"Dr. Dre: In The Studio" Hits Bookstores June 2007
In June, 2007, Phoenix-based Colossus Books, a subsidiary of Amber Books, the largest publisher of African American-related celebrity biographies in the U.S., will publish 'Dr. Dre: In the Studio' by Jake Brown, which focuses exclusively on the hip hop production godfather's studio craft, exploring the writing and production of all of Dr. Dre's catalog of smash hit albums and singles.
The book will debut at the annual Book Expo, being held this year in New York City at the Jacob Javitz Center. Amber Books' other published titles by Brown include books on Kanye West, Biggie Smalls, 50 Cent, Tupac Shakur, R. Kelly, Jay Z, and Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight. Additionally, that same month, Rock N' Roll Books will publish 'Red Hot Chili Peppers: In the Studio', also by Brown, which studies the 25 year recording career of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Louis Vuitton Mom Releases Memoir, "Raising Kanye"
Dr. Donda West, mother and manager of hip-hop superstar Kanye West is set to release a book this spring entitled Raising KanyeA source close to Kanye has revealed that Dr. West is finishing up a book to be released in the coming months. According to AOL Black Voices, the book will be co-written by best selling author Karen Hunter and is scheduled to hit shelves on May 15 on Simon and Shuster's Pocket Books imprint.
The book will tell Dr. West's story as a single mother and detail her struggles raising her would-be famous child in the African American community. A spokesperson for Simon and Shuster reportedly revealed that the book will also feature never before seen photos and anecdotes of both Kanye and Dr. West.
The former chairman of the English department at Chicago State University, Dr. West, who also worked as a teacher and attended night school to earn her doctorate, later resigned from her position to take on the responsibilities as Kanye's manager. The book will reportedly also outline her experiences as the Louis Vuitton Don's manager during his rise to fame.
Beyonce Covers Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
TONI BRAXTON, BARRY HANKERSON SETTLE
Barry Hankerson and his Blackground Records LLC has announced that a settlement has been reached with Toni Braxton in her lawsuit against themAccording to the statement released by a rep for Blackground, the settlement "requires Braxton to return to Blackground Records a $375,000 advance she received on December 27, 2006, and further provides for compensating Blackground Records by paying to it a percentage of the net sales of Braxton's next album."
Blackground's statement also details its side of the dispute that triggered Braxton's lawsuit.
"Blackground Records released Toni Braxton from her recording contract on January 10 of this year," the release states. "Braxton immediately retaliated with a lawsuit filed in federal court. Braxton dismissed the federal lawsuit in response to an order of the Court advising her of its intention to dismiss the case unless she provided further justification of its basis. Braxton filed another lawsuit in New York State the same day, which attorneys for Blackground Records deemed to be absolutely devoid of any merit.
"When Barry Hankerson began working with Toni Braxton in 1997, he loaned her a substantial amount of money to assist her in dealing with a much publicized bankruptcy. As her manager, he negotiated a contract on her behalf with Arista Records that paid her an advance of $23,000,000. However, after only two albums, Arista released her from her contract. At Braxton's behest, Hankerson signed Braxton to Blackground Records, where she released only one of the three albums she committed to."
As expected the Braxton camp issued a statement that gives their perspective of the settlement.
"This settlement allows Ms. Braxton immediately to start new projects of her choice," said Peter L. Haviland, her trial lawyer. "She wanted to end her relationship with Blackground and Barry Hankerson, and she has. Money has never been what motivates her. Integrity -- artistic and personal -- does."
"My freedom from Barry Hankerson is priceless, and means everything to me," said Braxton.
Nas Launching Footwear Line With 310 Global Brands
Queens, NY rapper Nas has signed a deal with 310 Global Brands to release his own signature line of footwear, Disciple Footwear Collection by 310. According to Nas, the line "celebrates our diversity, our roots, our history."
Under the terms of the agreement, 310 Global Brands will market and distribute Nas' footwear collection.
"310 is not based on a one-size-fits-all approach," Nas said. "It's about customization, expressing your own personal style...I'm excited to design styles that respect that we are not all the same - that we're here to celebrate our diversity, our roots, our history.
The collaboration with Nas marks 310's second foray into signature celebrity collections.
The company experienced worldwide success with The Game's Hurricane from 310 footwear, which released a second run in Dec of 2006.
"I've respected Nas for a long time. From his music to his image, he answers to no one but himself, and it's made him one of the most acclaimed artists out there today," said Marc Laidler, founder of 310 Motoring. "He has never wavered and his street credibility is as true as it was back in the day. Everything Nas does is with style and authenticity, and I'm happy to be going into business with a man whose credentials are in sync with 310's true style."
Nas' Disciple Footwear Collection by 310 will debut in select speciality shops in June 2007.
NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND CALENDAR
In celebration of the All-Star game and the global release of the highly anticipated Air Jordan XX2, special invited celebrities, influencers and friends will be granted access to an exclusive facility dubbed Air Jordan Area XX2 on Friday (Feb. 16) from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. in Las Vegas. Included on the guest list are Michael Jordan, Anthony Anderson, Nick Cannon, Chamillionaire, Ice Cube, Derek Fischer, Hill Harper, Star Jones, Regina King, Monica, Rodney Peete, James Pickens, Jr., Jalen Rose, John Salley, Gabrielle Union, D.B Woodside and more. D-Nice will serve as the event’s DJ.
On Saturday, Alizé presents The Player’s Party at Studio 54 inside the MGM Grand Hotel. The event will be the official place to be following the 2007 NBA Rookie Game, 3-Point Challenge & Dunk Contest. The Red Carpet Affair will be hosted by NBA legend Magic Johnson and All-Star Allen “The Answer” Iverson. Music will be provided by DJs Kid Capri and Biz Markie.
"The King of R&Bay" Gears Up For His Debut Album
J. Valentine, Bay Area's new best kept secret, is ready to unleash his signature "R&Bay" sounds with the summer release of his debut album, Conversation Piece on J Records. Having already established himself as a veteran songwriter, the San Francisco native, who is credited for more than a dozen songs including Tyrese's "I like The Girls," N'Sync's "Celebrity" and Mario's "How Could You," can now add R&B singer to his impressive long list of accomplishments.
With a voice that is often described as having the smoothness of Babyface and R. Kelly, J. Valentine's songs are a hybrid of jams that flow rhythmically to an upbeat tempo - uniquely characteristic of the hyphy culture of his hometown. "Go Dumb," his take on T-Pain's "I'm Sprung," dominated local radio stations in the Bay Area and peaked at #2 on KMEL.
The "King of R&Bay" hits a more seductive note and shows off his sexy side in his new single, "She Worth The Trouble," about a playa that unintentionally falls in love with a special lady. The single will impact radio on February 26th.
J. Valentine's unique R&B sounds capture the spirit of the hyphy craze. Incorporating the bass heavy hip hop sounds with the rich, nuanced flow of R&B, J. Valentine's innovative approach is unlike any other. Staying true to his hometown roots, Conversation Piece, is a rowdy, party mix that features collaborations with the Godfathers of the hyphy movement - Keak da Sneak on "Keep It Goin'" and E-40 who shakes it up on, "Church Girl." Tight production by Scott Storch, Cool & Dre, the Underdogs and Valentine's own production company's The City BoyZ hold it all together.
Def Jam Release Schedule - 1st Quarter
*Sisqo, Millennium Collection: 20th Century March 13th
*Dru Hill, Millennium Collection: 20th Century March 13th
*Young Jeezy, Almost Famous: The Lost Files Vol..1 March 20th
*Young Jeezy, Almost Famous: The Lost Files Vol..1 March 20th
*Fabolous, From Nothin' to Somethin' March 27th
*Redman, Red Gone Wild March 27th
*Bobby Valentino, Special Occasion April 3rd
*Bobby Valentino, Special Occasion April 3rd
*Tru Life, Tru Life April 17th
*Ne-Yo, TBA April 24th
Super Duper props to Rizoh
BLACK ENTERPRISE’S TOP 50 HOLLYWOOD PLAYERS
It’s no surprise that Oprah Winfrey has topped Black Enterprise magazine’s 2007 list of the Top 50 Power Brokers in Hollywood.
In the March cover feature, BE spotlights the growing number of African Americans who have achieved record influence in show business. The roster not only includes household names such as cover subject Will Smith, who together with partner James Lassiter produced the recent Oscar-nominated smash “The Pursuit of Happyness,” but also African American corporate executives, agents, lawyers, and entrepreneurs who broker some of the industry's biggest deals.
Also gracing the top 10 this year are Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Tyler Perry, Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy and Tyra Banks.
To identify the Top 50 Hollywood Power Brokers, BE News Editor Nicole M. Richardson and an editorial team contacted industry insiders, movie studios, and television networks, and reviewed box office sales and television ratings reports.
In addition, BE consulted national organizations, including the Screen Actors Guild, the Film Life and HBO American Black Film Festival, the Black Filmmakers Association, the Black Filmmakers Forum, the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, and the NAACP, which hosts the annually televised Image Awards honoring the best African American actors, movies, and television programs.
The complete list of 50 appears in the March issue of Black Enterprise, which hits newsstands on Feb. 21. Until then, here are the top 10:
No. 1: Oprah Winfrey
No. 2: Richard D. Parsons, Chairman & CEO, Time Warner Inc.
No. 3: Will Smith, Actor-Producer
No. 4: Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Chairman & CEO, Johnson Development Corp. and Magic Johnson Enterprises
No. 5: Robert L. Johnson, Founder, Our Stories Films
No. 6: Tyler Perry, President & CEO, The Tyler Perry Co.
No. 7: Douglas V. Holloway, President, Cable Investments, NBC Universal Cable No. 8: Denzel Washington, Actor-Director-Producer
No. 9: Eddie Murphy, Actor-Producer
No. 10: Tyra Banks, Founder & CEO, Bankable Productions
New Music
Mase- immortal
http://www.zshare.net/audio/mase-immortal-mp3.html
VH1, BET to share "Wifey" hip-hop drama pilot
"Wifey" carries obvious risks, not the least of which is that viewers could be confused by the hybrid approach, particularly if the networks mount separate marketing campaigns. Creatively, there could be too many cooks in the kitchen. And even in success, there is always potential for a partner to bail -- and just imagine how complicated the acceptance speech could get if "Wifey" wins any awards.
"This is absolutely an experiment, a gamble," said Michael Hirschorn, executive vp original programming and production at VH1. "These kind of seemingly counterintuitive leaps are the kind of leaps linear networks need to make these days."
In another unusual twist, the pilot will be shot by the president of entertainment at BET, Reginald Hudlin, who was known primarily as a director for both film ("House Party") and TV ("Everybody Hates Chris") before joining the channel more than two years ago.
"It was a hugely important priority for us because I like scripted shows and there was a huge audience demand for scripted programming on the network," Hudlin said.
While the channels would synchronize premiere airdates of "Wifey," they still would be free to repeat episodes independent of each other's schedules.
Both channels have dabbled in shared programming ventures with other partners before but never to the point of simultaneous airings. In 2003, BET and Oxygen co-financed production on an animated series, "Hey Monie," but its runs were separated by several months. Last year, VH1 and Sundance Channel shared a four-part documentary, "The Drug Years," but the latter channel aired the program four days after VH1's premiere.
The BET-VH1 collaboration also marks the first between an MTV Networks asset and BET, which largely has operated as a separate fiefdom despite their common corporate parentage. Since being acquired by Viacom for $3 billion in 2001, what few ties BET has struck outside the company have been with CBS News and Showtime Networks, which have since split off with CBS Corp.
For BET, "Wifey" will represent its first attempt at an original scripted series. To date, all its original efforts have been reality-based, including "College Hill," and all scripted programming has come from syndication, like the recent addition of HBO's "The Wire." At VH1, the Tori Spelling vehicle "So Notorious" failed to get traction last year and was canceled after one season.
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