“A pimp, a ho, and a drug dealer walk into a bar,” says one character in They Cloned Tyrone, writer-director Juel Taylor’s conspiracy thriller/comedy/cautionary tale. It should be noted that the person making this statement is white, racist as hell, and works for a shady branch of the government that you won’t find on the books anywhere. He’s also played by a well-known actor, whose identity we won’t spoil. The villain is describing the film’s trio of heroes, Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx), Yo-Yo...
- 7/21/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
In January 2017, Pharrell Williams and his wife, Helen Lasichanh, welcomed not one, not two, but three little ones, making their eldest son, Rocket Ayer Williams, an older brother times three! Since the birth of the triplets, Williams and Lasichanh, who've been married for just shy of a decade, have made a conscious effort to keep their children out of the limelight. Over the past few years, however, Williams has shared small glimpses at what it's been like doubling their household in size, jumping from a family of three to a family of six.
Rocket Ayer Williams
Williams's oldest son, Rocket Ayer, was born in 2008. He's named after some of the greatest musicians in history, and Williams told Oprah Winfrey exactly why he and his wife picked the name "Rocket" for his son: "Metaphorically, it was because of Stevie Wonder's 'Rocket Love,' Elton John's 'Rocket Man,' and Herbie Hancock's 'Rocket.
Rocket Ayer Williams
Williams's oldest son, Rocket Ayer, was born in 2008. He's named after some of the greatest musicians in history, and Williams told Oprah Winfrey exactly why he and his wife picked the name "Rocket" for his son: "Metaphorically, it was because of Stevie Wonder's 'Rocket Love,' Elton John's 'Rocket Man,' and Herbie Hancock's 'Rocket.
- 6/27/2023
- by Emily Weaver
- Popsugar.com
Bobby Caldwell, the blue-eyed soul singer best known for his hit single “What You Won’t Do for Love,” has died at the age of 71.
Caldwell’s wife, Mary, confirmed the singer’s death on social media on Wednesday, March 15th. TMZ reports that he had been battling an unspecified illness for several years.
As a teenager, Caldwell moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He briefly played rhythm guitar for Little Richard, but it took six years for him to catch his big break and land a recording deal with Tk Records. “What You Won’t Do for Love,” appeared on his 1978 self-titled debut album, and hit the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the ensuing years, the song would be sampled by a number of hip-hop and R&b artists, including Tupac on “Do for Love.”
As Tk Records mainly released records by Black artists,...
Caldwell’s wife, Mary, confirmed the singer’s death on social media on Wednesday, March 15th. TMZ reports that he had been battling an unspecified illness for several years.
As a teenager, Caldwell moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He briefly played rhythm guitar for Little Richard, but it took six years for him to catch his big break and land a recording deal with Tk Records. “What You Won’t Do for Love,” appeared on his 1978 self-titled debut album, and hit the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the ensuing years, the song would be sampled by a number of hip-hop and R&b artists, including Tupac on “Do for Love.”
As Tk Records mainly released records by Black artists,...
- 3/15/2023
- by Alex Young
- Consequence - Music
The Roots have revealed the 2023 lineup for their annual Roots Picnic, taking place over three days (June 2nd-4th) in the group’s hometown of Philadelphia.
This year’s festival will begin on Friday, June 2nd, with special stand-up performance from Dave Chappelle at the Wells Fargo Center. The festivities will then move to The Mann in Fairmount Park, with a weekend lineup headlined by Ms. Lauryn Hill (performing The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill) and Diddy with the backing of The Roots.
The lineup also promises performances Lil Uzi Vert, Black Thought’s Live Mixtape featuring Busta Rhymes and Eve, a Soulquarians set featuring Roy Ayers and The Isley Bros, City Girls, Syd, GloRilla, Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, DJ Drama, Little Brother, Maverick City, and more. See the 2023 lineup poster below.
A fan club pre-sale launches February 21 at 12:00 p.m. Et, and general on-sale follows on Wednesday, February 22nd at 10:00 a.
This year’s festival will begin on Friday, June 2nd, with special stand-up performance from Dave Chappelle at the Wells Fargo Center. The festivities will then move to The Mann in Fairmount Park, with a weekend lineup headlined by Ms. Lauryn Hill (performing The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill) and Diddy with the backing of The Roots.
The lineup also promises performances Lil Uzi Vert, Black Thought’s Live Mixtape featuring Busta Rhymes and Eve, a Soulquarians set featuring Roy Ayers and The Isley Bros, City Girls, Syd, GloRilla, Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, DJ Drama, Little Brother, Maverick City, and more. See the 2023 lineup poster below.
A fan club pre-sale launches February 21 at 12:00 p.m. Et, and general on-sale follows on Wednesday, February 22nd at 10:00 a.
- 2/20/2023
- by Alex Young
- Consequence - Music
Quentin Tarantino easily takes the title of the ultimate movie lover's filmmaker. Bursting onto the scene with "Reservoir Dogs" at the Sundance Film Festival in 1992, one thing was certain when his follow-up, "Pulp Fiction," came out two years later: this guy was cool. Tarantino displayed a fearlessness that movie buffs found refreshing. After all, the previous decade was filled with overstuffed franchises in the wake of Hollywood's New Wave movement at the end of the 1970s.
Known for his trademark over-the-top violence, nonlinear storytelling, and killer soundtracks, the major thing that sets the "Jackie Brown" filmmaker apart from his contemporaries is the sheer volume of homages to auteurs before him. As any die-hard Quentinphile will tell you, the writer-director was once a store clerk at Video Archives in Manhattan Beach, California, and was respected for his encyclopedic knowledge of virtually any movie. Tarantino is the reason why I began diving...
Known for his trademark over-the-top violence, nonlinear storytelling, and killer soundtracks, the major thing that sets the "Jackie Brown" filmmaker apart from his contemporaries is the sheer volume of homages to auteurs before him. As any die-hard Quentinphile will tell you, the writer-director was once a store clerk at Video Archives in Manhattan Beach, California, and was respected for his encyclopedic knowledge of virtually any movie. Tarantino is the reason why I began diving...
- 12/12/2022
- by Marta Djordjevic
- Slash Film
I've been encouraging my mom to take a vacation for years now. Every year, however, she puts something in front of her joy: she's taking care of a sick relative, she doesn't have the funds, she's going to wait until next year. It's a generational thing - the Black women in my family modeled selflessness for me, to the point where I even forget to close my laptop, put away my to-do lists, and have fun.
But there was no lack of fun in Las Vegas, where Silk Sonic turned the Park MGM into a full-on celebration of Black elders - especially Black women. Before walking into the phones-free Dolby Live theater, millennials hyped up excited elders in sharp and stylish outfits, helping them get the best angles on their photos. I grew up on '70s and '80s soul music (my mom and uncle were DJs), and I...
But there was no lack of fun in Las Vegas, where Silk Sonic turned the Park MGM into a full-on celebration of Black elders - especially Black women. Before walking into the phones-free Dolby Live theater, millennials hyped up excited elders in sharp and stylish outfits, helping them get the best angles on their photos. I grew up on '70s and '80s soul music (my mom and uncle were DJs), and I...
- 3/30/2022
- by Jada Gomez
- Popsugar.com
Toro y Moi, the musical project of songwriter and producer Chaz Bear, has released “The Loop,” the third single from the Bay Area-musician’s upcoming album, Mahal, out April 29 via Dead Oceans.
The lighthearted video accompanying the song, directed by Brendan Nakahara, pays homage to Bear’s adopted hometown, displaying ample footage of San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate and Bay Bridges interspersed with clips of the musician and a group of friends skateboarding, riding in GoCars and grabbing dinner at Oakland hotspot Fob Kitchen.
Over an ambling, velvety beat...
The lighthearted video accompanying the song, directed by Brendan Nakahara, pays homage to Bear’s adopted hometown, displaying ample footage of San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate and Bay Bridges interspersed with clips of the musician and a group of friends skateboarding, riding in GoCars and grabbing dinner at Oakland hotspot Fob Kitchen.
Over an ambling, velvety beat...
- 2/23/2022
- by Kat Bouza
- Rollingstone.com
After working for several years as an employment lawyer in Indianapolis, the artist known as Fennec decided to apply to graduate school. “I loved learning and reading about law, politics, and economics, but was kind of checked out and unfocused when I originally went to college,” he says on a call earlier this month. Grad school seemed like a way to find what he describes as a “second wind,” and he landed a spot at the University of Texas, Austin, studying public policy. In 2021, he moved there with his girlfriend,...
- 2/18/2022
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
James Mtume, a percussionist who performed in Miles Davis’ seminal fusion band from 1971 to 1975 and later had hits with his own eponymous group, has died at the age 76.
The daughter of Mtume’s late creative partner Reggie Lucas, Lisa Lucas, took to Twitter this morning to confirm the passing of the musician.
“So much loss. So much grief. Rest in power to Uncle Mtume. My late fathers partner in crime, the co-creator of the songs of my life (and about my birth!). He was essential part of the life of the man who made me, therefore me too. Gone now. He will be dearly, eternally missed,” Lucas wrote.
There is no cause of death at the time of reporting.
Mtume appeared on 80 albums with a wide variety of other notable musicians, including Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Roberta Flack and Lonnie Liston Smith.
His namesake group Mtume had several No.
The daughter of Mtume’s late creative partner Reggie Lucas, Lisa Lucas, took to Twitter this morning to confirm the passing of the musician.
“So much loss. So much grief. Rest in power to Uncle Mtume. My late fathers partner in crime, the co-creator of the songs of my life (and about my birth!). He was essential part of the life of the man who made me, therefore me too. Gone now. He will be dearly, eternally missed,” Lucas wrote.
There is no cause of death at the time of reporting.
Mtume appeared on 80 albums with a wide variety of other notable musicians, including Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Roberta Flack and Lonnie Liston Smith.
His namesake group Mtume had several No.
- 1/10/2022
- by Bruce Haring and Brandon Choe
- Deadline Film + TV
Questlove’s new Summer of Soul doc is a trove of incredible footage, featuring extended clips of Sly and the Family Stone, Mavis Staples, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and other icons at the height of their performing powers. But one of the film’s most striking sequences spotlights a lesser-known figure who shared the bill with these legends at 1969’s Harlem Cultural Festival: the guitarist Sonny Sharrock, seen convulsing and grimacing onstage as he wrings a gritty expressionist racket from his hollow-body ax during an appearance backing flutist Herbie Mann.
- 6/25/2021
- by Hank Shteamer
- Rollingstone.com
The Roots will rerelease their 1995 album Do You Want More?!!!??! as a deluxe reissue complete with previously unreleased songs, remixes, alternate versions, and more.
The Do You Want More?!!!??! reissue, due out March 12th as a three-lp, four-lp, or digital deluxe collection, is available to preorder now via Geffen/UMe. Ahead of the reissue’s release, the hip-hop group has shared the digitally unavailable “Street Mix” version of the album ballad “Silent Treatment.”
Among the unreleased tracks on the deluxe reissues are “Proceed II Feat. Roy Ayers”, “Proceed III”, “Proceed...
The Do You Want More?!!!??! reissue, due out March 12th as a three-lp, four-lp, or digital deluxe collection, is available to preorder now via Geffen/UMe. Ahead of the reissue’s release, the hip-hop group has shared the digitally unavailable “Street Mix” version of the album ballad “Silent Treatment.”
Among the unreleased tracks on the deluxe reissues are “Proceed II Feat. Roy Ayers”, “Proceed III”, “Proceed...
- 2/5/2021
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
As the pandemic-induced economic crisis decimates the music industry, many musicians and songwriters are scrambling to make a living. For those who have written songs but yet to receive payment through traditional sources — publishers and performing rights collection agencies — a number of financial companies are vying to help.
Royalty Advance, Sound Royalties, and Lyric Financial are three companies that work in much the same way as personal injury loans do where a cash advance is given against an expected legal settlement. Lenders conduct a forensic analysis of a songwriter’s generated royalties.
Royalty Advance, Sound Royalties, and Lyric Financial are three companies that work in much the same way as personal injury loans do where a cash advance is given against an expected legal settlement. Lenders conduct a forensic analysis of a songwriter’s generated royalties.
- 4/24/2020
- by Jeff Vasishta
- Rollingstone.com
In 2017, the Los Angeles promoter Andrew Lojero had an idea for a new jazz concert series. Along with A Tribe Called Quest DJ-producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad and prolific R&b and hip-hop composer-producer Adrian Younge — the duo behind throwback soul project the Midnight Hour and the Luke Cage soundtrack — he began putting together bills featuring esteemed jazz veterans such as Roy Ayers and Gary Bartz, and rising stars of the genre like Keyon Herrold. Lojero dubbed the series Jazz Is Dead.
“I thought the name was bold, provocative and exactly...
“I thought the name was bold, provocative and exactly...
- 3/19/2020
- by Hank Shteamer
- Rollingstone.com
Megan Thee Stallion and VickeeLo have joined forces for “Ride or Die,” a fast-talking song off the upcoming collection Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack. The soundtrack, which drops November 15th, is currently available for preorder.
“I’m really excited to be on the Queen & Slim soundtrack because this movie is going to do big things for the culture,” Megan Thee Stallion said in a statement. “This is the modern day Bonnie and Clyde. Why would I have not wanted to be a part of this? This is amazing! ‘Ride or Die’ is lit!
“I’m really excited to be on the Queen & Slim soundtrack because this movie is going to do big things for the culture,” Megan Thee Stallion said in a statement. “This is the modern day Bonnie and Clyde. Why would I have not wanted to be a part of this? This is amazing! ‘Ride or Die’ is lit!
- 10/25/2019
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
The soundtrack to the highly anticipated film “Queen & Slim” will be released by Motown on Nov. 15, it was announced today. The 17-song collection features new tracks from Ms. Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Baby, Vince Staples featuring 6lack X Mereba, Tiana Major 9 & Earthgang and Coast Contra featuring Bj The Chicago Kid and Syd. Classic songs by Roy Ayers, Bilal and Mike Jones can also be heard.
Starring Daniel Kaluuya, who was nominated for an Academy award for his role in Jordan Peele’s “Get Out,” and Jodie Turner-Smith (“The Neon Demon”), “Queen & Slim” is a modern re-telling of Bonnie & Clyde that confronts race relations and police brutality in America. Melina Matsoukas makes her feature directorial debut with the film. Lena Waithe, the first black woman to win the Emmy award for outstanding writing for a comedy series, is credited as a writer alongside James Frey, of “A Million Little Pieces” fame.
Starring Daniel Kaluuya, who was nominated for an Academy award for his role in Jordan Peele’s “Get Out,” and Jodie Turner-Smith (“The Neon Demon”), “Queen & Slim” is a modern re-telling of Bonnie & Clyde that confronts race relations and police brutality in America. Melina Matsoukas makes her feature directorial debut with the film. Lena Waithe, the first black woman to win the Emmy award for outstanding writing for a comedy series, is credited as a writer alongside James Frey, of “A Million Little Pieces” fame.
- 10/10/2019
- by LaTesha Harris
- Variety Film + TV
Edwin Birdsong, the jazz and funk keyboardist whose music has been sampled by artists like Daft Punk and Gang Starr, died Monday. He was 77. The musician’s son, Singh Birdsong, and his ex-wife, Angela Birdsong, confirmed his death on Instagram and Facebook, respectively.
Birdsong was an accomplished solo artist, as well as a prolific session musician and producer who worked with like Stevie Wonder and Roy Ayers. Years later, his music would be sampled by an array of artists, most notably Daft Punk, who tweaked Birdsong’s 1979 cut “Cola Bottle Baby” for their 2001 song,...
Birdsong was an accomplished solo artist, as well as a prolific session musician and producer who worked with like Stevie Wonder and Roy Ayers. Years later, his music would be sampled by an array of artists, most notably Daft Punk, who tweaked Birdsong’s 1979 cut “Cola Bottle Baby” for their 2001 song,...
- 1/23/2019
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Last week I made my way out of the Facebook forest and decided to take a brief hiatus from the constant barrage of input, positive as well as negative, and try to clear my head a little. I’ve already pretty much abandoned Twitter for the same reasons (How do all you Twitterers have the time to be constantly Tweeting and following other people’s feeds?), but that was never a platform I felt all that comfortable with anyway. But after only a week and change I already feel the Facebook junkie’s craving, and I wonder how much longer I can hold out before I initiate another indulgence of my addiction. The pull of the sense of community that naturally develops is, for better or worse, something I miss— though I have been lurking, I miss taking part in the discussions of posts made by my family and my smartest friends,...
- 1/22/2018
- by Dennis Cozzalio
- Trailers from Hell
A Man ApartIn October 2016, Vin Diesel revealed that the director of The Fate of the Furious, the eighth installment in the multi-billion dollar series of films, would be none other than F. Gary Gray. To those familiar with his work, it seemed like a natural fit. Gray has worked in Hollywood for over twenty years and is one of the most financially successful black directors in history. Coming off of the massive success of Straight Outta Compton (his second film to gross over $100 million dollars at the domestic box office, after 2003’s The Italian Job), Gray seemed like the ideal choice for the latest Fast and Furious installment, where he could return to his cinematic trademarks: guns, heists, fast cars and racially diverse ensembles. These elements were staples of Gray’s work even before his first feature in 1995. Gray, a South Central Los Angeles native, began as a cameraman for Bet and Fox,...
- 4/28/2017
- MUBI
This summer’s blockbuster N.W.A biopic, Straight Outta Compton, will be getting two new soundtrack releases in early 2016. One of these, titled Straight Outta Compton: The Soundtrack (not to be confused with Dr. Dre’s Compton) boasts remastered versions of classic N.W.A cuts like "Fuck Tha Police," "Express Yourself" and the title track. The 17-track effort is rounded out by solo tunes from group members Ice Cube ("No Vaseline"), Eazy-e ("Boyz-n-The Hood") and Dr. Dre ("Nuthin' But a G Thang"), as well as relevant tracks from acts like Parliament,...
- 11/18/2015
- Rollingstone.com
Coffy/Foxy Brown/Friday Foster
Coffy and Foxy Brown written and directed by Jack Hill
Friday Foster written by Orville H. Hampton, directed by Arthur Marks
USA, 1973/1974/1975
Olive Films recently released several Blaxploitation titles on Blu-ray for the first time, all on the same day. This included the Fred Williamson-starring Hammer, from 1972, as well as three Pam Grier films: Coffy (1973), Foxy Brown (1974), and Friday Foster (1975). Hammer isn’t a particular favorite, but these latter three were most welcome, especially Coffy, which is quite possibly the greatest of all Blaxploitation features, even better than the more popular Shaft (1971) and Super Fly (1972). As much as anything, these three releases are notable for showcasing Grier at her finest during a period of immensely enjoyable work and exceptional productivity—15 films from her minor debut in Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) to Friday Foster. Around these films, she also starred in several other...
Coffy and Foxy Brown written and directed by Jack Hill
Friday Foster written by Orville H. Hampton, directed by Arthur Marks
USA, 1973/1974/1975
Olive Films recently released several Blaxploitation titles on Blu-ray for the first time, all on the same day. This included the Fred Williamson-starring Hammer, from 1972, as well as three Pam Grier films: Coffy (1973), Foxy Brown (1974), and Friday Foster (1975). Hammer isn’t a particular favorite, but these latter three were most welcome, especially Coffy, which is quite possibly the greatest of all Blaxploitation features, even better than the more popular Shaft (1971) and Super Fly (1972). As much as anything, these three releases are notable for showcasing Grier at her finest during a period of immensely enjoyable work and exceptional productivity—15 films from her minor debut in Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) to Friday Foster. Around these films, she also starred in several other...
- 6/21/2015
- by Jeremy Carr
- SoundOnSight
A documentary film on the life, music, and philosophy of funk, soul, and jazz composer Roy Ayers, which we first alerted you in 2011, and which I haven't heard, read or received any information about since then, is still very much alive apparently. The following comes from a blog post on the project's site: "During the last calendar year, the Roy Ayers Project team has taken time away from the project to grow as individuals, manage life’s situations, obstacles, and challenges, and really take time to reflect on the past while tooling for the future. During our time away, we have individually and collectively experienced life changing events like physical relocating, gaining and...
- 4/28/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
★★★☆☆ As composer Roy Ayers' silky lounge-jazz score comes in during the credits and that era-specific funky typeface fills the screen, you're more than aware of what's in store for you with 1973's Coffy. This is a blaxploitation offering with all the wonderful chintzy seventies trappings, lashing of scuzzy violence (including one particularly horrific comeuppance) and a villain sporting the greatest pimp get-up ever to grace the screen. Coffy's avenging angel/vigilante storyline was rehashed by director Jack Hill the following year for Foxy Brown, and everything here is pretty much touched upon in that subsequent film, be it the racial and social politics or that uneasy mix of female empowerment and objectification.
- 4/21/2015
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
A documentary film on the life, music, and philosophy of funk, soul, and jazz composer Roy Ayers, which we first alerted you in 2011, and which I haven't heard or read or received any information about since then, is still very much alive apparently, if an April 2014 blog post on the project's site is any indication. Specifically, I was digging through the S&A archives, in search of some other item for another piece I'm working on, and came across our 2011 announcement of the feature documentary, and decided to do some researching in order to find out what it's status is, 3 years late. Luckily, I found a website for project, where the below post, published April 14, 2014, was...
- 7/1/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Jason Orr is a passionate man, personally tasked with preserving soul music for the masses. His documentary about the movement he and so many other creatives are devoted to upholding, FunkJazz Kafé, has been documented by Orr into the moving documentary FunkJazz Kafé: Diary Of A Decade (The Story Of A Movement), which makes its New York debut at the 3rd annual New Voices in Black Cinema, the four-day film festival produced by ActNow Foundation in association with BAMcinematek in Brooklyn. With appearances in the movie by a plethora of talent including Jill Scott, Cee Lo Green, Roy Ayers, Raphael Saadiq, George Clinton, Stic.Man of Dead Prez, Caron...
- 2/13/2013
- by Curtis Caesar John
- ShadowAndAct
Never Fear, Pam Grier Is Here! Pam Grier started her career in a number of women-in-prison films which lead to a fruitful stint of starring roles in Blaxploitation cinema. Grier created an intelligent, sensual, and tough on-screen persona with her starring roles, the likes to which few actresses are comparable. She has since gone from Blaxploitation to a forty-year career spanning film and television. She has worked with such great filmmakers as John Carpenter, Tim Burton, Jack Hill, and Quentin Tarantino – whose own film Jackie Brown is a love letter to both Grier and Blaxploitation cinema. Here is a look at the top five films of Grier’s early seventies work:
# 5 Black Mama, White Mama 1973
Written by H.R. Christian, Joe Viola, and Jonathan Demme
Directed by Eddie Romero
“A terrorist and a hooker…you two should have a lot to talk about.”
This is a women-in-prison film (Wip) aimed at a racially diverse audience.
# 5 Black Mama, White Mama 1973
Written by H.R. Christian, Joe Viola, and Jonathan Demme
Directed by Eddie Romero
“A terrorist and a hooker…you two should have a lot to talk about.”
This is a women-in-prison film (Wip) aimed at a racially diverse audience.
- 11/27/2012
- by Gregory Day
- SoundOnSight
I love it when projects we've bee tracking from their beginnings are eventually realized, even if it's years later. This one we first alerted you to in April 2011, and haven't reported much on it since then; however, I've had my antennae up for any progress it makes - like this morning, when I learned that it's not longer in its infancy, and is becoming a full-on film which the filmmakers are going to screen a sneak peek of on November 1 - just next week.! First, a quick recap... it's a documentary film on the life, music, and philosophy of funk, soul, and jazz composer Roy Ayers from directing team, Haylow Overby and Ariel Nuñez. ...
- 10/26/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
There are already too many hyphenates affixed to Jay-z’s already hyphenated name to reasonably list here, but that isn’t stopping the music superstar and NBA franchise co-owner from adding one more: Videogame executive producer. Over the course of this year, Jay-z has been working with 2K Sports on the latest annual iteration of their bestselling NBA series, NBA 2K13, and when the game hits shelves on Oct. 2 (for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC, and PSP), “Executive Produced by Jay Z” will appear prominently on the packaging.
But what does that ultimately mean? Is this simply a vanity project? “Jay is so obsessed with authenticity,...
But what does that ultimately mean? Is this simply a vanity project? “Jay is so obsessed with authenticity,...
- 7/31/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW.com - PopWatch
In this weekend's New York Times, actor/comedian/musician Fred Armisen talks about his Sunday rituals, part of which includes chunks of time devoted to Rockstar Games' hit western. Armisen--one-half of the ThunderAnt sketch duo that powers "Portlandia"--owns up to a significant relationship with "Rdr," saying:
I play Red Dead Redemption -- it comes from the same company that made Grand Theft Auto. I have a part in it: I'm the pharmacist. But I play it because it's a beautiful game. The words "video game" seem a teeny way to describe it: it's pure art, this whole universe of intense little interactions and consequences. It's relaxing because it's stressful. You get yourself into a physical panic whenever you play.
I didn't even know that Armisen played that pharmacist character, but Rockstar's games tend to sneak in a lot of unheralded, stealth cameos. Samuel L. Jackson voiced a crooked cop...
I play Red Dead Redemption -- it comes from the same company that made Grand Theft Auto. I have a part in it: I'm the pharmacist. But I play it because it's a beautiful game. The words "video game" seem a teeny way to describe it: it's pure art, this whole universe of intense little interactions and consequences. It's relaxing because it's stressful. You get yourself into a physical panic whenever you play.
I didn't even know that Armisen played that pharmacist character, but Rockstar's games tend to sneak in a lot of unheralded, stealth cameos. Samuel L. Jackson voiced a crooked cop...
- 5/10/2011
- by Evan Narcisse
- ifc.com
A documentary film on the life, music, and philosophy of funk, soul, and jazz composer Roy Ayers is currently being put together by directing team, Haylow Overby and Ariel Nuñez.
Titled simply, The Roy Ayers Project, the film will feature, of course, Roy Ayers himself, as well as many Hip Hop producers (especially those who have sampled his music), as well the many other musicians who have been influenced by the man and his music.
The documentary is planned to be released in early 2012.
A website has also been set up to house the project, and much more. It’s a rather busy, albeit engaging site, driven by the music, message, essence and influences of Roy Ayers. You will also find tons of photographs of the production team as they travel the globe, interviewing a variety of contributors to the film. So, check it out at RoyAyersProject.com. You can also follow their progress there,...
Titled simply, The Roy Ayers Project, the film will feature, of course, Roy Ayers himself, as well as many Hip Hop producers (especially those who have sampled his music), as well the many other musicians who have been influenced by the man and his music.
The documentary is planned to be released in early 2012.
A website has also been set up to house the project, and much more. It’s a rather busy, albeit engaging site, driven by the music, message, essence and influences of Roy Ayers. You will also find tons of photographs of the production team as they travel the globe, interviewing a variety of contributors to the film. So, check it out at RoyAyersProject.com. You can also follow their progress there,...
- 4/13/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
This week, we resurrect the perverted stepsister of Sound on Sight we call Sordid Cinema for a special occasion: Grindhouse Wednesdays is putting on a special screening of Jack Hill’s classic blaxploitation flick Coffy at the Rialto Theater, and organizer / programmer Ben Godin is joining us to talk about the movie, after which we’ll be reunited with Mike Waldman in Toronto to discuss two more blaxploitation flicks: Foxy Brown (also by Hill) and Michael Campus’s The Mack.
listen now
Download the show in a new window
Playlist:
Dr. Dre – Nothin’ but a ‘G’ Thang
Roy Ayers – Coffy Baby
Dr. Dre – Lil’ Ghetto Boy
The Jimmy Castor Bunch – It’s Just Begun
Listen on I-Tunes RSS feeds Sound On Sight Forum Twitter Facebook Tumblr...
listen now
Download the show in a new window
Playlist:
Dr. Dre – Nothin’ but a ‘G’ Thang
Roy Ayers – Coffy Baby
Dr. Dre – Lil’ Ghetto Boy
The Jimmy Castor Bunch – It’s Just Begun
Listen on I-Tunes RSS feeds Sound On Sight Forum Twitter Facebook Tumblr...
- 2/21/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Check out the new brand new UK trailer for French actioner Black with a hilarious voiceover from sixty smokes-a-day man. We’ve also got a rather thorough synopsis for you to read, too.
Black comes from the same producer as last year’s superb A Prophet. This one looks a bit more action-orientated… check it out.
Synopsis:
The spirit of Blaxploitation classics such as ‘Super Fly’, ‘Shaft’ and ‘Truck Turner’ is given a modern day makeover in the action-thriller, Black, the directorial debut feature from Pierre Laffargue.
Produced by Marco Cherqui (A Prophet) and starring French hip-hop artist Mc Jean Gab’1 (the District 13 movies), Carole Karemera (Sometimes In April), Francois Levantal (A Very Long Engagement; D’Artagnan’s Daughter) and Anton Yakovlev (The Beat That My Heart Skipped), Black is “a slick, fun, French heist flick” (Eye Weekly) with a supernatural sting in the tail that sees its eponymous...
Black comes from the same producer as last year’s superb A Prophet. This one looks a bit more action-orientated… check it out.
Synopsis:
The spirit of Blaxploitation classics such as ‘Super Fly’, ‘Shaft’ and ‘Truck Turner’ is given a modern day makeover in the action-thriller, Black, the directorial debut feature from Pierre Laffargue.
Produced by Marco Cherqui (A Prophet) and starring French hip-hop artist Mc Jean Gab’1 (the District 13 movies), Carole Karemera (Sometimes In April), Francois Levantal (A Very Long Engagement; D’Artagnan’s Daughter) and Anton Yakovlev (The Beat That My Heart Skipped), Black is “a slick, fun, French heist flick” (Eye Weekly) with a supernatural sting in the tail that sees its eponymous...
- 2/3/2011
- by Martyn Conterio
- FilmShaft.com
Earlier this month we premiered the first part of the short film,"The Model," featuring the golden throated Brazilian charmer, Seu Jorge ("City of God," "Life Aquatic") as a character called Marcello. Along with the smoothest version of "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" ever recorded, Seu Jorge And Almaz's cover of Kraftwerk's "The Model" was teased at the end. Here, in chapter two we get treated to more of Jorge's hypnotic take on the song and how it fits into the recurring dreams of a mysterious woman that have come to consume him.
I corresponded with Jorge (born Jorge Mário da Silva) about the film and his related album "Seu Jorge and Almaz." When I asked him what film he would live in if he could choose any, he said he'd like to be "the little kid in 'Cinema Paradiso.'" Read the rest of our chat below where Jorge,...
I corresponded with Jorge (born Jorge Mário da Silva) about the film and his related album "Seu Jorge and Almaz." When I asked him what film he would live in if he could choose any, he said he'd like to be "the little kid in 'Cinema Paradiso.'" Read the rest of our chat below where Jorge,...
- 11/30/2010
- by Brandon Kim
- ifc.com
You may know Brazilian singer/songwriter, Seu Jorge, as the forlorn guitarist in "The Life Aquatic," whose David Bowie covers were among the most unforgettable songs in film of the last decade. He's also appeared in roles in "City of God," and "The Escapist."
In this first part of director Kahlil Joseph's "The Model," Jorge plays one of the most chill men in the world as he strolls deliberately through a mansion in the Hollywood Hills, playing host and sings in smooth, lulling tones. The familiar songs you hear are three covers from the Seu Jorge and Almaz album, "The Model" (Roy Ayers' "Everybody Loves The Sunshine," Martinho da Vila and João de Aquino's "Cirandar" and Kraftwerk's, "The Model"). Along with Jorge, the short features members of Almaz (Lucio Maia and Pupillo from stalwart Brazilian band Nação Zumbi), producer Mario C and keyboardist Money Mark.
We're premiering the...
In this first part of director Kahlil Joseph's "The Model," Jorge plays one of the most chill men in the world as he strolls deliberately through a mansion in the Hollywood Hills, playing host and sings in smooth, lulling tones. The familiar songs you hear are three covers from the Seu Jorge and Almaz album, "The Model" (Roy Ayers' "Everybody Loves The Sunshine," Martinho da Vila and João de Aquino's "Cirandar" and Kraftwerk's, "The Model"). Along with Jorge, the short features members of Almaz (Lucio Maia and Pupillo from stalwart Brazilian band Nação Zumbi), producer Mario C and keyboardist Money Mark.
We're premiering the...
- 11/8/2010
- by Brandon Kim
- ifc.com
By Jacki O, 4Sight Media
We received news this morning that the legendary Guru has joined the trailblazers who inspired him. Although we are not currently representing him, 4Sight Media was selected as the publicity firm to handle the publicity for his last three projects in the Jazzmatazz series.
While 7Grand and Solar are handling their publicity internally with several messages that have been released (including Guru's last statement), we wanted to offer our own deepest sympathy to the fans of Guru who support the Jazzmatazz legacy around the world. We honor Guru for leaving us with music that reaches into higher places, for coloring outside the lines of hip-hop and recognizing the musical masters who inspired him. Through Guru's eyes, there was no division between hip-hop and jazz, hip-hop and neo-soul or hip-hop and history.
Guru's Jazzmatazz and endeavors with Premier enabled him to collaborate with a who's who...
We received news this morning that the legendary Guru has joined the trailblazers who inspired him. Although we are not currently representing him, 4Sight Media was selected as the publicity firm to handle the publicity for his last three projects in the Jazzmatazz series.
While 7Grand and Solar are handling their publicity internally with several messages that have been released (including Guru's last statement), we wanted to offer our own deepest sympathy to the fans of Guru who support the Jazzmatazz legacy around the world. We honor Guru for leaving us with music that reaches into higher places, for coloring outside the lines of hip-hop and recognizing the musical masters who inspired him. Through Guru's eyes, there was no division between hip-hop and jazz, hip-hop and neo-soul or hip-hop and history.
Guru's Jazzmatazz and endeavors with Premier enabled him to collaborate with a who's who...
- 4/20/2010
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
Legendary rapper succumbed to cancer on Monday after suffering a heart attack last month.
By Gil Kaufman
Just over a month since undergoing surgery following a heart attack, Gang Starr Mc Guru (born Keith Elam) has died at age 43. According to a statement, Guru died of cancer-related causes on Monday after a long fight with the disease.
Guru's longtime collaborator and partner Solar mourns his loss in the statement and explains that Guru had written a letter to his fans that was to be released upon his death.
"The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all-time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru," Solar said. "Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it,...
By Gil Kaufman
Just over a month since undergoing surgery following a heart attack, Gang Starr Mc Guru (born Keith Elam) has died at age 43. According to a statement, Guru died of cancer-related causes on Monday after a long fight with the disease.
Guru's longtime collaborator and partner Solar mourns his loss in the statement and explains that Guru had written a letter to his fans that was to be released upon his death.
"The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all-time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru," Solar said. "Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it,...
- 4/20/2010
- MTV Music News
Field Music Northeast England's Field Music, founded in the early aughts, is comprised of Kev Dosdale (guitar, keyboards), Ian Black (bass), and brothers David (guitar, vocals) and Peter (drums, vocals) Brewis (original keys player Andrew Moore exited in '07). After a short recording hiatus, Field Music is back with a new 20-plus-track collection. Take their "Measure," from the 2010 release Field Music (Measure). Buy: Lala.com Genre: Alternative Artist: Field Music Song: Measure Album: Field Music (Measure) Platinum Pied Pipers a.k.a Ppp Platinum Pied Pipers a.k.a. Ppp are the Detroit/Brooklyn based hip-hop/soul unit led by Waajeed and Saadiq. Since the outfit's debut in 2005, Tiombe Lockhart, Coultrain, Jamila Raegan, Karma Stewart, and Neco Redd have contributed to the lineup. Ppp has shared stages with Mark Ronson, Roy Ayers, Brazilian Girls, and ?uestlove. With 10 releases to savor, get started with "Smoking Mirrors," from their 2009 release Abundance. Buy: Lala.
- 4/2/2010
- by Phil Ramone and Danielle Evin
- Huffington Post
Sept. 6: Comedian JoAnne Worley is 72. Country singer David Allan Coe is 70. Country singer Mel McDaniel is 67. Singer-bassist Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) is 66. Actress Swoosie Kurtz is 65. Comedian-actress Jane Curtin is 62. Country singer Buddy Miller is 57. Country drummer Joe Smyth of Sawyer Brown is 52. Actor-comedian Jeff Foxworthy is 51. Actor-comedian Michael Winslow ("Police Academy") is 51. Guitarist Pal Waaktaar of A-ha is 48. Country singer Mark Chesnutt is 46. Actress Rosie Perez is 45. Singer Macy Gray is 42. Singer CeCe Peniston is 40. Singer Darryl Anthony (Az Yet) is 40. Singer Dolores O'Riordan (The Cranberries) is 38. Actor Dylan Bruno ("Numb3ers") is 37. Actress Anika Noni Rose ("Dreamgirls") is 37. Actor Justin Whalin ("Lois and Clark") is 35. Singer Nina Persson (The Cardigans) is 35. Actress Naomie Harris ("Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest") is 33. Rapper Noreaga is 32. Rapper Foxy Brown is 31.Sept. 7: Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins is 79. Singer...
- 9/2/2009
- Filmicafe
Sheryl Crow, Modest Mouse, Katy Perry, Michael Franti & Spearhead, De La Soul, and Raphael Saadiq have been confirmed to perform at the 2009 Bumbershoot Festival. The event will be held Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5-7, at Seattle's City Center.
Seattle's Music & Arts Festival, which is the 39th annual event, will also see Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, the Long Winters, Sly & Robbie & the Taxi Gang, World Party, Mstrkrft, Roy Ayers, Common Market, Uh Huh Her, Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women, Eric Hutchinson, No Age and Matt & Kim.
The organizers are expected to announce more artists in the coming months. The non-musical offerings at the fest include a special appearance by "The Outsiders" and "Rumblefish" author S.E. Hinton, Billboard reports.
One of North America's largest such festivals, it takes place every Labor Day weekend at the 74-acre Seattle Center. Bumbershoot three-day passes are on sale now via Bumbershoot.org. Single-day tickets begin...
Seattle's Music & Arts Festival, which is the 39th annual event, will also see Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, the Long Winters, Sly & Robbie & the Taxi Gang, World Party, Mstrkrft, Roy Ayers, Common Market, Uh Huh Her, Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women, Eric Hutchinson, No Age and Matt & Kim.
The organizers are expected to announce more artists in the coming months. The non-musical offerings at the fest include a special appearance by "The Outsiders" and "Rumblefish" author S.E. Hinton, Billboard reports.
One of North America's largest such festivals, it takes place every Labor Day weekend at the 74-acre Seattle Center. Bumbershoot three-day passes are on sale now via Bumbershoot.org. Single-day tickets begin...
- 4/2/2009
- icelebz.com
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