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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 20
Friday, October 20, 2006
Andre 3000 parties for ‘Class of 3000’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you noticed a symphony of harmonicas Wednesday night in Midtown, you have André “Dre” Benjamin to thank. The colorful half of Atlanta rap duo OutKast — also known as André 3000 — was the host of the premiere of his new Cartoon Network animated series, “Class of 3000,” at the Fox Theatre.
Among those in attendance for the unveiling of the show, set in a fictional school of performing arts in Atlanta: Seven, Benjamin’s son with singer Erykah Badu; OutKast partner Antwan “Big Boi” Patton’s wife, Sherlita, and kids; OutKast producer Ray Murray; Atlanta Braves player Brian Jordan; Michael Mauldin (music mogul Jermaine Dupri’s father and entertainment power broker in his own right); V-103’s Ryan Cameron and family; and WXIA-TV news anchor Karyn Greer.
“We knew we wanted to show Bankhead, and we knew we wanted to show Buckhead,” Benjamin said. “ATL all day long!”
Performances by R&B singer Chris Brown and local rapper DJ Unk rounded out the near three-hour premiere.
“Class of 3000” will premiere at 8 p.m. Nov. 3 on the Cartoon Network .
And the parting gift to the many children in attendance? Those harmonicas that are probably still echoing along Peachtree Street.
Overscene
Music and movie producer Dallas Austin, “Tom Joyner Morning Show” personality Myra J. and former V-103 personality Porsche Foxx in the capacity crowd Wednesday night at Variety Playhouse to see Natalie Cole. The R&B legend’s latest album, “Leavin,’ ” a brand-new CD of eclectic covers, was produced by Austin. (And by the way, you haven’t fully lived until you hear Nat’s little girl toss off this line from Fiona Apple’s “Criminal,” which Austin has thoughtfully transformed into a horn-punching R&B smackdown for the diva: “I’ve been a bad, bad girl / It’s a sad, sad world / When a girl can break a boy just because she can …”)
Rapper marks VH1 win
The local rapper who calls himself Mercury Storm has been showered with attention since he won VH1’s Freestyle 59 contest, a national hip-hop talent search. Merc (real name: David Parker) had taped an acceptance speech in advance in case he wound up winning, but he didn’t find out that he’d won the contest — and $10,000 in prize money — until Tuesday night’s broadcast of VH1’s “Hip-Hop Honors” program. Merc watched the show with family and friends at the Central City Tavern.
“The whole venue just erupted so much, I couldn’t even hear myself,” he said. “I couldn’t even hear my speech. Luckily, I recorded this on the TiVo, so I got to see it later.”
Parker said he was bummed that VH1 edited out his plug for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program but happy that his on-air dedication to his late cousin, Neil Parker, made it on air.
Parker says he’s going to use the 10Gs to pay off credit card bills and his car. “And whatever’s left over, I’m going to use to propel my rap career and try to push things in the right direction.”
What, no gold grille or 28-inch rims?
“I’d rather be debt-free,” he said. “To me, that’s a bigger accomplishment.”
Liza, David at last!
Already forgotten that scrapped VH1 reality series starring Liza Minnelli and her on-track-to-be former hubby David Gest? Bless its heart, YouTube hasn’t. This week, the online video clip junk drawer posted the unaired pilot — the entire 30-minute celeb-crammed car crash. And since it’s officially in our job description, we eventually removed our fingers from our eye sockets, jammed in the earbuds and dutifully endured it for you Thursday.
It does not disappoint.
In the ep, Liza takes a jazz dance class that leads the heavily perspiring singer to ask: “Am I the only one spritzing here?”
Meanwhile, Gest is supposed to be out ordering furniture for a star-filled dinner party. Instead, he goes on a CD-buying bender (“Don’t tell Liza,” he instructs an assistant. “She has me on a no-CD diet!”). The highlight of the spree? When Gest asks a clerk, “Where are your LL Cool J albums?”
Later, Minnelli sucks down a triple ice cream-laden coffee drink at Starbucks while lamenting: “I wish I had a waistline again. My hips are just sittin’ there on those fake hips now.”
Naturally, the episode concludes with the lavish party at the couple’s Andy Warhol-choked Manhattan penthouse with guests Ray Charles, Sandra Bernhard, Liz Smith, Ashford and Simpson and a disturbingly “Anna Nicole Smith Show”-addicted Dominick Dunne. Gest frets at length about a spill on the carpet and later gives a guest (and the camera crew) a tour of his fabulous memorabilia collection, filled with Patty Duke and Cher trinkets and his Diana Ross and the Supremes doll collection.
Hmm. In retrospect, maybe Minnelli was smart to yank down the curtain on that union. The seemingly unauthorized posting may have also been yanked down as you read this, but you can try www.youtube.com; search for “Minnelli and Gest.”
Celebrity birthdays
Actor William Christopher (“M.A.S.H.”) is 74. Musician Tom Petty is 56. Actor Viggo Mortensen (“The Lord of the Rings”) is 48. Rapper Snoop Dogg is 35.
Contributing: Nick Marino, Sonia Murray and news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
