Laid back, witty and direct, Derek Luke is as composed off-camera as he is on. Still early in his career, Luke has managed to snag top roles and appear in some of the most memorable films and shows of the previous decade. Antwone Fisher, Glory Road and Notorious are only a few of his many acting conquests.

Now, in a pursuit to continue living outside of the movie box, Luke is furthering his television career via season three of TNT’s medical drama ‘HawthoRNe,’ premiering June 14. Already an actor who has broken genre barriers of TV, film and beyond, Luke shares his recent experiences, short-term goals and hopes for the future.

You were previously involved in another medical show, ‘Trauma’. Was ‘HawthoRNe’ something you always wanted to do or did it just happen?

In film, I hadn’t yet had a lot of offers to play a doctor, so it’s actually really cool getting this chance. As I continued doing film, some characters like playing a doctor became consistent in TV. I believe a medical show is such a good structure for television.

What are you anticipating most regarding season three of ‘HawthoRNe’?

I’m anticipating the quote from TNT (laughs). No, I’m anticipating the new characters, faces and a great storyline. The storyline as far as my character touches on being on a professional, a father and a husband at the same time. I’m looking forward to addressing topics like that and just having fans and audiences respond to situations that are perhaps true to them.

You play a surgeon on the show. What was the most difficult thing about preparing for your role?

One of the most difficult things about ‘HawthoRNe’ in general was when I signed up the show was already in the process of filming. As soon as I said yes, I had less than a week to actually prepare.

It was exciting and organic because I had to prepare as I went. It was just fun working on the human body. We had scenes where we did different medical procedures and I learned so much about the human body and the sophistication of it. It’s really like a computer than man has been unable to duplicate.

Read more at KYSDC.com

Derek Luke, one of the principle leads in Spike Lee’s war era flick Miracle at St. Anna has a lot on his shoulders. One of Hollywood’s best and brightest newcomers has a pretty hefty schedule ahead of him after showcasing his acting chops as Staff Sergeant Aubrey Stamps. With career turning roles as Sean Combs in George Tillman Jr.’s Notorious and Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail, Derek Luke sits down with The Urban Daily to discuss his thoughts on Miracle at St. Anna, explains how Spike has grown as an artist and shares his thoughts on “black” Hollywood.

The Urban Daily: Morning, Derek… How are you doing? Could you let the people know about your role in Miracle at St. Anna and how you got the part?

Derek Luke: In the movie, I play Staff Sergeant Aubrey Stamps who is fighting in World War II against the Germans. What was unique about him was that he was one of the few men of color who actually had a college education. In the book, he went to Howard University and in World War II he enlisted in the army. That was rare because, if you watch the film, you’ll see a difference of characteristics between the four principle characters that showcases the psychology of the status of America at that time.

During World War II, there were a lot of “who’s who” in the military – Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson and these guys picked up a gun and they would train. But during their training they noticed that they were being treated better outside the country they called home. It made them come out in the field more aggressively. It also lead to help push the Civil Rights movement into a particular area that would heighten their world awareness.

TUD: There’s a scene with you, a young Italian lady and Michael Ealy where you can sense the drama, but not much is said in the beginning…

DL: It was hard to do, man… I felt like, “Man, you got the girl,” in the movie and I had to figure out how to make my character justified, in the movie, without making him a sucker. It was really difficult, you know, but the part called for it. I felt like it was high school all over again and I just got really angry because all the athletes got the girls. You didn’t have to tell me to “act” for that scene. Mike is a good guy. But my character, Stamps, is a leader. As a leader, you can’t be impulsive with your emotions. There’s going to be bickering on your squad, but you can’t join in. Even Spike [Lee] said it to me, “You’re a leader! You’re out front and when you’re out front, everyone’s looking at you.” You can’t deal with the games like people normally deal with it in other situations.

TUD: Spike’s films are usually in your face, poignant and angry, but this one has it’s own subdued anger. There are some choice shots in the film from the crossing of the Serchio river to the WWII propaganda. How do you think Spike has grown from his first days as a director to now?

DL: You know what? I believe that up to this very moment, Spike has been prepared for it. He’s like wine – he just gets better with time. So, the only way I could address it was that we had boot camp two weeks before [we started shooting] and in boot camp, every evening or during the day, he would be showing us videos, propaganda on the war – whether it was Hitler or the racism from America – Spike was so passionate about telling the story of what it was like for these dying heroes. One of the things that made this story so interesting was that I don’t remember this being taught in school. Spike put together an ensemble cast, so he couldn’t be angry. It included Germans, the Italians and the Americans – he had to tell a 16-year period piece in two-and-a-half hours. That is how he grew as a director and an artist, he did it in pieces and made the film a beautiful work of art.

TUD: The movie itself is a blend of things: mystery, magic and a war picture. Do you think that when people come to see this flick that they’ll be able to grasp the full scope of the story?

DL: I think that, for me, I see what the spiritualism of the film is. It touches on so many bases. I think there’s never just a war, there’s people in a war. One of the scenes in the movie focuses on John Wayne, but there was really no focus on any John Wayne-type of character. When it comes down to Miracle At St. Anna, I want people to think that the Buffalo Soliders were really mysterious because they rose out of nowhere. How they got their name was by the Indians who related their hair to that of buffalos. The Italians were praying for soldiers or people to help them, but they just didn’t know that they would be people of color. Going to Italy, man… they are very religious and spiritual people. I believe that if you’re going to do a war movie, you have that battle element, but if you’re going to get more out of it than just the field dramatics, then come and see a Spike Lee movie and leave that much more satisfied.

TUD: The cast is relatively new names on the mainstream Hollywood circuit. How did the cast get along on the set and after this, do you think that there will be a forward progression for more diverse roles for you all?

DL: Every year, in every generation, it’s going to get better than it was before. [My character] is very hopeful and optimistic of the future. I don’t think that they [the Buffalo Soldiers] just impacted the political front, but they also affected the entertainment front. So, every year people of color and their status always ends up changing. One of the things I believe can get done is that a lot of us can start getting together to make more films. The work will be about getting those causes done than just about an individual highlight and promoting one’s self. What I love about Miracle at St. Anna was that this was a universal cast and that love of this story and of each other was shared.

TUD: Did you have that same type of universal chemistry on the set of Notorious?

DL: There was a sense of spiritualism. I think that any time something comes together that you couldn’t plan, then that spirit is there. What I loved about the Notorious cast is that there was nothing but new and fresh faces. I applaud the filmmakers and the studios for introducing all these new people ‘cause now we have another dozen actors who are popping up in a strong film. Jamal, aka Gravy, who plays B.I.G. just tears the role up!

TUD: What was that one moment where you just looked at him and thought to yourself, “Damn, he’s B.I.G.”?

DL: We were in the studio and inside there were all these pictures that were used as props. It’s 2008, you know, and you needed them to be able to go back into 1995 and put yourself into that time frame. Anyways, I look into the window and I see a profile picture of B.I.G., but when I looked closer at it, it wasn’t him, it was Jamal! He was in a chair and they took a shot of his profile. I ran into the room excited like, “Yo! Gravy… I just thought you was B.I.G.!” In that instance, even the way I responded, I felt like I’m acting like Puff, right now, because I felt like I saw a ghost.

TUD: Is there a true difference between how black soldiers are treated in Iraq versus how they were treated during World War II? That racism may not be overt, but the discrimination is still there…

DL: The difference now is that I believe the majority of guys who make up the enlistment ratio are men of color. What I would like to see happen is that when they see this film, the men who are fighting now can see how their ancestors were involved, not only in the front-lines, but in the political area. When I grew up, you saw a couple of dudes in the service and you thought, “That’s crazy.” But I didn’t know that there was a foundation with the 92^nd Buffalo Soldiers that inspired them. Now, when a soldier dies, they show all the men who died, but sixty years ago, you wouldn’t have seen most of these black soldiers names listed. What America is saying now is – for my character and the dudes making these serious contributions – that these guys are the reason why we’re standing and we’re in support of their commitment. Blacks and Latinos make up the core of the military now and they’re getting some sort of support from their government now.

TUD: How hard was it to do the ice slope scene?

DL: Oh, man… It was really hard. As a matter of fact, the ice slop scene was one that we shot last, but it’s really one that I wish we had done first because it sets the tone of the movie. It sets the tone with all of our relationships and how it felt to be a stranger in your own town and not be appreciated. We got a glimpse of what the Buffalo Soldiers must’ve gone through because people, during that time, were so open with their thoughts and at the time, one could only be receptive or reactive. In the movie, you see how the Buffalo Soldiers handle that situation.

TUD: Black Hollywood is getting meatier roles for their actors and behind-the-scenes, filmmakers like Spike Lee and Tyler Perry are able to express themselves without compromising their integrity. Is Hollywood finally becoming more receptive to the black experience?

DL: History has an unseen time on it. I think all through history there have been steps made to make these things happen. But now, the world is becoming much more universal, all the way from hip-hop to politics. I believe that the world we live in now is more colorless than anyone has ever seen. So, we’re in for a lot of surprises. What would be a shock to most a generation before isn’t one now to this new one. In the end, you must always stay wise and stay current so that those moves you hope to make are well-timed.

TUD: What’s up next for you and where should people look out for you next?

DL: I’m being much more proactive in the production side of things. I am going to be in front of the cameras, still, but I’ll be learning a lot about what goes on behind the scenes. After that, it is what it is – just expect the best. We’re living in a time where there are no limits to what you can do. We’re definitely standing on the shoulders of our ancestors and I’m looking to the future.

There has been a lot of talk about Lil Kim’s displeasure with the Notorious movie (and we had our own thoughts,too). Key among her complaints is that actress/singer Naturi Naughton was “too dark” to play her and Biggie’s mom had some choice words about that.

Given the many different faces and complexions Kimberly Jones has taken on over the years, any casting director is going to have their hands full trying to get it right. Which Lil’ Kim is your favorite?

From Necole Bitchie

After finally seeing the Notorious biopic, Lil Kim was still not feeling it:

“I feel like I was not portrayed how I should have been in this movie. I was in love with BIG and he was in love with me. I was never a JUMP-OFF, I know this and BIG knew this. I wasn’t even able to choose who I wanted to portray me in this movie. I would have never picked Naturi, she doesn’t have a Lil Kim aura at all! She looks nothing like I looked back then. We have NO similarities. Watching her on-screen was so “dreadful” as Simon Cowell would say. She is tasteless and talentless. Never once did she contact me for input or to get a feel of me for the character. A “TRUE” actress would contact the source to be the best they can be in portaying someone. That told me right there, she wasn’t right for the part and not to mention, Naturi has got to be one of THE worst actresses I’ve ever seen and I can’t believe they chose her. I really can’t!

The saga continues…

GET MORE EXCLUSIVE NOTORIOUS COVERAGE HERE!

With all the hype about how much Notorious grossed, the question had to be asked, who’s flick was better? ‘Pac’s Resurrection spooked the bejeezus out of moviegoers with his spot-on delivery about his life set to Lauren Lazin’s cinematic eye.

50′s Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ kept the G-Unit general alive and well through 2005-2007 with his shoot ‘em up, bang bang biopic making everyone realize how gangster the “gangsta” was. Or was it Fiddy’s boss, Mr. Slim Shady, who comes out with the best hip-hop biopic-to-date?

The Detroit demon laced lyrical lines at most of his hometown comp. Much to the chagrin of his real world fans and Mekhi Phifer (who played Proof in the movie), 8 Mile still stands as every battle rapper’s life story untold.

In the end, Notorious has debuted in theaters grossing $21.5 million in a limited release nationwide. Could that have been more if more folks got to see it?

Check out these first weekend sales from some of hip-hop’s best and brightest:

8 Mile – $51.2M

Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ – $24.5M

Tupac Resurrection – $27.8M

All these films grossed considerably more, but you movie nuts, you, are the deciding factor to this question:

Who’s movie was better? Biggie, ‘Pac, 50 Cent or Eminem…

For more Notorious, go check out Frank White’s Blackplanet Page!

From Global Grind.com.  Says he’s helping Nore with that gut.

Bossip.com snagged some tidbits from Yo! Raps.

In light of all the Notorious film drama, Charlie Baltimore put her two cents in about Lil Kim: “Me and Faith had words and we definitely had our little moments but we never had any physical altercations. It wasn’t anything totally disrespectful. When B.I.G. passed, I called Faith and gave my condolences to her children because I thought that was the right thing to do. She knew about me and I knew that B.I.G. still had feelings for her. They were going through a separation, a divorce. The problem that comes is that Lil Kim made it seem like she had a relationship with B.I.G. that they really didn’t have,” Baltimore said about her relationship with Biggie’s wife Faith Evans. Charli went on to talk about Biggie’s “wannabe” girlfriend Lil Kim.

“Kim goes out of her [Faith Evans] way to say she was B.I.G.’s girl. No, Kim wasn’t his girl! Straight up! She wasn’t! She benefited from the situation because she became Lil Kim. She has a career and she’s grateful to a n*gga for helping her in that aspect, but she was never his girl!”

Read the rest of this hot mess at Bossip.com.

It’s no secret that Lil Kim is not supportive of the upcoming film “Notorious,” a biopic about her late friend, mentor and lover, Notorious B.I.G.

The pint-sized rapper told Hip-Hop Weekly that she blames Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace, and his widow, singer Faith Evans, for what she calls a negative portrayal.

“I’ve had enough and I’m about to expose them both. … I’ve been quiet for a long time,” Kim told the magazine. “I’m very disappointed in Faith. There’s nothing Faith or Ms. Wallace could do to stop me from reppin’ B.I.G. all day. I’m gonna always do that. … It’s time for Ms. Wallace to be exposed.” “I was not involved in the movie,” she continued. “[The filmmakers] never came and asked me anything about Biggie, but again, this was Faith and Ms. Wallace’s movie.”

Furthermore, Kim – who has not seen the film – said she thought actress Naturi Naughton was a bad choice to play her and that Jamal Woolard was not the right actor to portray Big.

Naughton, meanwhile, told MTV that she had to make do without Kim’s involvement while researching the role.

“I had the guys from Junior Mafia [Biggie’s entourage and labelmates on Bad Boy records] help me out a lot,” Naughton said. “I really just researched on my own. I studied videos and spent time in Brooklyn to get an idea of the mentality.”

When asked about her attempt to contact Lil Kim, Naughton cryptically offered, “I don’t know. I tried to reach out to her. I think there was some conflict. I’m not sure.”

Faith Evans, who was married to Biggie, told MTV.com, “I don’t know what [Kim] wanted. But we all signed the same agreement to be portrayed in the movie.”

“I try my best not to think about it. It’s kinda sad,” she continued. “I got four kids, and I definitely don’t have time for this type of sh**. It’s just sad. I don’t know Kim’s story like that. The part of my life that she was a part of, that’s what was in my book. This movie is not relative to my book other than that there are certain things in there. This is not my movie. I didn’t write the script. Any characters in the film had to agree for their life rights to be in the movie. I don’t think I would have signed anything had I felt I was not portrayed properly. I think she had the opportunity to do that. I could be mistaken. I wasn’t there.”

“It’s not like [the film's producers] are calling Faith to write something about somebody,” Evans added. “It’s based on a book that I think she participated in as well [Editor's note: 'Notorious' is based on the biography 'Unbelievable: The Life, Death and Afterlife of the Notorious B.I.G.,' by Cheo Hedari Coker.] I don’t know what to say. I think that beyond myself, Ms. Wallace or whoever else she wants to blame, everyone who was around Big at that time has had some things to say about [her relationship with Biggie] in order for Cheo to even write the book. He interviewed pretty much all of us. She’s sadly mistaken. I’m aware of what she has to say, and that’s fine. I don’t know what to say. God bless her.“

With the release of Notorious, the bio pic on rapper Notorious B.I.G., just around the corner, a key character in the film is speaking out.

Portrayed by actress Naturi Naughton in the film, Lil Kim has expressed her distaste for the way in which she was portrayed in Notorious and blames Faith Evans and Biggie’s mother Voletta Wallace for approving the portrayal. 

Lil Kim recently shared her thoughts on Notorious and Faith Evans and Ms. Wallace with Hip Hop Weekly.

“I’ve had enough and I’m about to expose them both… I’ve been quiet for a long time,” Lil Kim told Hip-Hop Weekly. “I’m very disappointed in Faith. There’s nothing Faith or Ms. Wallace could do to stop me from reppin’ B.I.G. all day. I’m gonna always do that… It’s time for Ms. Wallace to be exposed.”

While Lil Kim played a very small role in the creation and production of the film, both Sean “Diddy” Combs and Voletta Wallace served as producers for the film. Faith Evans was also involved in the film.

Notorious will be released in theaters on January 16.

Angela Bassett and Herbie Hancock are among the celebs set to attend “The Inaugural Purple Ball,” one of 10 official balls scheduled for inauguration night, and an evening intended to celebrate “the spirit of bipartisanship and diversity.”      

Leaders from entertainment, politics, business, the military, media, non-profit and community organizations from across the country will attend the exclusive formal dinner occurring on Jan. 20 at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington D.C.       

The evening, a benefit for the ERACISM Foundation founded by Louis Gossett Jr., will include a tribute to the troops of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and war veterans.      

Other celeb attendees will include Patricia Arquette, Amy Brenneman, Josh Lucas, Ed Harris, Ashley Judd, Kate Walsh, John Cusack, Brendan Fraser, Lisa Marie Presley, Bradley Cooper Tim Robbins, and Susan Sarandon.      

A presidential toast will be made by Hill Harper, as guests “will be feted to a delicious champagne dinner, surrounded by exquisitely laid lush purple velvet and breathtaking crystals,” according to a press release.       

For ticket or event information, please visit: http://www.inauguralpurpleball.com.  

• Tracy Morgan
• T.I.
• The cast of Notorious

Many fans of hip-hop overlook the fact that Tupac Shakur was born in East Harlem NYC and lived in Baltimore, Maryland for four years before moving to California at age 16. But does that make him an “East Coast” rapper?

Click HERE to watch a video where Rapper/Actor Gravy makes the case from the set of the Notorious film. What do you think?

State prison inmate Waymond Anderson was denied a new trial after her contended that was was wrongly convicted of a 1993 arson murder in South Los Angeles.

According to the LA Times, Anderson claimed he could not have committed the murder because he was in Mississippi at the time of the killing. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge William C. Ryan wasn”t buying it, saying that the former R&B singer provided “too little, much too late” to support adequate cause for a new trial.

“This court finds it totally incredible that the defendant would not be able to state that he was in Mississippi …when he was interviewed by the police after being arrested,” Ryan wrote in his 32-page opinion. “Besides his obvious bias and motive to lie now, he is an admitted perjurer.”

“The evidence that was presented in court was overwhelming that he was guilty,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Laura Jane Kessner.

Anderson is known in the Hip Hop community for implicating former LAPD Officers Rafael Perez and David Mack in the killing of the Notorious B.I.G. However, he withdrew the claim during a deposition that the rapper’s family had against the city of Los Angeles. He later implicated the two officers again, saying that he recanted his claim because former Death Row Records head Suge Knight sent him death threats.

SOURCE: HipHopDX.com

Notorious is set to hit theaters on January 16th, 2009.

Previously: ‘Slim (of 112) Goes Solo, Talks Bad Boy Then & Now’

Without naming names, Keith told EUR’s Lee Bailey that he and Marvin “Slim” Scandrick fell out with another member of the band over a mishandling of funds – which left either Quinnes Parker or Daron Jones as the alleged guilty party.

“I had to leave because I found out that a certain member of the group took my publishing check,” Keith told Bailey in October. “It was made clear that it was intended for myself and another member, Slim.”

During his interview on WVEE, Q directly addressed Mike’s accusation of theft.

“It comes down to something very simple,” he said. “As recently as last week we went to court about this very topic and I was exonerated.”

“All of the guys from 112 are like my brothers, and I have nothing but love for them,” he added. “I may not agree with what Mike is saying, but I respect his right to speak his mind.”

As for Mike’s statement that he left the group, Q said, “If 112 is broken up, its news to me. We have been doing shows over the last year; as recent as last weekend!”

Added Parker, “I agree with Mike on a lot of the things he says. This group is like a marriage, a family, and when there are problems in the family, you work together to try and resolve that. I wish that was something Mike would do.”

As excited as many are about Notorious, not everyone is feeling the same way. Just watching the trailer, our office erupted in both cheers and jeers.

From its emotional clip of Biggie’s friend taking a gun bid for him so he can peruse music to when Faith Evans catches Big (played by Jamal “Gravy” Woolard) with Lil Kim, this is one movie that sure to captivate everyone with its emotional and relatable hustle.-KIRSY POLANCO