April 2009

Mike Jones (Ice Age Entertainment/ Asylum) recently granted Jimmy Jazz time to discuss his long overdue sophomore release, The Voice. Although Jones has been on a 4-year hiatus and the music business is currently on a down spiral since he last hit the scene in 2005 with hits “Still Tippin” and “Back Then”, the platinum selling Houston Rapper promises to win the ears of his fans with The Voice. Most importantly, the determined 28-year old is dedicated to proving his doubters wrong, specifically his record label, who 'Back Then’ didn’t believe in his radio hits. 

JimmyJazz.com: It’s good to see you in the limelight again. 

Mike Jones: Appreciate, man… long overdue. 

JimmyJazz.com: It’s been 4 years since your debut release, Who is Mike Jones, why the long hiatus? Did you have issues with your label?

Mike Jones: I mean they weren’t believing in “Cuddy Buddy” when I gave it to them in 2006, but they feeling it now. I ain’t do nothing different to the record.

JimmyJazz.com: So was T-Pain on the original version of “Cuddy Buddy”

Mike Jones: In 2006, I had T-pain, Twista & Lil’ Wayne on that record [“Cuddy Buddy”]. Ain’t nothing different on that record now than 2006. 

JimmyJazz.com: So what were the politics like? Obviously, Trey Songz is on the new version. Was there a issue getting the label to clear the record?

Mike Jones: Honestly man, It was 2 things; 1. The label didn’t believe in “Cuddy Buddy” in 06’ and now they are forced to see what they messed up on right now and 2. I did a record with T-Pain in 06’ with T-Pain called “I’m In Love With A Stripper” and I was the big dog at the time and I was showing him love and he did the record for me in06’ at the same time, but when I went through a political war with my label and I had “Cuddy Buddy” and I was going to use that to come on back in… his label wasn’t clearing it. Even though, we showed them the same love before. 

MIKE JONES - "CUDDY BUDDY" (FEAT. TREY SONGZ & TWISTA)

JimmyJazz.com: In a separate interview, you mentioned that they doubted [record label] doubted “Still Tippin”, which is one of your biggest records to date…

Mike Jones: They doubted “Back Then”, too. Every record that I blew up in they doubted, so I’m use to doubters doubting me. 

JimmyJazz.com: What’s going to separate Who Is Mike Jones from your sophomore release, The Voice?

Mike Jones: Top 10 records. “Cuddy Buddy” was my first Top 10 record, “Nest To You” is going to be my second Top 10 record and then I got a new one called “Swagg Thru The Roof” which is going to be my next Top 10 record. I got my own lane, man… and I’m going 100 miles and running at it. 

JimmyJazz.com: Who produced “Swagg Thru The Roof” 

Mike Jones: My homie Swole did that one, so shout out to Swole. Man, that record is so crazy. When you hear it… it’s crazy… your gonna like it. It’s a Top 10 record for sure. 

JimmyJazz.com: We talked about some of your classic street records (“Back Then” and “Still Tippin”), on your new album, “Cuddy Buddy” and “Next To You” are radio singles, but what can your street fans expect from The Voice?

Mike Jones: Oh that’s on the album when it comes out. I got the street records on that album. The difference between now and then, when I came out with the first album [Who Is Mike Jones?] I was using my street records as my singles. Now, I still got the street records on the album… I just use my rhythmic records as my singles. 

JimmyJazz.com: What other producers are featured on The Voice? 

Mike Jones: I got Jim Jonsin on “Cuddy Buddy”, JR Rodem on “Next To You”… I got Mannie Fresh on the album. I got Mike Dean, he made like 5, 6 tracks for me. This album [The Voice], when you hear it you going to be excited. I got a track called “Tendoroni” with me T.I. and Bobby Brown. 

JimmyJazz.com: Fast-forwarding to 2009, several people are losing their jobs and homes during a deep recession, how will The Voice by Mike Jones going to relate to the average consumer?

Mike Jones: I’m relating to them right now. I mean, “Cuddy Buddy” was a Top 10 record; everybody had to relate to that record to get there. That was just a record saying if you ain’t treating your woman right, she’s going to call on her cuddy buddy and everybody who I ran into across city to city, state to state love Cuddy [“Cuddy Buddy”]. And now “Next To You” is out and everybody and everybody who’s a couple wanna be next their special somebody. It came from Mike Jones, but that record is about them. 

MIKE JONES - "NEXT TO YOU"

JimmyJazz.com: By the way, who’s the young lady singing on the “Next To You” hook?

Mike Jones: Her name Nenae. She’s actually the person that I got it fill in the hook before I sent it to Ashanti and Mya, but they turned the record down. Why they did, we just kept her on the record [“Next To You’]. 

JimmyJazz.com: So people still doubt you, when obviously you have the Midas touch with rfadio hits.

Mike Jones: I don’t know why, but I guess that’s how it is. I ain’t trippn’ though. 

JimmyJazz.com: In 2008,  a bunch of photos of a slimmer Mike Jones leaked on numerous urban blogs and websites. What motivated you to shed the pounds? Was it a personal thing and/or a marketing thing? 

Mike Jones: It was both. Personal, marketing… health issues. There are a lot of reasons why I wanted to do the right thing.

JimmyJazz.com: What kind of impact has losing weight had on your music and personal life? 

Mike Jones: Women see me and they fall in love (Laughs).  It makes them more interested in the kid. 

JimmyJazz.com: How did you managed to lose the weight? 

Mike Jones: Treadmill and eating subway (Laughs). 

JimmyJazz.com: The Jared Plan? (Laughs).

Mike Jones: I’m the urban Jared; I got my own plan (Laughs). 

JimmyJazz.com: I noticed in the “Next To You” video, your love interest and you are rockin’ Yums t-shirts and sneakers. I wanted to ask you directly what brands are you checking for right now? 

Mike Jones: I just support who ever support me, man. That’s basically the bottom line. I’m down with everybody, who ever supports Mike Jones I support them. 

Tension filled the room on MTV’s ‘Making the Band’ Live Finale.  Danity Kane members finally broke silence of the break-up.  Dawn Richard, Sannon Bex, D. Woods and Aubrey O’Day were reunited.  Aundrea Fimbres was a no show. No love was shared between Dawn and Aubrey when asked about the group’s mishap.    

Day26 gave their not so best performance but not their worst.  Room for improve is much needed.  There slow jam “Perfectly Blind,” however, is worth the download.  I believe Donnie Kang performed, but who really noticed.  Donnie may need to ‘pick of the pieces’ to get the spotlight.  I’m still wondering why Diddy chose to make him solo. It’s no surprise that Diddy promotes his twitter iamdiddy and T-shirts.  Aubrey confirms reality show.  Perhaps Donnie needs one, but then again, who would watch it.       

By. Jonathan White

This fourth installment of this franchise boasts “Original Parts” and with no THE, 2, or TOKYO DRIFTs in sight, you or shall I say we flocked to the theaters to watch it. It made over $70 million opening weekend. Which for me wasn’t hard to believe considering I was part of that $70 million and the theater I saw it in was packed to capacity. It stars four original actors from the first movie, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster, each of who reprise the roles they made famous in the original film.

This movie does not let down action wise: a perp chase, gasoline tanker theft, murder, drug trafficking, someone dangling from a window, revenge and implied and predictable (for me that is) prisoner break out.

Some aspects of the movie did drag and the movie felt a bit drawn out (its almost two hours long). But Diesel did a great job of bringing back that Dom machismo and deep voiced sexiness he gave us the first time around, which is a plus for most of the women in the audience. Walker did not disappoint as the seemingly straight-laced Brian O’Connor who struggles figuring out who he is, is he a good guy or a bad guy trying to be good as well as dealing with his job and all the duty that entails and his feelings for Dom’s little sis Mia (Jordana Brewster). Who I felt really missed out on most of the movie was Michelle Rodriguez’ character Letty, who is the Bonnie to Dom’s Clyde. Although her character inspires a lot of the action sequences and the revenge I mentioned earlier, I felt her character could have contributed more. But I wont even try to figure out how Hollywood works, although I would love to know. With the great possibility of a fifth movie on the horizon due to its stellar performance at the box office opening weekend and the fact the ending left it open as a possibility guess Hollywood knows exactly what its doing. So mine is not to guess, just sit back and enjoy the ride. 

‘Til Next Time….TvN3rD OuT!!!!

Alright Ladies! The weather is breaking and we are finally getting that warm weather we all have been waiting for!! Your feet have been secluded in boots and shoes for so long its time to break out the sandals, open-toes, and flip flops, but you can’t have your feet crusty! Ladies go get the salon and get your pedicure or you could do it at home yourself, which ever suits your budget. Here is the perfect color for that Summer Pedi. 

This season trend colors are BRIGHT and BOLD just like the colors for fashion! Bold tones will rule this summer and you can’t go wrong with your feet making a statement! The trends for nail polish are Purples, Corals, Raspberry tones, and even Yellow. For those that don’t like to go so bold with their nails, there is also a variety of neutral tones. So there is something in store for every taste this season. Here are the cool colors to look for:

Funky Limelight

Greeenport

Mesmerize

Perky Purple

By. LJ

SouthLand- NBC Thursdays @ 10pm EST

This show is NBC’s try to find a suitable replacement for the newly retired Thursday night staple ER. Although the commercials currently running for SouthLand, I felt left something to be desired, I decided to give the show a chance and see if all of NBC’s advertising was truly deserved. I actually caught the pilot episode early (and free of charge courtesy of iTunes), and I have to say I was kind of impressed with it.

The cases in this episode were somewhat interesting. I loved the way they portrayed the state of Gang Violence in Los Angeles and the way the people of these neighborhood would rather not be involved with any police questioning as to ensure their own existence although it wasn’t really an original idea but it had a gritty truthfulness to it. The bleeping out of certain four letter words (which kind of sucks if you ask me) and the fact they don’t show the viewers what state a young female victim is in when found by a detective quickly lets you know that this isn’t premium cable programming.

The story lines of main character Officer Ben Sherman and his fellow officers left me still trying to figure out how they all find themselves here, there was never some sort of clear explanation of who they are or any back story just little details, which may work to their advantage because even though I’m not a big fan of non-info I might actually tune back in next episode to give them a chance to give me the info they so left me wanting or maybe just because there really isn’t much on at this time on Thursdays…LOL!! All jokes aside I would totally recommend this show to you, if just for the what the…? Response you will have when a African-American teenage boy goes to see a girl for what’s implied as a booty call and as soon as he steps off the bus finds himself being asked “Hey cuz, where you from?” by 3 Latinos.

Ok people ‘til next time…HaPPy TvNeRdiN!!

Regina King as Detective Lydia Adams on "Southland".

Entire "Southland" cast.

Photo Source: NBC.com

By. TvN3Rd

The Notorious dvd will hit shelves everywhere TODAY! Save time and purchase the film about the late hip-hop icon, Christopher "Notorious B.I.G" Wallace in our EXTRA GRABS section! 

Moreover, VIBE Magazine recently had a release party for the critically acclaimed DVD release at NYC trendy hot spot, The Pink Elephant. Check out some photos from the party! 

Jadakiss’ long overdue release, The Last Kiss, drops today. As some of you may know, this is Jada’s latest set since Kiss of Death, which dropped in 2004. 

Features on The Last Kiss include Mary J. Blidge (“Grind Hard”), Styles P (“One More Step”), Pharrell (“Rocking With The Best”), Lil’ Wayne (“Death Wish”) and several others. 

Preview The Last Kiss below, courtesy of Imeem.com. 

The Last Kiss

On April 3rd, Rocawear’s mobile retail store, “Roc Pop Shop”, landed in New York City. The Pop Shop is a unique retail store on wheels with a ton of cool features and offers exclusive Rocawear gear for purchase. Currently, the Roc Pop Shop is stationed in Jay-Z’s hometown, Brooklyn, from April 6th to the 18th during the hours of 10am –9pm. 

Photo Source: roc4life.com

President Barack Obama is right on target when answering questions about our economic crisis, his plan to further economic growth, and his personal life in office. Obama discusses with Jay Leno his mission for success. His focus was to properly deal with health care, energy, and education issues to increase our economic status growth. He refers Washington as American Idol—and “everyone” is Simon. I couldn’t disagree.    

Everyone has their own opinion about our economy. It took 8 years to create this mess. It will take awhile to get out. If we gain confidence in Obama’s journey, we may see that light at the end of the tunnel. Until then, we will see darkness. The younger generations needs to take action. Mr. President advises young people can study careers that will produce goods and improve our lifestyle. Careers such as an engineer, scientist, doctor or teacher will better the economy in the future. Obama cannot run this country alone.  The President needs your help.  

On the bright side, Jay Leno gets the chance to ask the president the life of presidency.  Obama is cool with having the privilege of riding an Air Force 1.  Who would have thought that our president bowls a “129” in bowling?  Speaking of sports, Obama still enjoys a game of basketball.  It’s great that he still remains to have that drive on and off the court.  Obama is rutting for North Carolina’s Tar Heels for the #1 spot in college basketball.  The president still remains to keep his promise to his daughters in getting a puppy that the family will love.  It’s nice to see a man that is still a father to his children, a husband to Michelle, and a leader of our country—who so happens to be our president.

Photo Source: White House Photo, 3/30/09 , Lawrence Jackson

By. JAW