Interview: Dr. Roscoe Brown – Tuskegee Airman and Squadron Commander

Posted: May 18, 2012 in film/tv, interview
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Date of Interview: 05/18/2012

Dr. Roscoe Brown served as one of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. As squadron commander of the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group, Brown flew 68 long-range missions from August of 1944 to March of 1945. For his service, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush.

The experiences of the Tuskegee Airmen are highlighted in Red Tails, a film produced by George Lucas [theatrical release date: January 20, 2012]. The film was directed by Anthony Hemingway and based upon a screenplay crafted by John Ridley and Aaron McGruder. In support of the DVD release [May 22, 2012], Dr. Roscoe Brown spoke with Clayton Perry about his Air Force experience, life under “Jim Crow,” and the value of education.

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Interview: Bram van Splunteren – Filmmaker and Journalist

Posted: May 14, 2012 in film/tv, interview, music
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Date of Interview: 05/14/2012

Bram van Splunteren is a Dutch filmmaker and journalist. His hip-hop documentary – Big Fun in the Big Town (1986) – captures a series of extraordinary events during an incredible week in New York: Doug E Fresh beatboxing and philosophizing on the street in Harlem, Grandmaster Flash scratching records on his living room table, and LL Cool J discussing love raps at his grandmother’s house in Queens. Twenty-five years after its initial broadcasting on Dutch public television, 5 Day Weekend has made this rare, historical footage commercially available for the very first time.

In support of Big Fun in the Big Town’s worldwide release (DVD: May 22, 2012), Bram van Splunteren spoke with Clayton Perry about his passion for filmmaking, early radio resistance to hip-hop music, and the vital support received from Def Jam publicist Bill Adler.

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“Think Like A Man” Soundtrack Dares to “Be Epic”

Posted: April 30, 2012 in commentary, music
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For the past few months, I have waited anxiously for the “new” Epic Records to unveil projects from its fresh line-up of R&B singers. Much of this excitement was fueled by Antonio “L.A.” Reid’s attachment to the label, as well as his meticulous selection of executives to assist him with its rollout. Adding an additional layer of excitement, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart was designated as the president of A&R; his brother, Mark Stewart, was named EVP of A&R operations. On April 10, 2012, the label released one of its first major projects: a soundtrack to the comedy film adaptation of Steve Harvey’s Act Like A Woman, Think Like A Man. For this particular release, “Tricky” served as executive producer.

Considering the massive success of the original New York Times bestselling non-fiction text, the pressure was on to match the literary predecessors accomplishments visually – and sonically, with original music for its motion picture soundtrack. In both respects, the mission was soundly accomplished – and the Think Like a Man soundtrack is worthy of residence in the penthouse suite of Billboard’s top albums chart.

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Interview: Greg Tate – Writer, Musician and Producer

Posted: April 8, 2012 in books, interview, music
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Date of Interview: 04/08/2012

Over the past two decades, Greg Tate has garnered a reputation – and eventually dubbed by The Source magazine – as a “Godfather of hip-hop journalism.” Much of his most-popular writings were published during his stint as a staff writer with New York City’s Village Voice between 1987 and 2003. Greg Tate’s publications extended beyond the outlet, however, and include the following titles: Flyboy in the Buttermilk: Essays on Contemporary America (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992), Everything But the Burden: What White People Are Taking From Black Culture (New York: Broadway Books, 2003) and Midnight Lightning: Jimi Hendrix and the Black Experience (Chicago: Lawrence Hill Books, 2003). His forthcoming works: Flyboy 2: The Greg Tate Reader (Duke University Press) and James Brown’s Body and the Revolution of the Mind (Riverhead Press).

A co-founder of the Black Rock Coalition, Greg Tate also serves as the leader of Burnt Sugar, an improvisational band that fuses funk, jazz, rock, and African music through experimental – yet cohesive – performance. Currently, he is serving as a Visiting Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University. In 2010, he was awarded a United States Artists fellowship, an organization whose mission statement is “to invest in America’s finest artists and illuminate the value of artists to society.”

In response to a “special request,” in support of the body of literature composed during his incredible journalism career, Greg Tate managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on his love of hip-hop, the founding of Burnt Sugar, and an “unappreciated” De La Soul emcee.

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Ultimate “Wish List” for Classic Whitney Houston Tribute

Posted: February 12, 2012 in commentary, music
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There are very few vocalists that should be allowed to even consider the act – or thought, for that matter – of covering the “gems” in Whitney Houston “music box”!  Alas, given the scarcity of pure, silky-smooth voices, I have compiled a short-list of worthy participants that could provide a fitting tribute to “THE VOICE” – Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012).

REST IN PEACE! [02/13 Update - via ABC News - "Jennfier Hudson Tribute to Whitney Houston, Adele's Wins Highlight GRAMMYS" - VIDEO]

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Interview: Quincy “QDeezy” Harris – Actor and Radio Personality

Posted: February 9, 2012 in film/tv, interview
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Date of Interview: 02/09/2012

Quincy “QDeezy” Harris is a radio personality for Philadelphia’s Hot 107.9, which is owned and operated by Radio One. As a native of Philly, his reputation – and popularity – have steadily increased since his early years at Clear Channel’s WUSL Power 99 and successful transition to “Big Boy’s Neighborhood,” a syndicated morning show ran by Power 106 KPWR in Los Angeles. Back on his home turf, in a comfortable – and receptive – artistic space, QDeezy tapped into another passion: film.

As the producer and principle star of Exit Strategy, QDeezy leveraged the relationships fostered in radio and brought them to the film project. Among the many “cards” tucked into his “sleeve,” a cameo appearance by long-time friend Kevin Hart. In the midst of a promotional campaign for Exit Strategy (theatrical release, February 10, 2012; DVD release, June 5, 2012), Quincy “QDeezy” Harris spoke with Clayton Perry about the independent film landscape, the value in fostering quality professional relationships, and the importance of “striking while the iron is hot.”

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Interview: Kim Fields – Actress and Television Director

Posted: February 8, 2012 in film/tv, interview
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Date of Interview: 02/08/2012

Kim Fields (Facts of Life and Living Single) is a veteran actress who has successfully transitioned into the director’s chair. Equally talented in both roles, she has spent her talents most recently as the lead director on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Meet the Browns. She has also lent her directorial talents to BET’s Let’s Stay Together. As the daughter of Chip Fields, an actress and television director, Kim has been developing her talents – implicitly and explicitly – for her entire lifetime.

Bitten by the “acting bug,” Kim Fields removed her “director’s hat” temporarily and revisited her first love. On February 18, 2012, the Gospel Music Channel (CMG) premiered A Cross to Bear – directed by Tandria Potts – in which she starred as Joan. The original screenplay was crafted by Cas Sigers Beedles and Terri J. Vaughn and features Angie Stone and Kenny Lattimore in the lead roles.

On November 1, 2010, Kim Fields was awarded the “Industry Trailblazer Award” by Atlanta’s Women in Film and Television organization. In support of A Cross to Bear, a trailblazing project in its own right, Kim Fields spoke with Clayton Perry about the professional “crosses” women must bear in Hollywood, her frustration with entertainment’s status quo, and learning the importance of “staying in her lane” as an actor-director.

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