BV Entertainment Newswire June 16

Enduring 'Legacy'

June 16 would've marked the 35th birthday of late hip-hop superstar Tupac Shakur, who died tragically in Sept. of 1996 from gunshot wounds inflicted during a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.

Considered an icon of his generation, Shakur (born Lesane Parish Crooks) was a platinum-selling gangsta rap icon that went on to make Hollywood movies -- subsequently becoming a key figure beyond the recording industry.

On Aug. 29, Atria Books will release 'Tupac Shakur Legacy,' a spectacularly packaged, illustrated biography featuring removable documents, rare memorabilia, and an audio CD-offering the first real interactive way to experience his life and career.

Jamal Joseph, an acclaimed author, film director, activist, and educator who credits his time spent in prison as the inspiration for all of his creative output, is one of the minds behind the 'Legacy' -- which was authorized by Shakur's estate. The Bronx native befriended Afeni Shakur (Tupac's mother) while a teenager -- then became a Black Panther.

"Tupac was more than a music star, more than an actor," Joseph told Black Voices. "Tupac was a prophet and a seer for his generation. He captured the imagination, the voice, the feelings of his generation."

"He had a message that came out of his experiences growing up in Harlem, Baltimore and California," he continued, "and being the son of Black Panther parent and seeing the tragedy, death and drug addiction in his own family; he talked about it in terms that the black community could relate to, that white kids could relate to, that kids around the world relate to."

Now the Acting Chair of Columbia University’s Graduate Film Division and the artistic director of the New Heritage Theater in Harlem, Joseph called the project (a hard cover coffee table book designed by Becker & Mayer) a true labor of love. "It's a wonderful piece of work where you can feel everyone's love of Tupac and you feel his presence all through it."

Joseph, who has contributed to previous posthumous projects, believes that what seems like Shakur's never-ending impact on pop culture reached far beyond commercial viability.

"I have international students at Columbia telling me that in Jamaica, in Africa, in New Zealand that they bump Tupac ten years later because he speaks about the anger, the rage, the hopes, the dreams, the disappointments and the tenacity of a whole generation. That’s what it is. It's music for people, that is of the people. His quotes, his words, his music, his acting performances just really transcended and it's in that moment of time that makes him this historical figure that we relate to, as we relate to people like Malcolm X."

Big Mackie

Actor Anthony Mackie will be honored with the inaugural NEXT Award at this year's Urbanworld Vibe Film Festival, during a ceremony on June 25 in New York City. According to festival organizers, Mackie --who has starred in 'She Hate Me,' '8 Mile' and 'Million Dollar Baby'-- was selected because he’s 'one to watch.' Urbanworld's Founder and Chairman Emeritus Stacy Spikes said that Mackie's "undeniable talent and commitment to his craft allow urban cinema to thrive creatively."

Mackie's latest independent film 'Half Nelson' will be screened during the festival, which runs June 21 through June 25. "Being one to watch in my own community is an honor," said Mackie, who is wrapping up his next film 'We Are Marshalls' starring Mathew McConaughey in Atlanta. "I hope to continue to present different shades of American life in a truthful and entertaining fashion."

Showtime At The Apollo, For Real

The Apollo Theater will host its 2006 Spring Benefit on June 19. Funnyman Chris Tucker will serve as the evening’s host, with actors Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance on hand to personally accept the esteemed Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Arts and Humanitarian Award.

Eight-time Grammy Award winning R&B diva Chaka Khan will perform during the festivities. Music legends Gladys Knight & the Pips, Little Richard, and the late Ella Fitzgerald will be inducted into the inaugural Apollo Hall of Fame. Star Jones Reynolds, Ashford & Simpson, Ed Bradley, and Dr. Henry Louis Gates are expected to attend the event --which raises funds for the not-for-profit Apollo Theater Foundation, supporting community and cultural activities.

Cannon's A Blazing

Multimedia personality Nick Cannon will host an exclusive concert for Boost Mobile RockCorps Volunteers on June 16 at Atlanta's Fox Theater. Hip-hop superstars Young Jeezy, Paul Wall, Big Boi, Slim Thug, The Game and hip-hop soul newcomer Keyshia Cole are slated to perform.

The 2006 Boost Mobile RockCorps (BMRC) movement began in April with a series of community service projects in the Atlanta area. As a reward for their efforts, and a celebration of the youth volunteerism movement, volunteers received tickets to this summer's first concert.

According to a spokesperson, the BMRC program will build throughout the summer with stops in Houston, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Detroit, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. The tour will conclude on Sep. 23 with a live concert at Radio City Music Hall, which will be televised.

'Drum'ing Up Good Business

The critically-acclaimed 'Drumstruck' --billed as the world's first interactive drum-theatre experience-- celebrates its first anniversary at New York City's New World Stages on June 16. Started in 1997 in Johannesburg at the Lieberman’s Drum Café, 'Drumstruck' has become a stage sensation, with audience members including Nelson Mandela to Queen Elizabeth and George W. Bush.

Directed by David Warren, 'Drumstruck' is the brainchild of drum enthusiast Warren Lieberman and features11 South and West African percussionists. A two-foot-tall drum on every seat helps get the entire audience making music together.

Laid To Rest

Memorial services for late great soul music veteran Billy Preston have been finalized. Black Voices has learned that all services will be held at Faithful Central Bible Church; Tabernacle on Eucalyptus in Inglewood, California. A wake will be held at 1:00 p.m. on June 19. Later in the evening, a musical concert dedicated to Preston (see our tribute here) will be held. Though no details have been released regarding the burial arrangements, the funeral is scheduled for June 20 at 1:00 p.m.

Preston, who was commonly referred to as "The Fifth Beatle," died on June 6 at a Scottsdale Arizona hospital, after a long illness.