In addition to her being very talented, personable, charming and likeable, there is something special about the rather sudden ascent of Lupita Nyong’o, the actress who has been winning heavy praise and receiving major award nominations, including the Oscar, for her work in “12 Years a Slave.”
Nyong’o is a refreshing break from the plethora of female stars with long hair and (more often than not) lighter skin. She has chocolate brown skin, natural short hair, plus a dazzling smile. (Which is not to criticize the fair-skinned ladies because they are wonderful.)
The rising star, who was stunning at the recent Golden Globe Awards in a beautiful red cape gown by Ralph Lauren, traces her heritage to Kenya, East Africa. However, she was born in Mexico City, Mexico, but received her college education in the United States (Hampshire College and Yale School of Drama).
Lupita Nyong’o is here to stay, and rightfully so.
KEVIN OWENS’ name is not one the general public is familiar with, but within the recording/performing industry he is well known and respected, having sung back-up for a cavalcade of top name artists for three decades.
His longest stint (23 years) was with the remarkable legend Luther Vandross, who left us in 2005 and remains unmatched on every level.
Owens has written an autobiography titled “So Amazing” (the title is a salute to Vandross’ popular 1987 recording) and subtitled “Through the Eyes of Keith Owens,” who invites readers to “come with me on my amazing journey on the road with Luther Vandross.”
Owens provides a great amount of insider’s insight, both into the industry as a whole, his experiences in particular, and sheds much light on why there was such an ugly falling out when En Vogue toured with Vandross in 1993. Apparently, they forgot who was the star of the show and who was the opening act.
Kevin Owens’ book can be ordered at www.soamazingthebook.com.
WHILE looking over the information pertaining to the Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage 2014, I was thinking how much fun it must for those who are so inclined.
It’s an impressive roster, including current and veteran artists such as Kem, George Clinton, Robin Thicke, Charlie Wilson, John Legend, the Bar-Kays and Chante Moore. Even Tyler Perry will be there, in a casting agent capacity.
But something that always crosses my mind regarding this excursion, as well as the Soul Train cruise and others of their type, is that since the stars are on the cruise, and people see them, maybe on a regular basis, that it would take away from the excitement when they are doing their shows. But perhaps not.
BY THE WAY, the Bar-Kays are celebrating their 50th year throughout 2014. The funk band had their first hit in 1967, but were at their hottest from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. You might remember Top 10 hits like “Move Your Boogie Body,” “Holy Ghost” and “Shake Your Rump to the Funk.”
Anyone who thinks that all things are now equal between the sexes is sorely mistaken, according to megastar Beyoncé Knowles Carter.
“We need to stop buying into the myth about gender equality,” she said. “We have to teach our boys about the rules of equality and respect, so that as they grow up, gender equality becomes a way of life. And we have teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible.”
Do you think 20-year-old Bobbi Kristina Brown’s marriage to Nick Gordon will last? It’s got to be (?) better than Whitney and Bobby’s.
THE MUSIC of Motown is an entity unto itself, has a life of its own, and is always surfacing somewhere.
As you read this, in the U.K. a 10-part musical TV drama is being developed by a heavy hitter, Red Planet Pictures, titled “Stop! In the Name of Love.” In the course of the show, the performers will sing classic Motown songs.
Tony Jordan, one of the script writers, rather poetically commented, “The music of Motown is iconic, perfectly encapsulating the ecstasy and heartbreak of love, and providing a powerful punch that dilalogue alone sometimes just can’t reach. The musical arrangements and cutting-edge choreography will give us a uniquely modern take on a genre of music that is truly timeless.”
Kudos to “American Idol” for promising to eliminate feuding among judges — Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey were downright embarrassing — and to cut way back on showing bad auditions.
Dionne Warwck, who recently won the Soul Train Living Legend Award, has a new album coming out in May titled “Feels So Good.” It will consist entirely of duets, some quite unlikely, including Ne-Yo, Ziggy Marley, Alicia Keys, Billy Ray Cyrus and Cee Lo Green.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that there was a time when P. Diddy was a back-up dancer for Heavy D as well as Big Daddy Kane.
MEMORIES: “That Lady” (the Isley Brothers), “Sweet Baby” (Stanley Clarke and George Duke), “Push It” (Salt-n-Pepa), “A Little Bit of Soap” (the Jarmels), “If It Isn’t Love” (New Edition), “Show and Tell” (Al Wilson), “Too Much Heaven” (the Bee Gees), “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” (Major Harris), “It’s All in the Game” (Tommy Edwards), “Looking for a New Love” (Jody Watley).
BLESSINGS to Cornelius Fortune, Dorothy West, Robert McTyre, Carmela McTyre, Ken Coleman, Kim Trent Coleman, Janaya Black, Rocky Black, Bill Banfield and Krafus Walker.
WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Michael Jordan: “Some people want it to happen. Some wish it would happen. Others make it happen.”
Let the music play!
Steve Holsey can be reached at Svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.
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