Mighty Quinn Management Announces Two Debut Authors…Jacqueline Rhinehart and Kerika Fields

Gwendolyn Quinn of Mighty Quinn Management is pleased to  announce the release of two books by two debut authors, Jacqueline Rhinehart and Kerika Fields.  “We are excited about the release of two of our debut authors,” says Quinn.  “We will be working with a diverse group of African-Americans authors, and look forward to making additional announcements in the near future.”

Jacqueline Rhinehart, author of MY ORGANIC SOUL:  From Plato to Creflo, Emerson to MLK, Jesus to Jay-Z — A Journal to Help You Discover Yourself Through Words of Wisdom from Visionaries Past and Present will be released in September 2008(Harlem Moon/Broadway).  MY ORGANIC SOUL — is a journal, gift book and guide to self-discovery for the hip-hop generation and beyond.  Augmented with a diverse array of quotes from Plato to Malcolm X to Common, with scripture mixed in for good measure, MY ORGANIC SOUL — draws from the moral fruits of the past and mingles them brilliantly with the street philosophies of today to reach a 21^st century audience who is wandering, seeking and in need of discovering the answer to the one of life’s ultimate questions: “Who Am I?”

The journal has been a long time coming for Rhinehart.  “I have collected my ‘thoughts’ and the quotes of others since age 11 in what I called a journal,” says Rhinehart.  ”I was not creating a record of my daily happenings, but a repository of thoughts and  ideas.  I discovered that many of my ‘original’ ideas were in fact phrases, philosophies and quotes from others that permeated my thoughts and, by osmosis, had seemingly become my own. In that ‘Ah-Ha’ moment, the importance of journaling became evident.”

Jacqueline Rhinehart is the president and founder of Organic Soul Multicultural Marketing, Inc., a firm that integrates entertainment concepts into creative marketing and branding opportunities.  She is a masterful omni-media strategist, creating, developing and implementing memorable campaigns in the music, entertainment and lifestyle industries.

 

As an executive, she has held numerous positions at various music and entertainment companies including senior vice-president of marketing at Universal Music Group; the director of publicity at Arista Records (two tenures at the label); senior director of marketing and artist development at Uptown Records; vice-president of Hiram Hicks Management; director of artist development at Mercury/PolyGram Records and director of artist development at Hush Productions. She also worked in advertising at PENTHOUSE magazine and as the director of the South Carolina’s Governor’s mansion while still in college.

 

Throughout Rhinehart’s career in music, she has developed highly visable marketing and artist development campaigns for such artists as Nelly, Erykah  Badu, Cash Money Records, Boys II Men, Master P, and P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Entertainment, Mary J. Blige, Heavy D., Keith Sweat, BBD, TLC, Vanessa Williams, Oleta Adams, Brian McKnight, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Jon Lucien, Third World, Freddie Jackson, Melba Moore, Najee and many others.

 

During her tenure as a public relations executive, she worked with legendary music impresario Clive Davis and oversaw the urban publicity department and developed media campaigns for Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, TLC, Deborah Cox, Monica, The Notorious B.I.G, Faith Evans, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Lisa Stansfield and numerous others.  In 1989, Rhinehart helped launch Arista Records’ joint venture LaFace Records with hitmakers L.A. Reid and Babyface.  She created the media campaigns for the launch of both LaFace Records and Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records.

 

Rhinehart is a graduate of University of South Carolina.  She is a contributor to INSIDE THE MINDS/CMO LEADER STRATEGIES:  Top Executives on Creating and Delivering Successful Marketing Campaigns That Impact the Bottom Line (ASPATORE Books) and the forthcoming book, HANDLE YOUR ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS in stores March 1, 2009 (Grand Central/Warner Publishing). 

 

Debut author Kerika Fields’ HE’S GONE — YOU’RE BACK: The Right Way to Get Over Mr. Wrong will be released in January 2009 (Soul of My Sisters/Keningston).  HE’S GONE — YOU’RE BACK is an inspiring book to help women navigate the dark, scary post-relationship abyss, and come out on the other side ready to laugh and love again.  With humor, understanding and real-life stories from women just like you — Fields shows you how to mourn the loss, and move on.  “I am extremely  excited  about the release of HE’S GONE — YOU’RE BACK,” says Fields  “I look forward to sharing my hard-earned life experiences with women  who are seeking support in moving past life’s inevitable losses and disappointments. I hope my book’s information and insight will inspire readers to let go of past pain and move forward with their lives in positive and productive ways.”

 

HE’S GONE — YOU’RE BACK will guide and reassure you through the worst days, and prepare you for the future — because the best really is yet to come.   The book helps women to discover how to commit to their recovery like they were committed to their relationship; to avoid becoming another angry, bitter woman (there are enough of those!); to discover how to keep showing up to their lives no matter how disillusioned or depressed they are; and to fight and win the toughest battle between themselves and their demons.  HE’S GONE — YOU’RE BACK is complete with a daily self-love checklist, affirmations, recommended reading, an uplifting “You’re Back” playlist to get you dancing through your tears, and much more.  Whether you’re stuck in the limbo of a painful relationship or struggling in solitude, this invaluable book will see you through. Because once there’s no turning back, the only way is forward.

 

Fields is a writer whose articles examine the arts along with social and cultural issues.  Her work has appeared in The Amsterdam News, BELLE Magazine, Black Elegance, Black Noir, Black Issues Book Review, Caribbean Life, City and Suburban Styles, Impact, The Source, Spice!, Sisters In Style, The New York World, and NRG magazine.

 

Fields is also a photojournalist who has covered entertainment and corporate events for over a decade.  Her keen, creative photographer’s eye has been utilized by The American Black Film Festival, ESSENCE Communications, The Studio Museum of Harlem, Film Life, Inc., The National Urban League, The Ron H. Brown Foundation, Uniworld Inc., GQ Media & Public Relations, Inc., Motorola, Lincoln and numerous others.

 

Her images have been published in national publications and appear in the Deborah Willis photography book, BLACK: A Celebration of a Culture (Hylas Publishing, 2004) and I GOT YOUR BACK: A Father and Son Keep It Real About Love, Fatherhood, Family, and Friendship by Eddie Levert, Sr. and Gerald Levert with Lyah Beth LeFlore (Harlem Moon, 2007).

 

Fields’ photographs have been exhibited at The African American Museum of Philadelphia, The Brooklyn Historical Society, Aurora Gallery and 40 Acres Art Gallery in Sacramento just to name a few.  Fields is a founding member of the She Shootin’ Photography Collective.

 

An artist and philanthropist, Kerika Fields founded the A.R.R.C. Foundation (Ayofemi Richards Robert Conner Foundation) in 2002 after the untimely deaths of two young family members. The 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization is committed to enhancing the lives of underprivileged youth via scholarships, job/internship information, and access to the arts.

Island Def Jam and Disturbing Tha Peace sign new long-term deal !!!

Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ) has signed a new long-term extension with Ludacris for his Disturbing Tha Peace label, it was jointly announced today by Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group, and the three principals of the Atlanta-based Disturbing Tha Peace label: Ludacris (aka Chris Bridges), Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon. 

            “The Atlanta hip-hop scene and the Dirty South movement in general owe more than they can ever repay to Chris,” said Mr. Reid.  “Our friendship stretches back more than a decade and I never cease to be amazed at his imagination, creativity, and most of all his outrageous sense of humor.  Now changing business conditions necessitate that we review our respective rosters and focus to ensure that future opportunities and challenges are aggressively achieved.  Ludacris has built Disturbing Tha Peace into one of the iconic names in hip-hop, one that will remain an important part of the Island Def Jam family.”

 

E-40, Loon, Gucci Mane, Young Dro and Ginuwine Reach for the Stars

Custom rim innovator, Aflexo Designs is launching their new custom ALL STAR Rim this March, with the release of its very own theme song titled “Stars“. Multi-platinum producer and Hitmen, J-Dub (Diddy, Faith, Biggie, Mase, 112, 8 Ball & MJG) has crafted a song specifically tailored for the custom rim, and laced it with 16’s from the likes of Loon, The Lox, Young Dro, along with R&B singer Ginuwine. The song is the first in a series of innovative strategies to market the custom rim, designed to inspire the next generation of trendsetters to move forward in creative style.

The maker’s of  Aflexo Wheels, which means to Adapt, Flex and Overcome, wanted to challenge consumers to think out of the box when it comes to dreaming and creating their own lane in life, “We wanted to create a custom wheel that represented excellence in style, and innovation that would also allow consumers to add their own personal sense of style to our brand,” Says the wheel’s designer Andrew Balkcom. “Customizing the wheel is like making every rim a signature rim while inspiring dreamers, innovators and maybe even some engineers. It basically provides a platform to make anyone one a star in their own right.”

Driven by design, the rims were created with the purpose of pursuing the highest level of technology and applying that to the streets, and now they want consumers to put their own spin on the creative ingenuity behind the rim. As the world’s premier custom luxury rim on the market, the team at Aflexo Designs want to start a new trend in automotive innovation that far surpasses the chrome rims, but creates a desire to continually strive higher. “Stars” will be available for download via a mobile carrier to be announced. For more information on Aflexo Designs visit the website at www.aflexowheels.com.

About Aflexo- Aflexo Designs is a global innovator whose designers have years of experience creating new concepts for a variety of fortune 500 companies. High quality, modular wheels are an integral feature of the Aflexo brand which is dedicated to developing cutting edge technologies, and original designs to keep us moving forward. The All-Star wheel is the first in a new series of custom rims to be released this year. Aflexo Wheels-The World’s Premier Custom Luxury Rim….Reach for the Stars!

Award-Winning Series Everybody Hates Chris to Join Nick At Nite’s Line-up, Fall 2009

The award-winning family comedy series, Everybody Hates Chris from co-creator and narrator Chris Rock, will join the Nick At Nite line-up in fall, 2009, it was announced today by Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group.
Beginning September 2009, Nick At Nite will become the exclusive basic cable home to the half-hour series which stars Tyler James Williams (“Unaccompanied Minors”) as Chris, Terry Crews (“The Longest Yard”) as Julius, Tichina Arnold (“Martin”) as Rochelle, Tequan Richmond (“Ray”) as Drew, Imani Hakim as Tonya and Vincent Martella (“Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo”) as Greg.

“Nick At Nite is one of my family’s favorite TV networks,” said Chris Rock. “I am thrilled that this series, which reflects my childhood growing up in Brooklyn, is coming to the number-one home for great family comedies.”

“Following in the success we’ve had with George Lopez and Home Improvement, this show has all the makings to be our next big hit for kids and parents on Nick At Nite,” Zarghami said. “Chris Rock is a comedic genius hugely popular with adults, and he’s created a great kid-centric character and story that will be relevant to both our kid and adult audience. It’s a great addition for us.”

The deal with CBS Television Distribution includes a four-year license period for a minimum of four seasons (80 episodes). The hit series is currently in production on season four, which is included as part of the overall deal.

Everybody Hates Chris, which premiered on the UPN network in September 2005 and currently airs on the CW, is inspired by Rock’s real-life childhood experiences. The series, co-created and narrated by Chris Rock along with co-creator and writer Ali LeRoi tells the story of a teenager growing up as the eldest of three children in Brooklyn, New York, during the early 1980s. Uprooted to a new neighborhood and bused into a predominantly white middle school two hours away by his strict, hard-working parents, Chris struggles to find his place while keeping his siblings in line at home and surmounting the challenges of junior high. This responsible, resilient adolescent brings a distinct, funny spin to his everyday trials and traumas, in the critically acclaimed, single-camera comedy. Everybody Hates Chris has earned an NAACP Image Award(R) for Outstanding Comedy Series, as well as Golden Globe(R) and People’s Choice Award nominations.

The series features guest stars including Jimmie Walker, Loretta Devine, Wayne Brady, Orlando Jones, Richard Lewis, Vincent Pastore, Robert Wuhl, Phylicia Rashad and Tommy Davidson.

The series is executive produced by Michael Rotenberg (“King of the Hill”), Dave Becky (“Lucky Louie”) and Don Reo (“My Wife and Kids”). “Everybody Hates Chris” is a production of CBS Paramount Network Television Inc. in association with Chris Rock Enterprises, Inc. and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Legendary Juice Crew members Craig G and Marley Marl to Release ‘Operation: Take Back Hip-Hop’

With a Juice Crew movie that takes a look back at one of hip-hop’s most storied group of artists on the horizon, Crew member Craig G and founder/producer Marley Marl are still looking towards the future. The duo have teamed up to release “Operation: Take Back Hip-Hop” late this spring on Good Hands Records.”‘Operation: Take Back Hip-Hop’ is just what it is,” said Craig G. “Instead of me wasting years complaining along with journalists and everyone else, Marley and I are trying to make change through music. This is my passion, this is what raised me, and I refuse to stand by and watch my culture get destroyed any further with poor quality music.”

After the success of his collaboration with KRS-One on 2007’s “Hip-Hop Lives,” Marley Marl is confident the new album with Craig G is just what people are looking for.

“True hip-hop fans stand up, ‘Operation: Take Back Hip-Hop’ is what you’ve been waiting for,” said Marley Marl.

The album features guest appearances by KRS-One, Talib Kweli, Rakaa (Iriscience) of Dilated Peoples, and Sadat X. Marley Marl handles most of the production, with help from Tue Track, Kid Nyce and a possible surprise addition or two.

In addition to his Juice Crew days, Craig G has also become known for penning most of the battle lyrics in the Eminem movie 8 Mile.

“To be able to work with legends like Craig G and Marley Marl is such a privilege,” said Good Hands Records president DJ Truth. “The album is exceptional, I would be stunned if it is not considered one of this years best.”

Good Hands Records is also set to release Killah Priest’s “Behind The Stained Glass” this spring as well.

http://www.myspace.com/goodhandsrecords

Omillio Sparks Breaks His Silence about Lack Luster Record Sales, State Property 3 MOVIE, and Philly’s New Rap MOVEMENT…

Omillio Sparks breaks his silence and acknowledges that he didn’t get much of a payback after the release of his debut LP ” THE PAYBACK”, distributed by Koch Entertaiment in August of 2007. He quotes ” I ‘m not going to hold you, my album didn’t do what was expected, but that’s the state of the industry, and that’s the way things happen sometimes.”  The former Rocafella artist, who wrote for  JAY Z, and his fellow Chain Gangers,  went on after the fall of the ROC, and invested heavily into releasing the quiet BillBoard charting album, THE PAYBACK, and released a video to accompany his single ” DJ TURN IT UP” with a cameo appearance by DJ Clinton Sparks.  Despite good reviews from network programmers and the music critics at THE SOURCE, Allhiphop, SCRATCH, and Hip Hop Weekly, Omillio never got his big break due to poor radio promotion, loose funds, and what he call’s industry bullshit.  6 months later, he is back in the lab with State Property working on a soundtrack , and is preparing for his  convincing  role as ” Baby Boy”in the upcoming Lionsgate movie, State Property 3, which is scheduled to start shooting this spring. Sparks has also been working with his group, MAD AVE MOVEMENT, through his own outfit, Omillio Sparks Entertainment. A Philadelphia rap group, that includes himself, AR, LBS, Banchi, and Lil Jigga, while preparing for a digital album release in partnership with APPLE’s ITUNES and promotional partner Verizon Wireless.  MAD AVE MOVEMENT was featured on a track on Omillio’s LP, titled, Movement, and will be featured on the remix of Spark’s single ” 4 the Love or Money” in coming weeks. Omillio will also be touring with State Property this summer.

Omillio Sparks aka Kenneth Johnson entered the music business in 1997 when he was signed by Jay-Z and Damon Dash to Rocafella Records. As a Rocafella Artist, Omillio Sparks was featured on Jay Z’s ” I just wanna love you”hit record, and was responsible for the writing and executive producing of State Property Albums.  Omillio Sparks discography includes tracks on Jay Z’s THE DYNASTY, Beanie Sigels THE SOLUTION, PHILADELPHIA FREEWAY, STATE PROPERTY albums and more. Omillio Sparks, the actor, has starred in Lionsgate movies, State Property 1 & 2, and is preparing for his role as Baby Boy in State Property 3. Since his departure from Rocafella Records, Omillio has gone on to start his own entertainment company, Omillio Sparks Entertainment, and is also preparing to get involved in the social networking web business. For more information on Omillio Sparks and MAD AVE MOVEMENT please visit www.myspace.com/sparksmusic1 or www.omilliosparks.com

ROCKO BREAKS OUT WITH SMASH “UMMA DO ME,” DEBUT ALBUM ARRIVES IN STORES MARCH 18th

Proving that a workaholic ethic is the key to success, Rocko steps out from behind the scenes – as an Atlanta-based artist manager, songwriter, promoter, and head of his own label (Rocky Road) – with his smash debut single as a recording artist on Island Urban, “Umma Do Me,” which moves up to #11-bullet on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Songs charts, in its 12^th week out. The video for “Umma Do Me” has entered BET’s “106 & Park” countdown at #10.  

            “Umma Do Me,” produced by Drumma Boi, is the first single pick from Rocko’s debut album, SELF MADE, arriving in stores March 18^th on Rocky Road/Island Urban.  “Umma Do Me,” he told Billboard, “was a song I recorded for the streets, and it took off from there… I never meant for it to be a single.”  Accidental hit or not, the song cracks the market wide open for SELF MADE, which (also) features production from Cool and Dre, the Runners, Jazze Pha and DJ Toomp.  “This album is colossal.  It’s much bigger and crazier than that,” he says, referring to the single.  “It’s about real-life situations.”

 

            SELF MADE lives up to its title, reflecting Rocko’s rise to the top of the game, a deal-maker who has been putting together hits for most of the millennium.  He learned to write and format songs and create beats, while serving as a talent scout for Universal Music.  His first act was Hitman Sammy Sam, whose novelty “Step Daddy” earned a deal with Universal.  Sam’s 2002 debut album was the first to bear the Rocky Road imprint. 

 

            In 2003, Rocko’s first mixtape, NWA (No Wack Artist) featured Juvenile, Turk, Jazze Pha, Bone Crusher, and others.  In the interim, continuing to work with Universal, Rocko was connected to deals with Dem Franchize Boyz (their self-titled debut, 2004) and Young Dro (signed to Atlanta-based T.I.’s Grand Hustle label in 2006, distributed by Atlantic).  Rocko’s production company also tracked songs for Lil’ Flip and Pastor Troy.

 

            But it was last year’s Swag Season, Rocko’s second mixtape, featuring Jim Jones, Rick Ross, Gotti, and Shawty Lo – along with the original version of “Umma Do Me” – that blew up the scene.  300 spins deep, “Umma Do Me” piqued the interest of fellow Atlien Jermaine Dupri,  president of Island So So Def.  After Atlanta’s premiere hip-hop magazine Ozone put Rocko on the cover, Def Jam Senior VP of A&R Shakir Stewart brought Rocko to New York to meet Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group.  “They had their mind made up,” Rocko says.  “I couldn’t even leave the building.”

 

            A ten-year veteran of Atlanta’s competitive hip-hop arena, 29-year old Rocko (Rodney Hill) got his start after graduating high school and working at local jobs.  A decade later, his ascension to major label status bears witness to his ambition and talent.  “I am going in and mastering my craft daily,” he told Billboard.  “Now there’s no turning back.”