[AKA2D '91]

Jawn Murray~ 1.30.06

Buzzworthy


Veteran R&B singer Keith Sweat has several new projects on the horizon. The begging-balladeer will open a four-star hotel called S Hotel in Atlanta on Valentine's Day. The property will have 294 guest rooms, all designed by Sweat, that feature top-notch amenities (including wireless Internet, CD/DVD player, flat screen TV and bath and walk-in shower). With the launch Sweat will headline an opening concert that will feature performances by Charlie Wilson, Silk and Kut Close. This spring, the R&B staple is also releasing a new book of his personal photography. Titled 'Unveiled,' it showcases Sweat's favorite backstage photos.


Nicole Murphy (ex-wife of Eddie) is on the cover of the FITNESS Rx magazine for women, dressed in a sexy blue swimsuit and flanked by three muscular trainers. Inside the glossy, where Murphy posed totally nude in one shot, the former model speaks about her new boyfriend, businessman Alan F. Daniels, though she doesn't mention him by name. "I have a wonderful new friend whom I'm seeing regularly," says the 37-year-old mother of five.


Anthony Anderson ('Hustle & Flow'), Omar Gooding ('Barbershop'), Ken L. ('The Parkers') and Antwon Tanner ('Coach Carter') will all participate in the Professional Domino Association (PDA) 12-city tournament tour. The tour has dates scheduled for Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco.


'Rent' and 'Law & Order' star Jesse L. Martin will play Marvin Gaye in the big screen adaptation of the late soul legend's life. In a biopic called 'Sexual Healing,' Martin will bring to life the last two years of Gaye's life, since Motown won't license the rights to Gaye's catalog. Gaye's last two years were spent on Columbia Records, before he was murdered by his father.


BV Scene


Recent Trumpet Award winner Usher-sans his alleged girlfriend/former stylist Tameka Foster-seen ordering a takeout house salad with chicken, lobster bisque soup with Lavosh water crackers, and sautéed spinach at Garrison's Broiler & Tap at Perimeter Mall in Atlanta... Tyra Banks, whose talk show was just renewed for a second season, performing during the opening number of the burlesque show 'Jubilee!' at Bally's in Las Vegas. The former model wore a rhinestone bra and G string for the performance, which will also be shown on 'The Tyra Banks Show.'... 'American Idol' contestant turned gospel singer George Huff was spotted shopping with a lady friend at The Mall at Green Hills in Nashville, Tenn... Toni and Tamar Braxton, Elise Neal, Donald Faison, Zach Braff ('Scrubs'), Blair Underwood, Tracie Thoms ('Rent'), Mike Epps, Taraji P. Henson, Golden Brooks, Regina Hall, Tracee Ellis Ross, Henry Simmons, Gabrielle Union, Page Kennedy, Alfre Woodard and Eric Benet at the Hollywood premiere of the Sanaa Lathan film 'Something New' at the Cinerama Dome.


Can't Say Names...


What veteran Hollywood heartthrob is too cheap to make long distant calls from his landline or cell phone? Said actor, who has starred in film and television projects, recently surprised a group of journalists who had to interview him by phoning collect. Several writers, including yours truly, didn't accept the charges when the operator announced, "You have a collect call from..." Maybe a calling card for interviewing purposes should be added to his contractual needs when he lands his next gig.