IFC is collaborating with R. Kelly for 10 new episodes of “Trapped in the Closet.”
The network will officially announce this weekend, that it will air the 12 original episodes of the series, according to Variety, and that the entire 22-episode run will stream on IFC.com.
The series centers around the romantic trials of a character named Sylvester and falls into a genre known as “Hip-Hopera.”
Kelly said IFC made sense as a platform for the property because he’s “always thought of ‘Trapped’ as an independent film.”
“What we want to do is go from an independent film channel to one that is the voice of independent culture,” said Evan Shapiro, the network’s general manager, in what he says is a part of the network transitioning away from only showing independent film.
Florida rapper, Plies has been slapped with a lawsuit for allegedly not showing up at a performance earlier this month in Alabama.
The promoter, Patrick Monfiston (of P Entertainment Promotions) claims in the suit, that Plies not only was a no-show at a July 8 concert, but that he went on a local radio station the following day, saying that he was not paid to perform and that Monfiston‘s company should refund concert-goer’s money.
The suit also claims that P Entertainment Promotions has copies of wire transfer for $5,500 to ISA Bomb Entertainment, the company that manages Plies, and a receipt for $1,500 that was allegedly deposited in a bank account for Plies and his management.
“Too many artists feel they can come in and do us (in Montgomery) however they want,” Monfiston told the Montgomery Adviser. “I’m going to show them they’re wrong.”
In addition to Plies, his manager David Gay, ISA Bomb Entertainment, Hot-105 and the station’s operations manager, Michael Long are also named in the suit.
The damages weren’t immediately revealed at press time.
You know Nicolay as 1/2 of Foreign Exchange. He’s also known for production work with Little Brother, EMC and many others. Now, the producer has started his own label, Nicolay Music.
Recently, he released a statement stating this is a dream come true.
“Starting the label definitely is a dream come true for me! I believe that the future of music as a business lies in establishing and maintaining a direct artist-fan relationship. Independently releasing the music through my own label will enable me to do so, while maintaining full control over my projects. Not to mention that I will now have the opportunity to help get the incredibly talented artists that I work with some much deserved exposure!”
He went on to note that he needed assistance from Premium Blend to finalize the dream come true.
“Ever since I signed my exclusive publishing agreement with Premium Blend and their partner BMG Music Publishing, “GG” has been instrumental in the development of my production company with his connections, advice and never-ending patience,” he added.
GG refers to Goetz Gottschalk of Premium Blend.
“He truly believes in my potential and goes to great lengths for the cause, making him the ideal partner.”
Aside from this, he also has a studio being made in North Carolina, which is almost finished. Nicolay was beaming about this, as well.
“Now that my label is up and running and my new studio in Wilmington, North Carolina is close to being finished! , I feel that the possibilities really are endless!”
He’s got various projects in the works. Nicolay and Kay Present Time:Line is the first project being released.
The next installments of Dutchmasters and City Lights will also come soon, along with a mixtape he’s cooking up with DJ Rhettmatic. Foreign Exchange fans can rest easy because the next FE LP is already in the final stages. It will be called Leave it All Behind and it is slated for a 2008 release date.
Reported By: Starrene Rhett & Andres Tardio
