Floetry grabs the most nods for Lady of Soul Awards

 

With the awards reason in full swing, the fabulous U.K. duo Floetry led the list of nominees for the 9th annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, taking place Aug. 23 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. Coming in with 3 nods each were Erykah Badu, Heather Headley and Vivian Green while 702, Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott and TLC gathered two nods each.

This years Lena Horne Award for Outstanding Career Achievements will be given to actress Vivica A. Fox and the Aretha Franklin Award for 'Entertainer of the Year' will go to Erykah Badu.

Floetry was nominated for Best R&B/Soul single, Best Group, Band or Duo for 'Say Yes', Best R&B/Soul album of the year, Best Group, Band or Duo for 'Floetic', R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the year for 'Floetic' and Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist, Group, Band or Duo for 'Say Yes'.

Here are the nominees for the 2003 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards:

Best R&B/soul single, solo:
Erykah Badu feat. Common - Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)
Vivian Green - Emotional Rollercoaster
Heather Headley - He Is
Monica - So Gone,

Best R&B/soul single, group, band, or duo:
3LW - I Do (Wanna Get Close to You)
702 - I Still Love You
Floetry - Say Yes
TLC - Girl Talk

R&B/soul album of the year, solo:
Vivian Green - Love Story
Heather Headley - This Is Who I Am
Whitney Houston - Just Whitney
India.Arie - Voyage to India

R&B/soul album of the year, group, band, or duo:
702 - Star
Floetry - Floetic
TLC - 3D
The Jazzyfatnastees - The Tortoise & the Hare

R&B/soul or rap song of the year:
Erykah Badu feat. Common - Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)
Brandy - Full Moon
Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott - Work It
Floetry - Floetic

Best R&B/soul or rap new artist, solo:
Vivian Green - Emotional Rollercoaster
Heather Headley - He Is
Oobie feat. Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz - Nothin's Free
Amanda Perez - Angel

Best R&B/soul or rap new artist, group, band, or duo:
Floetry - Say Yes
Lovher - How It's Gonna Be
TG4 - Virginity

Best R&B/soul or rap music video:
Erykah Badu feat. Common - Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)
Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott - Work It
Lil' Kim feat. 50 Cent - Magic Stick
Solange feat. N.O.R.E. - Feelin' You (Part II)

Best gospel album:
Dorinda Clark-Cole - Dorinda Clark-Cole
Mary Mary - Incredible
Dottie Peoples - Churchin' With Dottie
Angela Spivey - Determined

Source: billboard.com

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Usher's back in the studio with forthcoming album in focus

Usher's back in the studio recording tracks for his next album. The young singer who's been labeled 'Mr. Entertainment' has been very busy these days from touring to acting in movies but this time around, he wants to focus on his singing.

"[With] this one, I just really want it to be about my vocal ability," Usher explained, speaking to a room full of reporters after his performance at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans last weekend. "I wanted to make real music. I feel like soul music, R&B music is somewhat in jeopardy. It's in trouble right now. If I can make a contribution to R&B, then that's what I'll do."

On the yet-to-be-titled set, he wants to work with Jermaine Dupri, The Neptunes and Babyface among others as he's already recorded at his built in home studio in Atlanta with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as well as Andre Harris and Vidal Davis.

"If you go back to what R&B is, or what soul really is, I think the work ethic is way down," he huffed, calling out some of his fellow artists. "You look at the videos, you see women shaking their ass, you see the cars, you see the 22s. It's really marketing, if anything. It's not real music; that sh*t don't make me move. I'm trying to get back to that. I wanna get back to where it's really about the performance.

"Where I come from and how I was raised was to really understand music," he added. "It's past just a hit record — it's about the performance. You gotta find a way to get it, so I'm gonna do that with my album and hopefully set the trend and continue to keep it going."

The first single from his still-untitled album is estimated to be out October 13, with the LP following November 18.

Source: soulnotes.cc

 

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A host of stars come together for Luther's latest video

 

While Luther Vandross recovers from a stroke he suffered in April, a host of famous friends and fans recently joined together to star in a video for his latest single - 'Dance With My Father'. The video clip which is the title track of his recently released album, features fellow musicians, actors and sports stars.

From the music community, the video stars Beyoncé and her manager/father Matthew Knowles, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Monica, Wyclef Jean, Patti LaBelle, Celine Dion, Nona Gaye, Ruben Studdard, Whitney Houston, Babyface, Brian McKnight and Johnny Gill.

"It is an expression of love and appreciation that I have for him," Wonder said about taking part in the video. "It is just an honor to know him and for us to be friends."

New Jersey Nets basketball star Jason Kidd also makes an appearance, as do actors The Wayans Brothers, Holly Robinson Peete and Garcelle Beauvais. Along with the star power, childhood photos of Vandross and his family are also seen.

"I'm a part of this project because I got the wonderful opportunity to work with Luther," Beyoncé said, referring to the duet "The Closer I Get To You" that appears on the "Dance With My Father" album. "When I was in the studio with him, I fell in love. He is such a special person, I just wanted to be here for him. I've been praying for him and am so happy that he's doing well."

Source: billboard.com

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P. Diddy aiming to own piece of NY Knicks

 

He has a record label, a restaurant, a clothing line and shop and now aims higher - a basketball team. Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs is out to purchase the NBA franchise New York Knicks. The hip-hop/fashion mogul and is a devout fan of the team and proclaimed his interest during an appearance on Howard Stern's syndicated morning radio show.

"I think I could do a good job," Combs said, admitting that his efforts to engage in talks with the team's current ownership have to this point been fruitless. "I'm publicly puttin' it out there, because they're not taking my calls.

"I think [they need] some new blood up in there... I'm not saying let's get rid of the owners, I'm saying put me down. Put me in the game... Because it's not going down right now."

His desire stems from the team's poor performance over the past several years. The Knicks finished the 2002-2003 season with a losing record. "I wanna make sure we [are] gonna win," Combs said.

During the interview, Combs criticized the team's personnel decisions. "We're making rush decisions," he said. "I think we need a team that also reflects the spirit of the city. We need an aggressive, fast team that knows how to run."

When contacted, a representative for the Knicks had no comment on Combs' comments.