ob'nox'ious adj. in your face, thought-provoking expression that is undeniable; a person, object, or topic so objectionably hot that it must be called out or examined through popular eyes; a captivating description that always verifies the true essence of style, class, and intelligence.

OBNOXIOUS 1 | 18 | 2007

William G. McCray, III -
MrMcCray@Obnoxious.tv

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Executive ClothiersHappy Birthday to YA!  The words to the birthday song in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. penned by Stevie Wonder could be heard throughout the weekend and Monday, the holiday fell this year on the actual day the great Civil Rights leader was born.  Over two thousand individuals attended the “Salute To Greatness” Dinner where the late Coretta Scott King was honored posthumously for her work to preserve her husband’s legacy and continuing his vision.  Myrlie Evers-Williams, Ambassador Andrew Young, and three of the King Children honored Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin for her fundraising efforts to raise $32 million in a little less than two weeks last summer to secure the private acquisition of Dr. King’s papers.  Over 600 papers, speeches, and personal documents of Dr. King’s were for sell at Sotheby’s auction house in New York.  Although, school was out—many attended a history class—viewing a handwritten version of the famous “I Have A Dream Speech” does not even seem real and actual report cards of Dr. King’s while a student at Morehouse at the Atlanta History Center where the papers will be on display until May. They will take residence at the Robert W. Woodruff Library in the Atlanta University Center. However, the papers are owned by Morehouse College and will eventually be housed in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel that will have to be expanded and renovated to properly display the exhibit, on Morehuse’s campus.  “It is only fitting that the college that help produce such a man have the papers of their greatest alumnus,” said Mayor Franklin a proud Morehouse Mom.   Dr. Otis Moss gave a delivered a passionate sermon entitled ‘Living In the Legacy.”  Moss was able to speak as a personal friend of the Civil Rights leader and in his closing he challenged the war with the same words that Dr. King used in his speech on Vietnam, “Come Home America!”  The drum major for peace was not always an A student, but he changed the world and did more in his few years than most will do in a lifetime. 

Not one African American actor seemed to give a damn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his work to make it possible for them to stand on the stage at the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverley Hilton and accept any award.  All of them seemed to have suffered from a bad case of amnesia or forgot that such a special night in their lives was actually on the birthday of the man who allowed himself to become a human sacrifice.  All dressed up, the glitz and glamour, the men in custom tuxedoes with the bling bling and the ladies in their expensive gowns as the silence rang loud.  They did not realize that at one time they would not have been in films or on television if it was not for Dr. King and they said nothing.

Stomp The Yard,” was number one at the box office with $22 million over the weekend.  Seems the marketing strategy to release an African American feel good movie on King Weekend worked.  Although, the movie made big bucks it also got huge complaints.  Critics have taken a position that the movie is enjoyable, but has some major flaws that are emanated from the script compounded with Sylvian White as director.  Point of clarification:  Brian White one of the movies lead actors has no relation to Sylvian White, the director.  One point is well taken that the movie is the first depiction of life on the campus of a HBCU (Historically Black College or University) and the students speak the worst grammar imaginable.  “Stump The Yard” might be accused of reducing the HBCU experience to hanging out, getting a girl, fraternity life and not touch on academics.  Spike Lee was accused of the same corporal sin with “School Daze”.  Finally, the use of the N-word is problematic when Duron (Chris Brown) was dying in the arms of DJ (Columbus Short), his brother when he said “Don’t die, nigga,” he cried.  Not exactly the final words you would use over your beloved.  Everyone should go see the movie for themselves and be their own judge. 

What is up with Paula Abdul?  The Bravo network may have found a solution to vacant time slot with their axing “Being Bobby Brown.”  Bravo seems to take pride in producing reality shows with stars that might have a little dirty laundry that they do not mind airing before the world.  According to Bravo President Lauren Zalaznick, the series will follow Paula as she films a sixth season of “American Idol,” works as executive producer on “Bratz: The Movie” and develops her own perfume and cosmetics line.  “It fits the Bravo mandate to show what’s going on in the culture of the moment,” Zalaznich said of the show, adding that “an intimate glimpse at the real woman behind the headlines” will be highlighted. 

The real Paula might be a little rougher around the edges then we thought after being accused of having an affair with an “American Idol” contestant.  Seems that Paula might have been a little drunk during a satellite interview with Seattle’s Fox news affiliate Q13, where she is obviously out of it.  Allegedly she was exhausted from three days of press and interviews or appearances and working on her reality show according to her publicist.  She cancelled all of her interviews the following day due to a sore throat after having set in a chilly studio on the day before her questionable behavior.  Seems that Paula might need a little help from Betty Ford to get her cute self back on track or get some obviously much needed rest.  Speaking of Reality TV, which is the last thing we need.  Kanye West is making it emphatically clear that his upcoming series on HBO is not a reality show.  It was reported and stated in this very column that “Curb Your Enthusiasm” executive producer Larry Charles would create an untitled project that focuses on a day in what is described as “his crazy hectic life,” But it is not a reality show.   It is said to be a situational half-hour comedy that is fictional, and loosely based on his life according to Kanye.  Sounds like it remains to be seen what the show will really be all about until we actually see it. 

James Brown’s Beech Island, South Carolina house may become a museum like Elvis Presley’s Graceland.  The family and estate trustees are moving forward with plans to open a museum for tourists at their father’s home and a mausoleum to hold his body according to Debri Opri, an attorney for Brown.  The group plans to consult with the family of Elvis Presley to discuss how they developed Graceland, said Opri.  In more Brown news, his will seemed to have omitted his alleged wife and son.  However, the very vocal crying, but does not drop a tear Tommi Rae, plans to contest the will.  The companion of Brown holds fast to her being his wife.  Brown may not be the only singer in court fighting for what she feels is due.  Toni Braxton, who is to be honored at the Trumpet Awards next Monday, might be headed to court as well.  The singer has been dropped from Blackground/Universal Motown and is now suing her ex-manager for convincing her to leave her former label LaFace/Arista, where she made most of her hits.  According to several reports, the lawsuit claims Braxton hired Barry Hankerson as her manger in late 1997 and he helped her negotiate a five-album deal with Arista the following year that landed her more than $20 million in advances. 

However, Braxton claims the relationship turned ugly in 2002 when Hankerson began using “fraud, deception, and double-dealing” to get her to leave the lucrative deal with Arista and sign exclusively with his Blackgrougnd in 2003.  According to the lawsuit, Handerson destroyed Braxton’s relationship with Arista through “underhanded double-talk” and secretly telling each party that the other wanted out of the relationship-despite having sold at least 20 million albums together on the original deal he negotiated.  Braxton released one album under Blackground, 2005 “Libra.”  But Braxton says her relationship with Handerson became problematic and she tried to fire him as her manager.  Instead, she claims, he turned against her.


The gorgeous Nia Long graces the cover of Essence for the month of February and in the cover story she sets the record straight about the fight between her now ex-boyfriend and her son’s father.  Long talks about her career and being back on television after doing shows like Third Watch and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air;  She can now be seen on Boston Legal with William Shatner and Candice Bergen.  “The writing on Boston Legal is so beautiful, so layered and full of life, and I’m working with the crème de la crème—true professionals who take their craft very seriously.  So it’s been challenging, but in such a great way.  Of course, there’s the constant struggle to find the balance between work and motherhood.”  Nia even shares in the article that the most natural chemistry was between her and Larenz Tate, but that Will Smith set the standard for leading men in her book.  “He really knows how to make a woman feel special,” Nia shared.  The actress is doing great and has two films coming out this year; “Premonition” and “Are We Done Yet?”  She stated that she is very happy. 

Nia goes on to reveal that there was actually a fight between the two men in her life at the time.  The situation happened at The Grove, an upscale mall in L.A. where she and her then boyfriend went to have dinner for the first time with her son.  It was a huge deal for Nia due to her not allowing men around her son unless it is someone very special.  Her former fiancé and son’s father was due to pick him up at the mall on the same evening, however he arrived much sooner than she anticipated.  Nia introduced the two men and after shaking hands her son’s father hit the boyfriend and a fight ensued.  In the article Nia said she moved away very quickly with her son due to her attempt to protect him from witnessing such behavior.  The former fiancé is said to have been 21-year-old first-round NFL draft pick Reggie Bush. 

Everything is going down, but the Word of God…According to recent reports Bishop Frederick Kelly has been arrested and accused of rape and child molestation of two under age girls.  The pastor of Greater New Macedonia Church of God In Christ was detained in Puerto Rico while on vacation with his wife.    The Right Reverend Kelly was given an opportunity to turn himself into DeKlab County authorities where he is currently detained until his bond hearing.  His attorney states that Bishop Kelly is innocent and will be fully acquitted of all the charges against him.  His attorney even added that he has proof that his client, Bishop Kelly was not even at the same location as the girls when he incident the is said to have occurred.  It is said that Bishop Kelly and his wife had five foster children all of which are girls, but have behavior problems and one has made such claims before that were proven to be false.  A pastor of a 200 plus member church and the prelate for Maloui, West Africa, Bishop Kelly currently sits in a jail for possibly trying to provide a better life for some needy children.

A legend is gone.  National Evangelist Nathan L. Simmons died the day before his 8th year wedding anniversary.  One of the greatest apostators of the Gospel during the 21st Century died at the age of 46.  He did not part this life prior to his wife and two daughters returning home from church for him to give them a final farewell.  A prolific preacher that spoke all over the nation, London, and the Caribbean church still is in great unrest.  A funeral fit for a king with two horse drawn carriages with his messages playing cars more than a mile long proceed to his final resting place.  The list of bishops and women that are well known is far too great to name among all the individuals that packed in the Elizabeth Baptist Church to participate in his homegoing service.  However, such a great man, like so many others death is met with great challenges. Pastor Simmons local church has faced great unrest and some fighting as who will be the next pastor.  His beautiful widow has remained a member of the congregation, silent in her thoughts and opinions as who should be the congregation’s next leader.  According to the Church Of God In Christ Constitution the presiding prelate is the pastor until he appoints a leader to the local congregation, but Pastor Simmons has a deacon that seems to dance to the beat of a different Pentecostal Drummer.  It remains too been seen what will become of the great man’s church.  A few of the services have been met with police and sheriffs at the front doors to ensure service went uninterrupted.  It remains to be seen if this is a house of prayer or has it become a dean of thieves? 

According to myStreet Committee”…Michael Vic is under investigation by the Miami Dade County Police.  Seems that on a flight from Miami to Atlanta Vic attempted to board the plane with a weather bottle and when he was stopped at the security check he got upset.  Well, a rather curious TSA retrieved Mike’s bottle of water that he finally threw away to board the plane and discovered it allegedly had marijuana in a secret compartment.  Surely Mike was not trying to get on the plane with some weed; however it remains to be seen.  Obnoxious rumors continue…Will Smith is thinking about retiring from the rap game. According to his nephew, the Fresh Prince thinks he is to old to be an MC.  Reality TV does it again.  You might recall New York, as a contestant on the “The Flava Of Love,” well she was such a hit that the troubled exotic dancer has her own show now.  It has been said that Wood, a man that is after her love, was at one time a shake dancer himself and goes by the name X-Rated.  The word is you can still catch him doing his routine with a group of guys called “Nasty Boyz.”  It is not true the Ja Rule is dead, so you can stop with that one.  Jadakiss is not going to sign with Cash Money, but is very close to a deal with Def Jam.  The word is it will be a co-deal with Ruff Ryders, and D-Block, it remains to be seen how it will all play out.  Def Jam is reportedly going to announce soon the “Takeover” Tour with all the greats; Jay-Z, Luda, Rick Ross, Nas, Ghostface, and more.

Whitney Houston might be getting back at Karrien “Superhead” Steffans for taking her man Bobby Brown.  Seems that Whitney, who will soon turn 44-years-old might be getting a little to close for comfort with Ray-J, who is 26-years-old and the younger brother of Brandy.  Now the two of them are said to be working on an album together, but according the photos e-mailed to Obnoxious there is a little more to it than business.  Demi Moore and Aston have a great relationship and they are close to the same ages as Ray and Whitney.  If it is true it might be a hard pill to swallow, but we all want Whitney to be happy and not just on the reboun

Not many awards shows are as well executed as the Golden Gobles.  No silly comedian, master of ceremony, or musical interruptions the show grabbed your attention immediately with one of the big awards of the night first.  Jennifer Hudson was able to get rid of the butterflies that had to have been in her stomach.  Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer’s debut role as Effie White in “Dreamgirls”.  No one was really surprised by the win and actually you expected it, but it was a seed of doubt that it could have gone to someone else.  After 25 years in the business and having been nominated for a Golden Globe three times before Eddie Murphy finally received a major film honor.  Three out of five is not bad, “Dreamgirls” won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, but it might be a bit more difficult to pull out a win at the Oscars.  The great thing about the Golden Globes is they break the movies and television shows that are nominated down into categories to compete against other like products.  A luxury so great will not be realized at the Academy Awards.  Another big upset for the night was Forest Whitaker for his portrayal of Idi Amin in “The Last King of Scotland.”  Not sure if Prince was actually caught in traffic or if he was putting the finishing touches on his big after party, but he was not in the present when his name was called.  Justin Timberlake accepted the award in his stead for Best Original Song “The Song of the Heart” from “Happy Feet”.  “Grey’s Anatomy,” walked away with the prestigious award for Best Television Series in the drama category, which executive producer is an African American woman, Shonda Rimes.  Not to mention that Sean “Diddy” Combs, Djimon Hunsou, Terrence Howard, Jennifer Lopez, and Jamie Foxx were among the more than 50 stars that presented on that night.  A huge night for African American’s and not one saluted Dr. King; what and oxymoron when you are forced to examine history and realize the he has only been dead 39 years, Rosa Parks a little over a year, and his wife has only been gone 11 months and African Americans have already forgotten their sacrifice. 

Now this rumor has been floating around for a good while, but it is finally gaining some merit for me to report on.  Seems that the Chief Minister for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Michael Misick and his lovely wife LisaRaye might be having some problems already in their marriage and he has a child outside of their union.  According to reports he gave his wife four of the islands and an unspecified amount of cash.  The suggestion is the gifts may have been misappropriated from the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is not clear if he actually did this or not because how do you give away and island, but he is up for re-election and he has 12 opponents already.  We will check this one out next week when they are at the Trumpet Awards.  Speaking of Michael Misick, who was said to have gone after Omarosa first, she is now dating Attorney Willie Gary’s oldest son.  Rumor has it they also met at the Trumpet Awards; something about people meeting and hooking up at the evening celebrating African American Achievement.  You have officially chocked by the bowtie!