DSTv: Next Week's Highlights
BET's finest shine on air
DStv has built its brand around consistency and constant delivery of a winning formula. It is with this thought in mind that BET has become part of the bouquet offering and the channel makes for compelling viewing.
BET's programming is the most viewed in the U.S and the on air talent is integral in the channels positioning. The shows that have a high viewership are heavily driven by the on air talent and one of the stalwarts of BET is Dr. Bobby Jones.
Dr. Jones has been serving as Black Entertainment Television's pioneering host of BOBBY JONES GOSPEL since the cable network's launch in 1980. Every Sunday, he, along with the Nashville Super Choir, performs both traditional and contemporary gospel music and welcomes today's most talented singers and musicians, including the likes of Kirk Franklin, John P. Kee, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker and many more.
Dr. Jones has revolutionized the gospel music industry. BOBBY JONES GOSPEL is the first and only nationally syndicated black gospel television show. VIDEO GOSPEL, which debuted in 1989 under Dr. Jones' leadership, was originally the only national television outlet for gospel videos. Dr. Bobby Jones' numerous accomplishments within the gospel industry are definitely noted. In June 2002, President George Bush, acknowledging Dr. Jones' significant achievements in gospel music, awarded him the “Leader of Gospel Industry” Award. Dr. Jones was also the recipient of the 2002 “Uplift” Award by Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee on behalf of the United States Congress in 2002.
For his works, Dr. Jones has received great recognition, including an NAACP Image Award winner and the 1980 Gabriel Award and an International Film Festival Award for writing and performing Make A Joyful Noise. In 1982, Dr. Jones and his group, New Life, were nominated for the Grammy recognizing “Best Performance by a Black Contemporary Gospel Group.” He also received the 1984 Gospel Music Association's (GMA) Dove Award for Black Contemporary Album of the Year. Later that year, Dr. Jones received a Grammy for "Best Vocal Duo for a Soul/Gospel Performance" for the single I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today, performed with country music star Barbara Mandrell. In 1990, he received the GMA's Commonwealth Award for Outstanding Contribution to Gospel Music, and in 1994, Dr. Jones was nominated for the CableAce Award.
Another on air talent to look out for is Jeff Johnson, he is a political motivator and social commentator speaking to baby boomers, the Hip-Hop generation and to Generation Y, the leaders of today and yesterday. He has a long history for rallying the troops stemming from his days at the University of Toledo when he became the first person of color to be the President of Student Government. Upon graduation he headed to Washington, DC and was the National Director for the NAACP's Youth and College Division, and then was later tapped by Russell Simmons to be the Vice President for the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network.
Johnson's work in the political arena began to gain momentum, which caught the eye of an executive at BET who felt his breadth of knowledge in cultural affairs and politics would work best for their show Rap City. Jeff played host Tigger's conscious "Cousin Jeff," and gave audiences a dose of reality. His commitment to fostering communication between the civil rights and hip-hop generations has been successful as he tours the country speaking at universities, faith-based organizations and churches while conducting countless leadership training sessions in local communities.
As a voice for social change, Jeff is passionate about this work. He has put a spotlight on grassroots activism making these issues relevant to a wide variety of audiences throughout the country. "The time is now!" states Jeff, "Once individuals are armed with the political information needed to foster change within their communities, it will allow them to foster change within themselves."
A Legend called john
tops the highlights ON DSTV in July
MTV Base will treat audiences to a night of brilliant entertainment when one of the world's leading musicians, John Legend, is featured for one night on July 30 at 21:00 CAT. Music lovers can tune into DStv channel 322 for the special and hear songs from the artists' latest offering as he performs live from Italy in Rome.
John Legend is an American musician, recording artist and actor. Born John Stephens on December 28, 1978, he has won six Grammy Awards and recently released his latest album Evolver .
He began playing the piano from the age of four and was performing with his church choir by the age of seven. Legend later attended at the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in African American literature, and formed Counterparts, a coed jazz and pop acappella where he was president and musical director.
He later joined the nightclub circuit in New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C performing as an independent artist and sold his LPs at his performances. Legend was introduced to Kanye West by his former varsity roommate Devo Springsteen and the two started working closely. West then signed Legend to GOOD Music and soon after, Kanye West recorded his Grammy Award – winning album The College Dropout with Legend at the helm singing hooks on West's original demo.
In return, West provided rhythm track for Legend's demo and album Get Lifted which also received awards.
Before he released his debut album, Legend's popularity and career started forming through a series of successful collaborations with multiple award winning artists. Legend sang hooks for hits by Hip-hop group Slum Village ( Selfish , featuring Kanye West), Jay-Z's Encore and Dilated Peoples This Way featuring Kanye West. Legend also played piano on Lauren Hill's '99 hit Everything Is Everything and sang backing vocals on Alicia Keys' You Don't Know My Name song from her 2003 album.
Other highlights that audiences can see this month include Snoop Dogg's brand new series, DOGG AFTER DARK on July 29 at 22:00 CAT. It's a new weekly variety talk show from LA hotspots and Dogg. After Dark will bring his Doggyclass swagger to the airwaves. Featuring raw interviews with A-list celebrities, hilarious sketch-comedy segments and musical performances from the hottest artists, plus Snoop's own in-house band, the Snoopadelics, the show will keep the party rocking all night long.
In one of the episodes in the series, the party rages on with some very special VIPs. Snoop discusses music and movies with Gangsta Rap Icon and Ice Cube, catches up with the comedic antics of Mike Epps, and rocks out with multi-platinum selling group Fall Out Boy.
Before the Dogg is let loose, DStv audiences are invited to tune into Nick Cannon's Wild 'n Out earlier at 21:00 CAT though. The show brings the street to the stage as unpredictable snaps and outrageous situations are played out for30 minutes. Every episode pits Nick against an A list celebrity with each leading their own team of improvisational comedians in an attempt to ridicule the other with comic throw-downs.