Sooooooooooooo it's 5:57am, and the MTV Nicki Minaj Documentary is on. I think the documentary was very well done!!! The reason for me writing a post about the documentary is because of something Nicki Minaj said that I agree with fully. She stated that you have to be a beast in this industry, and do what's best for you because not everyone has your best interest at heart!!! One quote that she used that I will continuously use forever is “had I accepted the pickle juice, I would be drinking pickle juice right now,". To me that Quote speaks volumes!!!!! Something she also said that made me think was that you shouldn't take moments for granted. I agree because in a moment so much can be lost or gained. It all just depends on the person, their drive, and their ambitions in life. I think about moments all the time especially with decisions pertaining to my life and career. Watch this clip from the documentary and tell me you you're not entertained as well as informed!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Booker Ben Oduro gets Interviewed by "The D'anise Show" on ThatChannel.com
Kicking off the beginning of the new year, I was invited to do an interview for the 1st episode of the new year for The D'anise Show for ThatChannel.com in Canada.
It was a great experience and to be asked to do an interview was an honor. I had a great time, and we spoke about updates in my career, current bookings, etc. I was called the celebrity guest which I thought was really funny because I'm not at the level of a household name, but I am surely trying to make strides to get there. You can check out the interview below. My part of the interview is near the end of the video.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Benjamin's Music Video Bookings: Kanye West ft Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Bon Iver
During a time where I was at my busiest I was allotted the opportunity to submit models for the Kanye West "Monster" Music Video featuring Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Bon Iver. During the month of November I was not only handling bookings for LA, Canada, and my celebrities, but I was also handling the work of my co-worker who handles a good chunk of the New York bookings, but was on vacation. I remember it was a Friday night, no one except me in the office, and I was swamped when I was given a call by legendary Casting Director Ulysses Terrero. He had told me that he needed models for the Kanye West “Monster” Music Video. When he told me that I was doing back flips! To work with a Casting Director like Ulysses, who I have looked up to, and has gained his respect in this industry from his excellent work it is truly an honor to possibly help him complete his project as well as become a part of Hip Hop History. For me, when it come to any music video dealing with Kanye West, Nick Minaj, or Jay-Z everything drops and that becomes #1 on the list of things to do! On top of the bus load of bookings I was handling that month, I made sure to give time and priority to that video in particular. I quickly as possible sent him a package of the "Model Artillery"(Model Artillery means the models that play no games, and get the job done!). This is a Kanye West Music Video....You always have to make sure you send out the top of the top for a video like this because the exposure will be amazing, very controversial, and chart topping. When I was told the concept I was in awe and told myself there are no if's, and's, or buts.....I HAVE TO GET THIS VIDEO.
In the end Kanye's people decided on using two of my best models Saglara Lidzheeva, and Hawa Diawara (Supermodel).
Supermodel Hawa plays the evil twin model in red.
Saglara plays the dead asian model in Jay-Z's Couch.
Both models said they had an excellent time on set. Saglara in particular who almost couldn't make the shoot (due to a previous engagement) told me that she had an excellent time and that Jay-Z was a gentleman, very easy to work with, and he even made a name for her calling her "Jay-Z's Model". The video and another shot of my models in the video are below:
Saglara and Jay-Z (pictures courtesy of hiphopconnection.com)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Music Video Bookings: Cee Lo Green - "It's Ok"
In November 2010, I sent a bunch of my models to a casting for the new Cee Lo Green music video called "It's Ok". I was really excited because I have always been a fan of Cee-Lo since his first album "Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections". In my mind if I were to book the video then I can add this booking to my collection of music video bookings for artist that have changed the face of music. In order to make sure I booked this job (no ifs, ands or buts) I sent out the model artillery! I sent some of my America's Next Top Model girls (Lisa Ramos & Ashley Howard), Project Runway girls (Lisa Nargi), Arden B Model finalist Tamyko Vassel, Video Vixens, and in general just models that make people stop like a "Deer in Headlights"! In the end, the winning model in this music video booking was Faren Collins who booked the role of "The Lady in Red". While watching the video I saw why she was the winner of this model booking battle (And she just was signed two weeks after she booked this video)! She had winning smile, graceful dreamgirl like moves......She had the whole package. Check out some of the photos and the video below:
Celebrity Client Jared Cotter, Patti LaBelle, Sherri Shepherd, and Jay Sean feed the homeless in Harlem.
Every year I'm always looking for something to actually give me the true feeling of Christmas. The Christmas of 2010 involves lots of commercialism. It annoys me so much I really don't need to celebrate Christmas and could just sit back, relax, and stay home with no gifts involved. Last year when I went to Chicago, I was given the opportunity to buy, cook, and serve an excellent christmas dinner for a bunch of people at a homeless shelter. It was one of the most fufilling experiences that I have ever had in my life. It gave it more meaning, and there I found the true meaning of Christmas. As of right now I am still looking for some ways to give back this christmas, but I had to shoutout my celebrity client Jared Cotter as he has accomplished the deed I have not.On December 15th, at a West Harlem Community Food Bank with other celebrity's like American Idol Alum/Former Fuse Host Jared Cotter, Singer Jay Sean, Actress & Singer Patti LaBelle, and ABC's "The View" Host Sherri Shepherd the celebrities dished out delicious hot meals on that cold day. I definitely love them right now for taking the steps that I haven't done yet! Even though I wasn't there to view them doing the courteous deed other blogs said they served food, and even took time to give hugs! In my opinion of the celebrities that came down.....I feel they couldn't have selected a better bunch. Knowing Jared Cotter he has the personality to make people happy. Patti LaBelle everyone already knows is like a mother like figure. Jay Sean definitely knows the right words to say as he is an excellent songwriter, and Sherri Shepherd (who i've met through a previous interview with harlemtalkradio.com) just can keep you laughing for hours, and the Christmas time is definitely a time for a jolly chuckle!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Celebrity Noble: Exchange cast reunites for one last time!
On November 11th, my celebrity clients shot their reunion episode for Noble Exchange. Shot at the Hotel Rivington in New York
Katie Chonacas (Actress), Sheena Sakai (America
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
My client Singer O'neal Mcknight gets "Crazy" on Global Grind.
My client Singer O'neal Mcknight has been keeping very busy lately. Taping his television show (Noble Exchange), his mixtape, and also working alongside Diddy's "Dirty Money". His drive is very much so inspiring that I felt a shout out was needed to commend his hustle mentality and "tapeworm" work ethic. Recently Music Mogul Russell Simmons did an article on O'neal regarding his new single called "Crazy". You can check out the article post at the link below:
http://globalgrind.com/channel/music/content/1893676/oneal-mcknight-quotcrazyquot-new-music/
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