What an amazing year this has been for me both professionally and personally! O1LT.com has steadily grown into a blogging machine that pumps out daily entertainment news about today’s black entertainers. I’ve gone from a man who started O1LT.com, (formerly contrydiciton.blogspot.com), as a hobby, to a published writer, and gossip columnist extraordinaire.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with and befriend such respected media outlets/ marketing companies like Sandra Rose (SandraRose.com), Myra Panache (Panachereport.com), Fred (Mediatakeout.com), Fresh (Crunk & Disorderly), Keith Boykin (KeithBoykin.com), Juicy (Juicy-News.blogspot.com), Darian Aaron (loldarion.com), Jawn Murray (Blackvoices.aol.com), Brandi Hopper (Sohh.com), Clay Cane (ClayCane.net), Greg Curtis (HipandPop.com), Wendy Williams, Tarin Donatein, Nicole Spencer, Charalamage Tha God (WendyWilliams Experience crew), Dwight Powell (clikmagazine.com), Sonny(Hip-Hop Weekly), Sohh Soulful(sohh.com), and many more.
Over this past year, I have learned great lessons about entertainment, journalistic integrity, and the importance of hard work. I have also learned a valuable lesson in sacrifice as well as the importance of speaking your mind and telling it like it is, often times no matter what. Although, I LOVE doing this site daily, none of this would have ever been possible without each and every one of you for taking the time out of your day to visit O1LT.com. You've all seen my innovative and diverse vision for this site and have responded in ways I never dreamed could be possible. I'm and both humbled and honored by the overwhelmingly positive response.
As we all embark on a new year I thought it to be only fitting that we reflect back on O1LT.com’s Top 19 stories of the year. After this post I will not be posting anymore entertainment stories until January 2nd. That is unless something scandalous happens and I can’t stay away from the computer. God Bless you all and we will talk again soon!
O1LT.COM "HOT AND BLACK" MUSIC REVIEW-OMARION'S "21"!!!
By L.T. Dinwiddie
Omarion has been melting young girl’s hearts since he first stepped on the scene in 2001. Since then, he’s faced semi-superstardom, inner group turmoil from his former B2K members—Raz B, J Boog, and Lil Fizz, personal growth, and immediate solo success.
Omari Ishmael Grandberry, known simply to us as Omarion, is gearing up to release his sophomore solo album titled –21. His new album is the standard teeny bopper sensationalized formula that has proven time and time again to deliver platinum success.
With radio friendly tracks like “Entourage”, “Ice Box”, and “Beg For It”, Omarion proves that he still has his finger on the pulse of what today’s music is all about—hit producers, stylistic overtones, and perfectly executed dance steps. However, after listening to “21” one could ask –“Where’s the musical growth?” Today’s artists lack the importance of having the “risk factor” of their musical predecessors. Artistic pioneers like Madonna, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, and Mariah Carey solidified their “legendary” status by understanding the importance of making timeless music. And, by having the courage to take risks and go against the melodic grain.
While, Omarion admits to admiring Michael Jackson’s artistry, saying— “I want to be recognized and respected the way he has.” O’s going to have to step his game up, and come a lot harder then “21” to achieve that aspiration.
Though I was expecting more from this album, it is sure to be a hit amongst today’s musically uninformed adolescents. As long as Omarion keeps popping his pelvis and licking his insanely moisturized lips he will continue to have young girls running into the record stores.
My rating system is as follows:
W.B. - Worth Buying B.L.-Bootleg It-$5.00 D.L.-Own it on the Low NXT-Next Album Please (Whack!) **Disclaimer-B.L (Bootleg) is a metaphor. O1lt.com does not encourage the unauthorized copying or distribution of copyrighted material.
As you all know I have a strong love/hate relationship with the ultra diva— Beyoncé Knowles. The DreamGirls movie has been wildly publized as Jennifer Hudson's breakout role. Despite that fact, apparently many are cheering for Beyonce--not Jennifer in the new feature film.
My friend, in the name of writing, Sohh Soulful has seen the new Beyoncé Knowles—oops I mean “DreamGirls” movie and you’ll be surprised at what he has to say about Jhud and Beyoncé. Though everyone is applauding Ms. Hudson’s performance in this Broadway adaptation, he says that unfortunately Jennifer leaves much to be desired.
Could Beyonce, in fact, be the breakout star despite everyone, including Ms. Oprah Winfrey, applauding Jennifer Hudson’s performance? Only time will tell. Unfortunately, I missed my opportunity to see a private screening of the highly buzzed feature film. However, I do plan on watching it on Christmas Day.
Here is another video from the movie. Not for nothing, but Beyoncé is working her ass off.
O1LT.COM "HOT AND BLACK" REPORT-JEZZY, COCO-T, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE!!!
By L.T. Dinwiddie
Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy debuts at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 with his second Def Jam album, "The Inspiration," The set sold 352,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, more than doubling the 172,000-unit first week for his 2005 debut, "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation." First single "I Luv It" is top 30 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.
At No. 2 on The Billboard 200 is 2006 "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, whose self-titled Arista debut sold 298,000 in its first week. That's a drop-off from 2005 winner Carrie Underwood's debut week with "Some Hearts," which sold 315,000. That album leaps 10-6 in its 57th week on the chart on a 58% increase to 199,000.
In a week where every non-debuting album in the top 10 enjoys a sales increase, the Disney soundtrack to "Hannah Montana" inches up 4-3 on an 18% increase to 274,000, while the "NOW! 23" compilation rises 5-4 on a 27% jump to 235,000. Josh Groban's "Awake" (143/Reprise) is up 11-5 on an 83% increase to 222,000, while Daughtry's self-titled RCA debut holds at No. 7 despite a 17% increase to 181,000. Both Groban and Underwood enjoyed a boost from a Dec. 11 appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."FULL STORY
Sweet Jesus!! All I want for Christmas is you CoCo-T!
When I saw this sketch on SNL this weekend I wailed up with tears. As I'm getting older I have learned to have an appreciation for the Saturday Night Live crew. They always find a way to keep me interested (most ot the time) and Justin Timberlake as host of this saturday's show was classic TV. Not for nothing, but Justin was in almost every skit that night. He also played double duty as both host and musical performer. These two skits in particualr had me rolling. Chem them out. They are truly worth the time!
O1LT.COM "HOT AND BLACK" REPORT-YOUNG CAPONE, DIANA ROSS, STAR JONES, JANET JACKSON, CIARA!!
By L.T. Dinwiddie
I dont know who the chick is to the the right of Young Capone, but lets pray that she's not his mother. Lawd!
Right on the heels of Taye showing major hostility with Rolling out magazine on his interracial marriage, it would seem that he is still bitter when it comes to the media. Taye has made an unusual decision to not sign anymore autographs for photographers because he feels that they are “parasites” who get something for nothing. I can’t say that I blame him. But, Taye you might want to hold that hostility for when you have a budding acting career. No disrespect, but you kind of need the publicity bruh.TAYE DIGGS ACTING STANK(VIDEO)
Lawd, the gays have to be hanging from the rafters over the announcement that legendary diva Diana Ross is releasing a new studio album titled “I Love You” which drops on January 17th, 2007. Diana has experienced a career stand still in the latter part of her life. After a failed reunion tour, and subsequent airport arrest, her singing career was looking extremely bleak. However, now she is returning refreshed, rejuivated, and ready to throw on them heels for the boys.LISTEN TO "I LOVE YOU"
Star is trying to claw her way back into the spotlight. In a recent interview with “Extra Extra” Star talks about her new radio gig and subtlety admits that she was crazed diva whose ego was spiraling way out of control saying: "I've earned that diva image. It's not something that I can hide from. I admit sometimes I have enjoyed the celebrity more than I should have. It was well-earned, but it's softened now. I am rejoicing in learning from my mistakes and missteps and trips and falls. I've learned that sometimes modesty and humility shows the most strength and courage. That's the Star that you see right now."
Ok, I’m going to need Janet to fire who ever told her this cover was a good idea. I can appreciate Harper Bazzar’s high fashion magazine. But, this cover is less high fashion and more down right bizarre. I love you Janet, but you your looking crazy as hell!
My favorite On Air personality—Wendy Williams didn’t hold back when she interviewed the princess of Crunk music – Ciara. Wendy and her extremely opinionated sidekick, Charlamagne tha God, called Ciara everything from a “Broke down Aaliyah”, to a black Lindsay Lohan.
Usually I love how rough and real Wendy is, but in this interview I feel bad for Ciara. When it comes to Ciara, for some reason I get all soft and pink. I think she is an amazing and beautiful up and coming pop act who deserves major success. Listen, at the end of the day Aaliyah is gone and I would much rather have Ciara in my face popping her hips and lip synching to music then that damn Ashanti. Listen to the interviewHERE
By L.T. Dinwiddie When Taye was recently questioned in an interview with Rolling Out magazine about his non-black wife – Idina Menzel, things turned down right hostile. Diggs, who burst on the scene in 1998 in How Stella Got Her Groove Back, was instantly the new black “it” guy of moment. His clean cut look and boy next door appeal set women’s hearts on fire.
Taye, who was virtually an unknown actor before the popular novel of the same name came to the big screen. Had already been a working stage performer in numerous plays like, Rent and Chicago. But, his eye-popping performance in Stella, where Taye played the character of Winston Shakespeare, a twenty year old man who rejuvenates a much older woman’s idea on love and relationship, immediately made him a sex symbol. He followed up Stella with the surprisingly successful film –Best Man staring along side incredible actors like; Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, and Sanna Lathan.
However, since the initial interest of those two films, many of his fans, particularly his females ones, have seemed to have moved on. Taye Diggs has had numerous acting and stage projects since his instant achievement of the late 90’s, but in his embarking on a new television venture – ABC’s DayBreak— the ratings reflected the cold hard fact that nobody cares what the “Welcome To Jamaica” star has to say or do. Though Taye is still trying to expand himself as an actor after two failed television series, a handful of slightly successful low budget films and his unnoticeable appearance on NBC’s – Will & Grace, where Taye played Will’s boyfriend. It doesn’t seem that he has been able to find a steady fan base or demographic to sustain his fleeting acting career.
Many argue that Diggs has eliminated a large part of his fan base, which at the time was African American women, because of his off screen interracial marriage. While on the surface it appears that we live in a socially accepting society. When you scratch just one inch below the social surface you will find that interracial relationships are still very much taboo. At first Taye was reluctant to discuss his real life relationship. But, when word broke that the bright eye black stallion was dating then, girlfriend –Tony Award-winning stage actress Idina Menzel, whom he met while co-starring with her in the 1996 play “Rent, the sisters immediately responded with a “no ma’am”.
Taye’s marketability seemed to plummet rapidly over night. The loveable, handsome guy that many couldn’t get enough of turned into the man that people wanted to forget and fans quickly move on. Though it is uncertain what the future holds for Taye Diggs, what is certain is that he’s going to have to find a loyal audience if he is to keep any kind of bank ability in Hollywood. FULL STORYRead More...Collapse...
CARMELO ANTHONY OPENS UP A CAN OF WHOOP ASS ON THE COURT!!!!!
What more embarassing, getting decked straight in your grill? Or getting decked in your grill so hard that it knocks you on your feet on national television?
NBA scoring leader Carmelo Anthony was suspended for 15 games Monday and six other players were penalized as commissioner David Stern came down hard on both teams after the Nuggets and Knicks brawled at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
Nate Robinson and J.R. Smith each got 10 games, and four other players also were suspended. Stern fined each organization $500,000. But there was no separate penalty for Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, who had warned Anthony not to go into the lane before the mayhem started. Read More...Collapse...
O1LT.COM "HOT AND BLACK" REPORT-WILL SMITH/SHREK/BEYONCE/AMERICAN IDOL/BIGGIE/PUDDY/THE MANY FACES OF BLACK BEAUTY!!!!
By L.T. Dinwiddie
Not even a dragon or the world's most-beloved spider could deny Will Smith another first-place finish at the box office. Sony's father-son drama "The Pursuit of Happyness," starring Smith and his own son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, debuted as the No. 1 movie with $27 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. Smith's latest topped 20th Century Fox's dragon fantasy "Eragon," which opened in second place with $23.45 million, and Paramount's children's tale "Charlotte's Web," which premiered a distant third with $12 million. FULL STORY
Speaking of movies…
The immensely popular Shrek series is returning to theaters on May 18th, 2007. Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonia Banderas, and Mike Myers are all reprising their roles again to make us all split from the sides in laughter. As an adult, I really don’t get into animation, but the both Shrek movies are easily in my top 20 favorite films. Let’s all hope that they still bring the funny inDreamWorks third installment – “Shrek TheThird”. Check outthe new movie trailerSHREK TRAILERmight I suggest the HD trailer for ultimate trailer experience.
I want everybody to understand that it pains to me to say, what I am about to say (not really but I have to add a little drama to build you guys up). I have been on the “DreamGirls” promotional blitz for almost a month, and I really haven’t had too many bad things to say about Ms. Beyoncé Knowles. However, her recent comment in Parade magazine is forcing me to say- “Beyoncé sit your ass down somewhere!” In the magazine, Beyoncé says that her alter-ego Sasha is too aggressive, too sexy, and that she probably wouldn’t like “her” if she were to ever meet “her” in person.
"She's too aggressive, too strong, too sassy, too sexy. I'm not her in real life at all."
Judging by this comment it sounds like Beyoncé is one can short of a six pack—if you know what I’m saying and I think you do. I love how B is still trying to walk the tight rope of Christianity and a Heathen. Why does she think that creating an “Alter-Ego” like “Sasha” would make us swallow the fact that she is a walking contradiction is beyond me? Beyoncé fans please put down your pitch forks and pointy stiletto heels; I’m not attacking your girl I’m just making an observation.
Despite her best efforts to remain “god like” with her enormous superstardom, there is nothing Christian about the music business. It’s about as close to hell and the devil then you can get. So, all I’m saying is that B’s constant separation of her on stage persona and her real life image shouldn’t be so easily separated. I believe that “Sasha” is a piece of Beyoncé. Is that her in totality? Absolutely not, but it is to an extent-- her. As I write this article, a sick thought has run through my mind – so who is Beyoncé when she’s on all fours for Jigga? Is she Beyonce or Sasha? Let’s hope she’s a little bit of both. FULL STORY
American Idol past winners and losers can still draw in big bucks if you can pony up the cash. According to the NY Post, Rueben Studdard commands an impressive 30-75k per party for a minimum of three songs. Taylor Hicks “Soul Patrol” pulls in a staggering 150k per show. But that’s peanuts compared the first, and my personal favorite, Kelly Clarkson who draws in astounding 300k per performance. I guess it really doesn’t matter who wins or loses, but how you play the game. Good job guys!FULL STORY
