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January 31, 2001 Destiny's Child Nominated for Five Blockbuster Awards Favorite Female Artist of the Year: Christina Aguilera, Christina Aguilera Toni Braxton, Heat Faith Hill, Breathe Madonna, Music Britney Spears, Oops! ... I Did It Again Favorite Male Artist of the Year Dr. Dre, Dr. Dre 2001 Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP Ricky Martin, Sound Loaded Kid Rock, The History of Rock Sting, Brand New Day Favorite Group of the Year Backstreet Boys, Black and Blue Creed,Human Clay Destiny's Child, The Writing's On the Wall 'NSync, No Strings Attached Santana, Supernatural Favorite Artist -- Rap DMX, And Then There Was X Dr. Dre, Dr. Dre 2001 Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP Jay-Z, Dynasty -- Roc La Familia 2000 Outkast, Stankonia Favorite Female Artist -- Country Faith Hill, Breathe Reba McEntire, So Good Together Jo Dee Messina, Bum Lee Ann Womack, I Hope You Dance Favorite Male Artist -- Country Kenny Chesney, Greatest Hits Toby Keith, How Do You Like Me Now Tim McGraw, Greatest Hits George Strait, Latest Greatest Straitest Hits Favorite Duo or Group -- Country Dixie Chicks, Fly Lonestar, Lonely Grill She Daisy, The Whole Shebang Favorite Female Artist -- R&B Toni Braxton, Heat Whitney Houston, The Greatest Hits Sade, Lovers Rock Favorite Male Artist -- R&B D'Angelo, Voodoo Joe, My Name is Joe R. Kelly, TP-2.com Favorite Group -- R&B Destiny's Child, The Writing's On the Wall Jagged Edge, J.E. Heartbreak Next, Welcome II Nextasy Favorite Artist -- Rock Don Henley, Inside Job Lenny Kravitz, Greatest Hits Kid Rock, The History of Rock Sting, Brand New Day Favorite Group -- Rock Bon Jovi, Crush Creed, Human Clay Limp Bizkit, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water Red Hot Chili Peppers, Californication Santana, Supernatural Favorite Female -- New Artist Dido, No Angel Macy Gray, On How Life Is Mandy Moore, So Real and I Wanna Be With You Pink, Can't Take Me Home Jessica Simpson, Sweet Kisses Favorite Male -- New Artist Billy Gilman, One Voice Nelly, Country Grammar Sisqo, Unleash the Dragon Favorite Group -- New Artist 3 Doors Down,Better Life Baha Men, Who Let the Dogs Out Papa Roach, Infest Favorite CD 'NSync, No Strings Attached Creed, Human Clay Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP Santana, Supernatural Britney Spears, Oops! ... I Did It Again Favorite Artist -- Latino (Internet Only) Christina Aguilera, Mi Reflejo Marc Anthony, Desde Un Principio Gloria Estefan, Alma Caribena -- Carribean Soul Ricky Martin, Sound Loaded Shakira, MTV Unplugged Favorite Group -- Latino (Internet Only) A.B. Quintanilla y Los Kumbia Kings, Amor Familia Respeto Los Temerarios, En La Madrugada Se Fue Son by Four, Son by Four Favorite Single (Internet Only) 'Nsync, "Bye, Bye, Bye" Creed, "Higher" Destiny's Child, "Say My Name" Faith Hill, "Breathe" Madonna, "Music" Favorite Soundtrack (Internet Only) Charlie's Angels Coyote Ugly Mission: Impossible 2 Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Romeo Must Die Favorite Song from a Movie (Internet Only) Destiny's Child, "Independent Woman Part 1" (Charlie's Angels) LeAnn Rimes, "Can't Fight the Moonlight" (Coyote Ugly) Janet Jackson, "Doesn't Really Matter/" (Nutty Professor II: The Klumps) Marc Anthony, "You Sang to Me" (Runaway Bride) Hoku, "Another Dumb Blonde" (Snow Day) Favorite Female Artist -- Pop (Internet Only) Christina Aguilera, Christina Aguilera Celine Dion, All the Way -- A Decade of Song Faith Hill, Breathe Madonna, Music Britney Spears, Oops! ... I Did It Again Favorite Male Artist -- Pop (Internet Only) Marc Anthony, Marc Anthony Enrique Iglesias, Enrique Lenny Kravitz, Greatest Hits Ricky Martin, Sound Loaded Sting, Brand New Day Favorite Group -- Pop (Internet Only) 98 Degrees, Revelation Backstreet Boys, Black & Blue Destiny's Child, The Writing's On the Wall 'NSync, No Strings Attached Savage Garden, Affirmation TVT Makes Amends with Napster Independent record label TVT Records has dropped its $1.5 billion copyright infringement lawsuit against file sharing company Napster and has decided to work with Napster because it supports the new membership-based business model the company is developing through its strategic alliance with Bertelsmann AG. Under terms of the agreement, TVT will allow the master recordings and musical compositions it owns or controls to be used for file sharing on the new Napster service. In addition, TVT founder/president Steve Gottlieb has agreed to act as an advisor to Napster, while the label will promote further industry acceptance of the model. Though the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, Gottlieb said in the statement. "The future Napster offers the opportunity to reach music fans in unprecedented and as yet unimagined ways. Word-of-mouth has always been critical to breaking our artists - now we have harnessed the power of the fastest growing 'word-of-Net' vehicle in existence. It is high time that the industry embraces a service that the public has so emphatically said they want."
January 26, 2001 Supreme Court Stands by Isley Brothers Ruling In 1994, a Los Angeles, California jury ruled that the Isley Brothers' would receive 66 percent of the profits from the song and 28 percent of the album sales of Time, Love & Tenderness. Sony Music would pay $4.2 million of the judgement. Bolton was responsible for $933,000 while Andrew Goldmark, Bolton's co-writer, was liable for $221,000. The album, Time, Love & Tenderness, sold over 6 million copies and garnered Bolton a Pop Male Vocal Grammy Award. While waiting to be paid his royalties, Ron Isley filed for bankruptcy. In June, David Pullman, a Wall Street financier, completed the sale of bonds backed by future royalties of the Isley Brothers' music catalog. Pullman didn't disclose the exact amount, but said it was around the level of his other music securitization deals, which range from $10 million to $55 million. Pullman has secured bond deals for David Bowie, James Brown, and Ashford & Simpson. The bonds secure royalties from artists' future recordings to pay off their debts. The Isley Brothers owe nearly $5 million to creditors. Jesse Jackson to Remain in the Civil Right Fight After publicly admitting that he had an extramarital affair and fathered a two year old daughter out of wedlock, The Rev. Jesse Jackson thanked his family and supporters for standing by him on Sunday as he spoke for the first time publicly since acknowledging the incident. Jackson spoke to worshipers at Salem Baptist Church in Chicago and also delivered some personal words to his wife, Jackie. Jackson said, "After 38 years and five children later, Jackie, you're still here."Jackson also said that he was grateful to supporters who made it clear that they want him to return to the helm of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition as soon as possible, and indicated he is ready to resume his work. He added, "Yesterday, the winds shifted, so it's a new stage in our challenge," referring to President Bush's inauguration. Salem Baptist pastor, the Rev. James Meeks, who also is executive vice president of Rainbow/PUSH, told Jackson that the coalition needed his leadership. He stated, "Reverend, we want you to know something today: Not only do we love you, not only do we care for you . . . we can't afford to lose you. We need you, we want you, we love you, Rev. Jesse Jackson." Jackson plans to return to the civil rights stage next week. He is scheduled to appear at a luncheon in his honor in Chicago on Monday. He also plans to attend an annual economic conference that the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition will host in New York.
January 25, 2001 FCC Targets Radio Station for Playing Unedited Eminem Song Medgar Evers' Killer Dies Byron De La Beckwith, the white supremacist convicted of the 1963 slaying of civil-rights leader Medgar Evers, died Sunday night after being moved from his jail cell to a hospital. He was 80 years old. Beckwith had been serving a life sentence for the assassination of Evers, a 37-year-old NAACP field secretary fighting to end segregation in Mississippi, at the time of his murder on June 12, 1963. Evers had stepped out of his Oldsmobile and was walking toward his home with his arms full of "Jim Crow Must Go" T-shirts when he was shot in the back. Beckwith's fingerprint was found on the deer rifle used to kill Evers. The rifle had been abandoned in a lot across the street from the Evers' home. Attempts to prosecute Beckwith ended in two mistrials at the time of the murder as two all white jurors deadlocked on the case, but he was found guilty during a third trial in 1994, which resulted in a conviction and life sentence. Twelve years ago, Evers' widow, Myrlie Evers Williams, asked for the case to be reopened, and Hinds County District Attorney Bobby DeLaughter agreed. "At the very beginning ... we didn't have anything," DeLaughter said. "The D.A.'s file was nowhere to be found. We did not have the benefit of a trial transcript to know who the witnesses were. None of the evidence had been retained by the court." But DeLaughter and his officers stumbled across new evidence, including negatives from the crime scene and new witnesses who testified Beckwith had bragged to them "about beating the system."Beckwith was arrested again on December 17, 1990 and was 74 when he stood in front of a new jury in 1994. His prosecutors were armed with new evidence and a 127-page document claiming 21 errors were made in Beckwith's original trial. Also, eight of the 12 jurors were black. Beckwith wore a Confederate-flag pin on his lapel throughout the 15 days of jury selection, testimony, and deliberation. He was found guilty of murder and the Mississippi Supreme Court upheld the decision in 1997. Beckwith is survived by his wife and son.
January 24, 2001 "Welcome to Death Row" to be Featured at Film Festival The Third Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival will take place from January 31 - February 4, 2001 in Culver City, California. The Hollywood Black Film Festival is an annual forum which showcases the works of both emerging and established black filmmakers, for the entertainment industry and Southern California area audiences. This year HBFF will feature more than 50 feature, short, student and documentary films from veteran and up-and-coming filmmakers from throughout North America and abroad. This festival continues to be Hollywood's premiere showcase for black films and filmmakers. For more information on the Hollywood Black Film Festival, log on to www.hbff.org. Rae Carruth Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison Charlotte, North Carolina Superior Court Judge Charles Lamm sentenced former NFL football star Rae Carruth on Monday to at least 18 years and 11 months in prison for his role in the shooting death of his pregnant girlfriend Cherica Adams. Carruth was acquitted of first-degree murder but convicted of conspiracy on Friday. He could have received the death penalty if convicted of murder in the death of Adams, who was shot in November 1999 and died a month later. He was also found guilty of shooting into an occupied vehicle and using an instrument--a gun--to destroy an unborn child.Adams, 24, was ambushed as she drove down a Charlotte, North Carolina street and shot four times. Her son, fathered by Carruth, was delivered by emergency Caesarean section and is now in the custody of her mother, Saundra Adams. Saundra Adams testified during the sentencing stating that she forgives Carruth, but "in no way do I think he should get off easy for what he has done. He's already gotten the greatest of mercy - his life is spared. Let him take the punishment not of a little boy, but of a man one time. Let him know he needs some help." She also testified that her year-old grandson Chancellor, delivered prematurely by emergency Caesarean section after the shooting, is developmentally disabled and has cerebral palsy. "He can't hold onto his bottle. ... He has trouble even holding onto the rattle," she said. "He's not anywhere near taking his first step. The doctors are telling me he might not take a first step until he is 3 years old or older."
January 23, 2001 Capone-N-Noreaga Heading Out Of Tommy Boy According to a label publicist, the rumors are true. "They [C-N-N] are still signed," the publicist told Platform, "[but] they are trying to leave [and] no deal has been made [with another label]. We are actively promoting their album." However, Violator, C-N-N's management company, also confirmed the group's departure, adding that they plan to sign with Def Jam Records. C-N-N has stated in the past few months that they felt there was a lack of
promotion for their album, and that it was pushed back several times before
finally dropping. Since its November 21 release, Reunion has sold 300,000
copies. This number may be a disappointment to the duo, as Noreaga's previous
solo efforts (N.O.R.E. and Melvin Flynt Da Hustler) have both gone
gold.-- Richard Louissaint
3rd Annual Superbowl MC Battle Got skills? Wanna win $1,000? Know someone else who does? You've got until the end of this weekend to get signed up!Original Pimpgear,MetroConcepts and Rocky LaMontagne are very pleased to present the 3rd Annual "All That! Hip-Hop, Poetry & Jazz" Superbowl MC Battle at the Middle East Downstairs on Sunday, January 28th 2001. This year, regional heavyweights, New York's hottest battle-rhymers and unknown talents will compete in a head-to-head "battle", judged by a panel of artists, local media and industry personalities. MC's compete for the $1,000 CASH PRIZE, hookups from PIMPGEAR, as well as the highly coveted right to call themselves CHAMPION. The Middle East is in Boston, Massachusetts, and MC's from around the USA have been invited. Come with real skills--or consider your airfare, trainfare, or bus fare wasted!
If you'd like to get down, you must be pre-registered as a contestant.
This is NOT an "open mic" event. Please send an email to the following immediately:
The first "All That! Hip-Hop, Poetry & Jazz" Superbowl MC Battle, which
took place at
the historic reggae venue The Western Front in January 1999, was a
sold-out success. Boston
lyrical heavyweights like Mr. Lif, Esoteric, Akrobatik and Reks slugged
it out with some of
the best freestylers and battle-rhymers the Northeast has to offer for
the right to be crowned
as the first ever Superbowl MC Champion. In the end, it was the then
virtually unknown
MC & poet Sage Francis (2000 Skribble Jam Champion) who won the event
and etched his
name in Boston hip-hop history.
With the overwhelming success of the first Superbowl MC Battle, the 2nd
Annual
Superbowl MC Battle was moved from the cozy confines of The Western
Front to it's
current home, the Middle East Downstairs. Last year's event featured the
very best from not
only Boston, but from throughout the Northeast and New York City. NYC
indie-kingpins
like Pumpkinhead, C Rayz Waltz and AL Skills came up to Boston to stake
claim on the
local crown. The event, despite the participation of numerous
established underground
champions, was won in front of a sold out crowd by local newcomer
Shuman.
Will you be the winner this year? $1,000.00!!!!! -- Mike Diamonds
January 22, 2001 Beyonce and Mekhi Phifer to Star in "Carmen" Remake Destiny's Child's Kelly Rowland Makes Solo Debut on "Down to Earth" Soundtrack
January 19, 2001 Puffy Not Involved In Five Year Old Murder, Lawyer Claims" Iomega Wants To Make CD Burners Look Sexy The Predator features a more rounded frame-- a departure from Iomega's
previous bulky-looking drive-- and a sleek blue and grey exterior, resembling a
blunted triangle. Unlike most externals, this drive utilizes flip-top loading
for your CDs (as opposed to the typical front-loading tray). This, in essence,
makes the Predator seem more like a regular portable CD audio player but only
slightly bigger.
Predator reportedly burns at speeds of up to 32X (depending on the interface
being used to connect the drive). The drive is USB-powered, and so it will be PC
and Mac-compatible. Predator will ship out on January 26 at the going price of
$269.95. You can log onto Iomega's site (www.iomega.com) to view a virtual demo
film of Predator, watch a commercial for it, or to just gather more
information.
January 18, 2001 Bernie Mac to Star in "Ocean's Eleven" Death Row Congratulates Snoop on his Success
January 17, 2001 Yolanda Adams Wins Big at Stellar Awards "Save the Last Dance" Takes Top Spot at the Box Office
January 16, 2001 Today's Protest Music Black music has unarguably served as the greatest influence on American culture since our hypocritical, self-loathing nation was founded over 200 years ago. If you look at its history, our music has always been a means to an end, from the secret messaging of spirituals and field hollers to James Brown's call for Black pride. But James and his generation, and even the many artists who followed them (Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, etc.), have long left the contemporary arena. And these days, there are only a scant few waiting in the wings to fill the shoes of their predecessors. Hip-hop, the most prominent musical expression of our modern community, has found itself America's darling of the moment, enjoying hundreds of millions in record sales and an unprecedented effect on American (and worldwide) culture. But at the same time, it seems as if the music's rise in popularity has brought about a decline in its substance; substance that made it such a weapon against the establishment in years past. Groups like Public Enemy, X-Clan, the Native Tongues and Boogie Down Productions, among others, brought us into the '90s helping us understand ourselves and the onslaught of racism, drugs and violence that plague our communities. But less than 10 years later-after "Self Destruction," "We're All in the Same Gang" and the reign of Bad Boy Entertainment-the music, our music, has seemingly been stripped down to a series of meaningless tributes to clothing, jewelry and expensive liquor nobody cared about until someone repeatedly mentioned it on a record. "After the murders of Biggie and Tupac, fans became disillusioned with hip-hop," says Ronin Ro, a veteran hip-hop cultural critic (and sometime contributor to Vanity Fair and BET.com) currently authoring a book on Bad Boy. "Record labels wanted to shy away from controversial themes. What has resulted is a form of hip-hop that celebrates black aspiration and determinism but also fosters an unhealthy attitude of materialism and encourages listeners to think, 'I'm out for myself' instead of, 'We need to get together'." Looking at who's on top right now, you have to be in agreement. Sure, DMX occasionally drops a conscious jewel or two when he's not chronicling endless murders and robberies. Jay-Z may also, once an album; but he mostly sticks to stories of the drug game he abandoned more than half a decade ago. Many others rely on either clever but themeless braggadocio rhymes or tales of thug life past. Today, the overall theme is money, and not in the imaginary "Let me list how many things I got" Big Daddy Kane and Slick Rick rhymed about in the 1980s. The mantra of many, if not most, of today's artists is that without money and/or material, there is no substance. "Back in the days, there wasn't that much money to be made," says Liz Mendez Berry, a respected hip-hop journalist. "People made [the music] for love. Now, poor folks are trying to make cash by selling a materialistic version of the American Dream and pandering to racial stereotypes. That's what they get rewarded for. Underground cultures are much more likely to be rebellious and critical of society. Once they've been co-opted into dominant culture, they lose their power to critique." But there is a countermovement, one that gained great momentum in 2000. D'Angelo's "Devil's Pie" represents the kind of progressive R&B that was the norm in the late '60s and '70s. And gold plaques from alternative hip-hop artists like Common and Mos Def added credibility to the notion that not everyone is down with the Iced-Out Age. Add in the militant and anti-American sentiment of dead prez's "let's get free" (which has sold over 350,000 units ), and you get the idea that the current status quo doesn't necessarily have everyone in its clutches. No one can be sure of to expect from hip-hop and Black music as a whole in the months and years to come. But in an era where corporate America controls most of our musical interests (a la Britney Spears), what sells is what stays out there. So if you want to see a change you have to use your money wisely, get beyond the catchy hooks and beats of mainstream music, and look at what you feel and believe. In this glass menagerie, "image is everything" media blitz, what's in the heart is the only thing that really matters. Where Have All the Black Pop Acts Gone? Once upon a time, Boyz II Men was considered a superstar act. In the early 1990s, the handsome African American quartet was the toast of the town. Nathan, Michael, Shawn and Wanya regularly blitzed the pop charts with number one singles such as "End of the Road," "I'll Make Love to You" and "On Bended Knee." Today, they're playing catch-up to young white groups who more or less copy their updated doo-wop style. What a difference five years can make. Boy bands have been all the rage ever since Boyz II Men threw down their debut album, "Cooleyhighharmony," way back in '91. And they weren't the only hot Black male act ripping up the pop charts. Jodeci, who released two top five pop albums ("Diary of a Mad Band" in '94 and 1995's classic "The Show, the After-Party, the Hotel"), and a cascade of other R&B groups rafted up and down the Billboard 200 chart throughout most of the decade. Then music turned a corner and found itself in the suburbs. It began in the late '90s. White boy bands singing their version of R&B began creeping into the mix. By 1999, the top male acts got bleached blond and what emerged were immensely popular white guy groups like 98 Degrees, 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys. What happened? Sure a few "brother" groups still made their mark. Minneapolis male trio Next led all comers in 1998, with Boyz II Men also in the mix-though their previously untouchable superstar status had become downgraded. But in terms of selling to the masses, 1995 was the last year when Black male R&B acts-such as the Boyz, Soul IV Real, BLACKstreet, Immature and Jodeci-ruled the pop charts. Those acts all made the Top 20 on Billboard's year-end 1995 singles chart (for duos or groups). BLACKstreet was the lone Black boy band to make it that high on the '99 list. In 2000, while they've continued on cruise control up the R&B charts, Black male groups have been essentially frozen out of the upper echelons of the pop side. Is this some sort of backlash on the part of suburban listeners? Everybody knows the pop record buyer demographic consists mainly of white teenage girls. Have they lost interest in Black male soul acts for legitimate reasons, such as the brothas not bringing it? Or is something darker going on-like retaliation over negative images brought on by bad boys in hip-hop? Bridget, a 16-year-old student of Hamilton High School (sandwiched between posh Beverly Hills and blue-collar Culver City, California), says she can't put her finger on why she prefers groups like 98 Degrees and the Backstreet Boys over African American groups such as Jagged Edge and 112. "It doesn't have anything to do with any kind of backlash," Bridget insists. "I like rap music. I love Eminem. I like Will Smith too." Though their music is in similar vein to her favorite white boy bands, Boyz II Men's latest wasn't on Bridget's Christmas list. "They're okay," she says, "but there's something about them that I just don't like as much as my favorites. It's not because they're Black," the blonde-haired student of the racially-mixed high school quickly adds. "It's just the other guys look better to me. That's how I feel." Standing at a cash register just after lunchtime is Carol, a white twentysomething sales clerk for Birkenstock shoe store in the Old Town section of Alexandria, Virginia. She's drinking from a fast-food cup that features images of the Backstreet Boys. "I can't stand them," she says between gulps, watching for her manager (drinking and eating on the job is forbidden). "They're so fake and phony. I hate them." Carol identifies herself as more of a rocker type, but said she'd purchase a Boyz II Men album before she'd even think about adding 'N Sync or the Backstreet Boys to her collection. "It's not my kind of music, but at least [Boyz II Men] seem more honest about their music," she says. Erin Thompson, a music business management student at Columbia College in Chicago, is more analytical about her boy band preferences. "The success of those white acts is coming off the groundwork of the Black groups," suggests the African American student, who favors blue jeans tattered at the knees. "Groups like 'N Sync are not as uniform in their imaging as Boyz II Men. Record labels seem like they're marketing the white male groups more as individuals rather than a single unit." Thompson reasons that, at some level, backlash against Black males exists. "All the negativity or the perception of it makes a lot of pop music consumers not want Black men in their house," she says. "It's like back in the old days with Chuck Berry and Little Richard-[white] kids liked their music but wouldn't want them in their house." At the creative level, Thompson thinks there are differences that make the white groups more appealing than the Black ones, at least to pop record buyers. "The hooks that 'N Sync use in their songs are really poppy, while their writing team is mostly Black," she says. "So you get the soulful rhythms along with the catchy mainstream beat. The funny thing is, my little sister and her friends all listen to these pop groups, but my friends don't really listen to that music. Then again, I haven't bought as much music as in the past; not since Lauryn Hill's album." In many ways, the measure of popularity among boy bands has begun to fall along racial lines. This phenomenon seemed less apparent in the early '90s; while Boyz was doing its hit thing, Color Me Badd was also slamming the pop charts with "I Wanna Sex You Up" and "I Adore." Interscope pop marketing executive Michelle Thomas is hesitant to play the race card in her explanation for what's going on. Hers is perhaps the most accurate assessment of the boy band backlash phenomenon. "It's more a matter of evolution," says the label executive. "Age may also have something to do with it, at least regarding Boyz II Men, who've been around a relatively long while. I haven't heard their latest album, but I don't think they've fallen off creatively. Record companies are always chasing whoever's making them the biggest dollar, whether they're white or Black." Though racism may not be the leading factor in the disappearance of Black acts from the pop charts, Thomas agrees with observations made by Thompson, the college student. "If you look at things historically, much of the new and inventive forms of music come out of the African American community, from jazz, rap and rock to doo-wop. Back in the day, white kids had to sneak to listen to rock 'n' roll, that is until Elvis did it. Then they didn't have to hide." Thomas suggests that white acts recording (some would say stealing) Black music is simply the American way. "In all sectors, from music to fashion, once it becomes mainstream, it doesn't feel special to us anymore. So African Americans move on to create the next new thing."
January 15, 2001 Dr King's Philosophy --- From Dr. King's sermon at the National Cathedral on Passion Sunday, March 31, 1968 "I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down, men other-centered can build up. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive goodwill will proclaim the rule of the land." --- Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, December 10, 1964 "If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition that we now face surely will fail. We're going to win our freedom because both the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of the almighty God are embodied in our echoing demands." --- From Dr. King's sermon at the National Cathedral on Passion Sunday, March 31, 1968 "Let us hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all of their scintillating beauty." --- Letter from A Birmingham Jail, 1963 "I still have a dream today that one day war will come to an end, that men will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, that nations will no longer rise up against nations, neither will they study war any more." --- From Dr. King's sermon on Christmas Eve, 1967. "Just as nonviolence exposed the ugliness of racial injustice, so must the infection and sickness of poverty be exposed and healed - not only its symptoms, but its basic causes. This too will be a fierce struggle, but we must not be afraid to pursue the remedy, no matter how formidable the task." --- Dr. King's Nobel Lecture, December 11, 1964 "Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not sallow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force." --- Dr. King's 'I Have A Dream' speech, August 28, 1963 "Never forget that God is able to lift you from fatigue of despair to the buoyancy of hope, and transform dark and desolate valleys into sunlit paths of inner peace." --- Eulogy for the Martyred Children, 1963 Visit The King Center at www.thekingcenter.com Shyne's Attempted Murder Trial 
As rapper Shyne prepares to go to
trial on attempted murder charges, he is also finishing a new album that he says
will take a "more responsible" approach than his self-titled debut,
with lyrics that will explore the societal causes of crime and urge kids to
choose school over hustling.Shyne will continue to work on the album even after his trial begins next week with jury selection, he said Friday morning (January 12) while standing outside a Manhattan courtroom moments after a pretrial hearing in his case. "It's gonna be a lot of political stuff, social issues. I gave kind of a reckless perspective last time," Shyne (born Jamal Barrow) said. "This time around, I wanna give a more responsible perspective, [blaming] the people who really cause the problem which they say I cause, which they say the young black man causes." Sean "Puffy" Combs, who will be tried alongside Shyne on weapons and bribery charges related to the December 1999 shooting at Manhattan's Club New York, will not be directly involved with the new album. It will, however, be released on Combs' Bad Boy Records either in the summer or in the fall, a company spokesperson said. Producer Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie (a.k.a. the Madd Rapper), who is working on at least two tracks on Shyne's new album, said the rapper has shown an impressive ability to concentrate on his work, despite the charges hanging over his head. "From what I see, he's able to put everything aside and focus on the music," Angelettie said Friday. "He's a strong dude and ... I think this is all really just kinda more fuel for his rhymes. All the pressure and the stress that he's going through, he's one them dudes who's able to communicate that through his lyrics and his music." The album, which is expected to feature guest appearances from Prodigy of Mobb Deep, hard-core duo M.O.P. and Jadakiss, will include the track "It Ain't What It Seems," which will send a direct message to listeners, Shyne said. "I've got this song where this kid wants to be like me, wants to be a hustler, and I give him every reason not to be," he explained. Shyne, who is accused of shooting three people at Club New York, has appeared glum and lethargic in his courtroom appearances, rarely speaking above a mumble. But he lit up as he discussed his album, speaking animatedly of his plans as courthouse police standing nearby shot him curious glances. The rapper, who had pulled a fur-collared leather jacket over his suit and thrown a blue baseball hat on his head the moment he left the courtroom, declined to discuss the specifics of his criminal case, citing the gag order imposed by Judge Charles Solomon last week. "This is my life. I pray to God every day, but I gotta stay focused on what I'm meant to do," he said, adding that in the courtroom, he feels like an anonymous defendant, not a star. "The only reason people are here is just for Puffy," he said, and gestured at a group of young men sitting outside another courtroom. "I'm just like them." "He definitely wants to speak for a lot of the youth that don't have a voice," Angelettie said. "Because he's from that 'hood where a lot of these kids, they know what's right and what's wrong, but they don't really have a way to express their feelings." Shyne faces the possibility that prosecutors may question him about the violent lyrics of such past songs as "Bad Boyz" and "Bang" during his trial. He said his new album will convey one more message: "Hip-hop is not responsible for violence in America. America is responsible for violence in America."
January 10, 2001 Band Leader Les Brown Dies Brown was also the first president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and helped bring the Grammy Awards to television. He also was responsible for getting Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby to appear on the first telecast. The "Guinness Book of World Records" recognized Brown as the leader of the longest-lasting musical organization in pop music history. Brown was 88 years old at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife Evelyn, son Les Brown, Jr. and daughter Denise Marsh. He was still performing up to five months ago and was doing 60 dates a year. Puffy's Trial Postponed Sean "Puffy" Combs trail for gun and bribery charges was postponed today. Benjamin Brafman, Sean Puffy Combs' attorney stated, "This is a joint request by all sides. Sometimes there are legal issues that can be resolved prior to trial that in the final analysis will shorten the trial." He also stated that a plea bargain negotiation was not a reason for the delay. "This is a simple gun possession charge that involves a superstar. This is not the Linderbergh kidnapping. There is no plea bargain going on. Mr. Combs has plead not guilty. He is innocent. We are going to trial."Puffy's charges stem from the alleged shooting that occurred when a man allegedly insulted the rap mogul and threw money in his face. Bad Boy Records rapper Shyne, whose real name is Jamal Barrows, then allegedly opened fire hitting three innocent victims. The entourage, which included Puffy's girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, bodyguard Anthony "Wolf" Jones, and limousine driver Wardel Fenderson, then fled the scene. Puffy previously plead not guilty to charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degree and bribing a witness for his involvement in the meleé. Shyne was charged with attempted murder in the incident. According to New York District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos, Puffy's bribery charge stemmed from the rapper offering Fenderson a pinky ring, estimated to be worth between $40,000-$50,000, as collateral to take the charge. The incident is alleged to have happened in the squad room of a police precinct surrounded by officers. The gun charges stem from Puffy and Jones allegedly trying to stash guns in a hidden compartment that they couldn't open when Combs tossed the guns out of the window.
January 8, 2001 Jennifer Lopez Highest Paid Hispanic Actress Vanilla Ice Cools Off in Jail After Domestic Dispute According to The Associated Press, rapper Vanilla Ice was arrested on Wednesday and spent the night in a Broward County, Florida jail. The rapper, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, was arrested after he allegedly placed his hands over the mouth of his wife Laura as they were driving down Interstate 595. He was released on Thursday on $3,500 bail. Vanilla Ice told The Associated Press, "We had a heated argument. That's about it. It's not that big of a deal. I would never hit my wife or any girl or anything like that…I love my wife, I love my kids, my life's fine, everything's good, no hitting, no drugs." His wife is reluctant to press charges in the altercation. Prosecutors have three weeks to file charges against the rapper.
January 4, 2001 Mystikal and Cash Money 
New Orleans' hip hop star Mystikal ruled Soundscan for the ladder part of the year with
his latest album Let's Get Ready and the hit single "Shake Ya Ass." The
hard-hitting album features collaborations with OutKast and Da Brat as well as production
by the Neptunes. Mystikal recently talked about his new album stating, " "Shake
Ya Ass" is the album's anthem. I come to tear the world up." He also discussed
his departure from No Limit stating, "It was stuff going on between him and Jive and
he (Master P) wasn't about all that. So to make that better, it would be easy for me to go
ahead and do my thing and cut all ties of that. But it didn't matter cause I'm still gon'
work with him (Master P) anyway. You still gonna hear me on No Limit shit." Mystikal also talked about the supposed beef between No Limit and Cash Money and that he may actually collaborate with Cash Money in the future. He said, "It (the beef) wasn't bad as the media made it, but it was P handling something he heard and do not be surprised when you see it ( a collaboration with Cash Money) coming and don't be surprised when you see it advertised." Mystikal also said that he didn't like the comparisons to Little Richard, adding "I heard that before but I didn't take that as a compliment. Fuck no. But James Brown, I'll take it." Let's Get Ready is currently ranked at number 58 on Soundscan. The album is now riding high off the success of the sophomore single "Danger(Been So Long." Mystikal is also featured on the remix of R&B singer Joe's hit single "Stutter." Xzibit Prepares to Release "Restless Exposed" DVD 
Hip hop star Xzibit is putting the finishing touches on his soon to be released DVD
entitled Restless Exposed. The movie is scheduled to include interviews with the
rapper as well as his cohorts Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Limp Bizkit, Emimen and others from
their stints on the "Up In Smoke" and "Anger Management" tours held
last year. It will also entail behind the scenes footage and the making of his latest
video "X." Restless Exposed will be produced by video director Devin
Dehaven and will be released through the rapper's Open Bar Films early next year. Xzibit
released his third album, Restless, in December. The album contains collaborations
with Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and DJ Quik as well as production by Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre
also executive produced the album. Here is the tracklisting for Restless:
January 3, 2001 Prodigy Gearing to Release "Murda Muzik" 
Prodigy of the infamous hip hop duo Mobb Deep, will drop his debut straight to video film,
Murda Muzik early next year. He wrote the movie with Lawrence Page, who also lensed
the film. P described the movie saying, "We play ourselves. It's basically about us.
We needed to do this story about us and how we came out the projects, got a little money,
and put our mans on, but they was so caught up in the streets...That it's hard to get them
involved in the music. They really don't want to do it, but they good at it. So we try to
convince them to straighten up and go this way. My man NOID go through his little war with
himself of how he can't break from the hood and do his music thing. He's like more into
the streets and he gets into drama with some O.G. niggas from the projects ...Being that
we gave him a little chunk of change since we was on, and signed these niggas, he takes
that and invests it into drugs and all types of shit, and gets into war with the O.G. cats
behind that. They think we put him up to it, when we was really telling him to get the
fuck up out of that shit." Prodigy also added, "It's gonna show what Queensbridge is about and bring them into our world. It's also got a moral and teaches the kids that this is what's gonna happen if you go this route. Tell them not to do certain things. It's about life and death and choices in life." Murda Muzik also features Nas, Limp Bizkit, Bars and Hooks, Queen Pen, Rappin Noyd, Infamous Mobb, and his rhyme partner Havoc. Chris Tucker & Jackie Chan Reunite for Rush Hour 2 
Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan began filming Rush Hour 2 on December 11th in Hong
Kong, China. The film will also be shot in Los Angeles and Las Vegas and is scheduled to
hit theatres on August 3rd 2001. 1998's original grossed over $141 million. The sequel
picks up where the original action comedy left off as the two detectives travel back to
Hong Kong where they fight Chinese crooks and eventually end back stateside. The film will
also feature Don Cheadle as the owner of a Chinese restaurant, which is actually a front
for a Chinese crime cartel. The film will be directed by Brett Ratner, who also lensed the
first movie as well as the Tucker starring film Money Talks. Tucker and Chan will
reportedly be paid $15 million and $20 million, respectively, for their roles in the film.
January 2, 2001 Jay-Z Talks About Collaborations With Limp Bizkit and Lauryn Hill  During a recent interview, Jay- Z talked about his like of alternative music and collaborating with Limp Bizkit and Lauryn Hill. Jigga stated, "I like grunge groups including Limp Bizkit, Creed, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers...I did a song with Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit, but it never made it. We still have it, so who knows." He also said that there was almost a remix to his monstrous hit "Hard Knock Life" that was going to feature Lauryn Hill. "We actually almost did a hard knock life remix," said Jay-Z. We might do something together in the future."  The "King of the Rock" is also planning to kick off a tour in February, which may include R. Kelly. The two have collaborated on numerous projects before and Kelly is featured on the song "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" off Jay-Z's latest album The Dynasty. The Dynasty is currently ranked at number 33 on Soundscan.
FUBU Launches Record Label Clothing company FUBU has entered into the music industry as they recently signed a joint venture deal with Universal Records under their new imprint FB Entertainment. Both companies will share marketing, distribution, and promotion duties for FUBU Records. Universal Records President Monte Lipman, stated, "This is a very significant deal and a wonderful opportunity for both our companies. The arrangement will allow Universal to tap into a number of non-traditional outlets, and provide us with a variety of cross-marketing opportunities. Our expertise can help FUBU firmly establish itself as a player in the music industry."FUBU Records President Carl Brown, added, "Teaming up with Universal will provide us with the advantage to enter the music industry with a partner who has proven strength, experience and longevity. The synergy between both brands will undoubtedly open new avenues for us to explore in both the fashion and music industries." The first FUBU Records release will be a hip hop and R&B compilation featuring all-original tracks from both new and established artists. The disc will reach retail sometime in 2001. | November 25, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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"Ultimately
a great nation is a compassionate nation."
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