HOT NEWS four February 3rd 2023

We remember Motown Legend Barrett Strong. He is credited for giving Motown their first No. 1 hit. Money That’s what I want. He also wrote I heard it through the grapevine made famous by Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight. He wrote Smiling Face by the Undisputed Truth and many songs by The Temptations including ‘Cloud Nine, can’t get next to you’ and Psychedelic Shack. Strong was 81 years old.

We also remember Actress Cindy Williams. Williams died last week after a brief illness she was 75. Williams was one of the stars of one the most popular shows of the 70’s Laverne and Shirley with the Late Penny Marshall who died a few years ago.

The Michael Jackson movie has found their Michael. Jermaine Jackson son Jaafar Jackson will be playing his famous Uncle.The Michael Jackson movie ‘Michael' is being directed by Antoine Fugua. He recently did Emancipation with Will Smith. And the movies the Equalizer and Training Day with Denzel Washington.

Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever is streaming on Disney PLUS.

THE 65TH Annual Grammy Awards are happening on Sunday on CBS. Trevor Noah is hosting the show. Beyonce is leading the pack with nominations. I hear she may be making an appearance. . She’s got 9 nominations for Rennaissance. Rapper Kendrick Lamar has 8 nods, Singer Adele has 7 for her album ‘30. Beyonce is the most decorated Female in Grammy History. Also, up for awards Mary J Blige for Good Morning Gorgeous, Lizzo, Harry Styles and Bad Bunny. Up for record and song of the year is Beyonce's ‘Break Your Soul, Singer Muni Long is up for Best New Artists. Also, congrats to area natives Adam Blackstone and Jazmine Sullivan, who were also nominated for Grammy Awards. Many wonders will the night be a rematch of Beyonce and Adele. In 2017 Adele swept the Grammys against Beyonce's ‘Lemonade album. The Night before The Grammys there will be a special ceremony for the Lifetime Achievements awards. Those being honored that night include Rapper Slick Rick, Producer Nile Rodgers, Bobby McFerrin (Don’t Worry Be Happy) The Supremes, The Rock group Nirvana and Blues Legend Ma Rainy.

2023 is going to be a huge year for Oscar Winner and Comedian Monique. Her NETFLIX comedy special is coming ‘My name is Monique and her Lee Daniels movie ‘The Deliverance. She also has a new horror movie streaming on BET PLUS called The Reading.

Michael Ealy is joining the cast of Power Book 2 Season 4. Filming is currently underway. Season three with Mary J Blige, Michael Rainey Jr. And Method Man debuts March 17th on STARZ.

Season 2 of Bel Air a dramatic take on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air starts streaming February 23rd on Peacock.

Billy Porter will be hosting a new BET Docuseries Black & Iconic. A four-part series examining Black Icons in Fashion, Music, Film and Dance..

Fresh off his Lifetime Achievement award Eddie Murphy is back with a new Netflix movie ‘You People. Murphy plays a dad who is against his daughter marrying a white Jewish man. It's a comedy clash of cultures. Directed by Kenya Barris the movie also stars Jonah Hill, Nia Long, Lauren London, Julia Louis Dreyfus, David Duchovny and Mike Epps. The movie starts streaming on the 27th. Murphy is also teaming up with Tracee Ellis Ross for the holiday movie Candy Cane Lane which is filming now. This movie is being directed by Reginald Hudlin who also directed Murphy in Boomerang.

Superbowl Sunday is set for Sunday February 12th. Rihanna is performing at Halftime. Singer Babyface is performing I the pre-game ceremony. He's doing America the Beautiful. Country Superstar Chris Stapleton is doing the National Anthem and Emmy Winner and Abbott Elementary Star Sheryl Lee Ralph is performing Lift Every Voice and Sing. It will be the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. For the first time in Superbowl history it will be two black quarterbacks competing. Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. For the first time in Superbowl history there will be two brothers competing against each other. Jason Kelce of the Eagles against his brother Travis Kelce of the Chiefs. Their mom Donna is making history as the first mom to have sons competing against each other in The Superbowl. Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts is being honored on the 8th in Arizona. He’s getting The Faith in Action award at the 24th Annual Superbowl Celebration. It’s an evening of Inspiration and Culture Patti Labelle will be performing.

The Nominations have been announced for the 95th Annual Academy Awards. The awards show is happening on ABC Sunday March 12th, Jimmy Kimmel is this year's Host. The Movie Everything Everywhere all at once is leading the pack with 11 nominations. Singer Rihanna has been nominated for best song for ‘Lift me up from Black Panther 2 Wakanda Forever. Angela Bassett has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Queen Romanda in Black Panther 2 Wakanda Forever. Two sequels Avatar The Way of Water and Top Gun Maverick have been nominated in the best Picture Category.

Congrats to Singer Brian McKnight and his wife they are the proud parents of a baby boy Brian Jr. Also congrats to Singer Kenny Lattimore and his wife Judge Faith Jenkins are the proud parents of Skylar Leigh Lattimore their first baby girl.

Now speaking of Kenny Lattimore he will be in the area Mothers Day Weekend Saturday May 13th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Hes in concert with Singers Fantasia and Neyo. Tickets are ob sale now.

Singer Kem is coming to Atlantic City March 4th and March 5th.with Ledisi and Musiq Soulchild at the Hard Rock Casino

Patti Labelle will be in concert at Caesars in Atlantic City March 4th, 2022

The Sherri Shepherd Show has been renewed for two more seasons and the Jennifer Hudson talk show has been renewed for another season.

Controversial Sportscaster Stephen A Smith is known for telling it like it is and now he is ready to tell all in a new book ‘Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes. The book is available now.

A big congratulations is also for Rihanna; she has just signed a multi-Million-dollar deal with Apple TV about her return to music. Rihanna will be headlining next year's Superbowl halftime show.

The 59th Annual NAACP Image awards are set for February 25th on BET. Black Panther 2 Wakanda Forever and Abbott Elementary are leading the nominations. For the first time ever all women are up for entertainer of the year. Angela Bassett, Mary J Blige, Quinta Brunson, Viola Davis and Zendaya. Will Smith has been nominated for B est Actor for his movie Emancipation. Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar are leading the music nominations.

Diddy is working on a new reality show Diddy plus 7 with all of his children including

the new baby.

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Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever is coming to stream (Disney Plus) and video February 1st..

The straight no chaser comedy tour is coming to Philly. Friday May 19th at the Liacouras Center with Mike Epps, DL Hughley, Cedric The Entertainer and DC Young fly.

Get ready for Chris Rock he’s coming to Netflix in March with a brand-new comedy special. Selective Outrage. Rock will be making History with this one for Netflix. He will be the first person and first Comedian to go live on a streaming Platform. Chris Rock is also coming to Atlantic city for a comedy show Friday February 3rd.

Tyler Perrys next project for NETFLIX will be a World War 2 drama about the only black female led World War 2 battalion. This is the true story of the 855 women who were able to connect 17 million American soldiers with their families. The cast of the movie includes Kerry Washington who is also the Executive Producer of the project. Oprah Winfrey and Susan Sarandon are also part of the cast. . Production will start soon on the movie SIX TRIPLE 8.

The Whispers are coming to Atlantic City on Sunday February 19th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The Stylistics, Bloodstone and Heatwave are also on the Bill.

The Johnathan Major, Glenn Powell Movie ‘Devotion is now streaming on Paramount Plus. Devotion is the inspirational true story of Jesse Brown, The first black aviator in the US Naval history and his friendship with fellow fighter pilot Tom Hudner during the Korean War.

The Godfather of Harlem with Forest Whitaker has returned for a 3rd season on the EPIX/MGMPLUS Channel.

The Prime streaming service is getting ready for season 2 of the Megan Goode show ‘Harlem. The series also stars Actress Grace Byers and this season will feature guest appearances by Sherri Shepherd, Whoopi Goldberg, Lil Rel Howery and Countess Vaughn.

Congrats to Actor/Comedian Michael Blackson. The 50-year-old recently open the Michael Blackson Academy in his native Ghana, in Africa.

Oscar winner Octavia Spencer she is teaming up with Gabrielle Union for ‘Truth be told on Apple TV Plus. Spencer plays an Investigative Reporter who is also a Podcaster.Truth be Told is streaming now on Apple TV Plus.

The Tabitha Brown takeover at Target Stores is here! The Vegan Lifestyle Maven has unveiled her line a Vegan food Kitchen collective. Browns says her goal is to spread joy in the kitchen with food and color. The line includes Dips ,Spreads, Soups, Sauces, Snacks all Vegan. There're is also Tablewear ,Bowls, Coffee Mugs, Bowls and Plates. Prices range from 2.99 to 90 Dollars. Most items are under 10 ten dollars

Congrats to Actor Shemar Moore the former star of the Young and the Restless and the current star of the CBS Show S.W.A.T. is going to be a first-time dad at 52.

Season 15 of Rupauls Drag Race has returned to MTV . Queens are vying to be Americas Next Drag Superstar. Up for grabs 200 thousand dollars. The new season of Judges and Panelist include TS Madison. Araina Grande, Janelle Monae and Country Music Singer Maren Morris.

The man behind The Marvel Classics Spiderman, Black Panther, The Avengers, The X-MEN ,The Hulk and Fantastic four Stan Lee is going to be the subject of a new documentary that will air on Disney Plus next year.

BMF Black Mafia Family has returned to the Starz network . This season will feature Leslie Jones, Monique, Snoop Dogand LaLa Anthony. The story is set in Detroit, the true story of Detroit brothers Demetrius and Terry Flenory who became powerful figures in a multi-state drug and money laundering organization. Black Mafia Family has already been renewed for a third season.

Idris Elba is also coming to Netflix. The Luther Series ‘The Fallen Sun’. Debuts in March. There is also a bidding war going on about his new cooking show. Yes, Idris Cooks! And now Netflix, Disney Plus and Paramount Plus are interested in developing a cooking show with Idris and his personal Chef. Elba says he loves food and he wants to his family's heritage and culture with African foods. Elba and his wife are currently featured in the digital version of Ebony Magazine.

Congratulation to Adam Sandler the Popular Actor and Comedian is getting honored next March with the Mak Twain Award for Comedy. Past winners Include Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Eddie Murphy, Jon Stewart, Dave Chappelle and David Letterman.

It’s Lori Harvey on the latest cover of Essence Magazine. Steve Harveys daughter says she is living her life on her own terms. Earlier this year her relationship ended with Actor Michael B Jordan she is now dating British Actor Damson Idris who stars as Franklin Saint.

2023 is going to be quite the year for Singer/Actress Mary Blige. She returns as Monet is the STARZ Show ‘PowerBook 2’ in March. Her Childrens book ‘Mary Can comes out in May and she is developing a talk show with BET called ‘The Winedown.

We know Singer Adele for her amazing voice but now she is opening up about her business side. Adele is working on a line of perfume and Lingerie line.

Singer Ledisi is playing Gladys Knight in the movie ‘Spinning Gold the story of Neil Bogart who founded Casablanca Records. In the 70’s Casablanca Records was the most successful independent Label of its time with Acts such as Donna Summer, Parliament Funkadelix, The rock band KISS, The Village People, and Bill Withers.

The Best Man continues. The Best Man: The final Chapters is airing on PEACOCK TV . All of your favorites will be back! Harper, Robyn, Jordan, Lance, Shelby, Candace and Murch. Malcolm Lee is directing, and the stars are returning Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrance Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Harold Perrineau. The First Best Man came out in 2006. The Best Man Holiday came out in 2013.

Top Gun Maverick is streaming on Paramount Plus.

Glass Onion A Knives Out Mystery is streaming on NETFLIX . The mystery Thriller Who Dun nit stars Daniel Craig, Janelle Monae, Leslie Odom Jr, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista.

The concert scene is hearing up! Get ready for the Legacy tour with New Edition Ralph, Ronnie, Ricky, Mike and Johnny Girl. Saturday March 18th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Special Guests Keith Sweat, Guy (Teddy Riley and Damien and Aaron Hall) and Singer Tank

Singer SZA is coming to the Wells Fargo Center Thursday March 2ND.

Janet Jackson is going back on tour this time with Rapper/Actor Ludacris Saturday May 20th at the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City.

Congrats to Director Ava Duvernay she is the First black featured on the Pint of Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream. Lights Carmel Action is a mixture of Vanilla Ice Cream, Salted Carmel, Graham Cracker Swirls and pieces of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

Get ready for another ‘Rush Hour movie. Rush Hour 4 will be back after 10 years with original Stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.

The TV Series ‘The Game with Wendy Raquel Robinson is streaming now on Paramount Plus.

The new Avatar movie ‘The Way of Water is in theaters now.

Jill Scott is coming to Philly! It's the 23rd anniversary of Who is Jill Scott/ Words and music Volume 1. Jill is doing two shows at the Met Broad and Poplar March 16th and 18 and 19. Tickets are on sale now.

Former Eagle Quarterback Michael Vick is working on a docuseries about Black Quarterbacks.

The Wiz is coming back to Broadway in 2024. Comedienne and Writer Amber Ruffin will be giving the show an updated twist.

Singer Ashanti is ready to tell all in a new Docuseries. Ashanti says so much has been said about her and now it’s for her to tell her story.

Get ready for the Bob Marley story. Bob Marley died in 1981 at the age of 36 from Cancer. Marley was a pioneer of Reggae, ska and Rock Reggae. Actor Kingsley Ben Adir who played Malcolm X in the movie One Night in Miami is playing the Reggae Great. The movie is being directed by Renaldo Marcus Green who directed the movie ‘King Richard. Marley left behind a legacy of music including the classics ‘Could you be loved, One Love, Jammin, to name a few. Marley was an artist and activist. The movie is being supported by the Marley Family and it’s coming out January 12th, 2024.

Will Smith is back! His new movie ‘Emancipation' is streaming now on Apple TV plus on December 9th. Smith gives a commanding performance as Peter the slave who fights to escape and reunite with his family. This is based on a true story about the slave Peter who joined the army and doctors saw how brutalized he was. That photograph was taken and was seen around the world, and the world witnessed the brutality against slaves in the US in 1863.

Singer Brandy is returning as Cinderella in the Disney plus series The Descendents.

The life story of Singer Keisha Cole is being made into a movie for Lifetime. Filming starts next year.

The family of Sinbad is speaking about the stroke he suffered two years ago. The Comedienne is learning how to walk again, and his family has started a go fund e to help him with his medical bills and he is thankful for all prayers.

The Viola Davis movie ‘The Woman King is available on Video on Demand.

Now he’s leaving his late night Show the Daily Show. Trevor Noah will be embarking on a 40-city tour. He has a new comedy special streaming now on NETFLIX ‘I Wish you would’. A series of hosts are lined up to fill in on The Daily Show including Wanda Sykes, Chelsea Handler,DL Hughley, Marlon Wayans, John Leguizamo, Al Franken, Kal Pen, Sarah Silverman and Leslie Jones. A new host for the show will be named next Summer.

Anita Baker is coming to Atlantic City next year. Tickets are on sale now for her show Friday November 23rd 2023 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Babyface will be her special musical guest. Baker is also releasing new music next year.

Get ready for Snoop Dog the Movie. A movie is in the works about the popular Rapper, who burst on the scene in 1992 with Dr Dre’s The Chronic LP.

Get ready for the return of the ABC Show The Wonder Years. The reboot of the popular show from the 90’s now features an all-black cast. Special guests stars for next Summers return include Patti Labelle, Wayne Brady, Titus Burguss and Donald Faison from Scrubs.

The Jordan Peele Movie N.O.P.E. is streaming on the Peacock Network. The movie will also have a companion piece a documentary on the making of the movie which starred Oscar Winner Daniel Kalluya and Keke Palmer.

Netflix has a new documentary streaming now about the 60’s and 70’s Black movie scene. The Documentary is called Is that Black Enough.

Actor Omar Epps (Love and Basketball, Juice, Raising Kanaan) has released his first book. NUBIA: The Awakening. The book is about three teens living in a futuristic New York after a storm destroys their African Homeland.

Oscar Winner Daniel Kaluuya is lending his voice to Spiderman Across the Spider verse. Kaluuya is voicing the character Spider punk. Also featured in the animated movie Issa Rae who plays Spiderwoman and Actor Oscar Isaac is playing Spiderman 2099. The animated movie hits theaters June 2nd 2023.

The Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes Netflix comedy The Upshaw's has been renewed for a third season.

Oscar Winner and Host of The View Whoopi Goldberg has produced a movie about Emmitt Till. The 14year old teenager who was murdered by a white mob after he was accused of whistling at a white woman. This happened in 1955 and the movie focuses on his Mom Mamie Till Mobley who fought for Justice after his murder. Mamie insisted on having an open casket so she could show the world what had happened to her son. That moment was a galvanizing moment that helped to create the civil rights movement. Goldberg also co-stars in the movie as his grandmother. Till is available now on demand and streaming..

The trailer has been released for the Marvel Movie ‘Ant Man and the Wasp Quantumania. Pau Rudd returns as Antman alongside Michelle Pheiffer and Michael Douglass. We will also see Johnathan Majors when he makes his debut as Kang The Conqueror. The movie opens in theaters February 17th 2023.

Jada Pinkett Smith is ready to tell all in a new Memoir due out next year. The book is due out next Fall. The book will detail her marriage to Will Smith, Battles with depression, her personal rediscovery and a celebration of Authentic Female Power.

Get ready for more of the Wayans Family. Damon Wayans Sr and Damon Wayan Jr. The Father and Son are teaming up for a new comedy show on CBS.

Beyonce will also be going on tour next Summer. She will be doing stadiums supporting her Renaissance album.

Congratulations to Star Jones. For many years Jones was a host on The View. Jones is returning to TV as the new Host of Divorce Court on Fox. Judge Faith Jenkins is leaving Divorce court to focus on her new show ‘Killer Relationships’ airing Sunday Nights on The Oxygen Channel. Judge Jenkins who is married to singer Kenny Lattimore says she is very excited about her venture. Jenkins is also expecting her child with Lattimore.

Samuel L Jackson will be back as Superspy Nick Fury in the new Marvel Series ‘Secret Invasion 'on Disney Plus. The show debuts next year. Jackson is currently starring on Broadway in the August Wilson play ‘The Piano Lessons. The play is being directed by his wife Latonya Richardson Jackson and stars John David Washington and Actress Danielle Brooks.

The long-awaited Tupac Docuseries ‘Dear Mama is coming-out on the FX Channel this year. The 5-part docuseries directed by Allen Hughes is the story of the relationship Tupac had with his mom.

The hit 90’s TV Show Everybody hates Chris starring Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary) is coming back this time as an animated series. Everybody still hates Chris will air on the Paramount Streaming channel and Comedy Plus. Chris Rock will return as the shows Narrator and Exec Producer. The show will focus on Chris Rocks teenage years.

Actress Cameron Diaz is coming out of retirement to star in a new action-comedy film with Jamie Foxx. Filming is starting soon on ‘Back in Action’ a Netflix film.

Congratulations to Martin Lawrence, Garrett Morris, Sheila E, Melba Moore, Marc Anthony, Lenny Kravitz, Rapper Ludacris, Country Superstar Blake Shelton, Charlie Wilson, The Jonas Brothers they are just of starts getting a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They are all part of the class of 2023.

CNN Films and HBO MAX are joining forces for the life story of Little Richard. Richard was the Architect of Rock and Roll. The film Little Richard I Am Everything will show the highs and lows of his career. Richard died in 2020 at the age of 87.

HBO is making a documentary about the STAX music label founded by Al Bell. The documentary will focus on the stars of the label including Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T’s and The MG’s The Emotions, Isaac Hayes and the Stape Singers.

Captain Marvel is coming to the Fast and Furious franchise. Actress Brie Larsen is coming to Fast and Furious 10 along with Vin Diesel, Jason Mamoa and Charlize Theron. The movie opens May 2023.

The Life story of Sammy Davis Jr is coming to HULU. The eight-episode series will be produced by Lee Daniels. In Black and White the Life of Sammy Davis jr will feature his life from a vaudeville child star to one of the most famous African American Entertainers during the 50’s and 60’s. Actor Eiljah Kelly best known as playing Ricky Bell from the BET New Edition series is playing Sammy Davis Jr. The series will cover the moments in his life from the car crash that made him lose his eye, the controversial affairs with his white co-stars, converting to Judaism , Being a part of the famous Rat Pack with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. His involvement with politics from the Kennedys to Nixon. The series will also deal with his battles involving Drugs and Alcohol.

The Color Purple Movie Musical has added some new cast members Singer Ciara, Actor Lou Gossett Jr, David Allen Grier, Gospel Music Singer Tamela Mann Actor/Comedian Deon Cole and just added acclaimed Actress Anjanue Ellis. Fantasia is starring in the role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg ‘Celie. Tariji P Henson, Danielle Brooks , Philly Native Coleman Domingo playing the role of Mister made famous by Actor Danny Glover. Also, in the cast Corey Hawkins Singers H.E.R. and Halle Bailey. The movie is being produced by Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, and Steven Spielberg and is being directed by Blitz Bazawule. The movie is coming out December 2023.Grammy Winner Jon Batiste has also recently joined the cast.

Jimmy Fallon of Tonight show fame has a new show on NBC. The show called ‘That’s My Jam’ has already been renewed for a second season, and it features celebrities competing in musical and dance inspired games. The variety show will also feature Philly Natives Musician Adam Blackstone and DJ Aktive.

If you would like more info please email me at PattyJackson@iHeartMedia.com or check me out with my midday reports at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm during the day on 105.3 Wdasfm. Or join me on Social Media Twitter:Mspattyjackson Instagram Wdaspatty and Facebook Patty Jackson and on Youtube Patty Jackson

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