American Black Film Festival Ambassador Release

 

Actor Anthony Mackie, who will star as Tupac Shakur in the biopic, Notorious, scheduled for release by Fox Searchlight Pictures in 2009, has been named today as Ambassador for the Film Life’s 2008 American Black Film Festival (ABFF). The ABFF is the premier international marketplace for films that showcase the best new work by and about people of African descent. The role of the ABFF Ambassador is to broaden public awareness of the festival and its mission to encourage collaboration and support between Hollywood and the independent film community. This year’s festival, whose theme is “Exploring Black Romance and Sexuality in American Cinema,” is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles from August 7-10.

Mackie, who succeeds last year’s Ambassador, Anthony Anderson, will be featured in the upcoming DreamWorks film Eagle Eye, starring Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan and Billy Bob Thornton. Eagle Eye is scheduled to hit theaters this September. Mackie was an Independent Spirit Award Nominee for his portrayal of Perry, a young homosexual visual artist in the film Brother to Brother. His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Drowning Crow, A Soldier’s Play, and Talk” for which he won an Obie Award in 2002. Mackie can also be seen in the films The Manchurian Candidate and Million Dollar Baby, alongside Oscar winning actors Denzel Washington, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Hillary Swank; as well as Half Nelson, We Are Marshall, Freedomland, and She Hate Me.

“I am honored to be able to serve as the 2008 ABFF Ambassador to help increase awareness of this great festival that champions creative expression as well as recognizes and rewards emerging talent, who might otherwise remain undiscovered,” Mackie said. Born and raised in New Orleans, Mackie honed his skills at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts before completing his education at Juilliard.

“Anthony exemplifies what the mission of the ABFF is: to recognize, showcase and celebrate emerging African American talent,” said Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life and founder of the ABFF. “I am always pleased when young, talented actors recognize the importance of what the ABFF has been doing over the past 12 years, and are eager to give back and support our mission,” Friday continued.

Allstate is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2008 festival and HBO® is the festival’s Founding Sponsor. Other sponsors on board for this year include luxury automaker, Lincoln, as well as Target, BET J (Premier); Blockbuster, Heineken (Official); Nielsen Media Research, One Village Entertainment, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Codeblack Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Fox Entertainment Group (Supporting); SAG Indie, Writers Guild of America West, Greater Philadelphia Film Commission (Industry); Black Enterprise, Uptown, Upscale, Black Noir, Heart&Soul, Precious Times, Automotive Rhythms, Toy Box, Monarch, Hope Today Magazine, NV, Save the Date and EUR Web (Media).

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 exclusive agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.

The ABFF, cofounded by Jeff Friday in 1997, is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based film marketing and distribution company. Its mission is to spearhead the global distribution of quality Black films and be the leading American brand producing Black movies, television, events and digital content. Film Life’s key properties include the American Black Film Festival (abff.com); the Black Movie Awards (blackmovieawards.com); the Turks and Caicos International Film Festival (www.turksnadcaicosfilmfest.com); and the ABFF DVD Series (thefilmlife.com), a partnership with Warner Home Video.For general registration information visit

www.abff.com, call 646- 375-2144, ext. 1, or contact the festival via e-mail at abff@thefilmlife.com.

 

Dr. Rani G Whitfield, M.D. UNVIELS “THE LEGION OF HEALTH”

Dr. Rani G Whitfield, M.D., a family practice and sports medicine physician in Baton Rouge, LA is proud to announce the creation and official release of “The Legion of Health” comic book series, which is design to introduce uniquely packaged health messages targeting youth and college age market.  The series features a team of muscle bound, super-intelligent health advocates with super human powers  – as they protect the human race from various members of the Dungeon of Disease – a team of anti-hero characters who represent life-threatening illness and poor behaviors.  The debut issue, Volume One Book One – Tha Hip Hop Doc- Fed Up!” will be available on June ?.

 

“I encounter disparities in health care every day in my medical practice and community outreach efforts, especially with my young patients and students,” says Dr. Whitfield. “ I developed the “Legion of Health” to serve as a vehicle that will reinforce positive health values. These messages are presented in a way that is engaging and relatable to young people.”

 

“The obstacle in the past with health comic books geared for teens and young adults is that they were not of industry standard and physicians were not actively delivering the messages to the youth,” say Dr Whitfield. “The Legion of Health” series has been thoroughly vetted and is a recommended tool for youth teaching.”

 

Seven heroes make up the core members of the Legion of Health:

 

1.Tha’ Hip Hop Doc, aka H2D                Represents Western Medicine

2. Six Pack                                                    Represents Exercise/Fitness

3. Suga Free                                                 Represents Nutrition

4. Eve                                                             Represents Spiritual Health

5. Yao Li                                            Represents Alternative Medicine

6. Braniac                                                     Represents Research

7. Balance                                        Represents Mental Health

 

The members of the Dungeon of Disease are lead by the notorious Bad Heart, a sickly but shrewd and manipulative villain who will stop at nothing to destroy his foes, the Legion of Health.  Topics in the series currently include obesity, poor eating habits, physical inactivity, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS & STD’s. 

 

 The “Legion of Health” series is currently available for online purchasing, with retail distribution rights pending.  Sponsorship opportunities are also available for storyline and special project ordering.

 

For more information, visit www.h2doc.com .  

TYGA #1 New Artist in the Country!

Not long ago – Tyga (born Michael Stevenson) was just another kid from the hood struggling to rise above the negativity that surrounded him. Born and raised in the infamous Compton , CA armed with nothing but an amateur mixtape and hunger, he built solid local buzz through impressive live shows and an online hustle. Still, a kid with lofty dreams wondered if he’d ever catch that “big break”. Then one day a conversation at a popular LA sneaker store changed everything.

In the aisle of Flight Club LA he and Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes had a debate that switched from ranking the greatest Jordans ever to the greatest rappers. “We started talking about music and I got enough courage to give him my little mixtape” Tyga says. “He was telling me all this stuff he was doing with his band and I thought he was just lying to seem cool. Then one day I saw him on MTV, then I started hitting him up on AIM non stop!” he says with a chuckle.  “Next thing you know I’m on tour with him going all over the world. It was crazy.” Travis relates “I can see myself at his age whenever I watch him perform. It’s an innocence and a sense of urgency a lot of artists today lack and it’s an honor for me to welcome him to the inner circle”. Travis signed Tyga to his Bat Squad Records imprint. A bond had been made indeed.

Tyga soon became an unofficial part of Gym Class Hero’s crew and his undeniable presence would be felt at various events, appearances and shows. People began to wonder “who is this kid?” His charismatic swagger gave off the aura of a star while he patiently waited for his real chance to shine.

That moment came at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. The night before the show Tyga found out that he would be perform the “Arms Race” remix with Fall Out Boy alongside Travis and Lil Wayne. Unexpectedly thrust into such a huge arena, most young artists would crumble under the pressure. Instead, Tyga stepped up and traded vocal jabs on a stage full of pop-culture heavyweights in front of millions of viewers. The star had arrived.

Thoroughly impressed by the youngster’s gusto, Tyga and Weezy became fast friends. Wayne remembers “At rehearsal I thought he was just a stand in, but when the cameras were rolling I realized he wasn’t playing around”. Soon, Tyga would find himself in the studio with the self-proclaimed “greatest rapper alive” laying down verses for an appearance on the most anticipated album in years – Lil Wayne’s The Carter 3.

Another famous musician known for his ability to spot talent – Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz also took notice. He was so excited he suggested his label Decaydance team up with Bat Squad on a release for Tyga. “Gym Class’ success has opened a lot of new doors for us, ” Pete says “Yeah, it’s different but I think it’d be pretty lame if I only put out stuff that I thought everybody loves or gets. To me this is the future.”

The press has also taken notice with early mentions in Blender, AOL.com and MTV. VIBE magazine even declared him as one of the best undiscovered rappers in America . The fact that momentum has started rolling in Tyga’s favor has not been lost on the humble artist. “I truly am blessed to have such great people believing in me. I’m real lucky and I can’t wait to get out there and make everyone proud. I just gotta stay positive, keep my faith in God and I know things will turn out great”

Tyga’s aptly titled debut album NO INTRODUCTION is set for release this spring. The lead single -  “Coconut Juice” – produced by SAM & Sluggo (Gym Class Heroes, Method Man) is a track just screaming to take over radio. Tyga explains the meaning behind the unusual phrase “I don’t drink alcohol, so at parties I would just walk around with a cup mixed with whatever else I could find. When people asked what I was sipping on I would say ‘coconut juice’ because it sounded funny. So I made a song about it.” The album also features diverse production from Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy, The Roots, Lupe Fiasco) and Stress (Ghostface Killah, Cassidy) as well as appearances by Stump, Travis, & Lil Wayne. Ladies & Gentleman, meet the most famous unknown artist in music, someone who needs no introduction – TYGA.

www.tygaworld.com                     www.myspace.com/tyga

UPCOMING DATES!

6/26 – Spokane WA (KEZE hoopfest event)
7/11 – Maloof Money Cup Skate Event (aired on CBS)
7/13 – Miami , FL (Dwayne Wade charity event)
7/18 – Las Vegas , NV at JET
7/19 – Pittsburgh , PA (w/ Wiz Khalifa)
8/5 – Los Angeles , CA – JIMMY KIMMEL
8/22 – Portland , OR (Dew Action Sports event on ABC)
8/25 – Essex Junction, VT (w/ DANITY KANE)
8/28 – Rochester, NY (radio show TBA)
8/30 – Madison , WI (WJQM event)

2008 Essence Music Festival with Headline Performances by Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Chris Rock, Rihanna, Maze

The 14th annual Essence Music Festival presented by Coca-Cola will celebrate another momentous year in New Orleans this July 4, 5 and 6 with the biggest names in entertainment and the nation’s most influential speakers, artists, authors and leaders. The Essence Music Festival is the nation’s largest annual gathering of African-American music and culture; featuring an unprecedented three days of cultural celebrations and empowerment seminars and three nights of performances by some of today’s greatest African-American artists.

Performing on the mainstage at the Louisiana Superdome: Kanye West; Mary J. Blige; Chris Brown; Rihanna; Chris Rock; Keyshia Cole; Jill Scott; Maze featuring Frankie Beverly; Morris Day & The Time; LL Cool J; J. Holiday; Musiq; plus, a star-studded celebration of living legend Patti LaBelle featuring original LaBelle members Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx; Angie Stone; Ledisi; Chrisette Michele; Ruby Amanfu; and more!

It was more than 30 years ago in New Orleans, when Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx, recorded their famous hit, “Lady Marmalade”, produced by legendary musician Allan Touissant. The trio are set to record a new CD this fall and the Essence Music Festival will be their first performance together before they go on tour in September.

Running concurrently with the mainstage performances in the Superdome’s four Superlounges are shows by some of today’s rising stars, living legends and New Orleans hometown favorites: Bamboula 2000; Big Sam’s Funky Nation and the New Orleans Funk Soul Explosion; Terence Blanchard; Peabo Bryson; Mint Condition; Cupid; Raheem Devaughn; Estelle; Grandmaster Flash; Gil Scott-Heron; Lyfe Jennings; Karina; Kermit Ruffin’s Tribute to Louis Armstrong; Ledisi; Irma Thomas and the Professionals; Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra; Chrisette Michelle; Nicholas Payton Quintet; Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s Gospel Revival; Purple Disrespect; Rebirth Brass Band; Christian Scott; Solange; Angie Stone and Marva Wright.

“The Essence Music Festival is truly the ultimate party weekend this Fourth of July; celebrating Black culture with an unparalleled combination of music, arts, and empowerment,” says Michelle Ebanks, President, Essence Communications Inc.

“We have an extraordinary line-up of A-List talent in the Louisiana Superdome and the daytime Essence Empowerment Seminars are covering the issues impacting our community with critical examination, motivation and inspiration.”

The 2008 Essence Empowerment Seminars will host three full days of free and open-to-the-public socio-political dialogue, spiritual inspiration and motivation led by dynamic speakers at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The Essence Empowerment Seminars will kick off Friday, July 4th, with a celebration of the multi-talented film director, playwright, actor, and New Orleans native, Tyler Perry. This year, ESSENCE has partnered with CNN, the world’s leading news source, for a special presentation themed “Reclaiming the Dream”, led by CNN correspondents Roland S. Martin and Soledad O’Brien. The Seminars will close out Sunday, July 6th, with an afternoon of praise and worship featuring spiritual leaders Dr. Juanita Bynum, Bishop Paul S. Morton and Co-Pastor Debra Morton, Tye Tribbett, Regina Belle and more!

In addition to the Essence Empowerment Seminars, the Festival’s daytime offerings also include the Essence Marketplace, a showcase of quality fine arts & crafts by African-American vendors from all over the world. The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will also feature interactive sponsor presentations, celebrity meet-and-greets, Festival souvenirs and a book fair with author book signings.

Tickets for the evening concerts are on sale immediately at ticketmaster.com or (800) 488-5252. To find performance dates for your favorite artists, hotel accommodations, ticket prices, weekly promotions and volunteer opportunities for the 2008 Essence Music Festival log on to www.essence.com/emf. Text “essence” to 66937 to sign up for text alerts giving you the latest updates about what’s happening during the Festival. Standard messaging rates apply.

Sponsors of the 2008 Essence Music Festival include presenting sponsor, Coca-Cola; major sponsors Chevrolet, CoverGirl Queen Collection, McDonald’s, Pantene, U.S. Army, and Wal-Mart; and official sponsors Budweiser, My Black is Beautiful, Southwest Airlines, TBS, TVOne, Vaseline and VH1 Soul.

The Essence Music Festival started in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ESSENCE magazine. Now the Festival has been heralded as one of the country’s “Top 10 Leading Brand Events” in 2007 by Advertising Age; highlighted prominently among well-known consumer events such as NASCAR and Spring Break. The Essence Music Festival has featured a host of legendary performers over the years, including Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Beyonce, Chaka Khan, Chris Brown, Destiny’s Child, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight, LL Cool J, Jamie Foxx, John Legend, Kanye West, The Isley Brothers, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, Mary J. Blige, The O’Jays, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Toni Braxton, Patti LaBelle and Yolanda Adams, to name a few.

The 2008 Essence Music Festival is executive produced by Essence Festivals LLC and produced by Rehage Entertainment. Essence Festivals LLC is a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI).

About Essence Communications Inc.:

Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the leading media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is “Where Black Women Come First”. The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, Women Who Are Shaping the World Leadership Summit, Window on Our Women (WOW I, II & III) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD) via Essence Studios. For 38 years, ESSENCE magazine, which has a readership of 8.5 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women’s lives.

Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at essence.com.

BROBOT SIGNS COLORFUL THROWBACK HIP-HOP CREW, RETRO KIDZ

Hearkening back to the days when “Fresh Prince Of Bel Air” was on the tube, “House Party” was on the big screen and Hammer ruled the radio, the RETRO KIDZ are in the building — and trust us, you won’t miss them. Draped in the freshest 90’s gear and emanating feel-good vibes of yesteryear that today’s blinged-out hip-hop seems to have shed, the colorful crew comprised of high school friends Sur Fresh Alot, First Lady, Lucky a.k.a Gumby, Kool Kid, Joeski, Ill Will, J.Smooth and SkyTell are the latest signees to the new game-changing and genre-bending lifestyle label, BROBOT, started by Aahmek Richards, producer Bryce Wilson and DJ/producer Junior Sanchez.

The Kidz’s story picked up steam months ago when one of dance music’s most successful producers, Armand Van Helden (“The Funk Phenomena,” “My My My”, etc.) told Richards he was “looking for rappers with high-top fades” to star in the video for his latest hit, “I Want Your Soul” — a bright and fun video directed by New York sweetheart Vashtie. The story line follows a young guy who buys an old boom box on the street, and when he hits play, it transports him back in time to the early 90s.

“And then the Retro Kidz pop up,” Van Helden says. “I’ve had people tell me when they see the I Want Your Soul video, ‘Where did you get the old school footage?’  Friends at the shoot had huge smiles and were like, ‘Wow, when you see them, when they’re right next to you, it just brings you back.’”

The relationship didn’t stop there — Van Helden offered to produce the group’s debut single, “New Era”, an unapologetic, break-heavy 90’s dance reinvention that is now currently available on iTunes. it’s not a sample and a cameo raps from each Retro Kid. The song pays homage to ‘89-style beats but keeps the pace fresh and fast with a real 2009 slickness. The track has garnered much love on NYC radio — starting when legendary DJ Funkmaster Flexx dropped 8 bombs (akin to a rewind) on  HOT 97, resulting in much media love for the Retros from outlets like Vibe, XXL, URB, Warp, IQ, AllHipHop.com, Hip-Hop Weekly, Yo! MTV Raps, and BET. The boys and their lovely First Lady were even invited guests and performers at Diddy’s Miami pad last March.  In fact, the Retro Kidz have become quite the party starters in New York, known to roll up on a soiree and spur ear-to-ear smiles from everyone who sees them, and, according to Kool Kid, lots of double-takes.

“Sometimes triple-takes,” he laughs from the Brobot studios in New York . “Sometimes people yell, ‘Big Daddy Kane! Kid N’ Play!’, and we love that we bring you that far back. Ultimately though, we are a movement. It doesn’t have to be 80s. It doesn’t have to be 90s. We just want people to have fun again, be stylish, and express themselves.”

RAS KASS PREPS “INSTITUTIONALIZED VOL. II” FOR AUGUST 5th RELEASE ON BABYGRANDE RECORDS

 

One of the most critically acclaimed West Coast emcees of all time, Ras Kass is renowned for his complex lyricism, sharp battle rhymes and witty punchlines.

1996’s debut “Soul On Ice” established Ras as one of the front-runners of the post West Coast gangsta rap movement pioneered by seminal acts such as N.W.A. and nationally popularized by modern day icons Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg & more.

Marrying a hardcore street sensibility with his signature witty wordplay, Ras built a loyal underground core with subsequent albums including 1998?s “Rasassination,” featuring guest appearances by Dr. Dre, Xzibit, Twista & RZA (of Wu-Tang) as well as multiple mixtape releases.

Currently serving time, Ras Kass? ambition in the face of adversity is on full display with the August 5th bow of “Institutionalized Vol. II.”  Sure to satisfy Ras? loyal constituency and beyond, “Institutionalized Vol. 2″ is a testament to both Ras? resilience and the raw skill that underlies his longevity within the ever-changing hip-hop landscape.

For more information and to sample some tracks, please visit:

www.crackspace.com/raskass
www.babygrande.com

Ras Kass
Institutionalized Vol. 2
In stores August 5th!