Author: JD
BET’s ‘106 & Park’ Going Digital Only
The show’s final broadcast will air on Dec. 19. Billboard has learned that BET mainstay “106 & Park” will be moving online. Its last show will air on Dec. 19. Currently hosted by Bow Wow and Keshia Chante, “106 & Park” will be winding up a 14-year broadcast stint at BET. Details concerning the hosts and the show’s digital debut will be announced later. Here’s an official statement from BET: “America’s #1 music variety show on cable television, “106 & PARK,” will host its final daily on-air show on December 19, 2014, concluding its impressive 14 year run. The “106 & PARK” brand remains strong and will continue to produce various specials throughout the year including its annual New Year’s Eve show, “106 & PARTY,” along with live event experiences at the BET Awards and BET Experience. In 2015, “106 & PARK” looks forward to continuing its reign as the hottest hangout on one of the coolest digital platforms, BET.com.”
Carlos Santana: ‘It’s Time to Commit Career Suicide Again’
Carlos Santana‘s just-published memoir The Universal Tone (Nov. 4; Little, Brown and Company) may be subtitled Bringing My Story to Light, but it’s hardly light reading. Besides detailed memories of his upbringing and musical achievements, the 544-page book also dives unapologetically deep into the guitar legend’s philosophies and spirituality. Santana, 67, has learned countless life lessons, he says — including these five, in his words. Exclusive: Carlos Santana Remembers ‘Monumental’ Woodstock Fest, 45 Years Later There’s Santana, and there’s Carlos. “I don’t want to be attached to this figure thing called Santana. I like Carlos. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between the performer and the person. I want to be like Harry Belafonte or Wayne Shorter or [John] Coltrane and be a person who is nice to be around.” Negativity? No thanks. “I take special joy in dismantling cynical people. Cynical people are like cement — nothing grows in there. We have the capacity to make the correct choices every day, so every day can be the best day of your life, no matter what.” Carlos Santana: Saving the World One Note At A Time Forgetfulness has its benefits. “I’ve learned that I need to constantly forgive myself, forget my story and live my life. I have celestial amnesia. I remember only the good stuff. The bad stuff? Not that I’m in denial; I just don’t want to be that full time. Like a dog shakes off water, I shake it off and move on.” Let your instrument do the talking. “John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Tito Puente, Miles [Davis] — all of these people are part of my heart. They taught me to tell stories when you take a solo, not just play a bunch of clever, cute, thought-out notes. Where are you going? What are you trying to say?” Santana’s ‘Smooth’ Began Its 12-Week No. 1 Run 15 Years Ago Today Change is a good thing. “I’m ready to, like a snake, leave my skin and grow a new skin. My wife [drummer Cindy Blackman Santana] and I will take the next year and create new music. She’s going to join my band full-on and put her hands on the wheel with me to architect a new path. It’s time to commit career suicide again and go more Sun Ra, more Sonny Sharrock, and take the hamster out of the cage.” This article first appeard in the Nov. 22 issue of Billboard.
After Losing 160 Pounds, Man Strips Down To Show Excess Skin, His Biggest Insecurity
WOW!! John David Glaud’s weight loss journey has made him a YouTube star and an inspiration on Instagram. Formerly tipping the scales at 360 pounds and now down to a svelt 200, Glaud’s transformation is impressive. And while he’s proud of how far he’s come, he still harbors insecurities about his weight loss, which is not uncommon among those who have shed a significant amount of weight. Specifically, he says, he’s feels awkward about the pounds of loose skin hanging all over his body — remnants of his larger days. “I’m comfortable clothed. I’m not that comfortable unclothed,” he said in a Nov. 8 video for his “Obese To Beast” YouTube channel. As the camera rolls, Glaud strips down, revealing bunches of skin under his arms, over his stomach and on the insides of his thighs. Although he’s self-conscious about it, loose skin is typical of dramatic weight loss like his. In a New York Magazine piece titled “What No One Tells You About Losing Lots Of Weight,” author Alexandria Symonds sums up the feeling of dissatisfaction that may sometimes accompany a life-altering weight shift: The experience of significant weight loss is much more psychologically complex than the multi-billion-dollar diet industry, with its beaming “after” photos and promises of a new life, acknowledges. After all that work, it can be a disappointing blow to discover that bodies that have lost 50-plus pounds simply don’t look like bodies that have maintained a steady weight since reaching adulthood. Despite Glaud’s own insecurities, he still looks on his weight loss as a positive change. “I wanted to have a perfect body, but that’s not the case. And that’s okay,” he concludes. “Loose skin and all, I’m happy with where I’ve come from and where I am at now.”
In conjunction with Jagged Edge’s cover of AMN Magazine and the release of their CD #JEHeartbreakII,
AMN hosted a contest allowing (3) lucky winners to WIN the new album and the grand prize winner won the copy of AMN (with JE on the cover) and the NEW CD. The winners were: Charity Grant (Columbia, SC) Aleasea Huff-Palmer (Fort Worth, Texas) Grand Prize winner, Marlon Reid (Philly) *not pictured
Mishon Interview – Talks New Album, Working With Jermaine Dupri & Success In Acting
You may know him from the TV show “Lincoln Heights” as Tay, but that’s only one facet of Mishon‘s career. The young artist has actually been doing his thing in the music industry for a minute and he’s ready to take on the challenge of becoming a star. Mishon recently linked up with veteran Jermaine Dupri to help him craft his sound. Even though he has a lot of competition, the one advantage that he does have is that he’s been able to develop a very loyal fanbase since the start of his career back in 2005. YouKnowIGotSoul had a chance to speak wit Mishon about his upcoming album, working with Jermaine Dupri and also his creative process with acting and songwriting.
Porsche To Unveil New 911 Carrera GTS In LA
At the LA Motor Show later this month, in addition to the Cayenne GTS, Porsche will officially present the latest version of the 911 Carrera GTS, which is slated to go on sale before the end of the year. This second-generation 911 Carrera GTS is offered in four versions (coupe or convertible, with and without all-wheel drive) and comes closer than the first to the track-going 911 GT3. With its 430hp engine, the sports car boasts 0 to 100km/h acceleration in just 4 seconds (4.2 seconds for the convertible) and a top speed of 300km/h. The suspension has been lowered by 10mm and features Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). Customers can also take advantage of the Sport Chrono Package, which includes special dynamic engine mounts and other performance-focused features. Bi-xenon headlights and a special sports exhaust are also available. In the US, the Carrera GTS Coupe will be priced starting at $115,195, and the Carrera GTS Cabriolet (convertible) at $127,095. The all-wheel drive models are priced starting at $121,895 and $133,795 respectively. The new sports cars are due to arrive at dealerships in late November, just after premiering at the Los Angeles Motor Show.
Book Your Hotel Via Twitter on @Stayful
Travel startup Stayful is aiming to make online bookings even easier. Their new service, #tweetstay, lets customers book hotels in major cities with a single tweet. Just sent a quick message to Stayful’s account with the city you’re looking to visit, date and number of nights of stay and whether you want a budget, mid-range or luxe hotel. It’s simple – just write “@stayful #tweetstay I’m going to [destination] & want a[price] hotel, [arrival date], [# of nights].” The app and social media team then promises to deliver a great hotel room at a negotiated rate of less than what you could book online. The site offers only boutique hotels, Gansevoort Park Avenue in New York City, The Lodge at Torrey Pines in San Diego, Hotel Madeline in Telluride and Metropolitan by COMO in Miami.