Bow Wow talks Rappers in Movies

By The Film Critic
JR Staff Writer

At the age of 24, Bow Wow is a veteran in the entertainment industry. His career began in 2000, when he was signed to Jermaine Dupri's record label, So So Def Recordings. But, over the years, Bow Wow has expanded into other ventures.

Bow Wow was the head of his own label in 2005, but his primary role outside of rapping is acting. Early in his career, Bow Wow landed several movie roles. Following each role, Bow Wow looks for a new challenge.

When film studios first began casting rappers, they had them playing the typical rapper roles. Ice Cube was among the first rappers to ever successfully transition into serious acting. LL Cool J has also had a very successful acting career.

In a discussion about the movies, Bow Wow said he hates the rapper roles. He said each time he accepts a movie role, he is accepting a challenge. Bow Wow does not want to play the typical rapper in movies, instead he wants to play the role of a serious character. During the discussion, Bow Wow admitted he was asked about playing in Big Momma's House 3, but he turned it down.

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Jennifer Lopez releases Lil Wayne-assisted "I'm Into You" single

By The Music Scoop
JR Staff Writer

When she first made it big, Jennifer Lopez made music, which catered to the urban audience. But, when she began landing major Hollywood roles, her style in music changed. Many of her early fans said Jennifer Lopez only made black music when her career was on the line.

A little over ten years ago, Jennifer Lopez was posting chart-topping hit after chart-topping hit. She met Irv Gotti, then a powerful executive for Def Jam and head of Murder Inc. Gotti was behind many of the top hits from 1999 to 2004. Lopez linked with him at his peak.

Immediately, Jennifer Lopez was paired with Ja Rule and they charted multiple hits. But, after her album went platinum, Lopez returned to Hollywood. Ja Rule would soon pair with Ashanti and post more hits. In 2002, Jennifer Lopez returned to music and teamed up with LL Cool J for her "All I Have" hit and also released "Jenny From the Block."

Several years have passed since Jennifer Lopez last released an album. She recorded with Fabolous a few years ago for her "Get Right" single, but she has been focusing on her family in recent years. Now considered one of the older stars in the game, Jennifer Lopez has nearly been forgotten. Recently, Jennifer Lopez has been working on new music, while still paying close attention to hip hop. Like most hip hop fans, J. Lo has been taken by Lil Wayne, saying she is his biggest fan.

Quickly, Jennifer Lopez reached out to Lil Wayne and the result was their "I'm Into You" single. The song has been heavily discussed for days. However, no one has heard the song... until today. Earlier today, the first single from Lopez' Love? album was released and Lil Wayne has a cameo.

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LL Cool J named as Golden Globe presenter

By Mr. Hollywood
JR Staff Writer

Early in his career, LL Cool J did not envision being where he is today. LL Cool J is credited by many as the man who made rap mainstream. If he is not credited for that, no one can deny he helped Def Jam become the powerhouse that it is today.

Even when rap music became mainstream, many people did not believe it would last. LL Cool J helped make sure the genre lasted, as he has been there most of the way. As a rapper in the mid-1980s, he was still battling in the mid-1990s.

It was in the 1990s when LL Cool J branched outside of the hip hop world and into the television screen. In 1995, he starred in the NBC sitcom, "In the House." The show went on to become a major hit for UPN.

LL Cool J's role on "In the House" showed off his acting chops on a weekly basis. In the 2000s, LL Cool J landed multiple movie roles. Soon, he was known more for his acting roles than he was for his longtime career as a rapper. Two years ago, after a dispute with Def Jam, LL Cool J decided it was time for him to move on with his career, so he retired from rap. Now, LL is a full time actor on "NCIS: Los Angeles."

The show is currently in its third season on CBS and LL Cool J is routinely nominated for awards for his performance on the show. His popularity spans far outside of rap music now and he has proven himself marketable as an actor. This has not gone unnoticed by the Golden Globe Awards as LL Cool J has been added to the list of presenters at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards, along with Jada Pinkett Smith.

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