July 30, 2004
The Ru Report #140
In This Week's Report
KeKe Palmer Is Ready To Shine, Spider Man Gets Bigger, Sheryl Lee Ralph Does It Again, Mo'Nique On TV Again, Broadway's Black Trios To Hold Face Off and More
Fresh Face: Keke Palmer
"I'm just doing what I do and if I get parts, then I do my best at them. I just work hard at everything I do."
That's KeKe Palmer--young break-out entertainer on the rise. It's 8:43 a.m. Pacific Standard Time and the precocious adolescent is on a roll. She just drank "some pop" (Hawaiian Punch) her father gave her as The Palmers' summer day is just getting underway in their cozy abode situated in Duarte, California--just Northeast of Pasadena.
The 10-year-old Chicago native is taking Hollywood by storm, and piquing the interests of casting agents far and wide. Earlier this year, she made her debut in the CBS investigation series"Cold Case" followed by her big screen breakthrough in the urban comedy box-office hit Barbershop 2: Back In Business. In the flick--co-executive produced by Ice Cube and directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan--Little Miss Palmer stars opposite Queen Latifah and Cedric The Entertainer in one of the movie's more humorous scenes. "I can't believe that I am in that movie with them people," she gushes, after admitting that she watched the DVD version (released last month via MGM Studios) "a whole lot of times."
According to her publicist, KeKe was "practically born on stage." Her parents, Lawrence and Shayla Palmer, are former stage actors. KeKe (real name: Keyana Palmer) spent many nights backstage, in the dressing rooms, orchestra pit and lighting booth of the Black Ensemble Theater, where mom and dad frequently performed during the early 90's. She's the second born of four children. Her mom tells The Ru Report that she's "always upbeat."
"I didn't think this could ever happen to me," KeKe reveals. It all started for her a few years ago when her mom answered a newspaper ad for a casting call for auditions for "The Lion King," when they were back in the Windy City. "We weren't really thinking about acting or anything," KeKe explains. "My mom just knew that I liked to sing. So she just decided to ask me did I want to go, and I said 'Yeah, I would love to go."
With more than a thousand kids up for the various spots, the casting agent reached out to The Palmers after their middle child went on her second callback. She was offered the job to play Young Nala in the show. One problem: the show was opening in San Francisco, not Chicago, as they initially thought. "It probably would've been fun but we weren't ready to travel yet," she adds.
A little later, fate dealt a good hand to The Palmers when the patriarch of the household was offered a job at a polyurethane company in California--an area easily commutable to Hollywood.
After receiving rave reviews from the director, as well as principal cast members while on the set of "Cold Case," blessings continued to flow for KeKe when a family friend introduced her parents to acclaimed producer Ralph Farquhar ("Moesha," "The Proud Family"). At first, Mr. Farquhar wanted KeKe to audition for a show he had already written and was about to pitch to the networks. But after seeing her, he quickly changed his mind saying, "This kid doesn't need to be placed in any show other than her own" and created her own vehicle for Disney. Tentatively titled "KeKe Rules," it is currently in development.
Next up for the youngster is a starring role in the upcoming TNT movie, "The Wool Cap," also featuring William H. Macy, Ned Beatty and acting legend Don Rickles. An updated twist on Jackie Gleason's Gigot, the touching telefilm centers on a mute who befriends a little girl in the building where he is the superintendent, communicating with each other through sign language and developing a special friendship. "We shot the movie in Montreal and it was freezing cold. But everyone was so nice and regular. It was a really good environment," she says.
"The Wool Cap" will air in November.
Down the pike, KeKe is hoping to work with Laurence Fishburne on the movie Akeelah and the Bee and also has designs to go up for the Tatum O'Neal role in the upcoming remake of The Bad News Bears, due to star Billy Bob Thornton. Wouldn't it be genius if the producers of the film brought some color into the cast with this dynamic young woman, who turns the big 1-1 on August 26?
The Los Angeles-based Coast To Coast Talent Agency is currently representing her.
People have started to compare her to a "baby Whitney Houston." Oy vey. Let's hope that turns out for the best. Proving that she has the vocal chops, the ultra-talented tween burst out into song on request, during the interview, bringing a great fervor to the power ballad "Be a Lion" from "The Wiz." But on closer inspection, she fumbles with a few lines, and after some urging from her beloved mom--to "sing something she knows"--KeKe gives Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige a run for the money with her very own rendition of Rose Royce's R&B staple "I'm Going Down."
"Ya know, you just got to do what you do and you have to do your best," she encourages other young folk getting into the entertainment business. "And if you don't get a part, don't be upset. Just keep on going. You always have to stay strong, you always have to stay humble and remember where you came from. You always have to know that you got that gift from God… so always be thankful for what you have. I sure am."
New Movie News
One of my favorite divas is at it again! Sheryl Lee Ralph--star of the Broadway stage, television and silver screen-- will bring her annual black film fest to the sandy shores of Jamaica once again this year. The Sixth Annual Jamerican Film & Music Festival returns to the Wyndham Rose Hall Resort & Country Club in Montego Bay, Jamaica, November 3 through November 7. "The festival is not just about watching movies," says the former "Dreamgirls" and "Moesha" star. "It's where you can also learn the real ins and outs of the entertainment industry, make connections with Hollywood insiders and take steps towards solid success. And you get to have a good time while doing it." Named "One of the Top 10 Film Festivals in the World" by E! Entertainment, the festivities will feature films from some of the top emerging filmmakers from around the world, acting and writing workshops, along with musical performances. At press-time, support from the Jamaican Tourism Board was being ironed out, while a recent announcement for open submission of filmed works to be featured was released. In the past, the event had drawn notables such as Patti LaBelle, Danny Glover, Harry Belafonte, Charles Burnett, Anthony Anderson, Tina Andrews, Alfre Woodard, Robbi Reed, Mara Brock Akil, Salim Akil, Victoria Rowell, Hill Harper, Chris Tucker, Robert Townsend, Jeffrey Byrd and Lee Daniels. This year, Ms. Ralph hopes to continue the dream. For more information, log onto: Jamericanfilmfest.com or call Island Girl Productions at 323-936-8951.
Actor/rapper Nick Cannon is going the multimedia route. The Jive recording artist and Drumline star is getting into the gaming field--the board game industry. Milton Bradley's classic "Twister" game has morphed into "Twister Moves" for the new millennium. And Mr. Cannon's new song "I Can Do That," is featured in an exclusive remix version on a bonus CD that's included on the latest editions of the game. "Twister" is also the title sponsor of Mr. Cannon's comedy and music tour, which kicked off recently in Boston. Titled "Twister Moves Presents: Nick Cannon's It's All Fun and Game Tour," each show features Mr. Cannon performing the song with Twister Moves dancers. The tour plans to hit 15 cities. On the movie front, he will next star in Shall We Dance? with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez, opening in October.
Hollywood screenwriter Joe Eszterhas continues on his crusade to alert the public of the dangers of smoking. The writer of such films as Basic Instinct, Flashdance and Jagged Edge recently released the third installment in his trilogy of public service announcements--the newest titled "One Hundred Year Old Man." The Showgirls director teamed up with The Cleveland Clinic in 2002 after his successful treatment for cancer to form the "Join Joe Campaign," an award-winning, grassroots effort that spreads his anti-smoking message. The web-based campaign can be accessed at Clevelandclinic.org/joinjoe. American History X director Tony Kaye helmed the latest PSA, which shatters the myth that anyone is immune to the dangers of smoking. Mr. Eszterhas, who began using tobacco at age 12, says he once believed he would be "that hundred-year-old man that you read about who stills smokes." As an adult he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He is the first major Hollywood figure to criticize his own role in the glamorization of smoking on screen and to call for a voluntary industry-wide ban of smoking in films.
This summer's biggest box-office draw, Spider Man 2 is getting even bigger. The film--starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst--has already grossed over to $330 million. But now you can see the Super Sized version. The Columbia-Tri Star film is available on IMAX screens worldwide. The critically-acclaimed box-office hit has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. "When you have a movie like Spider-Man 2, it makes sense to offer audiences an opportunity to experience the film in this incredible format," said Jeff Blake, Vice Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution. Loews Cineplex--clearly one of the leaders in movie theater chains--have three IMAX screens in cities such as New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The super-sized Spidey can be seen there, among other venues.
Etc
The eight-time Grammy Award winning R&B diva Anita Baker will appear on the cover of the October issue of Essence magazine, which hits stands in September. It's the mag's annual "We've Got The Power Issue"--which Oprah Winfrey graced last year. The Toledo, Ohio native's new album, My Everything--her first in ten years--is due in stores on September 7, via Blue Note Records. The 10-track set features collaborations with Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, George Duke and Barry Eastmond. On September 4, the romantic soul singer is scheduled to perform at syndicated radio personality/political activist Tom Joyner's "Family Reunion" in Orlando, Florida.
"The Ru Report"has learned that plus-sized multimedia star Mo'Nique has wrapped a pilot for her very own day-time talker. Produced by Telepictures--the same folks who packaged shows for Rosie O'Donnell, Sharon Osbourne and Ellen DeGeneres--the show is currently being shopped to syndicators, with a proposed airdate for Fall 2005. According to a source close to the production, the show will feature a real mix of celebrity and regular people. For the pilot, actors Tom Arnold, Tisha Campell-Martin, Antonio Sabato, Jr. Vivica A. Fox and Mo'Nique's rumored lover interest, R&B crooner Gerald Levert, have participated in the Los Angeles tapings. Now considered "The Queen of Urban Comedy," Mo'Nique, who recently starred in Soul Plane--due out on home video on September 7 via MGM Studios--is also working on a follow-up to her best-seller Skinny Women Are Evil. The new book, to be published by a Disney imprint--is described as a fiction book for teens. But before then, her new straight-to-video movie Beauty Shop--produced by Magic Johnson--will show up in stores this October, through Urbanworks Entertainment. She just can't stop--won't stop.
My folks at Black 2: Broadway is bringing the heat with a sizzling line-up for the summer season. On August 16, a battle of the diva trios will take place at Show nightclub, starting at 8:00 p.m. In a clever twist on programming--in the works before this year's Tony Awards telecast--the all-girl singing trios of the hit Broadway musicals "Hairspray" (Dynamite), "Caroline, Or Change" (The Radio) and "Little Shop Of Horror" (The Street Urchins) will have a face off--and sing their faces off. Now, I've seen all three of these sensational musicals, and this will be one event not to miss. And for equal opportunity purposes (Broadway isn't all about "the girls and the ladies," ya know) a trio of men, from the show "From My Hometown," will cap off the night. And according to independent power publicist Gwendolyn Quinn, platinum-selling, chart-topping dance diva-cum-new Broadway babe Deborah A. Cox will partake in the festivities. Perhaps the newest star of the hit Broadway musical "Aida" will agree to host the show--or bless the audience with a few songs. I only hope.
"Why, oh why…Why they gotta do me like that?"
©2003 The Ru Report™. All Rights Reserved~~P.O. Box #25 Bushkill PA 18324
Message Karu F Daniels or email him directly at therureport@aol.com
The Herbert Holla
Herbert's Hot Picks
fri(30): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs above!
fri(30): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/bruce tantum - house
Herbert's Hot Picks
wed(28): cielo - louie vega/kevin hedge - soulful house
wed(28): apt - rich medina - soul/afrobeat/old school/funk/classics
wed(28): angel bar - scratch famous/teflon - reggae
wed(28): bOb - rholi rho/5th platoon - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
wed(28): shelter - kayo/tyrone francis - house music all night long say word
wed(28): marquee - stretch armstrong - hiphop/rock/80s/old school
wed(28): pravda - dj obah - afrobeat/soul/funk/old school
wed(28): lotus - ani quinn - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
wed(28): aubette - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world
wed(28): open air - 5th platoon/eddie stats - reggae/roots/reggaeton/hiphop
wed(28): joe's pub - diamon d/mark the 45 king - turntablism/rap music/holler
wed(28): blvd - g brown/s&s/rasta q tip(???) - hiphop/madden vip tournament?
wed(28): sob's - jill scott - www.sobs.com
wed(28): pangea - ody rock - hiphop/rock/old school/r&b - pangea closing!
wed(28): delancey lounge - low budget/cosmo baker/kesto/dj ayres - soul/80s/rap
wed(28): suede - frank delour - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s/house
wed(28): bungalow 8 - dj soul - hiphop/rock/80s/soul
wed(28): afterwork/rumor - snatch 1/m.o.s./self/kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(29): guernica - blessed/selly/reborn/monica pineda - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(29): table 50 - q tip on the set - hiphop/rock/soul/funk/classics
thu(29): ruby falls - big guest djs - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s
thu(29): joe's pub - guest djs - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(29): gallery - sure shot/dj irie - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
thu(29): suede - ani - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
thu(29): 323 lounge - eli/tom mello/big hot guests - house/hiphop/soul
thu(29): cielo - marques wyatt/jon cutler/scott richmond - house/electro
thu(29): apt - language/theo parrish - classic house/deep disco/old school
thu(29): suite 16 - sussone - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(29): coral room - rich medina - afrobeat/afrobeat/afrobeat - jump n' funk
thu(29): crotona park/bx - grandwizard theodore/lord finesse/mixmaster ice - 6pm
thu(29): black betty/bk - monk one/emskee/cosmo baker - soul/funk/classics/disco
thu(29): quo - crooked - funky house/top 40 hiphop/80s/rock
thu(29): crobar - larry tee/jon jon battles - rock/80s/techno/weird ish
thu(29): show - dangeruss - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/old school
thu(29): afterwork/rare - red rokk the rabble rouser - 80s/hiphop/rock - 4:30 - 12
thu(29): afterwork/kanvas - dj sweets - hiphop/70s/80s - 6PM
thu(29): afterwork/manhatta - dj eleven/mOma - soul/hiphop/classics
thu(29): afterwork/strata - goldfinger/snatch - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - 6-4
thu(29): afterwork/ole/pavonia/nj - dj mark. t/aldo - house/80s/dance classics - 5
thu(29): afterwork/china club/jade terrace - camillo - hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin
fri(30): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs above!
fri(30): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/bruce tantum - house
fri(30): ruby falls - mark ronson - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
fri(30): lot 61 - dj soul - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(30): union square lounge - marlon d - deep house
fri(30): ruby lounge - dj ola - hiphop/funk/reggae/classics/80s/r&b
fri(30): sullivan room - mateo/matos/lele sacchi/king street - house
fri(30): eugene - kulcha - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(30): mission - danny o/jimmy ponzio - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/80s/house
fri(30): ceo - spinbad/snatch/remy martin live/mc frank jugga - hiphop/r&b/reggae
fri(30): quo - disciple/omi - house/hiphop/r&b/reggae
fri(30): pangea - sussone/m.o.s. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(30): eleven - cosmo baker/ayres/roger yamaha/turntablelab djs - soul/olskool
fri(30): strata - rob flow - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
fri(30): spirit - tony draper/big ben/lucho - ktu house/hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin
fri(30): joe's pub - kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(30): capitale - hosted by snoop dogg/surprise celebrity dj - hiphop/r&b/reggae
fri(30): viscaya - ody roc - hiphop/rock/r&b/old school
fri(30): gstaad - jus ed/jenifa mayaja/omar s - house music all night long say ?
fri(30): crobar - peter rauhoffer - hard house/techno
fri(30): show - crooked - top 40 hiphop/reggae/80s/house
fri(30): jazz gallery - diego urcola quintet - latin jazz - www.jazzgallery.org
fri(30): blo - camillo - hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin
fri(30): blur - rekha - bollywood disco in the hizzle
fri(30): hue - dj reach - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
fri(30): vela - d-nice/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock - models/bottles/etc
fri(30): table 50 - qool marv - soul/funk/classics/house/old school/disco/etc.
fri(30): afterwork/sequoia's - willie rodriguez/john sciascia - hiphop/r&b/latin
fri(30): afterwork/ellie lounge - daddy dre/kevin lyttle! - hiphop/r&b/reggae
fri(30): afterwork/open air - mondee/synapse/chasekillz - soul/rap/funk - 6pm
sat(31): social club - HERBERT/slynkee/cel - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/80s/house
sat(31): rehab - stimulus/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(31): ruby falls - dj soul - hiphop/rock
sat(31): mission - stormin normin - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(31): 40/40 - rahlo/k.o. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
sat(31): coral room - sureshot - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
sat(31): shelter - timmy regisford/ambrosia project live - house!
sat(31): chetty red - van vader/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/old school/80s
sat(31): sapphire lounge - jazzy nice - hiphop/soul/old school/funk/breaks/house
sat(31): etoile - goldfinger/precise - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(31): spirit - jonathan peters/scram jones - ktu + hard house/hiphop
sat(31): vela - omi - hiphop/house/80s/rock
sat(31): deep - self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(31): sullivan room - ralph lawson/david hollands/deepak sharma - techno/house
sat(31): tubby hook cafe - nickodemus/rich medina - brazilian beats/house/soul
sat(31): apt - chairman mao/peanut butter wolf - electrofunk/phuture jazz/soul
sat(31): lunatarium/10 jay st/bk - big electro dance party - www.lunatarium.com
sat(31): ida mae - rob flow - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(31): subtonic - james f-ing friedman/dirty dietz/rok one - rock/breaks/electro
sat(31): randall's island - THE CURE/rapture/interpol/mogwai - 4:30pm - $60
sat(31): strata - ody roc - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock
sat(31): crobar - boris/jp/vanjee/jonny dynell - house/hiphop/rock/80s
sat(31): pm - crooked - hiphop/80s/rock/disco/house/reggae
sat(31): bb king's - camillo - hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin
sat(31): satalla - big african dance party - dominic kanza - www.satalla.com
sat(31): viscaya - ani - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
sun(01): fez uptown - marc smooth/guests - rare groove/soul/hiphop/reggae/classics
sun(01): joe's pub - evil d/lord sear/butta l/rocksteady!!!! - classics/old school
sun(01): lotus - goldfinger - hiphop/80s/r&b/rock/old school
sun(01): lq - kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(01): table 50 - rich medina/cucumber slice - rare groove/funk/soul/afro/rap
sun(01): 32 newark st/hoboken - lou gorbea - house music
sun(01): keyspan/bk - beenieman/capleton/yellowman/tok/baby cham - 3pm
sun(01): deep - camillo - hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin/80s
sun(01): blvd/crash mansion - reggae riddims sundays - guest live show
sun(01): half moon cruise/turntables on the hudson - nicko/qool marv - house/soul
mon(02): apt - cucumber slice - soul/funk/rare grooves/latin/uprock/old school
mon(02): cielo - francois k - future dub/space vibes/abstract grooves (aka house)
tue(03): joe's pub - guest djs/live performances - soul/funk/classics/hiphop
tue(03): sapphire lounge - eman/lola - house/deep grooves
tue(03): lobby - will/self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(03): barge/pier 63/frying pan - guest djs - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(03): sob's - pete rock live/mr. cheeks live - http://www.sobs.com/
tue(03): mission - d-nice/dj hud/mc frank jugga - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(03): open air - jlayne/elijah/guests - rare grooves/70s/80s/old school/house
tue(03): the park - dj stu bronze - rock - free BBQ from 10 to 11:30
tue(03): table 50 - swamy/john creamer/david vasquez/dope guests - house
tue(03): belmont lounge - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world
tue(03): afterwork/aubette - snatch 1 - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/classics - 6:30PM
tue(03): afterwork/strata - derrick spaulding/lucho - hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin - 6
Herbert's Heard
"With or Without You" -- U2
"Let's Go to Bed" -- The Cure
"Jump" -- Van Halen
"Over the Hills and Far Away" -- Led Zeppelin (Thanks, Jon Oliver)
"Creep" -- Radiohead
"Look What the Cat Dragged In" -- Poison
Word As Bond
First of all, I work for me. For me! I ain't got no boss, now, see? I work for no one but Herbert. And Herbert is me. So I work for me. All you people who keep on sending me emails, asking "Where's the Holler?" and saying "I haven't received my Holler yet" and "What's going on?" ... You people can kiss my fat white tush!!!!! It'll be there when it be's there, ya dig? Ha ha ha. That's right. I was relaxing in Jersey for a few days, talkin' like trash and smokin' wacky tabakky and doin' a lil' gamblin' at the Borgata and eatin' Aye-talian food and water skiin' a lil' bit and listenin' to some good ol' rock and freakin' roll (check this week's song selection for a real Jersey feel). I was on vacation, chillin', so what? And I dun lost my shorts while tubin' in the back bays of Atlantic City. Fully depantzed! Me bum was shining bright, and me jewels were flappin' around against the surf like a skipping stone and ouch it really hurt.
"Take This Job And Shove It!"
Wait a minute ... The officers at my online email distribution list say I've been "shouting" too much, a.k.a. writing words in caps. I should stop shouting. Okay. Let's all calm down and be easy and such. Actually, you know what? I just had me a beer. A good ol' can of Budweiser. What? You don't like Budweiser, Frenchy? Well, take a hike, then. And stop talkin' all that trash and tellin' me what's what. For all thos mo-rons that tell me "They're opening a Roscoe's hear in Brooklyn," you should do a little Herbert-style fact-checking. The Roscoe's in Brooklyn has no relation to the world-famous Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles on the West Coast. The Roscoe's here is spelled like Rosscoe's, with two "s"'s. Not the same, not the same! Impostor ... I mean ... impostors!
Big shouts to Eric and Luck (sorry, fam, I would've put you in caps to highlight your name and give you extra love, but I have to stop shouting) for the ill gigs last week. Pangea and Show were thoroughly wrecked last week, with about 20-30 folks lining up outside the deejay booth to find out "Who is that big-headed white boy on the wheels? He's nice!!!!!" Big shout out to the cast from "That 70s Show," the Culkin brothers and some other "celebs" that came through this past week. Friday at Freedom of course was off the fricking hook, as usual, and Saturday's new home at Social Club was packed to the gills, just about. Big shout out to Mickey Dread, Troy Kristoff, Paul Diamond and the rest of the team over there.
I got a lot on my plate now, okay? It'll be there when it's there. But I think I'm tired of being disrespected like this. Consider this my two-week's notice.
(For the next two weeks, I promise to have the Herbert Holler in on time.)
Love and Budweiser, motherfu*&er,
Herbert's Gigs
every friday - freedom - starfoods (64 e. 1st b/w 1st+2nd aves)
#1 funnest friday night dance party in nyc, son-n-n-n!
classic hiphop/soul/dancehall/80s/house/classic r&b/funk
$6 peach punch - food till 2am - dancing - come as you are!!
$5 on my list - warning: come b4 1am! - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
this saturday - social club (14 e. 27th st b/w 5th + madison)
the hot hot hot new saturday weekly - No More Lot 61!!!
hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house/classics by herbert - main floor
a mix of the same sort of music downstairs by slynkee and cel
look sharp - ladies free b4 12 - $15 - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
Message DJ Herbert and tell him what you think
July 28, 2004
Echoing The Birds & The Bees (West Coast) #4
Places To Fly By--Calendar Listing
Wed (07/28): (LA) Club Ivar--Wylde Bunch Album Listening Party
Thur (07/29): (LA) Pearl--Wylde Bunch Official Album Release Party/Performance
Places To Fly By--Calendar Listing
Wed (07/28): (LA) Club Ivar--Wylde Bunch Album Listening Party
Thur (07/29): (LA) Pearl--Wylde Bunch Official Album Release Party/Performance
Thur (07/29): (LA) Larry Flynnt's Supper Club--CompanyNine Event/Grand Opening
Thur (07/29): (LA) Club Deep--MidSummer Night's Kick Off Party
Fri (07/30): (LA) Naked--Danny B's Birthday Bash
Fri (07/30): (BAY) Bella aka The Thirsty Bear--1st Annual San Francisco/Bay Area Music Festival and Celebration
Fri (07/30): (LA) Millennium Biltmore Hotel--19th Annual MidSummer Night's Magic Scholar Recognization Dinner w/Jam Session
Sat (07/31): (LA) LA Center Studiios--19th Annual MidSummer Night's Magic Harlem Renaissance - L.A. Style
Sat (07/31): (LA) StrongHouse Record Store--Official Grand Opening StrongHouse Records LA
Sun (08/01): (LA) Great Western Forum--19th Annual MidSummer Night's Magic Charity & Celeb Games
Wed (08/04): (LA) Private--Oakley & Blender Magazine Summer X Games
Sat (08/07): (LA) The Vine Bar--Pause, Every 1st Saturday
Leftover Honey! Recap
Thursday @ Pearl (Alvar Productions)
You can always count on seeing NFL & NBA stars hanging out at Pearl on Thursday nights. Alvar Productions hosts “Ego”, one of the week’s hottest parties at this newly renovated West Hollywood venue. Although it’s tough to get past the blonde door girl at times, it’s usually worth the wait. We wandered in on the tail end of the night, grabbed a few drinks and lounged, while DJ Madd One turned up the heat in the main club room. We’ll tell you about the downstairs “Champagne Room” later. Pearl90069.com
Friday @ Bliss
Hugh Hefner & his girls frequent this spot and he’s also tied into the promotion. You can catch him and all of his T&A in their roped off booth, surrounded by dazed female and male onlookers. The crowd is mostly your wanna-be Playboy centerfold type & the guys who love them. This past Friday night, Morris Chestnut was in attendance for what looked like an intimate birthday dinner and celebration. Hollywood executives and talent are regulars. Guestlist only & definitely upscale. Gab really doesn’t work here. Good luck!
Saturday @ The Standard Hotel (Downtown LA)
Ahhhhhh! The best place to go in all of Downtown. Whether you hang out in the lobby or the rooftop bar, we guarantee you’ll wake up the next morning with a wild & interesting story to tell. It’s a very diverse, all-around good-looking crowd. And unlike your typical “Hollywood” attitude, everyone is so damn friendly. You can get as freaky as you want in the rooftop waterbeds with strangers or snuggle and chitchat in the big red couches in the dimmed lobby. Lots of space to explore, drink & hang out in a real sexy way, with all of your friends or your baby.
Message Echoing Soundz & The Birds & The Bees and tell them what you think
AAPRC Weekly: Ghana Wilson
Ghana Wilson
March of Dimes Birth Defect Foundation
Ghana Wilson's life and career have taken her on an extraordinary journey, along a road both familiar
Ghana Wilson
Chapterwide Director of Communications
March of Dimes Birth Defect Foundation, Greater New York Chapter
NYC
Ghana Wilson's life and career have taken her on an extraordinary journey, along a road both familiar––from journalism to public relations––and frightening––to death and back.
The New York native grew up on Long Island, a writer from the very beginning. She started off telling fantastic stories that her parents urged her to write down. The notebooks filled with short stories led to a major in journalism at Howard University where Wilson finished in 1986. After a brief stint as a researcher and reporter at Newsweek, she spent two years as an associate editor at New York City's Daily Challenge, the venerable African-American paper. One day, though, a call from PR executive Carl McCaskill of The Terrie Williams Agency peaked Wilson's interest and would bring her career in journalism to an end.
"[Carl] was pitching one of his clients," Wilson remembers. "I knew what PR was. I had taken some PR classes when I was in college, but I was like: you actually get paid to call me so I can write about your client? Somebody pays you to do that? He said 'yeah.' And I said: can I come interview for a job?"
Wilson interviewed at the renowned agency and, in 1989, was hired as an account executive. She got her feet wet working on the hit movie House Party, writing film production notes. Over the next year and a half, Wilson worked with clients such as Wesley Snipes, Eddie Murphy and Miles Davis, and on projects such as New Jack City, A Rage in Harlem and Nelson Mandela's spectacular
visit to New York City in 1990. "I think I learned what not to do more so than what to do, which is just as valuable," Wilson recalls. "By observing some of the successes as well as the mistakes that Terrie [Williams] made, I learned a lot."
Being a quick study would come in handy in the months that followed, when Wilson and McCaskill started their own firm, McCaskill Communications. Less than two years after stepping into the industry, Ghana Wilson had become a vice-president and partner in a publicity and marketing agency that quickly racked up an impressive client list. In addition to actor Wesley Snipes who followed McCaskill and Wilson from The Terrie Williams Agency, McCaskill Communications worked with The Source magazine; Shade magazine; producers George Jackson and Doug McHenry (New Jack City) and their production company, The Jackson-McHenry Company; the newly minted Bad Boy Records and the label's non-profit arm, Daddy's House; the then-named African Heritage Network; actors Joseph Phillips ("The Cosby Show") and Vanessa Williams ("Soul Food"); and musicians Jay Hoggard and Will Downing.
For Wilson it was an exhilarating and demanding learning experience. "I was trying to take on every account…I would say: 'oh, this person is a great actor. No one knows about them. Let's take that person on. And Carl would say: 'okay, they can't pay us and we have payroll to meet, we have rent to pay, so, no we can't take them on,'" Wilson says. "If it had been left up to me I would have had 500 pro-bono accounts and no money coming in. That was one of the things I had to learn."
To say Wilson was moving in the fast lane during her five years at McCaskill would be a vast understatement. In what would be her last year with the firm, she calculated that, because of a demanding travel schedule that had her racking up frequent flier miles between New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta, she'd spent exactly 36 days in her apartment.
Then, in July of 1994, it all came to an end.
When Wilson got a severe stomachache while on the beach for the Fourth of July weekend, she chalked it up to a combination of too much sun and potato salad. She went home and began to feel progressively worse. The next day she went to the emergency room where she was told there was nothing wrong, to go home and rest and drink some Pepto-Bismol.
Three days later Wilson was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Three weeks later, after stints in some of New York City's most respected hospitals (NYU Dowtown/Beekman Hospital, New York Methodist Hospital), doctors told a stunned Wilson and her parents that they didn't know why, but that she was dying. They told her to go home and get her affairs in order. Wilson was 30 years old.
"My family has a bed and breakfast up in the Catskills, so I said good-bye to everybody and went upstate," Wilson recalls. "I sat there everyday wondering: is it going to be today?"
While Wilson waited for death, her mother frantically searched for a way to keep her alive. Wilson watched as her mother poured over books on natural remedies and ventured out into the garden and to health food stores for herbal concoctions she hoped would save her daughter. Finally, they decided to try another hospital, a small facility in the Catskills with only six or seven beds and one doctor. There, in the small rural clinic––after nurses removed her mother's poultices (garlic and peppercorns that day)––emergency surgery revealed the cause of Wilson's illness: her appendix had ruptured, probably that day on the beach.
The toxins from the ruptured organ were poisoning her entire system. Wilson had peritonitis, a condition, the doctors pointed out, that's usually a cause of death. Following her emergency operation, Wilson's ravaged body slipped into a coma for ten days. Later, her doctor explained that there was no medical explanation for why she was still alive––except one. "He said to me: 'if your mother's not a witch doctor, she should be,'" Wilson remembers. "He told me: 'Whatever she was doing was keeping you alive.' My mother was an unbelievable woman…way, way ahead of her time."
Sadly, Wilson's mother passed away in 1995, a year after helping her daughter fight for her life.
Wilson's brush with death left her in delicate physical condition. She weighed only 89 pounds when she got out of the hospital. "I said, well, I'm here so I'm supposed to be here and I'm supposed to be doing something," Wilson remembers. "I'm not sure what it is, but hopefully God will steer me in the path and show me what it is I'm supposed to be doing."
After spending a year recovering with relatives in South Carolina, Wilson returned to New York and went to work with a friend and former client at Shade magazine. She was doing strategic marketing for the magazine when someone mentioned an opening for a publicist at the March of Dimes. Wilson went in for the interview and got the job.
That was seven years ago. Today, she is the chapter-wide director of communications for the Greater New York chapter of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, overseeing all communications functions for the organization's work throughout New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Sullivan and Hudson Valley counties. She started out as a PR manager in 1996, and her very first project assured her that she'd landed in the right place.
In the mid-1990s, March of Dimes research showed that if a woman took just 400 mg of folic acid a day, the nutrient could help protect her unborn child from neural-tube defects (NTDs)––fatal defects of the brain and spinal cord that cause horrifying deformities and death. Wilson had just been hired when the organization launched a campaign to bring about public awareness of the connection between folic acid and NTDs. About six months into her tenure, Wilson took a phone call. A woman had seen a folic acid campaign poster on the subway. It so happened that the woman had a friend who'd lost a baby to a neural-tube defect, and the friend was pregnant once again. The woman urged her friend to take the March of Dimes' advice and take the folic acid. Months later, the women sent Wilson a picture of the healthy new baby.
"Something as simple as a subway ad that I did saved this woman from the heartache of having another baby that died," says Wilson. "Stuff like that, you see that and you know that there were people we reached and touched and lives were changed."
Does she miss her former life in entertainment PR? "I think non-profit is the only place that I could have gone. I feel like being here I'm actually doing something that makes a difference," Wilson insists. "I'm not just making sure that your album is number one with a bullet on Billboard––because in the final analysis, who does that help?"
Wilson, who is single, spends her downtime working on a memoir about her illness and playing auntie to a niece and two nephews. On weekends, she travels to the family bed and breakfast in the Catskills, where, ten years ago this summer, she waited to die. These days, though, she's happily waiting on guests.
The African-American Public Relations Collective (AAPRC) is an assemblage of professionals who provide communication conduits among clients, journalists, media and our communities. We come together as a collective because we recognize the importance of building those same conduits amongst ourselves.
A great deal of what we do is professional development––updating our skills, keeping pace with technology, refining and streamlining processes, providing a forum to tackle the issues that impact our work environment––but we believe our professional lives benefit most from the forging of effective alliances. Connected to one another, we possess the power of a nationwide body of committed, knowledgeable practitioners with an eye on the future.
As we move into the 21st century at lightning speed, mass media and its potent messages occupy an ever-larger part of our daily lives and our collective psyche. The AAPRC is focused on helping our members gain a deeper understanding of media's force and supporting their growth as powerful participants in the global communications network.
AAPRC's Contact
GQ Media & Public Relations
1650 Broadway Suite 1011
New York NY 10019
1212 765 7910
1212 765 7905
aapublicistcoll@aol.com
Message Ghana Wilson and the AAPRC and tell them what you think
July 27, 2004
Perspective: Coodie
Coodie
Channel Zero
Job History
In high school, I worked in Baskin Robbins. I was
Coodie
Director
Channel Zero
NYC by way of Chicago IL
Job HistoryIn high school, I worked in Baskin Robbins. I was giving out so much free ice cream. Exact change, I was killin' em!Ever since the 7th grade, I was involved in Radio/TV. My sister, Tonya Simmons, would bring me up to Percell Julian and I'd sneak in while they worked with cameras, videos, commercials, etc. Terry Davis was the teacher there. So at my freshman orientation, I'm working the camera and it blossomed from there.I also made the basketball team but it wasn't for me. Besides that, I hosted the talent shows so I was behind the scenes and in front of the camera.After getting kicked out of Northern for acting up, I was reading meters for Commonwealth Edison.Around that same time, I also started doing stand-up comedy. My first time performing, Bernie Mac brought me onstage. And I did good so Bernie asked me back. And I started getting good and getting good and Commonwealth Edison wasn't what I really wanted to do. I didn't like getting up in the morning, so they fired me ;)I then focused on doing comedy and my TV show "Channel Zero." I was the host, not really knowing that I was also producing it too. It was me, Danny Sworge, Sonny, Titty Head Ted, and T Bale. Then it was just me and Danny running around. I'm doing comedy, the TV show, and trying to make ends meet. Luckily, my wife looked out a whole lot. She always had a job so there were funds there. My parents looked out whenever I needed it. I'd make stuff here and there but thanks to them, that helped a lot. And I could focus on being an entertainer.And with the show, I started directing, working the camera. We filmed a fight where this white girl got beat up and Danny got scared and put the camera down. "Dog, give me the camera!" and I'm in the fight. This is the famous footage. When I see Shaq or Method Man, they're like, "Channel Zero, what's up with that fight." They loved that shit. And I had a knack for doing that.So I started working with the camera. I'd hang with rapper Cap 1 and go to Kanye West's house filming them. He's got beats so I realized I needed to film Kanye. I drove The Source Truck in Chicago so I'd tell Kanye to come out. John Monopoly and Loon put me up on that gig. So it's me and John John in The Source Truck, so we the people in Chicago! Kanye would meet us, and John worked with Kanye for years so it was all love and I'd film them all. And Kanye would see the show because it was a popular show on Public Access.Kanye moved to New York and then I moved to New York. I used to visit all the time and even brought the truck once and every visit, something would happen. I'd do a commercial, so I had to be in NYC everyday. And "Channel Zero" got so popular that The Source made it the website TV show.Then The Source came out with "Station Zero" with MTV about four entrepreneur teenagers with a public access show. We're like that's us. Everybody in Chicago was crying foul, interviewing us on the radio. I wasn't saying nothing bad but they straight ganked our show so I definitely needed to be in NYC cause I got to be right next to these people so when they think of doing something, they need to think of me! Not think of their boy who's a producer that live around the corner. But they couldn't do it like we do and that failed and a lot of other things failed that they tried to copy off of us.And I'm here making moves. I'm still doing "Channel Zero" and directing music videos.
What are you currently working on? Your day-to-day responsibilities?
We're supposed to be doing "The Real: Electric Relaxation Remix" featuring Kanye and Consequence. That's ill. We're supposed to do "The Workout Plan" but I don't know yet. Kanye's got the treatment and we're waiting to hear about that.
We did the 3rd version "Jesus Walks," which I'm really, really happy about; of course Kanye's "Through The Wire" just came together. I had all the footage, me and Kanye was thinking of concepts and it worked out; Kanye's "Two Words"; and Pitbull's "Culo."
Me and Chike, my co-director, have a certain style. Our videos tell a story. The "Culo" video that you've seen is a rough cut. They liked it so much that they ran with it. We were filming documentary style with 8mm and 16mm and we were going to paint over the negative a la famed documentary filmmaker William Kline. But the label didn't want to waste no more time to even do that process and put out the video. That was cool but it wasn't our final vision. It's got me and Chike's names on it but we want people to really feel our style. With us, you get two videos in one. And we don't call them music videos, rather music films.
My day to day responsibilities include writing treatments and looking over a script from William Morris, but it don't fit what we need. The first film that we come out with got to be the best joint. Right now, we're working on the Ben Wilson movie, a fallen Chicago IL basketball player that was #1 in the nation in '84. Him and Mike were like the best two in the gym. Mike is going into the league and Ben Wilson is entering his senior year of high school.
What inspires/motivates you?
Richard Pryor's Jo Jo Dancer inspired me. Richard Pryor went through it and made it, made it to be him. My upbringing was a little bit different. I came up with my mother and father and they were strict on me luckily. But there were still gangs around and I was an honorary member. I wasn't real deep into it like going to meetings but my boy Mathis' brother called it over there at 103rd. His name was KC Capone. He was calling it and we had everybody looking up to us. The older guys wanted to take care of us. So I was involved with that. Pryor went through drugs even though I don't do drugs at all. I used to smoke a lil' weed and I still will, but I ain't smoked in 3 months. But that's about it. Richard Pryor did what he did.
Jo Jo Dancer inspired me to do comedy and do everything. And I just found out that Pryor directed and produced the movie when I bought the DVD a few months ago. I'm like "Oh Shit." Maybe this is the reason I'm directing and producing now. Pryor was doing comedy and I did comedy, BET's "Comic View" for two seasons. There's just a lot of similarities.
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
When I'm in the crib, I'm chilling. I invite you guys over, we kick it but I don't like to mix much my personal life and business. It don't mix really. You start messing up that way.
What career achievement are you most proud of?
I'm really proud of "Through The Wire" but "Jesus Walks" is special because of the circumstances. Kanye called us Thursday night saying we were doing my treatment of the video. Ok, let's go. But I didn't know we had to do it that Sunday. And we didn't know until late Friday that it was actually going down. Kanye told us to just use his credit card to get what we needed. Luckily, LA being 3 hours behind, film stores were still open and we had the stuff sent to Chicago. I got a hotel hookup from my girl Nikki and we flew there on Saturday. We had to find location, cast, everything in one day. We started at 8am Sunday and did a video in one day that Chike and I produced and directed. That's what I'm really proud of.
I always say that Jesus directs what I do. Everything turned out. It's got to be him. Of course, it's me in the physical because I'm making it happen, but he's there all the time. It's just amazing how things be happening. So I give it up to him when something comes out great.
What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from the experience?
Procrastinating is something I have to work on. Everybody does it and it's the worst thing that you can do. I read Napoleon Hill's Keys To Success and it changed my life. You read the book and you find out all the things you need to be successful. Faith. And procrastination was one of the things that I needed to work on. I still catch myself doing it but I'm learning and starting to move on it better.
Guiding principles?It's about having faith in God and being a good person. I don't never try to get over on nobody. I don't do nothing for nobody to say I did it for them. If I do something for you, I do it out the kindness of my heart and that's it. And then I forget about it. It's just about being a good person and let God lead. He does everything for me. I have a lot of faith!Everything happens for a reason. If I meet somebody, it's for a reason. Sometimes you have to dig deep and find out the reason. Or it might be as simple as them telling you something and you remember what they said and next thing you know, you seeing light and realize that's why you meet them. That's how I lead life, I let it lead me.
Have you always believed in a higher power?
Pretty much. When I was little, I always believed in Jesus. When I was little, he was little. As a kid, I'd tell God to tell Jesus goodnight thinking he's the same age as me. That's why I feel that Jesus is funny and that's why "Jesus Walks" is comical. I wanted to show you that you don't need to be afraid of Jesus. He's really cool. That's why we made it like that to show you that he's a good person.
How did you come up with your concept of "Jesus Walks?"
I was just me, Kanye, and poet Malik Yusef talking. Kanye wanted to have Jesus walking with him and he'd be Dave Chappelle. So we started brainstorming and throwing out stuff. What about this, what about that. With my technical background, I'd be like "I don't know about that." Kanye wanted to go to McDonalds and bring kids and have a whole bunch of burgers appear. I nixed that because it was going to cost to get in McDonalds, they gonna want something. I broke it down and made a story out of our ideas.
Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?
My birthday is January 18, 1971. I'm old than a muthaf*cka ;). I grew up in Chicago IL on the South Side. I went to Percell Julian HS and Northern for a year.
Message Coodie and tell him what you think
July 26, 2004
Tech Sessions #10
Going Live
Sorry for missing a week but with the Atlantis Music Conference in my hometown of Atlanta and my Elements crew hosting an opening night showcase, things got crazy. With that, let's ask the question, just
Going Live
Sorry for missing a week but with the Atlantis Music Conference in my hometown of Atlanta and my Elements crew hosting an opening night showcase, things got crazy. With that, let's ask the question, just how important is live instrumentation?
In R&B, it's essential. In hip hop you get away with not doing it but why would you want to limit yourself? With so many hot samplers and software based instruments in the marketplace, it's easy to think that we can get away with a decent MIDI setup and a few of these.
Now this is true and not true; it really just depends on what instrument we are discussing and how much you want to spend. Obviously, most of the cats reading this column are not ready to drop thousands of dollars on the top-shelf sound libraries that emulate anything and everything perfectly.
So again, your choices really depend on which instrument we are discussing. One of the trickiest instruments to re-create is guitar. It's also one of the easiest to learn and one of the most affordable to purchase.
Now many have tried from the people that provide refill sounds for Propellerheads' Reason to Steinberg's Virtual Guitarist to the sounds that come out of hard synths/samplers.
And while sometimes you can get near the "sound" of either acoustic or electric playing, the feel of true guitar playing is often lost. This is why any keyboard or synth, can to a large degree, be recreated with accuracy because the creative end of the MIDI world for the most part revolves around using a keyboard to replay the sounds coming out of the sound source. So keyboard sounds still can be played with the keyboard "feel."
Drums is another scenario that comes to mind. There has yet to be a to be a definitive hip hop or R&B collection to come out that can top the sound of sampled vinyl or the sound of live playing that has been sampled and/or sequenced.
Learning to play physical drums also is a major plus when it comes down to taking your drum programming to the next level because at that point you will instinctively have two sets of habits which dominate your rhythm style; the habits you have now and the ones you'll pick up when having to crank out a beat using your feet in addition to your arms.
That's not to say that the sounds that come out of samplers/synths are always whack. Strings can be found from both soft and hardware sources that sound absolutely incredible.
Some modules come with believable horn sounds and there are a couple of horn libraries out there that do not sound completely synthetic for use with Reason, Sampletank and more.
Moving ahead to the serious human element, if you use claps on your tracks and have not sampled yourself clapping then hey its your loss. If you've never done something that sounds stupid on paper like recreating a 808 "boom" kick with your voice and then laying it under a real 808 then again, it's your loss. Be creative with what you can do by just making sounds.
Also, you'd be surprised how far $50 can get you in the percussion section of any music store. Those little knick knacks when thrown in front of a mic often sound ridiculous and can breathe flavor into the track they are placed on.
So while it's along road to being a mind-blowing technical player on any instrument, it doesn't take that much to get started filling out your songs with real flesh and blood sounds on more than a few.
Glover is one half of the Atlanta, GA based production squad The Audio Assassins which are founding members of The Elements. You can find them both at Audioassassins.com and theelementsinc.com
Message Glover what instruments you play or tips on how you incorporate sounds that you don't play.
July 22, 2004
Echoing The Birds & The Bees (West Coast) #3
Soundz Like
Check out profiles on Asya Shein, Damisha Jones, and Paris Wang.
Also check out more Places To Fly By Listings
Soundz Like
This week's profiles:Asya Shein
Event Production + Promotion, Tour Bookings + Music & Lifestyle Marketing
Mir-Media
What is the best thing about the West Coast?
The scene is fresh and people have open yet discerning ears; The warm and sunny weather; Gorgeous people (the non-plastic kind)’ Garth Trinidad on 89.9 Saturday evenings and all the East Coast and Mid West transplants like me :-)
What is the one thing that the West Coast has that no other region has?
Healthy food everywhere and the urban life nestled in the heart of beautiful landscapes and vegetation.
What would you take with you if LA separated from the mainland and became an island?
IPod, batteries, yoga mat, books on politics, conspiracies, earth science and astrology, sunscreen, a Mercedes coupe and a fine, intelligent straight man :-)
Damisha Jones
Marketing Consultant & Special Events Coordinator
D.A.J. Communications
What is the best thing about the West Coast?
The weather, the fact that if your missing the four seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall) you can go to Northern Cali. For those that like adventure, you can explore the entire West Coast and find something to do--all year long.
What is the one thing that the West Coast has that no other region has?
Me, Damisha Jones.
What would you take with you if LA separated from the mainland and became and island?
All of my music--I can't live without it, it's my life, the sunshine and bags of sour candy.
Paris Wang
Creative creature--set design, promoter, DJ, and all around talented person
Puresounds
What is the best thing about the West Coast?
The weather and the food.
What is the one thing that the West Coast has that no other region has?
Paris and Summer from Puresounds.
What would you take with you if LA separated from the mainland and became and island?
'63 Cadillac Coupe D'Ville.Places To Fly By--Calendar Listing
Wed (07/21): (LA) Nirvana--Fred Johnson’s party
Wed (07/21): (LA) Ivar--Heat
Thu (07/22): (LA) Cinespace
Sat (07/24): (Las Vegas) Cali/Bahli Hai Golf Club--Delta Sigma Theta Convention
Sun (07/25): (Las Vegas) HOB @ Mandalay Bay--Juice
Sun (07/25): (LA) The Laugh Factory--Chocolate Sunday’s Comedy Show
Mon (07/26): (LA) House of Blues--Guru & Filthee Immigrants
Mon (07/26): (LA) Improv--Improv Comedy Show
Mon (07/26): (Las Vegas) Ceasars Palace--Club OPM
Tue (07/27): (Las Vegas) ICE--Rich Tuesday
Tue (07/27): (LA) Private location--UPN Cast Party
Wed (07/28): Akademics presenting Trace Magazine’s “Black Girls Rule” Issue
Wed (07/28): (LA) Private location--ASCAP’s “Casino Night”
Wed (07/28): (LA) Concorde--Ashlee Simpson’s Record Release
Message Echoing Soundz and The Birds & The Bees and tell them what you think
The Herbert Holla
Herbert's Hot NYC Picks
thu(22): show - herbert - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
thu(22): guernica - blessed/selly/reborn/monica pineda - soul/funk/house/hiphop
Herbert's Hot NYC Picks
wed(21): pangea - herbert - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
wed(21): cielo - louie vega/kevin hedge - soulful house
wed(21): apt - dj koga/dj freedom chicken - soul/afrobeat/old school/funk/classics
wed(21): angel bar - scratch famous/teflon - reggae
wed(21): brower park/bk - arrested development live - 7pm
wed(21): crotona park/bx - sugar hill gang/kid capri - 7pm
wed(21): bob - rholi rho/5th platoon - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
wed(21): shelter - kayo/tyrone francis - house music all night long say word
wed(21): marquee - stretch armstrong - hiphop/rock/80s/old school
wed(21): pravda - dj obah - afrobeat/soul/funk/old school
wed(21): hiro - lord finesse/diamond d/mark the 45 king/eli - hiphop/rock/80s
wed(21): lotus - ani quinn - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
wed(21): suede - frank delour - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s/house
wed(21): joe's pub - dj eleven/ant marshall/danny castro - hiphop/soul
wed(21): forbidden city - neil armstrong/spin dynasty - soul/funk/rock/80s/hiphop
wed(21): lotus lounge - dj sims/rez/southpaw - soul/hiphop - bethesda stand up!!
wed(21): aubette - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world
wed(21): afterwork/rumor - snatch 1/m.o.s./self/kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(22): show - herbert - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
thu(22): guernica - blessed/selly/reborn/monica pineda - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(22): table 50 - q tip on the set - hiphop/rock/soul/funk/classics
thu(22): suite 16 - sussone - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(22): ruby falls - big guest djs - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s
thu(22): joe's pub - guest djs - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(22): gallery - sure shot - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
thu(22): suede - ani - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
thu(22): b3/basement - dj alex/live brazilian music - 9pm
thu(22): flat - dj mono - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
thu(22): coral room - jessie saunders/chip e/darshan jesrani - house music
thu(22): apt - language/duane/lindsey - old school/black 80s/electrofunk/breaks
thu(22): 323 lounge - eli/tom mello/big hot guests - house/hiphop/soul
thu(22): quo - crooked - funky house/top 40 hiphop/80s/rock
thu(22): odea - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world
thu(22): afterwork/alibi - kool dj red alert!! - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul - 7pm
thu(22): afterwork/kanvas - dj sweets - hiphop/70s/80s - 6pm
thu(22): afterwork/strata - goldfinger/snatch one - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - 6
thu(22): afterwork/manhatta - dj eleven/moma - soul/hiphop/classics
fri(23): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs below!
fri(23): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/bruce tantum - house
fri(23): ruby falls - mark ronson - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
fri(23): lot 61 - dj soul - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(23): pangea - m.o.s./suss-one - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - black diamonds
fri(23): union square lounge - marlon d - deep house
fri(23): ruby lounge - dj ola - hiphop/funk/reggae/classics/80s/r&b
fri(23): negril village/rhum lounge - obah - soul/hiphop/funk
fri(23): spirit - shawn ink/big ben/lucho - ktu house/hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin
fri(23): canal room - frank delour - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s/house
fri(23): shanghai rock hotel/20 w. 39th st - kristin mainhart/kromozomes - 9pm
fri(23): copacabana - power 105's dj kut - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(23): flow - jo jo flores/john davis/guests - house music, son
fri(23): vela - dj reach - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s/reggae
fri(23): table 50 - dj language - soul/classic hiphop/breaks/funk/classics/house
fri(23): roxy - goldfinger - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(23): quo - disciple/omi - house/hiphop/r&b/reggae
fri(23): open air - evil d/butta l/lord sear/mr. walt - hiphop/soul/reggae/80s
fri(23): lion's den - smif n' wessun (cocoa brovaz)/boot camp clik - midnight
fri(23): madame x - jon oliver - soul/indie hiphop/funk/b-sides/cool sh&t
fri(23): afterwork/sequoia's - willie rodriguez/john sciascia - hiphop/r&b/latin
fri(23): afterwork/ellie lounge - daddy dre/kevin lyttle! - hiphop/r&b/reggae
fri(23): show - crooked - top 40 hiphop/reggae/80s/house
sat(24): social club - herbert/slynkee/cel - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/80s/house
sat(24): rehab - cosi - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(24): ruby falls - dj soul - hiphop/rock
sat(24): central park summerstage - carl hancock rux/ndea davenport/imani izuri
sat(24): mission - stormin normin - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(24): 40/40 - rahlo/k.o. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
sat(24): coral room - sureshot - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
sat(24): shelter - timmy regisford/ambrosia project live - house!
sat(24): chetty red - van vader/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/old school/80s
sat(24): sapphire lounge - jazzy nice - hiphop/soul/old school/funk/breaks/house
sat(24): etoile - goldfinger/precise - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(24): table 50 - questlove from the roots/dj wool - hiphop/soul/rock/80s
sat(24): queen of hearts - jean claude the funky pirate/big ben - house/hiphop
sat(24): cocktail room - reborn - soul/funk/hiphop/neosoul/classics - 7pm
sat(24): capitale - kulcha/ev/showcase bashment - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/soca
sat(24): vela - omi - hiphop/house/80s/rock
sat(24): strata - ody rock - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock
sat(24): pm - crooked - hiphop/80s/rock/disco/house/reggae
sat(24): deep - self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(24): porch bar - eric rodriguez/steve martin - salsa/merengue/reggae/soul/funk
sat(24): military park/newark - eric sermon/tony touch/black moon/masta ace - 1pm
sat(24): 10 jay st/dumbo/bk - big 12 hr bash - http://www.destinationnewnation.com
sun(25): fez uptown - marc smooth/guests - rare groove/soul/hiphop/reggae/classics
sun(25): joe's pub - evil d/lord sear/butta l/rocksteady!!!! - classics/old school
sun(25): lotus - stretch armstrong/guests - hiphop/80s/r&b/rock/old school
sun(25): tribeca grand - j-rocc/rich medina/kon + amir - hiphop/soul/funk
sun(25): deep - camillo - hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin/80s
sun(25): lq - snatch "shlomo" one - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(25): 14 verona st/bk - rooftop bbq, kids!!!! - food - beer - music - what!!!
sun(25): cage/nj - lou gorbea - house music
sun(25): pianos - queen majest/jd/scratch famous - reggae/reggae/reggae
sun(25): crobar - rocksteady day party - tony touch/black sheep/freedy fox - 3pm
mon(26): apt - cucumber slice - soul/funk/rare grooves/latin/uprock/old school
mon(26): cielo - francois k - future dub/space vibes/abstract grooves (aka house)
mon(26): crobar - mada/moody/big live rock acts - hiphop/rock/house
mon(26): lq - prince tribute party - guest djs - live performances - cee lo!!!!
tue(27): joe's pub - guest djs/live performances - soul/funk/classics/hiphop
tue(27): open air - jlayne/elijah/guests - rare grooves/70s/80s/old school/house
tue(27): sapphire lounge - eman/lola - house/deep grooves
tue(27): the park - dj stu bronze - rock - free bbq from 10 to 11:30
tue(27): belmont lounge - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world
tue(27): table 50 - swamy/john creamer/david vasquez/dope guests - house
tue(27): mission - d-nice/dj hud/mc frank jugga - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(27): lobby - will/self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(27): afterwork/aubette - snatch 1 - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/classics - 6:30pm
tue(27): afterwork/ida mae - kaos - r&b/classics/neo soul/hiphop - 6pm
Herbert's Heard
"You Dropped a Bomb on Me" -- Gap Band
"The Real Thing" -- Sergio Mendes (written by Stevie Wonder)
"Love Honey, Love Heartache" -- Mann Friday
"Ballad of Dorothy Parker" -- Prince
"You Saved Me" -- R. Kelly
Word As Bond
Why, Jada??? I'll tell you why! Because you are getting old. That's right. Not old as in "tired," or "overdone" like "Milkshake," but old as in ... years. Like the rest of us. And like the rest of us, we're watching value and worth scoot aside to make room for pop trinkets, rhinestones and shimmer. We've all come to love and cherish underlying beauty and meaning, but, well, the kids haven't yet, man! Don't forget, we were young, too. Once, we were weekend warriors with MTV videos in our hearts and high school crushes on our minds. But now, we're all grown up!! I know, I know. It's awful, but true. Hip-hop is grown up, technically. Hence the reason we gave the world the jiggy era: We dun growned up and got ourselves a job. We also inevitably introduced all those kids to this money-fostered fantasy crap way too early.
You too, house music heads! You guys are really grown up! All the new, worthy house music sounds like a Sunday afternoon in your living room in Jersey, the time when the sun throws itself around the wall over your couch in one last over-emotional protest of having to leave. You make it sound as if all of House music itself is going "bye-bye."
Don't lose hope! Stay in love! Laugh and jump! Keep the faith! I know Herbert has begun a new relationship with G-d himself, and it's all because of R. Kelly's latest song "You Saved Me." Yes, he did. R. Kelly saved Herbert from the bowels of disbelief. Hallelujah! Praised be thy name! I'm Jewish, but I'll shout it out loud like 5 pews on Sunday morning when I hear that song. Praised be thy name!!!
Thank you, G-d, for my Freedom. Cuz it be the best fu**in' party in the whole damn entire city, motherfu**ers!!!! (Repent! Repent!) Freedom last week was crazy mad funky. Now hear this: The only reasons you will not get into Freedom is because either a) you are drunk, angry, screwfaced or rude, or b) we are at maximum capacity and cannot fit anyone else into the space. warning: you must come before 1am if you want to avoid waiting on line. If you fall under the first category, well, luckily we haven't really had any of y'all, but if you fall under the first category, go the fu** home (more penance!). We are not about profiling, acting rude, having attitude, starting problems, thinking you are the sh** (five lashes this evening) because you paid too much for your Club Monaco or Prada or wherever you shop.
You see, Herbert doesn't give a damn about fashion, and doesn't keep up with the trends (never really did, except when checkerboard painter hats with tails were all the rage). I get all I know from Foxy, Lil' Kim and Jay-Z talking about their latest shopping fits. But since we're all broke now and watching our pennies and suffering the economy, we don't rap about it anymore. Now all we do is talk about sex. When we're poor, it's sex, violence and gripe. When we're rich, it's fashion, liquor and new dances like the Harlem Shake.
Now let's move into the food category. With Herbert, it's always about food.
I had a great meal at Blue Smoke off Park Avenue with my homeboy Pesci, the man behind the scenes you hear me mention from time to time (he doesn't like it when I talk about him, so I'll stop there). It was "great" because it was free and because of the company. But the food? Ahh ... go to Virgil's. Much better. And on the other side of things, I had a ... I really didn't have a meal at Popeye's. I stuck my spork into the chicken breast and it bled. It bled. It did. I think I may have heard it scream and say "How could you?" (I decided to drop the weapon and put my hands in the air.) The side biscuit almost made up for it, so crispy and buttery, but, well, there was only one biscuit.
Nothing like Chester Fried. Or Roscoe's. G-d how I miss Roscoe's. Please G-d, with all of your infinite strength and wisdom, please send me back to Roscoe's soon. I am a true believer, L-rd, I have been faithful for quite some time (at least since last week when I heard R. Kelly's new song), and I know your reward the true and good.
Peace, love, good will to all mankind, good health, and Roscoe's,
Herbert's Gigs
wednesday - the rich bi*ch party - pangea - (417 lafayette)
nyc's hottest weekly at one of nyc's most exclusive clubs!!
10pm to 4am - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/old school/rock - $15
look sharp (models, bottles, etc.) - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
thursday - club show (135 w. 41st b/w 6th + 7th)
nyc's craziest, livest long-running weekly party!!!
10pm to 4am - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/old school/rock - $15
look sharp - live dirty dancers - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
this saturday - social club (14 e. 27th st b/w 5th + madison)
the hot hot hot new saturday weekly - no more Lot 61!!!
special performance by Akon doing the smash hit "locked up"
big birthday celebration for playboy playmate stephanie adams!
hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock/house/classics by herbert - main floor
a mix of the same sort of music downstairs by slynkee and cel
look sharp - exclusive - $15 - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
every friday - freedom - starfoods (64 e. 1st b/w 1st+2nd aves)
#1 funnest friday night dance party in nyc, son-n-n-n!
classic hiphop/soul/dancehall/80s/house/classic r&b/funk
$6 peach punch - food till 2am - dancing - come as you are!!
$5 on my list - warning: come b4 1am! - rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
Message DJ Herbert and tell him what you think
July 21, 2004
Survey Says #11
Fill in the blanks
1. My favorite one hit wonder artist or group is __________.
2. Jadakiss' "Why" should/shouldn't be censored because __________.
Fill in the blanks
1. My favorite one hit wonder artist or group is __________.
2. Jadakiss' "Why" should/shouldn't be censored because __________.
3. __________ is one of the best independent films I've ever seen.
4. Whenever I hear __________ (song), I'm instantly reminded of the time I __________.
5. If there were a Hip Hop Hall Of Fame, I'd induct __________.
Message Terrill Joyner and The Crusade.net with your Survey Says responses
July 20, 2004
AAPRC Weekly: Irene Gandy
Irene Gandy
Jeffrey Richards and Associates
Irene Gandy's nearly 40-year career in theatrical publicity was jumpstarted by happenstance
Irene Gandy
Producer and Publicist
Jeffrey Richards and Associates
NYC
Irene Gandy's nearly 40-year career in theatrical publicity was jumpstarted by happenstance and gumption and it's been moving along smoothly ever since.
In the mid-sixties Gandy was in New York, just, as she describes it, "raising her daughter and hanging out." She took an acting class with Gene Frankel Workshops, and one of her classmates took her to a theatre opening. At the opening she met a casting agent who put her in a movie, so, briefly, Irene Gandy was an actress. Things happened like that for the Long Island, New York-born Gandy. One day, her neighbor, who wrote plays for a children's theatre company, asked Gandy to fill in for "the owl," who was out sick. Gandy did and found herself sharing the stage with an old friend, Fred Galloway, who was a manager with the newly formed Negro Ensemble Company (NEC).
The NEC––which went on to become a cornerstone of African-American arts––was looking for a press agent. Because every one of the potential candidates was white and the NEC had been formed to bring more African-Americans to professional theatre, Galloway asked Gandy if she would at least go and interview for the position. "I said I'm not doing anything during the day so I'll go and at least interview," Gandy remembers. "My only knowledge of press agents came from watching old Mae West movies."
Confident that she didn't have the slightest chance of getting the position, Gandy went in fearless and curious about what press agents did. In the end, she interviewed the agent as much as he interviewed her. "I said thank you very much for your time, I know I didn't get the job," says Gandy. "The next thing I knew he was calling and telling me to come on in. I guess he figured if I could sell him I could sell anybody and that's what PR is about––selling."
In order to work as a publicist for Broadway productions, you have to be a member of the Association of Theatrical Publicists and Managers (ATPAM). Membership in the ATPAM requires a three-year apprenticeship with a senior press agent on a professional production. Gandy's apprenticeship with the NEC press agent began with the death of her boss' roommate the week after she was hired. "[My boss] went on a drunken binge and I had to learn trial-by-fire," Gandy says. "My first big thing was to get this press release on a benefit for the NEC to The New York Times."
Just three days into her new career Gandy––dressed in pink corduroy hot pants, matching pink cap and brown suede go-go boots––was determined to hand deliver the important press release to the venerable Times arts and leisure editor, Seymour Peck. The person at the front desk told her to just leave the package there, but Gandy refused to hand over the release to anyone except Peck. "I said no, I'm not leaving, I'm not leaving here until Mr. Peck comes out," Gandy remembers. "Sy Peck came out and gave me a tour of everything that went on. I've learned since that you've got to really sell yourself too. It's nice to actually go meet the people you're sending the press release to, and I still do that."
And, yes, the NEC got the coverage.
Gandy finished her apprenticeship at the NEC in 1974 and her first job as a fully accredited press agent was the road tour of "Purlie Victorious" with Robert Guillaume. Since then, she's done more than 100 Broadway shows, including: "Bubbling Brown Sugar," "Eubie" with Gregory Hines, Bob Fosse's "Chicago," "The Wiz" with Stephanie Mills, Lena Horne's "The Lady and Her Music," Gore Vidal's "The Best Man," and many more.
The most important lesson she's learned? "Never take it seriously," Gandy insists. "An old press agent told me a long time ago that this is a dressed-up flunky's job. [The actors] are not your friends. Stay away from backstage... Never forget you're providing a service. To this day I'm probably working because I still live by that code."
In 1975, soon after her work with the road company of "Purlie," that famous Gandy happenstance struck again. Gandy had been working with the popular soul/rock group LaBelle (Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendrix and Sarah Dash), and the trio was planning a concert at the Metropolitan Opera––the first rock concert at the famed music hall. Gandy was away on vacation when LaBelle's manager called and asked her to return to New York because the label wasn't getting the group enough press. "So, I go to the Met and I'm standing outside because I'd invited Newsweek and Time," says Gandy. "I'm standing next to this red-haired guy who says: 'oh, what are you doing…?' I said I find it amazing I had to come back from my vacation. This is a major event and this big record company doesn't know how to do national press."
Turns out the red-haired guy was Irwin Segelstein, then president of CBS Records. The next thing Gandy knew she was associate director of special markets for CBS. During her two years at the company, she worked with most of the era's major African-American recording stars. "Everybody black worked for CBS––Gamble and Huff, Stax, everybody," Gandy says. "That was the joke. They said that if you're a black cat, CBS would sign you."
Also at CBS, Gandy met the Reverend Al Sharpton. He was picketing outside the company's offices, protesting the lack of opportunities for African-Americans at the corporation. "I said well, bring him up," Gandy recalls. "Everybody was afraid to talk to him. I didn't even know him, but I figured he was right. People in the community were spending money [with the company]. What are you giving back?" As Sharpton's entrée to CBS, Gandy was instrumental in getting a minority internship program started.
Gandy left CBS Records in 1977, eager to get back to theatre. "I thought record companies were really sleazy…I didn't like it too much," Gandy admits. "Music people get really caught up. They become the star. And the poor talent––one minute they're picking cotton and the next minute they're sitting down at Cipriani's…and they're afraid not to cooperate."
Gandy has worked on Broadway ever since, putting her skills to work for some of Broadway's best, including the legendary choreographer Bob Fosse. Her personal clients have included Freddie Jackson, Phylicia Rashad and Stephanie Mills, and she's been with press agent and producer Jeffrey Richards for the past 18 years.
These days, Gandy's projects include celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of Harlem Week and the 2004 National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, of which she is an associate producer. The veteran publicist is wearing the producer's hat more frequently now. Currently, her office is producing the musical "Beehive," which debuts next spring with Debbie Allen directing and choreographing. Previously, Gandy was an associate producer for the 1987 U.S. tour of the hit South African musical "Sarafina!"
Gandy was the first black female publicist to work Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, and she's still the only black female member of ATPAM. She sites the apprenticeship rule as one of the biggest stumbling blocks to diversity on the Great White Way. "You have to be able to apprentice for three years, but what show runs three years?" Gandy points out. "I was fortunate because I had the NEC."
When she's not working––which isn't often––Gandy loves nothing more than cocooning in her West Village apartment. "What I like to do is cook and watch sitcoms and read lots of romance novels. I do absolutely nothing," says Gandy. Surprisingly––or maybe not––she doesn't go to the theatre––not even a movie theatre––unless she's going to see a friend. Gandy has one daughter, Myra, a successful painter who lives in Los Angeles.
AAPRC's Mission
The African-American Public Relations Collective (AAPRC) is an assemblage of professionals who provide communication conduits among clients, journalists, media and our communities. We come together as a collective because we recognize the importance of building those same conduits amongst ourselves.
A great deal of what we do is professional development––updating our skills, keeping pace with technology, refining and streamlining processes, providing a forum to tackle the issues that impact our work environment––but we believe our professional lives benefit most from the forging of effective alliances. Connected to one another, we possess the power of a nationwide body of committed, knowledgeable practitioners with an eye on the future.
As we move into the 21st century at lightning speed, mass media and its potent messages occupy an ever-larger part of our daily lives and our collective psyche. The AAPRC is focused on helping our members gain a deeper understanding of media's force and supporting their growth as powerful participants in the global communications network.
AAPRC's Contact
GQ Media & Public Relations
1650 Broadway Suite 1011
New York NY 10019
1212 765 7910
1212 765 7905
aapublicistcoll@aol.com
Message Irene Gandy and the AAPRC and tell them what you think
July 19, 2004
Perspective: Vinia Mojica
Vinia Mojica
Singer
Job historyRoyal House - Come Over Here Baby - Warlock
Vinia Mojica
Singer
NYC
Job historyRoyal House - Come Over Here Baby - Warlock Records 1989Jungle Brothers - Done by the Forces of Nature - Warner Bros. Records 1989De La Soul - De La Soul is Dead - Tommy Boy Records 1991A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory - Jive RCA Records 1991Various Artists - MTV Uptown Unplugged - Uptown/MCA Records 1993Lisa Lisa - LL77 - Pendulem Records 1993Hard 2 Obtain - Ism and Blues - Columbia Records 1993Pete Rock & CL Smooth - The Main Ingredient - Elektra Records 1994Heavy D & the Boys - Nuttin' But Love - MCA Records 1994Omar - For Pleasure - RCA Records 1995Alliance Ethnik - Simple & Funky - Delabel/Virgin Records France 1995Groove Collective - Lift Off - GRP Records 1995De La Soul - High School High Soundtrack - Elektra Records 1996Heltah Skeltah - Nocturnal - Priority Records 1996Heavy D. - Waterbed Hev - Uptown/MCA Records 1996Positive Black Soul - Salaam - Mango/Island Records 1997Alliance Ethnik - Fat Comeback - Delabel/Virgin Records France 1998Noreaga - N.O.R.E. - Penalty Records 1998Blackstar - Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are... - Rawkus Records 1998Pete Rock - Soul Survivor - Loud Records 1999Cibo Matto - Stereotype A - Warner Brothers Records 1999Rahzel - Make The Music 2000 - MCA Records 1999Arto Lindsay - Prize - Righteous Babe Records 1999Mos Def - Black on Both Sides - Rawkus Records 1999Youssou N' Dour - The Lion - Virgin Records 1999Eagle Eye Cherry - Desireless - MCA Records 1999Various Artists - Le Flow:French Hip Hop Comp. - Delabel/Virgin France 1999Andy Milne - Forward To Get Back - D' note Classics Records 2000Mary J. Blige - SNL 25 Years vol.2 - Dreamworks Records 2000Various Artists - NO MORE PRISONS - Raptivism Records 2000Common - Like Water For Chocolate - MCA records 2000Talib Kweli & DJ Hi-Tek - Reflections Eternal - Rawkus Records 2000Beatminers - Brace 4 Impak - Rawkus Records 2000Inspectah Dek - Uncontrolled Substance - Loud Records 2000Chocolate Genius - Godmusic - V2 Records 2001DJ Hi-Tek - Hi-Teknology - Rawkus Records 2001DJ Mehdi - The Story of Espion - Delabel/Virgin Records France 2002Talib Kweli - Quality - Rawkus/MCA Records 2002Common - Electric Circus - MCA Records 2003Wildchild - Protocol - Stones Throw Records 2003Vinia Mojica - Guilt Junkie/Sands of Time - Fruit Meat/Giant Step Records 2003
What are you currently working on? Your day-to-day responsibilities?
I continue to write and record songs for use in various music projects, as a solo artist and in collaboration with others. I have been writing a story based on my experiences in life and the entertainment industry and I plan to make it a screenplay. My day to day varies, but I try to keep a consistency so things seem orderly. I choose activities to focus on each day. Some days are dedicated to the creative side. Other days are strictly for business. The business days include reading over contracts, taking meetings, making calls, doing interviews and organizing paperwork and finances. Basically doing what it takes to keep one's dreams afloat. The hustle.
What inspires/motivates you?
God. Life. Death. Art. Sex. Water. Beauty. Faith. Etc...
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
That's the hardest part for me. I'm still working on it, but prayer and sacrifice certainly help.
What career achievement are you most proud of?
I am proud of everything I've been blessed to be a part of and will be a part of.
What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from the experience?
I don't really believe in mistakes. I try to learn from each experience and each person I meet. I enjoy learning and keeping my mind open to new perspectives. It all has a purpose somehow.
Guiding principles?Trust in the universe to bring you all that you need.Know yourself and keep an open mind.Share your knowledge and ask for help when you need it.Don't be afraid to be different.Appreciate the small successes as well as the big ones.Keep good records in business.
And take it easy.
Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?
My birthday is March 14. I was born in NYC and I went to Music & Art (LaGuardia) HS.
Pick up Vinia Mojica's "Guilt Junkie"/"Sands Of Time" 12" at Giantstepstore.net
Message Vinia Mojica and tell her what you think
July 15, 2004
Tech Sessions #9
Hook Them In
We've all heard the words 'so where is the hook?' right? When you get your tracks to the point of where you're pitching them to management, a&r
Hook Them In
We've all heard the words 'so where is the hook?' right? When you get your tracks to the point of where you're pitching them to management, a&r or whomever, that becomes a phrase that you will hear over and over and over again.
The truth is that some execs in this business, but definitely not all, do not have an ear for music to where they can hear an instrumental track and be able to discern the sometimes subtle changes between the intro, the verse, the b-section, the almighty hook and the outro.
You will definitely meet these people and at times it's very easy to fall into the defeatist mind set of "well fuck them, they don't know what they just missed out on." Many mistake that for swagger and confidence when in many cases its really you just excusing yourself from getting better at track definition.
We personally prefer to play tracks for people who do not have a musical ear. Why? Because those ears are much closer to the ears of the average people on the street who think a b-section is a geometry angle they forgot about.
Point is that if you can impress these people then you have a much better shot at making a real record and, depending on what happens when the artist gets down, even getting a potential single out of it; although that is a very hard mountain to climb if you are not a "name" situation.
So again it all comes back to the hook more times than not. Now, I'm not one to tell anybody how to switch up their process. So let's not focus on the content of your musical hook but how it comes across.
Assuming that the track in question is again an instrumental that you are pitching to someone for placement, ask yourself the following types of questions:
1) What makes the hook stand out?
2) Do I need to layer the main lead melody in the hook to separate it from the verse?
3) Would minor changes in the rhythm track help the hook to feel more dynamic?
You get the idea. On a final note, one thing that really helps me personally is writing hooks and sometimes complete songs to our tracks. That in itself is an instant way to know if you're in the right space. Because if you can't rap or sing to it (regardless of your skill level in either) then who can?
Glover is one half of the Atlanta, GA based production squad The Audio Assassins which are founding members of The Elements. You can find them both at Audioassassins.com and theelementsinc.com
Message Glover with your insight on hooks and what factors make them stand out for you!
The Herbert Holla
Herbert's Hot NYC Picks
thu(15): gershwin hotel - sure shot - hiphop/rock/r&b/reggae/80s
thu(15): hiro - prince paul - soul/80s/hiphop/funk/old school
Herbert's Hot NYC Picks
wed(14): city hall park/23 park row - ROOTS LIVE - 7PM - free
wed(14): cielo - louie vega/kevin hedge - soulful house
wed(14): apt - rich medina/guest djs - soul/afrobeat/old school/funk/classics
wed(14): angel bar - scratch famous/teflon - reggae
wed(14): bOb - rholi rho/5th platoon - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
wed(14): mission - hud - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KETNER!
wed(14): shelter - kayo/tyrone francis - house music all night long say word
wed(14): suede - frank delour - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s/house
wed(14): pangea - ody rock/guests - hiphop/rock/80s/reggae
wed(14): delancey lounge/basement - kesto/low budget/cosmo baker - booty soul
wed(14): marquee - stretch armstrong - hiphop/rock/80s/old school - bastille day!
wed(14): canal room - mop/talib kweli/marly marl/pete rock - rap music - 9PM
wed(14): afterwork/rumor - snatch 1/m.o.s./self/kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
wed(14): afterwork/jade terrace - guest djs - nina sky live - hiphop/r&b/reggae
thu(15): gershwin hotel - sure shot - hiphop/rock/r&b/reggae/80s
thu(15): hiro - prince paul - soul/80s/hiphop/funk/old school
thu(15): crotona park/bx - red alert/grandmaster caz/cash money - don't ask!!!
thu(15): guernica - blessed/selly/reborn/monica pineda - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(15): table 50 - q tip on the set - hiphop/rock/soul/funk/classics
thu(15): ole/newport center/nj - dj mark t/also - house/80s/classics - PEACE MARK!
thu(15): show - guest djs/ody rock - hiphop/rock/r&b/reggae/80s
thu(15): suite 16 - sussone - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics (moved from joe's pub)
thu(15): discotheque - tony humphries/alan jeffreys - house/house/house/house
thu(15): crobar - princess julia/avenue d/larry tee - rock/sex/weird babylon stuff
thu(15): quo - crooked - funky house/top 40 hiphop/80s/rock
thu(15): ruby falls - jus ske - hiphop/rock
thu(15): sob's - rekha/eddie stats/gurpreet/jugular/mc enlight - BHANGRA!!!
thu(15): suede - ani - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
thu(15): 323 lounge - eli/tom mello/big hot guests - house/hiphop/soul
thu(15): afterwork/manhatta - dj eleven/mOma - soul/hiphop/classics
thu(15): afterwork/kanvas - dj sweets - hiphop/70s/80s - 6PM
thu(15): afterwork/alibi - stylez/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul - 7PM
fri(16): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs below!
fri(16): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/bruce tantum - house
fri(16): taj - jozen - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s - bon voyagee, jozen!!!
fri(16): ruby falls - mark ronson - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
fri(16): vela - dj reach - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s/reggae
fri(16): lot 61 - dj soul - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(16): pangea - m.o.s./suss-one - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - black diamonds
fri(16): mission - big ben/jimmy ponzio - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/latin
fri(16): union square lounge - marlon d - deep house
fri(16): show - crooked - top 40 hiphop/reggae/80s/house
fri(16): canal room - frank delour - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s/house
fri(16): ruby lounge - dj ola - hiphop/funk/reggae/classics/80s/r&b
fri(16): jazz gallery - claudia acuna quartet - http://jazzgallery.org
fri(16): flow - john davis/guests - deep underground sexy house music
fri(16): luke & leroy's - i-cue/chris love - hiphop/rare grooves/deep house/soul
fri(16): spirit - johnny vicious/big ben/lucho - ktu house/hiphop/r&b/reggae/latin
fri(16): joe's pub - snatch - hiphop/r&b/classics/old school/reggae
fri(16): boat cruise - benji candelario/yousef/guests - www.insaneproductionz.com
fri(16): roxy - goldfinger - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(16): shelter/plum room - dj spinna - all things prince VS. all things michael
fri(16): circle line cruises - ss wassy annual cruise!!! - dj spice - 718.342.5391
fri(16): prospect park bandshell/bk - van hunt/dujeous/brazil girls - 6:30PM
fri(16): afterwork/sequoia's - willie rodriguez/john sciascia - hiphop/r&b/latin
fri(16): afterwork/ellie lounge - dallas green/legend - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul
fri(16): negril village/rhum lounge - obah - soul/hiphop/funk
sat(17): rehab - herbert/dangeruss/stimulus/chris washington - hiphop/r&b/reggae
sat(17): ruby falls - dj soul - hiphop/rock
sat(17): 162 9th st/park slope/bk - bbq philly style - food - djs - 8pm till...
sat(17): mission - stormin normin - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(17): 40/40 - rahlo/k.o. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
sat(17): coral room - sureshot - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
sat(17): shelter - timmy regisford - house!
sat(17): chetty red - van vader/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/old school/80s
sat(17): sapphire lounge - jazzy nice - hiphop/soul/old school/funk/breaks/house
sat(17): eugene - jcny/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/house/80s
sat(17): etoile - goldfinger/precise - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(17): pm - crooked - hiphop/80s/rock/disco/house/reggae
sat(17): abaya - liftkid/keith blackstone - deep, funky, soulful, progress house
sat(17): ps1/long island city - dj spinna/joey llanos/kervyn mark - house - 3PM
sat(17): table 50 - afronaught/dinesh/big dris/wool - broken beat/uk garage
sat(17): deep - self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(17): vela - omi - hiphop/house/80s/rock
sat(17): social club - snatch - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(17): plaid - stretch armstrong/riz/big ben (rotating) - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
sun(18): fez uptown - marc smooth/guests - rare groove/soul/hiphop/reggae/classics
sun(18): joe's pub - evil d/lord sear/butta l - classic hiphop/reggae/old school
sun(18): lotus - stretch armstrong/guests - hiphop/80s/r&b/rock/old school
sun(18): magic city - snatch "shlomo" one - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(18): social club - will/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
mon(19): apt - cucumber slice - soul/funk/rare grooves/latin/uprock/old school
mon(19): cielo - francois k - future dub/space vibes/abstract grooves (aka house)
mon(19): blvd - hollertronix/cosmo baker/shepard fairey/claw - 80s/rock/tech/rap
tue(20): joe's pub - guest djs/live performances - soul/funk/classics/hiphop
tue(20): open air - jlayne/elijah/guests - rare grooves/70s/80s/old school/house
tue(20): sapphire lounge - eman/lola - house/deep grooves
tue(20): the park - dj stu bronze - rock - free BBQ from 10 to 11:30
tue(20): social club - king emz/dart la - soul/funk/old school/80s
tue(20): belmont lounge - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world
tue(20): table 50 - swamy/john creamer/david vasquez/buddah morales - house
tue(20): hiro - guest djs - hiphop/rock/reggae/80s/r&b - high fashion
tue(20): lobby - will/self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(20): mission - d-nice/dj hud/mc frank jugga - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(20): afterwork/aubette - snatch 1 - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/classics - 6:30PM
Herbert's Heard
"Diary" -- Alicia Keys feat. Tony Toni Tone (brings a tear to my eye)
"Can I Get Wit'Cha" -- B.I.G. feat. Angel Demar (produced DJ Vlad and Full Force)
"Throwback" -- Usher feat. Jadakiss
"Games" -- Remix feat. Jadakiss
"TKTKTK" -- ODB
"You Dropped a Bomb on Me" -- Gap Band
Word As Bond
Yo! You know I was saying how wack Manhattan is, right? Well ... we might just have to add Williamsburg to the NYC Wackness Chart. And not just cuz every fashion and art snot head lives there, but ... well ... They Gave A DJ A Ticket!!! You heard me right. They gave this pour dude who barely deejays a freaking ticket for "Operation of Sound Reproduction Device Without a Permit." That's right. Let me write that again because I really, really wanna take up as much space as I can on my email with Bullsh*t like this: "Operation of Sound Reproduction Device Without a Permit." It's like this, Bloomberg: No music, no New York. Not everyone in this city is rich, white, and likes to go to the Opera!
(Though I qualify for two of those.)
Ain't a thing like Freedom. Last week, we reached a pinnacle. A zenith. Cosi has the biggest nuts in the world--he dropped Nirvana's "Teen Spirit." You know Herbert, being the chickensh*t that he is, was like, "You sure, dude? I mean, you think it'll work?" Cosi, with his 15 plus years of deejaying experience, was like, was like ... he really didn't say anything. We do work together, and we do listen to each other's advice and suggestions, but this time, it was going to happen whether or not anyone liked it or not. It was innate, it was a command from G-d himself, and it was going to be played. He didn't respond to Herbert; he just put it on. And then I thought it was wrap for us. I thought the cops were bound to come in. I thought we were going to have to shut the place down. everyone went freaking bananas. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, everyone. Jumping up and down. Yelling. Screaming. It was crazy.
Then Cosi really did something crazy. He handed me the headphones.
Don't worry, though. Herbert is damn good, he found a way, and the "ohs" and "yeahs" followed suit, and the rest of the night was just magical. Big shout out to DJ Wonder of Hot 97, DJ Jozen (see his going away party at Rehab above on Saturday night), DJ J. Period and the rest of the DJs, MCs, producers, and 300-plus party-goers that come through every week to make Freedom the greatest party I've ever been a part of. Seriously. Where else can you find 300 people dancing to songs like ... like ... Candyman's "Knockin' Da Boots"????
That's all for now, y'all. I got some meetings. Some big things coming up.
Peace, good health, love, light, understanding,
Herbert's Gigs
fridays - freedom - starfoods - 64 e. 1st b/w 1st+2nd aves
#1 funnest friday night dance party in nyc, son-n-n-n!
classic hiphop/soul/dancehall/80s/house/classic r&b/funk
no dress code - dancing - food till 2am - $6 peach punch
$5 on my list ... rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
saturday - lot 61 - 21st street + the west side hwy
The Last Very Last Last Night For Herbert At Lot 61!!
we're moving the party to a new venue--stay tuned!!)
soul/classics/house/80s by herbert (10 to 1)
hiphop/r&b/reggae by dallas green! (1 to 4)
look sharp ... $10 ... rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
Message DJ Herbert and tell him what you think
July 14, 2004
Perspective: Jeffrey Sledge
Jeffrey Sledge
Jive
Job HistoryMy first job as a teenager was cutting bushes
Jeffrey Sledge
Senior Director
Jive
NYC
Job HistoryMy first job as a teenager was cutting bushes, shrubs and trees in the hot ass sun in the summer in White Plains NY.My first music job was at a small label called Wild Pitch records. We had GangStarr, Lord Finesse, Chill Rob G, Main Source, and UMC's among others. I did pretty much everything there…Promotions, A&R, Publicity, dealt with distribution. Whatever. It was amazing training for me because I got a real well rounded view of how the process worked.After that I went to work in promotions at Chrysalis records with Ed Strickland. Gang Starr had moved over there and set it up for me to come work over.Then I went to Jive to do rap promotions. Because I had done lots of A&R at the small labels, Jive allowed me to be involved in the A&R meetings and eventually go into A&R full time. I did A&R here until '96.Then I went to Epic to do A&R.I came back to Jive in mid '97 to do Marketing, along with still having some A&R duties and working closely with the President of the company. I am still doing that today.
What are you currently working on? Your day-to-day responsibilities?
I am working on finishing up E40's greatest hits, starting up on Too Short's next record, and doing a special package of some UGK songs as well. Along with whatever else pops up with the many artists we have.
What inspires/motivates you?
What inspires me is my son. I want him to have what I didn't have as a child. My parents did a great job, don't get it twisted, but the next generation should always have the opportunity to do better than the last.
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
I learned quite awhile ago that you have to have a personal life to be healthy. I enjoy going out as much as the next man but I get more enjoyment of out of spending time with my family and friends than going out to "industry" functions. That industry thing isn't real life anyway.
What career achievement are you most proud of?
I'm most proud of my longevity. I have seen a lot of people come and seen a lot of people go. The ones who are still here, I believe have a respect for each because this game is no joke and to still be around making a living at it for 10 years or more, you have to sacrifice a lot of your life and sometimes your mental and physical well being.
What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from the experience?
My biggest mistake was not signing Jay-Z. Damon Dash, Jay-Z, Clark Kent, and I had a meeting about Jay coming to Jive in about '94. The music was good but not all the way developed at that time. My regret was that I didn't pursue spending some time talking to Jay and Damon about what their vision was as opposed to just about the songs. I'm sure that if I would've done that I would've understood the movie. I have had the opportunity to speak with Jay and Damon on occasion and have respect for both of them for their intelligence. It is better to invest in intelligence than talent. If you have the opportunity to invest in both, you have to make the move.
Guiding principles?It sounds real corny but always be true to yourself and your integrity. I've seen a lot of people get caught up in the Matrix and not last.Work hard, have some fun along the way, and treat yourself well.
Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?
My birthday is October 10, 1963. I was born in Mt.Vernon NY. I grew up in White Plains NY and went to White Plains HS and Morgan State University Baby. Go Golden Bears!!!!
Message Jeffrey Sledge and tell him what you think
Echoing The Birds & The Bees (West Coast) #2
Places To Fly By--Calendar Listing
Wed (07/14): Club Ivar--Pharcyde record release party
Wed (07/14): DJ Goldfinger does BET's "Rap City" (Nationwide)
Places To Fly By--Calendar Listing
Wed (07/14): Club Ivar--Pharcyde record release party
Wed (07/14): DJ Goldfinger does BET's "Rap City" (Nationwide)
Thu (07/15): Academy of Television Arts & Sciences--The Bourne Supremacy Premiere
Thu (07/15): KPWR's Felli Fel Media Day
Fri (07/16): DJ Goldfinger does BET's "Rap City" (Nationwide)
Sat (07/17): Brookside Park--The 9th Annual Old Pasadena Jazzfest
Sun (07/ 18): Level 3--The Birds & The Bees
Sun (07/ 18): Laugh Factory--Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show
Mon (07/ 19): Private--Catwoman Premiere
Fri (07/23): 8th Annual Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival
Wed (07/28): Akademiks presents Trace Magazine's "Black Girls Rule" Issue
Left Over Honey Event Recap
Mo'Nique BET Awards After Party--Mo'Nique's Home
Mo'Nique's Party was a popular destination for a lot of the industry after the BET Awards. She welcomed us all into her home. Well, the backyard at least, where huge red tents draped over plush couches and two open air dance floors under the stars. DJ Danno served up the beats from the pool, literally. We don't know how they did it, but the turntables were actually walking on water.
Twista's Double Platinum Party--Club Ivar
From body painted models to seductive kama sutra dancing (see UPN's Elise Neal's new cabaret called Godiva for that), we twisted off into the night and morning at this ice sculptured affair.
OutKast's favorite video prince Kat Williams aka Money Mike, "American Idol" winner Fantasia, Captiol's prized artist Chingy, "Cedric"'s Terri Vaughn, Chico Benymon, Cleveland Brown Kevin Bentley, and Dallas Cowboy Marcellus Wiley attended. An eclectic crowd, to be sure, that also included French high-tech inventors Mad Waves, Moviso's CEO's, and UrbanWorld Wireless' Mike Johns. Rounding out the night were Talib Kweli, Loon, "1 On 1"'s Siscely, while West coast emissaries Mo'Preme (Thug Life), Hutch (Above The Law), Jo Jo, and Truth all tackled the red carpet with top of the line W-spirit. In all, a successful twist of an event.
Jermaine Dupri BET Awards After Party--Concorde
Now you know it's serious business when Jermaine Dupri is handpicking every single person on his list. Thank God he remembers names even if he doesn't remember faces. It was a Hollywood hit, to say the least, held at Concord. Both JD & Anthony Hamilton should receive the award for Best BET Awards After-Party. Celebrities from the dirty south included Ludacris, Usher, and the rest of the ATL superpowers.
Message Echoing Soundz and The Birds & The Bees and tell them what you think
Survey Says #10
Fill in the blanks
1. I would pay anything to see __________, __________, and __________ (3 headliners, past or present) in concert today.
2. I think __________ (artist) is one of the best
Fill in the blanks
1. I would pay anything to see __________, __________, and __________ (3 headliners, past or present) in concert today.
2. I think __________ (artist) is one of the best entertainers under 25-years old.
3. When it comes to hip hop, R&B, Jazz...I think the __________ (pick a year) was the best era for this genre of music.
4. If I hear Usher's __________ one more time, I'm going to __________.
5. As far as automobiles and SUVs, the __________ best describes my personality.
Terrill Joyner is a singer and journalist living in Brooklyn NY.
Message Terrill Joyner and The Crusade.net with your Survey Says responses
July 13, 2004
AAPRC Weekly: Sheila Eldridge
Sheila Eldridge
Miles Ahead Entertainment
What started as a passion for music has brought public relations and marketing guru Sheila Eldridge to
Sheila Eldridge
Founder and President
Miles Ahead Entertainment
Hillsdale NJ
What started as a passion for music has brought public relations and marketing guru Sheila Eldridge to the head of her own firm and the brink of major broadcast ownership.
Born and raised in Washington, DC, Eldridge often visited family in New York during the summer. When she stayed with her great-uncle, jazz trumpet player Roy "Little Jazz" Eldridge, the only music allowed in the house was jazz, and young Sheila developed a sincere appreciation for the music. By the time she arrived at Howard University she was completely devoted to jazz and, especially, to radio. She was determined to work at the university's commercial radio station, WHUR-FM. WHUR, though, didn't hire students.
"I couldn't understand the concept of 'students don't work there,'" says Eldridge. "I was like, that doesn't work for me. I'm paying my money to go to this school and you’re telling me that I can't work here? So I pushed my way in the door."
She became the station's first student intern and later had her own contemporary jazz/R&B show. Eldridge graduated in 1976, part of one of the first classes at Howard's School of Communications. Later, she worked for Washington's NBC affiliate, but shyness sent her back to radio. She headed west, to Los Angeles and KACE-FM, where, for three years, she worked weekends doing a show called "Sunday Brunch." Eldridge had decided, though, that as much as she loved music, she wanted to do more than just spin records. In 1978, Eldridge took a job doing promotions for Casablanca Records, where the mettle that got her in the door at WHUR would come in handy.
"I did not like having to take records into radio stations every week, and get ads every week," says Eldridge of her first foray in the music industry. "The pressure of that was not comfortable for me. The fruits of my work weren't dependent on me. They were dependent on someone else. That really bothered me."
Still, Eldridge pushed through, promoting artists like Cameo, Parliament, Donna Summer and Cher at the height of the disco era. While at Casablanca she enrolled in a two-year program at UCLA, studying public relations and crisis management. She also landed a publicity position with Elektra Records. "It was entry level, but it was PR. It was great. I was going to school and I had this hands on job," Eldridge recalls. "They had just started this division called the Jazz Fusion division, and that's when they had Patrice Rushen, Lenny White and Dee Dee Bridgewater––a lot of the artists were jazz but had a fusion feel to them."
Unfortunately, Elektra's Jazz Fusion division only lasted for two years and Eldridge found herself out of work. "That's when I decided to start my own company. A lot of the artists I had worked with said, look, if you set up we'll come on board, and they did," says Eldridge. "My first clients were Patrice Rushen and Cameo and my second major client was Phyllis Hyman."
Eldridge founded Orchid Communications in Los Angeles in 1982 through a state-run small business incubator program. The program provided low cost office space, phone service and help with other overhead expenses, Eldridge sold her car and other items to finance the start-up costs. "I believe the biggest asset you can have in a business are your people…That's the biggest hurdle when you're starting up, having the financing to hire people so you can service the business," says Eldridge. "And then being able to service the business, but at the same time go out and continue to generate new business opportunities."
It was a juggling act, but Eldridge managed. "Networking works," she likes to point out. "The people that I got business from were all friends of mine that I went to school with. I'm a firm believer that networking does work."
Orchid Communications' client list eventually included a who's who in entertainment, including Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, The O’Jays, Ice-T, En Vogue, and Yolanda Adams among others. But Eldridge wasn't content to rest on her A-list laurels. "I could see where the record industry was going," says Eldridge. "I knew I was not going to be able to grow my business on just the record industry, so I started going after corporate business."
Eldridge expanded into the marketing realm and began creating programs that she would then go and sell to corporate clients. In 1984, this strategy paid off in a big way. That's the year the Olympic Games came to Los Angeles. While the city prepared to step into the global spotlight, Eldridge paid attention to a story in the Los Angeles Times in which an African-American mother expressed concern about what would happen to her children during the games. Many of the city's recreational facilities––a significant number of them in African-American neighborhoods––were being turned over to the Olympic athletes, leaving scores of inner city kids without summer activities and certainly without the financial resources to attend Olympic sporting events. "I read that article and said we need to come up with a program that supports and gives activities for inner city kids, because these kids are going to be left out," Eldridge remembers.
Eldridge and Orchid developed a free summer camp program for inner city kids called Summerscope, and took the pitch to corporate heavy-hitters like Coca-Cola and Burrell Advertising. "I said, you all are putting all this money into the Olympics, but what are you doing for the community? Look at this article in the Los Angeles Times, look at what the community is saying," says Eldridge. "I really kind of backed them up against the wall, and then I went to the L.A. Foundation and got them to give me a grant to start the program."
Summerscope, which has since expanded to six cities, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Coca-Cola is still the title sponsor.
"Coming up with a program and landing the dollars and getting Coca-Cola involved in the program is when I realized 'you can do this. It can be done,'" Eldridge says. "Everybody has an idea, but to take the idea and make it into something real and tangible, that's the difference."
In 1985, Eldridge had given birth to a son, Brent, and moved her firm to New Jersey. By 1990, she'd changed the company's name to Miles Ahead Entertainment in an effort to more firmly establish herself in the marketing realm. "Orchid was so branded, especially on the West Coast, as a PR firm, that I couldn't get people to see that we can do more than just PR," Eldridge explains. "About 50 percent of my business is corporate. In the corporate world, if you just try to do PR you're going to be in trouble because they've got divisions and corporate communications in there and they want to handle everything. You've got to give them something that they can't do. Hands-on touch marketing from the Internet to street teams to sampling via a total promotion campaign. We offer more than just PR."
Currently, Eldridge has a staff of six in her Hillsdale, New Jersey offices and taps into a network of local consultants around the country when projects call for it. Miles Ahead has established itself as a boutique agency with decidedly large-scale clients: Black Enterprise Magazine, PSE&G (New Jersey’s largest utility company), Colgate-Palmolive, Coca-Cola USA, ABC Radio Network, Absolut, the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and Wyndham Hotels as well as entertainers En Vogue and Malcolm Jamal Warner.
Over the past two decades, when Eldridge wasn't building her career, the single mom was busy building a home life for Brent, who heads off to college this fall with a major in communications. "I'm so excited! I'm more excited than he is," Eldridge admits. "One thing that you have to do in this industry is stay out there. When you have children, it really changes your life. I was a single mother. I couldn't go out as much, but that’s what I had to do to spend meaningful quality time with my son and assure I was building his character as my mother did with me."
With her son in college, Eldridge, an accomplished equestrian, plans to spend more time with the two horses––Red Babe and Skatia––that she boards on her family's property in Virginia. "I'm going to do more riding and pursue more competitions," she says. "What we do is endurance riding…you ride 15 to 20 miles on a horse in a competition. You go through woods, water…just about everything, so you really have to train for it. I want to do more traveling for competitions."
But an even bigger project is Eldridge's dream of owning her own radio station, a dream that may be close to reality. Eldridge and her partners have been working on the radio project for several years and are close to bidding on two stations in the south. "I've got a great team of partners," she enthuses. "My area will be just what we do––marketing the stations as they will become clients of Miles Ahead Entertainment. That's something that I'm really excited about. When it happens I would have come full circle and assured my son a job when he graduates. What more can I ask for?”
Whatever else there is, no doubt Sheila Eldridge is ready for it. She's facing the miles ahead armed with faith in her abilities and her favorite motto: "Networking Works!!!"
AAPRC's Mission
The African-American Public Relations Collective (AAPRC) is an assemblage of professionals who provide communication conduits among clients, journalists, media and our communities. We come together as a collective because we recognize the importance of building those same conduits amongst ourselves.
A great deal of what we do is professional development––updating our skills, keeping pace with technology, refining and streamlining processes, providing a forum to tackle the issues that impact our work environment––but we believe our professional lives benefit most from the forging of effective alliances. Connected to one another, we possess the power of a nationwide body of committed, knowledgeable practitioners with an eye on the future.
As we move into the 21st century at lightning speed, mass media and its potent messages occupy an ever-larger part of our daily lives and our collective psyche. The AAPRC is focused on helping our members gain a deeper understanding of media's force and supporting their growth as powerful participants in the global communications network.
AAPRC's Contact
GQ Media & Public Relations
1650 Broadway Suite 1011
New York NY 10019
1212 765 7910
1212 765 7905
aapublicistcoll@aol.com
Message Sheila Eldridge and the AAPRC and tell them what you think
July 12, 2004
Perspective: Alain Alan Ket Maridueña
Alain Alan Ket Maridueña
Azzure Denim and Indigo Red
Job historyStarted selling candy to other kids in the 4th grade
Alain Alan Ket Maridueña
VP of Marketing and Advertising
Azzure Denim and Indigo Red
CEO
From Here to Fame Publishing
NYC
Job historyStarted selling candy to other kids in the 4th gradeWorked at a newsstand selling papers, etc.Burger King (every position)MessengerShipping clerkBall bearings sales personDrug dealerIntern at The SourceLaunched Stress magazine, Publisher and Editor in ChiefLaunched Hip Hop Nation in Spain-founderLaunched IBS, Marketing co.Launched Complex magazine-Founder/VPMedia and marketing ConsultantVP of Marketing, Azzure DenimFounder, From Here to Fame publishing
What are you currently working on? Your day-to-day responsibilities?
I am currently working on all the in-store visuals as well as the websites and campaigns for both the Azzure and Indigo Red brands. I am also concentrating on Azzure's five year anniversary party being held in Las Vegas during Magic. My day to day involves managing my creative team and my marketing/product placement team and dealing with budgets. I'm also corresponding with lots of people via email and trying to get the make the brand look good.
Besides that, I'm fielding emails on the first book under my new publishing imprint, From Here to Fame Publishing.
What inspires/motivates you?
My friends and peers inspire me. My kids motivate me to keep going and to strive to achieve. My competition motivates me. Poverty motivates me. The struggle of all people of color motivates me to get out of bed and get busy.
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
I strike a balance by working out daily and making sure I have time for self. I also take on many personal art projects that have no connection to my day job. I paint a lot and zone out.
What career achievement are you most proud of?
I most proud of being the first person in my family to finish college and launching Stress.
What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from the experience?
My biggest mistake was not writing a business plan before I started Stress. I learned that business plans work.
Guiding principles?Work hard and smart.Build teams.Be a leader.
Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?
I was born in 1970. I grew up between Miami and Brooklyn, mostly BK. I went to Midwood HS then Brooklyn College, then BMCC, then Vassar, than NYU.
Message Alain Alan Ket Maridueña and tell him what you think
AAPRC Weekly: Kim Bondy
Kim Bondy
CNN
The first time Kim Bondy set foot in a television newsroom, she was a college student at the
Kim Bondy
Vice President, Franchise Units
CNN
Atlanta GA
The first time Kim Bondy set foot in a television newsroom, she was a college student at the University of New Orleans looking for easy internship credits–-she just needed to graduate and get her parents off her back. But a funny thing happened. "On the first day, I walked into the newsroom and just fell in love," Bondy recalls. "There was no doubt in my mind what I wanted to do…I knew immediately that I wanted to be a television producer."
Starting with that "convenient" internship at WDSU-TV, an NBC affiliate, Bondy took the familiar nomadic route of a television news professional. From the New Orleans internship she went to a smaller station in Lake Charles, LA and cut her teeth as producer of the five o'clock newscast. Then, when her parents decided to relocate from New Orleans to Atlanta, Bondy went with them. She sent a tape and a resume to Atlanta's WXIA-TV, also an NBC affiliate, but nothing came of it––at first. In fact, her introduction to the station was as a temp receptionist, answering phones in the newsroom. About two or three days into the gig, the assistant news director noticed the way Bondy played such close attention to the station's newscasts." She says, 'what do you really do?'" Bondy remembers. "I said, 'I just moved here from Lake Charles, Louisiana where I was producing the five o'clock news.' And she said 'well, why are you answering the phones?'"
It seems Bondy's resume tape had gotten lost in the huge stack of tapes in the assistant news director's office. The next day Bondy came in for a writing test and the day after that she was hired as a writer. With one of the station's evening news anchors as her advocate and mentor, within weeks, Bondy was promoted to producer of the noon newscast.
After Atlanta, Bondy's news journey went ever so slightly off the beaten path. She took a position as news director at CITN-TV on the island of Grand Cayman, British West Indies. "I went to the Cayman Islands because it just sounded like a really interesting thing to do," says Bondy. "I figured well, if it didn't work out, I would just go back to my parents' house in Atlanta until I get another job."
But Grand Cayman did work out. She lived on the sea. She drove a jeep. She lasted for three years in paradise until she decided that if she was ever going to become a network news producer she was going to have to leave the Caribbean. "It's a really great gig," she told a friend who was visiting from Philadelphia. "But I've always wanted to work on the "Today show" and I think unless I go and do that I'm going to have so many regrets."
The friend, whom Bondy had worked with in Atlanta, was at WCAU-TV, the CBS affiliate in Philadelphia. She passed Bondy's resume on to the news director there. Bondy and the news director had a terrific phone interview. She was flown up to Philadelphia and hired on the spot as managing editor. Then, an extraordinary sequence of events launched Bondy's career into high orbit.
A month after she arrived at WCAU, a CBS owned-and-operated station, CBS lost its NFL contract and a number of affiliates switched to FOX. Rather than loose WCAU, CBS traded the station and Bondy once again found herself working for an NBC affiliate. The station needed a morning show as a lead in for NBC's Today, and Bondy was charged with creating the station's first morning edition. Her shows were so successful that when "Today" decided to do a cross-country tour of some of NBC's new affiliates, WCAU was on the list. After Bondy assisted the "Today" producers with their Philadelphia broadcast, she was offered a position with NBC's "Sunrise," anchored by Ann Curry. For Bondy it would mean a return to line producing and getting to work at midnight to produce a five a.m. show. She hesitated. "And then they said the magic words: 'you'd get to fill in on the Today show,'" Bondy remembers. "I said [to myself] I'll do Sunrise for two years and then I'm going to be on the Today show. That's just how it's gonna work out."
Five-and-a-half years later, when she left NBC for CNN, Bondy was news director on the "Today" show and executive producer of "Weekend Today."
The assistant news director who'd hired Bondy at WXIA in Atlanta had been at CNN for several years, trying unsuccessfully to hire Bondy away from NBC. In 2001, though, things were different. "I needed one more big growth thing to happen and NBC is a little bit harder. There are fewer opportunities for those sort of really big jumps," Bondy says of her decision to leave the network. "There was also some personal stuff. I was ready to be closer to my family again. The planets all lined up."
She arrived at CNN, a vice president and senior executive producer overseeing daily news operations, just before the September 11 terrorist attacks. "I got here to CNN. Nineeleven happens less than two months later, and then we're going to go to war," Bondy remembers. "So, I'm thinking to myself: I wanna go to war with CNN, because that's what they do best. I did the Today show and I did the Olympics when I was at NBC. You should always experience your company at it's best."
Bondy spearheaded CNN's Emmy Award-winning coverage of the terrorist attacks and the ensuing war, and spent five weeks in Kuwait. Since then, she has moved into more senior programming positions for the network, serving as vice president of special programming. Just five months ago, she was named vice president of franchise units for CNN, responsible for developing and overseeing the network’s medical, science, technology, weather, entertainment and sports programming. "I have a really, really great gig," says Bondy. "I get to do almost anything that I want to do here in this company and that's what's kept me challenged…CNN's been very good to me."
In terms of your career in journalism, what are you most proud of?
I think what I am most proud of is the relationships I’ve been able to build and cultivate over my career. I have had great mentors and I have watched people I have mentored go on to do great work. I’m really proud of the work I’ve done at CNN…but I am also very proud of my work on NBC’s Today Show. It was my dream TV job when I started in news and I got there and actually became executive producer of Weekend Today. It was everything I dreamed of and more. I am also proud of my role during CNN’s coverage last year. I spent five weeks in the Middle East helping lead our coverage.
What is a franchise unit? What's a typical day like for you as vice president of CNN's franchise units?
The franchise units I oversee include medical, entertainment, sci-tech, weather and sports. There is no typical day, I’m afraid. I have really strong managers in my group so I try to serve more as an advocate and less as a meddler. I’ve had a successful day if I can drive an initiative through, contribute a good idea or two and, importantly, stay out of their way.
Are there any projects on the horizon about which you're particularly excited?
My entertainment unit just completed an exciting project. We covered the Maui Film Festival. Seven days in Maui interviewing filmmakers and watching movies on a golf course, under the stars. It was a new venture for CNN and just plain fun. I am also excited about the new medical specials we are producing for Dr. Sanjay Gupta. He’s an important member of the CNN family and it’s great to have a new platform to showcase his amazing talent. The sports unit is gearing up for coverage of the summer Olympics in Greece and the sci-tech unit is looking at several exciting projects.
For a news hound, this year is a veritable buffet. War. Scandal. A Presidential election. Politics, business, entertainment––there seem to be big stories everywhere. How does a news cycle like this impact your workday?
When the big story happens it doesn’t matter where you work in the CNN family. I oversee franchises, but when President Reagan died I just happened to be in L.A. on other business and I stayed to help with our coverage. I enjoy being part of the big story and it’s what CNN does best. The good news about my workday is that no day is the same because the news is never the same.
CNN has evolved from a radical idea––news around the clock––into, arguably, a necessity. When you look at what's happening in the world and what's happening in media, what do you imagine next for the network?
CNN is doing incredibly well. In my three years here, the network has really evolved. We now have programs instead of traditional newscasts. Our prime time is really taking shape. "American Morning" has become an important brand. We will continue to focus on strengthening our programming while continuing to dominate coverage of the big stories.
Last year, CNN asked you to create and oversee the organization's Diversity Council. From that vantage point, if you had to give the broadcast news a grade when it comes to a commitment to diversity, how would the industry fare?
I can’t speak for the industry other than to say, I think as an industry we must continue to aim for parity, and there’s clearly a lot more work to be done. CNN has made a firm commitment to diversity, and I am proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and the high standards we are working toward.
What's your best advice for women and for people of color who aspire to a career in broadcast news?
Do an internship or two, but be smart about it. Intern in an area where you have the greatest chance of making an impact and getting some visibility. Get great mentors and sponsors. They will not only give you solid advice, but they can open doors for you. I would not be here today if I didn’t have mentors and sponsors watching my back…and opening doors.
What's been your biggest career challenge thus far?
I think my biggest career challenge lies ahead as I try to figure out my next "best thing." I’m having so much fun doing what I’m doing…that my big challenge is topping this!
With your demanding career, how are you able to maintain balance in your personal life?
My life is far from balanced. It just happens to be fun most of the time.
Tell us one thing people might be surprised to know about you.
That my dream job is to be a nightclub singer on a Caribbean island…but I don’t sing in public. Go figure!
AAPRC's Mission
The African-American Public Relations Collective (AAPRC) is an assemblage of professionals who provide communication conduits among clients, journalists, media and our communities. We come together as a collective because we recognize the importance of building those same conduits amongst ourselves.
A great deal of what we do is professional development––updating our skills, keeping pace with technology, refining and streamlining processes, providing a forum to tackle the issues that impact our work environment––but we believe our professional lives benefit most from the forging of effective alliances. Connected to one another, we possess the power of a nationwide body of committed, knowledgeable practitioners with an eye on the future.
As we move into the 21st century at lightning speed, mass media and its potent messages occupy an ever-larger part of our daily lives and our collective psyche. The AAPRC is focused on helping our members gain a deeper understanding of media's force and supporting their growth as powerful participants in the global communications network.
AAPRC's Contact
GQ Media & Public Relations
1650 Broadway Suite 1011
New York NY 10019
1212 765 7910
1212 765 7905
aapublicistcoll@aol.com
Message Kim Bondy and the AAPRC and tell them what you think
July 09, 2004
The Ru Report #139
Fresh Face: Lloyd
The newest kid on the hip hop/soul block is not that new at all. But his hot sound, his slick image and his latest record company dealings warrant him to kick off our first Fresh Face series.
Fresh Face: Lloyd
The newest kid on the hip hop/soul block is not that new at all. But his hot sound, his slick image and his latest record company dealings warrant him to kick off our first Fresh Face series.
Lloyd is the hot and hip young crooner shaking things up on the R&B scene via The Inc. Records. For the un-enlightened: that's notorious hip hop music mogul Irv Gotti's flourishing Def Jam-backed enterprise--formerly Murda Inc.--which boasts multi-platinum success stories such as Ja Rule and Ashanti.
The New Orleans born, Atlanta-bred 18-year-old has a hot track out featuring the company's aforementioned "princess," called "South Side," which is in the Top 20 of Billboard's Hot 100 R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart and is the #1 Most Played Music Video on BET, respectively.
But this young cat born under the name Lloyd Polite (pronounced pa-leet) isn't a novice to the music game. As an original member of the late 1990's teeny-bop group N-Toon, the youngster experienced some marginal celebrity status with one of his younger brothers and two fellow Atlanta based schoolboys. Conceived by Klymaxx member Joyce Irby, N-Toon released a single "Ready" on Interscope Records and an album, Toon Time via Dreamworks.
"We did our chitlin' circuit run, " he candidly reflects on those humble beginnings. "But I wasn't always thrilled about it because I was never on that kiddy s@#%. I was never on that pop, bubble gum, cotton candy eating kind of stuff. But on the same token, I take it as a learning experience."
And it's paid off… look at how the lead singer has grown up.
The plaited-up, self-professed playboy is sitting back in his publicity flack's office in midtown's Worldwide Plaza complex, handling publicity chores like a seasoned pro. Not a bit nervous, Lloyd takes on the most difficult questions while remaining congenial, and somewhat playful--his body language is indicative of his youthful ardor.
On this humid summer afternoon, Lloyd is in town making the rounds with mainstream media outlets such as Teen People and YM magazines, while also visiting MTV and BET. He's also performing a showcase at S.I.R. Studios for key industry tastemakers. With his solo debut album, Southside hitting stores on July 20 and the title track blazing radio airwaves, he is quite "in-demand."
"I feel a little overwhelmed man," he confides, his voice lowering. "But then again, I understand that this is not a time to relax because I got a lot more work to put in. I got a lot more to prove to a lot of people. But I was born to do it, man. This is the life we chose."
His southern drawl has a way of drawing an interviewer into the conversation, while his ghetto swagger keeps them tuned in.
Lloyd is a trip too--the boy thinks he's grown.
"Nah, I thought I was grown when I was twelve. Now, I know I'm grown," he quips. "I always felt like I'm a little more advanced than [others my age]. I always felt that I could run with the big boys."
The big boys include Mr. Gotti (real name: Irving Lorenzo)--whose flossy ways and uncanny fascination with mafia movie mentality may have put his company under the microscope of federal investigators--who became smitten with young Lloyd after initially meeting him and hearing him sing a cappella, a little over a year ago. "Irv has earned his stripes already," Lloyd shares. "Irv has put in so much work. And just being in the presence of somebody that already done great things, I gotta bow down to that."
Def Jam's newly minted head honcho Antonio "L.A." Reid (of LaFace Records fame and Arista Records infamy) was also in the mix too. The nattily dressed music man, who launched the careers of OutKast, Usher, TLC, Pink, Avril Lavigne and Toni Braxton, was originally tapped to re-package Lloyd. But some fateful timing led the youngster to the arms of the Gotti family fold.
"One thing I learned from coming in at an early age is when you're a new face in the game, the last thing you need to be is shy. You gotta have charisma. You gotta make people love you," he states, matter-of-factly.
Shy is what he is not. Not at all!
In the middle of the interview, Lloyd displays some sexually titillating naughty boy banter with a female office worker (referring to her as "a secretary"), who is sucking on a lollipop. "Let me taste it," he asks in an amorous way--double entendre intended (It's like no one else is around.) Is it boyish charm? Or a case of raging teenage hormones? I wonder aloud. That's when we get to talking about the alluring trappings of the music world. I warn him not to make the same mistake some of his R&B brothers before him have. He assures me he won't.
And besides, he's already on probation, he reveals, so he knows better.
My ears start to burn. My eyes start to widen. "Probation?" I yell.
"I ain't no angel," he whispers. "I don't really want to reflect on it, but I'll say that everybody got their struggle stories."
"Are you Fed? Are you with the Feds," he teases because of my continuous probing. "You know we have Fed-A-Cinni problems."
"I promise I'll tell you after I speak to my lawyer," he jokes more. This kid has such a quick wit. You can see that he's a bad ass, but you gotta love him. It's something about him that makes you want to root for him. And that's a good thing.
He assures me that he hasn't been to jail. (He just looks like he has.) Mr. Gotti, whom he sometimes refers to as "IG," made him hit the gym to get cut up. It's working, too. In some of his glossed-up photos, he's baring his little chest. And the girls are eating it up. ("And I'm getting at them," he smiles, slyly).
Lloyd plays up his thug sex-appeal too. "We're PYT over here," he beams. "That stands for Pretty, Young and Thuggin!" Okay! In almost the same breath, he reveals that he's more into older women. "I've never dated a girl younger than me. I've always dated women older than me." Hmmm. Ashanti plays his older lover in the video for "South Side."
Musically, armed with his six-figure advance, Lloyd says he is influenced by R. Kelly, Marvin Gaye and even Jodeci. Writing the majority of his first album, he's already standing out on his very own with his brand of "ghetto love" music.
"I feel it's a lot of prototypes," he says of the current state of R&B music. "A lot of people trynna fill shoes that have already been walked in. A lot of people want to be like other people. I feel like it's a lot of bathwater music out now. A lot of that bulls@#%. A lot of that 'sun, moon and the stars above' s@#% But at the same token, I chose my own path. I walk my own path. I feel like it's now or never with me."
No Show, Hoe!
As if she didn't have enough legal troubles.
Last Friday night, Lil' Kim, hip hop's self-proclaimed "Queen Bitch," nearly caused mass hysteria in Times Square when her heavily promoted gig at BB King Club & Grill was abruptly cancelled.
This was nearly four hours after the proposed show time of 8 p.m.
The show, which was booked through the ICM agency, did seem like a stretch--considering that the once multi-platinum-selling raunchy rapstress's last album, La Bella Mafia didn't meet record company expectations, and her current obstruction of justice and perjury charges may stick, leading to jail time.
But more than 500 die hard fans shelled out upwards to $40 a pop to see the rap singer spit her rhymes. Talk about a cult following.
And after sitting--and standing--through three (out of five!) opening acts, the anxious crowd just thought the hip hop diva was being fashionably late by the time the last act rolled off the stage at 9:05 p.m.
Hmph.
Now understand: With its central location on 42nd Street (in the heart of New York's Times Square) and the acoustics of a great music room, BB King's has earned its stripes as the definitive Midtown Manhattan destination for live music. All the greats play there (such as Aretha Franklin, Pat Benatar, Little Richard, Etta James, James Brown, Rick James, Dianne Reeves and the list goes on). The spot has much cache for tourists from all over the world, music lovers old and young, and folks who just want to revel in the legacy of the club's namesake.
So Independence Day Weekend is a much sought after slot.
Lil' Kim--born Kimberly Jones--was booked well in advance and contractual details were ironed out. She agreed to do one of her shows (where she raps over her previously recorded tracks and hop it up around on stage to get the crowd in a frenzy) and be off the stage by midnight, to honor another event that was going on at the club. Again, it was to be a busy weekend.
She never showed. Well that's what we were thought to believe when the DJ got on the microphone shortly before the strike of midnight to inform the crowd that the show has been called off.
After hearing that, the crowd nearly went ballistic. There was more fake Gucci and Louis Vuitton flying than during a Saturday morning on Canal Street. With only one way to exit the venue (a very narrowly designed stairway, mind you) all hell nearly broke loose as the crowd filed out of that place quicker than you can say "You wanna be this Queen Bee, But you can't be, that's why ya mad at me!" It was like someone spotted O.J. Simpson with a machete, or R. Kelly with a camcorder. Some revelers even yelled out "Where the f@#$ is Foxy Brown?" as they exited the spot. People were angry. They had every right to be. Disappointment welled in their eyes.
"What I have to say about it is that I find it amazing that an artist of that visibility and level of celebrity cares so little for her fans," Gabrielle Brechner, the club's general manager, told The Ru Report. "People pay good, hard earned money to see her perform and she obviously could care less about those people.
You know my crew and I went out the back door, after walking through the kitchen area (like our forefathers and foremothers of song once did during more segregated times).
Upstairs and outside it was a full-scale spectacle. Mayhem ensued. Scuffles broke out because this one stepped on that one's toe or this one bumped into the other one. And it's 2004. But shelling out doe for top-shelf liquor, standing on your feet for a few hours and listening to loud rap music can bring out the worst in some of us. Thankfully a brigade of trained security professionals that were hired by the club (just in case) was in place to diffuse any real ruckus.
To put it lightly, it was a dog's mess.
The story goes a little something like this: Apparently, Lil' Kim was scheduled for a 9 o'clock arrival and a 10:05 start. The club had another event scheduled at roughly 11:30 - midnight, which her people apparently knew about. They were aware that she had to be off by somewhere in the 11 o'clock range. The opening acts were scheduled to go to until about 9:30, with her opener, J Mills, to go from 9:50-10 o'clock right before she went on. At about 8:45 the club got a call from her agent saying she was stuck in New Jersey "with her lawyers" and she wouldn't be arriving until about 10:30. That spelled trouble. At 9:05, the last of first three openers performed (not including J Mills, who wasn't even in the building).
With one and a half hours to fill, the club scurried frantically to move the crowd. An "idiotic" dance contest ensued where a girl shirt "fell off."
10:30 came. No Lil' Kim.
11 o'clock came. No Lil' Kim.
At this point the club were dealing with many refunds and angry patrons who were getting hostile with the club for not controlling the artist. Hmmm.
Three hours after showtime and still no Lil' Kim! Come on now. The only one who can get away with those types of antics is Original Shock Diva Grace Jones--and she's been in the business for nearly two decades (translation = she paid dues).
11:15 came. No Lil' Kim.
It was just around this twilight time that the club's booker and Ms. Brechner, spoke via phone, to the owners of the club and were instructed to give her until 11:30 and then pull the plug citing "breach of contract."
11:30 came. No Lil' Kim
The pint-sized former mistress of late rap kingpin The Notorious B.I.G. finally showed up roughly at 11:34, with her entourage in tow.
She was turned away. Can someone say Kibosh.
The club has merit for litigation. Considering the A-list talent that could've been booked there--and actually show up on time--with the promotions and advertising along with the venue's other expenses, things can get a bit dicey for Lil' Kim (who just signed a merchandising deal to use her image to hawk flashy watches adorned with faux diamonds).
"What she did is completely disrespectful to those people and to the venue with which she was in contract, which she violated," Ms. Brechner added. "It seems like a ridiculous way to try and keep your fans, which in the end is what makes or breaks any artist."
The artist-friendly club is taking a diplomatic stance, however. According to a source, the brass feels that there is no reason to sue as long as they retain their 50% deposit back from Lil' Kim, which they are said to be working on. Dollar figures weren't disclosed, but it wasn't any chump change either.
"And my words of advice to anyone who wants to see Lil' Kim perform," concludes Ms. Brechner, "Skip the live show--just turn on Court TV!"
Ouch!
Calls to Lil' Kim's offices were unsuccessful on Wednesday--due to a faulty voice mail system.
New Music News
Music maestro Quincy Jones has a new CD out. Well, sort of. My favorite on-the-go coffee shop, Starbucks, is now offering a live music CD compilation of selected songs performed at the "We Are the Future" concert--held in Rome on May 16. On an exclusive basis until August 3, participating North American stores will sell the disc, which features performances by Carlos Santana, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Patti Austin, Josh Groban, Angelique Kidjo and Andrea Boccelli. Selling for $12.95 U.S. and $16.95 Canadian, 100 percent of the purchase price will be contributed to the We Are the Future initiative, which are working to create child centers in war-torn countries throughout the world. The first child center opened in Kigali (Rwanda) on April 8, 2004. The next five child centers will be in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Asmara (Eritrea), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Nablus (West Bank-Gaza/Rishon Le'Zion) and Kabul (Afghanistan). More than half a million people were entertained by a host of world famous musicians during the six-hour "We Are the Future" concert, making it one of the largest concerts in history. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie and Naomi Campbell also took the stage in support of this global, humanitarian effort, along with the aforementioned musicians, and others. "With the support of Starbucks, we are able to offer a recording of this major event to engage music fans and raise awareness for children living in war-ravaged communities. Please enjoy the excitement and the great music we experienced on that memorable night," Mr. Jones stated.
On August 3, Verve/GRP will release Forever, For Always, For Luther, a masterfully done 10-track tribute to legendary R&B crooner Luther Vandross. Produced by Rex Rideout and Bud Harner, the disc will feature smooth jazz's heavies George Benson, Kirk Whalum, Paul Jackson, Jr., Boney James, Mindi Abair, Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun Lalah Hathaway and Ledisi putting their touches on Mr. Vandross' most cherished gems. In addition to the release, the label will join with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), to help raise funds and awareness for their mission of diabetes care and research on behalf of Luther Vandross, as he continues to recover from the diabetes-related stroke he suffered last year. A major element of the Verve/ADA initiative will be the "Write a Love Letter to Luther" campaign, which will be launched on August 3. This call to action will invite fans to send a note to Luther with a contribution to the ADA's "Forever, For Always, For Luther" Fund. The ADA will collect all the letters to Luther and present them to him and his family on a special occasion. The ADA will also promote the "Love Letter" campaign to their members and constituency online, at events, and through mailings. This charitable organization was designated by the Vandross family.
My favorite singing sisters will be given the royal treatment when Hip-O/UME release The Best Of The Pointer Sisters edition of 20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection hits stores on July 27. The Oakland-reared sistergirls who started as a quartet, won awards together, then experienced internal shuffles and resurfaced as a trio has delivered hits since the early 1970s. Along with the Top 30 hits from the group, this new set boasts Bonnie Pointer's two biggest solo records, culled from her 1978 self-titled album ("Heaven Must Have Sent You," "Free Me From My Freedom/Tie Me To A Tree (Handcuff Me)"). Some of my favorites are also included, such as 1973's "Yes, We Can Can," 1980's "He's So Shy," 1981's "Slow Hand" and the 1984 Grammy-winning smash "Jump (For My Love)." This music will be a walk down memory lane. Even though they were one of the first Black acts played in heavy rotation on MTV and were elected to the "Soul Train" Hall of Fame in the 1990s, the only time I hear The Pointer Sisters' music is usually when I'm shopping in a supermarket.
According to his publicist, Grammy nominated rap superstar Snoop Dogg is recording an album tentatively titled R&G: (Rhythm & Gangsta) The Masterpiece, due for release on November 16 as a co-production between Doggy Style and Star Trak, through Geffen Records. He is executive producing the set, which promises to include an array of hit-making collaborators he's worked with over the years. The Neptunes and Gap Band front-man Charlie Wilson is already on board. And perhaps even Dr. Dre.
Etc
Legendary literary great James Baldwin will be honored with a new commemorative postage stamp to be issued by the U.S. Postal Service on July 23. The late Mr. Baldwin's essays, novels, plays, short stories and poems explore various subjects, including race relations, the arts and human relationships, while always showing their author's strong moral conscience. His work made him stand out from the pack during the Civil Rights movement. The stamp is the 20th in the Postal Services' Literary Arts series. Poet Laureate Dr. Maya Angelou and Liberated Bard Amiri Baraka are scheduled to deliver tributes during the first-day-of-issue ceremony, which will be held in the Langston Hughes Auditorium of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. Acclaimed actor Avery Brooks will serve as master of ceremonies, with luminaries such as Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee and Reverend Doctor Samuel Joubert, Sr. are expected to attend. "His fervent voice in 20th century American literature forced us to think about issues affecting our great nation, and his leadership in the civil rights movement continues to be an inspiration today," said U.S. Postal Service Vice President of Emergency Preparedness Henry Pankey. The event is free and open the public.
"The way Kathie Lee needed Regis that's the way y'all need Jesus."
©2003 The Ru Report™. All Rights Reserved~~P.O. Box #25 Bushkill PA 18324
Message Karu F Daniels or email him directly at therureport@aol.com
The Herbert Holla
Herbert's Hot NYC Picks
fri(09): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs below
fri(09): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/bruce tantum - house
Herbert's Hot NYC Picks
wed(07): cielo - louie vega/kevin hedge - soulful house
wed(07): apt - rich medina/guest djs - soul/afrobeat/old school/funk/classics
wed(07): angel bar - scratch famous/teflon - reggae
wed(07): bOb - rholi rho/5th platoon - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
wed(07): mission - hud - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
wed(07): shelter - kayo/tyrone francis - house music all night long say word
wed(07): nuyorican poets cafe - all that hiphop/poetry/jazz - A MUST! A LEGEND!
wed(07): brower park/bk - talib kweli/dj g brown - 6:45
wed(07): the delancey - fab 5 freddy/dj language - soul/80s/old school - 9PM
wed(07): pm - crooked - hiphop/house/rock/80s
wed(07): afterwork/rumor - snatch 1/m.o.s./self/kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
wed(07): afterwork/coda - guest djs/ashford & simpson LIVE - soul/r&b/rap/reggae
thu(08): guernica - blessed/selly/reborn/monica pineda - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(08): table 50 - q tip on the set - hiphop/rock/soul/funk/classics
thu(08): show - guest djs/ody rock - hiphop/rock/r&b/reggae/80s
thu(08): joe's pub - mary mack - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(08): diva lounge/nj - dj rara - salsa/merengue/reggaeton/bachata/hiphop/house
thu(08): volume/bk - pete rock/kurtis blow/anthony b/dj g brown - live craziness
thu(08): crotona park/bronx - luvbug starski/ali shaheed muhammed/more - 6 to 9
thu(08): lansky lounge - goldfinger - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(08): quo - crooked/guests - funky house/top 40 hiphop/80s/rock
thu(08): ruby falls - johnny knoxville/dave hamelin/dj soul - hiphop/rock
thu(08): lotus lounge - southpaw/rez/ron/dre - hiphop/rock/soul/funk/reggae
thu(08): 323 lounge - eli/melivin moore/tom mello - house/hiphop/soul
thu(08): crobar - chicken lips/james friedman/alex english - house/rock
thu(08): afterwork/manhatta - dj eleven/mOma - soul/hiphop/classics
thu(08): afterwork/kanvas - dj sweets - hiphop/70s/80s - 6PM
fri(09): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs below
fri(09): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/bruce tantum - house
fri(09): lot 61 - dj soul - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(09): pangea - m.o.s./suss-one - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - black diamonds
fri(09): blvd - reach/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
fri(09): pianos - kristin mainhart live/small change/guest djs - musical madness!!
fri(09): quo - dove/omi - house/hiphop/live percussion
fri(09): 201 east 16th st/6th fl - sean b/zilvinas - 80s soul/early house/broken
fri(09): avalon - tall paul/mateo - house/hiphop/rock
fri(09): mission - big ben/jimmy ponzio - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/latin
fri(09): viscaya - ody rock/guests - hiphop/rock/top 40/soul
fri(09): cielo - eman/jojo flores/lola - soulful house/broken beat/abstract funk
fri(09): luahn - dj eleven - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
fri(09): roxy - goldfinger - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - mashonda live
fri(09): joe's pub - kaos - hiphop/r&b/classics/old school/reggae
fri(09): crobar - mike whitmore/dan barnes/THE JUNGLE BROTHERS/guests - house/rap
fri(09): k loung - alan gordon - hiphop/rock/soul/old school
fri(09): sullivan room - alma live/dj true/miller cruz - brazilian/percussion
fri(09): table 50 - qool marv - soul/funk/house/disco/classics/hiphop
fri(09): show - crooked - top 40 hiphop/reggae/80s/house
fri(09): negril village/rhum lounge - obah - soul/hiphop/funk
fri(09): satalla - jerry gonzalez + the ft. apace band - afrocaribbean jazz
fri(09): afterwork/sequoia's - willie rodriguez/john sciascia - hiphop/r&b/latin
fri(09): afterwork/ellie lounge - dallas green/legend - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul
fri(09): 9 1/2 - big ben/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/house/latin
fri(09): bar 169 - gregg nyce/fact/rusty stylus - hiphop/reggae/classics/funk
fri(09): union square lounge - marlon d - deep house
sat(10): ruby falls - dj soul - hiphop/rock
sat(10): mission - stormin normin - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(10): 40/40 - rahlo/k.o. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
sat(10): coral room - sureshot - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
sat(10): shelter - timmy regisford - house!
sat(10): chetty red - van vader - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/old school/80s
sat(10): sapphire lounge - jazzy nice - hiphop/soul/old school/funk/breaks/house
sat(10): eugene - jcny/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/house/80s
sat(10): ida mae - jozen - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/soul
sat(10): etoile - goldfinger/precise - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(10): crobar - roger sanchez/guests - house/hiphop/rock
sat(10): sullivan room - nigel richards/david hollands/sleepyface+boo - house/tech
sat(10): ps 1/long island city - steve kotey(chicken lips)/mils maeda - house - 3
sat(10): southpaw/bk - biz markie live - 8pm - watch out for the boogers!!
sat(10): rumor - armstead - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/house - fusion live
sat(10): spirit - jonathan peters/scram jones - ktu house/hiphop/rock/classics
sat(10): strata - wyclef/spinbad - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - car show afterjawn
sat(10): cafe deville - harry bellyfonte - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/rock - reunion!
sat(10): b3 - bruce tantum/guests - house
sat(10): mumbai - cipha sounds/legend sounds/showcase bashment - reggae/reggae
sat(10): abaya - liftkid/keith blackstone - deep, funky, soulful, progress house
sat(10): deep - self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(10): royale/bk - osiris/qool marv - afrobeat/funk/old school
sat(10): china club - smooth g/kaos/babaloo/flaco - ktu house/latin/hiphop/reggae
sat(10): pm - crooked - hiphop/80s/rock/disco/house/reggae
sat(10): flat - obah/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/funk
sat(10): satalla - THE BIG AFRICAN DANCE PARTY - dj mike/ayite - african music
sat(10): plaid - stretch armstrong/riz/big ben (rotating) - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
sun(11): fez uptown - marc smooth/guests - rare groove/soul/hiphop/reggae/classics
sun(11): joe's pub - evil d/lord sear/butta l - classic hiphop/reggae/old school
sun(11): lotus - stretch armstrong/guests - hiphop/80s/r&b/rock/old school
sun(11): magic city - snatch "shlomo" one - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(11): paddlewheel queen/boat - francis harris/david holands/live drums - house
mon(12): apt - cucumber slice - soul/funk/rare grooves/latin/uprock/old school
mon(12): cielo - francois k - future dub/space vibes/abstract grooves (aka house)
mon(12): sway - rotating deejay - rock/soul/reggae
mon(12): crobar - mada+moody/finesse/big live rock bands - rock/hiphop/80s/olskool
tue(13): joe's pub - guest djs/live performances - soul/funk/classics/hiphop
tue(13): ft. greene park/bk - rich medina - jump n funk - afrobeat - 6PM
tue(13): open air - jlayne/elijah/guests - rare grooves/70s/80s/old school/house
tue(13): sapphire lounge - eman/lola - house/deep grooves
tue(13): the park - dj stu bronze - rock - free BBQ from 10 to 11:30
tue(13): serena - goldfinger - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(13): table 50 - swamy/jay-j/john creamer/david vasquez - house
tue(13): company/NEW SPOT - redlox/fuddy knight - hiphop/r&b/soul/olskool/80s
tue(13): lobby - will/self - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(13): social club - king emz/dart la - soul/funk/old school/80s
tue(13): belmont lounge - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world
tue(13): afterwork/aubette - snatch 1 - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/classics - 6:30PM
tue(13): afterwork/bar below/bk - ayana soyini - reggae - 7PM
tue(13): afterwork/ida mae - kaos - hiphop/r&b/classics/neosoul
Herbert's Heard
"Take a Message" -- Remy Shand
"Breaking Away" -- Sean Escoffrey
"Love Symphony" -- Sun Orchestra feat. Karl the Voice
"Love Will Be Strong" -- The Mast (Wesley Beats, Side B)
"Real Love" -- Rell feat. Kanye West and Consequence
"Couldn't Hear Me Over the Music" -- Eric Roberson
"Sex Shooter" -- Apollonia
Word As Bond
Nice, Herbert. Really nice. Way to go! Awesome, dude. Awesome.
I'm so sorry about this week's belated Holler. I know, I know. Pick up the pace, Herbert! C'mon ... hussle, Herbert! Keep it movin', Herbert! Let's go, Herbert! You're makin' us all late, Herbert! Herbert!! 14 minutes for a mile?? You gotta do better than that, Herbert! Get off me, Herbert! No, Herbert! What are you doing, Herbert? Ew, Herbert! I just wanna be friends!!! Jack Of All Trades, Master Of None! Jack Of All Trades, Master Of None!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhh! (Whew ... breathe ... it's okay. In through the nose, out through the mouth. In through the nose, out through the mouth.)
Okay. I'm good now. Sorry about that. Just a little episode. Nothing serious. Really. Anyways, my excuse is that I was in Chicago, celebrating 4th of July with wifey and her family, and I was held in the airport for 12 hours no joke. It really sucked. Bunch of little babies crying, and big babies having to take a pee every freaking 5 seconds, and someone almost had a heart attack, and these other two ladies were escorted off for being drunk, and this one girl got on the wrong flight and had to be taken back to the terminal, and it was ... as Marc Smooth just called me the other day ... "De-dun, de dun." Which apparently means stupid.
Anyways, Chicago is a very pretty city indeed. We went to some wack, money spot called "Narcisse" (appropriately) where everybody jocked us because we sat in VIP. They played the kind of House music everyone in the Hamptons loves--you know, no soul, no real instruments, just big build-ups and flashing lights and some 80s lyrics thrown in to make 'em go crazy after they snort their stuff. Gives a new meaning to the anachronym BPM (Bumps Per Minute). They should've done a big Frankie Knuckles tribute--I hear Chicago set August 28th as Frankie Knuckles Day or something, plus they named a street after him. Unless the folks at King Street were kidding.
Say ... that would be something, wouldn't it? Getting a street named after you? Hi, I'm DJ Herbert. I live at 28 DJ Herbert Drive ... in DJ Herbertville, in the newly annexed state of DJ Herbert. I live with my wife and two sons ... DJ ... and Herbert. Yeah, that works. For real though, they need to name a street after me here in NYC already. It's about time. I'm not asking for much, you know. Just a little street somewhere, one of those little Lanes in the West Village or something like that. Or maybe they can change Avenue of the Americas to ... Avenue of the Herberts. Yeah. That's not asking for much. Or maybe "Freedom is the Most Amazing Party of Our Times" ... Square. Actually, that wouldn't be as good as "Freedom, Every Friday Night at Starfoods, 64 East 1st Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues" Square.
Yes. That'll do. I'll call Bloomberg.
Speaking of Freedom, last week was crazy. At first, it was nervous. It was almost midnight, and it wasn't lookin too good as far as numbers were concerned. It was July 4th, and everyone said everybody was away, and most of the clubs and bars in town were taking a hit. Then 12:30 in the AM rolled around. 280 people all came at once and ripped the roof off the sucker and we ended with Womack and Womack's "Baby I'm Scared of You" and at 4:15 in the AM, people threw us a round of applause. I almost cried. Freedom is the best party, like, ever, you know? Like, oh my God. It's so f-ing cool! This Friday, I feel like playing a crap load of Prince, so be warned. Beware. I really might just end the night with a little "Purple Rain," unless Cosi sneaks in "Darling Nicki." Then we're all in trouble.
Peace, love, good health, life and light,
Herbert's Gigs
fridays - freedom - starfoods - 64 e. 1st b/w 1st+2nd aves
#1 funnest friday night dance party in nyc, son-n-n-n!
classic hiphop/soul/dancehall/80s/house/classic r&b/funk
no dress code - dancing - food till 2am - $6 peach punch
$5 on my list ... rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
saturdays - lot 61 - 21st street + the west side hwy
the upscale sexy saturday night dance party continues!
hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/80s/house by dj herbert all night!
look sharp ... $10 on my list ... rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
Message DJ Herbert and tell him what you think
July 08, 2004
Tech Sessions #8
The Wall
Everybody hits the infamous wall. Sometimes, that hit can feel like a head on collision with a semi. Now for those who don’t create, the wall is what is commonly known as writer’s block. And it is the worst thing that
The Wall
Everybody hits the infamous wall. Sometimes, that hit can feel like a head on collision with a semi. Now for those who don’t create, the wall is what is commonly known as writer’s block. And it is the worst thing that can happen to any creative person with the exception of losing their tools in a theft, act of God, or fit of rage by a soon-to-be ex spouse.
On the real, nothing is worse than sitting in front of your gear wanting to work, even needing to work, and not being able to. Now everyone is different but there usually tends to be a few things that come into play when this happens.
The main one, based on my experiences and those of other cats I’ve talked to, is stress. Even when we don’t realize it, the general day-to-day grind of life can suck the soul and, most importantly, the fun out of everything we do.
Regardless of your situation, if stress seems to be the deal, do something that requires you to clear your mind for a second. Because just about anything you do even if it’s good will probably sound like garbage to you and that is the most discouraging thing that can happen to anybody.
For some people, it’s as simple as hooking up a sack of dro and getting busy. Others need to take a walk. Hells, don’t even rule out calling it a day/night and investing the rest of your time into doing nothing.
Now if it’s not a matter of hitting the reset button, then it can simply be a matter of running out of ideas. Now all of the above can help you clear that hurdle too. Life inspires the best shit.
True story for you. I was all kinds of pissed off at a track not too long ago and a thunderstorm knocked my electricity offline for like an hour one night. I had candles to see by and since it’s summer, I had to open the windows for natural a/c.
So I’m sitting there waiting for the lights to come on and all of a sudden I notice the candlelight is moving a certain way. Like the shit has a rhythm. So when the power came back, that rhythm became a high-hat pattern that jumped off that same track I was hating on earlier. Sometimes getting ideas really can be just about living.
Now, you can always pull out old records and start to sample and hope something jumps off that way or hell, you can take a loop and work off of that and then come back and rebuild later.
Those are both very good technical ways to get over the hump. But the thing about the wall is that it’s a very mental thing. Side-stepping a few things here and there, odds are won’t get you past that.
But once you do get past that, more times than not, your shit will head to the next level because you just turned a page and started a brand new chapter.
Glover is one half of the Atlanta, GA based production squad The Audio Assassins which are founding members of The Elements. You can find them both at Audioassassins.com and theelementsinc.com
Message Glover and tell him how you resolve a case of writer's block!
July 07, 2004
What's In Your Deck? #5
Your Top 5 Music Picks
What are ya'll listening to this week? Here's what I got.
1. Tortured Soul-"Might Do Something Wrong"
Your Top 5 Music Picks
What are ya'll listening to this week?
Here's what I got.
1. Tortured Soul-"Might Do Something Wrong" Osunlade's Mix
Well...it's so beautiflly true!
2. Rell-"Real Love"
For some reason when I hear thing song, I'm reminded of Horace Brown's "Taste Your Love." It just makes me wanna dance and I love the way the whistling rides the track...I don't know! When it comes to R&B today, any little thing outside the norm seems to move me.
3. Vertical Hold-"Seems your Much Too Busy"
My friend and I played musical trivia recently and I've been playing this song ever since. This 90's classic straight reminds me of hot summers in Philadelphia, eating hoagies, drinking Tahitian Treat Soda, and $0.25 chips.
4. Lenny Kravitz-"Where Are We Runnin'?"
Lenny is like wine right now...he's just getting better with time and not to mention that his video is insane.
5. Eric Roberson-"She Ought To Know" f. Marsha from Floetry
This is one of the best male/female duets I've heard in a long while. Unfortunately, this is one the average radio listener will probably never hear.
Terrill Joyner is a singer and journalist living in Brooklyn NY.
Message Terrill Joyner and tell her what's in your deck
July 05, 2004
Perspective: Erika Elliott
Erika Elliott
City Parks Foundation/Central Park SummerStage
Job historyMy first job was at a Penguins Yogurt on
Erika Elliott
Talent Buyer
City Parks Foundation/Central Park SummerStage
NYC
Job historyMy first job was at a Penguins Yogurt on Larchmont in LA while in HS.Then I worked on Melrose in retail at a store called Ophelias.In college, I did telemarketing for Alumni donations to the campus, I worked at Express, and as a driver for disabled students.I moved to NYC and worked as an intern at Loud while working at Product in Soho doing retails sales.I then worked at William Morris Agency for Super Agent Cara Lewis.I then moved to RCA where I worked for several people in the artist development dept., then moved into the corporate partnership/development dept. and finally the on-line dept.I then went to S.O.B's as the Director of Urban Music/Talent Buyer for three years.And now I'm the Talent Buyer for City Parks Foundation/Central Park SummerStage.
What are you currently working on? Your day-to-day responsibilities?
I just finished booking the 2004 summer season for Central Park SummerStage, and City Parks Concerts (where I program 30 free shows in city parks in all of the 5 boroughs). Daily, I'm dealing with show details, marketing/promo of upcoming dates, reviewing copy and advertising for the dates. I'm also on-site for all shows to pay the artists and see that the show runs smoothly.
What inspires/motivates you?
I love a challenge and I love music. I enjoy presenting music and artists that I like to people. That's what motivates me.
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
I don't, I integrate my personal with my professional and include my boyfriend, family and friends into what I'm doing. I rarely go out on the weekends (although I work in the park all day!). I like to lay low on weekend evenings. I have a tradition of cooking and watching HBO with my boyfriend and sister on Sundays.
What career achievement are you most proud of?
I'm proud of working at Loud on historic projects like Big Pun's first album. Raising the bar at SOBs and taking the legacy from a place that supported urban music to "The" place to see urban music. Presenting shows like Kanye West's NY debut, Pete Rock & CL Smooth's reunion show in '03, Common when he and Erykah did a few duets, Talib Kweli w/Mos Def, Common, Mad Skillz, Pharoch Monche, and Kanye West; KRS-One Cipher w/Fat Joe, Jeru, Kool Keith, Diamond D; The Summer Stage show I did with SOBs: Boot Camp Click, Amel Larriuex, The Roots w/Cody ChesnuTT. Creating the brand SOULCITY which became NYC's home for up and coming soul music.
What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from the experience?
My biggest mistake was not getting things in writing! I was promised that I'd be included in projects I facilitated and compensated for work done on spec but without it in writing, I learned you can not trust anyone at their word even if you work for them.
Guiding principles?
Being fair and honest.
Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?
My birthday is April 19, 1974. I grew up in Los Angeles CA and attended 32nd Street JHS, Fairfax HS, UCSC.
Message Erika Elliott and tell her what you think
July 02, 2004
AAPRC Weekly: J'ai St. Laurent-Smyth
J'ai St. Laurent-Smyth
Verve Music Group
What's a jazz label publicist to do when the mainstream media is only interested in the pop flavor
J'ai St. Laurent-Smyth
National Director of Publicity
Verve Music Group
NYC
What's a jazz label publicist to do when the mainstream media is only interested in the pop flavor of the month? For J'ai St. Laurent-Smyth, national director of publicity at the Verve Music Group, it means it's time to get creative. "The jazz press you're going to get, but trying to go beyond to the mainstream has always been a challenge," she says. "Like one of our artists is a big wine connoisseur and has a wine cellar. He also designed his own home, so I've been trying to get architectural and wine publications interested in his story...The music kind of gets thrown into the story like that."
St. Laurent-Smyth, who's been with Verve for ten years, says when it comes to jazz artists or mature artists, that's the lay of the land, no matter how big the name. "Just because I have Al Jarreau doesn't mean that Good Morning America is going to want to book him," she says. "I mean this is a guy who's sold millions and millions of records, but getting him on Good Morning America or The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is the most difficult thing in the world. We find that we have to be really, really persistent."
Fortunately for the artists at Verve--which include George Benson, Joe Sample, Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Lizz Wright, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, David Sanborn, The Crusaders, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Shirley Horn and Abbey Lincoln--St. Laurent-Smyth is fiercely loyal to the music. "I've been trying to change people's minds," she says." Jazz was first and the rest of this stuff came later. Jazz is cool and hip. It's the music of Miles Davis and Coltrane that started this whole thing. I mean, young musicians today are still feeling that stuff."
In addition to fighting an uphill battle against the limited interests of mainstream media, St. Laurent-Smyth is also feeling the effects of the music industry's current economic downturn. The executive lost two publicists to cutbacks/life changes and these days handles Verve's 50 or 60-artist roster with just one other publicist and an administrative assistant. Her office does everything from setting up advance press and working promotional and concert tours to getting exposure at award shows and special events to even getting involved in some marketing projects. In spite of the pressure, St. Laurent-Smyth manages to stay cool, siting her previous experience at labels like Warner Brothers Records for helping her develop sound professional habits. "I got a chance to work with some of everything. It gave me a chance to really see how rock and pop and a lot of that stuff is worked...you've got to really fly fast," she says of her experience at Warner Brothers. "If I made a call to pitch a new project, I would say to the writer and/or booker: 'look, I know your time is short...Are you interested? Did you hear it? Did you like it?' If you didn't, thanks. And I used to get off the phone. I didn't waste people's time."
St. Laurent-Smyth has been involved in music her entire life. She began playing classical piano when she was five, and grew up around musicians. She was born in Paris, where her mother worked as a seamstress for a couturier. "She was sewing and I got to watch the models and we used to go out at night and listen to the music," she remembers. "My mom took me to a lot of jazz clubs, even as a kid, so I got a chance to meet a lot of musicians. My godmother, Vivian Carter, started one of the first African-American record companies in the U.S.––Vee-Jay Records. When the Beatles first came to America, her label signed them. I got a chance to meet The Dells, Jerry Butler and all these people, so I grew up with a love of music. I grew up with a love of jazz. I got a chance to listen to everything. I think it made me a little more well-rounded."
St. Laurent-Smyth's family left France when she was five or six and she grew up in Chicago. Even though she'd played classical piano for more than a decade, when it was time for college she didn't study music. Instead, she majored in communications with a minor in advertising and marketing at Clark Atlanta University. "I was good as a classical pianist, but I don't think that's where God wanted me to go. My mother probably would have been thrilled, but, no, it wasn't for me."
At Clark, St. Laurent-Smyth was involved with the committee that brought concerts to the school, and interacted with artists such as Ashford and Simpson and Gladys Knight. She remembers the performers being supportive and encouraging. "They sat down and talked to you and spent the time saying 'make sure you stay in school and get your degree. This is all exciting and it looks real glamorous and whatever, but get your degree.' I always remembered that."
She didn't just remember the advice; she acted on it, moving to New York right after graduation. "I knew nobody in New York City, and said 'I'm going to go work for a record company.' Didn't have a job, nothing," St. Laurent-Smyth laughs.
She'd never even had an internship. In 1983, after a year or two in New York, she finally got a receptionist gig at RCA. "I got a chance to work at the black music department and they were the nicest people you ever met," St. Laurent-Smyth says. "They made sure I got the chance to learn. They made sure I got the chance to participate in whatever the black music department was doing. If it was conferences or parties, I got to host, do the door, and I was thrilled. I was happy just to be there."
Her break into publicity work came a few years later when she was holding another receptionist position, this time at BMG International. She became friends with Nile Rogers (of the classic 70s group Chic) while he was in and out of BMG negotiating the startup of his own label. Rogers and his business partner, Tom Cossie, were so impressed with St. Laurent-Smyth that they promised her a job once they got their label, Ear Candy Records, up and running. And sure enough they did. They hired her as a manager of publicity. "I couldn't believe it," St. Laurent-Smyth remembers. "I got my own office. I got a chance to travel and work on the urban music conventions. I got a chance to work my first couple of acts. I learned by trial and error. No one taught me jack."
At Ear Candy, the neophyte publicist worked with the vocalist Audrey Wheeler and a young rapper out of Cincinnati called Jibri the Wise One. They had one more act to sign but it never happened because the company only stayed in business a year. Still, it was a valuable experience for St. Laurent-Smyth, who learned how to put together promotional tours and budgets. The budding publicist moved on to Warner Brothers as a junior publicist, where one of the vice presidents took her under her wing. "She was a veteran of the music business--25, 30 years," says St. Laurent-Smyth. "She was at that point in her career––even though she was an excellent publicist––she felt she had 'been there done that.' She'd worked with everybody. She'd hung out with Miles [Davis]. She would say J'ai, here are our acts, you go for it." Among Warner's 600 artists, she worked with pop acts like Madonna and REM and jazz acts such as Joshua Redman and Al Jarreau. She worked Grammy parties and worked on her writing and pitching skills. After four years she was laid off and made the move to Verve.
Starting at Verve was like starting over for St. Laurent-Smyth. The only opening the label had was for a coordinator. Her bosses were reluctant to hire her, pointing out that she was overqualified for the position. "I said yeah, that's true, but you have to look at it as an asset," she recalls. "Here's somebody that's come from the pop world, and I can put all those pop connections, all those pop sensibilities and ideas into helping you see if we can make jazz a little bit cooler and more mainstream. They said 'hmmm, maybe so,' and they gave me a shot at it." She was named a national director in 1999.
After more than 15 years in the music industry, St. Laurent-Smyth sees the end in sight. "Unfortunately, the business is not fun anymore. It's lost that excitement," she admits. "It's because, I guess, now the business is run by suits as opposed to creative people. I'm looking at maybe in the next year or two doing my own thing...getting into learning how to cross market the music with products. I think there is a great future in that. I also love real estate."
St. Laurent-Smyth says she and her husband hope to start a family within a year and a half, and she guards her offhours fiercely, most days leaving the office at six o'clock. Both of her parents passed away recently, and the loss of her mother, especially, was a turning point. "My mom was my best friend so that was a tough one," she says of her mother's death in 2003. "Last year was kind of like an epiphany on what is really important in life. If you can't be really happy then maybe you need to think of something else to do. Like I said, I love music. I love the artists. And I love jazz. And I love all types of music. I'm just not crazy about the music business anymore."
Message Jai St. Laurent-Smyth and the AAPRC and tell them what you think
AAPRC's Mission
The African-American Public Relations Collective (AAPRC) is an assemblage of professionals who provide communication conduits among clients, journalists, media and our communities. We come together as a collective because we recognize the importance of building those same conduits amongst ourselves.
A great deal of what we do is professional development––updating our skills, keeping pace with technology, refining and streamlining processes, providing a forum to tackle the issues that impact our work environment––but we believe our professional lives benefit most from the forging of effective alliances. Connected to one another, we possess the power of a nationwide body of committed, knowledgeable practitioners with an eye on the future.
As we move into the 21st century at lightning speed, mass media and its potent messages occupy an ever-larger part of our daily lives and our collective psyche. The AAPRC is focused on helping our members gain a deeper understanding of media's force and supporting their growth as powerful participants in the global communications network.
AAPRC's Contact
GQ Media & Public Relations
1650 Broadway Suite 1011
New York NY 10019
1212 765 7910
1212 765 7905
aapublicistcoll@aol.com
The Herbert Holla
Herbert's NYC Hot Picks
fri(02): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs below!
fri(02): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/guests
Herbert's NYC Hot Picks
wed(30): cielo - louie vega/kevin hedge - soulful house
wed(30): apt - rich medina/guest djs - soul/afrobeat/old school/funk/classics
wed(30): afterwork/rumor - snatch 1/m.o.s./self/kaos - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
wed(30): angel bar - scratch famous/teflon - reggae
wed(30): bOb - rholi rho/5th platoon - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
wed(30): pangea - ody rock/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/80s
wed(30): lotus - dj ani - hiphop/rock/80s/r&b/reggae
wed(30): suede - frank delour - hiphop/classics
wed(30): lansky lounge - low budget/cosmo baker/kesto - booty freak nasty ish
wed(30): open air - 5th platoon, son - hiphop/soul/80s/bootybass
wed(30): mission - hud - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
wed(30): tribeca grand - funkstorung/praveen/trent/alex english - techno/electro
wed(30): pm - crooked - hiphop/house/rock/80s
wed(30): shelter - guest djs/kayo - house music all night long say word
wed(30): canal room - frank delour/stormin normin - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
wed(30): show - jus ske/logic - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - mc frank jugga!!!
thu(01): guernica - blessed/selly/reborn/monica pineda - soul/funk/house/hiphop
thu(01): table 50 - q tip on the set - hiphop/rock/soul/funk/classics
thu(01): ruby falls - dj riz - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
thu(01): rare - giant step jazzanova stuff - phuture jazz - big int'l deejays!!!
thu(01): show - guest djs/ody rock - hiphop/rock/r&b/reggae/80s
thu(01): joe's pub - mary mack - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(01): diva lounge/nj - dj rara - salsa/merengue/reggaeton/bachata/hiphop/house
thu(01): marquee - reach - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
thu(01): 323 lounge - eli/onionz/alexi delano/melvin moore - house/hiphop/soul
thu(01): quo - crooked - funky house/top 40 hiphop/80s/rock
thu(01): gallery - sure shot/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(01): crobar - tiga/trevor jackson/james friedman/alex english - house/rock
thu(01): sob's - rekha/eddie stats - bhangra/bhangra/bhangra
thu(01): happy ending - language/lindsey/jun - slow jams all night, lovers!!!
thu(01): afterwork/pier 63 - baby blue - house/hiphop/80s/classics/rock
thu(01): afterwork/kanvas - dj sweets - hiphop/70s/80s - 6PM
thu(01): afterwork/lansky lounge - goldfinger/june - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
thu(01): afterwork/manhatta - dj eleven/mOma - soul/hiphop/classics
fri(02): starfoods - thank god it's freedom - the illest - see gigs below!
fri(02): frying pan - nickodemus/mariano/guests - house - turntables on da hudson!
fri(02): lot 61 - stretch armstrong/dj soul - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(02): plaid - jcny/nomad - hiphop/r&b/rock/80s/reggae/classics/house
fri(02): pangea - m.o.s./suss-one - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics - black diamonds
fri(02): blvd - reach/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s/rock
fri(02): joe's pub - kaos/showcase bashment - hiphop VS. reggae
fri(02): bb king's - kulcha/goldfinger - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(02): quo - disciple/omi - house/hiphop/live percussion
fri(02): show - crooked - top 40 hiphop/reggae/80s/house
fri(02): luahn - crooked/dj eleven - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
fri(02): negril village/rhum lounge - obah - soul/hiphop/funk
fri(02): mission - smooth c/love vision international - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(02): afterwork/ellie lounge - dallas green - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
fri(02): afterwork/sequoia's - willie rodriguez/john sciascia - hiphop/r&b/latin
fri(02): 9 1/2 - big ben/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/house/latin
fri(02): pianos - small change/20 guest djs - all sorts of musical mayhem
sat(03): southpaw/bk - dj eleven/ayres/cosmo baker/johnny real - olskool/soul/80s
sat(03): ruby falls - eric lapeau - hiphop/rock
sat(03): mission - stormin normin - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(03): 40/40 - rahlo/k.o. - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/80s
sat(03): coral room - sureshot - hiphop/r&b/80s/rock
sat(03): shelter - timmy regisford - house!
sat(03): chetty red - van vader - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/old school/80s
sat(03): sapphire lounge - jazzy nice - hiphop/soul/old school/funk/breaks/house
sat(03): eugene - jcny/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/house/80s
sat(03): ida mae - jozen - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/soul
sat(03): etoile - goldfinger/precise - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(03): deep - kulcha/will/black terror - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sat(03): pm - crooked - hiphop/80s/rock/disco/house/reggae
sat(03): flat - obah/guests - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/funk
sat(03): satalla - international night dance party - 12:30AM - www.satalla.com
sat(03): plaid - stretch armstrong/riz/big ben (rotating) - hiphop/r&b/reggae/80s
sat(03): joe's pub - Anthony Mills Live - 9:30PM - millswar@yahoo.com
sun(04): fez uptown - marc smooth/guests - rare groove/soul/hiphop/reggae/classics
sun(04): marquee - carl kennedy/guests/colt seavers - house/hiphop/classics
sun(04): joe's pub - evil d/lord sear/butta l - classic hiphop/reggae/old school
sun(04): tavern on the green - june joseph - 8:30PM - 1AM - outdoors!
sun(04): lotus - stretch armstrong/guests - hiphop/80s/r&b/rock/old school
sun(04): strata - riz/big ben/lucho - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics/latin/80s/house
sun(04): luahn - crooked - hiphop/dirty south/reggae/r&b/80s/classics
sun(04): table 50 - rich medina/cucumber slice - soul/rare groove/afrobeat/olskool
sun(04): 236 underhill ave/bk - hiphop/soul/80s/whatever - 5pm till ...
sun(04): vue - hud - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
sun(04): noche - snatch winston loverman III - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
mon(05): apt - cucumber slice - soul/funk/rare grooves/latin/uprock/old school
mon(05): cielo - francois k - future dub/space vibes/abstract grooves (aka house)
mon(05): sway - rotating deejay - rock/soul/reggae
mon(05): crobar - mada+moody/finesse/big live rock bands - rock/hiphop/80s/olskool
tue(06): joe's pub - guest djs/live performances - soul/funk/classics/hiphop
tue(06): belmont lounge - qool marv - soul/funk/r&b/old school/house/afro/world
tue(06): open air - jlayne/elijah/guests - rare grooves/70s/80s/old school/house
tue(06): sapphire lounge - eman/lola - house/deep grooves
tue(06): the park - dj stu bronze - rock - free BBQ from 10 to 11:30
tue(06): serena - goldfinger - hiphop/r&b/reggae/classics
tue(06): company/NEW SPOT - redlox/fuddy knight - hiphop/r&b/soul/olskool/80s
tue(06): afterwork/aubette - snatch 1 - hiphop/r&b/reggae/soul/classics - 6:30PM
tue(06): afterwork/bar below/bk - ayana soyini - reggae - 7PM
tue(06): afterwork/ida mae - kaos - hiphop/r&b/classics/neosoul
Herbert's Heard
That Freedom is the greatest party of all time!!!!
Word As Bond
So so sorry. I've been out every day, all day, looking for a place to call home. It ain't easy, man. But of course, Herbert has kept his ear to the streets, his eyes on the changing world, his spirit tuned into the universal energy that one day we'll be a part of, 'less you've been bad. (I can get deeper than that Pevin Everett track. But not nearly as deep as the remix of Salt N' Pepa's "Push It" I heard today on 115th and Lenox. Is that Cameron? That's some deep ish, boy.) Anyways, word on the street is that Freedom is really, really, really doing it. This past Friday, Hot 97 represented with Rich Nice, Cynthia Fety and DJ Wonder, all descending upon Starfoods to give me and Cosi a morning show. Sike. To give us some money. Sike. To Have Some Fun. Everybody that comes to our joint says "It's been a long time since we danced," or, "It's been a minute since I partied like that." We keep it real at Freedom. We play dope music you can dance to, we keep the darn kitchen open till 2AM, and we get you drunk with drinks you can afford. Big shout out to Soulfinger Sam, DJ Southpaw, John Stockton, Chad Sabini and the rest of the 300 plus people that fill in week in, week out.
The word on the street is also ... uh ... never mind. You know what? Manhattan is wack!!! That' right. I said it. "I hope I made you mad enough I can see your face" (a direct quote from an old crank taping). Manhattan is for the rich folk. Plain and simple. It's lost its character, its charm, its intrigue, its inspiration. When was the last time you went out to a party or to a social event (besides my party called Freedom--see the paragraph prior) or just for a walk and felt like you were in the greatest city in the world? Our past two mayors have made it a home for 6-figurin freakin' metrosexual asses that don't care they're paying half-a million for a large studio someone threw a wall in and called a "2 BR." As long as they can go out to the local "haute" spot and and have a drink with their own kind, with people that don't challenge the way they think and live. Not much different than the bar at T.G.I.Friday's on Tilton Road in Northfield, New Jersey. Go Home!!!!
Thank God for Breyer's Low Fat Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. That's all I'm gonna say. Thank freaking God. 'Tis the best thing in the world. The cool, minty-fresh flavor runs all nice-like over your tongue, and the chunks of little chewey chocolate are so good. Dang! I could eat a whole box. A whole box! (Though at that point, it wouldn't make a difference about the grams of saturated fat.) If you put on a Steven Segal movie, or "Real TV" marathon, I could kill the box easily.
Congrats to my baby Alexandra for landing spots in two upcoming Metropolitan Opera productions--Tannhauser and Turandot. Now ... Herbert's never seen either one of those operas, nor has he even heard of them, nor would he be able to spell them if he didn't just look it up online, so don't get all mushy and up in my ish about being cultured and worldly and ... irresistably breathtaking.
That's actually my girl. Don't Hate!!!!
Herbert's Gigs
fridays - freedom - starfoods - 64 e. 1st b/w 1st+2nd aves
#1 illest underground friday night party in nyc, son-n-n-n!
classic hiphop/soul/dancehall/80s/house/classic r&b/funk
no dress code - dancing - food till 2am - $6 peach punch
$5 on my list ... rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
saturdays - lot 61 - 21st street + the west side hwy
the upscale sexy saturday night dance party continues!
hiphop/r&b/reggae/rock/80s/house by dj herbert all night!
look sharp ... $10 on my list ... rsvp djherbert@earthlink.net
Good health, peace, love, and low-fat mint chocolate chip ice cream for life,