R&B music has always been soulful and arguably intensely sexual. The creativity of the ’90s music scene turned it up a notch introducing new sub-genre categories of neo-soul artists like Maxwell; the acapela sounds of Boyz2Men; and the sensuous slow jams of H-Town.
We asked H-Town’s Dalvin (G.I.) and Shazam about the ’90s R&B music, noting that nearly every male artist began taking their shirts off during their performances.
G.I. laughed and explained, “It was about connecting with the fans. Everybody just took a little bit from each other’s shows. We shared what worked.”
Acclaimed writer and fellow blogger David Mills has died of a brain aneurysm.
WOW! This is devastating.
I absolutely loved reading his blog Undercover Black Man over the last few years. After getting to know David through exchanging emails, I actually interviewed the scribe on my Blogtalkradio show last August. We even laughed how Deadline's Nikki Finke scooped everyone on the news about his upcoming HBO series. He was such a nice guy and creative genius!
On Monday March 29, David posted a clip of his new cable show "Treme", excitedly claiming that it would be airing in two weeks. He would be dead the following day.
"He was very quiet and introverted, but spoke volumes when he wrote," New Orleans actor Wendell Pierce, who starred in The Wire and will also appear in Treme, said of Mills.
"He challenged us as actors and he challenged Americans when it came to matters of race. He was one of the more talented people working in TV. He made it much more than just empty entertainment."
Pierce said Mills collapsed suddenly on set Tuesday during a conversation with colleagues. The cast and crew held a memorial for Mills on the set Wednesday morning, he added. Ironically, when I actually interviewed David in May 2009, he talked about the need to quit smoking, lose weight, and get healthy for the rigors of writing and producing the show.
“The Wire”,” NYPD Blue”, "Picket Fences", “Homicide” and “ER” all have this man's imprimatur on them. One of a small number of working African American writers in Hollywood, Mills also created the NBC 2003 series “Kingpin,” about a Mexican drug cartel.
Most notably, David co-wrote and co-produced “The Corner,” adapted from David Simon’s book about drug abuse and poverty in Baltimore, which won three Emmys.
Before writing for television, David Mills worked as a journalist and gained national attention for a 1992 interview with the hip-hop performer Sister Souljah in The Washington Post, in which she said, “If black people kill black people every day, why not have a week and kill white people?”
When the Rainbow Coalition later invited Sister Souljah to speak at its convention, the group was criticized by Gov. Bill Clinton, then a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, who cited Mills’s interview.
His latest project "Treme" is about jazz, culture and the folks trying to rebuild their lives in a post-Katrina New Orleans. The series is named after the Creole neighborhood known for its rich, irrepressible musical history. Mills was not only a writer on the project, but co-executive producer as well.
HBO is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our dear friend and colleague David Mills. He was a gracious and humble man, and will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him, as well as those who were aware of his immense talent. David has left us too soon but his brilliant work will live on.
In addition to his passion for writing, David was a music aficionado -- particularly when it came to anything having to do with George Clinton, Parliament and The Funkadelics. His blog, Undercover Black Man allowed the 48-year-old to indulge himself with not only lesser known artists, but also issues concerning what it meant to be black, the absurdity of racism, and injustice in the US and abroad.
David's observations were blunt, biting, clever, and always thought provoking.
Per Broadcasting and Cable, Mills wrote two of Treme's episodes: numbers three and seven (with New Orleans musician/writer Davis Rogan). Though Mills was new to New Orleans when production began, he was very quickly energized by the city's rich musical scene.
"Treme" premieres April 11 on HBO.
3BAAS Media Group would like to extend our condolences to the Mills family. Rest in peace David. Job well done my friend!
Last week, a reporter from TubeFilter-- the ezine that likens itself as the online cousin to Daily Variety-- decided to do a story on LAWEBFEST Founder and Executive Director Michael Ajakwe Jr. The focus was going to to be on this weekend's innovative first all-web series festival. Days later, however, Tubefilter's stated that a decision was made to bury the LA Web Fest story. No reason was given as to why.
That interview-- the one Tubefilter conducted with the African American Emmy-winning writer and producer -- is under the hood. Since they won't run it... we will as an exclusive!
Tubefilter interview date: March 16, 2010
Reporter: Jenni Powell, Tubefilter
Subject: Michael Ajakwe Jr., Executive Director & Founder, LAWEBFEST
Tubefilter-- What inspired you to start this festival?
M.A.-- I have been saying for about two years now that somebody needs to start a film festival showcasing some of the really cool work being done on the web because it seems every day I am discovering a new show on the Internet that I think is really cool. Well, after waiting for "somebody" to step up and do it, I decided to be that "somebody"; or, as I like to kid, "I Am! Somebody!"
Tubefilter-- Can you share with me your background in New Media?
M.A.-- I have been watching online content for about three years. Like many New Media "experts", my background is in other related media like TV and film. I have been a TV writer-producer for 21 years, beginning with entertainment news ("Entertainment Tonight," "E!") and later crossing over to scripted comedies ("Martin," "Sister Sister", "Brothers Garcia," "Eve", "Talk Soup").
About 18 months ago, I created my own web series, "Who..." and spent most of 2009 filming Season 1 (12 episodes). I created, wrote, produced and directed the entire series. I also formed my own webvision channel, AjakweTV.com. I have done workshops in Los Angeles, Virginia and soon Chicago on writing and producing creative content for the web.
Tubefilter-- How is this conference unique from say IAWTV?
M.A.-- IAWTV is more like an unofficial union of web producers who network with each other and honor web series, performers and creators in an annual ceremony, The Streamy Awards; we are strictly a web series festival. LAWEBFEST is here to celebrate the web series by bringing creators together under one roof for three days and showing their work; we are honoring some of this work.
There is also an educational component to the festival. We are holding workshops and panels dealing with most every aspect of producing web content-- creation, writing, acting, marketing, etc. I feel we actually compliment what IAWTV does and I support them in the best way because I am also an IAWTV member (smile).
Tubefilter-- How were the "winners" picked? Such as Best Comedy, etc.?
M.A.-- Like many film and tv festivals, we have members of our staff and our board involved in the judging process. We also have outside judges. Some work in the web industry, some don't. I like mixing up the pot with different points of views. It keeps things fresh and unpredictable and gives more talent a chance to stand out. Our awards have less to do with who is "The Best" and more to do with "Outstanding Achievement" in a particular area of the creative process.
So at our awards banquet, you might see two or even three web series, performers or technicians recognized for their work as opposed to the traditional single "winner" per category concept. The only show in the festival that has no shot at winning any awards is my show "Who..." (for obvious reasons). Hopefully, no one is taking any of these awards too seriously since, at the end of the day, we know virtually ALL awards are subjective.
Tubefilter--Do you plan on making this an annual event?
M.A.-- Based on the response we received in our maiden year (nearly 100 applicants), yes. Unfortunately, we could only choose 50 (48 to be exact). Our goal is to not just show one particular type of web series. We are showcasing some of the other forms that have become popular as well-- VLOGS, Travel & Lifestyle, Talk, to go along with the traditional comedies and drama. But the response was amazing. We have web creators flying in from Canada, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New York. But most of our entries were from right here on the west coast.
These talents are hungry for a place to showcase what they are doing beyond just the 'Net because, let's face it, even though the content is there to view online, a lot of people are still not watching. This gives them a chance to see what they're missing, go home later and tune in to see more and, of course, tell a friend. So, yes, I would say LAWEBFEST is here to stay.
Tubefilter-- What are some challenges you've faced in organizing this event?
M.A.-- The usual when you have something new-- credibility. Some people wonder how "legit" is this festival. Can we really deliver? And who's behind this event? Fortunately, I have 27 years of experience working in 6 different creative disciplines-- PR, journalism, TV, film, theater and now webvision. I have won various awards for my producing work (including an Emmy) so the curious can check out my website (www.michaelajakwe.com) or IMDB Pro or Google me, as I'm sure most have already done. My resume speaks for itself.
A lot of people in the web game maybe have a few years of experience working in the digital space and maybe that's all they've done; or they have a TV background; or a film background; or a business and finance background. Nothing wrong with that. However, I do feel that my broad range of experience is a big plus when it comes to producing a festival.
It doesn't hurt that I have my own webvision channel (Ajakwetv.com) and that I have actually produced a full season of a web series ("Who...") with more shows on the way. Despite my background, putting on this festival is still a ton of work. You can't pull something like this off if you don't know what you're doing or have a strong team behind you.
We aren't funded by any major corporations nor do we have any big sponsors. And yet, here we are. We exist and we are happening the weekend of March 26th. We're not big and flashy and we don't have to be. No one is coming to LAWEBFEST for that. People are coming for entertainment and substance. That is our focus -- to screen fun, diverse shows and hold fun, informative panels and workshops that will be helpful to our audience.
Tubefilter-- What has been the most rewarding part of planning the event?
M.A.-- The joy I hear in the emails and voice mails of those planning to take part in LAWEBEST. They are excited just to be a part of the weekend. Also, panelists and workshop participants are also enthused about the festival because something like this has never been done when it comes to web shows. I mean, there are a few all-web series festival that take place online. But we are the first one to ask folks to leave their homes and come out to a theater to watch original shows they cannot see on TV or at the movies; a new form of programming that is a part of an underground mass movement of creators-- some professional, some not-- who have found a way to by-pass the traditional Hollywood gatekeepers.
It's such a good feeling to know that so many people want to show their stuff. Just like how water will always find a way out, so will creative expression. The web has become that way and I think it's fantastic.
Tubefilter-- Anything else you'd like to plug or share?
M.A.-- Yes. LAWEBFEST is for the professional and nonprofessional; the "web expert" or just the "web curious." We welcome everyone. Webvision is still a very new medium of expression and so why not try new things? We're not married to the old way of doing things because the old way is not always the best way. We might be the first of our kind but we won't be the last.
I expect to see more of these type of festivals springing up all over the country over the next few years, which would be a very good thing because Hollywood (and I work in Hollywood-- that's what pays the bills) believes that it has a monopoly on creative talent-- in front and behind the camera-- but that's not necessarily true. Hollywood misses the boat on talent every day because Hollywood doesn't look for talent everywhere. Our theme this year is "new visions for a new frontier." But the LAWEBFEST motto is evergreen: "You can find greatness anywhere-- in anybody."
See you at LAWEBFEST, March 26-28 in LA. Click here for details.
With the strokes of 22 pens, a buoyant President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed into law the most far-reaching healthcare overhaul in two generations, vindicating a yearlong struggle on which he had staked his presidency.
In a crowded White House ceremony that was both partisan celebration and recognition of history in the making, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) raised their arms like victors at a pep rally; Victoria Kennedy, widow of health reform champion Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, blew a kiss; and Vice President Joe Biden -- as he embraced Obama -- was caught by an open microphone using an obscenity, exclaiming "This is a big . . . deal."
Obama said the moment was proof that a polarized political system could still produce substantial change to help everyday people.
"Today, after almost a century of trying; today, after over a year of debate; today, after all the votes have been tallied -- health insurance reform becomes law in the United States of America," the president said. "It is fitting that Congress passed this historic legislation this week. For as we mark the turning of spring, we also mark a new season in America."
He spoke from a lectern in the East Room, surrounded by congressional Democrats and guests who played parts in the law's adoption.
Victoria Kennedy and Obama wore blue plastic wristbands that said, "TedStrong." The bands had been distributed last summer as a sign of support for the senator during his battle with cancer.
And Obama gave a wide-swinging handshake to Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio), a target of presidential arm-twisting who switched his vote from no to yes in the final days.
An administration official later described Biden's gaffe -- whispered into Obama's ear as the two embraced -- as "rational exuberance."
Standing in front of the red carpet leading into the East Room, Obama said: "With all the punditry, all of the lobbying, all of the game-playing that passes for governing in Washington, it's been easy at times to doubt our ability to do such a big thing, such a complicated thing; to wonder if there are limits to what we, as a people, can still achieve. It's easy to succumb to the sense of cynicism about what's possible in this country.
"But today, we are affirming that essential truth -- a truth every generation is called to rediscover for itself -- that we are not a nation that scales back its aspirations."
Still to be dealt with is a package of proposed changes in the law designed to deal with features that many House Democrats objected to. The changes are contained in a so-called budget reconciliation bill that was approved by the House and now goes to the Senate, where Democrats hope for speedy approval under rules that bar filibusters.
After his remarks, Obama sat at a small table and signed the bill, using two pens for each of the 11 letters in his name. Twenty of the pens would go out as souvenirs; two were reserved for his presidential archives.
With the multiple pens strokes, Obama achieved something that had eluded presidents since Theodore Roosevelt in the first decade of the 20th century -- winning congressional approval of a wide-ranging overhaul of healthcare.
And he made good on a pledge that originated in Iowa City in May 2007, when -- as a first-term senator from Illinois and underdog presidential candidate -- Obama first rolled out a plan to cover millions of uninsured Americans.
The signing ceremony was packed with Democratic lawmakers who spent the last year writing, shaping and arguing about a healthcare bill that consumed Washington and forced other legislative priorities to the back of the line.
Not a single Republican voted to make the Senate blueprint the law of the land. Underscoring the partisan divide, not one GOP lawmaker was present in the East Room; only those who voted for the bill were invited.
When Obama and Biden entered the room, the crowd leaped out of their chairs and clapped. Someone started the chant from Obama's campaign: "Fired up, ready to go!"
Obama welcomed the waves of applause and whistles and encouraging standing ovations for everyone he thanked.
The new law is a "testament to the historic leadership and uncommon courage of the men and women of the United States Congress, who've taken their lumps during this difficult debate," Obama said.
John F. Harris, Politico editor in chief, second from left, insists Politico is not as white and male as it looked on CNN's "Reliable Sources."
What Harris is basically saying is are you going to believe him, or your lying eyes???
Editor Says Camera Shots, Reputation Mislead - Watch the video and then you decide.
CNN took viewers Sunday to an editorial meeting at Politico, the buzz-creating Web-and-print operation that launched in Washington three years ago. For many journalists of color, what was striking was not what was said but who wasn't saying it.
"Did anyone catch CNN's Reliable Sources going inside the newsroom of Politico.com?"
Roland S. Martin, the CNN and TV One commentator, wrote to the National Association of Black Journalists e-mail list. "It was pathetic. All white folks at the table deciding the stories to cover. Not one African American or any other minority.
"I only saw one woman, and I swear she didn't say a word. They had her sitting next to the editor, and it was clear she was window dressing," said Martin, who is secretary of the association.
Another wrote Journal-isms, "I just watched with my significant other in absolute horror on CNN that POLITICO's morning 'top editors and reporters' meeting had not ONE female or ONE person of color. POLITICO has often been referred to as one of the top and influential DC publications. How is this possible when they seem to only represent the views of white men? How can they consider themselves 'new media' when they look just like the old media?"
Harris said Politico's recruiting efforts have 'made a diversity a focus.'John F. Harris, Politico co-founder and editor in chief, says the camera shots might have been misleading and that Politico is, in fact, committed to diversity.
"We are making strides that are gratifying to me, even as I have always considered this a long-term project," he said. "We have racial diversity in most of the most important positions in our newsroom — on the White House team, on our photo team, on the copy and production desks, and on our congressional team."
However, Harris told Journal-isms, "our corporate policies don't allow me to release numerical data."
A mix of magnolia, neroli and blush peach scents, Heat is currently the number one brand at Macy’s, having already sold around $3 million in its first month out — 72,000 bottles alone in a single hour during an in-person N.Y.C. appearance. The fragrance retails for $39-$59.
Thomas Hagan has been held since moments after shots rang out in the Audubon Ballroom in 1965. He has been on work release for more than two decades, but he still spends two days a week locked up at the Lincoln Correctional Facility on West 110th Street in Manhattan.
On March 3, however, on his 17th try, Mr. Hagan was granted parole.
After being turned down for parole 16 times, Hagan's final release date is tentatively scheduled for April 28.
Mr. Hagan, who turned 69 in jail on Tuesday, was a militant member of the Nation of Islam on Feb. 21, 1965, when Malcolm X was shot while giving a speech at the Audubon, in Washington Heights. Mr. Hagan, then known as Talmadge X. Hayer, was captured by the crowd and shot at and beaten before being rescued by the police.
Two other men, Muhammad Abdul Aziz (then known as Norman 3X Butler) and Kahlil Islam (then Thomas 15X Johnson), were also charged with the murder. They maintained their innocence. Mr. Hagan did not, testifying at his trial in 1966 that he was responsible for the murder and that his co-defendants were innocent.
Gardena High School is one of those iconic schools in Southern California that had a style and flavor that truly exemplified what high school was all about in the 70's and 80's.
As the The Classics of 81 prepare for their 30 year reunion, expect to be hearing a lot about the campus that went from Mohicans to Panthers, while always repping that "Dena Pride".
Although Gardena High was recently named to a preliminary list of California's "persistently lowest-achieving" public campuses that may be shut down or turned into charter schools, many alumni are convinced that the school can still turn things around.
A facebook group has started as a gathering place for old classmates, friends, and supporters. Stay tuned. You'll be hearing much more in the months to come.
Johnson Product Company, Inc. has launched The Great Model Search (TGMS) nationwide to find four beautiful faces to grace the new product boxes and let the world know that it is back on the scene.
The search is based on Internet uploads from potential models (ages 18 and over) across the United States.
The four highest voted models will win contracts to appear as models on the packaging of the popular Gentle Treatment and Ultra Sheen relaxers, which are distributed globally. They also win $5,000 each, an all expenses paid trip to Los Angeles and more prizes.
Contestants should go to www.thegreatmodelsearch.com to upload a headshot. Once approved, a link to her contestant’s profile page will be sent, which the model-hopeful will then send to all of her friends and family to garner as many votes as possible.
The public can still join the fun in the “Vote to Win” part of the contest. By registering at www.thegreatmodelsearch.com they can vote for their favorite model. Each voter who opts in can enter the sweepstakes to win one of two iPhone 3 GS smart phones with a two-year contract, or one of eight iPod nanos (now with video camera and FM radio capabilities) or the Grand Prize trip for two to Los Angeles to be a judge at the contest finale in early June.
The finale of the event will be held in early June in Los Angeles and will be streamed live. Celebrity stylists and fashion savvy media personalities will serve as judges. Model registration and photo uploading begin will continue through March 30, 2010.
Voting begins February 1 and lasts through April 15. Voters should check the website as prizewinners will be announced weekly.
Entertainment Studios will premiere America's Court With Judge Ross on broadcast and cable this fall, having cleared the legal strip in 75% of the country.
"We are pleased to have greatly expanded our company's nationwide clearance of America's Court with Judge Ross," saidAndrew Temple, President of Domestic Television Distribution for Entertainment Studios.
Created by multihyphenate Byron Allen, Entertainment Studios is set to produce and deliver a minimum of 26 weeks of original episodes of America's Court in high definition as well as 26 weeks of repeats. The show joins weekly E/I program The Young Icons, which also has been cleared for a 2010 launch under the Entertainment Studios banner, and Career Day, recently picked up by the Sinclair Broadcast Group for 2011. In entering the daytime syndication arena, Allen assumes his place among a select group of African Americans (think Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry) who are successfully producing content they own, control and distribute to increasingly diverse audiences looking for quality programming.
As America's Court continues to generate strong buzz, television stations are still being offered the one-hour block as two half-hour episodes.
Groups who have already signed on include Weigel, Scripps, Media General, Acme, Cox, Raycom, Barrington, Ellis, Journal, Belo, Bonton, LIN, New Age and Sinclair.
And according to tvnewscheck.com, America's Court will also run on one of Entertainment Studios six high-definition cable networks that were launched on Verizon's FiOS broadband systems last September.
America's Court with Judge Rossshows litigants unique ways in which they can responsibly deal with their unlawful or wrongful acts, and also forces wrongdoers to reflect on the consequences of their transgressions.
Kevin A. Ross, 46, has been a judge, prosecutor and media personality in Southern California. He is also president and CEO of 3BAAS Media Group, which will serve as a producer on the show.
By Kevin Ross, CEO of 3BAAS Media Group
"He was very quiet and introverted, but spoke volumes when he wrote," New Orleans actor Wendell Pierce, who starred in The Wire and will also appear in Treme, said of Mills.
His latest project "Treme" is about jazz, culture and the folks trying to rebuild their lives in a post-Katrina New Orleans. The series is named after the Creole neighborhood known for its rich, irrepressible musical history. Mills was not only a writer on the project, but co-executive producer as well.
David's observations were blunt, biting, clever, and always thought provoking.
Last week, a reporter from TubeFilter-- the ezine that likens itself as the online cousin to Daily Variety-- decided to do a story on LAWEBFEST Founder and Executive Director Michael Ajakwe Jr. The focus was going to to be on this weekend's innovative first all-web series festival. Days later, however, Tubefilter's stated that a decision was made to bury the LA Web Fest story. No reason was given as to why.
With the strokes of 22 pens, a buoyant President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed into law the most far-reaching healthcare overhaul in two generations, vindicating a yearlong struggle on which he had staked his presidency.
John F. Harris, Politico editor in chief, second from left, insists Politico is not as white and male as it looked on CNN's "Reliable Sources." 
"I only saw one woman, and I swear she didn't say a word. They had her sitting next to the editor, and it was clear she was window dressing," said Martin, who is secretary of the association.
Is it getting hot in here or is it just Beyoncé’s ‘Heat’? The diva’s first fragrance, launched last month exclusively at Macy’s, has been setting sparks off the shelves. 
No, no. No need to thank us. Just pass it along.
Gardena High School is one of those iconic schools in Southern California that had a style and flavor that truly exemplified what high school was all about in the 70's and 80's. 
In entering the daytime syndication arena, Allen assumes his place among a select group of African Americans (think Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry) who are successfully producing content they own, control and distribute to increasingly diverse audiences looking for quality programming.
Scheduled to film in Los Angeles, 'Court' joins The Nate Berkus Show (Harpo/Sony) and Swift Justice with Nancy Grace (CTD) as one of three freshman daytime skeins confirmed to debut in 2010.
America's Court with Judge Ross shows litigants unique ways in which they can responsibly deal with their unlawful or wrongful acts, and also forces wrongdoers to reflect on the consequences of their transgressions.