Filed under: Star Quotes
"I love Wyclef to death. We came up together, we grew up together, we basically called each other cousins. But the reality is this, we need a real leader. Not just a regular leader, but a transformative leader. Someone that's gonna be able to galvanise the Haitians down on the field, the Haitian-Americans, the international community. It's a collective support - to take this country to the 21st century. And I'm just not convinced Wyclef is the one for that."
-- Pras Michel criticizes Wyclef Jean's bid to be president of Haiti. (The Guardian)
Black Music Notes Aug. 6
8/06/10: Jay-Z
Jay-Z's long awaited memoir, to be titled 'Decoded,' is scheduled to be released Nov. 16. Published by Spiegel & Grau, the 330-plus page tome will reportedly mix first-person memoir with detailed discussions of the hip-hop kingpin's most famous and provocative lyrics. The hardcover, illustrated book will be written along with Jay-Z's longtime friend, Dream Hampton, a former Source magazine editor.
8/3/10: Drake
Although Pop phenomenon, Lady Gaga has set the bar for this year's annual MTV Video Music Awards with a record breaking 13 nominations, hip hop sensation Drake is up for two nods. The Toronto-bred MC, who released his debut album 'Thank Me Later' in June, will compete for Best Male Video ('Find Your Love') and Best Hip Hop Video ('Forever') against the likes of Eminem, Usher, and Jay-Z among others. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will broadcast live from Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 12 at 9:00 PM/ET.
8/3/10: Marsha Ambrosius
After years of being placed amongst Dr. Dre's stable of artists on his Aftermath label, Marsha Ambrosius is ready to step out on her own with her solo debut, 'Late Nights & Early Mornings'. The highly anticipated J Records release finds the ex-Floetry member teaming up with Alicia Keys, Dre & Vidal, and Just Blaze among others to add a raw and edgy sound to Ambosius signature soulful sound. The project's lead single, 'Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player),' finds the songstress describing the reality of a bad breakup. "We wanna be decent human beings and say the right thing, you know, 'I wish you well.' But this is 'Everything that could go wrong for him I want it to because my ego is bruised and I'm acting out." 'Late Nights & Early Mornings' hit stores on Oct. 26.
8/3/10: Marques Houston
R&B crooner Marques Houston is set to reunite with his former group Immature as part of his forthcoming video 'Ghetto Love.' It has been eight years since the popular 1990s trio disbanded with members Jerome "Romeo" Jones and Kelton "LDB" Kessee.
7/29/10: Teairra Mari
Capitalizing off her top 20 single, 'Sponsor,' R&B songstress Teairra Mari is set to release her long-awaited EP, 'Sincerely Yours' on Aug. 17. In addition to releasing her 6-song opus Mari will also make her big screen debut alongside Mike Epps and Ice Cube in the Warner Bros. flick, 'The Lottery Ticket.' "This world is a place where you have to show people. And you have to keep showing them," she said. "I know people counted me out. I want people to know this is in my heart and this is not something I decided to do just because someone decided to give me a track. This is something I wanted to do my whole life." 'The Lottery Ticket' hits theaters Aug. 20.
7/29/10: Kirk Whalum
Last March Jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum released his long-awaited studio project 'The Gospel According To Jazz: Chapter III.' And on Aug. 31 the Grammy nominated musician will release his second opus of 2010, 'Everything is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway.' Whalum's tribute album offers various standards and renditions from the likes of Hathaway's daughter, Lalah on 'You Had To Know' and Musiq Soulchild's take on the 1972 track 'We're Still Friends.' To promote the forthcoming effort Kirk Whalum will appear on The Tonight Show on Aug. 2.
7/29/10: Kanye West
Stop the presses! Kanye West has officially become a member of Twitter (@kanyewest ). The controversial rapper-producer made his way onto the social media outlet on July 28 announcing his morning business meetings in addition to changing his album title. "Up early in the morning taking meetings in Silicone Valley," he wrote. "The album is no longer called 'Good Ass Job,' I'm bouncing a couple of titles around now." Kanye West's as-yet-untitled album is set to hit stores and digital retailers in Sept.
7/29/10: Greg Nice
Don't call it a comeback! Greg Nice recently released his latest video 'Motherfuck@' from his upcoming album, 'The Popcycle.' The clip features appearances from A-Trak, Pete Rock, and Lil Jon among others. 'The Popcycle' is set for release on Oct. 26.
7/29/10: Fantasia
Following eight successful episodes of her VH1 reality show 'Fantasia for Real,' Fantasia Barrino is ready to regain the spotlight on Aug. 24 with her newest opus 'Back to Me.' The 'American Idol' winner recently landed her fourth Top 10 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with the album's lead single 'Bittersweet.' 'Back to Me' features collaborations from Cee-Lo Green, Ne-Yo, Jim Jonsin, Cluade Kelly, and Rico Love among others.
7/27/10: Tom Joyner & Robin Thicke
With Labor Day weekend looming around the corner radio host Tom Joyner is partnering with Allstate Insurance Company to bring the 2010 Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion. The Sept. 2 - Sept. 6 event is set to take place in Orlando, Fl. and will feature performances from the likes of Robin Thicke, Fantasia, Doug E. Fresh and Tito Jackson, El Debarge, Jaheim, Faith Evans, Dru Hill, Jagged Edge and Corrine Bailey Rae. "Labor Day weekend can't get any better than what we have planned for our listeners in Orlando at the Family Reunion," says Joyner. "We're on the way back to the Gaylord Palms Resort for more parties, empowering seminars, comedy, musical performances and a live broadcast that will give your family a weekend full of experiences the old school and new school will never forget!" Tickets for the 2010 Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion are now on sale at BlackAmericaWeb.com.