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Ciara (Nude) and Ludacris On Newsstands
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Past the Atlanta-related quote on the front of this week’s Billboard from Kid Rock — “It was a good, old-fashioned fight at the [Buford Highway] Waffle House — no guns, no knives” — on page 22, there is the cover story on local rapper-actor-entrepreneur Ludacris.
In it, the Grammy winner born Christopher Bridges discusses his Oct. 21 album release “Theater of the The Mind”; his upcoming movie appearances in “Max Payne” and “RocknRolla”; his current “Battleground Earth” reality show with rocker Tommy Lee; his new Midtown restaurant Straits; his two new websites — WeMix.com and MyGhetto.com; and the restructuring of his Atlanta-based Disturbing Tha Peace record label.
Chances are though, this pretty much straightforward, industry article, won’t garner as much attention as fellow Atlantan Ciara’s cover story in Vibe.
Make that, the cover (above).
But inside the issue hitting stands this weekend she reportedly discusses her long-rumored relationship with 50 Cent; her split with Atlanta producer Jazze Pha; the pitfalls of fame (“People are gonna say what they wanna say…They said I was a man! It doesn’t get any worse than that”); the right way to date (“Take your time to get to know somebody before you involve the physical aspect…It’s just not the way to start off. It creates confusion. When you subtract those things, it allows you to focus more on who the person is”); and the new album (“You’re gonna get more attitude, more aggressiveness — everything is intensified…You get your sensual vibe. You’re gonna get the street. You’re gonna get the hood”).
Looking forward to the next Ludacris and Ciara albums? Surprised that the woman who once sung about keeping her “Goodies” in the jar, is now doing a cover like this?
Atlantans On The Charts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Alright Gwinnett County residents and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church members, if you run into neighbor Darwin Hobbs today, make sure you congratulate him on having the No. 2 contemporary gospel CD in the country.
This week’s Billboard magazine tabulations are in and Hobbs’ “Free” debuted at that position.
Looking across the other listings for high-ranking local talent, Atlanta rapper T.I. still has the No. 1 single in the country, “Whatever You Like”. (As well as top Hot Digital Song). And joining him in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 are Atlanta rapper-singer Akon (“Dangerous” with Kardinal Offishall, at No. 6) and Mableton’s own R&B singer-songwriter, Ne-Yo (with “Closer”, at No. 8).
The Lost Trailers — which includes Atlanta resident Ryder Lee — continue to hold a Top 10 position on the Hot Country Songs chart (No. 10) with “Holler Back”; and their CD of the same name debuted at No. 5 on the Top Country Albums chart. Three places ahead of them there is superstar country duo Sugarland, who also maintain their Top 10 position on The Top 200 — specifically, No. 8 — with its new album “Love On The Inside”.
Meanwhile Atlantans make up half of the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart — T.I. at No. 2 with “Whatever You Like”; Young Jeezy at No. 3 with “Put On” (featuring Kanye West); Keyshia Cole at No. 5 with “Heaven Sent”; T-Pain at No. 7 with “Can’t Believe It” (featuring Lil Wayne); and Yung Berg at No. 9 with “The Business” (featuring Casha).
Think that’s impressive? Atlantans are on 7 of the Top 10 Hot Rap Tracks: Young Jeezy’s “Put On” at No. 1; T-Pain (on Lil Wayne’s “Got Money”) at No. 3; T.I.’s “Whatever You Like” at No. 5; Yung Berg’s “The Business” at No. 6; Akon’s “Dangerous” at No. 8; Bobby Valentino (on Lil Wayne’s “Mrs. Officer”’) at No. 9 and Ne-Yo (on Plies’ “Bust It Baby Part 2”) at No. 10.
Nas’s “Untitled” (at No. 6) and Lloyd’s “Lessons In Love” (at No. 8) are in the Top 10 of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart; and Nas, again, (at No. 4), V.I.C.’s “Beast” (at No. 7); and Yung Berg’s “Look What You Made Me” (at No. 8) make up the hometown presence on the Top 10 Rap Albums chart.
Finally, back to gospel and Christian music, Regina Belle’s “Love Forever Shines” (at No. 10) joins Hobbs’ “Free” in the Top 10 Gospel Albums. And Third Day’s “Revelation” remains atop the Top Christian Albums and Top Christian & Gospel Albums.
Purchase any of these best sellers - and if so, where they worth your money?
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Usher In Intimate Settings — A Good Thing?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In television, it’s referred to as “jumping the shark”.
But in music — more specifically, with one of contemporary music’s superstars — what to make of this? Atlanta’s R&B multimillion-seller Usher is reportedly planning a 15-city tour in “intimate” venues.
(Read about it HERE ).
Now when fellow arena-packing artist Justin Timberlake made such a run (performing here at the Tabernacle, before later doing Philips and Gwinnett Arenas) it was an incredible, up-close appearance; as it was very band and live-music-oriented. The name “Usher”, however, is almost synonymous with “major production”.
He explains to the Associated Press that “There’s only a few artists that can pull that off. I feel like I’ve had such a connection with my audience. This album, I felt like, was definitely the type of one that was more intimate. So what better way to get up close and personal than to make it all women?”
But with the relatively lackluster acceptance of his current CD, “Here I Stand” - currently No. 38 on the pop charts, and not certified platinum after 13 weeks, while rapper Lil Wayne is at two million in 11 weeks, and the “Mama Mia!” soundtrack is at a million in 7 — do you think he could still fill arenas? Believe this is a smart move to reenergize interest in that album? Will you be watching tomorrow when he (and country pin-up Keith Urban and Brit-pop sensation Natasha Bedingfield) perform at the National Football League’s kickoff concert?
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Ne-Yo To Appear On “Today” Show Tomorrow
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The news today is that Atlanta’s R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo won a $700,000 judgment after a Georgia concert promoter dropped him from a tour, and Ne-Yo sued.
(See the details HERE ).
But the news tomorrow is that he (and New Kids on The Block) will perform on “The Today Show”, an appearance the morning show had to reschedule due to Gustav coverage.
This comes as Ne-Yo gears up for the Sept. 16 release of his third CD, “Year of the Gentleman”; and is enjoying remarkable success as a songwriter (Rihanna’s “Take A Bow”; Jennifer Hudson’s “Spotlight”; and his own top 10 single “Closer”).
Where do you think he best displays his talent: With the pen? On the microphone? Or (if you happened to catch him on tour with Alicia Keys, or the more recent BET Awards) on stage? (See a YouTube video of the BET Awards 2008 performance BELOW).
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Sugarland To Close Friday’s “Stand Up To Cancer”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta country supergroup, Sugarland will join Melissa Etheridge for the finale on “Stand Up To Cancer,” the cancer research fundraiser the three major networks are broadcasting live from Los Angeles Friday.
Also scheduled to appear on the one-hour TV special are cancer survivors Lance Armstrong and Christina Applegate; Oscar winners Halle Berry, Hilary Swank, Meryl Streep and Forest Whitaker; along with network powers Katie Couric, Brian Williams and Charles Gibson.
Past pairings have worked out well for Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, (whose current CD “Love On The Inside” remains one of Billboard’s top 10 albums in the country). Which ones have you enjoyed best: With iconic New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi? (A Grammy winner for Nettles - above with Jon Bon Jovi). With R&B superstar Beyonce? (See the YouTube video below). Or (a-hem) with one-time fellow member/current litigant Kristen Hall?
Latest comments
People who cares, if she wants to look like a tramp in the name of “artistic expression” then let her and don’t buy the magazine.... read the full comment by Chris | Comment on Ciara (Nude) and Ludacris On Newsstands Read Ciara (Nude) and Ludacris On Newsstands
If I looked like that I would be nude…everyday…in the frozen food section of Kroger. She is not showing anything….so quit griping people..... read the full comment by Tina | Comment on Ciara (Nude) and Ludacris On Newsstands Read Ciara (Nude) and Ludacris On Newsstands
I am a mother, whose 13 year old daughter attended one of Ciara’s dance camps. She preached to the girls to never dispect yourself and to leave something to the imagination. I am now shocked to see this, if you teach something… believe and LIVE... read the full comment by Mother of a 13 year old fan | Comment on Ciara (Nude) and Ludacris On Newsstands Read Ciara (Nude) and Ludacris On Newsstands
Did she really have to do all this to prove she was not/ is not a man? I’m very disappointed in this cover, love her music, but come on….... read the full comment by Sasha | Comment on Ciara (Nude) and Ludacris On Newsstands Read Ciara (Nude) and Ludacris On Newsstands