Posts Tagged ‘Image Entertainment’

Interview: Jade Jenise Dixon – Director, Actress and Writer

Posted: September 25, 2009 in film/tv, interview
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Jade Jenise Dixon

Date of Interview: 09/25/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

Jade Jenise Dixon is the owner of Stepping Stone Productions, LLC, and Utopia Films, Inc.  She is also an actress, producer, director, writer, and casting director.

Dixon’s latest work, Truth Hall, has garnered eight film festival wins and nominations, including a “Best Director” win at the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York City, in addition to a “Best Director – First Feature” Award at the Pan-African Film Festival.  A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Jade Jenise Dixon’s work has been compared to that of Spike Lee, a fellow NYU alumnus.

Upon the commercial release of Truth Hall, Jade Jenise Dixon managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on the early influence of Ntozake Shange’s 1975 stageplay For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, the current climate for female African-American directors, and the need for film to address overlooked social issues.

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Interview: Deborah Cox – Singer and Songwriter

Posted: January 2, 2009 in interview, music
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Deborah Cox

Date of Interview: 01/02/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

Between 1998 and 2006, Deborah Cox held the record for the longest-running #1 single on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart: “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here.”  Over the course of 14 weeks, audiences across the globe were captivated by her magnificent vocals, which cemented the Canadian singer into R&B history.  The strength of Cox’s R&B catalog resonated with dance audiences as well, and her repertoire of hits would eventually be catapulted to the top of Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart.  To date, she has garnered nine #1 singles and firmly established herself as a key pioneer in contemporary dance music.

In 2008, Deborah Cox and her husband, Lascelles Stephens created the Deco Recording Group, an independent label that is distributed through Image Entertainment.  The venture’s first release was The Promise, Cox’s fifth studio album, which was released on November 11, 2008. Upon review of The Promise, Deborah Cox managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Clive Davis, The Promise and her definition of love.

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Interview: Tamia – Singer and Songwriter

Posted: April 10, 2008 in interview, music
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Tamia

Date of Interview: 04/10/2008

© 2008 Clayton Perry

Since 1994, Tamia has put moves on the hearts of music lovers across the globe.  And like a fine wine, her musical repertoire has aged well, despite contemporary transitions from traditional R&B fare.

R&B music is fortunate, however, to have Tamia’s presence, because it is rare to find a female singer who is beautiful and sensual, yet poised and elegant, in the current musical landscape.  Rarer still is the consistently positive nature of Tamia’s artistry and professional image: both of which are direct reflections of her spirituality, class and long-term marriage to Grant Hill.  It goes without saying that her work is deserving of widespread critical acclaim.  Nevertheless, she is oft-overlooked, even with four GRAMMY nominations to her credit.

On November 14, 2006, Tamia released Between Friends, an album that highlights the beauty and dynamics of relationships.  As Tamia’s first independent release, Between Friends also christened Plus One Music Group, her very own label.  Enjoying more creative control, Tamia collaborated with Gallo Records and Image Entertainment for international distribution.

Upon review of Between Friends, Tamia managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on motherhood, her battle with MS, and taking the “independent” route.

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