News:Soror Star Jones Proposed to @ NBA All-Star Game!

[GRITS]

Usher Lets Skeletons Out Of The Closet On Confessions
02.17.2004 10:31 AM EST


Usher
Photo: MTV News
"I've got a lot of things and stuff built in me that I just want to let go of." — Usher


"Yeah!," Usher's collaboration with Lil Jon and Ludacris, wasn't intended to be a proper single from his upcoming album, Confessions. Released to street DJs and mixtapes, the song was just meant to tease the appetites of Usher fans who've waited three years for the singer's fifth studio disc.

But quickly the appreciation for that song has grown — in the clubs, on the radio and in the streets. "It just sort of happened," Usher said recently. "You know, you get Lil Jon on a record — that's crazy. Ludacris? Bring him in. It's lights out, man."

"Yeah!" could be called the first consciously styled "crunk R&B" record. It's an ode both to the distinct grind of Southern rap beats and Usher's own signature soul croon. Even though Usher doesn't want to be known as a hip-hop artist ("Strictly R&B — we're bringin' it back," he boasted), he thinks he could be onto something with this mash-up of genres. "I think you're going to get more R&B/crunk records," he said. "I'm happy that I could be the one to kick it off."

Usher titled his album Confessions because he feels it's his most personal yet. He wrote more songs on this one than on any previous album. "All of us have our Pandora's boxes or skeletons in our closets," he explained. "I let a few of them out, you know. I've got a lot to say. I've got a lot of things and stuff built in me that I just want to let go of."

He was expressing the same sentiment back when he was in the studio (see "Usher To Share His Confessions In March"), and now Usher has the songs to prove it. On the track "Confessions II," he sings, "Got me talking to myself asking how am I going to tell you/ 'Bout the call I got from the girl/ That I was creepin' with, creepin' with/ Says she's three months pregnant and she's keepin' it."

"It wasn't a specific situation that happened in my life right now," he elaborated. "In other words, I wasn't in a relationship and got another girl pregnant — right now. But it is something I can relate to and it's something that has happened to me in the past. As I said, I have a few deep, dark ones that I've kept stowed away in a closet for a minute."

A window into his inner thoughts is also there on "Burn," a song about breakups and letting relationships flame out. Said Usher, "It's unfortunate when you have to let a situation go because it's not working. Although you may want to stay, you've got to let it burn."

His explanation has added resonance, since he just broke up with longtime girlfriend Chilli from TLC. "Yeah, I’m single," he smiled, sheepishly. "We're still friends. It's just something that happens in life."

Usher recruited a number of producers to work on Confessions, which drops March 30. Jermaine Dupri, the Neptunes, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have all written songs with him. Other producers include Vidal and Dre, Lil Jon and Rich Harrison.

[Steeltrap]

I kid you not...

Hemsley Saddles Up for 'Mister Ed' Remake

By Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Sherman Hemsley of "The Jeffersons" fame is lending his voice to the title character in Fox's updated version of "Mister Ed."

Hemsley joins David Alan Basche, who was previously tapped to play Wilbur Post, and Sherilyn Fenn (news), tapped as Wilbur's wife. "Mister Ed" is a remake of the 1960s talking-horse sitcom in which the equine title character has an urban sensibility.

[Afrochic]

411 for the week of February 16th, 2004

Close friends and family are worried about boxing legend Joe Frazier. The 60-year-old former boxer was arrested last week after getting into a fight with the mother of his youngest son. At the end of the altercation she was left with a cut and swollen lip and he had to spend the night in jail on assault charges. Sources say during the altercation Joe's 12-year-old son came after him with a baseball bat for fighting his mother. This arrest could really hurt Joe Frazier. He is currently starring in a new advertising campaign for Sloppy Joe's (sandwiches). In the commercial Joe is starring with other Joes: former football great, Joe Theisman, comedian Joe Piscopo and Joe Millionaire's Evan Marriott. Joe was also recently inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Writer Hall of Fame. Friends of Frazier say this is not in his character and there must have been a big misunderstanding.

American Idol judge Simon Cowell lets loose in the latest issue of TV Guide. Simon A.K.A. "Mr. Nasty" is not known for holding his tongue. Simon talks about recent American Idol winner Ruben Studdard. He says Ruben is too fat! Simon says Ruben is bigger than ever since winning the competition. He also says with Ruben's schedule and the stress of the music business it's too much. He wishes Ruben would get his weight under control. Simon also talked about Justin Guarini, who came in second place during season number one. He says the Doylestown native is at best just a wedding singer. Justin's album did not do well and he has been dropped from his record company. Simon is also not impressed with today's leading singers. He says Brittney Spears can't sing, Madonna is over and that Mariah Carey has a great voice, but a crazy attitude.

Diana Ross has finished her jail time. Here's how an ex-Supreme goes to jail. She served her sentence in segments. She would do four hours here, six hours there. She had a female guard and police officers would go out and bring her food. During her 48-hour jail sentence, she would bring a comforter from home with her to jail. She served the sentence at a Connecticut jail near her home. Diana was convicted last week on a drunk driving charge. She is currently preparing for a European tour.

Singer Melba Moore says no more sex for her. In a recent interview Melba talks about finding religion and she says even if she were to get married again she would remain celibate. Years ago Melba made millions on Broadway with her spectacular voice, but a 1993 bitter divorce left her homeless and broke. Melba was on welfare for a while raising her daughter. Melba's life has turned around since then she is back on her feet financially, but she says she never wants to have sex again. She says her love of God fills that void in her life.

Actress Sanaa Lathan is getting ready to make her Broadway debut. Sanaa is best known for the movies Love and Basketball, Out of Time with Denzel Washington, and Brown Sugar. Sanaa has joined the Broadway revival of "A Raisin in the Sun". Sanaa joins Puff Daddy, Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald. Meanwhile Sanaa's "ex", actor Omar Epps has a new movie coming out on Friday. He stars with Meg Ryan and Charles Dutton in the movie Against the Ropes. Charles Dutton is the movie's director. Omar plays a boxer. He is currently expecting a baby with the winger Keisha from the group Total.

Janet Jackson bares all again! This time she's baring it for the cover of her new album, Damita Jo. Janet looks good posing with her arms covering her breasts the new CD comes out March 30th. Meanwhile there is trouble in the Jackson family. The brothers are not getting along. Jermaine and Randy are battling over who is going to be Michael's right hand man. Jermaine and Randy have been on the outs ever since Jermaine ran off and married the mother of Randy's children. Jermaine wants to be the one giving Michael advice and he has been pushing Michael towards the Nation of Islam. Lately Michael has been traveling with Randy and Jermaine doesn't like it because Michael has been listening to Randy and ignoring him. Michael realizes he needs to be more in control of his life as he fights child molestation charges. Sources say he is not happy with the Nation of Islam because they are isolating many of his family members. At one point Tito and Jackie were told they couldn't see their brother and a fight almost broke out. Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson clan, has opened a new restaurant in West Hollywood. It's a soul food restaurant called Katherine's. In other Michael news, he has hired a new personal publicist to speak for him. He is tired of friends talking about him. He wants them to stop doing interviews and be quiet.

Beyonce will be honored as "Entertainer of the Year" at the NAACP Image Awards. The awards will air on Fox March 11th.

Luther Vandross' mom, Mary Ida Vandross, has signed on as a spokesperson for the Charles Ray Diabetes Association. Mrs. Vandross will be appearing in a series of public service announcements talking about the disease that claimed the life of her husband, her mother, her oldest son, daughter and grandson. Diabetes is cited as a major factor in the 2003 stroke of Luther Vandross.

Who's the hot new celebrity couple? How about singer Ashanti and rapper Nelly. Hey if it works for Beyonce having a rapper boyfriend, it should work for Ashanti.

J Records, the home of Alicia Keys and Luther Vandross, may have some new label mates. Prince and Jamie Foxx may be signing with the label. Back in 1994 Jamie released an album. Look for his Ray Charles movie Unchain My Heart later this year.

Actor Blair Underwood is coming back to television. Blair is in talks with the NBC network about doing a drama with Heather Locklear.

Ron Isley opens up about his latest love, 22-year-old singer Kandi Johnson. Ron turns 63 in May and he says age is only an issue for some people. He says he's happy with his young sweetie and he says despite her age she has a lot of wisdom. (Whatever ) Ron says he still keeps in touch with ex-wife singer/songwriter A'ngela Winbush. Ron says they still work together.

NBC and the Bravo network have a rating smash with Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Well get ready for the black version. The Showtime network is developing a show called Make me Cool. The show will be about a hip group of African Americans helping the fashion challenged reach their goals of being fabulous. The show will air by the end of the year.

[AKA2D '91]

Jermaine did what with Randy's baby momma?

They got madddddddd issues!

Lawd! Lawd!

[CrimsonTide4]

LOS ANGELES- As the networks line up big names to topline new pilot projects, UPN is hoping Taye Diggs can boost its drama fortunes, while ABC is hoping that Tim Daly has another hit series in him. Meanwhile, FOX is proving that for Chyler Leigh there's life at the network after "girls club."

Diggs will topline UPN's drama "Kevin Hill," playing a lawyer who has to give up his life in the fastlane to raise his young niece. Diggs' recent television credits include runs on "Ally McBeal" and "The West Wing," while "Chicago" and "Basic" are among his feature credits.

On "Kevin Hill," Diggs will also serve as a producer, joined by his manager Abe Hoch.

[FeeFee]

JAWN’S JUICE # 42 – VOL. ll / FEBRUARY 11, 2004 (Late Edition): Pharrell Williams, Jamie Foxx, Ananda Lewis,
by Mr. Jawn Murray (Washington, D.C.)

No Laughing Matter: My Hollywood moles tell me that it was Jamie Foxx who was one of the showstoppers at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy shindig. Many don’t know, but the Tinseltown funnyman has a degree in classical music, and he actually released an album in 1994 called “Peep This” on RCA Records. Jamie penned Adina Howard’s hit tune “T-Shirt and Panties” from the “Woo” soundtrack, and also appeared on the duet “I Wanna Be Loved” with Gladys Knight on her last album “At Last.” Jamie apparently auditioned for Clive Davis on last Friday and was then allowed to join Alicia Keys and Angie Stone on stage. His performance apparently blew the audience away, and word from Hollywood was that Jamie could have been singing a deal with J Records. I’ll keep you posted.
In other news on Jamie… He will return for the second consecutive year as host of the ESPY Awards, which honors top athletes. This year's show will be taped July 14 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood and air July 18 on ESPN.
~~~
Pharrell’s Façade: Apparently, Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes isn’t the guy next door he portrays himself to be. “Good Day Live” correspondent Bo Griffin learned that the hard way while having to interview the difficult entertainer on the red carpet at Sunday’s telecast.
“There were a few folks on the red carpet that weren’t so nice. Let’s just say someone was not ‘for real,’” said Bo, who initially didn‘t want to identify the name of the culprit. After co-hosts Dorothy Lucey and Jillian Barberie equated ‘for real’ with Pharrell, Bo came clean.
She admitted, “He’s was a bit arrogant in real life. He wasn‘t the sweetest person. Not Sweet! Everyone has their moments, but you have to have your game face on when out at the Grammys. I had to get him straightened out.”
Bo isn’t the only person who thinks Pharrell is arrogant either. Pharrell’s N.E.R.D. group member Shay apparently agrees. When “E! News Live” correspondent David Adelson told Pharrell, “You seem so unaffected by all of this.” Shay quipped, “Don’t be fooled!”
Though the Virginia-bred producer attempts to maintain a humble persona in both his music and with his wardrobe, the author of his Paper magazine cover story was able to see through Pharrell’s façade as well. After mentioning that he was planning to buy a super-expensive car in the story, the sometimes singer then begged the writer not to mention what type of car it was. Meghan Sutherland, who penned the piece, went on to write the car was in the Rolls Royce, Porsche and Ferrari ballpark.
Apparently, singer Kelis isn’t feeling the love anymore either. She had this to say about her former boyfriend Pharrell to the New York Post: “It got to the point where there is no reason in lying about it. Being signed to [The Neptune’s label Star Trak] has been a nightmare."
~~~
Serving Poetic Justice: Usher was denied entrance through the back door of the Loews movie theater in Times Square on Saturday when he showed up to see the B2K movie, “You Got Served.” The R&B bachelor isn’t used to being denied, but he remained a good sport about the whole situation. He and his entourage decided to park two blocks away from the theater and walk to the front entrance instead. By the time he and his camp reached the inside of the theater, hundreds of screaming fans chased them and knocked over barricades and velvet ropes to get to the singer. The theater’s manager was forced to shut down the theater and asked Usher to take the back elevator to prevent further chaos. Usher and his crew politely declined and told the manager, “We tried to avoid this madness from the start. Looks like you just got served.”
~~~
For The Dogs: I’ve always thought Ananda Lewis was a great talent. I’ve followed the former MTV veejay turned talk show host from her early days of being the host of BET’s defunct series, “Teen Summit.” When Ananda’s talk show launched, everyone was hoping it would launch her into superstar status, but the daily chat fest failed and for a while, the multimedia talent just disappeared.
Things began looking good again when I heard Ananda would appear on the popular ABC reality series, “Celebrity Mole Yucatan.” The TV talent joined Mark Curry, Angie Everhart, Tracey Gold, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Dennis Rodman on the show. Ananda was eliminated from the competition the first week, but has reappeared in other missions since her execution.
While channel surfing the other night, I came across a frightening discovery. Ananda was a host on “America’s Top Dog” on the A&E Channel. So you’re asking yourself, “What is “America’s Top Dog?” The show is described as an "American Idol" for canines. The show is a two-hour special featuring all types of dogs, including family pets, competing in such categories as appearance, performance, talent and intelligence. A panel of judges including comedian Jimmy Pardo, dog psychologist Cesar Milan, and animal behavior specialist Dr. Katrina Warren critique the pooches.
~~~

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by FeeFee
JAWN’S JUICE # 42 – VOL. ll / FEBRUARY 11, 2004 (Late Edition): Pharrell Williams, Jamie Foxx, Ananda Lewis,
by Mr. Jawn Murray (Washington, D.C.)

No Laughing Matter: My Hollywood moles tell me that it was Jamie Foxx who was one of the showstoppers at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy shindig. Many don’t know, but the Tinseltown funnyman has a degree in classical music, and he actually released an album in 1994 called “Peep This” on RCA Records. Jamie penned Adina Howard’s hit tune “T-Shirt and Panties” from the “Woo” soundtrack, and also appeared on the duet “I Wanna Be Loved” with Gladys Knight on her last album “At Last.” Jamie apparently auditioned for Clive Davis on last Friday and was then allowed to join Alicia Keys and Angie Stone on stage. His performance apparently blew the audience away, and word from Hollywood was that Jamie could have been singing a deal with J Records. I’ll keep you posted.

...I have this album and have been waiting for 10 years for dude to make another album. His voice, particularly on some of the ballads, is tremendous. Check his comedy DVD "I Might Need Security," he does a 20 -minute musical piece (mostly comedy still) but really displays his musical talent.

I think J.Foxx is a good comedian but an even better singer.

[CrimsonTide4]

Beyonce Knowles Lois Lane
Singer Verifies Rumor


By Dean Cameron


BURBANK, CA Tuesday 2.10.2004 /netmusiccountdown.com/ --

Big winner, Beyonce Knowles, told the syndicated gabfest, Extra, that she is, in fact, in contention for the role of Lois Lane in the next Superman movie.

For the past few weeks, rumors have circulated confirming and denying that she was a contender. Well, now she's said it, so it must be true.

She told Extra, "Everyone pray that happens for me."

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by TonyB06
...I have this album and have been waiting for 10 years for dude to make another album. His voice, particularly on some of the ballads, is tremendous. Check his comedy DVD "I Might Need Security," he does a 20 -minute musical piece (mostly comedy still) but really displays his musical talent.

I think J.Foxx is a good comedian but an even better singer.

I loved his song "Infatuation".

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by FeeFee

Apparently, singer Kelis isn’t feeling the love anymore either. She had this to say about her former boyfriend Pharrell to the New York Post: “It got to the point where there is no reason in lying about it. Being signed to [The Neptune’s label Star Trak] has been a nightmare."
~~~
~~~

As stated on an AM morning show...ummmmm if it wasn't for him/the label, you wouldn't have had the hit(s) you had. She had 2 mediocre hits on her first CD.

I kind of liked her, but she is gettin on my nerves. Maybe it's too much milkshake?

[DELTABRAT]

Singer Erykah Badu, who is currently touring with Floetry, is expecting
again, according to New York's WQHT. The station reported that Badu was
expecting her second child and that the father-to-be was none other than The
D.O.C.....

The D.O.C. released his critically acclaimed platinum debut, No One Can Do
It Better, in 1989 but shortly thereafter the rapper suffered a near-fatal
car accident that crushed his larynx and severely damaged his voice. The
rapper re-grouped and was instrumental in the formation of Dr. Dre and Suge
Knight's Death Row Records as a ghostwriter. The D.O.C. attempted to revive
his career in 2003 with the release of his third album, Deuce. Calls to
Badu's label, Motown Records, were not returned at press time. Badu already
has a 6-year-old son, Seven, by Andre 3000 of OutKast. The singer has also
been romantically linked to Common in the past.

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
I loved his song "Infatuation".

"Leave a Candle in the Window"....lets just say, that joint woiks!!!!

[nikki1920]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Jermaine did what with Randy's baby momma?

They got madddddddd issues!

Lawd! Lawd!

yeah, girl. Something is not right with that entire family, except'n Rebbie. (Centipede!!)

[AKA2D '91]

TonyB06,
I never heard that song before. I didn't by his tape...lol. I just remember Infatuation (the song and video).

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
TonyB06,
I never heard that song before. I didn't by his tape...lol. I just remember Infatuation (the song and video).

....it's been a minute since I've played the CD and you know your people are good for making up song titles.

it's either track 11 or 13, I think.