BV Buzz http://www.bvbuzz.com BV Buzz http://www.bvbuzz.com/media/feedlogo.gif BV Buzz http://www.bvbuzz.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/END OF THE ROAD: Jawn Murray Signs Off From Black Voiceshttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/12/end-of-the-road-jawn-murray-signs-off-from-black-voices/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/12/end-of-the-road-jawn-murray-signs-off-from-black-voices/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/12/end-of-the-road-jawn-murray-signs-off-from-black-voices/#comments

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

On Sept. 28, 2004, "BV Buzz" made its debut at AOL Black Voices and the lead feature was an interview with Tevin Campbell, who really wanted to clear up the many rumors that surrounded his 1999 arrest.

That column set a tone for the many that were to follow and as "BV Buzz" became immensely popular with Black Voices readers, more and more celebrities and high profile personalities came to us when it was time to set the record straight.

In this space I also broke some major news stories and reported countless exclusives. "BV Buzz" was the first to report that Jennifer Hudson was a frontrunner for the role of Effie White in 'Dreamgirls' on May 2, 2005. On Nov. 16, 2005, I was also given the exclusive that she had actually landed the role.
In June of 2006, Star Jones gave "BV Buzz" the only print/online interview surrounding her controversial departure from 'The View;' and in 2007, Sherri Shepherd told "BV Buzz" first that would be joining 'The View' as a new co-host.

Scoops and exclusives aside, in this space we've reported about celebrity hookups (Usher and Tameka Foster), breakups (Usher and Tameka Foster) and those involved in scandals and near-death experiences (Usher and Tameka Foster).

"BV Buzz" also championed Black cinema; helped lobby to save the show 'The Game;' introduced Karrine "Superhead" Steffans to the masses; offered 'Where Are They Now' features on everyone from Ja'Net Dubois ('Good Times') to LaTavia Roberson of Destiny's Child; filed destination features from places like Japan to London and all throughout the Caribbean; and made sure gospel music got its mainstream shine!

There have been a lot of highs (way too many to name) and even a few lows (despite what you heard, I'm not a fan of celebrity feuds though having experienced several-the most infamous ones being with Brandy Norwood and Usher's ex-wife); but like Frank Sinatra sang, 'I Did It My Way.'

For six and a half years this column (which later evolved into a blog) was a labor of love! For six and half years "BV Buzz" was Black Voices' top franchise and the only franchise that has been in place since AOL acquired Black Voices.

Though there was an opportunity for me at the new Black Voices following the Huffington Post merger with AOL, I've decided to close this chapter of my life and explore some other things. As my friend (and technically my boss for five years) Karu F. Daniels always says: "When its time to go, its time to go!"

Thank you the reader for being on this journey with me! Thanks for allowing me to be ME and for coming along for the ride! God bless you all!"

If you're interested, keep up with me on Twitter (@JawnMurray), check me out on Facebook (Facebook.com/JawnMurrayVIP), and keep listening to me on the nationally syndicated 'Tom Joyner Morning Show.'

 

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]]>Jawn Murray2011-04-12T11:11:00 00:00A Look Back At Black: 'Real Housewives' Bring The Dramahttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/08/real-housewives-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/08/real-housewives-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/08/real-housewives-a-look-back-at-black/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A Look Back At Black: 'Real Housewives' Bring The Drama
They bring the drama each week on the Bravo's 'Housewives' franchise, and though we only really watched 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' and 'Real Housewives of DC;' both reality shows had stars that offered BV Buzz a lot to talk about.

For example, 'Real Housewives of DC' star Stacie Turner recently revealed to this column exclusively that she had become an African princess.

"It was the most incredible experience ever," the real estate mogul told us.

That's not all either. When A Look Back at Blackcontroversy brewed online with NFL star Willis McGahee and his relationship with 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Kandi Burruss, the Baltimore Ravens running back came to BV Buzz to clear up the scandal.

"I was expecting a little flack, but I wasn't expecting for it to be like this and have everybody trying to dig up dirt on you and posting all of these comments," the Miami-bred athlete told me.

Lastly, 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Sheree Whitfield has been open about her divorce and baby daddy drama, but when she implied that R&B singer Nicci Gilbert of Brownstone fame broke up her marriage, Gilbert reached out to BV Buzz to set the record straight.

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"At first it made me very angry! Especially knowing the truth and knowing that's the furthest thing from the truth," Gilbert emoted.

To read more about those stories, as well as other 'Real Housewives' features, check out this collection of BV Buzz stories related to the popular Bravo reality series.

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF 'HOUSEWIVES'S' GREATEST HITS:



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Reality Bites

Sharisse "Shar" Jackson
Affiliation: 'Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp' on VH1
Side note: Though some may remember her as the sidekick Niecy Jackson on the groundbreaking UPN sitcom 'Moesha,' Jackson gained international tabloid attention as the mother of two children with Kevin Federline (who was married to pop superstar Britney Spears for three years). All together, she has four children.

Reality Bites

Fantasia Barrino
Affiliation: 'Fantasia For Real' on VH1
Side note: The 'American Idol' champion (2005) is a best-selling author ('Life is Not a Fairytale') and garnered critical acclaim as Miss Celie in the Broadway musical 'The Color Purple.'

Reality Bites

Nene Leakes
Affiliation: 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' on Bravo
Side note: The brazen Queens, NY native is a domestic abuse survivor and a former stripper - all revelations she detailed in her 2009 memoir 'Never Make the Same Mistake Twice.'

Reality Bites

Terrell Owens
Affiliation: 'The T.O. Show' on VH1
Side note: Alabama's very own football star simply known as "T.O." -- literally let it all hang out for the photo shoot promoting his new reality series, in July 2009. The show revolves around his life off the field as he searches for love, repair family relationships and make the move from Dallas to Buffalo.

Reality Bites

Ray Cunningham
Affiliation: 'College Hill: Virginia State University' on BET
Side note: One of the more memorable characters from the Black Entertainment Television network reality ranks, Cunningham has become an openly gay LGBT advocate, budding actor and busy blogger, who was featured in Adam Bouska's groundbreaking NoH8 Campaign, which assembled California notables responding to the state's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. Cunningham was also cast in acclaimed filmmaker Maurice Jamal's new forthcoming TV project 'Friends and Lovers.'

Reality Bites

Miss New York
Affiliation:'Flavor of Love' and 'I Love New York' on VH1
Side note: The upstate New York drama queen competed for hip-hop hype-man Flavor Flav's love twice and was rejected both times.

Reality Bites

MC Hammer
Affiliation: 'Hammertime' on A&E
Side note: Stanley Kirk Burrell seems to have done it all: Joined the navy; won Grammy Awards; danced for KFC popcorn chicken; fathered six children; wiggled his manhood in a Speedo bikini on a music video; went bankrupt; became a preacher; and now doing reality TV. 'Hammertime' is a look inside the family life of the man formerly known as one of the riches entertainers of his era.

Reality Bites

Keyshia Cole
Affiliation: 'The Way It Is' on BET
Side note: In an interview, thuggish ruggish rap icon Young Jeezy claimed that the hip-hop soul songstress asked him to marry her but he turned her down.

Reality Bites

Mo'Nique
Affiliation: 'Charm School' on VH1
Side note: While promoting the movie 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins,' Mo'Nique told Oprah Winfrey that co-star Martin Lawrence once gave her invaluable advice about show business.

Reality Bites

Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth
Affiliation: 'The Apprentice' on NBC and 'The Surreal Life' on VH1
Side note:The former White House staffer proudly became the superbitch of reality TV.

Reality Bites






Nene Leakes on Never Make the Same Mistake Twice

 

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]]>ALookBackAtBlackAtlantaBravoTVBVBuzzJawnMurrayKandiBurrussLisaWuHartwellNeNeLeakesNicciGilbertphaedraparksRealHousewivesRealHousewivesOfAtlantaRealHousewivesofDCShereeWhitfieldStacieTurnerTheSalahisWashingtonDCWillisMcgaheeJawn Murray2011-04-08T16:44:00 00:00A Look Back At Black: SWV, En Vogue, Brownstone, Groove Theory, Commissioned & morehttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/08/swv-envogue-brownstone-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/08/swv-envogue-brownstone-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/08/swv-envogue-brownstone-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A Look Back At Black: SWV, En Vogue, Brownstone, Groove Theory, Commissioned & more
Music groups makeup, breakup and some never get off the ground!

Here in BV Buzz we have broken stories about the formation of new groups like The Queen Project with Kelly Price, Tamia and Deborah Cox (they've since broken up); revealed the breakup of groups like TGT with Tyrese, Ginuwine and TankA Look Back at Black (I lost a bet on this one); and the reunions of acts like SWV, Commissioned, Brownstone, Groove Theory and En Vogue.

Though the music industry is constantly changing, one thing stays the same - music groups just can't seem to keep the harmony.

Even Destiny's Child who broke up on their own accord has
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faced some post-retirement drama after rumors of a reunion sparked a war of words between group member Kelly Rowland and the group's former manager Mathew Knowles.

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF GROUP'S GREATEST HITS:



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Black Music Notes Mar. 19

3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'

Getty Images

3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'

Jemal Countess, WireImage

3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.

Evening Standard / Getty Images

3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Santiago Llanquin / AP

3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.

Zomba

3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.

Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic

3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'

Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images

 

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]]>ALookBackAtBlackboybandsBrownstoneBVBuzzCommissionedDawnRobinsonDeborahCoxDestinysChildEnVogueGinuwineGrooveTheoryJawnMurrayKellyPriceKellyRowlandMathewKnowlesmusicgroupsQueenProjectRandBSWVTamiaTankTDKTGTTyreseJawn Murray2011-04-08T15:45:00 00:00A Look Back At Black: My Two Cents on Oprah Winfrey, Vanity Fair, Regis Philbin, 'American Idol' and morehttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/08/jawn-murray-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/08/jawn-murray-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/08/jawn-murray-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A Look Back At Black: My Two Cents on Oprah Winfrey, Vanity Fair, Regis Philbin, 'American Idol' and more
I've always had a strong opinion and every now and then I find the need to sound off!

Here in the BV Buzz, I've been sounding off on various hot topics, current events and celebrity issues since this column launched in September of 2004.

Occasionally A Look Back at Blackmy opinions have rubbed some the wrong way, and there has been the intermittent backlash from celebrity types and/or their disgruntled ex-wives.

Regardless, my opinion in this platform afforded me the opportunity to share my views and insight on the nationally syndicated 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' and on television channels like CNN, MSNBC, HLN, TV One, BET, TV Guide, VH1, E! and others.

Below are some of my favorite and most popular commentaries - from being a super fan of 'Grey's Anatomy' and wanting to see Katherine Heigl
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fired, to offering up suggestion on who could replace Oprah Winfrey and Regis Philbin.

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF MY BEST COMMENTARIES:



 

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]]>ALookBackAtBlackAmericanIdolBVBuzzGreysAnatomyHollywoodJawnMurrayKatherineHeiglLakishaJonesOprahWinfreyRegisPhilbinrosieodonnellShaunRobinsonShondaRhimesTomJoynerMorningShowVanityFairWashingtonDcJawn Murray2011-04-08T15:15:00 00:00A Look Back At Black: Professional Wrestling Makes A Comebackhttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/07/black-wrestling-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/07/black-wrestling-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/07/black-wrestling-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A Look Back At Black: Professional Wrestling Makes A Comeback
Professional wrestling has had a major resurgence as of late, particularly the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) who is making international headlines for 'Jersey Shore' cast member Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi getting in on the action at their recent 'Wrestlemania' pay-per-view special.

Additionally, A Look Back at BlackWWE also garnered headlines for the return of Hollywood superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who was the guest host for this year's 'Wrestlemania' live show in Atlanta.

Since this column premiered in September of 2004, BV Buzz has featured many stories on wrestling superstars, both those in the WWE and TNA.
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As a long time fan of wrestling - growing up loving grapplers like Junkyard Dog, KoKo B. Ware, Ron Simmons, Booker T, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Too Cold Scorpio, Tito Santana and the one and only "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes - its been a labor of love for BV Buzz to feature many of today's wrestling superstars.

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF WRESTLING'S GREATEST HITS:



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]]>BookerTDavidOtungaDustyRhodesDwayneJohnsonFloydMayweatherFridayNightSmackdownJawnMurrayJunkyardDogKamalaKofiKingstonKokoBWareMarkHenryMondayNightRawMontelVontaviousPorterMVPOrlandoJordanRickySteamboatRonSimmonsSheltonBenjaminSnookiTheRockTNATnaWrestlingTonyAtlasTooColdScorpioToughEnoughWrestleManiaWWEJawn Murray2011-04-07T18:10:00 00:00A Look Back at Black: Sherri Shepherd Makes Headlineshttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/07/sherri-shepherd-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/07/sherri-shepherd-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/07/sherri-shepherd-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/#commentsFiled under: ,

A Look Back at Black: Sherri Shepherd Makes Headlines
Sherri Shepherd will kick off her second season as host of 'The Newlywed Game' on April 18.

Last fall, the 43-year-old comedienne broke news with BV Buzz first that she had signed on host the nightly game show on GSN.

"'The Newlywed Game' is one of my favorite game A Look Back at Blackshows and I have loved it since Bob Eubanks was the host," she told us about landing the gig.

Additionally, Shepherd has offered this column many exclusives since joining 'The View' as a co-host along with Whoopi Goldberg in September of 2007.
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Her candid nature, quick wit and frequent job announcements has provided great content for BV Buzz and has contributed to this franchise's overall success at BlackVocies.com.

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF HER GREATEST HITS:



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]]>30RockALookBackAtBlackblackcomicscomediennesJawnMurrayPreciousTimesSherriShepherdSherriSitcomtalkshowhostsTheNewlywedGameTheViewJawn Murray2011-04-07T17:35:00 00:00A Look Back at Black: Star Jones A Mainstay In BV Buzzhttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/06/star-jones-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/06/star-jones-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/04/06/star-jones-bv-buzz-a-look-back-at-black/#commentsFiled under: ,

A Look Back at Black: Star Jones A Mainstay In BV Buzz
Star Jones is a veteran television personality who is currently among the cast of characters on Donald Trump's 'Celebrity Apprentice.'

The 49-year-old attorney has released her first novel, 'Satan's Sisters' (Simon & Schuster), a tome that is loosely based on her time as co-host of 'The View.'

"I've dreamed of A Look Back At Blackwriting a juicy novel for many years," Jones told BlackVoices.com about the book.

There's already talk about adapting the novel into a feature film.

The former host of the 'Star Jones Show' on Court TV has not only been a fixture on television for the last 20 years, but she's been a regular subject of the BV Buzz since its inception September of 2004.

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Jones has offered this column many exclusives over the years - including granting us the only interview about her controversial departure from 'The View' in 2006.

The North Carolina-bred talent has played a significant part in the overall success of the BV Buzz franchise!

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF HER GREATEST HITS:



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]]>ALookBackAtBlackBVBuzzCelebrityApprenticeCourtTVDonaldTrumpJawnMurrayNewYorkCityNorthCarolinaSatansSisterssimonandschusterStarJonesTheViewJawn Murray2011-04-06T17:40:00 00:00Final Score: The Return of 'The Game' on BET a Ratings Successhttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/30/the-games-tia-mowry-barry-floyd-bet/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/30/the-games-tia-mowry-barry-floyd-bet/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/30/the-games-tia-mowry-barry-floyd-bet/#commentsFiled under: ,

Overtime: 'The Game's' Return On BET A Ratings Success
'The Game' wrapped a successful comeback season on BET on Tuesday night.

The show debuted to record-breaking numbers in January when it made its return on BET and averaged about five million viewers each week thereafter.

Actress Tia Mowry, who plays Dr. Melanie Davis on the dramedy, is happy that the show's fans continue to support the relaunch of the series.
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"I am thrilled and so happy that our fans have stuck with us through this whole ordeal," Mowry told BlackVoices.com. "The fans that are still hanging in there are our true fans and it does not go unnoticed."

Co-star Barry Floyd, who plays the endearing Tee-Tee on the show, said that this season is just the beginning of many more great seasons.
Cast of The Game
"Thanks to the fans for their continuing support. We went hard this season and there's still more to come," he said, before adding, "game on!"

The season finale of 'The Game' averaged 4.4 million viewers on BET last night.

The show was watched by over 17 million viewers during its season four reboot on BET and was the top weeknight telecast among black viewers each week since its premiere.

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]]>AtlantaBarryFloydbarryfloydthegameBETBlackEntertainmentTelevisionCWHollywoodJawnMurrayMaraBrockAkilTheGameTiaMowryJawn Murray2011-03-30T18:55:00 00:00Anthony Mackie: Actor Talks Vanity Fair & Overcoming the Hollywood Blackouthttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/30/anthony-mackie-talks-vanity-fair-hollywood-blackout/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/30/anthony-mackie-talks-vanity-fair-hollywood-blackout/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/30/anthony-mackie-talks-vanity-fair-hollywood-blackout/#commentsFiled under: ,

Anthony Mackie: Actor Talks Vanity Fair & Overcoming The Hollywood Blackout
Actor Anthony Mackie was featured on the cover of Vanity Fair's 17th annual Hollywood Issue and admits, being featured on the esteemed glossy's cover has already been a game changer.

"The magazine came out and it's interesting how the conversations have changed, which is surprising to me," he confessed to BlackVoices.com, while sitting in an empty conference room at the AMC Gallery Place in Washington, DC.

The 31-year-old actor admitted that he did not recognize the weight that the magazine carried when he was first presented with the opportunity to be featured.
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"When my publicist told me they got me for the cover of Vanity Fair for the Hollywood edition I didn't know what it meant. Looking at it now it was a monumental step in the course of my career. I want to be 70 or 80 like an Anthony Hopkins or Morgan Freeman and look back at a body of work instead of getting one or two jobs and trying to overcome the idea of just being an actor instead of being an artist. It's been amazing. Every day I tell people that I don't want you to overlook my race. I don't want you to look at me as something different than what I am. When you look at me I don't want you to like me in spite of being a Black male. I want you to include me because of who I am, that being a Black male. It's been funny from both the Black and White perspective; from the everyday perspective and the Hollywood perspective. Everyone has an opinion so I try to put it out there and let it be what it is," he expressed.

The New Orleans-bred talent was the first Black actor to be featured in nearly a decade on the cover of the Hollywood Issue.

Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue
"The last Black man to be on the cover of Vanity Fair for the Hollywood edition was Omar Epps and that was over 10 years ago. I think it's good for right now, but it definitely does not solidify in my path in Hollywood history," he enlightened.

Despite having starred in films like 'Million Dollar Baby,' 'The Hurt Locker,' 'Notorious' and 'The Adjustment Bureau,' Mackie, like many Black actors, has a face people know even when they can't remember his name.

"I get mistaken for one of my closest friends, Jamie Hector who was on 'The Wire,'" he laughed. "Literally every day someone stops me and asks me for my autograph and if they can take a picture with me for being on 'The Wire.'"

Though Hollywood recognized Mackie's value by including him in the Vanity Fair issue, the Obie Award winner does feel that the recent Black-out during this past award show season was disturbing.

"It's frustrating, but not for the reason of not having the representation. I think we're at a point where we need to start making our own movies. I think there are enough stories out there that we should be telling those stories. I think in the early 90's we had the opportunity to make our own movies and we got complacent. If you go back and watch 'Love Jones' and 'Love and Basketball' or 'The Brothers,' they were great movies and they Anthony Mackierepresented us. 'Boyz N The Hood' and 'Juice' represented us. We made those movies and everybody just got lazy. It's no reason that the people who made those movies shouldn't still be making movies. [Martin] Scorsese didn't stop after his first movie. James Cameron didn't stop after 'Titanic' so why is it that the people who represent us and tell our stories just don't exist anymore. They're out there living in LA writing. They're making movies; they're just not making the movies that represent us. That's what frustrates me because I feel like you have an entire new crop of young talent and they have not only no one to work with but they don't have any material to work on. You can't say we don't have the money or the opportunities because White people are doing it. If you look at what Judd Apatow is doing, he's shown us how to go out and take our ideas, put them on a page and make it. Ben Affleck made 'Gone Baby Gone' and 'The Town' because he couldn't get cast as an actor. I think it's about time that we as Black Hollywood stop talking about what people aren't giving us and get up off our ass and start making the movies that we want to make," he offered.

If ever there was a Black Oscars, Mackie said he knows exactly what his top five films would be.

"My five best pictures would be 'Harlem Nights,' 'Claudine,' 'Uptown Saturday Night,' 'Boomerang' and 'Love Jones.' The alternate would be 'Love and Basketball.' My favorite of all time just simply because of the soundtrack, the movie and the story along with Nia Long and Larenz Tate's relationship would be 'Love Jones.' That was just a quintessential beautiful movie. Ghetto aside everything about it was perfect," he closed.

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]]>AnthonyMackieblackactorsharlemnightsHollywoodHollywoodIssueJawnMurrayLoveandBasketballLoveJonesMillionDollarBabyMorganFreemanNewOrleansOmarEppsTheAdjustmentBureauTheHurtLockervanityFairJawn Murray2011-03-30T16:15:00 00:00Gladys Knight: Soul Icon Making Las Vegas Returnhttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/30/gladys-knight-returns-to-las-vegas-strip/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/30/gladys-knight-returns-to-las-vegas-strip/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/30/gladys-knight-returns-to-las-vegas-strip/#commentsFiled under: ,

Gladys Knight: Soul Icon Making Las Vegas Return
Grammy winner Gladys Knight is gearing up for a return to the Las Vegas strip.

The iconic soul singer, best known for hits like 'Midnight Train to Georgia,' 'Neither One of Us,' 'If I Were Your Woman,' 'Best Thing to Ever Happen to Me' and 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine,' headlined a show at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas for four years beginning in 2002.

Knight will return to the Las Vegas strip on April 5 for a new show called 'A Mic and a Light,' a multi-month engagement she'll play at the newly renovated Tropicana Las Vegas.
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"I'm thrilled to be returning to the Las Vegas Strip and am very happy to be coming back home. It's always been a dream of mine to have my own showroom and I'm excited to showcase songs ranging from both my greatest hits to my new album," said Knight.

The 66-year-old entertainer will perform at the resort's former Tiffany Theater, which has now been renamed the Gladys Knight Theater.
Gladys Knight
The show is produced by Freestyle Mac and features an 11-piece band, four singers, dancers and her brother, Merald 'Bubba' Knight, one of the original members of The Pips.

Knight is also working on a new CD scheduled to drop this summer. The album is being produced by 'American Idol' judge Randy Jackson.

Additionally, a DVD titled 'Gladys Knight Live at the Flamingo' is also slated to be released via Organica Music Group (OMG) this July.

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Black Music Notes Mar. 19

3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'

Getty Images

3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'

Jemal Countess, WireImage

3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.

Evening Standard / Getty Images

3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Santiago Llanquin / AP

3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.

Zomba

3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.

Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic

3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'

Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images

 

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]]>AMicandALightFlamingoHotelGeorgeWallaceGeorgiaGladysKnightGladysKnightAndThePipsJawnMurrayLasVegasMidnightTrainToGeorgiaOrganicaMusicGroupRandyJacksonTiffanyTheaterTropicanaLasVegasJawn Murray2011-03-30T13:35:00 00:00VaShawn Mitchell: 'Nobody Greater' Singer Hits the Road & Shoots a Videohttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/29/vashawn-mitchell-nobody-tour-video/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/29/vashawn-mitchell-nobody-tour-video/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/29/vashawn-mitchell-nobody-tour-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

VaShawn Mitchell: 'Nobody Greater' Singer Hits The Road & Shoots A Video
Gospel's breakout star VaShawn Mitchell has been added to the Still Something Big Tour with Mary Mary and BeBe & CeCe Winans.

"I'm really excited about joining the tour. Can't wait to hit the road with Mary Mary and BeBe & CeCe," the two-time Grammy nominee told BlackVoices.com.

The Still Something Big Tour kicks off on April 1 in Detroit and has dates scheduled in Washington, DC, Chicago, New York City and St. Louis.
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Mitchell recently shot a concept video for his number-one single, 'Nobody Greater,' in New York City.

"Moving through the production of the shoot was awesome. Watching the treatment and story of the song come to life on the streets of VaShawn Mitchell CDNew York was a dream fulfilled. Having a great support team around to execute everything from wardrobe, locations, makeup, extras, etc., all made the process move comfortably," he explained.

The Chicago-bred singer, who has also penned hits for artists like Smokie Norful, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Bishop Paul Morton, admitted that he is still surprised by the success of his latest release, 'Triumphant,' (EMI Gospel) and how people have responded to the music.

"The success of 'Triumphant' and the first single, 'Nobody Greater,' has been overwhelming," he expressed. "But I'm thankful for all God is doing and look forward to seeing what is next to come."

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Top-Selling Gospel Artists

CeCe Winans
The eighth of 10 siblings in the gospel-singing Winans family, CeCe recorded music with brother BeBe. The dynamic duo scored two No. 1 R&B singles, 'Addictive Love' and 'I'll Take You There.' As a soloist, CeCe has won six Grammys and her collection of R&B hits includes 'Count on Me,' her duet with Whitney Houston from the 'Waiting to Exhale' soundtrack.

(Photo: Getty)

BeBe Winans
After years as a duet with sister CeCe, BeBe Winans went solo and released a self-titled album in 1997. Featuring singles 'In Harms' Way,' 'Thank You,' and 'I Wanna Be The Only One,' the album did well on gospel and secular charts. BeBe is a two-time Grammy winner, one as co-producer of the 'Bodyguard' soundtrack.

(Photo: Pieter M. van Hattem, AOL)

Kierra "KiKi" Sheard
KiKi Sheard is a third-generation gospel artist. Her mother is Karen Clark Sheard of the famed Clark Sisters and her grandmother is gospel pioneer Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. Shortly after graduating high school, Sheard released her second album 'This Is Me,' which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel charts in 2006.

(Photo: John Shearer, WireImage.com)

Mahalia Jackson
Regarded as the "world's greatest gospel singer," Jackson's spirit-filled force produced gospel classics such as 'Move On Up a Little Higher,' 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands' (a Top 100 pop single) and 'How I Got Over.' She sang for Presidents Eisenhower & Kennedy, and for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. immediately before his "I Have a Dream" speech.

(Photo: Getty Images)

James Cleveland
A pianist, singer, composer and producer, Cleveland was revered by the music world as the King of Gospel and even taught a Queen (of soul), Aretha Franklin a few things about gospel. Cleveland is credited with writing and arranging more than 400 gospel songs, including 'Everything Will Be All Right,' 'The Love of God' and 'Peace Be Still.'

(Photo: Time Life/Getty)

Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin came up in the church, but often reworks his church messages into a hip-hop mix. Franklin's 1998 hit 'Stomp' propelled him to the best-selling gospel artist of the modern era. Moving beyond music, Franklin has hosted 'Sunday Best,' a music competition on BET, in addition to working the speaker circuit.

(Photo: Jesse Grant, Getty Images)

The Winans
The Winans, comprised of five-time Grammy-winning brothers Marvin, Carvin, Michael and Ronald, put out 10 albums from 1982 to 1995, spawning hits such as 'Let My People Go' and 'It's Time and a Friend.' Their own sons went on to form the third-generation group Winans Phase 2.

(Photo: AOL)

Yolanda Adams
Though initially criticized in the Christian community for embracing R&B and jazz rhythms and "immodest" fashion to accompany her holy music, Adams scored quickly with gospel audiences. Her 1999 album, 'Mountain High...Valley Low' earned Adams her first Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel.

(Photo: Lester Cohen, WireImage.com)

Mary Mary
Sisters Erica and Tina Atkins formed gospel duo Mary Mary, named after biblical Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Jesus. Their debut album, 'Thankful,' boasting smash single 'Shackles (Praise You),' was a crossover hit earning the duo Grammy and American Music Awards. The single received rotation on mainstream radio and MTV.

(Photo: WireImage.com)

Andraé Crouch
After founding the Disciples in 1965, André Crouch garnered mainstream success, appearing on 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' and at Carnegie Hall. The Disciples contemporary gospel sound, complete with soothing melodies of pop rather than traditional hymns, helped the group develop a racially diverse audience.

(Photo: Rick Diamond, WireImage.com)

 

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]]>AtlantaBeBeandCeCeChicagoEMIGospelgospelJawnMurrayMaryMaryNewYorkCityNobodyGreaterSmokieNorfulStillSomethingBigTourTriumphantVashawnMitchellJawn Murray2011-03-29T16:20:00 00:00Amber Riley: 'Glee' Star Talks Being Plus-Sized in Hollywoodhttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/29/amber-riley-glee-fashion-icon/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/29/amber-riley-glee-fashion-icon/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/29/amber-riley-glee-fashion-icon/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Amber Riley: 'Glee' Star Talks Being Plus-Sized In Hollywood
Amber Riley is the breakout star from 'Glee' who is helping to change the way Hollywood views shapely women. Turned down by 'American Idol' after auditioning for season two, Riley is now living her dream as both a singer and an actress on the hit Fox series.

BlackVoices.com spoke to the self-proclaimed "church girl" who talked about the popularity of 'Glee,' which artists she'd love to guest star on the show and her own upcoming music endeavors.
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'Glee' has become a pop culture phenomenon. What's the most overwhelming part of it?

Probably the attention you get in general is overwhelming. There are so many different emotions you feel when you find this type of success -- disbelief, excitement, fear and anxiety. Mainly, I am overjoyed with living my dream.

'Glee' offers the best of both worlds: music and acting. Which one is your first love?

Music was my first love because it was the first gift that I realized I had, but acting and singing go hand and hand. When I'm on stage, I become whatever character I need to be to relay the message in the song I'm singing.
Amber Riley
If you could pick three of your favorite singers to theme 'Glee' episodes after, which artists would you choose and why?

Chaka Khan, because she is one of my vocal idols. Beyoncé, because she has so much music it would be like a musical smorgasbord -- so many different genres of songs. Sara Vaughan, because we've never really done a blues and jazz tribute, and she's one of my favorite voices to listen to.

You've become a fashion icon in a short time -- even being named Best Dressed at the SAG Awards by Joan Rivers' 'Fashion Police.' As a full-figured woman, how does that make you feel?

It makes me feel amazing. I'm a plus-sized girl, but I know how to dress myself and I know what looks good on me. With the character I play, I feel there is a lot of responsibility and I'm okay with being a role model. I think that recognition made a lot of girls feel like they can be beautiful and confident no matter what size or color they are.

'Glee' is opening up a lot of doors for you. What types of projects would you like to work on outside of the show?

I am currently working toward doing an album. I am really excited and nervous, but this is my dream and I've waited to go for it my whole life. I just pray the world loves it.


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]]>AmberRileyAmericanIdolBeyonceChakaKhanFashionPoliceFoxFullFiguredGleeJawnMurrayJoanRiversLosAngelesPlusSizeSarahVaughanJawn Murray2011-03-29T15:00:00 00:00Splitsville: Beyonce Ends Management Ties With Her Fatherhttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/29/beyonce-fires-daddy-as-manager/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/29/beyonce-fires-daddy-as-manager/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/29/beyonce-fires-daddy-as-manager/#commentsFiled under:

Splitsville: Beyonce Ends Management Relationship With Her Father
Singer Beyoncé Knowles has ended her management relationship with her father, Mathew Knowles.

The Grammy-winning singer's publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, made the announcement late Monday night to the Associated Press.

"I am grateful for everything he has taught me," Beyoncé said in the statement. "I grew up watching both he and my mother manage and own their own businesses. They were hardworking, and I will continue to follow in their footsteps."

Details on why she has decided to seek new representation were not disclosed; however, shortly after Beyoncé's announcement, her father released a statement of his own via his rep, Gwendolyn Quinn.
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"The decision for Beyoncé and Music World Entertainment to part was mutual. We did great things together, and I know that she will continue to conquer new territories in music and entertainment," his statement read.

Knowles went on to state that he intends to focus on the "tremendous investment that" his "record label has made in the gospel/inspirational genre of music."

Destiny's Child and Mathew Knowles
The 60-year-old CEO of Music World Entertainment is the only manager Beyoncé has had since the beginning of her career with Destiny's Child.

In addition to winning 16 Grammy awards and starring in films like 'Dreamgirls,' 'Obsessed' and 'The Fighting Temptations,' the Houston-bred singer has released three solo CDs: 'Dangerously in Love,' 'B'Day' and 'I Am ... Sasha Fierce.'

Beyoncé's former Destiny's Child cohorts, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, have also terminated their management relationship with Knowles -- Rowland in 2009 and Williams in 2010.

Though Beyoncé's statement emphasized her commitment to her personal relationship with her father ("He is my father for life and I love my dad dearly. I am grateful for everything he has taught me," she said), it did not indicate who her new manager would be.

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Black Music Notes Mar. 19

3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'

Getty Images

3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'

Jemal Countess, WireImage

3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.

Evening Standard / Getty Images

3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Santiago Llanquin / AP

3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.

Zomba

3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.

Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic

3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'

Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images

 

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]]>BeyonceBeyonceKnowlesDestinysChildGwendolynnQuinnHoustonjawnmurrayJay-ZKellyRowlandMathewKnowlesMichelleWilliamsMusicWorldEntertainmentTheAssociatedPressTinaKnowlesYvetteNoelSchureJawn Murray2011-03-29T12:45:00 00:00Music Moves: Def Jam Exec Leaves Label Gig & Joins Simon Cowellhttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/17/antonio-la-reid-the-x-factor/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/17/antonio-la-reid-the-x-factor/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/17/antonio-la-reid-the-x-factor/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Music Moves: Def Jam Exec Leaves Label Gig & Joins Simon CowellIsland Def Jam chairman Antonio 'L.A.' Reid has long been rumored to become a judge on the U.S. import of the Simon Cowell reality series, 'The X Factor.'

Yesterday, (though The Hollywood Reporter is taking the credit) it was entertainment blog YBF.com that first broke the news that the 54-year-old music mogul is the first judge officially signed to the competition series.

Today came news that Reid has officially resigned from his post at Island Def Jam.

Below is an unedited copy of the letter sent to the staff:

"Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can
understand." -Colin Powell

To my Island Def Jam family:
Share

After much consideration, I have decided to leave my position as Chairman of the Island Def Jam Music Group. I have always thrived on growth and the next great challenge, and I look forward with much enthusiasm to what the future holds.

I am extremely proud of our beautiful roster and all we have accomplished in my seven years with IDJ. We continue to have incredible success together with today's most phenomenal superstars - Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, The Killers, The-Dream, Chrisette Michele, Jeezy and Ludacris to name a few.

I want to thank all of you for your amazing contributions.

With Warm Regards -
LA
Ne-Yo & LA Reid
###

Reid is receiving an early release from his contract with Island Def Jam - his contract doesn't actually end until December - however, there had been rumors that Universal Music Group's new chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge, was not a fan of Reid and his future with the company was questionable regardless.

I reported last fall on the 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' that there was talk that Reid, who founded the now defunct LaFace Records (Toni Braxton/TLC/Outkast) with former partner Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds in 1998, would like oversee a label in the Sony Music system.

With winners of 'The X Factor' earning a $5 million contract with Sony Music, it makes speculation that Reid is jumping ship even greater.


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Black Music Notes Mar. 19

3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'

Getty Images

3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'

Jemal Countess, WireImage

3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.

Evening Standard / Getty Images

3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Santiago Llanquin / AP

3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.

Zomba

3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.

Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic

3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'

Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images

 

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]]>AmericanIdolAntonioReidIslandDefJamJawnMurrayJenniferLopezJustinBeiberLaFaceRecordsLAReidLucianGraingeMariahCareyNewYorkCityRihannaSimonCowellSonyMusicTheHollywoodReporterTheXFactorUniversalMusicGroupYBF.comJawn Murray2011-03-17T19:55:00 00:00George Tillman Jr.: Eager to See a Resurgence in Black Filmshttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/17/george-tillman-jr-black-film-resurgence/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/17/george-tillman-jr-black-film-resurgence/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/17/george-tillman-jr-black-film-resurgence/#commentsFiled under: ,

George Tillman Jr.: Eager To See A Resurgence In Black Films
In the late 1990s through the mid-2000s, there were a bevy of great films with African-American themes, and filmmaker George Tillman Jr. was responsible for ones like 'Barbershop,' 'Soul Food,' 'Beauty Shop' and 'Roll Bounce.'

These days, Tyler Perry ('For Colored Girls'/'Why Did I Get Married') and Will Packer ('Stomp the Yard'/'This Christmas') are the only filmmakers really having success with the urban film market.

BlackVoices.com caught up with Tillman, who in recent years directed the films 'Notorious' and 'Faster,' and he was optimistic when asked if the urban film movement could see a resurgence.
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"I hope so," he began, as we sat in his suite at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. "We're in a really strange time right now. The only person out there that is consistently doing specifically African-American themed movies is Tyler Perry. On a regular basis he might have two or three out at the same time. My first year coming out you had John Singleton, myself, Ted Witcher, Spike Lee, and it was a variety of different things. Now it's a strange place, and I don't quite understand it. I really hope that we can have that variety again; it shouldn't be just one voice and the same actors in the same movies. It perturbs me to see the same actors playing the same roles in these movies."

The 42-year-old moviemaker isn't sure why African-American-themed films are not George Tillman Jr.turning the profits they once did at the box office, but believes the bad economy could be one factor.

"I hope it has something to do with the recession and that the audience got tired of seeing the same ole BS. Hopefully, we can get back to good films where there is a variety. For example, when 'Malcolm X' came out, it was Robert Townsend, Malcolm Lee and Bill Duke. These guys were artists, and I'm hoping that's what can happen," he offered.

Tillman has directed and produced films in various genres -- urban, action, family and military -- and the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-bred talent aims to continue showcasing his diversity in film choices.

"I have thought about that because everybody has their niche and sometimes you think that if you do different things people don't know where to pigeonhole you or where to place you. I feel like I'm just gonna ignore some of that stuff. I feel like let me just go with the story. I'm a storyteller, so whatever genre it is, if you tell a good story you can go wherever you want to go. I always wanted to do the Marvin Gaye story and maybe that will come along. I think MLK is a great story. I think it would be interesting to do a sports story. I believe that wherever my heart tells me to go, that's where I'm going to grow," he shared.

If Tillman does do the biopic on the late Gaye, he admitted he would be on the search for a fresh face to star in the film.

"I would ask to cast an unknown actor who's from New York, who's from the stage with great acting. Someone that has Denzel Washington chops and who can sing like Marvin. I know that's too much to ask for in one package, but I feel like you just need a good actor for that role. It could be anyone who can deliver," he said.
George Tillman Jr. & Dwayne Johnson on the set of
As for a movie on civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr., Tillman definitely has an actor already in mind.

"For the MLK movie, if I had my choice I would say Adewale Akinnuove-Agbaje," he confessed. "He did an amazing job in ['Faster']. The scene that we have was amazing, but I shot 25,000 feet of him and I saw him every sermon, every take because I did about 50 takes of him that he was on, every take, and even with the material that you see he wrote additional material in the movie just ramping him up. As I was watching, I said, 'That's MLK, man.' This guy's ministry was incredible, and I think he would be the perfect guy to play the role."

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]]>AdewaleAkinnuoveAgbajeBarbershopBillDukeblackmoviesDenzelWashingtonFasterGeorgeTillmanJrHollywoodJawnMurrayJohnSingletonMalcolmLeeMartinLutherKingJr.MarvinGayemilwaukeeNotoriousRobertTownsendRollBounceSoulFoodSpikeLeeTheodoreWitcherTylerPerryurbanfilmsWillPackerJawn Murray2011-03-17T14:30:00 00:00Turn Off: Hearing Her Own Songs Would Spoil the Mood for Patti Austinhttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/17/patti-austin-turn-off-her-music-during-sex/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/17/patti-austin-turn-off-her-music-during-sex/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/17/patti-austin-turn-off-her-music-during-sex/#commentsFiled under: ,

Turn Off: Hearing Her Own Songs Would Spoil The Mood For Patti Austin
The idea of being romantic to her own music causes Grammy-winning vocalist Patti Austin to make faces -- and I don't mean the kind of 'Love Faces' that Trey Songz warbles about.

The 60-year-old song stylist was recently in Minneapolis, Minn., to perform at the Dakota Jazz Club, and Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist C.J. asked Austin had she ever made love to her own songs.

"Oh, my, ooooh, that sounds horrible! That sounds like a horrible idea," the singer replied.
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With hits like 'Baby Come to Me,' 'Say You Love Me' and 'The Heat of Heat,' Austin does acknowledge that she knows others do have sex Patti Austinto her music.

"I know, and unfortunately, they all tell me about it, too," she offered.

Austin, the goddaughter of music icon Quincy Jones and the late Dinah Washington, is releasing a new CD called 'Sound Advice' (Shanachie Entertainment) on May 17.

The disc is an inspirational compilation that features new songs written by Austin, in addition to her renditions of classic tunes like Michael Jackson's 'Give It Up,' Bill Withers' 'Lean on Me,' Des'ree's 'You Gotta Be' and Paul Anka's 'My Way.'

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Singer Patti Austin Interview

Black Music Notes Mar. 19

3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'

Getty Images

3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'

Jemal Countess, WireImage

3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.

Evening Standard / Getty Images

3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Santiago Llanquin / AP

3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.

Zomba

3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.

Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic

3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'

Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images

 

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]]>BabyComeToMeCJDesreeJawnMurrayjazzLoveFacesMichaelJacksonMinneapolisStarTribuneMinnesotaMyWayPattiAustinPaulAnkaQuincyJonessexShanachieEntertainmentSoundadviceStarTribuneTreySongzJawn Murray2011-03-17T13:05:00 00:00Phaedra Parks: 'Real Housewives' Legal Eagle Talks Charlie Sheen, Eddie Long, Lindsay Lohan & morehttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/16/phaedra-parks-real-housewives-atl-legal-eagle/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/16/phaedra-parks-real-housewives-atl-legal-eagle/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/16/phaedra-parks-real-housewives-atl-legal-eagle/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Phaedra Parks: 'Real Housewives' Legal Eagle Talks Charlie Sheen, Eddie Long, Lindsay Lohan & more
She's a celebrated entertainment attorney and self-proclaimed "Southern Belle," but Phaedra Parks is now best known for being the newest addition to the 'Real Housewives of Atlanta.'

Parks has gone from negotiating legal issues for high-profile clients like Bobby Brown and Slip-N-Slide Records, to winning over viewers with hilarious clichés and upstart Southern traditions.

A semi-newlywed -- she wed younger husband Apollo Nida a year and a half ago -- and new mom, firstborn son Ayden Adonis Nida will celebrate his first birthday in May; Parks was a perfect addition to the sextet of Georgia peaches who make up Atlanta's 'Real Housewives' cast.
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BlackVoices.com sat down with the super-sassy managing partner of The Parks Group boutique law firm at the posh Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta, and while sipping on Blackberry mimosas -- our own version of her inPhaedra & Apollofamous Sip-N-See -- Parks shared some insight on her life, while offering legal perspective on some high-profile personalities.

You represented one of entertainment's most notorious bad boys, Bobby Brown. How would you deal with Charlie Sheen if he were your client?

Damage control! Charlie Sheen is such a marketable force. He's gonna get out of this trouble and he will be back. He's like the cat with nine lives. I would just be doing damage control and repackaging him. Anyone that knows me knows that I have worked with some very uncontrollable clients and been successful with them. I think controlling the client has more to do with making the client respect you as a professional and making them believe and trust in you. I think when you get anyone's trust they will follow your direction -- as long as they're sober now. When they're drunk, you can't make them do anything. If you can sober them up, the sky's the limit. Charlie Sheen is a bad boy, and unfortunately, everybody loves a bad boy. He's obviously on something -- I don't know what it is -- but whatever it is has caused him to have more popularity. I don't watch that 'Two and a Half Men' show, but Charlie Sheenbecause of all the recent publicity, if he gets a new show I think it would do double the ratings of that show because he is in the media and people love to see a train wreck.

What about Lindsay Lohan? How would you approach her current legal situation?

Lindsay Lohan, unfortunately, embodies the worst of what we know about child stars. I have been very familiar with her from the Nickelodeon tour. I have followed her career as a professional when she did a movie with one of my great friend Jane Fonda, 'Georgia Rule,' about four or five years ago. I believe Lindsay is making a turnaround. If you look at the careers of Drew Barrymore they had some issues, but they came back. I believe Lindsay will come back as well. Now it's just about making her insurable, keeping her clean, making her look clean and just getting Lindsay Lohanher a new job.

Is she going to jail for this latest incident with the stolen necklace?

She's gonna go, but just because you go to jail doesn't mean you're gonna stay. She might go, but to be honest going to jail for white prominent people has helped their careers. Look at Martha Stewart or Paris Hilton. Going to jail is not always a bad thing for a white woman. It can actually raise her stock a little bit.

Former WWE wrestler Shad Gaspard is accusing Columbus, Oh., police of racially profiling him and abuse of power after being arrested while there for the Arnold Classic. Would you take on a case like that?

Thank you, come on in and I'll leave the light on for you! I would be delighted! First of all, while we have definitely progressed as black people, there's still racism. Black men have an unfair amount of racism to be distinguished from black women. Black men, because of size and complexion, can be more intimidating than any other race of people. Because I am a practitioner and because 98% of my clients are black men, I know they are unfairly targeted. I know that driving while being black cShad Gaspardan be a high risk. I know that being black and unattractive can cause you more harm than help. It exists, and I think in the United States we are not having a fluid dialogue about racism and race relations, and even within our own community, we have people distinguishing us between different complexions. We target ourselves sometimes by not patronizing and not giving black professionals a chance. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy, but that being said, there is police brutality against black people. It's not the same as it was during the Civil Rights era. It's still present, but it's subliminal, and I think people need to realize that. We have a black president, and he's been disrespected more than any other president in the history of this country. He's not being disrespected for any other reason than being black. It is no time we would ever think we could speak to a president or talk about a president like we're talking about him or even question him. We have allowed our highest office to be derogated because it's being held by a black man. You have to realize that and acknowledge it. It's a 1981 case which is federal racism so I would love that case. All that any good attorney has to do is prove that there is a pattern of misconduct targeted toward people of color.

What are your thoughts on the legal scandal with Bishop Eddie Long, since it's a story set in Atlanta?

First of all, I'm very good friends with the attorney [for the accusers] B.J. Bernstein. She's an excellent practitioner. We Bishop Eddie Longhave traveled abroad a few times. I know her to be a stand-up woman. I know that she would never take a case that doesn't have merit. She would never entertain a frivolous matter. I love the Lord and I'm a preacher's daughter -- my mama and daddy are pastors. I know that things happen in the church with ministers and pastors. At the end of the day, they're people, and I don't think we can turn our heads and have a blind eye to what's really going on. I think any child being assaulted by any person in power needs to be addressed and dealt with accordingly. Their allegations have never been denied and you have to pay to play. Either pay up or shut up, and zip it up and get it out of people's mouth.

What is your take on attorney Gloria Allred? She's always in the media and seems to be associated with some highly publicized legal case.

She's a formidable attorney. She does her thing, and she gets her money. She doesn't take a case unless it's got some money. I think she's known for getting that case that's going to Gloria Allredgarner great publicity. Sometimes if you take anything because you want to get your publicity on, it can damage you. If you just look at her track record, I think she's a good attorney. She's giving women the representation they need when our male counterparts and colleagues might not take that case. She will take them and do them justice. As a woman, I know that there's a lot of cases I would take because I know it's a woman, but for me, she might not get the proper representation and I understand women because I am a woman. I think she does do that and she does it well so hats off to her.

On the 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' reunion, you spoke about getting into the funeral business. How are those plans coming along?

It's coming. I'm trying to really make sure I position myself at the right location. I've been meeting with people and do my research. With any business, you have to do some due diligence. I can't move to a town where ain't nobody dying. You need to know your market. I've been studying and trying to find a place where there are a lot of deaths, a lot of rivers for people to drown in and a lot of motorcycles. It's a good fit for me because I don't want to bury everybody. I want it to be a boutique funeral service just like my law firm. We're giving people a great service; we're black folks, so we'll have a good party at the repast and some wonderful white horses and carriages and doves along with bejeweled programs and quilts with faces. I got all kinds of ideas.
Real Housewives of Atlanta cast

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Reality Bites

Sharisse "Shar" Jackson
Affiliation: 'Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp' on VH1
Side note: Though some may remember her as the sidekick Niecy Jackson on the groundbreaking UPN sitcom 'Moesha,' Jackson gained international tabloid attention as the mother of two children with Kevin Federline (who was married to pop superstar Britney Spears for three years). All together, she has four children.

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Fantasia Barrino
Affiliation: 'Fantasia For Real' on VH1
Side note: The 'American Idol' champion (2005) is a best-selling author ('Life is Not a Fairytale') and garnered critical acclaim as Miss Celie in the Broadway musical 'The Color Purple.'

Reality Bites

Nene Leakes
Affiliation: 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' on Bravo
Side note: The brazen Queens, NY native is a domestic abuse survivor and a former stripper - all revelations she detailed in her 2009 memoir 'Never Make the Same Mistake Twice.'

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Terrell Owens
Affiliation: 'The T.O. Show' on VH1
Side note: Alabama's very own football star simply known as "T.O." -- literally let it all hang out for the photo shoot promoting his new reality series, in July 2009. The show revolves around his life off the field as he searches for love, repair family relationships and make the move from Dallas to Buffalo.

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Ray Cunningham
Affiliation: 'College Hill: Virginia State University' on BET
Side note: One of the more memorable characters from the Black Entertainment Television network reality ranks, Cunningham has become an openly gay LGBT advocate, budding actor and busy blogger, who was featured in Adam Bouska's groundbreaking NoH8 Campaign, which assembled California notables responding to the state's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. Cunningham was also cast in acclaimed filmmaker Maurice Jamal's new forthcoming TV project 'Friends and Lovers.'

Reality Bites

Miss New York
Affiliation:'Flavor of Love' and 'I Love New York' on VH1
Side note: The upstate New York drama queen competed for hip-hop hype-man Flavor Flav's love twice and was rejected both times.

Reality Bites

MC Hammer
Affiliation: 'Hammertime' on A&E
Side note: Stanley Kirk Burrell seems to have done it all: Joined the navy; won Grammy Awards; danced for KFC popcorn chicken; fathered six children; wiggled his manhood in a Speedo bikini on a music video; went bankrupt; became a preacher; and now doing reality TV. 'Hammertime' is a look inside the family life of the man formerly known as one of the riches entertainers of his era.

Reality Bites

Keyshia Cole
Affiliation: 'The Way It Is' on BET
Side note: In an interview, thuggish ruggish rap icon Young Jeezy claimed that the hip-hop soul songstress asked him to marry her but he turned her down.

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Mo'Nique
Affiliation: 'Charm School' on VH1
Side note: While promoting the movie 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins,' Mo'Nique told Oprah Winfrey that co-star Martin Lawrence once gave her invaluable advice about show business.

Reality Bites

Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth
Affiliation: 'The Apprentice' on NBC and 'The Surreal Life' on VH1
Side note:The former White House staffer proudly became the superbitch of reality TV.

Reality Bites






Nene Leakes on Never Make the Same Mistake Twice

 

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]]>apollonidaAtlantaBJBernsteinblack+voices:+phaedrablackvoices:phaedrabobbybrownbravobravotvcharliesheeneddie+longeddie+long+scandaleddielongeddielongscandalGloraAllredjanefondajawnmurraylindsaylohanphadra+the+real+house+wivesphadratherealhousewivesphaedra+parksphaedraparksRealHousewivesOfAtlantashadgaspardsipnseeSlipNSlidewww.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/16/phaedra-parks-real-housewives-atl-legaJawn Murray2011-03-16T16:25:00 00:00Princess Stacie: 'Real Housewives' Star Becomes Nigerian Royaltyhttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/15/stacie-turner-real-housewives-dc-nigeria-princess/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/15/stacie-turner-real-housewives-dc-nigeria-princess/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/15/stacie-turner-real-housewives-dc-nigeria-princess/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Princess Stacie: 'Real Housewives' Star Becomes Nigerian Royalty
'Real Housewives of DC' star Stacie Turner has finally been reunited with her biological father.

In January, the sole African-American cast member on the Bravo reality series traveled to Nigeria to meet her dad, Nze Augustine Onyema, during an eight-day excursion with her husband, Jason, and two children.

BlackVoices.com spoke with the 42-year-old real estate mogul - who was adopted as a child - and she described the experience as "'Coming to America' on steroids."
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"It was the most incredible experience ever," she expressed. "Going to meet my father's village and meet the family, it was a national story of a girl's homecoming to reconnect with her family. They had two days of village homecoming with gun salutes, parades and everything. It was in all the Nigerian newspapers."

Turner said nearly 600 people turned up for the village celebration, and though sheStacie & Jason Turner was shocked to see the outpouring of love, she was more surprised to learn that she would become a village princess.

"In every village there is a family that's considered a royal family. In Mbaitoli, Onyema is the traditional ruling family. My father is a chief, a title holder, the nze of that area, and he's named me a princess," she explained.

Turner's new name is Princess Chimereuchem, which means "God has granted my wish" in the native language.

The locals performed a traditional chant for Turner during one of the ceremonies.

"It's the one they do when a new baby is born," she enlightened. "The overall level of welcoming and hospitality and warmth is on a whole other level than they have here!"

Turner has nine other siblings, one of which is a younger sister who lives here in the United States as well.

"My siblings range in ages from 10 to 39 years old," she shared. "I'm the oldest child - the 'ada' of the family. There are all these responsibilities that come with being the oldest."

Stacie Turner with her birth family
The Washington, DC, native's monumental family meeting was captured on film and Turner hopes to maybe turn the footage into a documentary.

If the 'Real Housewives of DC' is renewed for a second season - according to Bravo network executive Andy Cohen they are exploring particulars now - some of the footage could be licensed for the sophomore season of the show as well.

To learn more about Turner's voyage to Nigeria, go to stacieturner.com for additional photos and personal journal entries.

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Reality Bites

Sharisse "Shar" Jackson
Affiliation: 'Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp' on VH1
Side note: Though some may remember her as the sidekick Niecy Jackson on the groundbreaking UPN sitcom 'Moesha,' Jackson gained international tabloid attention as the mother of two children with Kevin Federline (who was married to pop superstar Britney Spears for three years). All together, she has four children.

Reality Bites

Fantasia Barrino
Affiliation: 'Fantasia For Real' on VH1
Side note: The 'American Idol' champion (2005) is a best-selling author ('Life is Not a Fairytale') and garnered critical acclaim as Miss Celie in the Broadway musical 'The Color Purple.'

Reality Bites

Nene Leakes
Affiliation: 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' on Bravo
Side note: The brazen Queens, NY native is a domestic abuse survivor and a former stripper - all revelations she detailed in her 2009 memoir 'Never Make the Same Mistake Twice.'

Reality Bites

Terrell Owens
Affiliation: 'The T.O. Show' on VH1
Side note: Alabama's very own football star simply known as "T.O." -- literally let it all hang out for the photo shoot promoting his new reality series, in July 2009. The show revolves around his life off the field as he searches for love, repair family relationships and make the move from Dallas to Buffalo.

Reality Bites

Ray Cunningham
Affiliation: 'College Hill: Virginia State University' on BET
Side note: One of the more memorable characters from the Black Entertainment Television network reality ranks, Cunningham has become an openly gay LGBT advocate, budding actor and busy blogger, who was featured in Adam Bouska's groundbreaking NoH8 Campaign, which assembled California notables responding to the state's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. Cunningham was also cast in acclaimed filmmaker Maurice Jamal's new forthcoming TV project 'Friends and Lovers.'

Reality Bites

Miss New York
Affiliation:'Flavor of Love' and 'I Love New York' on VH1
Side note: The upstate New York drama queen competed for hip-hop hype-man Flavor Flav's love twice and was rejected both times.

Reality Bites

MC Hammer
Affiliation: 'Hammertime' on A&E
Side note: Stanley Kirk Burrell seems to have done it all: Joined the navy; won Grammy Awards; danced for KFC popcorn chicken; fathered six children; wiggled his manhood in a Speedo bikini on a music video; went bankrupt; became a preacher; and now doing reality TV. 'Hammertime' is a look inside the family life of the man formerly known as one of the riches entertainers of his era.

Reality Bites

Keyshia Cole
Affiliation: 'The Way It Is' on BET
Side note: In an interview, thuggish ruggish rap icon Young Jeezy claimed that the hip-hop soul songstress asked him to marry her but he turned her down.

Reality Bites

Mo'Nique
Affiliation: 'Charm School' on VH1
Side note: While promoting the movie 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins,' Mo'Nique told Oprah Winfrey that co-star Martin Lawrence once gave her invaluable advice about show business.

Reality Bites

Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth
Affiliation: 'The Apprentice' on NBC and 'The Surreal Life' on VH1
Side note:The former White House staffer proudly became the superbitch of reality TV.

Reality Bites

 

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]]>AfricanPrincessAndyCohenBravoBravoTVComingToAmericaJawnMurrayMbaitoliNigeriaprincess+stacieprincessstaciereal+housewivesrealestaterealhousewivesRealHousewivesOfDcroyaltyStacieScottTurnerStacieTurnerWashingtonDCJawn Murray2011-03-15T17:00:00 00:00Lexi: Gospel Singer's Talk Show Returnshttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/15/lexi-talk-show-returns-word-network/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/15/lexi-talk-show-returns-word-network/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/15/lexi-talk-show-returns-word-network/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lexi: Gospel Singer's Talk Show Returns
Gospel singer Lexi Allen is returning to the Word Network for season five of 'The Lexi Show.'

The show had been canceled last summer by the network after its fourth season, but with new executive changes and a corporate restructuring, the show has been asked to return.

"I'm excited about embarking on the fifth season of my show," Lexi told BlackVoices.com. "The show will evolve when the new season debuts and I'm elated about the new changes and fresh direction of my talk show. Working on this show has always been a labor of love and it offers me a platform to showcase intriguing people with unique stories, perspective and a passion for God."
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'The Lexi Show' made headlines during its fourth season, having featured hard-hitting interviews with Bishop Carlton Pearson, Debra Winans, Bishop Thomas Weeks, Marvin Sapp and others.

In a controversial move, unorthodox former gospel singer Tonex used the talk show to formally come out about his sexuality to fans.

(Read: 'Tonex: Opening Up About Hysteria Over Homosexuality.')

The Detroit-bred hostess has a wish list of guests she would loLexive to interview when her show resumes production in a few months.

"I want to talk to people with great stories. I would love to chat with actress Tasha Smith ('Why Did I Get Married?'). I love her story and her balance of entertainment and faith," she offered. "I also would love to interview singer Bobby Brown. He's been through so much! I love showing that mainstream people have relationship with God and I also want to give their stories a platform as well."

'The Lexi Show' will begin filming on May 18 in Atlanta.

In addition to hosting 'The Lexi Show,' the singer provides entertainment news during her "Inside Inspiration with Lexi" segment each Friday on the nationally syndicated 'Yolanda Adams Morning Show.'

She can also seen delivering an entertainment report on TV every Sunday on BET's 'Lift Every Voice.'

Lexi maintains singing dates nationally and is also putting the final touches on a new album called 'Phenomenal.'

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Top-Selling Gospel Artists

CeCe Winans
The eighth of 10 siblings in the gospel-singing Winans family, CeCe recorded music with brother BeBe. The dynamic duo scored two No. 1 R&B singles, 'Addictive Love' and 'I'll Take You There.' As a soloist, CeCe has won six Grammys and her collection of R&B hits includes 'Count on Me,' her duet with Whitney Houston from the 'Waiting to Exhale' soundtrack.

(Photo: Getty)

BeBe Winans
After years as a duet with sister CeCe, BeBe Winans went solo and released a self-titled album in 1997. Featuring singles 'In Harms' Way,' 'Thank You,' and 'I Wanna Be The Only One,' the album did well on gospel and secular charts. BeBe is a two-time Grammy winner, one as co-producer of the 'Bodyguard' soundtrack.

(Photo: Pieter M. van Hattem, AOL)

Kierra "KiKi" Sheard
KiKi Sheard is a third-generation gospel artist. Her mother is Karen Clark Sheard of the famed Clark Sisters and her grandmother is gospel pioneer Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. Shortly after graduating high school, Sheard released her second album 'This Is Me,' which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel charts in 2006.

(Photo: John Shearer, WireImage.com)

Mahalia Jackson
Regarded as the "world's greatest gospel singer," Jackson's spirit-filled force produced gospel classics such as 'Move On Up a Little Higher,' 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands' (a Top 100 pop single) and 'How I Got Over.' She sang for Presidents Eisenhower & Kennedy, and for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. immediately before his "I Have a Dream" speech.

(Photo: Getty Images)

James Cleveland
A pianist, singer, composer and producer, Cleveland was revered by the music world as the King of Gospel and even taught a Queen (of soul), Aretha Franklin a few things about gospel. Cleveland is credited with writing and arranging more than 400 gospel songs, including 'Everything Will Be All Right,' 'The Love of God' and 'Peace Be Still.'

(Photo: Time Life/Getty)

Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin came up in the church, but often reworks his church messages into a hip-hop mix. Franklin's 1998 hit 'Stomp' propelled him to the best-selling gospel artist of the modern era. Moving beyond music, Franklin has hosted 'Sunday Best,' a music competition on BET, in addition to working the speaker circuit.

(Photo: Jesse Grant, Getty Images)

The Winans
The Winans, comprised of five-time Grammy-winning brothers Marvin, Carvin, Michael and Ronald, put out 10 albums from 1982 to 1995, spawning hits such as 'Let My People Go' and 'It's Time and a Friend.' Their own sons went on to form the third-generation group Winans Phase 2.

(Photo: AOL)

Yolanda Adams
Though initially criticized in the Christian community for embracing R&B and jazz rhythms and "immodest" fashion to accompany her holy music, Adams scored quickly with gospel audiences. Her 1999 album, 'Mountain High...Valley Low' earned Adams her first Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel.

(Photo: Lester Cohen, WireImage.com)

Mary Mary
Sisters Erica and Tina Atkins formed gospel duo Mary Mary, named after biblical Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Jesus. Their debut album, 'Thankful,' boasting smash single 'Shackles (Praise You),' was a crossover hit earning the duo Grammy and American Music Awards. The single received rotation on mainstream radio and MTV.

(Photo: WireImage.com)

Andraé Crouch
After founding the Disciples in 1965, André Crouch garnered mainstream success, appearing on 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' and at Carnegie Hall. The Disciples contemporary gospel sound, complete with soothing melodies of pop rather than traditional hymns, helped the group develop a racially diverse audience.

(Photo: Rick Diamond, WireImage.com)

 

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]]>AtlantaBETBobbyBrownDetroitGospelgospel+artist+lexigospelartistlexiJawnMurrayLexiLexiAllentalkshowsTashaSmithTheLexiShowTonexWordNetworkYolandaAdamsMorningShowJawn Murray2011-03-15T15:15:00 00:00Donnie Simpson: BET Host & Radio Veteran Returning With New Showhttp://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/14/donnie-simpson-returning-to-radio/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/14/donnie-simpson-returning-to-radio/http://www.bvbuzz.com/2011/03/14/donnie-simpson-returning-to-radio/#commentsFiled under: ,

Donnie Simpson: BET Host & Radio Veteran Returning With New Show
Is former BET personality Donnie Simpson returning to radio?

Sources tell BlackVoices.com exclusively that the one-time host of 'Video Soul' has struck a deal with Washington, DC, station WHUR to host a nighttime slow-jam show beginning in mid-April.

"He's been itching to be back on radio since his departure from his morning show on WPGC last year," said a source. "This is a win-win for him and the station."
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Simpson hosted the 'Donnie Simpson Morning Show' on WPGC in Washington, DC, for 18 years. His relationship with the station soured in January of 2010 and the 57-year-old host left the station.

(Read: 'Donnie Donnie SimpsonSimpson: Former BET Host Leaves Radio Gig')

The green-eyed talent's noncomplete clause with WPGC expired last month, which allows Simpson to resume working in the nation's capital again.

In addition to hosting the local 'Quiet Storm' format at WHUR, Simpson has also been meeting with radio syndicators about taking the show national and competing against Keith Sweat's 'The Sweat Hotel' (Premiere Radio Networks) and 'Art Laboe Connection' (Black Card Radio).

At press time, a comment from WHUR was unavailable.

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Black Music Notes Mar. 19

3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'

Getty Images

3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'

Jemal Countess, WireImage

3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.

Evening Standard / Getty Images

3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Santiago Llanquin / AP

3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.

Zomba

3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.

Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic

3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'

Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images

 

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]]>ArtLaboeConnectionBETdonnie+simpson+whurDonnieSimpsonDonnieSimpsonMorningShowDonnieSimpsonreturnstoradiodonniesimpsonwhurJawnMurrayKeithSweatQuietStormVideoSoulWashingtonDCWHURwhur+hires+donnie+simpsonwhurhiresdonniesimpsonWPGCJawn Murray2011-03-14T16:30:00 00:00