Ebony Eyez and the American were getting the same kind of calls this weekend. “What’s wrong? I thought you all were straight?”
We’re straight. It was just a publicity mix-up, and people had to be called out. It wasn’t Ebony I was calling out. The star should not be held personally responsible for her own publicity, not at Ebony’s level or the level where she is headed.
This is maybe a clue to the problem. When Capitol Records finally called the editor of the American to clear up why the best black newspaper in the country, located in Ebony’s hometown – also the first paper in town (in the world) to write about her rapping at any length – label PR dude had the nerve to say, “I did my homework. You’re a real paper.”
Dude was saying, in essence, “You’re not some worthless nigga paper.” Thanks for the prop. That’s what we’re up against here.
Ignorance sure is ugly. But Ebony sure is beautiful. The day before she left for L.A., she went to Vintage Vinyl, bought a copy of her own record and hand-delivered it to the American. We didn’t need to feel that special – equal treatment with a professional follow-up to make sure we had what we need to review the record in a timely fashion would have been good enough – but special is nice, too.
Now let’s just pray the business side of Ebony’s organization catches up with her talent and class. And check the paper next week (FINALLY!) for our take on Ebony’s CD, Seven Day Cycle. There are a few surprises on this one.