Singer Jill Scott Sued By Black-Owned Hidden Beach Record Company

Will The Popular Singer/Actress Have To Pay Big $$$

Jill Scott was sued this morning by her longtime record label, which is accusing the multi-platinum songstress of skipping out halfway through a six-album contract and potentially owing millions of dollars in damages.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by L.A.-based Hidden Beach Records, claims that the label and its founder, Steve McKeever, helped launch the R&B superstar's career and nurtured her into a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter but was unceremoniously dumped in October after a 10-plus year relationship.

"Hidden Beach is shocked by her decision not only because Scott has apparently chosen to leave the Hidden Beach family," the complaint reads, "but also because Scott is contractually required to deliver three more albums to Hidden Beach."

The complaint alleges causes of action for breach of contract and damages owed under California's Labor Code Sec. 2855. That statute, provides that talent cannot be bound by personal services contracts for longer than seven years.

Hidden Beach isn't disputing that Scott's deal violated the seven-year rule but the law carves out a requirement that certain recording artists who wish to terminate their lengthy deals must reimburse their labels in the amount the labels would have received under the terms of the contracts.

Since breaking onto the scene with the double-platinum selling "Who Is Jill Scott?" album in 2000, Scott's studio albums (and live albums) have generated millions in revenue. And in 2010, Scott has a new album coming out, as well as two films and some tv projects. So while Hidden Beach's alleged damages are unspecified in the complaint, under California law they could total several million dollars.

The complaint alleges McKeever, a Harvard-trained lawyer turned music mogul, paid Scott million-dollar advances when he wasn't required to, allowed her to keep merchandising revenue, paid $450,000 to fund a concert DVD that Scott later asked not be released, bought her lavish gifts and indulged her desire to slow her recording schedule to pursue an acting career (Scott has appeared in the films "Houndog," "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?" and HBO's "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency").

Source

Black Filmmaker Tyler Perry Defends Janet Jackson's Honor & Lands On Top Weekend Box Office Heap With 'Married'

After Idiot In The Media Tries To Dis Janet, Tyler Gets The Last Laugh With Huge Opening!

Looks like Madea's Tyler Perry has returned to the top of the box office without having to get dressed up in drag. On a very competitive weekend, Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? has rocked Hollywood with an $8.65M Friday, and it’s headed for an outstanding $25 million 3-day opening.

While Black bloggers put on blast a local station who insisted on getting their digs in on Janet for her 2004 Superbowl wardrobe malfunction incident (something that prove embarrassing and catastrophic for Janet's music career), Tyler wasn't having it. (Watch the video)

Aside from some pretty good reviews, that alone made alot of folks go out and support the flick just to make the statement that we are not co-signing on rude, snarky jerks trying to catapult their game at Ms. Jackson's expense. No matter how much I'm not feeling House Of Payne, Perry is definitely a man on a mission who mainstream Hollywood really needs to stop ignoring. With an essemble cast including Michael Jai White, Richard T. Jones, Sharon Neal, Malik Yoba and soul crooner Jill Scott, it was definitely a much needed film in terms of expanding Black cinema.

The 38-year-old African American actor/writer/director established himself as an auteur and a box office sensation back in 1995 with Diary of a Mad Black Woman, which opened with a $21.9M weekend and went on to generate $50.6M domestic. Then came the even more successful Madea’s Family Reunion with a $30M opening and a $63.2M cume. Earlier this year, Perry tested his clout with the Gabrielle Union, Eldris Alba Daddy’s Little Girls, with disappointing results.

Now, the New Orleans-born brother is back in the game, with Married? likely become the 2nd-best opening of his filmmaking career, trailing only Madea’s Family Reunion. In the process, Perry has beaten back some White Hollywood heavyweights like Clooney, Wahlberg, Phoenix and Blanchett. The Game Plan, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, will finish an impressive #2 for the weekend in its third week.

It will be very close for 3rd place for the weekend, but some are predicting that Michael Clayton, produced by and starring Oscar winner George Clooney, will finish in the show position. James Gray’s We Own the Night, starring Mark Wahlberg and Joaquin Phoenix, grabbed $3.75M on Friday compared to Michael Clayton’s $3.7M.

Source

Juanita Bynum Is Singing A New Tune About Thomas Weeks, Courtesy Of Jill Scott

The song, appropriately titled "Hate On Me",
really says it all!

Right Bishop?

Tyler Perry's New Flick With Janet Jackson & Jill Scott Asks, "Why Did I Get Married?"

Does this trailer make you want to see this movie???

This looks eerily similar to "The Big Chill"

The 1983 film told the story of several University of Michigan college friends who reunite after many years for the funeral of one of their friends who commits suicide. It starred Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, and Meg Tilly, to name a few.

Very White, but the soundtrack was jammin'. I hope at least the music's good in 'Married.' Otherwise, Perry may need to slap on that wig and bring back Madea!

BIG, CURVY SISTAHS ARE NOW CLEARLY IN VOGUE!

Maybe the folks at Unilever caught on first when they launched their "Campaign for Real Beauty" Dove soap ad campaign back in 2005.

Or maybe Kohl's was ahead of the game by signing Daisy Fuentes in 2003 to design a clothing line that would appeal to "women with curves."

Whomever first saw the trend and acted on it, it seems that the appeal of the full-figured woman has moved into the mainstream these days.

Sisters, take a bow!

This past March, Vogue magazine -- one of the fashion world's style leaders -- had voluptuous Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson on its cover, coincidentally coinciding with the runways in Milan and Madrid setting weight guidelines for models.

Hudson's far more typical of "real women" than fashion models. According to the National Institutes of Health, the average woman is 5'4" and wears a size 14. The average runway model is 5'11" and a size 0 or 2.

That might help explain the popularity and growth of Lane Bryant and the plus-size brand of Charming Shoppes as well as Dress Barn.

Even Hollywood is jumping on the big girl bandwagon, with Latifah currently staring in Hairspray, Hudson being hand picked by Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, to play her in an upcoming film, and Jill Scott currently shooting in Africa her debut film.

BLACK NEO SOUL QUEEN JILL SCOTT TAKES US BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE AND WORKS THAT ESSENCE COVER

To support her third album, The Real Thing, singer Jill Scott is giving fans a chance to download a seventeen minute-long sampler.

The first 5000 people who can get to the sampler will be able to download it right here.

The Real Thing, which hits stores on September 25th, will have a limited edition version which contains a performance from her upcoming DVD Jill Scott: Live in Paris and all of her videos.

Scott will also be starring in two movies - HBO's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency centers around Scott, who will be playing a private investigator named Precious Ramotswe.

The movie is currently shooting in Botswana and South Africa and Scott has been having a tough time on the set.

Why Did I Get Married? will focus on a group of vacationing couples whose lives get thrown in disarray after a single woman is thrown into the mix.

SOURCE

AS USHER CALLS OFF WEDDING, BLACK CROONER RON "MR. BIGGS" ISLEY GETS READY FOR LOCKDOWN!

Isley Prepares for Jail, Def Jam Seeks Pardon
Africa Needs to 'Control Its Own Destiny'
Obama: My Presidency Would Unleash a 'Transformation'
New Program Organizes African Americans in Iowa

Hudson's Debut in Ads for 'Seduction'

Jill Scott Lands First-Ever Starring Role
UN Concerned at Haiti Lynchings
UK: Racism 'May Harm Black Pupils' Education'
Climate Change Escalates Darfur Crisis
Civil Rights Group Suing KKK in Kentucky

BEFORE THE USHER-TAMEKA WEDDING WAS CALLED OFF,
BOSSIP REPORTED THIS:

According to In Touch Weekly, Tameka Foster let Chilli have it when they saw each other over Ms. Patton’s crib. Chilli still talks to Usher’s mother and was visiting when crazy Tameka walked in:

Tameka walked in and hit the roof. She screamed at Chilli, “Doesn’t your boyfriend have a mom you can visit?” Chilli just told her to grow up and walked out laughing.

GET THE DETAILS OF HOW EVERYTHING WENT DOWNHILL FROM THERE, HERE.

BLACK HOLLYWOOD MAKING HISTORY WITH NEW MOVIE PROJECT

RoseAnika Noni Rose ("Dreamgirls") and Idris Elba head a roster of Black thespians now set alongside the incredible Jill Scott for the telepic "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency."


The bestselling "Ladies" books by Alexander McCall Smith center on Precious Ramotswe (Scott), proprietor of the only female-owned detective agency in the African nation of Botswana. She sleuths, helps people solve problems and falls for the respectable owner of a local garage.

According to Variety, shooting begins Monday in Botswana. The country, which has never before hosted an entire film shoot, is said to be investing $5 million in the production.

"Africa for the first time will be shown in its true warmth and welcoming spirit," said Onkokame Kitso Mokaila, minister of environment, wildlife and tourism.