Monthly Archives: February 2011

‘ROUND THE WAY: FANTASIA TO PLAY MAHALIA JACKSON / KERRY WASHINGTON & COLUMBUS SHORT JOIN SHONDA RHIMES’ NEW SERIES

Singer and reality TV star Fantasia Barrino, 26, is slated to play the late legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson (aka The Queen of Gospel). The film will be based off of the 1993 book Got to Tell It: Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel.

According to the Hollywood Reporter:

The CAA-repped Barrino, who’s biggest post-Idol gig to date was playing Celie in the Broadway version of The Color Purple, will portray Jackson on her journey from abject poverty in New Orleans to her rise as a global figure in gospel and early supporter of Martin Luther King, Jr. The singer died in 1972 at the age of 60.

The film will be directed by Euzhan Palcy (A Dry White Season) from a script by Jim Evering, and goes into production in April in Pittsburgh and Chicago for a December release.

[ SOURCE ]

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Posted in MOVIES, NEWS/STORIES Tagged , , , ,

MUSIC VIDEO: ERYKAH BADU – “GONE BABY, DON’T BE LONG”

Erykah Badu drops a clip for her latest offering from New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh, “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long.” The new music video was directed by Flying Lotus. New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh is in stores now.

Posted in MUSIC, VIDEOS Tagged

EVENT PICS: USHER & SONS ATTEND JUSTIN BIEBER MOVIE PREMIERE

Entertainer Usher Raymond and sons Usher Raymond V (3 years) & Naviyd Ely (2 years) attended the premiere of Paramount Pictures’ ‘Justin Bieber: Never Say Never’ held at Nokia Theater L.A. Live on Tuesday night ( February 8 ) in Los Angeles, California. Usher is one of the producers of film.

As you know, Usher had both children with his ex-wife Tameka Foster-Raymond, they filed for divorce back in 2009.

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Posted in EVENTS Tagged ,

MUSIC NEWS: KERI HILSON EYES THIRD STUDIO ALBUM / THE DREAM PLANS FOR NEW ALBUM / TEYANA TAYLOR’S NEW DEAL?

She just released her sophomore album, No Boys Allowed back in December, but Keri Hilson has already announced that she’s given some thought to what’s going to happen on her third studio LP.

She revealed that she’s already going to hit the studio with Polow Da Don next month.

“I’m actually recording, going back into the studio in March just to see what happens with Polow Da Don,” Keri exclusively told our friends at Rap-Up.com.

“I’ve given it some thought, but I’m definitely not going to rush it. I never want to be in that position, so there’s no date or anything. I’m going pretty deep on the second album, anyway.”

Keri also announced that she plans on hitting the road with her new album in April, with plans on having Jessie J. and Miguel as supporting acts. In the meantime, Keri has been hinted to the Chris Brown-assisted “One Night Stand” as the next single from No Boys Allowed.

THE DREAM PLANS FOR NEW ALBUM

Although he claimed that last year’s Love King was his last album, The Dream revealed that he is working on a fourth studio album and that it should hit stores by this August, meaning a single should be ready by early summer.

“Everybody’s calling for an album now, so I should have one out by August,” he told Quddus on the purple carpet at the premiere of Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.

In addition to working on his new project, The Dream revealed at the premiere of the new 3D Justin Bieber film that he is also penning tracks for the popstar’s upcoming new album. He announced on the purple carpet that he’s been in the studio with Justin, Kanye West, Kevin Cossom and Danja, just to name a few.

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Posted in MUSIC, MUSIC NEWS, ROUND UP Tagged ,