When a nerd—who has no concept of life outside of the classroom—is mistaken for a thug—that has no concept of life inside of a classroom…things can get very interesting.

Class Act—an urban spin on the classic fairy tale “The Prince and The Pauper”—stars 90’s rap duo Kid ‘n Play as they take on the roles of Duncan Pinderhughes (Christopher “Kid” Reid) and Michael “Blade” Brown (Christopher “Play” Martin). Through a series of unlikely twists and turns the unlikely pair form a strong bond through hip hop music, dance, and circumstance.

Kid-N-Play have paved the way for hip-hop and rap artist to take on the big screen, whether it’s creating music for the soundtrack or starring in the flick. So we want to know: Do you think that rappers should act?  Sound off on our twitter page or on our facebook page. Also…

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Tune in for the Flick Centric showing of Class Act at 3PM EST only on Centric

Back in the late 90’s he made us say “uuuuhhhhhh” but since his days as a Southern rap superstar and record label executive, Master P has taken a different route.
 
He’s focused on becoming involved in the Black community’s advancement as a people, raising his rapper cum basketball playing son Romeo, and another starring role in his self-produced movie, “Uncle P.”  The movie revolves around him taking in his sisters three children and raising them as his own.  But Uncle P learns quickly that raising children isn’t an easy feat, especially when you’re thrown into an unexpected situation like that.
 
To see how Master P and his nieces and nephews deal with becoming one unit watch “Uncle P” today at 3PM EST only on Centric.

In the Black community there is a trend of single motherhood and heightened focus on how those mothers affect the development and success of their children. While women raising a family on her own is met with praise, the absent father is bashed and considered a dead-beat. But what about the single fathers? There are “Mr. Moms” out there that deserve just as much recognition for supporting their children and taking on the role of both mom and dad.

Even now in 2010, the concept of single fatherhood is still something that flies under the radar and is rarely discussed.  Recently on Essence.com, Greg Johnson—a single father and widower—shared his story about life as a single parent. Having to step up and raise his two daughters solo has changed his life forever.

To see one single father try to raise and fight for his only son—no matter what the cost—tune in today at 3PM EST for Waist Deep starring Tyrese, Meagan Good, and Larenz Tate only on Centric.

We are in full 20 to 1 Countdown mode today as your favorite artists compete for the top spot. Who makes the cut is all in your hands. So who’s in the running? Well BET’s Centric Award winner Monica is in the race and Still Standing (yes that was a plug).

From battling over a boy to being blanketed in love. Her voice, her style, and development into a strong woman—and mother— has kept her fans’ attention well over a decade.

http://www.dailymotion.com/videoxe1v6f

Monica fans want to help your girl out? Then VOTE and move her video for “Love All Over Me” up the countdown.

Catch Monica tonight on back to back epidodes of Still Standing tonight at 7PM EST only on Centric

Centric’s 20 to 1 Countdown airs Friday at 11 AM and 5PM EST.

Brooklyn-based rap trio Whodini was formed in 1981, and rose to fame under the wing and watchful eye of Hip-Hop business pioneer Russell Simmons.  The platinum selling group consisted of rappers Jalil Hutchins, Ecstasy and turntablist Grandmaster Dee.

Attention Whodini fans and hip hop enthusiast, did you know…

1. Whodini was the first hip hop group to have back-up dancers as a part of their show.

2. In season two of Everybody Hates Chris, Chris was given tickets to a Whodini show.

3. Legend has it that a young Jermaine Dupri is in the video for “The Freaks Come Out At Night.”

4. Bone Thugs N Harmony remade Whodini’s song “Friends.”

5. The Alchemist sampled Whodini’s song “One Love.”

Whodini’s legacy lives on through their music and the music of all of the artists they’ve inspired. Check out Whodini on Soul Train today at 5PM EST.

Heavily underrated, yet extremely accomplished actress Kimberly Elise is someone that can evoke an emotional response the moment she’s seen on the silver screen.

After receiving her B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of Minnesota, Kimberly Elise pursued acting.  Her first starring role was playing the bad girl with a soft side in “Set it Off” alongside of Black Hollywood royalty Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Jada Pinkett-Smith.  Although Elise was noticed in the film, her breakout role was in the made-for-tv movie, “The Ditchdigger’s Daughters”.  She has also acted with and held her own on screen with Danny Glover and Oprah in “Beloved” and Denzel Washington in “John Q” and “The Manchurian Candidate”.

Elise is often compared to Cicely Tyson because of her supreme acting ability and their uncanny resemblance which was evident when they played mother and daughter in Tyler Perry’s “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” (the motion picture).  Although she played a woman scorned in “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”, her acting chops were tested and revealed when she played a sexually abused woman and drug addict stuck behind bars in Pastor T.D. Jakes’, “Woman Thou Art Loosed”.

Elise has re-joined Tyler Perry and is starring in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s play, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf” out November 5th (Elise left on set).

Tune in to catch Elise in the Flick Centric showing of “The DitchDiggers Daughters” at 3PM EST only on Centric.

After a break to focus on motherhood, Keyshia Cole is slowly resurfacing. The singer is featured on “Can’t Stay Away” off Faith Evans’ new album Something About Faith (which can currently be heard in its entirety exclusively here on centrictv.com).  The duet is a welcomed one, as the singers have both been known for their vocal prowess and honest lyrics. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Cant Stay Away by grapejuicy

Want more Keyshia? Tune in for “The Way It Is” tonight at 7PM EST only on Centric.

Establishing yourself in an industry that your older brothers and sister rule isn’t necessarily easy, but the baby boy of the DeBarge clan, Chico, stepped outside of the falsetto sound and decided to sing his own tune.

Chico is a talented singer and like other members of the DeBarge family, his talent has been overshadowed by addiction and problems with the law.  In 2003 after getting stabbed, Chico became addicted to perscription painkillers which led to his addiction to heroin.  This issue as well as his time in prison has never been a secret because he’s always been open and honest with fans through his interviews and his music.

Chico is the proud father of six children and released an album under Kedar Entertainment Group entitled Addiction in 2009.

Catch Chico’s classic episode of Soul Train today at 12 PM EST

After completing a three year jail sentence for tax evasion earlier this year, R&B Legend Ron Isley (AKA Mr. Biggs) is back to business. Following last month’s release of his cover of the Burt Bacharach classic 1963 tune ”(They Long to Be) Close to You” with Lauryn Hill; Isley will be receiving the award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2010 Soul Train Awards this November.  

Before shooting to solo stardom, the Ohio native started out as the lead singer of the The Isley Brothers in the late 1950’s.  Even though the brotherly collective are best known for their soul tunes, they originally started out as a gospel group and later doo-wop.

After recording over 25 albums alongside his brothers, Ron Isley has continued to be a relavent artist throughout the 90’s and 00’s via five hit albums; and frequent collaborations with R. Kelly (most notably in “Contagious”), Warren G., and UGK.  His success in the music industry for over five decades speaks volumes about his ability to translate his artistry amongst every generation.

Dont forget to tune in for Soul Train Awards 2010 on November 28, 2010 only on Centric. Catch classic episodes of Soul Train daily at 12 PM EST.

In 1984, famed comedian Bill Cosby debuted The Cosby Show, a sitcom that would change the way the world saw the African-American family on television. The series revolved around Dr. Cliff Huxtable (Cosby) and his Lawyer wife, Claire (Phylicia Rashad), as they balanced careers and raising their children in Brooklyn, New York. Throughout the late 80’s and early 90’s the series dominated the prime-time airwaves; garnering five Emmy Awards (including Outstanding Comedy in 1985), a People’s Choice Award, NAACP Image Awards and a Golden Globe.

The series also introduced the talents of Malcolm Jamal Warner, Lisa Bonet, Tempestt Bledsoe, Keisha Knight Pulliam, and later Raven-Symone.

Tune in tonight at 8PM EST for four back to back episodes of The Cosby Show only on Centric.