Author Archives: UnRated Magazine

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Remembers Whitney Houston

In memory of Whitney Houston, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will present a special two hour “Remembering Whitney: The Oprah Interview,” with the music legend’s last in-depth television interview from “The Oprah Winfrey Show” to air this Thursday, February 16 from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.

This special television event, what is arguably Houston’s most revealing and compelling interview of her career, will be rebroadcast as Winfrey reflects on her personal memories of the iconic superstar and shares with fans the magic of a musical icon who has gone too soon.

In September 2009 for the “The Oprah Winfrey Show” season 24 premiere, Winfrey sat down with Houston for a special one-on-one interview. After nearly seven years since the world heard the music icon’s voice, Houston gave an intimate and poignant performance of “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” She shared only with Winfrey the private struggles she tried to hide from public view and discussed openly about her marriage to R&B star Bobby Brown, her struggles with drug abuse and why she retreated from the spotlight. Opening up to Winfrey like never before, Houston also spoke candidly of the day she left her husband, her sorrow over the death of Michael Jackson and her hopes for her future.

Sean Combs Joins Huddle as Executive Producer of Oscar®-Nominated Documentary UNDEFEATED

The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced today that Grammy® Award-winning rapper/producer/actor/entrepreneur Sean Combs has signed on as an executive producer of the studio’s new documentary UNDEFEATED, which has been nominated for the 2012 Academy Award® for Best Documentary Feature. Combs will also be an executive producer on TWC’s planned feature remake of UNDEFEATED.

Directed by Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin, UNDEFEATED is a coming-of-age verite-style documentary centering on several young student-athletes and the volunteer coach who guides them through a rough, yet rewarding, football season in northern Memphis. It opens in limited release on February 17.

“I am excited to partner with Harvey Weinstein on this incredible project. UNDEFEATED is a great American story with a lot of heart and soul. It had a profound effect on me and I couldn’t get it out of my mind when I saw it. There is so much truth and so much hope in this film, and I feel passionately that everyone who sees it will be inspired,” commented Combs.

Said Weinstein, “There’s a moment in UNDEFEATED when the coach tells the players, ‘Football doesn’t build character – football reveals character.’ I think that’s one of the reasons football is so important to me. But that line could just as easily apply to UNDEFEATED itself. In telling the story of a football team, this film says so much about individuals, about community and about our country. I’m so proud of UNDEFEATED, and we feel very fortunate to have Sean on board to bring this story to audiences now and in the future.”

SYNOPSIS – UNDEFEATED

Set against the backdrop of a high school football season, Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin’s documentary UNDEFEATED is an intimate chronicle of three underprivileged student-athletes from inner-city Memphis and the volunteer coach trying to help them beat the odds on and off the field. Founded in 1899, Manassas High School in North Memphis has never seen its football team, the Tigers, win a playoff game. In recent decades, the last-place Tigers had gone so far as to sell its regular season games to rival schools looking to chalk up an easy win. That began to change in 2004, when Bill Courtney, former high school football coach turned businessman, volunteered to lend a hand. Focusing on nurturing emotional as well as physical strength, Courtney has helped the Tigers find their footing and their confidence. The 2009 Summer/Fall football season promises to be the Tigers’ best ever – perhaps the season that finally breaks the 110 year-old playoff jinx. For players and coaches alike, the season will be not only about winning games – it will be about how they grapple with the unforeseeable events that are part of football and part of life.

Madonna World Tour 2012

Madonna is having a huge party and everyone’s invited. The Madonna 2012 World Tour begins May 29th 2012 in Tel Aviv, Israel it was officially announced by Live Nation Entertainment, the tour’s international promoter. The shows will include arenas, stadiums and special outdoor sights including the Plains of Abraham in Quebec and a return visit to South America as well as Australia where she has not performed in 20 years. The tour will stop in 26 European cities including London, Paris, Milan and Berlin.

The first of 26 North American shows is scheduled for August 28th in Philadelphia and includes a September 6th show in NY’s Yankee Stadium and an October 10th performance at LA’s Staples Center. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale beginning February 10th in Tel Aviv and the United Kingdom, with North American tickets going on sale beginning February 13th. Tickets for North America are available at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com. A complete itinerary of Madonna 2012 follows this release.

The announcement of Madonna’s 2012 World Tour follows an extraordinary week which included a monumental extravaganza of a performance at the Bridgestone Super Bowl Halftime which was seen in over 200 countries by over a billion people. Last week also saw the release of Madonna’s new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin” from her highly anticipated new album MDNA on Live Nation Entertainment/Interscope Records – scheduled to be released on March 26th. Pre orders have already catapulted MDNA to No. 1 on iTunes in 51 countries including the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Canada, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands. The single’s video directed by Megaforce which also stars Nicki Minaj and MIA previewed on American Idol. Additionally, the Madonna directed Golden Globe Award winning film “W.E.” opened in NY and LA with other markets to follow later in the month.

Madonna’s recent Golden Globe winning song “Masterpiece” from The Weinstein Company film “W.E.” as well as “W.E. Music From The Soundtrack “W.E.” film have both been released digitally on Interscope Records. A physical release will be in stores in the UK on February 6th and on February 14th in the US.

US residents ordering tickets online to a US performance will receive their choice of a digital or physical copy of Madonna’s new MDNA album with every ticket purchased.

Citi® is the official credit card of the US leg of Madonna’s upcoming world tour. Citi® cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Wednesday, Feb. 8th at 10am through Citi’s Private Pass® Program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

NORTH AMERICA
28-Aug	Philadelphia, PA	Wells Fargo Center	On Sale Feb. 13
30-Aug	Montreal, QC	Bell Centre	On Sale Feb. 18

1-Sep	Quebec City, QC	Plains of Abraham Site	On Sale Feb. 17
4-Sep	Boston, MA	TD Garden	On Sale Feb. 13
6-Sep	New York, NY	Yankee Stadium	On Sale Feb. 13
10-Sep	Ottawa, ON	Scotiabank Place	On Sale Feb. 13
12-Sep	Toronto, ON	Air Canada Centre	On Sale Feb. 13
15-Sep	Atlantic City, NJ	Boardwalk Hall	On Sale Feb. 27
19-Sep	Chicago, IL	United Center	On Sale Feb. 13
23-Sep	Washington, D.C.	Verizon Center	On Sale Feb. 13
29-Sep	Vancouver, BC	Rogers Arena	On Sale Feb. 13

2-Oct	Seattle, WA	Key Arena	On Sale Feb. 13
6-Oct	San Jose, CA	HP Pavilion	On Sale Feb. 13
10-Oct	Los Angeles, CA	Staples Center	On Sale Feb. 13
13-Oct	Las Vegas, NV	MGM Grand	On Sale Feb. 27
16-Oct	Phoenix, AZ	US Airways Center	On Sale Feb. 27
20-Oct	Dallas, TX	American Airlines Center	On Sale Feb. 27
24-Oct	Houston, TX	Toyota Center	On Sale Feb. 27
27-Oct	New Orleans, LA	New Orleans Arena	On Sale Mar. 5
30-Oct	Kansas City, MO	Sprint Center	On Sale Mar. 5

1-Nov	St. Louis, MO	Scottrade Center	On Sale Mar. 5
3-Nov	St. Paul, MN	Xcel Energy Center	On Sale Feb. 27
10-Nov	Cleveland, OH	Quicken Loans Arena	On Sale Mar. 5
15-Nov	Charlotte, NC	Time Warner Cable Arena	On Sale Mar. 5
17-Nov	Atlanta, GA	Philips Arena	On Sale Mar. 5
TBC	Miami, FL	To Be Confirmed	On Sale Soon

Macy Gray Returns with “COVERED”

Macy Gray, newly signed with 429 Records, is preparing for the release of her stunning new album “COVERED”—a collection of all new recordings of handpicked songs she’s chosen to reinterpret in her own inimitable fashion. Produced by Hal Willner (Lou Reed, Metallica), “COVERED” tackles material largely drawn from indie rock songs from the last decade—interpretations her fans will be familiar with as she’s been performing them live over the years.

The album contains biting, dark signature tracks such as Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up” or My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers” which Gray subversively overhauls into something wholly her own. Also included are short skits featuring J.B. Smoove, Nicole Scherzinger and a guest appearance by Idris Elba. “COVERED” will be released worldwide on 429 Records March 27th. In addition, Macy is planning a worldwide tour and has wrapped filming with director Lee Daniels (Precious) for his forthcoming film ‘The Paperboy” which also stars John Cusack, Zach Effron, Nicole Kidman and Matthew McConaughey. The film will debut @ Cannes in May with confirmed worldwide distribution in October.

Since her dazzling debut introduced this singular talent to the masses, Macy has forged an uncompromising musical path beholden to her own vision and garnering accolades at every juncture. With “COVERED” Macy has turned the cover album concept on its ear choosing edgy contemporary choices and approaching them in an innovative and uncompromising way. Not surprising considering she’s spent her career defying expectations and stretching musical boundaries.

Says Macy on being inspired by Nina Simone’s cover songs: “She didn’t worry about what people would think or how they would compare it to anybody else. I saw how she just took that song and every song she ever did and made them her own. So I went in with the confidence that we could do whatever we wanted.”

“COVERED” Track Listing:

1) Here Comes The Rain Again (Eurythmics)

2) Creep (Radiohead)

3) You Want Them Nervous (skit featuring J.B. Smoove)

4) Smoke 2 Joints (The Toyes)

5) La La La (Teaching The Kids) (featuring Layann Al Saud, Avery Albert, Happy Hinds & Siena Stelber)

6) Teenagers (My Chemical Romance)

7) The Power of Love (featuring Hugh Salk)

8) Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)

9) Sail (AWOL Nation)

10) I Try Is Cool And All But…(skit featuring Nicole Scherzinger)

11) Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

12) Love Lockdown/Buck (Kanye West/Nina Simone)

13) Mel Rap (featuring Mel Hinds)

14) Bubbly (featuring Idris Elba) (Colbie Caillat)

15) Wake Up (Arcade Fire)

16) Really? (skit featuring MC Lyte)

For more information visit: www.429records.com and www.macygray.com

A Tribute To Bernie Mac Debuts February 19 on Comedy Central

An Original King of Comedy is set to be saluted when the World Premiere of “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” debuts on Comedy Central Sunday, February 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

One of the brightest and most influential comics to ever walk onto a stage is honored with a documentary that is as unpredictable as the man himself. “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” follows the development of Mac’s unique performance style and his rise to fame. A tireless perfectionist, Mac’s comedy began in small backroom comedy clubs in Chicago and grew to break through barriers making him an iconic figure in the entertainment world. The tribute unearths early footage and never-before-seen performances in addition to his better-known work, including the Kings of Comedy Tour, “The Bernie Mac Show” and several of his feature films, along with fascinating behind-the-scenes memories.

Bernie Mac, who passed away in 2008, won over the audience with his very first appearance on “Def Comedy Jam,“ when he took the microphone and exclaimed to the crowd “I Ain’t Scared of You!” It was his sharp-tongued humor, mastered in the streets of Chicago, that had people rolling in the aisles, but it was Mac’s sly smile and warm wit that kept them coming back.

“‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” features exclusive interviews with his co-stars, colleagues, friends and family including Anthony Anderson, Tom Arnold, Angela Bassett, Bill Bellamy, Cedric the Entertainer, Don Cheadle, Cameron Diaz, Mike Epps, Andy Garcia, D.L. Hughley, Warren Hutcherson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ali LeRoi, Rhonda McCullough, Je’Niece McCullough, Carl Reiner, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Kellita Smith, Steven Soderbergh, Joe Torry and Camille Winbush.

Bernie’s beloved and dedicated widow, Rhonda McCullough, played a huge role in the inception and production of “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac.” Rhonda McCullough supplied footage and told the story of her life with Mac: how they met, how she always supported him and how strongly they loved one another. Mac’s daughter, Je’Niece McCullough, conducted many of the interviews in the special with each story contributing to the picture of Mac as an exceptional artist, father and friend.

“‘I Ain’t Scared of You’ A Tribute to Bernie Mac” was directed by comedy film maker Robert Small (“Back from Hell: A Tribute to Sam Kinison“) and executive produced by Al Hassas, Rhonda McCullough, and Small.

Mac’s legacy lives on through the Bernie Mac Foundation. Mac founded the foundation in 2007 to bring awareness to Sarcoidosis and to support research of the disease. The foundation was a true passion project for Mac, who was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis when he was 28 years old. More information on the foundation can be found on www.berniemacfoundation.org. A portion of the proceeds of the DVD sales of “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” will benefit The Bernie Mac Foundation.

Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day in theaters April 13

Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On the 7th Day is the second project in T.D. Jakes’ eponymous “Woman Thou Art Loosed!” franchise. The film will be released on April 13, 2012 in select AMC independent™ locations nationwide.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Neema Barnette, Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day tells a story of secrets, lies and deception.

In this dramatic thriller, shot on location in New Orleans, a husband (Underwood) and wife (Leal) find themselves in the midst of a crisis after their young daughter is kidnapped. The couple must race against time to find their child, who is believed to have been abducted by a serial killer that symbolically murders his victims ‘On the 7th Day.’ During their desperate search, a series of deep, dark, damaging secrets unveil a troubling past, putting the marriage and their futures in jeopardy.

The use of the number seven in the title is metaphorical, and symbolizes the timeline within the film by which the protagonists must resolve the mystery of their daughter’s abduction or face dire, unimaginable consequences.

For information on the film, visit http://tdjakeswtalmovie.com/

Lionsgate Enters Witness Protection with Tyler Perry

Lionsgate together with Tyler Perry, today announced the commencement of production of Madea’s Witness Protection. The film marks the prolific filmmaker and multi-media tycoon’s 14th feature film production with Lionsgate in seven years.

Comic Eugene Levy (American Pie franchise), Best in Show) stars in the film as George, a high level CFO at the center of a Ponzi scheme in New York City who is enrolled in the Witness Protection program along with his family in the one place that absolutely no one will think to look for them: Madea’s house down South. Perry wrote the script, is directing and producing the film, and will reprise three of his best loved roles – as tough talking grandma Madea, as Madea’s indelicate cousin Joe, and as plain-spoken attorney Brian, who places the family with Madea, resulting in the hilarious scenario that unfolds under her roof.

Rounding out the cast are Emmy®-winning actress Doris Roberts as George’s mother, Tom Arnold as his business associate Walter, Denise Richards as his younger wife Kate, and Danielle Campbell and Devan Leos as the family’s youngsters – for whom Madea has plenty of valuable lessons lined up. Actor and rapper Romeo also has a role in the film, playing Jake, a friend of Brian who was affected by the scam. John Amos plays Jake’s father in the film, and Marla Gibbs appears as Madea’s neighbor.

“This is the ultimate fish out of water story, and I believe the funniest Madea story yet,” said Paseornek. “We loved the witness protection concept from the second we heard it, but when Tyler cast comedy icon Eugene Levy and put him under the same roof with Madea and Uncle Joe, he took this movie to a whole new level.”

When asked for her feedback on the project, Madea herself added, “Auh hell, now they want me to work with these white folks. Next thing you know they will be asking me to go on Dancing With The Stars. I need to talk to my agent.”

M.I.A. to Debut New Track and Video for “Bad Girls”

“Bad Girls,” the newest track to be released from global music revolutionary M.I.A., will debut on Monday, January 30th at 2:30 p.m. eastern time on Pitchfork.com. “Bad Girls,” officially available worldwide on January 31st, was recorded in Miami and produced by Danja (Timbaland, Diddy, Madonna, Nelly Furtado, Pink).

The “Bad Girls” video debuts on the Vice network’s Noisey YouTube channel on February 3rd. Directed by Romain Gavras (M.I.A.’s “Born Free” and JUSTICE’s “Stress”).

Named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine, British singer-songwriter M.I.A. has been nominated for an Academy Award and two Grammys (“Paper Planes” and “Swagga Like Us”). Her most recent original album, 2010’s Maya, went Top 10 on the Billboard 200 album chart and #1 on the Dance/Electronic chart. M.I.A.’s fourth album is due in the summer.

Ne-Yo Appointed Senior Vice President of A&R, Motown Records

Acclaimed artist Ne-Yo will move from Def Jam Recordings to Motown along with his label imprint Compound Entertainment, and will also take on a creative role at Motown as the new Senior Vice President of A&R, it was announced today by Barry Weiss, Chairman & CEO of Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown, and

The multi-platinum, three-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist will continue to work on his fifth studio album, expected for summer release as his Motown debut. At the same time, Ne-Yo will take on A&R duties at Motown, serving as a producer and mentor to the label’s artists, as well as seeking out and signing new talent to the label. Ne-Yo, who has a co-starring role in Red Tails, the new George Lucas WWII movie about the U.S. Army Air Corps’ Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilots, will also be seen on NBC television’s upcoming season of The Voice, as a mentor for Cee-Lo Green’s team.

“Ne-Yo is an enormously talented artist, songwriter, and producer,” said Mr. Weiss, “In fact, he’s one of the greatest songwriters of our times. His track record of success at Def Jam will always be a benchmark. But this move to Motown will provide new and inspiring challenges for Ne-Yo, as both an artist and a key member of the new senior management team that is taking form at the label in 2012.”

“I’m a combination of excited, honored and terrified all at once!” said Ne-Yo. “Excited about a new beginning here at Motown, honored that I’ve been given such a prestigious title and trusted with such responsibility, TERRIFIED because I know that playing this role, in the fashion of one of my idols and career role models Mr. Smokey Robinson, these are big shoes to fill…..but trust, I can handle it.”

Ne-Yo’s most recent album, 2010’s Libra Scale (his final album for Def Jam) was the follow-up to the RIAA platinum Year Of The Gentleman (2008), his third consecutive album to enter the Soundscan chart at #1. In addition to containing a trio of RIAA platinum hit singles, “Closer,” “Miss Independent,” and “Mad,” Year Of The Gentleman generated five Grammy nominations in 2009 – with “Miss Independent” winning for Best R&B Song (songwriters award) and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Previously, Ne-Yo established himself as a core member of the Def Jam family with Because Of You (2007), which won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and In My Own Words (2006) – both #1 debuts on the Billboard 200 and R&B Albums charts.

Planet Asia Returns with Black Belt Theatre

Planet Asia helped jump-start the West Coast independent hip-hop movement, releasing a slew of popular 12-inch singles on upstarts like Stones Throw and ABB Records in the late 90s that established him as one of the leaders of a crop of talent that included the likes of Dilated Peoples, Madlib, Murs, and Jurassic 5. Now a 15-year veteran, the Cali-based MC (born in Fresno, he’s spent most of his career living in Los Angeles and San Francisco) shows no signs of slowing down. The first decade of the new millennium saw Asia briefly sign with major label Interscope, go independent again for his debut album The Grand Opening, release full-length collaborative projects with both Evidence of Dilated Peoples (The Medicine) and DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill (Pain Language), form his own label (Gold Chain Music), and work with everyone from Linkin Park to Bun B to Ghostface Killah. Now, Planet Asia is back with his first retail album in four years, the star-studded Black Belt Theatre, which hits stores everywhere via Daddy Real/Wandering Worx/Greenstreets on February 28th, 2012.

Named after a 1980s Saturday-afternoon TV show and inspired by Planet Asia‘s favorite films, Black Belt Theatre combines the violent precision of classic kung-fu flicks with the calculated cool of classic blaxploitation movies. “I wanted to make the album like a movie, something you would see in a theater,” says Asia. “That’s why it has so many features. All the guests feel like different characters in the movie.” These guests include veterans like Raekwon, Talib Kweli, Paul Wall, Ras Kass, Camp Lo, and Strong Arm Steady, as well as newcomers like Fashawn, Willie The Kid, Torae, and Nio Tha Gift. “They’re basically just all people I thought were dope,” says Asia. “Both young cats I’m feeling and veterans I’ve always admired.” Unlike on his albums with Evidence and DJ Muggs, Asia also got to determine the sonic direction on Black Belt Theatre, resulting in a soul-heavy, blaxploitation-influenced sound. “It was fun because I got to reach out to guys like Oh No and Khrysis for beats, find the best tracks and put together a masterpiece,” explains Asia. “It’s some esoteric gangster shit…a full plate for the listener.”