Janet Makes Sales, Financial History; Angie Stone Polishes Her 'mahogany Soul'

MAKING HISTORY: On the heels of notching the best first-week sales in her career for her new album, All for You, Janet is also making history on the financial front as a shareholder in the nation's first African-American-owned national bank. She and fellow Founders National Bank of Los Angeles shareholders Magic Johnson and DreamWorks executive Jheryl Busby announced May 2 a merger involving Founders (being renamed Founders Bank of Commerce), Boston Bank of Commerce, and Peoples Bank of Commerce in Miami. Geared toward promoting inner-city development, the new bank network will serve Boston, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Amid ongoing speculation regarding Busby's continued DreamWorks tenure (BillboardBulletin, April 26), stay tuned for a revamping of the label's urban department. Among the names being bandied about—with no confirmation as to official duties—is that of A&R veteran John McClain.

AS THE RECORD SPINS: Angie Stone's second album—and first for J Records—is titled Mahogany Soul. La Stone has enlisted the production services of Raphael Saadiq, Warryn Campbell, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Prince (dueting with Stone on "U Make My Sun Shine"), Gerald Isaacs, Chucky Thompson, Mike City, and Rufus Blaq. The set is due in mid-August.

Restless rapper Warren G has signed on Universal Records' dotted line. The Los Angeles-based rapper has lined up an all-star guest contingent: George Clinton, Snoop Dogg, Daz, and Kurupt, among others. The production team includes Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, Battle Cat, and Jason "Jay E" Epperson. Warren G's pact with Universal does not include his G-Funk label, the BMG-distributed joint venture with Restless (Billboard, June 26, 1999) whose roster included Reel Tight, Jessica, and Da 5 Footaz.

Kenny Lattimore, Montell Jordan, and Dawn Robinson—all with new projects in the wings—share something in common: songwriter/producer Travon Potts. The Atlanta-based Potts has worked with acts ranging from Public Announcement ("Mamacita") and Monica ("Angel of Mine") to Christina Aguilera ("Blessed"). That diversity, says Potts, is what keeps his creative juices flowing. "What keeps it fresh for me is I bounce around. Besides being a fan of R&B, hip-hop, and pop, I play classical, jazz, and gospel. So it isn't difficult to go from Christina to Montell."

Potts made the jump to writing/producing after a stint as a member of the group Travous, which made it to the semifinals of the Natalie Cole-hosted TV talent show Big Break. On a trivia note: Eric Benét and R. Kelly were among Travous' Break competitors.

In addition to new songs for Def Jam's Jordan ("Are You With Me") and Arista's Lattimore ("The Things I'll Do"), Potts has done three tracks for Robinson's upcoming solo project on Q Records/Atlantic: "You Will Never," "Can You Read It in My Eyes," and "I Don't Know Why."

In other industry news, Def Soul singer/songwriter Musiq Soulchild has signed an exclusive songwriting and co-publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing . . . Virgin, quickly gaining a reputation as Diva Central (Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Tina Turner, Aaliyah), is preparing for Kelis' sophomore set, Wanderland.

SCREEN SCENE: Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg have lead roles in writer/director D.J. Pooh's new movie, The Wash. The Lion's Gate film begins production May 7 in L.A. and is set to bow this winter . . . Lil' Kim and the Roots' Tariq Trotter will co-star in music video director JC Barros' indie film 10029. The film takes its title from East Harlem, N.Y.'s ZIP code and is a Raven Knite production . . . Nike has launched an extended-play version of its basketball "Freestyle" TV ad—"Freestyle150"—directed by Paul Hunter and choreographed by Savion Glover with a hip-hop soundtrack by Afrika Bambaataa and Hydraulic Funk.

HONOR-BOUND: Congrats to Elektra Entertainment chairman/CEO Sylvia Rhone, who was one of five honorees at the 10th annual Celebration of the Creative Spirit festivities held by the Black Alumni of Pratt Institute at New York's Waldorf-Astoria. Congratulations also to Prince, who received a lifetime achievement award at the recent Black College Radio convention in Atlanta.

CONDOLENCES: Best known for creating and producing the one-woman Broadway musical Lena Horne, the Lady and Her Music, Sherman Brooks Sneed was also a singer (as a member of the Belafonte Folk Singers, named after Harry Belafonte), actor (the stage version of Carmen Jones), and personal manager. Sneed, 80, died April 19 of a heart attack.