Wednesday, February 27th 2008 // The Rundown // Movie Headlines, News & Gossip // 16 COMMENTS
Will Smith, who once stated that he would love to become the first black President of the United States may possibly be filling those shoes sooner than expected as he teams up with Barack Obama in a film about the Democratic presidential candidate’s life.
Obama told US TV show ‘Entertainment Tonight’: “Will and I have talked about the idea of him playing me because he has the same ears as me! He would be perfect.”
Last year, Democrat supporter Smith revealed his political aspirations, saying: “I always wanted to be the first black president but Barack Obama stole my idea. That’s OK with me. Barack can go first and then I’ll take my turn.”
Smith explained he would immediately address some fundamental issues if he were in office.
He added: “Once I’m in, I’ll start changing a few things that urgently need changing.
“The basis of human sanity is physical survival. So I’d start with universal healthcare and shelter.”
Source: Monsters and Critics
Wednesday, February 27th 2008 // MelodyDarlene // Album Reviews, Reviews // 22 COMMENTS
4 out of 5 rating.
We’ve seen Janet Jackson, now 41, grow up and evolve right before our very eyes, not only as a person, but also through her music. With “Control” and “Rhythm Nation” we saw a young Janet rebelling and coming of age. With both the self-titled, “Janet”, and “The Velvet Rope” we saw a more grown-up Janet breaking out of her shell and coming into her sexuality and exploring lyrical limits, all while dripping with sex appeal (no pun intended). “All For You” toned it down a notch and was more of a fun pop album. Then there were her last two failed efforts, “Damita Jo” and “20 Y.O.” — both easily forgettable and great disappointments. With her 10th studio album, “Discipline”, due out next week, there is a lot of pressure for Miss Jackson to really deliver.
“Discipline” is Janet’s first release off of Island Def Jam after parting ways with Virgin Records last year. The change in labels was a good move, as we see a lot of old school Janet mixed with the new digitized sounds of today. Executive produced by Def Jam chairman, L.A. Reid and Janet herself, as well as collaborating with super producers/writers Rodney Jerkins, Ne-Yo, The Dream, and StarGaze, “Discipline” is highly anticipated as fans are eager to see what this soft spoken songstress is going to deliver this time around.
“Discipline” begins with opening dialogue and is filled with interludes between most songs throughout the album. Thanks to these interludes, we become part of this mega pop fantasy world she has created as we follow Janet along this musical journey that is “Discipline”. The album begins with very radio friendly songs.
There is the ubber pop sound of ‘Luv’; a very commercial feel good song. Followed by the Rodney Jerkins produced, ‘Rollercoaster.’ This song pulls you in with its drum base intro and catchy pop hook. These aren’t my personal favorite, as I’m not a huge fan of bubblegum pop music, but they still deliver as possible radio hits.
With ‘Rock With U’ (NOT a cover of her brother’s hit) and ‘2Nite’ Janet follows the current trend of electric/new-wave sounds of the 80s; think Daft Punk and Chromeo meets Rihanna’s ‘Please Don’t Stop The Music.’ If she wants a hit, she hit the head of the nail with these songs. Janet also has a few slow ballads with ‘Can’t B Good,’ ‘Never Let You Go,’ and ‘Greatest X,’ which she gets personal speaking of her, you guessed it, greatest ex. That has to be a little awkward for her main squeeze, Jermaine Dupri. The song is boring so we’re sure J.D. will do what we did on this song, SKIP.
Listen to “2Nite”
Janet really brings it with ‘So Much Betta,’ a definite club banger.
Listen to “So Much Betta”
This is the Janet we know and love, a true dance track. The only problem is the beat is VERY reminiscent of Britney Spears’ ‘Boys’ remix. Not sure how I feel about that. Missy Elliot is also featured on another dance track, ‘The 1.’ Then there’s ‘What’s Ur Name,’ an R&B jam you can still bob your head to. However, the lyrical content of this song is more age appropriate for someone like JoJo or Rihanna.
‘What’s your name babe’/ Put it right in my sidekick/ And I’ll hit back/ Soon as I get home/ I’ll put you in my favorites.’ Hmmm, at 41 singing about Sidekicks and Myspace (‘favorites’) is a bit questionable.
For all you fans of Janet’s mid-tempo sounds (think ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’) the last two songs are just that. These two are my personal favorites. The title track, ‘Discipline’ is a very sexy song; baby-making music if you will! Co-written by Janet and Ne-Yo, this song is an S&M fantasy as Miss Jackson sings, ‘I need some discipline tonight/ I’ve been bad/ Daddy make me cry.’ It’s not as dark as it sounds; it’s more of a sexual surrender.
Listen to “Discipline”
The last song, ‘Curtains,’ Janet makes singing about filming doing the ‘deed’ sound sexy. Be careful, it just might make you grab a camera to create your own show behind the curtains!
Listen to “Curtains”
If you’re a fan of Janet you won’t be disappointed with this album. A fresh blend of pop and R&B, this is the Janet we’ve missed, the Janet we’ve been waiting to come back. Cop the album when it drops, February 26, 2008! Go ahead, say it, ‘It’s Janet, Miss Jackson if you’re nasty.’
Wednesday, February 27th 2008 // The Rundown // News & Gossip, Say What?! // 59 COMMENTS
Rihanna and Chris Brown were recently spotted vacationing in Jamaica…
“They were smooching in the pool and were really lovely dovey. They were playfully making out and he was kissing her on the neck.”
The attractive pair, who got matching star tattoos on their necks in January, got in the pool after a leisurely lunch yesterday at the Hilton Kingston Hotel in Jamaica. They were hanging out with friends and at about 3 p.m., Chris, 18, jumped into the water and waited while Rihanna went to her room and changed into a bikini.
“They were floating together with him carrying her and she kept saying, ‘Don’t get my hair wet.’ She was very soft and feminine but he was a big kid and splashing around.”
Source: Page Six
While the two were getting it poppin’ in those ‘blood-clot’ waters of Jamaica, John Hartnett was somewhere in the US looking for his umbrella… If only he knew that Rihanna is now using it to keep her new hubby dry.
