Chris Price (Ephraim Benton) is about to serve 180 days in prison for a first-time offense. When his mother (Karen Chilton) invites him home for dinner, he finds his younger brother (Darrell Vanterpool) following in his footsteps and his older brother, Shawn (Donté Bonner) disowning him. With his family falling apart, Chris is forced to re-examine his life and how he can bring everyone together for his mother’s birthday.
Three/21 Films present a feature film by Rik Cordero, starring Ephraim Benton (Push, Baby Boy) and Karen Chilton (Half Nelson). Written by Rik Cordero and Aaron F. Schnore, from a story by Rik Cordero. The executive producer is Dwight King. The film was produced by Mike Fox. The co-producers are Nancy Mitchell, Steve Carless, Brady Nields and Seth Abrams.
The Common Ground Foundation held their second annual “Common & Friends” benefit concert at Hollywood Palladium Sept. 26, 2009. Guest include Ludacris, Nas, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, De La Soul, The Roots, Queen Latifah, and Heavy D.
50 Cent finally got to celebrate 40 Day in Southside Jamaica, Queens after it was postpone due to the lack of proper permits from the city. Over 2,500 people came to the yard by P.S. 40 to celebrate the G-Unity sponosored event. 50 performed mixtape tracks as NYPD officers secured the area from roof tops of the school and nearby housing complex. “I ain’t never seen this before,” . “That’s the m—–f—— police, you see them up there, now everybody wave.” said 50 cent in reaction the police watching from the rooftops.
“50 was really happy we could do this today, finally,” Tony Yayo told MTV News. “It means a lot to perform in your neighborhood. We go all over the world — Africa, Asia, Europe — but to perform in your own neighborhood is extra special.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs confirms with Billboardthat he is departing ways with Warner Music Group/Atlantic Records.
“Now that the term of the Warner deal has ended, I have elected to accept an opportunity to move my recording career and future label venture to another company,” Diddy said in a statement.
The joint venture for the Bad Boy roster and catalog will remain with WMG. Diddys next album Last Train to Paris is to be released by Interscope Records.
Press play to hear Angela Yee talk to Diddy about his upcoming album.
The “TAG Signature Series Charity Challenge”, is a national election-style battle between Ludacris, Carmelo and Rob to raise money for their individual charitable foundations by encouraging consumers to purchase their TAG Signature Series scents. Each celebrity’s charitable foundation will receive ten percent of the net realized sales of their product during the Charity Challenge promotion period. The celebrity with the highest net realized sales during the Charity Challenge period will receive an additional $25,000 donation for their foundation.
“The TAG Signature Series is all about helping the consumer to smell the good life and we have partnered with three unique celebrities that truly embody urban style and attitude to make that happen,” said Athena Kasvikis, assistant brand manager at P&G. “The TAG Signature Series Charity Challenge provides a unique fundraising opportunity to increase awareness for each celebrity foundation and to make a difference in the community.”
Alicia Keys and Usher attend the 2009 Clinton Global Citizen Awards at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers in New York City on September 24. Former President Bill Clinton honored today’s leaders one of which was Quincy Jones. At the event Usher pledged $1 million to Powered By Service to support young people as they address the world’s most pressing problems through innovative service projects.
Could iPhone apps be the D.O.A of ringtones? According to industry research firm IBISWorld, the company forecast a decline in the music ringtone market for the second consecutive year- down 15% from its $880 million peak in 2007, totaling just $750 million in 2009.
As the ringtone business decline in revenue, another market booms. Applications on cellular phones are becoming the new fad for the music industry. Several artist such as Sean “P.Diddy” Combs, Akon, Soulja Boy, T-Pain, Eminem, and the New Boyz have iPhone applications which promotes their albums. Recently New York’s radio stationHot 97 came out with an app for both BlackBerry and iPhone users allowing them to stream the station through their phones and allowing users to purchase a song.
In a Business Week article, analysts concur that the market for music apps is likely to grow. “It could get very big,” says Mike McGuire, research vice-president at consultant Gartner. “It could be a very powerful marketing and awareness tool.” In the coming months, other mobile app stores are expected to gather steam or come online. Google is pushing Android Market, a store similar to Apple’s but serving users of different smartphones. BlackBerry maker Research In Motion is due to launch its revamped mobile storefront. Microsoft is expected to launch an app store for Windows Mobile devices as well.
Though ring tones still remain a lucrative business the reason to the decline in sales is due to smartphones having the ability to connect to a computer through a USB connection. Why spend .99 cents to $3.49 for a 30 second snippet when you can create your own with programs such as WavePad and upload it to your wireless device for free. Unfortunately that method will be the D.O.A of the ringtone business.
The trend that will emerge is artist using phone applications to help promote album releases and encourage sales. The most unique thus far would have to be the I Am T-Pain app. These applications seem to build a stronger connection between the artist and consumer developing unique interactions. No estimates on how much these apps generate in revenue but I’m sure it adds on to every artists bottom line as they generate income from album sales, ringtones, tours and now applications, being able to milk as much as they can from today’s technology. We’ll just have to see if the apps could out last the ringtone in the product life cycle stages.
(Below are a couple of clips of some unique iPhone apps) Continue Reading »
New Yorkers For Children celebrated its Tenth Annual Fall Gala on September 22,2009. Board memeber Kevin Lies presented the Nicholas Scoppetta Child Welfare Award to Mary J. Blige (R&B artist, philanthropist & founder of FFAWN) for her work in empowering young women through education, career development and promoting strong self-esteem and personal growth.
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