AOL RED Blogs: kultura

VMAs: In the Groove?

Fri, 7 Sep 2007 12:33:58 PDT

This Sunday, MTV will host the annual Video Music Awards, this time in Vegas. But after several years of declining ratings for the show -- plus low numbers of online use compared to Yahoo! (seriously) and MySpace -- some people are questioning whether the VMAs can get their groove back. Xtina, at last year's award show. An article yesterday looked at MTV landscape, and talked about how the VMAs on Sunday are designed to help rev up their rep again. One industry vet was quoted as saying “They were the innovators, and now they’re kind of a step behind." The plans for this year's VMAs, though, would suggest that the network's quickly striving to get back on track with new trick in the bag. Different versions of the show, for example, will air in the days and weeks following the original, and in one case will include un-aired snippets of show that mtv.com visitors can select and vote on. Other new elements include new Web site features like a virtual world of the hotel where the awards take place. So would any of these new features get you to watch? Would you have watched anyway, if just to see Britney's opening act and Justin's probable dancing? (I sure would have.) In the end, one music exec said, "There’s still something to putting a face to the music, and that’s what MTV can do for you." But what do you think? Holla….. *the dj*

culture's poppin' -- even now

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:59:59 PDT

Usually, the end of August is a totally quiet time for just about everything except maybe parties on the Riviera or beach traffic everywhere. But in the past week alone, a number of announcements and issues have been percolating in pop culture, so it's time for a little wrap-up: First, as you probably saw in Embraced/Disgraced on Friday, Kanye and 50 Cent have decided to throw down. Both artists have album release dates on September 11, so that the they can go head-to-head for sales. 50's last album, Massacre, outsold Kanye's previous record by a few hundred thousand copies, but some critics are forecasting that Kanye could do the outselling this time. According to MSNBC, 50 promised to quit music if he loses -- well, sort of. He reportedly said: “If Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, I'll no longer write music. I'll write music and work with my other artists, but I won't put out any more solo albums.” Who do you think will win this one? Will you be sad if Fifty never releases another album of his own again? We weren't sure either, so we came up with one of our celeb battles for these two, so get ready to see how the artists stacked up when we compared them ourselves (coming later this week). ….. In other news, the king of highlights & hosting (that would be Ryan Seacrest) has been announced host of the Emmy Awards in September. I love TV, I love award shows and Ryan is OK, highlights and all, but do any of you actually watch the Emmy award show (the red carpet does not count)? Will you watch with Ryan as the host? And, getting back into the news again, Kanye said publicly today that Justin Timberlake is his inspiration and his competition, across race lines and genre … Would you agree? If not, who else can rival Justin? Got some hot news we should know about? Holla ...*the dj*

'the hills' are back ... but are you watching?

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:06:54 PDT

So, as if we hadn't had enough of the former girls of 'Laguna Beach' and their grown-up lives, MTV's 'The Hills' is back tonight for a third season. Before the show even started, though, we’ve already been inundated with news of a rumored rift between Lauren and Heidi, and I've been asking myself what's left (or who's left) for these girls to do in Hollywood. they're back, and ready for, um, action. Initially, I was really in to the lives of these girls (OK, 'really into,' as in, 'watch while I'm at the gym or cooking or talking on the phone') and their pals when they were just innocent high schoolers in Laguna Beach. As an LA-o-phile who adores small, palm-lined beach towns, the show was just the right antidote to East Coast winters and thinking that maybe I missed high school (um…I don't). Plus, I learned to surf in Orange County, so I have a special soft spot for the place. Then, of course, there was the 'real' Orange County –in Newport harbor -- followed by the 'The Real Housewives of Orange County,' which, sadly, I think may simply mirror some of the real yearnings of these rich, hot mumsies to have their kids' lives. As these spinoffs continued, so did the lives of the original 'LB' cast, who weren't getting any younger – or any more demure, or introverted, or introspective, for that matter. Lauren and Heidi and a few of the boys moved 'all the way' up to L.A. (ie, like 40 mins away), and quickly got into the swing of being the official stars of their own reality show, not to mention trying their hand at internships and even jobs. So tonight, 'The Hills' are back and MTV's gone wild with a planned premiere party and online after party. My question, though, is are you planning on watching? Did you ever get into the dramas of the 'LB' kids, and if so, are you still vaguely following along -- or super into it –or did you drop off around the time that Jason started being a jerk? Let me know where you stand on the 'Hills' gang … but don't worry, you can wait 'til the show's over at 11! *the dj*

the jonas bros. vs. kat de luna

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 09:49:37 PDT

This week, two of my fave rising artists have album previews on AOL Music. The Jonas Brothers have the songs from their forthcoming eponymous sophomore album. Alongside them, up-and-comer Kat de Luna also has tracks available from her first full-length, '9 Lives.' the jonas brothers: rising fast I checked out each album and dig different things about each one. The Jonas Brothers have that pop-rock, high-energy thing going on, with catchy hooks and accessible melodies. They're part of the growing coterie of Disney/Hollywood Records stars who are quietly taking the industry by storm, with singles in Disney flicks like 'Zoey 101: Spring Break-Up,' and getting heavy song rotation on Radio Disney. And they're not stopping there: Starting this fall, the three brothers will star in a new Disney series and will go on tour as support for Miley Cyrus. look out, shakira (and beyonce, and j.lo.) kat's on the scene. Kat de Luna, meanwhile, has a much more danceable, Latin-infused R&B sound, with highly-produced pop tracks like 'Whine Up.' A native of the Dominican Republic, Kat's got a grown-up sound that reportedly led R. Kelly to call her a prodigy. To me, she has a slight Shakira flavor mixed with J.Lo and maybe even Beyonce, all in one (big shoes to fill, I know – but try and not shake your hips to 'Run the Show'). What do you think? Which album are you more stoked about? Take a listen to each one and let me know. They're only posted until Monday, so check them out while you can – and post your thoughts below. *the dj.*

pcd's nicole scherzinger, avril headed for acting

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 15:53:21 PDT

So, just as queen Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger is launching her solo career (she's been setting this one up for a while now. Remember her sexy video with Diddy? Or the PCD video with Busta Rhymes? Check her out with T.I.), she also announced that she wants to hit the stage (or screen, more likely) as an actress, too, explaining that she was a theater major in college. nicole: headed for the big screen? Over the years (for those of us who were part of the PCD cult fan base), we’ve seen Nicole emerge as the preeminent top-dog (I mean cat?) of the crew, and setting the stage for a potential break out from the clan. It's obvious that she can sing, plus she's gorgeous – and in Hollywood, that's usually more than enough to kick off a career. But maybe the singing-to-acting trend is taking over more than wanna-be PCD members. AOL Music's popeater reported yesterday that now Avril Lavigne's going to be hitting the silver screen this fall. Apparently, Avril's set to appear beside um, shall we say 'more seasoned' actors, including Richard Gere & Claire Danes. But we're not getting too ahead of ourselves here – according to IMDB, in the upcoming film, 'The Flock,' Avril's like 15 people down on the cast list, and will be playing someone called Young Woman. Last time we checked, characters without names are called Extras. So do you think Avril & Nicole have what it takes to take over H'wood (or at least do some decent work?)? Let me know! *the dj*

Miley's not on the charts -- but do you care?

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:16:28 PDT

We here at RED have loved Miley Cyrus for a long time, but now it looks like a lot of other people do, too -- so much so that Miley's latest album debuted at the number one spot for album sales when it arrived two weeks ago (the rapper T.I. bumped her to #2 after that – but he's pretty good. No hard feelings). What amazed music enthusiasts who aren't as much in the know as, say, you, is that artists like Miley, Aly & AJ and other acts who started out on Nick or Disney shows sell tons and tons of albums. Part of the reason why it was a surprise, though, was that you'll never hear them on the radio alongside Rihanna – unless you're listening to RadioKOL or other related stations. An article this week on AOL looked at this gap between album sales and chart-topping for artists like Miley, and had some interesting quotes from music execs and experts. Steve Greenberg, chairman of S-Curve Records, for example, noted the change in the type of music that usually gets radio play these days, saying: "I think it's very hard for a very young artist with very clean lyrics to find a place on Top 40. In a previous generation, the Disney artists would have found a home at Top 40. Now there's no room for records that kids like but scare off adults." Part of what I think is interesting about what separates these artists is the sex appeal, marketing, and entertainment origins of the star. There are tons of big-name acts that started out as Mouseketeers (Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, for starters), but that avenue is a pretty direct, well-known one-way train to stardom at this point. Instead of looking to JT or Britney as models of the usual road to the radio charts, Hilary Duff is seen as the queen of transition, showing more clearly how an Aly & AJ could potentially work within the system to get on the charts: she started out just like Miley, but now, at age 19, Hil's crossed into sexiness territory, complete with bikini magazine covers, sultry videos and even public debates over her body image. One consultant whose company monitors the radio industry highlighted this tactic: "…Wait until the artist is on Hollywood Records [the Disney label] doing a solo record and then go to Top 40," he said. It's this strategy that the article suggested Aly & AJ may already be taking:For promotion of the sisters' newest album, 'Insomniatic,' the article said that, instead of looking for airtime on Disney, as in the past, they were "plugging the project on MTV's 'TRL,' as well as appearing in MTV's cable movie "Super Sweet 16: The Movie." A number of the album's tracks, including the first single, "Potential Breakup Song," appear in the film." So what do you think? Radio time matters to artists and labels because it sells more records and gets more buzz around the musicians -- but does it matter to you? If there were an act that you thought was too young for you, for example, would you be more likely to be into it if you heard it on the radio? Post your thoughts & let me know! *the dj*

There's Something About Remy's Arrest

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 11:07:04 PDT

remy, in happier times Oh, Remy Ma…you were the great new female hope for hip-hop, and then you go and blow two bullets into your so-called best friend's stomach! You disappoint me so. The back story is that this week, the rapper Remy Ma -- whose debut album, 'There's Something About Remy,' won her appearances on TRL and increasing buzz in the music world -- shot her friend after they same out of an NYC club together, allegedly because she believed that her pal had stolen $2k out of her purse. Remy reportedly fled the scene, but turned herself in hours later. As if that wasn't shocking enough – like, how far off the deep end do you need to go to shoot your own BFF? -- it came on the heels of a hearing in the case of rap maven Eve, who pleaded no contest for driving under the influence after she plowed her gold Maserati into a median strip in April. eve, lookin' fly. These kinds of destructive scenarios really trouble me, not only because it's awful to see young stars digging their reps into the ground, but also because it seems like these two stars of hip-hop got caught up in hubris and a sense of entitlement -- both of which are really negative aspects of a lot of modern hip-hop and the music biz as a whole. But the fact that both women got themselves into trouble amidst total bling & ostentation: When got stopped, Eve was driving one of the most expensive cars in the world in the blingiest color you can get … while drunk? For real?! And Remy Ma— whose career is just taking off -- going all ballistic on a friend she's had for years – over money? And who carries around two grand in their pocket book – in New York City (young & impressionable rappers, that's who). At first, I thought maybe the women were a little insane, but more importantly, both were under the influence – not necessarily of drinking or drugs, but of self-importance, insularity and pride – all of which resulted in poor decision-making. What do you think? Are these isolated cases, or a larger, insidious problem in the entertainment industry, that comes with money and fame and immaturity, all at once? *the dj*

Diddy and Your Career? ... plus, a LOGO forum

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:27:01 PDT

In the past few weeks, we at RED have been looking at some of the hottest jobs you could have this summer, and some of the crappiest jobs ever. But now, the mogul of moguls – Diddy himself – is inviting us to ask ourselves which category working for him would fall under? Yes, the man who is expert in self-marketing is now inviting people who would like to be his personal assistant to apply in a YouTube video. Dreaming of a music and entertainment career? Dying to be on the pulse of mainstream hip-hop and culture? If you think you've got what it takes, this is your chance … just be sure to tell us about it!! You can check out the competition and watch the videos of people who have applied so far right here. In other news … Logo, the MTV network that addresses issues in young, gay culture and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF) will co-present a televised forum on issues of importance to the LGBT community with the 2008 Democratic presidential candidates. So far, Sens. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Chris Dodd are confirmed participants. The forum will be broadcast live exclusively on Logo August 9 and streamed live at LOGOonline.com. You can get more info on the forum right here. Do you think this is a good call by Logo and HRCF (an organization that strives to protect and promote gay rights)? What issues do you think they should bring up? What would you ask? Post a note and let me know! *the dj*

posh, becks -- and a butt-cooler?

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 10:04:55 PDT

What is the word coming to this week? Not only are Posh and Becks filming their own reality shows (one EACH on their move to L.A.), but now office workers across the globe can beat the summer heat with their very-own butt-cooler. Here's the low-down on the wacky summer happenings: posh & becks: narcissism at its best?I am reviled and entertained by reality shows as much as the next person, but, having working in the TV industry and of course closely monitoring challenging TV fare like 'I Love New York' (for work purposes only, of course), I was pretty much guessing that low-budget reality TV was on its way. And that maybe reputable people with real-life careers -- like David Beckham, for example – might eschew such low-brow/high entertainment opportunities. But I was wrong. It makes sense that Becks's wife, left with pretty much zero occupational options apart form pitching at Dodgers games, lunching with celebs and reviving her has-been pop group, would naturally gravitate towards any chance to be in the spotlight again. So when I heard that there would likely be a reality show about her move, I wasn't so surprised. But on tvsquad.com, I just heard that not just Vicky B. but both she and her man would be doing reality shows. Luckily, it sounds like Mr. Beckham's project -- being filmed for a British channel, and focusing more on soccer than on domestic concerns like how to bump into Perez Hilton – may be truer to his actual life calling than a forced, plotless series on unpacking. But I guess we won't know for sure until the series hit TV and we get to dish on it -- if, that is, you admit that you're watching. good news for steamy behinds everywhereAre you stuck in summer school, crammed into classrooms without AC? Are you a huge couch potato, whose summer plans revolve around playing every game you can on your new Wii? Or maybe you or someone you know works in an office, and you're concerned about how to get relief from the summer heat in a place that AC just can't reach? There's good news! From those innovators in Japan who brought us personal computers, Atari and everything else that's fun in life, you can now own your own personal derriere-cooler. No – this is not a joke (we thought it was too). If you're itching to own your own, you can get all the buying details here (but knowledge of the Japanese language would help). So check it out and happy summer sitting! And don't forget to let me know what the product is like -- I want to make sure it's quality before buying one myself. x *the DJ*

nelly furtado: concert review

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:33:05 PDT

It's official, sort of: Nelly Furtado is doing her best to trade her 'Whoa, Nelly!' girl-next-door image for more sexy, sultry, pop style that so far has gotten her tons of radio airtime and big arena concerts. While the evolution of the budding pop diva began a few years ago, her recent album 'Loose,' frequent collaborations and producing from Timbaland and a concert evocative of those from Kylie Minogue has made it a fait accompli. So what happens when an artist you've come to know and love sheds some of what you loved her for, and embraces a look, feel & style that are strangely familiar and mainstream? For the DJ here, I generally try to recall the old times fondly, embrace the newness and accept the artist (if they're good to begin with) for what they are now. nelly, in her '80s costume. My guess is that most artists' stylistic departures (cough, cough Black Eyed Peas, Avril Lavigne) probably stem from pressure from labels to go bigger with more accessible, mainstream hits. But during Nelly Furtado's concert in Fairfax, VA last week, it was tough to fully embrace the revamped star as such because it was clear that she hadn't fully embraced it yet herself. To a packed audience seated in what is also used as a basketball arena, Furtado entered the stage from behind a huge glowing disco-ball, and, while singing with as much gusto as she could muster, walked gingerly down a set of stairs to greet the crowd as four dancers bounced and hurtled back and forth across the stage. She was in a skin-tight, '80s-style dress with bright yellow heels, and although she sounded great, she seemed uneasy as she made her way forward. Furtado sang a handful of songs in this outfit, singing all the right words on the right notes, but still seemingly going through the motions rather than being fully present on stage. Confronting Furtado as an uneasy and detached performer was at times troubling, less because of nostalgia for who we thought she was, but more because of what the transformation seemed to represent as part of a larger trend. As the night went on, however, there were several turning points at which we saw her shed the uneasiness, warm up and come into her own. She increasingly radiating the strength, authenticity and talent that's set her apart from most pop singers. The first transition was soon after a costume change from the skintight outfit into a flowy purple dress that evoked the whimsical style of previous albums. After a few ballads – which were beautiful, but repetitive as a medley – she stood in the spotlight at the front of the stage and did an acoustic version of Gnarls Barkley's hit song 'Crazy.' Furtdo's version of it – soulful and powerful – brought out the heart of the song, and was a kind of relief point at which she and the audience relaxed, comforted in the fact that underneath the costumes, the core artist was there, too. Following the rendition, there were a few other costume changes for both Furtado and her dancers, plus the introduction of a few members of band, including a rapper/musician named Socrates who filled in for Timbaland on those popular collabos that everyone wanted to hear. Overall, the concert was a fun spectacle that aspired, stylistically, to pop super-stardom, but specific moments anchored the show amidst it all. One of the most authentic and passionate moments of the show was when Furtado was finally --thankfully -- in flat shoes and a soccer jersey, doing an updated rendition of 'Forca,' the Portuguese song that became an anthem for the country's soccer team in 2004. During the energetic performance, Furtado jumped up and down, singing with her entire self and engaging the audience in a way that she hadn't yet that night. In that moment, with sweat beads on her face, exuberant and impassioned, Furtado reminded us all what she is capable of, when left to her own devices. *the DJ*

pity paris? or punish paris?: a soundtrack for jail

Tue, 5 Jun 2007 15:56:51 PDT

Aww, Paris. I wish we felt sorry for you, I really do – but since the rest of us learned consequences to our actions at like, age 6, I can't muster the sympathy on this one. paris: posing for her mugshot. Lucky for you, though, Ms. Hilton, AOL Music does have a twinge of empathy – and irony & good timing – and they've created a handy play list of songs to entertain you while in jail. Here at RED, we also made a list of things you could do to pass those 23. Long. Long. Days. But since high school was a short affair for you, I think the play list would probably entertain you long after you skimmed over our list, especially when you're stressed out and probably a little lonely. Not only did the music peeps sense your pain & hope to entertain you, but there's a handy photo gallery of all the other famous people just like YOU! That's right – you're not the only one who has the universe on a platter, yet still seems to endanger herself and other people – again and again. Does anyone else feel a tad sorry for Paris Hilton? Or did she get what she deserved? For those with more sympathetic hearts than mine, what would you out on your play list for her? Let me know! *the dj*

Zac Efron: Is He Keeping Up With His 'HSM' Crew?

Fri, 1 Jun 2007 13:53:55 PDT

As you've probably heard by now, our boy Zac Efron is starring as the mega-stud in the upcoming remake of musical movie, 'Hairspray.' Considering the scandal (at least here at RED!) when we found out Zac wasn't really singing in 'High School Musical,' we didn't expect him to go too far after that. Sure – he's adorable, can sort of act and was in a ground-breaking made-for-TV flick that's being emulated everywhere, but it didn't seem like he had the basic talent to move on from being a one-hit wonder. Soon, as the Disney flick picked up speed, his co-stars started to break out of the movie mold with their own albums, music tours, and even new TV movies. First, it was Ashley Tisdale with her solo album, 'Headstrong.' Then it was Corbin Bleu: not only does he have a hit single, 'Deal With It,' out for his new album, 'Another Side,' but he's also in 'Jump In.' And finally, there's the lovely Vanessa Anne Hudgens. Gorgeous, talented (besides non-dancing) and ambitious, she also has an album out, simply called, 'V.' Sure – they're all going to be back for 'High School Musical 2,' plus maybe #3, a South American tour and other projects, but Zac was quiet. Until, that is, we got word on 'Hairspray.' In the remake of this musical set in the 1960s, Zac plays Link Larkin, a hunky crooner who all the girls adore (obviously!). Thinking it was another lip-synch scenario, I kinda yawned. Turns out, though, that not only is he really singing, but he's really good! His first single from the film just got released, and it rocks. So is Zac keeping up with the 'HSM' pack? Was anyone else surprised about all this? Let me know! *the dj*

the 'glamorous life' of pete wentz

Thu, 24 May 2007 14:21:39 PDT

So you know we've been dishing here about how much a rock star or celeb's lifestyle influences –- or should be a part of –- their image. For someone like Avril Lavigne, who positions herself as a skater-girl neo-punk-styled rock star, I asked if you thought there was contradiction between her image and her real life, in which she's purchased a multi-million dollar mansion in the heart of L.A. poshness. You all had some varying opinions, which were interetsing to read. Here are few comments: to answer your question avril was a rock punked out chick back then, now she is preppy punk. i liked the old avril better and the old music.......(anonymous) I heard that her new song "Girlfriend" was just for fun. She doesn't really mean anything by it. So what if she lives in a Bel-Air house. Shes got the money and can do whatever she wants with it. Not to mention have you seen the inside of it? Neither have i, but maybe she has her as you say "edgy" stuff inside of it. Dont judge a book by its cover. Or in this case, her song and look and house. (oshortnspunkyo) I think her old songs were much better, but I was always confused as to whether she skated or not. My verdict is she might be influenced to become more preppy by her fans or maybe this is just her true style. Hmm. I wonder. (beflygirlie1993) I don't know...I think Avril was real when she started, but as the years wore on, she lost her edge. (anonymous) so that's avril ... now what about pete? This week, I saw a new AOL Music feature on The Glamorous Life of Pete Wentz. As part of an ongoing AOL Music series, this feature on a glam celeb wasn't surprising to me, but it did strike me that this week's feature was on Pete Wentz -- a rock star who I think most of us love because he seems to keep it pretty real by maintaining a gritty, punk style and writes amazing, insightful lyrics that set him apart form most pop artists. What's great about the 'Glamorous' pics of Pete is that, while each one features him with other very, very famous people at many, many Hollywood parties and events, is that he seems pretty low-key in all of them (not to mention that the comments are hilarious. One blogger called Pete's ever-present makeup 'guyliner.'). Not to mention that the pictures show how he's hobnobbing and hustling to make his way in the scene, just like everyone else. But the truth is that Pete – no matter how 'real' he seems – is also rock star who has skyrocketed to mega-fame in a short time. This is also the same person who has chosen Ashlee Simpson as his girlfriend (even if he won't admit it—these Ashlee & Pete pictures kind of show it all off). In the wake of the debate over Miss Avril's possible contradiction, what do we think of Pete? How do you see his image? And do you think it contrasts with the reality of his life? More importantly, do these things need to coincide to maintain an artist's integrity, in your opinion? Let me know…more to follow… *the dj*

Jessica Biel, L. Lo and Sienna Miller: Separated at birth?

Thu, 17 May 2007 09:41:54 PDT

In a strange confluence of Hollywood job-overlap and coincidence (MAYBE), according to cinematical.com, Sienna Miller has found herself a new movie role for which Lindsay Lohan was first considered, followed by Jessica Biel, who also passed on it (for as-yet undisclosed reasons), before Miller nabbed it. linds, sienna & jessica b. Role-passing happens every minute in Hollywood (as is clear from 'Entourage'), but what's strange is that it's the second time in two months that Miller's grabbed a role for which Linds was originally considered. The part is of a 19-year-old American girl who lives in the U.K. in the upcoming flick 'Importance.' Besides the fact that Miller is 26 and British, (we're all for character acting, though), how could L. Lo ever have been considered for any serious film that's basically an adaption of an Oscar Wilde play? My question here really is what kind of role would work for both L. Lo AND Sienna Miller (not to mention Jessica Biel thrown in there, too). Let's compare for a sec: Linds: A veritable Hollywood wild child whose antics off set are impacting her reputation on set. In and out of rehab this year with the speed of Paris Hilton on Sunset Blvd.Had a lawsuit brought up & then dropped against her and her mom for allegedly running over an NYC photographer with her car.Just got totally panned for her role in 'Georgia Rule.'And finally – really questionable behavior with regards to PDA. Sienna: A former model from the England who was married to Jude Law until he cheated on her – with their NANNY.Recent cover story for hip mag NYLON.Starring in no less than four movies so far this year (including 'Importance.') Sienna in the biopic 'Factory Girl' And finally, Jessica: Well, she's … really beautiful. Got started as a fashion model and moved on to acting mainly via the WB's '7th Heaven.'Has appeared in a mix of films that range in quality, but appeared in 2006's 'The Illusionist,' which was well-received. So what do these three women have in common? Similar acting styles? Skin tone on camera? Or simply a winning salary? I'm not sure. Any takers on this one? *the dj*

dj'ing: would you be down with it?

Fri, 11 May 2007 15:58:13 PDT

yo... First, thanks for your great thoughts on the Avril Lavigne posting. I'm going to respond next week (you gave me a lot to think about!), but in the meantime, here's what I'm wondering... This past week, I did some digging and saw how DJ'ing is a hot new Hollywood hobby that a lot of celebs are down with – either as new skill set or a dating destination (ahem, Nicole Richie!). Lindsay Lohan, for exmaple, not only been trying out the turntables, but she's also been buddying up with H'wood socialite/DJ Samantha Ronson (pictured), who suddenly hit the gossip pages hard when she became BFF with Linds. All this made me wonder: how many other people –um, the normal, non-celebs – would want to learn? So I'm asking you: If you had access to equipment, some direction and a few records of artists you're down with (not just dance music – but Avril, or Hilary or Fall Out Boy), would you want to try it? Let me know what your take is, especially after checking this out: It turns out that it's not just celebs like Linds and Joel Madden who are reaching for the vinyl. Classes and academies designed to offer the everyday music fan the chance to try it all out are sprouting up all over the place. One of the most prominent of them is Scratch DJ Academy in NYC, which launched in 2002 and now has locations in L.A. and Miami. According to their website: "Scratch intends to educate amateur DJ's and enthusiasts by providing them with the necessary equipment and copy written curriculum to learn this popular art form, as well as providing access to world famous DJ instructors." Sounds pretty noble … and awesomely fun – especially since they host bday parties and whatnot. Would you go to something like this, if you could? Are these celebs simply trying to be cool, or do they really enjoy DJ'ing? (that we may never know – but we can dish about it!). Yours, *the dj* (um...but not a real one!)

how punk is avril lavigne?

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 09:51:34 PDT

Avril Lavigne has always been an enigma to me, because I’m never sure if her image really jives with her real life. When she first hit the scene, she was a relative novelty: a pretty female pop singer who had a post-punk edge, but made it big on the charts. But looking at her breakout hit ‘Sk8ter Boi,’ I wondered whether she actually skates, despite her hanging around with a deck in her hand. Next, Avril came out with this bratty ‘Girlfriend’ video & remix that is fun and catchy and gets stuck in my head – but she’s married (at age 22. Precocious? Just a little). She’s still got this post-punk thing going on with her edgy style, fast-paced song tempo, and overall attitude, but it’s a weird contrast between her mainstream rock star life and her taunting song lyrics (‘hey! You! I don’t like your girlfriend!’). And then Avril went really, really posh, and bought a massive mansion in Bel-Air (a posh part of LA) for $9.5 million with her hubbie, Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley. Do edgy rockers live in Bel-Air? I thought this might be an oxymoron, but it turns out that she bought the house from former Blink-182 member Travis Barker. All of which leaves me wondering: Who is Avril Lavigne, really? And what does being 'punk' mean to you? Holla at me & let me know.

fresh music april 5

Thu, 5 Apr 2007 06:55:09 PDT

what is going down? There's some great new videos, songs & albums out this week, so let me know which ones are your faves ... and who should get out of the music biz!! You can check out the week's best new music here, but if you only have a few minutes, don't miss: --Fall Out Boy's new video, 'Thks for the Mmrs' --Nelly Furtado's new video, 'All Good Things...' (but only if you're in a good mood..kind of a soppy tear-jerker...but it's on a beach, so I'm down!) AND... --Rich Boy's video, 'Boy Looka Here.' This one's a little edgier and more menacing than a lot of the vids I usually go for, but I love documnetary film and hip-hop, so it's a mini-combo of both. In addition to the music on RED this week, I also got to see a great UK DJ named Gilles Peterson last week. He has his own radio show in London and is pretty famous in Europe, known mainly for mixing my fave things -- jazz, hip-hop, pop and afro-beat. If you haven't tasted his mixes yet, check him out here. Holla back and tell me which ones are YOUR faves ... or if there's any new music on your horizon that I oughtta know about. yours, *the DJ *

fave fresh music for march 23

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:12:23 PDT

What is going down.. This past week there were a ton of new tracks and videos that I was checking out. One of the most impressive pieces was Fergie’s AOL Sessions set. Even though she’s been singing about being ‘glamorous,’ I didn’t really believe she was until this more exposed side of her emerged. My other faves this past week was the video for Baby Boy da Prince’s ‘The Way I Live,’ and (of course), Timbaland’s new album, ‘…Shock Value.’ Baby Boy’s video had an authentic, neighborhood feeling to it that made me feel like I was really getting a glimpse of his hometown of New Orleans. Plus, it’s a tribute to the city as it is right now, in the process of rebuilding (sort of) as communities try to reestablish themselves. Tim, on the other hand, is the master of the beat, and a genius at mashing up sounds and musical ideas into danceable tracks. And finally, Miss Lopez surprised me the most with her first-ever Spanish-only album. It’s like she finally found her true, inner self – and it’s about time! Which are your faves right now? Hit me up and let me know…. *the DJ*

fave fresh music: week of march 5

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 09:55:30 PST

This week, there’s more new songs & videos I’ve been checking out. And while they’re all fun, I was blown away by one song (and it’s video) in particular. This is my pick of the week, but which are yours? Here's why I heart the ‘Give It to Me’ video: What I love about the video is the sense of going behind the scenes with these three artists, who we usually see in highly-polished, tightly choreographed videos and appearances. When you see Timba and JT backstage somewhere, literally goofing around and clearly mouthing the words to their own song, it doesn’t get too much more insider. The other key to this video is in the editing—someone clearly took painstaking effort to piece together hours of disparate footage and cut it into a piece with great pacing that matches the song. The other thing I love about this song & video are JT’s hilarious lyrics, singing lines like: “I didn’t see you on the charts last week/damn, that’s right,/you wasn’t there.” And “Some say sexy never left. But then why’e everybody all over my [stuff?]” I already thought this was pretty funny, but I found out this morning that the line is actually (rumored to be) talking smack to Prince, who apparently announced at an Emmy’s party earlier this year that “Sexy had never left,” in a direct insult to JT. Yes. It’s rough out there in pop-star land. But I’ll eat it up if it brings us addictive songs and compelling videos. More soon! xo *the DJ*

your fave fresh music picks of the week

Fri, 2 Mar 2007 15:05:06 PST

This week, there’s a ton of new music and videos out. I’ve been poring through all of it, re-playing Xtina’s funky, stylized ‘Candyman’ video to try and pick up some moves, and wondering what marketing trick Hil’s gonna pull out of her hat next (Literally. Have you seen the fedora she wears in ‘With Love?’). I’m also wondering who that chisel-faced hottie is who follows her up the stairs…I bet that’s not the last we’ll see of him. The thing I’m digging the most about most of the videos and songs this week is the sense of fun and sass that artists like Hil, Everlife and Avril are bringing to the screen. Which one is your favorite fresh pick of the week? Holla ... and let me know! xo, *the dj*

oscars edition: monday afternoon quarterbacking

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:54:13 PST

Today is what one of our RED staffers dubbed ‘Oscars Monday' – not a holiday, really, but a great post-game day for us movie buffs, fashion hounds and anyone who likes to dish it up on Hollywood’s biggest annual event. I checked out the Oscars coverage pretty much all night, except for when the restrospective montages went on too long and I took the opportunity to get more tacos. Throughout the evening, I had a few laughs, shed some tears, wanted to puke just a little, wished it would be over, and then felt sad when it was finally finished … 3 hours and 18 minutes later. Here’s my round-up: The Pre-GameOverall: Former MTV VJ Chris Connolly was the evening’s host on the program I watched, along with the lovely Lisa Ling. He started off pretty well on the red carpet, but things quickly went downhill through out the night, as his speech cadence, energy and seeming interest in the whole event slipped away completely and his delivery went flat. Obviously, the Oscars are mostly about looking hot and being seen, and dishing on who’s looking like what. For a full Oscars fashion fiesta, you can check out Jen's RED Carpet Roll Call gallery. The Fabulous: Eva Green (even though my guy-pal, said she looked ‘mummified,’) James McAvoy (addendum/full disclosure: he’d look good in anything), Leo DiCaprio, Abigail Breslin (although she could’ve lost a few of the bauble doo-dads). Not-so-fabulous: Cameron Diaz was looking a little rough around the edges. We know she loves surfing, but that doesn’t mean she needs to bake her face and let it show. Nicole Kidman was looking a little too thin, too blonde, and she had a huge red bow on her shoulder for no apparent reason. Although I’d be rough around the edges, too, if I'd just broken up with JT, or if my man was in rehab. That’s a lot to deal with. Highlight: Red carpet one-on-one with Leo DiCaprio, who was thoughtful, humble and articulateHighlight 2: Pre-show short segment with most of the top-nominees just goofing around, and talking about ‘their craft.’ The piece was authentic, refreshing, well-edited and well-paced. Sigh. If only the rest of the show could have been that good. Lowlight: When CC took verbal jab from Tom Hanks, who made fun of the waning presenter off the cuff, on air. The Hostess Overall: Ellen was just awesome. A far cry from smarmy, forced, self-important hosts from years past –or, really, from hosts on any award show—she was deft, gentle, self-deprecating, and hilarious. I heard a short Q and A with her on the radio on Friday morning, and was impressed with her intellect and general attitude & approach to being the emcee. She really came through. Not only did she navigate the potential political and humor pitfalls that any host faces, but she looked fresh, composed and classy. Highlight: When Ellen paused and had the cameras focus on Leo DiCaprio for a sec, not because she had a joke, but because she knew t'he ladies would just want to look at him.'Highlight 2: Ellen loves to spend time in the audience during award shows. Two of the funniest moments were when she pretended to give Scorcese her own screenplay, and later had a photo taken with her and Clint Eastwood 'for her MySpace page.' The Show Overall: More intelligent and textured than years past, with better ways of showcasing less famous categories, like ‘best adaption of a screenplay,’ and ‘best original score.’ Highlight: Better inclusion of important but previously overlooked categories, like the foreign film, short and animated films. The winners of these categories got some time in the spotlight.Highlight 2: Watching Beyonce take center stage during the 'Dreamgirls' medley. This all went down soon after Jennifer Hudson won her Oscar, so it was hard not to interpret Beyonce's particularly powerful and commanding singing performance as a message to Jennifer: 'Move over, J. You might've just won the Oscar, but I've still got like a jillion Grammys on my mantle...and a suuper-star BF to boot.'Highlight 3: When Will ferrell and Jack Black sang a duet about how sad it is to be a comedian in LA on Oscars night. This was hilarious and ridiculous, as only those two could be in an operetic piece.Lowlight: The show was also uber-long, and the various ‘tributes’ (to the deceased, a lifetime achievement, amazing compositions), could’ve been tightened up. Heartwarming, yes, butnot all of us were on Pacific Time. Lowlight 2: Did I mention that the show was really long? The Award-Giving: Overall: These were decidedly mixed. Highlight: Abigail Breslin & Jaden Christopher Syre Smith presenting best short films (get it?). They were genuine and adorable.Lowlight: Clint Eastwood losing the thread of his intro. The Award-Getting: Overall: Again, some of these acceptance speeches were just perfect, and some were really awkward. Highlight: The director of 'West Bank Story.' He had a political agenda and a lot of people to thank, but he managed to squeeze those in with some self-deprecation and leave us with a message of hope and inspiration—in under 30 seconds. Highlight2: Forest Whitaker's win for best actor in a lead role for in 'The Last King of Scotland.' His acceptance speech was slightly kooky and invoked unseen spirits who only he knows of, but his was also one of the most masterful acting performances I've seen in a long time. To his credit, Forest also shared a snippet of his hard-luck childhood, and, as the final award of the evening, he brought the sense of hope & inspiration full circle and back into focus. Yes. My eyes glistened, just a tad.Lowlight: The acceptance speech from the costume designer for ‘Marie Antoinette.’ Despite all her talent, between the language barrier and her lack of preparation, we squirmed in our seats.Your Turn!Did you dig it? Skip it? Think your fave flick should have won? Holla at the DJ. *the dj*

linds + lonelygirl, the oscars ... and other news

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:28:32 PST

The DJ is definitely ready for the weekend, not only because I can sleep late but because it’s that time of year: yup, the Oscars. To warm you up for the weekend, here’s your weekly round-up of what’s going down this week: ‘loneygirl15’ gets to act with linds Yup—the recent YouTube star, whose series was exposed as a made-up show vs. a real-life teen video diary, is now hitting the Hollywood trails and trying out for movie parts. She just scored a part in an upcoming Lindsay Lohan flick, but she’s not sure what the role will be yet. As much as ‘lonelygirl’ may have real acting talent (she did fool thousands of people into believing she was a real, lonely 15-year-old), something feels a little less than authentic about the whole thing. Anyone else agree? Cinematical.com took a scathing view of the casting. ciao, lex Tvsquad.com's reporting that Michael Rosenbaum – aka Lex Luthor on ‘Smallville’ – is busting out of the show to try new things. Does this mean that Superman will be enemy-free, or will they find a new Lex? a new – but different – version of ‘grey’s,’ but not ‘grey’s’ -- maybe TV shows with huge followings and lots of characters usually get a spinoff show, where characters from the first series take off for a different but related set on the same studio lot. From ‘90210’ there was ‘Melrose Place,’ and from ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ there’s now possibly going to be a new show, which will star uber-hottie Taye Diggs. kids who are nominated for Oscars have it tough (seriously?) There’s always a lot of fuss about child actors and what early fame can do to them vs. for them (read: Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, etc). But what about young acting super-stars who get nominated for an Oscar, and go up against seasoned actors who almost always end up taking home the trophy, if not for skill than for politics. In a recent article, one acting agent was quoted as saying: "The academy should have a separate category," says Meredith Day, a talent developer and author of Starmaker Machinery. "The competition is so cutthroat, it should be child against child, rather than child against adult." What do you think? Do kids crumble under the pressure, and need their own category? Or, since they work with adults in films, should they continue to be compared to adults in Oscars categories?later, *the dj*

the deal with downloading

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 15:52:56 PST

Hi, All— Sorry it has been such a long time. Between lots of travels and some tech issues with the new design, Miss DJ took a little hiatus from the blog. You’ll notice that there might still be a few little kinks in the set-up, but hopefully they’ll be sorted asap! This past week, I went to a conference on the relationship between the movie industry, the economy, and politics. The Motion Picture Association of America sponsored the event basically because they’re scared about their future. Movie studios and media companies right now are facing what music companies faced a few years ago when Napster got big and suddenly people were grabbing music from the web and CD sales dropped. In order to try and help save their industry and get a convo going on how to do it, the MPAA put together a conference an invited a ton of media and DC politicians to educate them on what is going down with the industry, and to discuss why they should care about issues that affect the movie biz. The panel I went to included Steven Soderbergh, who directed ‘Oceans 11,’ ‘Traffic,’ and ‘Oceans 12,’ among other movies. The other people on the panel included the guy who started BitTorrent.com, one of the heads of Sony Pictures, the founder of Netflix, and the head of the movie theatre association in America. They all fear for the future of movies when people can just download anything they want, anytime. And they all know that teens and young adults with lots of time and not a lot of money are more inclined to go for illegal downloading vs. buying copies. While they all want the same thing—to protect moviemaking and make sure that more amazing, creative films continue to be produced in America—each had different ideas about how to do it. One person wanted to sue the pants off anyone and everyone who illegally downloaded any movie, tv show, or creative work, ever. Can you think of how many people you know just in your grade who’ve downloaded something illegally? Another person on the panel wanted to find a creative solution that involved working together with studios, filmmakers, tech people (like BitTorrent) and teens to make downloading legally easier, and create profits. Soderbergh, who’s one of the most accomplished director/producers in the US, believes that downloading already affects the quality and amount of creative work that filmmakers can make. What do you think? What do you think the future of movie making looks like? Do you ever download illegally? Would you download legally if movies and shows were cheaper? Easier to get? Let me know. *the dj*

back from london...and 'eragon'

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:41:10 PST

'sup guys! So, it's been a busy week for the DJ, because I was in London for the worldwide premiere of 'Eragon.' The movie opens on Friday, and stars newbie heartthrob Ed Speleers, who was discovered while he was still in high school. If you haven't heard of him yet, you will. He's articulate, talented, and gorgeous--and this debut role is just the start of what I think will be a great career. One of the coolest parts about the premiere was that not only was Ed and the cast there, but so were a ton of girls from his high school who were lined up around the edges of the red carpet to cheer him on--even though it was freezing cold. There, amidst the flash of cameras and the screaming fans, Ed strode up the red carpet relaxed and engagin with the media, looking like he'd been for this. He claims to be the same person he was before he became a movie star, and in his case, he it might really be true. In real life, Ed's a little more hipster than the dragon-slaying farmboy-turned-warrior that he plays in the film, but his demeanor isn't so different. If you check out the trailer in the meantime, let me know what you think. Is Ed a star in the making, or a hottie of the moment...um, or maybe both? You're going to be seeing more on RED from the premiere, including an interview with Ed and other stars, so get ready for some dragon action. peace, yo ...*the DJ*

the hip, the pop, and the HSM

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:28:24 PST

Hi, guys... I've got some updates for you on some of the divas of Disney--like our girls Ashley Tisdale and the Duffster--as well as some other thoughts for you guys to kick off the weekend... a little early. Ashley Tisdale is taking over the world ...or at least it feels that way. The girl's got a new three-song EP coming out, which will include a remake of the Wham! song that our 1980s-heartthrob George Michael originally sang. Tisdale's 3-song-wonder is like a warm-up for her debut album, which is slated to drop on Feb. 6, 2007. As if that were not enough activity for one winter season, Ms. Tis is hitting the road for a 40-city stage tour of 'High School Musical: The Concert,' for those of you who can't_get_enough. She'll be joined by other original castmembers from the movie, including Vanessa Hudgens and Corbin Bleu. the duffster's vying for world domination Never one to be outdone, Hil is joining in on the empire trend with her own line of perfume, probably thanks to a tips from ladies like J. Lo and other smelly divas. The 'With Love...Hilary Duff' line just launched their ad campaign with a spot that premiered on MTV--but for one night only. Is this what the new teen spirit will smell like? in your hoodie...follow-up A few weeks back, I blogged about a new GAP ad campaign called 'holidays in your hood' that was featuring one of my all-time favorite rappers, EVER. At the time, all opinions were purely speculation, but I finally saw the ad, and conclude that Common can do better. It might have been my lack of holiday spirit draining the heat out any warm fuzzy feelings that would prompt me to be a holiday-hoodie-hater, but I'm still on the fence about the blatant pimping out of my fave hip-hopster. Of course, it's easy for me to frown on my boy C for such blatant commercialism from my desk chair perch. Who knows what I'll say when the GAP asks me to drop some rhymes about warm winter gear with popped collars and soft colors. Maybe, too, I just need to turn up the hip-hop--and turn on 'HSM'--to up the holiday cheer. peace, *the dj*

the happiest little feet

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 17:37:20 PST

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm back with your weekly update so far, and there are some juicy morsels to feast on...before the BIG feast you-know-when. Happy Feet has trumped Bond, the weirdest couple ever (you-know-who) just got hitched, Jay-Z dropped his post-'retirement' album, and there's some news on the 'High School Musical' scene--I just can't tell you all of it yet! Here you go...and I'll be back with more: happy feet stomps on bond This past weekend, 'Happy Feet'--that adorable cartoon about a penguin who just doesn't fit in--opened opposite 'Casino Royale.' I really thought it would be no contest, given how hot that British spy is, but those little penguins with fat bellies dancing on ice actually edged past 007 for a box-office coup. And confession-time: Even I--not being too into pudgy, dancing Artic animals--was totally hooked when I started seeing the trailer a few weeks back. But I really fell in love with the lead little guy--voiced and tapped by one of my dance heroes, Savion Glover--when a dancing toy version of him arrived on my desk here at RED one day. Who would send me such a bundle of tap-dancing joy? I'm still not sure, but if anyone has any guesses, let me know. Which one did you go see? I think I'm headed to both...esp during the longest family vacay EVER. back soon... yours, *the DJ*

your hometown--the MTV series

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 14:27:14 PST

hi all....This week, the dj learned that there's been some trouble brewing in the 'real' OC over 'Laguna Beach,' leaving me to wonder...does the media really influence what I do? And why do parents think it does?,’and: what would my town look like if it were an MTV show?Check out what's going down, and let me know what you think: Do you live for ‘Laguna Beach?’ Wish your high school had boys that cute, that you could drive your dad’s Mercedes to class, and can’t believe LC ever dated Jason?...Me TOO. But some parents—whose kids go to LB High but aren’t on the show—are not down with how MTV portrays their town, and think the show affects their kids in negative ways. The series might be rolling into a successful fourth season, but some LB parents are just starting to speak out against the show. Local opposition says that the show has promoted a negative image of their town, has drawn more tourists on pilgrimages, and encouraged their kids to do drugs and hook up. The NYT reported on some differing views on how the show’s success has affected their small, peaceful beach side community: “This is not depicting our town the way it should be depicted,” said Lisa Arthur, who has two children in the school and one who graduated. “Our town is about art and culture, and school should be about education.” But other people have different opinions. The local police captain, for example, disagreed with the parents’ claim that the show has attracted more sexual predators to the area, or had a negative affect on their kids: “MySpace is much more of a problem than MTV,” Captain Adams said, referring to the popular Web site. She added that parents needed to keep better tabs on their children’s Internet use.One of LB High’s seniors—who is not on the show—feels the MTV version of their lives makes the kids on the show look shallow: Jane Sasso, a senior at the school, said she did not recognize the young people depicted in the show, some of whom she knows and few of whom she likes. “They seem so superficial,” Ms. Sasso said, “and I know they have more depth.”And MTV, of course, insists the show was never meant to be an ‘OC,’ where the series is a comment on an entire area—and instead depicts the lives of the seven teens it stars each year. So do we think that the rise of ‘Laguna Beach’ (the series) has meant more partying, underage drinking, dangerous stalking and/or less attention paid to school for the kids who actually live there? Or is it more a reflection of a microcosm of a few kids in a beautiful location? Tough to say—since I, at least, don’t actually go to HS there—but what if it was ‘your hometown,’ the MTV series? Hmmm…in my hometown an MTV series would have looked something like: --a bunch of kids walking to school, with a few driving their parents’ Hondas there.--our parents dropping us off at the movies—and maybe sometimes letting us drive their Hondas there--a couple of kids going to South Beach for spring break—with their families. --instead of getting record deals, the best bands were playing at the local dives, with 3 people watching (on a good night).--maybe a couple of really good parties junior or senior year—all of which the police would break up before midnight, and --absolutely zero ocean-side heart-to-hearts or break-ups, with a Hilary Duff song coming up in the background as the couple walked away. What about yours? *the dj*

hip-hop, clothing and endorsements

Thu, 9 Nov 2006 11:04:09 PST
'sup y'all. I hope everyone's having a good week...and looking forward to the WEEKEND!! Anyway, Liz just wrote me about her take on my last post (see below: 'a very hip-hop holiday'). She wrote: If Common were rapping at me to buy certain clothes, I would say no, one; because I hate Rap......never did-never will.....two; I never, ever go with the crowd.... I definitely respect that--but can't say I'm as impervious to celeb endorsements as you are. Ok, ok...I definitely did not go buy Carl's Jr. burgers when Paris was doing her campaign for them (um...because In'n'Out's the best anyway), nor did I pick up a shiny new Cadillac when Snoop hit the golf course to promote them. But what about when Diddy and Jessica promoted Proactiv? I get pimples...they seem to have good skin...so it was an easy choice. Are there any celebs whose opinion matter to you? And, more importantly, what about when they promote things other than products--like Alicia Keyes' Black Ball, or Brangelina's ongoing humanitarian efforts and donations? Is there a difference in your reaction to their promo of products vs. causes? Give me the word, yo! yours, *the dj*

a very hip-hop holiday

Wed, 8 Nov 2006 15:19:02 PST
sup, y'all...So it's been a little while since my last posting, and some   major news has been going down (did you think they would last? anyone?). One tip that got less attention, though, is that Common—aka the hip-hopster, Common Sense—aka one of the dj’s all-time, most favorite artists—is going to be helping the Gap hit us all up for holiday shopping dollars with a new TV ad campaign. The videos will feature a Madonna remix produced by the Black Eyed Peas' talented frontman, will.i.am.   Common, whose daughter will also appear in the ads, will be rapping over the remix of Madge’s 1980s hit, ‘Holiday'--which, if you've never heard it, you can see a vintage live performance of here. It's from about 14 looks ago in Madonna-time. They will reportedly be busting a move to the remix along with the real dj Samantha Ronson. The campaign, called 'Holiday in Your Hood,' launches Nov. 16.Admittedly, this dj is already a bigger fan of the Gap’s advertising savvy than of their run-of-mill stylings (think: Britney ice-skating in cold-weather duds from chez Gap), but this campaign is like my dream scenario…and those classic, striped rugby shirts are actually starting to look kind of hot! So would you buy clothes if Common were rapping to you that you should? Which artists would turn you on to style? Give me the word, and happy early holidays....courtesy, of course, your fave dj.yours, *the DJ*

harry potter...in the buff?!

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:17:31 PDT
''sup y'all!! So we've been uber-busy here at RED getting ready for the new site, and it's finally here!...pretty different, right? I hope you're digging it. Anyway, I got word today that our own Harry Potter..I mean, Daniel Radcliffe...is gonna be stripping down to his birthday suit in a play next summer in London.                                                                                                         Right now, he's filming the next Harry Potter (and we can't wait!), but by summertime, he'll be starring in a famous play called 'Equus' (that means 'horse' in Latin, dudes, for you guys who aren't as nerdy as I am), in which he'll have scene that requires him to take it all off. It's weird to think that little Harry's taking on new roles, but we're stoked to hear what Daniel has to say about dating, acting, and future grandkids (!!), now that he's 17, and growing past his younger, HP days. Would you see the play, if you could? Maybe now's the time to ask Mom and Dad for some tickets to London...it's educational. now what parent would argue with that? check y'all laters... *the DJ* (Anna)

the dj reviews: 'The Nightmare....' in 3-D

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 10:53:41 PDT
                                                                         Hi, all… I hope everyone’s week is off to a good start! We’re only 8 days away from Halloween and counting. Even though I don’t know what I’m going to be yet (anyone got a suggestion?), I did get into the mode of the month with a screening of  Tim Burton’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ but the new version, ‘in Disney Digital 3D.’ Burton is most recently known for the ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ remake he did with our fave, Jonny Depp, as well ‘The Corpse Bride,’ but ‘Nightmare’ was one of his more inventive films that helped cement his rep as a brilliant filmmaker. The movie, which was originally released in 1997, was a huge hit at the time, plus it was praised by critics for its originality and amazing production methods. ‘Nightmare’ is a cartoon, but in contrast to the Pixar-style of most cartoons we see now, the movie was made with a technique called ‘stop-motion animation,’ where the figures were literally filmed in every incremental move they made in the movie, one after another until it looks like they’re actually moving. Another special feature of the film is that is it a musical, composed by rock legend Danny Elfman, who became buddies with Burton years ago when they first arrived in H’wood as young guns trying to make it. The film follows the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, who becomes bored with scaring people all the time, and, in his search for a more fulfilling occupation falls through a magic doorway, where he discovers Christmas-Ville for the first time. In contrast to his dark and gloomy home of Halloween—where the citizens are ugly creatures out of horror films, who are dedicated to designing the annual holiday of fear and loathing, Christmas is a town of light, peace and laughter. When Jack comes across the mirth and fun of a stereotypical Christmas scene—picture little cartoon elves happily making toys in a snow-covered town, cartoon children singing around Christmas trees, and cartoon pies baked fresh in little ovens—he feels he’s found his calling. He hatches a plan to kidnap Santa, take over his job as the new King of Christmas, and turn the dark and foreboding Halloweentown into a bright place built on an industry of joy instead of one of doom. As Jack pursues his plan to achieve greater self-fulfillment, only Sally, his love interest—who is made of body parts sewn-together-- sees his pursuit as misguided, and takes steps to save Santa, and ultimately, save Jack from himself. While it’s a great story about holidays that plays on their entrenched roles in our culture, the film is also a comment on the dangers of powerful leaders overstepping their authority, and the affect on society that unchecked narcissism can have.  As a ‘regular’ movie with a creative storyline and beautiful images, ‘Nightmare’ became cult classic with good reason. I was a tad grossed out by some of the creepy characters in Halloween town--like the evil 'oogie boogie' bad guy who looks like the ghost-guy from those tire commercials, and the evil, wheelchair-bound doctor who cretaed Sally to be his com[anion, and freaks out when she tried to escape. But as a 3-D experience, it was even cooler—with characters like Jack’s ghost-dog named Zero, flying by in front of our seats, and other ghosts that looked like they flew out of the screen into our faces. Yet while the film was enriched and had more visual depth with the 3-D update, you could also tell that it wasn’t originally designed as a 3-D flick. The entire experience was enhanced with a visual richness that’s not possible in a 2-D world, but it was only the new additions to the film—like the ghosts flying out of the credits, and the ‘Disney’ logo at the beginning that looked like it was draped out in the theater above us—that really made an impression and resonated as 3-D elements. If you’re a Tim Burton fan and haven’t seen this film, it’s definitely a must-see classic, especially in 3-D. According to the friend I saw this with, I am the only person who's never seen it...And don’t forget: If you go, the DJ would ALWAYS love to hear your thoughts on the film! Happy Halloween, *the dj*

Luda + skateboarding?

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 10:52:37 PDT
hi, all...After months of suspense, the Dew Tour finally wrapped in Orlando last weekend.Boys trapped in men's bodies are cool when they wow us on skateboards, but the best evening act to watch there wasn't a skateboarder, BMXer or even a the cute boy with dreds in row 6--it was Ludacris (aka Chris Bridges), who got the whole crowd jumpin'. One girl he got to join him on stage looked she was going to meltdown on the spot.(for a gallery of Luda singing to the skaters in Orlando, check lat34.com --> Ludacris)Are you seeing more of hip-hop in your skate videos? Do you think any of these hip-hop artists--excluding Lupe Fiasco--actually skate? Why would Luda play an action sports show--following in the footsteps of The Roots a month earlier? Give me the word...*the DJ*

the dj needs your help!

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:17:56 PDT
'sup y'all! So I (the DJ) need your help asap. Some of you may know the RED blog, Truth or Crap (T or C), the blog that all of us RED eds. contribute to, where we answer your burning questions. This week in T or C, there's a poll on which RED ed. can kick the others' butts...I think we all know that the DJ (aka Anna--ok, the truth's out) would take down her colleagues any day--especially if it were a dance-off, MC battle or rhyme cipher. So could you guys hook a sister up and vote for the most bad-ass ed. you know (hint: Anna/the DJ). THANKS guys. More kulture news to follow!! yours, *dj k.* prepare to get served.*

kultura is back...

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:55:10 PDT
Hi, all--The Dj is back, and I'm so stoked to get going with all the fall movies, music albums and other favorite kulture items of the season.One of the more interesting things going on this weekend is Ludacris's performance at the Dew Tour's last stop in Orlando. Luda's been all over the place--he's also slated to play an angry elf in the upcoming flick, 'Fred Claus.'In the meantime, before we launch into the obligatory holiday genre (yawn), I'm still scouting around for good fall flicks. I'll have my picks for you next week, plus answer some of your questions from previous postings--like what I thought of 'Step Up,' (need to you even ask? dancing + hip hop + Channing Tatum= best combo EVER).Back in a bit--and happy Friday the 13th!yours,*the dj*

from mtv to movies

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 11:02:38 PDT
happy friday! It's been a rainy, dreary week for the dj, and I'm super-stoked that the weekend is finally here! A few movies are opening tonight that I want to see; one is the 'Jesus Camp' doc that we talked about last week; the other is 'Gridiron Gang,' with The Rock and Xzibit. I have long hearted Xzibit, first as a rapper, then as host of MTV's 'Pimp My Ride.' Articulate, good-looking and funny, the guy ups the intellectual ante on a show that could've run on car-geek-type dialogue fuel alone. Instead, Zxibit cashes in on excellent comedic timing, a compassion for the folks they pimp out with new cars, and a recognition that one's wheels really are a part of their self-image, their lifestyle, and, by extension, their identities and self-confidence. In an epdisode last week, for example, X joked that some rockin' flags (American and Ethiopian, I think) they attached to some guy's SUV would give him Diplomatic Immunity--a DC law that means diplomats with special license plates bascially can park anywhere, drive fast and not wear seatbelts--all outside the radar of the law. It looks like X's 'Gridiron' co-star, The Rock, may also be planting himself firmly in the acting arena. He said this week that he probably won't be returning to pro wrestling. Is this wrestling or acting's loss?                        Xzibit: would you go to a movie to see this man? The dj sure would! Have a great weekend, and check you back next week. yours, the dj

that's bond, james bond

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 08:45:34 PDT
good morning! Apologies to y'all for the long lag since my last post...the dj's been pretty busy hanging with up-and-coming film hottie Sebastian Stan, and I'm just catching my breath after seeing his new flick, 'The Covenant.' I couldn't believe that there could be so many cute boys in one movie--until now. There's also another new super-powered hottie landing in the US in the film world, although this one's decidedly older than our boy Sebby. The newbie is Daniel Craig, who plays the new Bond, James Bond, in the next 007 flick, 'Casino Royale.'  His powers stem not from an ancient Covenant, but from his British accent, cool baddie-fighting gadgets, and some super-stealth intel from the UK spy agency. Think the new 007's up to the job? Think he'll wow us like his predecessors? If not, which of the past Bonds is your fave? yours, *dj k.*

dvds and docs

Sat, 2 Sep 2006 10:30:50 PDT
Happy Labor Day weekend...the Dj's been pretty bummed out that Ernesto's wrath has kept her inside (anyone else caught in torrential downpours?), but at least there are a ton of new DVDs to check out while I'm stuck inside. I missed the fun dance movie (ooh...my fave!) 'Take the Lead' when it came out, so I'm pretty stoked to catch it on DVD this time around. I've also been scouting around for trailers of new documentaries (see below) to check out, and just came across one for 'Jesus Camp,' a new film on the young and religious in America. Based on the poll this week, a lot of you 'aren't down with docs,' so I thought I'd throw this one out and see if it catches your interest... I've never met anyone who's gone to religious camp--Muslim, Christian, Jewish or otherwise--and was pretty intrigued by the movie's concept. What are your thoughts on the film, based on the trailer? Would you check it out? have a great holiday, and catch y'all back here next week! yours, dj k.

summer movies: your picks and passes...

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 09:50:29 PDT
happy monday, y'all.. Have you been thinking about your summer movie picks, and one to pass on? The dj's been recounting her summer movie list, and this is what I came up with: pirates of the caribbean: dead man's chest: thumbs down. we heart Orlando & Johnny, but it lacked a real story arc, or point, except as a plot-progressor to POC3.... step up: two thumbs WAY UP. hot dancing dude, trying to beat all odds, and a sick soundtrack--plus a romance that just might keep its rhythm off-stage. Need I say more? material girls: what are YOUR thoughts? The Duffs are darling as a duo, but is Haylie destined for acting stardom? accepted: two thumbs UP! This movie was funny, true-to-life, and just adorable. Plus, as if I didn't think Blake Lively was cool enough in the movie, once I chatted with her, I knew she was one of the coolest up-and-coming actresses out there! Your turn!! give me a shout on your summer movie picks and passes... peace, *the DJ*

cruise's blues

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 12:57:31 PDT
Tom Cruise this week got kicked to the curb by Paramount, after a 14-year contract, in which he made 10 films that earned more than $1 billion. While rumors that the studio might sever ties have been lurking in H-town for weeks, it wasn't until yesterday that the big news became public. Cruise's image became increasingly wacky, and even a tad unsettling, in recent months, starting with his Katie Holmes match-up, and moving on to the weird interviews he did with Oprah and Matt Lauer. Think the break-up is good for the studio, or a bad move? Will Cruise rebound, or is he over as a serious player in Hollywood? Give me the word! the dj.

reality on film?

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 12:31:17 PDT
hi, all. As some of you might've guessed, the Dj looves a good documentary--at the movies, on tv, on dvd--I love all of it. Since 2003, there's been a kind of documentary renaissance, in which more and more people are gravitating towards them. As a result, films that once might have existed in obscurity with zero funding, support, or distribution, are now hot properties that are scooped up by big-name studios and released at more and more theaters. A few key movies sparked this new fire of interest in docs, starting with the incendiary 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' and moving on to other Oscar-nominated flicks like 'Tupac,' from MTV, and and Morgan Spurlock's 'Super Size Me,' the same year. This fall, there's a few more on the release roster that I'm excited to see, and wondering what y'all would be down for. These include: *Al Franken's 'God Spoke,' which, I imagine, will be pure Franken in all the best ways, as he makes us laugh even while he skewers politics and politicians. *The Dixie Chicks' 'Shut Up & Sing' follows the country rockstars in the three years since the now-infamous comment about the president and their home state of Texas. And finally, one that sounds pretty darn rad for us rockers: *'American Hardcorde' offers some insights into the hard-rockin rebel days of the mid-1980s, and shows us how the doors got opened for today's bad-ass rockstars. So which sound like ones to watch for? Is there another one that should be on my radar? Or you're not down with docs at all? Give the dj a shout! yours, dj k.

'World Trade Center'

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 09:39:37 PDT
This weekend, Oliver Stone's 'World Trade Center' surprised critics by opening third, after 'Step Up' (second) and 'Talladega Nights." So far, the dj here has not seen it, mainly because it looked super-cheesy in the trailer, and I haven't decided yet whether I think I want to see a fictionalized version of the events of 9/11. All weekend, I heard people calling in to radio stations, I saw blog posts and read articles on what moviegoers and reviewers who saw it all thought. Overall, it's gotten reviews that both loved it and dissed it.. So who thinks the DJ should check it out? Was it overly sappy about serious events, sugar-coating the events and rescues with two-dimensional characters, or was there more depth? Give me the word on the street, yo. Yours, dj k.

NASCAR at the movies...?

Tue, 1 Aug 2006 12:03:20 PDT
Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen (of Ali G fame) are two of my favorite comic actors ('Anchorman,' anyone?)--so I could not have been more stoked about the appearance of both in the upcoming film 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.' Will Ferrell stars as a number one-ranked race car driver who has to fight to keep his stature when a Frenchman lands on the scene. So this week, the DJ's wondering what your favorite Will Ferrell characters are? Do you think he'll do a good job with NASCAR-type film? Where the DJ lives, not that many people race cars--so you're going to have to fill me in on how you think he'll do as a faux-driver....and how he looks in a racer's jumpsuit! ciao, dj K.

'friends,' the movie?

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 12:15:03 PDT
Remember when the guys of 'jackass' rolled into the silver screen? or ali g went big with a full-length movie? Those films, inspired by their popular television origins, were arguably pretty funny, and successful. But what happens when TV shows overreach--what if 'Lost' became a movie, where all the suspense had to kick off, hit a peak, denouement, and then find a tidy, Hollywood ending after less than two hours? Which TV shows have become the worst movies ever? Which TV show conversions have worked out? DJ K's vote, hands down, goes to 'Jackass.' And the worst? You decide!

rockstar ambitions?

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 11:47:47 PDT
Confession time: I adore Sean Combs--especially when he drops his silly nicknames. So what if he can't rap? He's all about style, has (had?) his own butler, and even admitted that he gets pimples. I gained new respect when he started doing the ads for the proactiv skin care line (also a dj k. favorite. except they haven't asked me to be on their ads yet). My real respect for the Didds grew, however, when I started watching 'Making of the Band'--and even more when he started flogging his girl band wanna-bes through jogs in Central Park. The closest this dj's ever gotten to having her own band, though, was a faux-girl group called "Juicy," which my friends and I created for Halloween a few years ago. We were glammed up and ready to wail it loud, but sadly we never got a contract. Got rockstar--or popstar-- ambitions? What would your band be like? let me know! yours, dj k.

got questions for a pro soccer player?

Fri, 7 Jul 2006 11:19:21 PDT
Soccer is taking the US by storm this weekend with the World Cup Finals--but before 1977, soccer didn't exist in the US as a professional sport.  That year, the sport as a professional milieu kicked off here with the creation of the New York Cosmos, the first American professional team, ever. Yet while the team introduced the world's most popular sport to the US, lured massive superstar Pele out of retirement, and counted Mick Jagger and Robert Redford among its biggest fans, they've remained fairly obscure in American sports history. 'Once in a Lifetime: the Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos,' a new doc opening next week, is filling in some of the blanks. The movie, which details the team's emergence into New York culture, follows the paths of some of the team's members, through both their big wins and great losses. While soccer is a sport the DJ has long associated with clean-cut, suburban teenagers, the Cosmos were a rowdy bunch. 'Once in a Lifetime' depicts the team's devotion to the game, along with their debauchery in a city that was wild with late-'70s glitz and glamour. Among the many former players interviewed for the film is Shep Messing, the Cosmos' goalkeeper who once posed in the buff to help promote the club's profile. Messing was there from the beginning of the legendary team, from its rock-star status in NYC to its ultimate implosion when thing unraveled. Want to know what it was like to be a star soccer player? Got some questions for a pro? Send me questions for Shep and he'll send back answers next week!!

super-powered

Fri, 7 Jul 2006 10:18:52 PDT
What's going down? I wanted to give a big shout-out to all the folks who sent the DJ ideas about the superpowers they'd want. All of them were imaginative and innovative�plus I was surprised at how many flame-throwers we've got! Among the awesomely inspired ideas, one of my faves came from lizzie101429, who said she'd want to be super-fast so she'd never be late for class. Since the DJ missed her bus today, that really would have helped! Similary, a lot of you talked about flying. wish I'd been able to launch my bike over traffic this morning... And, for when I get to go surfing, I would want the power of atmarsh73, who wrote, "My super-power would be to breath underwater like a shark. It would be awesome to swim to the deepest parts of the ocean." I'm still reading a lot of your posts, and can't wait to hear more. All right, y'all�there's another rad documentary coming up. Stayed tuned for the next post! Yours, dj k.

air guitar madness

Thu, 6 Jul 2006 12:08:17 PDT
Ever wished you could rock out like Jimi, Ozzy, or the dudes from Nickelback? You're not alone. On June 28, hundreds of people crammed into NYC's Bowery Ballroom to watch the 2006 U.S. Air Guitar Championships. The guitars might be imaginary, but the passionate peformances from talents like Fatima "Rockness Monster" Hoang mixed with the sweat dripping off the "rockers" chests were tangible evidence of the air enthusiasts' serious commitment to rock. For the rest of us who either a. don't understand "airness" b. aren't huge into hard rock or c. can't believe people really do this there's 'Air Guitar Nation,' a fantastic new movie that previewed last month at the Maryland Silverdocs film fest. Not only was it possibly the funniest movie I've ever seen, but it was also a little window into a subculture that has been fairly obscure to the general US public. 'Air Guitar Nation' illustrates the advent of Air guitar as a competitive performance style here in the US, and follows the stories of two of the country's first air guitar stars, "C. Diddy" and "Bjorn Turoque" (David Crane). While the art form--so to speak-- has been huge worldwide for many years, it was only recently that US air devotees could compete in a formalized context, thanks to the inspiration of Cedric Devitt and Kriston Rucker, who imported the championship format to American shores. Some of the best moments in the documentary included the 'Real World'-style interviews when the featured air guitarists would talk about how they gravitated towards air guitar, how their asendance to air stardom has affected their personal lives, and why they want to best the best in the world. later, we follow them to the world championship air boot camp in a remote, wooded island off of Oulu, Finland, where they train for the world champs. During their stay, the air rockers--each of whom is the best from country-- attends workshops on specific aspects of the art, including jumping on stage, holding the guitar, and pndering the zen of "airness." Tucked in between these raucously funny parts of the film--plus the all-out performances of grown men and women with inventive costumes, identities and pretend instruments in their hands--it was clear that a visceral desire to be the best faux rocker in the world courses through the veins of every competitive air guitarist.  But along with the deep hope to be the best, it was also apparent that air guitar is about self-expression, and unabashed, shameless fun. Since seeing the movie--during which people in the audience were practically falling out of their chairs with laughter-- I've been wondering who I would be if I stepped up with my air guitar in hand. The orginal rock legend Joan Jett? Or someone with pop and sass, like Pink? So this week, give us a shout and let me know     what would be your air guitar identity? Can't wait to hear your ideas. rock on, dj k.

super-powered??

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:30:12 PDT
It's a rainy monday, and what is there to do except...watch movies? I've been super-excited to see 'the devil wears prada' (especially because adrian grenier's in it!), plus, of course 'superman returns.' This weekend, I was thinking how awesome it would be have a cool superpower, but I don't think flying in a cape--without a plane--would be one of mine. Since there's always so many exciting things to do, see, and explore, I think my super-power would be:             doing lots of things at one time Like, what if I could could go to soccer practice, watch a movie, catch the show I tivo'd AND talk on the phone--all at the same time? I'd never miss another 'true life' again. This got me wondering...             what would your super-power be? let me know! yours, dj k.

got talent?

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 11:01:08 PDT
Since the end of 'American Idol,' there's been a huge void for those of us who enjoy watching people wailing into mics on national television, regardless of talent --or lack thereof. Good thing Simon Cowell has a new series, premiering tonight, to keep us going all Idol-free summer. With a wanna-be boy band that took fashion cues from Debbie Gibson (circa 1992) to kick things off, looks like 'America's Got Talent' will sate our appetites for a while. I was super-stoked to get in on the action, but weirdly enough, the 'Talent' folks had no room for a beat-boxing, off-key snowboarder from the suburbs (sigh)....which leaves me wondering:                   what would your talent be? drop me a line and let me know!

welcome to kultura, yo

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 10:36:33 PDT
Welcome to kultura, the new blog for everything pop & culture! Having recently moved to the DC area, I'm exploring everything I can, from movies to museums and music to TV. I'm lucky enough to be able to catch a lot of live music shows right in my own neighborhood, and I check out a lot of movies & new Tv series for RED. In the new kultura blog , I'll be talking about what 's hot in popular culture, and keep you tapped into the pulse of it all. enjoy! dj k.