Crib Notes

Van Hunt doesn’t sound like himself.

Last year, he admits, he was devastated after Blue Note/EMI decided against releasing his untamed third album, Popular. In hindsight, however, Hunt suggests that given the opportunity to do it over, he would’ve tempered the characteristic defiance that’s come to define his bitches brew.

“I think I would have made a different record,” he says. “I don’t think I understood that they wanted a particular sound. It wasn’t like it was a foreign sound to my artistry. It was just one part of what I do. I think I could have made a record that would have made them more comfortable doing what they do — which is sell records.”

Continue reading “Van Hunt takes the Emergency exit after Blue Note’s blowjob”

(Photo by Big Hassle)

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SHOW BUSINESS: Keyshia Cole

After witnessing Keyshia Cole endure verbal spats with her mom and DNA tests with random guys claiming to be her dad, you’d think her hit BET reality show “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is” has revealed everything there is to know about the artist.

Sure, she’s probably a little too tolerant of her unrefined mother, Frankie. And yeah, she’s got a giving spirit, as suggested by the extended family she helps support. But Keyshia Cole’s also a perfectionist when it comes to her career.

After being a featured act in Lil’ Wayne’s I Am Music tour earlier this year, Cole could have easily reprised many of the show’s technical elements for her A Different Me tour. Her legion of followers wouldn’t have cared a lick. But that’s not what Keyshia wanted.

Continue reading “There’s no business like personal business for Keyshia Cole”

(Photo courtesy Keyshia Cole)

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ESTELLE

Estelle/Solange/Suai
March 12 at Center Stage

The theme of the night was independent thinking — or the lack thereof.

We’re not just talking about outside-the-box performers Solange, or the night’s headliner Estelle, either. No, the crowd gets called out this time. The source of my discontent: Center Stage has a unique setup in that you don’t have to stand in front of the stage; fans can actually cop a squat in the surrounding theater seating and, essentially, leave the dance floor clear. Mind you, I’ve been to a number of shows at the venue and have never seen this happen — until this night. If only one person would have boldly made a move, others would’ve followed. But nooooo…
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Four years ago, the Boston Globe ran a story that exposed the darker side of hitting the lottery jackpot. As expected, most achieved instant popularity as they spent winnings on expensive cars and lavish vacations. But many also shared an overwhelming sense of isolation as distant relatives came out of the woodwork seeking financial gain.

Psychologists call it sudden-wealth syndrome. Hip-hop refers to it as the Biggie Smalls theory: Mo’ money, mo’ problems.

“When I come home,” Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy states via phone, “I have to deal with my family and friends. These are people I’ve been knowing that are going through real hard times. You can’t save everybody; It’s just real, especially when you come from [equally hard times].”

And you thought he was all about clubbin’ with Usher.

It’s not your fault, though. Cats like Jeezy have built careers spitting hot 16s about cool cars and buying out bars. No other genre of music has created a wider gap between the fantasy it depicts and the reality lived by its fan base. Mainstream rappers have painted such lavish images of themselves that it’s hard to distinguish the truth.

Read the rest of this article here. 

(Photo courtesy Def Jam)

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As soon as the story hit the Atlanta newswire that Eric Perteet was arrested for allegedly impersonating a Piedmont Hospital doctor, Griffy2Trillion knew he had just what he needed for his morning comedy bit. “That was funny as hell, right?” the part-time Hot 107.9 (WHTA-FM) radio host/full-time crack-up asks after he and his “A-Team Morning Show” co-hosts, Rashan Ali and Emperor Searcy, place a hilarious crank call to the hospital. “Dr. Perteet! Dr. Perteet?!” Whether he’s doing improv on the radio, hosting one of his weekly stand-up gigs or talking to at-risk teens through his nonprofit, Positive Vibes (www.positivevibesinc.org), Griff is one on-air personality who doesn’t fake the funk.

Continue reading Spotlight.

(Photo courtesy Griffy2Trillion)

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When Heston discovers the film rights to Rita Marley’s memoir, No Woman No Cry: My Life With Bob Marley, were recently acquired by the Weinstein Co. for a biopic scheduled to begin production next year, he lights up like a spliff.

“I wonder who’s going to play Bob,” he says. “You think one of the sons, maybe?”

Stephen or Rohan Marley certainly could pull off the epic role without breaking a sweat. Damian and Ky-mani, two other Marley sons, wouldn’t be terrible choices, either. But considering the time and energy Heston has invested into a May 10 tribute concert for the legendary artist, it might not be a bad idea for him to try out himself.

Continue reading CD Release.

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