New York, NEWS VIEWS

Stan Evan Smith

Events, People, Places & Faces

I stand corrected. The reggae "messenger" Luciano, is firmly ensconced in Jamaica and will not be relocating to Miami, or Florida. His representative called to say the rumour floating about him leaving Jamaica is not true. His energies are now concentrated on his big show and the schools in his community he plans to assist with the proceeds. I just received a brand new 14 track Danny Ray produced CD by Luciano "Great Controversy" on Jet Star Records. If there was ever any doubt that this man is on a spiritually uplifting mission this CD clears any doubt. Great music.

Marley mania over shadowed odds on favorite Beenie Man Grammy win, but for NY reggae massive who braved the frigid cold, son Kymani delivered a stirring performance at Manhattan’s Sob’s. Before a packed house and a live telecast of the Grammys Kymani demonstrated why he is the heir to the throne, which one you ask? Guess. The 25-year-old has joined the select group of reggae artist who have successfully moved from recording artist to performing artist. As Bob received the Lifetime Achievement Award from NARAS, Kymani reminded us, in flesh, why the name Marley can not be forgotten. Kymani is set to star in two movies. The urban drama (sex, drugs, music) "Shotta" which begin shooting next month, and "One Love"(religion, love & music) in the latter he plays a Rasta musician who falls for a catholic girl. The house was peopled by celebs, actor Leon, Rockers TV’s Earl Chin, Sirius Radio Program Director Pat Mckay, Shinehead, Paul Campbell, Kingston studio owner Courtney Panton, WRTN 93.5 FM IRIE JAM CEO Bobby Clarke & Billboards Elena Eumano.

As sincerely innocent and funny as John Stewart was as Grammy host I missed Whoopie Goldberg, who is recovering from a heart scare and angiogram. Her doctor told her to cut back on her workload.

Link Up Radio hosted a meet the community with Grace Kennedy & Western Union at Talk Show communications Studio in Brooklyn. Jamaican Counsel General Dr. Basil Bryan who predicted that Jamaica will beat Trinidad in their World Cup encounter, feels the ban on Onandi Lowe will force others to step up big time. Other invited guest include Flayva mag, Portia Cowan, Carib Waves, Link Up’s Dave Rodney, (who hinted at major things in the offing at Link Up commuincations) QCTV host Mona Lee & Squeeze, and Carl B. Moxie. The sumptuous food was courtesy of Grace Kennedy. The event was broadcast live on WRTN radio.

Destinys Child three members are set to release solo projects. Kelly Rowland’s single "Angel" is feature on Chris Rock’s new flick soundtrack "Down to Earth." The group’s new CD drops next month.

Jennifer Lopez, who is Japan promoting her new CD "J Lo" is denying a report that she insured her body for $1B. However, she may be singing about her love doesn’t cost a thing and how she doesn’t want to spend her man’s cash but her managing talent agency, United Talent Agency, is charging $750,000 a hour for her personal appearance. The fee does not include the diva perks she requires. Lopez made it known, according to published reports that she wants Aussie lady killer Russell Crowe (who dumped Meg Ryan before Randy Quiad knew she dumped him) to star in her next movie. Crow lady list includes Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, and Courtney Love. *NSYNC & Bacckstreet Boys charge $1m for party appearance. Canadian Mounties detained Lopez after one her bodyguard was discovered w/pot and hashish in his sock, by customs. All were released. The guard was reportedly fired.

New wave icon Boy George has not had a hit tune since 1992 w/ "Crying Game". He is intent on remaking himself. He will be touring the US as an underground club DJ. He just release his first DJ mix album "Essential Mix." He will be playing NY’s "Twilo" on Feb 28.

Puff Daddy was attacked by animal rights activist at his recent fashion show in NY. According to the activists, he promised not to use furs in his show. They also claim he lied. As if his trial is not causing enough headaches he is now suing Mikal Gilmore who was hired to ghost write his autobiography. Gilmore was given $325,000 advance to write the book Combs wants the deposit back sine Gilmore did not write the book. The eyewitness who is key to the prosecution shooting case against puffy, was caught and will testify that the rapper had a gun and he fired it. His supporter is diverse, Harvard University intellectual Cornel West showed up outside the court to show his support and Publicist Teri Williams sent mailing to galvanize support.

Singer James Taylor wed Carton Smedvig, an ex conductor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. This is James’s third wife. Drew Barrymore & boy friend Tom Green are set to wed at the end of Feb. However, plans may have to be scaled back due to a fire that destroyed the couple’s home recently.

Al Sharpton may want to have a hip-hop concert in Havana but Rock group Manic Street Peaches became the second rock act to play Karl Marx stadium in Cuba. Castro who was onstage when the group played "Baby Elian"

Def Jam’s Russell Simmonds gave his wife Kimora Lee a $250,000 Bentley for Valentines Day. He also criticizes Rev. Al Sharpton for his support of Carl McCall who is running for governor.

Pfunk master George Clinton lost his claim that to $100m in music rights for songs he wrote. Clinton signed away his rights in a 1983 contract. The judge also ruled that he could not profit from the songs because he did not submit the songs on his 1983 tax returns as future earnings.

Girl group, TLC is getting ready to drop their "greatest hits" CD. All three members also have solo projects. O, Oprah Winfrey’s magazine due its successful debut with 2.5million readers is considered one of the most successful launches in magazine history.

Free music web site Napster offered Record labels $1B to settle their copyright infringement suit. They have refused. Napster is now dead.

Michael Jackson new CD is causing a stir. The already late CD was due out in March, now it may be June or later according to MJ spokesman.

Carlos Santana & Mary J Blige was honored by MTV’s Rock the Vote, for their service and community activism. The two received the Patrick Lippert Award. Mary J for her works with Partnership for a Drug Free America, The Million Family March & Special Olympics. Santana in his fights for indigenous peoples rights.

Lauryn hill has settled a lawsuit with Vada Nobles, Rasheem Pugh, Tejumold & Johori Newton over production credits on her "Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" CD.

New Record Label VP Records now have decided to use the subways to as a billboard for their label products. The MTA have eight millions of riders daily.

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Former Las Vegas Sun investigative reporter now, author Cathy Scot’s book "The Killing of Tupac Shakur & the Murder of Biggie Small" is optioned for a TV movie by producers John Sheinburg and Beax Carson. The working title of the movie is "Record Wars."

The Hollywood Reporter reported that MTV’s Bill Bellamy is working with writers Rob Long & Dan Stanley of "Cheers" on a WB pilot "Men, Women, & Dogs" a sitcom about four guys who hang out in a dog park.

The lady who put sex, beauty & brains into acting Angela Bassett is signed to play the lead role in the "Rosa Parks Story" The civil rights pioneer Parks is involved in the project.

Malcolm Lee will direct Eddie Griffin in John Ridley’s "Urban Entertainment" a online series about a black man working in a secret brother hood trying to overthrow the oppressive establishment.

Singer Aaliyah is signed to the cast of "Matrix 2" the sequel. Production begins March in Australia. Singer Brandy will be joined by Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, Little Richard, Genuwine & IMX as she plays the role of Dorothy in the Fox TV movie hip hop version of "The Wizard of Oz."

UPN has ordered a pilot for a sitcom starring Omar Epps. He joins Ice Cube on soon to be released "All About the Benjamins."

Sigourney Weaver, the tall alien killer has signed a $22M contract to star in "Alien 5." This makes her the highest paid female actress, also one of the top ten salary earner in Hollywood.

After watching actor Don Cheadle in his latest flick "Traffic" w/ Michael Douglas & wife Catherine Zeta Jones I remembered how talented an actor he actually is. As Denzil Washington’s sidekick in "Devil in Blue Dress" he was brilliant and should have won an Oscar. He is one of the finest and most talented actors in Hollywood.

Comedian Aisha Tyler will host E TV’s "Talk Soup" the show "Fifth Wheel" debuts fall 2001. MTV is doing a remake of Dorothy Dandridge’s famous movie "Carmen" retitled "Hip Hopera" The flick to be directed by Robert Townsend will star Destinys Child Beyonce Knowles, Mekhi Phifer & Da Brat.

"Jurassic Park" creator signed $40M two book deal w/Harper publishing. No doubt w/ an eye on movies.

Sir Anthony Hopkins having brilliantly played the role of "Hannibal Lecter" which won him an academy award in "Silence of the Lamb" reprised it in "Hannibal." His close friend and associates worry he has taken on the characteristic of the part in real life, however Hannibal made $58M after one week in the theaters. Making it the third highest debuting grossing movie in history. The second week sees it grossing $103m. Psycho novelist Stephen King has a mother and crying baby thrown out of a theater while watching the movie.

My old client Paul Campbell has broken his long-standing policy on not doing local plays anymore. He set to star in Stafford Ashanti’s adult cantankerous comedy "Foreign Mind" The play opens March 3^rd at Springfield High School in Queens, March 4 at New Rochelle’s Carib NY, March 10 Canarsie High school in Brooklyn and PS 111 in the Bronx on March11. Sir Paul Mc Carthey has completed a two-hour made for TV tell-all special "Wingspan" about his band, wings. He talks about his time in jail in Japan for Ganja.

LL Cool J will be in "Kingdom Come" w/ Whoopi Goldberg, Vivica Fox, & Jada Pinket-Smith. Also, catch him in Rollerball in May.

Sidney Poiter was honored by the Director’s Guild of America for directorial achievements. Ricky Martin is getting ready for the big screen. He will star in the "assassination" about the assassination of Dominican strongman Rafael Trujillo. Ed Harris, James Coburn and Anthony Quinn will also in the flick.

Stan Evan Smith is the Entertainment Reporter

For WNYU 89.1 FM "Get Smart Show" in New York/NY Ent. Rep. Jamaica/Observer/Excess