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New Edition - 2002 BET Awards

News: 7/6/2003

ASHANTI REMAKES "I FOUND LOVIN"

In 1990, Jeff Redd, a New Jack-Era artist signed to MCA Records released the single "I Found Lovin", and the song connected with many fans of R&B music during that time period. 13 years later, Murder Inc's Ashanti pays homage to the track with her own version, which can be found on her latest LP, 'Chapter II'. New Jack Swing 4-Ever indeed...

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Njs4ever.com is going through a major transformation. This "classic" version will remain up for the time being, but a newer Njs4Ever is on the way. Until then, you can check out an exciting Njs4Ever press release here. Also, think about supporting the music and getting a copy of the New Jack Swing album. Let's show the "powers-that-be" that New Jack Swing as a genre of music has been overlooked for far too long. With enough success for this album, we might even be able to spark a New Jack revival -- imagine that!

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News: 5/5/2003

JUSTIN GUARINI ALBUM TO FEATURE PRODUCTION BY BABYFACE AND "THE UNDERDOGS"

From American Idol Season ONE, first runner-up Justin Guarini's debut album will drop June 10th in the United States. In a confirmed report, the album will feature substantial production by New Jack alum Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The album will also feature production by Harvey Mason Jr. and Damon Thomas, a team better known as "The Underdogs". What is unconfirmed (but highly likely) is that Steven Russell, former Troop lead singer and the man behind B2K's "Gots Ta Be" and "Why I Love You" will also be on board.

And...

BAD BOY's LOON RECRUITS AARON HALL TO REMAKE "I LIKE"

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs pays tribute to his Uptown/MCA days by supervising the collaboration of former Guy lead singer Aaron Hall and Loon on "I Like", the second single from Loon's debut album. Loon told MTV, "[I Like] is a classic Harlem record...I don't know how it appealed to other people, [but] I know what it meant in Harlem. It's very appropriate because it has a vibe that accommodates the whole summer season. On top of that, it's just a crazy record. With Puff putting his two cents in it and Aaron coming in and blessing us, it should be bigger than it was when it came out."

Now...is it just us? Or -- is New Jack Swing truly 4-Ever?

News: 4/25/2003

"PLAY" FROM KID'N'PLAY NOW AT LOS ANGELES RADIO STATION

Christopher "Play" Martin can now be heard between 7am and 9am every Sunday co-hosting the "Rhythm & Gospel" show at Los Angeles radio station Hot 92 Jamz. The best part about it, is you can listen to Hot 92 Jamz online! Click here to visit!

You can also hear the show in St. Louis, MO on 100.3 The Beat (KATZ-FM) between 8:30am and 10:30am; Birmingham, AL on 105.9 WENN between 6:30am and 8:30am, and 1150AM WXRB in St. Petersburg FL between 4pm and 6pm.

News: 4/22/2003

NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY: TLC TO PERFORM FOR LAST TIME *EVER* IN NEW YORK

TLC will give their final live performance during Z100's Zootopia show on June 1. The duo will be performing for the first time without late member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who died in a car crash in Honduras a year ago.

The annual show by the New York radio station will take place at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and will also feature sets by Ja Rule, Ashanti, Ginuwine, Simple Plan, 'NSYNC's JC Chasez, Bowling for Soup, Wayne Wonder, Tanto Metro & Devonte and Daniel Bedingfield.

TLC member Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas told Z100 on Thursday, "It's hard for us [because] next week will be a year that Lisa's been gone. I don't want it to be the end. I wish that we could just go on tour forever, but we can't do it like that. It is going to be a night that we all remember" (see "Thousands Gather To Say Goodbye To Left Eye").

Thomas and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins have not performed a full live show since Left Eye's death. In addition to honoring their late bandmate with "a couple of surprises," the duo will perform tributes to Aaliyah and Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay, according to an Arista Records spokesperson.

As for the duo's future, the Arista spokesperson said a TLC greatest-hits album is being prepared for the fall, possibly with unreleased material, and Thomas is thinking about recording her solo debut. It has not yet been determined whether the duo will record another album under the TLC name.

(adapted from Gil Kaufman/MTV)

News: 4/17/2003

NEW EDITION's "TURNIN ME ON" POSTED AT YAHOO GROUP

During what sounds like an interview on New York's Hot 97, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs introduces "(Stop) Turnin Me On", a first listen at New Edition's upcoming material. The song features lead vocals by Ralph, a sultry bridge by Ronnie, and rap verses by both Mike and Ronnie. You'll have to join the Yahoo Group (NewEditionFanClub) to hear it, because only members have access to the "files" section where the mp3 is posted. Check out the page here!

News: 4/10/2003

"LSG-2" ALBUM TO DROP ON JUNE 17, 2003!

Bad Boy rapper Loon contributes to the lead single from LSG's new album 'LSG-2', called "Just Friends", which samples "Friends" by Whodini. The LSG line-up will consist of Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill. Former Troop producer (and lead singer) Steve Russell will be producing/writing some of the tracks. New Edition's longtime manager and choreographer Brooke Payne is involved with this project as well. Will New Edition and LSG be touring together? Imagine that concert. Visit the official website here

News: 4/7/2003

NJS CONFIDENTIAL: THE RETURN OF HI-FIVE?

In an uncomfirmed report, it has been mentioned that Tony Thompson is finishing up an album as lead singer of the group Hi-Five, perhaps best known for their 1991 smash, "I Like The Way (Kissing Game)". It is not known if the group will consist of any of the original members, but one thing does sound for sure -- Tony is back.

LSG ONLINE

News: 3/11/2003

QUEEN LATIFAH, QUEEN LATIFAH, QUEEN LATIFAH!!!

2003 is shaping up to be quite the year for Queen Latifah, an entertainer who began her career in hip-hop during the New Jack Era. These days, she's an Academy Award Nominee (the film, "Chicago"), a top-billing movie star ("Bringing Down The House"), *and* she has a blazing new single at radio ("Better Than The Rest"). Go Tifah, Go Lati!!!

News: 2/27/2003

VERDICT IS IN: KEITH SWEAT'S NEW LIVE ALBUM IS *GOOD*

Released on February 4th, Keith Sweat's latest disc is from a concert captured at Washington DC's Constitution Hall. You can check out more information about it here

News: 2/15/2003

THE LATEST ON NEW EDITION

In an interview with Lee Bailey's EURweb.com, Ricky Bell says, "[The group’s] been down in South Beach partying, having a good time, and recording the hottest album ever to be recorded in the history of albums being recorded. New Edition is doing it."

For more of this interview, just click here

News: 2/2/2003

H-TOWN LOSES MEMBER IN TRAGIC AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT

By MICHAEL D. CLARK - Copyright 2003 The Houston Chronicle

Keven A. "Dino" Conner, a force in Houston's rhythm and blues scene, died Tuesday (1/28) in an automobile accident. He was 28.

Between the gangsta rap of the Geto Boys and Scarface and the dance bounce of Destiny's Child was the multimillion-album-selling trio who felt so much pride in their hometown they named the group after it: H-Town.

Nine years after the group went national with the hit Knockin' Da Boots and more than five years since its last release, H-Town was preparing to reunite. Those plans are now on hold after Conner's death.

Houston police report that a sports utility vehicle struck a car driven by Teshya Rae Weisent, 22, in which Conner was a passenger. Conner's twin brother and bandmate, Shazam Conner, said Weisent had just picked Dino Conner up from his recording studio. The SUV allegedly ran a red light and struck the vehicle, throwing Conner and Weisent from the car.

Conner died en route to the hospital; Weisent was dead at the scene.

"We had basically just finished recording our new album and were getting ready for an H-Town reunion tour," said Shazam Conner. "We really haven't had time to think about what will happen now."

H-Town got its break in the early '90s after being signed to 2 Live Crew band leader Luther Campbell's Luke record label. It was the only nonrap group Luke carried at the time. Its first album, Fever For Da Flavor, was anchored by the single Knockin' Da Boots.

The song's soulful harmony helped propel it to sales of over 1 million and a rating as the No. 12-selling single of 1993. The clever turn of phrase became synonymous with sex.

The next year, H-Town received a best new R&B artist honors Soul Train Award in 1994 and nominations at the American Music and Billboard Awards. Radio morning show host Mad Hatta at Houston's KBXX, 97.9 FM, The Box became friends with H- Town members in 1993. He said one of the thrills of his career was when the trio thanked him while accepting the award on the televised broadcast.

"They gave me a shout out and I will never forget it because it was my birthday," said Hatta.

H-Town followed up Fever for Da Flavor with 1994's Beggin' After Dark and Ladies Edition. The group also shared space with stars like Snoop Dogg's Dogg Pound on the hip-hop movie soundtrack to Above the Rim, and Brian McKnight on the Addams Family Values soundtrack.

Shazam said H-Town remains one of the most successful groups never signed to a major label, with more than 8 million albums sold worldwide.

Funeral arrangements for Conner are pending. He is survived by a daughter. A candlelight vigil at 9543 South Main is being arranged for Monday night. More details are available on The Box Web site, KBXX

News: 1/19/2003

R. KELLY GREETED WITH LOVE BY THOUSANDS AT NYC's POWER 105 CONCERT

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — R. Kelly sings to the heavens about needing a hug and on Thursday night he was embraced.

The legally troubled crooner was showered with love by the thousands that flooded the Continental Arena for the Powerhouse, the first big concert put on by New York radio station 105.1.

At the top of the show when the evening's scheduled performers — including Nas, Ja Rule and Fat Joe — were announced, an eruption of cheers echoed throughout the arena, so it was no surprise when the sentiments carried over during the introduction of Kelly's first major arena performance since his arrest in June on child pornography charges (see "R. Kelly Arrested On 21 Counts Of Child Pornography").

Kelly — who returns to record stores on January 28 and to court on February 7 — didn't start onstage when the spotlights first hit him. He stood out in the crowd, silent for a few seconds while the people cheered. From the look on his face, the reaction almost drove the singer to tears.

"We thuggin', rollin' on dubs," he stiffly began to sing, waving his hands, trying to keep his composure. He then left the stands, and Fat Joe, who performed earlier in the night, returned to the stage to rap his Kelly-assisted hit, "We Thuggin'."

"I got four honeys in the drop," Kelly continued, now onstage with Joe. The two hugged at the end of the song and the fat gangsta left with a few words of encouragement: "Give it up for the R. That's my muthaf---in' n---a!"

Kelly then took a boom box and sat at the front of the stage with his legs dangling off. He thanked the crowd for their support and fought back tears. "I wanna try something different tonight," he said, collecting himself.

For the next several minutes, Kelly teased the crowd. He turned the dial on the radio until he arrived at a station playing one of his jams. The audience would hear and sing a few seconds of "Honey Love," "Sex Me," "Bump 'N Grind" and "Slow Dance" until Kelly stopped at "It Seems Like You're Ready" and actually sang a verse.

He briefly let the crowd sing "12 Play" and later a brief part of "Your Body's Calling." When the audience sang the chorus to "F---in' You Tonight," Kelly began to chuckle before once again turning the station.

More teasing would come as Kelly scrolled through his catalog on the boom box. When he arrived at "Feelin' on Yo Booty," people urged him to sing, but he playfully mouthed the words, "I can't do that," and made the cut motion with his finger going across his neck. He then pointed toward the backstage area with his thumb as if someone told him the song was taboo.

R. finally performed a whole song for his finale, the party-friendly remix to "Ignition." "Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce," he sang, now walking around with his mic and boom box. Before he left, Kelly used the radio one last time, playing snippets of tracks from his dead peers including Left Eye, Marvin Gaye and Big Pun. He quickly exited the stage while "Heaven I Need a Hug" played.

Kelly wasn't the only industry heavyweight who's had recent problems with the law to turn up for the show. Irv Gotti made his first appearance at a public event since the offices of Murder Inc. were raided a couple of weeks ago by the NYPD and federal agents (see "Drugs, Friends & Allegations: Inside The Murder Inc. Raid"). He did not address his problems as he accompanied Ja Rule and Ashanti onstage for their performances.

In fact, Gotti showed no signs of having any problems, yelling "I love my f---in' job," towards the end of the Inc.'s show, which capped off with "Mesmerize."

The night ended with surprise guest spots. Headliner Nas, who performed street bangers like "Ether," brought out Jadakiss and Ludacris for the remix of "Made You Look." AZ had joined his former partner in the Firm earlier.

Other surprises at Powerhouse were Erick Sermon bringing out his partner in EPMD, Parrish Smith, along with Redman, Method Man, Keith Murray and the long lost K-Solo. An old-school set was also featured. Along with Doug E. Fresh, who was on the bill, Greg Nice, Big Daddy Kane, and Dres from Black Sheep gave surprise performances.

Notable in her absence, though, was Eve, who had been scheduled to play the concert. No reason was given for her departure from the bill.

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BOBBY BROWN SENTENCED TO EIGHT DAYS IN THE SLAMMER

DECATUR, GA - Bobby Brown was sentenced to eight days in jail for 1996 drunk driving charges on Friday after he turned himself in to authorities in Georgia.

A warrant for his arrest was issued earlier this week when he skipped a court appointment to go to the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Monday (see "Warrant Issued After Bobby Brown Skips Court For AMAs"). After surrendering himself, the R&B singer pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and speeding and was sentenced to eight days in Dekalb County Jail, 240 hours of community service, $2,000 in fines and $800 in court costs.

State Court Judge Wayne M. Purdom also ordered Brown to get counseling and suspended his driver's license for a year. Brown, who will be on probation for two years, was immediately taken into custody.

Brown had been ordered not to leave Georgia while awaiting trial on the charges, making his televised appearance at the American Music Awards a violation of his bond.

"Mr. Brown, you can't know from your position how tempting it is in this case to just throw the book at you," Purdom said, according to wire service reports.

"It could have been a lot worse," defense attorney Xavier Dicks said. "He was facing four years."

It still may get worse. Brown faces charges of marijuana possession, speeding and driving without a license or proof of insurance following a November 7 arrest in Atlanta (see "Bobby Brown Arrested For Drug Possession, Speeding"). Authorities realized after that arrest that the singer's earlier case had fallen through the cracks when he failed to appear in court.

News: 1/17/2003

VH1 GOES INSIDE: THE ARSENIO HALL SHOW

This hour-long documentary is sure to be a trip down memory lane! Here are the showtimes, on Vh1:

Friday, January 17, 2003 2/1c AM

Friday, January 17, 2003 5/4c PM

Saturday, January 18, 2003 12/11c AM

Sunday, January 19, 2003 1/12c AM

Sunday, January 19, 2003 12/11c PM

Sunday, January 19, 2003 9/8c PM

Wednesday, January 22, 2003 2/1c PM

Monday, January 27, 2003 2/1c AM

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MC LYTE IS BACK IN EFFECT!!!

On radio stations across the U.S., MC Lyte's latest single "Ride Wit Me" has been receiving airplay. To catch up with the trailblazing female MC who brought us "Cha Cha Cha", "Poor Georgie" and the now classic "Paper Thin" (as well as "Keep On Keepin' On" and "Cold Rock A Party"), hop on over to her official site!

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BOBBY BROWN: THE SAGA CONTINUES

DECATUR, Ga. - A bench warrant was issued in DeKalb County for the arrest of R&B singer Bobby Brown after he failed to appear in court.

State Court Judge Wayne M. Purdom said Brown's performance Monday night at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles showed he violated his bond. Brown, whose wife is singer Whitney Houston, had been ordered not to leave Georgia.

He was required to appear in court Monday by conditional bond orders issued Nov. 12 and Nov 15, when Brown was in court to face 6-year-old charges of driving under the influence, no proof of insurance, failure to maintain lane and speeding.

Brown's attorney, Xavier Dicks, said he expected his client would turn himself in Friday. He said Brown went to Los Angeles because he was under contract to perform at the awards show.

"When you are an entertainer, you've got to perform sooner or later," Dicks said.

Brown was arrested Nov. 7 in Atlanta on charges of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana, speeding and having no driver's license or proof of insurance. After posting bond in Atlanta, the 33-year-old was transferred to the neighboring DeKalb County Jail to face the older charges. He was then released on $10,000 bond.

News: 1/10/2003

NEW JACK ERA PERSONALITIES BACK ON TV?

On the UPN Network (Tuesdays @ 9pm/8 central), Kadeem "Dwayne Wayne" Hardison is back on television on the sitcom 'Abby'. On the WB (Thursdays @ 9pm/8 central), MC Hammer is one of a cast of ex-stars who have been picked to live in a house in this wild experiment of a reality show called 'The Surreal World'. And, on CBS, Arsenio Hall is hosting the new Star Search (check listings). With the return of New Edition, and a rumored Time Life compilation, could 2003 be the year of New Jack Nostalgia?

News: 1/5/2003

Njs4ever - CONFIDENTIAL:

Editor's note: we're going to try something new here. If someone objects, we will no longer do this.

Njs Confidential #1: THE RETURN OF L.S.G.

Njs4ever has been informed that [Gerald] Levert- [Keith] Sweat- [Johnny] Gill, better known as L.S.G. will be returning at some point in the not-so-distant future, with an additional member: Sean Levert! So the former trio will now be a quartet.

L.S.G's biggest hit was 1997's "My Body" which was released on the heals of New Edition's 'Home Again' and Keith Sweat's ultra-successful 1996 album. "Curious" was another notable L.S.G. hit (and Midnight Star remake) which featured raps by LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes and MC Lyte.

Njs Confidential #2: NEW EDITION RECORDING IN MIAMI

In order to get the right vibe, the group is recording in Miami with Mario "Yellow Man" Winans (the production whiz behind 112's "Peaches & Cream" and Benzino's "Rock The Pary") and Vidal who has produced for both Glenn Lewis and Musiq. By the sound of things, New Edition's Bad Boy debut is going to be pretty impressive!

Njs Confidential #3: POST NEW JACK ERA ACT H-TOWN TO RETURN

H-Town recently made an appearance on Lousiana's KBTT-FM to promote their new work. It sounds like things are coming together for the group who gave us the now classic "Knockin Da Boots".

So that's the pilot installment of Njs4ever -CONFIDENTIAL. We'd sincerely appreaciate any and all feedback about this feature here

News: 12/28/2002

BLACKSTREET SET TO RELEASE 'LEVEL II' ON FEBRUARY 11, 2003

Blackstreet (officiall written BLACKstreet) is back, with the line-up from 1996's 'Another Level' album; that is, Chauncey "Black" Hannibal, Eric Williams, Mark Middleton, and of course, Teddy "Street" Riley. Of the past three albums Blackstreet released during the 1990s, it was 'Another Level' which performed the best, selling four million copies buoyed by the singles "No Diggity" and "Don't Leave Me".

This past fall, Blackstreet returned with "Wizzy Wow", a unique uptempo that featured a rap by Mystikal. The quartet has followed up with "Deep", a ballad currently receiving airplay at radio stations across the United States.

Editor's Note: if your radio station call letters start with a "W" (i.e. WGCI or WWPR), you're more likely to hear it since the Western stations (which start with a K, i.e. KPWR, KKBT) are reacting more slowly to the song.

For all the latest on BLACKstreet, check out their official site here

News: 12/7/2002

FORMER NEW KID JORDAN KNIGHT COVERS "TENDER LOVE" BY THE FORCE MDs

Although Jordan Knight is no longer signed to a major label, his sophomore album is still going to be released from his website (www.jordanknight.com) featuring production work by legends Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The first single from Jordan's album will be "Tender Love", a remake of the Force MDs 1986 classic that was featured in the Def Jam film 'Krush Groove'. The B-side to Jordan's single will be "Right Here Waiting", a cover of Richard Marx's uber-successful summer ballad of 1989. Currently, the song is receiving airplay on New York's Z100.

RAPPER FAT JOE's "ALL I NEED" PAYS TRIBUTE TO NEW EDITION

On Fat Joe's latest single, the lines "cuz I need somebody who will stand by me, through the good times, and bad times, she will always..." are sung (from 'Can You Stand The Rain') at the end of the song. Way to go Joe!

Editor's Note: This isn't the first Fat Joe/New Edition connection. Back in '97, Fat Joe appeared on an alternate Bad Boy remix of "You Don't Have To Worry" from New Edition's 'Home Again' campaign...

News: 10/22/2002

NEW EDITION REUNITES FOR ALBUM, TOUR

Reuters Tuesday, October 22, 2002; 5:22 AM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - New Edition, the first group to popularize the fusion of pop, R&B and hip-hop known as "New Jack Swing" plans to release its first album in seven years early next year, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy record label announced on Monday.

The group parted ways in 1987, but reunited to put out the 1996 album "Home Again," which made it to Number 1 on the R&B charts.

The group's smooth falsetto sound spawned hits like "Candy Girl," "Mr. Telephone Man" and "Cool It Now" and established them as the kings of black bubblegum rock in the 1980s.

Their stratospheric success, especially among teen-age girls, prompted music studios to try to replicate them with clones like the Backstreet Boys, Boyz II Men and New Kids on the Block.

The reconstituted New Edition, minus Bobby Brown, plans a 2003 tour, album and a bio-pic to celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Candy Girl," the 1983 hit that made stars of the boys from the Boston projects who began singing together for pocket money. The record for Combs was expected to be out in next spring. Further details were not disclosed.

The members of New Edition -- Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant -- sold a combined 31 million albums as soloists and bandmates and laid the foundation for the musical style called "New Jack Swing."

News: 10/13/2002

NEW EDITION IN TALKS TO SIGN WITH P.DIDDY'S 'BAD BOY' RECORDS

by Shaheem Reid

If P. Diddy's going to make a new addition to his Bad Boy family, why not choose New Edition?

A source at Bad Boy and sources close to the legendary group, which includes Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, Johnny Gill and Ricky Bell, say the guys have been in talks to sign with Puff.

While nothing is finalized yet, a few weeks ago, fresh off a stint on the New Edition tour (see "New Edition Warm Up For Anniversary With Family Reunion"), Johnny Gill said that P.D. will in fact be contributing tracks to the group's 20th anniversary LP, which is slated for release next year.

"We're going to be working with Puffy on the album," Gill revealed. "He's helping get the album together. He just came out to several of the shows. He's such a big fan. I looked around and saw him at a few shows. He said, 'I saw you guys and, excuse my expression, but y'all got me acting like a bitch. I'm here to take notes.' "


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