Category Archives: Lifestyle

University of the Streets Open Mic Jam Session

By David Whitely

For Jazz enthusiasts looking for a place to listen to or perform great music, University of  The Streets at 130 E. 7th Street, Manhattan, New York, is where you want to be.

Since its creation in 1969 by Muhammad Salahuddeen, University of the Streets, a non-profit organization aiming to “address the educational, vocational, and cultural needs of the community,” have been continuing this effort through weekly jazz jam sessions held at 8:30 p.m. Friday nights.

The Jam Sessions, hosted by internationally known jazz sensation Okaru Lovelace, are open to jazz patrons and performers. For five dollars, audience members can hear the different styles of jazz music such as ragtime, bebop and scat to name a few and singers and musicians can perform for the same price.  Not just singers and musicians perform here during the Friday night jam sessions, but dancers, and spoken word artist also.

I was recently invited to and attended one of the Friday jam sessions, and had the opportunity to experience some of whatNew York City’s jazz circuit has to offer.  The set up of the event was a small, intimate setting, inviting the audience to experience the music and vibe of jazz culture on a personal level. 

With a full house of close to 30 people, the amount of patrons and performs was large enough to make the room appear to be crowded, yet small enough to maintain its intimate feel.  Performers have been involved with Jazz as an amateur and professional for many years.  The room was a mixture of middle aged and younger people (teens and twenty something’s), showcasing the mass appeal of jazz music and culture to reach beyond usual confining things such as age.  The space had the tools usually seen in a jazz club: cello, piano, drums, lively performers, patrons with the look of anticipation on their faces, and of the course the talent.

 

Ms. Lovelace opened the evening with a few words for the crowd outlining the format of the event before the first performer June, took to the microphone.  With a very soothing and lovely voice, June demonstrated her love for Jazz through her singing.  Her passion for the culture and craft became apparent as soon as the Japanese born singer opened her mouth.  Along with the passion for the music being shown in her singing, it was also clear in her body language; June’s body language was captivating in not the usual intense form of performance, but by sheer enjoyment and love of performing Jazz. 

The next performer performed two songs, the first an up-tempo song, followed by a slow, crooning ballad.  This performer was different to that of June due to a much louder, thunderous voice, particularly on the up-tempo song.  Singing original songs, she gave the sheet music to the musicians and took command after telling them to follow along.  Sitting there listening her brought about visions of being in Harlem’s legendary Cotton Club during the 1940’s.  The audience moved from tapping their feet along to the tunes, to almost breaking into a dance number.  It was a very energetic performance to say the least. 

The next artist, another regular, Jim West took to the mic stand and brought about a swinging style with his rendition of the famous style of Scat.  Despite being overpowered by the sound of the band at times, Mr. West still kept it cool and funky with his laid back style.  What was really great about this performance is that the band broke into a solo and really started to jam.  The Cello player let loose on base, and the piano man followed suit on the keys.  The crowd was nodding their heads in a motion to the band to play with more ferocity because they were so into it. 

Overall, it was a solid event put together by Universityof  The Streets, and hosted by Okaru Lovelace. For more information on the Jam Session, visit www.universityofthestreets.org/about. For more information about Okaru Lovelace, visit her MySpace page at myspace.com/okarulovelace

One on One with Jennifer Williams (Basketball Wives)

By Tamara Jenkins

VH1’s reality series Basketball Wives has sparked high ratings and high criticism. Focusing on the lives of the women behind some of the worlds most admired and idolized men, the show has become a goldmine for the cable channel and made the wives featured household names.

Having just concluded the third season that included physical altercations, verbal attacks and international travel, one of its stars, Jennifer Williams, is ready to step away from the shadow of her soon to be former husband and the life as a basketball wife and move into a new, independent chapter.

Recently in Chicago for a meet and greet at the Glam Luxe Boutique, for which she serves as the company’s spokes model, Williams spoke to UnRated Urban about the show, her projects away from the show and her future goals.

How did you get involved with the show?

JW: Shaunie O’Neal, one of the show’s executive producers, had this idea to do the show, talked to Evelyn about it, then we all got on the phone and that’s how it came about. It’s not like we were cast to do the show. We all had a connection to Shaunie and it took on a life of its own.

Are you surprised by the success of the show?

JW: At first I was, probably like season one, because I was like wow people are really interested in our lives. But after season one I sort of got use to it.  But everyday something does kind of surprise me. It really surprises me how interested people are and how invested they are in our lives.  I think everything has its pros and cons and it’s a good thing but sometimes it can be a little overwhelming.

How do you feel about the negative criticism the show has received?

JW: I think there does need to be more of a balance because I feel like a lot of our show is focused on drama and I get that drama sells and people want to see that but I feel like we can come to some type of balance because there are so many things that we do outside of the show and its not just fighting.

We film for almost four months and a lot of stuff they don’t use because they focus on what the audience wants to see. I know Shaunie is fighting with VH1 and Shed Media which our production company to get more of a balance and show us doing other things besides arguing and fighting because there’s so much more to all the women than just that.

How does your family feel about you being on the show?

JW: My family is very supportive. I don’t really get on the show and act crazy. I’m a calm person, I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not on camera, I’m definitely not confrontational so I feel like I don’t really embarrass my family on TV. So they are supportive of me.

Would you consider doing your own reality show?

JW: I would consider doing my own show. I would definitely have to be an executive producer and have some creative control, but I would definitely be open to that.

Which reality shows do you watch?

JW: I don’t get a lot of time to watch TV but I try to watch a lot of the Housewives shows, NeNe Leakes is a great friend of mine so I definitely watch the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Once in awhile I’ll catch the Kardashians but I really don’t have much time.

If you could do it all over again, would you have signed up for the show?

JW: I would definitely do it all over again. I don’t live with regrets and the show has opened up some doors for me that, if I wasn’t on the show, it might not have been as easy, I might have had to knock a couple extra times and now they kind of open, so I would definitely do it again.

Let’s talk about your ventures outside of the show, like your lip gloss line, Lucid?

JW: I started working on it second two and it was actually a long journey for me, I just thought I want to make lip gloss  because that’s one beauty product I don’t leave out of the house without and I thought it would be easy.

I didn’t partner with anyone and I did everything myself down to the containers, the packaging, the colors, I’m working on the display now for retail stores, so its been a long journey and I’ve learned a lot of lessons but I always say nothing good is easy. Its finally out there, I’ve launched and I have big dreams for Lucid.

I don’t want to stop at lip gloss, I definitely want to take it and make it a full cosmetics line. Its slowly coming along, its like my little baby, its crawling right now, I’m watching it grow and I’m just really excited about it because it’s a new chapter in my life and its all about independence and Lucid is something I’m very proud of.

What are some of your other ventures?

JW: I’m a principle owner of Flirty Girl Fitness and we have a location here in Chicago and one inToronto. I have a nonprofit foundation called Project Save the World, myself, my friend Heather and my manager co-founded. We just feel like we live this extremely blessed life and we wanted to give back. We couldn’t decide what cause we wanted to support, so we called it save the world and we do whatever’s in our hearts. There are so many different causes that need our time, money and just so much stuff people don’t even know about. That’s something I’m very proud of.

 I’m working on a book, I’m writing a hand book for women and I’m working on a workout DVD.

What will the handbook be about?

JW: Just about general life. When I first started writing it, I was basing it on beauty and fashion because I had so many people sending me messages on facebook and twitter asking questions like what kind of foundation do you use, where did you buy this, and what do you for that, so I was like, I’m going to write a handbook for women about diet, exercise, skincare, wardrobe and as I started writing it, I thought I should have a chapter about self esteem, I should have a chapter about love. So, it’s an all around handbook for women.

Because your marriage issues were so relevant on the show, do you get a lot of messages from women asking for relationship advice? Have you thought about writing an advice column or a relationship book?

JW: You know what, just recently I have. I feel like when people feel their going through a divorce it’s the end of the world and its not. When I first started getting messages about relationships, I would think to myself, do they really watch the show, because they would know I’m not the one to give advice.

If I can be an inspiration, I would love to do that. There’s definitely life after divorce and I think you have to go through that healing process and once you do, it’s okay to start over and it took me a long time to recognize that because I’m a victim of divorce, my parents got divorced and it was something I never wanted for myself. I always felt like if I get a divorce, I’m going to be a failure. I had to heal and I had to learn and if I can teach that to other women I would welcome that.

I must say, going through something like that with a camera is not easy because it’s very personal. But when I signed up to do the show I knew I had issues going on in my relationship and it was sort of a struggle because I’m a private person and I said to myself, if I do this show, I’m going to have to be real about my relationship because it’s a reality show and if you’re trying to be something you’re not the camera picks up on that.

But I’m happy that I did it because if I wasn’t on the show and wasn’t to talk about it I might still be in that same situation and I wasn’t happy.

Do you have any acting or musical aspirations?

JW: I can’t sing, so you won’t find me singing. I’m open to getting into acting. I’m use to being in front of a camera so that would be an easy adjustment for me. I want to get into hosting and doing special correspondent stuff. I’m open to dabbling into a couple of different things, so we’ll see what happens.

Would you ever date an athlete again?

JW: I’m not going to say never but if you date an athlete, you know what goes along with that and right now that’s definitely not something I’m looking for and I would say an athlete is probably last on my list.

What advice would you give to the cast of Basketball Wives L.A.?

JW: That cast is a little interesting. The only thing I can say is when the camera’s there, you have to be real and just stay true to yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Femme Fatale Tour Showcases Rejuvenated Spears

By Anthony Kuzminski

I’m not sure if any celebrity has had more written about them in the last decade besides Britney Spears; some good-some bad all of it fascinating in some fashion. However, as a result, many have had a hard time separating the performer from the celebrity. People look at her and see tabloid headlines and lip-synching and often have a hard time looking beyond. That in itself is a shame because while she doesn’t have the same grasp on the music media as she did with her first few albums, her recorded output in recent years shows growth. I was ready to write her off a few years ago, but with each album she has continued to penetrate the pop landscape and as her Femme Fatale tour rolled into Chicago, both Spears and the Chicago crowd was ready for lift-off.

Spears last toured in 2009 and while the staging was in-the-round with a series of extraordinary staging, it felt bitter and icy. Spears looked disengaged from the proceedings and it felt as if they had taken her out of a box right before show time. Despite what some reviewers have posted about her current tour, it features a rejuvenated Spears in a show that provoked the crowd in all the right spots.

 As a screen split in two on the main stage, Britney Spears appeared on a platform with her lead single from Femme Fatale “Hold It Against Me”. Dressed in a silver outfit that continued to reveal more and more with every chorus, Spears was in her element. “Up N’ Down”, dressed in white private investigator dance of “3” and “Piece of Me”, which found Spears flying on a platform from the front of the stage towards the back before she disappeared into a trap door on the main stage. The whole show featured gimmicks galore yet the crowd never seemed let down from it as it never left room for hesitation. Last tour, the stage was a exceptional in-the-round creation whereas this time, it was a 180-degree stage with a large extensive platform that went more than halfway onto the floor. While not providing as many stunning viewpoints as the 360-stage did, she had enough props and commitment to make it meaningful and never losing the crowd’s interest.

Dispersed with several noir-like video segments, they proved to be time for Spears and her dancers to change outfits. The second portion of the show proved to be among the evenings most entertaining with the thumping “Big Fat Bass” which found Spears in a red skirt almost rapping the one-dimensional, but gripping beat further escalating the tension between her performance the crowd. A car pulled up to the front of the stage, as the ten background dancers were in dazzling colors (looking like extras in a live action Aladdin remake).

Colorful costumes aside, the beattastic song is a sure fire hit and should be a future single. The incessant percussion beat and its catching chorus found every single soul on their feet cheering along. Spears, who has taken career cues from Madonna, leaned the set heavily on material from Femme Fatale. While on paper this would appear to be imprudent, it showcased the album vividly and featured its strengths. “How I Roll” I had overlooked on my initial listens of the record but the performance will be etched in my mind for a while to come. Lace and Leather” (from 2008’s Circus) found Spears pulling a male fan from the crowd who she danced and teased with a leg wrap around the back of his head for and the car drove back to the main stage. “If U Seek Amy” had a 1950’s swing style to it compared to the poppish quality on the studio cut. It was another pleasant surprise of the evening as the arrangements were not cut and paste renditions from the records.

 “Gimme More” rippled throughout the arena with Britney’s spoken declaration (“It’s Britney…bitch”). Vintage hits “I’m A Slave For You”, “Baby, One More Time” (in biker gear) and “Boys” (with the dancers mimicking snakes) all filled the nostalgia crave. A pair of perfectly chosen covers worked beautifully within the set; Rhianna’s “S&M” and Madonna’s “Burning Up”. On the Madonna cover (all the way back from 1982) found spears riding a larger-than-life guitar like it was a bull. However, it was the newer material that resonated strongest and evoked the largest roars of the audience. “I Wanna Go” along with the evening’s finale of “Till the World Ends” found the crowd in a manic state or nirvana. Amidst pyrotechnics and 15,000 dancing fans (mostly female) Spears disappeared beneath the stage as a shower of pyrotechnics draped the stage.

Is the show well produced and executed? You bet. It may be too rehearsed for some, but it’s perfectly suited for troubled time and for those who want to dance their worries away. The Femme Fatale tour is a step up from her Circus jaunt two years ago. It features Britney Spears much more animated and invigorated on the stage. The 90-minute show may not go down as a epic tour de force live performance; it serves its purpose perfectly. More than anything, the crowd ate it up and danced like a clock was counting down to the apocalypse without a worry in the world and ultimately, that’s the greatest gift pop music can ever give us.

Anthony Kuzminski is a Chicagobased writer. His daily writings can be read at http:/the-screen-door.blogspot.com. He can be contacted at thescreendoor AT gmail DOT com (thescreendoor@gmail.com) and can be followed on twitter at http://twitter.com/thescreendoor

Photos by Dan Locke

David Guetta Brings International Sound to Chicago

By Aliki Marinos

This Scorpio is not only a world recognized Grammy winning music producer and DJ, but has been wowing crowds since the 80’s bringing incredible dance music to audiences around the globe.

You may have heard of him more recently due to his overnight skyrocketing US attention with collaborations featuring artists including Akon, Kelly Rowland, Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, LMFAO, Kid Cudi, Rihanna, JLo, and Madonna. But before this, proudly hailing from the city of Lights, you may have seen him spin at Rex Club or Le Central.  Fast forward to 2001, with the talented Chris Willis on vocals for “Just a Little More Love,” the breakthrough was officially ignited… Hits like “Love is Gone,” “Memories,” “When Love Takes Over,” “Gettin Over You,” “Sexy Chick,” “Baby When the Lights Go Out,” moved and grooved adrenaline pounding fans uncontrollably. Today, you’re bound to find him at sold-out venues anywhere from Singapore, Brazil, Belgium, Mexico, Miami, Quebec, etc.  You can definitely say this is one man who is TRULY staying true to his concept of “The World is Mine!”

On his 2011 World Tour, Monsieur Guetta hit Chicago on April 1st in front of non-stop moving fans at the Congress Theatre, on the city’s north side.  Paying his respects to Chicago where house music was born, he showed a lot of love for his people- and they undeniably delivered it right back. The main floor sold-out in the blink of an eye, so if you were lucky you purchased your tickets early, or bought VIP tickets on the upper balcony, which included free drinks flowing all night. As you looked around the gargantuous theatre, the room was packed with a diversity of mixed generations who remember him from his early beginnings, to the recent hipsters who recently discovered his unique sound as soon as they were able to “click” and “download.” 

The intense light show directly behind the DJ set enchanted fans as “C H I C A G O” came on in big bright lights multiple times throughout the show. You also needed plenty of hydration at this concert, as it seemed to get very hot in the there, sometimes because of the temperature and sometimes because of the pretty people surrounding you…  Some wore dresses, and others mini-mini-dresses, tank tops, shorts, boy shorts, and skorts. Whatever enabled you to move your body to the beats.  And who said he had to start on time? Even though he came on a little bit before midnight, (doors opened at 7pm) no one seemed to mind.  Ah, memories…!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fashion Focus Chicago 2010

By Tamara Jenkins 

Dress Code 2010

 Chicago’s best and brightest in fashion descended on Millennium Park for Fashion Focus Chicago 2010. 

Fashion Focus Chicago, in its sixth year, was held October 18 through 24, featured shopping events, industry seminars, and showcased the city’s top designers with seven runway shows including Dress Code and StyleChicago.com Presents the Art of Fashion 2010. 

The top students from Chicago’s fashion design schools made their runway debuts during Dress Code. Standouts included bold menswear from  Katie King (School of the Art Institute of Chicago);  long, flowing open back neutral dresses from Sara Perez (Columbia College Chicago); sexy black balloon pants and bottom fringed sheath dresses from Amanda-Michelle Olson (the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago);  and  beautifully colorful gowns from Toni Pescatorre (the International Academy of Design and Technology). 

New to this year’s event was a showing of the four finalists from the Chicago History Museum’s FashionNext Generation competition. The winner was Brenda Beavers (the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago). Beavers winning hat and handbag designs are now on display as part of the I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot exhibition at the museum.

Lara Miler, Elda de la Rosa (center) & Boris Powell

StyleChicago.com Presents the Art of Fashion 2010featured a preview of Spring 2011 fashions from established Chicago designers including the sporty sophisticated and versatile knits from eco-friendly Lara Miller; colorful, Oscar worthy gowns influenced by1950’s French couture from Elda de La Rosa and ultra-urban chic styles from Borris Powell. Kirk James Collection, Laura Lein and Paul Sisti were also featured.

The event also included three award-winning designers in an emerging artist category: Hector-Javier MonArrez, Fraley Le (featured in 2009’s Dress Code show) and Lydia Wawrzyniak. For more information on Fashion Focus Chicago, please visit www.Chicagofashionresource.com

Photos by Raymond Boyd and Dan Locke

Halloween Weekend Chicago gets Prettty Ugggly!!!

  A cross between the Ugly Duckling and Cinderella, Pretty Ugggly is an examination today’s perceptions of traditional beauty. It’s a tale told through the eyes of an introvert social reject from Chicago’s south side that comes to realize just how cruel life and the people in it can be.

Pretty Ugggly will be presented at 7:30 pm Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30 at IIT’s Herman Hall located at 3421 S. Federal in Chicago. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.pretttyugggly.com

Michigan Avenue Magazine Celebrates with Jennifer Hudson

By Adam Bielawski

Chicago’s Michigan Avenue Magazine celebrated its second anniversary on October 5thwith it’s September cover model, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. Niche Media CEO, Jason Binn, Editor-in-Chief of Michigan Avenue Magazine, Susanna Negovan, and Midwest President and Publisher Dan Uslan, hosted the party at the House of Blues.

The red carpet arrivals included: Kenny Williams (Chicago White Sox Manager), Ed Swiderski (The Bachelorette Season 5), Nick Boynton (Chicago Blackhawks) accompanied by Jen Patterson, WGN Morning News Anchors Valerie Warner and Dina Bair and Gary Maddox (former Major League Baseball player).

The noticeable slimmer Hudson came to the stage full smiles performing a few hits including And I Am Telling You, and Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You.

As she concluded her performance, the gracious cover girl thanked Michigan Avenue Magazineand guests in attendance. Following the performance, CEO, Jason Binn thanked Hudson and his staff at the magazine and a huge cake was brought out for Hudson, who was given the honors of cutting the first piece.

Photo by Dan Locke

The Lexus Listening Lounge: After the Show with Melanie Fiona

By Sommer Thornton

Beauty, brains, and a voice is an understatement to what newcomer Melanie Fiona brings to the R&B game. Tuesday night she performed in Chicago as part of the Lexus Listening Lounge – promotion of Lexus’ GS, ES, and the ISC convertible. Lexus produced a showroom style soiree inside the Chicago Illuminating Company downtown. The large courtyard and mansion-like foyer was the perfect milieu for socialites and businessmen to mingle and check out Lexus’ sleek new whips.  

Melanie Fiona, a Toronto native, showed the audience her eclectic vocal style and her lively stage presence singing notable hits, Give it to Me Right, It Kills Me, and Monday Morning. The audience was already feeling Fiona’s exotic beauty, and her passionate lyrics. But when she went into her rendition of Bob Marley’s classic, “One Love” –to a smooth reggae groove, she set the roof off! “Where my Shottas at,” Melanie called out, channeling her West Indian roots.

Melanie proved she’s a unique artist focused on entertaining her real fans with an exciting performance. Fiona even sang her own version of Kanye West’s Heartless, digressing from her song, Somebody Come Get Me [Before I Kill This Man].”By the end the audience was captivated by the luxurious ambiance and this novel songwriter with the amazing voice. 

After her performance, Melanie chatted with UnRated Urban about touring with Alicia Keys, breaking down barriers in the industry, and love.

UnRated Urban: What barriers have you already busted down-either on the business side or the creative side of the industry?

MELANIE: I’m an attractive girl, rooted in music and not in gimmick and everything else. I’m more concerned about giving a good show, making sure everyone has fun. I want people to take my music seriously, so I purposely chose to go along a different path.

UnRated Urban: I saw you rocking on stage. You didn’t care how you looked. You were having a great time, so the audience fed off your vibe.

MELANIE: When you care too much about what everyone thinks about you, you’re not living your best life. Cause you’re too consumed with other peoples opinions.

UnRated Urban: How is your sound received by the R&B Soul community in the States vs. Canada vs. Europe?

MELANIE: Different songs came out in Europe and Canada. So it was fun to see how different countries responded to different sides of me.

UnRated Urban: What song brings out the most memories when you perform it?

MELANIE: It Kills Me, is the most memorable. I was in the thick of it when I wrote that song. So I put my all into it when I perform it. I always go back to that time in my life. Sometimes I get emotional while I’m performing it.

UnRated Urban: There is that line in the song that says “I know you’re messing around, but who else is gonna hold me down” You have to really be in love to understand that line.

MELANIE: Yes you have to be in that situation to understand. But yes I was saying I have your back, but no one has my back. I’ve learned that that’s not good in a relationship.

UnRated Urban: What is your view on love these days? Did you find that making this cd changed your opinion on love?

MELANIE: I believe in self love first. You gotta be happy with yourself before you can expect someone else to love you. When it’s right, it finds you. I want to find love. I feel that it’s necessary. I’ve been on the bad and good side. I love myself now.

UnRated Urban: Give me one word to describe your experience touring with Alicia Keys.

MELANIE: Enlightenment – on so many levels. She was such a joy. She was so pleasant and genuine.

UnRated Urban: What have you learned touring with A. Keys this first time around?

MELANIE: I learned humility, positivity. I grew because I was able to see some flaws and become better.

UnRated Urban: Have you had the opportunity to meet any of your idols?

MELANIE:Yes- Alicia Keys, Prince, India Arie, Brandy, Janelle Monáe – I can relate to her because she’s new and she’s a strong woman who’s refusing to let the industry change her.

UnRated Urban: Both of your parents are musicians, your father a guitarist, your mother a singer: What song are you most proud to share with your parents?

MELANIE: There is a song I just tweeted about. It has no title. But it delves deep in to the core of who I am. One line says, “You treat my dreams like it’s a game -like I’m a chess piece here for play” I’m really excited to share it with my parents.

Photos by Raymond Boyd

Recap of 2010 Essence Music Festival

By Tamara Jenkins

2010 marked the 16th year of the Essence Music Festival that celebrates the best and brightest in entertainment and it did not disappoint.

Described as the Ultimate Party Weekend,  this year’s festival was held July 2-4 in New Orleans, Louisiana and  included free daily empowerment seminars with some of the nation’s most influential speakers, authors and leaders,  and, of course music, with a triple dose of female power with Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys as the musical headliners.

For those who have yet to experience the festival, it is a combination of free, themed seminars during the day and concerts in the evening held this year in the Louisiana Superdome. Performances are a broken up between the main stage where opening acts and headliners perform and in super lounges around the main stage where mini-concerts are performed.

Terry and Rebecca Crews speaking at a relationship seminar

Seminars topics included love and relationships, education in the black community and an all star gospel salute to Kirk Franklin, Pastor Shirley Caesar and Bishop Paul and Pastor Debra Morton. Seminar highlights included Q&A’s with actor/comedian Steve Harvey and actress Jada Pinkett Smith, Bill Cosby delivering an Educational Keynote, Getting Your Life Back by Dr. Juanita Bynum, Where Do We Go From Here? by Reverend Al Sharpton and Reclaiming Our Youth: Purpose, Principles and Power Mentoring by Bishop TD Jakes.

LL Cool J, Jill Scott & Trey Songz

A music lovers paradise awaited ticket holders nightly with performances by Monica, Raphael Saadiq, Charlie Wilson, Keri Hilson, LL Cool J, Gladys Knight, Trey Songz, Jill Scott, Earth Wind & Fire on the main stage and Lalah Hathaway, Arrested Development, Ruben Studdard, De La Soul, Mary Mary, Mint Condition, Joe, Laura Izibor, Chrisette Michele, Ledisi, Melanie Fiona and more in the super lounges.

A top notch show from Janet Jackson on Friday included various costume changes ranging from an outer space Playboy Bunny outfit, that would make Hugh Hefner smile, to menswear and circus themed clothing as she sang hits Control, Pleasure Principle, What Have You Done For Me Lately; ballads Again, Let’s Wait Awhile, Come Back To Me and dance favorites Nasty Boys, Doesn’t Matter and If.  During Jackson’s first intermission, scenes from her television and film work were played on screens.

On Saturday, rumors swirled around the Superdome expectant mother Alicia Keys wasn’t going to perform and Jada Pickett Smith was going to deliver the news, but Ms. Keys did show, walking onto the stage hours after her scheduled time to perform an uninteresting, rushed set that included Like You’ll Never, Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart, Un-thinkable (I’m Ready), Empire State of Mind, and Superwoman. Unimpressed or upset over the long wait, concertgoers began leaving 25 minutes into her show.

Mary J. Blige

On Sunday, master show woman Mary J. Blige had everyone on their feet. Shimmery, sequined jacket, signature sunglasses, the Mary J swagger was in effect as she sang Real Love, I Love You, Love No Limit, All Night Long, No More Drama and I’m Going Down and Good Love with Trey Songz joining her onstage.

Overall, the Essence Music Festival was an informative, educational and entertaining event that is not to be missed in 2011. 

Photos by Dan Locke

I Still Love H.E.R.….and so do I

By Wendy Simmons

Rap is a musical genre. Hip-hop is a culture. A culture that encompasses the art of music, dance, graffiti, and other forms of expression that resonant the sound of the urban community.

In the play, I Still Love H.E.R., a tribute to hip-hop, we learn its history while being highly entertained by music, dance and comedy. The use of H.E.R. is an acronym for Hearing Every Rhyme. The theater performance took me down memory lane as well as taught me a few things that I didn’t realize.

The play, created by Wendell Tucker, also stars him as LoveOne, an urban music radio personality. LoveOne decides to leave the music industry because he felt that the music with the most airplay was no longer as powerful and meaningful as it once was. On his last day at the fictional WHOP, he was determined to only air hip-hop classics. He, his co-host, and D.J. went as far back as playing old jazz musician Cab Calloway. This was done in order to show the roots of the music. As an array of music played, dancers and people depicting different artist hit the stage for exciting performances. There were tap and hip-hop dancers, as well as a lip licking LL Cool J impersonator.

While LoveOne conducted his last hoorah, he was abruptly joined by a woman claiming to be hip-hop herself.  Lady Hip Hop tells the audience that her origins are Jamaican, Egyptian, Caribbean, Asian, and mostly African American. However, most of us only think of the Boogey Down Bronx in New York as the birthplace of hip-hop.  LoveOne and Lady Hip Hop were able to combat against one another on the state of hip-hop at this time. They even went toe to toe on how Lady Hip Hop feels that LoveOne is abandoning her by leaving the music industry, thus leaving newer generations without an outlet for “real” hip-hop.

Throughout the play the characters discuss how new music artist like Gucci Mane, Soldier Boy, and Wakka Flaka Flame are misrepresenting the genre that many cherish. Therefore, the musical artist that were featured during the productions were those such as Common, Kanye West, Tupac, Biggie, McLyte, DMX, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, Lauryn Hill and more that are subjectively considered to be hip-hop’s finest. The play also discussed the many forms of hip-hop. Many assume that hip-hop is a straight road, when in fact it has many twist and turns. There’s spiritual hip-hop, political hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, women in hip-hop and even friendly hip-hop such as the sounds from Will “The Fresh Prince” Smith.

I Still Love H.E.R.did a great job condensing a huge cultural movement into just a few hours while inducing sympathetic emotions for LoveOne, who just wants to see hip-hop appreciated and not watered down for radio play.

On top of being extremely entertaining the characters also encouraged the audience to be interactive. We were expected to yell out lyrics to the songs that we grew up listening to on our Walkmans that are still in heavy rotation on our iPods today. The music made me jump to my feet, bob my head and sing along as if I were watching the real artists perform these iconic songs.

I was a little surprised to never hear hip-hop artist Common’s 1994 musical tribute to hip-hop, I Used to Love H.E.R., because I assumed that was the basis for this play.  But with so many other hip-hop classics being featured, I guess we can let that slide.

I Still Love H.E.R. was performed at the legendary Regal Theater on Chicago’s south side. The same theater where I witnessed Notorious B.I.G. perform One More Chance as a young child. The entire play put me in a nostalgic, yet hopeful mood. Hopeful that younger generations and hip-hop non-supporters will be able to one day enjoy and appreciate the music that helped to mold my generation.

Whether you love hip-hop or it makes you sick to your stomach, I Still Love H.E.R. is a definite must see. There’s no excuse for you missing this informative, argumentative display of raw, unadulterated hip-hop history. It will alter your idea of what hip-hop is. It will make you question why you ever doubted its impact on America and the world.

The performances and acting touches you and commands your respect for hip-hop. It’s a proven success which is why is it now headed to the great white way of Broadway in New York. Now more people can get the chance to witness an ode to a culture that has influenced a new world. Don’t give up on hop-hip, it’s still alive, and some of us used to and still love H.E.R.

I give this play $$$$…it’s worth front row seat prices.