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Posts tagged as “Queen Latifah”

Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Teams Up with Fox for ‘The Scroll’ (Bible Stories Set in Present Day)

By goodblacknews on March 5, 2017

Queen Latifah (photo via shadowandact.com)

article via shadowandact.com
Queen Latifah is expanding her relationship with 20th Century Fox TV (via her Flavor Unit production company), teaming up with faith-based content producer Holly Carter via her Relevé Entertainment (“The Gospel” and “A Beautiful Soul”) to develop what is described as a bible-themed drama series titled “The Scroll.” 
Michael Elliot (“Brown Sugar,” “Just Wright”) will write and executive produce the project, which will reimagine some of the Bible’s most popular stories, but modernized and set in the present day.
The project shouldn’t be expected until 2018 or beyond.
To read more, go to: Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Teams Up with Fox for ‘The Scroll’ (Reimagining of Bible Stories Set in the Present Day) – Shadow and Act

VH1 Taps Ashanti, Keke Palmer, Amber Rose & More for Salt-N-Pepa Tribute Tonight on "Hip Hop Honors"

By goodblacknews on July 11, 2016
Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton, DJ Spinderella and Cheryl ‘Salt’ James of Salt-N-Pepa attend the 2016 MTV Movie Awards at Warner Bros. Studios on April 9, 2016 in Burbank, Calif. (CHRISTOPHER POLK/GETTY IMAGES FOR MTV)

article by Adelle Platon via billboard.com
VH1 is pushing out another stellar tribute for Salt-N-Pepa at this year’s Hip Hop Honors. The network announced on Friday (July 8) that Ashanti, Amber Rose, Keke Palmer and Dreezy will be paying homage to the first all-female rap crew, comprised of Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandy “Pepa” Denton and DJ Spinderella.
The ladies will be shaking their thang (SNP pun intended) alongside other surprise guests for the evening’s tributes to fellow honorees Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah and Lil’ Kim. As previously announced, Pharrell, Timbaland and Nelly Furtado among others will salute Elliot while Common, Da Brat, Naughty By Nature and more will be on-hand to hail Queen Latifah.
Pharrell, Timbaland, Nelly Furtado & More to Honor Missy Elliott at VH1 Hip Hop Honors
VH1 Hip Hop Honors will land at New York’s David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center tonight, July 11, making its comeback after six years.

HEALTH: Queen Latifah Helps Mother Rita Owens Fight Heart Failure; Does Campaign with American Heart Association

By goodblacknews on July 5, 2016


Award-winning actress, singer, songwriter, television producer and talk show host Queen Latifah looks mean in green in NBC’s adaptation of The Wiz Live! (she’s “The Wiz”), but offscreen Latifah goes red for her mother and the millions of people diagnosed with heart failure (HF). Queen Latifah and her mother Rita Owens, who suffers from heart failure, have joined the American Heart Association’s Rise Above Heart Failure campaign to let everyone know that with education, support and by being proactive with managing the condition, people can live with HF.
“My mom is stronger than anyone I’ve ever known. Growing up, when life got hard her strength helped pull us through,” the actress said in a recent PSA for the American Heart Association. In 2013, Owens was diagnosed with scleroderma, an incurable autoimmune disease that caused scar tissue to build up in her lungs, requiring her to be on oxygen 24/7.
Owens later was diagnosed with heart failure after passing out while teaching art at a New Jersey high school. The diagnosis changed Latifah and her mother’s relationship for the better Latifah told PEOPLE in an interview. “We’ve learned a new us. We’ve gotten a lot closer and we’ve learned each other on a whole different, deeper level.”
“I found myself becoming a recluse,” Owens said in the same interview about life after her HF diagnosis. “You have to understand your body is not processing the same way it was before. I started counting the things I can’t do instead of the things I can do. And I said, ‘Nope, this is not acceptable.’ ”
With the help of Latifah’s uplifting spirit, affirmations and attending church, “I started coming back,” Owens says. “I thank the Lord every day that I have that I can live with this, and that He put people in my life that told me so.”
Source: Queen Latifah Helps Mother Fight Heart Failure | BlackDoctor

VH1 Hip Hop Honors to Salute Salt-N-Pepa Featuring Spinderella

By goodblacknews on June 16, 2016
Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton, DJ Spinderella and Cheryl ‘Salt’ James of Salt-N-Pepa at Warner Bros. Studios on April 9, 2016 in Burbank, Calif.  (FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES)

article by Adelle Platon via billboard.com
Salt-N-Pepa featuring Spinderella will be in effect at VH1’s Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens. The ceremony’s ladies-only lineup will feature a tribute to the legendary female rap group alongside previously announced honorees Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott.
VH1 Hip Hop Honors to Pay Tribute to Queen Latifah: Exclusive
Salt-N-Pepa — comprised of Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandy “Pepa” Denton alongside Spinderella — have been known for their timeless hits including 1988’s “Push It,” 1994’s En Vogue-assisted “Whatta Man” and 1993’s “Shoop.” The Queens-bred trio were also the first female rap group to achieve platinum status and have gone on to sell over 12 million albums. Salt-N-Pepa was also honored at the 2005 Hip Hop Honors.
Missy Elliott Named Honoree at VH1 Hip Hop Honors: Exclusive
Watch VH1 Hip Hop Honors return after its six-year hiatus when it airs live from New York on July 11 at 9 p.m. ET.

Writer/Producer/Director Charles Murray Lands Overall Deal 20th Century Fox; to Run New Fox Series ‘Star’

By goodblacknews on May 5, 2016

Charles Murray 3 BandW
Writer/Director/Producer Charles Murray (deadline.com)

article by Nellie Andreeva via deadline.com
Sons of Anarchy writer/producer Charles Murray has signed an overall deal with 20th Century Fox TV, whose cable division Fox 21 TV Studios produced the gritty FX drama series. Under the pact, he will serve as executive producer and showrunner on Star, 20th TV’s upcoming drama created by Lee Daniels and Tom Donaghy, which was recently picked up to series by Fox for next season. Additionally, Murray will be developing his own projects for the studio.
Murray is coming off stints as executive producer on the first season of Netflix’s next Marvel series, Luke Cage and as one of the writers on A+E Networks’ upcoming Roots remake. He served as a writer/co-executive producer on the final two seasons of Sons of Anarchy, and also worked on CBS’ Criminal Minds, ABC’s Castle,NBC’s Third Watch as well as the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Fox Orders ‘Star’ From "Empire" Creator Lee Daniels and ‘24’ Spinoff Starring Corey Hawkins for 2016-17 Season

By goodblacknews on April 27, 2016
Corey Hawkins Lee Daniels
“24: Legacy” Star Corey Hawkins (l); “Star” Co-Creator & Producer Lee Daniels (REX/SHUTTERSTOCK)

article by Elizabeth Wagmeister via Variety.com
Fox is jumping into the 2016-2017 television season, ordering “24: Legacy” and “Star” to series.  The network has greenlit the “24” spinoff with a 12-episode order. “Star,” which hails from “Empire” co-creator Lee Daniels, landed a 13-episode order.
Corey Hawkins will topline the rebooted “24” in a completely new role, as the series is without Kiefer Sutherland — and Jack Bauer — this time around. However, Sutherland will serve as an exec producer on “Legacy,” marking his first time being listed as an EP on “24,” There are no plans for him to reprise his role as Jack Bauer at this time.
The new series will retain the original show’s format of real-time storytelling with split screens and like the original, will represent one hour of an eventful day in each episode. The series revolves around a military hero’s (Hawkins) return to the U.S. and the trouble that follows him back — compelling him to ask CTU for help in saving his life, and stopping what potentially could be one of the largest-scale terror attacks on American soil. Miranda Otto (“Homeland”) and Jimmy Smits (“Sons of Anarchy”) star alongside Hawkins.

Bouncing off of the successful “Empire” music-filled formula, “Star” — which is not in any way an “Empire” spinoff — follows three talented singers who navigate the cut-throat music business on their road to success. Newcomers Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny and Brittany O’Grady star as the young singers, alongside Queen Latifah and Benjamin Bratt. Announced on Wednesday, Lenny Kravitz will guest star. “Star,” co-created by Daniels and Tom Donaghy, will feature original music and stunning musical fantasy sequences.

 

Lifetime Sets Movie about NBA Star Kevin Durant’s Mom Wanda "The Real MVP" Pratt; Queen Latifah Produces, Cassandra Freeman Stars

By goodblacknews on February 3, 2016
Cassandra Freeman Traci Thoms
Cassandra Freeman, Traci Thoms (Photo via deadline.com)
Cassandra Freeman (Inside Man, Single Ladies), Tracie Thoms (Cold Case, Rent), Pauletta Washington (Wilma), Daniel Bellomy, Nic Few (Major Crimes, The Exes), and Demarius Mack (Real Husbands Of Hollywood) have been cast in Lifetime original movie with the working title of The Real MVP: The Wanda Pratt Story, based on the life of NBA star Kevin Durant’s mom. Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere’s Flavor Unit are executive producers. Production is currently underway in Vancouver on the film, which will bow on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 8, on Lifetime. A&E Studios is producing.
Nic Few 2Daniel Bellomy 2The film tells the true story of Pratt, a single mom who struggled and sacrificed to raise her two sons, Tony and Kevin. When he was named 2014’s NBA Most Valuable Player, Kevin Durant dedicated his speech to Wanda, naming her “the real MVP” for all of her sacrifices that allowed him to pursue his dreams. It was a moving moment (see it by clicking here).
Pratt and Shelby Stone (Bessie) also executive produce the movie, and Gina Ford and Brynee Baylor are co-executive producers.
Freeman stars as Wanda, Thoms as her best friend and confidante, and Washington will play her mother Barbara. The adult Kevin and Tony will be played by Bellomy and Few, respectively, and Mack plays young Tony. The film is directed by Nelson George (Life Support, A Ballerina’s Tale) and written by Yolonda Lawrence (Witches Of East End) and Ligiah Villalobos (Ed).
article by Denise Petski via deadline.com

LL Cool J Honored With Star On Hollywood’s Walk Of Fame

By goodblacknews on January 22, 2016

LL Cool J Honored With Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
LL Cool J Honored With Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame (Source: Albert L. Ortega / Getty)

LL Cool J received Hollywood’s biggest honor by snagging a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.  The rapper is being lauded for his career accolades, including being one of the first rappers to sell 10 consecutive platinum plus selling albums, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Queen Latifah and Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs were in attendance speaking during the ceremony about what the actor/rapper’s career has meant to the entertainment industry.
Other notable attendees included Mike Tyson, Russell Simmons and Magic Johnson.
Congratulations, LL!
Watch the moment below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4b7yQ9FOxo&w=560&h=315]
article by Keyaira Kelly via hellobeautiful.com

ART: Now You Can Take a Virtual Tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Nas & Rakim

ART: Now You Can Take a Virtual Tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Nas & Rakim

By goodblacknews on January 10, 2016

Nas and Rakim are part of the NY Met's Hip Hop Project (photo via ambrosiaforheads.com)
Nas and Rakim are part of the NY Met’s Hip Hop Project (photo via ambrosiaforheads.com)

Hip-Hop and art have once again merged in an exciting way, thanks to the inventive mind of a graduate student. Regina Flores Mir is the brains behind the Hip-Hop Project, a program being implemented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that allows visitors to navigate the various collections with guiding narration from MCs. Lyrics from songs by artist including Missy Elliott, Notorious B.I.G., Eric B. & Rakim, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Queen Latifah, and more are used as keywords and then cross-referenced with the Met’s massive archive of art, providing listeners with a Hip-Hop-centric blueprint by which to examine and understand the museum’s collections.
hip hop project
According to the Hip-Hop Project’s website, “although the rap lyric may not be directly correlated to the art work in meaning, it allows visitors to see work that they may not have otherwise known existed,” allowing for the kind of accidental discovery that could inspire Heads to establish bridges between music and art in uniquely individualized ways.
As Kari Paul wrote for Vice’s Motherboard channel, the relationship between the lyrics and pieces of art in question aren’t necessarily straightforward, but are nevertheless engaging. “For example, in ‘Juicy’ when the Notorious B.I.G. says ‘fuck all y’all hoes,’ the Hip-Hop Project pulls up an ancient hoe artifact. Users can click on it and explore this work and others,” she explains. The Hip-Hop Project’s site allows users to experience the museum tour without a trip to the Met, simply by picking a rapper and delving into the lyrical matches to items available for viewing. Heads will also appreciate the website’s domain (www.rappersdelight.nyc).
article by Bonita via ambrosiaforheads.com

Queen Latifah Lands Lead Role in Lee Daniels’ Fox Music Pilot

By goodblacknews on December 8, 2015
Queen Latifah Lee Daniels
Queen Latifah (ROBERT MAXWELL FOR VARIETY)

Queen Latifah has landed a lead role in Lee Daniels’ untitled music project at Fox, which was formerly titled “Star,” Variety has learned. Three more regulars — all relative newcomers — have also been cast.
The Untitled Lee Daniels Music Pilot goes into production this month in Atlanta, and while the potential series has only been ordered to pilot at this point, Queen Latifah’s star power, combined with Daniels’ “Empire” track record at Fox, makes the project a strong contender for the 2016-17 television season.
The pilot revolves around three young women, who form a girl group with hopes of making it big in the music industry. The project has been described in the vein of “Dreamgirls,” while incorporating the manufacturing of modern-day girl groups, showcasing the allure and heartache of the cut-throat music scene, and exploring cultural themes from a new perspective.
Queen Latifah will anchor the young cast, playing Carlotta, the owner of an Atlanta beauty salon who has an amazing voice and becomes a surrogate mother to the three girls in the group, even though she doesn’t approve of their musical dreams.
Following a nationwide casting call, actress and singers Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny and Brittany O’Grady have been cast as the leading girl group members.
Demorest (“Dallas,” “The Middle”), from Detroit, has landed the role of Star, the tough 18-year-old who spent her childhood in and out of foster homes after the death of her mother, and who will do anything to become the star she was named to be; Destiny (“Low Winter Sun”), also from Detroit, has been cast as Alexandra, the wealthy 20-year-old who grew up on New York’s Upper East Side, but who, for years, has tried to put her privileged world behind her, so she can make real, authentic music; and O’Grady (“The Messengers”), from Washington, DC, will play Simone, Star’s younger sister who dreams of the day Star will return to rescue her from the abusive foster home in which she was placed five years before.