July 2, 2007

Rhythm & Bible

New school soul singer Anthony Hamilton is carving out quite a niche for himself. Just when folks thought the music business had abandoned real music for one-hit-wonder rappers, Hamilton hit the scene with his platinum-selling, major label debut 'Comin' from Where I'm From' and offered new hope.

Since then, the 36-year-old R&B belter has become so popular that production companies he once worked with are releasing material he recorded years ago. "They put out one called 'Southern Comfort' that I aint really get behind. You can buy it if you want to. It aint really my new album, so don't let them fool you," the pint-sized soul powerhouse told me.

'Southern Comfort' was released April 3, by Merovingian Records. In 2005, Rhino Records released 'Soulife,' a compilation of songs that Hamilton recorded for a production company named after the CD's title that was responsible for releasing Sunshine Anderson's first album. "Every time I put out an album they sneak out some old work on me," the singer laughed. "It keeps my name out there, but don't let them fool you into believing it's my new album. I'm working on that now." Hamilton is aiming to have that ready by September.

In the meantime, the Charlotte, N.C.-bred singer, who was introduced to the mainstream when he sang the infectious hook on Nappy Roots' 2002 hit "Po' Folks," can be heard on gospel singer J. Moss's sophomore album, 'V2…The J. Moss Project,' on a track called "I'm Not Perfect." Hamilton, who speaks openly about being reared in church, said he enjoyed collaborating with Moss on the record. "It was great. It felt like it fit. I've been in church all my life. J. Moss, he laughs and sings like any other person. Church people aint no different," he said, before adding: "It was great though. I am going to work with John P. Kee. We're both from Charlotte, NC. He wrote the song but we got to get time to get in the studio to do it."

The singer's wife Tarsha McMillian is readying her solo gospel debut, 'The McMillan Story.' Hamilton has been having his wife showcase her first single, 'Second 2 Nothing' during his live show and the song has been well received by his fans. "It's really been a great unexpected experience. We're definitely going to get it right out," he expressed.

Hamilton also revealed that he will be featured on a duet on Keyshia Cole's sophomore album, and he just wrote a song that country singer Josh Turner plans to record. "I'm about to go in and do some business with some of these other singers," Hamilton shared.

The personable crooner is transitioning into Hollywood as well, making his acting debut in Ridley Scott's film 'American Gangster,' opposite Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, rapper T.I. andCuba Gooding Jr. The movie hits theaters Nov. 7.

Weight Watcher

Actress AJ Johnson may be best known for her film roles in movies like 'Baby Boy,' 'The Inkwell,' 'House Party,' 'School Daze' and 'Sister Act,' but now as a fitness guru, Johnson has helped whip some of the biggest names in show business into shape. From Destiny's Child and Gabrielle Union, to Tisha Campbell-Martin and athletes such as Terrell Owens and Roy Williams, Johnson's The AJ Zone has become a program of choice for entertainers and sports figures across the board.

The 43-year-old talent, who's full name is Adrienne-Joi Johnson, is now a multicultural advisor for GlaxoSmithKline and their new emphasis on health and fitness lifestyles in the African-American community. "Let's face it, as African-Americans our eating styles and our cooking styles…there's some good food! Come on, I like macaroni and cheese, collard greens, sweet potato pie and all of that. We cook with a lot of fat. That's what's got our heart disease rates high and got our diabetes rates high. So as we learn to cook healthier and eat healthier, we can save our lives from those fatal diseases," she explained.

Joining forces with GSK in January, Johnson is helping the company to promote its new weight loss program Alli, the only FDA approved, over-the-counter weight loss product. "I'm trying to get the word out to our people that its time to get healthy and there's a way to do it. Not only is there a company there to help you do it, but there's a product there that can help you do it called Alli," she offered. "Alli is not a replacement; it's an addition to a healthy living regime that's going to change the face of weight loss and healthy living and weight management. It's really, really amazing to me. I've been living a healthy lifestyle and it's an ongoing journey for most people including me."

What exactly is Alli? "Alli is a fat block," she enlightened. "One of our enemies in a bad nutritional program is the intake of fat. One of the bad things in even trying to live a healthy lifestyle is not knowing how to control your fat intake. What Alli does is blocks 25% of the fat absorption within the food you take in. It still has to be a low calorie, low carb diet and a good fitness regime. Healthy living means total healthy living. When I say healthy living, I mean healthy mind, healthy spirit, good nutritional program and consistent physical regime."

There's always concern about the side affects of any weight loss pill or dietary program, but Johnson proclaims there are no worries with Alli. "Alli is a healthy living program; it's not just a product. It's not just a pill. Alli is such a positive situation that when you do it correctly, there is no side affects," she exclaimed.

While Johnson has worked with some top entertainers privately and hosted fitness programs like VH1's 'From Flab to Fab' and WE TV's 'Savvy,' is there anybody else that she'd love to work her fitness magic on? "Oprah Winfrey," she said instantaneously. "I can't wait! And God's going to bless us at The AJ Zone to get her for even six to eight weeks. Because again, what I see is too much fluctuation, which says to me, not a deep enough commitment. To me, Oprah is no different than a woman who got a weight problem walking down the street. A weight issue is a weight issue no matter how much money you have or how much you're on TV. A fluctuating weight issue says to me, you need my help for a deeper commitment."

Buzzworthy

Former talk show host Rolonda Watts, now a radio personality on the nationally syndicated, all-women network GreenStone Media, has pulled a Demi Moore. The 40-something fox is dating 28-year-old Washington Redskin wide receiver Ataveus Cash. The two apparently met in February when Watts was in Washington, DC doing a performance of 'The Vagina Monologues.' The couple was spotted partying together during events associated with the BET Awards. Watts once dated my childhood idol, R&B singer Al B. Sure, and has been linked to actor Henry Simmons ('N.Y.P.D. Blue').

Actress Elise Neal will play Anthony Anderson's wife in the forthcoming Fox drama, 'K-Ville.' The series is about law enforcement officers trying to deal with crime in a post-Katrina New Orleans. Neal also stars in the upcoming DVD release, '4Life,' opposite Wood Harris. That film hits stores July 3.

Disregard those internet rumors that 'Deal or No Deal' briefcase model Claudia Jordan is dating Sean "Diddy" Combs. It’s a completely fabricated tale. "There is absolutely no truth to those reports. I approached him at the BET Awards and asked to take some pictures because I respect what he does. He was very nice, we took the pictures and I posted them on MySpace with lots of other pictures from the show. I’m disappointed that someone would lift the pictures off my page and just lie like that," Jordan told me. In real Jordan news, the former 'The Price is Right' Barker Beauty is currently featured on the cover of Heart & Soul magazine and on BET’s sports series, 'Ballers,' alongside John Salley and Guy Torry.

Could female boxer Laila Ali be the next Food Network star? Well if the daughter of Muhammad Ali, and 'Dancing with the Stars' finalist, had her way she certainly would work her culinary magic on television. "My show would feature healthy food with fresh ingredients that taste great. My family is from Louisiana, so I do home-style food with a healthy twist - anything unnecessary, like butter, I take out of the recipe," she said in an interview. The 29-year-old self-taught cook is featured in a documentary called 'Daddy's Girl,' which is currently airing on TV One.

Buzz Picks

Since summer has arrived, check out the things that have me buzzing!

Hot Ride - Even in a gas-conscience time, the luxury offered in the 2007 GMC Yukon Denali is worth the extra price at the pump. The spacious S.U.V. is large enough to haul around your entire starting lineup, though easy to park in average parking lots and manageable in underground and overhead parking structures. The third-row seats, the 6.2-liter small block Vortec V-8 engine, XM Radio and all of GM's signature bells and whistles makes the 2007 GMC Yukon Denali worth its $50,000 price tag.

Hot Shades - Gucci's 1827 shades have become a staple among music's elite. Whether the white frames with brown gradient or the black frames with grey gradient, these shades are wearable on most faces and often make an easy transition from daytime to nighttime. Even actor Charles Dutton hit up the Solstice Canal Place in New Orleans to cop some Gucci shades last week.

Hot Sounds - Carl Thomas was Carl Thomas before John Legend was the new Carl Thomas. Nonetheless, Thomas is back with his third CD, 'So Much Better,' that features cameos by Lalah Hathaway, Brandy, Dave Hollister, Baby Cham and E-40. While Thomas will likely never top his classic debut, 'Emotional,' the new album offers grown and sexy grooves and ballads perfect for summertime.

Can't Say Names…

Sources say that a rap star supposedly committed to his equally popular girlfriend was spotted at a Los Angeles hotel looking quite cozy with the breakout star of a pop collective. Onlookers were surprised by how openly affectionate the pair were, particularly since said hip-hopper is rumored to be engaged to his longtime love.