Waddy Watch: Jonathan and Wayne Lewis of Atlantic Starr

I remember my 10-year-old self helping my mom clean the living room. She'd be vacuuming with the stereo turned up loud. Secret Lovers. Always. When Love Calls. Circles. Send For Me. Those are just some of the songs from legendary R&B group Atlantic Starr that I heard coming from the speakers. I'd shout over the volume, "Mom, turn it down!" Of course she wouldn't. She was in the groove! Now-a-days, as we clean together, both of us attempt to sing the lyrics at the top of our lungs, probably out of tune. Haha! The moral of the story is that Atlantic Starr has some of the most timeless music in R&B history and it's intergenerational.

Recently, I had the chance to interview brothers and Atlantic Starr group members Jonathan and Wayne Lewis. In the video below, they reflect on their past performances, speak on the current state of the music industry, and tell us what we can expect at their upcoming show right here in Philly.

Insight from Filmmaker Charles Murray

Latifah Waddy and Charles Murray

With TV titles like Sons of Anarchy, Criminal Minds and NYPD Blue under his belt, Writer, Producer and Director Charles Murray is certainly one to learn from. I had a chance to sit down with him and he talked about his new film Things Never Said, his parents, and offers some valuable advice. Take a listen to our interview below be sure to catch Things at the AMC Lowes Cherry Hill movie theater as its only playing in our area through Thursday.

Waddy Weekend Wrap (10/18-21/13)

Chargers Cheerleaders - Check out my cheer squad's performance during halftime of the final regular season game! Next up for my girls, competition on Sunday!

Things Never Said - Charles Murray's latest film hit select theaters this weekend. It's a compassionate tale about a married woman yearning for a career as a poet while dealing with life's struggles. The film tackles issues such as domestic abuse, infidelity, low self-esteem, and more. Things is playing at the AMC Lowes Cherry Hill movie theater. Hurry and make a trip to the theater because this indie project is playing in our area until Thursday only. I have to get to the theater to see this film myself. It looks so good! Omari Hardwick and Shanola Hampton star. Check out the trailer below!

Today's the day! - The TLC biopic, CrazySexyCool, premieres on VH1 TONIGHT at 9pm. Lil Mama, Drew Sidora and Keke Palmer headline this cast. Rolling Out Magazine released photos from Palmer's spread. Let's just say, Keke is owning her grown woman! Go 'head girl!

Annie returns - Produced by Jay Z & Will Smith, this modern day remake of the classic orphan tale is slated for a Christmas Day release in 2014. Jamie Foxx and young budding actress Quvenzhane Wallis star in the new project. Smith's daughter Willow was first announced to take on the title role. Instead of being Annie, she told her dad, "How about I just be 10." I'm looking forward to Quvenzhane to tackle Annie.

Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhane Wallis filming Annie in New York (Source: NY Post/Raymond Hall/FilmMagic)

In Film Today

Filmmaker Charles Murray's latest project Things Never Said is now playing at the AMC Loews Cherry Hill movie theater and stars Omari Hardwick and Shanola Hampton. This morning from 11am - 2pm, Murray will offer a filmmaker workshop. Having worked on successful projects like Sons of Anarchy, Criminal Minds, and NYPD Blue, just to name a few, Murray is certainly one to learn from. He's been writing professionally for roughly the last 12 years. Register for the workshop here . The cost is $10. It's all happening at the Art Sanctuary (628 S. 16th Street at Bainbridge).

Charles Murray (Left) and Michael Dennis (Right)

Also happening today, Founder and CEO of ReelBlack, Michael Dennis, will take part in Philly Pitch 2013, a screenplay pitch competition for his own work, 2Pac is Alive, along with 7 other finalists. The finals are at Helium Comedy Club (2031 Sansom Street) from 3-5pm. Hear Mike's pitch and cheer him on! Admission is free, but registration is highly recommended. Click here to register.

My interviews with both Charles Murray and Michael Dennis are coming soon!

Just Invented The Voice - Matthew and Donald Schuler

I had the pleasure of sitting down with brothers Matthew and Donald "J.I" Schuler (the J.I stands for Just Invented). You may have seen Matthew on this season's NBC The Voice. He made history on the show when he won over all  4 team coaches with his rendition of Young the Giants' Cough Syrup. Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, and Blake Shelton all turned their chairs almost simultaneously within 10 seconds of Matthew's performance! Returning coach Christina won him over. J.I's new EP album Music in Motion was recently released on iTunes. The brothers discuss music, faith, family, J.I's track Send Me Some Love, and Matthew's addiction! Check it all out below!

From left to right: J.I, Latifah Waddy, and Matthew Schuler

           

Be sure to connect with J.I (@DonaldSchulerJr) and Matthew (@MSchulerMusic on Twitter & @Schuuuuler on Instagram) to stay up to date on their work. Catch Matthew on The Voice Monday and Tuesday nights at 8pm on NBC with #TeamXtina.

"The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete"

Jennifer Hudson is making her way back to the big screen in George Tillman Jr.'s The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete. Tillman also directed Soul Food and Notorious. In Mister and Pete, two teenage boys team up on a quest of survival as they are left to fend for themselves after both of their mothers are taken into police custody. The two youngsters attempt to stay out of the path of child protective services in the streets of Brooklyn. From the looks of the trailer, Skylan Brooks and Ethan Dizon put on great introductory performances. Other cast members include Jeffrey Wright (Cadillac Records), Jordin Sparks (Sparkle), and Anthony Mackie who worked with Tillman on Notorious as Tupac Shakur. The film opens in select theaters tomorrow. It's definitely on my weekend watch list. Make it a part of yours. It looks exceptional!

"Waiting" for Adrian

Adrian Marcel just released a black-and-white video for his single "Waiting." I had been waiting for this for a couple of months now ever since I was first introduced to his music back in June. I had the pleasure of attending the 2013 BET Awards to work with Cappuchino of Power99.  In the days leading up to the main event, we were apart of the Radio Remote Room. Artists, actors, and many other influential individuals in the entertainment industry made their way through the room. When BET Music Matters artist Adrian Marcel stopped at our Power99 table for an interview, Cappuchino was able to get him to give us a live sample of his upcoming work. He sang a snippet from his song "Waiting." Check out his live sample in the video I did below. Then watch his new video for "Waiting."

Part 1
Take a look at BET Awards 2013 Radio Remote (Part 2)

MARY Christmas! - LISTEN

I know it's only October, but we're finally getting a taste of Mary J. Blige's new Christmas album.

The first single, her rendition to the classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" definitely puts us in the mood for the holiday season. Take a listen for yourself.

A Mary Christmas is scheduled for release next Tuesday, October 15th. It's never too early for Christmas music in my opinion. I've been listening to Kem's What Christmas Means album since it hit the shelves last October. Speaking of Kem, I hear he's set to re-release his holiday album. What Christmas Means - Deluxe Edition will be available October 29th and will include all 10 original songs with 4 new tracks.

Waddy Weekend Wrap (Oct. 4-7, 2013)

See Beyonce every month next year - Starting today you can purchase Beyonce's 2014 Official Calendar. It's the first calendar for Blue's mommy and comes just in time for the holidays. Check out the centerfold photo below! In case you don't want to buy it online, the calendar will be available for purchase in stores starting Tuesday October 15th.

Photo Credit: Herring & Herring, US Magazine

Kevin Hart + ABC - ABC is working on a half-hour comedy special based on Kevin Hart's stand-up act. The project will focus on a divorced couple attempting to maintain a friendship for the sake of their children. There's no word on if or when the program will air, but ABC is definitely in the works for a pilot. While Hart will not play the lead actor, he's likely to have a recurring role in addition to his executive producing duties.

Filming in The City of Brotherly Love - Philly Writer and Director Jamal Hill is filming his current project right here in our city. Brotherly Love stars KeKe Palmer and Quincy Brown in the lead roles, along with Romeo, Logan Laurice, Macy Gray, Cory Hardrict, Malik Yoba, and Nafessa Williams. Williams also starred in Hill's Streetz which premiered on BET last year. Brotherly Love focuses on 3 brothers living in West Philly, one of whom is a basketball player at Overbrook High School.

CrazySexyCool - Speaking of KeKe Palmer, she's starring in the VH1 biopic documenting one of the biggest girl groups in R&B music, TLC. Palmer will channel Chilli while Drew Sidora and Lil Mama will act as T-Boz and Left Eye, respectively. CrazySexyCool airs Monday October 21st at 9pm on VH1. I am beyond excited for this movie!

   

Get More: TLC, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story

Eagles #1 in NFC East - Really? Yes, really. Our Philly Eagles defeated the New York Giants Sunday afternoon 36-21 and after this week's NFL results, the Eagles have landed at number 1. #SuperBowlBound


Has D. Woods stumbled upon a "Gold Mine?" - Former Danity Kane member, D. Woods released a video to her new single, Gold Mine. It's never been a secret that D. Woods wanted to pursue a solo career so when DK announced their return on the MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet, it was no surprise that D. Woods was not a part of the reunion. Check out the video and tell me what you think of her comeback.