RAPPELEZ-VOUS Excerpt from Gene Geter's book, iGene. Available at Barnes & Noble.

I remember not wanting to get too close to Tupac Shakur at the party for "A Low Down Dirty Shame" in 1994. I thought he was a troublemaker and dangerous. But after seeing "Tupac: Resurrection," I realized the media made him into something he wasn't. My lost.

I remember seeing Barry Sonnenfeld, the director of "Men In Black" take an MIB cake at a promotional barbeque in The Hamptons and squish it all in Will Smith's face.

I remember attending "Maury" and was shocked to discover a tiny set. The continued deception of television!

I remember sitting next to Erykah Badu at a round table interview for Mama's Gun and every time she laughed, she would slap my leg (plus her naked leg would show through the garb she was wearing). How did I stay in control? The other journalists at my table thought I was a lucky bastard.

I remember having a phone conversation with a Chicago news editor (who will remain nameless because I can't stand his annoying ass) the day Halle Berry was nominated for an Oscar. This news editor said Halle wasn't going to win because she is Black. The week Halle won, this same news editor said to me in another phone conversation that she only won because she's half white. Idiot.

I remember talking to Brandy in 2002 and she told me, "You talk, you talk really calm and mellow. It doesn't really feel like an interview. It feels like we're just having a conversation. And that's what makes it cool it's good to feel like that. It doesn't feel like it's a job for you. It feels like you are really interested in talking."

I remember when I met former MTV host Bill Bellamy at the old MTV studios before they moved to Times Square. He showed me around and I had a chance to watch him taping.

I remember I wanted to interview Dylan that artist who got on P. Diddy or Diddy's nerves on MTV. I spoke to his people and they were gung ho. But why aren't you in iGene, Dylan? Your people email me weeks later and call me at the last minute to schedule an interview...that's why.

I remember my last few attempts to interview Mari Marrow again, which resulted in her avoiding me and not returning my phone calls. Mari, did I rape you or something? And Mari, you asked one of your publicist's assistants, do I have to speak to him? Yes, she told me what you said because that publicist's assistant was one of my friends. Girl, are you still mad that I cancelled on you at the last minute when we were supposed to do that photoshoot? I was going to make it up to you, Mary. That's right I called you Mary, Mari. Isn't that your real name, Mari? Mary?

I remember taking my niece to see Toni Braxton in "Beauty And The Beast." That night, she gave Toni some competition in the most attention grabber. Everybody thought my niece was the most adorable thing they ever saw plus we were sitting, if my brain serves me correctly, in the third or fourth row. My niece was getting tons of compliments such as she's so mindful and she's so behaved.

There were a few children sprinkled around in the audience although it was a night show. Some seats graced the presence of model Gail O'Neil, Flo Anderson and editors of magazines (because of my niece, we were catered to while my former editor-in-chief of Black Elegance couldn't get her tickets with us in her way, ha!). A large, red curtain covered the stage for what would be the show of the year! The curtain reminded my niece of a movie theater, she was ready for some popcorn. Plus she couldn't wait for the show to start. The curtain, to me, looked like something in a three-ring circus. Say? Where's the ringleader?

I remember the beautiful voice of Johanna. But I have to also mention her beautiful face and body too! People if you will please...go check out Johanna live if you can. Her website is johannalive.com, but also, check out Brother Luxurious. I can't forget the funky Luxurious Brothers! Their website is brotherluxurious.com. Two great acts that I know will be on fire very soon. Supernova fire is what I'm hoping for. These artists could teach established artists a thing or two about performing live. In addition, I must mention Risa and Nik Chamberlain. Their websites are risasmusic.com and nikchamberlain.com.

I remember meeting singer Brian McKnight at his record company. He gave me the impression that he thought he was so incredible. We were sitting in a room. He showed me his latest video and asked my opinion. I just thought it was okay not really a hot song at all. And I told him so. I was just giving him my honest opinion about it. He gave me a few quotes and that interview was over.

I remember giving singer Monica my music demo after interviewing her. She seemed real nice about it. So...why did I get an email later on from Lois Najarian (who was vice president at the time of publicity at J Records) telling me, these are not her words, but basically, not to do that shit again? In the beginning, I thought Monica was fucked up, but I can't blame her anymore since I don't know what really went down.

I remember also sending my music demo twice to Mya's management company, CD Enterprises. They rejected it twice. That's funny to me...Mya is talented, but her music is not that hot. She's more lukewarm. I'm not hating on Mya and I'm not being arrogant either, but all the demo tracks CD Enterprises heard, beats out anything CD Enterprises are a part of. Shit, my shit beats out anything they will be a part of! Even if they didn't like my singing voice, my music and my beats are on celestial levels, they could never understand. Maybe it's not Mya who puts out lukewarm songs. Maybe it's the continuous failure of CD Enterprises. Is Mya still with them? I should check that out. Let's hope not.

I remember when I almost missed talking to actress Kristin Kreuk on the phone in 2003. I was given the wrong time when she would call me. I had to wait an hour because she was on the phone with other interviewers. Some idiot broke into the back of my building and tried to steal an alleyway camera just as I finished the interview.

I remember my friend and model Shanaz introducing me to Wyclef Jean at New York's Planet Malibu on December 15, 2000. They were both in the fashion show. Wyclef gave me some weird what's up handshake that I wasn't familiar with and he made this expression like I was wack for not knowing it. Just shake my hand the right way, Mr. Clef.

I remember requesting an interview with Garcelle Beauvais for a Brooklyn-based magazine called New Word (which I think is now defunct) in the late 90s. Garcelle's publicist wanted GB on the cover. The owner of New Word, Garrett Fortner (who is now an author, "Let A Sista Know") had no problem with that. Good timing because she was coming to New York from Los Angeles. I interviewed her and spent the whole day hanging out with her, and seeing her in a live photoshoot. I was nice enough to let her publicist see the interview before it was published and she was upset about it. Why? Because I mentioned how Garcelle made a joke to the photographer after he asked her to get on her knees for a particular shot. Garcelle replied, not exactly in her own words, is that a Bohemian thing? The photographer was Bohemian. Then, Garrett didn't like how Garcelle's photos came out so she never graced the cover and the interview was never used. I later gave Garcelle's interview to onthesneaktip.com (which is also defunct now).

I remember thinking model/author Roshumba Williams was a bitch (because of what I heard about her) until I interviewed her a few times and realized her candy bar sweet personality. Women are always considered bitches when they're independent, accomplished and happy.

I remember running into former adult star Heather Hunter at a movie theater to see "Dude, Where's My Car?"

I remember having lunch with remarkable writer Virginia Hamilton. She gave me so much incite about writing and telling me just to be a storyteller.

I remember telling actress Nia Long that I didn't see how her character was a friend with Lisa Nicole Carson's character in "Love Jones." She had an attitude after that.

I remember interviewing and having lunch with saxophonist Candy Dulfer at Fiorello's restaurant. The waitress delivered a breadbasket that accidentally fell in front of Candy.

I remember when my name made nationwide radio stating that Tyra Banks filed a lawsuit against me for defamation of character. It was all a joke. I met her at Urbanworld Film Festival and I gave her this cute poem, a poem to pick her up. Model Shanaz told me to write a poem and give it to her at the festival. A fake press release composed by my cohorts was posted online on April 1st that Tyra Banks wanted 3 million from me. That I defamed her name in my book, "Genius 2: Celebrity."

But it got out of hand when the lawsuit prank made it to nationwide radio on "The Doug Banks Show." It surprised me because I didn't expect it. My brother was driving when you heard it and almost crashed his car.

I remember watching Beyoncé perform the same two songs over and over, "Crazy In Love" and "Baby Boy." I'm not complaining though. I enjoyed myself immensely so did my male friends. All men need to see Beyoncé's booty live! We were at a taping for the NBC Macy's Fourth Of July Spectacular at Grant's Tomb in New York. Girl shook everything her mother gave her!

I remember Mario Van Peebles calling me the wrong day to be interviewed for "Ali."

I remember when Prince's bodyguards wanted to take my camera from me at a party for singer/musician Larry Graham. They thought I took a picture of Prince. They said they saw me place the camera to my eye. They saw a flash go off. I told them I didn't and that they jumped in front of my shot before I could. They talked among themselves for a second. They said to me "no more pictures" and left me alone. I did take a picture of Prince before they got in the way. The photo looked corny. All that risk for nothing!

I remember finally meeting Halle Berry after desiring it for quite sometime on August 3, 1999. Actually, it was August 4th. I figured HBO would do a premiere screening somewhere (hopefully in New York) for Halle's "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge."

And if there were a party, how would I get in?

I found out HBO would give Halle a premiere screening at two different movie theater locations. I found out even which one Halle would attend. I called HBO. I mean I called them. I couldn't get an invite. I was pissed. I was beyond pissed. I was pissed-ified!

One day, I was on 23rd Street in Manhattan with my friend and author, Mecca Blackshear when I found a stepped on postcard for the upcoming movie. I picked it up and thought something stupid, could the invite look like this? I felt it was time to meet Halle. Sometimes, I'm psychic. Funny, I still would have met Halle anyway even if this didn't happen, but I didn't know that at the time.

In any case, I said to Mecca that I would get a sign if I were meant to meet Halle. I put the postcard back down by placing it on top of a newspaper vendor. I felt something tap my right arm as I was crossing the street.

Surprisingly, the wind blew the postcard to me. I picked the postcard back up. I knew that was the sign. I bet you don't believe me, right? Ask Mecca then. The night of the screening, I couldn't get in. I tried to lie my way in by saying that I was on the guest list just like I did for Essence Awards in 1996. It worked many times before, but not this time. I'm waiting in front of the movie theater wondering why I'm not inside when I got the sign. A publicist, Kymberlee Norsworthy, who I only met once before recognized me. We had a quick conversation. And after, Kymberlee said something like nice seeing you again. She went in.

A few seconds later, she comes back out and asked me if I was waiting for someone. I told her no and I wasn't having any luck getting in. Kymberlee got me in. The sign! Thank you God! Thank you Kymberlee!

A dinner reception followed (at Metronome). They played an assortment of classic Dandridge tunes as well as tunes from the 70s. Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, John Singleton, Ashford & Simpson, Beverly Peele, Tyson Beckford, Eartha Kitt, Star Jones, Eric Benet (yuck!) and cast members of "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge" were on hand.

At midnight, I met Halle at the party. I asked her if she believed in reincarnation. Halle paused for a moment and said yes! I asked her then if she was the reincarnation of Dorothy Dandridge in this generation. She grabbed my hand. She asked me my name. I told her. Halle said she wasn't the reincarnation of Dandridge, but the reincarnation of what she stood for. Deep.

But I remember Aaliyah most of all! I was in your presence for two days in May 2001. I'm sure you remember me. Aaliyah, I miss new music from you. I miss seeing you dance. I miss you on the big screen. I miss everything about you. I witnessed your mind. I witnessed your body. I witnessed your soul. And now all those great things are gone. Why are you not here anymore? I guess God knows. I will forever cherish the photo we took together. I heard Aaliyah's mom received 35 million in the wrongful death suit. Do you think moms should have got more or less?