By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices,
Afshin Shahidi, Universal MG
At 47 years old, Prince makes a shining debut atop the 'Billboard' charts with his new album, '3121,' which arrived on shelves last week and sold close to 200,000 copies since.
Purple ReignIt's been a little over two decades but
Prince has reclaimed his throne. According to Nielsen Soundscan, the multiple Grammy winner's latest album '3121,' sold 184,450 units in its first week of release, taking the top spot on The Billboard 200 Album chart. Released on March 21, on Universal Records, the 12-track CD, marks the prolific singer/songwriter's first number one album since 1989’s
'Batman' soundtrack, and his first studio chart-topper since 1985’s 'Around the World in a Day,' a spokesperson confirms to Black Voices.
"It is an honor to work with a musical legend and to have the opportunity to participate in his first #1 is debut a thrill," says
Monte Lipman, President of Universal Republic.
The momentum for '3121' was buoyed by three songs from the album -- "Te Amo Corazon," "Fury" and "Black Sweat." The usually reclusive and media shy musician has been doing his part on the promotion end. He performed an intimate surprise midnight show at L.A.’s Tower Records on Sunset boulevard last week. He also included a limited number of Purple tickets in CD packages, granting lucky fans access to a private performance at his home later this spring. Listeners who purchased the new "Black Sweat" single via iTunes were also eligible to win entrance to the upcoming private show. Last month, Prince also performed on 'Saturday Night Live' -- the first time in 25 years, helping to secure the highest ratings for the show in more than two years. Last Friday, the Academy Award winner performed a private set at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in front of an audience that included
Lil' Jon, Enrique Iglesias, Eve, Heath Ledger, Jack Nicholson, Taye Diggs, Salma Hayek, Quincy Jones, Christina Aguilera, and
Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Prince's last album 'Musicology' was certified double platinum.
A Star Is Born… AgainEvan Ross, who makes his feature film debut in 'ATL,' which opens March 31, says that playing the role of wanna-be hustler Ant wasn't far from his life. "It's funny because the character wasn't so much a stretch," the newbie tells blackfilm.com. "I think all kids deal with tough decisions, life changing decisions at a young age. You make a decision when you go down the right path and the wrong path and I feel different things. We all experience feelings and I wanted to make sure it came off in the character." He adds that after reading the script, he fell in love with the character, and the sibling relationship dynamic (platinum selling rapper
Tip Harris a.k.a.
T.I., plays his elder brother). Being the youngest child of legendary diva
Diana Ross (with late shipping magnate
Arne Naess) has had its advantages too. "My mom has been strict in knowing that you have to know the craft and not only that, but to be aware of the business because it's dangerous and scary, and to be aware of yourself and know yourself well enough that you are not going to get stuck in that." Evan is currently shooting 'P.D.R.,' a sports drama with
Terrence Howard
and
Bernie Mac.Really on the Run
Check out images taken from Black Churches across the country, when BV features Jason Miccolo Johnson's new book 'Soul Sanctuary' in the latest Tabletop.
Joseph "Run" Simmons a.k.a.
Rev Run can now consider himself an inspirational author. His latest literary offering 'Words of Wisdom: Daily Affirmations of Faith,' arrives in stores this week. According to a rep from Amistad/Harper Collins, the idea came out of Run’s daily two-way pager messages of inspirational thoughts of the day, sent to celebrities and colleagues such as
P. Diddy, Serena and Venus Williams, Bret Ratner, Gayle King, and
Donald Trump. He also shares his words of wisdom at the end of each episode of the MTV reality series 'Run's House," which reportedly reached more than 32 million viewers in its first season. The second season will begin airing in June.
More Work For MorganMorgan Freeman reprises his role as God in 'Evan Almighty,' currently shooting in Los Angeles. Described as a follow-up to box-office hit 'Bruce Almighty' (which starred
Jim Carrey), the new pic is helmed by comedy director
Tom Shadyac -- who has 'The Nutty Professor' and 'Liar, Liar' to his credit. Golden Globe Award winner and star of last year's sleeper hit 'The 40 Year Old Virgin'
Steve Carell headlines as a newscaster newly elected to congress who goes through --what is perceived as-- a mid-life crisis when God asks him to build an ark.
Lauren Graham, John Goodman, and
Wanda Sykes also star. Freeman, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, last year, for 'Million Dollar Baby,' appears in 'Lucky Number Slevin,' starring
Josh Hartnett, Lucy Liu, Stanley Tucci, Ben Kingley and Bruce Willis. The
Paul McGuigan-directed thriller will open nationwide April 7.
A Year in Gossip
The Player's Life turns one and we look back at the best sports gossip of the past year, from the Laila Ali-Queen Latifah Rumor to Stephen Jackson's wedding day mishap and of course, Eva, Eva, Eva!
'Rich' and 'Dirty' At Home'Get Rich or Die Tryin','
50 Cent's true to life story of tragedy and triumph, arrived on DVD this week. Oscar-nominated director
Jim Sheridan ('My Left Foot') helmed the explosive urban drama which starred the bullet-ridden, platinum-plated hip-hop sensation (
nee Curtis Jackson) in the lead role.
Terrence Howard,
Joy Bryant and
Bill Duke round out the cast. The DVD features "A Portrait of an Artist – The Making of Get Rich or Die Trying" and includes the theatrical trailer, as bonuses.
Cuba Gooding Jr.'s latest film
'Dirty'
arrives on home video on April 4. Directed by
Chris Fisher, the edgy, action-packed police story also stars
Clifton Collins, Jr. and features
Cole Hauser and
Aimee Garcia. Showcasing the darker side of the men in blue --where cops are as crooked as the criminals they seek to eradicate-- the DVD bonus features include deleted scenes and commentary.
