Swizz Beatz is getting a late start to the school year. He was recently
named NYU's first producer-in-residence at the Clive Davis Department
of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts. The star producer
will provide students with one-on-one sessions, group lectures and
mentoring. Talk about star power in the classroom...
Swizz Beatz is getting a late start to the school year. He was recently named NYU’s first producer-in-residence at the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts. The star producer will provide students with one-on-one sessions, group lectures and mentoring. For any student hoping to break into the business, this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Just think of the invaluable advice to be soaked up and don’t even get us started on the potential guest lecturers: wifey Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyonce, etc. On the flip side, let’s hope he’s giving the students their money’s worth and sharing the difficulties of breaking into the business and his own hardships he faced trying to get started. Now, if NYU can get Beyonce to do dance lessons and Jennifer Hudson to do voice lessons they may be on to something… What star would you want to take lessons from?
Did You Know These 13 Celebrities Were Jehovah's Witnesses?
Marques Houston recently sharing the news of his baptism to complete his conversion to the Jehovah's Witness faith surprised a few of his fans and got the Internet buzzing about celebrities and religion. As it turns out, Marques isn't the only Black celebrity who is currently or has previously been involved with the Jehova's Witness faith. Here's a look at 13 familiar faces who were either raised or later converted to the religion. Some of these may surprise you!
Songstress Jill Scott was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith but has stated in recent years that she no longer practices the religion.
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02
The Wayans Family
One of two family units on our list, the Wayans were also raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith.
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03
Terrence Howard
“Empire” star Terrence Howard has expressed interest in joining the Jehovah’s Witness faith and his current wife is also raising their children in the faith.
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04
Notorious B.I.G.
Rapper The Notorious B.I.G., aka Christopher Wallace, was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith by his mother Voletta Wallace, who is still active in the religion today.
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05
Sherri Shepherd
Actress and television host Sherri Shepherd was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness but no longer practices the faith.
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06
Serena Williams
Tennis champion Serena Williams was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith and continues to practice many of her beliefs stemming from the religion today.
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07
The Jackson family
The Jackson family was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith, but several of the family members, including sister Janet, no longer practice the religion.
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08
Marc John Jeffries
Marc John Jefferies, who you’ll recognize from films like “Losing Isaiah,” “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” and “Notorious,” was raised in the Jehova’s Witness faith as a child.
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09
Venus Williams
Like sister Serena, Venus was also raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith by their parents.
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10
Naomi Campbell
Supermodel Naomi Campbell was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness but no longer practices the faith.
R&B singer and actor Marques Houston just recently completed his conversion into the Jehovah’s Witness faith and has been actively celebrating his involvement with the religion on social media.
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12
Ja Rule
Rapper Ja Rule was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith but later left the religion after his mother was disfellowshipped.
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13
Prince
Prince was a practicing Jehovah’s Witness for years after converting to the religion in 2003.