Comedian. Television host. Movie Star. Top-rated syndicated Radio Personality. Father of 6. For over 20 years. Rickey Smiley is one of the most beloved performers in American media, earning a reputation for delivering boundless laughter on-air, on-stage, and on-screen. Every morning, millions of Americans in nearly 60 cities listen to Rickey Smiley and his 6 outrageous cast members on “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show.” His interviews with major celebrities, social political awareness and trademark prank phone calls have made Smiley one of the most listened to radio personalities in history. Rickey Smiley’s down home southern humor, opting to use insight rather than vulgarity to get laughs, is at the core of his success. His audiences are treated to such original characters as “Mrs. Bernice Jenkins”, “Lil’ Darrl,” “Joe Willie” and “Beauford.” Smiley is known for his clean comedic style and his reputation to sell out venues across the country. To movie audiences, Smiley is best known for “All About The Benjamins” and “Friday After Next”. He’s recorded 8 best selling CDs including iTunes #1 Best Selling Comedy Album, “Rickey Smiley- Prank Calls Number 6”. On television he”s hosted BET’s “Open Casket Sharp” and “Comic View”, appeared on “Showtime At The Apollo,” “Uptown Comedy Club”, HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam”and “Snaps”. Smiley graduated from Alabama State University, became KBFB’s (Dallas) morning show personality in 2004, and soon moved his show to WHTA Atlanta. When not performing, Smiley is the ultimate devoted father, single-handedly raising 6 kids, the subject of a soon to be released parenting book. QUOTE: “Success is when preparation meets opportunity” @thersms
Drake made $250,000 for one performance at a New York bar mitzvah, after organisers turned down a demand for $1 million to appear from Kanye West.
Drake made $250,000 performing at a private party after organisers turned down Kanye West’s $1 million demand.
The 24-year-old rapper – who collected the huge fee for appearing at a New York bar mitzvah – was the second choice of entertainment for Jeff Zucker, former chief executive of Us broadcaster NBC, as he hosted the event at the city’s Four Seasons Hotel for his son Andrew on Saturday (07.05.11).
According to the New York Post newspaper, ‘Love Lockdown’ hitmaker Kanye had demanded $1 million for a one-off performance.
While Mr. Zucker reportedly toyed with the idea of paying up to $800,000 for a set from Kanye, he eventually settled with Drake, who was considerably cheaper.
While he may have asked for a huge sum to perform at the Zuckers’ party, it would appear Kanye is prepared to waive his costs on other occasions.
Earlier this year, the 33-year-old rapper performed a 30-minute set at the 16th birthday party of artist George Condo’s daughter at New York’s Standard Hotel free of charge.
Also, at the end of last year, Kanye gave an impromptu concert to the passengers of a flight from Minneapolis to New York, serenading them with renditions of his tracks ‘The Good Life’ and ‘Gold Digger’.
A passenger on the flight described the experience, saying: “He was like, ‘Yo, this your n***a, Kanye. He couldn’t decide if he wanted to do ‘The Good Life’ or ‘Gold Digger,’ so he was like, ‘I’ll just do a little bit of both.’ It was awesome – but I still have no idea how he got into the cockpit.”
