This is a very musical series of posts leading up to the Summer of Hudlin. Musical movies, live events and guest appearances in songs! Read on:
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This is a very musical series of posts leading up to the Summer of Hudlin. Musical movies, live events and guest appearances in songs! Read on:
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Marshall director Reginald Hudlin has signed on to direct Beyond the Velvet Rope, a musical film that will be based on the original music of Andreas Carlsson. The prolific Swedish songwriter has penned hits for the likes of Celine Dion, Katy Perry, Britney Spears NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and American Idol stars including Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken.
The original script for Velvet Rope was penned by Oscar-winning Rain Man writer Ron Bass and Walter Becker & G.L. Lambert. It centers on an up-and-coming pop star named Sky who falls in love with her prolific songwriter Luke as they make their way through the Los Angeles music scene in the late 1970s. They make a fairy-tale ascent to the top, but Luke begins to drift from his first love (music) and finds the fine line between success and failure, and the realization that life can turn on a single song.
Carlsson, an ASCAP Songwriter of the Year whose songs have sold more than 150 million units, has written 14 new songs for the pic, which he is also producing alongside Marcus Englefield and George Lee for Storyoscopic Films. Executive producers are Niklas Bergman, Hudlin, Robyn Klein, Andrew Lerios and Jeremy Ross.
“The ability to work closely with a film rooted in music has been on my bucket list and is a genre that started my career,” said Hudlin, a prolific TV director who was Oscar nominated for producing Django Unchained in 2017. “The opportunity to blend a well written story with exceptional original songs is a special moment as a director and music lover. The raw reality of ascending and descending and then finding success as an artist of any kind in Hollywood is filled with the kind of emotion that organically allows for great storytelling.”
Added Carlsson: “The music for this film is inspired by the core of my upbringing. As a Swede, I was enamored with American pop culture and the music of the late 70s along with the films from the era. I am looking forward to working with Reggie who has fully grasped the musical vision of the film. Along with my musical collaborators Kalle Engstrom and Jörgen Elofsson, we are ready to create an important film that will focus on a significant part of America’s musical timeline.”
Hudlin, who also produced the Oscars in 217, is repped by CAA. The pic deal was negotiated by Weintraub Tobin, Qap Legal and Fox Rothschild.
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Artists:
Just announced! @RaphaelSaadiq, @ElDeBarge, @DionneFarris, and @BeBeWinans will descend on the Bowl on September 25 for Black Movie Soundtrack III, joining @MrCraigRobinson, @MarcusMiller959,and @reghud for a celebration of the best in black film music.
About This Performance
The third installment of Marcus Miller and Reggie Hudlin’s hugely popular celebration of black movie music returns! Hosted by the very funny comedian/musician Craig Robinson, this year’s installment promises new clips, special guests, and some fan favorites.
Programs, artists, dates, prices and availability subject to change.
I GOT A SHOUT OUT IN A WU TANG SONG!
RZA & Ghostface Killah Of Wu-Tang Clan – On That Ish Again
Less than 24 hours after it was revealed that Wu-Tang Clan is releasing an EP later this week (May 17), in conjunction with Showtime documentary, Wu-Tang: Of Mics & Men. Heads now get some new music and information from the project released through Mass Appeal (who is also behind the film) and Wu’s 36 Chambers, LLC. Ghostface Killah and RZA have teamed to release “On That Sh*t Again,” the opening song from the upcoming companion release.
The song features a piano and drum beat. G.F.K. begins with a story about a night out, after an argument at home. Things get hairy as Ghost’ gets ready for a show at Madison Square Garden with Dru Hill. The Staten Island MC packs artillery for the event before RZA drops in with a recent rhyme about living the lavish life.
According to Pitchfork, who premiered the song, the soundtrack is executive produced by RZA’s brother, Mitchell “Divine” Diggs and Mustafa Shaikh. Notably, Divine says in Wu-Tang: Of Mics & Men that the film includes his first interview. Sacha Jenkins’ documentary chronicles the late 1990s fallout between Divine and members of the Wu-Tang Clan surrounding management and the former’s production company. In episode 4 of the film, there is footage of Ghostface and Divine arguing over royalties and management commissions from that era.
The seven-song collection also includes some audio footage, from Nas and Hip-Hop journalist-turned-Luke Cage series creator Cheo Hodari Coker. Notably, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Method Man do not appear to be involved.
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