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07-30-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
ALICIA KEYS, JACK WHITE TEAM FOR 'BOND' THEME: Plus, singer apologizes to Indonesian fans over tobacco sponsor; producer wants her for 'Last Man.'
*It's official – rumors of Alicia Keys being considered to record the theme song for the next James Bond film have proven true. The Grammy winner has teamed with White Stripes singer Jack White for the collaboration, titled "Another Way to Die."
The first duet in Bond soundtrack history – written and produced by White, who also played drums – will be released Oct. 28 via Keys' J Records label as part of the soundtrack for "Quantum of Solace," the 22nd film in the James Bond franchise. The movie will be released in North America on Nov. 7.
Meanwhile, a movie producer is looking to cast Keys as a bodyguard in his upcoming film "Y: The Last Man," an adaptation of the Brian K. Vaughn property about the last surviving male human.
According to Web site UGO, filmmaker JC Spink is looking at Keys to play Agent 355, the man's bodyguard who works for a mysterious U.S. government agency.
"I think Alicia Keys would be fantastic," said Spink. "Or Zoe Saldana. By then 'Star Trek' will be out and she'll be huge. I don't think Jada Pinkett Smith would be right but a lot of people like her."
Meanwhile, Keys has reportedly issued an apology to fans in Indonesia after discovering one of her forthcoming concerts was sponsored by tobacco firm Philip Morris.
In an open letter to the entertainer, signed by several anti-tobacco agencies, anti-smoking group Tobacco Free Kids said the sponsorship was "inconsistent with her advocacy for children's health through her involvement in Keep A Child Alive, a campaign to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in poor countries."
The letter urged Keys to "put the health of Indonesia's children first" and remove the advertising or cancel her concert.
In her statement, the Grammy winner said: "I apologize for any misleading advertising initially associated with the show. I'm an unyielding advocate for the well-being and health of children around the world and do not condone or endorse smoking. I look forward to bringing my music and message to my wonderful fans in Jakarta."
CHRIS ROCK'S EX WRITING TELL-ALL: Kali Bowyer still insists son is actor's seed, despite DNA tests proving otherwise.
*Although DNA tests have showed that Chris Rock is not the father of her 14-year-old son, Kali Bowyer still claims the teen is the product of a fling she had with the comic several years before his marriage to Malaak Compton-Rock.
In the press release for her book “Hollywood Child,” Bowyer claims her past included “a hot affair with racy comedian Chris Rock.” Her life, according to the release, “started crashing down all around her,” until “getting pregnant with Chris’ son saved her life.”
Rock’s attorney John Mayone reminded MSNBC.com that the Georgia court has already concluded that his client and Bowyer’s son have no biological ties. “There is a final judgment. This is not Chris Rock’s child. It’s been fully litigated, and that includes DNA testing.”
Bowyer, however, says she is moving forward with her allegations in the book because she wants to continue fighting the paternity question in California. Mayone dismisses that possibility.
“The time for appeal has long since passed,” he says.
No book publisher was named in the press release.
SNOOP'S BOLLYWOOD BIZ IN JEOPARDY?: Will rapper be able to promote his new song in India as a convicted felon?
*Snoop Dogg appears on the soundtrack of the new Bollywood film "Singh is Kinng," but will he be able to plug the song inside of India? According to the New York Times, his criminal past may pose a problem at the border.
India’s visa application states that rejection is likely if an applicant has “been convicted for or (has) criminal charges outstanding in any country.” Snoop, aka Calvin Broadus, was convicted in 1990 of cocaine possession, charged with gun possession in 1993, and has a history of visa problems stemming from a brawl in the British Airways lounge at Heathrow airport in 2006.
Snoop raps on the "Singh is Kinng" single with the film's star Akshay Kumar and appears in the track's music video. According to the Web site Rediff News, "it's rumored that the two got along fabulously on-set, with each teaching the other a little about his culture. Akshay learned about America's hip hop culture, while Snoop picked up a few bhangra steps.
Publicity photos from the shoot show Snoop dressed in traditional grand sardar style. According to producer Vipul A. Shah, the rapper hopes the single will lead to more opportunities in the Indian film market.
"Snoop wants to do a Hindi movie with Akshay, as he is really keen on wooing the Indian audiences," Shah said in a statement.
FOXY BROWN'S CAMP EXPLAINS BOOK LAWSUIT: Lawyer claims publisher allowed her to suspend manuscript during hearing loss.
*Foxy Brown's lawyer has no idea why Simon and Shuster is suing her client for breach of contract, when they were the ones who cancelled her book deal, she alleges.
The publisher sued Foxy last week claiming they paid her a $75,000 advance in 2005 to write "Broken Silence," but never received the autobiography from her in return. Laura Dilimetin, Foxy's attorney, said the publishers actually allowed her to postpone the project after she was diagnosed with sudden hearing loss that same year.
"With Simon and Schuster's blessings, Foxy Brown underwent extensive surgical procedures and a lengthy recovery time, fighting to restore her hearing," Dilimetin told AllHipHop.com in a statement. But after the artist finished her treatment, “Simon and Schuster decided not to go forward with the project," Dilimetin claimed. "Many attempts were made by Foxy Brown's agents to resurrect the deal, to no avail," she added.
“I find it suspect that after all of these years of silence, Simon and Shuster pick now to bring this meritless action when they were the ones to halt the project,” Dilimetin said.
The New York-based publisher filed a lawsuit Thursday (July 24) in New York State Supreme Court seeking return of the money. Simon and Shuster also filed a lawsuit against rapper Lil Kim for failing to produce a novel after receiving a $40,000 advance in 2003. Her autobiography was supposed to be completed in 2004.
TRIAL BEGINS FOR OPRAH DORM MATRON: Tiny Virginia Makopo pleads not guilty to indecent assault charges. Alleged incidents detailed.
*Tiny Virginia Makopo, the 28-year-old former dormitory matron at Oprah Winfrey's school for girls in South Africa, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that she indecently assaulted six students and a fellow matron at the academy.
The Associated Press reports that Makopo appeared nervous and sullen at the opening of her trial yesterday morning. Her legal team did not indicate what her defense would be.
Prosecutor Etienne Venter, who described the students as "very scared and very, very emotional," was granted her request that the remainder of the trial be closed to the public. Judge Thelma Simpson is also allowing the students to testify through close-circuit TV so they can avoid the trauma of facing their alleged attacker in court.
Police said the alleged abuse took place over four months at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. During Tuesday's hearing, a court official read the 14 charges to Makopo, who said after each one, "I plead not guilty." She looked down and spoke through an interpreter who translated from her Sotho language into English, according to the AP.
Makopo's charges include trying to kiss a 13-year-old with an open mouth, trying to fondle her breasts and getting the child to fondle her breasts. Makopo is accused of getting into the bed of a 14-year-old at night, kissing her and pulling her body closer. She is accused of touching intimate body parts of the girls, but always through clothing.
Makopo allegedly asked at least two of the girls to become lesbians, and one to kiss her as she would a boyfriend. And she allegedly accused one 13-year-old of being a prostitute.
One incident describes her throwing a 14-year-old onto a couch and forcing her to eat custard which she also rubbed into the girl's hair. The most extreme of the assault accusations has her pushing a 13-year-old against a wall and pressing her thumbs against the girl's windpipe.
Makopo is charged with assaulting her fellow 23-year-old fellow dormitory matron, Promise Ngwedi, by pushing and shoving her at the academy.
She faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in jail if found guilty. The trial is expected to last throughout the week.
J.LO SCORES ROLE IN NEW ROMANTIC COMEDY: Film written by screenwriter of her 2002 film 'Maid in Manhattan.'
*Jennifer Lopez will balance new motherhood with a role in the upcoming romantic comedy "The Governess."
Co-written by Kevin Wade, who also penned her 2002 romantic comedy "Maid in Manhattan," the story centers on a professional thief who, in order to pull off a major bank heist, poses as a nanny to the three unruly children of a wealthy widower. When she starts to fall for the kids and their father, she must decide if she can give up her past for a chance to start over.
Nigel Cole is directing and Bob Yari of Yari Film Group will produce along with Sid Ganis, Alex Siskin and Simon Fields, Lopez’ producing partner. Shooting is set to begin in Massachusetts in the fall.
In the meantime, Lopez is in pre-production on indie project "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits," with Don Roos directing from his own script.
NEGRO ENSEMBLE COMPANY ATTEMPTS COMEBACK: Historic group to launch new season at Signature Theater.
*Off Broadway's Signature Theater has announced it will stage an entire season of revivals from the Negro Ensemble Company, a New York City-based theater company established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward.
Charles Weldon, a 38-year vet of the organization and its current artistic director, is hoping to breathe new life into the NEC with forthcoming presentations of Leslie Lee's 1974 drama "The First Breeze of Summer"(bowing Aug. 5), 1984's "Home" by Samm-Art Williams (Nov. 11) and Charles Fuller's 1981 play "Zooman and the Sign" (March 3).
In the 1970s, the NEC was the place for a black actor to get noticed. But after a long period of decline, the company has produced only a few shows in the last several years, and most of them in small theaters with low budgets.
Weldon is hoping to turn the tide with the NEC's residency at the Signature Theater and the help of alums like Tony winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (director of "Seven Guitars"), who is directing "Breeze" for the upcoming series.
Other NEC alums include Phylicia Rashad, Denzel Washington, Laurence Fishburne and Samuel L. Jackson, as well as Angela Bassett, Debbi Morgan and the late actresses Roxie Roker and Esther Rolle.
Santiago-Hudson hopes the Signature shows will renew interest in the company.
"I want to remind my colleagues and friends and those that might have the wherewithal to fund these kinds of plays to step up to the plate.
MARK WHITAKER NAMED NBC'S D.C. BUREAU CHIEF: Veteran journalist takes over post held by the late Tim Russert.
*NBC News Senior Vice President Mark Whitaker has been appointed the network's Washington bureau chief in the post held by Tim Russert, who died in June.
Whitaker's duties will include management of the D.C. bureau plus oversight of "Meet the Press" and election and political coverage. NBC News said Whitaker will work closely with political director Chuck Todd as well as Russert's deputies, Wendy Wilkinson and Brady Daniels.
"Mark's got all of the components that will assure his success: a commitment to journalistic integrity, political savvy, a keen eye for the future and a management style that is inclusive and fair," said NBC News president Steve Capus.
Whitaker became the first black editor of a national newsweekly in 1998 when he took over as editor of Newsweek. The position came 21 years after working as an intern at the magazine while a student at Harvard. He officially joined Newsweek as a full-time reporter in 1981 and went on to serve as an assistant managing editor from 1991 to 1995.
In May 2004, Whitaker was elected president of the American Society of Magazine Editors, only the second African American to hold that position.
OBAMA MEDIA BIAS DISCOUNTED BY STUDY: Research actually shows Senator had tougher coverage than McCain, despite complaints to the contrary.
*A new study has called into question claims by some backers of Republican John McCain that the news media are being unduly critical of him while fawning over Democratic presidential rival Barack Obama.
As reported by Monday's Los Angeles Times, the study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University found that the major broadcast networks were tougher on Obama than on McCain during the first six weeks of the general-election campaign.
Other studies have indicated that Obama has gotten more press coverage than McCain, but the center's director, Robert T. Lichter, told the Times: "This information should blow away this silly assumption that more coverage is always better coverage."
RICK ROSS STILL DENIES C.O. PAST: News comes as Smoking Gun digs up more proof from Fla's Dept. of Corrections.
*The latest in the Rick Ross drama surrounding his past employment as a prison guard comes, again, from Smoking Gun, as well as the Boss himself, who claims all of this drama is nothing more than a smear campaign.
Through a Freedom of Information request, the Smoking Gun Web site obtained Florida Department of Corrections (DoC) records that show the 32-year-old worked as a correctional officer for 18 months, until he resigned his $25,794.34 post in June 1997.
DoC officials granted the Web site's request for Ross's 86-page personnel file, excerpts of which are posted at Smoking Gun. The documents include Ross's employment application, which notes that he was a 1994 graduate of Miami's Carol City Senior High School and spent a year at Georgia's Albany State College, where he studied Criminal Justice.
On a personal history form, he identifies Tommie Ann Roberts as his mother and Tawanda Roberts as his sister. Both women are prominently thanked in the liner notes from Ross's 2008 album "Trilla."
Other personnel records include a fingerprint card that was used during a criminal background check, and the resulting report showing that his record was clean. In a supplemental application, Ross agreed to perform a wide range of correctional officer duties, including "shoot an inmate attempting to escape."
Despite the documentation found by TSG, Ross (real name: William Leonard Roberts) continues to dismiss the allegations as rumors started by haters who target rappers once they reach a certain level of fame.
“When you get to my level, you’re a great conversation piece,” Ross told Phoenix radio station Power 98.3 (KKFR-FM) during an interview Friday (July 25). “I’m big on the blogs, I’m big on the magazines, and I appreciate that as an artist. That’s why I’m in the game. I got in this game to introduce people and to make great music. And that’s what it’s about.
“Don’t believe the hype,” he told listeners. “In the game we in, it’s real competitive. Competitors have to do what they have to do to eat. We making the best music. Y’all seen the BET Awards, y’all saw the magazine. We the biggest in the game, we the best in the game. Just keeping it real. And anytime somebody can attack my character, like I said, you get nothing from the Boss. I don’t give haters the pleasure."
FUNERAL HELD FOR WIFE, GRANDSON OF TIMOTHY WRIGHT: Rev. remains hospitalized in critical condition.
*Family and friends from around the country gathered at a Brooklyn church Monday to say goodbye to the wife and grandson of the Rev. Timothy Wright.
While the pastor remains in critical condition at a Pennsylvania hospital, a funeral was held for Betty Wright and grandson Daniel "D.J."
Wright at the Washington Temple Church of God in Christ in Bedford-Stuyvesant. During the service, a 120-strong choir performed Rev.
Wright's song, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."
The Rev. Al Sharpton and bishops from across the U.S. were among the mourners in attendance, reports Newsday. "You won't have to make excuses for Betty, you won't have to make excuses for D.J.," Sharpton told the applauding congregation. "We're not at a crack funeral."
Betty Wright and her grandson died after their car was hit head-on the night of July 4 by a vehicle going the wrong way on eastbound Interstate 80. That driver also died. Timothy Wright, founding pastor of Grace Tabernacle Christian Center Church of God in Christ in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and who lives in Roosevelt, was critically injured in the crash.
T.I. BEHIND VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORT: 'Respect My Vote!' targets 18-29, non-college folks.
*T.I. and the Hip Hop Caucus have teamed to launch a new voter registration and Get Out the Vote campaign that targets young people between ages 18 and 29, who are not in college.
The campaign slogan, "Respect My Vote!" and t-shirts were unveiled this week at a press event in Washington, D.C., with DJ Green Lantern, Dawn from Danity Kane, Young Berg, Maino, Wale, Young Steff, Washington Wizard Etan Thomas, Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Killieberew, Immortal Technique, Pleasure P, World Class Sprinter Michael Walton, BET Executive Vice President Stephen Hill and many others turning out to support.
Hip Hop Caucus President, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., who helped create the Vote Or Die! initiative with Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2004, explains: "No matter who wins in November, if large numbers of young people do not vote, then we all lose. It does not bode well for the future of our country, and our Democracy, if young people, particularly those who are not in college, are not engaged or involved in the electoral process. This campaign is critical in strengthening our Democracy and thus protecting our freedom."
Other celebrities, athletes and high profile figures are expected to join T.I. for the effort, which includes PSAs for radio, television and online use; in person appearances; press events; mobile and email alerts from celebrities themselves; and an aggressive online campaign.
Grassroots voter registration activities will be led by street teams in 17 cities across the nation: CA (Bay Area), FL (Miami), GA (Atlanta), IN (Indianapolis), MD (Baltimore), MI (Detroit), MO (St. Louis), NC (Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham), OH (Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus), PA (Philadelphia), TX (Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston), VA (Richmond), and DC (Washington, DC).
SMOOTH JAZZ VIRTUOSO ANDRE DELANO RELEASES SECOND ALBUM: “My So Fine” due in stores AUgust 19.
Inks Distribution Deal with Nu Groove Records/Red Sony Distribution
*Los Angeles, CA (July 29, 2008) – Saxophonist Andre Delano, an accomplished musician with a distinctive original sound, releases his highly anticipated second album “MY SO FINE” on August 19th, distributed through Nu Groove Records.
Delano, once again commands attention of his fans with 14 original songs that include guest appearances by bassist Byron Miller (Luther Vandross, George Duke), Smooth Jazz pianist, Kevin Toney (The Blackbyrds), trumpeter Greg Adams and guitarist Michael Ripoll (Baby Face, James Brown, Usher). From the opening note the Latin flavored first single ‘Sista Caliente’, which means ‘hot sista’ in Spanish, sets the tone for “My So Fine.” The new single is available for preview by visiting Delano’s websites: www.andredelano.com or www.myspace.com/andredelano.
Delano’s music is described as Smooth Soul, a new genre encompassing an appeal to Smooth Jazz, R&B, and Urban AC. Inspired by Junior Walker, Delano continues his tradition as an instrumentalist and vocalist effortlessly mixing both successfully. “Junior Walker began as a prolific writer and instrumentalist and it was not until the release of “What Does It Take” did Walker start believing in his vocal skills and singing on more records,” states Delano. ““The Da Da Song” is my Smooth Soul reincarnation of the style of music Walker would make.”
Nu Groove Records, re-launched in 2006 by original founder David Chackler in conjunction with Red/Sony Distribution, is set to take Delano’s music and career to the next level. “We love Delano’s brand of soulful, passion-filled jazz,” said Chackler. Nu Groove is proud to bring his music to the masses and introduce him to a new generation of smooth jazz fans.”
Darren Strothers, president of 7th Note Entertainment states, “Andre Delano is the preeminent jazz artist of our generation. With his supreme skills on the saxophone, and one-of-a-kind voice, his talents have to be heard and seen to be believed.” Strothers continues, “I am very pleased that Nu Groove believes in his artistry and this project as much as we do.”
My So Fine Track Listing:
1. Sista Caliente’
2. Once My Love
3. My So Fine
4. Soultie
5. More Than Words Can Say
6. The Da Da Song
7. College Sweetheart
8. JSU Jam
9. Get To You
10. I Do
11. First Dance
12. Home Sweet Home
13. That Much (I Love U)
14. The Da Da Song (Instrumental)
Upcoming Shows:
7/30 Catalina Bar & Grill, Hollywood, CA 8:00pm www.catalinajazzclub.com
8/16 Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula, CA 7:00pm www.wilsoncreekwinery.com
9/12 Spaghettini’s Italian Grill & Jazz Club, Seal Beach, CA 8:00pm www.spaghettini.com
For more information please visit:
www.7thnote.net
www.thenugroove.com
For Press Inquiries Please Contact:
Irving Der PH: 213-507-7792 EM: TheDer@aim.com
For Booking Inquiries Please Contact: Darren Strothers PH: 818-888-0676 EM: info@7thnote.net
ITTY BITTY BITS: Oprah at Wal-Mart; NFL online; Robin's love life; LeBron's headphones; Diddy's family day; Mr. Olympia sues; 'W.' trailer.
*There has been an Oprah sighting at Wal-Mart. TMZ.com has photos of Ms. Winfrey in Hawaii buying a Nintendo Wii and two games at the discount chain. "She was extremely friendly to the staff and even gave the saleswoman a hug before leaving," the Web site reported.
*For the first time ever, entire NFL games under NBC's "Sunday Night Football" will be available on the Web in the U.S. Not only will the game be streamed, but "Sunday Night Football Extra," as it's being called, will offer the Al Michaels/John Madden audio commentary as well as additional camera angles, the ability to watch multiple video streams and in-game highlights. It will begin with the Thursday night opening night, which will be televised on NBC.
*Robin Quivers, Howard Stern's sidekick, has broken up with her boyfriend Jim Florentine after dating nearly a year, reports Page Six. "It was time to call an end to it because things weren't working out," Quivers said on Stern's Sirius show Monday. "We hit a patch a few months ago, and I guess we're not going to get through it."
LeBron James, the next cover of Time magazine, bought every member of his USA Olympic Team a pair of $350 Beats by Dr. Dre headphones for last weekend's flight to China, reports TMZ.com.
*Diddy had another photo op with his twin girls over the weekend. This time their mother, his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter, was also present during an outing to Central Park's Sheep Meadow area. His sons Christian and Justin also accompanied their 19-month-old sisters, D'lila Star and Jesse James, who were seen in the photos being held and cuddled warmly by their parents.
*Eight-time Mr. Olympia champion Ronnie Coleman has sued Gold's Gym in L.A. County Superior Court claiming the workout chain used a photo of him in posters advertising the venue. The muscle man is seeking unspecified damages for misappropriation of image, invasion of privacy and unjust enrichment. He's also suing to discontinue use of the poster.
*The trailer for Oliver Stone's "W." film about president George W. Bush has hit the Web. The movie stars Josh Brolin in the title role, while Jeffrey Wright plays Gen. Colin Powell and Thandie Newton portrays Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Other cast members include James Cromwell (George H. W. Bush), Ellen Burstyn (Barbara Bush), Elizabeth Banks (Laura Bush) and Richard Dreyfuss (Dick Cheney). View the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg7vwicPx98 below:
BUSH CLEARS PATH FOR ARMY COOK'S EXECUTION: President says former soldier's rape and murder crimes warrant death sentence.
*President Bush made a decision Monday not to commute the death sentence of Ronald A. Gray, a former Army cook convicted of multiple rapes and murders. It marked the first time in 51 years that a president has affirmed a death sentence for a member of the U.S. military.
"While approving a sentence of death for a member of our armed services is a serious and difficult decision for a commander in chief, the president believes the facts of this case leave no doubt that the sentence is just and warranted," White House press secretary Dana Perino said, according to the Associated Press.
Gray, 42, was convicted in connection with a spree of four murders and eight rapes in the Fayetteville, N.C., area between April 1986 and January 1987 while he was stationed at Fort Bragg. He has been on death row at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., since April 1988.
President Eisenhower was the last president to approve a military execution. In 1957, he allowed the execution of John Bennett, an Army private convicted of raping and attempting to kill an 11-year-old Austrian girl. He was hanged in 1961.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants."
— Isaac Newton
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
July 30: Blues guitarist Buddy Guy is 72. Blues singer Otis Taylor is 60. Actor Laurence Fishburne is 47. Actress Vivica A. Fox is 44. Actor Terry Crews ("Everybody Hates Chris") is 40.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Need your Eric Benet fix? Well then www.TrueEBfans.com is the official fan club of Eric Benet and the BEST place to get Eric Benet news.
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
July 30, 1863: President Lincoln issued "eye-for-eye" order, warning the Confederacy that the Union would shoot a rebel prisoner for every black prisoner shot and would condemn a rebel prisoner to a life of hard labor for every black prisoner sold into slavery. The order had restraining influence on the Confederate government, through individual commanders and soldiers continued to murder captured black soldiers.
(Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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