Interview: Carla Gugino

Carla Gugino has spent the better part of the last decade playing some of the most complicated and interesting female characters in Hollywood. After early roles in lighthearted fare like Son in Law, she played an appropriately combative counterpart for Michael J. Fox’s deputy Mayor on Spin City before appearing in Wayne Wang’s The Center of the World as a troubled seductress, Robert Rodriguez’ Sin City as a tough-as-nails parole officer, Ridley Scott’s American Gangster as Russell Crowe’s exasperated ex-wife, and most recently in Zack Snyder’s Watchmen as a sexpot superheroine with a pitch-black past. This month, she’s acting in Sebastian Gutierrez’ Women in Trouble, where she plays a porn star coming to terms with the news that she’s pregnant.

Cinematical recently spoke to Gugino at the film’s Los Angeles press day, where in between pointing out some of the bruises she earned while shooting Zack Snyder’s Watchmen follow-up, Sucker Punch, she offered a few insights into her character in Women in Trouble.

Cinematical: What immediately jumped out to me about Elektra is that even though she’s at her own crossroads in Women in Trouble, she seems to have the most certainty of the characters about who she is.

Carla Gugino: It was interesting. I was kind of intrigued by the fact that this woman who was a porn star, which was all have varying ideas about what that means and what that kind of person might be like, [and] I think that’s where Sebastian really kind of deserves the credit, because it was a structural thing, which was she is at the very top given a piece of information that is a wake-up call. It’s a real “uh oh – I’d better take a look at my life, and I’d better look at it really clearly really fast.” So therefore it did seem like all the scenes had this kind of resonance of, yeah, I have to look at what I’ve been doing, and I have a 13-year-old saying to me, “do you have fake boobs?” and sort of having to be like, I have to be accountable for all of these things, and kind of realizing like, oh wow, somebody else might have taken my childhood and done something better with it. Do I still have that chance? It’s not even better like a judgment of someone who is in that profession, but I think for her, I think she definitely has become very famous for something that she isn’t that proud of.

That was a really interesting thing as I was sitting there in the elevator; we were shooting that and that was one of the first scenes I shot. [Actually] we shot the Even Reverse Cowgirls Get the Blues scene and then we shot that, but I was sitting there and I thought, what an interesting thing! Because I reveal myself on an emotional level as an actress a lot; actresses, actors, that is what we do. We have to strip down, and you do it in a fairly private way [when] there are maybe 100 people on set, in this case it was ten people on set because we had such a small crew, and then you give it to the millions of people – you just give it to the world. But this is so interesting for her because she’s physically completely revealing in her profession, but nobody knows anything about those people; you know very little about what they’re like for real. Many porn stars have very faithful relationships they’ve had for many years, they’re very homebodyish people, and it’s a really interesting juxtaposition between their profession and their personal life, but from that I wanted her to be really no-nonsense and to be kind of unadorned, and that’s what I think maybe is what you’re saying, which I’m so appreciative that it came through.

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Cinematical: Did that empathy and understanding of her come from what was on the page, or did you do any research into the private lives of real porn stars?

Gugino: It was kind of both. I think as an actor you end up being more empathetic than most people because you end up getting in the skin of other people so you see it from their perspective. I just finished doing Desire Under the Elms on Broadway a few months ago, and that’s a character that literally has never had love in her entire life – [she] falls in love with her husband’s son, has a child with him, and ultimately kills the child. So Elektra’s a saint! (laughs) I mean, I really had to get into the heads of some people, and you end up understanding where they’re coming from. You end up understanding the nature of humanity and the complexity of it. I’m not a very judgmental person anyway; I never say, “oh, I would never ever do that.” We’re all capable of everything, and life is complicated, and people are trying to do the best they can. But I think that he wrote this character and he wrote all of these characters with multiple levels, [and] I think we are all empathetic of people when we understand them. Which is of course the meaning of empathy, but I think if you are standing outside someone and you cannot see it from their perspective, then there is an innate separation. But even in something like this, with Connie Britton’s character and my character, at first – and I think Connie plays that moment so beautifully too – she’s like, “oh, you’re an actress? What do you do, film, television?” And I’m like “porn,” and she’s like, “oh?” You can see the moment of this is a different woman than I thought she was, and she does it so well, but then very soon she also is like, (whispering) “so are you famous?” You realize we all want pretty much the same thing you know; we all want to be seen for who we are and we want to be loved.

Short of that, everyone goes about it in different ways, but in terms of the question you asked, yes, some of it was from the page, but also I watched this really cool documentary that I had Tivo’d so I’m pretty sure it was on HBO, and it was a bunch of porn stars talking about their profession. Some of them were extremely successful, some of them were just starting out, so I was like this is so fascinating because they’re talking about these things just as if [an ordinary person were saying] “yeah, when I wanted to become a secretary I could only type 20 words a minute, but then I ended up being able to…” and meanwhile they’re saying “I could only take one guy but now I can take three.” Then you also realize, how cool is that, the power of words? It’s just words, but words make people so uncomfortable, and that’s the thing about this movie too, that I love is that there’s nothing really physically explicit. I mean, you see women in lingerie and hopefully they look sexy, and there’s that aspect of things. But the truth is it’s much more of an emotional bareness, and verbally it’s very evocative and provocative. I love that – the simplicity of like, you could do all of these things but mostly people just want to see their neighbor naked. it’s nice because Sebastian loves women but it’s not like, “she’s smart so she can’t be sexy,” or “she’s sexy so she must not be very smart.” It’s like, they can be everything – they can be complicated and everything that we are.

Cinematical: You’ve had some really interesting opportunities to play strong female characters. Whether or not it’s out of a sense of responsibility – because certainly no one asks men if they feel a sense of responsibility to portray men in a flattering way – do you feel a sense in a film like this which is representing so many different kinds of women that you might tend to play up a character’s, say, resilience rather than her vulnerability? Or is vulnerability an inherent part of female strength?

Gugino: I do, actually. I guess I feel like Elektra is super-vulnerable ultimately, but resilient, and I guess that’s the thing. I feel like human beings are really resilient; people have survived just insurmountable things. Did you ever see Steve Jobs’ commencement speech for Harvard? It is one of the most inspiring speeches I’ve ever heard, but one of the things he says is, “all of the pieces connect, but you just don’t know when you’re in it how they’re going to connect. But you will know later, so just trust that they will.” I do think people are resilient, and also, I’ve played some really tragic characters too, but I guess for me, I want you to come out feeling a little hope. I want a shift to have been made. There are characters I’ve played, like inCenter of the World, this Wayne Wang movie, she’s pretty tragic and you don’t ever really get out of that hole with her. But that was also what I needed to serve in that movie, so that’s a woman who’s sort of stripped-down and hasn’t found her way back yet. So it’s not like I feel like they always have to be resilient, but nor am I afraid of vulnerability in those instances.

[But] I think you said it perfectly – they don’t ask men these questions – but the reason they ask women these questions is because there are so few portrayals, [so it's like they're saying] you have a full character here so you really owe it to the women to get everything in there, you know? If I looked at it like I was in any way representing my entire sex, it would be too overwhelming and I wouldn’t know because you’re sort of boxed in. the only thing I can do is be true to the story and the character, and maybe kind of like a little hidden thing I might want to [include] is to go, “you might think there is no way to get out of this situation, but there will be some way.” I think that’s the good thing with Sebastian as well; he has the ability of cutting to the core or the heart of somebody, but he’s innately optimistic.

Cinematical: Is it challenging then to play a character where you know what their trajectory is going to be? Or is it freeing to know that endpoint and in the process of getting them to that you can construct the formative moments in between?

Gugino: It’s funny because I’ve asked writers that question too, and mostly they don’t know where it’s going, or they might have a sense where it’s ending, but then it’s that thing of like, all of a sudden a new character appears and it’s like, “oh, I didn’t know she was coming in.” So I kind of like the beginning, middle and end, because in that I have no idea how certain things are going to manifest, but it does give me a sense of, if I have to get there, if this scene doesn’t deliver what it needs to deliver, I never want to be in a position where you don’t believe how I got there. So laying groundwork, just as a technical thing, it’s actually really helpful. I’ve been a part of movies where there’s a lot of improve; …Center of the World was a film where things were changed by how we shot it. Like after the scene where I came into the hotel room, that scene changed everything so much; they were supposed to have a big sex scene right after that, and they were like, “we would never be having sex right now – that was too intense.” So it’s cool when you can change those things, but you still kind of know somewhat of a sense where you might be going.

by Todd Gilchrist (cinematical.com)

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The FBI is doing a clean sweep to get drug dealers and gangs off the streets, and they’re not stopping there they’re taking down corrupt government agency enforcers in New York City and all over the try-state area.    New York State Justice Department said, Law enforcement must remain tough in the war against drugs, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara from the Southern District of New York said, Cocaine is poison, it affects our schools, our community and our economy.  The antidote to that poison, is the kind of tough law enforcement like the action we have taken today.

More than 200 federal agents and law enforcement officers worked relentlessly beginning on Monday night they executed  search warrants in seven locations and they seized $40,000 in cash, one kilogram of crack cocaine, a gun with hollow point bullets and arrested more than 40 people with more arrests to come in this drug trafficking ring.

This investigation began in February 2009 to October 2009, it was determined that this cocaine trafficking organization, Santana Organization was led by Elvis Santana that distributed at least 22 kilograms of crack and six kilograms of cocaine power across Westchester County, primarily in Peekskill and Yonkers, New York.  The gang was collecting about $1 million in proceeds the Justice Department has alleged that this drug ring was trafficking throughout the nine month investigation.

FBI Agents are still hunting for more suspects involved in this drug ring, they still remain at large following the raids across Westchester County.

In a conversation on a phone tap recorded between Byron Overby, 37,  and  Angel Delacruz, 27, both of Peekskill.  In the alleged conversation, Byron Overby warned Angel Delacruz that someone was interfering with the drug peddlers. Angel Delacruz said, “I  don’t care, there’s some FEDS or something, as long they ain’t there I’ll pull right up in the back.”  Angel Delacruz is believed to be one of Elvis Santana’s top three lieutenants.

These are the suspects charged in the indictment:

1. Elvis Santana, 27, of  Yonkers, NY

2. Danny Bueno, 25, of Bergenfield, NJ

3. Angel DeLacruz, 27, of Peekskill, NY

4. Emmanuel Martinez, 26, of the Bronx, NY

5. Harold Roman, 28, of  Yonkers, NY

6. Joel Norwood, 23, of  Yonkers, NY

7. Lamont Mason, 26, of  Yonkers, NY

8. Andre Rodriguez, 36, of  Yonkers, NY

9. Hector Barbosa, 26, of  Yonkers, NY

10. Jessie Fonseca, 20, of  Yonkers, NY

11. Dennis Mancusi, 28, of  Yonkers, NY

12. Fred Cannon, 31, of  Yonkers, NY

13. Dontae Degree, 23, of Ossining, NY

14. Pablo Rivera, 22, of  Yonkers, NY

15. Mary Hammary, 42, of  Yonkers, NY

16. Robert Benedittini, 25, of  Yonkers, NY

17. Julio Garcia, 28, of Brooklyn, NY

18. Frank Vaccariello, 37, of Hopewell Junction, NY

19. Donald Taylor, 40, of Peekskill, NY

20. Blaine Scott, 43, of Peekskill, NY

21. Eric McKenzie, 49, of Peekskill, NY

22. Byron Overby, 37, of Peekskill, NY

23. Robert Barnes, 27, of Peekskill, NY

24. Omari Nelson, 22, of Peekskill, NY

25. William Anderson, 29, of Peekskill, NY

26. Jermaine Gilleo, 19, of Peekskill, NY

27. Michael Cunningham, 20, of Peekskill, NY

28. Pierre Myke, 26, of Waterbury, CT

29. Jai Patterson, 26, Ossining, NY

30. Kadema Nelson, 26, Peekskill, NY

31.  Doniel Thomas, 26, of Peekskill, NY

32.  James Skaggs, 24, of Peekskill

33.  Tyrell Mosley, 27, of Peekskill

34.  Taina Valentine, 24, of Peekskill

35.  Prince Marsh, 26, of Peekskill

36.  Tawan Hines, 30, Peekskill

37.   Sam Shuler, 28, of Peekskill

38.  Chris Curry, 30, of Peekskill

39.   Shaun Brooks, 22, of Ossining

40.  Robert Evans, 26, of Peekskill

41.   Morgan Stokes, 27, of Peekskill

A good movie to watch is American Gangster a true story about Frank Lucas, it’s history repeating itself  ”The Frank Lucas Story” he once was New York City’s biggest and baddest heroin kingpin.

50 Cent has a new (good) record out so guess what ? It’s beef time !  This time he’s on “war” with Jay-Z… Sorry Fif but “we don’t believe u need more people” (c) Jay-Z.  I don”t even think he believes it either. I guess it’s only entertainment.

A few month ago I had the chance to meet (for at least the sixth time)  Fifty in New York.  At this time Jay had already dropped the infamous “Nobody’s scared of 50 Cent” line.  Here it’s what  a very calm and friendly Fifty  had to say about Jay-Z.

Certain people criticize Jay, saying that he no longer talks about the streets. How do you feel about that?

Jay-Z is 40-years-old. If that’s not a point where u can find some maturity, to separate the things u did when u was younger versus the things you’re doin’ now then…Some of his choices are a little weird to me–not this album, but the other one he wrote about water and Africa–I was like wtf! I know this is a world issue and I’ve been to Africa several times but still I didn’t choose to write about Africa. I still write about my experience in Southside Jamaïca [Queens] because I’m aware what the public expectations of me are as an artist. So do u have a responsibility  in order to continue to generate interest to fit the mold.

That’s what he did with “American Gangster”…

He had to use this movie as an excuse to write street content.

Did you like “Blueprint 3″ ?

I heard some of it like “Venus vs Mars.” It reminds me so much of my “Get It In” that I enjoy it! I just did “I Get It In” and he did “shawty she get it in” and I’m like “Ok”…

Read the rest of the intw on RAP MAG # 57  (only in french sorry )

Thank you Starrene !!

November 17, 2009 – A Developing Story

The U.S. Attorney, FBI, and Westchester County Police have arrested 43 suspects for being part of a drug ring selling cocaine power and crack with a street value of more than $1 million on the streets of Westchester County.  FBI made arrests with the help of Westchester County, Peekskill, Yonkers and Ossining Police.  The U.S. Attorney will be holding a news conference at 1 p.m in White Plains, NY.   More details:

FBI NEW YORK DRUG RING http://loudnews.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/fbi-new-york-drug-ring/

The Westchester News.Com

http://thewestchesternews.com

Hoy vamos a concretar qué vamos a aprender viendo está película.

ADVERTENCIA: No debemos confundir que el  protagonista tome decisiones de administración  brillantes, con hacer apología del tráfico y consumo de drogas. Creo que durante la película son constantes ( y muy educativas) las escenas sobre los destructivos efectos del consumo de drogas en las personas.

1- Vamos aplicar el esquema general del proceso administrativo a la película.

Debéis señalar una escena que ilustre la planificación, otra la organización, otra la dirección y otra el control.

2- Definir la misión, visión y objetivos de la organización de Frank Lucas.

3- Análisis externo

Entorno general: Análisis PEST

Entorno específico: Aplicar el modelo de las fuerzas competitivas de Porter

De este análisis externo vamos a extraer  2 Amenazas y 2 Oportunidades de su organización.

4. Análisis interno. Cómo crear valor para el usuario. Describir su cadena de valor.

De este análisis interno vamos a extraer  2 Debilidades  y 2 Fortalezas de su organización.

5. Construimos la matriz DAFO de la organización.

6. ¿Cuál es la estrategia competiviva de Frank Lucas? ¿en qué radica su ventaja competitiva?

7. Explica el principio organizativo de especialización basándote en una escena de la película.

8. ¿Está descentralizada la toma decisiones en su organización?

9. Dibuja un organigrama básico de su organización. Señala un staff.

10. ¿Por qué a sus competidores les cuesta adaptarse a los cambios del entorno?

11. Perfil ético de los dos protagonistas.

12. Estrategia de marca (Branding).

Ubica y explica la frase:

“Las marcas significan algo. Magia azul es una marca…. Garantía.”

If its Friday, then it must be time for our gang (gaggle?) of GonzoGeeks to take you on a trip through the wonderful world of the web as seen through our seriously skewed worldview.

But before we set off on our journey, let me offer you a slice of cheesecake.  This week, its Daffney, TNA superstar and all around cool chick.

Why you may ask?

The answer is quite simple.  Before it was cancelled, this was the scheduled weekend for Wizard World Texas, an event Stephe and I attended for all of its years, including last year where we met Daffney and convinced her to be our first celebrity interview.  Since then, Daffney has gone on to play The Governor (TNA’s parody of Sarah Palin) and emerge on the other side as the goth chick she was meant to be.  She’s currently rehabbing a broken arm.

***UPDATE 11/20/09 – Got an email from Daffney yesterday.  It wasn’t a broken arm, but rather a very serious concussion.  The injury is corrected but the sentiment remains the same.***

Get well soon Daff!

Now, on to the links.

1.  Everyone’s favorite uncle…Television!
2. More cool custom toys!
3. A toy Stephe says he must have!
4. The latest from the Mayor of Parts Unknown.
5. Sean Salisbury is suing DeadSpin.  Could be a watershed case when it comes to the blogosphere.
6. One of John’s favorite angles from the territorial days of wrestling.
7. This week’s episode of PWF internet TV.
8. This joke by Tommy West about Lane Kiffin has Tennessee players fired up for some unfathomable reason.  It’s barely a decent joke.
9. Rob Zombie calls Hollywood chicken.
10. Still a loner.  Still a rebel.
11. John Stewart does Glenn Beck.
12. I would have been far more surprised to find out Tim Lincecum didn’t smoke dope.
13. Stay classy Joe!
14. All this and yet no Canyonero.
15. Rastaman litigations.
16. As someone who just completed the American Community Survey, I say thanks Ron.
17. Continuing last week’s crytozoology theme.
18. Was his name Goose?
19. Christopher Walken sings Lady Gaga’s Poker Face.
20. Do you know who was the original choice to play Indiana Jones?
21. Surely Marc Singer wasn’t busy.
22. Josh Whedon wants to buy the Terminator franchise.
23. A zombie film currently in production in Tennessee.
24. Can’t be any worse than the prequels.
25. Oh the irony.  Mexico dealing with aliens.
26. Before I delete the bookmark, here’s the story that was the basis for American Gangster.
27. Our weekly link to David’s Iraq deployment blog.
28. And, if you like what you see, then become a fan on Facebook.

Hindustani Gangster is Jay-Z’s American Gangster Remix. But NO this is not just another Remix of this album. This is the remix with some sick indian beats.  It was remixed by Music With Out Borders

So, tell me how in the hell have I not heard J. Cole’s “On top of the World” unreleased American Gangster track/instrumental until today? The track uses the same sample as Lupe’s “Failure”–which was re-used by Drake as the intro to his Comeback Season mixtape. (while we’re on Drake sampling, I never knew that Forever was sampled from a Kardinal Offishal track…then again, I was never a huge KO fan, so…) Anyway, the beat is–well, it’s beautiful, probably because the original song is beautiful as all hell.
I WILL be recording to this track, soon. Hopefully, I won’t get sued or completely trash the beat and make J. Cole diss me or some shit LOL
I mean, shoot, I need to get some ish out and off the chest before I get back to the album, you know? Yup yup.

Simply cause updates are moving slow lately. Check out this amazing mix of the Jay-Z, American Gangster, track. From the Hindustani Gangster Remix Album (DL it!).

Jay-Z – I Know (feat. Pharrell) (Hindustani Gangster Remix)

Link courtesy of ChromeMusic

Remember when I mentioned being frequently surprised by unexpected events a lot lately? Well, not much has changed. Life is steadily throwing curveballs my way but I’m rollin’ with the punches. No worries at all. Actually, I’m only mentioning it to explain the laziness that’s about to follow. ha My brain is a little more scattered than usual so I dug up an entry from my old blog that was typed around this time two-years ago. Let’s look back at what I was rambling about then:

Originally posted: October 27, 2007

What up peeps!  
First off lemme kick this off by saying another CONGRATS to my homebwoy, DJ Spontaneous. Last week, Spon announced that he’s the new tour DJ for Trey Songz. I hear that Spon is headed to Japan and other overseas locations with the tour this week! GO SPONTANEOUS!!!

Last week was a good week for premieres. My favorite-est reality tv family, The Simmonses, returned for a new season of Run’s House.

Also, thanks to bootleg man, I saw the anticipated movie American Gangster

…aka the movie with every rapper and their mama in it. If you plan to see it when it’s released on Friday you’ll see what I mean. (Common, T.I., the RZA, Anthony Hamilton…ok, he’s not a rapper but close enough. Check out Cuba Gooding Jr. as Nicky Barnes too. ha!) I’m not going to spoil it but I expected more.  The acting is superb but the flow of the movie was kinda boring to me. And, of course, since it’s based on a true story they couldn’t spice it up but so much.

 Mary J. Blige’s “Just Fine”

I was bumping this joint allllllll day on Friday! At the end Mary pays homage to the “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” video.  Mary be getting her life!  She’s not the world’s greatest dancer but she be hittin’ them Michael moves! Plus she looks like she’s having a ball. And I can’t even comment on the fantabulous fashions Miss Thang is rockin’. *whew*

To round out my premiere week on Friday evening I saw Joel Osteen live at the Arena. Yes, I said Joel Osteen! I admit to tuning into Lakewood’s broadcast every week to hear the uplifting messages from “the Smiling Preacher”. He’s not the only one I regularly tune into. I “watch church” for 3+ hours as if I was sitting in a real one.  (long story about why I left my old church) Anyway, the evening show was sold out so it was deeeep down there [at the Arena]. Look at where our seats were:

And I got tickets online at 10am on the day they went on sale!!!  I’m not going to rave about Joel too much but he rocks and if you want to know why he’s so popular just check out one of his broadcasts/podcasts. (All it’ll take is ONE time.) http://joelosteen.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=JOM_homepage

Anyone else think this is waaaay weird that the Feds can just up and decide that Daylight Savings time will be next weekend instead of the one that just passed?  It’s like they can tell us when to get up, start our day and go to sleep because we’re working on THEIR clock. Ok, ok lemme stop before this turns in to the Matrix or Enemy of the State and a bunch of dudes in black suits show up at my door.

Here’s this week’s “Golden Age” videos!

Gangstarr - ”Manifest”

(Guru and Primo are acting all prestigious but still look like lil youngbucks in this video. lol Wow. The dancers are getting off though. Hot track. Love this!)

Patra – “Queen of the Pack” 

(Yoooooo, Patra was dat chick! Who else had big, long azz braids up in a ponytail? *raising my hand*  Patra had other hits but my favorite’s always been Queen of the Pack because she shows that she can toast it up with the best of them. In between all the whinding and grinding homegyrl could actually flow! Dag, I miss her)

Marley Marl and his Super Friends (hahahaha)  -”The Symphony” 

(I don’t even have to say nothing about this one…*bow*)

Wow. What  fun, “Ebonics”-filled walk down memory lane that was.  LOL Shoutout to my homeslice DJ Spontaneous, who’s still doing his thang on the wheels… Isn’t cool to see that pic of the Simmons family knowing that baby Miley would be added and the kids will be so successful (well, some of them)? … Mary J. is still killin’ em… For some unknown reason the local channel that I used to watch Joel on suddenly stopped airing his sermons. *shrugs* And how do I put on an APB for Patra?! I’d really love an update on her. Shortly after she ‘disappeared’  I heard she married a rich doctor(<-rumor).*shrugs again*  

Back to the future. I’m taking classes (long story) and I totally tanked on an exam yesterday Luckily I have the chance to re-take it on Monday. So I’m going jump back into the books. Since I don’t have much free time to blog follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/jayehunnie  I tweet from everywhere and about anything. Just call it toddler version of this blog. Smaller but much more active! B-)

‘Til next time…
 

]]> http://hiphopwired.com/2009/10/22/american-gangster-mac-dre-romper-room-gang-video/ Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:38:10 +0000 dummyhhwchuck http://hiphopwired.com/2009/10/22/american-gangster-mac-dre-romper-room-gang-video/ ]]> http://beautycool.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/anthony-hamilton-go-on-wit-cha-bad-self/ Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:58:45 +0000 beautycool http://beautycool.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/anthony-hamilton-go-on-wit-cha-bad-self/

Its pretty obvious that Zoe Kravitz is nothing short of a natural talent. You all may recall her mom Lisa Bonet from one of your all time favorite shows The Cosbys, and her dad  Lenny Kravtiz for being a musical flair. Zoe was born December 1, 1988 in New York :uhhh: (Jay-Z voice). It seems as though she may have always had a passion for films, because during her senior year of high school she began working on No Reservations directed by Scott Hicks ,where she was given the oppurtunity to work alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart, and The Brave One, directed by Neil Jordan starring Jodie Foster and Terrance Howard. She then went on to began her college experience at Suny Purchase , not to far from the inner city; however, that didn’t last to long, due to the fact that her acting career became hectic. Her a dreams of being a succuessful actress didn’t end there, she’s been featured in a few other films, and still seeks the oppurtunity to write, direct and even partake in theatre. She’s also been featured in Jay-Z’s music video for his single “I Know” off his album American Gangster. Some of you may remember her as the main character in this video. You might also remember her from Will.i.am’s online video “We Are The Ones” during Obama’s campaign. Zoe Kravtiz is also known for other things, such as being a trendsetter, and expressing herself through her unconvential swag. Zoe also takes after her dad in terms of her having musical talent. She’s the lead singer in the group Elevator Fight, which is a band based out of Philly. Kravitz has still got a lot of other treasures to attain on her journey to success, but for now be on the look out for her.

NYC hustle

Red Carpet Steez

Zoe at Highline Ballroom in NYC

Zoe at Mercedes Benz fashion week

Zoe in Jay-Z’s music video “I Know”

(nickelus f seen sporting our homies DUMSKEME )

another hometown hero on the page.the latest from out boy Nickelus F who we go way back with.i’ll try and find some videos from when he was on freestyle friday sporting CI7Y.the track is dope though, keep a watch on this guy.
follow him on twitter: @nickelusf
(download link) American Gangster Freestyle
(listen link) American Gangster Freestyle

Here’s a grittier, recut and alternate version of Twista’s “American Gangster” video, off his Category F5 album.

Via: Nah Right .

A while ago, I placed a moratorium on all American Gangster remix albums after an influx of sub-par projects dropped when Def Jam/Roc-A-Fella liberated the acapellas. As much as I liked the album, hearing the same Hov verses over mediocre production became morbidly redundant.

However, I’m lifting my ban temporarily to hook y’all up with a dope project by the homie Beewirks. American Racketeer is a refreshing blend made back in ‘07 by the BX-bred beatsmith that currently reps Pittsburgh, a set of soulful samples and crisp drums for an all-around enjoyable listen.

Whether it’s the bouncy horns on “American Dreamin” or the James Brown-laden groove of ”Hello Brooklyn,” Beewirks crafted a one-of-a-kind remix disc that intensifies rather than attempts to outshine the original content.

I gotta give a big shout to the man himself for the heads up. You already know the track list, so press play (no Diddy) and vibe out. Enjoy!

Download: Beewirks x Jay-Z – American Racketeer

This is the second in a series that will review each song from Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3.

The second song on the album called Thank You. Ever since American Gangster–maybe even Kingdom Come–Jay has had a more refined style in the tradition of a black Rat Pack; tuxedos, expensive rare drinks and even more rare locales (on wax and in real life).
This second song on the LP finds him in that same mode with lines like, “Now I’m balcony, opera, black Tux, binocula, black luxe, stop it I shouldn’t be so popular.”

The beat is, in my opinion, the best on the entire album which bumps Pharrell’s Ambitious and Timbaland’s Venus Vs. Mars. This is another Kanye/No ID venture and they murdered it. It sounds like they took a clip of Joe Pesci saying, “You’re a wiseguy,” from Goodfellas and low ended it (flitered out the high frequencies) and looped it in the hook which comes out craaaazy! The horns are loud and bright and sonically crisp. The drums bang. They bang. I don’t know how they are doing these things but I’d love to have access to their engineers.

Overall probably one of the best joints on the record. I listened to it for like two days straight.

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In a battle of genius, the race between Ms. Kesha Lee, the Black Flock Gang, and Hood Shuttlesworth of Shaka Productions begins. Each of Universal Artists, International’s chess pieces is poised at the starting line with the finish clearly marked, clearly defined, and all within reach.

Ms. Kesha Lee of Universal Artists, Int'l.

With rumors of a possible union between Universal Artists, International and Warner Bros. or Sony/BMG, the white hot competition begins to heat up like the heat from 1,000 suns. With the success of Universal Artists, International under the leadership, guidance, and seasoned savvy of chess-master and world diplomat, Joe Stern-McGovern, global agent and President of Universal Artists, International, the agency has bounced back harder than ever from a floundering state to heights previously beyond the scope of imagination, all to the delight of fans and investors worldwide.

Shaka Productions of Universal Artists, Int'l.

Pole position in the vanguard has grown into a battle between the Black Flock Gang, Ms. Kesha Lee, Ms. Fame, and a rising star in his own right, budding rapper from Birmingham, Alabama via the Bronx, Christian Levi aka Christian, for the title of the agency’s heavyweight champion, trampeling previous acts such as Black and Haze, DTA, and the notorious C4 from the hit album, Amerikan Terrorist. Who will rise to the top in the stampede of the quick and the dead, only time will tell in the chaotic far arena, a venue created by the genius of Joe Stern-McGovern in his devious yet bold machinations which would make even the most veteran MBA feel inadequate to say the least.

Joe Stern-McGovern

According to a source, in addition to Warner Bros., Joe Stern-McGovern seems to have pitted the mighty Atlantic Records, Sony Records, Virgin Records, Interscope, and EMI all at each other’s throats in a bid to win the hand of Universal Artists, International. How will he guide this ship as Captain in the journey to its destination? Will he make a thrust into the market through the power and influential name recognition of Universal Artists, International, partner up with a large independent or major, or simply mete out the talent piecemeal? Only Joe Stern-McGovern, master chess player, knows the answer to this question, and it appears he will continue to hold it close to the clothe and veiled until the public least expects it, as is the way of Joe Stern-McGovern and his cohort, Shaka of Shaka Productions.

Preacha Boi: Mouf Piece of da City

With an arsenal of over 2,000 instrumentals, unlimited access to instrumental files, a deep roster of budding artists and producers under lengthy contracts, several powerful websites, at least 3 completed albums of rising repute,  and chart topping name recognition, all wait with baited breath in anticipation of news whether the global agency will continue in its own rite or make some lucky investor such as Warner Bros. or Sony the millions of overnight dollars cashed in through Universal Artist, International’s hard work, foresight, and genius of Joe Stern-McGovern and Shaka of Shaka Productions. Another question, will the company remain domestic to the USA or will it go abroad, as is noted with the name, Universal Artists, International.

In the meantime, please look for Ms. Kesha Lee, the Black Flock Gang, Christian Levi, and the featured attraction, Hood Shuttlesworth as the junta gathers for their next stab at the charts with relentless showmanship, talent, hard work, and dedication.

Facts: Hero of the Common Man

In the following months, we do hope you follow the career of Hood Shuttlesworth, leader and Captain of the Black Flock Gang in a series of interviews known as, Hood Shuttlesworth: The Trilogy, in which we explore the life and career of the American icon, both past, present, as well as his ambitions for the future.

For more information on Hood Shuttlesworth, or the Black Flock Gang, please visit them directly at www.myspace.com/blackflockgang, or by writing them at blackflockgang@myspace.com. You can also find them at www.universalartists.net. For questions regarding bookings or for promotion purposes, please write to payments@universalartists.net , www.myspace.com/universalartists, or universalartists@myspace.com. For international bookings or queries, you may reach Joe Stern-McGovern directly through his assistant at joesternmcgovern@myspace.com or at his Myspace, www.myspace.com/joesternmcgovern.

A-Dub the Conqueror

Coming soon to the Universal Artists, International’s blog, A-Dub the Conqueror, as well as Joe Stern-McGovern’s personal experience and reflections in customer service through the journey in his quest for artistic freedom and success, fearturing such miserable failures as, “Walmart: Joyride Gone Wrong” and “Sheraton, Birmingham, AL: Adventures in Hooker Alley”.

Record review running on all 37 Metromix (Gannett/Tribune Co.) sites.

The vast majority of rappers struggle to maintain meaningful careers post-stardom because there are not many interesting ways to tell the world about your riches.

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