BV Entertainment Newswire March 10: Christopher John Farley, NABOB, Smokey Fontaine, M-1

Farley On Marley

Christopher John Farley treads upon the holy grail of Jamaican culture with, 'Before The Legend: The Rise of Bob Marley,' his forthcoming biography on the reggae music legend – due out on May 1 via Amistad/Harper Collins.

“I wanted to show readers a side of Bob they had never seen before,” Farley, 39, told Black Voices. “I wanted to tell them stories about Bob they had never heard before. There have been some interesting things written about Marley in the past, but this book tells the definitive story of his early years. My research uncovered the fact that other books about Bob got major facts wrong. My book sets the record straight by talking to the folks that knew him best--his family and the musicians who played with him.”

Born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Brockport, NY, Farley is the author of several books, including the national bestseller 'Aaliyah: More Than a Woman' and the novel 'Kingston by Starlight,' a fictional retelling of the true story of Anne Bonny, who dressed as a man and became a pirate in the 18th century. The former 'Time' magazine editor and chief music critic is also the co-author, along with Peter Guralnick and Robert Santelli, of 'Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey.' For 'Before The Legend,’ he chronicles Marley’s birth in the impoverished town of Nine Miles to his early days as a struggling artist, to the making of his debut album ‘Catch a Fire.’ The book, the first major Marley biography in over 20 years, features new interviews with band mate Bunny Wailer and Marley's close family members, including his mother Cedella Marley Booker, his children, and his often criticized wife Rita Marley. "I think she takes a lot of flak as the keeper of the Marley legacy, but that's true of a lot of rock and roll widows, from Yoko Ono to Courtney Love," Farley --currently an editor at ‘The Wall Street Journal’-- shared. “The public almost blames each of them for their husband's early death. Rita [Marley] gave me a lot of insight, stuff that people have never heard before, about Bob's early life---before he became a superstar. Everyone who mattered to Bob helped me--including Island Records founder Chris Blackwell.”

“But this is an unauthorized book,” he points out. “Nobody had veto power over what I could say or print. This book tells you the truth about what happened.”

Keys, Angelou and Merkerson Feted

The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) will honor Alicia Keys, S. Epatha Merkerson, Etta James, Maya Angelou, Albertina Walker and BET founder Robert L. Johnson at its 22nd Annual Communications Awards Dinner on March 10 at Washington D.C.’s Marriott Wardman Park hotel. Comedian and radio personality Steve Harvey will host the event, which honors African-American legends and leaders in entertainment and broadcasting. Aretha Franklin is confirmed to perform. NABOB is a non-profit corporation holding the distinction of being the only trade organization representing the interests of African-American owners of radio and television stations across the country.

’Giant’ Among Man

Smokey D. Fontaine has assumed the position of Editor-In-Chief of ‘Giant,’ the privately owned bi-monthly men’s entertainment magazine, boasting an audited circulation of 300,000 copies. The New York City based publication, featuring ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ star Jon Heder on its April/May cover, is a youth driven outlet featuring stories on movies, television and games. "'Giant' has the potential to deliver fun, smart, celebrity-driven content to a huge audience," Fontaine, 34, told Black Voices. "It’s perfectly positioned to present our favorite stars in truly memorable ways."

A former educator and Wesleyan University alum, he recently helmed 'america,' a luxe urban lifestyle glossy he co-owns with music mogul Damon Dash. The married father of two revealed that he had to walk away from the rocky partnership (which was chronicled heavily in New York City tabloids). "I'm so proud to have fulfilled the dream of 'america.' [It] showed urban culture at its absolute best, and competed creatively with some of the finest magazines in the world." Before forming 'america,' he served stints at rap bible 'The Source,' independent culture magazine 'Trace,' and wrote 'E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX,' a book ‘Publisher’s Weekly’ judged akin to 'Manchild In The Promised Land.' "Smokey’s leadership and unique point-of-view will further broaden the scope of our entertainment and pop culture coverage,” said 'Giant' president and publisher Jamie Hooper. Fontaine's first full issue will be its August/September edition. "It’s time to get big."

Something ‘Confidential’

Rootsy rapper M-1 (of the conscious rap duo dead prez) will release his debut solo effort, entitled ‘Confidential,’ on March 21 via Koch Records – label home of The Diplomats, Lil’ Romeo and ‘American Idol’ reject William Hung. In a partnership with jazz guitar player and producer Fabrizio Sotti's Sotti Records, Koch will release the 14-track opus, featuring collaborations with Styles P, Q-Tip and jazz great Cassandra Wilson. According to a spokesperson for the rapper, who appears in ‘Dave Chappelle’s Block Party,’ M-1 is currently on a 40-date national tour with Wu-Tang Clansman Ghostface Killah.