Celebrating a remarkable decade in the music business — and this week’s release of his seventh CD — 22-year-old Atlanta rapper/actor Bow Wow partied at Buckhead’s Aquaknox last night with many of his local celebrity friends.

But what was particularly remarkable was the number of famous family members: Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri’s moms. (That’s Bow Wow’s mother Teresa Caldwell, with him, in the top photo. Underneath, that’s Dupri’s mother Tina). Dupri’s dad (Michael Mauldin - in the third photo, far left, with his wife Judy and the late Otis Redding’s son, Dexter). As well as fellow late soul great Isaac Hayes’ son, Isaac “Ike Dirty” Hayes III. 

And joining them were new “Real Housewives of Atlanta” addition Kandi Burruss and rapper Rasheeda (pictured together, above), DJ Nabs (second photo), TV producer Tracey Baker-Simmons and music producers Jazze Pha (third photo), Bryan-Michael Cox, Drumma Boy and Dupri.

“This is exciting because this means being a part of …

Continue reading At The Bow Wow CD Release Party »

As Atlanta rapper-actor T.I. counts down the days until he starts his 366 in prison, the convicted felon who pled guilty to weapons charges is busy making sure his Atlanta-based Grand Hustle record label charges ahead in his absence.

For proof, one needed only to be downtown early Wednesday afternoon as Grand Hustle rapper Young Dro was taping the video for new single “Take Off” (featuring Yung L.A.) at the Hurt Building, in front of City Grill.

It was the first of two locations director Gabriel Hart (above) had planned for the day-long shoot. The second – a hangar at Fulton Industrial Airport- is where T.I. was set to join his young charges.

“As much as it can be, it’s business as usual at Grand Hustle,” said Dro, who made his solo bow with the hit “Shoulder Lean.”

Meanwhile, way up 400-North more video business was going on behind the gates of Country Club of the South.

There, Atlanta’s Grammy-winning R&B singer Slim of 112 was recording the video for the single “Heels …

Continue reading At Young Dro and Slim’s Video Shoots »

Keyshia Cole’s mother is alive and well, and probably somewhere “Hol-la-ing.”

(That is, when she is not spouting her other well-known phrases from Cole’s BET reality show — “Man Down!” And “‘Code 10!”)

Apparently rumors otherwise had risen to the point that the Atlanta R&B singer’s publicist was compelled to issue this statement:

Imani Entertainment has received a huge amount of inquiries in regard to the rumor about Keyshia Cole’s biological mom, Frankie Lons (above, left), having recently passed in an automobile accident.  The rumor has absolutely NO truth to it — Frankie has not been in any accident of any kind and is doing well at home in Atlanta.

We want to thank all of Frankie’s fans for their concern.

Imani Entertainment

Spotted Frankie around town lately? Think she is worthy of a (long-rumored) reality show of her own? Read the book by Cole’s sister Neffe (above, center), “My Happiness Is My Sanity”?

Continue reading Keyshia Cole’s Mom Is OK »