There is more to this artist than his amazing voice and mesmerizing dance moves.  Aside from recording Usher has established his own record label entitled US Records; which served as an instrumental part of launching a career for Justin Bieber.  Furthermore, he is part owner of the Cleveland Cavilers franchise and has opened several restaurants in addition to launching a successful line of cologne.  In his efforts of giving back, Usher founded New Look, a non-profit charity organization which aims to "provide young people with a new look on life through education and real-world experience".


Overall, there is not much that this artist cannot accomplish.  Usher has left his mark in the world of music and has reached a level where there is no longer a need for an introduction.  Usher possesses  an undeniable talent that despite any media hype regarding his personal life…his music, his drive, his entrepreneurial spirit pulls one in every time. Usher's set to release the follow up to Raymond v. Raymond with his EP titled VERSUS on August 24th 2010.  Power Up in Usher Raymond IV world at: http://www.usherworld.com/  ~Report by Quiana Hughes

N.E.R.D Hot and Fun lyrics N.E.R.D. are back in 2010

N.E.R.D.’s upcoming fourth album, is that it depicts what we believe to be Pharrell Williams’ everyday life: he rolls through the desert in a psychedelic Rolls Royce Phantom, picking up more or less topless hitchhikers, watching cartoons float by AND THE BEAT GOES ON..

The Lottery Ticket release date August 20th

Kevin Carson (Bow Wow), a young man living in the projects, wins $370 million in a nationwide lottery. When his opportunistic neighbors discover he has the winning ticket in his possession, Kevin must survive their greedy and sometimes even threatening actions over a three-day holiday weekend before he can claim his prize. Cast include: Bow Wow, Ice Cube, Brandon T. Jackson, Natari Naughton, Keith David Loretta Devine

Copyright © 2010 The Power Player Lifestyle Magazine, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Film Critic Reviews: The Independents & Major Studios

Film Reviews

The Power Player Lifestyle news team gives you the run down report on what’s hot, powerful and films you gotta see each month. Share your films  lets tell your story.

The power player music spotlight this month is awarded to the entertainer who introduced the world to hits such as “Nice & Slow”, “You Make Me Wanna”, “Yeah”, “Confessions”,” OMG” and his latest single “There Goes My Baby.”  Usher Raymond IV is a well known international superstar with over 15 years in the entertainment industry.  Usher did not launch his career doing things his way instead he released his self-titled debut album in 1994 and it wasn’t the breakthrough climb to the top of the charts as Usher and LaFace Records had projected.   Usher went back to the drawing board and really discovered his niche in the industry with the assistance of Atlanta's hottest producer Jermaine Dupri.

I fell in love with Usher as a teenager after seeing the “Nice & Slow” video.  As I'm sure other young girls did as well as we sang out "They call me U-S-H-E-R R-AY-M-O-N-D..." Usher’s second album My Way earned him his first number one single on the Billboard charts Hot 100 for “Nice & Slow”, his first Grammy award, “You Make Me Wanna” and the start of Usher fandemonium.  Since 1997 Usher has continued to release hit albums after another with releases such as 8701, Confessions, Here I Stand, and most recently Raymond v. Raymond.  Usher’s latest single, “OMG”, has became his ninth number one in the United States, making him the first  artist this year to collect number one singles in three consecutive decades, and only the fourth artist of all-time to achieve such success. Usher also became the third artist to have at least one number one song from five consecutive studio albums.  How could any lover of music not like this guy?

Lights, Camera, Action: Great Films To Watch This August Power-Up!

The Expendables release date August 13th

"The Expendables" follows a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator. Once the mission begins, the men realize things aren’t quite as they appear, finding themselves caught in a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal. Cast Include: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke and Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Switch release date August 20th

A neurotic and insecure man finds out his best friend wants to have a child through artificial insemination. He surreptitiously replaces her donor's semen with his own and is then forced to live with the secret that he is the child's real father. Cast include: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Jeff Goldblum and  Patrick Wilson

Takers release date August 27th

"Takers" takes you into the world of a notorious group of criminals (Idris Elba, Paul Walker, T.I., Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen and Michael Ealy) who continue to baffle police by pulling off perfectly executed bank robberies. They are in and out like clockwork, leaving no evidence behind and laying low between heists. But when they attempt to pull off one last job with more money at stake than ever before, the crew may find their plans interrupted by a hardened detective (Matt Dillon) who is hell-bent on solving the case. Cast include: Idris Elba, Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Hayden Christensen, Chris Brown and Michael Ealy.

Going the Distance release date August 27th

Erin and Garrett are good together--even when they're apart. When aspiring journalist Erin (Drew Barrymore) moves to San Francisco to finish her last year of school, boyfriend Garrett (Justin Long), an assistant music scout, stays in Manhattan to pursue his ambitions and wait on that promotion he's been promised. With a webcam connection and frequent flier miles, the two gamely navigate the pitfalls and miscommunications of their bi-coastal romance, dodging bad advice from friends and some predatory singles who won't take "taken" for an answer. But when it seems their wait is almost over, Erin scores her dream job in California just as Garrett's career heats up in New York. The big breaks they've been hoping for could break them up for good...unless their love can truly go the distance. Cast includes: Justin Long, Drew Barrymore, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Christina Applegate and Ron Livingston

INDIEFLIX INTRODUCES FILM FESTIVAL IN A BOX

“It’s All About You PR” works with corporate business professionals, entertainment industry talent, Filmmakers, Designers, Artist, Philanthropists, Athletes and corporations to support their publicity outreach, brand marketing and event planning need daily. Our clients have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Entrepreneur Magazine, ABC Business News, NBC Today Show, CBS News, New York Times, PEOPLE magazine, Mo’Nique Show, Tavis Smiley Show, Essence and numerous notable talk radio shows, print publications and talk shows worldwide. Visit It’s All About You PR at www.Itsallaboutyoupr.com  get ready to POWER-UP and be publicized worldwide.

The Power of Entertainment Publicity, Take Action Power-Up!

USHER RAYMOND IV…Entertainer, Philanthropist, and Entrepreneur

Ballad of the Black Gold

Inspired by their critically-acclaimed reunion album Revolutions Per Minute, director Sam Ellison has crafted a strikingly powerful visual to accompany Reflection Eternal's (Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek's) "Ballad of the Black Gold."  This candidly critical indictment of the oil industry could not have come at a more appropriate time in the wake of BP's disaster in the Gulf Coast that, 80 days later, has yet to be completely resolved. Please join us in the discussion. "Ballad of the Black Gold": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryFMKYNJeTM - Music report by Warner Bros. Records PR department

IndieFlix is proud to launch our newest distribution platform, Film Festival in a Box! Announced at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, Film Festival in a Box is a bit like American Idol meets the film industry.


In an effort to create more revenue for filmmakers, Film Festival in a Box (FFB) is a social gaming platform that connects people through movies. FFB is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for filmmakers: Get your film into thousands of homes and let your audience be the jury.

With a wide variety of categories and genres, FFB promises to deliver the highest quality short films screened at festivals around the world. The filmmaker gets direct contact with their audience, exposure, and a new revenue stream to support their future success. We invite you to join the party, and play the game: Film Festival In A Box!


Players watch four short films and serve as a jury to determine which film should win “best of the fest in the box.” You announce the winning film online (promoting the film) and get a “virtual goodie bag” of free or discounted “swag” and that’s just the beginning, there’s so much more. Festival in A Box is currently available at www.Indieflix.com - drugstore.com and stores such as Fred Segal and NubeGreen for $14.99.

JASON MRAZ HITS THE HIGHWAY FOR FALL TOUR

“When I found out I had some time off, I called up the band and said, ‘Let’s get to some of these places.’”  Support for most dates on the trek will come from acclaimed singer/songwriter – and fellow Atlantic recording artist – Robert Francis.  Also Christina Perri, whose song “Jar of Hearts” has created a national stir, will appear on a few select dates.


Throughout his career, Mraz has received praise as a consummate live performer. From his earliest days in the coffee shops of San Diego to his recent sold-out performance at the Hollywood Bowl, Mraz’s live show has always been a testament of his true musical chops.  Earlier this year, Mraz took home Grammy Awards for both “Best Male Pop Vocal Performance” (for “Make It Mine”) and “Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals,” honoring his alliance with Colbie Caillat, “Lucky.”  Both tracks are featured on 2008’s RIAA platinum-certified “WE SING. WE DANCE. WE STEAL THINGS.”


The album’s first single, “I’m Yours,” proved a momentous #1 smash, earning ASCAP’s 2010 “Song of the Year” award at their Pop Music Awards while also setting the record for the longest-running song in the 52-year history of Billboard’s “Hot 100.”  The first song ever to top the charts at four different pop radio formats, “I’m Yours” is the sixth best-selling digital track of all time, with sales of more than 5 million downloads.


Fueled by the success of “I’m Yours,” “Lucky,” and “Make It Mine,” “WE SING. WE DANCE. WE STEAL THINGS.” became a genuine worldwide sensation.  In addition to the album’s platinum certification in the US, the album has received multiple platinum certifications in Korea (6x), France (5x), and Indonesia (3x); double platinum certifications in Australia and Canada; and platinum certification in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.


In addition to the aforementioned Grammys, Mraz has been feted with an array of other honors, including the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s esteemed “Hal David Starlight Award,” presented to gifted songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs.  A committed activist as well as an artist, Mraz was honored last year by the Environmental Media Association for his impassioned efforts.


Mraz’s most recent release is “JASON MRAZ’S BEAUTIFUL MESS – LIVE ON EARTH,” a two-disc CD/DVD set capturing him at his onstage best, performing a wide array of his greatest hits.  Filmed and recorded in August 2009 as Jason’s blockbuster “Gratitude Café Tour” hit Chicago’s Charter One Pavilion, the collection includes a DVD – directed by Darren Doane (“I’m Yours,” “Lucky,” as well as videos from such diverse artists as Van Morrison and Shinedown) – featuring the full-length concert, never-before-seen backstage footage, and the exclusive new mockumentary, “Un Beau Désordre.”


For more news and information, please visit www.jasonmraz.com, www.facebook.com/jasonmraz, and www.myspace.com/jasonmraz.

Jason Mraz has announced details of his upcoming North American tour.  The Atlantic recording artist kicks off on September 11th at Bangor , Maine ’s Bangor Waterfront and then continues through early October (see attached itinerary).  For up-to-the-minute ticket on-sale, pre-sale and tour information, please visit www.jasonmraz.com.


In tandem with his own tour, Mraz will also be making a series of additional appearances, including a September 12th headline performance at the Life is Good Festival 2010 in Canton , Massachusetts. The Grammy Award-winning tunesmith will also join his longtime pals Dave Matthews Band for a pair of shows at Chicago ’s world famous Wrigley Stadium on September 17th and 18th.


Having spent much of the past few months in the studio working on his next studio album, Mraz scheduled the upcoming itinerary as a way of getting fans’ response to some of his new material. Moreover, the San Diego-based troubadour wanted to take the opportunity to visit a number of markets missed by his previous North American tour: “Even though we performed 250 shows all around the world in 2008 and 2009, I still got emails and Facebook messages from fans whose hometowns we missed,” said Mraz.