Posts made in May 2025

Saturday , June 28, 2025 @ 6:30PM

Prudential Arena, 25 Lafayette St,
Newark, New Jersey 07102

Prepare for an unforgettable night when hip hop royalty takes over Prudential Center on June 28 for Rock the Bells Class of 2025: Summer’s Kool. The Rock the Bells Festival, presented by LL COOL J and the Black Promoters Collective, brings together the most legendary voices in rap history for one explosive celebration of culture, community and timeless music. This isn’t just a concert — it’s a cultural movement that bridges generations through the power of hip hop.

The stage will ignite with performances from rap icons who defined eras and continue to shape the culture today. Witness East Coast legends like the electrifying Busta Rhymes and lyrical master Redman trade bars with West Coast pioneer Too $hort and Houston’s storytelling king Scarface. Feel the raw energy as Remy Ma commands the mic while Fabolous delivers his signature smooth flow, all backed by the legendary DJ Kid Capri on the decks.

This year’s festival makes history with the first-ever Uptown Records Celebration, curated by DJ Eddie F. Experience the smooth R&B and hip hop sounds that made Uptown Records legendary, featuring unforgettable performances by Al B. Sure!, Donell Jones, Christopher Williams and more.

It’s a rare opportunity to see these influential artists reunite for one magical night.

From the golden era to today’s sounds, the lineup spans hip hop’s historic evolution:

East Coast powerhouses: KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Lil Mo and the reunion of State Property
Southern rap kings: Boosie and Plies bring their unfiltered truth
Classic duos: Eric B. & Rakim and Capone-N-Noreaga back together
New school lyricists: Coast Contra and M.O.P. representing the new generation

Hosted by rap pioneer Roxanne Shante, this is more than a concert — it’s a hip hop experience that will have the entire Prudential Center moving as one. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic event!

In Perry’s first comedy series on Netflix, Terri J. Vaughn stars as a politician who wins her election — and then realizes her new job will involve a lot more than what she originally signed up for. The 16 episodes in Season 1 will premiere in two batches. Part 1 will debut May 22, with Part 2 releasing Aug. 14.

She the People is the second series under Perry’s multi-year first-look creative partnership with Netflix, which sees him write, produce, and direct films, series, and faith-based features. Perry’s latest film, The Six Triple Eight, became his most viewed film on Netflix in its first four weeks of streaming, and the release boosted viewing for his other films by 45 percent.

She the People will premiere on the heels of hit drama Beauty in Black Part 1 reaching #1 on the Global Top 10 TV List (English) after its debut in Oct. 2024.

Learn everything you need to know about the upcoming comedy, below:

What is She the People about?
The series follows politician Antoinette Dunkerson (Vaughn), whom we first meet during her campaign for Lieutenant Governor. After she wins her election, she must figure out how to thrive under a sexist and condescending governor, while attempting to keep her family in line now that they’re all in the public eye.

Who is in the She the People cast?
The She the People cast features some familiar faces from the Tyler Perry universe, including Vaughn (Daddy’s Little Girls) and Jo Marie Payton (Meet the Browns), along with newcomers like Jade Novah (That’s My Jam), Drew Olivia Tillman (This Is Us), Tré Boyd (House of Payne), and Dyon Brooks (A Naughty Christmess Story).

Who is the creative team behind She the People?
Perry is the writer, director, and producer of She the People. Niya Palmer is co-creator of the series with Perry. Palmer, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and star Vaughn executive produce. Bottoms, formerly the mayor of Atlanta and an adviser to President Biden, brings her political experience to the project. Angi Bones and Tony L. Strickland will also produce for Tyler Perry Studios.

What is the release date for She the People?
She the People will be sworn in this year. The first eight episodes will premiere on May 22. The next eight will drop on Aug. 14. Only on Netflix.

Double XXposure Media Relations
201 224 6570
angelo@newarkbacktogetheragain.com

Grammy legends Kool & the Gang, with longtime leader/co-founder Robert Kool Bell, earned many accolades over the past year. This includes the band’s long overdue induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Class of 2024) as well as being recognized as the most sampled band in the fifty-plus years of Hip Hop. Classics such as “Jungle Boogie”, “Hollywood Swinging”, “Summer Madness”, “Ladies Night”, “Get Down On It” and the number one smash “Celebration”, are stellar examples from Kool & the Gang’s massive catalog.

This summer, the Bell family (Kool, along with sons Hakim Bell and Muhammad Bell) are hosting two events, both in honor of Sakinah Bell, Kool’s departed wife. 

The 2nd Annual First Lady  Awards Brunch will take place on Saturday, July 12th, 2025, 12 noon ET, at the Highlawn, 1 Crest Drive, West Orange, NJ. This event will recognize and honor women who have made major contributions to the worlds of entrepreneurship, non-profit work, community leadership and the arts.

WPIX-TV newswoman Monica Morales and singer/songwriter Latrice Verrett will co-host. The brunch is sponsored by Le Kool champagne, Robert Kool Bell’s line of grand cru spirits. 

On Tuesday, July 15th, 2025, at 1 pm, the sixth annual Kool Kids Foundation Golf Tournament will be held at the Cedar Hill Country Club, 100 Walnut Street, Livingston NJ. This yearly event has drawn many celebrities from the worlds of entertainment and sports. Comedian Chris Tucker and football great O.J. Anderson will co-host the fundraiser with hip-hop greats Ja Rule and Naughty By Nature’s Vinnie Brown in attendance, among others.

In years past, the Golf Tournament has raised funds for the Kool Kids Foundation, a non-profit 501c3 co-founded by Kool and Sakinah, whose mission is to provide both financial support and musical instruments for kids in school. Organizations such as the Glenfield Middle School PTA and the Malcolm X Shabazz High School marching band have received grants from the Kool Kids Foundation to help both groups continue their music education initiatives for youth.

For more information regarding the Kool Kids Foundation, go to www.koolkidsfoundation.org  

For interview inquiries, contact Double XXposure – angelo@dxxnyc.com  

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 12, 2025) – The legendary rock band FOREIGNER is paying tribute to its Latin fans with the Spanish-language release of its most beloved hit with “Quiero Saber Si Es Amor.” The emotional duet is a powerful reimagining of this chart topping classic, “I Want To Know What Love Is.” This iconic duet features Luis Maldonado, FOREIGNER’s own guitarist and vocalist, alongside acclaimed Mexican singer-songwriter Joy Huerta of the GRAMMY award-winning duo Jesse & Joy, set for release on May 15, 2025 on Rhino. Fans can pre-save the track HERE.

The single will be released in two versions — one entirely in Spanish and a bilingual Spanish-English edition — markingFOREIGNER’s first official foray into Spanish-language recordings. The release comes as the band just wrapped its 2025 South American tour, which included stops in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and beyond.

The Spanish adaptation of “Quiero Saber Si Es Amor” was created in collaboration with Warner Chappell Music songwriter and Chilean music producer Cris Zalles. His creativity was key in preserving the song’s original sentiment while adding a fresh flair that will resonate with Spanish-speaking audiences.

“We have been embraced by our Latino fans for decades,” said guitarist and vocalist Luis Maldonado. “Recording these songs in Spanish is our way of thanking them and sharing the music in a more intimate and personal way.”

Joy Huerta recalls a moment in the studio with FOREIGNER founding member, songwriter, and producer Mick Jones. She asked Jones, “What is love?” to which Jones replied, “Love is a sentiment – and so much more.” She adds, “That moment speaks deeply to Latinos, and for me – having grown up with this song – recording it now with FOREIGNER in my own language is truly incredible.”

Joy Huerta was just named as the first Mexican woman to be nominated for the 2025 Tony Award for Best Original Score for her work on “Real Women Have Curves: The Musical,” currently playing at the James Earl Jones Theatre on Broadway. With “Quiero Saber Si Es Amor,” Huerta brings her powerhouse vocals to the collaboration, blending seamlessly with Maldonado’s breathtaking performance.

With nearly five decades of chart-topping hits and global tours, Foreigner continues to evolve and embrace new generations and audiences. This latest release signals an exciting new chapter in the band’s storied career—one that’s deeply rooted in global connection and musical innovation.

Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Feels Like The First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Say You Will,” and the worldwide #1 hit and member of Spotify’s exclusive Billions Club, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” Rock & Roll Hall of Famers FOREIGNER still rock the charts almost 50 years into the game with massive airplay and continued Billboard “Top 200” album success. Streams of FOREIGNER’s hits are over 15 million per week.

For more information on FOREIGNER, please visit www.foreigneronline.com