The Blind Side, An Inspirational True Story
August 31, 2009
“The Blind Side” depicts the remarkable true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher’s presence in the Touhys’ lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.
The movie stars relative newcomer Quinton Aaron.
Beyonce Is Billboard’s Woman Of The Year
August 31, 2009
The honor, given to a female recording artist that has inspired the music business with her success, leadership and new ideas, will be awarded to the singer for her accomplishments over the past 12 months.
In the last year, Beyoncé kicked off her world tour “I Am…” in support of her third solo album “I Am…Sasha Fierce,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in November and features the hit singles “If I Were A Boy,” “Single Ladies,” “Halo,” “Ego” and “Sweet Dreams.” The tour also showcased Beyoncé’s philanthropic side as she gave 2,500 tickets to families affected by the auto industry crisis in Detroit and joined forces with General Mills Hamburger Helper and Feeding America to deliver 3.5 million meals to local food banks.
JAY-Z Donates 100% of Concert Proceeds To Charitable Organization
August 31, 2009
Madison Square Garden’s national music network Fuse and MSG Entertainment today announced that JAY-Z will play a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, underwritten by ABSOLUT, JAY-Z and Live Nation, on September 11 at 9pm ET that will air exclusively in HD and commercial-free, live on Fuse. All proceeds from the concert will go towards New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, the organization that has been helping New York City families of fallen first responders for over 25 years. The exclusive relationship between MSGE and Fuse will allow JAY-Z’s fans nationwide to experience “Fuse Presents JAY-Z Live from Madison Square Garden: Answer the Call,” the highly anticipated live event, the same day his 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3 is released.
Katrina anniversary marked by celebrations and memorials
August 31, 2009
On this four year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, events have ranged from memorials to parties. It started with a bell ringing ceremony at the Katrina Memorial where scores of unidentified or unclaimed bodies were laid to rest.
“When I come to this memorial, it really brings me back to all of the tragedy, all of the pain,” Mayor Ray Nagin said.
Local, state and federal officials gathered to ring bells marking the moment that the levees began to breach and New Orleans began filling with Katrina flood waters.
pictured: Flowers wait to be handed out in the Lower 9th Ward during a commemoration of the fourth anniversary of hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. President Obama spoke about the disaster during his weekly radio address this morning saying that he would continue working to advance the recovery effort. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation Rolls Out National ‘Choice Bus’ Fleet to Fight the Dropout Rate
August 31, 2009
Today The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation launched a nationwide fleet of Choice Buses, adding 10 school buses to help fight the nation’s dropout epidemic. Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett, Communities In Schools and other partner organizations lent support for the announcement at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
The Choice Bus, a tool developed by The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation to help educators, administrators, parents and community leaders increase the graduation rate, allows students to see firsthand the importance of the choices they make — especially the choice to finish school. The bus, an interactive experience-based learning tool that is half-classroom and half-prison cell, demonstrates the powerful benefits of education along with the likely consequence that await those who choose to drop out — a life of crime. Read more
Sony Music Entertainment and Experience Hendrix Announce Partnership
August 31, 2009
Sony Music Entertainment and Experience Hendrix L.L.C. have agreed to a monumental catalog licensing deal to set the stage for a worldwide campaign to make all of Jimi’s extraordinary music, including classics, never before heard archive recordings, and filmed concerts available through every type of media. Legacy Recordings, Sony’s catalog music division, will issue definitive deluxe editions of the classics released during Jimi’s all too brief career including GRAMMY(R) Hall Of Fame Inductees “Are You Experienced”, “Axis: Bold As Love”, “Electric Ladyland” and (outside the US) “Band of Gypsys.” In addition, Legacy will also release those posthumous compilations produced by Experience Hendrix during its stewardship. Each title will also be available through major Digital Service Providers. Read more
Soft & Beautiful Just for Me! Promotes Child Safety
August 31, 2009
This back to school season, Soft & Beautiful Just for Me!, the #1 children’s brand in America, is giving parents the gift of peace of mind.
As part of their Milk & Cookies promotion with select Walgreens stores, Just for Me! will offer Just for Me! Kid identification cards to be freely distributed to anyone who stops by the Just for Me! booth, along with tasty cookies for kids (while supplies last).
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Rhapsody and MTV Set the Stage for Jay-Z’s Latest Album, ‘The Blueprint 3′
August 31, 2009
Hip-hop superstar and music industry mogul Jay-Z has teamed up with Rhapsody(R) and MTV to promote the highly-anticipated release of his new album, “The Blueprint 3.” As part of the partnership, the entire album will be available for fans to listen to for free on Rhapsody.com (www.rhapsody.com/jay-z) and from MTV’s “The Leak” (http://theleak.mtv.com), almost two weeks prior to its official release. In addition, Rhapsody will also make the new album available for purchase beginning September 8, three days ahead of the street release, and will include two exclusive bonus tracks.
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Remembering Aaliyah: R&B’s fallen angel
August 28, 2009
It has been 8 years that the R&B music community bid farewell to their princess. At the tender age of 22, Aaliyah Haughton perished in a fatal plane crash that took her life as well as eight other angels of her entourage. Without a doubt, Aaliyah’s spirit continues to live on through her music and undeniable presence.
When Aaliyah first made her debut in 1994 with her single “Back & Forth” the country knew there was a gem that had been uncovered. Gracing stages with her original style that put tomboys on the map, she set the perfect example that you can be sexy without being raunchy. While other female R&B artists were moving seductively on stage floors and lip-synching, Aaliyah was effortlessly showcasing her mechanical and skillful dance skills without breaking a sweat.
KRS-One writes 600-page hip-hop bible; blueprint for rap religion
August 28, 2009
Hip-hop legend KRS-One has never been afraid to court controversy and provoke strong reactions. Now the Boogie Down Productions legend has topped himself by writing The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument, a mammoth treatise on the spirituality of hip-hop he hopes will some day become a sacred text of a new hip-hop religion.
Laugh if you must, but people laughed at Joseph Smith and L. Ron Hubbard when they set up their own religions. They’re still laughing, and pointing, and giggle-snorting so hard milk comes out their noses. Heck, they even laughed at a sandal-wearing dude with long hair and some crazy ideas about peace and love. That long-haired mystery man? The guy who screams at passerby outside the Sears by my house to stop stealing his thoughts. Like all members of America’s cultural elite, we personally worship Pan, the goat God.
Pictured: Rapper KRS-One performs during the 2009 Rock the Bells concert at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater on July 19, 2009 in Wantagh, New York. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
