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25 Apr

Music Midtown 2012: Press Day Preview

Posted by: Cutty Shark  /  Category: EntertainmentReporters

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On Tuesday April 24, 2012, 360 Media hosted the official “Press Preview Party” for the 2012 Midtown Music festival in Atlanta, Georgia. The festival; which is attended by thousands each year, will take place in Piedmont Park on September 21-22, 2012. Tickets go on sale Saturday, April 28th at 10am.

“We will continually endeavor to bring amazing artists to Music Midtown, making sure that everyone has the best experience they could want at this festival,” Peter Conlon, President for Live Nation said.

The scene inside the Greystone in Piedmont Park was one of anticipation & excitement as Peter Conlon of Live Nation, along with Atlanta City Councilmen Kwanza Hall and Alex Wan, announced the 2012 Music Midtown artist lineup. When it was announced who would be performing, the audience gasped in excitement!

The 2012 lineup features the following artists on Friday:
• Foo Fighters
• Van Hunt
• TI
• Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
• The Avett Brothers

Saturday includes:
• Pearl Jam
• Ludacris
• Girl Talk
• Florence + The Machine
• Civil Twilight
• LP
• O’Brother
• plus more acts to be announced!

Live Preview Party Video

Tickets go on sale this Saturday, April 28 at 10 a.m. at www.musicmidtown.com, www.livenation.com or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. As the official credit card of Music Midtown, Citi card members will have access to presale tickets beginning Wednesday, April 25 at 10 a.m. through Citi’s Private Pass Program until Friday, April 27 at 10 p.m. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

Early Bird general admission tickets are $55 for a one-day pass or $100 for a two-day pass + $1 for Mayor Reed’s Centers for Hope initiative. Conlon remarked that sometime during the summer, general admission ticket prices will increase to $65 for a one-day pass and $120 for a two-day pass.

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11 Oct

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges receives 2011 Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award

Posted by: Cutty Shark  /  Category: EntertainmentReporters

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In the spirit of Extraordinary Philanthropy, The Community Voices of the Morehouse School of Medicine presented the 2011 Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award to GRAMMY® award winning artist and actor, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges on October 6, 2011 at the swanky St. Regis Atlanta in Buckhead (Atlanta), GA. The award compliments special individuals who go above and beyond their civic call of duty to improving health care to the underprivileged globally.

Most people know him as the “Rapper” Ludacris, but to those who depend on a better way of life and building their future he is Chris Bridges. Through his ‘The Ludacris Foundation’, he inspires youth to give their all and he builds confidence in communities all over the world. The Ludacris Foundation was founded by Bridges in 2001; in it’s 10th year, the foundation (spearheaded by his mother, Roberta Shields) aims to strengthen the youth by the importance of Education and following one’s dreams. The foundation’s primary focus is on three key areas (3L’s): Leadership and Education; Living Healthy Lifestyles; and LudaCares. For more information, visit www.theludacrisfoundation.org.

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“Being a local celebrity and going to halfway houses & visiting children in hospitals is probably the best thing that could have ever happened in my life, because I noticed how I affected these young people and how I made a difference in their lives. And; that, is why you know about the Ludacris Foundation today.”
Chris “Ludacris” Bridges

The Gala began with a pre-reception where both Soledad O’Brien, as well as Chris “Ludacris” Bridges spoke to the students of the Morehouse School of Medicine to further inspire them on this great night. They also awarded University of Southern California Graduate and President of the Correctional Medicine Interest Group at Morehouse School of Medicine, Sinmi Bamgbose with the first annual Soledad O’Brien Master in Public Health honor scholar Award. What a great night to celebrate Extraordinary Philanthropy.

In closing, Chris thanked his mother for her tireless efforts not only to raise him to be an upstanding member of society, but also in running The Ludacris Foundation.

Previous winners of the Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award are: 2009: Malaak Compton-Rock; 2010: Hill Harper; 2010: Kevin Liles.

Take a look at the Live Video Footage of The 2011 Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award Gala below:

*video shot/edited by: Timothy “Cutty Shark” Sanders

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06 Sep

ISLEY BROTHERS TAKE OVER CHASTAIN PARK f/El Debarge

Posted by: Cutty Shark  /  Category: EntertainmentReporters

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Something like a time capsule; we went back in time!!!

Saturday, September 3, 2011 was a date to remember in Atlanta, GA. High Level Media’s “The Reunion Concert” sponsored by Sould Headphones by Ludacris invaded Chastain Park. The Concert featuring the Legendary Isley Brothers, El Debarge and a few friends was hosted by Idris Elba. Chastain Park Amphitheatre was packed out with celebrities, fans, comedians, media and everybody in between for this very special night. Some of the people that came out to enjoy a night of classic soul and R&B from a few of the greats in the business was: Mayor Kasim Reed, Kandi Burruss, Jasmine Guy, Ludacris, Phaedra Parks and Choreographer, Andrea Kelly; just to name a few.

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photo credits: James Pray, Jazmyne Simmons

***Check out Live Footage of the Legendary Show (below):

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02 Nov

SHAREEFA: Disturbing The Streets…

Posted by: Cutty Shark  /  Category: EntertainmentReporters

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It has been a long time since the music industry has seen somebody so real! In fact, the last time was in 2006 when Shareefa dropped her debut, ‘Point of No Return’. Her first single, ‘I Need A Boss’ (produced by Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jenkins) solidified her as one of the realest women in the game. “That’s the biggest thing in this industry: being yourself, staying yourself & being grounded. Because, you can change! They will try to change you – Quick! But… You gotta be in tune with yourself,” Shareefa said. ‘Point of No Return’ peaked at #3 on the Billboard R&B charts.

A native of Newark, New Jersey, Shareefa’s professional music career began when she was introduced to Teddy Riley of the famed group Guy. “I was 16 when I met Teddy Riley. He brought it out of me. He pulled me to the corner and said, “God, you are so dope as a singer, but you don’t know how to sing! Meaning, you have such an incredible voice but you don’t know how to use it. Your voice is an instrument and it’s like practicing the Piano or Guitar. You’re learning how to use your instrument.” Shareefa took those words of wisdom and ran like Gail Devers. From that point on, she worked on her already stunning vocals and by 2005 she was signed to Ludacris ‘Disturbing Tha Peace’ imprint. She began writing her own lyrics, and her first single, ‘I Need A Boss’ became a hit record right before her eyes. “I was shocked, because I was a newcomer! I got signed in 2005; my album was out in 2006. That was quick!” Shareefa shared.

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“I just started coming into my own. My sound; I’m just starting to perfect it!”

After a brief hiatus, Shareefa (the First Lady of Disturbing Tha Peace) is prepared to drop her sophomore effort, ‘The Secret’ at the top of 2011. The album boasts soul & true R&B. On the first single, ‘Should I Stay’, Shareefa contemplates leaving the man she’s with for the man that she’s cheating with. She sings, ‘my daughter needs her daddy, but I need my big daddy’. The soulful Shareefa is just bold enough to get away with expressing herself in this way. I personally love it! “That’s taboo! Should I stay or should I go?! A lot of times, females go through that; where we have to decide. My answer to any female would be to follow your heart. Pray about it, then let it go. Let that choice be yours! I thought it was risqué for a female. You always get men talking about having a girl on the side, not a female with a man on the side.” Shareefa explained.

The future looks as bright as a flawless diamond for Shareefa. She is happy, and she is back home: on stage where she belong! “I feel good! I feel rejuvenated! I feel like God brought me through everything I went through for a reason, because now I’m here doing an interview with you! How lovely is that?!” She has fans, she has confidence, she has love, she has life! “I see; in about 5 years, I’m touring all around the world. Just non-stop on the road! Get a couple things under my belt: a store front here & there. A boutique or something, and me just living life to the fullest.” Shareefa ended.

Shareefa just ended a promotional tour with El Debarge on October 31, 2010, and is ready for more! She also recently shot the video for her new single, “Should I Stay” with director Benny Boom in Los Angeles. Her voice is stronger than ever and she knows who she is! Now, why don’t you get to know her too! Follow her on twitter: @GotReefa. Check her out on facebook: Shareefa Cooper.

“Got Reefa?! We do!!!” We got you Reefa…

Check out Shareefa’s Live performance in Atlanta, GA opening for El Debarge on October 28, 2010 (below):

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