Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 January 2003 — Page 17

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2003 ■ PAGE Cl

INSIDE'C* SECTION*PEOPLE & TRENDS

Urban music continued Us winning ways in 2002

ANT WON! OWN 10?

Fisher's I’awdry hie of woe

By KAM WILLIAMS

(Finding Fish: A Memoir by Antwone Quenton Fisher, published by William Morrow, 342 pages) To be honest, I only decided to read Antwone Fisher’s autobiography after seeing his life story as brought to the big screen by Denzel Washington. In an impressive directorial debut, and one well-worthy of Oscar consideration, Washington did a masterful job of fashioning an inspirational tearjerker out of the moving memoir. But I still wondered whether the film had been a faithful adaptation or just another unrecognizable, syrupy send-up. I’m sure must have told you, “The book was better!” a million times before. Well, make that a million and one. For Antwone Fisher’s own memoir offers much more insight into its subject than the sappy, superficial Hollywood overhaul which renders the real man almost unrecognizable. I must point out the fact that Finding Fish was co-written by Mim Eichler-Rivas, an activist/ author whose husband is the spokesperson for the National Network to End Domestic Violence. The committed couple even met with President Clinton to lobby him on behalf of their cause. So, I suspect that Ms. Rivas’ contributions might help explain the book’s fascination with the fallout of such abuse. Antwone was born out-of-wedlock in Cleveland on Aug. 2, 1959, to womanizer Eddie Elkins and one Eva Mae Fisher. The domestically-violent Eddie was killed a few months later by another woman he had kids with, when he violated an order of protection the court had granted her against him. Unable to support the child on her own, Eva Mae soon abandoned her baby boy. Antwone became a ward of the state of Ohio, and after bouncing around a bit, spent most of his formative years with one foster family, headed by Rev. and M izz Pickett. The saying, “The closer tochurch, the further from God,” would (it this kinky couple, who raised the c 3u$l in an atmosphere of unrelenting physical and emotional abuse. Not surprisingly, when Antwone was old enough to rebel, he dropped out of high school, was kicked out by the Picketts and ended up as an apprentice to a street hustler. He tried his hand at pimping, drug-dealing and ► Sm FISH; Paq* C2

By CARL BRADLEY Rccordar Correspondent In a year filled with terror, talks of war, and corporate scandal, urban musicians proved their ability to entertain, enlighten and lift the spirits of a whole nation. The year 2002 marked the year of hip-hop’s largest influence on American pop culture. From today’s urban fashion to corporate commercials, hiphop’s music, style, and attitude embraced the world. One of the year’s brightest stars was Nelly, whose second album “Nellyville” sold 4 mil-

Nelly lion copies, winning three Billboard music awards and held a spot on Billboard's hot IOO chart for seven weeks. Known to many as the princess of hip-hop and R&B, Ashanti had a major year. Racking up five

Ashanti Billboard music awards, including best new artist of the year. 1 ler multi-platinum album titled “Ashanti" sold over 230,000 copies in its first week ofrelease. Rap artist-actorJa Rule continued his success at the box office and charts

Ja Rule with the movie “'Half Past Dead," plus his triple platinum album “Pain Is Love." The year proved a time for young talent to shine. Rap artist Bow-Wow enjoyed platinum success, while B2k and l.il’ Romeo

had gold albums. The Midwest joined the ranks of both East and West coasts, representing strong record sales and a growing fan base. Artists sueh as Kentucky’s Nappy Roots, St. Louis’ St. Lunatics, Detroit's Eminem, whose album “The Eminem Show" sold b million copies, as well as Indianapolis' own Keke Wyatt. Rap artist Ludicris second album "Word ofMouth” went triple platinum, while female rap artist Eve enjoyed the success of a new clothing line, and a new album ► See MUSIC, Page C2

Congrats to Halle and Denzel

By SHANNON WILLIAMS Recorder Editor In addition to notable singers and outstanding movies of 2002, there are also a couple of actors who deserve special recognition. Halle Berry and Denzel Washington both received Academy Awards for their immense talents in early 2002. Bern received the highly d istinguished award for her portrayal of Leticia Musgrove in the acclaimed "Monster's Ball." In the movie Berry plays a woman who struggles to raise her son alone following her

husband’s execution. She was the first African-American actress to win the award in the Best Actress category. Washington is only the second African-American male to receive an Academy Award for Best Actor. The first was Sydney Poitier for "Lilies of the Field” in 19b3. After four previous nominations, Washington finally got his just do with “Training Day." In the movie. Washington plays Alonzo, a narcotics officer who has crossed the dangerous line between cop and criminal. Congratulations to Berry and Washington for such success in 2002!

Holiday Jazz Showcase

Special to The Recorder Local stars shined brightly during the recent Indianapolis Jazz Foundation's annual Holiday Jazz Showcase. The event featured a variety ofjaz.z artists including Mary Moss. Sophie Faught. Steve Walker. Cathy

Morris and Cynthia Layne and Friends. The showcase included announcements ofthe 2002 inductees into the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame. Honors went to Man Moss. Chuck Workman, Dr. David Baker and the late Wes Montgomery.

A look back best and worst in Black cinema

Cynthia Layne wows the audience with her sultry voice.

By KAM WILLIAMS For The Recorder In case you haven't noticed. Black films seem t( > he subjected to a second set ol criteria in addition to the normal one by | w hich any mainstream movie is evaluated. Witness the furor around “Barbershop," which had the Black community up in arms over its offensive asides about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. being a ho and other such nonJ sense. So, “Barbershop, J couldn't just be funny, but had | to measure up in terms of social relevance. This .self-imposed doublcI standard probably evolved as a j reaction to Hollywood s early history which sensitized Afri can Americans with its depictions of Blacks in severely lim i ited stereotypes, such as the

Uncle Tom, the Minstrel Coon, the Mammy, the Buck, the Carefree Primitive. The Noble Savage and the Tragic Mulatto. This is why the N.IAt’P honors enter tainers whtVaie conscious of the content oftheirwork vvith itscov - eted Image Aw aids. . Thus, in assessing the Rest and Worst of 2002's black films, one must factor in more than nicrclv how entertaining a movie might have been. In that light, without further ado, I give you this year s gospel according to Kam. The IO Hcsl Black Movies 11) "As an Act o! Protest"; This tourcdc forcebv writer director actor Denis I .erov Moorcvvascas iiv the most sophisticated and most thought provoking African American oriented offering of the year Filmed in 11.11 lemon a shoe stringhiidgcl,ihiseoining of age

tale chronicles the career frustrations encountered by a couple of recent film school grails vv ho find themselves at odds with an insensitive. racist culture. This is the direction in which Black cinema ought to be headed. (2) "Undercover Brother": Malcolm Lee moved completely out of his cousin Spike’s shadow vv ith this outrageous spoof ofthe blaxploitation-era lliv Eddietiiiffim stars as a silly-looking superhero. replete with the readilv ridiculed, retro gear of the goofy 70s. as he roams the hood in his Caddy convertible. c.D “Brown Sugar : Simplv a sweet romantic comedy, set in the Big Apple, about love bubbling between best friends workaholic buppioN.exccutivc i'aye Diggs and editor Sanaa l.athan. all unfold ► See CINEMA, Page C2

Barbara Epps of the Sounds of Essence sang a joyous holiday song during the annual showcase.

Mary Moss gives thanks as she receives her induction into the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame.

Greg Lansing of the Sounds of Essence plays his digital wind controller to the delight of listeners.