O . . . EMMM . . GEEEEE!!! Girl Goes On Facebook . . . Brags That She Has THE MONSTER . . . And Claims She's Trying To INFECT EVERY DUDE SHE KNOWS!!! - MediaTakeOut.com™ 2011

O . . . EMMM . . GEEEEE!!! Girl Goes On Facebook . . . Brags That She Has THE MONSTER . . . And Claims She's Trying To INFECT EVERY DUDE SHE KNOWS!!! - MediaTakeOut.com™ 2011

Read All About It...Unseen legalities within Entertainment!

So I am sitting here reading up on my daily gossip for the day and I run across a few articles about about some of our beloved stars and programs. Seems that they have been in a little trouble recently and are working out their legalities. So let's take a look at a few stories that I ran past today:

1) "Sesame Street" Composer Pleads Not Guilty to Child Porn Chargers


Now this story hits home as being part of a generation that grew up on Sesame Street. One of the composers for the grammy-award winning Sesame Street plead "not-guilty" to producing, possessing,  and distributing pornography of a 4-year old child. The composer, Fernando Rivas, is currently under house arrest. Rivas was arrested in April 2011 after photos of the 4-year old being restrained "bondage-style" were discovered. Rivas admitted to having sent those photos to two other persons.

Now as much as I love "Sesame Street" growing up and still love it for my children...this seriously needs to be handled as quick as possible and in a discreet manner to save its reputation.

Resource: http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/11/22/sesame_street_composer_pleads_not_guil

2) Rihanna's "We Found Love" Video Banned In France


So once again (and I mean this in a daily sense) Rihanna is in the headlines of recent Entertainment news, blogs, and vlogs. So Ms. Rihanna has put out another racy music video that has caught the attention of France. The French censors have made this decision based on the "self-destructive" behavior they feel the video contains. The Supreme Audiovisual Council of France have ruled the video to only be shown after 10pm due to its explicitness. This video will be the second video for Rihanna within recent months to have been banned. Her video for "S&M' had been banned in 10 other countries besides France in earlier months.

Now I am honestly not sure that Rihanna and her record company actually cares for other countries banning her music videos because her career seems to be built off of controversy.

Resource: http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/11/21/rihannas_we_found_love_video_banned_in

3) Wesley Snipes Sued Over Credit Card Debt


Wesley Snipes is once again in financial trouble and having to face a credit card company in dispute of repayment for $30,000 in unpaid charges. He is currently serving a 3 year sentence for tax evasion. American Express, who has filed this lawsuit, attempted to recover their money prior to Mr. Snipes sentencing. They are now wanting to recover their owed monies in addition to associated legal fees.

I am no celebrity but I do know that your name is like credit within the Entertainment Industry and like credit you want to ensure that you keep your name in good standings. This is not a good example of keeping your name, finances and/or credit in good standing and this will follow him for quite some time.

Resource: http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/11/21/wesley_snipes_sued_over_credit_card_de

These are just a few of the many legalities that are currently going on within the Entertainment Industry. Hopefully I brought light to few situations that you may or may not have known were occurring. So hopefully I have enlightened you minds on a different sector of the Entertainment Industry.

This is KB and this has been Real to Reel.

Where in the World is Andre 3000? (OutKast for that matter)

Now for all of my OutKast and "Andre 3 Stacks" fans, have any of you been wondering why Mr. Benjamin has not been on any of the music videos for songs that he has lent his lyrical genius? Well after a lot of pondering and asking various family members and friends of mine I think I have finally found a few possible answers. I have checked various sites, blogs, and social media networks looking for answers to this mystery as well.

Now for those of you unfortunate souls that do not know of Andre 3000 or OutKast, let me give you a little background information to bring you up to speed. OutKast is a hip-hop duo, consisting of Big Boi and Andre 3000, out of East Point, Georgia that was signed to LaFace Records as their first hip-hop group in 1992. (Side note: They were called "2 Shades Deep" and the "Misfits" before officially changing it to OutKast due to those names previously being taken...Let's be happy that happened!!!) Each member of OutKast has their own style of lyricism, hence the moniker "The Pimp and The Poet".

OutKast went on to form the Dungeon Family with close friends and label mates; Organized Noize and Goodie MOB. In 1992, they would also initially be heard on another label mate's hit; TLC's remix for "What about your friend's". In 1993, OutKast would release their debut single, Player's Ball, which would go on to top the BillBoard charts. Afterwards, OutKast would go on to release 6 albums, be nominated for countless awards, and win the majority of those that they were nominated for. Their efforts would influence amplified "southern hip-hop" and it various artists to follow. Big Boi and Andre 3000 have gone to establish successful collaborations as well as solo projects. Both members of the duo have gone on to emerge themselves as successful actors with numerous titles under their belts.

Now that we have the introduction out of the way, let's get to the business at hand. Why in the world has Andre 3000 not been appearing in music videos of songs that he has been featured in? Well it was initially speculated that Andre had issues with those particular artist. Well this was not true! It was also speculated that his management company, Family Tree Entertainment, and his manager, Michael "Blue" Williams wouldn't allow him to appear due to contractual reasons. It was also stated that Andre did not want to apear in any other artist's video before appearing in Big Boi's solo efforts (if this is true...talk about loyalty). Whatever the case may be...I would like to extend a request to "Mr. 3 Stacks" from myself and the rest of his fans by stating that we are definitely ready for some overdue lyrical mastery. The same goes for Big Boi "Daddy Phat Sacks", we are checking for your music as well to be on the racks and on iTunes.

All of this speculation brings the old saying to mind..."The world may never know".

This has been another Real to Reel word provided by yours truly.

XM5 Music Management: Right place, Right Time, Right People

 
            (Photo contributed)

This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Renata Smith, CEO and Founder, of XM5 Music Management.  Smith currently manages XM5 Music Management, an independent artist management firm, out of her native state of North Carolina. XM5 MM strives to manage, inspire, and educate as well as develop independent artist within a struggling industry.

            As I spoke with Smith, I not only was given information about her company, but also received much needed insight on the dire state of the music industry, and how it motivates her daily.  Check out this snippet of our interview:

KB:  Why did you feel the need to start XM5 MM?

Smith:  Basically to groom the artist for the music industry which is struggling right now.

KB:  I’ve noticed.  Is that what drove you in your creation of XM5?

Smith:  Well…before the creation of XM5 I was an artist myself.

KB:  So you definitely have a first hand account of the in-and-outs factors within the music industry from a management side and an artist side.

Smith goes on to educate me as well as inform me that, “No one is buying music due to the piracy movement.”  Smith also speaks about the fact that the music industry started to take a downfall in 1999 and continuously drop 8%-9% every year there after.  She goes on to speak about the truths from a consumer standpoint to which we can all relate.  The fact that “people are tired, of buying junk (music) and/or want to invest their money into music/artist that is worthwhile.  Also that it is much more convenient to buy songs you want for 99 cents rather than purchase and entire album where you may end up feeling as if you wasted money after initially listening to it.

            When asked about the present state of artist management, Smith informed me that more artist (even those that are or have been well-known) are becoming independent as well as taking on other ventures such as acting, fashion, etc. to have longevity with the Entertainment Industry (to basically cut out the middle man i.e. Record Companies).  In addition to becoming independent, artists are “maximizing distribution deals” to keep majority control of their product and heavily touring to make additional monies outside of record sales within the music industry.

            Smith currently represents up-and-coming Hip Hop and R&B artist Lady Capone (known to the industry as "The Lady"), which by the sound of her product will become a household name among popular female artist and an addition to purely talented Lyricists within the music industry very soon! Believe that I checked out the talent thoroughly before stating this truth. With the motivating knowledge of Renata Smith plus the “sharp lyrical intelligence” that Lady Capone carries with her, both are surely set to be in your ears and in your minds…if they haven’t reached you already. They are also blazing a path of success for not only women but also for the Manager/Artist relationships and its product within the Entertainment (Music) Industry.

            In the immortal words of Ms. Renata Smith, the music industry is “lacking very heavy.”  I concur with her on this because we have lost the feeling of consciousness and awareness that music once had and traded if for party anthems given by one-hit wonders (most looking for a quick payday). Glad to see that there are people striving to pertain the pureness of music.

This is KB and this has been Real to Reel.


                                                     

 (Photo Contributed)                                                                                              (Photo Contributed)

Check out the following links to get additional insight on XM5 MM and what they have to offer:

Sources:

http://www.reverbnation.com/ladycapone

http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-LADY-CAPONE/111777405523403

http://www.myspace.com/xm5musicmanagement5

https://twitter.com/#!/ms_xm5

*All photos were contributed and property of XM5 Music Management* 

Real to Reel: Interview with "Lucky" of Wet Dreamz PromotionsO...

Real to Reel: Interview with "Lucky" of Wet Dreamz Promotions

O...: Interview with "Lucky" of Wet Dreamz Promotions Ok ladies and gents…I had the pleasure of sitting down for an interview with Mr. Stuart By...

Interview with "Lucky" of Wet Dreamz Promotions

Ok ladies and gents…I had the pleasure of sitting down for an interview with Mr. Stuart Bynes of Wet Dreamz Promotionz, Inc. of Charlotte, NC. Mr. Bynes or better yet “Lucky” (which he asked me to call him) is the Founder and CEO of an primarily hip-hop, rap, and rhythm and blues genre parties and events and private entertainment promotion company that is primarily based out of Charlotte, NC with plans to branch out nationally by the end of this year. So with interviewing him on a professional manner, I was able to dive into his business realm and get the inside scoop on how he wheels and deals in the negotiation realm of his business.

KB: Mr. Bynes, I want to thank you for taking the time to speak with me today.

Lucky: It’s cool….I had time to do it but just call me “Lucky”.

KB: Well ok Lucky. First of all, I have to ask how did you come about a name like that?

Lucky: Well we’ll just say it definitely fits my persona and it came about while doing my time in the US Marines.

KB: Ok, I definitely hear you Lucky and I must say that I also did my time in the Armed Forces for the US Army.

Lucky: Cool! Well you definitely know that a lot of situations we dealt with resulted in so-called “Lucky” results and I had a LOT of them! (Laughs)

KB: I definitely feel you! (Laughs) Well let me get this interview underway so I don’t take up too much of your time.

Lucky: Cool! (I see he says that a lot)

KB: So Lucky, how did you come about getting into the promoting game?

Lucky: Well it came about in a way that I honestly didn’t even think it would happen.

KB: What do you mean?

Lucky: Well I love clubs and parties. Everything about them; from the crowds of people and the way that they are enjoying themselves and all the factors surrounding it.

KB: Ok. Definitely understand that. So you would say that your love of clubbing inspired your now promoting of parties?

Lucky: No. It wasn’t just that. It actually came one night when a friend asked me to help him with his birthday party. He wanted the club where he was having it packed, especially with females, and I did my thing. The rest is history I guess because it popped off with a major bang and people loved it. My boy spread my name throughout the “Queen City” (Charlotte, NC) and next thing I know I was promoting parties for everyone from local celebrities to athletes and everyone in between.

KB: Alright, so they definitely call you “Lucky” for a reason.

Lucky: Yea and I embrace it.

KB: Well let me get into reason of the interview and why I wanted to sit down and speak with you.

Lucky: Ok shoot.

KB: I want to know how you negotiate with your clients. How do you get the result that you want out of the deals that you have when you negotiate with your clients?

Lucky: Well first of all, you must remember that every deal is an opportunity to exceed your business. Not saying that they will always be easy. Promoting is a hard game just as any other aspect in entertainment.

KB: Can you explain?

Lucky: Ok, well I will say it like this. Every client is not an easy client to work with and some you can never work with or complete a project with due to difference of opinions.

KB: Okay. Well I definitely know you don’t want to approach a deal with negative emotions.

Lucky: Oh hell no! You want to stay professional and cordial at all times but definitely step up and speak your mind when you need to.

KB: I feel you. I appreciate that advice. Are there any other ways you negotiate your deals? I am trying to find out how do you get what you want out of agreements.

Lucky: Oh that’s simple. I am straight up and honest with all of my clients from the start. I ask them what they want and I tell them what I am able to perform. I let my name and work do the major talking for me. People know when they come to me for any type of promotion that they are getting quality work.

KB: So you use your status and role as a major player in the entertainment promotion game to help you to land more work and beneficial, mutual agreements with your clients?

Lucky: Exactly! It’s all about supply and demand.

KB: (Laughs) Ok. I definitely understand that.

Lucky: It’s all about giving the customer what they want and in return for me giving them that I get what I want.

KB: And that is?

Lucky: More business…more opportunity…and more money.

KB: Well I can honestly say that I have attended a few of your CIAA tournament parties and I see that time and energy was definitely put into them. Let me ask this though; why do you not promote yourself as much as your parties?

Lucky: Well because I learned that exclusive parties are where the big business is at and word of mouth is actually the best promotion tool and will always be.

KB: Enough said. I definitely learned a t lot from you and am grateful for your time this evening.

Lucky: Cool! No prob. It’s been a pleasure as well. Be easy.

KB: You do the same.

Well there you have it! I had and interesting and informative sit-down with Lucky of Wet Dreamz Entertainment. Also was able to get clear insight on his style of negotiating as well. Definitely check him out at this upcoming 2012 CIAA tournament week-long festivities and your next uptown Charlotte heavy-hitting party! I know I will be. Make sure to tune into these websites to check out any Wet Dreamz promoted parties:

www.wetdreamzpromo.com - coming soon 

www.ciaatournament.org

 www.ciaa.com

www.charlottesgotalot.com

This is KB and this has been Real to Reel.

Protecting our Children through Entertainment

I regularly check out out the Motion Picture Association of America website aka www.MPAA.org to get the latest info on the film industry. While skimming through the webpages of very useful and important information (especially to a film buff such as myself); I found a webpage titled "Parent Resources"(http://www.mpaa.org/parentsresources). Upon reviewing this webpage, it gave me a great sense that the MPAA is well aware of the dangers that lurk in our realms of entertainment. It is full of active links and up-to-date information that will assist parents in knowing what to look for themselves and their family. It is very refreshing to see that companies are taking to the time to provide information that will protect our children.

The listed resources such as Filmratings.com, which is the official site for MPAA film ratings, provides a full database of films and film ratings searchable by parents dating back from 1968 (birth year of the rating system) up until the current year. Parents are able to view information able the history and process of the film rating system for better understanding. It is very important that parents know and understand that every film and its advertisement submitted to MPAA must be approved by the Advertising Administration before being displayed to the public. There are also resources for parents in regards to Online Entertainment and Programming through the MPAA approved list (http://www.mpaa.org/contentprotection/get-movies-tv-shows) of providers and tips (http://www.mpaa.org/contentprotection/faq) for finding others as well.

Now I did find out some very useful information and resources such as WiredSafety.org, which is the world's largest online safety and help group. It solely gets its information from volunteers and the information that they provide. After taking a spin myself on the websites, it gave me insight on how to protect my children and enhance their safety while they are online. WiredSafety.org is comprised of five websites with unlimited amounts of forums that give an infinite amount of information and tips. Here are a few more websites and how they could assist parents with protecting their children from the wrong types of programming and entertainment:

1. www.pauseparentplay.org - dedicated to helping parents choose television, movies, video games, and songs. Endorsing members include the Girl Scouts of America, YMCA, and the Film/ Cable TV, music, and Video Game industries.
2. www.thetvboss.org/ www.tvguidleines.org - Provides information for all parents to be aware of what their children are watching and to be more actively involved. The MPAA is a proud sponsor od the AD Council's TV Boss Campaign.
3. Parent File Scan (Software) - this is a software program to assist parents in identifying peer-to-peer software on your computer and know what is going on with their computer.
4. www.ESRB.org - The Entertainment Ratings Board gives a rating for video game software and provides guidelines on video game advertising. The ESRB does the same thing for video games that the MPAA does for films.
5. www.playitcybersafe.com - Created by the Business Software Alliance with interactive resources to educate children, parents, and teachers about internet safety.

Well these are a few of the sites provided by the MPAA's resources for parents webpage. I highly believe that each and every parent should check out each website and save them to their favorites as references. With all of the dangers outside of the home that await our children, we sometimes forget about the dangers in our homes that are only a touch away.

Til next time....This is KB and this is Real to Reel!!!