Whats Up With Rodney Perry

Every night on the MoNique Show, she introduces the world to Rodney Perry, her co-host, side-kick and her friend. But many of us wonder why is he there? What does he do? And yet many comedy fans already know who he is and has seen what he can do-leave the crowd in stitches.

IN THE BEGGINING
Although, on the show he hasn’t flexed his comedic dexterity, Perry has made a living telling jokes for over 15 years. Even as a kid he liked to make his friends and family laugh. Then Eddie Murphy put a face and label on his future career. After serving in the US Navy Rodney dabbled in comedy for a few years, but didn’t take it seriously until moving to Los Angeles in the mid 90s. He recalls his first time performing at Fat Tuesdays, which was the premier spot for Black Comics in LA as a night he will never forget. “They booed and heckled me soon as I hit the stage, comedian/host Guy Torrey saved him from the crowd but hit him with a few shots at him too. After an adamant person in the crowd asked for him to come back to the stage, Rodney regrouped and was able to salvage his dignity and regain the crowds respect. On stage his material is similar to his peers. But on stage he “wants to stand out” from his peers. Perry always wears suits on stage in a error when many urban comics sport jeans, and polo shirts. In 2002 He won the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition. Since then he has racked up numerous comedy show credits, including Def Comedy Jam, ComicView and Who’s Got Jokes.

MO’NIQUE
Rodney and Monique had always run in the same circles. Their first encounter was brief. He was offered a higher paying option to perform on the Big Black Comedy show, but opted to co-host instead. That was the first time he met MoNique. She was the host, but they didn’t actually work side by side. Then shortly afterwards he was performing and didn’t know that she was in the crowd, but she was moved by his work ethic, reached out to him and took his wife shopping. “That was the begining of our friendship. Now she’s like my sister”, he said. When MoNique wanted someone to ride shot gun when she hosted her syndicated show, Rodney was right there. “When they called me in, we just clicked and after a few days, they told me I was gonna be part of the team,” he said.

THE MONIQUE SHOW
Although the radio buzz soon died off, MoNique told him, there would be something better coming for him soon. Fast forward two years, and they are both on TV every night world-wide. For people who know Rodney seeing him on stage but not seeing him get to shine is perhaps more frustrating for them, than it is for him. “I used to get a little frustrated, but I’m learning so much, and people see my face and know my name now, he continues. “I’m learning from the Executive Producer on how to be a better business person. And I’m like Scotty Pippen was to Jordan, to assist.” Rodney says they shoot three days a week, doing two shows each day. He is quick to point out that Monique will greet or take a picture with everyone who stays after the show and won’t leave until everyone is gone. “I admire her for that”.

WHAT’S UP NEXT
Rodney says even with his modest success, he is still learning. He says George Lopez taught him to always write new material. Steve Harvey sets an example of diversifying your talents and business. Cedric the Entertainer taught him how to be friendly to everyone. “I learn a lot from everyone and all those pieces help make me who I am,” he boasts. Being on the show of course has it perks. When he does shows now, his stock has risen. He can demand more for a show than he did at this time last year. On weekends, he tag teams shows around the country opening for Monique. her fans are becoming his fans as well. Another perk of the show is traveling. He says when they travel now, it’s a smooth ride to the gate with no interruptions. Also, fans can look for him in an upcoming episode of "Meet The Browns." The frustrating part of being Rodney Perry is that all of his comedic friends want to be on the show. “I want to put them all on, but I can’t. It’s not enough slots for everyone. He says even if he can’t get them on the show, he does make sure that the right person sees their tapes.

By most accounts Rodney is humbled funny and genuine. Be sure to log on to www.rodneyperry.com or follow him on www.twitter.com/rodneyperry to keep up with shows in your area.

Walter Maxfield Jones - On The Move

Just like many rappers make underground mix tapes to generate buzz and develop a grassroots following Walter Maxfield Jones has done the same thing on the indie film circuit. His name is fully established in the Washington DC/Baltimore acting scene, and industry insiders in New York and Hollywood are starting to connect the dots.

As a child growing up in Sacramento, this California native started showcasing his singing and acting talents in school plays, talent competitions and musicals. Even at a young age he had a hustlers spirit. He would make tickets and sell them to his family and perform in the living room of his home. “Entertainment is my passion. “If I don’t do it, I’m neglecting a blessing,” he says. “My goal is to win an Oscar and a Grammy.”

As a teen, Jones was a solid performer on stage and in the classroom. He signed a record deal with MCA Records as part of a boy band Adagio, that later disbanded. Like most teens he was impressionable and hung with a rambunctious crowd and believes that it was a matter of time before he would get in serious trouble. He later enrolled at Morgan State University with a full Engineering scholarship.
Once he moved to the east coast he became engrained in the local arts culture. He is the host of Warm Wednesdays, a Baltimore based showcase of Spoken Word and NeoSoul. Currently with thirteen years running it is the nations’ longest running weekly spoken word venue. “I do it because the people enjoy it and so do I,” he said. We’ve had some great moments there. Musiq, Raheem Devaughn, IndiaArie and a lot of other people have blessed the stage.”


Recently Walt was nominated as Best Dramatic Actor by the Indie Soap Awards for his portrayal of Michael in the series Anacostia. Other productions he’s worked on have done well in the Hollywood Black Film Festival, London Independent Film Festival and Washington DC International Film Festival. Currently, fans can catch him in “Torn,” a film dealing with the seldom talked about topic of women who cheat. Walt’s next venture is the film adaption of “The Power The Passion and The Pulpit,” a film in which he also starred in the stage production. “I want to make a business out of what I Love. This is my calling I need the stage and the stage needs me,” he boasts.

In an era when New York or Los Angeles seems to pull budding artist to relocate, Jones says LA is “inevitable.” But he doesn’t want to go until he has generated enough buzz and has everything in place. I don’t want to be one of those guys who move to LA and become a waiter. I’ll go when the time is right.”
Unwilling to rest with his pursuit of the arts, his go-getter attitude which he adopted from his childhood summers in New York, he is a solid business man. He owns a information technology company called ITSA. ITSA specializes in recruiting and consulting.

Walt says that a big part of what keeps him moving is his fear of mediocrity. He’s never wanted to be the average Joe. ”I always try my best and always enjoy life. Life is too short not to enjoy it,” he says. For more info visit www.whatwaltcando.com or follow him on www.twitter.com/wmaxfieldjones

Reggie J: Hollywoods Inside Man of Fashion

During award shows and other Hollywood red carpet events, you expect to hear designer names like Gucci, Versace and Vera Wang. However there’s another designer, who prefers to call himself a clothier. “We build custom wardrobes”, said Reggie J, founder of Reggie J Custom Clothing of Beverly Hills.

In a matter if years, he has dressed some of the top names in entertainment, including Steve Harvey, Randy Jackson, Cedric the Entertainer, Terrell Owens, Barry Bonds and he recently designed a suit for President Obama. Although he admits that many of his clients are celebrities and athletes, he maintains, his ideal client is anyone who appreciates fine custom clothes.

Even as a kid growing up in Philadelphia, Reggie says that fashion and clothes were a part of his blood. In fact, his parents worked at a knitting factory. He says that both of his parents were always sharp dressers. Those same characteristic became the fabric of much of Reggie’s personality. “When my friends were asking for balls and toys for Christmas, I wanted a cashmere coat. He got that coat when he was only 11 years old, and from that day, he has always been a snazzy dresser himself. Some of his early jobs, were in the fashion industry, but while working at stores such as Merry Go Round and Bernini, he didn’t take it seriously as a career.

Then he met Dion Lattimore, another designer who complimented Reggie saying he always looked nice at random events where he’d seen him before, and with that, they began to work together. He credits Dion with teaching him about selling and what makes custom clothes special. Yet he knew there was still more to learn. Then he met Johnathan Behr, who he says taught him about manufacturing of clothes, cutting and fabric. “By working with them, I learned both side of the business. The best of both worlds” he boasts.

He decided to go into business for himself after having lunch with a girlfriend who suggested that going into business for himself wasn’t a good idea. Reggie has been in business for 12 years, and proclaims he has not missed a meal since. He insists his business grows each year even during a time of economic depression when some of his peers are struggling. Perhaps the prime reason why Reggie J is not a household name is because he does not sale his garments in stores, nor does he have any intentions to do so. He says he learned a long time ago, it’s more important to be successful, than famous. Jenkins says, one thing setting him apart from his peers is his relationship with his clients. All of his clients have his cell number. He says he teaches them how to maintain the clothes and even how to identify fine fabrics. “If someone calls me at 2am to sew a button, I am on my way to sew a button”, he said. Another difference between his work and his peers, is the fact that all of his pieces are made in the US. “We use, Loro Piana, Dormeuil, Scabal. All the best fabrics”, he states.

Although he doesn’t buy many things “off the rack”, there are a few designers that he does like. Tom Ford, who he says is a trendsetter and has a unique sense of style. Also Jean Luca Izaire, who he says is the only designer he would wear other than his own designs of course. In fact, most of his wardrobe are things he designed. “We will do anything you need, ties, hats, suspenders, shoes, even cufflinks. We will do your entire wardrobe”.
Reggie is already grooming his daughter to take over the family business and carry on the name so that he can retire and move to Brazil. For more info please call 877REGGIEJ or visit the website www.reggiejcustomclothing.com

Laff'n With Aida Rodriguez

Aida Rodriguez is a comedienne, a writer and an actress, but most of all, she is go-getter. Rodriguez had her first essay published in her hometown newspaper the Miami Herald when she was only 7 years old. She then her creativity and resilience has taken her to the big screen and the comedic stage.

As a teen Aida worked as a model, but later gave up that dream when she realized she was living a nightmare fueled by anorexia. “I was good at it, she says, but it wasn’t what was best for me. But looking back at it, I have no regrets.”

She currently lives in LA and balances her time between mommy duties and her regimented Hollywood hustle. She is on stage at least once per week and often on location shooting various film projects. Aida determined, and unwilling to rest on modest success, she says she has to create her own opportunities. “Im 5’10” and a woman of color. I am not in demand. Casting agents aren’t looking for girls like me” she states. So Aida has produced her own projects. “The Greatest Song,” which she wrote, produced and starred in is a romantic comedy. It’s the story of a Black man (Laman Rucker) and a Latina woman who fall in love after meeting at church. One huge milestone for her was Wal-Mart’s decision to sale the movie in stores around the country. Aida also produced other projects including “Diggas” and “Brainiacs in LA LA Land.” I can’t wait for the opportunities to come to me,” she said. “I have to create my own.”


As a comic, she is still considered a new comic and isn’t yet regarded as a queen of comedy but she has already garnered respect from her peers and fans as she works the crowd at the Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store and the Improv. In addition, she even appeared on BETs showcase One Mic Stand. Her comedic insight has even taken her abroad, touring the countries of Korea and Japan. “I don’t tell jokes. I tell my business,” she says of her comedy routine. “If I tell my truth, I can’t loose.”
Aida’s first time on stage would probably give most people extreme stage fright. She performed in front of 1500 people and did well. Although her second performance, didn’t go over as well, she held her head up and worked out the tweaks, learned the art of stand-up and continues to take people through her hilarious journeys. However, She says there are a few limits to what she will do onstage. She says she won’t embarrass herself, and she doesn’t talk about her dating life. She was recently dating a well known person, but refuses to talk about it publicly, acknowledging it’s his business also.

Her son likes him mom being a comedienne, while her daughter is used to her doing comedy but would prefer mom go back to modeling. Her family is finally all aboard. Initially they were hesitant because entertainment is a male dominant game, and unsure if she would be able to support her family. Aida says that comedy will always take priority over acting, because it is a creative outlet and it opens other doors for her. Moreover, she realizes success is more important that fame. “If I can’t show a feminine point of view and help someone at the same time, it’s pointless.”
For more info on Aida Rodriguez please catch her o Sunday and Wednesdays on www.chopituplive.com www.aidarodriguezlive.com www.twitter.com/aidaisfunny or find her on Facebook.

Leela James Bears Her Soul

Seems like the new millennium has brought in a wave of soul artist who haven’t gotten a Grammy, most haven’t hit platinum sales numbers yet. But they make great music, have a solid fan base waiting for them to hit the stage or drop a new CD. During an era when many artist are copy and paste clones Leela James, knew it was time for something fresh and released her debut CD in 2005 “A Change Is Gonna Come”. Songs like “Good Time” and “Music” combined with her energetic performances solidified her name at soul festival around the globe.

Leela is back with a new team, new label and new album. "My Soul" hit stores May 25 and she is “excited” about its release. Since the first album she released a project of cover songs, but only a few fans heard of it. However she has had an aggressive tour schedule taking her from US turf as far as South Africa and Switzerland. Although she enjoys the creative process in the studio, she admits she loves to be on stage. In between tour dates she worked on new material and made visits to the Soul Train Awards and NAACP Image awards not to perform but because she was nominated for awards.

Before gaining mainstream success Leela grew up in Los Angeles, performing in talent showcases and later working the local music scene. She grew in a house that fused an eclectic mix of Soul, Funk, Gospel and Hip Hop. “I’m a product of all those genres. I like all kinds of music and this album will show those parts of my personality,” she said. “I called this album “My Soul” because it’s the most accurate reflection of who I am than anything I’ve recorded.” The first single is

“Tell Me You Love Me,” in which she says, the title speaks for itself. She co-wrote that song, but says “I want It All” is a song she wrote on the spot. The version that is on the CD was recorded in one take and was all freestyle. “That’s what I was feeling at the time and it all came out” she admits.

Although on the surface all that we see is the glamour of the entertainment industry, Leela says one of the biggest lessons she’s learned is to put God first. Early in her career she has already had to assemble a whole new management team and even signed to a new Label. Although cautious not to give details about the dispute with her previous manager, she did say “You try to see the good in everyone, but you can’t trust everyone.” She was more candid about the dissolved relationship with Warner Brother Records claiming that they weren’t fully behind the first album. She feels that the CD should have had a stronger marketing and promotional campaign.
Now she is with Stax Records, a label that has been around for years, but not with the same big name artist as the more popular labels. Stax is credited with breaking Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. James says she’s happy to be on a legendary label who has a history of soulful music. On the new label she has more control and says the label is fully supporting her movement.

Part of the demise of Stax’s visibility was due to business practices. Even today many labels are folding because of the internet, but Leela has full confidence in her company. However she does recognize the benefits of the internet as well. She is on Twitter and Facebook, and confesses to its power in marketing her music for free but also says of the internet it’s nothing you can do (to stop people from stealing music).
Leela is co-hosting a BET TV show “My Black Is Beautiful” which airs in May. She says she likes doing TV, but loves the freedom she has when on stage doing music. For now you can find her videos on Youtube, follow her on Twitter.com/leelajames or hit her on facebook.

Your Favorite Celebs: Hangin In Hollywood

L Debois The Return of Soul

How did you get your start?

I’ve been doing music since I was little. I grew up with music in the house, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, that’s what I grew up listening to. I started off imitating other singers. I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to do music. I learned to play the guitar, piano, harmonica, I play a little drums too. I just love making music. I was doing music in Atlanta for a while. Then I moved to LA, and I was recording with a friend of mine and I got signed to Def Jam. The label was going through some stuff at the time. I asked to be released from my contract, they said ok. So I’ve been doing music independently. Now I have an album out on iTunes, it’s called “Acoustic Voyage”.

Who are some of your influences?
Donny, Stevie. Michael was a big influence when I was younger. He was an influence on everybody. I listened to Jimmy Hendrix and Curtis Mayfield. Most of my influence comes from older music. Even now I still listen to a lot of old music. I want to know where everything came from, to understand it. I listen to some new stuff just to stay up to date. I listen to India Arie, John Legend or some Anthony Hamilton.


What makes your music different?
I try to bring a moral consciousness to the music, that’s one of the main things. I tell the young people to respect the elders, tell women to protect their chastity, to be the best you can. We’re missing a since of morality. The music that does have that element isn’t being promoted. Most of the music we here on Black radio is sex, drugs and partying. It’s the sad truth. I’m not knocking what anyone else is doing but we need to encourage something different and give an alternative solution.

What do you want people to know about El Debois?
I’m here. I’m going to continue to bring good music that hopefully will inspire you to make change. It’s more to me than just the music, it’s the message. It’s not about the money; I’d do this for free. I want to change the hearts of people. I want to benefit society. I also want people to they can get the album “Acoustic Voyage” on iTunes. It’s a live album. People on Youtube liked what they saw and requested it. So now it’s here.

Brian White Gets Personal

Actor Brian White has been wooing women in movies and in magazines for a nearly ten years and shows no signs of slowing down. After a injury abruptly sidelined his NFL career, he has appeared in several TV shows and movie. PRIME caught up with him for a few minutes to talk about his family and his upcoming role in Tyler Perry’s new Movie I Can Do Bad All By My Self.

PRIME: Tell us about your child hood and how you were raised.
Brian: Simply stated, my mother (and my father when I was with him) made sure that my childhood was full of love and that I had positive role models and examples of doing things the right way. Between both parents, from athletics to academics, I was exposed to the best in life -- and even some of the worst so that I knew the difference. The distinction between the two was always explained to me and I was given reasons why I should aspire to the former. In retrospect, I think the cumulative result from this kind of childhood is a broadly empathetic worldview coupled with upwardly mobile aspirations.

PRIME: Were there a lot of kids in the house
Brian: I am the eldest and only boy of 6 children.

PRIME: Today a lot of couples never get married. Were your parents ever married?
Brian: Yes, my parents were college sweethearts, married for a few years and then divorced.

PRIME: Are you still close with both parents?
Brian: Yes. I am very close with both my parents simply because we all make it a priority to remain close, stay in contact and to be a real part of each other’s lives. I also enjoy the opportunity to work with them both as partners in my various philanthropic endeavors and events. My father often participates as a guest speaker and my mother works behind the scenes as an event coordinator and organizer.

PRIME: It seems that family is important you all. Do you have kids?
Brian: No children, yet.

PRIME: Often as kids we don’t understand/believe what our parents tell us. What are some things your parents told you then that you now believe are true or that you didn’t understand until later in life?
Brian: My mother taught me from a young age that my integrity is my only real currency in this world and that the more I invested in my education during my formative years, the more doors that would remain open to me over the course of my professional adult life. I trusted her wisdom back then and no truer words have ever been spoken!

PRIME: You mentioned that your parents both went to college. So did you all middle class? What type of work did your parents do?
Brian: I grew up as a “latch key kid” in a single parent, middle-income household raised by my mother in a suburb of Boston, MA. My mother, Estelle was a business executive. My father, Jo Jo was a professional basketball player. He played for the Boston Celtics.

PRIME: What were their expectations for you in school? I mean were they really strict about grades?
Brian: My mother consistently presented school, and education in general as the path that would insure I developed the tools and skills required to guarantee myself a bright future. B’s and above were “expected”. A’s were encouraged and usually rewarded.

PRIME: For a lot of families now and when we were growing up, college wasn’t an obvious option. So was college an expectation or more of a hope or wish?
Brian: Education and college are MANDATORY in my family. No exceptions. Period. My parents both went to college, my 4 middle sisters and I are all college graduates and my youngest sister just started college this year.

PRIME: How did growing up in a single parent home affect you as a teen?
Brian: I saw a variety. Probably 70% of my friend’s parents were “happily married” while I was growing up. The other 30% had single mothers, like me. Honestly, I never looked at it as a positive or a negative. It was never a disadvantage or an advantage. It was just the way things were. My mom and dad were divorced and my mother raised me. Frankly, mom did not tell us kids about any drama with our father because it had nothing to do with us. Instead, she made sure we made calls and sent holiday cards and birthday presents to him and allowed/encouraged and assisted us in seeing see him whenever possible, no matter her personal feelings about the matter. As a result, my father and I are close today and have a wonderful relationship. Additionally, I have benefited as a man and one-day father from seeing the positive examples of my fathers 2nd successful marriage, which is still going strong after 30 years.

PRIME: You went to college and now you’re in Hollywood. What do your parents think of your success?
Brian: As a child my parents taught me to try lots of different things in order that I discover what I truly love doing and then to spend the rest of my life developing the tools, skills and strategy to make my living doing some or all of those things. I’ve followed their advice and continue to do so and can only hope that they are pleased and proud of the results.

PRIME: What are some of the things you think you missed/regret from having one parent in the house?
Brian: I don’t believe in regrets. If I didn’t have the life experiences I’ve had, I don’t think I would be the man I am today. I think my sisters and I were blessed to have a mother who was able to set aside her personal feelings and emotions about her relationship with my father for the benefit of her children preserving our own relationship with him. I have always felt loved by both parents and had close relationships with both. And without having had to sometimes “work” hard at maintaining the relationship with my father due to distance, I’m not sure if I would appreciate the great relationship we have today as much as I do?

PRIME: Why do you think it’s important to have both parents?
Brian: I think having both parents is always the ideal goal because it fosters the development of children who grow up knowing “forever” is possible in relationships and have witnessed positive examples and have tangible role models of loving relationships between men and woman (or even same sex couples) and learn how to argue appropriately, settle conflicts and the true value of having real “family.”

PRIME: How do you feel about single parents adopting?
Brian: I feel that every child needs to be loved and deserves that gift. And for that reason alone I believe that it is better for a child to have 1 parent to love and care for them than none.

PRIME: What about gay parents?
Brian: Like I said before, I don’t believe that sexuality is relevant when the choice is between a child having the blessing of being loved versus growing up without that gift.

PRIME: How much of your acting can you pull from your own experiences?
Brian: The more I’m blessed to work, the more I try to seek out characters and roles that are disparate from myself. I think we, as human beings, are emotional mosaics of our accumulated life experiences. We may not always consciously draw from our past, but I believe that our past experiences are always influencing our current actions. For me that’s what’s most fascinating about stepping farther and farther away, artistically, from me as a person… to discover what (if any) aspects of these roles and personas I actually share similarities with? I derive the most personal satisfaction artistically from those moments when at work when I am not able to draw on life experience and must instead truly live in that moment and be along for the ride with the character under those totally foreign circumstances. Two examples would be my role as Patrick in “The Family Stone” and as Randy in the upcoming Tyler Perry’s, “I Can Do Bad All by Myself.”

PRIME: What’s next for you?
Brian: I am a regular on a new television series with, Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula called, “Men of a Certain Age” for TNT debuted in December. On the philanthropic side, I am co-hosting a regional essay contest, with Keisha Whitaker for enrolled students ages 12-22 in our home state (Massachusetts) called Words Matter: www.WordsMatterNOW.org I am also hosting my first major international event, Helping Hands Celebrity Weekend in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands in July 21-25, 2010 in support of my foundation, WARM2Kids (www.warmfoundation.org).

Event info/details/to make charitable donations please visit:

www.HelpingHandsCharityWeekend.org

2009 Year In Review

2009 Year Review

WTF Moments:

We can all agree that Kanye West stealing the mic from Taylor Swift at the MTV VMA’s tops the list for WTF moments of the year! Intoxicated or not running on stage and interrupting Taylor ’s acceptance speech was wrong but funny as hell! Hey, it may have helped Taylor ’s popularity and very well could have been a factor for her rise in record sales.

Oprah Winfrey Retirement Announcement

Kim Zolciak Single "Tardy for the Party"

Lamar Odom and Khloe' Kardashian Wedding

Serena Williams US Open Outburst

David Letterman Sex Scandal & Extortion

Heene Family Balloon Hoax

Tareq and Michaele Salahi White House State Dinner party crashers

Bitchassness:

Joe Jackson for capitalizing on the death of Michael Jackson, his golden-goose, Joe Jackson is KING of Bitchassness! Selling tickets to his son’s memorial is as about a greedy as it gets, where did the money go?

Kanye West Stealing Taylor Swift's Shine

Chris Brown Giving Rihanna The Beatdown

Eldrick “Tiger” Woods Practicing His Stroke On Women Other Than His Wife

Took Too Much Time:

Beyonce we love you, really we do but 2009 proved to be Beyonce overload! Jay put a “Ring On It” so go sit down!

OctoMom, Nadya Suleman and Her 14 Kids

Skinny Jeans for Men

Frankie & Neffie from Keyshia Cole's The Way It Is Reality Show

Tiny & Toya’s Reality Show!

Jon and Kate Gosselin!

Break Ups:

Chris Brown and Rihanna break-up was an ugly one, young love gone wrong.

Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri

Nelly and Ashanti

Usher Raymond Ended His Marriage to Tameka Foster

Kelis Divorce from Nas

Hook Ups:

Lamar Odom and Khloe’ Kardashian’s whirlwind courtship and marriage make our list, I guess when you know you know!

The Dream and Christina Milan

Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian

Stacy Ferguson AKA Fergie and Josh Duhamel Marry

Katy Perry and Russell Brand

Ex-Playmate Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Baskett of the Indianapolis Colts Wed


Blew-Up Overnight:

Lady GAGA came from no where and took the music industry by storm. The twenty-something year old amazed audiences with her outfits and vocals, GAGA is nominated for five-Grammy Awards.

Keri Hilson

Drake

Justin Beiber

Adam Lambert

Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe

Comeback Kid:

After an eight-year hiatus from music Maxwell came back with a vengeance releasing his fourth studio album "BLACKsummers' night". His debut single "Pretty Wings" flew up the charts, the crooner snagged six-Grammy nominations and a No. 6 spot for Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums of the year.

Whitney Houston

Jay-Z

Michael Vick

Jennifer Hudson

Headliners:

"Yes We Can" became "Yes We Did" officially on January 20, 2009! The people's choice President Barack Obama was sworn into office to serve as our nations 44th President and first African-American President.

Chris Brown's physical altercation with Rihanna

OctoMom, Nadya Suleman gave birth to eight babies for a total of 14 kids

MJ's untimely death at age 50

The US Airways plane crash in the Hudson River

President Barack Obama receives a Nobel Peace Prize

Tony Rock:Rockin the Mic

Tony Rock is best known for his role as “Dirk,” the prototypical bachelor on the UPN series “All Of Us.” He has successfully been able to avoid the looming shadow of his older brother, Chris Rock, and claim his own audience as a comedian and actor.

Tony has been in the comedy game for just over a decade, which is the average time, it takes many comedians to work the comedy club circuit before audiences remember their names, yet Tony has been a regular at A list comedy clubs for half that time. A humble Rock says, “I’m still a baby in comedy and learning every day.”

Having a very famous brother in the same line of work is a double edged sword for Tony. Some people assume he gets shows simply because they are brothers. But the other side to that is people hold him to a higher standard. Tony maintains that he has been grinding and is earning his stripes. In fact, he insists that each of the (eight)”Rock brothers are doing well, independent and don’t need to piggyback of each other. In addition to his run on UPN, Tony has amassed other TV credits including “The Funny Spot” “Def Comedy Jam” and “The Tony Rock Project.” He admits The Tony Rock Project, although self titled is the first project he did “for the check.” “That’s the first project I did that I wasn’t behind it 100 percent, and I won’t do that again,” he states. He admits he had very little input and the show was created by the producers and they later tagged his name at the end. However he is in talks with Comedy Central to do a new sketch comedy show. Also his Comedy Central Special debuts this Friday. For Tony, he would love to do more acting, but because he has less control over the work, comedy will always come first. In addition, he says he would love to do a dramatic movie with his brother.



Judging from the many loud outbursts of laughs and the long line of fans waiting to take pictures with Rock this past weekend, the crowd at the Washington DC Improv seemed to love his antics and stories. Tony says he has grown as a person and a comic. Now he can find the non-obvious humor in typical stories. He says the biggest lesson he has learned applies to anything that you want to do. The best people are the people who work the hardest. Tony is on the road approximately 35 weekends each year. Traveling so often gets frustrating at times, but being on stage and getting love from the fans make it worthwhile. On stage he has no filters and will say whatever comes to mind. Offstage, although he is often the life of the party, he is much more reserved. He says he doesn’t curse in front of elders, nor women when he first meets them.

As for his personal life, he says he doesn’t expect to be marrying anytime soon and is still regrouping from a terrible break-up, but says he would like to marry some day and have a “gangload of kids.” Tony says he tries to be a loyal and good friend and wants to be a role model for other kids in his hometown of New York.
Be sure to catch Tony Rock and Garrick Dixon when they come to a town near you. Comedy Central Presents Tony Rock airs February 19th at 11pm EST

Kjon: The Wait Is Over

“On The Ocean” is the lead single from Kjon, one of R&B newest artist, who says “I’m not afraid to sing about what I’m going through and other stuff that matters.” The Detroit native says he wrote the song as a inspirational message for him and for anyone going through a struggle or pursuing a goal. “It’s a song about perseverance and never giving up, because all your work will pay off,” he said.

Although Kjon had released independent music, and even performed in local talent shows it wasn’t until he was laid off from his health care management job that he fully concentrated on making music a priority. He only waited on the ocean for six months before his ship finally came and he landed a deal with Universal Music.
As expected, growing up in the backyard of Motown, he was influenced by many of the greats, but he says he didn’t realize how much the music impacted his life and how it influenced his interest in music until he was an adult. He credits Michael Jackson, the Isley Brothers, and Marvin Gaye as some of his old school influences. He says he likes some of the new artist, including Robin Thicke and NeYo.


The by-product of his musical influences manifests itself on his debut CD “I Get Around.” Kjon says this CD has something for everyone, kids and adults. In addition to motivational songs, he says he was sure to include sensual ballads as well as club bangers. Even with Hip Hop saturating radio, film and even commercials, the singer is a self professed R&B guy. Although, like many people, he is a hip hop fan, but feels there needs to be a better balance in radio playlists.

Even with the success of the CD, he insists that he is still the same person. He gives one example saying that he has always taken his two kids to school, but now people are starting to recognize him. Kjon says that he is a father first, but admits his children, who are 5 and 7 years old, understand that his job takes him away from home but they know it’s just work. “I love doing music, but I love being with my kids more. They make me smile,” he said.

Being an independent artist had its challenges and for Kjon the struggles and sacrifices paid off. He says the song “On the Ocean” was the result of him hitting a low point, but that song kept him motivated. In addition “I Get Around,” the title of his CD is homage to his amount of hustling and hard work trying to get his music played. Even without mainstream radio support he still managed to book shows and get fan support. Having released three independent albums and his first major album he says he had to learn the business on his own by trial and error. To other artist, he offers the following advice. Learn the business and learn to accept critiques.
Even though Kjon has lived enough life to offer advice, he admits that he is still learning every day. One thing he wants fans to know about him is that he has learned to tell people how he feels about them because tomorrow isn’t promised.
To learn more about Kjon, you can find him online
www.whoiskjon.com
www.twitter.com/whoiskjon

Donell Jones is Back

His voice knocked us off our feet with his soulful rendition of a Stevie Wonder classic in 1996. Then in 1999, he blazed the R&B charts with “U Know What’s Up”. And the following year, he made his mark with the hit “Where I Wanna Be”. Now, Donell Jones is back, this time with The Lost Files, his latest CD release.

The 90s represents an era in music that has long-passed, and that notion is not lost on Jones or his fans. “Lots of people [hit] me up on Twitter and MySpace about how much they miss the 90s R&B. A lot of people love that era. A lot of music now is about how much money I make and what car I’m driving,” Jones says. “But people like to hear songs about what they’re going through.”

The Chicago-born, Atlanta-based singer/songwriter is known for wrapping his smooth tenor voice around song lyrics to flirt, confess love and lament loss. Rather than slamming listeners with a message, Jones works it subtly, wooing them with his skillful vocals reminiscent of Stevie, Al and Donny. Acknowledging that his style doesn’t necessarily reflect the times, Jones appreciates it and other singers in the same vein nonetheless. “I’m happy that Maxwell, Joe, Chico [DeBarge] and guys like that are back and still making music,” he says. “R&B is missing stories about love and relationships.”



Jones hopes to turn the tide in R&B music with The Lost Files, a collection of songs he recorded “years ago that didn’t make the previous CD”, he says. The CD will be a “prequel” of sorts to his next release, due to drop in 2010. “You will be able to hear the growth in the music,” he said about the two releases. On his current release, Jones has a particular cut, a love song called, “Forever.” “It’s about people who are in love and who want to grow old together.”

A multi-talented artist, Jones plays piano and guitar, write and produces much of his own music. He wrote and produced the title cut off of his Where I Wanna Be release in 2000. The song reached #29 on the Hot 100 Billboard chart and #2 on the R&B chart. Now, he has started his own record label.

“When I was on Jive [Records], I was on there with a lot of other big names. R. Kelly, Usher,” Jones recalls. “I always had to wait. Even if my project was ready, the label always went on their own schedule. And then they didn’t really promote it. It was a lot of politics. My stuff is as good as theirs.”

Today, he calls his own shots.

One of the biggest lessons Jones said he learned about being in the business is to have his own team. “The business is crooked,” Jones warns. “If you are in the music business, get people that you already knew, that you know they will have your best interest. People that the label gives you won’t have the same commitment.”


Jones’ music interests were cultivated at a young age watching his father and uncle sing. “I’ve always wanted to do music,” he says.

Outside the studio and off the stage, Donell Jones is the proud father of four children, who he credits with making him into the man he is today. “They slowed me down and made me become a man sooner,” Jones said. Of the four, one of his daughters seems enthralled with the fact that her dad is a music celebrity. “She wants me to take them to school,” he laughs. “But the others don’t want me to.”

Jones promises his fans that the new CD will be a treat. “Go get it. You’re going to enjoy it,” he says. “It’s for people who miss 90s R&B.”

An artist who truly appreciates his fans, Donell Jones welcomes fans’ feedback on Twitter and MySpace. “It’s actually me responding.”




On the Internet:
twitter donnelljones96
myspce.com/donnelljones

FEATURES: Kevin Hart

Tucked away in a modest office in Los Angeles, a young man juggles a cell phone, getting dressed and talking to his assistant. To his right sits a flat screen mounted on the wall and behind him is a framed poster of “Soul Plane” the 2004 movie starring Kevin Hart himself.
With a relatively fast paced career, big things have happened in the last twelve years for the comedic actor who used to call himself Little Kev. With sixteen movies under his belt and thousands of hours of stage time, Kevin has no plans of slowing down. “There’s still so much I want to do, I don’t want to get complacent” he said.
Kevin’s journey began in Philly where he started doing open mic’s at various spots around the city. He took his friends suggestion to channel his sense of humor into a staged act. He says he won six amateur competitions. “I was making $75 a week. I figured it was enough to pay my rent”. And with little experience and lots of hope he quit his job as a shoe salesman and made comedy his new career. Kevin says when he first hit the stage, he didn’t have much to talk about, explaining much of his jokes were simple “white people do this and black people do it like this”. Now a lot of his routine comes directly from the real life challenges of being a husband and father of two.
In addition to a number of appearances on shows on, UPN and MTV, he has performed as a comic on many of the top networks too, including NBC, HBO, and BET. And last year, his one man show “Grown Little Man” debuted on Comedy Central last year.
As an actor his career is growing as well. Kevin first gained mainstream attention in the “Scary Movie” series. When “Soul Plane” was released, with him as the star it was successful in the Black community only, but it still was criticized for being stereotypical. To that he admits, he went into production knowing it wouldn’t be an Oscar contender. But admits he would not do Soul Plane 2, if there was an offer. “It is what it is, a funny movie about stereotypes,” he said. Kevin is now hoping to get more leading man roles and roles that aren’t comedies. He wants the industry to take him as a serious actor. In ”Not Easily Broken”, he stars opposite Morris Chestnut and Teraji P. Henson. “That’s a movie about the struggles of marriages. It’s not a comedy, but I’m the comic relief.


Def Comedy Jam brought Black comedy to the forefront, and for many comics, including Kevin, that show was pivotal in their career. Many comics work in black comedy rooms often, some cross over and become successful in mainstream clubs but only a few are able to grab consistent movie roles. Many of his comedian friends are equally funny and many have more years of comedy work under on their resume, but Kevin has managed to take the lead, passing most of his peers in terms of the number of movies. He says he does not know of any hating from other comics, and also says, he chooses not to be involved with negative people. “We all have our own different paths. Each person will shine when it’s their time” he says. Keeping with the spirit of brotherhood, he says he does help comics when he can. Kevin says he has two comics who are close friends that he takes on the road with him. “As a man you don’t want to feel like someone gave you something, but I do give them opportunities and let them take it from there. Na’im Lynn and Will Spanky Horton are both funny comics on their own” he said.
Steve Harvey and Katt Williams are two other comics who recently made headlines together with there on going “beef” and Kevin reserves comment. “I’m not a rapper, I don’t battle”, he said. “My job is to tell jokes”.
When Kevin is not entertaining fans, he entertains himself playing NBA Live and relaxing with his family.”Family is important”, he said. Kevin admits he was moved to tears recently when his family surprised him and came to a show in Philly over the Christmas holiday.
Hart says that music is a big part of his day as well. He says he is really loving Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy and Jay Z. But also admits that he has stuff in his Ipod that would probably surprise you. Bon Jovi, Danity Kane, Cold Play and Brittany Spears all found their way into his rotation. “Say what you want, Brittany’s shit is hot,” boats Kevin.
As for now you can catch Kevin in a series of EBay commercials, or pick up a copy of his DVD Grown Little Man. For a up to date list of his show visit out at www.khartonline.com

FEATURES: Black Thought/The Roots

Philly is home to lots of great music. Old school natives include Teddy Pendergrass and Patti Labelle, and contemporary artists include Musiq, Jill Scott and The Roots.
The Roots have become the premier Hip-Hop band, boasting, their Grammy Award winning hit single, “You Got Me,” as well as fan classics like, “Proceed,” “What They Do,” and “The Next Movement.” They have dropped nine studio albums to date, including “The Roots Come Alive,” and “When Things Fall Apart.” They’ve also provided the sounds for Jay Z's classic MTV UnPlugged performance, and served as the house-band for Dave Chappelle’s 2005 concert film, “Block Party.”
Most music fans instantly recognize the Drummer, ?uestLove because of his huge afro. However, the lead MC, Tariq Trotter alias Black Thought, isn’t known as much for his look as he is for his flow and rhyme skills.
Tariq Trotter (Black Thought) and ?uestLove (Ahmir Khalib Thompson) have come a long way from the days of battling Boyz to Men in the high school talent shows. They formed “The Square Roots” while attending Philadelphia’s High School for Creative and Performing Arts, later added more members, shortened their name to “The Roots”, and now successfully travel the globe performing.
The Roots are currently on a European tour. “I love being on stage,” says Tariq. “When we’re overseas, it seems like they have a better appreciation for the arts and for our music.” He says he is surprised when audiences overseas know all the words to their songs, and even know the covers they perform. “It’s impressive,” he said.


Black Thought is well respected by his peers in hip-hop as a dope MC, and he credits much of his influence to Big daddy Kane and Kool G Rap. “I know more words to Kane songs than Kane,” he brags. Surprisingly, he also says that Elvis, Chuck Berry and Little Richard were also influential, adding that he appreciates their showmanship. While he says he doesn’t spend much time worrying about what other rappers do, he does note that he feels Common, Mos Def and Pharoah Monch are “consistently on point.”
Being consistent with a true artist, Tariq’s musical preferences varies. “I don’t listen to a lot of Hip-Hop music. I make Hip-Hop, but I listen to Classic Rock, old R&B and Reggae.”
A lot of groups add and lose members over time. Since The Roots’ 1993 debut, they have only lost one member, Malik B (after an alleged battle with drugs). Tariq contends the Roots will never have a revolving door of members. One thing that makes the group unique is the musical director, ?uestLove, who is also the star and public face of the group. Tariq says he doesn’t mind taking the back seat to ?uestlove, noting he prefers his privacy and considers himself an introvert. “Being in the public eye is the part of my job I like the least,” he said. “My job is to write my shit.”
Possible reasons for his introversion may be related to the deaths of both his parents (his father at age one, and his mother at age 16). He studied Visual Arts at Philadelphia’s High School for Creative and Performing Arts, and until his mother’s death he’d primarily expressed himself through drawing and painting. That focus changed shortly after, as he focused primarily on writing. That said, Tariq added that his rhymes oftentimes are not personal reflections. “I keep my shit to myself,” he says, “When you let people into your personal life, they start to place judgment.”
He did share one personal thought on Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential Election victory, “If he can become President, I guess you can really be whatever you want to be.”
“Rising Up” is the newest single from the Roots’ “Rising Down” CD. The song features Chrisette Michele and Wale. Black Thought says he most loves this song because he is able to really flow, and he also lives the music which has a go-go vibe.
You can reach Black Thought on MySpace at www.myspace.com/blackthought. “Rising Down” is available at all major music retail outlets.

JOKERS:Rod-Man

Rodman is your typical country boy, talking to the crowd of thousands as if he’s telling his story only to you. Initially you will catch yourself laughing, but not sure if that was a punch line or his natural demeanor. That’s just his style, laid back and seemingly so conversational, you find yourself caught up in his world without realizing the show has started. He has appeared on HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, Starz and BET and he says he is just getting started.
Rodman got his start in 1995 at the Uptown Comedy Club in his hometown of Atlanta. Although he was a huge fan of Def Comedy Jam, even watching comics repeatedly couldn’t prepare him for the first time on stage. “I did ok my first time. I just remember doing a fishing joke and a joke about church collection plates not giving me my change back” he recalls. With years of performing under his belt, he says now his material is reflective of his personal experiences and observations. Rod has performed all over the country and get compliments and well wishes from fans, but he says the biggest compliment came from Eddie Murphy, who simply said “You got it”. Some comics purposely make a name for themselves talking about touchy subjects. Rodman goes in another direction; he doesn’t talk about religion or racism. “An appropriate nigga is ok, because niggas are still around”, he said with a half laugh. “Sometimes it’s ok to say it, but I won’t use it randomly.”


In Hollywood you’re lucky if you get 15 minutes of fame and you try to stretch that as long as you can. Many comics have 20 year careers and are very funny but most never gain Richard Pryor or Bill Cosby type of success. Rodman jokes “I am a house hold name, it just depends whose house.” He maintains clarity saying his goal is simply to be funny. He admits when he started comedy, his goal wasn’t to be a movie star, but simply the best stand-up comic possible. Although he lives in North Hollywood in many ways he is still far removed from Hollywood politics. With as many TV credits as his peers, Rodman stays out of the spotlight. He rarely goes out to LA parties and doesn’t frequent the LA comedy scene unless he is performing. He describes Hollywood as a catch-22, saying he likes the benefits of Hollywood, but doesn’t like that many people are in-genuine or superficial. “I have to do Hollywood stuff sometimes, but I try to go to places with as little of the bullshit as possible”, he admits. “If you’re involved in that everyday a little bit of that has to fall back on you”.

JOKERS:Lamont King

For Some, “Lazee”Lamont King is more known for his hilarious characters on the nationally syndicated Russ Parr Morning show, than he is for his on stage comedy. For the last few years, he has been getting busy on the stages around Hollywood, making a name for himself, and getting respect of fans and fellow comics. But with Lamont, it’s not just jokes. Instead of waiting for his big break, he is taking control and creating his own path, by producing shows in his hometown of Washington DC and Los Angeles.
King says he first got bit by the comedy bug when he was asked to host an event at University of Maryland Baltimore County. “I did three jokes and it worked. Then I did the same three jokes at other schools and they worked and that’s when I realized I can do comedy”, he said. But after taking beatings at Takoma Station and other local comedy nights, he decided to stick to radio.
From 1998-2004 Lamont sat in as the comedic sidekick on the Russ Parr show. He was responsible for creating some of the most memorable characters, including Cliché King, N.Y.C. from NYC, and Crayon Smiff, the crank caller. Being on the show afforded him the chance to show people his comedic talent on air and while hosting station events. As always, everything comes to an end, and Lamont packed up and headed to California to pursue comedy full time.


Lamont says he has grown as a person, and a comic and that maturity is reflected in his material. Much of his topics now revolve around relationships, current events, and he still does characters on occasion. Like many comics, he feels, that being yourself on stage and having a point of view is what’s going to separate him from his peers. But even being himself means there are certain limits to what he will say. Although he says there’s no topic that’s off limits, he is cautious about how he approaches it. “My mom won’t come see me perform, but neither of my parents like that I curse”, he said”. He says he will tackle any topic, yet find creative ways to get the same laugh and not always having to be vulgar.

Along with listening to Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby records, the late 80s variety show “In living Color” was very instrumental in Lazee chasing the comedy spotlight, “I enjoyed the characters they all created”. With being new to the game, his peers always offer advice. MeShell Foreman-Shields said “be yourself” while Guy Torry took a different approach suggesting books for Lamont to read. One day while cracking “Your Momma” jokes with George Wallace, Wallace was impressed and paid him on the spot for the two jokes that Lamont hit him with. He went on to later writer other jokes for Wallace.
Another motto that he keeps in the back of his mind is “dirty gets the laughs, clean gets you paid”. Remembering that sentiment causes a struggle for many comics. Some comics go for the easy laugh and many of those same comics, will never be successful in a mainstream audience. Lamont doesn’t want to be known as a “Black Comic”. He says the “Black Comic” label can sometimes work against you and he gets typecast by promoters expecting only certain types of jokes.
In fact he doesn’t want to be type casted at all. In addition to comedy, he’s had some acting success, landing roles on “All of Us”, “Gary Unmarried”, “Love for sale” and a popular Burger King commercial. Lamont used to be an on-air jock at The BEAT in LA. He sometimes sits in on Foxhole radio and says he does plan to get back into radio. But, for now he’s concentrating in branding himself by taking advantage on peoples internet access. He constantly posts short scripted videos and comedy performances online. For more info on Lamont you can reach him at:
www.lamontking.tv www.instantclassic.info www.facebook.com/lamontkingtv www.twitter.com/lamontkingtv

JOKERS:Cocoa Brown

This comedy queen, has appeared in several comedy showcases including BET, Starz and Comedy Central. She’s appeared on such shows as The Young and the Restless as well as ER. She’s even appeared in major films including, Lakeview Terrace and American Carol. Over the past decade Cocoa has established herself in the world of comedy.
This comedy queen Cocoa Brown, has appeared in several comedy showcases including BET, Starz and Comedy Central. She’s appeared on such shows as The Young and the Restless as well as ER. She’s even appeared in major films including, Lakeview Terrace and American Over the past decade Cocoa has established herself in the world of comedy.

Cocoa Brown got her start in comedy 12 years ago at “The Comedy Spot “in Washington, DC after a friend introduced her to a promoter who liked her personality. He was looking for a female host for an upcoming show and that began her comedy career. Born Farah Brown in Newport News, Virginia, the name Cocoa was given to her by a fellow comedian who admired her “cocoa brown” skin-tone.
Although she has a BS in Mass Communication from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master’s in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix, Cocoa left her job in the advertising field to pursue stand up full-time being named the “Washington DC Comedian of the Year” in 1997, just seven months after her first appearance on stage.



She knew comedy was her calling after her first time she performed in famous L.A. comedy clubs such as The Improv, The Comedy Store, and the Laugh Factory, and people kept asking her to come back. Since then, her career has taken her to some exotic places, including the Bahamas and Cuba where she says, “we kinda snuck in.”

Cocoa has had some crazy experiences on stage. Like the time she was booed during a performance at Prairie View University in Texas, “I did a joke about Erykah Badu getting high. I didn’t know it was her alma mater. The minute I said it, I got booed.” She didn’t understand why because the joke normally worked. “It was embarrassing.” Then there was an incident at Arena Players in Baltimore, “While I was on stage one dude showed me his gun, and said “You betta be funny”. Another wild experience was when a guy in the audience exposed himself while she was on stage. “Dude showed me his dick,” she says, “ I looked at him and said, ‘You good?’”

Raised by a school teacher mother and a key ship builder father, her family influences the material for some of her performances. Before seeing her perform, her Mom said, “Who told you you was funny?” then after seeing her perform, said, “Wow, she is funny.” Her mother advised her to do what she had to do, but cautioned, “Don’t degrade yourself” and “don’t embarrass me.” Out of respect for her family, she does different, toned-down material when she knows they, or people they know are in the audience. “I don’t say nigga.” she says. “My parents haven’t heard raw stuff. Even if I get my own TV special, but I won’t let everyone see me get real raw.”

Still a daddy’s girl, Cocoa says of her father, “He is the epitome of a man; hard working, dedicated, loves his family. The kinda man that comes home at night. He’s still that man. Don’t say much, but he mean what he say.” Cocoa describes her brother Tony as her, “biggest fan”. As for what other people think, Cocoa says, “I don’t give a damn; it’s about being funny and telling my story. But my parents have to deal with that after I’m gone”

Emotionally, Cocoa says she’s “a softy”. She said she gets her emotional side from her mother and her quiet side from her father. Speaking of experiencing heartbreak; she says she once fell in love with a guy in 13 days. He broke her heart, but she will not cry in front of other people. “I go home, crying, listening to Phyllis Hyman” she said. “It takes a lot to cry in front of people. “
Cocoa explains the difference between Cocoa and Farah by saying that “Cocoa brown is everything that Farah would be if I wasn’t so sheltered. “ She describes herself as a closet class clown. “I love and appreciate how I was raised. I’m an observer, but I’m the life of the party too.”

Cocoa is currently on tour with the Browns of Comedy and is also doing solo performances. For more information you can catch her on www.cocoabrown4life.com, on Facebook and Taboo Raw & Uncut radio.

FEATURES: Lina-The Song Bird

Anyone who showed up in time for the opening credits of last year’s holiday hit movie “This Christmas” heard a catchy new rendition of “Santa Baby” booming through the theater speakers. That was Lina, a neo-soul vocalist who has the chops to take center stage, yet opts to take a grassroots approach to winning fans, having dropped three albums to date.
Lina’s latest album, Morning Star, is an attempt to merge fans from her two earlier releases. She says, “I had fans from Stranger on Earth who didn’t know it was the same person who sang “Smooth” on the “Inner Beauty Movement.” Lina believes Morning Star is a mix of both prior CDs.


Growing up she says she listened to lots of Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Sara Vaughn. “Stranger on Earth” reflected those early influences, while “Inner Beauty Movement” her sophomore release, reflected soul influences she’d also grown up listening to, including artists like Stevie Wonder, and Earth Wind & Fire. “This is an album for people to put the pieces together,” she says.
Like many artists Lina left her home town in pursuit of bigger and better things in Hollywood. She believes a lot of people in LA lack integrity, yet she appreciates the hustle of the artists in the area, contending that LA is, in fact, where dreams are made. She recalled Whitney Houston asking her if she believed she was ready for Hollywood, telling her she would need a thick skin because of how people always seem to want to see you rise and fall. After years in LA, she recently moved back in Texas, enduring a bit of culture shock because she said everyone was so nice, so down-to-earth.
While living in Texas, the songstress is following another passion of hers, fashion, and she opened a boutique called “California Dreamin”. “I called it that because a lot of my friends in Texas ask about clothes that I buy when I’m in LA”. Lina tries to commit equal time to both business ventures. She says when she’s not in the studio she spend lots of time in the store. The store is located just outside of Dallas in the Keith Salon.
Because Texas isn’t known for much music other than Country, living there presents some challenges with running her record label, causing her to make frequent trips to LA, but she is up to the task. Though she originally signed with Atlantic Records, and later with Hidden Beach, Lina released her newest CD on her own label, Moodstar Recordings. She says running a label has proven to be more challenging than being an artist, but adds that for both jobs, the music comes first. In fact, she says the artist part of her personality did lots of free shows until her business managers advised her to stop. “A lot of people are in it for the money,” she says, “but for me, it’s all about the music. If it’s not coming from a real place, the fans can tell. I have a passion for it.” As a business owner, she says she respects the artists on her label and sees them as part of the team. “We are in business together,” she said.
Mood Star Recordings has two artists who currently have completed projects. John Travis is blue-eyed soul, who sings, produces and plays various instruments. The labels newest artist is Victor Flowers. In addition to playing in Lina’s band, Flowers has produced for Jay Z, Alicia Keys and Jadakiss. Even with his talent as a producer and musician, Lina boasts about his songwriting ability. She confessed to crying when she listened to the words of his songs. “I felt stupid when I heard it. He has such beautiful messages”.
Morning Star, Lina’s last CD is what she describes as “soul music”. It features two lead singles which are both mid tempo grooves. The first song on the CD is “Wake Up,” on which she sings about figuring out what’s going on in your life or relationship. “I’ll Stick Around”, is yet another song from the CD, about which she says, “This is an ode to working with our men, and not leaving him when he’s having hard times.” The current single “My Man” will be on the new album but it is already getting regular rotation on adult stations. This is a song where she often grabs people from the audience to have fun and sing the hook with her. She says her previous songs have been about other peoples’ situations, but on Morning Star and her new music she sings about her own experiences.
So what’s next for Lina? She is gearing up for shows in the south, and about to release two new CDs, a live CD and a Jazz CD. Check out Lina’s latest release, Morning Star, and for more on Lina and other artists on Moodstar Recordings, visit www.moodstarrecordings.com

FEATURES:Chrisette Michelle in her own words

Chrisette Michelle Payne has broken into the mainstream music world jazz world as a talented female vocalist with a honey-coated voice. Her beautiful sound is similar to jazz legends such as Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald and yet she also appeals to a young R&B audience.

Chrisette comes from a humble and religious household in Patchogue, New York. Her mom, the church choir director and her father, the church deacon, have always supported her. This spiritual environment led Chrisette to sing in a gospel choir in high school. She later graduated from Dix Hills College with a degree in Vocal Performance.

In addition to singing hooks for Hip Hop heavyweights such as Jay Z, The Roots and the Game, and touring to promote her first CD, the songstress still found time to create her own sophomore CD “Epiphany”. The inspiration for her new album came from a revelation following a recent break up. “I realized it’s ok to break up. People are in love and sometimes it doesn’t work out and that’s ok”.


Although her debut CD failed to break record sale earmarks, it did produce a solid hit, “If I Had My Way”. In addition, the new CD debuted at number one on Billboard Album charts. “I’m Leaving” the new single, is currently at the top of play lists across the country and has her name on the tips of our tongues. Although radio already knew her name, it seems that media is now following suit.

On the new album, Chrisette sought out the help of proven hit maker Ne-Yo. The singer describes the experience as, “incredible.” “I was nervous...I’m a huge fan of his. It’s all about the music and the art.” Although she says she was honored to have worked with him, and that they had a great connection, she is unsure of future callabos “I lose interest really quick. I’m already on to the next thing” she says.

The vocalist says that she has had a lot of personal growth since her last CD. Chrisette Michelle has adopted a new edgy look—losing 15 pounds and shedding the long hair, now rocking a short new hairdo. She muses, “I want people to see the real me.” Her father, her church’s deacon, is ok with seeing his “little girl” all grown up and sexy she says. But with that new look comes criticism. “I’m not scared”, she said. “I’m more open now. Everyone has opinions and not all of them are bad. It’s a lot of love too”.

Another example of her growth came through relationships. She says with that break up, she learned it’s hard being in the industry and maintaining a relationship. Luckily, she has moved past the experience and is dating again. She meets a lot of guys while on tour, but says it’s difficult trying to figure out which ones are sincere. Chrisette describes the guy who catches her eye as confident with a nice smile. The guy who keeps her attention must be emotionally and financially stable, have something he is passionate about, and be at peace with himself. She went on to confess her current celebrity crush is DC-based rapper Wale, whom she met while recording with The Roots.

Chrisette has been busy promoting the new album. She says she never tires of touring. That’s good news considering she has a bright and long career in front of her. She has also had some new experiences while on tour. One of her career highlights includes a show with Patti Labelle. She wanted to dress similarly to honor the R & B legend. Patti took a look at the young singer and told the crowd, “She is a diva” and handed her a pair of six-inch stilettos. Chrisette likens it to the passing of a baton. “I got to walk in her shoes for a moment. I love her.”

Chrisette says she loves all types of music. There are tracks on her iPod from Soulja Boy, Phyllis Hyman, Anita Baker, Ciara, Madonna and Maroon 5. She discovered a number of these artists when she worked at Abercrombie & Fitch. “Because someone is making music that you don’t like, doesn’t mean I can’t like it “she says.

For more info on Chrisette you may find her on www.iamchrisettemichele.com. You can follow her on twitter.com/epiphanygirl as well as chat with her on Myspace and Facebook. She says that she is the actual person posting, approving friend request, and replying to messages.

FEATURES: Ledisi Up Close and Personal

PRIME: You have really blown up since we last talked. Your songs are all over the radio and you got videos now. How has the adjustment been from grinding independently to now getting all this attention?
LEDISI: I’m still surprised when people come to a show. I’m still shocked sometimes. I don’t listen to the radio a lot, but I hear people say great things. It’s cool. But also it’s a lot of pressure now. You work hard for people to look at you and appreciate your work. But when they do, its pressure to do it again, and pressure for them to look and appreciate what I do next. I worry if they will always be there later. But it’s part of the business I chose.
PRIME: People want to hear you sing your songs, but do you ever get tired of doing your same songs, or do you get tired of hearing your songs?
LEDISI: No, I remember when I only had one CD, and those songs saved me, and kept me out there. Performing those songs got me ready for where I am now. People want to hear those same songs, they like them. As for performing, I love the people’s response to it. The response I get in DC is different from the response I get in LA or NY or even when I go overseas. So I really enjoy performing them. Not only that, those songs are my personal stories. Sometimes, there’s someone who needs to hear that, it may save a life. I don’t take this lightly. It’s a lot of pressure, but that’s how I see my job. I take this seriously. People come up to me after a show and tell me how a certain songs helped them through a situation or how a song inspired them. So I enjoy doing these songs, but I do each show a little differently.
PRIME: Do you see music and performing as your life or as a job?
LEDISI: Music is not my whole life. It’s part of me, but it’s not everything. It’s a big part of my life and I can’t imagine my life without music, but there’s more to me than music. I like kicking it with my friends, studying nurse stuff. I like to chill out. I’m reading a lot more now too. That’s how I balance it all.
PRIME: If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?
LEDISI: Teaching, probably teaching music. I’ve always wanted to sing. I used to watch my mom sing and I knew that’s what I wanted to do.



PRIME: So after years of grinding you were finally nominated for a Grammy and BET awards, tell me about that experience.
LEDISI: I went to the awards. It was fun seeing all the people. I still get star struck sometimes. I don’t like doing red carpets, they are hard for me. But I know people need to see me, and know me. It’s a business. It’s the time of the internet, it’s a visual world.
PRIME: I know that Quincy Jones announced to a industry crowd that you were his goddaughter. What’s been the single biggest compliment that you have gotten, and from whom?
LEDISI: That was big. It was huge, that’s Quincy Jones, and to call me as his goddaughter! I mean that was huge and it really felt good. But also to be friends with people I admire, like Chaka and for her to say she likes what I’m doing. I’m just happy that I was able to make a CD, but to know these people and watch them and learn from them and even share a stage with them is incredible. To me, I love it, this is just extra.
PRIME: I know you’re from New Orleans and now you live in California, does it feel like home?
LEDISI: Well right now home is everywhere, NY, LA, DC, Philly. I’ve been on the go for the last three months. I made some great friends along the way too. It’s hard to find loyalty. When people meet me they are surprised to see I’m so regular…
PRIME: A lot of celebs are really Hollywood and stand offish. Sometimes it’s not even them but the people that are with them that have the attitudes and are difficult…
LEDISI: You have to be careful who you call friends. It’s like legs on a spider, it’s all connected. You have to know who is on your team and who you have representing you. I don’t want no drama.
PRIME: Since you have a certain amount of success, do you feel obligated to help everyone else?
LEDISI: It’s too much work carrying everyone. I do what I can. I help when I can. Some people say I do too much for people. But In terms of artist, oh sure I help whenever I can.
PRIME: If you were going to do a duet with anyone who would you have on the top of your list?
LEDISI: I get this question a lot. It’s such a hard thing to decide, but I think I’d choose Prince, Frankie Beverly, Marvin Gaye, Aretha, Chaka, it’s so many.
PRIME: We know you as a soul singer, but tell me, do you like Hip Hop or any other genres?
LEDISI: Oh yea, I love A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, I love Dr Dre’s production. I like what Q- Tip is doing, and of course The Roots too. People are surprised, but yea, I love Hip Hop. I used to walk around with my little G.E. radio. I used to break dance, pop lock, and all that. Actually the new album will show some of that side of my personality. “Lost and Found” was just an introduction to let you know I’m here. It took a long time to get here, but there’s more to me than just R&B. I listen to a lot of stuff, Afrikan, Indonesian music too. I’m not just R&B, I have multiple layers like a onion. I also like Buddy Guy, Queen Africa, Betty Levette, Miles Davis too.
PRIME: Are most of your songs about you or stories of other people?
LEDISI: Well about 95% are about me. People think they are about me anyway. Now on ”Best Friend” I flipped it and that’s a mix of stories. But most of the songs are about me. I’m happy about how people feel about CD. It took a long time to do it, about three years. That’s what I was living at that time.

PRIME: Now let’s get little more personal for a second. We see your nice wholesome image, but tell me do you cuss…?
LEDISI: Doesn’t everyone.
PRIME: OK, but do you drink or smoke? You seem so innocent..
LEDISI: I don’t do any of that. I’m not a drinker. There is one drink I do, it’s a wine, called Beautiful. You can only get it in the spring, that’s all I will I drink. I get tipsy off of Nyquil.
PRIME: I saw Jaguar Wright perform with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other hand..
LEDISI: Yea and I’m sure she killed it, she can really sing. But no, I don’t do any of that.
PRIME: Who do you like that’s hot now?
LEDISI: I like Musiq, he’s consistent. Beyonce, too. People are surprised that I like her, but I like people with melody and story. Both of them tell stories.
PRIME: How do you feel about the state of the music business right now?
LEDISI: We’re all on high alert because of the economy, I’m focused and I try to make quality music. I love my label and I have no issue with Verve. I’m happy. They’re a few things that have been cut back. But I’m used to that, I was grinding for years. And this is the age of technology and media, and the internet, all those are very important. People text and email and Twitter and do Facebook. I do it because I have to, but I don’t like all of it. I miss personal contact and talking to people. I do shows and people say they saw me on Youtube, or someone adds it to Youtube. Sometimes I meet people at shows, then they add me on Facebook. It’s just how things are now. I see how it affects people.
PRIME: When is the last time you cried?
LEDISI: I cry all the time. It can be about anything. I heard a song the other day it made me cry because it reminded of a friend I lost. He would have loved that song.

PRIME: Tell us about the new album.
LEDISI: It’s almost done but there’s no name for it yet. We’re still trying to decide which songs are going to make it. It should be out by the summer. This is hard because I want people to get it. This one is very different from the other stuff. It’s a lot of energy. It’s some uptempos on there and just some stuff that you may not expect. Even the lyrics are different. I deal with topics that people don’t want to talk about. This time it’s more stories I’ve heard than about me.

FEATURES: Anthony Hamilton

His singles “Coming From Where I’m From” and “Charlene” solidified his voice. His 2003 debut CD “Coming From Where I’m From” solidified his sound. Now, with his third studio album, “The Point of it All”, Anthony Hamilton has returned with more of the tales of love and life his fans have come to appreciate.
“The Point of it All” is a collection of 15 songs, primarily ballads with a few mid-tempos mixed in. Confident in the direction and feel of this latest project, Anthony says, “I love this album. It has something for everyone. It has stuff you can dance to it or you can just let it play.”


Anthony Hamilton grew up in North Carolina, where he was influenced by the mix of Gospel and classic R&B that was a mainstay in his home. He says he knew very early on in his childhood that he was destined to be a singer, noting the profound effect music has always had on him. Anthony recalls listening to Michael Jackson’s “Ben” in those days, remembering how much the song and the story affected him even though he didn’t know back then the son was about a rat. Yet, he says it was a deep connection to that song that had him first consider becoming a singer.
Anthony believes he has grown tremendously in different ways since his first CD dropped. The thirty-eight year old is now married and acknowledges he is now in a much happier place. When his first CD was released, he admits to having been emotionally torn and facing a number of problems. Those problems were evident in the lyrics he penned and sang; some would even say they were apparent in his appearance. Fast forward nearly six years, and Anthony has gone from that disheveled “country boy next door,” to a clean-cut sex symbol. What some people may find odd is that he is a licensed barber, and says he is normally clean cut and has always been into fashion. He says he even went through a phase of what he described as “like Outkast”. These days, he prefers custom tailored suits.
The growth in Anthony’s music is immediately apparent on hearing. Not wanting to be pigeon-holed as “the sad cat”, his new album is infused with upbeat love stories. He attributes this change to his life with his wife, Tarsha. She’d sing backup for Hamilton for years, but evidently was at the forefront of his mind. He says he realized Tarsha was “the one” when he realized that she was a person he was afraid to lose. “People have come and gone. I’ve never been afraid to lose anyone, but I couldn’t be without her,” he says. The couple still resides in North Carolina, shunning the glitz and glamour of Hollywood or New York. Although Hamilton lived in New York back when he was still grinding for his big break, he sees New York as little more than a cool place to visit. “I like saving money and affordable houses with grass and trees,” Anthony says, “You won’t find that in New York.”

Fans who have attended Anthony’s concerts know it’s possible they may see him shed tears during the show. “I’m a regular person, and I have emotions just like the next man,” he admits. Anthony says he last cried at the time of Barack Obama’s Inauguration, calling it “overwhelming.” He was unable to attend the festivities, but was brought to tears as he watched television coverage and reflected on the challenges and struggles of Black Americans throughout history. In fact, the 2008 election was Hamilton’s first time voting. But Anthony adds, “I knew I had to vote this time. It was important for me and for the country.”

The Grammy nominated artist says he likes a variety of musical genres, with a musical playlist that includes plenty of R&B and Hip-Hop, but also has Josh Groban and Josh Turner. When Anthony is not making music or performing, he shares the bulk of his time with his family – not surprising from this self-professed country boy. It’s also no surprise to Anthony’s loyal fans that he continues to grow as a writer, vocalist and performer with each project.

“The Point of it All” is available in stores now. Fans can reach out to Anthony Hamilton, and learn more about his music and upcoming shows by visiting www.anthonyhamilton.com or www.myspace.com/anthonyhamilton.