*So what do you think of Eddie Murphy hosting the Oscars? Seems like a hellava ggood idea to us.

Well apparently new Oscar producer Brett Ratner (director of the “Rush Hour” franchise with Chris Tucker & Jackie Chan and the upcoming “Tower Heist” starring Murphy along with Ben Stiller) thinks so too, according to Frank Holder’s HumorMillmag.com.

When you factor in that Murphy’s one of the biggest comedic actors in the world and is totally at home on a stage either doing sketch comedy (hello, remember his classic years doing “Saturday Night Live”) or doing stand up in front of thousands, you’ve got the potential for a blockbuster evening of entertainment next February.

We hear it’s all but a done deal, but we should find out next week one way or the other because Ratner is said to be meeting with the Academy board members on Tuesday.

We say let’s do it. Eddie Murphy is the perfect choice.

The 84th Annual Academy Awards is scheduled for February 26, 2012.

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*Businessman and Hip Hop mogul has come up with something new … the Rush Card Android and iPhone app.

“The Android and iPhone apps are yet another channel we’ve provided to members to help them manage their money on the go,” said Ram Palaniappan, President of RushCard. “Since many of our cardholders are using web-enabled phones, the RushCard apps provide an invaluable money management tool for busy cardholders.”

In the meantime, while he’s still pushing the plastic, folk are questioning the legitimacy and honesty of this whole business. Rush Card along with other pre-paid credit card companies were subpoenaed by the Florida attorney general, who is investigating the industry.

Many claim the card, despite its seemingly simple stipulations, is laced with hidden fees and high interest rates.

“I completely welcome any and all debate, discussion and understanding about the best companies in the prepaid debit card industry, which my RushCard company helped found,” Russell Simmons told allhiphop.com. “The RushCard is extremely transparent in terms of the presentation of its fees and its services. All of the information is available for everyone to see on rushcard.com.”

He added that the card is a solution for people trying to rebuild the credit and financial reputation.

“RushCard is the solution for people who want affordable financial services that they can customize to suit their needs,” Simmons added. “As I look at the payments landscape, I see the banks as the large record chains and my RushCard is looking a lot more like iTunes. I welcome the public debate because the more educated the consumers are the more successful we become.”

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*The Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza has it going on. Of course, you already knew that. The Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza BHCP Live! Presents a series for concerts on the renovated Outdood Plaza across from the newly renovated RAVE Theaters.

The mission of BHCP Live! Presents is designed to offer family friendly experience for shoppers and neighborhood residents to enjoy award winning artists and quality music in the beautifully renoved Mall Promenade.

Several luminaries have brighten up the plaza and put a huge spotlight on the wonderful happening taken place at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The series kicked off with a return engagement of Goapele. Her show was great. The series continued with an outstanding performance by Ms. Stephanie Mills.

The Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure joined recording artist and Komen Circle of Promise spokesperson Kelly Price for a special summer concert and community outreach effort on this special evening. August 31st, I was privilege to attend the concert performance of Kelly Price.

Needless to say, Ms. Price kicked it up a notched as she performed a solid hour and half set of classic tunes that she has written for others as well material from her amazing catalog of hits. Her set list featured the tunes “And You Don’t Stop,” “Secret,” “You Should’ve Told Me,” “Love Sets You Free,” “Ain’t Nobody,” “Him-a-holic,” “It Will Rain/The Rain,” “As We Lay.” She took the crowd back in the day with a hip-hop medley with Heartbreak and other memorable tunes.

Her entertaining set continued with “Tired” where she invited several people from the audience to duet with her. 12 year old Ramon D. Collins took her up on her offer and held his own on the stage along side Kelly Price.We need a version of America Got Talent to be renamed Los Angeles Has Talent. The show continued with “Tomorrow” from the play Annie, “Not My Daddy,” “Friend of Mine” performed with her friend Jesse Lea.

The audience and I were rewarded at the end of the concert. Mr. Entertainer himself, Cedric the Entertainer capped off a incredible evening with a hilarious improvised set of comedy.

Ricky Richardson is a Southern California based writer, music reviewer and photograher. Contact him via: liltampared@netzero.net.

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*It’s not at all unheard of for a gospel artist to go secular. After all before Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls and Johnny Taylor were huge R&B/jazz & blues icons, they were gospel singers.

Lately that hasn’t been the case, but with recent news from Gospel Today, we find out that Shei Atkins is making the switch to R&B.

“Although I love God’s people, I can’t waste years trying to break this mentality and use that as an excuse for not doing what God told me to do.” – Shei Atkins

With these and other words, singer, Shei Atkins announced via an open letter published at Gospel Hip Hop site, DaSouth.com, that she is leaving Gospel to become an R&B artist. Atkins, a former Grammy-nominated artist went on to explain her decision-making process (see below) and offered strong opinions about Gospel audiences as “judgmental.”

She finished her personal note with these words:
I want to say that regardless of what genre of music I sing, know that I’m on a mission for God to go out INTO the world and be a godly example. Luke 5:10 says “Fear not, from now on you will be ?shing for people.” And that’s what I am doing; becoming all things to all men that I may by all means save some. If you can’t see and understand my vision, just pray for me. Don’t judge me. My music may not be for you, but know that I am reaching people and that I’m on God’s side

Read/learn MORE at GospelToday.com.

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*In the latest round of Shonda Rhimes musical chairs, Jason George is headed back to his role on her ABC series “Grey’s Anatomy,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The actor first appeared on the show’s seventh season before heading to Rhimes’ jungle-set medical drama “Off the Map,” which was cancelled in May after one season.

George will reprise his role as anesthesiologist Dr. Ben Warren — Bailey’s (Chandra Wilson) ex-boyfriend — for multiple episodes in the upcoming eighth season of the medical drama, according to TV Line.

George will first appear in late October/early November.

“Grey’s Anatomy” returns for its eighth season on Thursday, Sept. 22 on ABC.

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*Lalah Hathaway, one of contemporary R&B’s most prized artists and in-demand vocalists will release her sixth solo album and second for Stax Records, “Where It All Begins”on October 18, 2011.

The versatile, critically-acclaimed musician, songwriter, vocalist and producer found creative regeneration and new found energy making this record, an artistic re-birth she’s eager to share with anyone willing to listen.

“Everybody is an artist in some way,” Hathaway enthuses, “I wanted to explore what that really means.  For me it meant walking into being the artist I’ve always wanted to be. It was an opportunity for me to embrace my independence as an artist through my music and connection to my fans.”

Hathaway brings that message home splendidly on the gorgeous title track, penned by her and Ernest Green. “If you say what you mean/And mean what you say,” she croons at the beginning of “Where It All Begins,” showcasing her sensual alto over a languid, hypnotic groove.

In addition to Green, Hathaway recruited other esteemed kindred spirits to either co-write or contribute tailor-made tunes. The list includes Lewis Williams, Lee Hutson, Jr., Errol Cooney, James Day, James Fauntleroy, Rahsaan Patterson, Terrence Lilly, Jonathan Richmond, Mike City, Dave Young, Bryan Sledge, Eddie Serrano, Rich King, Andre Harris and Vidal Davis. Recruiting such top-tier songwriters – some of who have penned hits for Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Bilal, Babyface, Musiq Soulchild, and host of others, demonstrates Hathaway’s long-held status in contemporary R&B.

This album contains several up-tempo gems that are sure to heat up urban radio stations and nightclubs. For example, check out “If You Want To,” the album’s thumping, synth-driven first single, penned with Patterson, Richmond, and Lilly and the effervescent “My Everything,” which she co-wrote with Jonathan Richmond.  The slinky groove of Hutson, Jr.’s “Small of My Back” is also undeniable.

“Where It All Begins” comes on the heels of Hathaway’s most successful album to date, 2008′s “Self Portrait,” her first record for legendary soul label Stax Records. The album reached the top ten on the Top R&B Albums chart and included the Grammy® nominated (Best Female R&B Vocal) song “That Was Then.”

Indeed, Hathaway intoxicates as a storyteller. Even though her voice brims with magnetism, she never overpowers to the point of drowning out the lyrics. As with previous albums, “Where It All Begins” comes loaded with enduring songs that sound personal yet easily relatable, touching upon affairs of the heart as well as the everyday joys of life.

The disc comes on strong from the get-go.  Andre Harris and Vidal Davis’ gutsy “Strong Woman,” is a sassy cautionary tale, urging lotharios to step up to the plate and stop taking their devoted female lovers for granted.

Naturally, the singer hasn’t abandoned her R&B roots. “Where It All Begins” includes luxurious slow jams such as “This Could Be Love” (co-written with Green and Lewis), on which she sings of joys and fears of truly falling in love with that someone special, and City’s bittersweet “Always Love You,” which hints of the sadness of leaving an unfulfilling romantic relationship.

Hard-core fans will certainly be delighted with the newly arranged and recorded “I’m Coming Back,” a Quiet-Storm jewel, written by Gary Taylor, which appeared on her 1990 eponymous debut. It’s a song that’s remained a highlight of her live shows for two decades. “No matter, where I go – churches, festivals, Japan, South Africa – people love that song,” Hathaway says, “This version has a different arrangement, because it’s morphed over the years. I decided to rerecord it. We added vocalist Rachelle Ferrell at the end, which is really sublime.”

When it comes to honoring her predecessors, perhaps there’s no other greater example on “Where It All Begins” than with her spellbinding take on “You Were Meant For Me,” a chestnut that her late father – the incomparable Donny Hathaway recorded.

In view of Donny Hathaway’s landmark albums and indisputable influence on generations of singers worldwide, she speaks of him as a guiding light, especially when it comes to interpreting other people’s music. “I really listened to my dad’s own songs,” Hathaway says fondly. “‘Jealous Guy’ by John Lennon – I always thought my father owned that,” she laughs. “I just grew up with the approach of opening yourself up to create something beautiful, that’s a love letter to what came before.”

On “Where It All Begins,” Lalah Hathaway unquestionably succeeds at opening herself up in new and profound ways, striving for artistic higher ground and to ‘create something beautiful.’  “I feel like I’m at the top of my game, like I’m at the beginning again,” she says, excitedly. “There aren’t many artists, particularly female singers, who after 20 years, are kind of still on the come up. I feel like I’m on the come up.”

To hear Lalah Hathaway’s new single “If You Want To” please visit: www.lalahhathaway.com or click the player immediately below:

If You Want To | Lalah Hathaway by concordmusicgroup

Visit Lalah Hathaway on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LalahHathaway
Follow Lalah Hathaway on Twitter: @lalahhathaway

source:
Tosha Whitten-Griggs
The Front Page Firm
tosha@thefrontpagefirm.com

———

Joel Amsterdam
Stax/Concord:
joel.amsterdam@concordmusicgroup.com

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Michael Clarke Duncan in "Redemption Road"

*Acclaimed actor-director Mario Van Peebles taps Michael Clarke Duncan for his latest directorial effort, “Redemption Road.”

The Tennessee-set drama follows two men from different backgrounds embarking on a music-steered journey through the deep south who are then linked by a series of events that took place years earlier.

L-R: Charlie Poe, left, Mario Van Peebles, center, and actor Luke Perry, right, on the set of “Redemption Road.”

“One of the things that drew me to it was it has life affirming quality to it. You see a lot of films where you don’t care for the people and you’re watching them do things, but it just doesn’t help us out,” Van Peebles told The Huffington Post. “Dr. [Martin Luther] King said, ‘We either learn to live together as brothers and sisters or we die together as fools.’ And I think ‘Redemption Road’ is about some very different folks having to learn how to live together as brothers and sisters.”

Duncan, also the film’s co-producer, says it was his character Augy and the direction of Peebles that drew him to the film.

“I never played a character like that,” he said. “Independent movies sometimes come along and the script is so good that you want to be involved in it. It wasn’t about the money, it was all about the script. The second thing that attracted me to this movie was Mario Van Peebles. Just to be able to work with that brother, I’ve met him several times before. And just to know him and to know how cool he is, and to finally get to work with a director like that, it was unbelievable.”

“Since I co-produced the movie, the brother was in my trailer literally every morning for 40 minutes,” Duncan continued. “We would go over lines and go over what we would do for the day before the sun set. And the brother is truly intelligent, he knows his game, he’s on top of his game, and those are the two main things that attracted me to the movie.”

The film, currently in limited release, also stars Morgan Simpson and Luke Perry. [Scroll down to watch the trailer.]

Meanwhile, Mario Van Peebles is set to share the big screen alongside his iconic father, Melvin Van Peebles, in his forthcoming flick, “We The Party,” set to hit theaters early 2012. Michael Clarke Duncan’s FOX series, “The Finder,” premieres on Jan. 5 immediately following “American Idol.”

EURweb

Michael Clarke Duncan in "Redemption Road"

*Acclaimed actor-director Mario Van Peebles taps Michael Clarke Duncan for his latest directorial effort, “Redemption Road.”

The Tennessee-set drama follows two men from different backgrounds embarking on a music-steered journey through the deep south who are then linked by a series of events that took place years earlier.

L-R: Charlie Poe, left, Mario Van Peebles, center, and actor Luke Perry, right, on the set of “Redemption Road.”

“One of the things that drew me to it was it has life affirming quality to it. You see a lot of films where you don’t care for the people and you’re watching them do things, but it just doesn’t help us out,” Van Peebles told The Huffington Post. “Dr. [Martin Luther] King said, ‘We either learn to live together as brothers and sisters or we die together as fools.’ And I think ‘Redemption Road’ is about some very different folks having to learn how to live together as brothers and sisters.”

Duncan, also the film’s co-producer, says it was his character Augy and the direction of Peebles that drew him to the film.

“I never played a character like that,” he said. “Independent movies sometimes come along and the script is so good that you want to be involved in it. It wasn’t about the money, it was all about the script. The second thing that attracted me to this movie was Mario Van Peebles. Just to be able to work with that brother, I’ve met him several times before. And just to know him and to know how cool he is, and to finally get to work with a director like that, it was unbelievable.”

“Since I co-produced the movie, the brother was in my trailer literally every morning for 40 minutes,” Duncan continued. “We would go over lines and go over what we would do for the day before the sun set. And the brother is truly intelligent, he knows his game, he’s on top of his game, and those are the two main things that attracted me to the movie.”

The film, currently in limited release, also stars Morgan Simpson and Luke Perry. [Scroll down to watch the trailer.]

Meanwhile, Mario Van Peebles is set to share the big screen alongside his iconic father, Melvin Van Peebles, in his forthcoming flick, “We The Party,” set to hit theaters early 2012. Michael Clarke Duncan’s FOX series, “The Finder,” premieres on Jan. 5 immediately following “American Idol.”

EURweb