Saturday Soul: Ike and Tina Turner

From The Cocoa Lounge



We think we just found our theme song.

Though What's Love Got to Do with It, has made it tough for anyone to look at Ike Turner without fighting the urge to call the cops, the truth is that Ike & Tina put out some of the funkiest, hard-hitting soul records of our time.



Check out Ike looking a lot like Andre 3000 from the Hey Ya video and Tina Turner, aka Soul Sister #1, performing, Bold Soul Sister.

Tyler Perry Attempts a Three-Peat with "Daddy's Little Girls"

From The Cocoa Lounge



Tyler Perry is proof that there is still a pot of gold at the end of the box-office rainbow for black films.

But the question in Hollywood as the debut of his third feature film Daddy's Little Girls draws near, is can he do it without Madea?


(click images for a larger view)

Tyler Perry's trademark pistol packing mama, Madea, will be missing from theaters on February 14, 2007, but that doesn't mean the audience will. With a heartwarming story tailor-made for Valentine's day; an all star cast featuring Gabrielle Union, Idris Elba, and Tracie Ellis Ross; and a strong message (ED O.G. & Da Bulldogs 1991 hit Be A Father To Your Child comes to mind), Girls has the words "date" and "movie" written all over it.

View The Trailer

Related Posts: Madea Does It Again

South Africa, Stand Up!

From The Cocoa Lounge

If you were to believe the media portrayal, you'd think the only great thing to come out of South Africa was the end of apartheid and actress, Charlize Therone.

But despite it's recent hardships, South Africa is a glorious country with amazing history and talent, (check Miriam Makeba--Mama Africa--singing 'Mayibuye' above.)

Just a few recent South African accomplishments:


> Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy Foundation


> Tsotsi, the 2005 Academy Award Winner for Best Foreign Language Film.


> The South African Children's Choir - the young singers were featured on the Blood Diamond motion picture soundtrack and work for change in their native countries.

Go on South Africa. We're with you!

Related Posts: The Cocoa Critic: HBO Film's, Yesterday

Sherri Shepherd: The New Star Jones?

Rumor has it that Sherri Shepherd will replace Star Jones as the newest co-host of ABC's The View.

Sherri is a phenomenal talent with one of the best personalities Tinseltown has ever seen. We're sure ABC has run more tests than NASA over the past several months and it's no surprise that Shepherd is in the runnings for the gig. Her energy, perspective and look makes her the most 'Star-like' of all the celebrity fill-ins, so apparently ABC's trying to get back to business as usual.



Finally--if the rumors are correct--the empty chair dubbed, the 'black seat,' has been filled.

Related posts: Barbara Walters: A Lesson in Inappropriate Touching

They've Got Next: Four of the Hottest New Voices of '07

From The Cocoa Lounge

JAZMINE SULLIVAN
//sounds like: Chaka Khan, Karen Clark Sheard

Imagine the voices of Chaka Khan, gospel-great Karen Clark Sheard and Mary J. Blige rolled into one. Now open your ears, that voice is Jazmine Sullivan. Hailing from Philadelphia, Sullivan possesses one of the purest tones we've heard in the last few years and if the industry is ready for her, she's definitely ready for it. (Photo by Laura Kicey)

Her soul-stirring live rendition of Andre 3000's "Prototype," leaves the track virtually unrecognizable.

Listen: (Jazmine Sullivan, Prototype (Live))



TIOMBE LOCKHART
//Sounds like: Joi, N'Dea Davenport

With one of the most entertaining back stories this side of Gnarls Barkley, Tiombe Lockhart is a legend in the making. The Atlanta native, who holds a degree in vocal jazz performance and attended high school for the performing arts, has a flair for the theatrical that is evident on and off the stage.

She's been featured on tracks with Detroit hit-makers Platinum Pied Pipers, but if Tiombe Lockhart has her way, she and her Army of Love will take your ears hostage and "have a whole lot of sex with your earlobes."

Listen: (Platinum Pied Pipers feat. Tiombe Lockhart, Stay With Me)



CHRISETTE MICHELE
//sounds like: Jill Scott, Billie Holiday

New York native, Chrisette Michele, recently made the music radar when her collaboration with Jay Z "Lost Ones" became the second single released on the rapper's highly anticipated comeback CD. Now, the 22 year-old Def Jam artist is looking to strike on her own, and with the help of such hip hop heavyweights as Nas and Kanye West, Chrisette Michelle is building enough buzz to put honeybees out of business.

Listen to her jazz-inspired collaboration with Nas "Can't forget About You."

Listen: (Nas feat. Chrisette Michelle, Can't Forget About You)



CHOKLATE
//sounds like: Tweet, Davina

After several mixtape hooks and indie collaborations wet our appetite, the Nu Soul world finally got a taste of Choklate with her self titled summer release. The Seattle-based singer's debut album is a solid one; her sweet singing and songwriting abilities are showcased like a Godiva 'Choklate' gift box.

Listen: (Choklate, Incredible)

Merry Christmas from The Cocoa Lounge

From The Cocoa Lounge



In celebration of the season, here's the legendary Eartha Kitt, singing "Santa Baby."

Grab a cup of egg nog and enjoy. Happy Holidays!



RIP James Brown.

Kelis Channels Etta James

From The Cocoa Lounge


Hip Hop Super-couple Nas and Kelis at Nas' album release party

Kelis is one of the most stylish r&b singers around. It's always a treat to see just what she comes up with next. Her newest look (a throwback to Hollywood Glam) has received mixed reviews from fans but The Cocoa Lounge gives it two thumbs up.



Seeing Kelis with the blond upsweep, dark brows and upturned nose, we can't help but notice a strong resemblance to soulsinger Etta James in her youth. We put the two side by side so you can be the judge...

Other celebrity look-alikes:
Usher and Ben Vereen
Meagan Good and Robin Givens

'Raw' Footage: Chaka Khan on Drums

From The Cocoa Lounge


We all know Chaka Khan is one of the baddest chicks to ever breathe life into a note but who knew she was just as comfortable behind the band as she is in front of it?

Check out Chaka Khan playing the Drums in 1976 on the aptly titled, "People to Watch" show.

Fresh Face [#009]: Dawn Okoro

From The Cocoa Lounge



Bold. Striking. Powerful.

Dawn Okoro knows how to make a paint brush bleed; and this young Texas native is working her way into the pages of art history one stroke at a time.

Dawn learned how to put pencil to paper at an early age and garnered a slew of awards for her artistic achievements. Her work even caught the eye of singer, Erykah Badu, and the two have collaborated for Badu's non profit organization B.L.I.N.D.


(Dawn's piece, "Untitled 6" and the artist with singer, Erykah Badu)

Okoro's art is engaging, with each piece appearing to have it's own riveting story to tell. And for those of us who can't squeeze high art prices into our budget, Dawn offers afforable prints that will save your wallet--and your living room walls.

Learn more about the artist and her work at:

www.DawnOkoro.com

The Golden Globe Awards Sings a New Tune

From The Cocoa Lounge



The Nominations for the 64th Golden Globe Awards were announced today and it seems the stars are more colorful than ever before. Not only were a number of our favorite black stars lauded with nominations but Latina, American Ferrera, (of Ugly Betty) and Masi Oka (of Heroes) received acting nods as well.

Hollywood is finally beginning to recognize actors of color on a larger scale. Hopefully, we're witnessing the beginnings of something new.

We can't wait to see more recognition for those behind the scenes as well.

Here's a brief glance at our selected nominations:


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

*WILL SMITH
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

*FOREST WHITAKER
THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

*DREAMGIRLS
DreamWorks Pictures/Paramount Pictures; DreamWorks Pictures/Paramount Pictures

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

*BEYONCÉ KNOWLES
DREAMGIRLS

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

* CHIWETEL EJIOFOR
KINKY BOOTS



British actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor joined a select few, including Clint Eastwood and Leonardo Dicaprio, nominated more than once for their work this year.


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

*JENNIFER HUDSON
DREAMGIRLS

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

*EDDIE MURPHY
DREAMGIRLS

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

*SOPHIE OKONEDO
TSUNAMI, THE AFTERMATH

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

*ANDRÉ BRAUGHER
THIEF

*MICHAEL EALY
SLEEPER CELL: AMERICAN TERROR

*CHIWETEL EJIOFOR
TSUNAMI, THE AFTERMATH

Check out the entire list of Golden Globe Nominees

Fantastic Four [#002]: Four Guys We Love

From The Cocoa Lounge



Jimmy Jean-Louis - Actor

We love NBC's latest supernatural drama Heroes. And the camera loves Jimmy Jean Louis who plays the show's mysterious Haitian. Up until last week's finale, Louis stole whole scenes without uttering a word. Too bad we'll have to wait until January to see (and hear) more from Jimmy Jean Louis. Those hungry for more can see him in Phat Girlz with Monique on dvd now.



Reggie Bush - Athlete

The old adage "Good things come to those who wait," couldn't be truer in the case of NFL rookie and 2005 Heisman Trophy Winner Reggie Bush. After a mediocre start to his Professional Football career, the New Orleans Saints running back came alive against the San Francisco 49ers, scoring all four touchdowns in the team's 34-10 victory. And all this amidst a nation of critics and fans questioning his talent.

On the field, the 21-year-old Bush is a case study in patience and hard work, and off the field we can't help studying this strapping young man with our eyes. He definitely makes the grade.



Steph Jones - Musician

It's hard to believe that this talented singer-songwriter wasn't allowed to sing at home as a youth. It seems these days Steph Jones is making up for lost time. His sound--a fusion of alternative and acoustic soul--is as fresh and universal as his Gap-ad image. We recently spotted him performing an impromptu show in Downtown LA where we learned two things about this up and comer: If he doesn't win you over with his charm, he'll devastate you with his falsetto.

Our favorites from his growing songbook: "Mr. Ordinary" and "Look What You've Done."


Ernest Hardy - Scribe

Ernest Hardy has a way with words. Without actually seeing or hearing this celebrated writer, one could instantly recognize his voice on a page. Honest, entertaining and thought provoking, Hardy's film and music criticism has been featured in The LA Times, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Vibe. This year, he published Blood Beats: Vol. 1 a series of essays and interviews exploring film, music and sexual identity from an evolved perspective.

If you can't get to your nearest newsstand to pick up Hardy's extended works, the next best thing is a mouse click away--his blog.

Black Girls Rock! in NYC

Not only do we love the title of this organization, we also love its mission. Founded by Mitzi Miller of Honey Magazine, author Joan Morgan, DJ Beverly Bond and journalist, Kenya Hunt, Black Girls Rock! Inc's mission is to promote discussion and awareness of the ways women of color are portrayed in mainstream media to at risk teenage girls.

We've got 2 words for 'em: Rock on!

For more info visit: http://www.blackgirlsrockinc.com