Courtesy of Reuters

If there were any doubts about the lingering force of fabled rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix more than four decades after his death, his latest single should put them to rest.

The single “Somewhere” went to No.1 on the Billboard Hot Singles sales in February. That bodes well for the latest posthumous album plucked from the Hendrix musical vaults, which producers say has stood up well to the test of time.

“People, Hell and Angels,” to released on CD on this Tuesday, is billed as a collection of twelve previously unreleased studio performances by Hendrix, although some of the songs have emerged in other versions since his death at age 27 in 1970 from an accidental drug overdose.

The album arrives with the simultaneous release of newly struck mono vinyl editions of early Hendrix classic albums “Are You Experienced” and “Axis: Bold As Love.”

Continue reading at Reuters.

The post Jimi Hendrix Estate Rolls Out “People, Hell and Angels” Studio Set appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

By Allison Samuels | Photography by Ashley Sky Walker | Styling by Melis Kuris

With a hit television show, a handful of movies in the works and record-breaking tours, Kevin Hart reigns supreme in the field of funnymen. But it’s his story of heartbreak, hard work and survival that makes him larger than life.

On a chilly January night in downtown Los Angeles, just a few feet away from where Kobe Bryant rules the hardwood, comedian/actor (and die-hard Lakers fan) Kevin Hart is holding court outside the L.A. Live theater, smiling broadly and having the time of his life. Tonight is the premiere screening of Hart’s hilarious new BET television series, The Real Husbands of Hollywood in which he stars and for which he writes and produces. If the audience’s response is any indication, Hart has yet another hit on his hands.

Dressed casually in dark jeans, a plaid button-down and a leather vest, the comic appears genuinely moved by the countless kudos, hugs, back slaps and pounds offered by well-wishers including fellow castmates Boris Kodjoe and Duane Martin. Billed as the “fakest reality show ever,” the weekly show is meant to be a mockery of the reality genre, particularly those depicting the over-the-top antics of women married to (or dating or divorced from) rich or powerful men.

“I get that some women don’t know what to do after living in their man’s shadow for so long, particularly if he was famous,” Hart says in between greetings. “I get how they can be talked into doing things that will bring them money and fame. That’s what makes it so sad to watch some of those shows. I can’t believe those women want to be shown in that way!’’ Hart, who appeared on BET’s classic ’90s laugh parade Comic View—which launched the careers of stars such as D.L. Hughley and Cedric The Entertainer—considers Real Husbands less a parody of the Bravo franchise, and more Curb Your Enthusiasm—the 12-years-and-running HBO series by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, who stars as a fictionalized version of himself.

In other words, the smart money is on Hart.

Over the past few years, the multi-hyphenated funnyman has steadily built a sizeable Hollywood empire, utilizing his intuitive ability to fuse hotbutton, newsworthy moments with side-splitting comedy. Last year, Hart had a starring role in 2012’s breakout film Think Like a Man, which grossed more than $33 million in its opening weekend. He’s also on the, ahem, short list to host awards shows such as the VMAs and the BET Awards.

Yet despite box-office success, sold-out comedy shows, and tonight’s clear win, Hart remains humble and pragmatic. He credits his success to the old saying of preparation meeting opportunity. As a young comic, Hart dedicated countless hours studying tape after tape of stand-up icons including Redd Foxx, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence.

It’s no coincidence each is a legend in his own time, blessed with his own unique brand of humor and each having dominated the entertainment landscape at some point in his career, be it in film, television or on record. “The only way to show respect [for] what you do is [to] study the people who came before you,’’ Hart says. “You can’t be serious in this business without doing the work.”

D&G Jacket; Acne Jeans; Topman shirt; Converse sneakers; Rolex watch (his own)

RELATED: Behind-The-Scenes With Kevin Hart [PHOTO + VIDEO]

Truth be told, Kevin Hart has been doing the work— paying attention and taking notes—for as long as he can remember. One of his first teachable moments came via his father, Henry Hart, whose decades-long battle with cocaine addiction kept him in and out of jail and his sons fatherless. As a result, Kevin and his older brother, Robert (two years Kevin’s senior), were raised by their mother, Nancy, in a working class neighborhood in Philly. It’s a long way from where he sits this afternoon, in the Lobby Lounge of The Langham—the luxurious Pasadena hotel set on 23 gorgeous acres. It’s a serene scene, and for a moment the man of the hour is silent, taking in his present and contemplating his past.

“Everyone suffers when someone is addicted to drugs,” Hart begins as he has many times before. “Anyone connected to that person loses out in some way. But for me, my dad’s life was like this big road map for me to go in the other direction. While a lot of kids looked up to their dads as role models, I looked at my dad and saw who I didn’t want to become. He was hell of a motivator to become something else.”

Hart’s second teachable moment came via the nasty quips and wisecracks from his classmates
regarding his small stature. (He’s now 5’5”.) By some stroke of luck, young Kevin Hart realized early on that he had two choices: He could become sullen, angry and defensive or he could roll with the punches and turn the joke around for maximum results.

“You take the power away from anyone and anything when you can laugh at yourself,” said Hart, whose grade school eventually crowned him class clown. “I’ve always laughed at myself and I’ve invited others to do the same. I know I’m small, but so what? It is what it is! You can’t take yourself so seriously in this life or you will lose it. Laughing at yourself is the cheapest therapy out there, I’m telling you.”

So it should come as no surprise to learn Hart began his career in comedy with the stand-up name “Lil’ Kev.” (“That didn’t go over so well,” he recalls, laughing.) Hart knew he was funny, and that his wit was quicker than most. Years of growing up black, male and short in Philly meant playing the dozens almost daily. He also knew that being funny in high school didn’t necessarily translate into being a working comedian. To make that determination, Hart needed to see the comedy world up close; shortly after graduation, he moved to New York City with a plan: He would attend community college during the day and perform at local comedy clubs at night.

“My question was: Can I be successful in comedy and make a real living doing it?’ Stand-up is really hard work and, sometimes, very unappreciated. I got booed off the stage and a piece of chicken thrown at me one time.” Hart can laugh at the memory now. “You have to know why you’re there and know it’s for the love of comedy and nothing else.”

Not long after relocating to NYC, Hart sent for his high-school sweetheart Torrei; a few years later she and Hart, then both 22, tied the knot. “We’d been together for a while back home and I didn’t want to leave her back there,’’ the comedian remembers. “On some level I knew I was moving on and up and she did too. She didn’t want to be left behind.”

Naked & Famous Jeans; Givenchy Shirt; Rolex watch

Two years after his move to the Big Apple, Hart went pro, officially kicking his career off on amateur night at a comedy club in Philly—his first-ever show back home. Hart reasoned that if the City of Brotherly Love could launch the career of comedy icon Bill Cosby, perhaps it could do the same for him. As it turns out, this was the “chicken bone” show.

“People like Chris Tucker and Dave Chappelle had a huge impact on me while I was coming up,” he explains. “So you go onstage attempting to channel them in your routine because what they did was funny to you. You want those same kind of laughs so you imitate those guys. It takes a moment to realize someone else’s funny doesn’t always work for you.”

As Hart toured small comedy clubs around the country, he learned audiences laughed loudest when he told jokes that bared his soul. Candid stories about his father’s drug use and his mother’s battle with cancer became regular topics in his act, and this vulnerability resonated with his audiences. “I don’t hide anything,” Hart says. “If it happened to me I’ll talk about it, and why shouldn’t I? Nothing has happened to me that hasn’t happened to someone else—I’m not that special. And people want to feel that you feel their pain too,
that you know where they’re coming from.”

Hart soon began winning small acting roles on television shows such as Judd Apatow’s shortlived comedy series Undeclared (2001) and in film, including Paper Soldiers (2002), Scary Movie 3 (2003) and Along Came Polly (2004). But Hart was convinced he’d hit the Hollywood jackpot when he landed the lead role in the 2004 big-budget comedy Soul Plane starring Mo’Nique, Snoop Dogg and D.L. Hughley. In the film, Hart’s character gets stuck in an airplane toilet seat, leading to a lawsuit that wins him enough money to start his own airline.

“I just knew I was on my way to the big time with that movie,” Hart says, shaking his head. “I thought people would get how silly and funny it was and just enjoy it. I thought it would be a huge hit leading to other big hits right after and on and on.”

Instead, Soul Plane, which cost $16 million to make, was universally panned by critics and fans alike. The film was considered demeaning by many in the black community for it’s racial stereotypes. Hart’s blueprint for fame and fortune had taken a nosedive.

“It all stopped right then,” he says. “I had to go backwards at that point, rebuild another fan base through stand-up. It was like starting over from scratch. I felt like I’d just wasted years of my life.”

Spurr Leather Jacket; Alternative Apparel gray shirt; Marc by Marc Jacobs pants; Balmain sneakers

The emotional and financial toll of his faltering career put a strain on his already shaky marriage, a union that now included two small children. “It’s really hard to have someone tell you again and again that success is coming, that they just have to wait a little longer for things to get better. That’s where we were,” Hart recalls. “No woman wants to hear that from a man for too long.”

Hart also admits that he was less than faithful in their seven years of marriage, a fact his ex would use for material in her own comedy career. “My wife was always very supportive of me and never doubted my talent, which I give her all the props for,” he says. “But we were separated a lot in the marriage and just grew apart after a while.”

As if that weren’t enough, Hart’s mother died in 2006 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Heartbroken, the comedian went back to his roots and found solace in humor. Before long, his shows were bringing in standing-room-only crowds. “My manager wanted me to go to the bigger clubs really quickly but I wanted to wait, build that solid fan base I needed to really do my thing,” Hart says. “I was really careful that time around. No shortcuts. I
couldn’t start over again.”

It wasn’t long before Hollywood came knocking again. Films such as Scary Movie 4 (2006) with Anna Faris and Carmen Electra and Fool’s Gold (2008) starring Kate Hudson gave the fledgling actor’s résumé exactly the boost it needed. Hart also created his own entertainment company, Hartbeat Productions, and began making films and DVDs of his increasingly popular stand-up concerts, including his one-hour Comedy Central special I’m a Grown Little Man (2009) and the wildly successful Laugh at My Pain (2011), wherein the comedian made light of his father’s habit and his mother’s funeral. All told, the film raked in nearly $15 million (with a budget of $700K) and Hart’s sold-out, two-day performance at L.A.’s Nokia Theater broke a sales record previously held by Eddie Murphy.

“It’s important for me to be a businessman and a funnyman,” Hart explains. “You want to have both things working for you in this business. A lot of funny cats before me didn’t have that chance. I do.”

Occasionally, Kevin Hart will have an out-of-body experience. Someone may approach him for an autograph or he’ll take the stage at one of his sold out arena concerts and suddenly he’s “Lil’ Kev” all over again, in awe of his beautiful life.

“I saw myself having success in comedy, but I never saw the crazy things happening for me the way they are now,” he says in earnest. “It didn’t happen overnight but it’s a great ride while it’s moving. You have to enjoy it while you can.”

Of course, Hart shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. He just wrapped several movie roles, a couple of which place him side by side with heavyweights such as Robert De Niro (Grudge Match) and Laurence Fishburne. Fans are hoping for more of his recurring stints as Andre on ABC’s Modern Family, and the cast will soon begin production for Think Like a Man 2.

This time around, Hart is determined to find balance. Since his divorce in 2010, Hart admits he’s happily involved with a new love. “I learned a lot from my marriage,” he admits. “I played a part in its breakdown, [but] I learned to be a better partner. I know now how to argue the right away and how to keep cool in a disagreement with someone you love. I didn’t get that before.” Hart also now counts on the support of his father, who’s been drug-free for more than a decade.

Perhaps most humbling, Hart has the respect of his peers. Marlon Wayans, who met Hart years ago when they were both playing small venues on the comedy-club circuit, says he continues to be amazed at how far his buddy has come. “Thinking about where Kevin was six years ago and seeing him now is amazing. Neither one of us was selling out anything then!” Wayans says, laughing. “Now, Kevin’s the master.”

Still, Hart—who has referred to himself on his Twitter page as the “Sex Symbol Chocolate Drop”—is reluctant to claim his crown as the current king of comedy. “I don’t look at it like I’m the only one out here, because it’s not true,” he says. “There a lot of great young comics out there doing their thing all around the country. There’s always someone waiting in the wings.”

Yoshio Kubo Jacket; BDG shirt; Diesel Jeans

The Julian Temple-directed biopic detailing the last years of late Motown legend Marvin Gaye has finally gotten off the ground with news of Jesse L. Martin as the film’s lead. The Law & Order alum will replace Lenny Kravitz after much debate over the coveted role.

According to Deadline, Sexual Healing was on hold for several years due to development and competing projects but is back on track with Martin and co-star Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm).

The film will center on Gaye’s time in Europe in the early 1980s as he struggled with addiction and career troubles before meeting a tragic end in April 1984. Gleeson will portray British music promoter Freddy Cousaert who worked to get the singer’s life back on track.

Sexual Healing will begin filming later this month in Europe.

The post Jesse L. Martin Replaces Lenny Kravitz In Marvin Gaye Biopic appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of VIBE.com

Kelly Rowland’s been slithering all over everyone’s radar for awhile now, so her next solo album, Talk A Good Game, is bound to start trouble… in a good way. In the midst of recording, the singer spoke to Rolling Stone about getting more intimate and giving fewer f**ks about it, her Best Dressed-winning Grammy garb, and also threw a quick jab at Keyshia Cole, who criticized Michelle Williams on Twitter during Destiny’s Child’s Super Bowl halftime set. A few Kelly excerpts below.

On how The-Dream helped her open up more
“It’s the first time I’ve been so stripped away and naked. I had help with that, and that help was the-Dream. I was in the studio with Dream and he said, ‘I just want you to get deeper. The people want more. They want to be led into your life and know more about you.’ And I said, ‘Oh, God!’ It’s really nervous, because you don’t know what people are going to say. In this moment, I really don’t care. [Laughs]”

Continue at VIBE.com…

The post Kelly Rowland Talks ‘A Good Game’ And Reacts To Keyshia Cole Diss appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of The Associated Press

Defendants in the hazing death of a Florida A&M drum major have been given the stiffer charge of manslaughter by the new prosecutor and a longer wait until their case goes to trial.

Recently sworn-in State Attorney Jeff Ashton added the second-degree felony count Monday for each of 10 band members who were charged last May with third-degree felony hazing in the 2011 death of 26-year-old Robert Champion.

Prosecutors also charged two new defendants with manslaughter Monday, though they had not yet been arrested. The manslaughter charge announced during a status hearing carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.

The move could put pressure on the 12 defendants to seek plea bargains before the case makes it to a courtroom. A June trial date had previously been considered, but with more than 100 witnesses listed, Judge Marc Lubet said Monday that wasn’t feasible. A status hearing for the case has been set for August.

David S. Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice in Miami, said it would be easier to prove felony hazing charges than manslaughter.

Weinstein also said it was not unusual for prosecutors to go ahead with a lesser charge while still gathering evidence and upgrade later.

“The easy way out is you charge them with felony hazing. That’s what they decided to do initially. You’re still holding someone accountable,” he said. “Now you have somebody new who comes in, takes a look at the evidence, and for a combination of reasons decides the manslaughter charge is warranted.”

Continue at The Associated Press…

The post Robert Champion Death: Manslaughter Counts, Trial Delay For FAMU Case appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Following a drama-filled year marked by custody battles, court dates and a Thanksgiving Day brawl, Halle Berry says she wants a “more normal” life for her 4-year-old daughter Nahla.

Related: Gabriel Aubry’s Injuries After Fight With Olivier Martinez [PHOTOS]

The Oscar-winning actress, currently on a media blitz for the upcoming thriller The Call, briefly addressed the state of things in the Berry household as she adjusts to the reality of her life in the U.S.

Berry had planned to move to France with Nahla and her fiance Olivier Martinez, but was denied by a judge in her custody dispute with her daughter’s father, Gabriel Aubry.

Related: ‘RHOA’ Peter Thomas Blasts Halle Berry

While speaking on her and Nahla’s [somewhat] normal life in the Los Angeles area, Berry said, “That’s all I really want, just normalcy for her.”

Berry, remaining “resilient,” told reporters that she will figure it all out.

In the meantime, the 46-year-old star will reprise her role as Storm in the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past. Berry recently revealed to Access Hollywood, “I’m in. I think I’m in. [...] I love Storm. That’s one of my favorite characters that I’ve played. And people love that character as well.”

The post Halle Berry Seeks ‘Normalcy’ For Daughter Nahla, Returns As Storm In ‘X-Men’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of Madame Noire

If you’re a person who enjoys when popular plays and movies are remade with all-Black casts, you’ll be thrilled to know that a Caribbean version of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth is in the works. The starring lineup for the film version of the play entitled, Macbett, includes Sanaa Lathan, Harry Lennix, Blair Underwood, Evan Ross and Terrence Howard, who is also executive producing the film, reports Shadow and Act.

A brief synopsis of the remake, as per Macbett‘s filmmakers reads:

“After a gallant military victory, General Macbett encounters the “Weird Sisters,” who are the spirit daughters of Mother Africa and reign over fire, water, earth and sky. They delight in manipulating Macbett by feeding him predictions of royal titles including “King.” Macbett soon becomes obsessed with ambition, as does his beautiful and ruthless wife Lady Macbett. As Macbett and his Lady spiral downward, indulging in treachery and political assassinations, they are soon haunted by their murderous deeds and driven mad. In a true exemplification of a tragedy, Macbett is defeated by his own zealous thirst for power, a heartbreaking end to a once beloved Hero.”

Continue at Madame Noire…

The post Sanaa Lathan, Terrence Howard To Star In Caribbean Film Adaption Of ‘Macbeth’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of The Frisky

Pediatric dentist Dr. Misee Harris of Kentucky is petitioning to become the first ever Black “Bachelorette.” This prospect means a lot is surfacing for me regarding the harmful stereotypes reinforced by women of color on reality television. How would she be received? If she did get an opportunity to be on the show and chose a non-black man, what would the social implications of that be? But more than that, I feel disheartened because I know that this reality reflects how America feels about who deserves to be happy and who doesn’t.

Author and commentator Keli Goff argued on The Huffington Post that “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette”‘s collective 25 seasons with no Black people in the coveted role isn’t an act of racism. I disagree. Society tells us that marriage and the supposed happiness that is derived from it aren’t meant for everyone — hence the multi-decade struggle to legalize the right of gay folks to marry. This reality reflects how Americans feel about who deserves to be happy and who doesn’t. Whether these exclusions are purposeful are irrelevant; many of us consciously reject stereotypes yet still hold subconscious negative associations about people who are different than we are, TV execs included. It’s an implicit bias (subconscious prejudice) that informs their decisions about who they choose to be on the show. These executives genuinely fear what putting a Black man or woman front and center might do to their ratings – and as voyeurs, we’re often not privy to those kinds of conversations.

Continue reading at The Frisky

The post The Soapbox: On Getting A Black ‘Bachelorette’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

By Clarissa Hamlin

It starts with someone dancing while surrounded by unaware bystanders — flash mob-style. Then, once the bass line drops and floods the ears with a heart-pounding thumping, everyone, bystanders included, starts going crazy.

Dubbed the Harlem Shake, this infectious movement has now become one of YouTube’s main attractions. It began innocently enough on Feb. 2 when comedian and video blogger Filthy Frank created a parody dance video with the Billboard chart-topping electronic dance song “Harlem Shake” by Brooklyn-based producer Baauer as the theme music. The euphoria-inducing version got everyone moving, re-energizing the song which was released last May. But anyone thinking this song is reminiscent of the true Harlem Shake is mistaken.

The wildly viral craze bears no striking resemblance to the original Harlem Shake. Credited with spearheading the original, street dancer Al B entertained crowds at the famous Rucker Park Basketball Tournament in New York during the early 1980s. Al B would shimmy, swinging his arms back and forth quickly before pausing to begin again. Many people outside of Harlem were oblivious to the burgeoning dance until 2001, when Harlem’s own bad boy Sean “P.Diddy” Combs took the dance from around the way to the mainstream in music videos with Bad Boy Records rappers, like G. Dep. After that, the dance seemingly faded into oblivion.

But in Harlem, it was still holding ground. So here is an ode to the actual Harlem Shake dance craze with some of the zaniest “interpretations” that have gone viral on YouTube.

This video might start out similarly to Baauer’s version of the Harlem Shake, but quickly switches to hip hop dancers doing the authentic Harlem Shake true to its original form.

This video features a motley crew of Miami Heat players dressed up as the Phantom of the Opera, a teddy bear, mimes, and more animated characters joining the Harlem Shake bandwagon.

With more than 26 million views, this countdown features dancing characters from Charlie Brown to the Super Mario Brothers to an energized firefighter and more people shaking it up.

The post The “New” Harlem Shake Bears Little Resemblance To Original [VIDEOS] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of Hello Beautiful

God she’s gorgeous. That girl with the flowing tresses, coke bottle figure and flawlessly painted face. She’s surrounded by women who can’t look away and men who don’t want to miss a glimpse. She’s the Kim Kardashian of the room. I’m pretty, but not quite like her.

More importantly, she fits the prototype of the kind of girl rappers seek as arm candy. She’s the girl whose life will probably be cushioned by lavish living because of her high cheek bones, curvy silhouette and racially ambiguous tan.

Continue reading at Hello Beautiful

The post Why Does Every Celebrity’s Girlfriend Look Like A Kim Kardashian Prototype? appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Twenty-two years after passing a state law that required all public schools to develop and implement a curriculum that included black history, Chicago Public Schools have complied, reports DNAinfo.com.

To date, CPS only taught students about the history of African-Americans during Black History Month in February. Yet a month-long battle with CPS officials and the Southside community group We Can Inc. has pushed to incorporate the new curriculum in classrooms across the city next fall.

“The meeting went well. [CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett] wants to be in compliance with the law, and I am encouraged by that,” said We Can Inc. president and former Chicago School Board president Florence Cox. “There is so much history about us that is not being shared with students at CPS. I cannot understand how it could have been allowed to go on this long.”

She continued, “I tried and tried to push this issue to the forefront when I served on the school board but was unsuccessful at getting other board members to get on board.”

CPS has set a target of September to introduce the new curriculum.

“While we can’t say why decisions were or were not made since passage of this state law 22 years ago, CEO Byrd-Bennett took prompt action once this was brought to her attention,” said CPS spokeswoman Robyn Ziegler. “She believes it’s a very valid concern and should be available to children in every school. We expect that there will not be a need to file a lawsuit, as CPS is now complying with the law.”

With no word on a potential lawsuit, CPS will reportedly work with We Can Inc. to implement the curriculum, monitoring its introduction and requesting the recruitment of retired teachers for reading initiatives and programs.

“We don’t want anyone teaching our kids black history when they have a limited knowledge themselves,” Cox said. “Face it: You have teachers who do not know anything about the person the school is named after, but work there every day. How crazy is that?”

The post Chicago Public Schools To Offer Black History Curriculum Next Fall appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

The television ratings are in and one thing is certain: The Bible is hot.

The History network has a clear winner on its hands with the success of a new miniseries centered on the unforgettable parables plucked from The Good Book. From the life of Jesus to Noah’s ark, producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey recount stories from the Bible using computer-generated imagery to offer new insight into the religious text.

The first installment of the series brought in 13.1 million viewers on Sunday (March 3), beating out both episodes of Fox’s [sinking] American Idol. After a re-airing later that night, the episode boasted approximately 14.8 million people and handed the network’s website its most visited Sunday ever.

“Clearly, the passion for this project has resonated with our viewers and across the nation,” said Nancy Dubuc, president of entertainment and media for the A&E networks. “We are thrilled, and the story is only just beginning.”

The Bible will air in four more installments, with the final episode on Easter Sunday (March 31).

Source

Courtesy of The Grio

When Vince Wilson, 44, was in his early 20s, he considered being a doctor, yet his own insecurities held him back.

“The bottom line is, I never thought I was smart enough,” he says.

Instead, he focused his interest on other fields in medicine, becoming an x-ray technician, an EMT, a certified nursing assistant and an Army and Air Force healthcare technician.

“I always had the impression that [only] the kids who were superior in math and science became doctors,” he says. Despite having good academic preparation, he adds that he didn’t think that his self-described “average” grades qualified.

That was the late 1970s and early 1980s, and right around the time that the number of black males applying to medical school began to decline.

Thirty years later, according to a new report from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), even fewer black males are applying to medical school and ultimately becoming doctors. While the applicant pool has grown, the number of black males applying is trending downward.

Continue at The Grio…

Courtesy of EBONY.com

Due to the widespread refusal of Whites to address or acknowledge the persistence of racism, there is often an absence of White voices saying much about race… unless it’s along the lines of “We’re over it! It’s not a big deal anymore! Why are you people so mad, get over it? Slavery was, what, 800 years ago?”

A new story in Philadelphia magazine is set to change that, baby. Who said Mumia Abu Jamal could be Philly’s only “voice of the voiceless”? Robert Huber is finally here to provide White people the opportunity to have their say. From “Being White in Philly” (emphasis mine):

“What gets examined publicly about race is generally one-dimensional, looked at almost exclusively from the perspective of people of color. Of course, it is Black people who have faced generations of discrimination and who deal with it still. But our public discourse ignores the fact that race—particularly in a place like Philadelphia—is also an issue for White people. Though White people never talk about it.

“Everyone might have a race story, but few Whites risk the third-rail danger of speaking publicly about race, given the long, troubled history of race relations in this country and even more so in this city. Race is only talked about in a sanitized form, when it’s talked about at all, with actual thoughts and feelings buried, which only ups the ante. Race remains the elephant in the room, even on the absurd level of who holds the door to enter a convenience store.”

You see, for Huber, the real tragedy of Philadelphia’s race problem is not the systemic racism that has funneled his Black neighbors into the prison industrial complex, populated broken schools, generational poverty and early death… it’s the inability of the city’s Whites to be heard. Oh, and he awkwardly holds the door for Black people at Wawa so they don’t think he’s a racist. The struggle is real.

Continue at EBONY.com…

As news continues to spread about the “Freeway” Ricky Ross biopic starring Nick “Mr. Get-A-Check” Cannon himself, the former drug trafficker is revealing more and more about his decision to cast the multi-hyphenate. And who didn’t make the cut.

In a recent interview with MTV News, Ross explained his initial plans to cast several blockbuster boys before settling on his perfect match.

“I spoke to Will Smith about the role. I had a couple meetings with Jamie Foxx about it. Larenz Tate, I was really serious about Larenz,” he said. “I spoke to Don Cheadle a couple of times about it. Columbus Short, I really, really liked Columbus Short for the role, but at the end of the day Nick’s willing to help me build the project. He’s willing to get in the trenches and roll up his sleeves and fight because I still wanna have some control.”

The pair announced the big news on Sunday (March 3) via YouTube, stating that the project had been in the works since 1996 when Cannon caught Ross’ attention.

“I been watching Nick since like ’96 when I was in custody in San Diego and that was one of the times when I was at my most tuneless time with the world, because I was incarcerated and I also had a life sentence,” Ross added. “He just reminds me of myself, just he took a different turn, he went to entertainment and I went to the streets.”

The untitled film will reportedly be directed by Nick Cassavetes (John Q, The Notebook) and will highlight Ross’ early life during the 1980s crack era and his incarceration.

Photos courtesy of Patrick Bastien Photography/Getty Images

The post Nick Cannon Beats Out Will Smith, Jamie Foxx For ‘Freeway’ Ricky Ross Biopic appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

By Sorilbran Stone

The announcement this week that Oprah Winfrey will be the principal speaker at Harvard University’s May 30th Commencement Ceremony has set the web abuzz.

But are you really surprised? It’s Oprah, for goodness sake.  Over the course of more than 30 years in media, Oprah has amassed huge amounts of wealth (she’s one of the wealthiest people in the world). She spent two decades as the Queen of Daytime Television with her controversial-turned-inspirational talk show.  She opened a girl’s school in South Africa. And she owns and runs her own network.  That’s our Oprah.

So what do you think she will say? A not-so-quick search of quotes from Oprah will turn up quite a few savvy phrases.  After all, she’s been talking to the residents of at least 150 countries almost daily for the better part of the last three decades.  Her work with Iyanla Vanzant, Maya Angelou and Dr. Phil aside, any person who can achieve such amazing successes over the course of her lifetime while maintaining a position as one of the world’s most beloved personalities has surely gained the most poignant wisdom along the way.  Here are just nine of Oprah’s marvelous truisms:

1. On thoughts: “What I know for sure is this: You are built not to shrink down to less, but to blossom into more. To be more extraordinary. To use every moment to fill yourself up.”

2. On strategy: “Everything you’ve ever done prepares you for all that you can do and be. Once you clarify your purpose for doing something, the way to do it becomes clear.”

3. On relationships: “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”

4. On overcoming: “Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a different way to stand”

Photo credit: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com


5. On gratitude: “When you allow yourself to feel gratitude, in the present moment, in the now – what I promise you is that the spiritual dimension of your life begins to change. It opens up.  It expands.  And you just grow with it.  That is the truth if I ever spoke the truth in my life. If you want to change your state of being, start to be grateful.”

6. On charity:  “You can’t really create fundamental change in someone’s life unless you change the way they think about their lives… I realized that the only way to create long-term improvement and empowerment, and literally change the trajectory of somebody’s life, is through education.”

7. On time management: “Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it’s right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it.”

8. On resources: “Use what you have to run toward your best – that’s how I now live my life.”

9. On fear and failure: “Do the one thing you think you cannot do.  Fail at it.  Try again.  Do better the second time.  The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment.  Own it.”
Photo credit: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

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Season two of Iyanla: Fix My Life gets off to a bumpy start with troubled rap star DMX in the hot seat. In the fiery 90-minute episode, Iyanla Vanzant travels to the artist’s Yonkers, New York home to sort out the pieces of his messy life.

But is Iyanla in over her head?

Check out a sneak peek of the heated episode below and don’t forget to tune into the season premiere of Iyanla: Fix My Life on Sat., April 13 at 10/9c on OWN!

The post First Look: Iyanla Vanzant, DMX Engage In Shouting Match During ‘Fix My Life’ [VIDEO] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of NewsOne

An 8-year-old girl was handcuffed and jailed for two hours after she apparently threw a tantrum at her elementary school, KMOV-TV reports.

Jmyha Rickman‘s journey to her town’s city jail began at Love Joy Elementary School late Tuesday in Alton, Ill. At some point, school officials called the Alton Police Department to help handle the situation. It is not clear if the cops immediately took the child into custody or if they tried to calm her down.

Rickman reportedly has a history of throwing tantrums at the school.

Eventually, she was handcuffed, placed in the backseat of a police car and driven to jail, where she was held for two hours. The little girl said she was not allowed to put on her coat before being taken into custody. Neheniah Keeton, Rickman’s guardian, says the cops manhandled her.

Continue at NewsOne…

The post 8-Year-Old Handcuffed, Jailed For 2 Hours For Throwing Tantrum At School appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

E! News extraordinaire Terrence Jenkins is adding on to his ever-growing resume as author to a new book due this fall. On Tuesday, the former 106 & Park host announced his deal with HarperCollins’ It Books to publish The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom.

The book, slated for September, will offer a “wealth of anecdotes, lessons and advice from his beloved mom” throughout his childhood and beyond.

“During the process of playing the mama’s boy in Think Like a Man, I took an in-depth look at my own mother and her extraordinary journey of raising me while still a teenager herself,” Jenkins told E! News. “I know that many of the successful moments in my life, personally and professionally, have been in part because of the lessons that she taught me, and I am proud to share her words of wisdom to inspire others.”

He continued, “Because  of the decisions she made and her wisdom, I was able to not only stay off the streets and stay out of jail, but I was able to go on to college and be successful in my career.”

The 30-year-old personality said he hopes to build up all the mothers out there and inspire anyone who’s going through something.

The post Terrence Jenkins Signs Book Deal, ‘The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom’ Coming In September appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

By Colby Carrington

I live for the times when actors let their guards down – if only for a millisecond – and have a “This is 1,000% me.” moment.  Often, such moments of candor are endearing.  (Awww – he likes spaghetti noodles with hot sauce too?)

Sometimes they are just plain creepy. Terrence Howard speaks with great fervor when discussing the love scenes he did with Oprah while filming The Butler.  I really wanted to be able to laugh but his lip-licking recount just made me wince.  Hide ya wife, hide ya kids.

It might be that I put role-models in one camp and sex symbols in another.  And can’t nobody talk dirty about role models.  I have a a high regard for Oprah and put her on a pedestal, though I know better than to have such high expectations for a mere mortal.  Still, my first reaction to his unpolished, irreverent praise was “You can’t say that about her.” No matter the intent, tig ol’ biddies and Oprah just do not belong in the same sentence.

Am I the only one? Do you think his comment was entertaining or did it bother you?