Tony Allen speaks on his 10th album, Film Of Life in this video introduction to the project. There are scenes of the band at work, including Damon Albarn. Film Of Life will be released in October.
Chaka Khan On The Wendy Williams Show
Chaka Khan appeared on The Wendy Williams show and she had a candid interview with Williams and performed “I’m Every Woman” and “Ain’t Nobody.”
Mayer Hawthorne-The Stars Are Ours (Detroit Swindle’s Big Dipper Remix)
Amsterdam duo, Detroit Swindle flip Mayer Hawthorne’s “The Stars Are Ours” into a house track and it’s a free download. Hawthorne’s side project with 14KT, Jaded Incorporated just released the video for “People Change” and Universal has deemed it too controversial for mobile access.
Myron & E-Broadway
Myron & E tell the story of falling in love and getting married around a boxing rink and a backyard party. “Broadway” is the lead song from their sophomore album released on Stones Throw last year.
Throwback: Marc Anthony Thompson-Love Cools Down
Marc Anthony Thompson started out making ironic pop in the ’80′s and released two solo albums for Warner Brothers. “Love Cools Down” epitomized the era of shoulder pads, big hair and dance-oriented drum machines but Thompson’s lyrics casually relayed the story of dark heartbreak with a smile. Thompson’s Chocolate Genius collective started releasing music in the late ’90s and emerged with the critically acclaimed Black Music in ’98. The pop/folk/funk eclecticism of the Genius projects gave him the recognition he missed in the ’80′s and reiterated his place at the forefront of non-linear Black pop. He won an Obie for his music direction on A Huey P. Newton Story that starred Roger Guenveur Smith and was directed by Spike Lee also in the late ’90′s. Thompson has written music for a variety of soundtracks and toured with Bruce Springsteen in 2006. In June of 2014 he judged the Studio 360 1914 Blues Challenge.
Media Questions Of The Week
Will older fans be uncomfortable with an African-American Captain America?
Why did the casting agency for Straight Outta Compton create a casting call notice full of colorist sterotypes:
SAG OR NON UNION CASTING NOTICE FOR FEMALES-ALL ETHNICITIES- from the late 80′s. Shoots on “Straight Outta Compton”. Shoot date TBD. We are pulling photos for the director of featured extras. VERY IMPORTANT – You MUST live in the Los Angeles area (Orange County is fine too) to work on this show. DO NOT SUBMIT if you live out of the area. Nobody is going to be flying into LA to do extra work on this show – and don’t tell me you are willing to fly in.
SAG OR NON UNION FEMALES – PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR SPECIFIC BREAKDOWN. DO NOT EMAIL IN FOR MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY:
A GIRLS: These are the hottest of the hottest. Models. MUST have real hair – no extensions, very classy looking, great bodies. You can be black, white, asian, hispanic, mid eastern, or mixed race too. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: SandeAlessiCasting@gmail.com subject line should read: A GIRLS
B GIRLS: These are fine girls, long natural hair, really nice bodies. Small waists, nice hips. You should be light-skinned. Beyonce is a prototype here. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: SandeAlessiCasting@gmail.com subject line should read: B GIRLS
C GIRLS: These are African American girls, medium to light skinned with a weave. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: SandeAlessiCasting@gmail.com subject line should read: C GIRLS
D GIRLS: These are African American girls. Poor, not in good shape. Medium to dark skin tone. Character types. Age 18-30. Please email a current color photo, your name, Union status, height/weight, age, city in which you live and phone number to: SandeAlessiCasting@gmail.com subject line should read: D GIRLS
Will Alexandra Shipp be the final choice to play Aaliyah in the upcoming Lifetime biopic?
Black Jesus Expanded Trailer
Black Jesus is set in present day Compton, CA and his goal is to inspire the people with the help of his colorful followers. The Aaron McGruder and Mike Clattenburg show will debut on the Adult Swim channel August 7th.
J.Dilla’s Production Tools Going To The Smithsonian
Last night the DC Loves Dilla concert took place and it was announced that J.Dilla’s MPC and custom made Moog will be put on display at The Smithsonian’s new museum of African-American History and Culture. The museum is currently being built and should be open by 2016.
Kandace Springs-Stay With Me
New York by way of Nashville singer/songwriter/pianist Kandace Springs covers Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me.” Tha Crown Jules directed the video shot around the city and presented in tinted colors. She’s currently working on her first solo album with a variety of industry-proven writers and producers (Eli Wolf, Claude Kelly, Jack Splash and Pop and Oak) that will be released by Blue Note before the year’s end.
The Underachievers-Metropolis
The Underachievers praise their New York City hometown with “Metropolis” from their Cellar Door: Terminus Ut Exordium debut coming August 12th.