Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 August 2002 — Page 26

■

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2002

nann nnoo nnann □Edna nann nnnp □□ana nnnaa □□□n anonacinnciaaiinnnn aanaH □□□□ □□□ oeq aann □□□□□ nnoa □anaanno nEnamnaano □□a anno □□□□ □□aaa □□□□an □□□□□□□ □□□□□□ □□□□□ nnan aaaan aaa □□□ aaa dee nnna □aaEa annaanna □na ana anna □□□ anaop aann aaaan □□□□□□ nonaann annaaa nanna nann nnaa ana oaonnuaanno aaoaEEan naao □□□□□ □□□□ □□n ana □□□□ annan nanarannoaannnnnD aann □□ana aonaa nano anna □□□□□ annan □□□□ anna

The Official Sponsor of Miss USA & Miss Universe 2000 & 2001 I i Sacha Cosmetics For the look money can't buy. Glendale Mall, entrance #2, next to LS Ayres 202-0644 Franchises Now Available

Love of hip-hop inspires local Hall of Justice group

His debut album, titled “Heaven & Hell,” gives listeners a deeper look at the artist and his obscure style. Female rap artist Kayah represents the Hall of Justice very well whenever she gets a chance to speak her mind on the mike. Kayah’s style is bold, up front and in your face and she holds nothing back when it comes to

STARTIME ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTSThe Soul fflu/ic Conccrt...Thcn 6 flow Friday August 9th 7:30 p.m. at the Indiana State Fair Grandstand.

Co-Starring

ConFunkShun

6 Cameo. Plus very special guest... e Down Wit It Family, featuring R&R, Dami,

imp Tight Boyz,

d Hummer.

R&R, Dami, Hummer, and The Pimp Tight Boyz

Tickets are now on sale at all Ticketmaster locations or charge by phone at 317-239-5151 or order online at Ticketmaster.com. Available also at the Indiana State Fair Box Office. If you missed last years show dop,'t; slesp.Qn this year.

Produced by Startime Entertainment

♦All seats reserved, and concert tickets include State Fair admission. *Gates open at 6:30 p.m. / Showtime 7:30 o.m.

speaking her truth.

“I never kept myself in a box when it came to writing my music, because I’m such an open minded person. I just feel that in order to grow as an artist, you have to love the music,” said Kayah. Bringing a more seasoned sound to the group is one of the group’s oldest members, 25-year-old Indianapolis native Gat Strapped. He brings a different element to

Continued from Cl

the unit and says there is more meaning to his name besides the negative connotation of violence. “My name stands for what I’m about, which is gathering all thoughts, styles, and techniques of rhyme,” said Gat Strapped. The unit has sold more than 7,000 copies of recent albums during the last two years with such releases as “Battle Axes,” Mikado’s “Learn Y’all,” DracullahV’Heaven vs. Hell,” and

“The Hall of Justice Soundtrack.” Plans are under way to release Mikado’s “Lost Ark” on Sept. 11. Group members hope to land a distribution deal from a major record company so they can reach a wider audience. “We’re not scared to take chances with our lyrics, because we have one love and that one love is hip-hop music,” said Freestyle. “That continues to motivate us to succeed.”

Keisha Knight-Pulliam is all grown up and has her college degree

By KENYA YARBROUGH Electronic Urban Report No one can forget the adorable smile with the missing teeth and her clever dialogue deliveries as Rudy Huxtable on the ‘80s television hit, “The Cosby Show.” Well Rudy has grown up, y’all. Keisha Knight-Pulliam, who played the precocious tike to teen on the series for eight years, is now a 23-year-old Spelman graduate. In May, after a 10-year hiatus from the business, she co-starred in the remake of the television movie, “What About Your Friends,” about three college-bound friends from different areas who attend a weekend competition for some coveted scholarships. Leading up to the latest movie, Knight-Pulliam also made appearances on NBC’s Anniversary Celebration Cosby Reunion, as well as a few game shows. Knight-Pulliam sat down with EUR to talk about her return to acting, how she’s been since her days on “The Cosby Show” and her ambitious plans for the future. Though has definitely moved on from days as little Rudy Huxtable, Knight-Pulliam said she doesn’t really mind being recognized from that role, or the fact that so many fans hold on to the memories of the show, at times even trying to hold, literally, on to her dimpled cheeks. “It doesn’t bother me,” she said. “I know that because people grew up with me, it’s hard for them to realize that I didn’t just stop in time, that I’m actually getting older along with everyone else. It’s fine, it’s part of what I do, and honestly. I’m just so glad that people are still so welcoming after I’ve taken a 10-year hiatus away from the business. I think part of it is that people don’t want to admit that they ’ re getting older, too.” Still, even we can’t believe it’s been 10 years. And that’s 10 years

Keisha Knight-Pulliam without a hint of trauma or drama. That certainly seems odd to come by, in this day of downtrodden child stars. After all, Knight-Pulliam was on one of the most highly-rated television shows of all time. No convenience store robberies, no substance abuse problems. Just a college degree and a lot of ambition. “I must say that I was truly blessed and very fortunate that I don’t have that kind of horror story,” she said, in reference to child actor downfalls. “My parents were with me every step of the way. It’s really up to your parents to keep you grounded, to keep you humble, to keep your head on straight. I’m just fortunate that my parents dk) that, instilled lifelong values in me to help me be a productive part of society after the fame fades.” Good thing her parents insisted on teaching those values and strengths. Turns out Knight-Pulliam had to use those strengths for things other than fighting off industry demons. She admitted that her hard road was actually her path through college. “It was interesting," she described. “I grew a lot as a person and got a wonderful education, but it was difficult. It was hard because regardless of how normal of a person you are or how nice you are, you’re still seen as

Keisha Knight-Pulliam — the person that people grew up with. Some people can embrace you because of that, but then, a lot of people can be haters, too.” All while taping “The Cosby Show,” Knight-Pulliam said she was never distanced from her peers. She did have tutors on the set, but she also went to regular school. “I’ve always interacted with my peers. It wasn’t the sort of thing where it was just me. I was always around kids my age. But the difference is, when you’re recognizable, it just creates another dynamic. It’s amplified eveiything that the normal person gets. People have preconceived notions about you. TTiey don’t know how to separate you and the character. Not to mention, how people already view child stars — being self-absorbed.” Well, she’s made it through, so far. With her B.A. under her belt, Knight-Pulliam says she is going to continue acting for a while, but has every intention of returning to school to pursue a masters, then a doctorate. The young actress definitely has a plan. Imagine, while in school she was often approached to do films and television shows, but KnightPulliam said she was very focused on her goals. “It was a very deliberate and purposeful hiatus that I took,” she said. “For me, going to college wasn’t an option, it was a definite. A lot of times, with acting, if that’s what I chose to do, later on it was going to be there. But I had to give myself the tools so that I could do all the things I needed to do in life to make sure that if I didn’ t want to act again, I had this degree behind me. Acting is a very fickle perfection. You may not be ‘the look’ right now, or, God forbid, you have some type of accident —you have to have something to fall back on. Going to school can only enhance whatever you want to do in life.”

Thursdays 5:30 to 8:30 July IS - August 22

99 9 Many Mtodema's Deep 9tx Sextet

O^mtt***

1430 XNT , “Sistah Talk” The # 1 Show To Empower Women of Color Hosted by Radio/TV Talk Show Host

Linda “LC” Clemons

TOPICS • Relationships • Beauty • Celebrity Interviews • Spirituality • Current Events • Entrepreneurship • Finance Join the Sistah Posse Trips • Prizes • Contest • Give-a-ways Saturday 9:00 AM • Live and Interactive (317) 239-1430

eis-i3l«

LAW OFFICES OF TOM SCOTT & ASSOCIATES BANKRUPTCY Free Consultation with an Attorney

HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED • Mistakes Of Youth • Illness or Layoff • Overtime Cut

STOP Repossessions Garnishment Foreclosures

355-9915 . a 6100 N. Keystone Ave., Suite 454

Family Dentistry

Quality care at prices you and your family can afford. That’s the tradition Dr. Smith started over 20 years ago. Now you and your loved ones can have it too. Plus, for every new patient we receive, we will donate *5,00 to the Julian Center! We help your smile last a lifetime! •Gentle cleaning & fillings •Tooth whitening •Crowns & bridges •Bonding & veneers • Single visit root canals •Emergencies always welcome •Nonsurgkal gum & TMJ treatment •Oral Sedation •Restorative care *0111 Surgery We help your smile last a lifetime • Intraoral camera shows your smle close-up •Emergencies always seen promptly • Most Insurance accepted & (Ned • Medicaid accepted •Visa, MasterCard, Discover & American Express welcome Handicapped-accessible free parlibig

HB Smith. D.M.D.

Call 317-545-5771 4456 North Keystone Ave

Indianapolis

One and one-half blocks north of FaH Creek

rjlmu

First time patients will receive 25% off teeth cleaning & X-rays. H 'Dentistry We accept moat insurances.