Category Archives: Hot Off the Press

Mark Webber’s FLESH AND BLOOD | New Trailer | Starring The Green Party’s Cheri Honkala

Presents

FLESH AND BLOOD

A Film By Mark Webber

Starring Mark Webber, Madeline Brewer, Guillermo Santos & Cheri Honkala, Webber’s real life mother and the Green Party’s nominee for Vice President in the 2012 U.S. election.
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– SXSW 2017 | OFFICIAL SELECTION –

“Quietly searing…Webber harnesses the natural dynamics of offscreen bonds, however strong or frayed they may be.” The Hollywood Reporter

“Commingling elements of fiction and documentary is the trickiest kind of creative alchemy – a challenge FLESH AND BLOOD rises to with results that are consistently interesting.” Variety

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Based on a real family, FLESH AND BLOOD blurs the line between narrative and documentary, with characters played by their real life counterparts. Writer and director Mark Webber (GREEN ROOM, THE END OF LOVE) stars as a man who has just been released from prison and returns home to his impoverished neighborhood in Philadelphia. Mark attempts to rebuild his life and reintegrate into the community, but he struggles with staying sober, forging a bond with his half-brother Guillermo, and mending a strained relationship with his mother, who is played by Cheri Honkala, Webber’s real life mother and the Green Party’s nominee for Vice President in the 2012 U.S. election. Hoping to move beyond the mistakes of his past, Mark seeks out his estranged, real-life father, who he meets for the first time in over 30 years. Will Mark’s life remain defined by his own flesh and blood?

OPENING LOS ANGELES ON 10/27

OPENING NEW YORK ON 11/10

John Legend and Jesse Williams to Executive Produce Tommie Smith Documentary

Grammy® and Academy Award®-Winning Sensation John Legend, His Get Lifted Production Company, and Actor and Activist Jesse Williams to Executive Produce Doc About 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist Tommie Smith, “With Drawn Arms”

Get Lifted’s John Legend, Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius join Executive Producers Jesse Williams and Delois Smith on social justice documentary co-directed by conceptual artist Glenn Kaino, and former Prince creative collaborator Afshin Shahidi.

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Tommie Smith and John Carlos display the black power salute at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

Los Angeles (October 5, 2017)— Visionary artist and producer John Legend, an Academy Award and Golden Globe®- winner and nine-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, together with his Get Lifted partners Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius, and actor, activist, and humanitarian Jesse Williams are on board to executive-produce renowned artists Glenn Kaino and Afshin Shahidi’s incredibly timely documentary, “With Drawn Arms”, about the importance and inspiration of Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith’s powerful salute at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
The announcement was made today by Get Lifted Film Co. alongside co-directors Kaino and Shahidi. In this groundbreaking film, Glenn Kaino and Afshin Shahidi use an ongoing artistic collaboration between Kaino and Smith to connect Smith’s silent but meaningful gesture in 1968 to the critical moments and most important voices of today, exploring the very nature of symbolic action and the critical importance of making images in our time.
“We are excited to collaborate with true artists in Glenn Kaino and Afshin Shahidi to bring this powerful story to the world in a fresh and compelling way,” said John Legend. “In this current climate we are once again being charged to stand up to bigotry, fear, and hate. We are inspired by this story and honored to be a creative partner on this film.”
“Tommie Smith is more than an iconic poster or risky act of defiance that inspires people the world over. He is a living man, whose incredible journey is worthy of examination. I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with this team of filmmakers, to share his reality and challenge our notions of heroism in the process,” said Jesse Williams.
Williams, who gained international acclaim with his 2016 BET Humanitarian Award acceptance speech, is an activist, actor and producer whose work spans across television, film, and technology, consistently uplifting the voices of marginalized people.
“We could not be more excited that Get Lifted Film Co. and Jesse Williams will lend their impressive talents to ‘With Drawn Arms,’ a story that began 50 years ago and is as relevant now as it was then,” said Kaino and Shahidi. “We look forward to working with Jesse, John, Mike and Ty, and to benefit from their extensive creative talent as we craft this story.”
“With Drawn Arms” is currently in production in Los Angeles and is targeted for a 2018 release during the 50th anniversary of Tommie Smith’s salute.
With Drawn Arms is written by Glenn Kaino and directed by Kaino and Afshin Shahidi, who also serve as Executive Producers alongside Jesse Williams, Delois Smith, and John Legend, Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius of Get Lifted.
Williams recently executive produced the documentary film “Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement” (2016) and the docu-series “America Divided” with Norman Lear. Legend’s Get Lifted banner recently produced the hit TV show “Underground” (2016), Academy Award winning “La La Land” (2016), and HBO Documentary “Southern Rites” (2015).
Glenn Kaino and Afshin Shahidi filming documentation of With Drawn Arms with Executive Producer Jesse Williams. Photo credit Deon Jones_preview

Glenn Kaino and Afshin Shahidi filming documentation of With Drawn Arms with Executive Producer Jesse Williams.

 

Tamar Braxton Retiring from Music to Save Marriage

EXCLUSIVE: Tamar Braxton Reveals She’s Retiring From Music to ‘Protect’ Her Marriage to Vince Herbert

http://www.etonline.com/media/videos/exclusive-tamar-braxton-explains-why-bluebird-happiness-will-be-her-last-album-ever

Tamar Braxton is serious about retiring from music.

“There are a lot of things that I want to do, and a lot of things that are in the works,” she tells ET. “There’s a lot of things that are going on in my relationship and me being close to this music industry, and whatever I can do to eliminate all of the stress and problems off of my relationship, I would rather do that.”

“My husband [music executive Vince Herbert] and I work very close together and it’s really hard, you know?” Tamar continues. “Not only do we work together, he is my baby daddy and, you know, we’ve been together forever. He’s my best friend. It’s a lot of things to discuss and argue about.”

Tamar says her new album, Bluebird of Happiness, out Sept. 29, will be her last record ever, though she still plans to write songs for other artists.

For more on this topic and to read the rest of the story CLICK HERE!!!

Hopsin-The Purge [Vid]

Hopsin did NOT disappoint with his new joint ‘The Purge’. The lyrical assasin always brings his words to life with movie worth visuals.

The play on words and video parody on life in America is needed right now in an industry of depression and pills music.

What are your thoughts on the new video?

AVAILABLE NOW http://www.2lin.cc/HopsinThePurge Follow Hopsin: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hellohopsin Instagram: @hopsinson Twitter: @hopsin Website: http://www.undercoverprodigy.com

Angry Foo Fighters Fans turned away in London show at 02 Arena

Foo Fighters fans ‘gutted’ after being turned away from gig at London’s O2 Arena


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Hundreds of Foo Fighters fans were apparently turned away from a gig at The O2 Arena in London after confusion surrounding its ticket policy.

Some people claimed they weren’t allowed in because they didn’t have ID which matched the name on the tickets they’d bought.

One fan suggested the venue and band should be “ashamed” of the situation and for treating people badly.

According to the O2, the move was made at the request of the band itself.

In a statement, the band said: “Foo Fighters, SJM and the O2 are frustrated and saddened that despite their best efforts, tickets for last night’s show at the O2 fell into the hands of unscrupulous secondary ticket agencies.

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“Unfortunately, this meant a small number of fans purchasing bogus tickets from these unscrupulous outlets did not get into the sold out show.”

For more on this story CLICK HERE!!

How did a Canadian Punk band end up on Beyonce’s Lemonade Album?

A Canadian punk band’s music is pressed on Beyonce’s Lemonade vinyl by accident


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Some Beyonce fans had a (noisy) surprise when they picked up a vinyl copy of her Lemonade album.

The US singer’s music was missing from a small number of copies of the record and had been replaced with a punk band instead.

Five songs from Canadian group Zex had been pressed by mistake on to the first side of a limited edition yellow vinyl.

Fans expecting to hear Hold Up instead got songs by Zex, such as Child Soldier and Let Them In.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZJR5XtAu93/

A statement from Beyonce’s record label blamed the vinyl problems on “human error” at a pressing plant in Germany.

“Beyonce and ZEX were not aware of or responsible for the mispress,” said Columbia Records.

“Fans who purchased the vinyl will be refunded and given a replacement copy.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.”

In a post on her Instagram account, Zex frontwoman Gretchen Steel said she hoped it wasn’t a misprint and that Beyonce was just a fan of their music.

Beyonce hasn’t commented on the misprint, but Zex posted a video of the vinyl playing their music on Facebook.

“Those of you who got the new Beyonce record Lemonade may be surprised to hear what will be playing on the A-side,” they wrote.

Their fans are desperate to get hold of an incorrect copy, saying they’ll be worth a lot of money in the future.

Zex are a four-piece band who formed in 2013.

To read the rest of this article and more CLICK HERE!!!

NFL responds to Jay-Z Superbowl Rumors

NFL responds to rumours of JAY-Z Super Bowl half-time show


The NFL has responded to rumours that JAY-Z has turned down an offer to perform at the 2018 Super Bowl half-time show.

It’s reported the rapper refused to do the show out of respect for Colin Kaepernick.

He’s an American footballer who refuses to stand during the US national anthem because of what he calls the oppression of people of colour in America.

JAY-Z dedicated a song to him during a New York show earlier this month.

They said: “No decisions have been made on the performer(s) and we are not going to speculate on particular artists.

“Along with Pepsi, we know that we will put on a spectacular show. When it is time to announce her name we will do it. Or his name. Or their names.”

Lady Gaga played the 2017 half-time show.

The performance was the second most-watched Super Bowl half-time show of all-time.

Next year’s Super Bowl will take place on 4 February 2018 at the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Earlier this month it was reported that Britney Spears was “in talks” to perform – but the rumours were quickly denied.

“I can tell you it’s not Britney,” said Justin Toman, head of sports marketing for the Super Bowl main sponsor PepsiCo.

Kanye West, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber and Rihanna are among the other names apparently being considered for next year’s half-time show.

Find us on Instagram at BBCNewsbeat and follow us on Snapchat, search for bbc_newsbeat

Original article can be found here: CLICK HERE!!!

Turks opens up about Lil’ Wayne

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The relationship between Lil Wayne and Turk has been full of ups and downs. As the youngest members of the now-defunct Hot Boys crew, they developed a personal and creative bond that naturally included friendly competition. But as Cash Money evolved into a music empire, Wayne and Turk’s relationship began to fall apart.

Most of you know that most of the Hot Boys members—Turk, Juvenile, B.G—left the record label in the subsequent years, leaving Wayne as the only Hot Boy on Cash Money’s roster. There were rumors of resentment among the group, which were fueled by a series of diss exchanges between Weezy and the other former Hot Boys; however, Wayne later made a peace offering in Tha Carter’s “I Miss My Dawgs” track, which featured three verses dedicated to Juvenile, B.G., and Turk; the latter of whom was referred to as Wayne’s partner.

My other, my partner, I was teacher, he was father
I skilled, he schooled, we chilled, we moved
We thugged, we hung, we ate, we slept
We lived, we died, I stayed, you left
Remember how we played to the left
And we stayed out of trouble ’cause we stayed to our self

“Yeah, that song touched me. I was locked up. I used to be rapping and singing it, too.” Turk told Noisey as part of Kyle Kramer’s A Year of Lil Wayneseries. “And what he said about me, that was the truth. Like Wayne couldn’t go Uptown. They’d try to keep Wayne away from the streets and shit. But when we was staying together, Baby and Slim ended up going out of town to New York, to Universal. They was working the deal. And I psyched Wayne up to go Uptown. And we wasn’t supposed to be Uptown. We was supposed to be in Metairie. That’s the good part of Louisiana. And I was like, man, fuck that, we about to go Uptown. And that’s what he rap about. We went straight to the Nolia. He wasn’t supposed to go, and he saw me reunite with my soldiers. ‘Cause I hadn’t been—like, they took me from the hood. So every chance I got, I had to get back to Magnolia.”

Later in the interview, Turk revealed several details about his upcoming film projects. He has written a screenplay for a movie called Reckless and is working on an autobiographical documentary called 52 Bullets.

“So everything that I went through, everything I done seen, I documented it, and we puttin’ it on the big screen, man,” he explained. “Gonna give it to the fans so they know why this ain’t happened, why that ain’t happened. ‘Cause they can’t get all that in a interview. And everything I went through, man, maybe there was a reason. Maybe somebody needs to know what not to do in order to make it. We all go through things for a reason, man, and I went through mine, and I learned from it.”

You can read Turk’s full interview, which includes his thoughts on a Cash Money reunion, exclusively at Noisey.

Via: Complex Magazine

Jay-Z Dedicates song to Kaepernick

 

 

ANGELA WEISS/Getty Images

Jay-Z Dedicates Song to Colin Kaepernick During New York City Concert

TIM DANIELS
Jay-Z dedicated “The Story of O.J.” to former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during his performance Friday at the Meadows Music and Arts Festival in New York City.

ESPN.com noted the famed rapper shouted out Kaepernick before singing the song—which is about “blackness and managing money” and includes a reference to former NFL running back O.J. Simpson—at Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets, in Queens.

“I want to dedicate this song to Colin Kaepernick tonight,” Jay-Z said.

Kaepernick has remained a free agent since he opted out of his contract with the Niners in March. Many of his fellow players, including outspoken Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, have said he’s being “blackballed” for his protest during national anthems last season.

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The 29-year-old Milwaukee native drew widespread attention for this decision to kneel, though he was later joined by athletes from across the sports spectrum. He explained his stance to Steve Wyche of NFL.com in August 2016.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell downplayed the idea teams weren’t treating the quarterback fairly during an appearance at New York Jets training camp in July.

“Those are independent decisions that clubs make,” he told reporters. “Clubs are going to do what they think is in the best interest of their franchise and what it is that they can do to win.”

Kaepernick accounted for 18 touchdowns and seven turnovers across 12 appearances, including 11 starts, with the 49ers last season. Kyle Wagner of FiveThirtyEight wrote last month “it’s obvious Kaepernick is being frozen out for his political opinions, but it’s less apparent how extraordinary it is that a player like him can’t find a team.”

Meanwhile, the QB has continued with his $1 million pledge, which is aimed toward supporting “organizations working in oppressed communities.”