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“We got to thank the DMV for getting us this far! Without your love and support, we couldn’t have made it to 4 weeks on MTV. We are proud that we repped the city to the fullest and we left it all on the floor! This is just the beginning so don…’t go no where…we need you to stay with us. ABDC was the first step! We love you DMV and we gonna continue to hold you down! Stay close, we need your continued support!”

The quote above comes from message for the Beat Ya Feet Kings Facebook page.

Although it was awesome to see the crew do their thing in front of a national audience, and they did rep their city, I would have to disagree with the “to the fullest” part.

From the moment that they appeared in MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, the Beat Ya Feet Kings no doubt were forced to come to the realization that this was a competition not to be taken lightly.  Each week accosted them with warnings from the judges about playing it safe and bringing the type of A-game and excitement that the DC Go-Go culture is known to bring.

The dazzle they brought with them just wasn’t enough to also cover the tightness, precision and diversity needed to keep it going.  The first show ended with them having had to participate in a dance-off to save them from elimination. The following two kept them at least safe enough to get the votes from fans, allowing the avoidance of being the bottom two.  And by their last performance, chance had run out.

I can honestly say that each week that I watched the performance, I almost always felt myself agreeing with some of the judges comments.  For example, when Lil Mama and Shane both made the comments of how they have been inside of the DC Go-Go’s and knows they type of energy and excitement comes from the shows, they were calling for the dance crew to bring that same energy and excitement.  Especially when performing to a Backyard tune.

Another thing I would have to say that I was a bit disappointed in was their lack of knowledge of the culture they were representing.  For example, the week they performed the Beyonce’s song “Crazy In Love,” they did not even know that it was a Go-Go song produced by a Go-Go producer, Rich Harrison.  This was again followed by the judges cry for their need to represent DC and Go-Go.  And the “sloppy” comments kept coming.

It’s understandable that they were nervous.  It’s a big stage, lights, camera… action.  And by no means am I knocking them, because in spite of all that, I am still proud of them.  Their professionalism.  Their energy.  Their never giving up.  And their love for the DMV.  It may have been tough to execute the diverse styles that challenged them each week, but they tried, and the judges noticed.

The biggest thing of all is that in spite of the obstacles they faced throughout their time there, what they did succeed in was taking a street form of dance from DC to LA, and generating national attention for it.  CONGRATULATIONS!

Looking forward to seeing more you!

EZ Street chats it up with Method Man & Redman on the subjects of today’s state of hip-hop, to include Drake, Nas, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Birdman… as well as how printed media can actually sometimes stick a toe-jam into the progress.

This commercial is for the RAW IMAGE fans.

The RAW IMAGE BAND is BACK and they are not playing around!! So check out the reunion video and please feel free to comment!!!!

Thousands of Michael Jackson fans danced the rain away in a Brooklyn park on Saturday at a party hosted by filmmaker Spike Lee, marking what would have been the 51st birthday of the late pop star.

Crowds of partygoers streamed into Prospect Park late Saturday afternoon, many wearing fedoras, sporting white gloves and showing off other Jackson-esque outfits. DJs spun Jackson’s hits one after the other as people danced and sang along. Dozens of hawkers wandered through the crowd with T-shirts, buttons, posters and homemade memorabilia.

DJ Spinna played a roughly five-hour set, with Lee and other famous Brooklynites and Jackson fans cutting in — including Ed Lover (of 105.1FM, “Yo! MTV Raps” and — everyone’s favorite — the “Ed Lover Dance” fame) and Tracy Morgan introducing crowd karaoke to “Black or White,” “The Way You Make You Feel,” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin.”

Rev. Al Sharpton gave a blessing that somehow included a nod to Ted Kennedy and the fourth anniversary of Katrina. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz popped in to proclaim the occasion “Michael Jackson Memorial Day.

It is a Spike Lee joint!

Rev. Al Sharpton - Rock with You

The Way You Make Me Feel

(AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

PBS’s “Reading Rainbow” will end its 26-year run on Friday, due to lack of funds.

In its storied time on air the show won more than two dozen Emmys. It’s the third longest-running children’s program in Public Television history, right after “Sesame Street” and “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

The show began in 1983, hosted by actor LeVar Burton, best known for his role as Kunta Kinte in “Roots.”

Every episode of “Reading Rainbow” featured a children’s book Burton would expand into an adventure. The episodes also featured kids’ own reviews of books, which Burton set up with the trademark line “but you don’t have to take my word for it.”

John Grant, head of content at the “Rainbow”’s home TV station told NPR, “The series resonates with so many people.”

The show is being cancelled, he says, because no one will put up the several hundred thousand dollars needed to renew the show’s broadcast rights. He blames the recession’s effect on funding.

Grant emphasized to NPR, that “Reading Rainbow” wasn’t about teaching kids how to read but “why to read.”

[ source ]

For all the comments that I see, mainly on social websites, regarding people’s disappointments and disagreements with BET and its currently line up of show, apparently there must be some undercover closet views in our mist.

“On Tuesday, August 25, BET enjoyed a huge night in the ratings as the season finale of TINY & TOYA, it attracted more than 1.9 million total viewers. TINY & TOYA finished the season with an average of 1.8 MM viewers, making it the #1 original series in BET history, according to Nielsen Media Research.”

“The blockbuster night was capped off by the season premiere of the spin-off series, FRANKIE & NEFFE, which garnered 1.9 million total viewers. The premiere of FRANKIE & NEFFE stands as the #2 series debut in BET history.”

[ source ]

Chris Brown’s mother, Joyce Hawkins, has for the first time broken her silence and issued a statement about her son’s case regarding the assault that left Rihanna battered and bruised:

“I just want to say from the bottom of my heart thank you for your continued support. I’m sorry I wasn’t allowed to speak to anyone as this case was on going. I can now say this has been the most painful moment in my entire life, but knowing that you were still standing by Chris side in his time of need made this a little easier for us. Because of all your prayers God brought him through. I just want to say God has never failed me and never will. All moms and dads please stand by your children and pray for their goodness each and everyday. Chris and I love you so much, as the tears fall from my eyes and the pain lingers in my heart I still say thank you God, thank you thank you almighty God. If any of you wonder why I continue to speak of God it’s because I know no other way. I made a promise to him I would never be ashamed of him no matter where I am or who I talk to. You see this whole thing isn’t about Chris.  It’s about God. He wants to show all of you the goodness of him through Chris. Chris will be addressing all of his fans very soon. We love you so much and so does God.”

Brown was sentenced earlier this week and given community labor. He must also attend a violence counseling program.

DC will definitely be well represented at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.  It has been confirmed that performer Wale and and the legendary Washington, D.C., Go-Go band UCB (Uncalled 4 Band) will serve as the official house band for the night. As his work with Lady Gaga on the song “Chillin’ ” proves, Wale is no stranger to collaborations, so he should feel right at home when he joins forces with the All-American Rejects, Pitbull and 3OH!3 to perform versions of the year’s biggest hits.

Michael Jordan briefly explains how it could have been Adidas, and not Nike.

Shorty Corleone presents: DMV stand up!!! Here is the first video from the Go-Go/ Do or Die soundtrack.
“The Bar” - Performed by Epitome Band

By Thomas Sayers Ellis

I grew up on 7th and O Streets, NW
so the sight of people dancing in the rain, on 7th and T Streets, NW,
while Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go,
was having a part of a street named
after him was amazing.
A part of a street is a Way,
a way in, a way out, opportunity.
The man who made a way now has a Way,
Chuck Brown Way,
a green sign, with his name on it,
in one of our city’s most historic districts.
This is Go-Go’s city. We go on, don’t sleep on us, roll with it.
Our referencing and our children are percussive,
bouncing like the rototoms they have redefined
and we no longer understand.
And even when we move to save them by moving to the suburbs the bridges we once took it continue to reach us.
The scene, Saturday, on 7th and T, was like something out
of the film “When We Were Kings,” like the day
after Ali beat Foreman and the monsoon came
and all of Zaire danced in the streets
and everyone was equal: beggar, politician, thief, sellout, junkie,
journalist, groupie, photographer, Marion-former mayor-still-mayor-to-some-Barry, pastor, hustler, etc.
On Saturday da real folks put aside their masks
and paid honor, real honor and love,
to a complex, romantic, tough, generous
ex-con, ex-boxer, ex-hobo and family man.
The Godfather is a shrewd Business man too.
Go-Go is the most complex-simple thing in the world; it’s worse than old love, triflin’ and terrific.
Everyone from DC contains a piece of Go-Go, whether they want to or not,
and everyone from DC can relate to Chuck, want to or not.
It’s not as difficult as explaining to people why we re-elected Marion Barry but it’s damn close.
It’s a Dee Cee thang; f u c k Washington; it’s rules.
That’s how memory works: Chuck went national and DC punished him, punished him,
(us youngins) with Rare Essence, that’s how it works.
Go national and see what happens. We won’t let you go and we won’t let you come back, even if you beg, not fully.
We did the same thing to Trouble Funk and to EU
and maybe they deserved it. Drop the Bomb or Da Butt, you decide.
Give me “Go-Go Swing” any day, G.
but that’s want youngins do. We break up and we move on
then we turn 30 and we look back and be like D A M N.
I want you back.
There is a part of Dee Cee that has always wanted the Soul Searchers back
and that Dee Cee came out to watch Chuck dance, band-less, to the sound of his music and our memories,
to hear the stories he likes to tell (shining shoes, sneaking in the back doors of clubs), his rhymes about his age.
That Dee Cee did not come out to hear the local politicians
or the Dee Jay from NYC who hosted the event and that Dee Cee let
him and them know, and that Dee Cee was hauled off by the cops
slipping in the ran.
Wise of Fenty not to be there. There are many Dee Cees and this one ain’t his.
I don’t know where the other Dee Cee was, the Go-Go Community, probably on facebook, probably making that good summer Go-Go money that Chuck helped to set up years ago, probably just forgot.
This is how memory works (we forget)
and this is what i am hoping that Chuck will not remember.
Understand that Chuck has been recast, in recent years, as a Go-Go Mafioso
always in Love and always at War.
Don’t cross him.
His “Love theme from The Godfather” more than proves that.
We love Chuck but there are parts of Go-Go secretly at war with him, with his style; it happens. It’s healthy.

But there was barely a member from the active Go-Go Community on the stage
or on the street for this once in a lifetime event.
Barely a one, to my eyes, and I was wearing new glasses so i might have missed the stars,
the so-called pioneers,
promoters, club owners, bootleggers, babies made to “Bustin’ Loose,” writers, etc.
I was carrying cameras so I might have missed us but if I did,
i surely felt the lack of us. If I were really bold, I bust a Roll Call right here of the folks I did not see.
Where was we?
I think I saw, in the crowd, a Peaceoholic
and i know I saw E of OP tribe
(because he asked me to make sure I got a photo of him and Chuck).
That cat Teago was on the scene. Vincent Swan and the sound Crew
And John who manages Bela Dona but that was it.
What up y’all, a little rain got in the way of respect or do we got a problem with the Good Godfather
or is our problem with Home, Dee Cee
or are we lazy again. i know: no one’s listening.
“Something ain’t right,
stinks like dynamite,
gonna blow you up and it just might.”
(Chuck D)
If Go-Go is our home, on Saturday we f u c k e d up the crib, Son.
Chuck made us. We didn’t make him. We owe,
want to or not.
How many n i g g a s you know get their own Way while they are still alive.
Our way, i know, is not ONE even though WE ARE ONE, I know.
Gotta pay some people to show up.
I know.

The weight of this day, his day, did not go unnoticed by him
because as it rained, he cried
in front of everyone, onstage, and I could barely take the picture
but I did.
Through his tears
those who were there
and those who were not.
He could feel it, the balance. Chuck sensitive, genuine, quick.
Chuck will love you in a minute and fire you in a second.

Make bridges, take it to the bridge, let’s never burn the bridges he worked so hard to build.
I didn’t see any former Soul Searchers
there either.
Time for a reunion.

Hopefully new glasses will mean better pictures.
Memory is farsighted.

TSE
Sayers

Photo by TSE, 2007

Da “Rock and Roll” of Go-Go, Sadrea 2009

Nickelodeon has unveiled a fashion line inspired by Keke Palmer’s hit show, “True Jackson VP.”

Drawing inspiration from the series, the “Mad Style by True Jackson” apparel line incorporates elements that make each piece unique and customizable at everyday low prices. The line features: long sleeved henley t-shirts; layerable knit tees featuring graphics with positive messages like ‘be true to you’; fashion leggings with novelty buttons; jumper dresses with removable straps; tunic dresses with pre-scrunched sleeves; Mary Jane shoes; ballet flats; and sneakers.

Mad Style by True Jackson will exclusively be sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide, and the collection features everything from shimmery leggings to belted dresses and buttoned tunics. Or, if you want your daughter to look a little more chic, there are jackets and dresses that update the classic Chanel design.

The 15-year-old, who celebrates her sweet 16 on August 26, dished about her favorite piece from the line. Keke shared, “My favorite shirts from Mad Style would have to be the ones that say ‘Be True to You’ and ‘Stay True to Who you are’ because they’re just cool sayings with the name True Jackson.”

Rapper/Hip-Hop Artist Snoop Dogg on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire playing for $50,000 for his charity.

Uh oh, some couples are taking this Facebook thing a little too far.  Find out what happens when FB comes between you & your lover.

IN THEATERS OCTOBER 9th!

An exposé of comic proportions that only Chris Rock could pull off, GOOD HAIR visits beauty salons and hairstyling battles, scientific laboratories and Indian temples to explore how hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks and self-esteem of the black community.

EURWeb

Here in the States, television fans know actor Joseph Marcell as the witty, sharp-tongued butler of the popular 90’s television series “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” with Will Smith. But there’s much more to the small screen star. First off, the accent is real.

The Londoner is a household name on Britain’s stage and the UK small screen. Secondly, he’s not just a funny side man, particularly in his new film “Fever.”

“Fever” is about an English cop on the run in Los Angeles who must find his estranged ex-wife and daughter before a terrorist group releases a deadly virus. With the film currently in production, Marcell took a moment to talk with EUR’s Lee Bailey about the new role and the one that made him famous in the US.

Marcell said that he was recruited for the role of Geoffrey the butler while on the stage in London.

However, even with such a memorable role and a place in pop culture, Marcell reminded that his role on the show was hardly his entre into acting. He signed on for “Fresh Prince” at age 40, but he’d been making a living as an actor since he was 22 years old.

With the new project, Marcell is staying busy. He said that he enjoyed the process of working with newcomer writer/director/actor Q.

Of his “Fever” character, Marcell described it as “completely left field from how the world sees me.” The character in “Fresh Prince” is a cultured Man-Friday, while “Fever” unleashes an innocent, kindly old man who turns out to be the “villain to end all villains.”

And of being offered and taking on the polar opposite of the American favorite Geoffrey, Marcell said he was flattered.

“I am not tall, dark, and handsome. My kudos comes from the fact that I am very good at what I do. So what I try to do is do as many different things as I can to show how versatile I am. And thanks to the Lord above, people give me the opportunity,” he said.

View Trailer:  http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi3391488537/

[ Read the entire article HERE ]

Announcement from ABC News has reported that Steve Harvey will join ABC’s “Good Morning America,” where he will deliver “a series of reports on topics ranging from relationships to parenting over the next few months,” according to a network press release.

Harvey, who currently runs the 60 markets nationwide “The Steve Harvey Morning Show,” radio program, is scheduled to air his first report this Wednesday, August 19.

“He will bring his own unique perspective, style and humor to morning television while interacting with viewers around the country via ABCNEWS.com, Skype and live guests in-studio,” ABC said.

[ Source ]

Michael Vick sits down with NFL analyst, James Brown, for his first tell-all interview since being released from federal custody.

The Whole Block Be Hot for Béla Dona, TSE 2009

Host Tahira Chloe Mahdi visits game day in Baltimore, Maryland, and spends some active fun with the Northwood Baseball League.

WHUR interviews local jazz artist Harold Little and introduces his recording of Blue Bossa to the Washington DC Metropolitan airways.

Video produced by Kato Hammond.

Visit: http://www.haroldlittle.com