OKC rapper J French releases Notorious B.I.G. remix in time for anniversary of icon's death
On March 9, 1997, Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls, aka the Notorious B.I.G., was shot to death at a stoplight in Los Angeles.
Although his murder 24 years ago has never been solved, the Notorious B.I.G.'s legacy lives on through his music and influence on other music makers, including Oklahoma City rapper J French.
French says he wanted to honor the spirit of the Notorious B.I.G. and his 2020 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when he remixed Biggie's Grammy-nominated hit "Big Poppa." French teamed with Biggie’s son, C.J. Wallace, who produced the newly released house remix along with Jonathan Hay. In addition to French, the song features vocals by Lardi B.
French's "Big Poppa (House Remix)" contains explicit lyrics, so consider yourself warned if you decide to click and listen.
"Biggie means so much to me," French tells me. "I feel like coming from where I’m from - OKC -and making it in any of the doors of this industry is synonymous to Biggie's path from Brooklyn to the league in the '90s, which was unheard of then. I channeled his spirit on this record."
J French has been steeped in an eclectic array of musical traditions his entire life. He is the son of Grammy-winning reggae percussionist and vocalist Brother Num, a cousin to rap superstar Kanye West and regards neo-soul legend Erykah Badu as like a big sister. As a Grammy voter, he said he listens to hundreds of songs every year, which gives him an ongoing music education.
As previously reported, the OKC-based rapper, producer and multi-instrumentalist released his third album - titled "Just Another Gift from God," or "JAGG" for short - in 2020 and plans to create a series of releases under that same faithful moniker. To read my 2020 interview with J French, click here.
'Minari' wins at Critics Choice Awards, with young star Alan S. Kim stealing the show
The Oklahoma-made movie "Minari" added more prizes to its rather crowded trophy case at Sunday night's 26th Annual Critics' Choice Awards.
As with the Golden Globes, Colorado-born writer-director Lee Isaac Chung’s semi-autobiographical family drama, which was filmed in Tulsa in 2019, was somewhat awkwardly classified in the Best Foreign Language Film category, because much of the dialogue is in Korean.
However, the Critics' Choice Awards didn't stir up the same level of controversy as the Globes' classification for "Minari" because the Critics' Choice rules still allow films in languages other than English to compete for Best Picture. "Minari" was nominated for the Critics' Choice for Best Picture but lost out to Chloe Zhao's "Nomadland."
"Minari" star Alan S. Kim, who plays 7-year-old David in the film, stole the virtual show at the Critics' Choice Award when he won Best Young Actor and was so overjoyed he burst into tears. The video is precious.
The nominations for the biggest Hollywood awards show of them all - the Academy Awards - will be announced March 15 ahead of the April 25 Oscars broadcast.
Click here for the list of Critics' Choice Awards winners.
Here are 6 reasons why you should watch "Minari."
Click here read my interview with "Minari" producer Christina Oh about making the movie in Oklahoma.
Friends and fans flock to the aid of OKC TV legend Count Gregore
Friends and fans are rallying around OKC TV legend Count Gregore, aka John Ferguson, as he deals with the fallout from last month's historic winter storms.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Ferguson, whose daughter, Victoria, was remodeling his home when February's extreme cold caused some of his house's pipes to crack and leak, leading to unexpected damage and repair cost. Ferguson, 93, also has been having car troubles.
Ferguson is beloved in OKC for playing the macabre but lovable character Count Gregore, who debuted in 1958 on the late-night "Shock Theater." For decades, he appeared on local TV stations, hosting horror and even general oldies movies shows, including "Nightmare Theater,” "Sleepwalkers Matinee,” "Creature Features” and "Horror Theater."
OU alumnus Ed Harris to direct Robert Duvall in 'The Ploughman'
University of Oklahoma alumnus Ed Harris has lined up his third feature film as a director: "The Ploughman," which will star Robert Duvall ("The Godfather"), Garret Hedlund ("TRON: Legacy"), Amy Madigan ("Field of Dreams") and newcomer Lily Harris.
According to Deadline, Harris, a four-time Oscar-nominated actor, wrote the screenplay, which he adapted from Kim Zupan’s 2014 debut novel of the same name.
Harris, who previously directed the films "Pollock" and "Appaloosa," will start lensing "The Ploughman" in May in New Mexico and Montana. Ginger Sledge of Zenzero Pictures ("Where’d You Go Bernadette," "Last Flag Flying") is set to produce, along with Robert, Knott who produced "Appaloosa" with Sledge and Harris.
Also an alumnus of OKC's venerable Jewel Box Theatre, Harris is a prolific actor known for his roles in "Apollo 13," "The Truman Show," "The Rock" and the HBO series "Westworld." He is set to be seen on the big screen opposite Tom Cruise in the long-awaited sequel "Top Gun: Maverick," which is set to fly into theaters July 2, provided the COVID-19 pandemic finally cooperates.
OSU's McKnight Center for the Performing Arts launches delayed season this month
STILLWATER -Oklahoma State University's McKnight Center for the Performing Arts’ postponed 2020-2021 season will begin in later this month, with additional revisions to the event calendar and added health and safety precautions.
Most notably, two show times will be slated for performances in order to accommodate current season ticketholders in a socially distanced format. Each performance will last about one hour with no intermission. Face masks that cover the nose and mouth will be required at all times while in The McKnight Center, according to a news release.
All performances will be presented as socially distanced events to comply with safety guidelines determined by the Centers for Disease Control. Ticketholders will be seated in pods based on their household with 6 feet of distance between each seating pod. The box office will begin contacting ticket holders this week to determine their preference in showtimes.
“For the last several months, we’ve worked to find creative solutions that give our guests access to world-class art and a safe entertainment environment. Last fall The McKnight Center presented dozens of safe, socially distanced events,” said Mark Blakeman, Marilynn and Carl Thoma Executive Director of The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, in a statement.
“We hosted pianist and Beethoven scholar Jonathan Biss in socially distanced concerts, small student ensembles from OSU’s Greenwood School of Music, watched classic holiday movies during our new ‘McKnight at the Movies’ series, and held free yoga classes in our outdoor plaza. We feel confident that we can continue to safely hold events in the new year and are excited to welcome our audience back to The McKnight Center to experience live performances again.”
Due to reduced seating capacity all events are currently sold out. Tickets may become available if social gathering restrictions are lifted. Those interested in attending are encouraged to contact the box office to be placed on a waiting list in the event tickets become available.
Some events that feature large casts of performers have been canceled. The McKnight Center may reschedule some of these events in future seasons, but dates have not yet been finalized. Canceled events include planned dates for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, "South Pacific," Itzhak Perlman, Martha Graham Dance Company, "The Buddy Holly Story," Chris Botti and STOMP.
As previously reported, The McKnight Center opened in fall 2019, but the venue was soon forced to cancel and postpone several events due to the COVID-19 outbreak one year ago.
Here is the updated schedule for The McKnight Center:
Canadian Brass: 3 and 6 p.m. March 28
Pink Martini: 6 and 8:30 p.m. April 1
William Wolfram: Solo Concert: 3 and 6 p.m. April 18
Lucas Ross and the Sugar Free Allstars: 3 p.m. May 1
Chanticleer: 6 and 8:30 p.m. May 4
“The Kid” Silent Film with Live Organ Accompaniment by Peter Krasinski: 3 and 7:30 p.m. May 15
For more information about performances, times, and dates, go to mcknightcenter.org.
Features Writer Brandy "BAM" McDonnell covers Oklahoma's arts, entertainment and cultural sectors for The Oklahoman and Oklahoman.com. Reach her at bmcdonnell@oklahoman.com, www.facebook.com/brandybammcdonnell and twitter.com/BAMOK. Please support work by her and her colleagues by subscribing atoklahoman.com/subscribe.
-BAM
