Features

The Ru Report #138

There's one reason why I look forward to summer every year. Not because of the exposed flesh on the city streets and at the beach, either. It's because for one reason or another, there seems to be a deluge of literary offerings for the masses to consume.

Tressed Up
Veteran hair designer Diane Da Costa has finally gotten her just desserts.

The celebrated coiffeuse just released her fist book, titled Textured Tresses: The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining and Styling Natural Hair. The near-200 hundred page trade paperback has just hit the bookshelves, and is already all the rave.

In the Fireside Original, Miss Da Costa teams up with XXL magazine's lovely lifestyle editor Paula T. Renfroe to educate consumers and professionals with this informative styling guide. "I wanted everyone to understand that [people] of color are born with beautiful textured hair from straight to very tightly coiled hair," Miss Da Costa told The RU Report. "As long as [people] love their hair and appreciated its natural texture--then all possibilities could open up to them--in any direction they want to go."

In the book, which features a foreword by her pal and sometimes client Blair Underwood, readers can learn how to identify what their hair texture is, as well as how to obtain healthy hair through proper care, styling, and maintenance. Divided into two parts ("Prepping The Canvas" and "Achieve It"), the photo heavy book provides readers with information on using various hair products, tools, and techniques that work specifically well with textured hair as well.

"My specialty is coloring, precision cutting and I am known for my natural textured styles," Miss Da Costa attests. Featured in British Elle, Essence and The New York Times, the former hair editor of the now-defunct Honey magazine, currently runs the New York City-based DL.d Consultants for Image and Life. Just up until a few years ago, she operated one of the hippest and ultra-fab salons, Dyaspora Salon Spa, which was well known for its innovative natural textured hairstyles. A who's who of Black Entertainment has sat under her chair, including Lauryn Hill, Lenny Kravitz, Ed Gordon and Grammy Award winning jazz diva Dee Dee Bridgewater, who is prominently featured in the book.

"Dee Dee has been one of the most electric, spiritual, talented women I've ever had the honor or being around as well as to create hairstyles for," she shared. "Our sessions were always delightful, airy, peaceful especially when you see this woman speaking fluent French--She could very well be my spiritual Mother."

Pardon the pun, but don't get it twisted: Textured Tresses is unisex. The book adds clarity and instruction for both men and women to maintaining natural hair, and making sure your crown and glory always shines.

In addition to Mr. Kravitz (who is now 'relaxed down'), it has become commonplace for entertainers--notably the likes of Macy Gray, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Maxwell, among others--to adorn natural looks throughout the mainstream media. Even Detroit Pistons' Forward Center Ben Wallace wore a Buckwheat-like do that was emulated by his legions of rowdy fans--some even Caucasian. You can't get any more natural than that.

"The media has always reflected the most popular style that they see on Black men and women. Now is the time that they are showing all skin tones with all hair textures. Women with locks are in commercials and on soap operas, prime time. Men with curly full hair are in advertisements. It's all about trends and style to the media. Things are changing--we can make the difference, by wearing our hair in its natural textured state with style."

It's as though she's ushering a crusade.

But was this book a hard sell to the sometimes rigid publishing arena, which with the exception of a few Essence magazine-sanctioned titles, has virtually ignored Black beauty concepts and subject manner?

"Not at all," she stated matter-of-factly, and then quipped: "producing this baby was the harder aspect."

"The natural hair movement has been around since the 60's and strongly for at least as long as I've been in the business, growing trendier and stylish every day," she added, making mention of Madison Avenue advertising trends for print and electronic campaigns. "So I would say, we have truly arrived and we are not going anywhere. It has definitely been a blessed situation all the way around. Praise God."

Ms. Da Costa plans on opening a new salon this fall, after promoting--and celebrating--Textured Tresses.

Pages
Infinity Broadcasting and America Online is presenting "Bill Clinton Connects With America," a one-hour, live interactive town hall with the former President, tonight via their respective streaming outlets. In an interview following the publication of the much buzzed about, instant best-seller "My Life," Mr. Clinton will talk live about his experiences leading up to and during the White House years, as well as answer questions from Infinity listeners and AOL members across the country. CBS News' Harry Smith, co-anchor of "The Early Show," will serve as moderator of the event, which will be broadcast on select Infinity news and news-talk radio stations AOL will also make portions of this exclusive content available publicly on the Web at aol.com. Published by Alfred A. Knopf, My Life has been one of the most eagerly awaited books of recent time. With a first printing of 1.5 million copies, the 900-page tome went on sale June 22.

Boasting to be a novel of "epic proportions," Push, the first title crafted by Relentless Aaron has caused a buzz in the independent literary world. Fresh out of the penitentiary, Mr. Aaron (formerly known as Dewitt Gilmore) is the new Ghetto Griot on the block, following in the footsteps of popular paperback writers such as Donald Goines, Iceberg Slim and Claude Brown. The former Mr. Gilmore was one of the most formidable grassroots media titans of the early 1990's New York City scene. He hosted and produced the New York based "SuperStar USA" TV show, published The SuperStar Magazine, and managed an adult entertainment club. This was all before he faded into oblivion (according to sources, he did a six-year bid for white collar crimes--reportedly laundering millions of dollars). His Los Angeles-based publicist rants and raves about his literary debut, even going as far as to say that "he has an amazing brain." Okay! The entangling book centers on Reginald "Push" Jackson, a hit man who is the product of the streets and the penal system. His journey is one that weaves a web of intrigue involving a multitude of characters in the Harlem backdrop. "I used prison as time to not only reflect, but to create," revealed Relentless. "I took this opportunity to not only study characterization and personality types, but I paid close attention to the way people acted and why." While incarcerated, Mr. Aaron authored over 30 novels, including the just released titles The Last Kingpin and Platinum Dolls.

Reading For Points
A listing of titles by Black authors to check out this season…

Black: A Celebration of Culture by Deborah Willis (Hylas Publishing, $35); Gorgeous coffee table fare for the whole family to enjoy. Great photos by the likes of Gordon Parks, Chester Higgins, Jr., Roland Freeman, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, Russell Lee, Addison Scurlock and many others are included in this super-sized hard-cover that features a Foreword by actress Anna Maria Horsford.

Cosmopolitan Girls by Charlotte Burley and Lyah Beth LeFlore (Harlem Moon, $11.95); With this delightful beach read, entertainment execs-cum-authors take on Black Chick Lit with their semi-autobiographical style of storytelling. The story revolves around two New York transplants and the man trouble they encounter--and the pink cocktail that becomes a tool of comfort.

The Blackbird Papers by Ian Smith (Doubleday, $24.95); My favorite celebrity doctor embarks on a novel idea with a thrilling fiction debut centering on the murder of a prominent African American professor with Ivy league academia as its backdrop. The victim's resentful sleuth-of-a-sibling, a rebellious FBI agent, heads to the rural confines of suburbia to take matters into his own hand, uncovering deep, dark mystery.

Drive Me Crazy by Eric Jerome Dickey (Dutton, $23.95), The New York Times best-selling author delivers a gritty novel that exposes the ugliness behind Los Angeles' seedy underbelly in his tenth book.

Bling! by Erica Kennedy (Miramax, $24.95 ); Finally the mainstream publishing houses acquired a juicy Jackie Collins-like look at the hip hop industry. The freelance writer for outlets such as In Style and US Weekly delivers a much buzzed about debut.

Nina Simone: Break Down & Let It All Out by Sylvia Hampton with David Nathan (Sanctuary, $24.95); The former fans turned personal friends of the High Priestess of Soul pays homage.

Truth Be Told by Victoria Christopher Murray (Touchtone, $14); Author of the national best-selling Temptation and Joy returns with one woman's personal and spiritual journey to overcome the consequences of her husband's dark secret. Christianity, politics and sibling rivalry is a recipe for disaster.

Unbelievable by Cheo Hodari Coker (Three Rivers Press, $19.95); The Vibe magazine cover story scribe traces the dramatic, tension-filled world of Biggie, Tupac, Puff Daddy and the super-sized music mogul Suge Knight and their friendships and feuds from the beginning to the bitter end.

The Hunted by L.A. Banks (St. Martin's Press, $14.95); The Philadelphia native finally gets some shine with some major distribution of her latest book in her vampire huntress series. Now optioned as a motion picture, the hip hop styled tale of terror will whet the pallets of Anne Rice and Laurell K. Hamilton lovers, and new readers of the genre.

Asphalt by Carl Hancock Rux (Atria, $24); The neo-soul performing artist and Martell Cognac spokesperson presents what is described to be a "brilliant" debut novel about a group of eclectic Harlem hobos who share a deep sense of loss.

Extra Wing It! Delectable Recipes for Everyone's Favorite Bar Snack by Christopher B. O'Hara (Clarkson Potter/Publishers, $16.95); The multimedia author of The Bloody Mary, The Ultimate Chili Book and Hot Toddies takes on poultry with a wide array of marinades and sauces to make chicken wings fly.

Music Notes
Retro-soul singer Ricky Fanté is set to make a cameo appearance as a 1920's nightclub singer in "Their Eyes Were Watching God," which is an adaptation of the literary classic by Harlem Renaissance author Zora Neale Hurston. The film, the latest project from Harpo Films' "Oprah Winfrey Presents" franchise, stars Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry, and will air on the ABC during the 2004-2005 season. "It's an honor and an extraordinary opportunity for me to be part of this project," explains the Maryland native who does a cover of Al Green's "Simply Beautiful" in the movie. "This film brings together the work of a legendary author and, in Harpo Films, world-class producers." Mr. Fanté's much-delayed debut album Rewind is due out in July via Virgin Records. Managed by The Firm and booked by the William Morris Agency, he's on the rise. The former marine will perform on "Good Morning America" on July 14.

Stage and television veteran Roz Ryan is taking a bite out of the Big Apple with her much buzzed about new cabaret act, "All About the Music,"--with musical direction by Shelton Becton--playing at Danny's Skylight Room next on July 12 and again on July 19. The robust "Amen" actress just performed a show at New York's new Opia room in mid-town east and had the crowd at its feet. A definitive force to be reckoned with, Miss Ryan is currently starring as Matron Mama Morton in the smash Broadway hit "Chicago" at the Ambassador Theatre. No stranger to the Great White Way, the Detroit-native has also starred in "Dreamgirls," "One Mo' Time" and "Ain't Misbehavin." She has also toured the country in the national tour of the Windy City musical. On the tube, she's best remembered as Amelia Hetebrink on NBC's "Amen" and Ms. Dixon on UPN's short-lived "Good News." Last season, she co-starred on the WB series "All About the Andersons." Mama Be Working!

Rappers such as Common, Dead Prez, Doug E. Fresh, KRS-One, MC Lyte, Speech and Kanye West join the likes of Mike Epps, Kim Fields, Ani di Franco, Tracy Morgan, Floetry, Michael Eric Dyson and the legendary actress Ruby Dee in the line up for the fourth season of "Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry," which returns to HBO for its with ten new half-hour editions, beginning July 18.

Sounding Board

There's a gang of new music brewing at retail outlets that's worthy of mentioning …and listening to. Truth Hurtz's sophomore set Ready Now (Pookie) is a little more laid back than her last much buzzed about effort. Executive Producer Raphael Saadiq's neo-soulful musical influence is felt, but she still has her groove--and ghetto girl swagger. Relationship highs and lows are explored throughout tracks such as "Knock, Knock," "Lifetime" and the seven-minute-plus "U."

The New School Black King of Rock & Soul Lenny Kravitz's christens us with his Baptism (Virgin), which is as versatile as his colorful fashion sensibilities. Jay-Z does Brooklyn proud on "Storm," while the rocker gets melancholy on "The Other Side," exposing that lower register with David Sanborn blowing up the sax. The press-and-curled musician gets groovy on "SistaMamaLover" and takes us to 'chuch' on the title track, with backing wails provided by in-demand session singer Tawatha Agee (who gave us the 1980's million-selling R&B hit "Juicy Fruit").

Gospel music jazz star Ben Tankard's Piano Prophet (Verity) is sheer enjoyment. Covers of Earth, Wind & Fire's "Head To The Sky" and McFadden & Whitehead's "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" helps the keyboardist live up to the title of the album. Appearances by Shirley Murdock and Fred Hammond are the icing on the cake.

Self-described 'First Lady of Neo Soul' Angie Stone's third opus Stone Love is The Truth. A proven brand at radio and in clubs, the former Vertical Hold lead vocalists gives much gusto with the 12-track set, featuring collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Floetry, Anthony Hamilton, Betty Wright, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot and Jazzy Pha.

New York's native son Kered and his independently released 15-track debut album, All My Love (L'Dar) offers up spicy and sensual R&B with a vocal ability reminiscent of early 1990s new-jack swing crooners Johnny Kemp, Jeff Redd and duo EnTouch.

Musical maestro George Benson makes a long awaited return to the newly recorded music realm with the just-released Irreplaceable (GRP/Verve), which includes jazzed-up takes on Luther Vandross' "Take You Out," and Case's "Missing You" and contemporary tracks crafted by R&B crooner/songwriter and producer Joe. The multiple award winning, multi-versatile musician offers a new "G.B. vibe" utilizing current themes and vibrant sounds.

Film File
Acclaimed pop culture critic and esteemed author Nelson George's latest brainchild, Everyday People, described as an intimate ensemble drama, will debut on HBO this weekend. Featured at this year's "Sundance Film Festival," the 90-minute tele-film stars Stephen Axelrod, Bridget Barkan, Ron Butler, Reg E. Cathey, Jordan Gelber, Billöah Greene, Iris Little-Thomas, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Sydnee Stewart. Directed by Jim McKay (Our Song), Everyday People deals with contemporary race relations in America. Mr. George, who is the author of numerous books on Black American culture and a former consulting producer on "The Chris Rock Show," came up with the idea for the project five years ago. "A lot of the film deals with assumptions," notes Mr. George, who serves as the film's executive producer. "When you meet someone, whether you are aware of it or not, you judge them. They may look hip hop, they may look corporate, they may look bohemian. But you are not seeing the person, because these are all guises. And color is just one more level of the outfit. The film works from that philosophical point: that by seeing these people, and spending a day in their lives, we get to look at them in a way that you don't normally get in the news."

Everyday People debuts June 26 on HBO, with additional airdates: June 29, July 4, July 8 and July 12.

On July 17, Latina starlet Rosario Dawson will be honored with the Rising Star Award at the Film Life Movie Awards, during the American Black Film Festival (formerly The Acapulco Film Festival). A celebration of Black cinema, the annual gala fete was created to commemorate the achievements of people of color in Hollywood as well as to showcase the endeavors of the independent film community. Unique among awards shows, it is the culminating event of the film fest, which aims to bring together accomplished Hollywood icons and aspiring independent filmmakers and actors. The event will take place at in the Jackie Gleason Theater in the flossy South Beach section of Miami. Acclaimed director Spike Lee will receive the Innovator Award, presented by Time Warner, for his distinguished work and outstanding contributions to American cinema.

According to Los Angeles based film publicist Ava Duvernay, box-office superstar Tom Cruise is headed to Harlem. The highly-anticipated thriller Collateral starring the three-time Oscar nominee and Jamie Foxx, along with Jada Pinkett Smith and Mark Ruffalo has been selected as the opening night screening of The Eighth Annual Urbanworld Film Festival. Directed by three-time Academy Award nominee Michael Mann (Ali), the star-studded event is scheduled for August 4 at the Magic Johnson Theaters in Harlem USA. Released by Dreamworks Pictures, the movie will open nationwide on August 6.

There ain't nothing you can say. So don't come sing "Amazing Grace"

Message Karu F Daniels or email him directly at therureport@aol.com

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