Posts Tagged ‘interview’

Interview: Kim Wayans – Actress and Comedienne

Posted: December 8, 2011 in film/tv, interview
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Date of Interview: 12/08/2011

By accepting the role of  “Audrey,” Kim Wayans boldly pushed her professional envelope in Pariah, Dee Rees’ critically-acclaimed feature film. Although a few humorous moments emerge on-screen, the beloved comedienne fearlessly tackled her first dramatic role. A true actor: Kim Wayans can seamlessly juxtapose tears of laughter and pain.

In the midst of a promotional campaign for Pariah’s theatrical release [limited – December 28, 2011 – New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco; nationwide – January 2012], Kim Wayans squeezed some time out of her busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on her connection with “Audrey,” Hollywood’s small cadre of leading women, and the influence of growing up in the Wayans household.

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Interview: Adepero Oduye – Actress

Posted: December 8, 2011 in film/tv, interview
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Date of Interview: 12/08/2011

In a breakthrough debut performance, Adepero Oduye reprises the role of “Alike” in Pariah, Dee Rees’ timely coming-of-age drama. Initially introduced at Sundance as modest film short, the full-length treatment encouraged Oduye to embody the spirit of her character with a level of ease as if it were her own. In acknowledgement and praise of Adepero’s talent and dynamic portrayal, the Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) bestowed the actress with its “Rising Star” Signature Award.

In support of Pariah’s theatrical release [limited – December 28, 2011 – New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco; nationwide – January 2012], Adepero Oduye squeezed some time out of her busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the abandonment of her pre-medical studies, discovering her voice, and the inspiration she drew from Robert Duvall’s performance in The Apostle.

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Interview: Dee Rees – Writer and Film Director

Posted: December 8, 2011 in film/tv, interview
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Date of Interview: 12/08/2011

Dee Rees is the writer and director of Pariah, a theatrical tour de force that elicited recognition for her efforts as “Best Director” by the Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) on December 19, 2011. Initially fashioned as a film short, Pariah’s evolution into a full-length feature was propelled by its “finalist” designation for the 2009 Sundance/NHK International Award. After two years of fundraising – with the assistance of producer Nekisa Cooper – and constructive guidance from NYU professor Spike Lee, Focus Features acquired Pariah immediately following its world-premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

In anticipation of Pariah’s theatrical release [limited – December 28, 2011 – New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco; nationwide – January 2012], Dee Rees managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the importance of character development, her love of John Cassavetes, and cruising Brooklyn in a RV.

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Interview: Mateo – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Posted: November 9, 2011 in interview, music
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Date of Interview: 11/09/2011

Considering the amount of formal and informal music training Mateo has received over the years, it may be unsurprising that the crossroads of his professional journey would intersect with those of Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, a long-time collaborator with Alicia Keys and the co-founder of KrucialKeys Enterprise. As the member of a highly-musical family, in addition to his business and music concentrations at Morehouse College, the care and precision of Mateo’s entry into entertainment’s saturated industry is guided by a “blueprint” established by Alicia Keys, a contemporary artist who has managed to have longevity in an ever-evolving marketplace.

To be certain: all great things take time to grow and develop. But in retrospect, the universal appeal of his current single, “Say It’s So,” hints of an artist whose bright light has finally been freed from darkness.

During a promotional campaign for Love & Stadiums, Mateo managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the importance of his Morehouse experience, his perspective on “urban modernism” and the musical standard set by his grandfather, Freddy Jordan (of King Records).

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Interview: Kerry “Krucial” Brothers – Songwriter, Producer and Entrepreneur

Posted: November 9, 2011 in interview, music
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Date of Interview: 11/09/2011

Kerry “Krucial” Brothers epitomizes the classic example of the ever-present, yet semi-elusive man that works all of his magic “behind the scenes.” As the co-founder of KrucialKeys Enterprise, his musical collaborations with Alicia Keys have generated millions of album sales worldwide. After a decade of faithful and relatively exclusive production services for Keys, “Krucial” has focused his time, energy and talents on the development of Mateo – a singer, songwriter and musician from Cincinatti, Ohio.

Considering the successful track record “Krucial” has maintained thus far, expectations are running high for Mateo and his Krucial Noise debut, following the rave reviews linked to Love & Stadiums, the singer’s critically-acclaimed mixtape.

In the midst of a promotional campaign for Love & Stadiums II, Kerry “Krucial” Brothers managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on his love of poetry, his personal connection to classical music and a decade of significant success.

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Interview: Dionne Warwick – International Music Legend

Posted: October 5, 2011 in interview, music
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Date of Interview: 10/05/2011

Few artists can boast a music career one decade in length let alone five. Dionne Warwick – in spite of the industry’s unpredictable twist and turns – defied the odds. The singer’s humility is the primary reason for the covering of one little-known fact: Warwick ranks second as the most-charted female vocalist on Billboard’s Hot 100. (With singles released between 1962 and 1998, only Aretha Franklin ranks higher.)

In celebration of the singer’s 50th year in entertainment, Dionne Warwick was gracious to make time in her busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting upon her early years as a background singer, the influence of her grandfather, and the importance of friendship and relationship-building.

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Interview: Russ Parr – Radio Personality, Cultural Critic and Media Titan

Posted: September 2, 2011 in film/tv, interview, music
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Russ Parr

Date of Interview: 09/02/2011

As one of the United States’ most-successful radio personalities, Russ Parr has cultivated a reputable entertainment brand over the past two decades. To date, his nationally syndicated radio show covers 24 markets and reaches 3.2 million listeners. Since 1996, the revolutionary partnership between Radio One and the Russ Parr Morning Show has redefined the style, pace and influence of contemporary “urban” broadcasts.

Capitalizing on his cultural capital, Russ Parr has expanded his media empire into the world of cinema. His most-recent project, 35 and Ticking, features cast members such as Kevin Hart, Meagan Good and Tamala Jones. With the release of Parr’s forthcoming theatrical feature, The Under Shepherd, Russ will continue to establish himself as one of Hollywood’s premiere “triple-threats”: writer, director and executive producer.

During a promotional campaign for the DVD release – September 13, 2011 – of 35 and Ticking, Russ Parr managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on his early years as a stand-up comedian, the evolution of “urban” radio, and the professional lessons he learned in Hollywood.

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Interview: Ser’Darius Blain – Actor

Posted: August 9, 2011 in film/tv, interview
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 Ser'Darius Blain

Date of Interview: 08/09/2011

Ser’Darius Blain is a 2009 graduate of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. After six callbacks, he landed his first major project: Footloose, a remake of the 1984 classic. Cast in the role of “Woody,” Ser’Darius Blain stars alongside Dennis Quaid and Andy McDowell.

In the midst of a promotional campaign for Footloose, Ser’Darius Blain managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule in order to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on his long battle with shyness, the importance of a multicultural upbringing, and the valuable knowledge derived from his mother’s artistry.

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Interview: Katy B – Singer and Songwriter

Posted: July 29, 2011 in interview, music
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Katy B

Date of Interview: 07/29/2011

Katy B is one of Britain’s rising talents from the underground scene. As a member of RINSE FM’s “community” of artists, her success is both personal and political. The release of her first single, “Katy On a Mission,” came shortly after the pirate radio station’s granting of an official broadcast license, which had spent 16 years broadcasting underground. Her success gives credence to the emergence of grime and dubstep – paying homage to her fellow musical soldiers: Dizzee Rascal, Wiley and countless others.

On July 19, 2011, Katy’s debut album, On A Mission, was nominated for the 2011 Barclaycard Mercury Prize. The album will be distributed States-side via Columbia Records. In support of the project’s US release – September 13, 2011 – Katy B managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on her early years at RINSE FM, the influence of DJ Geeneus, and the lessons learned from Ms. Dynamite, Britain’s top female MC.

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Interview: Sean Paul – Dancehall King

Posted: July 20, 2011 in interview, music
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Sean PaulDate of Interview: 07/20/2011

A critical prerequisite in the provision of “second chances” is the determination of its recipient to persevere in the face of an initial failing. In retrospect, the sophomore success of Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock virtually supplanted all public memory of his Stage One debut; and following the swift impact of two massive singles, “Gimme the Light” and “Get Busy,” the dancehall artist became a mainstay on MTV and BET. His subsequent collaborations with Beyonce (“Baby Boy”), Blu Cantrell (“Breathe”) and Mya (“Things Come and Go”) were simply the prelude of the many accomplishments to come.

Within a decade’s time, Sean Paul has become the best-selling dancehall artist of all-time – with a GRAMMY-winning catalog eclipsing 10 million album sales. During a promotional campaign for his latest single, “Got 2 Luv U” (featuring Alexis Jordan), Sean Paul managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the origins of his music career, the international success of dancehall, and the significance of Little X’s video treatment for “Gimme the Light.”

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