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Legendary R&B Singer Bobby Caldwell Passes Away at 71

Posted by: JG Posted date: Wednesday, March 15, 2023 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , ,

Legendary R&B singer Bobby Caldwell, known for his chart-topping hits "What You Won't Do For Love" and "Open Your Eyes," has died at the age of 71.

Caldwell's wife Mary confirmed his death on Wednesday via his official Twitter account.

"Bobby passed away here at home. I held him tight in my arms as he left us. I am forever heartbroken. Thanks to all of you for your many prayers over the years," she wrote.

Caldwell had been suffering from health issues for the past six years after experiencing an adverse reaction to a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, a condition known as "floxed," according to treatment center Regenerative Medicine LA.

Born on August 15, 1951, in New York City, Caldwell was known for his unique ability to blend jazz, R&B and pop into his music.

His soulful hits, including "What You Won't Do for Love," "My Flame" and "Coming Down From Love," earned him worldwide recognition and numerous accolades, including a 1978 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance.

Caldwell's music has been sampled by a wide range of artists, including 2Pac, Aaliyah, Kendrick Lamar, the Notorious B.I.G. and Lil Nas X.

Perhaps his most famous track, "What You Won't Do For Love," appeared on his double-platinum self-titled debut album.

Watch: Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' Live-Action Adaptation Makes a Splash With New Trailer

Posted by: JG Posted date: Monday, March 13, 2023 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , ,

YouTube Screengrab
R&B singer and actress Halle Bailey continued to make waves in Hollywood on its biggest night.

Six months after the debut of a teaser trailer promoting the Black star's turn as Ariel in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” at Disney's D23 expo, which sparked claims of "blackwashing" in the casting of the fictional red-headed mermaid who dreams of a life above the waves, Bailey and co-star Melissa McCarthy took to the Oscars stage on Sunday to unveil the official trailer for the movie.

“It has been such an honor stepping into the iconic role of Ariel,” Bailey said before revealing the new trailer. “It was an extraordinary experience, a dream come true for me.”

The two-minute video opens with a dramatic boat crash and a drowning Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King). Of course, Ariel (Bailey) takes him to the shore to save his life, an act which begins the duo's obsession with each other and leads the young mermaid to make a choice that threatens the world she was born into in order to pursue love with a human.

It is no secret to most how the romance eventually plays out, but Disney watchers have been clamoring for new footage since the teaser trailer amassed over 104 million views globally shortly after its release, more than any other tease for a live-action Disney adaptation.

Disney did not disappoint. In addition to the wreck, viewers were treated to a scene of Ariel swimming through the ocean with Flounder (voiced by Jacob Tremplay) by her side before being confronted by King Triton (Javier Bardem) for breaking the rules by going to the above world.

“This obsession with humans has to stop,” he scolds her.

Bailey responds, “A man was drowning. I had to save him. I just want to know more about them.”

Fans also get a first real glimpse of McCarthy as Ursula, the sea witch who offers to help Ariel become human, and get to hear her take on the antagonist's iconic evil laugh.

Among the other goodies packed into the trailer are Ariel with feet, her meeting with Scuttle the bird (voiced by Awkwafina), and Sebastian (voiced by Daveed Diggs), the crab, as well as snippets from some of the movie’s classic musical numbers, including “Part of Your World” and “Kiss the Girl.”

You can watch the full trailer below for the Rob Marshall-directed movie, which includes four new songs and will be in movie theaters on May 26:

Michael B. Jordan Celebrates Double Triumph with 'Creed III' Release and Walk of Fame Honor

Posted by: JG Posted date: Friday, March 03, 2023 / comment : 0 , , , , ,

Michael B. Jordan achieved a major milestone in his career on Wednesday (March 1), as he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The timing couldn't have been better as the event took place just two days before tonight's release of "Creed III," a film where the actor not only reprises his role as heavyweight boxing champion Adonis Creed but also makes his directorial debut.

The event was held in front of the Funko Hollywood toy store at 6201 Hollywood Blvd and was attended by his co-star in the film, Jonathan Majors, and Ryan Coogler, who directed the first "Creed" film and received a "story by" credit for "Creed III."

During the ceremony, Jordan expressed his gratitude for the honor and acknowledged the significance of the moment.

"To be amongst artists who received this honor previously — Sidney Poitier, Cicely Tyson, Sam Cooke... I know it's not a small achievement," he said. "And it's not lost on me how special this moment is and what this represents to our community."



"So, from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you," he added.

Majors compared Jordan's career to the 12 labors of Hercules while describing his time on set with his co-star.

"When it's hot, we're tired, his empathetic agility is being pushed to its Nth degree," Majors said. "He's gotta deal with my crazy ass, everybody pulling on him, and I'm giving him hell in [the ring], but he's dealing with it with a mythic effort, with god-like integrity."

Majors added, "Today, brother, you go from man to god. You sit among Olympians."

Born in Santa Ana, California, on Feb. 9th, 1987, Jordan made his acting debut in a 1999 episode of "The Sopranos" and went on to star in various television shows such as "The Wire," "Friday Night Lights" and "All My Children."

His big break came with his portrayal of Oscar Grant in the 2013 biographical drama "Fruitvale Station," which was directed by Coogler. He also starred in blockbuster films like "Black Panther" and "Just Mercy."

Coogler, who has collaborated with Jordan on several films, added that he knew he was watching "something special" when seeing Jordan and late "Black Panther" actor Chadwick Boseman battle on set.

"I felt like I was looking at, like, Denzel [Washington] and Will [Smith] or Wesley [Snipes] in their prime and in the same movie in a way that we never got to see them," he said. "I felt like the luckiest director on the planet every day on that set."

Jordan also reflected on the rare opportunity the ceremony provided him to pause and appreciate the moment. "I very rarely stop and smell the roses and take in moments. I'm always moving on to the next thing," he said. "For the first time in a really long time, I'm taking this moment in."

Jordan's star is the 2,751st since the Walk of Fame's completion in 1961.

Tim Story's 'The Blackening' Delivers Chilling Twist on Juneteenth Horror

Posted by: JG Posted date: Wednesday, March 01, 2023 / comment : 0 , , , , ,

Director Tim Story is putting a horrific twist on Juneteenth celebrations with his new film "The Blackening," set to hit theaters on June 16, 2022.

The horror title, directed by Story who is known for his work on "Ride Along," "Think Like A Man" and "Barbershop," centers around a group of Black friends who reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway, only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer.

According to an official synopsis, "The Blackening" poses the sardonic question: If the entire cast of a horror movie is Black, who dies first?

The film stars Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah and Yvonne Orji.

A press release notes that the film promises to subvert genre tropes and will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. The idea for the film came from a 2018 3Peat comedy sketch about the horror movie trope of Black characters being the first to die.

"I was a producer on it at first, and they delivered this script that was funny as… I won't cuss, but it was incredibly funny," Story told Shadow And Act. "Seeing the short and then seeing what they did with the script, I knew it would be something."

Story added, "I'm at the point to where if I read a script that makes me laugh out loud and I have the chance to get behind the camera and shoot it. I'm going to do it."

The film was written by Tracy Oliver, known for her work on "Girls Trip" and "Harlem," and Dewayne Perkins, who has written for "The Amber Ruffin Show" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."

Check out the newly released trailer for "The Blackening" below:

Rihanna Earns First Oscar Nomination for Black Panther Soundtrack Single 'Lift Me Up'

Posted by: JG Posted date: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 / comment : 0 , , , , ,

Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” is a 2023 Academy Awards Nominee

It looks like 2023 is shaping up to be the year of Rihanna.

The Barbadian billionaire was already scheduled to headline Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12. Tuesday morning it was revealed that she has earned her first Oscar nomination.

Her song "Lift Me Up," the lead single from the soundtrack for the film "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," is contending for best original song at the 95th Academy Awards

Not bad for the first solo effort by the 34-year-old star on a track since 2016.

While Rihanna provided the vocals and took part in the writing process for the ballad, it was a team effort.

Singer-songwriter Tems, the film's director Ryan Coogler and composer Ludwig Goransson shared writing credits on the record and in the nomination. 

Tems is the first Nigerian musician to be nominated for an Oscar.

"Lift Me Up" was previously nominated for a Golden Globe but lost to "Naatu Naatu" from "RRR" in January.

The Academy Awards ceremony will be broadcast live on March 12 from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

Below is a complete list of the nominees for best original song.

Best Original Song
“Applause” from Tell It Like a Woman, Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
“Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick, Music and Lyric by Lady Gaga and BloodPop
“Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Goransson; Lyric by Tems and Ryan Coogler
“Naatu Naatu” from RRR, Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyric by Chandrabose
“This Is a Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once, Music by Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski; Lyric by Ryan Lott and David Byrne

Watch: Angela Bassett Make History as First MCU Actor to Win a Golden Globe

Posted by: JG Posted date: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 / comment : 0 , , , , , ,

Photo Courtesy Marvel 

Angela Bassett paid a touching tribute to late "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman, Tuesday, while accepting her Golden Globe for best supporting actress in a drama film for her performance as Queen Ramonda in the film's sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

“We embarked on this journey together with love. We mourned, we loved, we healed. We were surrounded each and every day by the light and the spirit of Chadwick Boseman,” Bassett said following the historic win, the first for an actor in a Marvel movie.


“We have joy in knowing that with this historic ‘Black Panther’ series, it is a part of his legacy that he helped to lead us. We showed the world what Black unity, leadership and love looks like, behind and in front of the camera."

The win was the second for the 64-year-old actor. Bassett, who has been nominated twice for Golden Globes, also won the award for best actress in a musical or comedy for 1993’s Tina Turner biopic “What’s Love Got to Do With It."

RCA Drops Official Soundtrack for 'I Wanna Dance' Days Before the Release of Whitney Houston Biopic

Posted by: JG Posted date: Friday, December 16, 2022 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , ,

The official movie poster for "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."
Whitney Houston fans are receiving an early Christmas present this weekend to help get them in the mood for the new biopic about the music legend that opens in theaters on Dec. 23.

On Friday, RCA Records dropped an official 35-song soundtrack for the film, "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody," which "serves as a musical memoir of the cinematic voyage," it said in a press statement.

"We think the fans will be excited to hear some incredible music they know and love, as well as some new never-before-released tracks, including 'Far Enough' and the incredible 'Don't Cry For Me,' which ends the film," said Pat Houston, President of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, of the tracklist which spans 20 years of Houston's remarkable career.

It includes nearly two hours of remixed and original versions of the diva's songs, punctuated by special guest features by a sterling lineup of music-industry stars including BeBe Winans, Clean Bandit, Kygo, Lucky Daye and more.

Super-producer Clive Davis, who discovered Houston, said the album "brings many of Whitney's classics into 2023 and beyond."

He added, "Contemporary, current and often scorching, if you love Whitney's music, you must own this album!" 

The first female artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, Houston sold over 200 million records and is one of the best-selling artists of the 20th century.



Click here to listen to the soundtrack. Find the complete tracklist below:

I Wanna Dance With Somebody Soundtrack Tracklisting
1. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Whitney Houston & P2J)
2. Don't Cry For Me (Whitney Houston & Sam Feldt)
3. Higher Love (Whitney Houston & Kygo)
4. The Greatest Love Of All (Whitney Houston & Jax Jones)
5. I'm Every Woman (Whitney Houston & SG Lewis)
6. How Will I Know (Whitney Houston & Clean Bandit)
7. I Love The Lord (Whitney Houston, BeBe Winans, Great John)
8. Don't Cry For Me (Darkchild Film Version)
9. Honest (Heartbreak Hotel) [Whitney Houston & Lucky Daye]
10. Okay (Whitney Houston, Oxlade, Pheelz)
11. You'll Never Stand Alone (Moto Blanco Remix)
12. Love Will Save The Day (MATVEI Remix)
13. Tomorrow (Whitney Houston & Samaria)
14. Home (Live from The Merv Griffin Show)
15. You Give Good Love
16. Saving All My Love for You
17. If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful (Whitney Houston & Jermaine Jackson)
18. Far Enough
19. I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)
20. So Emotional
21. Where Do Broken Hearts Go
22. Moment Of Truth
23. I'm Your Baby Tonight
24. The Star-Spangled Banner (Live from Super Bowl XXV)
25. One Moment In Time
26. I Will Always Love You (Live from The Concert for a New South Africa)
27. Medley: I Loves You, Porgy / And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going / I Have Nothing (Live from The        21st Annual American Music Awards)
28. Run To You
29. Impossible Things (Whitney Houston & Leikeli47)
30. Why Does It Hurt So Bad (from the "Waiting to Exhale" – Original Soundtrack)
31. It's Not Right, But It's Okay
32. My Love Is Your Love
33. I Didn't Know My Own Strength (Live from The Oprah Winfrey Show)
34. Clive's Message
35. Don't Cry For Me (A Cappella)

Eddie Murphy to Receive Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2023 Golden Globes

Posted by: JG Posted date: Thursday, December 15, 2022 / comment : 0 , , , ,

Photo Courtesy of Netflix
Actor and comedian Eddie Murphy will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 80th Golden Globes.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the news on Wednesday (Dec. 15).

“We’re honored to present this year’s Cecil B. DeMille Award to the iconic and highly esteemed Mr. Eddie Murphy,” HFPA President Helen Hoehne said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the lasting impact on film and television that his career — in front of and behind the camera — has had through the decades.”

The 61-year-old performer will accept the award — which is given to honor “outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment,” according to the HFPA —Tuesday, Jan. 10, at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards Ceremony.

Hosted by comedian Jerrod Carmichael, the event will be televised live (5-8 p.m. PT/8-11 p.m. ET) on NBC and available for streaming on Peacock.

Murphy has previously been nominated six times for a Globe. His only win came in 2007 for his inspired and critically acclaimed performance as James (Jimmy) "Thunder" Early in the movie musical "Dreamgirls."

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