News

Summer of The Commonator, Roots In URB & R.S., KITH Vids, Santogold on MTVu + New Song, Black Lily Fest Photos, Martin Luther Check-In, KRS-1 & Premo Remake A Classic.

• Ol’ Cornbread is at it again. This time, he’s taking on a role in the new Terminator joint, Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins for Halcyon Pictures. Unfortunately Common won’t be playing a terminator (dang!), but will be a freedom fighter and one of John Connor’s inner circle. Com’s certainly been busy, what with a new album entitled Invincible Summer and another film, “Wanted” starring Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, both coming out this June. We’re just thrilled that he hasn’t let his acting career get in the way of his music! Perhaps next, a motivational DVD about how to successfully multi-task?

• The Roots press machine continues to get busy with Black & ?uest donning one side of the next issue of URB Magazine. They have posted the whole article on their site. I believe that marks the 4th time for ?uesto to appear on the cover. Nas is on the flip cover, although with those glasses who could ever tell it’s him? There is also a featured article in the latest issue of Rolling Stone that sounds very interesting. We anxiously await our issue at the office.

• Them Kidz In The Hall boys must be sellin’ cars like hot cakes. They’ve got a new deal for you: Buy this Ferrari and get a free slab of ribs with it! When you’re done digesting that, check them out performing at SOB’s in NYC. Look for an exclusive Kidz In The Hall Okayplayer interview up on the site tomorrow.

• There is some new content floating around for our girl Santogold (Sahn-Toe-Gold, y’all) including two video interview videos with MTVu and another Dub style song that didn’t make the album called “Your Voice.” Watch the videos and download the track here on Heather’s blog.

• If you missed it, we’re sorry we keep rubbing in how fantastic this year’s Black Lily Film & Music Festival was. We know everybody can’t just pick up and head to Philly for four days of cinema and incredible musical performance (heads up, next year, get those plane tix poppin’ people!). For this year, live vicariously through us. Today we’ve added some amazing photos to our re-cap, thanks to Bill Hebert.

• The new Harlem-centric blog Uptownlife.net features a story on our boy Martin Luther in their “Riffs & Revolutions” column. Read about the sometimes-Harlem resident and his role in Julie Taymor’s film Across The Universe (now out in DVD). We look forward to more rebel soul from Marty soon!

• Now for your viewing pleasure here’s the remake of a classic. KRS-One and Dj Premier hooked up to remake BDP’s hit record for a new millennium version entitled “Criminal Minded ‘08″ for the Smirnoff Signature mix series we told you about awhile back. Here is the video they just released for the project.

-gingerlynn, dantana & shamz