Look for Jay-Z to clean up at MTV awards
The rapper is likely to be the big winner tonight
(8/29/04) Rochelle Brenner Austin American-Statesman

Wanna know what it's going to be like to be a presenter at tonight's MTV Video Music Awards? Simple.

Repeat the following phrase: "And the winner is . . . Jay-Z."

Jay-Z deservedly garnered the most nominations with six for "99 Problems." His lady love Beyoncé is close behind with five shots at a Moonman.

Here's a preview of the the top 10 nominees along with picks and predictions.

...Best male video: Jay-Z "99 Problems," Prince "Musicology," Justin Timberlake "Señorita," Kanye West with Syleena Johnson "All Falls Down," Usher with Lil Jon and Ludacris "Yeah!"

Winner: Jay-Z...

 

Chasez's Rainbow
(8/28/04) Australia Herald Sun (thanks charlidos and jcdigitallygetsup!)

JC Chasez knows exactly how Jan Brady feels. "Justin, Justin, Justin"shrieks the world, blinded by Timberlake's too-smooth success. JT casts such a shadow, in fact, that for a while it seemed fellow 'N Syncer Chasez's album wouldn't win a local release.

Now that would have been a pity. Schizophrenic is bold urban pop, and Chasez delivers it with blithe spirit. He takes risks - which might explain the album's failure in the US, but it also gives it an edge. With a varied crew of writers (most without the hiphop cred Timberlake preferred). Chasez lets himself try a bit of everything-going electro-pop at times, chanelling Prince, even whipping out the guitars. But mostly it comes back to deep, persistent groove.

Basement Jaxx, who borrowed Chasez's voice for Plug It In, return the favour here with the busy Shake It, which lets Chasez get a little murky-and anyone who's heard the new wave single All Day Long I Dream About Sex knows the down and dirty vibe suits him.

It's no surprise that lyrically Chasez has pretty much one thing on his mind. And with such song titles as One Night Stand, it's not hard to guess what. The wordplay can be cringeworthy, but his voice is capable of selling it. And you don't have to dig to far to find the redeeming nudge-nudge wink-wink.

When he stops winking- see the try-hard ballads Dear Goodbye and Lose Myself- it's easy to hit the skip button. But Schizophrenic is so busy living up to its title that it won't let you stay bored for long.

And when Chasez does fail, he at least goes down swinging- finding full power when his beats are darting about madly, and the dance floor only a hot-step away.

The Verdict: 3 and a half stars.
In A Word: Saucy.

 

HESTEC encourages Hispanics to pursue science careers
(8/28/04) KATHRYN WALSON The Brownsville Herald

Such high-profile people as the president and CEO of Lockheed Martin and the director of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program Office will visit the University of Texas-Pan American next month to try to get Rio Grande Valley students excited about science.

So will former N’Sync member Lance Bass, who spent much of last year training for outer space travel.

“I think that’s a really interesting story, and coming from him, kids will really listen,” said Roland S. Arriola, vice president for external affairs.

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa and university officials on Friday shared details about Hispanic Engineering, Science & Technology Week, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 26, through Saturday, Oct. 2.

In its fourth year of planning, HESTEC was created to increase high school graduation rates among the Valley’s students, boost their college enrollment rates and gear them toward the fields of science, engineering and technology.

In light of a U.S. Census Bureau survey showing that Hidalgo and Cameron counties have the lowest median household incomes in the nation, UTPA officials are confident that HESTEC will lead to a better life for Rio Grande Valley students.

“We will shape (the future) for good if we prepare our children to grab at those wonderful opportunities” in the science, engineering and technology professions, said Blandina Cárdenas, who started Monday as the university’s new president.

About 5,000 public school students from Brownsville to Laredo are expected to attend HESTEC 2004, and even more will witness presentations through a live downlink. Some HESTEC events target specific audiences, such as teachers and administrators, middle school students, high school girls and college students. The entire community is invited to participate during Community Day on Saturday, Oct. 2.

Celebrity speakers include Bass, actress and musician Maria Conchita Alonso and actor Mario Lopez. Other speakers include executives from Texas Instruments, Ford Motor Company Fund, Eastman Chemical Company, The Boeing Company and Dell. Business sponsors from the Valley and elsewhere cover the events’ expenses.

HESTEC allows UTPA to collaborate with schools, businesses and other entities for the sake of the Valley’s children, Cárdenas and Hinojosa said.

“HESTEC has captured the imagination of the Rio Grande Valley,” Hinojosa said. “This university event has engaged our community at all levels. Together we are making a measurable difference.”

For more information, call (888) 432-4033 or visit www.hestec.org

 

So Fresh Interview with JC
(8/28/04) (thanks charlidos and to joeyvanne for transcribing!)

(Part 1 from So Fresh, an Australian TV show. Part 2 to air next week.)

Making a Solo Album vs an Nsync Album?
When you're working on a group record you can't be selfish at all, you know. You have to think about other people and how they will feel and really consider, you just have to be very unselfish. When I was working on my own record, on the other hand, there were no boundaries. There was nothing to tell me 'no', because at the end of the day I was the only one that had to really live with the product, and be able to look myself in the face with it.

The Higlight of Making Your New Album, Schizophrenic?
The fact that I didn't have make any compromises musically was great. I got to see how far I could go. What I was made of, essentially. What am I made of? What is my contribution?

Were You Conscious of Nsync Fans When You Made this Album?
You know, you're always conscious about 'are they gonna like this or are they not gonna like this', but essentially alls [sic] you can do is...is what's in your heart and I'm not gonna change my music I guess, to appeal to a certain audience.

What's the Weirdest Dream You've Ever Had?
I used to have the weirdest dream where I would be asleep in my room and the wall, every wall, would come alive as an angry face.

Are You Sick of Being the Guy from Nsync?
I'm very proud of my past. You know, it's a part of me growing up, you know, and it's still a part... I'm still growing up every day, you know. This record is a part of my life where I grew from... from point A to point B and you know, and the next record I do will be from point C to point D. And whatever project I work, I mean... I have no regrets, man. If people say 'that's the guy from Nsync', fine. When I was in Nsync they were saying 'oh, that's the kid from the Mouse club', you know.

What About Being Compared to Justin Timberlake?
I've always dealt with comparisons. I mean, I think every artist, period, has to deal with some sort of comparison. I definitely don't mind being lined up against my best friend. It's flattery, obviously he's had a successful record. At the same time to compare the two after listening to them is ridiculous, because they sound nothing alike.