Queen Latifah gets Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress

 

My girl, Queen Latifah (who's given name is Dana Owens) recently got her very 1st Academy Award nomination for her role in the flick 'Chicago', a remake of the Broadway play of the same name. The Queen took it all in stride saying "I had just gotten home and was under my covers when the phone rang. It was my partner Shakim Compere going, Yo, we got the nomination and I was like, What nomination? No way. No way! My assistant was downstairs sleeping, and I dived on top of her and woke her up. Let's just say I was pleasingly shocked.".

The rap artist turned actress has been juggling both careers for several years now and feel blessed that she can do what she does - "I enjoy my success - she said, I feel like it's a blessing. It's a one-in-a-million shot, and I feel like you've got to pay respect to it, because there are actors out there who really are dying for jobs. So, I'm just having fun working. I tend to seek the fortune more than the fame--make a buck and take care of everybody in your family and all that kind of stuff". Well here's to even more continued success for the full figured gal and here's hoping she takes home the golden statue.

Source: eonline.com

 

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We should 'Always Remember' Aaries debut set?

Ever since they debuted on Musiq's 'Girl Next Door' track back in 2000, you just had a feeling that they were not meant to be background singers. The Philadelphia-based sister duo known only as Ayana and Ayinke form the latest neo soul duo to hit the soul scene - that being AAries.

The nubian sisters are setting radio stations formats across the US ablaze with their sultry debut single 'Strangers to Lovers' taken from their debut release 'Always Remember'. The album has excellent production provided by CarMuI - (an acronym for the team of Carvin Haggins, Musiq and Ivan Barias) and the single uses Tyrone Davis's classic track 'In the Mood' as the song's back bone.

The sisters voices are sweet, strong and potient, evidence of their church upbringing. More of the same can be found on the album that features mid and up tempo tracks as well as the move slo grooves. So Nice, Just Called and Even though stand strong on their own two feet but they took on an all time favourite of mine in Minnie Rippleton's 'Baby, this love' and asolutely did wonders with it - produced by Amir (?estlove of The Roots). Do lookout for this one, promises to be a big hit for the young ladies.

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'The Twist' originater Hank Ballard is dead

You remember the song, it had everyone (both young and old) doing the dance craze. Well the singer/songwriter who originally recorded the hit 'The Twist', Hank Ballard has died. Ballard, who suffered from throat cancer, died last week (March 2) at his home. Friend and caretaker Anna Ayala said Ballard's birth records indicate he was born in 1927, but biographical information lists his birthdate as 1936.

In 1958, Ballard wrote and recorded 'The Twist', but it was only released on the B-side of a record. A year later, Chubby Checker recorded his version of the song and debuted it on Dick Clark's American Bandstand show. It soon topped the charts and launched a dance craze that prompted the creation of other Twist songs, including 'Twist and Shout' by the Isley Brothers and 'Twistin' the Night Away" by Sam Cooke.

Ballard was discovered in the early 1950s by writer-producer Johnny Otis. He was lead singer for the Royals, which changed its name to the Midnighters. He was born John H. Kendricks from Detroit. At 15, he set out to form a doo wop group while working on the Ford Motor Co. assembly line.

Source: billboard.com.

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Kindred 'Surrender to Love' come March 25th

The Philadelphians are at it again, this time around it s the husband and wife duo of Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon who are causing a commotion. They form Kindred the latest act to head out of the Hidden Beach stable and the message is clear: the 'Rhythm of Life' is here to stay. The city of 'Brotherly Love', Philadelphia, has been the home to such acclaimed R&B/soul producers and artist as Gamble & Huff, Teddy Pendergrass, The Roots as well as newcomers Bilal, Aaries and the Aretha Franklin of the new generation Jill Scott and you can add Kindred to the list as they prepare to take their place alongside the best of them.

 

'Surrender to Love' their debut album took almost 2 years to complete and finds it's way to record shelves come March 25th. There's been plenty of buzz and excitement generated in the industry from this album. The lead off single 'Rhythm of Life' has been an underground gem for the past year and now the entire package is here. Tracks include the brilliant 'Far away', 'Spread the word', 'I am (featuring Jasmine Sullivan)' and the title track - definitely one to get.

Source: Hiddenbeach.com