Dishin it With Dwight: A New Earth with Oprah, Jay-Z, and Abdul

UPDATE--- UPDATE--- UPDATE---IT WAS FOR OWN!!!!

Oprah and Jay-Z's "New Earth"

Rumors are flying all over the net about The FUTURE’s very own honorary member Oprah Winfrey visiting Sean “Jay-Z” Carter’s old neighborhood in Brooklyin, NY. Jay and Oprah visited Bed Stuy on Lexington Ave. & Lewis Ave. Jay’s block before moving to Marcy Projects; but then spent some time in Marcy Projects. The rumor is that Oprah was filming for an upcoming show that Jay will be featured on and Jay was showing her where he came up; if you also look closely in the photo you will see that Jay is holding in his hand “A New Earth,” which is an amazing book that Oprah has supported with her book club. A New Earth written by Eckhart Tolle assist readers in creating their life’s purpose and it challenges you to look within yourself and make decisions that truly transform your way of thinking in return creating “a new earth” for you and those around you. With this book being in his hand I wonder did Oprah bring him a copy? Is Jay currently reading it? Or was he trying to impress Ms. Winfrey? Regardless of why he is holding the book if you want an awakening in you and want to start creating new possibilities for your own life you must read “A New Earth,” it changed my life.

A New Earth
Tolle tells us there is good news, however. There is an alternative to this potentially dire situation. Humanity now, perhaps more than in any previous time, has an opportunity to create a new, saner, more loving world. This will involve a radical inner leap from the current egoic consciousness to an entirely new one.In illuminating the nature of this shift in consciousness, Tolle describes in detail how our current ego-based state of consciousness operates. Then gently, and in very practical terms, he leads us into this new consciousness. We will come to experience who we truly are—which is something infinitely greater than anything we currently think we are—and learn to live and breathe freely.

Patti LaBelle on Broadway in FELA!

Following two sneak peek performances Sept. 8-9, Grammy Award winner Patti LaBelle officially steps into the role of Fela's mother, Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti, in Broadway's Fela! Sept. 14. LaBelle succeeds Tony winner Lillias White, who played her final performance Sept. 12. The acclaimed singer will stay with the production through its closing on Jan. 2, 2011.

"After seeing the show, I was struck by the choreography and work of Bill T. Jones, and the passion and joy that overflows from the stage," LaBelle said in a previous statement. "Fela's mother, Funmilayo, was a strong, truly inspiring woman, and I am so privileged to be able to pay tribute to her on the Broadway stage."

LaBelle — who played Matron Mama Morton for a limited run in a Los Angeles stint of Chicago — is known for her Grammy Award-winning rhythm and blues songs, which include "On My Own" and "New Attitude." The one-time lead member of the group Labelle also sang on the group's biggest hit "Lady Marmalade." The singer has appeared on Broadway in three self-titled concerts and appeared in the 1982 revival of Your Arms Too Short to Box With God.

Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, plays the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. After an acclaimed run Off-Broadway in 2008, Fela! began previews on Broadway Oct. 19, 2009. Sahr Ngaujah, who headlined the Off-Broadway premiere, alternates in the role of the late African musical figure, with Kevin Mambo (Ruined).

Tony-winning Spring Awakening choreographer Bill T. Jones directs and choreographs the production that features a book by Jones and Jim Lewis and utilizes Anikulapo-Kuti's own music. Lewis, a Tony nominee for Chronicle of a Death Foretold, also penned additional lyrics. The musical was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel. The production incorporates the Afrobeat orchestra Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson, who perform Kuti's music live onstage.

In Fela!, according to production notes, "audiences are welcomed into the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), [the musical] explores Kuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician."

The design team includes scenic and costume designer Marina Draghici, lighting designer Rob Wierzel, sound designer Rob Kaplowitz and projection designer Peter Nigrini. Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean will provide musical arrangements. The musical, which earned the 2008 Lucille Lortel honor for Best Musical, played an acclaimed engagement at the now-closed 37 Arts in 2008. 37 Arts was also the birthplace of the Tony-winning musical In the Heights.

Fela! is produced by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roy Gabay, Edward Tyler Nahem, Slava Smolokowski, Chip Meyrelles/Ken Greiner, Steve Semlitz/Cathy Glazer, Daryl Roth/True Love Productions, Knitting Factory Entertainment and Susan Dietz. In association with Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson. Fela! won three 2010 Tony Awards: Best Costume Design, Best Sound Design and Best Choreography. Visit FelaonBroadway.com.

Jay-Z Kicks Off World Basketball Festival at Radio City Music Hall Thursday Night

By Yepoka Yeebo

MANHATTAN — NBA superstars Kevin Durant and Rajon Rondo will be hitting the streets of Manhattan this weekend as the World Basketball Festival takes the city by storm starting Thursday night. Jay-Z will be the opening act for the World Basketball Festival's exhibition game at Radio City Music Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The four-day festival will feature national teams from China, Puerto Rico, France and Brazil, as well as a U.S. national team filled with NBA superstars. Derek Rose, Danny Granger and Stephon Curry will also play for Team USA. The national teams will square off in Madison Square Garden after holding open-air scrimmage sessions on a hardwood court built specifically for the occasion in Harlem's Rucker Park.

The Rucker court will be the first to be donated to a community center as part of Nike's collaboration with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and the New York City Housing Authority. The groups plan to build new basketball courts and refurbish old ones at 25 community centers around the city. Nike also teamed up with Jay-Z to design a collection of sneakers called "Air Force Ones" to commemorate this year's festival. Five limited edition pairs will be auctioned off on eBay to raise money for Jay-Z's Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.

The U.S. team will use the festival get ready for the 2010 FIBA Basketball Championship games in Turkey at the end of August. “We're thrilled with the opportunity to bring the energy and excitement of USA Basketball's men's national team to fans and give them a way to celebrate," said Jerry Colangelo, chair of USA Basketball. Team USA will play France at Madison Square Garden at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The World Basketball Festival, which runs from Aug. 12-15, will also sponsor championship games for summer basketball leagues citywide.

I Am Forever Young

Have you ever said to yourself that you want to be forever young??? Well age is nothing but a state of mind... I AM FOREVER YOUNG!!! Check out Jay-Z and Mr. Hudson video "Forever Young" the feeling that I am radiating in my life... young, sexy, and successful.




Live in Concert with Beyonce "Forever Young" at Coachella Arts and Music Festival 2010