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Bunmi Mojekwu

Several weeks ago I posted the news that Eastenders: E20 actress Bunmi Mojekwu had been the only cast member not chosen to make the transition from the online drama, to the main BBC 1 drama Eastenders.

(Click here to read the post if you missed it)

E20 Cast

Well it was announced today that Bunmi has now signed up to become a regular cast member on Eastenders.

Via Digital Spy

EastEnders: E20 cast member Bunmi Mojekwu has been signed for the main BBC One show, it has been confirmed.

The 20-year-old, who plays Mercy Olubunmi in the online Walford spin-off, was the only member of the main E20 cast not to be immediately picked up to transition across into the primary terrestrial episodes.

However, producers were so impressed by the strength and reaction to the character that they decided to write her into the main show alongside her teen counterparts Sam Attwater (Leon), Ricky Norwood (Fatboy) and Emer Kenny (Zsa Zsa).

Speaking of her signing, executive producer Diederick Santer said: “I’m pleased to announce that Bunmi will be following her E20 colleagues into EastEnders later this year.

“When I saw the completed episodes of E20 I knew I wanted Mercy in the big show too. Mercy’s also been a huge hit with E20 viewers – she’s funny, warm, sensitive and rather mysterious.”

He added: “I’m delighted Bunmi will be bringing those qualities to the wider EastEnders audience.”

[Thanks Kaydine]

So you’re telling me that Mad News’ original feature about an excluded and out of work Bunmi had nothing to do with your sudden change of heart Diederick???

Whatever…ha ha ha ha!

Congratulations Bunmi.

We all know that after riding on the crest of a wave for a number of years (boasting and often humiliating people in public) former music mogul Damon Dash finally crashed and burned after he cut all ties with Jay-Z back in 2004.

However this recently published article in the New York Observer caught my attention today.

Dame might be still struggling financially but he has a number of projects on the go, including the critically acclaimed Blak Roc project, and also seems to have lost his mind (as well as weight) in the process…..

After I finished reading the article I asked three questions..

Is he hoping to recreate the hedonistic 1970s???

When did he start wearing tight jeans?

When did he start smoking weed so freely during interviews?

And his “assistant” who was originally his ‘assistant’s assistant’ and worked her way up through the ranks” (sheer comedy), comes across as being a brainless and spaced out young woman.

Damon Dash (wearing glasses) and his "assistant" McEnzie Eddy lying on a bean bag....

Click HERE to read the  full article. Damon seems to be living on another planet!

It all sounds so pretentious and weird….

Simon Cowell

Well it didn’t take Simon long to find the artists and to choose the song that will be covered…..

Via BBC News

Rod Stewart, Leona Lewis, JLS and Michael Buble have all agreed to take part in the Haiti charity single, which has been organised by Simon Cowell.

The artists will record a cover of REM’s ballad Everybody Hurts. Continue Reading..

When I sent a friend of mine the link to this news story he replied back with some thought provoking commentary. Read below.

I can’t remember whether it was the United Nations or the World Health Organization but, whichever, their statistics BEFORE the earthquake was that there were 2 million Haitians without a reliable supply of food. Strangely enough, this is about the same number of people that the various charities are now trying to supply food to in Haiti. And it’ll probably be the same number in a  few years time when Simon Cowell, Gordon Brown, Bono and Sting have moved on to getting some positive publicity out of the next disaster.

When I asked if he thought that perhaps we were being far too cynical he replied,

Probably. I guess that stars getting involved and charity relief singles etc do provide immediate relief and raise consciousness of the difficult circumstances under which people less privileged than us have to live.

He then went on to add,

The scale of these tragedies is eminently preventable. Death tolls from earthquakes in rich countries (e.g. USA, Japan) are much lower than those in poorer countries (e.g. Haiti, Iran). It’s not so much the strength of the earthquake but the strength of the buildings. I’m not saying that people shouldn’t give money now, but unfortunately all this does is keep them alive to return to the same level of poverty and vulnerability to the next disaster. The only way to really reduce the risk of similar tragedies in the future is to distribute the wealth more fairly, so that they can construct homes that actually protect them. But, for now they’ll get water and food, and probably a fair bit less than they need to rebuild the unsafe houses that killed so many of them in the first place.

In Istanbul, they’re building a huge tunnel under the Bosphorus right across a major fault line. But it’s being built to withstand any strength of earthquake, as many other buildings of the cities in the developed world are.

Most of the deaths are preventable, but only with political and economic change, not charity.

Your thoughts please….

The ‘Pied Piper’ of R&B is coming to the UK folks!

Singer R.Kelly has confirmed details of his first UK tour in 8 years.

Check out tour information below…

Click HERE to purchase tickets via Ticket Master

Things have really changed for the “Double R”. 

No London date at the Wembley Arena? What about the O2 Arena???

His popularity sure has nose dived.

John and Edward with Vanilla Ice

There aren’t enough words…….

Via BBC News

X Factor finalists John and Edward Grimes – otherwise known as Jedward - have signed a record deal with Sony Music, it has been announced.

Rapper star Vanilla Ice, who originally released Ice Ice Baby in 1990, will also feature on the track.

Vanilla Ice also performed live with John and Edward at last night’s National TV Awards.

When I saw Vanilla on stage with them I went in to shock!

Oh dear….

ha ha ha.

Simon Cowell

Music mogul Simon Cowell has confirmed that he is in the process of organising a charity single to help raise funds for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

He disclosed,

We made the decision today. We had a request from the prime minister and The Sun newspaper, ‘Would we put a record together?’ So we haven’t got a lot of time but we are going to do something and attempt to raise as much money as possible.

The “nations sweetheart”, convicted batterer of toilet attendents and ’alleged’ racist Cheryl Cole added,

 ”I just heard about [the song] tonight. It sounds like a great idea… Simon is great at giving back.”

Picture it, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and that tabloid rag The Sun  running to Simon Cowell and asking if he “will put a record together”.

Funniest thing I’ve read all day.

And I didn’t know The Sun cared! Yes that’s right I remember the racist headlines from back in the day Rupert! I haven’t forgotten…….

Anyway you can bet that ”the nations sweetheart” Chezza Cole will be one of the many ‘artists’ featured on the track. Oh and not forgetting X-factor winner Joe McEldery.

It should be a classic….

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

If you wish to donate to the Haiti Earthquake appeal then visit these websites….

Unicef

Yele Haiti

Oxfam

The British Red Cross

Quincy Jones

 Legendary producer Quincy Jones and singer Lionel Richie have announced that they plan to re-record the 1985 charity single We Are The World for Haiti.   

Via Billboard 

Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie are planning a massive 25th anniversary re-recording of “We Are the World.” 

The timing couldn’t be better, sadly enough. 

The duo is summoning lots and lots of talent from Grammy weekend to stay an extra night – Monday Feb. 1 – and come to the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. There, they will celebrate a quarter century since Ken Kragen, Richie and Michael Jackson organized the original “We Are the World” with Jones. 

This time the artists invited include Usher, Natalie Cole, and John Legend. But you can bet that more names will be added shortly and that all the Grammy nominees and participants will be asked to come as well. Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich will produce the event, which will then be turned into a video and single just like it was in 1985. Don’t be surprised if Wyclef Jean joins in, along with Sting, Fergie, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake and other distinctive voices. 

It’s hoped that as in 1985, everyone will “leave their egos at the door.” Continue Reading…. 

I know that the people of Haiti need all the help and relief they can get, but do they really need to be subjected to a re-recording of We Are The World??? 

It sounds as if the real motivation behind re-recording the single is to celebrate it’s 25th anniversary. 

But then again I could be wrong!  Here’s hoping it makes a difference.

If you wish to donate to the Haiti Earthquake appeal then visit these websites….

Unicef

Yele Haiti

Oxfam

The British Red Cross

Rihanna covers the Bob Marley classic ‘Redemption Song’ for Haiti Relief.

Listen to original version below.

Pop singer Daisy Dares You

Chipmunk

This made me laugh out loud today!

Via Digital Spy

Daisy Dares You has admitted that she is not a fan of grime music, despite teaming up with Chipmunk on her debut single Number One Enemy.

The 16-year-old, real name Daisy Coburn, claimed that the collaboration would benefit from Chipmunk’s popularity.

“It’s good for the song because it’s given it an instant. People know who Chipmunk is,” she told BBC Newsbeat.

“It’s [grime-pop], not my bag really. That’s not my kind of music but it worked and it’s helped me getting played. He talks to me quite brotherly, it’s cool.

“We’re completely different people but it works. I wouldn’t do it every single.”

Grime-Pop??????  That’s a new one!

So in other words old Daisy here more or less admits to using Chipmunk to guarantee a hit debut record.

Nice!

*shaking my head*

Bono and Jay-Z

I just love it when major artists from different genres come together and produce a song within a matter of minutes to raise money for charity…

Via BBC News

U2, Jay-Z and producer Swizz Beatz have recorded a song together to raise money for victims of the Haiti earthquake.

U2′s guitarist The Edge told Irish radio station 2FM the band “wrote a song, finished and recorded” last week after being contacted about the idea.

The Edge, Bono and Jay-Z, along with Rihanna, are due to appear in London for “a group performance” as part of Friday’s Hope For Haiti telethon.

George Clooney’s two-hour benefit show will be aired on MTV in the UK.

I hope the proceeds from the single go on to help make a difference in the victims lives.