What’s real, good people? Another
week, another 25 cents made as the world spins with Florida feeling the effects
of tropical storm Fay, anticipation running high over who Obama and McCain will
pick as their running mates and world record breaking Jamaican sprinter Usain
Bolt catching flack from IOC president Jacques Rogge for displaying a lack of
respect for other competitors after becoming the first man since Carl Lewis to
win gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters at a single Olympics.
Condolences go out to the families
of actor Julius Carey III, who was best known for playing Sho’Nuff in the
classic film The Last Dragon and Dave
Matthews Band saxophonist Leroi Moore. Both men died Tuesday (Aug. 19).
Congratulations to Gwen Stefani,
who gave birth to her second child, Zuma, on Thursday (Aug. 21). Shout out to
Michael Phelps, for winning eight gold medals in a single Olympics, Dara
Torres, for proving you’re never too old to do big things on an Olympic stage,
South Africa’s Natalie du Toit, who made history as the first amputee swimmer
to compete in an Olympic Games on Wednesday (Aug. 20) and the sounding boards
for taking the gold in real talk.
Check it out…the Last Word for
the week ending Aug. 22, 2008
1. Janet Jackson Enters the
World of Lingerie; Wardrobe Malfunction Makes Dictionary
Leave it to Janet Jackson to find
a way to bring her sexiness to the masses. The singer has made good use of her
time away from music by designing a new line of lingerie called, what else, The
Pleasure Principle.
USA Today reports the 14-design line, which is scheduled to debut in
stores in November, will hit the US before arriving in Australia, Japan and
Europe. The intimate clothing will be priced under $40 and include a variety of
bra styles that range in size from 32A to 44G.
And like many women who shop for
lingerie, Jackson placed high importance on comfort while mentioning that there
was something for every woman. “I’ve always hated when lingerie is
uncomfortable, so the fit and comfort was key,” said the hitmaker, who
added that she was hands-on during designing and sometimes worked on the line
at 4 a.m.
News of Janet’s latest venture
comes as her term describing that infamous Super Bowl halftime blunder makes
the dictionary. Media sources stated that “wardrobe malfunction,” has been entered into the latest Chambers English
Dictionary. It is defined as “the exposure of an intimate part or parts of
the body due to a defect in an article.”
I guess if the ladies want to
avoid an involuntary wardrobe malfunction with their lingerie, it’s all about
“control.”
2. Mario Reveals Former Drug
Dealing Life
It’s no secret that things weren’t
always good with Mario before he hit it big. Anyone who saw his MTV documentary
Won’t Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom knows that life became more of a challenge for Mario as he
witnessed the effect of his mom’s heroin addiction. So much so that the former Dancing
With the Stars contestant traded his
singing dreams in for a brief stint as a drug dealer.
“In junior high school, I
even sold drugs for a short period of time,” Mario revealed in the new
issue of Seventeen magazine. And while
that life offered a few perks, it was the reality behind his new gig that made
the singer think of going in a different direction.
“…after making mistakes and
having friends die or end up in jail, I realized that I needed to start Mario’s
Do Right Foundation,” Mario explained. “It’s a program that gives
kids and adults a way to talk about their problems in a group without feeling
ashamed or alienated like I used to. And the foundation isn’t just about drugs
– It’s about teaching kids that anything is possible.”
3. Mariah, Miley and Beyonce
Stand Up to Cancer
Those waiting for a Mariah Carey
and Miley Cyrus collaboration will get their wish and then some. The singers
are among the 15 female artists lined up for “Just Stand Up,” new
song produced by Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenneth “Babyface”
Edmonds.
Others contributing vocals include
Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge,
Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole,Leona Lewis, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie
Underwood. “Just Stand Up” marks the first time Reid and Edmonds have
worked together in nearly 20 years.
The tune, which was conceived by
Reid, will be available for purchase exclusively on iTunes on Sept. 2. Fans
will get the chance to see the vocalists perform “Just Stand Up” live
when they take the stage on Sept. 5 for the Stand Up to Cancer TV special. The show is slated to air simultaneously and
commercial-free on CBS, ABC and NBC. Proceeds from the track will go to the Stand
Up for Cancer campaign for cancer
research.
The Stand Up to Cancer show will also feature reports on potentially life-saving
research and interviews with cancer patients and scientists from network news
anchors Charles Gibson, Katie Couric and Brian Williams.
4. Ne-Yo Gets Animated for
Cartoon Network Close Up
As if being a successful
singer/songwriter and actor wasn’t enough. Now Ne-Yo is adding animator to his
list of job titles with the creation of a new animated series for Cartoon
Network. According to reports, the crooner is in talks to bring the show over
to the channel.
“It’s a cartoon for adults,
like Family Guy. I’ve been busy
developing it,” Ne-Yo said about the show, titled What The Bear. “I created the characters and the world they live
in. And I did the original drawings and wrote the story.”
What the Bear will center around a rude bear that has been in jail in
another dimension. In addition to helming the project, Ne-Yo will work on music
for the series.
“It will all be
original,” the singer added as he admitted to choosing a job as an
illustrator if he wasn’t singing or writing tunes. “I used to draw
portraits and caricatures of people and get 10 or 20 dollars a time,” he
told Singersroom.com. “It was handy because, that way, I never needed to
ask my mom for money.”
5. Bobby Brown and R. Kelly
Make Courtroom Encores
Sitting in on a courtroom case can
be boring at times, but with entertainers like Bobby Brown and R. Kelly, it’s
always something to see. As if we don’t get enough of them outside the courts,
it looks like the Kings of R&B and New Jack Swing will once again be the
headliners in front of an honorable judge…but for different reasons.
E! Online reports that Brown’s
former divorce attorneys are suing him for allegedly failing to pay a $90,217
legal tab. The bill reportedly covers expenses related to the crooner’s divorce
from ex-wife Whitney Houston.
The complaint, which was filed
Aug. 15 in Los Angeles Superior Court by the law firm Phillips, Lerner, Lauzon
& Jamra, alleges that Brown was notified several times by the lawyers that
he was past due in paying the balance plus interest on legal services rendered
during the dissolution of his marriage. The singer did not respond to any of
the requests, according to the suit, which wants a court order to force Brown
to enter into binding arbitration with either the Beverly Hills or Los Angeles
bar association to settle the bill.
As for Kells, his legal drama
doesn’t involve any doing on his part (imagine that). The Grammy-winner is
reportedly heated at two nightclub promoters for using his name and face
without his permission. According to TMZ, a lawsuit filed last Friday alleges
that promoters for the Sugar nightclub featured Kelly’s name and face on fliers
“falsely advertising” that the vocalist would host one of their
parties. The event was news to Kells, who says he didn’t know anything about
it.
Although no specific amount is
listed in the suit, the vocalist is seeking what he deems to be enough relief (cash)
to “stop defendants’…disgorgement of ill-gotten gains.”
With these court episodes, maybe
Bobby and Kelly can earn a buck or two by hitting studio to record their first
collaboration, titled “Best of Both Cases.” Look for it to hit stores
before the holidays with a special discount for anyone else slated to appear
before a jury of their peers.
6. Berry Gordy Helps New
Yorkers Celebrate Michael Jackson
Within his first 50 years, Michael
Jackson has achieved a lifetime of notoriety. From having the best-selling
album of all time to groundbreaking music videos and performances to multiple
Grammys and tabloid controversy, it will be interesting to see what the next 50
holds for the King of Pop.
And as fans around the world
celebrate Jackson’s upcoming 50th birthday, New Yorkers will get an added treat
when Motown Records founder Berry Gordy makes an appearance at the Michael
Jackson 50th birthday and Thriller 25th anniversary celebration in New York.
The event will take place from 8
p.m. to midnight Saturday (Aug. 23) at New York University in the Franklin H.
Williams Caribbean Cultural Center, 408 W. 58th Street. Performers, Michael
Jackson karaoke and an MJ impersonator are among the things partygoers will see
and experience at the celebration, in addition to rare MJ music and videos,
food, dancing and memorabilia. Fans will also acknowledge the Thriller anniversary with a special sing and dance along to the
video for the title track.
Gordy will be on hand to celebrate
his most famous discovery as well as be honored for his contribution to
Jackson’s career and to music. The event comes as Motown celebrates 50 years of
existence in the music world. Other celebrity guests include Debarge member
Bunny Debarge, best-selling author and Fox reporter Aphrodite Jones and world-class
sprinter and Michael Walton Foundation founder Michael Walton. Michael Jackson
himself is also an invited guest.
Admission to the celebration is
$25. Visit www.paypal.com to order tickets.
7. Solange Enforces Her Grown
Woman Status; Parties for Tracks
Being on top of the music game is
a constant challenge for anyone willing to go all out to get that stardom. And
while I’ve heard talk of people “f**king for tracks,” I was surprised
to find a twist on that with Solange Knowles.
It seems like the singer snagged
contributions on her forthcoming album, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St Dreams, from producers Mark Ronson and Cee-Lo Green, by showing
them how much of a party girl she is. According to NME, Solange convinced the guys to produce tracks off the
project after cornering them earlier this year at an after show for this year’s
Grammy awards.
Despite Ronson agreeing to help
her, Solange initially thought he was trying to get rid of her as they talked
at the party. “He said, ‘Just because I’ve won this Grammy it doesn’t mean
I won’t work on your record’. I had to party with Cee-Lo too to get him to work
on the record.”
Sounds like Solange is stepping up
to play like the grown folks. At least that’s how it may come across on “ChampagneChronicNightcap,”
a Lil Wayne assisted Sol-Angel track that finds the vocalist talking about
marijuana and making love. According to her, all the album’s tracks are written
from personal experience.
“I am unapologetic; I don’t
write about things unless they’re true. I’m a grown-ass woman and I’ve
experienced grown-ass things.”
Well go on, with your grown-ass.
In Other Words…
* R&B collective Full Force is
making a return to music with its forthcoming greatest hits album Legendary.
The release will include classic hits “Ain’t My Type of Hype” and
“All Cried Out” as well as several brand new tracks. The group will
also release an online album with classics and more new songs titled Full
Force of Course.
* The new album from Brandy, Human, is slated to hit stores on Nov. 11. Among the tracks
featured will be the recently leaked first single “Right Here
