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Author Archives: Jennifer White
Alicia Keys Performs With Her Son At iHeart Awards
Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys have nothing but love and talent running in their family.
Their kids are into music, dancing, fashion and other arts, as we’ve seen on the clan’s various social media posts. Swizz’s oldest son Nasir, who has been making a name for himself as a producer, just secured a deal with Epic records. Last night during the iHeart Radio Awards, Keys brought up eight-year-old Egypt to play the piano while she sang “How To Raise A Man.”
“Say we need each other more than we know,” A.K. sang sitting next to her son on the piano bench. He was sharp, wearing a white bedazzled jacket and blue bandana.
“Somebody made a man,” she added as she rose, “to show me how to raise a man. /Raise a man. /You can't be a man. /If we don't raise a man.”
Keys also won the Innovator Award at the event. While onstage, she shouted out her son Genesis, who exchanged waves with Taylor Swift. The pop Queen sat in the seats next to Alicia and Swizz.
“My son, Genesis, I think is maybe trying to take Taylor out later tonight,” Keys said on kidding fashion about their adorable interaction. "He’s working on it. I’m not sure how it’s going to go, but it looks pretty good right now.”
Meanwhile, Swift addressed everyone asking for her new album: “I just wanted to let you know that when there is new music, you will be the first to know.”
We’re waiting, Taylor!
B2K Reunites For The Millennium Tour
We loved that era, right? Throwback jerseys and caps to match, baggy dress suits, apple bottom jeans for the ladies and music that would be loved for generations to come. The early 2000s the dawn of the millennium. And here in 2019, fans of that era’s music are being served well (served as in “You Got Served,” lol).
The Millennium Tour 2019 kicked off last night in Atlantic City, with Chingy, Lloyd, The Ying Yang Twins, Bobby V, Mario, Pretty Ricky and headliners, the reunited B2K. At Boardwalk Hall, the eye test said it was about 80 percent females checking in to see acts that were just getting off the ground as the 2000s started, and have endured the test of time. Concert-goers are calling the guys on this roster “legends" now. And none more legendary than B2K.
The group broke up over a decade-and-half ago, after a string of classic songs, platinum-plus albums, sold out tours and box office blockbuster “You Got Served,” which you may recall from my horrible joke above. Just into their early 20s, it felt like B2K, if packaged right, would keep rising, finding even higher heights, even better tours, and sell out larger venues. But nah. Omarion, JBoog, Raz B and Fizz broke up. A nasty one at that. Members accused child molestation, money mismanagement and outright favoritism towards Omarion by the group’s former manager Chris Stokes. Young girls of the era cried a sea of tears when the collective stopped rocking together.
Omarion was always looked at as the foursome’s chosen one, and obviously went one to have a great solo career. And yet, B2K left a void. There hasn’t been a group in the last 15 years to take up where they left off. They proved to be irreplaceable.
Which brings us to late last year. During the intervening years, fans got to see some of the group together via social media and reality tv appearances, but all were stunned when a reunion tour was announced and B2K appeared together in promo clips. Seeing is believing, and yet, still some didn’t even believe until they actually purchased their tickets (and VIP packages) to the tour. Shows have been selling out and belief has been growing.
Before hitting the stage last night, a video package aired not only showing B2K's career highlights, but popular videos from their early-2000 contemporaries during their boy-band prime.
When it was time for the four to get on stage last night, they entered with flair.
On a riser perched above the stage, J-Boog literally leapt down into the eyesight of the crowd. He stood in front of screen displaying his face. Raz-B followed, propelled with an entrance that mirrored his group mate, landing on Boog’s right. Fizz came next, landing to the left of Boog and Omarion entered last, on the far left facing the crowd. The band played “Girlfriend” as they walked to the front of the stage. Women were screaming loudly, suddenly transported back to being 16 year old high school juniors attending the “Scream Tour.”
The guys, wearing all white, stood still for a moment, seemingly taking in the surreal moment just as much as the fans. Besides facial hair and some added man muscle, B2K look exactly the same. Raz still even wears fedoras. No signs of ring-rust, as the guys were in perfect sync with the female back up dancers on the routines.
“Uh Huh” was second and then came the theatrics. Boog pretended to get a phone call from his girl and they got into an argument. His fellas spent the next few minutes giving him relationship advice on “What A Girl Wants.”
“Gots Ta Be” kept the vibe sexy.
“Y’all never let up. Y’all never gave up,” Boog, who was the most vocal of the group during the night told the audience. “That’s why we gotta show you y’all our appreciation.”
Promise fulfilled, “Why I Love You” came after.
“We a long way from 17,” Boog said with a smile. “We grown-ass men now.”
Omarion would have his moment to himself to highlight his solo music. He teased “O” for a minute, before laughing and saying “y’all don’t know that. Y’all don’t know that.”
The women in the audience insisted they did. They told him everything but “on my mama” swearing they knew the words. O finally stopped playing, and let them have the song they wanted. He also served a taste of his signature smashes “Touch” and “Entourage” before taking it to Motherland with “Distance Between Us,” from his upcoming LP Passport.
O, and the rest of the crew would reform onstage, this time everyone wearing black and red, for “Bump Bump Bump.” Fizz rapped Diddy’s parts.
Although Puff Daddy wasn’t in the building, the Millennium tour did have some guest star surprise power. Ashanti came out with Lloyd (he incorporates a guitar into his show now) for “Southside.” Chingy had plenty of the ladies doing the famed “chicken head dance” on his set during “Right Thurr.” While Pretty Ricky were taking serious aim as show stoppers last night.
The Miami Hitmakers brought their beloved down bottom raunchy behavior front and center. Spectacular did a handstand into a backflip and landed his head right between the crouch of a female dancer and simulated cunnilingus. Spec later wore just a towel and rapped his part to “On The Hotline” barefoot.
The Millennium Tour 2019 kicked off last night in Atlantic City, with Chingy, Lloyd, The Ying Yang Twins, Bobby V, Mario, Pretty Ricky and headliners, the reunited B2K. At Boardwalk Hall, the eye test said it was about 80 percent females checking in to see acts that were just getting off the ground as the 2000s started, and have endured the test of time. Concert-goers are calling the guys on this roster “legends" now. And none more legendary than B2K.
The group broke up over a decade-and-half ago, after a string of classic songs, platinum-plus albums, sold out tours and box office blockbuster “You Got Served,” which you may recall from my horrible joke above. Just into their early 20s, it felt like B2K, if packaged right, would keep rising, finding even higher heights, even better tours, and sell out larger venues. But nah. Omarion, JBoog, Raz B and Fizz broke up. A nasty one at that. Members accused child molestation, money mismanagement and outright favoritism towards Omarion by the group’s former manager Chris Stokes. Young girls of the era cried a sea of tears when the collective stopped rocking together.
Omarion was always looked at as the foursome’s chosen one, and obviously went one to have a great solo career. And yet, B2K left a void. There hasn’t been a group in the last 15 years to take up where they left off. They proved to be irreplaceable.
Which brings us to late last year. During the intervening years, fans got to see some of the group together via social media and reality tv appearances, but all were stunned when a reunion tour was announced and B2K appeared together in promo clips. Seeing is believing, and yet, still some didn’t even believe until they actually purchased their tickets (and VIP packages) to the tour. Shows have been selling out and belief has been growing.
Before hitting the stage last night, a video package aired not only showing B2K's career highlights, but popular videos from their early-2000 contemporaries during their boy-band prime.
When it was time for the four to get on stage last night, they entered with flair.
On a riser perched above the stage, J-Boog literally leapt down into the eyesight of the crowd. He stood in front of screen displaying his face. Raz-B followed, propelled with an entrance that mirrored his group mate, landing on Boog’s right. Fizz came next, landing to the left of Boog and Omarion entered last, on the far left facing the crowd. The band played “Girlfriend” as they walked to the front of the stage. Women were screaming loudly, suddenly transported back to being 16 year old high school juniors attending the “Scream Tour.”
The guys, wearing all white, stood still for a moment, seemingly taking in the surreal moment just as much as the fans. Besides facial hair and some added man muscle, B2K look exactly the same. Raz still even wears fedoras. No signs of ring-rust, as the guys were in perfect sync with the female back up dancers on the routines.
“Uh Huh” was second and then came the theatrics. Boog pretended to get a phone call from his girl and they got into an argument. His fellas spent the next few minutes giving him relationship advice on “What A Girl Wants.”
“Gots Ta Be” kept the vibe sexy.
“Y’all never let up. Y’all never gave up,” Boog, who was the most vocal of the group during the night told the audience. “That’s why we gotta show you y’all our appreciation.”
Promise fulfilled, “Why I Love You” came after.
“We a long way from 17,” Boog said with a smile. “We grown-ass men now.”
Omarion would have his moment to himself to highlight his solo music. He teased “O” for a minute, before laughing and saying “y’all don’t know that. Y’all don’t know that.”
The women in the audience insisted they did. They told him everything but “on my mama” swearing they knew the words. O finally stopped playing, and let them have the song they wanted. He also served a taste of his signature smashes “Touch” and “Entourage” before taking it to Motherland with “Distance Between Us,” from his upcoming LP Passport.
O, and the rest of the crew would reform onstage, this time everyone wearing black and red, for “Bump Bump Bump.” Fizz rapped Diddy’s parts.
Although Puff Daddy wasn’t in the building, the Millennium tour did have some guest star surprise power. Ashanti came out with Lloyd (he incorporates a guitar into his show now) for “Southside.” Chingy had plenty of the ladies doing the famed “chicken head dance” on his set during “Right Thurr.” While Pretty Ricky were taking serious aim as show stoppers last night.
The Miami Hitmakers brought their beloved down bottom raunchy behavior front and center. Spectacular did a handstand into a backflip and landed his head right between the crouch of a female dancer and simulated cunnilingus. Spec later wore just a towel and rapped his part to “On The Hotline” barefoot.
The Millennium tour has plenty more dates schedule around the country in the coming weeks and the tour is so popular already, there has been talk about extending through more of 2019. Proving that a good thing is still a good thing, even if it’s no longer the new thing.
Artists pay tribute to Aretha Franklin
Some of the biggest artists in music paid tribute to the late, great Aretha Franklin over the weekend on Aretha! A Grammy Celebration For The Queen of Soul! Current names like Alessia Cara, John Legend & SZA joined musical legends Patti Labelle, BeBe Winans, and Celine Dionne to cover some of Aretha’s biggest hits. Every single performer seemed determined to sing their hearts out to honor her.
There is also an Aretha biopic in the works – it’s tentatively set for an August 2020 release and will feature Jennifer Hudson, who also performed at the tribute, as Aretha. According to Jennifer, she was handpicked by the diva herself, and they discussed the role before her death. The film will follow Franklin's journey from childhood singing in her fame preacher father's choir to her rise as an international superstar.
Watch the full tribute concert here and listen to even more of her biggest hits, her inspirations, and the artists who followed in her footsteps on Slacker’s Aretha Franklin: DNA!
Travis Scott Returns To Barclay's For Day 2 Of 'Astroworld'
This is some real apex pre-gaming. The most cost effective, convenient, and — judging from the actions of the commuting 20-something year old Long Islanders traveling to Brooklyn — the most lit way to the Barclays Center is indeed the Long Island railroad.
It’s 7:22 PM, and a couple of dozen Travis Scott fans get on the LIRR, drinks in tow. It's more than 30 minutes before “AstroWorld” opening act Sheck Wes is scheduled to take the stage, but you can already (literally) hear the buzz, as they excitedly talk loud and proud about young La Flame.
As some guzzled beers, one young lady had a liter of Coca Cola in one hand and a bottle of liquor covered by a brown paper bag in the other. She alternated drinking both just seconds apart. One guy yelled “Astro” while the crowd answered back “World!!!” A few minutes later it seemed like just about everyone in the train car was shouting “f--k the club up!!”
They were feeling it. Because they’ve seen it. We’ve all seen it. Scott has steadfastly worked his way to top four status, along with the current rap crown-holders Drake, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole.
Yes, his girlfriend and the mother of his child is one of the world’s most famous billionaires, and a member of the most headlining-grabbing family in the world, the Kardashians. But Travis built himself up by himself. By endorsing and designing sneakers for the Jordan Brand, curating music for the commercials for the immensely popular 2K video games with LeBron James, and producing for one of the greatest producers of all time, Kanye West, Scott has done the work and reaped the benefits. Nothing has paid off more than the reputation the Houston native has built with his “raging” stage shows. He’s arguably the best live performer of any genre right now.
Scott has become a fixture on the festival circuit the last half decade. From Coachella, to Rolling Loud, to Made In America, he has amassed a following that not only want to buy tickets to his show, but will stand in line for an hour at these shows just to buy hundreds of dollars of merch to collect and wear.
2018’s first leg of the “Astroworld” World tour was such a cash cow, that more dates were added for 2019 and Travis has been selling out shows of stage bonanza in every city.
From the train-ride to the rollercoaster ride, welcome to Travis’ funfair. The Astroworld moniker comes from a now torn-down amusement park that was that Scott frequented in Houston, and the tour is aimed to feel like a day at the park. To whit, the Barclay’s show featured the star rapping upside down while riding on a Ferris wheel, standing on roller coaster car that hung above the crowd crawling on a track while a fan strapped into the accompanying seat damn near giggled to death with glee.
It’s 7:22 PM, and a couple of dozen Travis Scott fans get on the LIRR, drinks in tow. It's more than 30 minutes before “AstroWorld” opening act Sheck Wes is scheduled to take the stage, but you can already (literally) hear the buzz, as they excitedly talk loud and proud about young La Flame.
As some guzzled beers, one young lady had a liter of Coca Cola in one hand and a bottle of liquor covered by a brown paper bag in the other. She alternated drinking both just seconds apart. One guy yelled “Astro” while the crowd answered back “World!!!” A few minutes later it seemed like just about everyone in the train car was shouting “f--k the club up!!”
They were feeling it. Because they’ve seen it. We’ve all seen it. Scott has steadfastly worked his way to top four status, along with the current rap crown-holders Drake, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole.
Yes, his girlfriend and the mother of his child is one of the world’s most famous billionaires, and a member of the most headlining-grabbing family in the world, the Kardashians. But Travis built himself up by himself. By endorsing and designing sneakers for the Jordan Brand, curating music for the commercials for the immensely popular 2K video games with LeBron James, and producing for one of the greatest producers of all time, Kanye West, Scott has done the work and reaped the benefits. Nothing has paid off more than the reputation the Houston native has built with his “raging” stage shows. He’s arguably the best live performer of any genre right now.
Scott has become a fixture on the festival circuit the last half decade. From Coachella, to Rolling Loud, to Made In America, he has amassed a following that not only want to buy tickets to his show, but will stand in line for an hour at these shows just to buy hundreds of dollars of merch to collect and wear.
2018’s first leg of the “Astroworld” World tour was such a cash cow, that more dates were added for 2019 and Travis has been selling out shows of stage bonanza in every city.
From the train-ride to the rollercoaster ride, welcome to Travis’ funfair. The Astroworld moniker comes from a now torn-down amusement park that was that Scott frequented in Houston, and the tour is aimed to feel like a day at the park. To whit, the Barclay’s show featured the star rapping upside down while riding on a Ferris wheel, standing on roller coaster car that hung above the crowd crawling on a track while a fan strapped into the accompanying seat damn near giggled to death with glee.
Two stages on each side of the Barclays faced each other with a wide enough gap to fit a few thousand people on the floor in a giant mosh pit. The main stage had a screen which displayed everything from Scott being chased by some new world order, to computer animated kids having a ball throwing up green slime. The second stage had the aforementioned Ferris wheel. That’s where Travis would start the show.
“Star Gazing” fired up the rocket ship. Immediately the ragers were leaping up and down to the beat.
Scott definitely has the most energetic fans in all of hip-hop. Chairs can’t hold them. Nobody sat down.
“Choose a side,” Scott said as he gazed down on the fans from the stage telling them to open up the mosh pit. “Pick a side. Please choose wisely. Please keeps your hands and feet inside the ride at all times.”
Midway through the show, the moment arrived that that Long Island crew on the LIRR has practicing for.
“F--k the club up bi--h,” Scott and his following started chanting on “No Bystanders.” The audience looked they were engaged in a full-on Royal Rumble, but no. No violence, no animosity, and most importantly, none of that pretty or prissy stuff. This was intense, explosive energy.
Later, Scott’s DJ said he wanted to turn the concert into a house party and dropped “ZeZe” by Kodak Black.
“Ice water, turned Atlantic./ Nightcrawlin' in a Phantom,” Travis rapped.
Told them, ‘hold it, don't you panic’./Took an island, (Yeah) flood the mansion./Dropped the roof, more expansion.”
During “Beibs in the Trap” the front of the roller coaster track that hung above, slowly descended to the main stage. Travis and a fan got on the car and road it.
Travis kept it to the ground during “Antidote” and brought two more fans up on stage to ride the roller coaster when “Goosebumps” came on.
Before the last call on the amusement rides, Travis imparted some sage words of advice.
“No matter what may come your way, always go ‘Sicko Mode on a muthafu--a.”
When the beat came on, the entire Barclays began singing Travis’ first number one hit.
“Sun is down, freezin' cold,” they began singing for Drake who not present. “That's how we already know winter's here./ My dawg would prolly do it for a Louis belt./
That's just all he know, he don't know nothin' else./I tried to show 'em, yeah...”
La Flame later came in on his part.
“Woo, made this here with all the ice on in the booth,” he rapped. “At the gate outside, when they pull up, they get me loose. /Yeah, Jump Out boys, that's Nike boys, hoppin' out coupes. / This shit way too big, when we pull up give me the loot. /Was off the Remy, had a Papoose.”
The JoBros are BACK!
More than five years after their split and following several months of rumors, The Jonas Brothers announced they were reuniting and sealed the deal by dropping a new song, "Sucker.”
Friday night they gave fans a taste of their new music with a surprise show in NYC, but it sounds like the rest of us won’t have to wait long to get our dose of JoBros – they hinted that there’s gonna be a tour. In an interview with Elvis Duran they said they’ve written 30 to 40 new songs already!
If you haven’t watched yet, check out the video for “Sucker” - it features the Jonas ladies. Nick's now-wife Priyanka Chopra, Kevin's wife Danielle Jonas, and Joe's fiancée Sophie Turner appear with the guys in the clip.
Plus the brothers are kicking off a week on The Late Late Show with James Corden starting TONIGHT! Tune in, but while we wait, check out “Sucker” and all the best new tracks on Slacker’s New Pop Now station!
Spike Lee Stokes Donald Trump Anger Following Oscar Speech
Samuel L. Jackson Ponders a Spike Lee Oscar Win.
When you’ve been waiting for over 30 years to win an Oscar, you have to make your acceptance speech count. Post the big ceremony in the press room, Spike Lee revealed that he actually had two speeches written last night when we walked up in front of the audience in the Dolby Theater in LA to accept his Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay with “BlacKkKlansman.” It was his first ever Academy Award win. One, was dedicated to thanking people who helped him in his storied three decade plus career. The other was the one he read.
“The word today is ‘irony,’ the Brooklyn visionary, clad in a purple suit which paid homage to Prince, said moments into his speech Sunday night. “The date, the 24th. The month of February, which happens to be the shortest month of the year, which also happens to be Black History month. The year, 2019; the year, 1619. History, her story. 1619, 2019, 400 years. Four hundred years, our ancestors were stolen from Africa and brought to Jamestown, Virginia, to be enslaved. Our ancestors worked the land from morning to night.”
Lee went on to explain how his grandmother lived to 100 and saved 50 years of Social Security checks to put him through Morehouse College and NYU Film school and delved into politics.
“Before the world tonight, I can praise our ancestors who helped build this country into what it was today along with the genocide of its native people,” he added. “If we all connect with our ancestors, we will have love wisdom and regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment. The 2020 presidential election is around the corner! Let's all mobilize, let's all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let's ‘do the right thing!’ You know I had to get that in there.”
On Monday, the President retorted on social media, calling Lee’s words “racist.”
"Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts, etc.) than almost any other Pres!" Trump tweeted.
After the Oscars, Lee had more to say about how Trump is running the country. He admonished the Commander-In-Chief for not taking a tougher stand concerning domestic terrorism.
“I do know that the coda of this film [‘BlacKkKlansman’] where we saw homegrown red white and blue terrorism…,” Lee answered in the media room when asked about how his latest film has changed America society and the country’s awareness of the current KKK. “Heather Heyer, her murder was a homegrown terrorist act. When that car drove down that crowded street in Charleston, VA and the President of the United States did not refute. Did not denounce the Klan, The Alt Right, and Neo Nazis, this film--whether we won Best Picture or not--this film will stand the test of time being on the right side of history.”
Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman” was also nominated for Best Picture but ultimately that award was given to “Green Book.” Alfonso Cuaron who helmed “Roma” won over Lee in the category.
Samuel Jackson Doubted A Spike Lee Best Director Oscar Win
The Oscars came and went last night, and undoubtedly one of the people to watch was legendary director Spike Lee. He was hard to miss, decked out in one of a kind, gold Michael Jordan 3s, specially commissioned by His Airness, himself. Lee's “BlacKkKlansman” film went toe to toe with other Best Pictures nominees “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “The Favourite,” “Green Book,” “Roma,” “A Star is Born,” “Vice” and the cultural event of 2018 “Black Panther.”
Meanwhile, the Academy has finally cleaned up one of most staggering omissions: finally nominating the Brooklyn born Lee in the category of Best Director.
Nope, not even any of his early classics such as “Do The Right Thing,” “Mo Better Blues,” “Jungle Fever” not the epic “Malcom X” garnered him any recognition in that category. On Thursday, while being honored at the Icon Mann along with the director and famed costume designer Ruth E. Carter, one of Spike’s closest friends and a co-star in some of those early gems, Samuel L. Jackson told LiveXLive he was pessimistic that the iconic lens man would walk away with an Oscar.
“You really thinks he’s gonna win?” The box office champion would ask sarcastically. “In every award show he’s been to, has he won? That’s usually a sign of what going to happen.”
Jackson, credited Lee's casting of him as the crack addicted Gator in 1991’s “Jungle Fever” as the major breakthrough in his career. And he acknowledged that whether or not his Capital One-commercials co-star gets an award, Lee’s contribution to filmmaking is immeasurable nonetheless.
“There have been surprises. There have been mistakes,” Jackson added. “Spike’s already a winner in our minds and hearts and we’ll forever champion him. All these young directors that came behind him had an opportunity to do what they do because Spike was able to do what he did.”
In the end, Jackson was right and Lee did not walk away with the Oscar for Best Director, losing to “Roma’s” Alfonso Cuaron, nor Best Picture, losing to “Green Book." However, the man did score his first ever Oscar, taking home the Best Adapted Screenplay. His appearance on stage created one of the night’s most memorable moments, and finally gave long overdue acknowledgment to one of Brooklyn’s best. Perhaps those elusive Director and Picture awards will still be in his sure-to-be fascinating future.
Nope, not even any of his early classics such as “Do The Right Thing,” “Mo Better Blues,” “Jungle Fever” not the epic “Malcom X” garnered him any recognition in that category. On Thursday, while being honored at the Icon Mann along with the director and famed costume designer Ruth E. Carter, one of Spike’s closest friends and a co-star in some of those early gems, Samuel L. Jackson told LiveXLive he was pessimistic that the iconic lens man would walk away with an Oscar.
“You really thinks he’s gonna win?” The box office champion would ask sarcastically. “In every award show he’s been to, has he won? That’s usually a sign of what going to happen.”
Jackson, credited Lee's casting of him as the crack addicted Gator in 1991’s “Jungle Fever” as the major breakthrough in his career. And he acknowledged that whether or not his Capital One-commercials co-star gets an award, Lee’s contribution to filmmaking is immeasurable nonetheless.
“There have been surprises. There have been mistakes,” Jackson added. “Spike’s already a winner in our minds and hearts and we’ll forever champion him. All these young directors that came behind him had an opportunity to do what they do because Spike was able to do what he did.”
In the end, Jackson was right and Lee did not walk away with the Oscar for Best Director, losing to “Roma’s” Alfonso Cuaron, nor Best Picture, losing to “Green Book." However, the man did score his first ever Oscar, taking home the Best Adapted Screenplay. His appearance on stage created one of the night’s most memorable moments, and finally gave long overdue acknowledgment to one of Brooklyn’s best. Perhaps those elusive Director and Picture awards will still be in his sure-to-be fascinating future.
Spike Lee Predicted Ruth E. Carter’s Oscar Win For “Black Panther”
Black filmmakers and black actors and actresses all came together to show each other love. From the Essence “Black Women in Hollywood” brunch to the Icon Mann and Spirit Awards, Black Hollywood has been showing solidarity this Oscar weekend. Stars such as Don Cheadle, Sanna Lathan, Regina King, Regina Hall, Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Ealy all have been out on the town attending various ceremonies celebrating their own.
Spike Lee says the unification has to continue all year around: “It shouldn’t take award season for that to happen,” the outspoken visionary said at the Icon Mann awards at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. “We just gotta keep doing our thing. Everybody do their thing. That’s what it’s gonna take. No rivalries. Everybody doing their thing supporting each other.”
Of course Spike, for the first time, is nominated in the category of Best Director and Best Film in this year’s Academy Awards. His accolades come from 2018’s “BlacKkKlansman” which was co-produced by Lee and Jordan Peele. While many feel that Spike should have won at least a couple times already with his outstanding body of work, especially his early classic, the Brooklyn born lens man calmly stated the obvious: “you gotta be nominated first. First time nominee for director. First time nominee for best picture. First time.”
During the Icon Mann ceremony, Lee was honored for his almost 35 years of cinema contributions along with Samuel L. Jackson and trailblazing stylist Ruth E. Carter, who’s up for Oscar for Black Panther in Costume Design.
“Her first job in cinema was in ‘School Daze,’” Spike said proudly. “The next one was in ‘Do The Right Thing.’ After that was ‘Mo Better...’Then she got a nomination in ‘Malcom X.’”
“What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “The Five Heartbeats,” “The Butler” “Selma” and the tv series “Being Mary Jane” are also on Carter’s resume. Lee has no doubt his longtime friend is taking home an Oscar on Sunday night.
“She’s gonna win. She’s gonna win,” he promised. When asked about his own chances, the New York Knicks’ number one fan said: “You never know. It could be ‘Black Night Oscars.’ You don’t know.”
Lee's prophecy came to fruition. Carter won and during her acceptance speech, she made sure to tell the world Spike gave her her start.
Michael B. Jordan Re-Teams With 'Fruitvale Station' Director Gerard McMurray
Is this your King? Definitely. Michael B. Jordan has ascended into Tinseltown royalty off the strength of his regal acting and proven bankability with successful franchises of “Creed” and “Black Panther.”
Today it was announced that Jordan will reunite with the man who produced his breakthrough film “Fruitvale Station,” for another potential blockbuster.
Gerard McMurray will write and direct Jordan in “The Silver Bear,” an action thriller centered around a hitman with an infamous reputation. The film is coming out through a joint venture with Nickel Pictures and Lion’s Gate. Jordan is also locked in as a producer through his Outlier Society company.
“Fruitvale Station changed our lives,” McMurray said in a released statement to the press this morning. “Six years later I’m reuniting with Michael in 2019 and directing him in one of the most exciting and intelligent kick-ass action projects Hollywood and Lionsgate has cooking. It’s beyond dreams. Michael is an amazing, one-of-a-kind talent. He will bring a chilling and unnerving edge, authenticity and precision to the character of Columbus. The ‘Silver Bear’ is an incredible hunt-and-chase story about the most skilled and feared hitman in the underworld and I have a unique vision for how I want to bring that to life. I am beyond honored and excited to be working with such supportive partners as Outlier Society, Nickel City Pictures and Lionsgate on my next film.”
“Every step forward on The Silver Bear has been the perfect marriage of the material to the creative talent involved. We could not be more amazed by the way this project has come together, especially with Gerard McMurray’s bold, creative vision for the movie and Michael B. Jordan’s immense skills as an actor and a producer,” added Lionsgate Motion Picture Group President Nathan Kahane. “We are confident the right team is in place to do something very special with Derek Haas’ action-packed, suspense-filled novel and are thrilled to be collaborating with daring filmmakers like Gerard, Michael and the team at Nickel City Pictures. As we re-energize our slate with films like this, Lionsgate intends to be a home where artists can bring and make their very best movies.”
McMurray is becoming white hot in Hollywood in his own right, with a string of hits as he’s transitioned into the director’s chair. He was the visionary behind “The First Purge” (the most profitable film in that franchise’s history), as well as the critically embraced “Burning Sands” Netflix original. Next on his slate is the new “Twilight Zone” reboot series, which fans are clamoring to see. McMurray’s production partner from the award winning “Fruitvale Station,” Ephraim Walker, will work on “The Silver Bear” as well.
“We are very excited by the addition of Gerard to direct ‘The Silver Bear,'" said Nickel City Pictures’ Vishal Rungta. “From the first meeting, it was clear that Gerard was the right person to realize the potential of the underlying material and is a perfect match for Michael’s talent and charisma. This combination will deliver an interesting, layered action film that today’s audience will love,”
Meanwhile, Jordan continues to keep a full schedule as both actor and producer. Outlier Society launched in late 2016 and are developing projects “Gen:Lock,” “Raising Dion,” and “David Makes Man.”
“The Silver Bear’s” release date has not yet been announced.