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Janet Jackson - Discipline Album Review

Like many of Janet Jackson's fans, I was very skeptical about another Janet album in which producers/songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were not involved. I didn't know what to expect from her latest CD, Discipline, and I was even more leery of her move to Island Def Jam, home of Mariah Carey. Considering that her last two outings (2004's Damita Jo and 2006's 20 Y.O.) were critical and commercial disappointments, I was hoping that Janet would release an album that would remind us that, at one point in time, she was an innovative artist who influenced everyone from Beyonce to Rihanna. I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to say that Janet Jackson is back! Although it's not Control or The Velvet Rope, Discipline is the album that returns Janet Jackson to greatness. With Jam and Lewis no longer behind the boards, a production team consisting of Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Johnta Austin, Rodney Jerkins, D'Mile, Maddscientist, Stargate, Shea Taylor, Tricky Stewart, and The Dream provide Janet with a fresh and invigorating sound. "Feedback," with its sing-along hook and distinctive melody, gets this disc jumping courtesy of Jerkins, and Jackson backdoors that with the ever-bangin' "LUV," which is classic Janet. However, the track that places Janet in another league is the Ne-Yo helmed "Rock With U."  The futuristic sound of this soon-to-be hit single works beautifully. Ne-Yo is becoming a very sought-after producer/songwriter in his own right and listening to this makes you wonder what kind of magic would be created if he wrote an entire album for Janet. On "Can't B Good," Janet takes a page from brother Michael by creating her own version of "Human Nature" and the result is marvelous. Dupri and Austin drop a gem on the piano-laden "Never Letchu Go," bringing her voice front and center, and "Greatest X" speaks of love lost in typical Janet "Come Back to Me" fashion. Missy Elliot drops in on "The 1" as the two divas engage in some frank conversation. The title track, at the tail end of the CD, is destined to go down as a classic Janet Jackson slow-jam with it's breathy vocals and risque lyrics not fit for this review. With the exception of the overdone interludes that have become the staple of Janet's albums, Discipline is a great project. This is the Janet Jackson that many fans have been waiting on perhaps since 2001's All For You, and this new album should return her back to the charts as well as the dance floor. Listening to this CD gives you the sense that she enjoyed making the album and after all she has been through the past several years, she is refreshed and ready to have some fun. Highly, highly recommended. SOURCE OF THIS STORY   

Says 'equality is a moral imperative'

Sen. Obama releases statement to the gay community Says 'equality is a moral imperative' From staff reports | Feb. 28 at 10:30 AM Feb. 28 at 10:30 AM Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama released a statement today titled, "Open Letter from Barack Obama to the LGBT community." The full text follows: "I’m running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all – a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It’s wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans. Equality is a moral imperative. That’s why throughout my career, I have fought to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans. In Illinois, I co-sponsored a fully inclusive bill that prohibited discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, extending protection to the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation. In the U.S. Senate, I have co-sponsored bills that would equalize tax treatment for same-sex couples and provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. And as president, I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SOURCE OF THIS STORY

 

Lakers slam Heat, run win streak to 10 games

The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat both traded Shaquille O'Neal after winning NBA titles with the "Big Aristotle." The Lakers have rebuilt themselves into a championship-caliber team, while the Heat are faced with a long climb from the bottom of the standings. Jordan Farmar scored a career-high 24 points, Kobe Bryant added 21 and the Lakers extended their winning streak to a season-best 10 games Thursday night with a 106-88 victory over Miami.
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• Streaking Louisville overcomes Harangody's 40
• Badgers hold Spartans to 42, take Big Ten lead
• Love leads No. 4 Bruins to rout of Sun Devils
• Can't beat 'em: Knight joins media as analyst
• USC delivers blow to Arizona's NCAA chances
• Auburn's Barber won't play again this season
• No. 8 Stanford struggles but beats Washington
• Indiana ups security after Sampson resignation
• NCAA places Div II Lane College on probation
  Read more news >

 

 

The Trib Criticizes OPD for Bailey Investigation

The Oakland Tribune heaped criticism on the Oakland police today for its botched investigation into the murder of journalist Chauncey Bailey. The unsigned editorial was especially critical of OPD brass for allowing homicide Detective Derwin Longmire to lead the investigation even though he had a long relationship with Yusuf Bey IV, the CEO of Your Black Muslim Bakery. Alleged gunman Devaughndre Broussard claims that Bey IV coerced him into confessing to Bailey's murder after Longmire allowed the bakery leader to meet privately with Broussard at police headquarters. The editorial was unusual because the Trib rarely criticizes Oakland police. One gripe, though. The editorial stated that Sunday's 60 Minutes program on the murder investigation "didn't break any ground." That's untrue. In the program, Broussard made a startling new claim — that Longmire had urged him not to finger Bey IV in the murder case. — Robert Gammon

Rihanna Pops A Squat

Here is Rihanna performing in Dublin, Ireland (”The Sex Capital of the World” according to Rick Ross) last night looking real good.  Talent or no talent, this broad could get it all day long. Per your request: Click here to Rihanna’s rendition of Mariah Carey’s song “Hero” back in high school.

Malinda Williams Covers Upscale Magazine

Soul Food actress Malinda Williams is featured on the most recent cover of Upscale Magazine. In the mag Malinda once again speaks on her failed marriage to actor Mekhi Phifer- as well as finding love again with her new fiancé, 80’s rapper, Derrick “D-Nice” Jones. Malinda also drops a few facts about her upcoming wedding which is scheduled to take place this August in Atlanta, Georgia. Where did you get your gown?
“I got it actually from a retailer here in Los Angeles—I’m not sure if I want to say—it’s actually a Maggie Sottero dress. I knew the look [I wanted] because I’m very petite. And a lot of these wedding gowns are extremely heavy. And they are a lot of fabric. When I wear too much fabric it tends to over take me and I look like a girl popping out of a cake. So I kind of knew what type of look I could pull off, and I started on my journey. When I found it, it was actually by another designer. I took a picture of it to this boutique, and I asked the boutique owner if she could find me something similar; the bottom of the dress is what I was wanted but the top wasn’t quite what I wanted. She found a dress by Maggie Sottero, and it was almost exactly what I wanted. It was actually what I showed her except the top is want I wanted it to be.”Did you know that was the dress right away? “I definitely had to go through that process. They showed it to me, and I still had a little skeptical look, so I said let me see what it will look like on me. But I tried it on and then we proceeded accessorizing. And that was when I started to hear the bells, ‘Oh my God,I’m going to be a bride.’”SOURCE OF THIS STORY

Halle Berry To Launch New Scent...

Coty's latest celebrity manifesto: Give them Halle. The beauty giant has signed Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry to a scent development deal, which will involve the star developing a fragrance portfolio and appearing in its advertising."Halle is an iconic actress and symbolizes beauty to many generations," Steve Mormoris, senior vice president of global marketing at Coty Beauty US, told WWD. "She adds another dimension to the celebrity fragrance market. Halle has always been a little more mysterious, not quite as open with her personal life as some other stars. Her fragrances will allow her to present another facet of her personality to her fans."The first Berry fragrance products are expected to launch globally in spring 2009, Mormoris said. They will launch in "mid-tier" department stores, such as J.C. Penney, and then will move into the mass market. "We're committed to developing a project that will bring luxury to the mass market," said Mormoris. Generally, such celebrity deals include $3 million to $5 million up front, with a royalty of about 5 percent, according to industry sources. Mormoris declined to discuss the terms of Berry's deal. While star fragrance deals are not being announced at a pace like they were a few years ago, Mormoris emphasized that he does not see a slowdown in the celebrity beauty category. "It's clear to us that the celebrity segment is alive and well," he said. "It's constantly being reinvented and refreshed. These fragrances are entertainment, but in a different way."Coty's extensive celebrity portfolio also includes the scent brands of Jennifer Lopez, David and Victoria Beckham, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kimora Lee Simmons, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Kate Moss and Tim McGraw.

Petition Hopes To Dismantle Affirmative Action

OMAHA, Neb. -- A renewed debate over affirmative action is finding a new battleground in Nebraska. A petition is circulating that wants to change the state constitution's stance on discrimination and preferential treatment. Protesters said the language bans affirmative action.Under fire are seven words in the state constitution: "Discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to." Anti-affirmative action advocates are circulating a petition for a ballot initiative that adds these words: "The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment public education or public contracting."On Thursday, California businessman Ward Connerly, who is the man behind the proposal, will speak at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Dayton Headlee, the student leader who coordinated the event and chair of the Nebraska College Republicans, said the law allows other ways to help people who need it."It allows affirmative action, as it's titled to continue based on socioeconomic status and groups that have typically not been well represented," Headlee said. "Giving somebody a leg up always gives somebody else a leg down. (The proposal) removes discrimination by race or gender from the public sphere."Protestors argued that the amendment would spell doom for University of Nebraska outreach and athletic programs that help develop minority youth. The opposition brought its own big names, including former Health and Human Service Secretary Dr. Louis Sullivan."We need to do everything to see that all of our citizens have the opportunity to develop their talents fully," Sullivan said.Sullivan and his backers said affirmative action is not preferential treatment, but rather levels an unbalanced playing field."Affirmative action is necessary," said the American Association for Affirmative Action's Renee Dunman. "It prevents discrimination."The Connerly petition needs about 115,000 signatures to make it on the November ballot.Connerly is scheduled to speak at UNO's Milo Bail Center at 4 p.m. Thursday. Protesters said they will gather there an hour earlier. Discuss

 

Violence shutters another Oakland nightspot

OAKLAND — Zazoo's Restaurant in Jack London Square is the latest nightspot to voluntarily surrender its cabaret permit after three patrons were shot outside the club two weeks ago. The waterfront restaurant on the Embarcadero will remain open, but the owners will no longer host private parties or the popular Saturday night dance club that catered to a largely African-American clientele.The nightclub's closure follows the lead of other venues popular with black patrons. Last summer, @17th nightclub on 17th Street voluntarily closed after two men were shot and killed outside the club. Mingles on the Embarcadero closed in November 2006 after a pregnant woman was shot and killed outside after closing time. Sweet Jimmies, a longtime institution on San Pablo Avenue, also closed in 2006. Owner Jimmie Ward said he decided to close down and sell the place because multiple complaints by the city forced him to alter his musical format, and business dried up.Those clubs featured hip-hop or Top 40 hits some nights and drew young, African-American patrons from around the Bay Area. But it was typically the crowd scenes outside that caused the most complaints and problems for the owners, especially when Oakland police officers were called in to shut down sideshows and respond to stabbings and shootings. Zazoo's, for the most part, had been spared the kind of violence that occurred down the street at Mingles. Attorney George Holland said the venue attracted Neighbors in the adjacent Portobello condominiums complained about noise and litter from people leaving after closing time. Their concerns escalated after a shooting in the parking lot last year, and the city asked the owners to do a more thorough job policing the cars in the lot and the crowd, said Barbara Killey, Oakland's administrative hearing officer. Then, on Feb. 10, three people were shot as they left the nightclub about 1:30 a.m. The suspect was sitting in a car in the parking lot waiting for one of the victims, his target, to come out, and the other two victims were caught in the crossfire. All survived. A hearing scheduled last Friday to gather public testimony about the club was canceled after Zazoo's owner Zahra Homayun, perhaps fearing the worst, decided to relinquish her cabaret permit. "We can't condone that kind of situation anywhere, and in a residential setting if you can do something you really have to do it," Killey said. "I can give you a really long leash on littering, but we were just really lucky that nobody died." an older crowd, and the owners had really tried to control the atmosphere both inside and out. SOURCE OF THIS STORY

Choosing the right currency for your trip

CNN) -- Confused about whether you should book your hotel room with a credit or debit card? Or how much cash to exchange when you arrive overseas? While there are no steadfast rules about what types of currency to bring on your trip, travel and money experts do have recommendations on your best bets and what to avoid as you hit the road. Check out what experts have to say about the four commonly used forms of payment. CREDIT CARDS Pros  Security: Whether you lose your card or it gets stolen, your credit card company has your back, says Ben Woolsey, director of marketing and research at CreditCards.com. The company will ship a new card to you if it's lost or stolen, and they won't make you pay you for fraudulent charges, he explains. Wide acceptance: Cards have "almost universal acceptance across the globe" among restaurants, airlines, hotels and merchants, Woolsey says. They're also almost always required if you want to reserve a rental car or hotel room, Woolsey says, to cover things like incidentals or trashing the room or the car. Good exchange rates: Credit card companies have negotiating power with the banks in foreign countries to convert money at more favorable rates than an individual could, Woolsey says. Cons Foreign transaction fees: Most cards will carry fees up to 3 percent, Woolsey says. Some cards, including Capital One cards, don't charge these fees, but Woolsey warns that these cards tend to have lower credit lines. Limited use in less-traveled destinations: "If you're going to a Third World country, you most likely can't rely on credit cards and you shouldn't," Brice Gosnell, Lonely Planet's regional publisher for the Americas says. Case in point: on a recent monthlong trip to Ethiopia, Gosnell says he was restricted to using cash because "no one" uses credit cards. Before you go Find out where your card is accepted: Of the four major issuers, Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted cards worldwide, followed by American Express, then Discover, Woolsey says.Call your credit card companies: "It's always a good idea to take the five minutes to call your credit card company and say, 'FYI, I'm going to be out of the country for the next two weeks.' It's in their computer. That way they ... don't think your card is stolen." SOURCE OF THIS STORY

Whites tricked blacks into consuming urine, university says

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CNN) -- White students at a South African university tricked black residence hall workers into eating stew containing urine, prompting a march Wednesday in which five people were arrested, university officials said.The white students made a video of the incident, which they staged in reaction to the university's efforts to integrate its residences, according to a statement from the University of the Free State.The protesters on Wednesday included black and white students who later marched to the residence where the video was made and demanded that it be shut down, witnesses said.The video surfaced on Tuesday but was made in September, the university said.In the video, white male students at Reitz Residence are seen encouraging at least three black female housekeepers to participate in what the students call the "Reitz Fear Factor," an apparent reference to the television show in which contestants eat live worms or compete in other feats. Watch excerpts of video that sparked outrage » In one scene from the video, a student mixes what looks like a beef stew in a plastic bowl and adds garlic and other items. Then he tells the camera he will add the "special ingredient."The student then urinates into the mixture, which he later stirs up and puts in a microwave. Other students can be heard laughing on the tape. he next scene shows a different student urging at least three housekeepers to drink cups full of the stew, saying, "This is our dorm's 'Fear Factor.' We want to see who has the best 'Fear Factor.'"On the video, the student does not tell the women that there is urine in the mixture.The women, on their knees, spit the stew into buckets after tasting it. Some appeared to vomit, but the women also laughed during the incident as the student urged them on. SOURCE OF THIS STORY

Mos Def in Conversation with Anthony DeCurtis

Thursday, February 28 $26 > official website Regarded as one of hip-hop's most insightful artists, Mos Def has shaped a career that transcends genres. His groundbreaking collaboration with fellow rapper Talib Kweli in Black Star; his distinctive and daring solo work, and his acting, both in film and theater, have earned him Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe and NAACP Image Award nominations. Add to that his activism, most recently in the Jena six case, and you have a portrait of an artist fully engaged with the issues of his times. Mos Def discuss his music, his acting, his social and political perspective, and his vision of the role that artists must play in the public world. Anthony DeCurtis is a contributing editor for Rolling Stone and the author of In Other Words: Artists Talk About Life and Work. Dates:Thursday, February 28, 2008 @ 8:00 pm MORE ON THIS EVENT

THE ACTORS RAP SNEEK PEEK

PRESIDENTIAL OBAMA THE WINNER OF KEY DEBATE

February 27, 2008 -- DEVOID of any real fireworks, last night's debate was a victory for Barack Obama.With the momentum behind him from 11 straight primary and caucus victories, Obama was confident, gracious and even presidential.Perhaps more than in any of the other 19 Democratic primary debates that have come before, it was possible to imagine Obama sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office. He's starting to give off that White House vibe.When Hillary Rodham Clinton insinuated that he was soft on anti-Semitism by merely "denouncing" but not "rejecting" the unwanted endorsement of Louis Farrakhan, Obama did not quibble.He offered the smile of a winner and agreed to "reject and denounce" the endorsement.It was a petty point not worthy of debate, and he "happily" conceded it to her. The crowd cheered.Clearly peeved about the photo reportedly shopped around this week by the Clinton campaign showing him wearing a turban in Kenya, Obama chose the high road.When Clinton insisted she knew nothing of the pic, Obama said simply, "I take Senator Clinton at her word." And then he moved on. Classy.At times during the debate, Obama even seemed as if he were running in the general election and appealing to voters far beyond the borders of the Democratic Party.On campaign financing for the general election, he sidestepped questions about his previous commitment to limiting how much he would spend.Instead, he offered to sit down with John McCain and agree to a spending plan that is "fair to both sides."That's not exactly the red meat Democrats want to hear and certainly isn't something Clinton would agree to.But it's honest and makes sense.And on foreign policy, he strayed from the dovish dogma that dominates the Democratic Party these days by reminding voters of his vow to launch strikes to wipe out Islamic terrorists. SOURCE OF THIS STORY

JANET COVERS EBONY MAGAZINE

Janet Jackson is set to appear on the April cover issue of "Ebony" magazine with the headline, "Does Janet Still Have It: Music Icon Feels She Has Nothing to Prove" Click here to see Janet perform "Feedback" before a hype-TRL crowd.Inside Edition recently interviewed Janet who discussed her work ethic, her sweet tooth, and whether she has plans to start a family with Jermaine Dupri. Visit Brown Sista for the inside hoopla on Janet's "Ebony" magazine spread! SOURCE OF THIS STORY

Long momentum toward No. 1 pick grows

INDIANAPOLIS — General managers, coaches and scouts buzzed about coveting high-revving motors in the April 26-27 NFL draft as if they were working along pit row at the Indianapolis 500 rather than evaluating 333 prospects at the five-day scouting combine. No motor appears more admired among this draft class than Chris Long's. With uncertainty swirling over whether the Miami Dolphins will use the top pick on Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, as well as concerns about defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey's 2006 stress fracture, the University of Virginia defensive end and son of Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long is casting a long shadow over this draft. COMBINE NOTES: McFadden rising up buzz charts PHOTOS: NFL combine The buzz at the combine is that Long may be the safest pick. From a defensive standpoint, he would seem an ideal fit for the new Dolphins front office team of executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells, general manager Jeff Ireland, coach Tony Sparano and the 3-4 defense they will employ. Long's coach at Virginia, Al Groh, is a Parcells protégé who served as one of his key assistant coaches for years.FIND MORE STORIES IN: Indianapolis | Hall of Fame | Miami Dolphins | Boston College | Bill Parcells | University of Virginia | Floyd Reese | Al Groh | Matt Ryan | Glenn Dorsey | Tony Sparano | Howie Long | Mike Mayock | Chris Long | Jeff Ireland  SOURCE OF THIS STORY

 

Michael Jackson Owes $24 Mil, In Danger Of Losing Neverland Ranch

Financial troubles have once again come up for Michael Jackson, as the legendary singer is facing foreclosure on his famed Neverland Ranch. According to TMZ, the king of pop recently received notice from Financial Title Company of the impending foreclosure of the multi-million dollar mega mansion. The singer reportedly owes $24,525,906.61 on the property and is requesting that Jackson pay the amount in full by the March 19 deadline. If he refuses or cannot come up with the money, the property will be auctioned off at an unknown date at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. In addition to the house and land, the singer also stands to lose any and all of his possessions that are still on the property, including any and all furniture, appliances, artwork and outside fixtures like the entertainer's merry-go-round. Though the pop icon may seemingly be in a financial rut, he is still proving that after decades in the game he can still sell records. The crooner's extremely popular Thriller album was recently re-released with six new songs, selling 166,000 copies in its first week on shelves. Despite the record's impressive showing, which would have placed it at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, it still did not chart due to its classification as a catalogue release. SOURCE OF THIS STORY

Cover Story: Jack Johnson - The Dude Abides

With a Number One record and millions of fans, Jack Johnson is one of rock's biggest stars. So how can he be so mellow?"I get completely haunted," he says. In his most vivid dream, Johnson is standing on the beach with a guitar, gazing into the shore break. "Our stage crew was there, the band were all set up, it was a normal show, but the ocean was where the crowd should be," Johnson recalls. "I was thinking, 'What's going on here?' " Johnson and his band played on as the tide crept up. "We were knee-deep, then waist-deep, and still playing. I had a feeling like, 'When do we stop?' "You've got to listen to your dreams," says Johnson, sitting at a picnic table in the quiet, grassy back yard of his home in Santa Barbara, California. He's wearing his usual outfit — board shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops — and talking in a relaxed surfer's lilt. "That's when I know I've got to take a break, kick back and get out of the public eye." In the past, when anxiety dreams have set in, Johnson has pissed off promoters by canceling gigs to return home early; these days, he insists on traveling for no more than a month at a time, and never during the winter, when the waves pick up on the North Shore of Hawaii, where Johnson grew up and still lives most of the year. (He went to college in Santa Barbara, ninety minutes north of Los Angeles, and keeps a house there.) "If I could go canoe-paddling or sailing every day while I was on tour, I wouldn't be itching to get home so bad," he says. "Just get me out in the ocean, really. Growing up, I would try to surf for three, four hours a day. I've become dependent on it. It's hard when you start an addiction at age five." SOURCE OF THIS STORY

Help hard to get for troubled home owners

DETROIT (Reuters) - As the housing crisis deepens, major lenders say they will help borrowers avoid foreclosure, but nonprofit groups and others say their actions are not living up to their promises."Some lenders are willing and able to work out loan modifications," said Juanita Bryant, a loss mitigation officer at Michigan Neighborhood Partnership, which covers one of the worst-hit states in the country. "Those lenders are in the minority."Among the people Bryant's group is trying to help is Will Clark, 53, who bought his home in Detroit in 1996. After being diagnosed with diabetes in 2006, and with his savings wiped out by medical bills, he contacted his lender."I wanted to work something out because I couldn't afford the house anymore," Clark said. His lender, JPMorgan Chase & Co unit Chase Home Lending, told him he could try a short sale -- sell the house for less than the outstanding debt and the bank would forgive the rest. Or he could hand over his property to the bank in a process known as deed in lieu of foreclosure. Both would harm his credit rating, but not as badly as foreclosure. Clark found a buyer who offered him $70,000 for his house. But, according to both Clark and MNP, Chase ignored the offer until after the home went into foreclosure. Michigan allows borrowers up to six months to try to regain a foreclosed property, and Chase then said it would accept $80,000. Clark's buyer agreed, but wanted Chase to put it in writing. MNP said the bank refused, and the buyer gave up. SOURCE OF THIS STORY