Monday, June 11, 2007

OUT 203--GOT LYRICs PICS AT THE LOFT--JUNE 6, 2007


HERRE ARE PICS FROM "GOT LYRICS" LAST WEEK AT THE LOFT. THIS EVENT IS SLOWLY BECOMING ONE OF THE HOTTEST WEEKLY POETRY SPOTS IN THE STL! (PHOTOS BY MA'ATOLOGY PRODUCTIONS)

PICS: CENTER. Host Mocha Latte with STL comedian Darrius Bradford thanking the crowd for supporting him for his 10 year career and blasting those who didnt show up to celebrate at the Loft. It was hilarious!

NEXT PICS: Host Moicha LAtte spittin on the mic (She had a poem about peopel cheatin. One line I remember from her spit: You say you are going to the gym/but you take a shower coming back home smelling like him. WHOA!)....Crowd fave 16 Bars (bald guy)on the mic....Poet Respeck (brown cap) who spat the poem he did on Soulternative radio show on Majic 104.9 last week....Singer Juju "The Don of R&B" singin to the ladies in the crowd....














Poet Abby, aka The Preacher.




Crowd fave poet Robert Dillard (It was hard taking his pic., He is notorious for walking abck and forth like a madman on the mic.) In my opinion, he's one of the better poets here in the STL! (Picture Mos Def mixed with Gilbert Godfreid)....Jamie Spencer croonin Tony Terry's 'With you."
















Big Diesal on the mike.






Newbie Tikki doin a Phenomenal Womaneque piece for the crowd (I like this shot!).












Some of the crowd at the show.









Singer Deandre Perryman on the mike and (BELOW) some of his fans (dragged up on the spot by Mocha) doing some two step with him.

























STL Rapper Vandalizm on the mike who will have a listening party for his CD, No Plan B at I Am Boutique (7700 Delmar) on June 12















Poet Silohuette.












The Got Lyrics Sign Up Sheet.












Poet Robert Dillard and his poet partner Shawna Fraizer sitting down in chill mode.


















DA CROWD

















Poet Invisible Man (left) and SYGU's Eddie Hollamn on the floor takin it all in.




This past week's GOT LYRICS was packed and quite provocative. it was alot of artsits who were on point and some who should have gotten the Sandman walk (I wont say any names) But overall it was a great nite for Got Lyrics. A touching momenet happened when host Mocha LAtte gave SYGU a toke of her appreciation by giving them gift certificates. Other artists who were on the mike were LaGina, Brandy, and P-31.
FYI, Folks better start comin earlier than they are. Folks comin around 10p.m. and the doors open at 8 p.m. The spots got a midnite curfew so get mad if you get cut from the list!






OUT 202--MARSHALL FAULK LAST PARTY PICZ, JUNE 2, 2007







HERRE ARE PICS FROM MARSHALL FAULK'S LAST PARTY (FAREWELL TO FAULK) EVENT AT MANDARIN PUT ON BY SYNERGY. (PICS BY MA"ATOLOGY PRODUCTIONS)


TOP PIC: The pic of YOURS TRULY (twice) with one of the ladies at the event.


CENTER PIC: The light arrangement on the wall outisde of the event. It had to have been well over 500 people up in the club and outside on the terrace!....Faulk with two of his




biggest fans....Alive mag's Katherine Bish (white lady) and Miss Teona (black lady)....




STL Rams' Pisa Tinoisamoa with Tiffani Blackmore.









STL Post fashion Writer Debra Bass and Alive Mag photographer Miss Cristy





Miss Lovely (black lady and American Insurance's Gina Gynn (white lady) taking their turn on the diva pose.






















"The Best of the STL" and "Enterate" host Gilberto Pinella and friend.








BEER!














Lovely sistas at the event.










Mister Man got his hands full here!














She givin somebody da hand up in the club!















Partyin like rock stars up in the club (maybe a bit too hard from the sista in the pink dress!.



EVENT-VIEWZ.



Overall the party was off the chain--white, balck, male, female, stars and wanna bes partyin all in one roof (all that was missing was the wild sex and drugs). Our names were on a VIP list from a special e-vite from SYNERGY (the same comapny that put on Nelly's hot Black And White Party last July at the Contemporary Arts Museum). The velvet rope was in front of the area wherr the club corridor with a bouncer with THE LIST. My name was on the list and I was directed how to get to the club. I was a little concerend with the enter and exit set up which was one way and that was from the back of the club taking the stairwell! (Not good if someone yelled fire!)









This party was dubbed Faulk's last party. I dont know why, but I guess its because of his retirement from the pigskin earlier this year and his full time ventures commentating the NFL beginning in the fall. But the party was nice (Some appetizers would have been nice, though). teh DJ was mashing hip-hop and rock music which was cool.






But I had a face crack moment. It happened when NFL Hall of famer Marcus Allen showed up to the party. he was out in the terrace area of the club and stopped near one of the doors going toward inside. I asked for his pic with a lady who I believe was his assistant. I gave her my card and asked his assistant if I could take a picture. But he was on his cell phone. After he got off the phone, she asked if he wanted to take a pciture. I gave him my card. Then he asked me, "Do you work for Marshall?" I said NO. But hey, we got the same first names. (OH THAT WAS SO CORNY)Then he said, "Well, I only take pics for Marshall."






After I picked up my face and looked around a few minutes and proceeded to walk off, his assistant grabbed me by my camera strap and asked if I was gonna take the picture. I was confused, so I walke dback up to them and was ready to take the pic when Allen said, "I dont mean any hard feelings, but I only take pics for Marshall." Another face cracked moment. So to savor the moment, I just smiled and walked off. A few minutes later, I walk inside to the VIP area and who do I see? Allen in VIP cheesin and grinnin with some laidies arm in arm takin pictures by a female. Oh I got it. I didnt have boobs and blonde hair so I was not worthy to get a picture. That is just too much playin!






OTHER BITZ:






The liqour, in my opinion, should have been free especially with tha party being an VIP invite only set up.






Miss Tiffani Blackmore (picture dabove) hounded me all night for me to get a pic of she and Rams' Pisa Tinoisamoa. She had me play Sherlock Holmes up in that party to get him to take a pic with her. She had the hotsies for this brotha. I told her I was uncomfortabel approcahinghim asking to do it, but she insisted and I saw that she was determined for me to do it. So, I spent the rest of the party trying to make this happen. Well, minutes before she was leavin the aprty, Pisa crossed my path, I got his attention and asked if he could take a pic with Tiff. He obliged and she had a look on her face as though some1ne surpsied her with a b-day party. (I emaile dher teh pic a few days later). But when she found out he was married with two kids, I think her hopes were kinda crush...but then again...






Anothercarzy moment happened as I was walkin and stood near VIP, someone grabbed my ass! I looked around, checking to see if my wallet was still in the back of my pants and it was. Someone groped me and I didnt know who did it! Dayam was I lookin that good? LOL(If you catch the latest issue of ALIVE, you will see YOURS TRULY up in there with a black tank top, a see through black short sleeve shirt, black slacks and a makeshift black/silver diamond I had aroudn my neck).






VIP's at the the party were Rams; Jon Alston and Torry Holt, 1st Friday's Fred Finley, Ram's exec Keith Harris, Nellys manager T-Luv, and some Miss Bachelorette who wore her sash proudly and proceeded to feel me up like I was the last man on the planet B4 she got hitched. LOL

The AFter Party was at Nectar. You had to get a stamp on your hand (with the cursive N) to get in free up in therre. I got therre about 1 in teh morning. I stayed for about an hour and as I walk'd off, it was a huge crowd of people still waiting to get inside the party. If anything, Synergy was genius for making this his farewell party cause of the demand for peeps to attend his parties. But my gut feelin is tellin me that this wont be the last we hear from Faulk.

If you were at the party, what were your viewz about the party? Hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com!







Thursday, June 07, 2007

OUT 201-STL-TIDBITZ AND EVENT-BITZ AND ETC.

HEY OUTTOWN FANS!

This is Ma'atology here givin it to ya.

BUT..................

There is some technical difficulties going on with Blogger today so I am not able to post up my pics from the Marshall Faulk Last party event at the Mandarin and the weekly GOT LYRICS at the Loft. In the meantime, you can check out thr following pics I posted earlier this week to hold you over. I will try on Monday to post up the other pics.

OUT 200-DWELE/DARIEN BROCKINGTON CONCERT REVIEW
OUT 199-DWELE/DARIEN BROCKINGTON PICS (PICTURE ERROR)
OUT 198-INTERVIEW WITH DWELE/DARIEN BROCKINGTON
OUT 197--REVIEW OF BLACK REP's GUYS AND DOLLS
STL-TIDBITZ. One the last living Tuskegee Airmen to live in the STL passed this week. John F. Briggs, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen and a fighter pilot during World War II, died Saturday (June 2, 2007) of cancer at home in The Hallmark residence in Creve Coeur. He was 86. (His pic can be seen in a mural at Lambert Airport BTW)....Edwardsville had a Hollywood at the city when producers of the movie "The Return" requested the closure of part of Main Street for filming a scene on Wednesday involving Mojo's Music and Main Street.The film, starring Tim Robbins, Rachel McAdams and Michael Pena, is about three Iraq War veterans learning to readjust to civilian life through an unexpected road trip....Anyone find out who got shot and killed in front of 609 last Thursday? ....What was up with peopel washing their feet in the sinks at the Central West End Bed and Breakfast during SYGU's TEESE event on last Sunday? That was just triflin!....And whats up with some guy at the Pepper Lounge slippin a mickey into a female's drink recently?....I saw some pics of STL native /fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons kickin it up with actor Djimon Honsou. Whats up with it? Are they the new IT couople?....YOURS TRULY is working with Geri's Heart on a nother fashion show, this time with Lane Tabernacle Church on July 14. I will keep you posted on the details....Kudos to Midwest Salon who is about to give me the hookup on my cornrolls on Friday....Congrats are in store for East St. Louis native singer/2004 American Idol finalist Deandre Perryman who will be opening up for T-Pain at Club Society in the weeks to come....STL Rapper Baby is holding up well on the Billboard charts this week with his hit, "Pop, Lock and Drop it." It 's still holds at No. 2 on the Rap Charts for the third week (it has already peaked at No. 6 on the Hip hop and Hot 100 charts)...
BLIND-ITEMZ. What establishment owner in the STL area tried to compete with a hot new weekly event on the same night but had to scrap it after a low turnout (even after this eastablsihment owner tried to use popular dee-jays to attract a crowd)?
EVENT-TIDBITZ.Stress Free Fridays at Posh (www.myspace.com/poshatnight), June 8408 N. Euclid St. Louis, Missouri 63108, 314-361-POSH, Central West End.


SoDiverse Promotions presents The Flaunty Fusion Affair 2, Friday June 8 at Panama Reds, 1909 Locust, 9p.m.$5 before 10:30 p.m., $10 after 10 p.m. contact 314.495.0922 or
sodiverse@yahoo.com or www.myspace/jameelahe


Art on “The Other Side of the Tracks” an evening of art, live music, wine and hors d'oeuvreswhere: Studio Altius & bright spot studio, 3518 / 3520 Greenwood Blvd. in Maplewoodwhen: Friday June 8, 2007, 6-10 p.m.featuring plein air paintings and studio work by: M. Shawn Cornell, Anne M. Ibur, David Huth and Benjamin Guffee& fine art photography by: Lisa Arnold, David Cerven, Darlene McGee, Kathryn Redell, Lee Shannon Rhoades, and Mark Schwigenfor more information, visit:www.studioaltius.com/othersidePLEASE RSVP TO:
otherside@studioaltius.com or to Ben at (314)315-1986

Harris Stowe State University presents Boot Camp Fitness Classes beginning June 11, 3026 Laclede Ave., spoftabll field. classes instricted by Maxim Fitness (aka Mr. lee) To register call 314.355.3572. Tell em you saw it on Outtown!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SHAREE GALVIN'S CORNER
GOT LYRICS. hot new poetry event at the Loft hosted by Mocha Latte Wednesdays. Contact sgalvin26@yahoo.com for showtimes and ticket info.

Absolut Sundays at Club 609 on Eastgate, with DJ Nappy needles and other special guest dee-jays, Doors at 7 p.m. netwroking at 99:30 p.m.Ladies free all night. Fellaz $5 after 9:30 p.m.
CLOSE TO FAMOUS ENTERPRISES presents THE LIASON, 10th street Lofts, #504,10th and Washington, behind Kitchen K , Friday, June 8, 10 p.m.$10. Ladies ½ off before midnite, $5 parking validation at the Renaissance Grand Hotel Garage For more info call. 314. 761. 7834
SLO DOWN presents Flirtatious Fridays at Club 314, Hwy 270 and St. Charles Rock Road (in the Econo Hotel Lodge behind Ryan’s. Ladies free til 10;30 p.m. For Vip and b-day party info call 314. 479.6283

Big Tah presents Summer in the City, a female swimsuit contest, June 14 at the Loft, , 9p.m. for more info go to
www.myspace.com/swimsuitmodelsearch
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SYGU presents a listening party for Vandalyzm, “No Plan B”, Tues. June 12, 8 p.m. at IAM, 7700 Delmar Blvd. for more info, go to www.thesygugroup.com

Black Rep’s Popular Father’s Day Concert Returns FeaturingThe Cast of GUYS AND DOLLS and Special Guest, Sandra Reaves-PhillipsTickets are $25 or $20 for Black Rep subscribers. All proceeds will benefit the Vivian Crane Scholarship fund. WHEN: Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.WHERE: Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel SquareTICKETS: $25 or $20 for subscribers. Available by calling the Box Office at (314) 534-3810, or inAt the box office, 1717 Olive Street, 4th Floor, St. Louis, 63103 between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mon. – Fri.



The 80’s babies presnts the 80s baby Skate Party, Skate king, 6100 Natural bridge, 11p.m. June 23. For more info go to
www.myspace.com/80sbabyskateparty


SRD & Wright Performing Art Ministries, Inc. presents "Unpleasant Excitement" premiers Saturday, June 30, 2007, 1:00 & 6:00 PM, Harris Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede-Main Auditorium-112 Dr. Henry Givens - Admin Bldg. St. Louis, MO 63103Tickets are on Sale NOW! $15 (advance) - $20 (door)CALL 618.234.3383 (for Illinois) 618.795.0714 (for Missouri)

ONGOING BITZ. Its Your Birthday Fridays at the Dime Slot Hosted by Bishop V-Luv. Get in free every week in the month of your birthday http://www.dimeslotstl.com/ http://www.allstarstl.com/ for more info.

Femme Fridays present Rappers Delight, feat. local artists, Club 747, 1624 Delmar, 10 p.m. for more info email JMPRODUCTIONSLLC@aol.com
Fat Cat, Model House and Bodacious ENT present Thick Thursdays, at Studio Hitz 8927 Riverview(at the corner fo Riverview and Broadway) , $10 Adnmission (free food, drink specials). Thick girl contest starts at 11 p.m.
If you want to get on Vanita Applebum's hot new entertainment newsletter, email her at vanitaapplebum@yahoo.com
Mingle and Mix Mondays , Mingle 4p.m. (Bring Ya Laptods and Biz Cards) Drink Specials, $1 off Appetizers and Mix with DJ Sir Thurl (8p.m. -1 a.m.) FREE before 9 p.m. $3-$5 Cover after 9 p.m. at the ST. Louis Happy Hour Bar and Grill inside PArkler Plaza, 12948 Halls Ferry at Parker Rd.
Check out local comedian Brie Johnson's website podcast.Make sure to logon to http://www.riverfrontradio.com/and listen to the new morning radio talk show called "The Grey Area"!!! Every Monday morning from 10am to 12noon CST. Chat online with us, or call in to talk live on the air.
Check out blog http://www.sistersnineties.blogspot.com/for local literary group Sister’s Nineties Afrocentric literary activities for the family and youngsters
Check out Lachrisa Crenshaw’s spa products at http://www.warmspirit.org/esuite/home/chriscspirit,or call her at (314)401-0710
For body painting, makeup, face painting wigs and other special effects, contact Jessica Dana at http://www.jessicadana.com/or go to www.myspace.com/jessicadada13
For all of your STL club event plans, AD SPACE and pics,go to http://www.stlouis-online.com/.
KDHX Radio’s Chuck Lavazzi has a hot new podcast calledSTAGE LEFT which he talks about CD reviews, news and the world of stage, screen, cabaret and related places.Go to it directly at
http://tinyurl.com/zrqd7
Check out STLdee-jay Enoch online with his own radio playlist.The Flow: Music Lounge. Peep it out at http://www.flowink.com/player-popup.htmor go to his myspace page www.myspace/enochisreal.
For all your STL hip-hop info needs, go to http://www.stlhiphop.com/!
STL videographer Dana Christian has a hot website where people can send their professional music videos films to get exposed. Itis http://www.spitflix.com/.
Popular DJ Enoch has just posted a new episode on his podcast. the title is Knocturnal Sunshine Episode: Knocturnal Sunshine #214. You can hear it at http://knocradio.podOmatic.com/
Peep out veteran radio personality Edie Bee with her weekly jazz series Jazz on the Bee Side"Sundays from 1-3pmOn Soul Classics 1490 WESL AM
BIG TAH Presnets...2 FlyTuesdays, The Main Ingradient, 3860 Chouteau. Play Spades- Dominoes-Shoot Pool- Throw Darts- Listen To Good Music- & Mingle. Come On Out Each & Every Tuesday- Make 2 Fly Tuesday's Your Tuesday Night Spot! 8p- 1a; 2-1 Drink Specials All Night; Ladies Free Unitl 10:30 ; $5 cover. For more info. contact Big Tah at bigtah06@hotmail.com
Well that be it for this week. Hit me up on the email for comments of peepin out ish at maatspear@yahoo.com

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

OUT 200--CONCERT-VIEWZ (DWELE AND DARIEN BROCKINGTON) MISSOURI HISTORY MUSUEM-MAY 31, 2007


HERRE ARE PICS FROM THE DWELE/DARIEN BROCKINGTON CONCERT AT THE MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM. (PICS BY MA'ATLOGYPRODUCTIONS)
PICS: DWELE At THE PIANO PERFORMING, WHAT HE DOES BEST.
DARIEN BROCKINGTON ALL ANIMATED AT THE CONCERT(HE HAS ONE HELL OF A BILAL-TYPE SCREAM THAT'S KILLA!).







The crowd at the concert with long views of the stage and their pics...








Jazz musician Lamar Harris performing with a tuba behind the concert....Darien Brockington's backup singer Dawn toe it up with her octaves!




One of the highlights of the show was when SYGU's Rashad got on stage doing an impromtu beat box.










Darien Brockington sharing a dance with Valaire Johnson
NEO-SOUL CAME ALIVE AT THE HISTORY MUSEUM
The two hour concert was held at the Missouri History Museum May 31 began with Darien Brockington 40 minute set as he performed songs from his latest CD, Somebody to Love. including "Don't say Goodbye," "Easier Said than Done," "All I Need is You" and the indy hit, "Come Around" (that can be heard on Lil' Brother's CD, Connected) He (whose stage appearance was more of a black Clark Kent than a neo soul artsist) also snuck in a few cover songs including Ciara's "Promise." and strangely enough,. EU's "Da Butt."
For a moment it took awhile for the crowd to warm up to Brockington (the cover tunes I'm sure were the set ups to get the crowd hyped) because he is , to be quite honest, relatively unknown to St. Louis audiences (When Brockington made a comment about his start being with the indy group Lil Brother only a few people repsonded to his comment). But he made it up with his true showmanship and animiated personality (and he has a hell of a high yelp !).
The highlight was when his background singer, Dawn, took the mic and showed off her low and high octaves to the point where Brockington had to fan her with his towel as a signal of her vocal prowess. Afterwrads, he quipped to the crowd, 'I told y'all you all were not ready."
A weird momnet occured when ethere was a male backup singer who was standing next todawn witha notebook and never sang! All he did was looked at the notebook (which I assume was with the set of songs for him to sing) and he looking as though this was his first day on the job! It was quite the sore thumb moment. But overall, Brockington put on an enlightening show along with the backup band which included St. Louis jazz cat Lamar Harris.
Dwele came out for the second set performing mostly songs from Some Kinda. His set was suprisongly shorter than Brockington's (espcially with Dwele being the more established artsist), but while on stage he didn't disapoint with his laid back style (He also told the crowd that his next album will be out in August which caused the crowd to erupt in fervored applause)) . He performed mostly behind the paino (He stood up on some songs at the mike which is rare for Dwele) songs like, "I think I love You," the crowd fave, "Interlude" and the cover song, "Joy and Pain." His finale was his lone hit, "Find A Way" from his first CD Subject which got the crowd groovin.
A highlight occurred when Rashad from SYGU volunteered (more like coerced from his colleagues) to come on tage to beat box after Dwele asked the crowd who could beat box and did a duet with Dwele on one of his songs.
It was definitely a great night for neo-soul!

OUT 199-EVENT PICZ--DWELE/D.BROCKINGTON CONCERT AND AFTERPARTY



Herre are some pics from the Dwele/Darien Brockington concert at the Missouri History Museum (Photos by Ma'atology) and after party at Nectar. PICS: Darien Brokcington with local singer Coco Soul...Local singer/pianist Teresa Janee and producer James Glasco....Kamina and photographer Demond Meeks...East St. Louis native/2004 American Idol finalist Deandre Perryman, Flaunty Fusion's Jameelah E. and SYGU's Darryl Gillespie (SYGU's Rashad is in the background)....











NEXT SET OF PICS: Poet Sir Earv and friend....Hairstylist Miss Erika (left) with her posse after the concert....









Singer/musician Dwele, Dawn, Darien B's manager and VAE/Freeman Bosley Show's Nicci Roach....Guess' whose pump? Well its none other than Majic 104.9 perosonality Selena J's hot pump!




















Got Lyrics' Mocha Latte and the Post's Kevin Johnson (with no dreads!) after the concert...PICS AT THE AFTER PARTY....Tracy King and Dwele















PARTY PEOPLE!











PARTY OVER HERRE!








PARTY OVER THERR!


























OUT 198--OUTER-VIEWZ







YOURS TRULY had a chance to interview rising neo-soul singer-songwriters Dwele and Darien Brockington during a meet and greet at a suite in the Roberts Mayfair Hotel (in a bathroom—LOL) on May 30 , over Lee’s chicken, apple juice, and wine and host of about 10 other guests. The two artists were in town in St. Louis to perform the following night at the Missouri History Museum sponsored by Jack Daniels No. 7 Brand and brought on by Vanita Applebum Enterprises.

Here is an excerpt of what I discussed with the two talented brothas, beginning with Dwele.

MA’AT: Its been about two years since your last CD, “Some Kinda.” Are you working on any upcoming projects?


DWELE: “Yeah, I just been out on the road. Spreadin’ the music. Making things bigger. My next album should be out in August. I wanna kind of combine “Some Kinda, ” “Subject” (my fiorst album) along with “The Rise album (before “Subject”) and combine all those elements and bring them together for the next album. I’ve also done work with Common.


MA’AT: Is the album gonna be independent or on Virgin?

DWELE: I’m with EMI now. EMI is the label that was over Virgin.


MA’AT: Nowadays its become easier for new artists to break out now with the Internet, and MySpace, but you started your care on a major label, Virgin. What has your experience been working with a label?

DWELE: I didn’t get a chance to experience the independent world of selling except for ”The Rise” album, but that was strictly out the trunk. I was independent for about a week.
Everything I know is being under a major label. I see the pluses and negatives of being on a label.

MA’AT: Talk a little about that.

DWELE: One plus are money is set aside for videos and marketing Things that indy artists may not have up front. Even then in my situation, where it should have been a video, it wasn’t. It all comes down to each individual’s situation. I’m a step up from what I was yesterday.


MA’AT: What will be the title of your next album?

DWELE: I got a few titles. I’m still waiting. Once I put the songs together I will put a name to it. That’s how I usually do it.

MA’AT: Will you perform any sneak previews of the new album on your set at the Missouri History Museum?

DWELE: Unfortunately no. I’m not using my band. I just been out just performing songs people already know. Maybe when I come back with my album I will.


MA’AT: You are very prolific, musically. You play many instruments have you ever considered doing a jazz album?

DWELE: I thought about that. With a full band . I’ve never made a song using a band. I’ve always done it myself. Maybe I’ll touch that on my next album.

MA’AT: Do you see yourself growing more as an artist, musician or performer?

DWELE: More as a performer. Cause that’s what I’ve been doing more of. The person watching the show might say ‘Oh that was a good show , but when I started in 2000, I learned to have fun with the audience and enjoy myself more on stage.

MA’AT: What do you see yourself doing in your career in the next 10 years?

DWELE: Who knows. That’s what I love about this industry. You don’t know what tomorrow will bring you. Ten years ago I was rapping and I wouldn’t even think I would be singing. Who knows I may even do some acting.

# # #





MA’AT: When I was listening to you on Freeman Bosley Junior Show on Nicci Roach’s Nic at Nine segment, you called yourself “an R&B singer with soul.” Why?

DARIEN: Not taking away from what people doing right now, but when I listen to a lot of musicians and singers right now, there is no soul. There’s just a catchy song, lyrics and beat. The thing that’s missing is the soul. The essence. You don’t get to hear someone like Stevie, Donnie or Marvin. The music didn’t carry them. They carried the music with their voices. I understand the gift God gave me and not to be cocky but I feel that I have the same voice like those guys had 20 years ago.

MA”AT: Unlike Dwele, you are an indy head, working with Lil’ Brother. How has it working with them that helped you become popular?

DARIEN: They gave me my platform. My foundation. No one knew who I was when I hooked up with Lil Brother. In the indy world, they are a group you respect. All I did was do what I was suppose to do. Working with them has been such a pleasure and they give me an opportunity.

MA’AT: In recent years, it seems as though there has been a pattern in black music where unknown singers hook up with established artist , like Jill Scott and The roots, John legend and Kanye, mainly hip-hoppers, in order to get their stuff out there.

DARIEN: Yeah, it’s becoming a necessity because of the fact that music in general is in danger. Now we have to have an anchor to bring something on. Just in a short few years Erykah, D’Angelo or Bilal, didn’t have to be attached to somebody. Then it was shift where people weren’t checking neo-soul music

MA’AT: P.Diddy did the same with Carl Thomas

DARIEN: Carl is soul cat. That’s not typical R&B so it became necessary to have a someone a little bit bigger than you to get that stamp of approval. I think that’s why the trend exist.

MA’AT: Your first album. “Somebody to Love’ has been out for awhile. How well has it been selling?”

DARIEN: It’s been a lot of red tape, but I always find the positive. It has allowed people to pay attention to me outside Lil Brother. I can honestly say, I am seen more as an artist. It has touched different cities and states and even other countries. I see this album after I do more shows as a slow burner and after a year , a little more knows me or it will be one of those albums that you need to hear like Robin Thicke. Everybody loves “The Evolution,” but you need to hear the other stuff. You know what I mean? The album has definitely opened doors.

MA’AT: Is the buzz more East Coast or West Coast?

DARIEN: It started West Coast to the East Coast. Major cities. L.A. , DC, Baltimore. NY C and ATL.

MA’AT: What about your hometown in North Carolina?

DARIEN: Noooooooo, it was slow, but its been picking up. A lot of people who I know in my hometown for awhile didn’t know what I do. They see me on TV or on magazines and they ask me what am I doing. And I tell them I am working on an album and I tell them to go to the website and then they are shocked and telling their friends. People started talking.

MA”AT
; Do you see yourself more of a singer songwriter or performer? By just interviewing you, I can tell you are very animated.

DARIEN: I’m a nut. I’m silly. I’m more of a singer songwriter. The performing side, well, I’m learning. At one point, I was very shy. It was like let me get on stage and get it over it Doing enough shows with Lil Brother I started to enjoy it. I think I have something to put on the table

MA’AT: What do you see yourself doing in your career 10 years from now ?

DARIEN
: I have no idea. This industry you just never know. I would be happy to sustain myself in what I do.

Monday, June 04, 2007

OUT 197--STAGE VIEWZ--GUYS anD DOLLS --BLACK REP







THE BLACK REP CLOSES ON A HIGH NOTE WITH MULTI-ETHNIC CAST OF HIT MUSICAL "GUYS AND DOLLS"


The St. Louis Black Repertory 30th Anniversay season will be closing on a high note as the company revives the 1950 Tony Award winning musical GUYS AND DOLLS.


Directed by Black Rep Founder and Prioducing Director Ron Himes, GUYS AND DOLLS, which runs until June 30 at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, tells the story of Nathan Detroit (played by Gary Vincent, PICTURED IN SECOND PIC )) who is an illegal gambler and his problems with his forlorn nightclub singer girlfirend Miss Adelaide (played brilliantly by Roz White Gonsalves PICTURED IN THE YELLOW DRESS WITH VINCENT) who wants him to settle down and marry her after a "14 year engagement) and his drive to find money to rengt a spot a to hold a big tiem crap game wihen big time gamblers (including Black Rep fave A.C. Smith as Bug Jule) come to town.



Trying to obtain the money, Nathan comes across Sky Masterson (played by J. Samuel Davis who puts on yet another great performance PICTURED IN THE TOP PIC ) a high-rolling gambler who takes a bet with Detroit in order to oput money down on a spot. The bet--If Sky can get holy roller Sarah Brown (played by Sophia Stephens, PICTURED TOP AND BOTTOM PIC), the neighborhood saint to go to dinner with him and take her to Havana Cuba. If he can't win her over, Detroit wins the money for the spot. If he can win her over, then Sky wins. Afterward, the game is on as we meet various cast of colorful and witty characters that keeps the story moving along from one highlighted scene to the next.


The Black Rep 's rendition of GUYS AND DOLLS is definitely on point. The acting is rich (especailly White's and Davis' who are definitely in the running for picking up a Woody Award this fall at the Black Rep's annual theatre award show). The set is colofrul and vibrant, setting the environment of a storefront town. The flashy 50s upscale clothing and dazzling choreography (epsiclaly the Havana scene) is simply breathtaking.
Beside a few audio problems and some of the actors not elevating their voices to a theater level, GUYS AND DOLLS is definitely a show stopper. What makes this rendition diffrent than those of the past (eg. the-all black version on Broadway in 1977), is there is no reference to color from the racially mixed cast (only hint of color reference was Stephens' character talking about her wish to go Africa than to Cuba). Thus, the play is perfect for any interpretation in that it is musical fantasy.


FYI, it would have been nice if the title could have been changed from GUYS AND DOLLS to BROTHERS AND BABES. Just sayin.

































GUYS AND DOLLS



runs until June 30



Grandel theatre



3610 Grandel Sqaure



$27.50 -$40



for tciket and showtimes call 314.534.3810.