BV Entertainment Newswire May 22

Still On 'Fire'

Chaka Khan will receive the BET Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2006 BET Awards on June 27.

And the R&B icon, who has delivered such hits as 'Through the Fire,' 'I Feel For You,' and 'Ain't Nobody,' is elated about the tribute.

"It means a great deal," the eight-time Grammy Award winner told Black Voices. "When anyone is honored for their entire body of work from his people, that's a wonderful thing. I'm honored as hell."

For the past three decades, Khan has been one of R&B's most daring, and enduring, voices. From her early beginnings in the funk band Rufus, to her recent foray into jazz, the chanteuse has stayed true to her signature vocal styling.

"For it just to come off without a hitch would be nice, first," she chuckled, about what can be expected on the big night. The Chi-town diva said she's also looking forward to the musical fellowship that will likely come with the program. "Those things turn into like a Mecca where artists get to collaborate and do things together and honor one another -- it's a cool thing."

Although Khan said she probably won't sing the material she "really wants to sing," she will most likely reunite with former band members of Rufus for a medley, and then perform one of her staples, 'I'm Every Woman,' "where all the chicks and I can sing together."

The awards, hosted this year by Damon Wayans, will be televised live for the first time from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. According to a spokesperson, last year's show was the most-watched program in the network’s 26-year history: An amazing 6.6 million viewers tuned in to catch the excitement.

Reginald Hudlin, BET's President of Entertainment, boasted that this year's show is the best ever. And having Khan apart of the program is one of the reasons why. "Her voice sounds like she swallowed Jimmy Hendrix's guitar," the former filmmaker said.

Khan (nee Yvette Marie Stevens) is currently in the studio with super-producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis working on her new album, tentatively titled 'Icon Divas,' to be released by Burgundy Records/Sony this fall.

"I'm going to be covering songs by chicks that I dig," she explained. "We're going to go back and do historical things up until the present. I'll cover maybe some Etta James, Joni Mitchell and Phoebe Snow. …It's also going to have four or five original cuts. Those are the cuts that we are putting it down on now."

"It's something I've always wanted to do," she added. "I like doing other people's songs too. I'm an avid fan of a few chicks and I'd like to cover their stuff."

When asked whether she would cover any songs from today's current crop of divas, say Ciara, Khan --never one to mince words-- diplomatically stated, "That needs some consideration."

"You know, I have to do what appeals to me," she added, "what I love and that’s the most important thing that I love the material and I'll put my mark on it and do it my way. It's going to be a funky album."

In between the special BET Awards honor, and the release of her own new album, Khan revealed that she will collaborate with new labelmate Aaron Neville on Al Green's classic 'Let's Stay Together,' for his forthcoming set.

Boys & Girls Hail Queen

Queen Latifah will receive the 2006 William "Jazz" Jones Brightest Star Award from the Boys & Girls Club of Newark during their annual "Evening of Stars" on May 22, at New York City's Cipriani Wall Street. According to a spokesperson, the night is the organization's largest fundraising event, with all proceeds benefiting the not-for-profit organization's various programs.

MTV Networks President of Network Development John Sykes will receive the 2006 Award for Caring, and youngsters Kalia Murray of the Westside Unit, Yanira Cortes of the Central Ward Unit and ,b>Blanca Morales of the Broadway Unit Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark, will receive Youth of the Year honors. Special guests will include 'Saturday Night Live' star Kenan Thompson, comedy veteran Joe Piscopo, and hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari and the KIPP Academy String and Rhythm Orchestra.

Another Extension

Sarah Jones' much heralded one-woman show 'Bridge & Tunnel,' which will be honored with a "Special Tony Award" this year, has been extended through August 6 at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theater.

In 'Bridge,' which opened in 2004 at New York City's 45 Bleecker theatre, Jones portrays 14 multicultural characters traveling the roads of assimilation in modern urban America. The play was produced by Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, and before the Broadway transfer, Jones -- also a playwright and poet -- earned an Obie Award, among other accolades, for 'Bridge & Tunnel.'

On The Road Again

For the first time in more than three years, Mariah Carey will embark on a North American tour this summer. Officially titled "The Adventures of Mimi: The Voice, The Hits, The Tour," the jaunt kicks off August 5 in Miami and ends October 10 in Phoenix, making stops in 30 cities across the U.S. and Canada.

Dancehall superstar Sean Paul will open for Carey on selected dates during the first month of shows. Special surprise guests are expected to add to the fun en route. Tickets for most dates will go on sale June 2.