There are two cities with two-night stands on the whole Jennifer Hudson/Robin Thicke tour: Hudson’s hometown, Chicago, and Atlanta.

And perhaps what happened last night was a ‘thank you’ of sorts for the support. Fellow “American Idol” contestant – and the eventual Season 3 winner — Fantasia joined Hudson last night at the sold-out Fox Theatre on their single “I’m His Only Woman” (from Hudson’s self-titled, Grammy-winning debut).

And for the encore — “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” — original “Dreamgirls” star Jennifer Holliday made another surprise appearance with Hudson (who won an Oscar for her role in the film adaptation of the musical “Dreamgirls”); marking the first time they’ve done the song together, reportedly, since a BET Awards show two years ago (pictured above).

If you were there last night — or for the first Atlanta show on Tuesday — what grade would you give Hudson’s first national tour? Have a favorite version …

Continue reading Fantasia and Jennifer Holliday Join Hudson At The Fox »

Get to the second of Jennifer Hudson/Robin Thicke’s two-night stand at the Fox Theatre early tonight, and you’ll hear/see Atlanta’s longtime talent on the turntables, DJ Nabs (above), entertaining the near-capacity crowd.

Not only is Nabs joining the R&B singers on this date, but throughout the SE region (April 17 in Charlotte; April 18 in Greensboro, S.C.; April 19 in Richmond, Va.). Plus, he is the new host and DJ for Majic 107.5/97.5 FM’s “Art & Soul” series each Thursday at Utopia — starting tonight.

Have you heard Nabs spin before? Remember him when he DJ’d for Kris Kross? What about his popular “In The Lab” night at (what was then) Kaya?

Continue reading Atlanta’s DJ Nabs Joining Jennifer and Robin On Tour »

In the four years since she was first introduced to us as a finalist on “American Idol,” Jennifer Hudson’s ascent has been so meteoric that her accolades almost seem to have preceded her actual accomplishments.

She does one movie (“Dreamgirls”) — and wins an Oscar.

She records one CD (“Jennifer Hudson”), with only one hit single at that point — and wins a Grammy.

Well, if skeptics were thinking that the movie and music industries had made 27-year-old Hudson a star before she really earned it, all they had to see was one show: Last night’s concert at the Fox Theatre.

Hudson is a wonder. And not just because it is remarkable that she is out in front of audiences mere months after her mother, brother and nephew were killed. 

But because on the first night of her two-night stand in Atlanta  - the second show being Thursday- this relative newcomer arrived with an ease with the audience that never let on that this is her first tour ever. She has a command of not …

Continue reading Jennifer Hudson/Robin Thicke In Atlanta »

After what seemed to be a sputtering start for her new CD “Fantasy Ride” – now due to hit stores May 5 – Atlanta R&B singer Ciara is off and running with single “Never Ever” (with Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy) getting more radio rotation than her first try (“Go Girl”), and single “Love Sex and Magic” (with Justin Timberlake) racing along as well.

See the new video for the latter BELOW and give us your grade:

Continue reading Rate The New Ciara Video »

Still buzzing from their on-stage collaboration with the Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA at South by Southwest — and of course, the release of their latest Vice Records’ disc “200 Million Thousand” – Atlanta garage rockers The Black Lips hope to keep the momentum going with the new video for single “I’ll Be With You.”

See it BELOW and give us your rating:

Continue reading Rate The New Black Lips Video »

After a sputtering start, teen Atlanta rap sensation Soulja Boy’s sophomore disc is off and cranking, with a No. 1 hit in “Kiss Me Thru The Phone” (featuring Sammie); the single “Turn My Swag On” headed in that direction; and yet another track – “Gucci Bandana” – primed and ready to go.

Under the direction of Mr. Boston, Soulja Boy shot the “Gucci Bandana”  video with featured artists Gucci Mane (above, second photo – and yes, out of jail after being sentenced to a year in the Fulton County Jail for violating probation stemming from an assault conviction where he hit a promoter in the head with a pool cue) and Shawty Low. Plus there were other local hip-hop notables (Mr. Collipark – with Soulja Boy in third photo, Rich Boy, Jamal “Gravy” Woolard, Slim Calhoun, Lil Rod) in attendance at the Coan Park location.

“This is the best video I’ve done so far,” Soulja Boy remarked between takes. “It looks like I’ve made it…And to have Gucci Mane, my idol, here with …

Continue reading At The Soulja Boy/Gucci Mane Video Shoot »

As the world waits for Lil Jon to finally unveil his album “Crunk Rock,” the Atlanta rapper-producer is resurfacing tonight to revisit his early days as a DJ. 

Yes, before he was a multi-million-selling artist and Dave Chappelle’s muse, Lil Jon used to be on the ones and twos at the Warehouse and other downtown nightclubs. Tonight, however, he is expected to be on the turntables at midtown’s Opera nightclub. For more information on the live set from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., go to www.Operaatlanta.com.

Plan to attend? Remember Lil Jon from his DJ days? Anticipating “Crunk Rock”?

Continue reading Lil Jon On Turntables At Opera – Tonight »

On his way to a show in Augusta Tuesday night, burgeoning Atlanta country star Zac Brown seemed more enthused about being able to “spend some time with my babies” than his band’s first Academy of Country Music Award win.

Maybe, in part, because the Zac Brown Band was crossing its fingers for the top new artist prize it was in the running for this past Sunday — and Julianne Hough won it. (The fan-voted ACM award it did get – top new vocal duo or group –  was announced last month).

But you get the sense that the road warrior, husband and father of one and two-year-old girls – with another baby on the way –  just knows to cherish his rare moments at home. “The awards were a lot of fun,” Brown said. “Definitely a learning experience about the industry…but it was kind of nice to have some time to see my babies. I’ve been gone for three weeks. That was my celebrating.”

And there was more to celebrate than the ACM. The Zac Brown Band scored its first …

Continue reading Zac Brown Talks ACM Win, Loss – and Sugarland Will Join “Oprah” Next Tuesday »

As this post is being written, neither the Keyshia Cole site nor the Keri Hilson site has any news of this – nor have their label publicists issued such notice — but fellow R&B singer Bobby V’s (a.k.a. Bobby Valentino) publicist has announced that the trio of Atlantans are planning to tour together, starting in mid-May.

If so, this will make the second tour for Cole (above, third photo) since the December 2008 release of her third CD “A Different Me.” Both the million-selling Grammy nominee and Hilson (second photo) — whose March 24 debut “In A Perfect World…” currently holds the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart — were on rapper Lil Wayne’s “I Am Music” tour.

V – on the other hand – hasn’t been on such a bill since the Feb. 10 release of his third disc “The Rebirth.” (Though he did make a surprise appearance with his former label head, rapper-actor Ludacris, Sunday at Philips Arena). 

Is this a concert package you like …

Continue reading Keyshia Cole, Bobby V and Keri Hilson To Tour »

Georgians Sugarland and the Zac Brown Brand took home two of the Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday night.

Atlanta’s own Sugarland, whose current single “It Happens” just became the duo’s 10th top 10 hit on the country charts, broke the eight-year streak in the Best Vocal Duo category held by Brooks & Dunn. Lead singer Jennifer Nettles also won a “Milestones” award.

Meanwhile, North Georgia’s own Zac Brown Band (”Chicken Fried”) took home Best New Duo or Vocal Group. Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town, both with members from Georgia, won the previous two years.

Sugarland is going to celebrate at home Friday at the Gwinnett Arena.

And Zac Brown will be at Chastain Park for a Memorial Day shindig.

Continue reading 4/6: Sugarland and Zac Brown Band take home ACM awards »