The WDAS Holiday Jam is back and it’s happening at the newly restored Met Philly at Broad and Poplar. The WDAS Holiday Jam, Starring Uncle Charlie himself, Charlie Wilson and Stokley of Mint Condition, is happening Saturday, December 22nd. Tickets and information can be found on the wdasfm.com homepage.
Singer/Songwriter Usher is back with a surprise new album, but is the recently turned 40-year old trying to too hard to stay young? The new album is called “A,” and the singer is doing “trap” music. Now that’s the raunchier type of song not quite befitting what Usher has done in the past. The guy that brought us U Got It Bad, You Make Me Wanna, Confessions and There Goes My Baby sounds a little different singing lyrics like she c*m on arrival, but I don’t want no bridal. Hmmmmm! The twice divorced Usher better known for his tender ballads than playing so rough, may be quite a jolt for the audience. Usher’s “A” is available now.
Cameo’s Larry Blackmon is under attack….and it’s not the kind he likes! The writer/producer/lead singer of the legendary band known for the outstanding funk classics (Word Up, She’s Strange, Back & Forth) and smooth ballads (Sparkle, Why Have I Lost You) is being sued by his other original bandmates. Cameo group members accuse Blackmon of keeping rightfully deserved money from them and their taking him to court. What’s helping fuel this fire is probably the Las Vegas residency Blackmon just signed. Blackmon, 62, whose on stage persona consisted of innovated hairstyles, a distinctive lead vocal and even that codpiece he wears outside of his pants always wound up being the standout of the group. The four former Cameo members, Nathan Leftenant, Arnett Leftenant, Jeryl Bright and Gregory Johnson, have filed a million dollar suit against Blackmon.
Congratulations to Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle, the couple confirmed all the rumors and are expecting a baby. The child, the first for both, is due in the spring right around their first anniversary. Meghan, who is currently on the cover of People magazine, gave her good friend Serena Williams a royal shout out….sorta speak. The married royal Markle wore a blazer from the collection of tennis royal Williams. Williams immediately had some fun with her friend and took to social media not only to congratulate her friend publicly but to call her a trailblazer wearing a Williams’ collection blazer. Meanwhile, at press time, Harry and Meghan continue to bask in congratulations as the world enjoys their goodwill tour through Australia.
After 11 long years of being together, this hip hop duo has called it quits. Sean Puff Daddy Combs, 48, has split with longtime 32-year old girlfriend Cassie. The rap/business honcho and the singer/actress/model/dancer got together not along after a very public split with Model and Puffy’s Babymama Kim Porter. Many tried to tie Cassie to that breakup. Combs and Cassie lasted a decade but no babies or marriage. The breakup reports followed reports on Combs new lady, 26-year old Model Jocelyn Chew. We’ll see what new man the future holds for Cassie too. Level up girl!!!!!
Oscar Winner and Basketball Legend Kobe Bryant was dropped from an animated film festival. Bryant, 40, moved into filmmaking and founded an animation company Granity Studios. He also won an Oscar this year for the animated feature Dear Basketball. The film festival released a statement that they withdrew Bryant’s invitation to keep their focus on the festival itself. The rescinding of the invitation followed an online Metoo petition referencing Bryant’s 2003 arrest for rape. Those charges were dropped and Bryant settled a civil suit with the accuser with no admission of guilt. Bryant, who retired from the NBA in 2016, released a statement saying he was honored to have been invited and disappointed that it was rescinded. He also stated this will serve as further motivation in his commitment to building his studio and bringing diversity and inclusion to animated storytelling.
All aboard, the most successful film in history will have a sequel, and its first creative force has signed on. Phenomenal writer/producer/director and record breaking box office Filmmaker Ryan Koogler has confirmed his participation for the sequel to Black Panther. The original passed the billion dollar mark worldwide and broke all taboos for foreign and domestic distribution in which African Americans are told within the industry the false idea of a weak box office. Once the Black Panther numbers blew out all competition, a sequel was guaranteed. Koogler, who wrote and directed the first, will do the same duties for the sequel. The script work will begin next year with filming slated to begin in 2020. Koogler, who turned down the sequel to his other blockbuster Creed, was an important piece of the puzzle here.
Speaking of Black Panther alum, let’s talk about Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan. Boseman is in Philadelphia shooting his latest project. 17 Bridges is a thriller about hunting down a cop killer and shutting down Brooklyn’s 17 bridges to do it. Philly is one of the shooting locations, and Boseman has been out and about all over town working and soaking in the Philly culture….and food. Meanwhile, as Michael B. Jordan’s Creed II prepares for a Thanksgiving opening, he begins work on the Silver Bear, playing the world’s most dangerous assassin.
A health scare for former Talk Show Host Montel Williams has come to light. He recently revealed he suffered a stroke back in May. He was hospitalized for 21 days in May with a cerebellar hemorrhagic stroke. Williams says his wife Tara staying by his side is what got him on the road to recovery, and now he’s speaking out on the dangers of strokes. Williams, who suffered the stroke while working out, says he couldn’t sit up, speak well and was almost paralyzed. He’s now speaking and even walking without aid. Williams, 62 and has also been battling MS, says his intense therapy for the stroke has also helped his MS battle by correcting some of those symptoms. The former talk show host has slowed schedule down, including travel and intense workouts, to follow doctor’s orders, but is doing very well now.
The controversies for the Miss America Pageant seem to continue. Despite the crowning of Miss New York, Nia Franklin, as the new Miss America, the pageant itself is still swept up in controversy. Former Miss Americas were complaining of the new strict rules that came with new head, former Miss America and former FOX News Anchor Gretchen Carlson. Carlson famously battled FOX News over sexual harassment and has been a large voice in the Metoo movement. But, when she agreed to head the pageant after sexual misconduct charges against former Miss America officials, things haven’t been so smooth. Miss America officials have been accused of bullying and taking things too politically correct, including losing the swimsuits. Now states, including Pennsylvania, have been kicked out of the organization. The four states must relinquish their scholarship bank accounts back to the organization. Rumors abound that these four states were being punished for speaking up about the changes. The organization denies that, but didn’t give the reason for the expulsions. Stay tuned!!!
Tina Turner discusses her health battles, her son’s suicide and her kidney transplant in the latest edition of O magazine. Turner also has a new autobiography My Love Story. Plus, she’s also preparing to bring her life story musical to Broadway in the fall of 2019 after a successful run on the European stage. Tina Turner: My Love Story, is now available in bookstores and online.
Steve Harvey Morning Show Team Member Nephew Tommy is coming to OWN. WDAS’ resident prank phone caller and stand-up comedian hosts Ready For Love, a reality show dating series. The show focuses on African American men and women in their 30’s and 40’s, who are looking for long lasting and authentically loving relationships. Host Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles guides the participants and the audience through the dating adventures these adults face, and whether they really do want to be in loving committed relationships. Ready To Love debuts Tuesday, October 23rd at 10pm and then moves to its regular slot beginning Saturday, October 27th at 10pm.
At the movies this week, The Hate U Give is a new film from Soul Food Director George Tillman, Jr. and explores the issues of race and police brutality. When a teenager is the star witness to the shooting death of her best friend at the hands of police, she feels the pressure from various sides on how she should react and doing what’s right. The film stars Amandla Stenberg (Sleepy Hollow; Hunger Games), Regina Hall (Girls Trip; Think Like A Man), Russell Hornsby (Fences; Creed II; Lincoln Heights) and Algee Smith (The New Edition Story; Detroit). The Hate U Give is in theaters this Friday.
Tiffany Haddish joins Tika Sumpter (The Haves & The Have Nots), Amber Riley (Glee), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Whoopi Goldberg for Nobody’s Fool, written and directed by Tyler Perry, hitting theaters November 2nd.
John Legend is coming to town with a holiday tour and has a new album of Christmas music. The new album is called A Legendary Christmas and features the holiday standards Silver Bells, The Christmas Song and a duet with Stevie Wonder on Wonder’s classic What Christmas Means to Me My Love. Legend will also be in the area for A Legendary Christmas Tour at The Borgata in Atlantic City on Black Friday, November 23rd and The Met Philadelphia Tuesday, December 4th. The new album, A Legendary Christmas, will be released Thursday, October 26th.
Actress Tessa Thompson (Dear White People; Creed II) graces the cover of the November issue of Essence magazine, which covers Our Time To Heal and The Metoo movement.
Senators Kamala Harris and Corey Booker join Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on the cover of Ebony magazine for the November political issue, which also features an Aretha Franklin tribute.
Speaking of The Queen Of Soul, Essence magazine has issued a special commemorative issue all about Lady Soul, Aretha Franklin, in words and pictures over the years of her record breaking career.
Ciara graces the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine. Mrs. Russell Wilson talks about getting at the goodies and how to level up in her first cover shoot for the magazine which is out now.
Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross graces the cover of InStyle magazine for its November issue. The season premiere of Ross’ Emmy nominated sitcom Black-ish airs Tuesday, October 16th at 9pm on ABC.
Michael B. Jordan is on the cover of the November issue of Vanity Fair. Meanwhile, Creed II, which Jordan filmed largely in Philly and co-stars Sylvester Stallone, opens Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd.
Check out who’s coming to town:
Thursday, October 25th – Tyrese in concert at the Parx Casino in Bensalem. For Tickets and information log onto parxcasino.com/xcitecenter
Friday, November 16th – Hall & Oates at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Log onto hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com/event for ticket information.
Friday, November 23rd – A Legendary Christmas starring John Legend at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For more information log on to theborgata.com
Saturday, November 24th - The Irresponsible Tour starring Kevin Hart at the Wells Fargo Center. For tickets and information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
Thursday, November 29th - Michelle Obama-Becoming: An Intimate Conversation at the Wells Fargo Center. For tickets and information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
Friday, November 30th – Michael McDonald in concert at the Parx Casino in Bensalem. For Tickets and information log onto parxcasino.com/xcitecenter
Tuesday, December 4th – A Legendary Christmas starring John Legend at The Met Philly, Broad and Poplar. Log onto themetphilly.com/events for tickets and information.
Saturday, December 8th – Maxwell at the Tower Theater on 69th Street in Upper Darby. Log onto ticketmaster.com for tickets and information.
Saturday, December 22nd – The WDAS Holiday Jam starring Charlie Wilson and Stokley at The Met Philly, Broad and Poplar. Log onto the wdasfm.com homepage for tickets and information.
Friday, February 8th – Herbie Hancock in concert at the Parx Casino in Bensalem. For Tickets and information log onto parxcasino.com/xcitecenter
Saturday, February 16th – Boyz II Men celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the album II at The Met Philly, Broad and Poplar. Log onto themetphilly.com/events for tickets and information.
Sunday, February 17th – Gladys Knight in concert at the Parx Casino in Bensalem. For Tickets and information log onto parxcasino.com/xcitecenter
Saturday, March 16th – Comedian JB Smoove at the Parx Casino in Bensalem. For Tickets and information log onto parxcasino.com/xcitecenter
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.