Reviews

Starring Robin Givens (Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys), Johnny Gill (legendary R&B singer), Shirley Murdock (Man of Her Dreams), and Jermaine Crawford (HBO’s The Wire).

The play takes you through the story of a family where the parents (Robin Givens & Johnny Gill) aren’t exactly on the same page when it comes to raising as well as disciplining their children. Which leads to problems within the family and forces both siblings to make a decision on whether to stay in the home or to move out and be on their own. The play includes powerhouse vocalist Shirley Murdock who plays the mother of Robin Givens, so without saying you know there is some great singing in the play. Johnny Gill and the rest of the cast including Jermaine Crawford also don’t disappoint in the singing department. Once the family has fallen apart, things go from bad to worse as the family soon learns their Mother only has a limited time left before she passes away. The kids (who are now adults) are forced to put their issues behind them or face them head on with their father in order to make sure they come together for the sake of their mother. A very inspiring and emotional story that many families can relate to. Pick this DVD up, we can assure you, you won’t be disappointed.
Final Grade B+
- UBGteam

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American Violet is one of the best movies released this year. Based on the true story of Regina Kelly from Hearne, TX. The case led to a change in Texas law. Now, cases cannot be based solely on the claims of a single informant. The film American Violet tells the incredible story of Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie), a 24 year old single mother of four from Texas. The District Attorney Calvin Beckett (Michael O’Keefe) orders a raid in the housing project where she lives, Dee is arrested along with many others. The plot thickens due to the fact that Dee as well as many others were falsely arrested due to the national elections taking place days later.

The film features incredible acting by newcomer Nicole Beharie (The Express) and legendary actress Alfre Woodard (The Family That Preys) who plays Dee’s mother in the film. Dee is faced with not only proving her innocence and later suing the city & District Attorney, but dealing with the trials and tribulations of being accused of a crime and the effects it takes on a persons life. Specially when a racist District Attorney is making it even harder. A single mother of four, with drama with Darrell (Xzibit) the father of two of her children, only makes matters worse for her in the film. Charles S. Dutton plays Dee’s pastor and is instrumental in helping her get through everything.

This is a very important film to see, make sure you pick up the DVD in stores October 13th!
Final Grade A+
- UBGteam

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LeToya “Lady Love” Capitol (EMI)

Back with her brand new sophomore album LeToya Luckett returns with “Lady Love” the follow-up to her self-titled debut. “Lady Love” has 16 tracks and is sure to please R&B fans across the board. “Lady Love” shows her growth and maturity. LeToya stepped outside the box a little bit with the edgy ladies anthem “She Aint Got” which has the ladies saying “swing batta batta…” And also with the sexy track “I Need A You” otherwise she stayed true to her R&B roots.

“Lady Love” has an outstanding combination of great production, superb writing and impressive vocals. Besides the three singles “Not Anymore,” “She Aint Got” and the forthcoming “Regret” featuring Ludacris, other stand-outs are “Good To Me,” I Need A You” and “Love Rollercoaster” featuring MIMS. “Lady Love” is a must have for your R&B collection!

Final Grade B+
- Beezy (UBGteam)

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America’s Most Wanted Tour
Saint Paul, MN
September 1st

The hottest artists, incredible stage presence and hit songs; describes the America’s Most Wanted Tour which touched down in Saint Paul on September 1st!

On stage for a little over an hour, Lil Wayne brought mad energy as he performed some of his biggest hits including; Go DJ, Got Money, A Milli, Lollipop, Tie My Hands and many more! Wayne owns the stage when he’s on it, and I’m sure the crowd (mixed with teens & adults of all ages and races) would agree as they chanted ‘Lil Wayne‘ and ‘Young Money‘ throughout the show. Some of the highlights included Wayne’s tributes to Pac and Biggie, while their music blasted the stadium! With the signing of Drake to Young Money, it’s obvious he also has an ear for talent. So when the time came for the Young Money roster to appear it was like a brand new concert! Gudda Gudda, Jae Millz, Lil Chuckee, Lil Twist, Mack Maine, Shanell, T-Streets, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga all came out one by one and I must say…ripped the stage! Not one or two of them, but all of them. Makes us look forward to new releases from them all next year and of course the Young Money compilation disc dropping at the end of this year! Overall, a really good Hip-Hop show! Wayne is preparing to drop ‘Rebirth‘ his rock disc later this year, and I have to say if he goes on tour to promote it; I’ll be right there at my first rock show! I’m sure it will be just as hot as this one was.

Jeremih, Pleasure P, Soulja Boy and Young Jeezy were also on the bill, none of them disappointed as well!

Final Grade A+
- Mr. UBG
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Ginuwine
“A Man’s Thoughts”
Asylum/Warner

From the opening intro — Ginuwine prepares his fans for what’s to come by thanking them for their support over the last 13 years. “Show Off” starts the set off nicely, the mid-tempo cut quickly turns into a hot up-tempo in a matter of seconds. Ginuwine advises his lady to show off her swag, “go head let the haters get mad,” a hot jam that is surely to be bumped by mixshow DJ’s. “Trouble,” one of the next singles features legendary rapper Bun B. The song takes listeners back to “The Bachelor” era where Ginuwine was the king of dance and grind, a hot single for the summer.

The interlude before “One Time for Love” which is easily the best ballad & most radio friendly track on the disc, features Ginuwine speaking on a man’s thoughts and has a little sample of Jodeci’s “Stay” at the end which makes it a great lead into “One Time for Love.” Produced by Brian Michael Cox and written by Johnta Austin, the song makes you want a whole project arranged by the duo for Ginuwine. The previously leaked track “Open The Door” a hot collaboration with RL from NEXT proves once again 90’s artists are still making the best R&B music. Speaking of 90’s artists, Ginuwine also teams up with the vocally incredible Brandy on “Bridge To Love” proving once again my previous statement about 90’s R&B music. Their voices mesh well together on this hot mid-tempo. “You need to stop making excuses for everything you do,” Brandy sings in the hook. “

Lying To Each Other” is a hot track, with lyrics that anybody who has been in a relationship that has reached it’s peek can relate to, it’s sure to be a fan favorite. “Touch Me” another single Ginuwine plans to release in the future with the video already being shot, features an auto-tune hook in reminisce of an old BLACKstreet track. It works for this song, which makes it one of the best songs on the disc. Smooth vocals layered over a hot mid-tempo production. I have a feeling Urban/AC radio is going to play this one out! “Orchestra” is my personal favorite song on the disc. From the mellow start in the production to the lyrics and vocal delivery. “She be calling my name, I be making her sing..like an orchestra, as we lay I make the music play, time to make an Orchestra“. Baby making music at it’s best! “

Get Involved,” without a doubt the most hyped-up song, reunites Ginuwine with Timbaland and Missy. A hot club track no doubt, however when you compare it to the rest of the songs on the disc, it comes up short as one the albums highlights. “Used to Be the One” one of the best produced (Melvin Rogers) songs on the album, the beat pulls you in immediately and Ted Clinkscale’s lyrics with G’s vocals – puts it on the list as one of the top 3 songs on the set.

Overall I have to say – with everybody asking is Hip-Hop dead, my question has been is real R&B dead? Ginuwine proves it’s not with “A Man’s Thoughts” easily the best R&B CD of 2009 by far. Whether you’ve been a fan of Ginuwine or just a fan of good R&B, this is a CD to cop and add to your collection. Support real R&B and go out and purchase it! In stores and online June 23rd!

Final Grade A+
- AriesUBG

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“If you are going to survive, you’ve got to get your hustle on.”

That’s the basic concept in “Dough Boys,” the debut film from Preston A. Whitmore’s Give Back Raise Up Program, through which he finances and produces low-budget pictures showcasing newcomers in front of and behind the camera. Starring Wood Harris (The Wire), Cory Hardrict (He’s Just Not That Into You), Arlen Escarpeta (Friday The 13th), Sticky Fingaz (Nite Tales) & Reagan Gomez-Preston (Hair Show).

The story centers around four friends Corey, Smooth, Black & Long Cuz, played by Escarpeta, Hardrict, Maurice McRae and Lorenzo Eduardo – the Dough Boys! The film reminds you of a modern day “Juice” with the friendship the fellas have towards each other and how one bad decision they make together – changes their lives forever. The film is full of action and suspense as the fellas try their hardest to stay alive and not be done in by Julian (Wood Harris), their buyer turned enemy. Sticky Fingaz also stars in the film as Kirk the neighborhood drug dealer, who is keeping a big secret which is revealed eventually.

The very talented Reagan Gomez-Preston plays Beauty, who runs a full-service hair salon out of her one-bedroom apartment. Reagan recently told me that she had just given birth to her daughter right before filming started. As she put it “that’s the reason for her ginormous boobs.” Corey Hardict who was recently in Brandy’s music video for “Right Here (Departed)” and married to actress Tia Mowry, gives the best performance in the film. It makes you look forward to his next starring role which will be in “Chicago Pulaski Jones.” Starring along with Cedric The Entertainer and Kel Mitchel, who also appears in Dough Boys.

Overall it’s a good film and worth the purchase, it’s a story we’ve seen before. However as a movie, it keeps you entertained and afterall, isn’t that suppose to be the point?

Final Grade B-
- AriesUBG