On my way to my hair dresser one day I heard something tumbling above my head and a voice  told me to stand still.  Had I moved an inch more I would have been a statistic due to a senseless prank bygang members having fun on a roof , and who thought terrorizing a neighborhood by throwing bottles out the window was a recreational sport.  I could have walked away, but instead I called the gang members out while calling the police and fire department who arrived right away, wound up all 12 youth and let me pep talk them to let off steam. Had I filed a case certainly four would have been locked up with prior offenses.

No older than 12-15, these teens were kids ruled by rituals, a lack of supervision and latch key kids.  This isn’t the first time I have had confrontations with gang members and I just wondered if these kids had after school programs would they have time to create mischief on the rooftop of buildings. Upon viewing the footage of an unfortunate incident that resulted in an honor student losing his life for intervening in a fight to help another victim all could have been avoided.

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  LeBron James

       The “More Than a Game” Interview

        with Kam Williams

                LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio to Gloria James, a 16 year-old single-mom seduced and abandoned by Anthony McClleland, an ex-con with no interest in parenting. Gloria did the best she could to raise LeBron on her own but that still meant moving frequently, living in the projects, and even temporarily surrendering custody of her son until she could get her finances straightened out.  

                Fortunately, LeBron found a sanctuary on the basketball court, where he would not only maximize his potential but forge lasting friendships with four teammates he would play with from junior high through high school: Dru Joyce III, Romeo Travis, Willie McGee and Sian Cotton. He was also very close to their coach, Dru’s dad, who would serve a critical role in shaping his character during his formative years as a father figure.

                Of course, everyone knows that LeBron blossomed into a basketball phenom who skipped college and went straight to the NBA where in 2009 he became the youngest player ever to be named league MVP at the age of 24. But few are aware of how loyal, humble and unselfish a man he is as well.

                To understand why LeBron has remained so grounded despite being nicknamed King James and being surrounded by all the trappings of overnight success, check out More Than a Game, an uplifting documentary directed by Kristopher Belman. This moving bio-pic chronicles the seven-year sojourn of the Fab Five, recounting both their basketball exploits and the personal challenges each had to face while collectively pursuing theirs hoop dreams.

                 Here, LeBron talks about the film as he reflects on life and his professional career.

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released by Disilgold Staff for Heather “The Literary Heat” Covington

www.Disilgold.com

#20- Janet Jackson was the most anticipated guest of the night. After a Michael Jackson song  and dance medley including hits like Beat It and Smooth Operator, 2 classics that set the foundation for Michael Jackson’s signature dance moves along with Billie Jean, Janet came out on time and in line to replicate the same moves of her big brother in perfect sync  against the back screen. She didn’t miss a move., has dropped at least 10 pounds since her appearance during her late brother’s funeral and looked just as did when she started her Control Tour. It is clear that Janet is prepared to live on her brother’s legacy and take off on her own comeback as expected by her millions of fans and new fans who had never seen a female artist command the stage like Janet.  Many of the stars screamed just as loud as her fans without shame. Baby Janet did her thing, and remarkably does not do the same moves as Michael at all. She has her own signature dance moves. Janet could take over if she wanted to.

#19- Madonna- A music icon in her own right  who exceeded expectations as  America’s Materialistic girl by default, Madonna  appeared with a defiant 50 year old youthful and regal appearance. She shared many commonalities between herself and Michael such as having 8 brothers and sisters, but one thing she said was different was that she had a childhood. Michael shared he did not on a date with Madonna that resulted in MJ throwing his shades out a window to reveal his eyes at Madonna’s request. She apologized on behalf of many who failed to reach out when Michael gave signs he was in trouble, but I don’t think Madonna should have blamed all on herself or the fans or the world. Every celebrity is responsible for one’s own decisions in life and that is the hand of fate you are dealt upon making those decisions. The world owes you nothing when you mess it up so  one needs to take control of their own lives. However, it was very gracious for Madonna to place the blame on herself.

#18- Lady Gaga’s dress attire and antics on stage overwhelmed her talent as a musician and instrumentalist. Coming out on the stage in underwear and pulling one’s own plug to become a bloody mess was too graphic for kids watching the VMA’s for the first time . Killing oneself to get the paps to like you won’t help and wearing barely nothing to prove you are a woman is like falling into the hands of  media who won’t quit until you are dead. Okay, I get it, that was the point of the performance.  My bad.

DELETED BY REQUEST FROM COMMUNITY.

#17-  Solange Knowles- She recently cut off her natural hair  and who knew Solange was so pretty under all of  that overpowering hair. She certainly has her own look now and eventhough the singer, actress and entrepreneur with her own ABC JAMZ patented learning game could wear long or short hair if she chooses to. Solange is showing you can be feminine and stylish with or without hair and beauty is all in how you feel inside.  I believe that was her voice singing along with Wale for the show transitions and I am sure there is more to come from this artist who I think didn’t get her fair share for a very decent album, but maybe two songs that should have been saved for a different album in my opinion.

#16- Kanye West and Amber Rose- Kanye West looked ultra cool and maybe that’s why he stayed on stage just a little bit longer. Notice how he showed his flashy hair cut from both angles while  stealing the spotlight from Taylor. I knwo puppy love when I see it. I think Kanye would drop Amber in a minute for Taylor.  I won’t be surprised if everyone gets his swirled out look. As far as Amber Rose,  her figure is a lot like mine so if you got it flaunt it. She gets props for starting a short hair revolution. All of these female celebs are shaving off their heads and doing all they can to get Kanye’s attention  and still asking what does Amber have that they don’t have. One thing Kanye does have is a bottle of alcohol in his hand and let’s just see who comes out and provides intervention.  Kanye is going to find out who his real friends are. Thus far, I have only seen Russell Simmons say something nice on Twitter.  A very humble giant who can forgive teaches tolerance when these artists just lose it at times.  Could be sleep deprivation or anxiety. If this isn’t an absolute crying out for help than I don’t know what is.  This kid is way too talented for shock therapy as Obama voluntered to call him a jackass liek any father  figure would to brush off the severity of the situation with humor. Barack may have saved Kanye by displacing the most verbal  whipping on him for all media . I mean that just took the cake. And as disrespectful as Kanye can be he would never disrespect President Barack Obama. If he goes there his career is over.  He’s not too grown for a father figure.  

#15- Jay Z, Alicia Keys and Lil Mama too!

Oh no Lil Mama didn’t crash the VMA’s and come up on stage  at the end of Jay Z’s performance with Alicia Keys because she felt an odl school connection as a New Yorker. That’s the conversation people are pumping in media like they need  gas for a moped. Our resources claim that Lil Mama was told to go on stage at the end and that Jay Z wouldn’t mind. Notice how the pose was so on time like she knew what was up, but for some  reason she got shunned by the incident and decided to apologize for the backlash.  Folks don’t want tobelieve that Alicia Keys and Jay Z were mad at the long time fan. After all, on twitter the celebs are fans of each other  and find comfort talking to each other, but I guess if you aren’t living in Beverly Hills you aren’t worthy of their conversation. So for all of the folks who love Lil Mama as a dies hard New Yorker, they may find confort in holding back buying an album that should have sold 1 million copies 1st day, but  only sold 495,000 which is commendable, but low for someone like Jay Z. You mean to tell me with over 20 million viewers of shows like the VMA’s jay only got half a mil in sales and u know most were in New York. Jay may want to embrace Lil mama and get her other 500,000 plus fans sales. She’s a girl and young. She’s not a criminal or  thug. You heard her.She’s the voice of the young nation.  Just messing with folks because the pic of all three of them is cute. Lil Mama needs to take this kind of humility artists experience on the way to the top, get stronger and just take over.  I have never purchased a Rihanna album although some of her fashions are the biz, but I have downloaded an ITUNE of Lil mama’s. That’s saying a whole lot. Her songs may be silly to serious, but I’m a New Yorker so I am going to relate to ther music no matter what just like the kids! It will be funny as hell if she heads up the VMA’s one year as a host. Never say never.

#14-  Nelly Furtado is supposed to rejoining Timberlake. For a moment I thought she had left the scene, but it is clear that  Nelly is not only back, but creating trends in fashion to watch.  The hair do returns glamour to the game and very Hepburnish. Who knows the Nelly look may take off.

#13- Jimmy Falon is kind of funny and did his thing, but when he hosted the Emmys this evening he really was funny as hell on that vocoder; and proving anyone can sing with this machine which beats lip synching.

#12- Alicia Keys continues to have longevity in the game as well as surprise folks with her sense of style which gets better and better each time she appears at a red carpet event. I don’t doubt that Alicia Keys will launch her own clothing line. I predict it will be called  A. Keys.  Someone asked me what is my favorite Alicia Keys song and that’s a tough one, but I would have to say Superwoman.

#11- Cassie has been making headlines for everything lately from someone hacking into her personal computer and releasing nude pics to all major media to shaving off the side of her head and setting off a new trend.  Now a new track is spinning on the radio with a long intro by Diddy that I won’t lie, I turn the song down until Cassie’s part arrives.  It looks like she has a hit  that is sufficient enough for her to lay off any more publicity stunts and it’s not that I don’t want to hear Diddy, but like he’s on all of his artist’s best  tracks. What’s up with that. “It Must Be Love!” That is the name of the track.  In all seriousness,  Diddy needs to make his own album. 

#10-  Shakira may look like the girl next door, but right now there isn’t a single artist who can out dance her. Like a gymnast in her racy videos, we already know that this Latin artist is going to be around for a lifetime.  She stole the red carpet with simplicity and effortless style.

#9 Keri Hilson- Keri wasn’t a presenter or honoree for the night which is pretty strange, but she still won points for the best styled diva on the red carpet of the night with this simple jumpsuit  and classic  zip down barely exposing any skin at all and just as sexy as all the other revealing outfits won by presenters. It’s official, covering up is the new sexy. We aew going to end this countdown with Keri on the Top Pages of Disilgold.com for the next few days because    we are routing for Keri to win a few VMA’s next year!

 #8 Beyonce- Exposing all because when you’re hot you’re hot, Beyonce never disappoints with consistent flair for do or die showmanship and why she’s the 80 million dollar lady approaching 1 billion very soon.  Jay Z better watch out.

Help us countdown. Send your favorite VMA moments and arrivals to Disilgold@aol.com.

Written by Entertainment Journalist

Heather “The Literary Heat” Covington

www.disilgold.com 

JayZ gave a sold out performance last night at Madison Square Garden in tribute to September 11th victims, a great contribution to mankind. Everyone was excited and pumped to “Answer the Call,” and eventhough the weather was rainy in the Big Apple.  JayZ commanded the crowd with  special guests like Kanye West who folks are saying is the “Black Elvis” of this era. Rihanna had her diehard fans screaming when she came out and who looked like she had enough with the pop shots from media lately.

 Don’t worry Rihanna, authorities will easily find who leaked that picture and the computer it derived from as well any minute by now.  Live on sis.

Mary J. Blige  is still rocking her urban look  and  why folks will always love MJB.  People in the crowd said the event was intense and mind blowing. JayZ rocked New York  like a ROCKSTAR and no one got hurt or started any fights. The Hip Hop world gets points for bringing Hip Hop to the top  New York Style on a whole another level. In fact, one of his hottest cuts on his album is Empire State of Mind.

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by Heather “The Literary Heat” Covington

www.Disilgold.com

 Gamer

 Film Review by Kam Williams

 www.Disilgold.com

            If the trans-human future predicted by visionary Ray Kurzweil in his best seller The Age of Spiritual Machines is at all accurate, then it is only a matter of time before a disturbing dystopia such as the one in Gamer might come to pass. Set in 2034, the chilling, sci-fi scenario established at the outset is dominated by Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall), a diabolical billionaire with mind-control technology at his disposal.

The world has been divided into the “haves” and the “have-nots,” with the members of the former group paying Castle for the privilege of controlling the behavior of the latter group in one of two high-tech, virtual reality video games. The first is called Society, a perverse variation of Sim City where players get to direct human beings with computer chips implanted in their brains living in a simulated, social-networking community. Given the voyeuristic nature of the kinky creeps with the joysticks in their hands, it is no surprise that the less fortunate participants often find themselves forced to mate with complete strangers or to engage in bizarre sex acts against their will.

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Maia Campbell, daughter of Bebe Moore Campbell who passed away from a life threatening brain cancer disorder and is a featured author on the cover of my book, Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature, was video taped recently on the streets in a vehicle.

She had sunken  bags under her eyes, looked emaciated with  hair unwashed for several months and apparently seemed like she was under the influence of a narcotic. Maia was a feature cast member of the tv series, In the House, featuring A List actors like LL COOL J, Debbie Allen (FAME), Jeffrey Woods and many guest star cameo appearances.

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The Observer reports Simon & Schuster Lays off More Employees. According to our insiders, Simon & Schuster sales are down, so more employees had to be laid off this past month.

http://www.observer.com/2009/media/simon-schuster-laid-least-three-last-week-including-pocket-books-editorial-director-maggi

Bed bugs in an office is a critical issue. Once the bugs multiply they never go away and that means execs get bit up, visitors and God forbid one slips into a  promotional book that winds up in the hands of a parent who gives the book to their child to take to school. A quick extermination may be able to clear up the problem, but those critters know how to hide in crevices and turn their asses to block the spray like armor. They have been here since the age of dinosaurs along with cockroaches.  Can’t the Stimulus Package be used to resolve this issue?

http://www.observer.com/2009/media/scholastic-hq-was-sprayed-bedbugs-last-night-infestation-worries-quiet-penguin