BET NEWS ANNOUNCES POWERFUL NEW TALK SHOW “THE TRUTH WITH JEFF JOHNSON” TO PREMIERE FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 AT 11:00 P.M.*

In the weeks leading up to the Democratic Convention in August, when the first African American will accept the Democratic nomination for President of the United States of America, BET News will unveil a new and timely weekly talk show, THE TRUTH WITH JEFF JOHNSON, premiering on Friday, August 15 at 11:00 P.M.*

 

This provocative half-hour program will use a mix of investigative reporting and one-on-one interviews with leading experts to review the week’s events and examine exactly what the top headlines mean for the Black community. Known for his in-depth analysis of political, social, and economic problems affecting African Americans, host Jeff Johnson will leave no issue unaddressed. From unique coverage of the 2008 elections to the increase of heart failure in the black population, THE TRUTH will go behind the issues and deliver the African American side of the news. 

 

During a special 2008 election report, THE TRUTH will travel to Denver for the 45^th Democratic National Convention for special daily editions of the show.  Broadcasting live from inside the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field, Johnson will provide context and analysis of all of the latest developments of the Democratic Convention, including Senator Barack Obama’s speech on Thursday, August 28. He will be joined with other leading media figures such as political strategist and BET J host Keith Boykin; San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris; and political pundits Jamal Simmons, Keli Goff, Angela McGlowan. THE TRUTH WITH JEFF JOHNSON will take a frank look at news, trends, pop culture, current events and politics from an unapologetically Black point of view.

 

“With the launch of ‘The Truth With Jeff Johnson,’ along with all of our other in-depth political coverage, we are providing a unique and necessary perspective on the issues important to the Black community,” said Debra L. Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks. “BET News is committed to informing our audience with the news they can’t get anywhere else, with a diversity of voices and opinions that our audience demands.”

 

After the Democratic Convention, THE TRUTH WITH JEFF JOHNSON will resume its regular weekly schedule through the 2008 presidential election and will review key events from the campaign trail and beyond.

 

For more on THE TRUTH WITH JEFF JOHNSON, please visit www.BET.com. All of BET Networks’ presidential election coverage can be found on BET’s DECISION ’08 site: www.bet.com/news/decision08.

T.T Torrez/Ryan Leslie & DJ Khaled team up to fight cancer

 The streets of Richmond will be painted pink on Saturday, August 23^rd as I Power 92.1’s Midday personality (10a-3p)  TT Torrez will host her first annual charity birthday celebration supporting breast cancer research and awareness.  

The star studded event will take place at The Paradise Lounge (112 N Fifth Street Richmond, VA) with performances by recording artist Ryan Leslie and DJ Khaled. Attendees will have an opportunity to walk down the PINK carpet with an array of celebrities and cancer survivors.  

“I am so honored and blessed to have the opportunity to host the event to provide funding to the American Cancer Society.  Torrez said “This event will raise money to help to change the lives of those who face this opponent daily. Cancer is something that touches everyone it is important that we know that all of us can make a difference.”

T.I. – “Whatever You Like”

VIC readies BEAST debut

Freshman MC V.I.C. is joined by a star-studded crew of artists and producers on the August 26^th release of his highly anticipated debut album BEAST (Young Mogul/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records).  V.I.C. teams up with GRAMMY nominated producer Soulja Boy Tell’em(“Crank Dat”) for his first single “Get Silly”.  The club-jumping lead single has rung up nearly one million combined digital and Ringtone sales.  It has held the peak position of number five on Billboard’s Hot Rap Tracks and #13 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.  He has performed “Get Silly”on MTV’s TRL and its remix on BET 106 & Park opening the 2008 BET Awards. In addition, V.I.C.’s video for his second single “Wobble”, has already been added to BET, MTV2 and MTV Jams.

 

BEAST showcases V.I.C.’s lyrical prowess as he crusades through 19 tracks penning clever and captivating visuals on each song.  V.I.C. has created an incredibly diverse album ranging from energetic call-and-response hit single “Get Silly” to conviction-in-God inspired tracks like “By Faith,” as well as songs like “Duck Off” that are heavily mainstream/pop influenced and classic big-band down south inspired tracks like “Bop, Bop, Bop.”

 

BEAST boasts standout appearances from Polow Da Don, E-40, Unk and Jermaine Dupri.  His second single, the infectious party-jam “Wobble” produced by Mr. Collipark and The Package Store production team was released digitally on July 15th.  Another album notable is the Hurricane Chris assisted “We Ridin,” a hypnotic ode to cars with Lamborghini –styled doors that flip up to resemble the Batman logo.

 

“Most immigrants come to this country with unbeatable determination,” said V.I.C.  “This is my way showing my perseverance and tenacity; this is my Beast!”

 

ABOUT V.I.C.

Born to a native New Yorker mom and African immigrant dad from Ghana , V.I.C. has been making music since he was 10 years old and penned a drug awareness rap for his elementary school. Fast-forward to today, the only thing to get him out of the studio is his love of showing off his barber skills and working out. A self-taught man, he mastered the fine art of grooming by practicing on his brother.  It took him about a year to perfect his craft, while cutting clients

he would ask them about their workout regimen. Now he is a certified work-out-holic spending his off days in the gym.

Media resource: www.myspace.com/superstarvic