Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/03/lil-wayne-seeks-court-sanction-birdman-targets-mogul-new-track-vizine-listen/

*Lil Wayne is reportedly demanding that a judge sanction Birdman for allegedly refusing to turn over documents relating to Nicki Minaj and Drake in his $50 million lawsuit against the mogul’s Cash Money Records.

The suit sought to have his record deal voided over non-payment. He accused the label of owing him tens of millions, including an $8 million advance for “Tha Carter V,” plus $2 million once the album was finished.

On Feb. 21, Wayne filed a motion to compel production of documents in the ongoing legal battle. According to The Blast, Wayne accuses Birdman of misleading the court by pretending to have turned over all documents in their possession. Weezy says Cash Money produced 121,000 pages of documents but calls them mostly tedious accounting reports prepared by Cash Money’s parent company Universal Music.

The rapper claims that Cash Money has earned over $200 million in cash flow, but has no accounting records, no general ledger, no bank account records and no tax returns at all.

Wayne says his legal team has demanded all records pertaining to Nicki and Drake, but Cash Money claims to have no documents available, despite Nicki releasing albums with the company since 2011.

Weezy’s motion also accuses Cash Money of not turning over records of payments the label made to Birdman and his brother, Ronald Williams. Further, he says they refuse to hand over all tax returns from 2011. He says, “Unless Cash Money admits to criminal failure to file tax returns for 2011 to present, Cash Money must produce these returns.”

The judge has yet to rule on the motion.

In the meantime, Wayne has dropped the new track “Vizine,” birthed from a music/shoe partnership with clothing brand Ethika.

Wayne is one of many rappers on Ethika’s “RGB Mixtape 2,” the follow-up to the first tape released in February 2017 featuring Meek Mill, Lil Durk, 21 Savage and others. According to Billboard, each song comes with an artist’s signature pair of Ethika sneakers.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/03/keiynan-lonsdale-talks-love-simon-and-his-journey-as-a-queer-man/

*“Everyone deserves a great love story.” That’s the line the new film “Love, Simon” has coined to send the message that no matter who and how you love, your love is just legitimate as the next.

“Love, Simon” tells the story of a high school boy named Simon who is struggling with telling his friends and family he’s gay, and in the midst of it falls in love with an anonymous classmate online. That online classmate is named Bram and is played by actor Keiynan Lonsdale.

“The subject matter was something I was something I was instantly drawn to for personal reasons because I had been through similar situations. Even if I hadn’t got through it I hoped that I would be just as passionate. But yeah, as soon I as I got the email for the audition I was kinda like whoah, this hasn’t even been made yet?”

Bram is just like any other kid struggling with telling the world that’s gay. Like Bram, Keiynan shares a similar story as he just recently came out to the world himself. However he kept his secret from his cast until the film was finished and came out during the “Love, Simon” wrap party.

“I was so nervous about it, and I felt like really disappointed in myself. I thought I’d made a lot of progress. But the fact that I was in such a situation with a gay director with a gay, with this gay love story. Couldn’t be more accepting, it couldn’t be a better film situation to be on. And here these characters are, and we’re all fighting for like people to embrace themselves and I was like I’m not even fully embracing myself,” said Lonsdale.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/03/ariana-grande-and-nicki-minajs-song-side-to-side-target-of-lawsuit/

*Ariana Grande’s “Side To Side’ track featuring Nicki Minaj is at the center of a new copyright infringement lawsuit.

According to TMZ, Texan man Christopher R. O’Connor claims the 2016 hit from Grande’s “Dangerous Woman” album is a ripoff of his track called “J5 (T6).” O’Connor claims someone from UMG Recordings discovered it and got Ariana and Nicki to copy it.

O’Connor tells TMZ he contacted UMG about the alleged copyright violation and was instructed to send in a demo, but the company didn’t address his accusation of song stealing.

Compare and contrast the two songs below:

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/06/enjoy-this-weekend-with-a-jackie-wilson-tribute-brazilian-music-in-beverly-hills/

*This Sunday, June 24, Broadway star Chester Gregory (“Hairspray,” “Tarzan,” and “Dreamgirls”) will bring the legendary singer Jackie Wilson to life on the stage at the popular nightclub The Sorting Room. The event is part of the Summer Sessions at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.

In the 1950s, ’60s and early 70s, Wilson topped the music charts with the hits “To Be Loved,” “Lonely Teardrops” “Night,” “Baby Workout,” and “Higher and Higher.” “Mr. Excitement’s” brand of heartfelt lyrics sung with untold emotion earned him audiences from around the world.

Gregory has performed and produced the traveling “The Eve of Jackie: A Tribute to Jackie Wilson” since 2013 and knows the audience will appreciate what he is throwing down.

“It’s an intimate look at the final days of Jackie Wilson’s career,” Gregory told the EUR in a recent phone interview. “The show actually takes place in September of 1975 at the tail end of his comeback tour. It’s based off real events even though the night (of my show) is fictional.”

What is true is that Wilson collapsed onstage (conflicting reports cite a heart attack or stroke) on September 29, 1975 while performing at a nightclub in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He went into a coma and never recovered. Eight years later, on January 21, 1984, Wilson died at the age of 49. With his show, Gregory wanted to reimagine what could have happened before the night Wilson collapsed onstage.

“What sort of gave me the idea a while back when performing was a woman came up to me and said, ‘Don’t go to Cherry Hill,” Gregory recounted. “That was kind of eerie and stayed with me for years. If someone had warned him not to do that final concert, maybe things would have gone differently. So, that gave me the idea to say let’s go back to the night before he died and see how he is in that point in his career.”

Gregory added that, “Jackie Wilson deserves just as much recognition as Elvis Presley. Elvis stole a lot of elements from Jackie. A lot of people don’t know how his legacy still doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.”

The Gary, Indiana native kicked off playing Jackie Wilson shortly after graduating from college. He nabbed the lead role in the Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theatre production about the legendary singer. After a great reception, he was on his way to sold out shows and rave reviews. One of his most exciting performances was in 2003 when he rocked Wilson at a hometown event for another Gary native – Michael Jackson. Gregory knew right away, what he would not perform.

“I didn’t want to perform a Michael Jackson song for Michael Jackson,” said Gregory. “So, I just sang ‘Lonely Teardrops.’ I said, ‘Just like how Jackie inspired you, you inspired me.’ He loved it and gave me a standing ovation.”

Also playing at The Sorting Room this weekend, (Friday, June 22nd), is singer/songwriter Kandace Lindsey, known for haunting vocals coupled with the soul of Latin rhythms. Here is what audiences can expect from her.

“They can expect an exciting show of eclectic music,“ said Lindsey also in an EUR phone interview. “I call it world Brazilian soul because most of my band is Brazilian. Also, I sing in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. They can expect to dance. It’s feel good music.”

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Lindsey listened to the likes of Aretha Franklin and Al Green at home. With the absence of black artists on the radio, she gravitated toward Mexican and Cuban music. Her appreciation for different types of music led her to tour with Marc Anthony (1999-2008) and his then wife Jennifer Lopez (2004-2008). Working on both shows offered up two very different experiences for Lindsey.

“For Marc’s show, it’s based solely on the music,” Lindsey said. “There are more musicians. Huge percussion and horn sections. I was singing and dancing with him. It was more focused on the band. With Jennifer, the focus is on her and she has separate dancers and a separate band. She had videos and pyrotechnics. They were two very different shows.”

Touring all over the world with two powerhouse artists for Lindsey, “Was a huge commitment. You work with amazing artists, musicians from all over – Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. I got do what I loved to do.”

Recording over a decade, Lindsey has three albums along with a compilation release under her belt. In 2016, her single, “When I Open My Eyes” found its way on the finale of the popular television series “Pretty Little Liars.” Lindsey, who is working on a new album, continues to write music for television and will be featured on the upcoming Netflix cartoon “Motown Magic.”

To recap, Kandace Lindsey will play at The Sorting Room on Friday, June 22. Chester Gregory as Jackie Wilson will play there on Sunday, June 24. Additionally, Kosine will be in the house on Wednesday, July 18th. The multi-platinum producer/songwriter, who is half of the LA-based production duo Da Internz, will introduce emerging songwriters at the ASCAP Urban Department presentation of “A Songwriters Showcase.”

For more information on The Sorting Room at the Wallis, go here. Click on the names to access more information on Kandace Lindsey, Chester Gregory, and Kosine.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/04/frantic-facebook-users-often-call-police-dept-in-the-city-where-facebook-lives-for-help-listen/

*9-1-1 what’s your emergency? We’ve all heard the stoic sounding voice for some reason or another. But the Menlo Park PD find themselves in the unfortunate position of having people call them because they need help with Facebook. Please help. Someone has hacked into my Facebook Account, can you find him? the upset ‘victim’ responds.

Silence.

Hell no they can’t “Find him.” They’ve got bigger problems at the moment, ma’am.

Unfortunately, this is no joke.

But Charlie Manning has heard it all. Over the past few months she has received complaints about Facebook advertisements, requests for assistance in recovering lost passwords and demands to speak to Mark Zuckerberg…Now!

But here’s the thing: Charlie doesn’t work for Facebook. She’s a senior 911 dispatcher for the Menlo Park, Calif., police department who gets calls regularly from Facebook users around the world.

Read more at EURThisNthat.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/06/vh1s-love-hip-hop-star-safaree-samuels-set-to-co-host-and-perform-live-at-the-bet-experience-2018/

*VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop” star Safaree Samuels is set to make several special appearances at the BET Experience 2018. Safaree will co-host the BET Experience at L.A. Live on June 21 along with Amara La Negra. He will return to  BETX to host and perform live on June 22 at Microsoft Square Live.

Safaree will participate in the launch of the first annual BET Celebrity Dodgeball Game taking place on June 22, 2018. The game will kick off at 8:30 pm PST.  Play by play announcers will include Christian Crosby, Gia Peppers and DJ Brittany Sky. Safaree will be playing with Nick Cannon along with other cast members from “Love & Hip Hop” New York, Atlanta, Hollywood and Miami including Keyshia Cole, Ray J., Stevie J., Yung Joc, K. Michelle, Erica Mena, Nikki Mudarris, Amara La Negra, Lil Fizz, Rasheeda, Momma Dee, and Karlie Redd to name a few.

In addition, Safaree will participate in the BET Celebrity Basketball Game taking place on June 23, 2018. On Sunday, June 24, Safaree will appear live as Celebrity Host of the 2018 BET Awards Twitter Red Carpet.

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: NO HE DIDN’T! PRIEST SLAPS INFANT BABY – INTERNET OUTRAGE ENSUES (WATCH)

Safaree Samuels is an American rapper, songwriter and television star. As a hit songwriter, he co-wrote “Did It On ‘Em” for Nicki Minaj’ hit studio release, “Pink Friday.” As a television star, he is best known for his roles on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood,” “Love & Hip Hop:New York,” “Scared Famous,” “Wild N’ Out,”  along with “K Michelle: My Life.”

A New York native of Jamaican descent, Safaree was recently honored with a Blue and Bougie Impact Award earlier in 2018. By popular demand, Safaree will appear at the BET Experience 2018 and BET Awards 2018 red carpet.

For more information on Safaree’s upcoming BET 2018 appearances, please click HERE.

source:
Belinda Foster
AWJ Platinum PR
info@awjplatinum.com

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/04/eurwebs-deborah-b-pryor-releases-new-book-arent-you-scared-lessons-from-a-lady-rideshare-driver-listen/

*EURweb senior editor DeBorah B. Pryor has announced the release of her highly anticipated book “AREN’T YOU SCARED? – Lessons from a Lady Rideshare Driver.” The book gives us a glimpse into the world of female rideshare drivers.  AREN’T YOU SCARED… was released on April 13 and is available via the author’s website at http://lessonsfromaladyridesharedriver.com and online via Amazon Kindle.

Pryor has done an excellent job penning her first nonfiction work. In just under 70 pages, AREN’T YOU SCARED… (ISBN Number 9781513634098-51299 print: 12.99 \ 978151363408-1999 eBook: 9.99) quickly proves itself as “the little book we never knew we needed, until it arrived!”

It captures the comical, incredible and to say the least, interesting, humanistic experiences Pryor is privy to daily. Despite occasionally asking herself “Did I really sign up for this?” the author shares how shocked she is to actually enjoy being an UBER driver, but more importantly, she’s a natural people person, making her a perfect host driver and often-times, sounding board, for the multitude of personalities she encounters each day.

Pryor says when she mentions the book, people ask if it is about all of the interesting people she meets; and it is, it just doesn’t stop there. It goes deeper because of who it was written for. Pryor, who has a background in communications and has taught classes at UCLA Extension, wants people to understand the “culture” of rideshare so she delves into how she handles difficult situations and challenging behaviors, what she has learned about different cultures and races (including her own); how to “read” people and know when to talk or be quiet. And in a phrase she coined herself, she speaks about The Human Zone where her actual riders’ comments display the conversational 

magic that happens in her UBER when people drop the facades behind race, religion, politics, and culture and speak from the heart.

Pryor admits, “We really do have more in common than we think.”

A poignant quote from one rider so touched by the conversation he had with his driver says…

“Typically I’m not one to talk a whole lot with my driver but the conversation I had with Deborah was insightful, inspiring and uplifting. Living in Los Angeles, like any modern metropolis, can be difficult and isolating, but its people like her that help remind us all of the inherent hope and potential for goodness within us all.”

Another rider talks about how he had left his keys in the car, and Pryor hunted him down in a restaurant before the night was over to return them. He called her “a life saver!”

“Being an Uber driver or driver for any rideshare service is nothing short of life altering,” Pryor writes.  “The people you meet and the conversations you share (and those you overhear); the moods you encounter, diverse personalities – not to mention cultures – can all serve as learning experiences if you let them,” adds Pryor, a Brooklyn native who talks about the pros and the cons of the business; along with some incredible highlights – such as the conversation behind her 16-minute drive with Paris Jackson, the 19-year-old daughter of the ‘King of Pop,’ and how she dreaded the moment the pretty actress and model asked the question all riders end up asking eventually…

“What kind of writing do you do?”

Knowing how much her dad, Michael Jackson, detested journalists,and not wanting to make Paris uncomfortable, Pryor writes her innermost thought at that moment was, “Kill me now.” 

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/06/abcs-channing-dungy-feted-at-women-in-film-2018-crystal-lucy-awards/

*This month, Women In Film, Los Angeles (WIF) celebrated outstanding females in the entertainment industry with the 2018 Crystal + Lucy Awards at The Beverly Hilton.

The evening, themed “Ignited,” raised funds and awareness for the organizations numerous educational and philanthropic programs, and its advocacy for gender parity for women throughout the industry.

ABC Entertainment President, Channing Dungey, was presented with The Lucy Award for Excellence in Television.

“We can’t be afraid to standup, to speak up, to rise up,” Dungey shared during her acceptance speech. “When we see things around us that counter our values and beliefs, our actions must match our words. It’s not always easy to do.”

Event Highlights:
• Sister duo Chloe x Halle presented the WIF Artistic Excellence Award to music producers NOVA Wav (Denisia “Blu June” Andrews And Brittany “Chi” Coney) and performed “Warrior” from the soundtrack for “A Wrinkle in Time.” Jason Derulo, DJ Khaled and Ryan Press sent a congratulatory video messages for NOVA Wav
• “Black Panther” actor Isaach de Bankolé presented the Lexus Beacon Award to Victoria Alonso, Marvel Studios EVP of Physical Production, who accepted the award on behalf of the “Women of Black Panther” in front of and behind the camera.
• Each of the honorees and presenters took home a gift bag with an assortment of Lancôme skincare products and cosmetics

Women In Film advocates for and advances the careers of women working in the screen industries — to achieve parity and transform culture. Founded in 1973, Women In Film supports all women working in film, TV, and digital media from emerging to advanced career. Our distinguished programs include: mentoring, speaker & screening series, production training program, writing labs, film finishing funds, legal aid and an annual financing intensive. We advocate for gender parity through research, media campaigns and ReFrame, a collaboration with Sundance Institute.

Membership is open to all media professionals, more information can be found at womeninfilm.org.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/05/the-know-contemporary-inspires-conversation-with-new-show/

Visual Artist Knowledge Bennett displays a gallery of thought-provoking pieces

Visual artist Knowledge Bennett, owner of the new Know Contemporary Gallery in downtown Los Angeles, California opens a new show.

When artists make art they expose themselves to examination by others.  Even artists who create without emotion or connection to the individual pieces of art, such as an airbrush artist who produces one hundred of the same design over and over, daily, eventually there will be a piece of the artist personality laced inside of one of those designs.  A swirl on the end of the letters, his favorite ghosting effect. His essence will remain in the paint.

When the artist is motivated and pushed by external motivations, he will create the opportunity to display his art.  He will put his innermost into each specialized piece. Depending upon the contents of the artist, that essence might vary.

“I’ve always thought it to be the responsibility of the artist to help restore a degree of dignity, integrity, and sense of humanity,” explained visual artist Knowledge Bennett, owner of the new Know Contemporary Gallery in downtown Los Angeles, California.

Fusing contemporary images with large-scale screen printing, Bennett’s work makes statements concerning the realities of our current society, focused on the African American experience.  

Stark, monotone images contrast against the sometimes vibrant colors of each piece.  Those colors clash like the truth springing from the montages of messages cut and pasted together with classic newspaper footage.  Nixon stares at the viewers, his multiple faces, some in the inverse, some standing taller than the crowd. Images of Obama in a Clint Eastwood stance multiply like the end of a drunken western brawl.  Madonna still loving Pac, follows you down the back hallways, and the leaders of nations are screaming curses, combined.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/06/gabrielle-dennis-and-simon-missick-talk-luke-cage-at-ant-man-and-the-wasp-premiere/

*The next chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe touched down in Hollywood at the world premiere of Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP. The film stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Laurence Fishburne, and  T.I.

“Ant-Man and The Wasp,” begins a new chapter featuring heroes with the ability to shrink their size. In the aftermath of “Captain America: Civil War,” Scott Lang struggles with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. While he works to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from the past.

EURweb’s Jill Munroe was on the red carpet talking to some of the stars of the Marvel Cinematic Universe including Simone Missick and Gabrielle Dennis about her exciting year working on two huge projects, the Netflix Marvel series, “Luke Cage” and playing Whitney Houston in BET’s upcoming “Bobby” two-night mini series. In ‘Luke Cage,’ Dennis’ character Tilda is a holistic doctor who is estranged from her mother Mariah (Alfre Woodard,) who comes with a lot of darkness and drama that is central to the plot for season 2.

Actor Miles Mussenden who stars as ‘Otis Johnson,’ father of Tyrone on FreeForm’s “Cloak and Dagger.” The Marvel affiliate show is set in New Orleans with racial overtones clouding the relationship about two teens, Tandy Bowen / Dagger and Tyrone Johnson / Cloak – one white and one black – who acquire superpowers and form a romantic relationship.

“Ant-Man and The Wasp” is directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Peña, Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Tip “T.I.” Harris, David Dastmalchian, Hannah John-Kamen, Abby Ryder Fortson, Randall Park, with Michelle Pfeiffer, with Laurence Fishburne, and Michael Douglas.

“ANT-MAN AND THE WASP” opens in U.S. theaters on JULY 6.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/05/the-mokelly-show-a-cappella-sensation-naturally-7-stops-by-audio/

*A cappella ‘vocal play’ singing group Naturally 7 stopped by The Mo’Kelly Show on KFI AM640 in Los Angeles and iHeartRadio. The group is presently touring the world in support of its latest album, “Both Sides Now.”

Naturally 7 is best known for its vocal stylings which include smooth, seamless harmonies and mimicking the sound of music instruments with their voices.

The Mo’Kelly Show airs Saturdays and Sundays on the #1 news/talk station in America KFIAM640 and iHeartRadio. For more: visit Mo’Kelly’s website at mrmokelly.com

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/06/karen-civils-live-civil-day-june-29th-2018-elizabeth-nj/

ELIZABETH, N.J. — Karen Civil, Adidas, and Beats by Dre will team up for the 2nd Live Civil Day Basketball Tournament at the Mickey Walker Recreation Center (860 Anna St.) in Elizabeth, NJ. On June 29, 2017 at 3 p.m. A host of games for the neighborhood kids, a youth basketball tournament, and pure fun will be provided for the community of Elizabeth, N.J.

Two basketball organizations: S.O.A.R. Program and Rich Tabor’s New Life basketball team will go head-to-head in the highly-anticipated live basketball competition. Both teams will be gifted brand new customized basketball uniforms, sneakers, book bags from the global sportswear brand Adidas, and headphones from Beats by Dre. Civil will again aim to bridge the separation gap amongst the youth of Elizabeth by uniting different organizations that best represent Elizabeth’s melting pot.

Civil is dedicated to addressing and meeting the needs of underserved youth in the city she grew up in and is consistently doing so through her philanthropy.

”In efforts to encourage, uplift, and inspire, Live Civil Day was started to promote the youth to stay fit, active, and motivated. It serves as a tool to deliver the importance of health and wellness while bringing  the  community  together for a positive cause. As an Elizabeth Native, I have the responsibility to give back to my community. I want the students to know that they can create the life they dream of despite the odds that are stacked against them,” stated Karen Civil.

In 2017 during the inaugural Live Civil Day, Civil was joined by Jersey native, Kyle Anderson of the San Antonio Spurs. He shared the importance of staying healthy while giving insight on what it takes to be a NBA athlete. Over 200 youth were gifted Adidas apparel, sneakers, book bags and Beats by Dre, and 10 lucky ticket holders won brand new bikes. Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers participated in Live Civil Day by gifting 1 lucky teen with a signed jersey. Karen was surprisingly presented with the “Key to the City” of Elizabeth, NJ and recognized for the work she does in the community. This bestowed honor made Civil the fourth and youngest recipient in the last 25 years to receive the key.

“Live Civil Day is a day of positive giving back, to the youth and families throughout Elizabeth. I on behalf of the city of Elizabeth truly thank Karen for giving back to our residents. Karen’s belief in empowering communities across the country is welcomed home and she is paying it forward to the Elizabeth community that assisted in her success,” stated Patricia Perkins-Auguste, Council Woman-At-Large.

To learn more about Karen Civil, visit www.KarenCivil.com and connect with her on all social media platforms @KarenCivil. Join the conversation by using #LiveCivilDay

About Karen Civil:

Karen Civil is one of the most recognizable forces in entertainment. As a global marketing content creator, she has developed powerful influence in culture and bridged the gap between brand powerhouses and mainstream artists over the years.

Karen Civil has become a humanitarian for charitable causes that specifically benefit children, Haiti, where she founded the Live Civil School and playground in 2015 and youth of the city of Elizabeth, NJ, where  she was raised. To further build awareness of the Live Civil brand and to provide everyday tools for empowerment and entrepreneurship, Karen self-published her first book, Be You & Live Civil: Tools for Unlocking Your Potential & Living Your Purpose. The motivational guide has sold over 300,000 copies and spawned a 40-city tour across the globe.

The prominent businesswoman has helped shape careers, curate experiences and emphasize the digital impact for Nipsey Hussle, YG, Jeezy, Nicki Minaj, Dave East, Andre Berto, Pusha T and Nick Cannon. Along with her undeniable influence in entertainment, her reach has expanded into the political sphere as she became an integral part of the social media marketing campaign and official rally host for 2016  Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

source:
Keeyah Johnson Hello@AllThingsKeeyah.com
Bella Smith bellaaworks@gmail.com

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/06/inner-city-youth-orchestra-of-los-angeles-prepares-for-its-10th-annual-season-finale-watch/

*(Via ReelUrbanNews) – The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles/ICYOLA will bring its music to the Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall on July 1 at 3 p.m. Committed to the artistic, personal and professional development of young musicians, the orchestra will perform its 10th Annual Season Finale at the venue located in the heart of Los Angeles.

Charles Dickerson, founder and conductor of the ICYOLA, shared his enthusiasm with Reel Urban News about the young instrumentalists who comprise the celebrated orchestra.

“I have the most wonderful young people in the world that I have the privilege of working with,” said Dickerson. “I am proud of these young people and we are excited about putting on our 10th season finale.”

ICYOLA is a member of the League of American Orchestras and is a national leader in the effort to assure diversity in the arts. “Our orchestra is made up of a lot of first violins, a lot of second violins, a viola section, a cello section and a bass section,” explained Dickerson. “We began this orchestra in 2009. Nine African American young people came to me and asked if could we start this orchestra.

“Since that time, we’ve expanded beyond just serving the African American community. Most members of this orchestra are from communities of color.”

Through its music, the orchestra has addressed several high profile social issues that challenge black life in America including the murder of Trayvon Martin and the death of Michael Brown at the hands of law enforcement. During their 10th Annual Season Finale, ICYOLA will premier Dickerson’s new piece, “This Is Why We Kneel,” a song inspired by the protests of former and current NFL players.

Get the rest of this article at ReelUrbanNews.com.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/05/jeffrey-osborne-releases-first-rb-album-of-original-songs-in-13-years-pt2/

*Before ever stepping out as a solo artist, Jeffrey Osborne a/k/a “JO,” had earned the respect of music fans as a bonafide singer, when in the 1970s he was the lead vocalist for the R&B/funk band, L.T.D.   The group charted with such songs as “(Every Time I Turn Around)Back in Love Again,” “Holding On (When Love is Gone,” “We Both Deserve Each Other’s Love,” and of course, the timeless and beautiful “Love Ballad.”

For Osborne, the music and recording industry has evolved over the past five decades, and not always for the best.

“Everything has changed since I started recording in 1972,” Osborne said. “But the very things that have opened this industry, like the digital platforms to reach more people, have also killed things that were happening before in the recording studio.  Now, most of the time, there are no real musicians in the studio; its people with sequencers and things.  Therefore, there’s no breath or depth in today’s music.”

While Osborne still loves recording, it’s the live performances that he most looks forward to.

“The only real satisfaction is live performances,” explained Osborne.  “That’s when you can actually get some feedback from what you’re doing.  You get that artist-to-audience chemistry. I love it!”

RELATED NEWS: Jeffrey Osborne Releases First R&B Album of Original Songs in 13 Years – LISTEN (Pt.1)

With his new album, Worth It All (available now), Osborne fans can expect that he will do his share of live performances.  However, don’t look for extended tours.

“I really don’t tour anymore,” said Osborne.  “I’m more of a weekend warrior, and during the week I’m home with my family.  I’m not going go out on the road for two months anymore.  I don’t have to do that, and I don’t want to do that.  But I still love and enjoy the artist-to-audience interaction that live performances present, so I won’t ever stop doing what I like doing at live stage performances.  It’s just that I can pick and choose when I go out.”

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/06/concert-promoter-alleges-famed-singer-jennifer-holliday-duped-her-out-of-money-eur-exclusive/

*Kimberly Williams is a Chicago-based event promoter turned newbie concert promoter who has legitimate beef with “Dreamgirls” singer Jennifer Holliday.

Williams has alleged that Holliday refused to return a $2,000 deposit to her when Holliday pulled out of a concert she allegedly agreed to perform at in the Windy City in July 2018.

Williams told the EUR in a phone interview that the new venture started out as a labor of love before things turned sour. (Please note: EUR reached out to Jennifer Holliday regarding the accusation, but did not receive a response by press time).

“I decided because I always loved the entertainment business that I would give it a try and do concerts,” Williams told EURweb’s Lee Bailey. “I planned and had a successful concert in December 2017 and said I would move forward and get different artists, especially artists I look up to, admire, and love – with one of them being Jennifer Holliday.”

“So I reached out to her,” Wiliams continued. “I sent her the first contact through Instagram and she wasn’t available for the concert I was going to do in April. So, I let her know that I have another date, July 28, and she was available. She agreed to do the concert and we discussed the deposit.”

Since Williams wanted to start promoting the performance immediately at an upcoming black expo, according to Williams, Holliday wanted a deposit of $2,000 before any type of publicity began. Williams immediately obliged and thought things were set.

Williams started moving full speed ahead in posting the event on social media and knocking out opening acts. However, things started to turn shortly afterward and in early May, Holliday backed out.

“What is really going is that she decided to cancel the concert for what reason I cannot tell you. I do not know why she will not return my deposit.”

According to communications between Williams and Holliday that Williams provided to the EUR, Holliday never explicitly said why she reneged on the concert. However, the “And I Am Telling You” powerhouse had a variety of issues with Williams. Some of the concerns included Williams being a fresh face in concert promoting, to booking opening acts that Holliday did not approve of, and to publicizing the event on social media before final approval from the singer. Whatever the reason(s), Williams is fed up.

“I sent her a series of emails saying, ‘Hey listen give me my money back. Since you decided to cancel, return the deposit,’” Williams told EUR. “She cancelled on May 5th and we actually booked everything on April 5th. She never replied. My last email was, ‘If you don’t respond to me I am going to do whatever I need to do to try to retrieve my funds and to make sure that you don’t do this to anyone else, if you haven’t already.’ She didn’t reply.”

Continuously ignored by Holliday, according to Williams, the promoter revved up her tactics.

“I looked up and saw upcoming events that she would be performing at and sent emails to the people who were hosting those events,” Williams said. “I only told the truth. I told them I think that you should know that Jennifer Holliday decided to cancel an event and she is refusing to return my deposit. I sent emails to several events that she would be performing at because again I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”

Williams, added: “I filed a complaint with the better Business Bureau and she (Holliday) responded that I was being unprofessional and that she thinks we have to have this out in front of a lawyer. But I’m not being unprofessional, ‘you’re the one trying to keep my money.’ She even had her attorney email me to stop contacting her because (she hasn’t) returned my money.”

While the Better Business Bureau marked the case “closed” and “unresolved,” Kimberly Williams is not backing down. For more on Williams’, check out her Instagram here. Meanwhile, we’ll will keep you posted on any updates, especially if Jennifer Holliday and/or her representative respond.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/05/pusha-t-claims-drake-is-denying-secret-lovechild-on-blistering-new-dis-track-the-story-of-adidon-listen/

*Fans are declaring Drake *dead* after rapper Pusha T’s latest track in their ongoing beef dropped Tuesday night. Among the shots fired is the longstanding claim that Drake has a secret child with a porn star and is too ashamed to claim the baby.

“The Story Of Adidon” premiered on Hot 97 Tuesday and was later posted to Pusha T’s SoundCloud. It spares no one in Drake’s orbit, not even the rapper’s parents or his producer’s multiple sclerosis.

“OVO 40 hunched over like he’s 80. Tick, tick, tick. How much time he got? That man is sick, sick, sick,” Pusha raps, targeting Drake’s longtime producer Noah “40” Shebib, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005.

Drake has long denied that he has a baby with French artist and porn actress Sophie Brussaux, who still claims that the Toronto rapper is the father of her child.

“Sophie knows better, ask your baby mother. Cleaned her up for IG, but the stench is on her,” Pusha raps. “A baby’s involved, it’s deeper than rap. We talkin’ character, let me keep with the facts.”

According to TMZ, Brussaux had documented her pregnancy on Instagram, culminating with a pic of baby Adonishimself (see above).

The track borrows its beat and title from Jay-Z’s “The Story of O.J.,” the “4:44” single that tackles what it means to be a black person in modern America.

“The Story of Adidon’s” album art features an image of Drake in blackface – an image Pusha T claims is an unedited image taken by famed photographer David Leyes.

The song is a response to Drake’s diss track “Duppy Freestyle.” Listen to that above, and Pusha T’s response, “The Story Of Adidon,” below.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/07/honoring-ancestors-at-festival-of-masks-in-leimert-park/

Los Angeles – Hundreds gathered on the People’s Street in Leimert Park on a recent Saturday to partake in the spirit filled celebration of Day of Ancestors: Festival of Masks, presented by LA Commons. This years festival highlighted Brazil and its diasporic artistic connections to Leimert Park. Salvador DE Bahia has the second largest Black population in the world outside of Nigeria.

The spirit of the Ancestors could be felt. The celebration occurred on another picture perfect day, in beautiful Southern California. The diverse crowd demonstrated enthusiasm as the positive energy flowed throughout Leimert Park for the event.

An eclectic mix of World music was played as people gathered on the People’s Street to put the finishing touches on their masks, floats, costumes for the Procession.

Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks is held every year in June, in conjunction with the monthly Leimert Park Art Walk. Leimert Park Art Walk promotes the area’s vibrancy, culture, legacy and economy.

The theme for the 2018 Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks was “Asuwada” a Yoruba principle describing an energetic phenomenon that arises when a community unites with a collective positive intention in pursuit of a common goal for the greater good. Asuwada highlights the importance of compassion and solidarity in a time of unprecedented divisiveness.

The program got underway with a traditional African Libation/Blessing with Baba Imodoye Shabazz, speaking in Yoruba, Spanish and English. Marcus Aquilar, Anahuacalmecac Danza Azteca recited a Prayer in Spanish.

The Blessing and Prayer were followed by an hour long Procession around Leimert Park with various categories: Ancestors, Justice, Peace & Love, Health and Unity.

The participants in the Processions consisted of the Queen Mothers, Kehinde, Anahuacalmecac Danza Azteca, Los Angeles Carnival, Kouman Kele West African Dance & Drum Ensemble, Viver Brasil, Magatte Fall & Generation Percu, Twin Puppets and Los Angeles Carnival.

Viver Brasil dancers Rachel Hernandez and Ashley Blanchard accompanied by drummers Kahlil Cummings and Luiz Badera performed Oia/Iansa- Orixa of Winds & Storms and Ancestors.

Drummer Magatte Falls & Generation Percu delighted and thrilled the audience with their master drumming techniques.

Kouman Kele West African Dance & Drum Ensemble led by Nzingha Camara put on a high-octane, powerful show that left the crowd and I in awe and wanting to see more of their splendid artistry.

The Queen Mothers performance were also a real treat along with Kehinde. The festival concluded with a massive, thunderous drum circle led by Kahlil Cummings, members of Viver Brasil, and the community in keeping with this year’s theme “Asuwada.”

Source: 

*Turns out Roseanne Barr called into a podcast just two days after ABC cancelled her sitcom “Roseanne,” but the host decided at the time not to release the podcast…until now.

Barr hit up Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s podcast, which was recorded at Stand Up NY in New York City on May 31, according to The Blast. Barr and Boteach have been friends for 20 years.

“I’m a lot of things,” a tearful Barr tells him. “I’m a loudmouth and all that stuff, but I’m not stupid, for God’s sake, and I never would have wittingly called a black person … say they are a monkey. I never would do that! And I didn’t do that.”

Barr says in the interview that she is sorry if people thought that her tweet — where she said of Barack Obama’sadviser, Valerie Jarrett, “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj” — was intentional.

“I am so sorry,” she says, “that I was so unclear and stupid. I’m very sorry but I don’t think that, I never would do that.”

Barr also acknowledges the cancellation of her show and the effect it had on her career.

“I’ve lost everything,” she says. “And I regretted [the tweet] before I lost everything and I said to God, ‘I am willing to accept whatever consequences this brings because I know I’ve done wrong.’ I’m willing to accept what the consequences are. And, I do. And I have.”

He tweeted, “[M]y podcast interview w/ my friend @therealroseanne Roseanne Barr will go live on @JPost Jerusalem Post. The podcast is an emotional discussion of the 4 stages of Jewish penance and Roseanne shows moral courage & heart in accepting responsibility.”

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/07/all-that-jazz-more-at-st-andrews-recreation-center-photos/

Los Angeles – the City of Los Angeles Presents Jazz at St. Andrews Recreation Center, hosted by City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Southwest Neighborhood Council and Assemblymember Autumn Burke.

This hot Summer Jazz Festival was held on Sunday, July 1, 2018. The return of Jazz at St. Andrews Recreation Center has also been dubbed Function at the Junction.

Several thousand people gathered at St. Andrews Recreation Center for a relaxing afternoon of jazz, R&B and soul music. A mosaic of colorful blankets, chairs, umbrella’s and canopies dotted across the grass.

Radio Personality James Janisse returned to serve as Master of Ceremony. Board member Brent Page greeted and welcomed the crowd to this family friendly event on this awesome afternoon in Southern California. Dr. Turner Roberts got the festival underway with an Opening Prayer.

The live musical portion of the festival got going with a dynamic set of straight ahead jazz provided by the Michael Session Quintet. The group was led by Michael Session on saxophone, Maia-flute/harp, Zekkereya El-Magharbal-trombone, Tateng Katindig-keyboards, Trevvor Ware-bass and Mekela Session-drums. People were bopping and swaying throughout the grounds of the Recreation Center on the tunes “Double Up” by Lee Morgan, “Road to Cairo,” “Pretty Eyes” by Horace Silver with Maia on vocals. They concluded their tight set with two tunes by the late great Nate Morgan pianist/composer, “Dred Scott,” and “Donde a la Shea?”

The Elliott Caine Quintet continued in a straight-ahead mode with a crowd pleasing set of all originals on the tunes “Le Super Cool,” “La Resentencia,” and a Latin tinged “La Verdad es La Verdad” to name a few. The band consisted of Elliott Caine-trumpet/flugle horn, Scot Gilmon-tenor sax, Rick Olsen-piano, Trevvor Ware double duties on bass, and Kenny Elliott-drums.

The crowd got livelier and were getting their groove on during the captivating performance by Keschia Potter, on alto saxophone. Keschia Potter played material fro her latest CD Rebirth of the Soul- The Awakening. The crowd was able to connect and rekindle their souls throughout her high-octane set on the tunes “Happy People” by Kenny Garrett, “Mo Better Blues,” “Knocks Me Off My Feet” by Stevie Wonder, “Free to Be” by Keschia Potter featuring talented vocalist Maiya Sykes, “Crazy,” and a tight arrangement of “Winelight” by Grover Washington Jr.

Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson presented former NBA great Norm Nixon for the engaging basketball clinic for the youth of the community.

R&B/soul group Switch took the crowd down memory lane with some of their popular hits from their catalog. The crowd was up and dancing and singing along to the following songs “There’ll Never Be,” “Call Your Name,” “I Wanna Be With You,” “Love Over & Over Again” to name a few.

R&B soul Balladeer/Crooner Kenny Lattimore closed out the 3^rd Annual Jazz at St. Andrews Recreation Center with a wonderful set featuring tunes from his latest CD as well as past favorites.

This year’s festival was made possible by the generous donations of the following sponsors Assemblymember Autumn Burke, Brotherhood Crusade, Empowerment Congress Southwest Area, Farmer John, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, City of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation and Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/06/scorpion-drakes-summer-surprise-is-now-out-listen/

*No matter what you views are about Drake, you can’t deny that the man is industrious. Even though his last album, Views, came out in 2016, he has been providing a steady supply to fans till date with EPs, singles and “playlist.”

However, 2018 will be the year that fans get to see Champagne Papi back in album mode. The album title Scorpionrefers to Drake’s Zodiac sign Scorpio, given his birthday falls on October 24. Fans, who already know the rapper’s connection to the month, were quick to make the connection.

Drake took to his Instagram account to share photos of a medallion embellished with a diamond-encrusted scorpion and a jacket with the announcement details on it. So far, we can confirm that the album will drop on June 2018, though Drake is quiet about the exact date.

Further details that can be confirmed include the return of Noah “40” Shebib and Oliver El-Khatib as executive producers. 40 alongside OVO signee Boi-1-da will be handling production on the tracks. Pi’erre Bourne, who produced Playboi Carti’s ‘Magnolia’ is also expected to have a hand in creating Scorpion. Drake confirmed this himself in an Instagram Live session when a fan inquired about whether he has recorded with producer to which Drake replied “me and Pi’erre already got one.”

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Drake’s releases in 2018 like the singles from Scary Hours will not be part of the project although his single “Nice for What” might make it on the track list. One track that has a confirmed place on the album for now is “I’m Upset.” The track was released a day after his “Duppy Freestyle,” the rebuttal to Pusha T’s diss on his album DAYTONA.

Another thing that can be expected on the album is Drake’s Afro-Caribbean sound. Fans have already noticed the presence of Nigerian artist Tekno on his Instagram which could possibly lead to collaboration on a track.

A factor that has increased the anticipation for this album is the recent beef between Pusha T and Drake. Although it seems to have paused due to some intervention, there is no doubt that Drake would address the beef properly on tracks. Pusha T has already done some damage by alleging that Drake has a secret child. It is being rumored that Drake was going to announce this secret child on his album but Pusha T beat him to it. The beef is still developing so it’s still not known how it will affect the album. For now, we can only take the word of Drake close confidant Preme who took to Instagram after hearing some of the tracks. “And just know. That Scorpion album. Holy f*ck,” he wrote. “You should never have pissed Champagne off.”