R&B’s Chosen One On Valentine’s Day new-school R&B crooner
Jaheim
will return with ‘Ghetto Classics.’ The album includes collaborations with
Scott Storch, Jadakiss, Kay Gee (of
Naughty By Nature) and the
Luther Vandross band. “The album to me is a classic album [because] we got the live tracks and the live strings,” Jaheim (nee Jaheim Hoagland) told Black Voices. “The ghetto just came from being who I be, and just being in the hood all the time and hearing people say ‘Yo, we love what you do,’ and ‘Don’t stop what you doing.’”
The grandson of
Victor Hoagland, singer with the legendary soul group
The Drifters, Jaheim, 26, favors comparisons to Luther Vandross. “I thank Luther for leaving something behind,” he reflected, “I’m one of the first artists to come up from under that sound, that umbrella. Before I came out and before I decided to do anything, that’s all I listened to was Luther. When I listen to the song ‘I Chose You,’ it’s like Luther telling me that he chose me.” The platinum-selling crooner added that he didn’t cover Vandross on ‘Ghetto Classics’ because “I didn’t want to capitalize on everything that the world is trying to transition off of.” With a campaign for Verizon Wireless’s new line of music-oriented products, Jaheim is being exposed to a broader audience. “It’s my first big corporate [deal] and I think for the people who don’t know who I am, they are going to say, ‘Well who is this kid?’”
’Shop’ At HomeUrbanWorks Entertainment will release the DVD version of ‘Beauty Shop – The Original Stage Play’ on Feb. 14. Created by celebrated theatrical producer/director/writer
Shelly Garret in the early 1990s, ‘Beauty Shop’ centers on salon owner, Big Mama Lucille and her crew of outlandish hairstylists. The farcical production was one of the first urban plays to garner national exposure, credited with re-introducing African-Americans to alternative theater avenues and opening the door for the current successes of playwrights
Tyler Perryand
David E. Talbert, among others. The hit play also inspired a TV sitcom, “New Attitude,” which aired in the U.S. and in the U.K.
'Wives' Club Does The HonorsBlack socialites
Jaci Wilson and
Morris L. Reid will host the Fifth Annual NBA Wives Luncheon at the Houston Club on Feb. 18, as part of this year’s NBA All Star festivities. The event will honor philanthropist
Kathy Chenault, award winning singer and National Spokesperson for the Sickle Cell Foundation,
Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, and Chief Executive of the National Foundation for Youth Music,
Christina Coker, as “2006 Women of Influence”. In addition, Pastor Janice Caslin of New Deliverance Church will be recognized for her outstanding efforts to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. “Our honorees’ successful careers and charitable work make them an inspiration to women everywhere. We chose them because they serve as wonderful role models,” Wilson said. Reid – a Clinton Administration official and now managing director of Westin Rinehart – and his wife, Wilson - a volunteer fundraiser working with women, children and art related charities - are involved in a number of fundraising initiatives throughout the year.
Starz Has Heart
Starz InBlack, the only premium movie network dedicated to African Americans, has partnered with Radio One Network and the American Heart Association for the "Movies That Touch Your Heart" campaign. Starz said it will donate $50, (and up to $250,000), until March 15, to the American Heart Association for every new Starz and Starz InBlack subscriber who mails in one month's proof of subscription. The funds will be used to support the American Heart Association's ongoing research and its public education and community service programs. "Starz Entertainment Group is proud to utilize our biggest asset -- our movies -- to help support the work of the American Heart Association," said Senior Vice President
A. Miles McNamee. "Cardiovascular disease ranks as the No. 1 killer of African Americans. We hope that this campaign will help to increase awareness among our dedicated viewers about the perils of heart disease. Special features during February include the world premiere of the concert ‘Blues Divas’ with
Morgan Freeman and the film ‘In My Country’ starring
Samuel L. Jackson.
’Essence’ Gets Earth, Wind & FireEight-time Grammy Award winning R&B band
Earth, WInd & Fire has joined the line-up of the 2006
Essence Music Festival, taking place at Houston’s Reliant Park July 1 through July 3. Comedian/TV personality
Mo'Nique also joins the bill, which already includes
LL Cool J, Toni Braxton, Cedric The Entertainer, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Queen of Hip Hop Soul
Mary J. Blige.
