Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 January 2003 — Page 17

i . *

■nftljiF IndianapolisM agwsgc

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2003 ■ PAGE Cl

I N S I D E * C • SECTION "PEOPLE & TRENDS

BOOKMARK Boyd book turns everything to himself

By KAM WILLIAMS For Tho Recorder

(The New HNIC, The Death of Civil Rights and the Reign of HipHop by Todd Boyd, New York University Press, 169 pages.) “It is obvious that hip-hop has not only overtaken civil rights as the dominant sentiment in modern Black life, it has consumed it. Civil rights often imposed a certain unspoken code of moral behavior, which suggested that one should act right so as not to offend the tastes of dominant white society. Hip-hop could care less what white people have to say. As a matter of fact, hip-hop, more accurately wants to provoke white people... to say something, while laughing all the way to the bank. “Hip-hop is concerned with being real, honoring the truth of one’s own convictions, while refusing to bend over to accommodate the dictates of the masses. Unlike the previous generation of people who often compromised or made do, hip-hop sees compromise as false, fake, and bogus, and, as the untimely deaths of many rappers have clearly indicated, they are willing to die for these beliefs. I would suggest that you might get a better read of what’s going in the world of Black people today by listening to DMX than to Martin Luther King speeches.” — Excerpt from the introduction Heaven help us, if Todd Boyd is right. In TheNewHNICCHead N-word In Charge”) Boyd, a professor of TV and cinema at the University of Southern California, essentially puts forth the proposition that the civil rights movement has been supplanted by the hip-hop movement as the driving force in the AfricanAmerican community. What’s frightening about the book is that its iconoclastic author is anything but dispassionate about his subject matter. To the contrary, he sets himself up as an apologist for the hiphop nation, employing that same ebonic, ethnic slur and expletivelaced vernacular that is so afropos of gangsta' rappers in making his specious arguments. “Some may find my use of language, my style, my steez, to be problematic, even inappropriate," he acknowledges. “Others may find it empowering. Life for me is often similar to the life of a hiphop artist." ‘ The brush Boyd was tenured at the very young age of 32, an achievement which is all the more , remarkable when one factors in that he had llunkcd out of the University of Florida at 21. But after reading how inappropriately he has handled himself in academic atm* hspheres, one can’t help but wonder whether the university has any regrets about the pointmentFor instance, he talks about the time he was “hated on” while moderating a discussion panel on ► Sat HNIC, Paqa C2

Maintenance Man comes to Indy

Billie Dee Williams

By SHANNON WILLIAMS Racordar Editor The national stage play, “The Maintenance Man” based on the best selling book by veteran author Michael Baisden is in Indianapolis now through Feb.

The play is centered around the main character Malcolm, an expensive male escort who seems to have it all - a large bank account, fancy cars and beautiful women. As Malcolm approaches middle age, he begins to realize that that he wants more out of life - including a faithful woman. The only problem is that he can’t put his faith in any women, leading him to live by his personal motto, “No woman can be trusted to

remain true.”

... That is until the beautiful Antoinette (Toni) unexpectedly

enters his world.

Talented actress April Nixon, who has performed in numer-

ous Broadway plays, plays the role of Toni. “Toni is a strong-willed woman who is independent,” said Nixon. “She is looking for strength, honesty and a commitment of truth for herself.” Toni got all of that from Malcolm until she learned of lies that he told her, which in turn jeopardized their relation-

ship.

Nixon says that Toni’s

experiences are reflective of many everyday women, including her. The up-and-coming actress says that her character is so much like the real-life April

that it surprised her.

“It’s almost as if (the directors and producers) were in my head or trailing my life. I’ve ^-4jved (Toni). I had a Malcolm VJfcntet has been a part of my life. It’s very real for me to go back in my life and relive my past.” “The Maintenance Man” is

► See PLAY, Page C2

Real stars of ‘Biker Boyz are fhe bikes

By KAM WILLIAMS For The Recorder

Just a month ago, Derek Luke received critical acclaim for his stirring performance as Antwone Fisher in the title role of Denzel Washington’s directorial debut. In that emotional melodrama, he played an orphaned young man who excises his demons by returning to his roots to learn about the dad he never got a chance to know. Already, the emergingyoung star is back with another absentee father-troubled son storyline in what is only his second screen credit. Talk about typecasting! Though “Biker Boyz” is more of an action than chick flick, what it passes off as a plot revolves around the fallout of Luke’s character, Kid, growing up without his real father. That deadbeat dad, Smoke, played by Fishburne, is the undisputed King of Cali, a moniker for the fastest man in California on two wheels. For Smoke is the legendary leader of a Black biker gang that seems to get off on staging illegal drag races against other motorcycle clubs. When not competing, these bike enthusiasts revel in performing eye-popping stunts such as standing on a speeding motorcycle’s seat or dragging both feet on the ground behind a bike flying at breakneckspeed. Every gang’s got girls, too, so another popular activity is anything involving women, water

and their rides, like a bikini bike wash. Kid, our hero, only learns that he’s Smoke’s son after his longdevoted step-dad is run over by, you guessed it, a motorcycle. What still prevents bio-father and son from bonding is the fact that

Kid is an emerging biker with a competing club. Worse, he’s after the coveted title currently held by his father. So, this is one of those movies which culminates in a big showdown, the twist being that the competition is between a boy who wants to prove he’s grown up

and a man who refuses to. Forget the trite, transparent plot, the real reason to see “Biker ftoyz” is for the screaming, macho machines. Reminiscent of suefi recent testosterone-soaked, vehicle vehicles as “Gone in 60 Seconds” (2000) or “The Fast and the Furious” (2001), the movie is essentially an extended motorcycle showcase. Though an allstar cast was assembled by actor-turned-director Reggie Rock Bythewood, you w6nder why he even bothered, since it’s all about the bikes. Squandered services include those of Orlando Jones (“Drumline”), Terrence Howard (“The Best Man”), Djimon Hounsou (“The Four Feathers"), Lisa Bonet (of TV’s “The Cosby Show"), rocker Kid Rock (“Joe Dirt”), super model Tyson Beckford (“Zoolander”), Kadeem Hardison (of TV’s “A Different World”), Larenz Tate (“Love Jones”) and Salli Richardson (“Antwone Fisher”). The only characters we care about are those of Fishburne and Luke, and it’s a little weird to watch them work out their issues while burning rubber at 100+ mph. Zoom-zoom! Review Biker Boyz Fair ★ 1/2 (out of ★★★★) Rated PG-13 for profanity, violence and some sex con* tent.

Jill Scott books studio time and has 2 more Grammy nominations

Electronic Urban Raport On Feb. 23, Hidden Beach Hardings artist Jill Scott will be present for the 45111 Annual Grammy Awards ceremony at Madison Square Garden. With two 2003 Grammy nominations in tow, the multi-platinum vocalist also makes her way back to the studio to record her highly-ant ici pated t h i rd album. Scott has earned two nominations - Best Female K&B Vocal Performance and Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical - both for “He Owes Me (Lyzel in E Flat)." The song, which she penned as an ode to her husband, is a

track from her 2001 live album, “Experience: Jill Scott 826+." In addition to her recent nominations, Scott’s criticallyacclaimed 2000 debut, “Who Is Jill Scott? (Words & Sounds, Vol. l),"sold 2 million copies and earned her three Grammy nominations (including Best New Artist), three NAACP Image and Brit Award nominations as well as a trophy from the Soul Train Awards for Best K&B Female Album, among many other honors. Currently, Scott is busy completing work on her yetuntitled third studio project for Hidden Beach Recordings. She also has contributed vocals to her hometown brethren. The Roots' latest album, “Phrenol-

ogy” (“Complexity”), as well as Common’s, "The Electric Circus” (“I Am Music") and w:is featured on the platinum+ “Brown Sugar" soundtrack (“Easy Conversation"). An avid proponent for lending a helping hand to young brothers and sisters in the community, Scott has signed on as the National Spokesperson for the Coca-Cola Apollo Theater Academy, a program designed to offer youth hands-on songwriting, entertainment and record industry career experience. ‘The program celebrates a ‘school without walls'concept to inspire creative insight, thought and opportunity for our children.’ she notes. “As such, I’m happy to lend my time.”

Jill Scott

Inleraclive brain « exhibit a! Stale Museum Special to The Recorder Did you know half of all people in the United States experience a degree of brain d)^function at some time in their life? In fact, brain-related prob- ' lems such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ob-sessive-compulsive disorder, and alcohol abuse make up five of the 10 most common health problems in the world. Despite the fact that these are 50 percent of the most common health issues, people tend not to seek treatment for brain-related illnesses like other physical diseases or conditions. Pfizer Inc. is educating Indiana residents on the mysteries of the brain and brain-based diseases through its interactive exhibit. Brain: The World Inside Your Head. The exhibit runs through May 4, at the Indiana State Museum in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. The 5,000-square-foot exhibit uses virtual reality, video games, optical illusions and interactive displays to show how the brain functions and how it can sometimes malfunction. Visitors can try their hand at brain surgery by using a simulated gamma knife - a laser-like tool used to deliver radiation to tumors. People of all ages can participate in everything from testing their reflexes and learning why reflexes are essential, to a simulated lightning show that represents how electrical signals travel to the brain. “Pfizer hopes the exhibit will allow more open and honest discussion, particularly withyoung people, as well as empower health care consumers, by providing information and encouragement on brain-related diseases," s'aid John Gillespie, M. D., medical director on the Depression and Anxiety Disease Management Team at Pfizer Inc. “Many people, especially children, feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about conditions that atfect the brain.” A recent survey conducted by Pfizer Inc. revealed: • Only one out of every three people with a diagnosable brain disorder seeks treatment. ► Stt BRAIN, Pagt C2