Don King has been hired as the first voice actor in a new upcoming Hip-Hop animated project tentatively titled The Seven Deadly Sins. The project is part of a slate of new programming being launched by Frederator Films, a new indie film feature company. Frederator’s partners include Fred Seibert, who was former head of Hanna-Barbera, Kevin Kolde (Spumco) and Eric Gardner (Panacea Entertainment). According to Variety, the new company’s specialty will be cutting edge, offbeat content, that’s turned into feature films. The company is also developing a claymation feature based on the videogame The Neverhood and a full length version of Cartoon Network’s Samurai Jack.
Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and Sean “Diddy” Combs all performed at the Concert for Diana yesterday (July 1) in front of more than 63,000 people at Wembley Stadium. Each artist took the time to promote peace during their sets, following a chaotic weekend that included a bomb scare and an actual blast at Glasgow airport. “Despite of all the crazy things that’s been happening over the past couple of days, I’d like to see Great Britain stand up for peace,” Williams said. Combs, who gave a shoutout to the Prince Harry and William, the two brothers who organized the concert, said that Princess Diana is resting in a better place. “Today we celebrate her rebirth- I dedicate this song to you,” Combs told the crowd, before performing a rendition of his hit “I’ll Be Missing You.” Kanye West appeared on the stage backed by DJ A-Trak. Despite a no swearing rule, during “Golddigger” and other songs during his medley of hits, West and the crowd could be heard using the N word during the live broadcast, which could land the BBC and other networks in trouble. Other performers included Elton John, Joss Stone, Duran Duran, Andrew Lloyd Weber and others.
Solange Knowles celebrated her 21st birthday with two parties, including one last night that features a performance by rapper Lupe Fiasco in her hometown of Houston, Texas. Knowles’ parties kicked off at the Contemporary Arts Museum at 9:00 PM. Swizz Beatz hosted the party, while various celebrity attendees walked own the “graffiti carpet” to hear music by De La Soul’s DJ Maseo. The second event will take place during the Essence Festival in New Orleans on July 6. A Tribe Called Quest frontman Q-Tip will provide the sounds for the evening, while Chrisette Michele will be on hand to perform. Knowles’ second party takes place at Generations Hall in New Orleans.
