Love Mikey Jay’s ‘Stupid Fresh” or Bounce

The music and entertainment industry is filled with one night wonders and comic book dreamers who get their 15 minutes under the big tent and you never hear from them again. For some Mikey Jay may be on that list, but what’s different about this cape crusader is that he’s motivated and determined to roll with the punches as he makes history as one of the first recording artists, with a major recording contract, working outside the box with exposure thru the Internet. His name is shining in lights as if he won the lotto. In some ways perhaps he did win the lotto. You can catch him on Itunes, SHOCKHOUND, EMUSIC, LA LA, RHAPSODY, AMAZON, IMVU, NAPSTER, AMIE STREET, VERIZON WIRELESS, SPRINT, T-MOBILE, AT&T, JAMSTER, and more. “Stupid Fresh”, his first single to drop has club heads and Hip-Hoppers joining his movements like never before and his list of fans is growing like wild fire.

The Boogie Down Bronx, to some is perhaps just another borough in New York, but it’s the people who make it special. Mikey J. is one of those people, who just so happened to be born and raised there. Growing up, he learned the craft of what good music was and what good business was from DJ’s such as the Legendary Diamond D. and a host of others. “ I want to take this industry to a new level, “ says Mikey. “ I want to touch the world. Not enough people are touching the world such as Michel Jackson. Yea, Michael Jackson had followers from every country, every background and ethnic origin. He really touched the world in a special way delivering R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop, Rock, and it’s rare to see artists like that anymore. Growing up I had an opportunity to watch as my cousin Diamond D. did tracks with all kinds of artists. I would listen to what he was doing and then I would sneak off to myself and write my own lyricist to the music. I owe my success now to all those who showed me the ropes, including Diamond D., Big Punisher, Fat Joe and a lot of others.”

Mikey J’s. first single has caught on like fire. He can be heard all over the Internet, and it’s only getting better. “ This is my lingo, “ he explains. “Stupid Fresh” is you, “ Stupid Fresh” is me, “Stupid Fresh” is the jeans that I be rocking, the sneakers that I be rocking, and so on and so forth. The song is about me and how my mother raised me. We all have something that is “Stupid Fresh” about us. All of this success came about because of the Internet. At first I was somewhat apprehensious and afraid of it, but after seeing the power behind it, and the hugh potential for money, I began messing around with it. Now I’ve got like 12 My Space Pages and 5 Face Book pages and all kinds of other pages. So I went a little crazy, but all in good faith. It’s funny because for so long people have depended on record companies to get their music out there, and now there is the Internet, where you can market and promote your own songs, your own product. It cuts the middle man out of the game and that’s good for anyone trying to do something like this. You have the Zoom Players, the Ipod and Itunes and all the music stuff. You can just download what you want to your car and keep on riding. So technology is changing and it’s a good thing.”

Later this month, Mikey Jay will be hitting the road with the Legendary KRS-One to promote his single and up coming album. Mikey tells how all this came about. “When I was 10 years old, KRS-One shot a video on my block and this was the first time that I actually met him. It was great because I had always listened to his music, but in person he was the coolest person you ever wanted to meet. Since he was down with my people (Diamond D. and others), I got a chance to hang out with him and really gain knowledge about the whole Hip-Hop language and culture. He was the one who taught me that Hip-Hop was not just about music, but it had roots and had a real meaning to the madness. And 2 years ago, myself, Lil’ Mama, Fat Joe and some others did a song with him. So we kept in touch and when he asked me about being on this tour with him, I was just like, yea, this is great. He’s a legend and I’m very proud to be in his company. Everything that he does is very professional and top notch, and I find him the epiphany of Hip-Hop. Another great talent is Chuck D. (Public Enemy). Oh- these are the legends, who carved what Hip- Hop is about and who made it what it is. That’s what I want to do, bring back the KRS-One’s, Chuck D’s and the Melle Mel’s of the Industry. They are the true pioneers of the Hip-Hop Industry and I would be honored to work with anyone from that era”.

For sure Mikey Jay has been around the block a time or two. He’s work with a variety of talents including Bone Crusher, Jason Fox, Nicole Wray, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, 112, Jaz-O and a host of others. He’s also appeared on BET Television’s 106 And Park and is owner and operator of Aigne Records. “I’m really grateful to God for all that I’ve had the opportunity to do”, says Mikey in closing. “I have to thank people like Ivan Woodson and Don Tella, who secured the deal with me for Via Mobile for Ring tones, among other deals with Universal and so on. I want to be the greatest artist ever, and because of technology, I’m headed there. My goal is to build a brand in everything that I do”. Mikey Jay’s music will also be preloaded on HP, Dell and Gateway computer systems worldwide. For more information on Mikey Jay visit www.myspace.com/mikeyjayisstupidfresh; www.facebook.com/mikeyceo or on twitter at mikeyjmusic.com.

Ellia English/Christian Actress Living Life Thru Improv.

For many of us who were born and raised in the South, it was rare that you missed a church service if one was scheduled. Life for Ellia English, better known as the mild mannered, even-tempered Aunt Helen in the insanely funny, “The Jamie Foxx Show”, was no different. She grew up as the ninth child to a father who was a Baptist Minister

and a mother who was a domestic worker in Covington, Georgia. Church played a major role in her life, which resulted in her grave development as a Christian and actress. Although church had its place in her life, she loved the stage, theater and acting, and always dreamt of moving to the big city to study and pursue her passion for acting. Thus her dream came true in more ways than one as she quickly moved up appearing in such Off Broadway Productions as “Ain’t Misbehavin”, “Down Hearted Blues (The Bessie Smith Story)” and a variety of others. Thereafter prime time recognized her talent and life was never the same. Her return to television allows her to share with America impromptu work on the HBO series “Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm”, where she’s funnier than ever and keeping her sense of humor in every avenue of life.

Television has always been a platform for some of the worlds top talents to express their gifts and appeal to audiences most would never get the opportunity to. Embellished and wismatic in nature, Ellia, used the stage and small screen to not only show the world she had the talent to act, but the talent to give back by giving her all in productions that broke the mole for African American women in cinema, all awhile never forgetting her church up bringing. “ There are so many stories to tell, so much history to talk about”, says English. “ Growing up the middle child to a preacher was a part of life that I will never forget and something I thank God for. My parents instilled in not only myself, but all of us (my siblings) the good in attending church, going to school and pursuing education. All of my younger siblings went to college. All of us were raised in church. Living in the South, that was what you did, and being that our father was a pastor, it was mandatory, and I loved it. I grew up singing in church, and that is what really kept me grounded. Because of my upbringing, later in life I learned that life is school it self.”

During her early years, English often acted out the role of a preacher, but no one knew it would take her to a larger stage such as television. “ I didn’t realize it that I would be an actress although my acting began in the backyard of our house, explains English. “My younger siblings were my audience and I was the preacher. When I was to preach my sermon, the neighbors came out of their houses, where some were just listening. So everyone lined up across the yard, I took my text and did my thing. When I got to college, I was very shy, but the drama department head heard me singing one day and asked me to come try out for a musical at the college. I was skeptable, but I went and I got the part. I did four solos in my first musical. Thereafter came a theater performance in Atlanta and from there I auditioned in New York for the Off Broadway Production of “Ain’t Misbehavin”, although didn’t’ get a call back right away. So I did a few other productions while on stand by for “Ain’t Misbehavin”. Thereafter, I was offered the part and I was on for three weeks. It was then that I auditioned for “The Jamie Foxx Show”, which allowed me to break into comedy. The myth is that people from theater don’t make good actors for television. I had to break that myth and I did.”

English’s rise to fame has been sweet, but it didn’t come without challenge, as she’s turned down roles because as she states “attacked the good moral values” placed in her by her parents. “ You have to draw the line sometimes when it comes to what roles you are offered”, as she continues. “ I will not throw up my dress just for the sake of the character because that’s just not me. When I take on a role I try to research it very carefully and it has to have that saving grace factor to really get my attention. The movie “Good Luck Chuck” was one of those kinds of movies for me. I only had a small role, but it was a excellent piece, although I had to really study the character and make it unique and make it fit who I was. In this new project that I’m doing now, Larry David is such a wonderful person and director. He asked me to do this and I couldn’t say no. The show is very loose and he just allowed me to be myself. My character is Aunt Rae and she’s very loving, but will cut you with her language. So this too was a challenge for me, and one of those roles that I had to investigate because of her edginess. So yes, she’s raw, but very authentic, which allows me to come up with very creative dialog for her on the spot. That’s what I love about improv because it allows the actor to develop a flow of freedom. I can get into my zone and make the scene work for me. So the show is like the old Carol Barnett Show use to be kind of. Again Larry is wonderful, and allows us to just have fun with the characters.”

Throughout her career, English has remained level headed, racking up rave reviews in theater productions such as “Haarlem Nocturne”, Cotton Club Gala, Dreamgirls, Ma Rainey’s Black Button”, Colored Museum”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “ Spunk”, “Showboat”, and “Barnum”, to name a few. In television, her role as Aunt Helen is by far the one she’s most recognized for. “Yes I get people all the time who say, “ hey there’s Aunt Helen, and I get a chance to talk and spend time with my fans. I even watched the show some times so that I could see what others were seeing when they saw it. I don’t get to see the other actors that often, but we try to keep in touch when we can. I loved the show because it gave me an opportunity to create a character outside of myself. Not many people have walked the walk that I have and therefore this was therapy for me because it really helped me define myself as an actress (in various ways). From the beginning of my career, I was never the one to drink, or speak bad language, and I’ve often found myself in a position with people where I felt I did nothing wrong to them and I was still treated differently. So it use to bother me quite a bit, but now I’ve learned to just pray about it. I give 100% to any role I portray and I try to be and do me.”

And English was also cast as a prison guard in Pastor T.D. Jakes “Woman Thou Art Loosed”, which she says was a very defining moment in her life. “ Oh- I loved that film, the moment I heard about it, I had to be part of it even if I was just a fly on the wall. This film gave me a different perspective on life. And I loved Kimberly Elise. I wasn’t able to be there for all of the taping, but after the film was over, I was in Pasadena, Ca., where I went to a private screening. When it comes to films like that, I can’t watch them and not cry. This was truly a defining moment for me because it allowed me to bring peace to myself. I have to say that I feel very blessed in all that I’ve done in my career, and from experience, everything that you do will take you to another experience.”

In the future, Ellia English plans to find a church home and continue working on herself as an actress and entertainer. Future projects include an Internet production “Woke Up Dead” and a Disney film “Good Luck Charlie”. For more information about Ellia English, visit www.elliaenglish.com