKLEY REVEALS DETAILS OF ‘ST. ELSEWHERE’ SPECIAL EDITION
Gnarls Barkley has revealed more details of the special holiday reissue of its debut album, St. Elsewhere, which will arrive on November 7th in a special CD/DVD package. The set will come in a deluxe sleeve featuring a 3-D version of the album cover artwork, while inside will be a 92-page booklet featuring a flip book with images from the video for the band’s hit, “Crazy.” The DVD will boast two previously unreleased live tracks taken from British television and four music videos, including the never-before-seen clip for the album’s opening track, “Go Go Gadget Gospel.”
Gnarls Barkley will open for the Red Hot Chili Peppers on a two-month North American tour beginning in January and ending in mid-March. Dates and cities are to be announced soon.
Gnarls Barkley revolves around rapper Cee-Lo Green and producer Danger Mouse. St. Elsewhere’s latest single is called “Gone Daddy Gone.” The album has sold one million copies in the U.S.
Gnarls Barkley will appear at Miami’s Bang! Festival on November 11th and several radio festivals in December, as well as a December 30th show in San Francisco with the Flaming Lips.
SMOKEY ROBINSON HONORED WITH BRITISH ‘Q’ AWARD
Smokey Robinson was honored on Monday (October 30th) in Britain at the annual ‘Q’ music awards, which this year also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the rock magazine’s debut. BBC.co.uk reported that Robinson was saluted for his outstanding contribution to popular music. Among the other artists appearing at the ceremony was The Who, who were honored with the prestigious Q Legend award.
The ‘Q’ awards, which are not televised, are often rowdy affairs and over the years have often included numerous examples of drunken rock star behavior.
Robinson’s Motown label mate Martha Reeves told me that although Robinson was an integral part of shaping Motown, his ex-wife Claudette Robinson was instrumental in Miracles’ success: “A lot of people don’t picture (the Miracles) with Claudette Robinson singing with Smokey, but she was his wife, and she was an ex-marine. And they had come after graduating college and developed the group called the Miracles.”
Last May, Robinson made his first live appearance in London in 24 years to announce a series of 40th anniversary concerts to take place in 2007.
Earlier this year, Robinson released his first standards collection, titled Timeless Love.
Smokey Robinson will next perform on November 16th in Stamford, Connecticut at the Palace Theatre.
FORMER SOURCE EDITOR MAY SEE AWARD REDUCED
Former Source magazine editor-in-chief Kim Osorio was expecting to receive $15.5 million after a jury awarded her the huge judgment against her former employers, The Source magazine and former owners Dave Mays and Ray Benzino. SOHH.com reports that Osorio’s lawyers Ken Thompson and Doug Wigdor were in court on Tuesday, October 31st, seeking additional punitive damages but it appears that in addition to receiving no punitive damages, the original award will be reduced to $8 million.
U.S. Judge Jed S. Rakoff ruled that there was some confusion during the reading of the award. The damages were $3.5 million against Benzino for defamation, $4 million for retaliation from Benzino, Mays and The Source jointly, not each — which was the cause of the confusion — and $500,000 for lost wages.
Rakoff said, “To me, it’s an open and shut question. An $8 million verdict … That’s a huge verdict on the facts of this case.”
Thompson disagreed especially since the $15.5 million award so was widely reported for so long. He said, “If the jury didn’t intend to award $15.5 million, I think one of those jurors would have called the court.”
Rakoff was expected to make his final ruling at the end of the day as to whether or not he would call the jury back to clarify the damages.
PAULA PATTON HIT JACKPOT IN NEW DENZEL WASHINGTON MOVIE
Up-and-coming actress Paula Patton has done pretty well for herself in the short time she’s been in front of the camera. The film school grad has been in movies with the Transporter’s Jason Statham, Will Smith, and Outkast, and in her latest venture Deja Vu, she even gets to smooch with Denzel Washington.
Patton actually started her Hollywood career as a production assistant on films and documentaries, so she’s just as surprised as anyone else that her star has risen so quickly. Patton’s mother is still adjusting to the fact that her daughter is a film actress as well, and as Patton tells it, her mom couldn’t believe she shared scenes with Denzel: “My mom saw the trailer to Deja Vu, she was like, ‘You know you’re talking to Denzel Washington?!’ And I was like, ‘I know!’ She was like, ‘That is so cool!’ When you’re around somebody they do become a human being to you so you work with them and you just have to do your best work and not be consumed with who it is. But then you go home, and you think about what just happened, you’re like, ‘I just did a scene with Denzel, this is crazy!'”
Besides forging her own career path, Patton is also married into a Hollywood family. Her husband is singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, son of Growing Pains dad Alan Thicke.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise
Power comes from within
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738
Morning Show Update
November 2, 2006
Welcome to the Update
Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS – 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.
Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at http://www.totallygospel.com.
Totally Gospel On the Internet
To enhance your gospel listening experience, you can now hear Z 1470 Totally Gospel on the new http://www.totallygospel.com website. Click on the web stream and then click on the link for KZTG.
No matter where you are, lock it in and write it down. The dedicated Minnesota stream for Twin Cities listeners is up and running. Tell a friend that Z 1470 Totally Gospel is now on the radio and on the internet. Churches, Pastors, Ministers and Evangelists in the Twin Cities and from around the country looking to expand their electronic ministries are invited to partner with Totally Gospel. Call 888-639-9738 today for rates and availabilities.
BOW WOW ADDRESSES CIARA BREAK-UP ON NEW ALBUM
Teen rapper Bow Wow will release his new album, The Price of Fame, on December 19th. The first single from the project is “Shortie Like Mine” featuring Chris Brown. The song that everyone will be talking about, most likely, is “System,” on which he admits to having difficulties getting past a relationship with a girl he once dated. Although Bow Wow does not specifically name Ciara, it’s clear that the song is about their break-up.
The rapper told MTV’s TRL audience, “It’s one of the most heartfelt records that I’ve ever done. It’s about a certain relationship I was in, but how I feel about it now. And this [song] is a letter to that person. I’m finally getting the opportunity to get that off my chest. I look at The Price of Fame as a diary. And I’m just welcoming everybody into what’s been going on from a year and a half ago until now with me. That song is the one that really speaks, because it’s about me getting someone out of my system to make me feel good, but it’s hard to do that when you really like someone.”
Bow Wow also shared the new direction that he and Jermaine Dupri took with the project. He said, “JD gave me the green light to do what I want to do. I told him the type of records I wanted and the type of records I needed. So this album is not only for my fans, but for real rap heads. I’m talking about things, when people hear this record they gonna be like, ‘S**t, I know he didn’t just say that! Rewind that.’ It’s new to me and it’s gonna be new to my fans. It’s just raw and uncut.”
BABY OFFERS EXPLANATION FOR KISSING PHOTO
A dated photo has been circulating that features Cash Money CEO Bryan “Baby” Williams and the label’s biggest star Lil Wayne, kissing each other on the lips as a members of the Cash Money crew look on. Baby told New Orleans’ Q93 that he and Wayne share a father/son relationship so public displays of affection are not uncommon. The rapper said, “Before I had a child, Wayne and all of them were my children, you heard me? Wayne to me is my son — my first-born son — and that’s what it do for me. That’s my life, that’s my love and that’s my thing. That’s my lil’ son. I love him to death….My lil’ son — Lil Bryan gets the same love from me. That’s my thing. That’s what I do for my child. I give him my heart, my life and I’ll pump blood for him. I’ll issue some blood for him too — believe that.”
Lil Wayne explained how their relationship became solidified. He said, “The day my real father died — the exact day — like the day we got the call, ‘Like ok, he’s in the hospital.’ Then we got the call back like, ‘Okay, he died’, Baby came and picked me up like an hour after that, and I was in the passenger seat of his car and I was crying and he looked at me and was like, “N***a, what you cryin’ for? You act like you lost your father”. And from that day on I never lost my father.”
Baby and Lil Wayne’s new album, Like Father, Like Son, is in stores today, October 31st.
VIOLENCE ERUPTS AT PARTY ATTENDED BY DJ WEBSTAR AND YOUNG B
A 13 year-old girl is fighting for life after she was shot early Sunday morning, October 29th, as she left a Halloween party in Harlem, New York, which was attended by “Chicken Noodle Soup” creators DJ Webstar and Young B. New York’s Daily News reports that 13-year-old Mozena Jones was hit by a stray bullet in the chest that punctured her lungs before injuring her spleen, liver and colon. A police spokesman said, “Right now, we’re looking for anyone who has information about the shooting. There were a lot of people out there.”
Authorities are also investigating whether or not 19-year-old DJ Webstar (whose real name is Troy Ryan) and 16-year-old Young B (Bianca Dupree) were in any way involved with the incident.
Webstar said, “It’s crazy. I pray for her and for her family. I hope they catch whoever did this.”
Webstar and Young B signed a $1.7 million deal with Universal Republic Records after the success of “Chicken Noodle Soup.” When the song initially broke, many thought it was created by a southern rapper instead of the Harlem-based duo. Webstar explained: “People are forgetting where hip hop started and people are also forgetting now like as far as New York people go, we was the first ones having fun anyway. Like it’s not taking nothing from the south. We love and respect the south but we like to have fun.”
Webstar added: “We just trying to do what we want to do. We want to have just a lot of fun and that’s just fun music. That’s all we make is fun clean music for kids to dance to ’cause there’s nothing really around for the kids no more.”
JIM JONES LEAKS JAY-Z DISS SONG
The Diplomats’ Jim Jones will release his new album, Hustler’s P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment), on November 7th, but the rapper recently leaked a song, titled “Alarm,” where he goes after Jay-Z. There’s been a longstanding beef between Jay-Z and Cam’ron and the Diplomats that dates back to when Cam’ron was signed to Roc-A-Fella Records in 2002.
On the diss song, Jones raps, “Y’all waiting on Kingdom Come, but his kingdom’s done … I seen kings get done.” The line is a reference to Jay- Z’s forthcoming new album, Kingdom Come.
Jones told MTV.com, “I’m not really going at him if you listen to it. It’s tasteful. This game is built on competition. When (Jay-Z) was hot and had his little eight-summer run, he was taking so many jabs at so many people in the game, it was all love. Now it’s my turn, and everybody’s included. But I don’t do battle rap. I don’t have beef with nobody except the devil, so if y’all want that, y’all gonna meet him. This game is built on aggressive competition, and I’m gonna do what I do for the people to understand where I’m going. I got another song coming. It’s got Dame [Dash] on it. It’s called ‘Roc-A-Fella Breakup.’ ”
PRINCE MAY OPEN LAS VEGAS NIGHTCLUB
Prince may open a new nightclub in a Las Vegas casino hotel, reports the Las Vegas Review Journal. The club, rumored to be in the former Club Rio space at the Rio Hotel and Casino, would be headlined by Prince part of the time, and the rest of the time would be used to showcase talent he has signed, the paper reports.
It is rumored that the entrance fee to the club on most nights would be $31.21
Prince’s website 3121.com shows a picture of the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas with Prince’s logo on the side, and a flash animation slideshow of some artists Prince has worked with, ending with a notice saying “3121 Las Vegas: November 2006.”
On October 20th, the previous occupant of Club Rio, a topless show, was given two days’ notice to shut down.
WHITNEY HOUSTON SAYS SHE FEELS GREAT
Whitney Houston says she’s feeling great these days. The 43-year-old singer, who recently parted ways with husband Bobby Brown, made her first high-profile public appearance at a weekend fundraiser in Beverly Hills. According to People.com, Houston was joined by record producer Clive Davis, who said, “She’s been through emotional trauma, and everybody’s rooting for her.” Houston has been working with Davis on her next album, which is expected out next year.
Houston filed for divorce from Brown two weeks ago. They separated in September after a 14-year marriage.
Houston has been in and out of rehab over the last couple of years.
LLOYD COMES FULL CIRCLE
R&B singer Lloyd has a bona fide hit on his hands with his new song, “You” featuring Lil’ Wayne, that continues to explode at radio. Lloyd released his debut album, Southside, on (Murder) Inc. Records in 2004. During The Inc.’s downtime and following the loss of their distribution with Island Def Jam Records, he signed a deal with Sho’Nuff Records but the singer has since returned to Irv Gotti’s Inc. Records. Lloyd will release his yet untitled sophomore album early next year on The Inc. Records through Universal-Motown Records.
As for his new hit, Lloyd explained that he recorded the song over a year ago. He told MTV.com, “It’s a song I came up with, me and my team came up with, over a year ago. Wayne dropped his verses for it over a year ago.”
The singer added, “I called up Wayne and said, ‘You got my back, right? You told me you got my back.’ He came through for me and gave me four verses. … We chopped it up and came up with what we have now.
I saw [Wayne] at the video set. I said, ‘Man, I just brought it to life, right?’ ”
MAXWELL CHANGES PLAN ON RELEASING NEW MUSIC
Maxwell has revised his plans to release the first single from his new album trilogy Black Summer’s Night via the website myspace.com. Originally the singer had planned to release the first single online on October 10th, but his myspace page now reads “due to scheduling obligations with Columbia Records, we are not able to release the new single to MySpace at this time.”
There is a non-working link on the page, to a song called “Fistfull Of Tears.”
The first of the three albums that make up Black Summer’s Night is still expected to be released on Valentine’s Day.
Maxwell’s last release was 2001’s platinum-certified Now, which featured the hit single “Lifetime.”
TEMPTATIONS LEADER CREDITS THE BEATLES FOR KEY ENDORSEMENT
Otis Williams of the Temptations says that the Beatles did Motown and all R&B music a tremendous service by endorsing it as soon as they broke in America. Williams, who turned 65 yesterday (October 30th), is the sole original Temptation sill touring with the group. He explained to Bakersfield.com that it was great timing and a little help from the “Fab Four” which helped launch Motown on its way, explaining that, “For the longest time black music was not able to cross over to pop stations. But… I have to give credit to the Beatles. I never will forget, I heard the Beatles being interviewed, and the guy asked them where did they get their inspiration from, and they said ‘Motown, James Brown, (and) Little Richard.'”
He went on to say that, “(With) the Beatles being so huge, it’s like white America said, ‘Oh, really?’ and just started listening to what the Beatles got their inspiration from. So it was that kind of an acknowledgment.”
1964’s The Beatles’ Second Album included their covers of three Motown songs, the Miracles’ “You Really Got A Hold On Me,” the Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman,” and Barrett Strong’s “Money (That’s What I Want).” During their first U.S. visit in February that year, the Beatles were known for requesting favorite Motown hits to the America disc jockeys interviewing them.
A new DVD titled The Temptations – Get Ready! The Definitive Performances 1965-1972, features the Temps’ legendary appearances on such shows as the 1965 Murray The K – It’s What’s Happening special, The Hollywood Palace, and the final performance of the group’s original lineup on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Among the Temps hits featured on the set are “My Girl,” “I Can’t Get Next To You,” “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone,” “Just My Imagination,” “Cloud Nine,” “Ball Of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today),” and more.
The Temptations will next perform on Friday (November 3rd) in Elizabeth, Indiana at the Ceasar Indiana Casino.
RICHARD PRYOR’S DAUGHTER SUING OVER WILL
Elizabeth Pryor, the third of Richard Pryor’s seven children, is suing his widow Jennifer over his last will and testament. Elizabeth alleges that Jennifer forged the will that gave her the bulk of Pryor’s estate shortly before his death in 2005. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Elizabeth wants the courts to declare that will invalid in favor of an earlier one that divided Pryor’s fortune amongst his children. According to Elizabeth’s lawsuit, her father was too ill with multiple sclerosis to have known and understood that his will was being changed. Pryor died of a heart attack on December 10th, 2005. He was 65.
Pryor’s widow Jennifer cared for him in the last years of his life. She was married to the comedian for a short time in the early ’80s and then remarried him in 2001.
A source told the National Enquirer that the gloves are off in the fight for Pryor’s money, “The kids have declared war on Jennifer to get what they believe is rightfully theirs.”
IRV GOTTI GETS HIS OWN REALITY SHOW
(Murder) Inc. Records founder Irv “Gotti” Lorenzo has landed his own reality show with VH1. The mogul’s The Irv Gotti Project was one of six new shows announced by VH1. Allhiphop.com reports that the show will follow Gotti as he mounts his comeback after being acquitted of federal money laundering charges. The show, which will be executive produced by Mark Cronin and Cris Abrego, will also detail Gotti’s life as a father and husband.
The other five shows green lighted by the network were Ego Trip’s White Rapper Show, Rags to Riches, Man Band, the Untitled Whitestarr Project and Bridging the Gap.
The White Rapper Show will feature 10 contestants who battle and compete to see who has the best working knowledge of Hip-Hop culture. The show will be hosted Michael “MC Serch” Berrin of the 90s rap group 3rd Bass and Prince Paul.
Bridging The Gap will feature two established artists collaborating for the first time with a well-known producer. The first episode features Eve and Queen Latifah.
BRITISH WOMAN CLAIMS TO BE REAL MOTHER OF MICHAEL JACKSON’S KIDS
A British woman who goes by the name Nona Paris Lola Jackson says she is the actual mother of Michael Jackson’s three children, and insists she and Jackson conceived them the old-fashioned way, according to AOL.com. The woman, whose real name is Deborah Olufunmilola Oluwatoyosi Famoriyo, has filed papers trying to have a say in visitation matters involving the children to which she claims to have carried and given birth.
She says “Michael and I are a sexually active couple and have been this way from the beginning.” She also claims to have written 3,000 songs for him over the years.
Famoriyo is a welfare recipient under the care of Britain’s National Health Service for a variety of emotional disorders, AOL reports.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Words To the Wise
Winning is always an option
_______________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738
Morning Show Update
November 1, 2006
Welcome to the Update
Freddie Bell, velvet morning voice talent and General Manager of Z 1470 Totally Gospel (KZTG – 1470) is a mellifluous voice actor, broadcast-journalist and speaker who is also a National Voice Actor. His vast voice over credits, include hosting several radio programs including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Love Train, It’s The Gospel in Tampa, The Freddie Bell Morning Show in radio on KSGS – 950AM, Solid Gold Soul in Minneapolis, plus This is Music, The Freddie Bell Countdown Show and The Minneapolis NAACP Community Affairs television Programs in Minneapolis.
Invite Freddie to your next event or seminar as a Keynote Speaker, covering topics including You Gotta Have H.E.A.R.T., Tuning In to R.A.D.I.O, Maximizing Your Potential, Imagination, The Secret Key To Success, Winning Through Community Service, Dreaming Your Way to Success and a variety of topics related to sales and sales management. Freddie shares ideas and techniques he used to propel Solid Gold Soul Radio into a household name and the launch of Totally Gospel radio in the Twin Cities. Call today for booking details. 888-639-9738.
Listen to the Freddie Bell Show, 4 to 7pm, weekdays on Z 1470 KZTG, Totally Gospel, or on the web at http://www.totallygospel.com.
Totally Gospel On the Internet
To enhance your gospel listening experience, you can now hear Z 1470 Totally Gospel on the new http://www.totallygospel.com website. Click on the web stream and then click on the link for KZTG.
No matter where you are, lock it in and write it down. The dedicated Minnesota stream for Twin Cities listeners is up and running. Tell a friend that Z 1470 Totally Gospel is now on the radio and on the internet. Churches, Pastors, Ministers and Evangelists in the Twin Cities and from around the country looking to expand their electronic ministries are invited to partner with Totally Gospel. Call 888-639-9738 today for rates and availabilities.
SNOOP DOGG HIT WITH GUN AND DRUG POSSESSION CHARGES
Rapper and actor Snoop Dogg may want to look into alternative travel options now that he’s been involved in his third airport-related incident this year. On Thursday, October 26th, the rapper was arrested at the Bob Hope Airport in California and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and transportation of a controlled substance. SOHH.com reports that initially Snoop Dogg was facing a traffic violation for parking in a passenger loading and unloading zone. But officers soon discovered a gun and marijuana in his vehicle.
The 35-year-old rapper was taken to the Burbank Police Department Jail, where he was booked and later released on $35,000 bail. He’s due back in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Burbank on December 12th.
The rapper’s lawyer, Donald Etra, said, “There was no basis for this arrest. We believe that once this is cleared up, all charges will be dismissed.”
Just last month, Snoop Dogg was detained at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, when authorities discovered a collapsible police baton in his laptop case. The rapper said it was a prop from a movie he was working on and authorities are still deciding whether or not to charge him.
In April, Snoop Dogg was banned from ever flying on a British Airways flight again after he and his entourage were involved in fight at the airlines first class lounge at Heathrow Airport in London. Several police officers were hurt during the incident.
50 CENT WINS ‘IN DA CLUB’ COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT LAWSUIT
Rapper 50 Cent won a legal victory on Friday, October 27th, involving his biggest hit, “In Da Club.” U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck threw out a copyright infringement lawsuit that was brought against the rapper by Joseph Weinberger and Lil’ Joe Wein Music Company, the owners of Luke’s catalogue. The lawsuit alleged that 50 Cent stole the chorus of “In Da Club,” whose lyrics are “Go shorty, it’s your birthday,” from Luke’s song, “It’s Your Birthday.” Judge Huck ruled that the chorus was a “common, unoriginal, and noncopyrightable element of the song” and therefore cannot be protected.
50 Cent’s manager Chris Lighty told Allhiphop.com, “We are pleased by the clarity brought by U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck by proclaiming what 50 and his team always knew was a frivolous and money grubbing attempt by the Lil’ Joe Wein Music Company. We are also pleased that we were able to defend a lesser known part of the case [the words] ‘I like it, I love it’ as a phrase non-copyrightable. This was an important stance and win for 50’s publishing entity so we can continue to grow and protect what is one of the most important artist held publishing entities right now.”
Joseph Weinberger was Luke’s attorney and former chief financial officer for Luke Records. He acquired the catalogue when Luke filed for bankruptcy protection in the ’90s. Lighty thanked Luke for distancing himself from the case. He said, “We are thankful for the support from Luke who completely stated from day one he wasn’t part of this lawsuit.”
8BALL AND MJG LAUNCH RECORD LABELS
Veteran Memphis-based rap duo, 8Ball & MJG, are working on a new album for Bad Boy Records, titled Riding’ High. Recently, however, the duo took a break from recording to launch their own individual labels with a special party in Memphis Botanical Garden on Wednesday, October 25th.
Prior to the festivities, MJG explained that the duo had been working on launching their label since leaving Suave House several years ago. He said: “It’s like, you know, it’s been such of a regrouping since we left Suave that it’s really been just an uphill battle on just rebuilding ourselves, but we do have our own companies. 8Ball named his 8 Ways Entertainment and the name of mine is MJG Music and Entertainment.
” The first release from 8Ball’s Navarre-distributed 8 Ways Entertainment will be the Light Up The Bomb compilation. The first release from MJG Music, which is distributed by Select-O-Hits, will be the debut album, What’s You Favorite Color, from Ad Volunteers. Both projects hit stores this Tuesday, October 31st.
8Ball explained why the duo launched separate labels. He said, “We both have our separate situations because we both have different projects we are working on. But its all love. Some of Mug’s artists are featured on my compilation and some of mine are on his project. We are businessmen.”
In related news, 8Ball and MJG will begin filming a comedy next year. MJG said, “It’s like Creech & Chong’s Up in Smoke. It’s us in a lot of ways. Life has been one big adventure. In the movie, we’re always getting into something because we’re high. We’re definitely some ‘stoners.'”
The movie will be directed by Christian Strickland.
JIM JONES HAS NFL STARS DOING ‘WE FLY HIGH’ DANCE
The Diplomats’ Jim Jones has started a craze with NFL players. In the video for his latest hit, “We Fly High,” the rapper and his Diplomat associates take simulated jump shots every time the song’s chorus, “Ballin’,” comes on. The practice has been adopted by the New York Giants’ Michael Strahan and Plaxico Burress. Jones told MTV.com, “I was watching the Giants game, watchin’ my dude Strahan go [crazy], shooting jump shots all over. It’s a great feeling. I spoke to them before the game. It feels good to know my song gets these athletes hype to go and win these games. Being from New York and it’s the New York Giants, that means so much for somebody like me. New York is getting a wave, and all I wanted to do was put New York back where we needed to be.”
Jones is currently on tour in the South and he’s been getting a lot of love. The rapper explained, “I ain’t gonna front, I been in the South, and from the radio stations to the clubs, everybody is saying I got the hottest song in the South right now. That’s crazy to be an artist from New York and to have the hottest song in the South — it’s a good feeling. Everywhere I went has been nothing but good response.”
Jones will release his new album, Hustler’s P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment), on November 7th and he will be in Atlanta shortly thereafter to shoot the video for the “We Fly High (Remix)” featuring Diddy, T.I., Young Dro, Baby, and Jermaine Dupri. The rapper said, “That’s all the [guys] in the game that I think are the ballast right now from the old school to the new school.”
As for the video, Jones plans to recreate the magic of Craig Mack’s “Flavor In Your Ear (Remix).” He said, “[For the video,] I’m gonna do ‘Flavor in Your Ear’ remix over again [Performances] and black-and-white background. That’s what I’m talking about. I’m pretty hype right now. For me to get a remix and Diddy and T.I and Jermaine Dupri and everybody to jump on that thing — they didn’t ask me for nothing. They was just feeling the song and jumped on. What can I say?”
UP-AND-COMING RAPPER SHOT IN ATLANTA
Rapper Q Da Kid, who is signed to Jermaine Dupri’s SoSo Def label, suffered a single non-fatal gun shot wound when he was ambushed in a South Atlanta Housing Project on Monday, October 23rd. SOHH.com reports that the rapper was on his cell phone when he noticed a vehicle circulating the parking lot he was in. When the rapper attempted to pull out of the driveway, he was blocked by one car as another pulled up moments later. A gunman ordered him to get out of the vehicle and when he refused several shots were fired. Q Da Kid, who is originally from Brooklyn, New York, ducked and pressed on the accelerator, moving the car towards the gunman.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident and, so far, they’ve determined that two guns were used.
In related news, Q Da Kid is currently working on a solo project and group project with “Tipsy” rapper J-Kwon. Together the duo make up the Jacktwinz.
MARIAH CAREY’S REP DENIES CONCERT DEMANDS
More details have started to leak out about Mariah Carey’s weekend concert cancellation in Hong Kong. The concert promoter said that the Saturday (October 28th) show was scrapped due to poor ticket sales and “unreasonable” demands. An insider told the New York Daily News, “She was making demands like Streisand. “She wanted special spring water, furniture, lighting and armed escorts. They told her: ‘This is Hong Kong, not the U.S.,’ and she said: ‘I am not going on.’ So they said: ‘Fine.'” That’s not the story from Carey’s manager, who said that the pop star pulled out because the promoter didn’t meet his financial promises, not because of ticket sales or specific requests. The rep added, “This promoter is resorting to lies and attacks on Mariah when it’s just a result of the fact he can’t pay his bills.”
JANET JACKSON ON ‘ELLEN DEGENERES’ THIS WEEK
Pop singer Janet Jackson continues to promote her latest album 20 Y.O., around the world, despite mixed reviews, sales figures that have fallen short of expectations, and the departure of boyfriend Jermaine Dupri from his post as president of the urban division of her label, Virgin Records. The “So Excited” star was in Japan last week, appearing in a red kimono at a press conference. Stateside, she is set to perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on November 2nd.
Jackson says that before going into the studio with Dupri and producing partners Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, she jotted down several ideas so by the time they actually went into the studio to record, things went quickly. She told me: “I always write about my life experiences. And I think I got a lot, a lot of different things off my chest in writing stuff before the four of us got together, you know, you kinda find your niche. When the four of us actually got together, it was really fast, maybe four months, five months. Something like that.”
STACIE ORRICO SHARES LESSONS LEARNED
Singer Stacie Orrico had been working in the entertainment industry since she was signed at the age of 12. After six years of non-stop work, the singer decided to take a step back for three years. She shared one of the important lessons she learned during that time. Orrico said: “Some of the things that I learned while I was stepped away from the music industry was just that I come to discover all the things that bring me the most joy. The things that make me laugh the hardest until I pee in my pants. The things that make me feel the most satisfied as a person are not things that I could ever earn. They’re not things that I could ever pay for.”
Orrico will release her new album, Beautiful Awakening, on January 9th. The album features production by Novel, Dallas Austin, Track & Field, Dwayne Bastiany, KayGee, Anthony Dent, and Shekspear.
The latest single from the project is “I’m Not Missing You.”
HAPPY 65th BIRTHDAY, OTIS WILLIAMS!!!
Happy Birthday to Temptations’ co-founder Otis Williams who turns 65. Williams, who was present at the birth of Motown alongside founder Berry Gordy Jr., Smokey Robinson, and a host of others, is the sole surviving original member of the Temptations still performing with the group.
Williams has outlived all of the Temps’ classic lineup: Paul Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin.
Williams told me that he knew early on that Motown was far more than just a record label: “It was such a fun loving place with such a family-orientated feel that you just went beyond the call of being an artist. You just wanted to do whatever you could to make Motown become what it is now, so during that time it was a wonderful place to be.”
Williams added that although he’s older than he ever thought he’d be and still on the road, he’s not ready to retire anytime soon: “Well, you know, I’m still too young for retirement. You know, I don’t want to sit back and just remember the memories, not just yet. You know, like I tell people when they ask me how long I’m going to do this, my stock answer is, I’m going to ride the health, the horse. When I get off the horse, the horse will be bald.”
Earlier this year, the Temptations released Reflections, a new album of Motown covers, on which they tackle hits by Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, the Jackson Five, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and others.
The Temptations will next perform on Friday (November 3rd) in Elizabeth, Indiana at the Ceasar Indiana Casino.
KERRY WASHINGTON AFRAID OF VISITING AFRICA
Kerry Washington co-stars in The Last King Of Scotland as Kay Amin, one of the wives of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. The Ray and She Hate Me actress traveled to the African nation to make the movie in locations where events from Amin’s life actually occurred.
Though filming in Uganda added authenticity to the project, Washington said she was initially apprehensive about going there: “There is this mythical idea, and for some people it’s very true, that as an African American you’re supposed to go to Africa and it’s like a homecoming, you know. And I was terrified, to be totally honest, that I would not have that feeling and that I would feel like a bad black person, you know? So the opportunity to go to Africa, it was such a gift.”
Washington added that any doubts she had about going to Africa were erased once she got there and was taken in by the culture.
In The Last King Of Scotland, Washington’s character meets a brutal end when her husband finds out about her adulterous affair with a doctor.
The Last King Of Scotland is now playing in theaters across the country, and is generating Oscar talk for star Forest Whitaker.
ANDRE BENJAMIN FOCUSES ON KIDS IN ‘CLASS OF 3000’
Andre Benjamin, one-half of the hip-hop duo Outkast, is branching out into animated television with his latest project, Class Of 3000. The half-hour series is about a performing arts school that gets a boost when a famous alum returns to town.
Benjamin stars in Class Of 3000 as Sunny Bridges, a Grammy-winning musician and Nobel Peace Prize recipient looking for deeper meaning in his life. When describing the show, Benjamin said there’s music and morals in each episode: The premise is this superstar, at the height of his career, he decides to leave the business and go back to his hometown, which is Atlanta, Georgia, and he’s the music teacher for these five or six musically gifted kids, and they jam. In every episode they have a song. So there’s morals to the stories, you know, but it’s written pretty smart so you don’t have to be a kid to get into it.”
Class Of 3000 launches this Friday (November 3rd) at 8 on Cartoon Network.
Benjamin is also animated in his next big screen effort, Charlotte’s Web.
MICHAEL JACKSON TO APPEAR AT WORLD MUSIC AWARDS IN LONDON
Michael Jackson will make a rare public appearance next month, on November 15th at the World Music Awards in London, reports the Associated Press. Jackson will be on hand to receive a Diamond Award, given to artists who have sold in excess of 100 million albums worldwide.
Jackson left the United States after being acquitted of child abuse charges in June of 2005. Since then, he has spent most of his time in Bahrain and in Ireland.
This year’s World Music Awards will be hosted by Lindsay Lohan, and will feature performances from Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, and Andrea Bocelli.
Previous recipients of the Diamond Award include Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion.
MADONNA PLANS MORE TV APPEARANCES
Madonna has reportedly booked more TV time to discuss her recent move to adopt 13-month old David Banda from Malawi. PerezHilton.com reports that she’s taping an interview for NBC’s Today show, which will air November 1st and 2nd. You can also catch her on Live With Regis & Kelly on November 1st. If that’s just not enough Madge, then tune in to the Dateline NBC special airing this Thursday night (November 2nd).
The Malawi court hearing, which will consider Madonna’s adoption, has been adjourned until November 13th.
THIS WEEKEND’S TOP TEN MOVIES – OCTOBER 27-29
1. Saw III, $34.3 million
2. The Departed, $9.8 million
3. The Prestige, $9.6 million
4. Flags of Our Fathers, $6.35 million
5. Open Season, $6.1 million
6. Flicka, $5 million
7. Man of the Year, $4.7 million
8. The Grudge 2, $3.3 million
9. Marie Antoinette, $2.85 million
10. Running With Scissors, $2.55 million
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Words To the Wise
Nothing works until you do.
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Contact Information
Freddie Bell
PO Box 650961
Sterling,VA 20165
newsletter@voiceunique.com
888-639-9738
Freddie Bell's Morning Show Update 