As shooting continues on the film version of The Honeymooners, featuring a black cast, I was gratified to learn that Art Carney’s widow, Barbara Carney, visited the set to bestow her blessings. The feature also briefly discusses the mass market appeal of Barbershop that opened the way for an all or predominantly black Honeymooners’ cast.
November 18, 2004
R.J. Reynolds Executive Denies Using Hip Hop to Attract Young People
Earlier this week, R.J. Reynolds executive Susan Ivey denied, during legal proceedings, that hip hop marketing and flavored cigarettes were used to attract children to smoking.
Persistent rumors, around this office, of the return of Joe Camel as a b-boy who smokes RJR blunts while breakdancing and graffiti painting remain unverified.
November 18, 2004
MTV’s Use of Rome’s Coliseum Attacked
Some Italian politicians and preservationists are attacking the use of Rome’s Coliseum for the MTV Europe Music Awards out of concern for both physical preservation and what they perceive as possible negative effects on the Coliseum’s image if associated with pop music.
November 18, 2004
Mel Karmazin Named New CEO at SIRIUS
Mel Karmazin, former President and COO of Viacom among other achievements, is the new Chief Executive Officer at SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Karmazin’s addition to SIRIUS brings executive star power to match the groundbreaking signings of Howard Stern and Eminem.
November 18, 2004
Weedshare Opens Digital Music Store at Ebay
Brad Hill posts on the new Weedshare store at Ebay. Currently, tracks by Sir Mix-A-Lot and the Fine Arts Militia featuring Chuck D. are in the top 10 as listed on the store’s homepage. Last month at Digital Music News, Michael Einhorn discussed Weedshare’s business model.
November 18, 2004
Video Game Discussion on The Tavis Smiley Show
I’m unable to listen to NPR audio files with my current setup, but I’m making an educated guess that when Tavis Smiley and Omar Wasow of BlackPlanet.com have a discussion entitled Video Games a Big Business, they will eventually have to discuss hip hop.
November 18, 2004
P. Diddy Discusses Current Projects
Shaheem Reid reports on P. Diddy’s post-election plans, which include returning to producing as well as a search for "girl" singers for a new all-female group. However, Reed clarifies that P. Diddy is seeking an "ensemble of women" rather than planning to start a children’s choir.
November 18, 2004
J-Live Signs with Penalty Recordings
J-Live, one of many rising underground stars that question the supremacy of bling in hip hop, has signed with Penalty Recordings, an affiliate of Rykodisc. Other hip hop artists at Penalty include The Beatnuts and Ali Shaheed Muhammad.
November 18, 2004
MC Hammer in VH1 Thanksgiving Special
VH1′s Thanksgiving week programming will include a Thanksgiving Day special on VH1 Classic called A Very Classic Thanksgiving. MC Hammer will join other “marquee names from rock, hip hop and R&B” at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York to discuss such matters as “how they broke into the music business” and “what it was like to get to the top.”
November 18, 2004
Rolling Stone Ringtones for ALLTEL Customers
Dwango is now providing Rolling Stone Ringtones to ALLTELL Customers. Rolling Stone Ringtones were initially rolled out to AT&T Wireless, Cingular and Nextel customers and include many hits from hip hop artists.
