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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > August > 20
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Kenny Burns’ ‘How To’ On Getting Into Private Events
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PHOTO CREDIT: Raymond Hagans
Almost every night this week there has been — and will be — an event with a major name recording artist that, alas, you can’t buy a ticket to.
Monday it was the Joe/Algebra (second picture, above) event put on by Grown Folks Radio Cafe 102.5, for its listeners, at Sugar Hill. Tuesday there was the Samsung AT&T Summer Krush headlined by rap pin-up Nelly, at the Tabernacle. (V-103 and 95.5 The Beat were giving away tickets, or you could sign up for them at the Samsung site. See our photo gallery HERE ). Friday V-103 is hosting another one of its popular, listeners-only Soul Sessions with hip-hop legend LL Cool J.
And tonight Heineken’s annual Red Star Soul returns with Atlanta transplant Lyfe Jennings, Estelle, Bryan-Michael Cox and D-Nice on the turntables. (Plus Joi will receive the Heineken Independent Achiever Award).
But not to fret: We got Atlanta’s self-appointed “lifestyle specialist” Kenny Burns (pictured above, top picture) - also the host of tonight’s Red Star Soul — to provide a few tips on getting through the door at such “private” events.
One - “For the women, yes, use the flirting thing,” Burns advises. “I’m not saying do anything disrespectful to yourself. But nine times out of ten there’s a guy running the door. So you know, the right conversation, the right dress could be an easy ‘in’. Get your sexy on!”
Two - “For the guys, use what you’ve got too - that’s relevant. I’m not necessarily saying something monetary. I’m suggesting something like, if you work at the BMW dealership or a fly hotel, pull out the card. Ask what hotel the celebrity is using. Then say, ‘Well next year, or next time, call me’.”
Three - “And this is something not to do: You know there’s a lot of people who think they are of status. In Atlanta, everybody’s somebody! But it’s good not to try to get into something with everybody. Don’t go 100-deep, you know? Travel with as few people as possible if you’re trying to crash.”
“Oh yeah,” Burns continues, “but for the Red Star Soul, I can’t say ‘no’ to people. So just hit me up on my MySpace page. I’ve been telling people that in every city; and the Heineken people get kind of mad at me. But you know, I’m the host. And if they hit me up, I’ll let them know when I’m walking in. I promise you, at least 20 people have done it at the other Red Star Souls!”
Have you ever tried one of these “tips” and it worked? Backfired? Already on the list for the Heineken event tonight? And what about Burns — seen him on BET’s “Black Poker Stars Invitational”? (It just got picked up for a second season, he said).
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Tameka Raymond — Stylist Turned Philanthropist
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Like husband, perhaps, like wife?
Well apparently so in the case of Atlanta R&B superstar Usher and his bride Tameka Raymond.
Pickybacking on the voter registration drives Mr. Raymond has had here and in Detroit, Mrs. Raymond will incorporate that effort into her “Back To School Expo” this weekend in her native Oakland, CA.
The first annual event, at Oakland’s City Hall Aug. 24, will include a fashion show (Usher’s other half was once his stylist), a teen summit and a talent showcase. And in addition to giving school supplies to an expected 600 public school students, the Oakland Natives Give Back Fund (Raymond, Nyeisha DeWitt and Delicia “Dee Dee” Abdur-Rahim) will also welcome an unnamed “well-known recording artist”, according to the press release.
(Hmmm, wonder who THAT could be?!)
Did you attend the “I Can’t But You Can” voter registration drive here, that his New Look Foundation put on? Were you — or your kids — part of this past summer’s New Look camp? Have you ever benefited from a local musician’s foundation — or perhaps Young Jeezy, Ludacris and T.I.’s recent back-to-school giveaways in Atlanta?
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Young Jeezy and OutKast on Michael Phelps
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First, there was a mention.
Now, there just might be a meeting.
History-making Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps’ (top picture) has told a number of media outlets that Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy (below) is in heavy rotation in his iPod.
In fact, in a New York Times article Monday, Jeezy is cited as one of the eight influences for his record-breaking eight gold medals Phelps won in Beijing. (The Jeezy single “Go Getta” - with R&B singer R. Kelly — in particular).
“Phelps and his American rival Ryan Lochte, who is also a fan of Jeezy, greet each other by saying ‘Juh,’ in homage to the rapper, a.k.a. Jay Jenkins,” the Times’ Karen Crouse writes.
Now Jeezy tells us that Phelps’ “people” have been in touch with his “people” about the two being officially introduced.
“It would be great if I could holler at Phelps,” Jeezy said during a break from his nationwide promotional tour for his upcoming CD, “The Recession”. “And it’s a compliment that that man found inspiration in the music I do for the streets over here, over there in Beijing”.
(It would also be quite the picture seeing Phelps — pride of the red, white and blue — next to Jeezy, who’s “Recession” promotional materials include a black and white-striped flag, and T-shirts with “My President Is Black” on the front.)
And Phelps’ Atlanta Music Scene inspirations doesn’t stop with Jeezy. According to Yahoo! Music Usher (“Burn”) and OutKast (“Roses”) are also on Phelps’ Top 10 playlist.
Both Andre “Dre” Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton of OutKast (above, in their movie “Idlewild”) said they weren’t aware of that until we told the history makers in their own right. (They are the first rap group to win Grammy’s top album of the year prize).
“Ha!” a delighted Benjamin shot back in an e-mail. “That’s great to know!” added Patton.
And what OutKast songs do they think just might motivate other athletes during the rest of the Games?
No 1. “B.O.B”; 2. “Gasoline Dreams” 3. “Bust” and 4. “Git Up, Git Out,” says Patton.
“Oddly enough,’So Fresh, So Clean’ is a good one,” Benjamin replied. “Yes, [‘B.O.B.’] is another one. A rare OutKast track [on ‘Stankonia’] featuring Cee-Lo called ‘Speedballin’ is another.”
What OutKast songs have this kind of effect on you? Or are there other local acts/songs that you help you focus for competition (or just the daily work-out)?
