Click HereDru Hill Readying Return, Cedric To Entertain On Fox, India.Arie’s Oxygen Concert, “Madea’s Family Reunion” and more
By Jawn Murray (Washington, DC)
There are so many aspiring singers looking to break into the music business by any means necessary. Be it as a solo act, joining a group, or even starting off as a background singer, so many talented, and not so talented vocalists strive to achieve their fifteen minutes of fame. Why someone who was able make it into the music business, sell numerous multi-platinum albums, and have sell-out tours, would walk away from the fast-paced limousines and caviar lifestyle at the pinnacle of their success is unbeknownst to many.
“I had to be obedient and do what God told me to do,” shared Woody Rock of Dru Hill, when I had lunch with the singer recently in Baltimore, MD. “It was a hard because when I would look at TV, I would see Sisqo doing his thing. I would turn on MTV and see the whole group doing stuff and I couldn’t be a part of it. But, at the same time I know that what I am doing is going to last, cause only what you do for Christ will last.”
What the Baltimore-bred crooner is doing is promoting his debut gospel solo album “Soul Music.” The album, released on Gospo Centric Records, also home to Kirk Franklin, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, and the Kurt Carr Singers, is a collection of urban inspirational tunes many of which were co-written by Woody. The album features a bevy of collaborative efforts with artists like Case, Natalie Wilson & SOP, Ruff Endz, and Mary Mary to name a few.
“Everyone who worked on my albums loves God. I wanted it to be not just an experience for those who buy the album, but I wanted it to be an experience for those who worked on it as well,” explained Woody about working with both gospel and non-gospel acts like B.B. Jay and Dru Hill on the CD.
Making the transition from mainstream music into gospel is not an easy one. It is no secret that the gospel consumer can be very country club-like about those who venture into the sacred genre. Fortunately for Woody, the gospel community has welcomed him with open arms.
“I heard it could be hard! Kirk [Franklin] kind of took me to the side and told me what it could be like,” admitted Woody. “The fact that they have received me has really been a blessing.”
Woody also feels blessed because his mother was able to see him walk away from mainstream music and began recording his gospel album before she died last year. “I promised my mother I would always record a gospel album,” said Woody, who recorded his mother’s favorite gospel song “I Won’t Complain” in tribute to her.
While most artists are desperately seeking longevity in the music business, that’s not the case with Woody. “I would like to retire when I turn 27 [years old],” shared the 25-year-old singer. “I have my gospel album and I am required to record one more Dru Hill album, and then I want to settle down and be a family man.”
The singer is in a serious relationship and admitted that the hustle and bustle of being on the road with Dru Hill caused his last serious relationship to break up. This time, he hopes to marry the young lady in his life and is determined not to let the music industry stop that.
As far as Dru Hill is concerned, Woody informed me that he will be returning to the group for their upcoming album. “Contractually I am required to fulfill one more Dru Hill album,” explained Woody. “I signed a contract with Def Jam saying I would do one more Dru Hill album and that’s how I was able to do my gospel album,” he concluded.
Ironically, now that Woody is returning, group member Jazz has parted ways with Dru Hill. The group now consists of Sisqo, Nokio, Woody, and new member Ruscola. “He wants to do the solo thing,” said Woody about Jazz’s exodus. Ruscola, Jazz’s replacement, was an independent artist from Baltimore who produced and sang background vocals on Woody’s “Soul Music.” Said Woody: “Sisqo and Nokio were like - what about your boy Ruscola? - and we decided he was a perfect fit.”
If you’re wondering about Sisqo, according to Woody, the former blond cornrowed crooner is now sporting close-cut black hair. Woody is not certain if Sisqo has vitiligo, but admits that his skin has lightened. Dru Hill hopes to release their album, much of which was recorded at Sisqo’s Baltimore studio, this fall.
Woody Rock’s “Soul Music” is in stores now and definitely one to check for.
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Cuttin’ Up: Cedric “The Entertainer” has struck a new pilot deal with FOX to develop a television family variety series. “It’s only in the early stages, but we’re kind of doing a take on the Carroll Burnett-type show, a character variety show, but not any musical acts,” shared Cedric. The show will be centered around Cedric with a small cast similar to 70s era shows by Flip Wilson and Jackie Gleason. The comedian, who is on tour promoting his book Grown Ass Man, was supposed to star in a WB sitcom called “Ced The Coach.” “We were with a production company that folded,” explained Cedric. “They filed for bankruptcy and shortly thereafter 9/11 happened and no one was buying any shows and we couldn’t get picked up.” Cedric is slated to co-star in “Servicing Sara” featuring Elizabeth Hurley and Matthew Perry. He also will be featured alongside Ice Cube in the film “Barbershop” and is starring in and co-writing a film called “Preaching Ain’t Easy.” The entertainer is also producing and starring in a DVD to be released this summer called “Starting Lineup,” where, Cedric explains, “I’m introducing a lot of the new comics coming up. Hot and funny young comics that I think are people to look out for,” said Cedric.
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Breathtaking Concert: India.Arie taped a one-hour concert special during the Oxygen Network’s anniversary last week at the New York City hotspot Exit. The seven-time Grammy nominee performed hits from her platinum-plus album “Acoustic Soul” including “Video,” “Brown Skin,” and “Ready For Love.” India performed “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” with the legendary Roberta Flack, “Concrete Love” with British star Julia Fordham, and debuted a new song from her next album. Among those in attendance were the Queen of Daytime herself, Oprah Winfrey, actor Jesse L. Martin, who sang along backstage, Pam Grier, Katie Couric, Motown President Kedar Massenburg and Oxygen talents Gayle King, Candice Bergen, and Isaac Mizrahi. India’s mother, Simpson, looked on proudly as her daughter captivated the Exit crowd with her live show. The one-hour Oxygen special will air in May.
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The Funniest Play Ever: Gospel publicist Veryl Howard invited me to go see the Tyler Perry play “Madea’s Family Reunion” last week at the Warner Theater. Never in my life have I ever been to a production where I have laughed from the time the curtains went up until when the janitors started sweeping up. The play, written and directed by Perry who plays “Madea,” also features stage veteran and gospel star D’Atra Hicks, who is signed to Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Dexterity Sounds record label, Lil’ G of the R&B group Silk, Tamela and David Mann of Kirk Franklin’s group The Family, Regina McCrary of Bobby Jones’s Nashville Super Choir, and others. “Madea” is a gun-toting, cigarette-smoking, hip-hop loving matriarch of a dysfunctional family. Her comedy relief and bang-bang shoot em’ up style of policing her relatives is hysterical. This play is a must-see! If you know anyone that’s down, depressed, got the blues, in a coma, or even dead for that matter, without a doubt they’ll laugh themselves to tears while watching this play! Catch “Madea’s Family Reunion” when it hits a city near you.
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Star Studded Worship: The First Corinthian Baptist Church in New York City is becoming a celebrity friendly ministry similar to churches like West Angeles COGIC Church and Greater Bethany Temple in Hollywood, CA. The Manhattan based temple is located on 116th & St. Nicholas in the Big Apple and has become the sanctuary of choice for celebrities like Diana Ross’s daughter singer/actress Rhonda Ross Kendrick, R&B singer Monifah, WNBA basketball star Teresa Weatherspoon, and actress Aunjanue Ellis who starred in “Disappearing Acts” and “In Too Deep.” Even stars like Jennifer Holliday have popped in to sing on Sunday mornings and to hear the young, biblical genius Rev. Dr. E. Derrik Porter deliver the preached word.
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Can’t Say Names: Sources say that a particular R&B singer with a nasty attitude has longings for women other than his wife. Sources say this stems from the singer being “unattractive and not popular while growing up.” This piano playing playboy beds numerous women because “he feels they only want him because of his celebrity.” Said a source: “One time his wife accompanied him to one of his shows and when someone inquired as to who she was, he said it was his aunt!” Sounds like this guy needs a session with Iyanla Vanzant!
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Quickies:
~ Liza Minnelli shared her music industry wisdom the upstart artists also rehearsing at S.I.R. Studios on West 52nd Street in New York City. Liza was at S.I.R. prepping her London-bound concert run. Minnelli talked about her “deliverance from death” and how happy she is to be married to producer David Gest. Liza also signed autographs and took a few pictures with fans during smoke breaks outside of the rehearsal hall.
~ Sources say that Keshia “Rudy” Knight Pulliam and Deon “Bud” Richmond of the “Cosby Show” are still “very good friends!” The two were childhood sweethearts on the famed family comedy, and apparently it has carried over to their adult lives. Said a source: “I think they are going to get married.”
~ Philly’s Jasmine Sullivan stole the show at the Black Lilly showcase at NYC’s SOB’s last week. Sullivan is a 15-year-old R&B protégé of Vidal Davis and Andre Harris (Jill Scott, Glenn Lewis) and is drawing comparisons to gospel diva Kim Burrell. (I remember Jasmine performing her first full gospel concert three years ago for Charles Butler & Trinity in Washington, DC!) Black Lilly was hosted by D. Ryva Parker and also featured N’Dea Davenport, the Jazzyfatnastees, Tamar Kali, and Melky Sedek. Black Lilly is an underground organization founded by the Jazzyfatnastees and Nou-Ra to support and encourage urban female artists.
Well I’m Jawn, and that’s your Juice! See you next week!
E-mail: GarekNews@hotmail.com
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