E-Spire Entertainment News

In the early 1990's, the group Zhane made its mark in R & B. Some of their hits were "Hey, Mr. DJ," "Vibe," "Sending My Love," "Groove Thang," and the list goes on and on. Fast forward to 2007, and Jean Baylor, one half of the duo, has decided to release her first solo project "Testimony."

Many of Zhane fans are curious to know what the duo has been up to. "I still keep in contact with Renee," Jean Baylor states as she speaks about her new CD. Although, out of the limelight, Baylor assures fans that music has always been a part of her life, by saying, "I never really gave up singing."

There are advantages and disadvantages of going solo. Baylor states, "Having creative control is one advantage."

Things have been moving upward in not only her professional life, but personally. Baylor is now married. Her husband, a talented musician, has been supportive of her music career and is also one of the producers on "Testimony."

After speaking with Baylor and listening to her CD, her love for music is evident. Baylor's vibrant personality and gentle spirit comes across in her music. My favorite songs on the CD are Morning Time, Come Go with Me, Love Poems, and Testimony.

Jean Baylor music fills in a missing gap. She does an outstanding job with mixing vocals with the right background music. "Testimony" takes listeners on an emotional journey showcasing the peaks and valleys of life and leaves the listener feeling satisfied. ~ Shelia M. Goss, author of My Invisible Husband & Entertainment Writer for e-Spire Entertainment & BellaOnline Women in Music

I was a little girl when I was first introduced to music by the Bar-Kays. I can recall enjoying their music back then, but quite honestly I didn't know what to expect with a 2007 Bar-Kays CD. I had to travel this weekend so I decided to listen to "House Party" while driving. Whether it was up-tempo or a slow jam, "House Party" was "jamming" from track one all the way through. The first song "Sho-Nuff" featuring Jazze Pha set the stage for the entire CD.

The Bar-Kays mix old school R & B funk with up to date lyrics. Add some flavor to your music collection with "House Party." ~ Shelia M. Goss, author of My Invisible Husband & Entertainment Writer for e-Spire Entertainment & BellaOnline Women in Music




Sho Nuff (produced by Jazze Pha)

Superstar

To read more about The Bar-Kays:
www.myspace.com/thebarkays
http://www.barkays.net/

When did you decide to take writing seriously?
I've always been a writer since grade school. Teachers encouraged me a great deaI with praises for my papers and winning writing contests. When in college, my instructor's would always tell me I should think about writing seriously because of my overactive imagination and my gift for pulling a story together no matter the subject. After losing a close friend in 1996, I needed an outlet, something to help me with my grieving. Not knowing how to deal with my sudden loss I found writing to be a great way to cope and out of that writing my first novel Blind Temptations was born. It took me until last year to become really serious about it, name the book and go for it.

How long does it take you to write your first draft?
Less than an hour if I have a concept of where I want to go with it.

Are your stories based on real life situations?
I based the life changing event that Chante had to face in Blind Temptations as therapeutic way of dealing with what actually happened to me. The rest are based on life and the things I’ve seen.

What are the names of your books?
"Blind Temptations" the Seduction of Sex, Lies, & Betrayal is the first release; others I am currently working on are, "Seduced" the Mistress of Seduction,(formerly known as Pleasure & Pain Seducing the Seductress) Blind Temptations 2, Fade to Black, MBLA (Man Boy Love Association, which is a group of men from all walks of life that prey on young boys from all over the world.) to name a few. I also have a plethora of short stories, one of which is being published in Zane's Chocolate Flava 2 coming out in August and then Stormy Weather was featured in Noire's online magazine in October.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
The advice I have for aspiring writers is to do your homework on the literary industry. Learn as much as you can, join online writer's groups and buy books on the matter. There's a wealth of information within those groups. I personally have learned so much from them and they're always there to offer advice or answer any questions you may have about the industry. Don't fall prey to online scams with printers, agents, publishers, publicists, web designers etc. It's sad to say, but true, there are people out there that thrive off of those of us that are naïve to the game. I can be reached at pleasureprinciplepublishing@yahoo.com or you can visit my website at www.pleasureprinciplepublishing.com



Interview by Shelia M Goss, an entertainment writer and author of My Invisible Husband and Roses are thorns, Violets are true. For more information, visit www.sheliagoss.com.

Scott "LAce" Yates may be new to the music scene, but he's not stranger to hard work. I look forward to watching his career blossom.



Shelia Goss: Where are you from?
Young Lace: Los Angeles, CA.

Shelia: Why did you decide to pursue a rap career?
Young Lace: It's a talent i've always had, and I have a strong passion for music and making good music.

Shelia: What would your friends say about you?
Young Lace: That I don't lose arguments, and that I think I know everything. But everyone loves me though :)

Shelia: How long did it take you to shop this CD?
Young Lace: We're using early 07 to shop it as much as possible before a release in the 4th quarter.

Shelia: What's your first single?
Young Lace: Lets Ride featuring Japan and produced by Scott Storch

Shelia: Are you working on a video for the single?
Young Lace: Yep, we're going to get it done sometime before the summer.

Shelia: How can readers learn more about you and hear a sample of your work?
Young Lace: Everything you need to know is on my myspace page, http://myspace.com/younglace1 - and my official site, http://younglace.com/ is coming really soon!

Shelia: Why the name Young Lace? Tell us how you got it and why.
Young Lace:

L - Love
A - And
C - Conquer
E - Everything

Interview by Shelia M Goss, an entertainment writer and author of My Invisible Husband and Roses are thorns, Violets are true. For more information, visit www.sheliagoss.com.

VEGAS VAMPIRES DVD is in stores on TOMORROW (FEB 27)
VIEW TRAILER HERE

DIRECTOR
Fred Williamson

STARRING
Tommy 'Tiny' Lister (50 Cent: Bulletproof, Forbidden Fruits, El Padrino, Next Friday, Jackie Brown)
Richard Roundtree (the orginal Shaft, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Boat Trip, Soul Food)
Daniel Baldwin (Paparazzi, Mullholland Falls, Vampires)
Glenn Plummer (Saw II, Constellation, Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles)
Fredro Starr (My Brother, Forbidden Fruits, Commitments, Save The Last Dance, Light It Up)
Jacqueline Flemming (Tournament Of Dreams, Just My Luck, Hair Show)
K-Ci & JoJo - multi-platinum R&B recording artists

ABOUT VEGAS VAMPIRES
When night falls upon Las Vegas, the vampires of the underground emerge. Lead vampire "Q" (Alex Wilkinson) is on a quest for the perfect bride with whom he can breed generations of vampires and continue his reign. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas police department is in hot pursuit of whoever is behind a series of slayings in the city's hottest nightclubs. A conflict emerges between Officer Johnson (Tommy 'Tiny' Lister) and Officer Patterson (Glenn Plummer) and head detective Burns (Daniel Baldwin), who wants to suppress the truth - vampires are taking over his city. The plot thickens when Patterson is found dead, an apparent victim of a bite to the neck. Left to crack the case alone, Johnson sets out to avenge the death of his partner and end "Q's" reign of terror.

The film pays "tribute" to Richard Roundtree's iconic character John Shaft, by recreating fight sequences in the spirit of the Blaxploitation film favorite, "Shaft"

Directed by former Oakland Raiders/Kansas City Chiefs football star turned actor/director Fred Williamson. Williamson, one of the first African-American male action stars during 1970's, has achieved a long and illustrious career as a director, writer and producer including Down and Dirty, On The Edge and TV's Lexie.

Not Rated
Running Time: 89 minutes

Ciara's latest CD is filled with mid-tempo to up-tempo songs. The production on the CD was outstanding. It's a good CD to listen to when driving long distances (I'm speaking from experience). She keeps it crunked. If you're looking for something mellow, this CD is not for you; but if you're looking for something that will keep you moving and swaying, Ciara's "The Evolution" would be a good addition to your collection.

Ciara's Official Website: www.ciaraworld.com

Listen to R Kelly's new single "I'm a Flirt" from his forthcoming album (coming Spring 2007).

Clean: "I'm A Flirt" Remix Featuring T.I. and T-Pain
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I'm A Flirt" Remix Featuring T.I. and T-Pain
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WINDOWS MEDIA

REAL MEDIA

Myspace
http://myspace.com/kos

Official site
http://www.k-osmusic.com/home.asp

The woman with the most distinctive voice in music is back with a dynamic new effort that spotlights her classic pipes in a variety of soulful and stylistic settings. On March 27th Macy Gray will release her long awaited new album BIG on the will.i.am music group/Geffen Records label. She joins Grammy-winning, platinum superstar Fergie as the second artist to be released under the will.i.am music group banner.




Purchase "Finally Made Me Happy" at iTunes here

Official site
http://www.macygray.com

MySpace page
http://www.myspace.com/macygray

GARY ALLAN
Greatest Hits
Album Release Date: March 6, 2007
http://www.garyallan.com/
http://www.myspace.com/garyallan

Watch the new Video

To read an interview with Bow Wow, CLICK HERE.

The new music series will be in Target stores on Tuesday, February 27th.

NEW MUSIC FROM AN OLD FRIEND Singer Songwriter Legends

"Alfie" Burt Bacharach and Peabo Bryson
"Your Goodbye" Richard Marx
"Home Again" Duet with Carole King and Suzan Agbor

KENNY LOGGINS How About Now

"How About Now"
"A Love Song"
"That's When I Find You"

STEPHEN BISHOP

"Save it For A Rainy Day" with Eric Clapton
"Un Baile Del Corazon" with Earl Klugh and Luciana Sousa
"On and On"

A SONG FOR MY FATHER

"Evil Ways" Salvador Santana
"Lover's Cross" A.J. Croce
"Midnight Rider" Devon Allman

DAVID CASSIDY - PART. II THE REMIX

"Come On Get Happy" DJ Craig J's extended go go mix
"I'll Meet You Halfway"
"I Think I Love You"

WYNONNA - INFLUENCES

"Coal Miner's Daughter" Loretta Lynn
"She Believes In Me" Kenny Rogers
"Me And Bobby McGee" Kris Kristofferson

JASON MRAZ - INFLUENCES

"Use Me" Bill Whithers
"Respect" Aretha Franklin
"Summer Breeze" Seals and Crofts

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND - INFLUENCES

"Get Up (I Feel Like A) Sex Machine" James Brown
"Last Goodbye" Jeff Buckley
"How Deep Is The Ocean" Etta James

SARAH MCLAHLAN - INFLUENCES

"Your Song" Elton John
"In Your Eyes" Peter Gabriel
"Unchained Melody" Willie Nelson

JAMIE CULLUM - INFLUENCES

"Young & Foolish" Tony Bennett & Bill Evans
"Nature Boy" Kurt Elling
"Get Thy Bearings" Donovan


NASHVILLE NOW – RED MIX

"Keg In The Closet" Kenny Chesney
"Me and Charlie Talking" Miranda Lambert
"Little Moments" Brad Paisley

SINGER SONGWRITERS – RED MIX

"Rocket Man" Elton John
"Angel" Sarah McLachlan
"Arms Of A Woman" Amos Lee

CONTEMPORARY CROONERS – RED MIX

"Don't Wait Too Long" Madeleine Peyroux
"These are The Days" Jamie Cullum
"My Favorite Things" Peter Cincotti

CLASSIC BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – RED MIX

"Soul Shake Down Party"
"Soul Rebel"
"Don’t Rock My Boat"

WOMEN OF SONG – RED MIX

"Time After Time" Cyndi Lauper with Sarah McLachlan
"Letter Read" Rachael Yamagata
"I Control the Sun" Lisa Loeb

Stephen Marley feat Mos Def - "Hey Baby"

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Stephen Marley feat Damian Marley and Phantom (beatboxing) - "Traffic Jam"

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Def Jam platinum recording artist Rihanna's smash hit "Break It Off" featuring Sean Paul is now available as a digital single at all digital music retailers. Buy the single on iTunes here!

Premium consists of a talented cast and director who brings the three dimenstional characters to life on film. Dorian Missick plays the lead character (Cool). Cool is a struggling actor working at his mother's boyfriend's full service gas station and lives at home with his mother. He accidentally runs into his ex-girlfriend Charli(Zoe Saldana) when she pulls into the station for gas. Cool's life becomes more complicated as days go by. He's disappointed to learn she's engaged to be married later on that week to Ed, played by Hill Harper. Cool attempts to convince Charli to give their relationship a second look, but she's determined to leave him in the past and concentrate on her upcoming wedding. Both struggle with dealing with unresolved issues.

One of my favorite scenes in Premium is when Cool, Charli and Ed are sitting around the dinner table. The clever way Cool reveals his and Charli's history to Ed, as well as the dialogue between him and Ed, is borderline comical. As Cool goes from audition to audition, you wonder if he'll ever get his big break or if he's chasing after a pipe dream.

Overall, this romantic comedy is entertaining and follows the complicated yet simple life of a man who is determined, despite the many obstacles standing in his way, to win personally and professionally. Premium will be in theaters this Friday.

VIEW THE TRAILER

Reviewed by Shelia M. Goss, entertainment writer and National Bestselling Author of My Invisible Husband, Roses are thorns, Violets are true and Paige's Web (www.sheliagoss.com).

Additional information about the movie:


WRITTEN / DIRECTED BY
Pete Chatmon

PRODUCED BY
Pete Chatmon, Kevin Frakes, Lynn Appelle

STARRING
Dorian Missick
Zoe Saldana
Hill Harper
Tonya Pinkins
Eva Pigford
Frankie Faison
William Sadler

Rated R for language
Running Time: 97 minutes

It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp
Contributed by Peggy Eldridge-Love
When the 78th Academy Awards Music Song winner was announced as "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp", from the movie "Hustle & Flow," I, like a host of others, was in a state of disbelief. What possible redeeming qualities could a song with that title, that dealt with that dark subject, have that would catapult it to such heights. Never mind that I had not seen the movie. Never mind either that I had never heard the song prior to Award's night. I was entitled to my indignation, if for no other reason, simply on GP (general principals).

While channel surfing a few nights ago I stumbled upon the movie, "Hustle & Flow", and decided I'd see what had made it a contender for Academy Awards of any kind. I am certainly a Terrence Howard fan, but, like with the song, reviews and commentary about the film were heavy with controversy, so it had not made it to the top of my 'must see' list. May I humbly admit that when the final credits started to roll I had experienced a personal epiphany, and I completely understood what was being conveyed in "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" in ways perhaps I wish I did not.

This dark, haunting, ultra real slice of American life was summed up in the reverberating words of Howard's character as the movie comes to an end. "Everybody's got to have a dream, " he says, and the dreams of a bottom-of-the-bucket scraping, want-to-escape-from-this-life and release-these-women-from-it-too southern pimp became as real as those of an ivy league bound socially challenged boy in the movie "Scent of a Woman." Dreams are dreams. The brutal, socially repugnant lyrics that leapt from the lips of both Terrance Howard's character Djay and Taraji Henson's character Shug are replete with the truth of lives lived amongst us all every day. Seeing the movie I am forced to understand, to acknowledge, and, to somewhat reluctantly laud, the wisdom of the Academy in it choice of "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" from "Hustle & Flow", music and lyrics by Jordan Houston, Cedrice Coleman, and Paul Beauregard, as the 78th Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science Music Song Winner. It is worth another listen -- in context.

Posted with permission. Content copyright © 2007 by Peggy Eldridge-Love. All rights reserved. Website: www.peggyeldridgelove.com.

AUDIO "Because of You"

WM HI

WM LO

REAL HI

Brian McKnight
Ten IN STORES NOW
Warner Bros. Records
Myspace


AUDIO "What's My Name"

Real

Windows

Quicktime

EYE WAS BLIND will be shown as a SPECIAL FEATURE in the 2007 Macon Film Festival in Atlanta (Feb.27-March 4)

Eye Was Blind, winner of "The Best Drama Feature Film Genre award" in the 2005 New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, shows the strength of many women in the world today through the main character, Armani.

To read more about the movie, go to:
http://www.eyewasblindmovie.com/

Forget You Streaming Video:
Quicktime

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Forget You Streaming Audio:
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LAX Myspace Page:
http://www.myspace.com/lax

Check out LAX on Billboard

Check out LAX on Monsters and Critics

Hear several songs from the CD here:

"Sound The Alarm" feat. Guilty Simpson

"Say Something"

"So Gone"

Black Milk's MySpace page:
www.myspace.com/blackmk

Found A Way Streaming Audio

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For a 20 year old, Drake Bell is an old soul when it comes to the music he listens to and plays on his Universal Motown Records debut It's Only Time. Songs like the first single, I Know, which sounds like it could have come off Rubber Soul, and the empowering, Elton John like rocker Do What You Want boasts a bittersweet pop sound, with catchy harmonies and plenty of exuberant vocal hooks, which is no wonder considering the Newport Beach, CA, native, whose mother is two-time world champion pool player Robin Dodson, was raised on the classic rock of the 60s. Learning how to play guitar from The Who's Roger Daltrey, with whom he worked in the 1998 movie Changing Destiny, Drake proved a natural student.

A child actor who began appearing in commercial and feature films when he was 5, Bell says: "When I was a kid, I wanted to be Elvis Presley so I could star in movies and TV while also playing music." Bell went on to roles in the feature films High Fidelity and Yours, Mine and Ours as well as the TV series Seinfeld, The Drew Carey Show, The Pretender and Home Improvement while appearing in the cast of Nickelodeon's sketch comedy series The Amanda Show, which led to his starring role on the network's popular The Josh and Drake Show.

I Know Streaming Audio:

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The Goo Goo Dolls
Let Love In CD/DVD expanded edition
In stores February 27th!!

The Goo Goo Dolls Video Streams:

Can't Let Go Live

Without You Here Live

Stay With You Music Video

Let Love In Music Video


The Goo Goo Dolls Official Website:
http://www.googoodolls.com/

Goo Goo Dolls MySpace:
http://myspace.com/googoodolls

View New Video "Must Have Done Something Right"
Windows Media Player

New Album Five Score and Seven Years Ago hits stores March 6th, 2007

AMY WINEHOUSE wins Best Female Solo Artist at the Brits!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6268759.stm

Her CD Back to Black will be out 3/13 in the US.

View You Know I'm No Good Video
http://video.umrg.com/amywinehouse/youknowimnogood

US Dates:

3/13 - Live at Bowery Ballroom, New York
3/13 - Letterman
3/15 - 3/17 - SXSW
3/19 - Live at the Roxy, Los Angeles
3/20 - Live at Spaceland, Los Angeles

To View Talib Kweli "More Or Less" Video,
CLICK HERE.

J Valentine - "Shes Worth The Trouble"

REAL AUDIO

WINDOWS MEDIA

To learn more about J Valentine, visit www.myspace.com/jvalentinemusic

Brooklyn-born rapper Fabolous, the newest mega-signing to the Def Jam Recordings artist roster, will release his long-awaited new fourth album, FROM NOTHIN' TO SOMETHIN', on March 27th. The album, featuring special guest appearances from fellow Def Jam artist Ne-Yo with producer Timbaland (on "Make Me Better"), Steve Morales (on "Diamonds"), and Jazzy Pha, will arrive in stores via DJ Clue's Desert Storm. Fabolous, who the New York Times recently touted as "slick and underrated," is currently heating up the airwaves alongside Young Jeezy on the blazing "Diamonds," the first single from From Nothin' To Somethin'.

AUDIO: FABOLOUS - "Diamonds" (feat Young Jeezy)

Fade Out Streaming Audio

Per Te/For You Streaming Audio

Sasha & Shawna Official Site:
http://www.sashaandshawna.com

Campi d'Oro (Fields of Gold) Streaming Audio

Your Love (Theme from Once Upon a Time in the West) Streaming Audio

Giorgia Fumanti Official Site:
http://www.giorgiafumanti.com

From My Heart in stores on March 6, 2007.

Sunny Valentine is the newest star to hit the rap game out of the recently hot Texas market. After relocating from his hometown of Tyler, TX to the Southern music industry mecca of Atlanta he hooked up with Young Jeezy manager Kevin "Coach K" Lee and dropped his debut single "F U Pay Me" featuring Young Joc late last year. The track has been blazing the airwaves and clubs in the ATL & other markets throughout the Southeast ever since eventually getting spun over 1000 times on top Atlanta urban station WHTA (Hot 107).

Sunny considers himself a lyricist who blends the swagger of Yung Joc with the struggle perspective of Young Jeezy. His debut album is titled By Any Means Necessary and besides Young Joc, features appearances by Sean P of the YoungBloodz and Bobby Creekwater and is being primarily produced by platinum beatsmith and long time partner Sol Messiah (Chamillionaire, David Banner, and Dead Prez). The newest super-producer out the South Nitty (Yung Joc, T.I., and Young Jeezy), Maliki, Khalfani and Grind Music also helm production for several tracks on the album.

Hear new single:
Edited

Explicit

AUDIO "Lock U Down" featuring Lil Wayne (Produced by Scott Storch)

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"I started out in the industry as a young girl trying to find her way. I've definitely experienced my share of struggles and pain, but most of my experiences have taught me something great. The CD takes you on a journey of just that; it's a guide to why I'm liberated and how I got there." ~ Mya

Liberation (Universal Motown) IN STORES JUNE 26, 2007.

GNARLS BARKLEY - "SMILEY FACES" (video)http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid474442197

A few months ago, I did a poll to determine the Top 5 Romantic Movies, Songs and romance authors. Some of you voted and here are the results:

Top Five Love Movies for Valentine's Day
Love Jones
Love & Basketball
Ghost
The Best Man
Bridges over Madison County

Let the Music Play: Top Five Love Songs
Here and Now - Luther Vandross
At Last - Etta James
You and I - OBrian
All My Life - K-Ci & JoJo
Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

Reading Room: Top Five Authors of Romance
Francis Ray
Brenda Jackson
Beverly Jenkins
Donna Hill
Danielle Steele

Poll conducted by Shelia M. Goss, entertainment writer & national bestselling author of My Invisible Husband and Roses are thorns, Violets are true.

Starring: Gabrielle Union, Idris Elba, Louis Gossett Jr., Tasha Smith, Gary Anthony Sturgis
Directed by: Tyler Perry
Produced by: Tyler Perry, Reuben Cannon

Trailer: Hi Med Lo

PLAYAS BALL
DVD in stores Today
CODEBLACK ENTERTAINMENT

VIEW TRAILER

Starring:

Allen Payne (The Cosby Show, Jason's Lyric, Tuskegee Airmen, A Perfect Storm, New Jack City)
Elise Neal (All Of Us (UPN), Hustle & Flow, Paid In Full, Scream 2)
Anthony "Treach" Criss (The Sopranos, Third Watch, Book of Love, member of Naughty By Nature)
MC Lyte (Half & Half (UPN), Civil Brand, rapper/multi-platinum artist)

Cameos by NBA All-Stars Scottie Pippen and Derek Anderson

ABOUT PLAYAS BALL

Cedric Tinsley (Allen Payne) is a 27-year-old professional basketball player on the verge of greatness. Handsome, talented, rich & preparing to propose to his beautiful live-in girlfriend, he's a hometown guy who is well liked and respected in the community. Cedric's life is the model for a Nike commercial, yet on the heels of signing an endorsement contract that will set him up for life, a woman - who claims he is the father of her infant son - sues him for paternity. The problem is he swears he has never met or seen the woman before. Now with everything to lose, Cedric must fight to save all he has worked for, restore his name and find out how and why this is happening.

Not Rated
Running Time: 89 minutes

Playas Ball is the first film release from Dale Davis' W.A.R. Entertainment. Davis, a 15 year NBA veteran and forward for The Detroit Pistons.

Shelia Goss: Did you always know you wanted to be a singer?
Jessi Malay: From the time I was 3 years old, performing was always the most natural
thing for me, the most fun thing for me to do, and deep down inside what
I knew I was destined for, but I grew up scared of making it a profession.
School always came first but it was dancing, singing and being onstage
that I had a passion for. It wasn't until I was 14 that I realized if
I didn't give it a shot I would regret it for the rest of my life.

Shelia: What is a typical day like for you?
Jessi Malay: Usually I'll wake up and try to
get my butt to the gym, do a little cardio, or take a yoga class...it's
just the best way to jumpstart my day otherwise I never feel fully
awake...The rest of my day varies... I'll either have to go into the
studio to record or write, or go to the dance studio to rehearse with my
choreographer and dancers, or go into the label for a meeting about my
project.

Shelia: Who are some of your favorite singers?
Jessi Malay: I grew up listening to a lot of
dance divas like Donna Summers and Janet Jackson, I was a big Mariah fan
during her "Dreamlover" days, and Aliyah was a HUGE inspiration to me.

Shelia: If I were to go to your stereo, whose CDs would I find in it?
Jessi Malay: Right now I'm really feelin Robin Thicke, the man is just
so soulful and sensual, I love Snoop's new album, and I appreciate
the message Ludacris' single "Runaway Love" is projecting. He's talking
about some heavy stuff on that track but does it in a way that's not
too depressing and still makes you wanna groove.

Shelia: What challenges, if any, did you face getting the CD put together?
Jessi Malay: I'm still facing challenges and still finishing up the last
few tracks of this album! Honestly it seems like the never ending process
but we just want to make sure everything is just right before we let it
out there... In this day and age you can't release anything that s not
above and beyond because as a new artist, you won't stand a chance.
Kids have smartened up, they know what's crap and what isn't , and if all
you've got is one single, they'll just download you're single and not care
about the rest of your album. That's why it's so important to create a
body of work that can stand up on it's own track after track. Right now
I'm in the process of getting those last couple tracks for my album but
they gotta be singles so there's a very high bar we all (me and my
producer/writers) have to meet.

Random Thoughts with Jessi Malay
What's your favorite time of year? Definitely summer... I'm a Cali girl
and Cali was made for summertime.

Do you prefer being alone or in a crowd? Completely depends on my mood
but more often I like company...not necessarily a crowd though. I like to
spend a lot of one on one time with the people I'm close to. I hardly ever
like being completely alone.

What's your favorite vacation spot? Puerto vallarta, Mexico... I've
been going there since I was little and I just love the laid back culture
down there, the sweet people, the good food, the beaches and
waterfalls...it's hard not too love that place.

Do you prefer an SUV, luxury car or sports car? An SUV... I'm a little
girl so driving an SUV makes me feel a little bigger, like I own the road!

Is your favorite thing to wear a dress or pair of jeans? On a daily
basis or to go out to a club at night, definitely a good pair of jeans. I
always feel sexy without the slutty in some skinny jeans and I can dance
in em. But I LOVE getting all dressed up for events in a form fitting
dress... I think my curves work well in dresses.

Do you prefer lip gloss or lipstick? Actually lipstick... gloss can
get messy and my hair always gets stuck to it... plus boys can't stand
kissing a gooey mouth.

What do you find the most appealing or sexy about a man--his eyes,
smile, physique or his mind? I'd be lying if I didn't say all of the
above...on a pure attraction level, a sexy smile is my weakness but he can
smile for days and I won't care if he doesn't have the personality to back
it up... I'll tell you what I'm most attracted to is humility, confidence
without cockiness.

To hear music by Jessi Malay, visit her myspace page: http://myspace.com/jessimalay.

The 49th Grammy Awards is over and can you say upset. Seems like the Dixie Chicks swept the show.

Dixie Chicks walked away with 5 Grammys.
Mary J. Blige received 3 Grammys.
Red Hot Chili Peppers won 4 Grammys.

Congratulations to all of the winners.

Album of the Year: "Taking the Long Way," Dixie Chicks.

Record of the Year: "Not Ready to Make Nice," Dixie Chicks.

Song of the Year: "Not Ready to Make Nice," Martie Maguire,
Natalie Maines, Emily Robison and Dan Wilson (Dixie Chicks).

New Artist: Carrie Underwood.

Female R&B Vocal Performance: "Be Without You," Mary J. Blige.

Pop Vocal Album: "Continuum," John Mayer.

Pop Collaboration With Vocals: "For Once in My Life," Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder.

Country Album: "Taking the Long Way," Dixie Chicks.

Rap Album: "Release Therapy," Ludacris.

R&B Album: "The Breakthrough," Mary J. Blige.

Gospel Performance: "Victory," Yolanda Adams.

Gospel Song: "Imagine Me," Kirk Franklin (Kirk Franklin).

Rap Solo Performance: "What You Know," T.I.

Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "Ridin," Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone.

To see the list of all of the winners, CLICK HERE.

On The Way" MP3 AUDIO stream:

"On The Way" VIDEO stream

On MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/ligion

Brick & Lace is the first official act signed to Akon's Konvict/Geffen imprint. The group is releasing their debut album in May featuring production from Akon, Tony Kelly, Raphael Saadiq, and Will.I.Am.

AUDIO: "Never Never"

WM

REAL

Brick & Lace
Love is Wicked IN STORES May 2007
Konvict/Geffen Records
http://www.myspace.com/brickandlace

BLUES FROM THE BACKROADS TOUR DATES

March 13 Austin Antone's
March 16 New Orleans House of Blues
March 17 Austin SXSW at Antone's
March 18 Dallas Palladium Ballroom
March 20 Anaheim House of Blues
March 22 Alpine, CA Dream Catcher
March 23 Los Angeles House of Blues
March 24 Las Vegas House of Blues
March 25 San Diego House of Blues
March 28 San Francisco Warfield Theatre
March 30 Seattle Showbox
March 31 Portland Roseland Theater
April 1 Spokane The Big Easy
April 3 Denver Ogden Theatre

Media Player:
http://www.hyfntrak.com/kws/fromafriend

PREMIUM
IN THEATERS FEBRUARY 23 (limited release: NY, ATL, VA, NC)
Double 7 Film / Palm-Star Entertainment / Griot Pictures Entertainment / CodeBlack Entertainment

VIEW THE TRAILER


WRITTEN / DIRECTED BY
Pete Chatmon

PRODUCED BY
Pete Chatmon, Kevin Frakes, Lynn Appelle

STARRING
Dorian Missick
Zoe Saldana
Hill Harper
Tonya Pinkins
Eva Pigford
Frankie Faison
William Sadler

ABOUT PREMIUM
Reginald "Cool" Coolidge is a struggling actor, fed up with taking stereotypical African-American roles and waiting for his big break in a legitimate production. While working his day job, his ex-fiancee - and one true love - reappears after three years of silence. Discovering that it's only 36 hours until her wedding to a local lawyer, Cool embarks on last-ditch attempts to win her back. In the process, he takes on the biggest "role" of his life, while also learning the secret to mastering his craft.

Rated R for language
Running Time: 97 minutes

Santa Monica, CA, - In continuing its pledge to set trends, Hidden Beach Recordings (HBR), the trail blazing record label, and all around lifestyle-defining movement, continues it's progression with Still Waters: A Hidden Beach Experience, an imprint dedicated to inspirational artists and music that possess the ability to uplift and encourage music lovers across the board.

The roll out of its 2007 projects will begin with phenomenal artists and will mark the beginning of an ongoing series of releases.

April 17th will mark the release of smooth gospel vocalist Onitsha. The unforgettable background singer for platinum-selling artist Mary Mary whose worked with major artists including Deborah Cox, Ashanti, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Destiny's Child, will be center-stage with her debut album Church Girl, produced by Shep Crawford (Whitney Houston, Kelly Price, Yolanda Adams).

Sunny Hawkins, the energetic singer/songwriter from the famed Hawkins family, will continue the roll out, on with her debut release More of You. As one of the lead characters in the smash, Tony Award-winning, Broadway musical, Rent, and original songs recently recorded by superstars Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle, the versatile talent delivers a mixture of jazzy R&B and pop, with flashes of everything from edgy hip-hop to power-chording rock guitars.

Home to music sensation Jill Scott and saxophonist Mike Phillips, Hidden Beach Recordings is an independent record label based in Santa Monica, CA. The label is also proud to be home to husband and wife-led group Kindred the Family Soul, the Unwrapped album series, trombonist Jeff Bradshaw, up and coming Keite Young, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Peter Black, among others.

Hidden Beach Recordings entered into a distribution agreement with Universal Music Group Distribution, a division of Universal Music Group, the world's largest music company last year. "We are very happy to partner with a company whose strength and reach is matched by its vision and innovative spirit," stated Hidden Beach Founder/CEO Steve McKeever. That vision and innovative spirit will undoubtedly be reflected in the continued development of this new imprint.

For more information on Still Waters and its artists visit www.hiddenbeach.com.

# # #

Issa's music mixes a combination of R&B and Latin music, infused with urban beats and rhythms to create a sound you've never heard before! Issa's music stays based in R&B grooves and sensual, passionate vocals, but combines sounds and images from her Latina/Filipina upbringing for a hot new sound that will sizzle and melt your mind, body and soul.

Her debut album, Hurt No More (Bungalow/Universal), will be released on March 27, 2007 and is filled with up-tempo dance grooves listeners will want to play over and over.

"Let Me Be the One"

Real

Windows

MP3

Stay Up Video

Genius Products and The Weinstein Company presents Shut Up & Sing. This politically fused documentary about the Dixie Chicks hits stores on February 20th, 2007.

A revealing case study of the relationship between politics, celebrity and the media in today's polarized social climate...New York Times

Black Ty is the alter ego of R & B crooner Tyrese.



Roll the Dice - Black Ty feat Snoop Dog & Kurupt

Windows Media

Quicktime

"With Clive blessings and the full impact of J Records mighty machine behind him, Boo hit the studio to record what is destined to be one of the best records to come out of the south this year."

1 Life 1 Love Coming Soon from J Records

BOO - "Make It Rain" feat Jazze Pha (video)

BOO - "Make It Rain" feat Jazze Pha (audio)

BOO'S OFFICIAL SITE:
http://www.booonline.com/ecard

UGK New Double Album "Return of the Underground Kings" in stores 4/3/2007.
Website: http://www.the-ugks.com/

Players Anthem feat. Three 6 Mafia

The Game Belongs To Me

Like That

Stop-N-Go feat. Jazze Pha

Quit Hatin' The South feat. Charlie Wilson and Willie D

"It Can Happen to Anyone" is a CD that takes you on a journey back to yesteryear when all the songs had a message. Elisabeth Withers reminds me of a younger Gladys Knight, but don't get me wrong, Withers has a distinctive voice of her own.

My favorite songs are tracks #1 Simple Things, #2 Heartstrings, #4 It Can Happen, #7 The World Ain't Ready and #9 Wind beneath My Wings.

Elisabeth Withers wooed audiences as Shug Avery in the Broadway production of The Color Purple, and now she is wooing listeners with her brand new CD "It Can Happen to Anyone." Withers debut CD is a soulful combination of songs that lets her voice shine on every track. It Can Happen to Anyone is a powerful display of Withers skills as a vocalist and I highly recommend it. ~ Shelia M. Goss, author of My Invisible Husband & Entertainment Writer for e-Spire Entertainment & BellaOnline Women in Music

Detroit emcee and producer Black Milk will release his highly anticipated album Popular Demand on Fat Beats Records on March 13th. Following the creative vacuum left by the passing of J Dilla and Proof, the Motor City has been awaiting a new champion of the city's vibrant hip-hop scene. Popular Demand is Black Milk's statement that proves why Detroit is a relevant and vital voice in hip-hop culture.

"Sound The Alarm" feat. Guilty Simpson

"Say Something"

Streams:
"Sound The Alarm" feat. Guilty Simpson

"So Gone"

Black Milk's MySpace page:
www.myspace.com/blackmk

'This Is Why I'm Hot' Single by MIMS

This Is Why I'm Hot(Video)

This Is Why I'm Hot(audio)

Remy Ma "Throw Some Ds" remix featuring The Game, super-producer Polow Da Don, and hip-hop rookie Terminology.

Listen by Clicking Here.

HELL HATH NO FURY TOUR

Dates Subject to Change

2/25 BALTIMORE, DC @ SONAR
2/26 NEW YORK, NY @ BB KINGS
2/27 CAMBRIDGE, MA @ MIDDLE EAST
2/28 PHILADELPHIA, PA @ TROCADERO
3/1 OHIO (TBA)
3/2 CHICAGO, IL @ PARK WEST
3/3 MINNEAPOLIS, MN @ MYTH
3/5 BOLDER, CO @ GOTHIC
3/6 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO @ FOX
3/7 JACKSON HOLE @ MANGY MOOSE
3/8 SALT LAKE CITY, UT @ SUDES
3/10 TACOMA, WA @ TACOMA CENTER
3/11 VANCOUVER, BC @ NIGHTLIGHT LOUNGE
3/12 PORTLAND, OR @ BERBAITIS PAN
3/14 SAN JOSE, CA @ VINGOS
3/15 SAN FRANSCISCO, CA @ MEZZANIE
3/16 LOS ANEGLES, CA @ KEY CLUB
3/17 SAN DIEGO @ BELLY UP
3/18 PHOENIX, AZ @ CLUB HOUSE
3/19 ALBERQUERQUE, NM @ SUNSHINE THEATER
3/21 AUSTIN, TX @ EMO
3/23 MIAMI, FL @ I/0
3/24 ORLANDO, FL @ SOCIAL
3/25 ATLANTA, GA @ THE LOFT
3/26 ASHVILLE, NC @ ORANGE PEEL
3/27 CARBORO, NC @ CATS CRADLE
3/28 RICHMOND, VA (TBA)
3/29 BALTIMORE, MD (TBA)

One-Hour Stand Up Special To Air On Comedy Central January 28

Lisa Lampanelli, "Comedy's Lovable Queen of Mean," is back with her tough-talking, no-holds-barred comedy. Filmed live at the Moore Theater in Seattle, WA, her new one-hour standup special will air on Comedy Central on January 28, 2007. Her Dirty Girl CD and Dirty Girl DVD will be released by Warner Bros./Jack Records on January 30. Hailed as a cross between Don Rickles, Archie Bunker, and a vial of estrogen, Lisa Lampanelli masterfully delivers her outrageous, uproarious and completely politically incorrect comedy yet again.

To promote the new special and CD/DVD release, Lisa will appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on January 18, and on January 22, fans can tune into Sirius 100 to hear the "Queen of Mean" in-studio with Howard Stern. Lisa can also be heard on radio stations across the country every week, as she continues to sell out theaters on her national tour.

Lisa Lampanelli's ability to make people laugh at their own stereotypes and differences has made her one of the hottest comedians in America. A regular on Comedy Central's Roasts, her show-stopping performance on the "Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson" in 2005 received national attention. She has also appeared on the Roasts of Jeff Foxworthy and most recently, William Shatner. In 2005, Lisa's one-hour special, Take It Like a Man, was a hit with Comedy Central, and her CD and DVD of the same name rose to #6 on the comedy charts.

Currently, Lisa can be see in the hugely popular films, "Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector" and "The Aristocrats." She will also appear in the feature films "Drillbit Taylor," starring Owen Wilson, and "Delta Farce" starring Bill Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy and D.J. Qualls, which are set for release this year.

For tour dates and more information about Lisa Lampanelli, visit http://www.insultcomic.com

###

Sibling Rivalry, Betrayal, Resentment...Redemption? Roses are thorns, Violets are true By Shelia M. GossIn Stores Today


The award winning actress Rose Purdue woos her audience with the drama she brings between the pages. Her twin sister, Violet, shuns attention but don't take her kindness as a weakness These twins are guaranteed to keep the media talking and the readers flipping the pages in Shelia Goss brand new novel Roses are thorns, Violets are true.

PICK UP YOUR COPY NOW from Borders, Wal-Mart, Waldenbooks and other national book stores

or Order online Amazon.com

Other Books by Shelia M. Goss
My Invisible Husband (in stores now) - The Black Expressions & Essence Bestsellerhttp://www.sheliagoss.com/

Sometimes an end can create a new beginning...

Codeblack Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox releases
CONSTELLATION this Friday, February 2nd
in a theater near you.
http://www.constellationthefilm.com
View the Trailer

ABOUT CONSTELLATION
The story chronicles the lives and loves of an African-American family in the deep South as they are forced to come to terms with a tumultuous past marked by an unrequited interracial affair. The film explores the way in which the family patriarch, Helm Boxer (Billy Dee Williams), must confront his demons amidst the changing racial fabric of society and his own family.

When the beloved Carmel Boxer (Gabrielle Union) passes away, her entire family returns to Huntsville, Alabama to celebrate her life and legacy. As the Boxer family comes together for the first time in many years, revelations of Carmel's painful past begin to force each person to address their pent up emotions and true feelings for one another.

CONSTELLATION explores the redemptive power of love and spotlights the importance of honesty and the bonds of family loyalty.

CONSTELLATION stars Gabrielle Union, Billy Dee Williams, Zoe Saldana, Hill Harper, Lesley Ann Warren, David Clennon, Rae Dawn Chong and Melissa DeSousa. The film is written and directed by Jordan Walker Pearlman. Pearlman and Shannon Murphy produce. CONSTELLATION is distributed by CodeBlack Entertainment, Bigger Picture. Copyright 2006 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved. "Twentieth Century Fox," "Fox," and their associated logos are the property of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

Rated PG-13
Running Time: 96 minutes