Here are some questions that I asked about celebrities and the TOP 10 News Trends of 2009 that  Timothy Prolific Jones goes in on during our 30 minute Get PerSOULnal Session:

1.Was Alicia Keys wrong to date, Swiss Beatz, a married man and Hip Hop producer and artist, who claims he had broken up with Mashonda or is she a home wrecker?
2. Are reality tv shows like “I Want to Work For Diddy,” “For the Love of Ray J” and “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” relevant toward the Black Experience or a waste of time depicting a poor image of Black America?
3. Was Lil Mama wrong for rushing the stage to pose with Jay Z at end of his “Empire State of Mind” duet with Alica Keys or within her rights as a woman in Hip Hop?
4. Are you attracted to female celebrities with surgical enhancements or are these women overrated?
5. Is there a conspiracy against the Hip Hop community since one-by-one they are getting locked up for minor things like T.I., Lil Wayne, Buju Bantan while national crime is on the rise?
6. Does Chris Brown, a confessed woman abuser deserve another chance at his career?
7. Should Tiger Woods title as Person of the Decade be stripped due to his serial infidelity?
8. Did President Barack Obama deserve the Nobel Peace Prize or is he prematurely being crucified in his first year of office by naysayers?
9. Are you writing a book to exploit the Black experience like the movie Precious has been accused of by critics or will the book offer solutions for change?
10. Does America’s Hip Hop community ignore and reject suburban racism of Blacks in Long Island as part of the struggle because of the lavish lifestyle of suburban Blacks?
11. Do you know why Nikki Giovanni chose a female over the top poets of America during a past taping of BETs LYRICS lounge?
12. Where are those poets today like J IVY and Sho Love Da Poetic?
13. Are you aware that you have been ordained by poets nationwide as the creator of The Movement, and poet to bring back the love of poetry?
14. What are your goals for Indelible and Legacy Publishing?
15. What other pioneers are part of this movement?
16. Do you know why you were selected as the first audio interview guest of Disilgold SOUL Magazine’s LiteraryDish.com Radio?
17. What are your goals for www.andremauricepress.com ?
18. Do you have a poem that will sum up the struggle of blacks on Long Island often ignored until now and may hold the beginning of a movement for suburban blacks?

50 Cent was a broke man with not even a piece of lent in his pocket 6 years ago, and today he is a millionaire who insists he  still runs New York!

HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 20 - Stephen Smith, Angie Martinez and A BAD INTERVIEWER Interviews 50 Cent on Food for Thought (BET)

50 Cent shares his candid thoughts during a BET taping of “Food for Thought” on what makes him the King of New York. The interview was hosted before the release of his album, “Before I Self-Destruct,”  which music listeners predicted would flop without any controversy  among top rap artists like Kanye West this time around.   He affectionately  calls Kanye West a “punk,” who temporarily  sabotaged his own career for some time off so it seems after dissing  Taylor Swift on an award show.

50 Cent has also, been quoted saying Jay Z is Beyonce’s husband on the program. Call it light warfare to be expected by 50 Cent in the name of Hip Hop, all is good since Kanye thrives off of negativity and in actuality, 50 Cent (his arch rival or call him a true-to-life brother’s keeper) stirs him up to write a better album each year.  Even Jay Z admits that the best album next to his bestselling Blue Print Hip Hop album is  Kanye’s “Graduation” one of the best.  Jay Z can dust off 50 Cent  harsh criticism  and call a truce with soft chuckles filled with fear of course, since he’s been named Mogul of the Decade in The Observer. And- I can’t call Jay Z a lightweight gangster in Hip Hop either after he motioned his own bodyguard to kill the paparazzi following  Beyonce and him overseas. Just to make this point accurately, the paps threw something at Jay Z’s bodyguard.

Both have had their run ins with street life as youth, but 50 Cent devilish grin is not one to be taken lightly. Sounds sincere on air, but right now 50 Cent music career is on the line and it’s got to bruise the  bad boy’s ego. Call it backlash. When he was named the 150 million dollar man no one thought his empire would crumble to recent all time low sales figures barely reaching 150,000 in album sales. He only has the biggest online network on the planet over at www.Thisis50.com. He made it easy for others to promote freely and chime in on conversations, but of course folks are never satisfied when they can’t break out of the box, so the element of selflessly giving becomes subservient entrapment. In my opinion, 50 Cent should have remained untouchable, rude and mean-spirited regardless what people think since he continues to give back to the youth. It doesn’t matter if folks know this or not. Folks will find out  soon. Unfortunately his diehard fans did not represent on release day.

One BAD INTERVIEWER (with weird questions) and whose name I didn’t catch, questions what made 50 Cent go from 150 million to the 20 million dollar man.  It was an insensitive question to say the least and a pop shot to devalue the artist who at 20 million is worth a fortune and could retire for a lifetime. Unfortunately, he didn’t do his homework. Even the top comedian Howie Mandell makes 15 million a year. I could feel a sword cutting at me and I am not even 50 Cent. Not to make a pop shot, but I would have felt like 5 Cent.

50 Cent is paying millions in child support, had an estate burned down, has been using his money to fight frivolous gossip online and big companies using his name with no compensation and when you lose these cases you lose big, but what’s life it one doesn’t fight for his dignity. I only know of this news because it hits you in the face as you scope the TERRONET!  50 Cent counteracted by asking the BAD INTERVIEWER if he was gay and he abruptly said no, (means he is) but couldn’t look in 50 Cent face afterwards with a straight eye.  Embarrassing!  Angie Martinez, NY fav radio host since forever asked more pressing questions like, “Are you romantic?” and disappointingly he has only thrown  petals on the carpet at a hotel when dating .  Over all, 50 Cent said he doesn’t drink or use drugs. 

He ends his conversation by saying, “I think the business is the business of making music” and these music artists have great marketing plans that make them feel like the King of New York. ”  I have to agree that confidence is a must which 50 Cent owns, but I do think I know what happened with his album sales. 1. Only 150,000 albums were released to begin with at no risk.  2. Never release an album cover looking like you are self-destructing. Put that image inside. Ladies want the fresh, clean and sexy covers. The ladies make the difference with sales! 3. When doing a print interview never answer 10 questions in 10 minutes. Be thorough and give your fans all of you like your life depends on it or nothing at all. Beg them and tell them you need them to represent. Make your fans a part of your campaign. Mention a few from time to time who inspired you. Love your work and show it!  Who cares if an artist sales only 150,000. Enjoy it and keep promoting.  Don’t give in to defeat and never ever call yourself a failure. 50 Cent has accomplished more in a lifetime for a thug off the street than any artist will get the opportunity amd I am just saying this for sock value because indeed Curtis was supposed to grow up a church boy!. Over all, his marketing campaign can renew itself with the launch of his new book, The 50th Law which is a must read. Barnes and Noble will sign books and music cd’s in their outlets. This can improve sales tremendously for the upcoming holidays. Hang in there Curtis Jackson. The 50 Million Dollar Man will be back at the top soon if he can get back with Vivica.

HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 19 -Sugerhill Gang Money Problems

Two members of the original Sugar Hill Gang rap group, Wonder Mike and Master G along with former manager’s son  to sue promoters for 6 million, but rumor has it the two lied about  3rd member, Rapper Delight, reported as dead.  A fight broke out in the court house. Mismanagement of artists money is one of the biggest flaws of the music industry and it gets downright ugly. Word of advice for rap artists, do write your own checks and don’t trust family members or close aliases. Even your best friend will steal when in need. Get an entertainment lawyer to draw up legal and binding contracts. Once money is gone it can never be retrieved. When you suspect a thief dismiss right away. Have a back up team to displace old teams.  It’s Hollywood folks! Never heard of Sugar Hill Gang?  Here is some Old School for ya.

HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 18- Bouncer of Stars Shot by Police

Cops breaking up brawl at a Brooklyn Nightclub shoot and kill Bouncer of the Stars like Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Mariah Carey. He was shot in the neck which proved fatal after refusing to put his gun down at cops request.  However, rumors speculate the bouncer, Kevin White,  had retrieved the gun from a person who had a spat with someone for spilling a drink and got caught up on the mix after cops heard a shot in the club and rushed in to spot Kevin with the .357 magnum. It had been reported that he refused to drop the gun, but folks are buzzing that he was killed in cold blood doing his job. More and more people will stop being good samaratins when this news hits the mainstream.  What good are bouncers if they can’t take weapons away from violent people? Bouncers can also, cause more trouble than they are worth. Do a full background check before hiring. Better safe than sorry. In this case, Kevin was a good man as folks are reporting. TSK! TSK! TSK!

HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 17- Flava Flav New Gig

He only had the top viewed reality tv show on air and you would think the show would still be on air thriving and Flava Flav a rich man. The New York Post is reporting he is hard up for cash and resorting to directing demeaning Dorito commercials sure to stereotype all of your urban city people of various races draped with oversize clocks. However, he may land millions if just one of his commercials  is viewed during  World Olympics airtime. Don’t pass off the Flava Flav. I still think he can vent out a top album with Public Enemy with some sharp writing skills. Once a writer always a writer. His determination amazes me. He could have given up after Public Enemy, but he persevered with the talent God gave him as himself and it is good enough. Never heard of Flava Flav? Check out Public Enemy in concert.

HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 16- Barack Obama Big Change a Success, but People are Still Complaining

This past week Barack Obama made history and got his U.S. Health Care Reform Policy passed, but there was no parade or celebration because folks are never satisfied and don’t know a good thing until they are dying in a hospital with no coverage because doctors won’t perform surgery unless you have insurance.  Not everyone wants to pay for their insurance but even if you don’t pay now, you will pay later so might as well make healthcare a priority. What I like is that Barack Obama said he would get health care reform passed and he lead the way even with adverse criticism.

HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 15- Twilight Saga Anticipation

Did Stephanie Myers know that her book would be such a phenomenon? Sure she did. It parallels one of the greatest Vampire series I have written by L.A. Banks, writer of the Vampire Huntress. Folks sure do know how to make better better and take off. It’s okay, Leslie got her due at the 1st Essence Literary Awards. Still have the opened sealed envelope opened by Essence’s book editor in my possession. It was on the floor after the event attended by Victoria Rowell, T. D. Jakes, Lynn Whitfield and hosted by Dr. Ian Smith and  newswoman Hoda. I expressed to Leslie that I would frame it and add it to Disilgold SOUL magazine headquarters as history!  Can’t wait to see her popular Vampire Huntress series turned into a movie series. Her Soul Food book is the work based on same entitled tv show series way back! I am all for creativity, but I truly wish that originators of works would get credit for sparking interest in specific genres.  This is why more and more authors are learning to produce movies adaptations of their books. If you don’t someone else will and why I took all 50 new books off of Barnes and Nobles. People are impressionable and so keep your ideas until completed with press, a media kit and promotions offline.  Reach buyers in person! You’ll thank me later for this tip. Of course, promote on www.disilgold.com.

HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 14-I Want to Work for Diddy

Folks have been checking out I Want to Work for Diddy on VH1 and I have to say it is a thoroughly engaging show in that it focuses more on the contestants than Diddy himself.  This makes the show stronger and a little bit more intriguing to watch than Donald Trump’s past Aprrentice shows. However, I have issues with the contestants whom I wouldn’t even hire. First of all, if anyone wants to work for Diddy it’s because they want a lot of money.

So now that I have let it out of the box that not a single contestant cares about Diddy and just his money on the show, it’s fair to say if they did they would put him in his place. Here he is with this tacky pad unfit to house all of his guests with comfort and he comes in the room cursing everyone out for having their personals out in the open. If you want to work for anyone, you should respect yourself as in demand that you are comfortable and  have enough shelves and space to store your belongings. 

Who would want anyone working for them who does not demand respect, a clear sign of  a person who won’t even respect others and may possible ruin Diddy’s empire.I don’t care how much a potential employer makes, if I am a pr rep I am not working for them if they don’t respect me. Know your worth.  These contestants should have spoken up. I know I would have respected them more for turning the tables. All of this tension is only going to buildup tension between the contestants. It is obvious some want to work for Diddy bad.

Poprah shouts to another contestant, “You’re not a diva, just a ghetto bitch!” Another says Blake lacks humility and it works. She’s booted from the show and I must have hundreds of pics of Blake at red carpet events blending in with her clients in style and lots of pizzazz along with so much personality you would think she is a celebrity herself.  Of course, celebs may not like their pr outshining them, but it worked well when Fonsworth, Diddy’s sidekick way back was a decoy of attention.

 HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 13- Amerie’s Album Lands in Stores!

Amerie’s album got pushed back several times, but the timing couldn’t be better with so many new albums arriving for the holidays. All cuts deliver full blast with feel good anthems, heavy  percussion,  bass,  confidence and girl power with sure hits like “Tell Me You Love Me,”  “Heard Em All” and “Pretty Brown,” but the cutting edge song is “Dear John” that can set off her career universally if  the video brings Amerie in touch with her audience on a more intrapersonal level. Thus far, her videos are so over produced that people expect a parade from the pint size singer. This song will give Amerie a chance to humanize . The song also, exposes her natural voice and not that gut wrenching whine that is making all of her songs sound like remakes of old cuts. The album is a flop, but upcoming video releases may put the album over the top for the holidays.

Here’s Amerie, Teirra and Rihanna paying homage to Destiny’s Child, the all time Bestselling Girl Group of all time. Maybe they should start a girl group if things don’t work out with solo releases.

 

HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 12- Melanie Fiona Makes A Name for Herself with One Song on The Bridge!

Don’t be surprised if you thought you were buying an r&b album and got a pop album. The hit of the entire album is undisputedly, “It Kills Me.” I was expecting more cuts along this line, but its the only solid ballad on the entire album. The other cuts like Johnny and Walk on By are quality productions, but sound more fit for a mature audience who listen to music from the 1960’s . I even got vibes of a female Michael Jackson. Not mad though. Maybe this is the way music is headed. Solange and Letoya Luckett sang songs that took off with a blast to the past and this time Melanie may have gotten right with an entire album devoted to that vibe.Buy the album if you have faith this artist’s album, The Bridge, is just the beginning of a top artist about to take over, but she has to make up her mind if she is a POP or RnB artist. Here is the song that made Melanie an overnight success story or one hit wonder? You decide when you buy her record. Let me know if you think the rest of the album measures up.

 HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 11- Oprah announces she is leaving her show in 2011, and so what is next?

I thought I read somewhere that she was launching her own television network, so I have to hear this news from Oprah this Friday to believe the news. Just in. It is true. A part of me is saddened because who is going to give those feel good shows that make you a better person. Hopefully, her shows will be syndicated. A lot of great memories to hold onto. Oprah has made history as a dynamic woman of this world.   She is an example of history in motion.  Another part of me wants Oprah to enjoy her life and millions away from the negativity of the world.

HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 10- J Lo’s lawyers may have forgotten to file against release of the sex tape videos as evidence

This means that on Monday all horrible media will be able to retrieve the footage which will be legally made available to the public.  Thank goodness she was able to make a name for herself and had a successful career. After this week, she won’t be able to face the public. I feel sorry for her kids who will see the footage. Some women’s personalities lend to leaked footage and they are able to capitalize on travesties like this, but J LO is a pretty decent person. This is why so many authors choose to be anti-celebrity and just promote their books. One sometimes bargains more than what one wishes for.

 HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 9- Keysha’s Drama Book Trailer is a Hit Teen Series by Earl Sewell

Earl Sewell is back with another classic. Keysha’s Drama series makes a great stocking stuffer for teens. Collect them all. The book series is a favorite among young adults as well and selling through the roof. Everytime I attend a literary event, Earl finds me and gives me a hug. He wears the hell out of brim hats and smells like  a Literary King that he is. Over all, Earl Sewell is a nice fellow author and always sends out newsletters of his next book. A great marketing role model for the Disilgold SOUL magazine community! www.EarlSewell.com

HEATLIST COUNTDOWN # 7- Tiger Woods Survives Car Crash

Already folks are speculating that Tiger Woods was inebriated upon crashing his vehicle, but reports indicate that a sobriety test is standard procedure with any car incident. Fortunately, he’s okay with minor bruises to his legs, face and arms.  He is still playing in upcoming golf tournaments. Has anyone ever written a book about a golfer? If so, you can add a touch of scandal because his wife did not come out to break the window to set him free before he crashed his car. She was angry about him hanging out again with those hot chicks on the side. He was shocked and then he crashed his car. A man who can ace a hole with precision doesn’t crash his car on purpose. The truth will come out soon. And Tiger had better not pretend like he was drugged like in Beyonce’s movie, Obssession.  If I am wrong than Tiger had better make a statement because folks are free to speculate under the constitution of the United States of America based on circumstantial evidence reported by standard media. I’, not TMZ, but the show is 9 out of 10 tens right about their speculations.  And I liked Tiger Woods. I am not going to say that’s what he gets for messing with a white chick because I have many white friends, but okay I will say it. Giggles. He’s a hottie though. Something sexy about men who play golf. You can only get their attention after they win a game.

For more  TOP NEWS, visit www.Disilgold.com

I think I attended Junior high school when I set out to see  the play Fences starring James Earl Jones at the Eugene O’neill Theater. I was fascinated with the voice of James Earl Jones in the movie Star Trek as  a young girl. I was like oh my God, that’s a real black man behind that bad guy Darth Vadar and he’s bad.  I was the only person in the theater I am sure routing for the bad guy. The color black had been made out to be a bad thing in children’s books from the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood to  The Three Little Pigs. There was something beautiful and powerful about Darth Vadar that I liked. 

No one could top James Earl Jones voice at that time but maybe  Yul Byrnner (R.I.P.).  Both of these actors were  eloquent speakers, but  it kills me to know that  James Earl Jones not only had a speech impediment, but would become one of the top respected actors of all time. Who knew? Now the same play he starred in will feature the one and only Denzel Washington. My eyes hath seen the glory of this play and only the best actors of all time need to apply for the role. I think once tickets go on sale Fences will be the biggest selling play of the year. If you have seen Radio Golf or Joe Turner’s Come and Gone recently, wait until Fences hits Broadway. It  is a treat for play lovers. Add Denzel Washington’s powerfully sexy and enthralling role fueled with anger and resentment  as a garbage man who never got a chance to drive a garbage truck, but picked up trash his whole life, and you got the hottest play out and right on time with today’s modern day recession. 

The play Fences was written by August Wilson and took on Broadway in the 1980’s. The whole story takes place in the 1950’s and set in Pittsburgh. It explores African-American race relations and racism with symbolism. I never really got the message until I saw it again later on, but this time with  Billy Dee Williams.  There never was a real Fence in the whole movie, but the main actor, Troy, somehow blamed this imaginary Fence for all of his troubles and obstacles in his life.  Troy is married to Rose but cheats on her with another woman.  He bores three children, Lyons, Cory and Raynell, but becomes disgruntled with one o the sons, Lyons, who leaves his job to pursue a career in football. 

Troy’s brother, Gabe, gets a deep head wound while in service to the U.S.  military and is labeled insane. He is compensated with money, but Troy takes it to build a house.  Lyons finds out he was not mothered by Rose and feels rejected. Troy accuses him of always wanting money. Troy is eager to  escape his responsibilities and sleeps with another woman who births a child, Raynell. However, the lady he cheats with dies giving birth. Rose takes on raising his third child like a saint. Troy’s life is filled with memories of rejection himself which he takes out on his own child.

The play Fences, starring James Earl Jones and Billy Dee  Williams in various other versions later on  deeply influenced the production of my modern urban thriller book, Tekila Nika: The Forbidden Bronx Video Diary Tales. Tekila Nika Jones Jr. is the twin son of  Nika Jones Sr. who rejects his brother because he is born with a disability and mute. However, when Tekila grows up and finds out his father is a womanizer who causes his mother harm, instead of a Fence as a symbolic gesture of hate, he abuses women who present themselves as easy or lusting over him for his look.

He decides to reject all women who make passes at him one by one and dehumanize them as the ring leader of a notorious pact of friends since high school  who follow a secret ritualistic code of conduct when treating a woman.  Tekila is not only distrusting of his father and women, but his own friends. He uses his powerful hands to design the interior of a fancy nightclub he steals ownership from his father. He wishes he was a published poet his whole life, but the name his father called him from birth hinders him from being taken seriously.  

As a writer, plays have always influenced me to write because there is always imagery that symbolizes struggle and predicts the destiny of the main character. Seeing plays made me envision how to write a novel from a whole new perspective utilizing symbolism. I encourage all serious writers who want to write a book with elemental substance one can be proud to self-promote to see this play as soon as tickets go on sale.  While Denzel Washington is a fine actor, my stance on seeing Fences for the third time to is to  witness  how the American struggle is depicted with time through various  actors who each bring something new  THE WRITER can capture, thus becoming  a better writer.

It is clear that Fashion Mogul Kimora Lee is influenced by  actor Denzel Washington. Her urban gear commands millions in annual sales matching the influence Denzel Washington has had on the entire urban community in his leading roles from Training Day to American Gangster.  This era of fashion owes its thanks to the swagger of Denzel Washington.

A modern day  Sinatra of Hip Hop, Jay Z catapulted the music industry when he wrote the anthem for the movie, American Gangster putting the era of movies centralized in the heart of Harlem back on the map.  Add leading actor, Denzel Washington and the HIP HOP INDUSTRY is back without apology just when folks thought Hip Hop was dead.

Denzel Washington in the prime of his career as an Academy Award winning actor in movies like Soldier’s Story and Glory took a chance to star in a low budget film by Spike Lee called Mo’ Betta Blues.  Today he is regarded as the sexiest Black Male actor of all time.