Urban Thought Collective

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MASE RELEASES 5 MIXTAPES ON THE SAME DAY
Mason Betha ain’t playing. He ambushed Diddy last month just to get release papers signed. Rapper/pastor Mase is back on his music grind and plans the release of five new mixtapes in one day. He says, “The tape is being dropped internationally and nationally. I do the impossible … 5 different DJs — one in London, Canada, China, Korea and the US.” It’s unclear if this tape will be released in five different versions with different DJs, because the only tape mentioned is titled I Do The Impossible. I Do The Impossible is available now. I’m interested to hear the language that Rev. Mase will be spittin’.

BIG BOI IS HEADED TO DEF JAM RECORDS
OutKast’s Big Boi has confirmed recent reports of his departure from Jive Records and will join the homies such as, Fabolous, Rick Ross and Jadakiss at Def Jam. He said, “The lawyers just have to finish their lawyering,” Big explained, and added that he was happy to be working with LaFace co-founder and current Island Def Jam Chairman and CEO LA Reid again, since “he’s been with us since the beginning.”

DARIUS MCCRARY IS NEW MALCOLM ON ‘RESTLESS’ NO MORE SHEMAR MOORE
If you thought Shemar Moore was going to reprise his role of Malcolm Winters on “The Young and the Restless,” well forget about it.. Next month, the character will be played by former “Family Matters” star Darius McCrary.

Darius signed a multi-year deal to assume the role be and his debut will air on Dec. 29.

“We are thrilled to have the character of Malcolm back on Y&R,” according to a statement from Maria Bell, the drama’s co-executive producer/head writer. “Malcolm, Neil Winters’ brother, has always been a catalyst to exciting stories.

“He’s coming back to town to see his brother and to reunite with his biological daughter, Lily Winters, as she fights for her life. Malcolm is a photographer…someone who lives on the edge and who always pushes the envelope.”

If I could juggle more than 1 TV gig at time you know a sista wouldn’t say “NO” to nothing. It’s hard enough being working actor in this damn town. (A working anything based on the economy), but that’s just me.

Shemar left the soap in 2005 to co-star in CBS’ “Criminal Minds.” Shemar had been approached before about coming back to the show but it was clear that it wouldn’t work out because of his commitment to ‘Minds’).”

Darius McCrary will find a familiar face on the Y&R set; the Emmy-winning Bryton James (Devon) used to co-star as Richie Crawford on Family Matters, as well.

NEWS BLAST
***Rihanna said to be dating “Beverly Hills 90210″ star Tristan Wilds. Tristan who also played on HBO’s “The Wire” was an “unexpected guest” at a party she held in Los Angeles home. The gathering served as a goodbye to friends before she headed to London this week.

“No one knew why Tristan was there initially, because it was not an industry party — it was very intimate, but everyone quickly realized they weren’t meeting for the first time, because they were openly affectionate for everyone to see.” Tristan is currently working on an album of his own.

“They hit it off the moment they laid eyes on each other,” the insider says. “He’s a real gentleman. She likes him a lot, and it shows. From the moment he walked into her party, Rihanna lit up.”

***Jennifer Hudson is set to star in a drama that casts her as the former wife of South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela. “Winnie,” based on the Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob biography “Winnie Mandela: A Life,” begins shooting May 30 in the South African locations of Johannesburg, Capt Town, Transkei and Robben Island, where the future president spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.

Winnie Mandela has been depicted as the mother and wife who was a steadfast supporter of her activist husband and who was jailed herself for campaigning for his release and fighting against apartheid.

“I was compelled and moved when I read the script,” Jennifer said. “Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I’m honored to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told.” Jennifer is also expected to sing the film’s theme song.

***”The Wendy Williams Show” has been renewed on Fox TV stations through the 2011-12 season, even though ratings in most markets have been modest, she’s been granted another season to shine.

***”Precious” director Lee Daniels is now in advanced negotiations to helm “Selma,” which will trace the historic 1965 march in the Alabama town that marked the political and emotional peak of the civil rights movement.

Daniels, whose “Precious” is drenched in Oscar buzz, will be teaming on the project with U.K. producer Christian Colson, reports Variety.

“Selma” will be the first new project for Colson and his shingle Cloud Nine Films — which launched in March — since the producer enjoyed eight Oscar wins and a worldwide gross of more than $200 million earlier this year with Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire.”

Shooting is set to take place by early spring. No cast has been attached yet, and the project’s final budget is still being sorted out.

Big Lez has interviewed everyone from Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. to Mary J. Blige and Tom Cruise. She was host and producer of BET’s landmark show “Rap City” and has enjoyed an extensive tenure in radio as co-host on The Steve Harvey Morning Show in Los Angeles, plus stints at New York’s WQHT/Hot 97, Atlanta’s WAOK/V103, LA’s Big Boy Morning Show at KPWR/Power 106 and Sirius Satellite Radio. Currently, Lez is partnered with DVA Media + Marketing as producer and host of the syndicated urban radio report, “The Urban Eye,” which launches nationwide this summer. Check out: www.myspace.com/BODIOGRAPHY