More proof that anyone can rap.
Spotted on Bestcelebgossip
Video: Janelle Monae – Wondaland in the City II
Bad Boy artist Janelle Monae performs for NY industry execs at an R&B Live showcase at Spotlite hosted by career killer Sean Combs.
Janelle Monáe’s career over?
Janelle Monáe‘s career seemed to be taking off when she was featured on Purple Ribbon All-Star’s Compilation “Got Purp? Volume 2” in 2005. The singer whose music fuses rock ‘n roll with R&B and funk, later went on to record tracks for Outkast‘s film Idlewild while developing an avid cult following.
Rumor has it that Sean Combs signed Janelle to Bad Boy Records which means the earth angel’s promising career might as well be over. There is only one artist on Bad Boy Records who gets any kind of promotion – and it’s been that way for some time now.
10 years ago, a contract with Bad Boy practically guaranteed fame and riches. Today, not so much.
Today a contract with Bad Boy means your career is mothballed indefinitely. That’s a shame because Janelle is very talented and unique. The music industry needs artists like Janelle to take music in a different direction. She could have been a contender.
Janelle Monáe on Myspace
Ciara – ‘Mama I Want to Sing’ movie poster
Ciara and Lynn Whitfield star in the remake of Mama I Want To Sing. If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, click here.
The movie also stars Patti LaBelle, Juanita Bynum, Hill Harper, Ben Vereen, Kim Porter and Ralph Tresvant. Mama I Want To Sing opens in theaters nationwide on April 11.
Thanks to Wilson Morales for the link! See the hi-res version here.
LA Reid to Host Official Janet Jackson Album Listening in NY
Well, surprise, surprise: I actually got an invite to something other than the opening of an envelope.
LA Reid will host an exclusive listening party for Janet Jackson‘s new CD “Discipline” at a private location in NY next Wednesday (don’t worry LA, I’m not coming). The invite says Cocktails & Hors D’ouvres will be served to invited guests. Yummy.
If you weren’t one of the lucky ones to receive an invite, check out VH1’s exclusive preview of the album here.
Shout out to Amina at Think Tank Marketing!
Rihanna coming to Atlanta tomorrow?
A source tells me Rihanna will be in town tomorrow. This is not confirmed but I’ll let you know if I hear more.
Meanwhile, Rihanna graced the H&M store in NY today with her presence. Rihanna teamed up with H&M stores and Designers Against AIDS to help launch the “Fashion Against AIDS” Collection which includes tank tops, t-shirts and hooded sweaters.
The “Fashion Against AIDS” collection will be available at select H&M’s stores starting February 2008.
Whitney added to Trinidad’s Plymouth Jazz Festival
A source just informed me that the Diva Whitney Houston has been added to the lineup at the Plymouth Jazz Festival in Trinidad and Tobago. The Caribbean’s biggest Jazz festival runs from April 25 to 27.
Shakira is headlining the festival which includes appearances by Diana Ross, Rod Stewart and Smokey Robinson. Remember, this is from a source. It hasn’t been confirmed yet, but I’m booking my flight now!
Vivica A. Fox Returns in ‘Three Can Play That Game’
Vivica A. Fox returns in Three Can Play That Game
Rashan Ali (left) stars in Three Can Play That Game
Vivica A. Fox is back as relationship expert Shante Smith in the straight-to-DVD sequel to the hit movie Two Can Play That Game. Three Can Play That Game features Hot 107.9’s Rashan Ali in a supporting role. The movie was filmed in Atlanta over the Summer and features many local actors.
Here’s the synopsis of the movie:
This time, the story begins with Byron Thompson (George), a blandly conservative guy, undergoing a dramatic change of fortune when a makeover by his girlfriend (Lewis) turns him into an overnight reality television star. Afraid that Byron’s newfound popularity with the females will lead him astray, Tiffany enlists the help of relationship expert Shante Smith (Fox), who advises Tiffany that her only option is to force Byron into marriage. Meanwhile, not wishing to lose access to the new surplus of sexy women Byron’s stardom has spawned, Gizzard (Rock), Byron’s best friend, clashes with Tiffany and Shante and the battle of the sexes is in full swing.
Who knew Heath Ledger was a crackhead?
So John Gibson was right after all. The truth about actor Heath Ledger’s serious drug habit has come to light a week after he was found dead in his Soho apartment. A video circulating the Internet shows Ledger attending a party where drugs are openly used and passed around.
The national media tried it’s best to turn Ledger into a saint even though it was a well known fact that Ledger was a drug addict. Ledger took so many illegal drugs that he was literally bouncing off the walls, too wired to sleep. He tried every sleeping pill on the market and often complained that the pills didn’t work.
The reason the media bent over backwards to sensationalize Ledger’s death is simple: he played a gay cowboy in the film Brokeback Mountain. And as you know, gays run the national media.
For that same reason the video has been pulled from national TV shows such as Entertainment Tonight – once again highlighting the bias within the news media. We wonder if the media would exercise such censorship if Will Smith was found dead surrounded by pills and there was a video of him doing drugs.
Forbes Names Beyonce The Richest Woman in R&B
Forbes named singer/entrepreneur Beyonce richest woman in R&B based on her concert grosses, merchandising revenue, album sales and other business interests.
According to Forbes, Beyonce, who came in #5 on the list and #1 in female urban music, earned an estimated $27 million dollars in revenue thanks to endorsement deals and sales of her multi platinum album B’Day. (Source)