BV Entertainment Newswire July 28

Full Coverage

Janet Jackson isn’t the only performer celebrating the big "2-0" this year.

Natalie Cole has designs to release her 20th studio album, 'Leavin', Sept. 26, on Verve Records -- coincidentally, the same day Miss Jackson will release her latest, "Twenty Years Old."

For her new set, the eight time Grammy Award winning daughter of the late, great Nat King Cole, has teamed with hit-maker Dallas Austin, for what has been described as "an eclectic mix of classic pop, R&B and rock tracks."

On the 12-track disc, Cole takes on songs previously recorded by Aretha Franklin ("Day Dreaming"), Fiona Apple ("Criminal"), Neil Young ("Old Man"), the Isley Brothers ("Don't Say Goodnight") and Etta James ("Loving Arms").

Marking her first recording in four years, the title track is a cover of Grammy Award winning country singer's Shelby Lynn's 2000 hit song. The album will feature a new composition, "5 Minutes Away," co-written by Cole, Austin and keyboardist Chanz Parkman.

"Leavin’ represents a musical freedom that has given me the opportunity to explore the greatness in the songs of some of our most talented and gifted songwriters," Cole said of the project.

"It was a lot of fun to be able to put our spin on these songs and I thoroughly enjoyed interpreting them. Dallas was absolutely brilliant in the studio and together I think we were able to present a fresh new twist on some great music. I can’t wait for our fans to hear the album."

Natalie Cole's most recent film cameo was in the critically acclaimed Cole Porter biopic 'De-Lovely.' You can purchase the DVD here.

Dallas Austin recently made international headlines for a drug arrest. Read all about it here.

No Windy City Welcome

DMX may have a much-buzzed about reality show on BET, but the former chart-topping thug rap icon is experiencing a different dose of reality with the recent boycott of his Chicago concert.

On July 26, Reverend Deborah Ellandus Lake staged what she refers to as a "stand" in front of Chicago's House of Blues, shortly before and during DMX's one-night-only concert. ("Protests have such a negative memory in some people's minds," she told Black Voices)

Through her faith based organization, Sankofa Way (which "searches the past for lessons and wisdom to make a better future"), she led a group of gay and lesbian activists in a rally to denounce DMX's homophobic lyrics.

"We were standing in opposition to DMX and his lyrics against gays, and just the overall fact that rap music is pretty much misogynistic as well," Rev. Lake said. "There was a small group of us but I think we had a good impact; we were able to connect to people as they passed by and the people who were going to the concert was interested and curious about why we were there, and they seemed to be, for the most part, glad we were there."

"There were a couple of hecklers… and things almost got to the point of shouting," she admitted. "And I was aware of the fact that at any moment things can break out and can get dangerous."

Luckily it didn't.

The DMX rally comes on the heels of the abrupt cancellation of Lifebeat's "Reggae Gold Concert Summer Jump-Off," which was scheduled to feature performances by Beenie Man, Wayne Wonder, and rap vixen Foxy Brown at New York City's Webster Hall July 18.

Outrage in the gay community forced the celebrated music-industry centered AIDS organization to pull the plug on the concert, which was co-sponsored by Clear Channel radio station Power 105.

"Once we saw how deep and real it is, it became very clear that canceling the concert was the right thing to do," offered Lifebeat's Executive Director John Cannelli. "We want to extend a heartfelt apology to those we offended and thank the individuals who raised their voices and helped us to see a more effective way to realize our mission.”

More about the controversy here.

Jasmyne Cannick, a Los Angeles-based activist and media specialist, believes the time has arrived for the black gay and lesbian community to lead the campaign against homophobia in the black community. "Why? Because we are a part of the community and people need to see that, literally. The protest in Chicago is just another example of how we're speaking up and speaking out. The homophobia found in today's music is no different than the misogyny found in hip hop as well. Wrong is wrong."

Will the continuing dialogue around his controversial lyrics derail DMX's once profitable career?

Perhaps.

Popular dancehall artists like Shabba Ranks and Buju Banton, who achieved mainstream success in America during the early 1990s, have met a similar fate, some believe due to related protests around their homophobic lyrics. On the song "Boom Bye-Bye," the Jamaican born Banton advocated shooting and burning homosexuals. He virtually faded into obscurity amidst the controversy.

Will boycotts make a difference in the hip-hop community?

"I think it will make a difference in individuals, first," Rev. Lake answered, noting that the DMX show wasn’t well attended and venue staff was offering free tickets to passers-by.

"I spoke to a young man earlier that day that didn’t really get it. I spent a few minutes talking with him about what the lyrics could be in his sister's life, his mother's life and in his life: just the hate and anger that comes from that. And I could tell he was thinking about what I said, and he was thinking about it. So it will make a difference with people and in individuals and from there it will make a difference in the music."

DMX's record company spokesperson declined to comment.

Harlem World: Keep Hope Alive

July 30 marks the kick-off of the thirty-second anniversary of "Harlem Week," a month-long celebration of events and activities honoring the enclave’s multi-cultural community.

The three-part, day-long "Great Day In Harlem" celebration kicks off with the annual Family Unity Day Cultural Festival, and continues with the exciting international "Fashion Fusion" fashion show, and ends with a "Concert Under the Stars: What’s Going On?” It celebrates the musical legacy of the late Marvin Gaye.

"He was an extraordinary talent that left a musical legacy that is shared worldwide," Harlem Week's Executive Producer Voza Rivers told Black Voices. "One can go to Japan, Australia, Africa and still hear Marvin Gaye songs being played on the radio. He has had a tremendous global impact and his timeless signature song ‘What's Going On?’ is current to what is happening around the world."

Musically directed by Ray Chew and featuring the Harlem Jazz & Music Festival All Stars, the concert will include a variety of musical tributes by Ashford & Simpson, Freddie Jackson, Meli’sa Morgan, SLAVE Hall of Fame, Gordon Chambers, Algebra, Raheem Devaughn, Urban Mystic and others.

In addition to highlighting one of the world’s most renown neighborhoods, "A Great Day in Harlem" will set out to build awareness and raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, via a partnership with Tipitina’s Foundation in New Orleans -- dedicated to helping artists recover from Hurricanes and other catastrophes, as well as preserving the music and cultural traditions of New Orleans.

"We have made a commitment to assisting the musicians in New Orleans who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina," Rivers added. " We are encouraging people who attend any of our free outdoor concerts make a donation which will go towards purchasing instruments for the New Orleans musicians so that they can re-connect with their culture and continue to provide the wonderful street music that has always been a major part of New Orleans and the world's rich legacy."

"Harlem Week" is presented by the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, a trade and business association celebrating its 110th anniversary committed to the improvement and prosperity of the Greater Harlem area. The organization is comprised of numerous leaders from various business, civic, educational, cultural, and professional arenas.

Learn more about "Harlem Week" here.

Glimpse of Sunshine

The long awaited sophomore album from R&B Songstress Sunshine Anderson will finally see the light of day when Music World Music releases 'Sunshine At Midnight' early next year.

Her single, "Something I Wanna Give You," is already in rotation at San Francisco's KMEL radio station -- more than a month before it officially goes for solicitation on airwaves.

"We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Sunshine Anderson into the Music World family," said Music World Music CEO Mathew Knowles, also known as Beyonce's father. "She has the voice, the look, and the determination of a star. Sunshine has delivered a great album and we are passionate about launching her comeback."

Anderson, a former Pentagon secretary, stormed the R&B charts in 2001 with her runaway hit "Heard It All Before," propelling her debut album 'Your Woman' to reach near platinum sales.

A native of Charlotte, NC, Anderson was on a hot streak with one-time manager Macy Gray (who referred to her as "a star through and though") in her corner, and a string of high-profile TV appearances, most notably a cameo on the Showtime hit series 'Soul Food.'

Want to hear the song that made Sunshine Anderson a star? Watch the video for 'Heard It All Before' here.