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Interviewing Hollywood Goes to the "House"
http://www.gbmnews.com/articles/4389/1/Interviewing-Hollywood-Goes-to-the-House/Page1.html
Kevin McNeir
Award-winning journalist with over 12 years in the business as a news, features and editorial writer. Degrees from U of Michigan, Emory and Princeton with two first place awards for feature writing by Chicago Association of Black Journalist. Writing is my passion. Newest projects include J'Adore Magazine and National Black MBA Magazine.  
By Kevin McNeir
Published on 07/26/2009
 
Papa Joe Aviance talks about his music and his dreams

By: D. Kevin McNeir

Shahid Manning is at it again: this time hanging out with Papa Joe Aviance - a recording artist and performer whose newest song "Now!" is on its way to topping the Billboard dance charts.
Manning, the host and senior entertainment correspondent for "Interviewing Hollywood" has been getting rave reviews since airing his first episode here on www.gbmnews.com when he interviewed popular author and playwright Stanley Bennett Clay. This time it's about the music and the "house community" that is unique to the Black SGL community - Aviance embodies both.

 

"I met Papa Joe and told him about the show and immediately knew that he would be perfect for the show," Manning said. "We want to showcase those in Hollywood who are working hard at their craft - both those are struggling to make it as well as those who have established themselves. The objective is to give folks publicity and access to our viewers and at the end of the day we believe we are providing a real service to our community."

Aviance's story of how he was discovered is one of those "fairy tales do come true" tales.

"I was working at a video store here in Hollywood when international hit DJ Eddie Amador came in to rent a movie," Aviance said. "He asked how I was and I told him I was an Aviance [House of Aviance]. The next thing I knew, he asked if he could record my voice and the rest is what you see before you - I mean, I'm living my dream."

Papa Joe has his hands full hoping to best his previous number six spot on the Billboard dance charts with his newest song, "Now!", starting a production company with a webisode called "Rise of a Superstar," launching a new clothing line, and still holding on to his day job.


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Papa Joe Aviance talks about his music and his dreams

By: D. Kevin McNeir

Shahid Manning is at it again: this time hanging out with Papa Joe Aviance - a recording artist and performer whose newest song "Now!" is on its way to topping the Billboard dance charts.

Manning, the host and senior entertainment correspondent for "Interviewing Hollywood" has been getting rave reviews since airing his first episode here on www.gbmnews.com when he interviewed popular author and playwright Stanley Bennett Clay. This time it's about the music and the "house community" that is unique to the Black SGL community - Aviance embodies both.

 


"I met Papa Joe and told him about the show and immediately knew that he would be perfect for the show," Manning said. "We want to showcase those in Hollywood who are working hard at their craft - both those are struggling to make it as well as those who have established themselves. The objective is to give folks publicity and access to our viewers and at the end of the day we believe we are providing a real service to our community."

Aviance's story of how he was discovered is one of those "fairy tales do come true" tales.

"I was working at a video store here in Hollywood when international hit DJ Eddie Amador came in to rent a movie," Aviance said. "He asked how I was and I told him I was an Aviance [House of Aviance]. The next thing I knew, he asked if he could record my voice and the rest is what you see before you - I mean, I'm living my dream."

Papa Joe has his hands full hoping to best his previous number six spot on the Billboard dance charts with his newest song, "Now!", starting a production company with a webisode called "Rise of a Superstar," launching a new clothing line, and still holding on to his day job.

"He does hooks for songs and is a club singer, but he is a whole lot more," Manning said. "He is an interesting business man and he is leveraging his popularity to take on other ventures, like the clothing line and other paraphernalia. I am blown away by these young folks today - how they are able to generate funds, how open they are to new ideas and how they promote themselves.
"We have another ten shows already in the can and I have learned so much from these new artists. It's amazing how they independently produce their music and how they use today's technology, particularly the internet, to promote their work. The business model that Papa Joe and others are using today is very different from what I learned - it's just ingenious.

And as for Papa Joe Aviance - well I am confident that he is going to be a huge success.

Shahid has other surprises in store for our GBMNEWS viewers including his Video Interpretation, produced by his company, Millennia Scope Entertainment, that he hopes will be beneficial in using entertainment (music videos) to change how members of the African-American LGBT community view themselves, their sexuality and their relationships. Stay tuned for our story about this project - the first video is definitely "hot!" And if you want to view Papa Joe's new single, go to myspace.com/papajoemusic or papajoeaviance.com