Arts & Entertainment
Regina Taylor Discusses Her Black Album Mixtape and Playing Michelle Obama’s Mother
Regina Taylor is a Golden Globe Award-winning actress, director, and playwright. In an exclusive interview with the Chicago Defender, the two-time NAACP Image Award winner discussed her upcoming projects “The Black Album Mixtape” and playing Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, in Showtime’s forthcoming anthology, “First Lady.”
AB: You have a couple of projects in the works. The first project I would like to discuss is “The Black Album Mixtape.” Can you give us some background information on “The Black Album Mixtape?”
Regina Taylor: “The Black Album Mixtape” came out of the events of 2020. Covid-19, the murder of George Floyd, and the political race that has divided this country. The disparities in this country are evident. From health care inequalities to the legacy of voter suppression, I began building this platform as a place for people of all ages to share their work and perspectives.
AB: What do you hope to achieve with your platform?
Regina Taylor: The “Black Album” is a space for people to connect and let their voices be heard. So other people know that they are not alone. This past year has reshaped our lives. We need to speak about what we are witnessing and experiencing. If we are to move towards positivity, we must begin to shape that narrative that is our future.
AB: How can someone submit their work for the mixtape? And what type of submissions are accepted?
Regina Taylor: SMU sponsors our website. You can submit original content until May 3, 2021. Submissions can be video, music, photos, designs, and interviews. And to recognize and celebrate the talent and work of collaborators. The Black Album will award eight people $500.00 during a virtual block party on May 11, 2021.
AB: Showtime has an upcoming series titled “First Lady.” And you are taking on the role of playing Michelle Obama’s mother. How do you feel about play Marian Robinson?
Regina Taylor: It is awesome to play this brilliant and profound iconic woman. Marian Robinson embodies that familial spirit-that spirit of continuity, strength, and grace. I watch her in videos, read about her, and learn about her from others. I would love to meet her. So, I am putting it into the universe. I would say there is a higher level of pressure with this role. There is a feeling of responsibility in embodying a real-life person. I want to honor Ms. Robinson in the portrayal.
“First Lady” is executive produce and stars Oscar and Emmy-winning actress Viola Davis. Davis will star as Michelle Obama. Showtime‘s upcoming series will focus on the personal and political lives of the First Lady.
For more information to submit material for “The Black Album Mixtape,” click here.
Ali Bouldin is a freelance writer within the Black and Hip-Hop culture with featured articles in multiple publications. Follow his Instagram @Choose_Wisey2.
The post Regina Taylor Discusses Her Black Album Mixtape and Playing Michelle Obama’s Mother. appeared first on Chicago Defender.
Lil Kim set to release debut memoir about her hip-hop career
By Michael “Ice-Blue” Harris
Lil’ Kim just announced that she’ll be releasing her debut memoir on Nov. 2, called Lil’ Kim: The Queen Bee. The book will be co-written by Kathy Iandoli and published via Hachette Books. The memoir will look at the female MC’s childhood growing up in Brooklyn, to meeting the Notorious B.I.G., joining the Junior Mafia, and the hits and rollercoaster ride that followed.
“IT’S FINALLY HERE!! That’s right, the book, Lil’ Kim The Queen Bee Life Story. I’m so excited to announce my memoir dropping in November!! You thought you knew me but you have no idea.
Thank you @kath3000 and @hachettebooks for helping me get my story out,” posted Kim on Instagram.
Lil’ Kim: The Queen Bee takes a look at how she blazed trails for women in hip-hop and her blueprint can be currently seen in artists like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. Kim also discusses some of her high-profile relationships in the book as well her prison stint and winning in a male-dominated industry.
“I’m excited to finally get to tell my story after all this time,” Lil’ Kim told People. “Many people have thought they knew the story of Lil’ Kim but they have no idea. I’m thrilled Kathy and I have put together something special with Hachette Books for my fans.”
In related news, the “All About The Benjamins” rapper performed at an Aids Walk event in Florida last Saturday, April 24, and brought her 7-year-old daughter Royal Reign out to perform. Kim’s mini-me graced the stage with her mom and danced as the rapper performed her “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix).”
The young lady just might follow in her mother’s footsteps as she appears to have Kim’s signature sway down pat. Check out the video of the two divas jamming on the next page in the clip provided by TrueExclusives as well as her and Trina taking the stage together.
The post Lil Kim set to release debut memoir about her hip-hop career appeared first on Rolling Out.
August Wilson Monologue Competition Awards Milwaukee Student Yexuanj Rivera Melendez
Dismantling racism through the theater
SEASON PREMIERES-TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE AND TYLER PERRY’S ASSISTED LIVING
ALL NEW EPISODES MOVING TO TUESDAYS STARTING AT 9 PM ET/PT
IN ANTICIPATION OF THE SEASON PREMIERES
THE NETWORK RENEWS THE #1 HIT SITCOMS FOR
A NINTH AND THIRD SEASON RESPECTIVELY
New York, NY – May 3, 2021 – This May, come home to BET for a night of Black joy, entertainment, and MORE of the Tyler Perry content we all can’t get enough of; you bring the family, we’ll bring the funny. New episodes of “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” season eight and “Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living” season two return Tuesday, May 25, starting at 9 PM ET/PT on BET and BET Her. Executive Produced by Tyler Perry, “House of Payne” and “Assisted Living” occupied the #1 and #2 spots for comedy series on cable for African Americans 18-49, 25-54 in the calendar year 2020,* respectively. In anticipation of their premieres, BET has green-lit “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” for a ninth season and “Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living” for a third season.
About “TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE” airing on a NEW NIGHT Tuesdays at 9 PM ET/PT on BET and BET Her
#HouseOfPayne
The eighth season of the hilarious comedy features retired fire chief Curtis Payne and his lovely wife Ella. Together the loving couple navigates the problems of life with their quirky modern-day family. Starring LaVan Davis as “Curtis Payne,” Cassi Davis Patton as “Ella Payne,” Allen Payne as “C.J. Payne,” Lance Gross as “Calvin Payne,” Larramie “Doc” Shaw as “Malik Payne,” and Keshia Knight Pulliam as “Miranda Payne.” Ahmarie Holmes as “Lisa” and Quin Walters as “Laura” join as recurring characters. “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” is the #1 comedy series on cable for African Americans P2+ on Cable in the calendar year 2020.*
TV One’s ‘URBAN ONE HONORS’ Will Spotlight Women Leading the Change on Sunday, May 16 at 9 P.M. ET/8C
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Band Shell Presents Free Summer Entertainment
Indaba Band Shell brings family-friendly performances to Milwaukee’s north side.
Free entertainment for all ages will take the stage at the Indaba Band Shell, 2450 W. North Ave. Indaba Nights, a 13-week summer concert series, will present performances every Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., from June 2 through Aug. 25.
The band shell, opened in 2019, is located on the grounds of St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care-Bucyrus Campus.
“We are thrilled with the caliber of entertainers who’ll light up Indaba Nights this summer,” said Gloria Miller, St. Ann Center’s Special Events Director. “It’s been a long year, and we are looking forward to kicking up our heels, eating, dancing and spending quality time with our families and our community.”
The band shell will present a mix of local entertainers and world-class arts organizations. The Milwaukee Ballet, Florentine Opera Company, Skylight Music Theatre and more will be featured, thanks to a partnership with the United Performing Arts Center’s UPAF Connect program.
A rotating schedule of food trucks will also be at the venue, including BeBe’s Bistro, Hot Dig-A-Dee Dog and more.
Indaba Nights will kick off on June 2, with Tejumaloa Ologboni, an internationally renowned storyteller and musician, and the Nefertari African Dance and Drum Company.
The Indaba Nights Performance lineup includes:
June
2nd: Tejumaloa Ologboni; the Nefertari African Dance/Drum Company
9th: Mahogany Soul; Joe Jordan Live and the Soul Trio
16th: The Non Prophets Band; Acoustic Blu
23rd: Cache MKE Latin American music
30th: Danceworks Dance Company; Lady Dee Jai
July
7th: Festival City Symphony; Sorry, We’re Open Band
14th: Nite N’ Day Band
21st: The Florentine Opera Company; Skylight Music Theatre Soul Review
28th: Milwaukee Ballet—Ballet Beat; Starz Dance Academy
August
4th: Skylight Music Theatre-Three Tenors MKE; Adekola Adedapo & Friends
11th: Milwaukee Black Theater Festival Living Legends (in collaboration with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre)
18th: Milwaukee Black Theater Festival Youth Night
25th: Christopher’s Project Band
To observe COVID-19 safety guidelines, guests are asked to wear a mask and to practice social distancing on the grounds. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket. Seating is limited.
To get regular updates on the summer performance season, visit StAnnCenter.org/Indaba; or Facebook.com/IndabaBandShell. For more information, contact Gloria Miller at 414-210-2428.
VICTORIA ROWELL STARS IN THE AWARD-WINNING SERIES, “THE RICH AND THE RUTHLESS” BEGINNING THURSDAY, MAY 13 – SERIES HAS NEW HOME FOR SEASON FOUR ON BET PLUS (BET+)
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Judge Dismisses Another Lawsuit Regarding Michael Jackson “Neverland” Accusers
By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor
On April 27, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Young dismissed a lawsuit brought by one of two men alleging that the late music legend Michael Jackson sexually abused them. The man, Wade Robson, was featured in the contested and controversial documentary, “Leaving Neverland.”
Michale Jackson’s nephew, Taj Jackson, 47, has led the family against the allegations regarding his late uncle. Judge Young’s decision held that MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, Michael Jackson’s estate, cannot be held financially liable and have “no legal ability” in the regarding allegations made by accuser Wade Robson. Michael Jackson died in 2009 at 51.
“Both Wade Robson and James Safecuck’s cases have been separately thrown out of court again and again. Facts and Evidence ACTUALLY MATTER in court. When will the media finally look into these 2 men and all their provable lies? Lies Run Sprints But The Truth Runs Marathons,” Taj Jackson wrote on social media after news of the latest dismissal broke on April 26.
Robeson sued in 2013 and Michael Jackson’s estate requested a motion to dismiss, which has now been granted. Family members of Michael Jackson have long fought against the allegations which were featured in the controversial and widely contested documentary “Leaving Neverland.”
The suit was brought in 2013 by Wade Robson and alleged abuse by Michael Jackson in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In October 2020, the judge dismissed a by James Safechuck, the second accuser featured in HBO’s “Leaving Neverland.” In 2005, Michael Jackson was acquitted in Santa Barbara County Superior Court of various allegations against him. The Jackson estate sued HBO over the documentary and the parties are now in private arbitration to resolve the matter.
In 2017, the Robson and Safechuck suits had been previously dismissed because the statute of limitations had expired. But a new law in California extended the time accusers could bring legal action. In 1993, Michael Jackson was accused of abusing 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, which Jackson denied. Chandler’s case was settled out of court for $23 million with no charges were filed after a criminal investigation displayed a lack of evidence or testimony from Chandler.
In 1996, Michael Jackson paid an out-of-court settlement to the mother of Jason Francia for over $2 million though in 1993, Francia told police that Michael Jackson never molested him. Several actors who knew Michael Jackson as children defended him against the allegations including Aaron Carter, Macaulay Culkin, Corey Feldman and Joey Fatone of NSYNC.
Jonathan Steinsapir, the attorney for the Jackson estate, reacted saying, “Wade Robson has spent the last 8 years pursuing frivolous claims in different lawsuits against Michael Jackson’s estate and companies associated with it. Yet a judge has once again ruled that Robson’s claims have no merit whatsoever.”
“Leaving Neverland,” debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019 to widespread controversy. Michael Jackson’s brothers Tito, Jermaine and Marlon, along with thousands of fans, defined the production as one-sided that ignored any evidence or truth verifying that Michael Jackson was innocent.
“Let’s cut the BS, wrote Tito Jackson’s son Taj Jackson on twitter on February 28, “Over 30 YEARS to present one SINGLE piece of real evidence or fact against Michael Jackson. The FBI, Santa Barbara AND Los Angeles County Law enforcement, wiretaps, raids, a demoralizing trial, a biased media, a 4-hour hit piece, a one-hour special. NOTHING!”
Fans online reacted with the hashtag #MichaelJacksonWasFramed as news of the latest dismissal against Jackson’s accusers spread.
Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at [email protected] and on twitter at @LVBurke