O1LT.COM "HOT AND BLACK" REPORT-DREAMGIRLS/JAMES BROWN/OPRAH/MICHAEL JACKSON/DARRENT WILLIAMS!!!!!

By L.T. Dinwiddie

OH HOW I HAVE MISSED YOU ALL!!!! Happy New Year to everyone! I don’t know about you all but I am coming into this New Year rejuvenated, excited, and ready to go. I trust everyone’s holiday went well, I know mine did. We’ve got a lot to cover so let’s get into it.


First thing’s first. If you haven’t seen the highly anticipated film DreamGirls you need to "Listen" up. We all knew Jennifer Hudson as the contestant who faced a premature demise on the hit show American Idol. However, now we can all call her the ultimate idol as the budding actor, singer, and overall artistic sensation is destined to make history with her riveting performance in DreamGirls.

The publicity train for this feature film was unparallel as today’s top tier entertainers like Danny Glover, Eddie Murphy, Jaime Foxx, Anika-Noni Rose, Beyonce Knowles, and the incomparable Ms. Jennifer Hudson gave stellar performances in this Broadway adaptation. The reviews were very positive for this film, but despite that fact, the person who has been getting the most praise has been the incredibly young powerhouse Hudson. I had been granted access to see a private viewing of DreamGirls, but I declined. Instead, I chose to view the film with non-industry people on opening day, December 25, 2006.

To call this movie “magical” is an understatement. The casting for this film was superb as it was abundantly clear that everyone brought his or her “A” game. After viewing this fine film three times I can personally say that when Jennifer belts out the legendary, “And I’m Telling You”, the theater explodes with a thunderous applause. No matter what your feelings are about J. HUD’s rendition compared to Jennifer Holiday’s version. You can’t deny that Hudson didn’t put her foot in that song. I’ve heard Jennifer Holiday’s version more times then I can count. And, I know for a fact that there were notes that Hudson hit that Holiday couldn’t (or hasn’t) belted, even on her best day.

As black people we always criticize Hollywood for making negative or stereotypical black films. African American leaders, often, stand on their soap boxes demanding for more color on screen and on television. Well, here it is! It’s time to put our money where our mouths are. GO OUT AND SUPPORT THIS MOVIE!!!! BOX OFFICE RESULTS LOCAL LISTINGS FOR SHOW TIMES

**Special O1LT.com bonus (audio tracks)

One Night Only-Beyonce/Dena Version
And I'm Telling You I'm not Going-Jennifer/Effie Version
One Night Only-Jennifer's Soulful Version
Listen-Beyonce

Speaking of Legendary…. The music industry suffered a huge blow over the holiday week. James Brown, The Godfather of Soul, passed. I’m not going to lie when I first heard the news I was saddened but the only thing I could think about was my last minute holiday shopping, and of course DreamGirls. But after getting a serious tongue lashing from an associate of mine for not reporting on it the minute it happened. It made me realize the importance, and contribution James Brown has made to music, especially hip-hop. For that I am sorry. I hope I can some how make up for it. Here is a breakdown of all his accomplishments. JAMES BROWN BIO


After taking about it for almost five years now the time is finally here. TV Daytime Queen Oprah has opened up her 40 million dollar “Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in outside Johannesburg, South Africa. Tina Turner, Chris Rock, Mariah Carey, BabyFace, Gayle King, and others all came out to support the monumental accomplishment. FULL STORY

In other related Oprah News…

Did Oprah snub inner city schools stateside to help out South African’s instead? Oprah also knows that some people will complain that charity should begin at home, even though she has provided millions of dollars to educate poor children in the United States, especially via her Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program. But she sees the two situations as entirely different. "Say what you will about the American educational system—it does work," she says. "If you are a child in the United States, you can get an education." And she doesn't think that American students—who, unlike Africans, go to school free of charge—appreciate what they have. "I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools that I just stopped going. The sense that you need to learn just isn't there," she says. "If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don't ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school."

So, the Jordan’s got divorced over the holiday. Do we care? FULL STORY

Bronco’s cornerback Darrent Williams was killed early Monday when his white stretch Hummer was sprayed by bullets after a nightclub dispute following a New Year's Eve party. Police have no motive and no indication the 24-year-old player was targeted in the drive-by shooting of the limousine. The burst of violence occurred hours after the Broncos were eliminated from playoff contention.

"All of us are devastated by this tragedy," Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said in a statement. "To lose a young player, and more important, a great young man such as Darrent Williams, is incomprehensible. To lose him in such a senseless manner as this is beyond words." FULL STORY

I really wish Michael Jackson would get the memo. Nobody cares about a damn comeback album. If Janet couldn’t sell records, what in the hell makes Mike think he’s got a chance in hell of selling a record? Black Eyed Peas principal will.i.am was ubiquitous behind the boards in 2006, producing tracks for Justin Timberlake, Fergie, Snoop Dogg and Nas and earning a producer of the year Grammy nomination. But his sights are now set on Michael Jackson's comeback album, which is tentatively due before the end of the year on the Bahrain-based Two Seas Records. FULL STORY

Be sure to check out my other job over at Sohh.com. I'm doing big things. There are new and exciting things on the horizon.

SOHH ATLANTA

Panchereport's BLIND ITEM:

Recently, a source told me, this particular "video girl" has herpes. Everyone in hip-hop knows it-but this doesn't stop men, including hip-hop stars, from trying to get with her. Granted, a few men have angrily confronted her about giving them herpes.

Sadly, she has a nonchalant attitude about transmitting the disease. She's playing with fire, especially in the hip-hop industry. I spoke with another source who worked with her on a project, she said, this video girl is very insecure and has a dislike for black women.

She uses the hip-hop arena to get with as many black men as she can while dissing/sabotaging black women (especially video girls) behind their backs. This girl has issues, don't be surprised if she eventually ends up on the Internet with a "incall/outcall," escort site.

Medical Warning: Condoms don't prevent herpes because it's transmitted through "skin-to-skin," contact.