Words

In Rotation: DJ Wally Sparks

DJ Wally Sparks
Chattanooga TN

Music: Goapele, Kem, Anthony Hamilton, Sleepy's Theme, Amp Fiddler, T.I., Big Kuntry Kane, Lil Flip, Three 6 Mafia, Bloodraw

DJ Wally Sparks
Sparksfly Ent.
Chattanooga TN

Music: Goapele, Kem, Anthony Hamilton, Sleepy's Theme, Amp Fiddler, T.I., Big Kuntry Kane, Lil Flip, Three 6 Mafia, Bloodraw, and Attitude. (Watch out for these 2), Kenna, Lil Scrappy & Trillville, Amel Larrieux's new joint ,Usher, The Best Of Donald Byrd, UGK's 2^nd album Supertight, Scarface, Sizzla, Jah Cure, Vybz Kartel, Sugar Minott, Garnet Silk, Jay-Z, and a gang of mix tapes from Mick Boogie, DJ Jamad, DJ Qool Marv, DJ Smallz, and this guy from Tennessee named Wally Sparks. His shit is kinda wack though.

Magazines: XXL, The Fader, Ozone, Complex, Pro Wrestling Illustrated, King, ESPN The Magazine, and Rolling Out.

Books: I just read Coldest Winter Ever again...for like the 4^th time. That nigga Midnight was cool as hell. I'm about to start on Divided Soul: The Life Of Marvin Gaye. Other books I dig are... The 22 Immutable Laws Of Branding, Looking For The Perfect Beat: The Art & Culture Of The DJ, Men Cry In The Dark, The Black Book, I flirted with the chick at Media Play long enough to get her to give me an advanced copy. Musta been the twang, lol.

Movies: I wanna see that City Of God joint. Anything by Kevin Smith, Spike Lee, Martin Scorcese or Steven Soderburgh (except for that weak ass Galataca shit). Otherwise I'm usually lookin at some porn. Ayana Angel is a bad muthafucka!!

Television: "Around The Horn," "Pardon The Interruption," "Rome Is Burning, Best Damn Sports Show Period, "The Justice League," "The Wire," "On The Record with Bob Costas," VH1 Soul, WWE Raw & Smackdown, TNA Explosion, "A Different World" re-runs, and NBA TV. As you can see I watch a lotta sports, because television is pretty damn lame now days.

Hobbies: Counterculture. I'm really into that sticky green stuff.

Style: Clean & Southern. Anything I can rock some icy white sneakers with is cool with me.

Spots: Neyland Stadium in Knoxville TN, Go Big Orange!!, The Premier in Memphis, Isaac Hayes Restaurant in Memphis, The Matrix in Nashville, Vision in Atlanta, The Moon in Tallahassee, The Arena in San Juan Puerto Rico, Bourbon Beach in Negril, Jamaica (I just DJ'd there 2 weeks ago. Aint nothin like gettin crunk on the beach shawty!!!)

Future Plans: Sit on my ass all day, party all nite and get paid for it. Nah, seriously though. I definitely wanna step my mix tape game up and try and get my name poppin on a national level. Get myself on few more stations and make my way into syndication. Continue to travel, and rock parties abroad. "Rap City" is something I would very much like to do, so if anyone has the connect reach out to ya folk.

For more info, check out djwallysparks.com

Message DJ Wally Sparks and tell him what you think

Shoptalk: DJ S&S

DJ S&S
NYC

How long have you been DJing?
I've been DJing for 23 years. I started in '81 and I've been

DJ S&S
NYC

How long have you been DJing?

I've been DJing for 23 years. I started in '81 and I've been spinnin' professionally since '90.

What are some marketing things you do to separate yourself from the competition?

For me, it's never been about the money. I've rocked parties for free before. It's about the experience. I put 110% in my set. When people leave, they remember that night and that I was the DJ.

I also time when I play certain records. There are certain records for the start of the club and then there are go-to records for crunch time.

What are your go-to records now?

Jay-Z's Black Album, J-Kwon's "Tipsy," Lil Flip's "Game Over," Dipset's "Gantsa," Biggie, etc.

I also originate a lot of techniques. I'm the first one to play the same record again and again and again. But there are only a few records that you can do that with. I did it with the Lox' "The Benjamins," 50 Cent's "In Da Club," Busta, Biggie.

For example, that 50 Cent's "In Da Club" was only being played on the radio. When I finally got my vinyl, I played it at my birthday party that night 27 times straight.

But you can't do that with just any record. If you played a mediocre record 27 times straight, you'd have people booing.

Exactly, I released my own record and since it wasn't well known, I couldn't play it that many times.

What was that experience like, releasing your own record?

I was hanging out with Buckwild, Premier, M.O.P., and a gang of producers and artists and they said I should start producing. I was hesitant at first but then I started getting excited about it. At the time, my name was real hot so Lethal signed me to do an album.

I was new to producing and making an album and didn't have a big budget so I had to produce the entire project. It was a learning experience.

What would you do differently?

I'd make sure that I had the hottest music on there. I don't mind giving people shine, it just has to be hot.

Was it hard for you to be taken seriously as a producer?

It's about the music. If it's not hot, it's not gonna get placed.

At the party, you give away mix CDs versus selling it. Has the low $5 price point of mix CDs made it more practical to just give it away?

I don't know about other DJs, but I give my tapes away. It extends my reach and builds my audience. Sure, you get respect by selling your mix CDs but I want to touch more people and giving them away allows me to do that. I'm in peoples' homes, their cars, and the clubs.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of mixing on the radio?

The major advantage is more people know about you. You reach more people over the airwaves than at the club. I don't really see a disadvantage to mixing on the radio.

Does a radio gig entail a higher fee for DJing an event?

I've been DJing so long that I can set my price. But being on the radio helps get you a better rate.

Do you use CDs, MP3s in you set?

I use CDs at times. When a promoter is being cheap, then I can do a CD set to fit his budget.

What's the difference?

I just can't do the same things with CDs that I can do with records. I tried. It takes too much time to put in the CD, read it, cue it, and hit play. There's just stuff where I use three records that's not possible with CDs.

It's definitely more convenient then bringing the vinyl but it's not me at my best.

How important is being aware of commercial radio and video airplay when you DJ?

It's very important. There's not as many true hip hop heads that search out great music. People rely on commercial radio and video airplay to find out about new music and what’s hot.

For my listeners to have an unbelievable experience, I have to play music that they are familiar with. So I'm always checking what's getting heavy radio and video airplay. I ask other DJs, everything. That's my responsibility to be up on stuff so that my audience gets the very best.

Do you break records?

I do break records but there's a way to do it. If I believe in a record, then I constantly play it and get my listeners used to it. Eventually they'll start asking about it. I just can't play an unfamiliar record during my go-to set because it's not the right time yet.

How do you handle promoters pressing you to play their records at a club?

I'm very honest with promoters. I tell them if I think their record is hot or not. I can't lead them on saying I'll play their song and never do it.

Have you ever been wrong about records?

Yes. A recent one was the Youngbloodz with Lil Jon. I listened to it but I was so busy that I didn't pay enough attention to it and thought it wouldn't work for me. After closely re-listening to it, I realized my mistake.

How do you prepare for gigs outside of New York City? say Albuquerque NM.

When people hire me, they want that NY feel so I give them that but I also do research on the market so I can cater to that audience. It's essential. If I do that, I pay respect to my listeners and I still get to showcase my NYC Flavor.

Believe me, I've seen a lot of DJs think that being from NY is enough and get boooed. Knowing your audience is key.

There's only been really one DJ, to me, that's been able to consistently rock regardless of where he's at, and that's Kid Capri.

So I asked him how he does it because at that time, I hadn't done it. And I took his advice about certain markets and combined that with my research to really cater to that audience.

How do you feel about promoters hiring beautiful model turned DJs for their looks versus their DJ ability?

They got to do whatever they have to do. They're using an asset to their advantage.

You're an intimidating looking man, has that hurt your marketability?

I haven't got a lot of opportunities to do commercials. I know when you meet me, you see that I'm very respectful and polite. My mom stressed home training so I acknowledge my elders and I'm very professional.

You may not believe that by looking at me. I think it was the same thing with B.I.G. People thought he was a certain way when he was totally different. You've taken photos of me Ray and I've always been cooperative. It's about being humble and treating people as you'd like to be treated.

Message DJ S&S and tell him what you think

In The Office Series

Documenting the entertainment industry
Check out photos from Sony Urban and BET. Enjoy

The Ru Report #130

Phenomenal Woman: Deborah Cox
Two singers in a row for Women's Herstory Month?

I promise it's for completely different reasons

Phenomenal Woman: Deborah Cox
Two singers in a row for Women's Herstory Month?

I promise it's for completely different reasons.

For the final column celebrating women this month, I wanted to highlight someone making an indelible mark in the theater world. And it just so happens that Miss Deborah Cox fits the bill. To a tee.

Out of all the young starlets that came up in the mid-90s, the Guyana-born, Toronto-reared belter was always one of my favorites. Upon meeting her at the height of her reign at number one on the Billboard charts with the ubiquitous power ballad turned club anthem, "Nobody's Supposed To Be Here," we hit it off really well, kicked it up and promised to keep in touch.

She seemed so unaffected by the trappings of being the latest Arista diva to go platinum-plus. No fur coats. No expensive sunglasses. No handlers. No bodyguards. No drama. She seemed to be the Anti-Celebrity during our first sit down encounter. Back then my office was just a few blocks from Arista's New York City headquarters and Miss Lady walked over to where I was, foregoing the standard town-car service that's commonplace while on the hit parade. She rolled solo and was so humble, honest and very, very sincere.

She knew how to leave an impression.

Nowadays, she's taking Broadway by storm as Disney's newest lead in the Grammy and Tony Award-winning Elton John/Tim Rice musical, "AIDA." And she's phenomenal. There have been several Aidas over the four year history of the show; Tony Award-winning inaugural diva Heather Headley; then came Nina Simone's heiress Simone Kelly; R&B chanteuse Toni Braxton followed; and then Destiny's Child's gospel tinged-God daughter Michelle Williams gave the role a try before the newest bronze beauty took over.

Deborah Cox has such a command of the stage in her brilliant Broadway debut. She's a breath of fresh air as Broadway's newest AIDA. Ms. Headley's shoes are hard to fill, but Miss Cox does one hell of a job trying them on. She's so good that Heather would be damn proud. After years and years of hard work, her showmanship has paid off. A New Broadway Star is born!!!"

The Ru Report caught up to Miss Cox earlier this week, while she was recovering from a bug. She had to take a couple of days off from the show because of inflamed vocal chords and swollen glands resulting from a lack of rest. She was at home in a gated community in Ft. Lauderdale with her husband/manager and her newborn baby son.

Here's what Deborah Cox shared with The Ru Report about her life, her love and her latest endeavor...

Playing Mommy...
Motherhood is amazing but soooo hard! Isaiah is now eight months and he's developing so fast. It was important for me to spend as much time with him as possible and I have been fortunate to be able to do so. I chose to do Broadway because of the schedule; I can be mommy by day and Deborah Cox by night.

Motherhood teaches you a lot about patience and how to juggle your time. I don't get as much sleep as I would like. But when I look at his little face and see that he developing into a beautiful human being, the long hours of feeding and sleepless nights are worth it. Motherhood has been good for me. I no longer get so anxious about things. I roll with the punches and that's it. What hasn't been done today can be done tomorrow! My husband [Lascelles Stephens] and I learned that having a child is a lesson in and of itself. There are so many important lessons that you can only learn through parenting, for example, as a parent, you tend to feel obligated to fix everything but sometimes there are no answers.

Shining In The Sunshine State...
I love it in Florida. I love coming home to that gorgeous weather. It's like being on vacation all the time! That's why I moved there. I moved to Florida for balance. I lived in California for seven years and while I was there it never felt like home to me. I was traveling most of the time touring etc. and when I came home I would feel like I was still working because almost everyone I encountered was in the business or trying to get into the business. I'm originally from the East Coast (Toronto) and I wanted to move back but to a place where it didn't snow and Florida was that place.

Parting Ways With Clive Davis' J. Records...

My last album The Morning After was four years in the making. A good part of that time was spent working out the logistics of the Arista/ J. situation. I chose to go with Clive out of loyalty and because he was the one who took a gamble on me. However, I believe that if that album had more promotional and marketing support, it would have done much better, so it was overlooked because no one knew it was there. The game has changed a lot and is still changing. I'm fortunate enough to still be in the game. I have no regrets. I have learned a lot and will move forward with new fervor.

The J Records experience didn't teach me anything that I wouldn't have learned if I was with another record label. Fact is that we're in a time where corporate mergers and Wall Street plays a greater role in the longevity of an artist than talent and artistic integrity.

The truth is that my record was scheduled to be released in June/July of that year and I felt that it was ready but they kept on pushing it back. I didn't want to come out in the fourth quarter but recording artists usually don't have control over these things.

Being Broadway Bound...
It has always been my dream to star on Broadway and this role is a very complex one but so rewarding. Only the best of the best get the opportunity to star on Broadway and this run is one that requires stamina. It's a great way to build up my acting chops every night. "AIDA" is a love story and a very consuming role. She is a warrior princess with a lot of passion when it comes to her people. She is also a very inspiring character for me.

The audition was awkward because I had friends in the business also going up for the role. I remember the room filed with about 10 people from Disney, the director, the choreographer, casting and the president, so it was nerve wrecking.

Seizing The Moment...
I did a touring play last year called "Love On Layaway" by David E. Talbert and it was an amazing experience. The cast consisted of Mel Jackson, Martha Wash, Lenny Williams and the supporting casts were awesome. That's when I decided that after I have the baby I'm going to take it on Broadway. Disney asked me to be Belle in "Beauty and The Beast" a couple years ago but I couldn't because of my schedule so I told my people to reach out and Disney said that they were looking for a new Aida. I loved the show when I saw it.

I saw Toni's last performance and Michelle's first performance. I loved the character when I first saw Toni in it. By the time Michelle was on, I was in rehearsals and watching from a different perspective. I was watching from a more technical perspective, like blocking, lighting, etc.

I think every person bring their own experience to the role. I try to be very truthful to the role by watching stories of strong black women. I have also been listening to a lot of African music to help me connect with the spirit of the piece.

Embracing AIDA...
I do feel like a Nubian Princess. Disney is a really great company to be involved with and the cast and crew and musicians have shown me so much love and respect through all of this.

The rehearsals grew very intense as the weeks passed. I remember I'd come in from rehearsal and Isaiah would look at me like, "Okay is it my time now?" Then I would have to leave to watch the show in the evening, So they were very long days.

The character is really built around the songs. So it is important to understand the sentiment of each song.

It's very different from what I was doing before. I love the songs in the show and love singing them because it is all about simplicity. You don't have to do a whole lot to get the point across. I understand who she is. She is not a riffing princess and she is not a chamber music singer either. She is a princess who has a strong soul. And that must be portrayed in the style of singing.

Pulling It Off...
I think the only pressure is being consistent night after night.

Right now I can only find advantages in doing this role. It allows people to see a more well-rounded artist. I sing many different styles in the show. I act. I do a fierce sword fight.

Looking Ahead...
I roll with the punches. I will be in the studio to start the new album. I have been asking about "Dreamgirls" for a while now. I would love to see that brought back to Broadway.

Stages
Thanks to one of her visionary producers, I got a chance to take my posse to go check out Sarah Jones' new show, "Bridge & Tunnel," down at the Bleecker Street Theater, last week. The media darling is a visual and vocal acrobat in this hilarious send-up of the inner workings of south Queens poetry slam. With an assortment of characters ranging from a natty dressed Hebrew gent, a very conscious Asian man, a street-savvy rap god, a Jamaican poetess and a Puerto Rican physically challenged Vietnam vet, "Bridge & Tunnel" is a melting pot of New York's most outspoken and introspective stories. Ms. Jones, who continues to win raves across the board in this latest show--her fourth to date, is being backed by none other than Miss Meryl Streep and The Culture Project. And now there's talk of a Broadway transfer. Backstage, Miss Jones and I relished in the possibilities of her bringing her brew of urban life to the Great White Way. Who knew? Just last year around this time, I met her at the fabulous party Russell Simmons hosted for his "Def Poetry Jam on Broadway." Three months later, the show won the Tony for Special Theatrical Achievement. "Bridge & Tunnel" would be a perfect follow-up.

Seems as though the never-ending machinery called Madonna isn't the only brazen British babe in the process of Re-Invention. How about Melanie Janine Brown a.k.a. Mel B. a.k.a. Scary Spice of the once ubiquitous pop tart group The Spice Girls making her way on the boards. The spiciest spice chick (who also recorded with Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot) will make her debut in the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "Rent," on April 16.

Television veteran turned Broadway star (or vice versa) Roz Ryan is back on Broadway playing Matron Mamma Morton in the hit Broadway musical, "Chicago." She first got her feet wet in the role a couple of years back, before taking a lead role in the ill-fated vaudeville musical "One Mo' Time." Since then, she's been winning raves on the touring production between breaks of her WB sitcom "All About The Andersons." During her TV hiatus, she's shaking things up quite a bit at the Ambassador Theater.

Another "Chicago" diva, Miss Brenda Braxton (no relation to Toni) is sizzling on the stage as the murderous mistress of mayhem Velma Kelly. A Black one, at that. A fierce one, at that. One to really see, at that. This isn't Bren's first foray into the Velma role. The "Smokey Joe Café"'s alum appeared in the windy city musical back in 2002. She's been holding her own ever since. Now there's talk that she's involved in this new "Dreamgirls" production, that so many of us have been waiting for, for oh so long. She choreographed the 20^th Anniversary Concert, which starred Lillias White, Audra McDonald and Heather Headley, three years ago.

And lastly, "Little Shop Of Horrors, "Grease" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" follow a very short list of movie musicals that made a splash on Broadway. Now we're hearing rumblings of Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple in the works. The multiple Oscar nominated tour-de-force--based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize winning novel of the same name--may see the light of day as early as 2005. Actress-turned-theater wizard Regina Taylor ( "Crowns," "Drowning Crow") was initially appointed to helm the script. But that deal fell apart. So far, the only definite The Ru Report knows of is the incomparable La Chanze ("Once On This Island," "Bubbly Black Girl,") winning the lead role of Celie. I can't wait to see this.

Reeling Them In
As Women's Herstory Month comes to a close, the marketing wheels are just starting to turn for The Reel Women International Film Festival.

"What better time to introduce [this] than during Women's ‘Herstory' Month" announced Diana Means, the founder and executive director of the festival. "[This month] is a celebration of our contributions to the planet, and it is my goal that RWIFF continues that celebration with a film festival that documents the "reel" power of women."

The three-day seminar will take place in La La Land the last weekend in August at the Director's Guild of America. The fest promises to celebrate, recognize and support women working as directors, producers and writers. The festival is currently seeking entries directed by women, or written and produced by women. RWIFF will seek to raise the profiles of these films by increasing their chances for success in the theatrical marketplace.

Highlighted events will include a fundraising clinic, as well as a producers/directors' conference featuring established women directors and producers. A portion of the proceeds garnered from the festival will go towards scholarships for women majoring in film studies at accredited Southern California universities.

"The festival hopes to serve as a catalyst to increase the number of women working as directors, producers, and writers, and to encourage more diverse and powerful screen images of women, "cited Ms. Means in a statement.

Fiscal support for the festival is being provided by Third World Newsreel, one of the oldest non-profit alternative media arts organizations dedicated to the production, promotion, distribution and exhibition of social issue media made by and about people of color.

For more information regarding film submissions and festival details, feel free to log onto RWIFF.com

Never Ending ‘Journey'
Last week, the folks at VH1 finally got around to releasing their line-up for this year's "Divas" festivities. And my hunches were dead on. Superdiva Patti LaBelle will finally get her just desserts on the program, which airs live from the Las Vegas MGM Grand on April 18. But that's not all Ms. LaBelle is up to these days. On May 4, Def Jam Classics will release her newest album, titled Timeless Journey, featuring collaborations by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Troy Taylor, Bunny Sigler and loads of others. Guest appearances by Santana and Ron Isley are being ironed out at press-time.

The first single, "New Day," is doing well at AC radio and is setting up the album--her first studio opus in five years--very well. According to her publicist Patti Webster, the label is planning an all out blitz for the release, which coincides with her 60^th birthday on May 24.

On Sunday (March 28), Ms. LaBelle is on board to join the likes of Natalie Cole, Yolanda Adams, Ashanti, Shirley Caesar, Harry Connick, Jr., Ginuwine, Savion Glover, Anthony Hamilton, Fred Hammond and Choir, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis, Jesse L. Martin, Donnie McClurkin, Denzel Washington and Willie Nelson for the All Star Salute to The Apollo Theater's 70^th anniversary, being billed as "A Hot Night In Harlem" and slated air sometime in June. She will also appear on the American Salute to Ford Theater on Independence Day.

Before then, a slew of high-rated television shows such as "The Tonight Show" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" is booked, along with features in Essence, In Style and Glamour magazines. Ms. LaBelle considers Timeless Journey one of the best albums of her career, says Ms. Webster. While performing in Phoenix a few weeks ago, her glam squad assembled for an extended stay so they can conduct the photo shoot for her album's art-work, in between her consistent touring regimen. Everyone who truly knows this exceptional talent knows that Ms. LaBelle makes her bread and butter on the road, by performing non-stop to sell out crowds across the country. This weekend, planning her next big touring jaunt--kicking off in the coming weeks, Ms. LaBelle is holding auditions.

Still no word on the recently rumored and long overdue reunion with former LaBelle members Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx, but it's not to be taken lightly.

Years ago, when Divas Live wasn't ‘jive,' Patti seemed like such a long shot.

It's finally happening. So let's not rule out the second coming of LaBelle.

Some Mo' Mo'nique
How about some mo' Mo'Nique.

The soon-to-be-defunct hit UPN sitcom, "The Parkers," may be in its last season, but the plus-sized star of the show hasn't rested on her laurels, and will continue to be a mainstay on the boob tube.

Last week it was announced that the Maryland area native and multimedia superstar will host this year's "BET Awards," broadcast live from the Kodak Theater on June 29. Danny Glover and The Isley Brothers will receive special honors.

But just before her sophomore turn hosting the awards, Mo'Nique will introduce the American public to a new breed of royalty as he hosts the Lifetime Television special "Queen for a Day," airing on May 27.

The show is based on the legendary series from the 50's and 60's but with a light-hearted twist. For the show, producers will sweep the nation, holding open auditions at which nominators will have the opportunity to convince the panel that their mother, sister, friend, co-worker, among others, should be "Queen for a Day." Once the four finalists have been selected, cameras will track the potential "Queens" and whisk them away to a Los Angeles studio where they will receive the royal treatment and have one last chance to make their case to the judges and studio audience. With the help of Mo'Nique, the judges and audience will cast the final vote for the one special woman about to win her dream package.

"Who doesn't want to sit on a throne and be crowned 'Queen for a Day?'," Mo'Nique commented about the show. "What a privilege to fulfill one lucky lady's dreams."

The original daytime series, hosted by Jack Bailey, aired from 1956-65 on NBC and later on ABC.

This is another feather in her ever-expanding hat. She started off as a stand-up comic, and later debuted on the small screen in the groundbreaking UPN sitcom, "Moesha." Her debut literary offering Skinny Women Are Evil(Atria) was an instant bestseller. She also serves as the host of the new and improved variety show "It's Showtime at the Apollo."

"Mo'Nique has such a fun and lively personality," commented Bill Brand, Lifetime's Senior Vice President, Reality Programming. "Her quick wit will add a wonderful dimension to the show. As a comedy 'queen' of primetime television, we know our finalists and viewers will connect with her!"

An "Original Queen Of Comedy," Mo'Nique has received numerous Image Awards, recently winning Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for "The Parkers."

She recently wrapped Beauty Shop and is currently filming Garfield: The Movie. Her next movie role is in Soul Plane, which opens in late May.

Stuff
Fanzine editrix Cynthia Horner is evolving. The celebrated veteran of the teen market publishing industry is the proud owner of her own media enterprise called Cynthia Horner Public Relations and will be in great company on April 22 when The Learning Annex presents its workshop titled "How To Publicize Anything...or Yourself" in New York City. Confirmed panelists--considered "successful experts in PR"--include J. Lo's flack Ken Sunshine and Rubenstein & Associates honcho Nancy Haberman, amongst others. Promising to cover topics like: What P.R. is and what it is not, The different types of P.R. available, Creative ways to market yourself or your firm, How to get your first paying job in P.R., How to maximize your time and money to get the best results, How to use volunteer work to build up a client list and How to make a career switch into--and out of--public relations, this should be a required course for all of these so-called "publicists" running around the town considering themselves such. A proud alum of the prestigious Pepperdine University, Ms. Horner has reigned supreme for close to 30 years as the editor of the urban music mainstay, Right On magazine.

Tennis superstar Serena Williams will guest star in an upcoming episode of Lifetime Television's popular series "The Division." On the show, which airs on April 25, she plays the role of Jennifer Davis, a young woman who, after missing for almost 20 years, is reunited with her family. A man is found dead in the Davis' neighborhood. As the pieces of the investigation come together, the Division discovers the dead man was part of a scheme to defraud the Davis family. Currently the #3 tennis player in the world, Ms. Williams is proving to be quite more than just a tennis player. Did you guys catch a glimpse of her in the Anniversary Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated? Hmmm. "I am such a fan of Lifetime," said Ms. Williams in a statement. "I love the movies for women, and my favorite television show is 'The Golden Girls.' Working on 'The Division' is a dream come true." Acting wise, she has appeared on episodes of "The Simpsons," "My Wife and Kids" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and is currently preparing to make her feature film debut in Beauty Shop.

Video View
Closing out Women's Herstory Month, The Ru Report would be remiss if we didn't highlight some great female friendly flicks that just arrived in home video format this week.

The luscious-lipped femme fatale Angelina Jolie took a leap of faith in the serious epic tale Beyond Borders, which was directed by Martin Campbell and co-stars Clive Owen, Teri Polo and Noah Emmerich. The Emmy, Golden Globe and Academy Award winner stars as Sarah Jordan, an American living in London in 1984 who embarks on a journey of discovery that leads to danger, heartbreak and romance in the far corners of the world.

Next up, my pal Bille Woodruff's feature film directorial debut Honey arrives at retail this week also. Starring Mekhi Phifer, Lonette McKee, Lil' Romeo, Joy Bryant, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot and the Euro-Mexican former TV star Jessica Alba in the title role, Honey centers on a dancer and choreographer working as a bartender and record store clerk until she gets that one break. Cameos from hip hop stars Ginuwine, Third Story, Sean Desmond, Tweet, and Jadakiss and Sheek of the L.O.X. round out the film, loosely based on the life and times of choreographer-to-the-stars Laurieanne Gibson. Bonus features on the DVD include commentary, outtakes, two exclusive music videos and the interactive "Make Your Move: Dance Like Honey" feature.

Lastly, Oscar winner Halle Berry's turn in the horror flick, Gothika is unleashed. The first American film directed by Mathiey Kassovitz and also starring Robert Downey Jr., Charles Dutton and Penelope Cruz, the film is about a criminal psychologist, who awakens to find herself a patient in her own institution with no memory of the murder she's apparently committed.

Notable/Quotable
"I think Donald Trump is the biggest winner. He's made so much money off of us."
--The newest Black diva of reality series Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth on who she thinks the real winner is of NBC's runaway hit, "The Apprentice."

All the women who are independent, throw your hands up at me!

The Ru Report concludes its celebration of Women's Herstory Month with our annual "Phenomenal Woman" series, which ran throughout the month of March. But we will continue to celebrate consistently.

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

©2003 The Ru Report™. All Rights Reserved~~P.O. Box #25 Bushkill PA 18324

The Herbert Holla

Herbert's Hot NYC Picks
thu(25): tonic - dj herbert - hiphop/rock/soul/house/80s - 8PM to 2AM
thu(25): guernica - blessed/selly/reborn/monica pineda

Herbert's Hot NYC Picks
wed(24): apt - rich medina/guest djs - soul/afrobeat/old school/funk/classics
wed(24): lotus lounge - southpaw/rez/sims - old school/classic soul/b-sides
wed(24): angel bar - scratch famous/teflon - reggae
wed(24): marquee - stretch armstrong - rock/old school/hiphop
wed(24): afterwork/rumor - snatch 1/m.o.s./kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
wed(24): satalla - african mondo festival thru 28th - live african music
wed(24): jazz standard - jimmy greene quartet - www.jimmygreene.com
wed(24): mission - ketner part/guest djs/ave mag release - soul/hiphop/rock/reggae

thu(25): tonic - dj herbert - hiphop/rock/soul/house/80s - 8PM to 2AM
thu(25): guernica - blessed/selly/reborn/monica pineda - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(25): joe's pub - sure shot - hiphop/reggae/soul/r&b - cornerstone release jam
thu(25): 110 university place/5th fl - dj naomi - hiphop/classic soul
thu(25): crobar - riz/stretch armstrong/swamee - hiphop/rock/r&b/house/reggae
thu(25): afterwork/kanvas - dj sweets - hiphop/70s/80s - 6PM
thu(25): afterwork/flat - dj elle - hiphip/soul/reggae/old school/classics
thu(25): flat - stimulus/life walks - classics
thu(25): suede - ani - hiphop/r&b/old school
thu(25): show - erick sermon live/mark ronson/ody rock - hiphop/rock/old school
thu(25): pm - crooked - hiphop/funk/soul/classics/80s/house
thu(25): afterwork/deep - dj lucho/live latin music - latin music - 6PM
thu(25): deep - erick sermon/ed lover hosts/latin djs - hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin
thu(25): manhatta - max glazer/edwin houghton - reggae/reggae/reggae/reggae/reggae
thu(25): joe's pub - mary mack - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(25): rumor - sure shot/jlayne - new soul/classics/house
thu(25): mumbai - red alert - old school/hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(25): afterwork/tangerine - do it - hiphop/reggae/classics - 6PM till 2AM

fri(26): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs above!
fri(26): south paw/bk - live comedy/mcs/djs - hiphop - lyricist lounge
fri(26): play - jozen/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/old school
fri(26): spirit - clark kent/astro&glyde/guests - house/hiphop/ron jeremy's b-day!
fri(26): vue - hud/extreme - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(26): lotus - matt safe/angola/naomi/michael t - discopunk/house/rock/hiphop
fri(26): level 3 - jus ed - house
fri(26): babalu - dj kay slay - hiphop/r&b/reggae - album release party
fri(26): mars 2112 - kulcha - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(26): joe's pub - van vader/snatch-1 - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/old school
fri(26): bauhaus - dj m.o.s./peter paul - hiphop/reggae/soul/funk/house/80s
fri(26): sob's - rekha/dub cub/live visuals - bollywood disco bonanza
fri(26): ponte's/39 desbrosse + west side hwy - eclipse - hiphop/soul/reggae/80s
fri(26): guernica - mano/ola - hiphop/reggae/house/old school/80s
fri(26): nocturne - crooked - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
fri(26): planet 28 - guest djs - 70s + 80s soul classics/deep, jazzy, gospel house
fri(26): 9 1/2 - big ben - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/80s
fri(26): float - mario winans live/dj ty boogie - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(26): 5 spot/bk - dj language/hashbrown/esnavi - soul/funk/old school/breaks

sat(27): lot 61 - herbert - hiphop/r&b/80s/reggae/rock/house
sat(27): cafe deville - cosi/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/house/80s
sat(27): nocturne - pete moss/dj fabio bill - funky house/brazilian
sat(27): candela - stimulus/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/neosoul
sat(27): nv - ski hi/will/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/soca/latin
sat(27): metronome - big ben/lucho - hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin/house
sat(27): 40/40 - rahlo/k.o. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
sat(27): coral room - reach friedman - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
sat(27): sullivan room - tyler stadius/francis harris/fame - techno/house
sat(27): discotheque - hud - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(27): shelter - kenny bobien live/timmy regisford/marques wyatt/guests - house!
sat(27): guernica - mano/ola - hiphop/reggae/house/old school/80s
sat(27): star - snatch luver - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(27): pm - crooked - hiphop/funk/soul/classics/80s/house
sat(27): 430 w 205th st/apt 3a - apartment party - live dj - food - caribbean hits
sat(27): chetty red - van vader - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/classics/old school

sun(28): bowery ballroom - herbert/mark ronson/stretch armstrong/guests - see gigs
sun(28): fez uptown - marc smooth/guests - rare groove/soul/hiphop/reggae/classics
sun(28): joe's pub - evil d/lord sear/butta l - classic hiphop/reggae/old school
sun(28): pravda - obah - soul/funk/old school/afrobeat
sun(28): lotus - soul - hiphop/80s/r&b/rock/old school
sun(28): nocturne - suss.one/m.o.s. - hiphop/r&b/classics/reggae
sun(28): vudu - dj lou gorbea - house music all night long
sun(28): blvd - camillo - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(28): cielo - ben watt/automagic - house/broken beat/electronic dance
sun(28): anju - joe budden host/goldfinger/kulcha/hud - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(28): eugene's - crooked - hiphop/funk/soul/classics/80s/house

mon(29): manahatta - greg poole/pal joey/dinesh/live vocals - house/garage/brazil
mon(29): apt - cucumber slice - soul/funk/rare grooves/latin/uprock/old school
mon(29): cielo - francois k - future dub/space vibes/abstract grooves (aka house)
mon(29): lot 61 - reach/ody rock - hiphop/reggae/rock/house/r&b
mon(29): anju - dj big kap - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
mon(29): sapphire lounge - life walks/melvin moore/paul slater - house/soul

tue(30): blue note - roy haynes celebrates 79th b-day - bluenotejazz.com
tue(30): joe's pub - guest djs/live soul performances - soul/funk/classics/hiphop
tue(30): open air - jlayne/elijah - rare grooves/70s/80s/old school/house
tue(30): afterwork/2nd nature - stimulus - soul/funk/rock/afrobeat/hiphop/r&b
tue(30): pangea - crooked - hiphop/rock/classics/house/old school/r&b
tue(30): sapphire lounge - eman/lola/guests - house
tue(30): belmont lounge - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world
tue(30): nocturne - spinbad/cassidy/reach - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(30): suite 16 - stretch armstrong - hiphop/rock/old school/80s
tue(30): joe's pub/9:30PM - stephanie mckay live/dj scribe - live soul
tue(30): afterwork/climate 8 - derrick spaulding - salsa/merengue/house/olskool
tue(30): social club - camillo - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(30): red & black/bk - ultra/james808/voodoru - indieleectrodancepunk (?)

Herbert's Heard
"Talk Dirty to Me"--Poison
"There But for the Grace of God"--Machine
"Tush"--Ghostface featuring Missy Elliot
"Ready Or Not"--Fugees
"So Fine"--Howard Johnson

Word Is Bond
Tippidot ... tippidot ... tippidot. Inkabibble Freedom!!! Once again, we packed it in Friday, tipping the scale at just over 350 people. Full blown dancing all night, lots of drinking, the best crowd in town (balanced ratio), and simply the best party you'll find on Friday night hands down. We ran into a little thing and had to end on the early side last week, but best believe we'll be rocking till 4AM this coming week--no question. And big shout out to the members of UMC and Lords of the Underground for rolling through. I had the distinct pleasure of fostering a little reunion between them, and I gotta tell ya, it was most extraordinary.

"I gotta tell ya." I feel like Paul Jr. and Sr. from "American Chopper" when I say that. Anyways, big shout out to DJ Crooked for rolling through, Gram Oliver, Seth Zaplan, Stan Sigma, Van Vader, Francis Poku and anyone else I forgot to say. And they still keep stroking this party, all them promoters and cats that talk about "bring dancing back" and "bring back the party" and all that stuff. Yes. It's true. Freedom is like the parties you remember going to back in the day. Freedom is now. Today. Tonight. Thank God It's Freedom!!!

Speaking of other hot parties, Thursday nights at Guernica is a dope-arse, steamy little dance party that really rocks the week. In it's third year already, the party is indeed a party and that's all you can ask from a party, right? Big shouts to Blessed Productive, Reborn, Selly, Lovett Hines, Kim and Monica Pineda. And a special big shout out to Life Walks for playing the original to Mojo's "Lady"????

In other news ...

Grandmaster Flash wanted me to let y'all know that on Sunday morning, some time between 9AM and 10:30AM on CBS (Time Warner Cable channel 2), he's gonna be interviewed for a piece on the science of deejaying and the turntable as an instrument. That's pretty dope, if ya ask me, so big shout out to him for continuing to pave the way for deejays like moi. Also big shout to Catherine Kim at CBS for putting this whole thing together.

Mazel Tov to all the heads involved in preserving John Coltrane's house in Dix Hills. According to Kim Smith (ksmithpr@earthlink.net), jazz belle afficionado, the Huntington Historic Preservation Commission has voted unanimously for the recommendation. It's been designated a landmark, and plans are moving forward to buy the property from the developer. Also a mazel tov to Aretha Franklin, who appears to have fully recovered from an unknown ailment that sent her to the hospital last week. Rock steady, mama!

In other news ...

What's this crap about Plum Island? Apparently, a few miles off the coast of Long Island, near Connecticut, there's this biochemical laboratory on this little island of doom where they play around with all sorts of planet-threatening viruses like Ebola and such. Does that bother you? It does me, especially when I read that a year or so ago, there was this big mishap on the island and the generators that seal the laboratory environment broke down, and then all the experts that are depended on to keep us safe went on strike and now I'm starting to get this weird

lump on my neck and Lord help me please I don't wanna die and come back a bloodthirsty zombie.

Speaking of blood-thirsty zombies, I saw Dawn of the Dead the other day. I thought it was good. Worth the money and all--at least the old $7 price. They did a good job recreating the horror that George Romero mastered in the original "Dawn of the Dead," except for in the original, there was this real weird lady zombie that wore an outfit she stole from a mannequin, complete with big 70s sunglasses and a head scarf like my mom used to wear, and I truly missed her this go-round. And one more thing: I was pleased to see that this new-age horror flick didn't use

pointless nudity like the rest of today's scary movies, but then, while the credits rolled, they went and flashed some titty! Almost, I said! Almost! You're spared the senselessness, but then, while you're putting your stuff together, picking up your trash, grabbing your coat, boom. Titty.

And finally ... my pinky. I think it was sprained or maybe fractured, but I'm not so sure anymore. It's all bent and kind of mangled looking. And then the other night at Lot 61 (which was packed and crazy as always), while I was cuttin up a 112 record, I felt in wiggle in a funny way. So ... for this reason and this reason alone, I've decide to go get it X-rayed. I'll let you know what happens, since I know you all love me and care for me unconditionally and pray for me every night.

Humminah humminah humminah,

DJ Herbert

P.S.--The Night of the Living Dead movie saga goes like this: Romero makes the original, ground-breaking horror classic in 1968; in 1978, he gave us the shopping mall shiver Dawn of the Dead; then, in 1984, he finished the story with Day of the Dead, the one where survivors are stuck in an underground missile silo. In 1985, Dan O'Bannon did Return of the Living Dead (which ends with a creepy attic scene) and then gave us Return of the Living Dead 2 in 1988 which was both scary and very, very funny. In 1990, the orignal Night was remixed by Tom Savini.

Herbert's Gigs
thursday - club tonic (727 7th ave b/w 48th + 49th)
rock/hiphop/soul/funk/old school/house/80s
8PM to 2AM - no cover - huge new megalounge!

friday - freedom - starfoods (64 e. 1st b/w 1st + 2nd aves)
classic hiphop/soul/dancehall/80s/house/classic r&b/afrobeat
djs herbert + cosi lay it down -- dj marc smooth keeps it kosher
no dress code - dancing - food - $6 peach/cran punch
$5 on my list ... rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

saturday - lot 61 - 21st st + west side hwy
hiphop/r&b/80s/rock/reggae/house
sexy + upscale + hot + dancing
$10 all night ... rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

sunday - bowery ballroom - 6 delancey st b/w bowery + christie
benefit for lower east side girl's club building project
8:30pm - 2:30am - hosted by rosario dawson
djs herbert/mark ronson/stretch armstrong/rekha/groove hoops
raffle - prizes - charity - for the love afterparty at mission!
$20 to get in - no questions - a good cause - holler!!!!

Message DJ Herbert and tell him what you think

SXSW Photos

Check out South X South West shots courtesy of Matt Sonzala. Enjoy

SOHH's Player To Watch For Series

"Billionaire Boy" Astor Chambers
While most high schoolers live for the latest sneakers, Astor Chambers was making power moves doing market research for Nike. Now after four years with the sneaker giant and another four as Vibe magazine's corporate

"Billionaire Boy" Astor Chambers
While most high schoolers live for the latest sneakers, Astor Chambers was making power moves doing market research for Nike. Now after four years with the sneaker giant and another four as Vibe magazine's corporate account manager, Astor Chambers is the brand director for Pharrell Williams' "Billionaire Boys Club" clothing line -- making him a player to watch for 2004.

Unlike his peers, Astor Chambers never had to "find" himself. While attending LaGuardia Performing Arts High School in New York, Chambers impressed a visiting Nike rep and landed a spot with the company. As a Nike contact, Chambers' task was to "penetrate the mind of the consumer" by going to various neighborhoods, talking to people to determine their influences in addition to doing presentations. Years down the line, after graduating from Maryland Eastern Shore University, the accounting major secured a position with the sneaker giant.

"It really was a dream come true. In the beginning I was in charge of New York City retailers," Chambers told SOHH.com via phone.

Though Nike gave him his first break, Chambers is now working with one of the brand's premier competitors, Reebok, to launch Pharrell's "Billionaire Boys Club" clothing line and "Ice Cream" sneaker.

"We looked at somebody who really understood what we're trying to do," Chambers explained in regards to picking Reebok over Nike for the partnership. "We weren't going to be in a situation where they didn't allow what we're trying to do and Reebok totally understands."

With so many brands flooding the market, Chambers promises clothing that reaches beyond velour sweat suits and throwback jerseys.

"[BBC] is the consummate lifestyle that speaks to an eclectic audience and the incredible amount of people Pharrell speaks to. It's nowhere near an urban brand. It speaks to the Soho guy, the skate guy. It's authentic fashion," Chambers revealed.

Regarding working with Pharrell, Chambers has only accolades to offer.

"I met them [The Neptunes] when they first started out and then I understood what those guys represented. And Pharrell is a visionary. He's very humble. We're trying to represent a lifestyle. That's totally evident with the brand. I remember him saying that he wanted his own sneaker and look at him now."

Astor Chambers' Play-O-Graphy

Projects For 2004
Billionaire Boys Club Clothing Line and "Ice Cream" sneaker
Expansion of Oil Paintings. "I'm still pretty much an artist. I paint. I'm trying to get exposure. It's abstract oil paintings. I just don't want my paintings to be exposed. I want them in my peers' offices. When you come into my office you see my paintings on the wall. People are always like...you did that. It's a great representation of art."

Expected Revenues for 2004
The good thing about this brand is we're not looking for your money. What drives this is just to bring quality product and tremendous influence to far exceed the market penetration.

Astor Chambers' "Watchlist"
Mike Parker, Reebok, In Charge of Merchandising
Laz Alonso, formerly of BET. He's trying to do the movie deal. He just did an episode of "Soul Food." He did "The Practice."
Tre Renee--formerly of New York's WBLS now hosting on Sirius satellite radio.

Quote Of The Year
"Wealth is of the heart and mind not the pocket."

Pimp Metaphysics: Diana McClure

Counter Intelligence with Diana McClure
This month I agreed to let Ray Tamarra of TheCrusade.net interview me. We discussed the meaning of Pimp Metaphysics: Counter Intelligence, beauty, art and other issues pertaining to my work as a photographer/artist, writer and most importantly--my

Counter Intelligence with Diana McClure
This month I agreed to let Ray Tamarra of TheCrusade.net interview me. We discussed the meaning of Pimp Metaphysics: Counter Intelligence, beauty, art and other issues pertaining to my work as a photographer/artist, writer and most importantly--my work as a human being. One key motivation for writing this column has been to stimulate critical thought and dialogue around issues of materialism, integrity, exploitation and mass media within a commercial entertainment space.

Babylon give them a ride for their money
Get them funny, and then
Brainwash them on their western journey
--Sizzla

Truth has no path. Truth is living and, therefore, changing.
It has no resting place, no form, no organized institution, no philosophy.
When you see that, you will understand that this living thing is what you are.
--Bruce Lee

Why Pimp Metaphysics: Counter Intelligence?

Pimp metaphysics is about manipulation and exploitation of self-esteem. Essentially trying to break somebody down, find their weak point, and manipulate them through that weak point. The counter intelligence is what people do to counteract what someone else or society is trying to do to manipulate them. I think the pimp mentality happens not only on a personal level, specifically within pimp culture, but it also happens outside of that. Within American culture, economically, racially, it happens globally. The US pimps a lot of foreign countries. Pimpin' happens on many levels.

Don't you have to pimp someone so that you can get ahead? It's the capitalistic system. If you don't take advantage of someone else, then you are not going to thrive.

I do think that capitalism, the way it functions now, is based on pimpin'. I think you don't have to exploit people. You can do your best not to exploit people. But you also have to figure out in your own mind what getting ahead is, what thriving is? Is that based upon your material gain, your spiritual development, on how others perceive your humanity or physical appearance? Our society makes it hard not to, even unconsciously, affect someone else adversely. But, I think you can do your best to try not to do that. But you can't have your priority be money and material gain.

Do you think it's also pimpin' if you gain spiritual development? Regardless of what you get, if you're exploiting someone else, you're pimpin' them. Is the Dali Lama a pimp?

I think what you’re saying is that there are good forms of exploitation and bad forms of exploitation. Me using natural resources to build a roof over my head, I've exploited something in that process. But I did it for shelter. Maybe there are positive forms of exploitation. But I also reference back to certain indigenous cultures where you don't use things in excess. You use natural resources; kill cattle to have something to eat, but not to have things in excess. Not to horde things or keep things from other people. So you take what you need and leave the rest for others.

Are you a pimp? Do you exploit people to get ahead?

I do my best to not exploit people and to not manipulate people. I really try to not live by those values. When I use the word pimp, I'm referring to manipulation and exploitation. I really try not to do that. I don't think that's how people deserve to be treated. Obviously, I'm not perfect. I'm sure there's somebody out there that could say that I did that to them but I try to make it a point not to.

You have friends and colleagues in various sectors and you're pursuing a career in the arts. Do you have to be ruthless to get ahead in the art business?

(Laughs) In every business, there’s a ruthless element to it and then, I guess, I don't know what you'd call the other way. In the mainstream art world, there are definitely ruthless tactics and ass-kissin', certain ways to do things, certain people to talk to. Those are just things that I'm not really willing to do, no matter what industry I'm in. Whether it's commercial photography, artistic photography, getting a PhD. Whatever. I'm not willing to do that kinda stuff.

That's not to say there are not consequences for not doing it. It's a lot harder to possibly be financially well off. I think in the long run, you still have your integrity and your character. That's what's important to me.

Have you second guessed your ideals or integrity? Maybe if you would have compromised, or chosen a different path, things would be easier.

I feel inherently that I'm an artist and this is the path that God or the universe has laid out for me, so I have to follow it. It's not all good all the time. Even though I love being creative, it's not always a pretty road. Sometimes I do say "If I had been a business woman, it would be so much easier financially. I wouldn't have to worry about this, that, or the other." But that's just not what I am. I don't really have a choice. This is the path I'm supposed to take.

I can also afford to take this path because I don't have any kids. I don't have those responsibilities. Fortunately, my parents are OK so I don't have these external responsibilities and I can afford to do this.

It's harder on one level, but on a lot of levels, it's not harder, it's easier. I meet a lot of people who are well off but they have to act a certain way, and then you get caught up acting that way in order to maintain the appearance so other people will want to do business with you. You can get caught up in that whole thing. And at the end of the day, material things don't keep you warm at night. They don't keep you company. They don't nurture your soul. There are hard parts to both paths. This path is just the one that I work best with.

I also think that everyone has their certain path or journey in life. So its not that everybody should do what I'm doing or that there aren't people who are successful in every way that shouldn't have done what they did. Maybe that was their path. That's what they were meant to do in this lifetime. That's their journey, their lessons that they had to learn. So I'm not saying that no one should do that. This is just personally for me; the path that I'm taking and the experiences that I've had...the bottom line for me is that I'm a spontaneous person (laughs). I like to have a good time. And I like to feel good on the inside. I was always told you need to be able to sit in a room by yourself and be cool with it. Those are just things that I'm able to do so I enjoy doing them...I just follow my heart basically and this is where it's lead me. And that's what I've learned. I don't have many regrets. There's some mistakes for sure. But I don't really have regrets.

What would you change about society?

What I would like to see is people becoming more giving, more sharing. I would love to see a redistribution of wealth. I'd love to see that happen voluntarily, where people realize instead of spending $500 every week on a designer bag, they'd pay for some kid's state college tuition. I'd just like to see acts of kindness happen as a part of our character as Americans because we're a very fortunate country. Just more caring and compassion for your fellow human being in order for change to happen.

And it's hard to find that in our culture because we move so fast, we've become very tech savvy, and disconnected. So it’s kinda hard to find that reconnection but it happens with us, each individual. What we each do in our daily lives to help another person, so that's what I would like to see.

What are you doing to make that happen?

I've done different types of work, teaching here and there. But I'm trying to make change through my art. I have limited resources to do that but through art, I want to convey the beauty of spontaneity and the beauty inherent in everything, like we don't have to manufacture it. People are beautiful the way they are, that it's possible to see beauty anywhere if you engage intimately with your surroundings. I'm a very intellectual and mental type of person so I feel that my purpose, through thought, writing, and art, is to provoke people to think and experience life more fully or to feel more comfortable, to really express how they feel. But I'm always in conflict with that and wondering should I be doing something more hands on, like being a teacher or a nurse.

Your art examines beauty and how advertisers use it to sell products. Being an attractive woman, has the manipulation of beauty positively or negatively affected you?

First, I think we're twisted in terms of what beauty is. The exploitation of sex and advertising are not beautiful to me, at all. It's ugly! I'm tired of seeing ads just trying to sell me stuff based on a fantasy of some faraway thing that might happen. There's no truth in it. I don't find that beautiful at all and I think that people are twisted and we are having our minds manipulated. That's the point of advertising, to manipulate your mind, to pimp you so that you don't know what beauty is anymore.

When you engage with your surroundings in a more intimate way, you start to see beauty everywhere, in places you never thought it was. Then manufactured beauty is no longer attractive.

And for myself, the whole Pimp Metaphysics: Counter Intelligence project resulted from women being objectified and seen only from the outside, to be an arm piece or a little token. I wanted to do something that would counteract that idea, to show the tools that women use to counteract that manipulation.

There are women who strive to be trophy wives or girlfriends? Is this a societal norm? And what woke you up to see past that ingrained manipulation?

(Laugh) What woke me up was personal experience. If you're involved in hip hop culture or entertainment culture on certain levels, the exploitation of women is huge. Unless a young girl is educated by someone, at a young age, to realize how people are reacting to you, to realize that sexuality is something sacred, not something you throw around all over the place, unless someone teaches you that, you don't know. You have to go out in the world and figure it out for yourself. I respect someone else's opinion so if they are happy being a trophy wife, okay. But I would beg to differ. Maybe a lot of women think there's no other choice than to be treated as a trophy or arm-piece and your worth is based on your ability to be sexually attractive. And that's not what your worth is based on. It's just an added bonus or something you can utilize.

If this was a matriarchal society and women were in power, what would be different?

(Laughs) I think there could potentially be a lot more cooperation and compassion. I think there's some confusion going on in terms of women adopting masculine values in an unbalanced manner. I think that men and women have masculine and feminine qualities. It's about finding a balance and working together, respecting those uniquely masculine and feminine qualities. I obviously don't have all the answers but from what I've discovered, women represent the unknown, the mysterious, the intangible.

You can symbolically see that because women give birth, and we don't fully understand that miracle. Our society can't accept that there are things that are unknowable or intangible. Rather it's "we can progress and progress and progress and be in control of absolutely everything." We can run everything. Conquer everything. That's just counter to what women symbolically represent. And that's what's missing in society. Our acceptance of the unknowable. And that we are all interconnected. Whatever I do affects the person next to me, and affects someone else along down the line too.

Do you think that sense of interconnection and community has vanished with the anonymous nature of the internet?

I used to be very anti-technology. But recently, I've gotten more involved in it and I'm starting to see how there's this whole other community aspect to it. Through writing, I've found there's some closeness that I can create with people but its not physical proximity or intimacy, just something else. A while ago, I would have said, “Technology has ruined community. It's terrible.” But now I'm realizing that that might not necessarily be the case.

Do you consider your art a form of communication and what are you trying to say?

I think it’s a form of communication. Some forms of my art are just to stimulate thought. I just want to make people think about what they are seeing. The whole visual culture, whether its art or advertising, there is something to be learned from both about how you read visually. I'd really just love for people to be more aware of how they are being manipulated through media. This was something that I was taught when I was really little so I guess it's just in me.

And then just straight up photography, some of that is just really about beauty and intimacy and realizing how we overlook things all the time. There are essences everywhere! In life, we are all trying to connect to that essence always. We're always seeking that. And it's everywhere around us but it depends on how intimately you're living your life everyday.

What are some things that are beautiful to you?

That's a hard one to answer. I think compassion is beautiful. Friendship is beautiful. I love color. I love the experience of nature, the natural forces. I think music can be beautiful. I guess I look for emotion. I find emotion to be beautiful and I can see that in different things.

Do you think the entertainment industry exploits or celebrates beauty?

One thing I'm working on personally is not looking at things as either or. I definitely tend to do that. I think the entertainment industry exploits beauty and it can celebrate it. It's a fine line that's hard to walk. Immediately, the first musical person that comes to mind is Marvin Gaye in terms of his music being beautiful, the truth that he put into it, is from his soul. I think that's what makes beautiful art. And music, even if its popular music has gotten away from letting things come from a soulful, spontaneous place. Maybe we're starting to go back towards it a little bit.

Besides celebrating musical art, how do you think people of color receive visual art? When I was younger, I thought art was high brow, over my head. Art was not speaking to me and not a part of my environment.

Art was a part of my environment in a very distant way, growing up. I remember that we had a couple of Haitian paintings in my house that were always in the back of my consciousness. But I think visual art is something that hasn't been widely recognized in African American culture. I always felt that there was this split possibly because of Christianity, between the art, including visual art and music, and people who were more pious and following Christian ethics. I recently saw a presentation on African American art and I was just so amazed! If kids got to see this in elementary school, it would be amazing because you see resistance and all the emotions that it entails, in terms of African American history, in terms of slavery, Civil Rights, and all of that.

Because on one level, we're still ashamed of our past in this country. And I think through visual art, there's a way to make peace with that or understand that shame, and to stop being ashamed of the past and to know that there were people who were fighting, who weren't just laying back and taking it. I think it would be great if we had more awareness of the visual arts in African American culture. Maybe since hip hop has become so commercial and photography and graphic design are such a huge part of it, people could potentially become more visually active, once we start looking at all that artwork that's been created, and seeing what it's saying about our recent history in terms of how we've been living, and our values.

You mentioned hip hop and activism, in this election year, can the art and hip hop be a catalyst for change in government?

I think it can, definitely. Some of the characteristics of hip hop that I love and why I associate with it are this whole idea of spontaneity and diversity and truth. And I say spontaneity because I think there's a lot of truth when you're spontaneous. Especially the diversity element of hip hop, those are some serious qualities that our government hasn't fully instilled, this whole equal-opportunity thing in this country. That hasn't really happened even though we talk about it and it's supposedly in law. I think just the mentality of the people in the hip hop generation; it's inherent to have a respect for diversity. And to not discriminate, except for women. It would be interesting to see this develop in future generations. And in our generation, to see if some of those people who get into political office, how those values will play out.

But I think internationally, hip hop is a force for political change. A lot of people internationally are aware of some of the old school hip hop and the more positive phases of hip hop and are utilizing them in struggles abroad. So I think that's kind of interesting politically in terms of forming solidarity internationally. We're having the National Hip Hop Political Convention, and all that Russell Simmons is doing, so it's gonna be interesting to see what happens with that, if it all turns into propaganda or if its actually real.

You noted that despite the diversity in hip hop, women were still not respected. Will that ever change?

It has to change. We're kinda of a transition generation. The whole male-female relationship thing is in a difficult place because people don't know their roles. Women are becoming more active, having careers, thinking for themselves, looking for more equality in relationships. And we haven't figured out how we're going to deal with that. It's almost a generation away since the women's movements beginnings, so I think we're still in a confused place right now but it's definitely pushing forward. There's no going back.

I also think it's about valuing women's essences. If you look back historically at the role of women spiritually in a lot of cultures, you can find a lot of answers. But unfortunately, a lot of that history has been erased or sublimated. We don't really know about it. I think it's up to women to change, to understand who we are, what we have to offer as women verses being the same as men.

Does hip hop celebrate or objectify women?

(Laughs) I think hip hop objectifies them a lot. Underneath that somewhere, there's some celebration. Maybe it's a fearful celebration. But I definitely don't think we are celebrated in the abundance that we should be celebrated.

What does conscious capitalism bring to mind?

Conscious Capitalism, like I was saying before, means being more giving, and sharing, and really wanting people to live better lives. To be able to eat, have a place to live, and even have neighborhoods that are taken care of. Why do certain neighborhoods get better treatment than others? Certain schools in certain neighborhoods get better treatment than others? Just equal some of that out. I don't think we can go back to Communism or Socialism, but capitalism has got to evolve and become more benevolent. If we keep going at the rate we're going, it's gonna self-destruct.

Diana McClure’s most recent exhibition was the Feb/Mar 2004 group show, “Work It! Images of Women in Hip-Hop” at Eyejammies Fine Art Gallery in NYC

Message Diana McClure and tell her what you think

The Ru Report #129

Phenomenal Woman: Jill Scott
I think it was the soon-to-be-detoxified diva Whitney Houston who sang the most memorable version about "believing the children are the future" in her remake of the power-ballad "The Greatest

Phenomenal Woman: Jill Scott
I think it was the soon-to-be-detoxified diva Whitney Houston who sang the most memorable version about "believing the children are the future" in her remake of the power-ballad "The Greatest Love Of All," but acclaimed, neo-soul diva Jill Scott is actually putting her money and energies where everyone's mouth is or were.

That's right. Jill Scott--one of my all time favorite beautiful people to write about--is doing some really great things.

And I'm not referring to her forthcoming third album, which is due out this summer, or her recent four-episode cameo on the hit UPN sitcom, "Girlfriends," either.

The six-time Grammy Award nominated singer/songwriter is on the verge of announcing the formation of her not-for-profit organization, named Blues Babe Foundation. On April 10, a check presentation and special afternoon mentorship workshop will commence in Ms. Scott's hometown of Philadelphia, sponsored by Keihl's Since 1851, Sister Sanctuary and the Marriott Hotel.

Ms. Scott, who has been trekking from coast to coast finishing up the yet to be titled opus, tells The Ru Report that she wants to empower young minds to reach their most highest achievements. "I am from North Philly and I understand what it means to be given a chance," she says, "I started the organization because the opportunity and mission presented itself."

According to the foundation's President Karen Taylor, who is also first-rate media and lifestyle specialist, the Blues Babe Foundation was formed for the purpose of nurturing college-bound students of color, ages 16-21, artistically and academically. The Foundation seeks to provide financial support and mentoring for those students who have shown the aptitude and commitment to their education, but whose families may not have the resources to ensure completion of their undergraduate degrees.

"Every moment I am thankful for all my divine blessings and I want to share," Ms. Scott adds.

A true advocate of philanthropy, Ms. Scott, has already pledged close to $100,000 of her own personal financial resources to help establish the foundation's scholarship efforts. She recently adopted The Creative Arts High School in Camden, NJ, and the academic institution will be re-christened The Jill Scott School, next year.

Now that's my kind of woman: one who says what she means, and means what she says.

While the goal of The Blues Babe Foundation is to grow to be national in its reach, the initial focus is on students in distressed areas of Philadelphia, Camden and the Delaware Valley. She's hoping to use her celebrity cachet to encourage corporate America to participate in the cause. "[Corporate America] has the money, resource and I have the passion and reach, so this will be great for everyone," she concludes.

Now, that's the spirit.

"Mother" Load
On March 27, The History Channel will air the world premiere of the one-hour documentary, "Mothers Of Invention," celebrating the unheralded achievements of women innovators throughout American history.

Madame C.J. Walker, who was a widowed African American woman, started a line of hair care products that turned her into the first female Black millionaire, while Margaret Knight a.k.a. the original Lady Edison, invented a device that created the square-bottom brown paper shopping bag. When her idea was stolen and patented by a man, she took him to court and won her case. In all, she had 90 inventions and 27 patents.

These are just two of the stories told in this documentary executive produced by Margaret Kim.

Other fascinating stories include the secretary who invented liquid paper, the Hollywood star who devised a missile defense system, and the woman who created Barbie.

Interestingly enough women were not allowed to hold patents in the U.S. until 1790 because patents were considered intellectual property, and women originally couldn't hold property. When the law was changed in 1790, only single or widowed women could be issued patents because husbands and wives were considered a single unit and the patent was issued to the husband. The first woman to hold a patent was Mary Keyes, who invented a machine for weaving ladies hats in 1809. The pace of women inventors picked up over the 19th century, yet as the 20th century dawned, only one percent of all patents were issued to women. Today, over 10 percent of all patents are issued to women, mostly in the fields of science and technology.

"Mothers Of Invention" features commentary from experts including Catherine Timmosh, author of Girls Think of Everything; Molly Murphy MacGregor, Executive Director of the National Women's History Project; Stephen Currie, author of Women Inventors; Autumn Stanley, author of Mothers and Daughters of Invention; Elliot Handler, cofounder of Mattel; Ruth Howes, physicist, and astronaut Ellen Ochoa.

Extra, extra
Power broker Suzanne de Passe is arguably the only old Motown diva who continues to work consistently and make strides as a woman in the entertainment arena. The former music exec reigns as the Chairman and CEO, de Passe Entertainment, whose extensive list of credits include the new and improved "Showtime at the Apollo," "Lonesome Dove," "The Jacksons: An American Dream," the NAACP Image Awards and the long running sitcom "Sister, Sister." Next month, the bottle-blonde Harlem native will receive the Legacy Award from the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), which is a leading advocate for diversity in the cable and telecommunications industry. The organization will present the 10^th Anniversary NAMIC Vision Awards and the NAMIC Creative Summit, April 15-16 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Actress Holly Robinson-Peete will present the award to Ms. de Passe, and filmmaker Robert Townsend will host the awards extravaganza which honors cable television entities that have demonstrated a commitment to producing quality, multi-ethnic and cross-cultural, original programming content.

Oprah Winfrey a.k.a. The Almighty O may have put her long overdue memoir project on hold, but she's getting deep into the recorded music game with the release of the "Oprah's Pop Star Challenge" compilation, which is due in stores on March 30. Although LaShell Griffin, the 36-year-old stay-at-home mother of five from Detroit, Michigan, received a major recording contract, her and her colleagues will be showcased on the disc, distributed by Sony's Epic Records. Detailed profiles, performance highlights and comments from the celebrity judges are posted on Oprah.com.

Notable/Quotable
"If I were asked what the best thing about being a Black actress in Hollywood is, I'd probably say at least I get more roles than if I were Latina or Asian.."
--TV sitcom child star turned Hollywood actress Regina King on show business.

...but it wouldn't be nothing, nothing, without a woman or a girl.

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

©2003 The Ru Report™. All Rights Reserved~~P.O. Box #25 Bushkill PA 18324

The Ru Report #128

Phenomenal Woman
Egypt Multimedia personality-on-the-rise Egypt is ready to go where no other New York-based disc jockey has gone before

Phenomenal Woman
Egypt Multimedia personality-on-the-rise Egypt is ready to go where no other New York-based disc jockey has gone before...

...Hollywood swinging.

Well, some of them have dared to venture out of the confines of inner-city urban broadcasting arena but Egypt (nee Egypt Sherrod) is doing it without all the drama, controversy and negativity that has been common-place amongst some of her peers. She's handling her own quite gracefully, if I must say.

That's not to say that there hasn't been some scuttlebutt regarding her new 'dealings' with another multimedia diva (Jennifer Lopez). Since departing the airwaves of New York City's Black-owned WBLS, there has been all sorts of rumors about this Philadelphia-bred beauty's whereabouts and future plans.

No sooner than her former station started scrambling to find a midday replacement upon her brief exit from WBLS, did I get a call from a trusted Hollywood insider alerting me that Egypt is on board to be a part of J. Lo's younger, hipper, urbanized version of "The View" talk show. But I chose to use discretion due to the facts that the markets for the syndicated show were not solidified, and the show was still in pilot stage.

"Boy you can't keep anything from the media," Egypt gushed during an interview with The Ru Report yesterday. "Television is a very competitive business. When you're under contract with a major studio or network, you can't just go telling all the family secrets, so that's why I can't really give any details.

What she will say is that she thinks: "Jennifer Lopez is very under-rated. Trust me, she did not get to where she is in her career without being savvy and smart."

News is slowly starting to trickle out about the yet-to-be-titled show, set to go up later this fall, produced by Universal Domestic Television and featuring J. Lo's sister, Big Apple broadcast maven Linda Lopez, male fashionista Robert Verdi and of course, our beloved Egypt.

"It's a good feeling to know that people are taking notice of what I'm trying to accomplish in my career," she continues. "I've been pursuing radio, television and film for a long time, and I've been fortunate to work consistently. Lately though, it does seem like a lot of the working is beginning to pay off."

Paying off indeed.

Egypt studied at New York University before graduating from Temple University, majoring in communications. Prior to her success with WBLS, she made a name for herself as one of the highest rated radio personalities at Baltimore's #1 station, WERQ, after simultaneously holding an on-air and Music Director positions at Philadelphia's WPHI.

Despite the fact that there has been talk about some 'craft' practiced on the part of one of her former WBLS colleagues--forcing her to leave--Egypt isn't fazed at all about her abrupt exit at the legendary station, currently being programmed by radio vet Vinny Brown. The bubbly beauty has already surfaced at Clear Channel's WWPR, arguably the fastest growing R&B and hip-hop station in the big apple--with huge purse strings and much cachet to boot.

"I'm very happy to be at Power 105 now," she explains, "When I originally decided to join WBLS, they were going in a much younger direction because they wanted to compete more with HOT 97, in addition to KISS-FM.

"But when Power 105 popped up out of nowhere, BLS changed the game plan," she says. "Actually, my manager and I had been weighing the pros and cons of my future with station long before my two-year contract was up...Can you really see me giving shout-outs in between Earth, Wind & Fire or Aretha Franklin? In this business it's all about having a blueprint, an escape route and a Plan B."

What a great escape, indeed.

The new high-powered broadcast gigs aren't the only irons in the fire for Miss Egypt. She's doing some syndicated radio work for X-Radio Networks, continuing her long-lasting relationship with BET (appearing in customized commercials for major advertisers like Burger King, Chrysler and Blockbuster Video, along with some great Public Service Announcements dealing with Safe Sex and Black History) "I think people are finally starting to connect the dots and realize that it's not a game when it comes to me and TV," she adds. "I'm very serious about this"

So beyond the fact that she's not a negative, jaded, silicon-injected, un-be-weave-able diva-in-distress prostituting herself and her shady business ties on New York airwaves, the twenty-something Egypt and all of her gorgeous girl-next-door glory obviously goes over well with the masses. "When you hear me on the radio or see me on TV, you're getting exactly who I am in real life. There's nothing contrived or imaginary" she shares. "I think maybe people can respect 'the real' so they gravitate toward that. People can see through fakeness, and I'm the furthest thing from that--what you see and hear is what you get with me."

Alrightee then.

On a closing note, the precocious princess states: "As far as what's next for Egypt...I've got 'big' things planned, and you can quote me on that!"

'First' Lady
Celebrating more greatness. The United States Tennis Association, the governing body for the sport of tennis in America, recently announced that Zina Garrison has been named as the women's coach for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Tennis Team. She is the first African-American to coach a U.S. Olympic tennis team.

And this isn't her first "first," either.

Last December, the Houston native was selected as Captain of the 2004 United States Fed Cup team, making her the first African-American to hold that title in the 40-Year History of Fed Cup. In 1988 she became the first African-American to represent the United States in Olympic tennis.

And don't attribute her major accomplishments to diversity quotas either.

Ms. Garrison has won 37 titles during a 15-year career, which concluded in 1997. She was singles finalist at Wimbledon in 1990, becoming the first African-American woman to reach the final of a Grand Slam tournament since Althea Gibson in 1958.

And she's not keeping her streak of genius to herself. An active supporter of grass-roots tennis and education programs for children and a long-time activist for inner-city youth, Ms. Garrison achieved a lifelong dream in 1991 with the opening of the Zina Garrison All-Court Tennis Academy in her hometown. One of the leading youth programs of its kind, the Academy is dedicated to teaching life skills, promoting community service, providing positive role models, strengthening the educational opportunities and developing the tennis skills of Houston's diverse youth population.

"Zina possesses that rare combination of heart, character and competitive fire that defines leadership and are synonymous with the Olympic ideal," said Alan Schwartz, Chairman of the Board and President of USTA. "She brings experience as an accomplished player and coach, possessing a unique ability to connect with the athletes to lead our quest for 2004 gold."

The 2004 Olympic Games will be held Aug. 13-28 in Athens, Greece, with the tennis competition being staged Aug. 15-22 at the Athens Olympic Tennis Center. The United States has won 14 Olympic medals in men's and women's tennis since its return as a full medal sport in 1988--more than any other nation--including three in 2000 in Sydney.

The 2004 U.S. Olympic tennis team will consist of up to six men and six women, with a maximum of four men and four women competing in doubles. Olympic team selections will be made by June 28.

In Good Company
First Oprah gave her the blessing by appointing her as backstage commentator for the mega successful "Pop Star Challenge" shows, last month. Now R&B princess Ashanti continues to stay in 'good' graces.

Last night, the Grammy Award-winning, platinum-plated singer/songwriter was honored by Lifetime Television at Washington D.C.'s John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Country singer Martina McBride, actress/filmmaker Rosanna Arquette, Political Commentator Cokie Roberts, former NFL Player Don McPherson and select members of congress were also on hand at the Champions of Change reception, which celebrated artists and performers contributing their voices to the efforts to stop the cycle of violence. The festivities were also brought forth by The Wireless Foundation, which has a Call To Protect campaign that collects used wireless phones to benefits victims of domestic violence.

Flix
Hot, sexy and luscious-lipped Angelina Jolie shook up things quite a bit last weekend at The Regency Hotel in New York City. The Tomb Raider star was in town promoting her latest film, Taking Lives, which is sure to be a hit amongst suspense-thriller-loving moviegoers. In the taut psychological thriller, also starring Ethan Hawke, Kiefer Sutherland, Gena Rowlands and Olivier Martinez, the Academy Award winner plays a sexy FBI profiler who becomes involved with her key witness while tracking a serial killer who assumes the lives and identities of the people he kills. The movie opens next weekend, but for a limited time beginning on March 12, movie fans can watch the first nine minutes and eight seconds of the Warner Bros. Pictures/Village Roadshow Pictures project. It's exclusively online at Yahoo! (yahoo.com).

From one fierce femme fatale to the next, Fox Home Video recently released The Raquel Welch DVD Collection, a multi-pack celebrating the original Hollywood bombshell and containing five films starring the sexy 60's film siren. Films include Bandolero!, Fathom, Mother, Jugs And Speed, Myra Breckinridge and the sci-fi cult classic One Million Years B.C. The Myra DVD features two versions of the film, commentary by Raquel Welch and director Michael Sarne, AMC's Backstory: Myra Breckinridge and much more. The boxed-set retails for about $50, and is available in widescreen format.

Notable/Quotable
"I want to be successful across the board. I want an empire like Oprah's. I may do it with a little more cleavage, but I plan to get there."
--Super-duper-model Tyra Banks on her expanding assets.

You've got to understand, it's a She Thing. We've got the power. You know the deal...You can do anything. Do what you feel.

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

©2003 The Ru Report™. All Rights Reserved~~P.O. Box #25 Bushkill PA 18324

The Herbert Holla

Herbert's NYC Hot Picks
thu(11): guernica - blessed/selly/reborn/monica pineda - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(11): paramount hotel - marc smooth/marlon

Herbert's NYC Hot Picks
wed(10): apt - rich medina/emskee/monkone - soul/afrobeat/old school/funk/classics
wed(10): aubette - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world - 8 to 2
wed(10): blue note - gato barbieri/latin jazz fest - www.bluenotejazz.com
wed(10): marquee - stretch armstrong - rock/old school/hiphop
wed(10): afterwork/rumor - snatch 1/m.o.s./kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics

thu(11): guernica - blessed/selly/reborn/monica pineda - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(11): paramount hotel - marc smooth/marlon - soul/funk/classics/hiphop/reggae
thu(11): 13 little devils - dj scribe - classic hiphop/soul/funk/80s/r&b
thu(11): cielo - giles peterson - eclectic dance music - www.giantstep.net
thu(11): crobar - spinbad/big ben/exacta - hiphop/rock/r&b/house/reggae
thu(11): afterwork/kanvas - dj sweets - hiphop/70s/80s - 6PM
thu(11): suede - ani - hiphop/r&b/old school
thu(11): show - stretch armstrong/ody rock - hiphop/rock/old school/r&b
thu(11): pm - crooked - hiphop/funk/soul/classics/80s/house
thu(11): afterwork/deep - george lamond live/djs - latin - 6PM
thu(11): avalon - sean g/majestic/dalton - hiphop/r&b/drumnbass/breaks/reggae
thu(11): afterwork/go - dread preda/cinnamix/wayne-ski/total pack - hiphop/r&b
thu(11): mr. bigg's bar + grill - jenny doom/carla g - hiphop/classics/rock/80s
thu(11): viscaya - reach - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
thu(11): manhatta - max glazer/edwin houghton - reggae/reggae/reggae/reggae/reggae
thu(11): joe's pub - mary mack - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics

fri(12): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs below!
fri(12): crobar - sasha + digweed - house
fri(12): lotus - grandmaster flash/guests - hiphop/classics/old school/house
fri(12): mars 2112 - goldfinger/kulcha - hiphop/reggae/classics
fri(12): joe's pub - evil dee - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/old school
fri(12): go - van vader - hiphop/r&b/house/reggae/rock
fri(12): flat - scientific/cato - hiphop/r&b/house/latin/afrobeat/world/funk/80s
fri(12): crane club - dallas green/supa dave - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(12): southpaw/bk - rich medina - classic hiphop/soul/house/funk/reggae/afro
fri(12): shelter/plum room - spinna - soul/funk/80s/old school/lots of prince
fri(12): taj - carol c/e-love - world beats/live percussion
fri(12): blvd - spinbad/reach/jus-ske/nellor - hiphop/r&b/rock/house/80s
fri(12): 9 1/2 - big ben - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/house
fri(12): loft a/623 bergen/bk - rotating djs - soulful house/classics - 7183981141

sat(13): lot 61 - herbert - hiphop/r&b/80s/reggae/rock/house
sat(13): candela - sweets/finsta (Da Funk Bros) - hiphop/r&b/classics/reggae/soca
sat(13): avalon - carl cox/dalton - house/techno/hiphop/r&b/reggae
sat(13): aria - steelie bashment/showcase bashment/legend sound/kulcha - dancehall
sat(13): nv - ski hi/will/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/soca/latin
sat(13): metronome - big ben/lucho - hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin/house
sat(13): 40/40 - knockout kingz - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
sat(13): spirit - roger sanchez/guests - house/hiphop
sat(13): coral room - reach friedman - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
sat(13): loft/446 broadway - art/djs - house - ultravioletlist.com
sat(13): black (old exit) - jonathan peters (ay yo!)/guests - radio house/hiphop
sat(13): satalla - tapestry dance party djs/live musicians - world beat/dance
sat(13): sullivan room - propaganda djs/ralph lawson - techno/house/electro
sat(13): float - biz markie/guest djs - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(13): discotheque - hud - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(13): shelter - timmy regisford/dj morales - house/live mambo and hustle
sat(13): route 85a - jeremy newall/residents - house/soul/classics

sun(14): fez uptown - marc smooth/guests - rare groove/soul/hiphop/reggae/classics
sun(14): deep - danny krivit - house
sun(14): joe's pub - evil d/lord sear/butta l - classic hiphop/reggae/old school
sun(14): pravda - obah - soul/funk/old school/afrobeat
sun(14): lotus - soul - hiphop/80s/r&b/rock/old school
sun(14): nocturne - showbiz - hiphop/r&b/classics/reggae
sun(14): planet 28 - rotating djs - 70s + 80s soul classics/jazzy gospel house

mon(15): apt - cucumber slice - soul/funk/rare grooves/latin/uprock/old school
mon(15): cielo - francois k - future dub/space vibes/abstract grooves (aka house)
mon(15): lot 61 - big ben - hiphop/reggae/rock/house/r&b
mon(15): sway - stretch armstrong/guests - hiphop/rock/old school/soul
mon(15): anju - dj big kap - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
mon(15): kush - andrea/ayo/captain planet - afrobeat/soukous/high life/rhumba

tue(16): joe's pub - guest djs/live soul performances - soul/funk/classics/hiphop
tue(16): open air - jlayne/elijah - rare grooves/70s/80s/old school/house
tue(16): afterwork/2nd nature - stimulus - soul/funk/rock/afrobeat/hiphop/r&b
tue(16): pangea - crooked - hiphop/rock/classics/house/old school/r&b
tue(16): sapphire lounge - eman/lola/guests - house
tue(16): belmont lounge - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world
tue(16): nocturne - spinbad/cassidy/reach - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(16): guernica - christina bruna/guests - drumnbass

Herbert's Hearing
"Emfoombay" -- Culture Vibe
"Infinite Outerspace" -- Atmosphere
"Golden Hen" -- Tenor Saw
"See Line Woman" -- Nina Simone (Dance Rmx)
"I Don't Wanna Know" -- Mario Winans
"What We Do" -- Freeway, Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel
"Sex Shooter" -- Apollonia
"Tipsy" -- J-Kwon ('Member I shouted on this a month ago? Toot toot!)

Word Is Bond
Wassup doggies. I've been couch-ridden with the flu, and it really sucks. I've seen enough "Law and Order" and "NYPD Blue" to last a lifetime. And let's not even talk about that annoying-as-all-heck McCain french fry commercial. "Frankanoobee!" Oh my God. I definitely want to hurl myself out the window when it comes on. On top of this body flu I just shook, my whole body is sore from the dodgeball tourny I was in on Saturday. (Big shout to Jonathan Levine for putting it all together.) Yes, adults can play dodgeball. And yes, you can get seriously f-d up, just like any other sport. Ask DJ Herbert--that loser broke his pinky finger in the second game. NO LIE. And that pinky finger is in a homemade splint as we speak, all big and lumpy and blue like pickled sausage. I think it got sprained, maybe fractured, but I'm not sure. I do know that I ain't goin' to no doctor and paying no $300 for him to say "yup, it's sprained, alright" and then tape it to an oversized nail file he calls a splint and take my money and tell me to come back in a few weeks and pay another $300 for him to take it off! Hellllllll No!

So that's where I'm at right now. And typing's a biotch with this cardboard thing tapping keys all over the place, but whatever. Gotta do this, right?

Last week, the Freedom party tore the roof off the sucka once again, exceeding capacity and temporarily shutting down the door (sorry if you couldn't wait 10 minutes to get in). Everybody who comes loves it and comes back the next week and ... the ratio? It's in the gentleman's favor, as expressed in this reply I got last week: "I hope there will be more guys." If you missed this past Saturday, you missed a big NYC treat--the Cosi zone. Cosi tore it down, knocked 'em out, and then Herbert had to get his in and kicked 'em a couple times when they were already down. (You know how I do.) The biggest joints of the night included Onyx's "Slam," Tenor Saw's "Golden Hen," Apollonia's "Sex Shooter," Nina Simone's "See Line Woman," Salt n Pepa's "Push It" and E.U.'s "Doin the Butt." You had to have been there to understand what I'm saying. Big shout out to Erikka Harley and the birthday crew for making it live. Nice t-shirt, girl ("Olde English"). Big shout also to one of the cats from Group Home who slid through--I forget which one it was. You know Herbert had a "Livin' Proof" somewhere in his crates. I never leave home without it. This week, Freedom welcomes Francis Poku's 33rd birthday. The Crowned Prince of Ghana and a serious classics fan, Francis and his crew really know how to party, so none of y'all should miss this week's joint.

Sunday I got lost in Brooklyn again. The last time I got lost, the multiple Crown Fried Chicken joints threw me for a loop, cuz I saw one at almost every corner and thought I was doing circles, but this time I used a compass and ended up at Jewnior's just in time to buy a Black Forest Cheesecake. (And the spelling of the establishment is an intentional homage, after seeing a lil' news report on the spot.) Speaking of establishments, Moonstruck Diner on 31st and 3rd Ave joins Gemini in the black list of spots that put Hunt's Ketchup in the Heinz bottle. Think you can fool me? What is you crazy, son?

Peace, love, good health and money,

DJ Herbert

P.S.--Thank you Derrick (Rare Form) for the "Sleepy's Theme" CD. You saved Aja's life. For real!

Herbert's Gigs
friday - freedom - starfoods (64 e. 1st b/w 1st + 2nd aves)
classic hiphop/soul/dancehall/80s/house/classic r&b/afrobeat
djs herbert + cosi lay it down -- dj marc smooth keeps it kosher
no dress code - dancing - food - $6 peach/cran punch
$5 on my list ... rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net

saturday - lot 61 - 21st st + west side hwy
hiphop/r&b/80s/rock/reggae/house
sexy + upscale + hot + dancing
$10 all night ... djherbert@earthlink.net

In Rotation: Rick Betemit

Rick Betemit
Rap Promotions Manager
Atlantic
NYC
Music: Big Pun's Capitol Punishment, A Tribe Called Quest's

Rick Betemit
Rap Promotions Manager
Atlantic
NYC

Music: Big Pun's Capitol Punishment, A Tribe Called Quest's Low End Theory, Fat Joe's J.O.S.E. because I worked very hard on that album, Biggie, Pac, anything Jay-Z (he's amazing!), Black Moon, Main Source, Metallica's The Black Album, P.O.D., Bon Jovi, and Journey.

Gear: My New Era Fitted Game is crazy. I have over 400 New Era hats although I started wearing some Reebok hats. I love Reebok, especially their football appearal. I also wear a lot of Sean John, Phat farm, French Connection, and Seven jeans.

Sneakers: Nike. I have almost every Air Jordon that ever existed. My favorite is the Black #6. I love this sneaker so much that I don't even wear it, I just look at my three pairs! I also love my Nike Air Raids. I loved them as a kid and I love them again. I have three pairs of those. In total, I have 150 pairs of sneakers. That's not too much. And I take care of my shoes. In my Air Jordon collection, there's probably 60 pairs that haven't ever been worn. I have them put away. I also have some Adidas shell toes (clean, classic look) but not too much else. I don't like Reebok sneakers.

Magazines: Slam for their sneaker previews.

Movies: I love movies and I see everything. My all time favorite is the Star Wars trilogy. The new one I could do without but nothing is better then the original trilogy. Scarface is everybody's favorite. I loved The Natural, Major League, For Love Of The Game...I'm a baseball buff and love sports movies. Armaggedon is up there.

Actors: Will Smith is dope, Harrison Ford, Kevin Costner, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael J. Fox especially in The Secret To My Success.

TV: I'm addicted to "Making The Band" and "Real World."

DJ: Green Lantern is, hands down, my favorite DJ. I love Enuff and Camilo is one of the best in the clubs.

Atheletes: Michael Jordon is one of the greatest, inspirational atheletes. Also Michael Vick, Don Mattingly, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Jason Kidd, Bill Russell, All those guys are amazing! Roger Maris, Babe Ruth. Anything Yankees! I'm a die hard Yankee fan.

Future Plans: Own a label and a clothing line. Basically I want to do what every rapper does...

Food: Pizza and Philly Cheese steaks.

People I Admire: P Diddy, Jay Z, Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, and Clive Davis.

Quotes:
"If you tell someone your dreams, and they don't laugh, you're not dreaming big enough." I don't know who it's by but it's my all time favorite.
Also Albert Einstein's "If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it."

Message Rick Betemit and tell him what you think

The Ru Report #127

Phenomenal Woman
Yasmin Shiraz Soul sister Yasmin Shiraz has knack for delivering just what the doctor ordered.

And the youth market, too

Phenomenal Woman
Yasmin Shiraz Soul sister Yasmin Shiraz has knack for delivering just what the doctor ordered.

And the youth market, too.

In the mid-nineties, she single-handedly brought her forthright and empowering messages to the masses via a hybrid of in-your-face information and urban entertainment via the popular magazine, Mad Rhythms, which was widely circulated on college campuses around the country. The hip periodically picked up where the defunct, BET-powered ysb left off, subsequently reaching over four million students.

From her grassroots foray into publishing, this Superwoman spring-boarded to a mature demo and began garnering freelance writing gigs with major publications such as Black Enterprise, Upscale and other notable outlets.

A self-proclaimed empowerment speaker, eloquent entertainment journalist, bona fide entrepreneur, and in-demand author, Ms. Shiraz is a graduate of Hampton University and Morehead State University, who uses her sociology training to empower young people through her writings and workshops. A resident of Washington D.C.'s outer suburbs, she currently runs her own marketing and management firm, The Signals Agency, which specializes in entertainment marketing and youth event programming.

Two years ago she delved into self-publishing with a true labor of love, a paperback book titled The Blueprint For My Girls: How to Build a Life Full of Courage, Determination & Self-Love. Last month, Simon & Schuster's Fireside Publishing imprint re-packaged and re-released the book to a broader audience and received rave reviews.

"When I started the Mad Rhythms "How To Get Into The Entertainment Business" tour in 1997, I started visiting thirty college campuses per year," Ms. Shiraz explains to The Ru Report. "At every stop, no matter if I was at Florida A&M, Temple University or Howard University, several young women would come up to me and ask me questions about life.

"Their questions would involve issues like being in an abusive relationship for the first time, being away from home and feeling isolated, roommate problems, dealing with their professors and the like," she continues, "I started taking notes on the questions that they asked me, and compared them to the diaries that I kept from the ages of fifteen to twenty-two. Then, a light went off in my head to write The Blueprint for My Girls to address girls all across the country."

Within the book's 215 pages, the author sends out a gift of understanding, support, and motivation to all of "her girls." Drawing on her own earlier journals, she shares her most painful, shameful, sobering, and also triumphant experiences to serve as a roadmap and moral compass through the terrifying and thrilling transition into womanhood. "Learn from my mistakes," Ms. Shiraz urges her young readers.

But she's nobody's preacher. She remains open-minded. And she continues to learn valuable and important lessons through her day-to-day.

"I'm learning that girls nationwide--old and young--need to be cheered on," she adds. "They need to be encouraged, they need to be protected and cared about. I'm learning that many parents are struggling to connect with their daughters but that my book gives them some hope. I'm learning that problems in our community like bullying and taunting at school is depleting self-esteem in a horrible way and that our girls feel powerless to change it. I'm learning that our girls need to be heard on their issues and they feel that no one is listening."

Multiple Grammy Award-winning neo-soul singer/songwriter India. Arie is a fan of the author's, and the book project, raving: "This book is a beautiful tool for the continuation of the restoration of pride into our young women--I love Yasmin Shiraz for having the courage to tell her real life stories."

"India.Arie read [the book] and was so moved that she wanted girls to know what she thought of the book," Ms. Shiraz explains. "She represents hope to girls who are different, who may not look like the girl you see in a magazine or video. She is successful despite what other people may have wanted to limit her to."

As a sought-after lecturer, she has traveled the world and spread her empowering messages to a number of inner-city communities and countless college campuses. When we caught up to her, she was in the midst of a east-coast book-tour. "The best part of the tour is meeting people who are reading the book and being able to inspire young people to feel good about themselves and to know that they have what it takes to be successful," she shares. "Girls today have many opportunities to improve themselves and better their lives."

The Blueprint couldn't have been released at a better time; February is known the world over as Black History Month and March is considered Women's History Month. But outside of the confines of marketing plans, the book should be shared and read throughout the entire year. Throughout, girls as young as twelve, and as old as twenty-two, will find inspiration in the words of wisdom about self-respect, personal integrity, courage, achievement, and perseverance.

Looking ahead, this spiritual soul sister is keeping the faith. "Some of my dreams have been fulfilled and some are still to come. I live my life by faith and so God continues to reveal things to me that I have not even dreamed about. So, I must say, I don't know what lies ahead, but I bet it's gonna be good."

And as far as the state of Black youth, she is keeping it real. "Black youth--both female and male, need our love, unwavering support, determination, and guidance. Black youth need to be put first in our lives. Black youth need to know that their well being is our priority. This applies to parents, teachers, coaches and the government. Contradictions, hypocrisy, and just ‘BS' have led Black youth astray. It's time for us to get up or shut up."

Holla!

Doing It For Herself
Sister friends never cease amazing me.

I recently received a fabulous care package from someone I never had the pleasure of meeting. Yet, it was still greatly appreciated--containing a gang of goodies such as bath products like paradise balls, essential oils and specialty sea salts. What made the package stand out from others was a pretty special touch of love coming in the form of self-penned mantras and a poem accompanying each product.

The woman behind this therapeutic treat is Sabrina Collins, creator and proprietor of the Los Angeles-based start-up, Face Your Body Aromatherapy--Healing for the Mind, Body and Spirit.

"I'm blessed to come from a long line of creative women," explains Ms. Collins. "My maternal grandmother was a Cherokee Indian who was always in the kitchen, while my paternal grandmother was from The Carolinas. My mother was a hippie-leaning art school grad who made all our clothes while we were growing up. Creating is in my blood."

The dread-locked native New Yorker has been concocting potions since the tender age of twelve. She says her first successful remedy was oatmeal, comfrey, honey and her mother's Nature's Gate conditioner. The winning preparation cured her teenage acne and made her a neighborhood wonder.

"Women have always been the healers of the planet," she continues. "My products are simply the follow through on a long line of the tradition of women who have utilized the kitchen as their personal laboratories for healing. In today's crazy world, so many of us don't have the time it takes to do it for ourselves. I'm blessed to be able to spread the magic that Mother Nature so unselfishly shares with us."

The all-natural line of body products also includes black sugar scrubs, seaweed baths, and body butters, all promoting overall healing. Other body treats include Vegan soaps, foaming baths, salts, gels and clays. For more information, log onto Faceyourbody.com

Etc
Queen of hip-hop soul Mary J. Blige--fresh off the success of her Off-Broadway debut in the critically-acclaimed play, "The Exonerated"--has routed a tour jaunt for the spring. Kicking off on April 11 at Miami's James L. Knight Center, the four- week outing will trek from coast to coast. Sunglasses-clad neo-soul crooner Musiq Soulchild will open for her royal highness.

Legendary all-around entertainer Della Reese is on a mission to help save lives. The Touched By An Angel actress serves as the national spokesperson for an educational awareness campaign called "Della Reese: Stronger Than Diabetes." From her hometown of Detroit, she recently conducted a series of televised interviews with stations in major U.S. markets to discuss the campaign and her personal experience with type 2 diabetes. "Since being diagnosed, I have learned that I have the power to make meaningful changes in my life by committing to following a healthy routine with my eating habits, exercise plan and medication for type 2 diabetes," she says, "I encourage others to be stronger than diabetes." Sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, the campaign is designed to help people learn to live with type 2 diabetes. A free booklet and CD are available by calling 866-463-6342 or by visiting Delladiabetes.com.

Black America's favorite women's magazine, Essence, has something very special for the ladies with their April edition. What the magazine editors refer to as ‘hot Hollywood men' such as Blair Underwood, Idris Elba, Delroy Lindo, Carl Lumbly, Michael Ealy and Mathew St. Patrick all grace the cover. And sisters aren't overlooked. A feature inside takes a look at the growing number of African-American actresses on television in "Sitcom Sisters," featuring TV's "First Wives Club": Tisha Campbell-Martin (of ABC's "My Wife and Kids"), Kellita Smith (of FOX's ‘The Bernie Mac Show") and Elise Neal (of UPN's "All of Us"). The April issue hits stands, nationally, next week.

Notable/Quotable
"That's what MTV is: a strip club with better music.'"
--"Politically Incorrect" talk-show host/comedian Bill Maher on the sign of the times.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Find out what it means to me.

Coming Up
The Ru Report celebrates Women's Herstory Month with our annual "Phenomenal Woman" series, throughout the month of March.

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

©2003 The Ru Report™. All Rights Reserved~~P.O. Box #25 Bushkill PA 18324

The Herbert Holla

Herbert's NYC Hot Picks
wed(03): deep - louie vega/terri hunter/ruben toro/live performers - house
wed(03): nuyorican - live mcs/poetry/jazz/artists - all that and a bag of doritos!
wed(03): apt - rich medina/emskee/monkone - soul/afrobeat/old