April 16, 2007

Almost Grown

One name crooner Mario is carving out quite a niche for himself in the entertainment industry. The 20-year-old protégé of Clive Davis is preparing to release his junior album 'Go' on July 17, almost five years to the date that his gold-certified self-titled debut hit stores in 2002. In the meantime, Mario is excited about his second film, the critically acclaimed 'Freedom Writers' being released on DVD this week.

"I learned a lot man," he said of the movie. "The experience was great. From the challenging moments to the great moments, the happy moments to getting the actual role. It's a lot more challenging than people think to actually act and to actually get roles. There's a lot of people trying out for one part. It's not like in music where you're creating your album and it's just you, the producer and the writer and ya'll just working it out. It's a lot more people involved. Your talent speaks for itself."

Since he grew up in inner city Baltimore, Md., the script for 'Freedom Writers' resonated with Mario. "I experienced a lot of what the character Andre experienced as far as when it came to the environment he was around, why he was the way he was. His challenges in his life made him bitter. I remember being in those moments in my life when I was younger and having a lot of obstacles. I didn't really have people like Erin Gruwell [played in the movie by Oscar winner Hilary Swank] in my life who were constantly there. I had one teacher who I had in my life who helped me out a lot and we had a lot of conversations. Those experiences is what attracted me to the script," shared the singer, who also starred in the film 'Step Up.'

Despite his tough upbringing-its been reported that he was raised by his grandmother because his mother, a single mom, struggled with a drug problem - - Mario has managed to not become a victim of his past and has steered clear of the accessible troubles found in the music business. "Certainly things either you're into or you aren't. I'm not perfect. I do have a good head on my shoulders and there are certain things that I want out of life and either you got to learn from other people's mistakes or learn from your own mistakes. It really just depends on the type of person you are at the end of the day. There isn't really any specific method I use to stay out of trouble," he explained.

Mario will celebrate his 21st birthday Aug. 27, and the singer is ecstatic about it. "Ah man, I'm excited. It makes you legal, well, that's what they say," he laughed. "I'm just blessed enough to make it to 21. I come from Baltimore and a lot cats my age and a lot of my old friends are either dead or in jail."

And if Mario could have anyone in particular to take him to dinner for his birthday? "I'd have to say Beyoncé man," he said beaming. "I think she's amazing! I've always thought she was amazing. To be in an intimate environment with her, at 20 years old, it would kind of put me on another level mentally. I think it would be a great time and whatever comes out of it comes out of it."

What about her boyfriend Jay-Z? Would Mario let rapper/Def Jam executive join in on the fun? "Honestly? Yeah! Why not? It doesn't matter to me," he added laughing. "As long as she and I get to sit down and chat. I don't mind him being there at all. We might be able to talk about some business together. But the main reason for the dinner would be to kind of make a connection with B in some sort of way."

Wouldn't that make headlines! And speaking of headlines, Mario has had his fair share over the last year or so, being romantically linked to women such as singer Rihanna and video girl Vida Guerra in the gossip pages. "I think gossip is fun. Its real fun. Why not? We're in the entertainment business. Gossip is gossip and it is what it is," he offered, without confessing if either rumor was true or false. Just last week the blogs were abuzz with a slightly risqué image of the singer, poolside in a pair of white boxer-briefs with a young lady by his side. "Um, um, no comment," Mario said laughing, when initially asked about the photo. "I don't even know how they got out, to be honest with you."

But after a little more probing, Mario came clean. "I had a show in Anguilla [British West Indies] and I was just kicking it by the poolside. I didn't have no shorts out there and they didn't have a place that had shorts I could fit 'cause they like to wear things a little tight out there and I don't. So actually, once somebody pushed me in the pool I just took my clothes off."

Just as long as Mario's occasional public display of semi-nudity doesn't have him ditching music for the porn business like one of his R&B counterparts, I think he'll be fine!

Buzzworthy

Deborah Cox is finally readying a new album. The R&B and dance diva is set to deliver 'Destination Moon' to stores June 19, via Decca/Universal Classics. The covers record features Cox's renditions of classic tunes from the jazz, blues and big-band genres. The Toronto, Canada native, who now resides in Miami, also pays homage to Dinah Washington on the CD, offering renditions of Washington's "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes," "I Don't Hurt Anymore" and "Queen of the Blues." A one-time Clive Davis protégé, Cox's last album 'The Morning After' was released November of 2002 on Davis' J Records. Since then the singer has starred on Broadway in Elton John and Tim Rice's 'Aida' and starred in the David E. Talbert straight-to-DVD stage play 'Love on Layaway.' Cox also just wrapped production on the Fox film 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' opposite Darrin Henson, Golden Brooks, Darius McCray and Hill Harper.

Longtime Hollywood heartthrob Billy Dee Williams will join the cast of SOAPNet's 'General Hospital' nighttime spin-off, 'General Hospital: Night Shift.' The drama will began production on 13 episodes April 20, and make its debut in July. The show will also star current 'General Hospital' regular Sonya Eddy and former 'Port Charles' star Kiko Ellsworth.

New on DVD is Codeblack's comedy showcase "Jamie Foxx Presents America's Funniest Comics Vol. 1." Filmed in 2006 at Atlanta's prestigious annual Urban International Comedy Arts Festival, the DVD has the Oscar-winning actor/comic showcasing four up and coming comedians, Roz G, De Ray Davis, Damon Williams and Nard.

Legendary gospel group The Clark Sisters have released their first CD in nearly 14 years. Karen Clark-Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Elbertina "Twinkie" Clark and Jackie Clark-Chisholm have reunited for 'Live-One Last Time,' which dropped last Tuesday on EMI Gospel. The Clark Sister's nephew J. Moss released his sophomore CD, 'V2,' the week before and the disc landed at number one on the Billboard Gospel and number 84 on Billboard's Top 200 chart, selling an impressive 12,183 units in the first week.

Can't Say Names…

What current reality show star got the harsh reality that she may not be as big of a star as she thought she was when she couldn't get into the Complex magazine party in Los Angeles recently? Sources say that the cable TV talent arrived and "was giving diva" until she got a "wake-up call" when security wouldn't let her pass the velvet rope.

More Than a Milestone

Most people are shocked to realize that I am as young as I am. I have however been working professionally in the entertainment industry almost eight years and have been blessed to accomplish in a short time what some people never do in a lifetime. With that said, I am thrilled that come April 21, I'll be leaving my terrific 20s behind and will turn 30-years-old.

In an age when some African-American men are either dead or in jail by their 20s, I count it both an honor and a privilege that God allowed me to defy the stereotypes and become successful while maintaining my integrity as a human being. I'm also grateful that my mother, Gloria Johnson was able to do such a great job raising me despite the obstacles she faced.

I want to acknowledge those who aided in my professional growth in some capacity, particularly Michel Wright of WPGC in Washington, DC for giving me my big break! Special thanks also to Tanya Hart, Lola Ogunnaike, Sheila Eldridge, Kenny Taylor, Marsha Sumner, Kendra Story, Vern Goff, Karu Daniels, Veda Brown, Flo Anthony, Will Taylor, Rolonda Watts and the late Brenda You for inspiring, referring, praying, working with me and just being there in the early days. I also celebrate the great friends and colleagues I've made along the way, though space won't allow me to mention all of you by name. Last but not least, thanks to all of my readers for always reading and writing me throughout the years. And if you'd like to drop me a line to wish me a "Happy Birthday," send e-mails to JawnMurray07@aol.com.