Celebrating Entertainment Southern Style

Wilson Named WBR Senior VP/Urban Promotion

By Gail Mitchell, Billboard

Ken Wilson (pictured) starts Monday (Nov. 26) as senior VP of urban promotion for Warner Bros. Records. The music indgail miustry veteran succeeds Cynthia Johnson, who exited the post earlier this year. Wilson most recently served in a similar position at J Records. During his seven-year tenure, he worked with a roster that included Alicia Keys, Cassidy, Fantasia, Heather Headley, Mario and the late Luther Vandross.Prior to that, Wilson held promotion posts at Columbia Records and Arista Records and also served as president of black music at MCA Records. Warner Brothers’ urban roster includes E-40, Mike Jones, Wiz Khalifa, Talib Kweli and Tyra B. Tyra B’s debut single, “Givin’ Me a Rush,” is currently No. 49 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Chris Brown’s Kiss’ Tops Urban Radio

Chris Brown earns his first Urban No. 1 as a lead artist, while featured act T-Pain lands his fourth chart-topper of 2007, with “Kiss Kiss.” With seven top 10s since his debut in 2005, Brown’s only other appearance at No. 1 was last December as a featured vocalist, with Johnta Austin, on Bow Wow’s “Shortie Like Mine.” T-Pain, who also debuted the same year as Brown, kicked off his list of career No. 1s on R. Kelly’s “I’m A Flirt” and had his first as a lead artist with “Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin).

“This Christmas” Hangs Tough @ The Box Office

“Debuts #2 at the Box Office, Generating $18,600,000 in Sales”

This Christmas is a drama penned, produced and directed by Preston A. Whitmore II, that centers around the Whitfield family and their first holiday together in four years.  As the Whitfield siblings all come head home to celebrate the holidays together, the festivities are strained by deep secrets revealed that threaten to tear the family apart.  The movie featiures a starring cast that includes Regina King, Loretta Divine, Idris Elba, Lauren London & more.

View the Must-See Trailer!

Snoop to Premiere New Video Nov. 28th

The highly anticipated video for Snoop Dogg’s new single “Sensual Seduction” will be world premiering on TRL as well as joining forces with Rhapsody to do a “Pod Takeover” on Wednesday, November 28th. Snoop will also personally deliver and premiere it on BET’s 106 & Park on November 29th. In addition, the video will receive an All Day Premier on as an Unleashed, part of TRL’s Spankin New Lyric Week as well as air on MTV’s Sucker Free, all on November 29th.

The video for the single was directed by Melina, known for her vibrant hued and fantasy-like shots (Eve “Tambourine, Ludacris “Money Maker”). The entertaining video takes viewers back to the early eighties and pays homage to some of Snoop’s favorite artists like Roger Troutman, Rick James, Prince and others from that time. Taking a cue from the era when music was all about having fun, the video showcases video vixens channeling the Mary Jane Girls and Vanity 6, while Snoop plays the leading man.

Snoop is set to release his ninth solo LP, “Ego Trippin,” in March 2008 via Doggystyle/Geffen.

Stephanie Mills to Appear on BET’s Sunday Best

The top three finalists featured on BET’s gospel music showcase “SUNDAY BEST,” Shari Addison (Chicago), Jermaine Sellers (Joliet, Ill.) and Crystal Aikin (Tacoma, Wash.) find out
who will be sent home and who will continue on the road to SUNDAY BEST.

To top things off, Grammy Award winner and Broadway star Stephanie Mills will share her wisdom with the remaining contestants as well as perform some of her most memorable songs on the next episode of SUNDAY BEST, premiering Tuesday, November 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on BET.