Listen Up, Kevin Speaks

Numb/TGIF

2011-12-30T13:51:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, trusting that your Holiday Season have been filled with lots of joy and happiness. I've been away from quite sometime, basically dealing with life, and the many obstacles, that this journey can take you upon. Most times I try to take you on the excursion of the glass being half full, but sometimes is empty. Today is all about my walk of 2011, that started in April. Most of you know that I'm a California resident, but as life happens out of nowhere I felt the call from above taking me to Louisiana the state that my grandparents reside in, I felt that I was needed to help my family members out, unfortunately I was a literally a day late, my grandmother made her transition, the day before I arrived. God gives us signs and your sixth sense is your own intuition, now if you choose to overlook that message, basically you have no one to blame but self. With the loss of my grandmother, relationships that I thought were secured, comforting and built on solid ground literally crumbled before my very eyes. Originally my goal was to visit and take care of my grandmother and brother both who were in the midst of their own personal storms.

For anyone who are walking in similar shoes, I encourage to you ask questions, about family structure, security, Wills and the hard question of DNR(Do Not Resuscitate), these two matters should be addressed when life is good and the inevitable isn't on the table. This summer I experienced jealousy, betrayal and hate and by the grace of God, I triumphed over all. The lesson is that people will try to still your joy, and challenge the core of who you are, in the interim of life's adjustments, you must cling to your faith, and hold strong to your beliefs. Strength can be envied, and resented. Most people are followers which is fine, but your story is yours alone, never allow another to write your ending.

I say closure is the beginning of blessings to come, with that said, I encourage you to do your own housekeeping and in that housekeeping, forgiveness should be at the top of your list, that way none of your blessings will be blocked. To my grandmother, I will never forget you, and I am so grateful, that I had you in my life for four decades, and with each step I take, I walk it a little stronger because of your strength. I forgive my brother, my grandfather and my cousin, who all taught me valuable lessons that will help make me a stronger person for many life times to come.

Happy NEW YEAR and May God Bless you all, I pray for nothing but the best to come your way, and whatever dream that you may have, or desire, please know that its only a star away, thankfully wishes are still free.

What Are You Doing With Your Life?

Amy Winehouse NEW music.....

2011-12-06T01:28:00.000-08:00

Today is another bitter sweet day in music. Song stylist the late Amy Winehouse has a new 12 song CD, and it just reminds us of how big her instrument and talent was, unfortunately her demons were greater than her following. Listening to Amy's vocals always haunted me, and today more so, because I now have an ideal of why she was able to deeply touch my soul, her pain was VISIBLE at all times.

The posthumous release is incomplete which is all the more befitting, because that was of Amy's life. The song selections shines light into the trouble singers demons, but on every note, the vocals are in place and ready to make you sit up and pay attention because that's the stuff that great artists deliver no matter how bad their soul burns.

The question always arises, with artistry and brilliance, is it too overwhelming for the leaders of the pack, the Jimi's, Kurt Cobain's, Janis Joplin's, Donny Hathaway's,Billie Holiday's, Phyllis Hyman's, Cass Elliott's just to name a few, who all appeared to be years ahead of their time. Questions like these, will continue to come up .... hopefully the new breed of talent coming after will have a stronger foundation and support group. Strangely enough, people do cry out, maybe we could all do a better job at paying attention. I'll end this by saying Amy Winehouse I appreciate your place in music and you life wasn't in vain.

Thank you for the Bum-Diddleee D!

2011-11-08T08:38:00.000-08:00

Rapper/Actor Dwight "Heavy D" Myers (May 24-67-November 8-2011) passed away today at the tender age of 44. Heavy D' as he was known to his legion of fans, he was the lovable overweight lover in the house, who could dance his ass off. The rapper was found laying on the sidewalk outside of his home in Beverly Hills. The irony is that he was poised for a tremendous comeback, still riding on his powerhouse performance at BET's Hip Hop Awards, he was the headliner who closed the show out featuring his greatest hits like "Nuttin But Love For You", "Now That We Found Love", "Is It Still Good To Ya", "Somebody To Love Me For Me" and "Over Weight Lover".
He was a trailblazer with a rapping style unparalleled, and slang street creed that others are still biting to this day. Rest Easy Mr. Bum-Diddleee D as I wish you a "Peaceful Journey" .... say hello to Trouble T-Roy, your work is done!

So Its 1986 -- In Reverse Picture This!!

2011-10-16T03:59:00.000-07:00

So its 1986 -- And its all about That VOICE. Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, Ca ... I was in the fifth row center. Her entire show was on that 'Out Of This World' level. She was in the midst of Super stardom stats. She only had her debut Album out, but the success of her monster debut kept her on the road for over two years. During this concert she debut 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody who loves me' and the crowd went CRAZY' now mind you that single would not be released until March/April 1987. She was full of life and very aware of her true gift, her powerful instrument. She did several cover songs during her show..she opened with '2001 Space Odyssey', then you heard her voice sing 'there's a place that you've been dreaming of, find your strength in looooooove'...then she appeared on stage in a purple sequin jumpsuit singing Michael's'You Want To Be Starting Something' the crowd wend WILD! She sang a few covers like Eternal Love, Kenny Loggins 'Heart To Heart' and of course 'I Am Changing(from Dreamgirls)' which lasted about ten minutes, she was pitch PERFECT!

The show lasted well over 2 hours, a sold out crowd and a EXCELLENT performance that included her entire debut album which was filled with hits like 'You Give Good Love', 'Saving All My Love', 'How Will I Know' and the song that was to become her favorite signature song 'The Greatest Love Of All'.

I know for a fact that these shows were recorded, because I saw them taping the footage, so I don't know if it was just for Whitney or if Clive has the footage...hopefully this show will see the light of day.#HeavenOnEarth

Another Songbird Called Home...Too Soon!

2011-09-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

R&B singer Vesta Williams was found dead in her Hotel room in Los Angeles, she was 53. Cops are still investigating the cause of death.

I had the pleasure to work with the singer Vesta Williams aka simply as VESTA, during my years of working for Polygram Group Distribution in San Francisco. At the time she was a recording artist for A&M records. When I first met her she was a PISTOL bubbly, funny, charasmatic and VERY driven. She could brighten any room.

The entertainment industry is a hard pill to digest, The highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Vesta started out singing background for various big name singers like Chaka Khan,Stevie Wonder and on Sting's (We'll Be Together). She signed on to Herb Albert's A&M imprint. Her debut album entitled 'Vesta' featured the single 'Once Bitten Twice Shy' it wet our palate for the tasty '4 U' followup CD which spawn four top ten r&b singles including her signature song 'Congratulations' which went all the way to #1. Unfortunately her follow up recordings did not meet with similar fate. Pop radio wasn't open to another full figured r&b igenue trying to cross over. Vesta was not one to take no for an answer, she lost over 100 pounds in hopes that the industry would let her talent and new weight size speak and seal her rightful place in history books, but to no avail.

If you ever wanted to hear a singer who could wail like Chaka Khan she was it, if you every watched the Oprah Winfrey produced miniseries on ABC called 'The Women Of Brewster Place' it was her voice heavily featured throughout the movie. Her talent never wavered even when the gigs were few and far between. She never gave up hope on her talent and unique gift. To this day I've yet to understand how the entertainment industry would choose gimmick over true talent.

In recent years Vesta was recording new material and poised to give it another shot, that wasn't to be, which is such a hard pill to swallow for this artists legion of fans.

For anyone who would like to know more about this talented artist, you can tune into TVOne's series 'Unsung' which will feature a hour long segment on Vesta Williams that she recorded a few weeks ago, that will air in mid-October.

You can also revisit her catalog, some of her highlight songs were 'Tell Me', Over and Over, 'All In Your Mind','Sweet Sweet Love', 'Suddenly Its Magic', 'Make It With You', 'Don't You Blow A Good Thing', 'Hunger' and 'Ill Fly Away' are just some of the many standouts in this songbirds illustrious 20+year career.

R.I.P. Vesta Williams ..... Heaven has just recruited another songbird to its Choir.

ANOTHER One...Gone Too Soon! Dead @ 27

2011-07-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

British singer Amy Winehouse passed away today at the tender young age of 27! Another one gone too soon. Amy lived a very fast life and testified about it through her music. I'm sad today that she wasn't able to overcome her demons. We all battle something. I will remember her music, spirit and her INCREDIBLE instrument. I pray that she now has the peace that perhaps she's been looking for. My condolences goes our to her Mum and Dad and the rest of her family. RIP Amy Winehouse

Here's an article from another publication on the events that led to her death.

Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her home in London, according to the London Daily Mail

The Back To Black singer was apparently found at the property by emergency services at 3:54 p.m. this afternoon, according to sources, and her death is being treated as ‘unexplained’ by police.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased.”

The singer’s well-publicized battles with drink and drugs had haunted her career. They eventually led to her losing the sultry voice she was known for as evident in numerous of her previous performances.
Her father, Mitch, was reportedly on a flight to New York when news of her death broke, and took the next plane back to London.

Crowds have arrived in front of her home with flowers and teddy bears.

Gone But Not Forgotten.....

2011-06-25T04:55:00.000-07:00

NEVER BE ANOTHER-EVER!!!! Michael Jackson touched the soul of millions and millions of people and no one will ever eclipsed his artistry and gift that he shared with the world. Today marks the two year anniversary of his passing, and his music continues to touch and motivate a nation. Michael you were truly one of a kind and you absence from the world is greatly felt. R.I.P. you truly deserve to be at peace.

Miami Heat......What Happened?!?!^&*!?

2011-06-13T07:58:00.000-07:00

First things first Congrats to the Dallas Mavericks, you were hungry and you rose to occassion. DeWade, Bron and Bosh WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? Let this be a lesson to you, just because you pay the big bucks for a superstar player doesn't ensure a championship. Lastly to Miami especially Lebron, if your 3 point shots aren't happening GO TO PLAN B!!
Better luck next year, You're STILL my team.

Lastly just look at the expression on DeWade's face, any guess what he was thinking? XXXXXactly:)

Clive Davis sets record straight on Whitney!!

2011-06-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

WHOA! I am glad to hear Clive Davis so honest for once and not beating around the bush.

He said point blank that Whitney has had an issue with Drugs that takes her attention to continue to overcome but what she also is dealing with right now is Cigarettes and that she is currently working on that addiction now, he said that it might sound light in the grand scheme of things but he said verbatim, "We are not going to make a record or album until that golden voice, you know, is there and fully capable of just knocking everybody out."

Jerks!!!

2011-06-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Edwards are two men who has illustrated poor behavior, and were once praised. I find it amazing, when your balls become too big for your britches. Both politicians have shown that they lack character and integrity. How amazing is it that America gave them passes for so long, when in fact both were deceivers for most of their public life.

She's Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!

2011-05-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

Superstar Beyonce Knowles is back with her new CD "4" which drops on June 28-2011. Her first single "Run The World(girls)" isn't fairing very well on the charts, but you can never count Beyonce' out, so get ready!!

Whitney Houston is the new Billie Holiday!

2011-05-11T12:41:00.000-07:00

Superstar Whitney Houston is a modern day Billie Holiday. Houston has battled substance abuse and booze for years, and for a while America felt it was her then hubby bad boy Bobby Brown, but now it's clear to see that it's all Houston. The singer has recently checked herself into rehab, but she still isn't really addressing her demons, she needs and IN house rehab and not a come and go as you please rehab facility. Houston we can only root for you for so long, but the real cheering squad has to come from within, do you really want to conquer your demons OR not? Get it together Whitney, remember celebrity life is charmed and privilege, if you don't want the masses cheering you on, there's always someone else deserving waiting in the wings.

Gotcha' BITCH!!!

2011-05-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

FINALLY!!!! Too many lives taken under the direction of this monster. May God bless us all!

POP Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!!

2011-04-04T04:33:00.000-07:00

Singer Katy Perry song E.T. featuring Kanye West is #1 atop of Billboards Top 100 singles chart, this is her third #1 off her Cotton Candy CD. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite singers.

Lindsay Lohan could soon be a famous murder victim, she's been offered the role of Sharon Tate in an upcoming movie about Charles Manson.

Trainwreck actor Charlie Sheen tour is now a reality with some hits and some misses, but however you look at it, he's DUH WINNING!! Afterall whether you like this man's 'crazy' people are paying to witness the trainwreck world of the actor.

'Hawthorne' and 'Alias' actor Michael Vartan is no longer a single man!
He wed girlfriend Lauren Skaar at the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, California on Saturday.

Elizabeth Hurley filed for divorced from her estranged husband Arun Nayar, citing his "unreasonable behavior" as the cause of their split.

Today, Penelope Cruz is being awarded the 2,436th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

HBO has confirmed the premiere dates for its hit shows True Blood and Curb Your Enthusiasm!
June 26 at 9 pm, which is when True Blood's 12-episode fourth season starts.
Larry David's hilarious show Curb Your Enthusiasm will premiere its 10-episode Season 8 on July 10 at 10 pm. There are sure to be a ton more awkward moments for us to laugh (and cringe) along with Larry.

Beyonce' Knowles parted ways with her father by giving him the boot last week, she's now being represented by her husband's 'Rock Nation' brand, and she's back in the studio working on her next full length CD release which is rumored to be very euro techno futuristically driven. Hmmmmm

Singer Mary J. Blige and her husband Kendu are HISTORY!! Count on Blige's next CD being a blockbuster, she works best when her world is EFF'd up.

Newcomer rapper Wiz Khalifa is rumored to be engaged to Kanye West's leftovers Amber Rose:( this girl certainly does get around.

The Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards went down yesterday in LA, Jaden and Willow Smith,Snoop Dogg and his family were some of the stars in attendance.

President Barack Obama.....2012 plans??@$!

2011-04-04T03:46:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama plans to send supporters a text or e-mail message with a video announcing his intention to run for re-election, multiple Democratic sources tell CNN. The message could come as early as Monday morning. The sources say his campaign team also hopes to file papers with the Federal Election Commission Monday to launch his 2012 re-election campaign.

The president is making his campaign official slightly earlier than is typical for an incumbent so he can get a jump on fund-raising in a season that’s likely to shatter all records. Obama’s team has been asking campaign bundlers to raise $350,000 each, no easy task since campaign finance laws limit gifts to $2,500 per donor. Two sources tell CNN the campaign team hopes that in total their bundlers will raise $500 million, leaving the campaign to raise another $500 million and amass a record-breaking $1 billion war chest.

Rushing To/TGIF

2011-04-01T03:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday Everyone,
Where are you rushing to, where are you trying to go, what's the purpose of the urgency to get somewhere, to get to that place, and when you get to that place, where you really just running from you? these are very real questions that you must apply to your life and your existence, as we deal with the rat race everyday, traffic, is a never ending story, in that haste where patience is forced upon you to basically check yourself over things that you can't change, and in no real form of your doing, but everyone plays a key role as we act out our part, and for this scene its called 'traffic' and 'life'. Both can be short or long stories, just depends, on what you're inputing.

Today take a minute, breathe in very deep breaths, thank the creator for another day, bask in all that you've been afforded, visualize that goodness of the things to come, and the places that you will go, and the remarkable people that you will meet. It's a timeless opportunity to represent as a witness, of how good things can be, and for those times, when you're perplexed because of the not so good, it's life and we're on this train to fully live it, and truly give it our all, and to seek deeper meanings in every hidden treasure, whether it's bitter or sweet. The eyes of heaven are never far away, watching you to see if you're really understanding the meaning of playing it forward. Duty shows that you must pay attention to the important encounters or else you're just 'rushing to' a catastrophe.

What Are You Doing With YOUR Life?

Command Performance

2011-03-31T02:45:00.000-07:00

Whitney Houston has been to the mountain top. In this performance at the 25Th Anniversary of Arista Records, the tabloids were raping her name, the LEGEND showed up to make them eat crow. Her performance were very high powered and full of energy, she was in top form, and the crowd was eating it up. Enjoy this performance it was a night to remember and one that shows you that hard work really pays off.

Circa 1967

2011-03-30T04:14:00.001-07:00

Sharon Tate.... a thing of beauty.
A true "army brat," Texas-born Sharon Tate moved from city to city, and from nation to nation during her formative years. She was living in Verona, Italy, when she was elected her high school's homecoming queen -- one of many such honors bestowed on the dazzlingly beautiful Tate. After extras work in Italian films, Tate decided to try her luck in Hollywood. She appeared in such TV series as The Beverly Hillbillies and was featured in films like The Wheeler Dealers (1963) and The Sandpiper (1963). While starring in the British horror spoof The Fearless Vampire Killers: Or Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck (1967), Sharon fell in love with the film's director, Polish-born Roman Polanski. She became Polanski's wife shortly after completing her best screen role, as the pill-popping, suicidal young starlet in Valley of the Dolls (1967). Her last major film assignment was a comedy lead in the Matt Helm espionager The Wrecking Crew (1969). On August 9, 1969, a pregnant Sharon Tate and several of her house guests were brutally murdered by members of cult leader Charles Manson's "family."
The saying the only the 'good' die young really rings true in this case!

He's back BIYATCHES, and he's #1

2011-03-30T03:52:00.000-07:00

Chris Breezy Brown career was cold and over for the last two years. The kid made a horrific mistake, and the media gave it to him good. He put the hard work in to redeem his image. I would give him a solid B grade for his efforts. Last weeks setback at GMA didn't slow his record sales down. Breezy will debut at #1 on Top of the Billboard 200, his new F.A.M.E. CD has sold over 273,000 copies, and it appears that his star is back on the rise. Somewhere you just know that Rihanna is getting hot for him all over again, which makes you think about what really went down that night two years ago.
Congrats Breezy, we got our eyes on YOU, so don't FAIL! Keep it clean, and keep it right, and above all realize that FAME is about previlded and NOT your right.

POP Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!!

2011-03-28T03:12:00.000-07:00

Prince Harry covers the May 2011 cover of GQ UK magazine with a profile on his Walking With The Wounded team.

In a world exclusive for the May issue, GQ meets Prince Harry and the Walking with the Wounded team as they prepare for their epic unaided trek to the North Pole, in an attempt to raise £2 million for charities focusing on the retraining and rehabilitation of injured British service personnel. The team, including four wounded servicemen injured in Afghanistan, have been given a 40 to 60 per cent chance of succeeding by polar experts, so with the odds stacked against them, they discuss the motivation behind the trip with GQ.
Prince Harry is Patron of Walking with the Wounded, and the team comprises Captain Guy Disney, Private Jaco van Gass, Sergeant Steve Young, Captain Martin Hewitt, Founders Edward Parker and Simon Dalglish, Logistics and Training Guide Henry Cookson, and Polar Guide Inge Solheim. Prince Harry is truly walking in the footsteps of his mommie, she would be so proud!

Blabber mouth Wendy Williams, who clearly showed us last week on DWTS that not all African Americans have rhythm. Williams is being sued by a Atlantic City resort. The promoter claims that Williams was very 'salty' to her fans and guests of the resort. She was paid 25,000 for her hosting duties, and was to make a two hour appearance. The promoters seemed shocked, and in my opinion Williams was just being her trashy self. Guess they got what they paid for.

Actress Amy Adams, who is one of my favorite actresses will play the new "Lois Lane" in the next installment of Superman. Finally some perfect casting, I can't wait.

Congratulations are in order to actress Reese Witherspoon and her boyfriend, agent Jim Toth!
The happy couple tied the knot early Saturday evening in Ojai, California, at Reese's 6 acre ranch.

It's a wrap...Renee Zellweger and Bradley Cooper are over!!
After it was announced that the couple split last week, Renee has officially moved out of Bradley's home.

The first woman to run for Vice President, Geraldine Ferraro, passed away on Saturday at the age of 75.

Is Paris Hilton a racist? This seems to be the number 1 question of the moment. Recently Hilton turned down actor Vin Diesel, supposedly because he had an ounce of black in him. This is very ineteresting because back in the day when she had her MTV show, she made some very similar remarks about being disenchanted by African Americans and even went as far as using the 'N' word. Hmmmm

Lately I've been watching A.I. actually it's the first seaons that I've ever watched the show. I must admit that Jennifer Lopez is really impressing me with he critique's of the performers, her opinion is so spot on. I'm impressed and of course she's looking damn good doing it.

Rapper Foxy Brown just can't seem to get it together, she was kicked of the Tom Joyner Cruise, according to Joyner, Foxy was acting a donkey. SMH

Diana Ross Happy Birthday... Pop Royalty

2011-03-26T02:53:00.000-07:00

Diana Ross paved the way for the GaGa's, Beyonce's, Ciara's, Pink's, Whitney Houston's, Madonna's, Janet's, Jody Watley's, Britney Spears's and so very many other. It you ever want to see a true entertainer, make sure that you witness this lady's magic, and you will quickly be under her spell.
Happy 67Th Birthday and thanks for showing the world how it's done. I will NEVER forget your Central Park performance ..... no wind, no rain could stop you babe!!

Happy 69th Birthday to Queen of Soul

2011-03-25T04:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to the Queen of Soul, thank you for making us your legion of fans 'feel good' for all these years. Aretha Franklin is a household name, and her music has played out in the background to the soundtrack of anyone who has been lucky enough to be a part of the 20Th and 21st Century. Often imitated, but never ever duplicated.

Consummate/TGIF

2011-03-25T04:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday Everyone,
Lent season is in full bloom, its a lovely part of acknowledgment, and also a good time to do a cleansing, be it for spiritual or personal reasons. Like rain that falls, its a chance to clean up the dirt of your surroundings. To get your house is order, is about how one views oneself, as we're always constant works in progress. To be your absolute best, comes from much hard work and dedication, and even at your best, a naysayer will still try to prove your journey wrong and flaw your character. I've always said, whatever you are, the 'sexiness' about the situation is to own it, shallow Hal's never got the girl in the end. Being on top of your game, means that you understand your position and in achieving anything great, you quickly learn that the easy road is not a reality for you, in the mission and quest that you've embarked on

In life we're all works in progress, as geography has no boundaries, time and much due diligence will have to be applied. The winds of change is always shifting, it's up to you in your observation to have the wherewithal in fine tuning your plans into fruition. Do the homework, to understand a successful life, research in required, truth is a must, and by all means please understand the largest part of all will come from asking questions, that's how knowledge is aquired, along with much preparation. Each day that you open your eyes you're a living testimony that time passes by very quickly and with a blink, it can be taken away from you, so the luxury that you've grown accustomed to, is really not a right, it's a privilege, so whatever path you choose, attack it from every angle, after all it's the legacy that you leave behind, that enables another to stand on your shoulders.

What Are You Doing With YOUR Life?

Command Performance

2011-03-24T04:31:00.001-07:00

It's gets no better than Madonna, who is ALWAYS the consummate performer.

RIP Liz Taylor....The End Of An Era

2011-03-23T06:43:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Taylor, the legendary actress famed for her beauty, her jet-set lifestyle, her charitable endeavors and her many marriages, has died, her publicist told CNN Wednesday. She was 79.

Taylor died "peacefully today in Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles," said a statement from her publicist. She was hospitalized six weeks ago with congestive heart failure, "a condition with which she had struggled for many years. Though she had recently suffered a number of complications, her condition had stabilized and it was hoped that she would be able to return home. Sadly, this was not to be."

Though a two-time Oscar winner -- for "Butterfield 8" (1960) and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" (1966) -- Taylor was more celebrated for simply being Elizabeth Taylor: sexy, glamorous, tempestuous, fragile, always trailing courtiers, media and fans. She wasn't above playing to that image -- she had a fragrance called "White Diamonds" -- or mocking it.

"I am a very committed wife," she once said. "And I should be committed too -- for being married so many times."

2001: Liz Taylor talks diamonds She was hailed, in her prime, as the world's most beautiful and desirable woman. Her affair with actor Richard Burton, which began on the set of the film "Cleopatra," fueled a paparazzi rush unrivaled in its time. The two later married -- twice -- providing gossip columns and movie magazines with a wealth of material.

But Taylor could also be an effective and arresting actress. Her harrowing performance in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" (1966), opposite Burton, showed her as shrewish, plain, embittered -- the complete opposite of her real-life image.

She also gave sharp performances in "Giant" (1956), "Raintree County" (1957), "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1958) -- three films that helped build her reputation as a worldwide sex symbol -- "The Sandpiper" (1965) and "Reflections in a Golden Eye" (1967).

Taylor was a champion for a number of charitable causes, notably the fight against AIDS. She founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation after the death of her friend Rock Hudson, and plowed both her time and money into its work, especially as her acting career waned in the 1980s. The BBC once noted that her charity work had grossed as much as her film career.

Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born February 27, 1932, in London, the daughter of two wealthy American art dealers, Francis and Sara Taylor. Her mother was a former actress who had given up the career when she married, but encouraged her daughter in the pursuit. Indeed, Elizabeth Taylor and her mother were to remain extremely close until the latter's death in 1994, at age 99.

Just after World War II began, her parents moved back to the United States and settled in Los Angeles, where Francis Taylor catered to a high-level clientele. Young Elizabeth was noted early on for her looks: According to one perhaps apocryphal story, she was spotted by a talent scout who suggested her for Bonnie Blue Butler in "Gone With the Wind," but the idea was reportedly shot down by her father.

Nevertheless, she eventually made her debut for Universal, which placed her in 1942's "There's One Born Every Minute." Taylor was then signed by MGM, which was to be her home for almost two decades, and made "Lassie Come Home," opposite Roddy McDowall. The actor became a devoted friend.

But it was Taylor's next film, 1944's "National Velvet," that made her a star. The story of a girl in love with her horse earned her public adulation -- and her equine co-star, The Pie. (Her other co-star, Mickey Rooney, was taken.) For the rest of the 1940s, she was an MGM regular, some of her films winners -- the 1949 version of "Little Women" -- and others, quickly forgotten, such as "Julia Misbehaves."

In 1950, Taylor turned 18 and had her first hit as an adult, the classic "Father of the Bride," in which she played Spencer Tracy's soon-to-be-married daughter. Real life mirrored art when Taylor decided to marry hotel heir Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr., but the marriage wasn't nearly as successful as the film: it lasted just eight months.

Critical acclaim arrived with Taylor's next film, "A Place in the Sun," based on the Theodore Dreiser novel "An American Tragedy." Taylor played the beautiful woman pursued by Montgomery Clift, who kills his pregnant girlfriend (Shelley Winters) while boating. The film received nine Academy Award nominations, but Taylor was shut out.

It wasn't until 1958 that Taylor received her first Oscar nomination, for 1957's "Raintree County." By then, she was an even bigger star than before, and known as much for her off-screen romances as her on-screen talent.

She married actor Michael Wilding -- 20 years her senior -- in 1952, a marriage that lasted five years and produced two children, and then Hollywood producer Mike Todd a week after her divorce from Wilding. And after some sluggish work in the early '50s, she was appearing in some renowned films, notably 1956's "Giant" opposite James Dean and Rock Hudson. Todd suggested her for the role of Maggie the Cat in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1958), and Taylor steamed up the screen, spending a good part of the movie slinking around in a slip.

Todd died in a plane crash in March 1958. Upon his death, Taylor was comforted by Todd's best friend, actor and singer Eddie Fisher. The comforting turned into an affair, complete with bold headlines, which broke apart Fisher's marriage to "America's sweetheart," actress Debbie Reynolds. Taylor was now "the other woman," scorned as a homewrecker -- and, based on box office returns, more popular than ever.

Fisher and Taylor married in 1959 and appeared opposite each other in the next year's "BUtterfield 8," with Taylor cast as a sexually carnivorous party girl. Though she disliked the film, her performance -- and a sudden case of pneumonia that threatened her life -- invited the sympathy of the Motion Picture Academy, and she finally won an Oscar. "I lost to a tracheotomy," fellow nominee Shirley MacLaine quipped.

In 1960, now perhaps the most famous actress in the world, Taylor was offered the lead in 20th Century Fox's production of "Cleopatra." Taylor demanded $1 million -- the highest fee demanded by an actress up to that time. Producer Walter Wanger agreed, and the adventure of "Cleopatra" -- which would consume the showbiz world in ways unknown in the early '60s -- began. (Fisher's ex-wife, Reynolds, would become the second woman to make $1 million for a picture.)

The movie seemed gripped by a curse. Taylor's illnesses -- there were more than one -- caused delays, forced casting changes and prompting the production to move from London to Rome. The original director, old Hollywood hand Rouben Mamoulian, was forced out and replaced by Joseph Mankiewicz ("All About Eve"). Weather wiped out days of filming and labor unrest undid more, pushing the budget, which was originally about $5 million, to $44 million -- almost $300 million in 2010 dollars, more than "Avatar."

And then there was one of the new actors, Richard Burton, who was cast as Marc Antony when Stephen Boyd had to leave the production.

Burton, who was already known as much for his philandering ways as his Shakespearean expertise, had initially thought little of Taylor beyond her beauty. But he was quickly smitten: "He tried to end it, but he kept turning around and coming back to her," Mankiewicz's son Tom told Taylor biographer William J. Mann. "He just couldn't help himself. He couldn't get enough of her."

The two were inseparable -- and very publicly so. Pictures of the couple finally prompted Burton's long-suffering wife, Sybil -- who had attempted suicide -- to file for divorce. Gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, both friend and foe to Taylor over the years, called her "sick." The Vatican released a message directed at her, saying she was guilty of "erotic vagrancy." A U.S. congresswoman even introduced a bill banning Taylor and Burton -- or "Liz 'n' Dick," as they were becoming known -- from the United States. In response, Taylor asserted, "I will never go back to America."

But America couldn't get enough of "Le Scandale." "Cleopatra" actually did well at the box office -- though not well enough to immediately escape its red ink: it took three years for 20th Century Fox to make its money back, and Taylor and Burton were now the "It" couple of the moment.

The two married in 1964, their every move a headline. Burton bought Taylor jewels, furs, baubles. The two caused near-riots when they appeared in public. Burton's tour of "Hamlet" sold out and their movies together -- "The V.I.P.s," "The Sandpiper," even the grim, groundbreaking "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" -- were hits, the latter also nominated for 10 Oscars. Taylor received a best actress trophy for her performance as the tempestuous Martha; Burton was nominated for his performance as the emasculated George.

Eventually, however, the moviegoing public tired of the double act. Taylor and Burton made four more films together -- "The Taming of the Shrew," "Doctor Faustus," "The Comedians" and the appropriately titled bomb "Boom!" -- but none had the success of their earlier work. At the same time, a new generation was latching on to a younger group of stars; Taylor, though still in her 30s, seemed part of another time.

The actress' career continued to languish as she entered her 40s. Such films as "The Only Game in Town," "X, Y and Zee" and "Ash Wednesday" did nothing for her reputation. Her marriage to Burton also faltered; the two divorced in 1974, and though they remarried the next year, the second attempt ended nine months later.

But the glamour of being Elizabeth Taylor never faded. She was a "guest" at the much-watched Luke-Laura "General Hospital" wedding in 1983 and launched several perfume lines, starting with Passion later in the decade.

Most notably, however, she devoted herself to charity. In 1985, she organized a benefit dinner to raise money for her friend Rock Hudson, who was dying of AIDS. The project eventually led to the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR); in 1991, she began the Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation.

Taylor did a handful of parts in the '90s and '00s -- most notably a 1992 spot on "The Simpsons" in which her voice spoke Maggie Simpson's first word -- but generally devoted herself to social and charitable causes. She married one more time in 1991, to a construction worker named Larry Fortensky, and defended her friend, pop king Michael Jackson. She had more health woes: a trip to the Betty Ford Clinic in the late '80s -- where she met Fortensky -- as well as a brain tumor and severe back problems. The latter put her in a wheelchair.

But through all of it -- the gossip, the ailments, the loves and losses -- she remained indomitable. She even joined Twitter to send regular updates on her life.

Why not? She was born to the spotlight, and no amount of tittle-tattle was going to take it away.

"Some audience out there, and don't ask me who they are, but there are millions, like scandal. They like filth," she told CNN's Larry King in 2006. "And if they want to hear that I'm dead, sorry, folks, I'm not. And I don't plan on it."

NO Excuse for Breezy's Behavior on GMA

2011-03-23T03:10:00.000-07:00

I'll start by saying that I'm the biggest Chris 'Breezy' Brown fan, however I don't ever give a pass to poor behavior. Yes we've all been 22 years old before, and while most of us aren't living our life under a microscope. If you are a entertainer, press and paparazzi comes with the territory. Whether you signed up to be a role model or not, your position is a privilege and not a right. The Chris Brown/Rihanna incident happened two years ago, and it's something that will never go away, it happened and the aftermath continues. Chris took anger management courses and got rave reviews, so I'm more than a little puzzled of his reactions to GMA's host Robin Roberts who inquired about the Rihanna incident.

Brown needs to address this situation head on, I don't feel that he's ever gotten the support that he's needed, a weak role model in his mother, and an even weaker management representation team. Whenever you interview on any media show, you have a set list of questions presented to you beforehand, that you agree to discuss and it's up to your management team to ensure that your interview comes across proper, MOST especially if you're trying to do damage control. Robin Roberts was there to do a job and as her journalistic duty is to get down to the bottom line and asked the questions that America wants to hear, and I think it was a personal gain for her too, she's trying to break out of Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer shadows to become her own brand, and like Whitney Houston gave life to Wendy Williams, I think that Chris Brown just did the same thing for Robin Roberts.

I will always be a fan, but Chris you've got some growing up to do, and the bigger question is do you really want this industry life and are you open to redemption? Remember if you want FAME, well FAME costs, and sometimes its your soul that suffers. You must own your actions and it starts with admittance, and lastly GET YOURSELF A NEW GROUP OF PEOPLE TO MANAGE and GUIDE YOUR CAREER, yesterday was career sabotage.

Chris Breezy Brown's F.A.M.E. in stores NOW!!

2011-03-22T04:14:00.000-07:00

Chris Brown's F.A.M.E. in stores NOW, finally the spotlight and showcase is back to where it should be, which is ALL about the music and product.

Ladybug's take on the Illuminati....

2011-03-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

This is from the mind of a ten year old, her name is Ladybug. This is her theory on the Illuminati....and she makes a lot of sense. Your thoughts?

POP Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!!

2011-03-21T04:49:00.000-07:00

No longer in Kanye West's shadows Lupe Fiasco score's his first #1 CD for Atlantic records. Congrats little homie.

I've seen the Usher/Tameka sex tape.....and all I can say is OMG!! Let's see how Mr. Raymond recovers from this one.

Charlie Sheen is beyond being OUT OF CONTROL!! Odd thing is that he's selling out comedy shows across the country, and In my head, I keep asking, when did he become a comedian? SMH if someone doesn't help him, he's going to meet up with Anna Nicole, Kurt Cobain, River Phoenix and the rest who party waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to hard.

Rihanna continues to spread her love around, now she's dating A-list actor Colin Farrell. Colin you might want to strap it, just to be safe.

The late singer Minnie Riperton's daughter Maya Rudolph and her husband, director Paul Thomas Anderson, announced today that they're expecting their third child together! Congrats

Another reality show on 'singing' this time it's a show called The Voice, not very thought provoking, but at least they have real singers judging the contestants, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Ceelo Green and Blake Shelton are all on board. This show probably is a waste of time, after all we have American Idol AND X-Factor. C'mon television programmers, let's come up with REAL orginal ideas. UGH

Estranged couple Courteney Cox and David Arquette put aside their differences when they met up yesterday in Malibu. Good luck guys, I hope that you can patch things up.

Dancing With The Stars premieres tonight....seeing Wendy Williams dance, seems like a easy train wreck waiting to happen. Hey Wendy, stick to being a blabber mouth.

Lauryn Hill kicks off the second leg of her tour. Here are the tour dates. I can't wait!!!
* Mar. 19 – Miami, FL at Jazz in the Gardens Festival
* Mar. 23 – Tampa, FL at The Ritz
* Mar. 26 – Myrtle Beach, SC at House of Blues
* Mar. 30 – Atlanta, GA at Center Stage
* Apr. 03 – Oahu, HI at Aloha Tower
* Apr. 09 – Portland, OR at Arlene Schnitzer Hall
* Apr. 12 – San Francisco, CA at The Warfield
* Apr. 15– Indio, CA at Coachella Music and Arts Festival
* Apr. 18 – Los Angeles, CA at Club Nokia
* Apr. 23 – Denver, CO at The Fillmore
* May. 07 – New Orleans, LA at Jazz and Heritage Festival

Reconnaissance/TGIF

2011-03-18T04:30:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday Everyone,
As we've all witnessed recently, the natural disasters in the world, seem to be more and more frequent. Let's continue to send prayers up and gave many thanks for where our blessings flow.

The bottom line is one's ability to get down to the naked truth, do your research, proceed with rightful actions, finding what is your just due. Secrets done in the dark always find their way to the light. Always pay attention to warning signs, when the universe leads you in a direction that you don't rightfully understand, please do not fight it, it's about a certain movement, it also speaks to knowing your core self, your higher power is there as a backup. In your search for truth, preparedness is never enough, as mystery lingers in the unknown.

Getting to the root of the problem, is about assessment, every angle must be uncovered. The breakdown is often where the revealing lies, sometimes the more obvious something is, the harder it is to see, especially when its gazing you in your face. To second guess yourself or a particular situation, mainly means that you're not ready to address the truth head on, which doesn't always mean that you will share your discoveries, as the beauty is in the knowing. The most high gives you no more than you bear.

What Are You Doing With YOUR Life?

Congrats......

2011-03-18T03:23:00.000-07:00

Marc Jacobs will be honored for their fashion achievements at this years annal CFDA awards!

Chris 'Breezy' Brown's F.A.M.E. .......

2011-03-17T04:57:00.000-07:00

In Stores Tuesday March 22-2011. It's time for Chris Brown to take his rightful place and lay claim to what is deservedly his!! FAME.....kick rocks RiRi.

Janet returns to acting....

2011-03-17T04:28:00.001-07:00

Janet Jackson, has stepped into the next realm of movie-making: producing. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the singer/actress has signed a film production deal with Lionsgate. The deal will allow her to pick, develop, and produce a feature film for the studio.

The deal brings Jackson closer to movies, which she told The Hollywood Reporter are her first love. “Many people forget I started out as an actor…I have been fortunate enough to work in the film industry, though not as much as I would like.”

Jackson mentioned her love for storytelling, and that quality is what made the deal with Lionsgate work, according to Mike Paseornek, the president of the company. “She is a powerful on-screen presence, with a vast audience, and we believe she will have an equally powerful presence behind the scenes. We are honored to be able to provide a home for her ideas, passion and immense talent.”

As to what material Jackson might choose, she has stated that she has an affinity for film noir. But on the whole, she says she is attracted to, according to the article, “diverse material.”

In any case, it’ll be exciting to see what types of movies we’ll see backed by the singer/actress.

Command Performance

2011-03-17T04:28:00.000-07:00

Nelly and Christina Aguilera, both at the height of their careers. This performance captured here was very innovative and showstopping. Unfortunately true live performances are very rare nowadays,but it's good to remember when. Check out the star studded crowd acknowledging the greatness that was laid out for them in this one time only LIVE performance. Enjoy

Retro....

2011-03-17T04:16:00.000-07:00

Romeo Gigli is the scent that I rock, and I love it, and those who are lucky enough to get up close and personal, the love and appreciate it too.

Circle 1959

2011-03-16T04:44:00.000-07:00

Julie London told Life Magazine in 1957 that she had “only a thimbleful of a voice, and I have to use it close to the microphone. But it is a kind of over-smoked voice, and it automatically sounds intimate.” Her vocal style has been described as being sultry, sexy, “come-hither”, intimate, breathy, warm, smoky, haunting, husky, sullen, sad, suggestive and seductive.
The majority of her album covers were graced by sultry, yet sophisticated pictures of Julie - the cover of her first album, Julie is Her Name, being, at the time, thought of as so sexy that it was described as “...generating enough voltage to light up a theater marquee”. The album Calendar Girl is graced with 12 “cheesecake” photos of Miss London - one for each month of the year, with an additional large photo for the “thirteenth” month on the inside of the foldout cover.

Julie London was born Julie Peck on September 26, 1926 in Santa Rosa, California, to Jack and Josephine Peck, a song and dance team in vaudeville and radio. In 1929, the family moved to San Bernardino, where Julie's parents had a radio show, on which she occasionally appeared. In 1941, they moved to Los Angeles, where Julie left school and went to work as an elevator operator in a department store. She began singing during this time with the Matty Malnech Orchestra. In Los Angeles, she met Jack Webb, then in the Marine Corps, and Sue Carol, an actor/agent and wife of Alan Ladd. Carol obtained a screen test for Julie, which started her on a movie career. Julie's roles during the first few years were bit parts. She soon reached star status by playing leading roles in such movies as A Question of Adultery, Task Force, and The Fat Man.

In 1947 she married Webb, who was just breaking into dramatic acting on radio. With marriage, she temporarily gave up her movie career to become a full-time wife and mother, and they had two daughters, Stacy and Lisa. Jack Webb was also a jazz fan and cornet player. He was best known for his role as Seargeant Friday on Dragnet on both radio and television, also began Mark VII Productions, producing, writing and directing many television programs. (Daughter Stacy Webb was killed in a traffic accident in 1996.)

In 1954, having become somewhat reclusive after her divorce from Webb, she met jazz composer and musician Bobby Troup at a club on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles. They married on December 31, 1959, and remained married until his death in February 1999. They had one daughter, Kelly Troup, who died in March 2002, and twin sons, Jody and Reese Troup.

London began singing in public in her teens before appearing in a film. She was discovered by talent agent Sue Carol (wife of actor Alan Ladd) while London was working as an elevator operator. Her early film career did not include any singing roles.

She recorded 32 albums in a career that began in 1955 with a live performance at the 881 Club in Los Angeles. Billboard named her the most popular female vocalist for 1955, 1956, and 1957. She was the subject of a 1957 Life cover article in which she was quoted as saying, "It's only a thimbleful of a voice, and I have to use it close to the microphone. But it is a kind of oversmoked voice, and it automatically sounds intimate."

Julie London's debut recordings were for the Bethlehem Records label. While shopping for a record deal, she recorded 4 tracks that would later be included on the compilation albums Bethlehem's Girlfriends in 1955. Bobby Troup backed London on the dates, and London recorded the standards "Don't Worry About Me", "Motherless Child", "A Foggy Day", and "You're Blasé".

London's most famous single, "Cry Me a River", was written by her high-school classmate, Arthur Hamilton, and produced by Troup. The recording became a million-seller after its release in December 1955 and also sold on re-issue in April 1983 from the attention brought by a Mari Wilson cover. London performed the song in the film The Girl Can't Help It (1956), and her recording gained later attention in the films Passion of Mind (2000) and V for Vendetta (2006).

Other popular singles include "Hot Toddy," "Daddy" and "Desafinado." Recordings such as "Go Slow" epitomized her career style: her voice is slow, smoky, and sensual.

The song "Yummy Yummy Yummy" was featured on the HBO television series Six Feet Under and appears on its soundtrack album. Her last recording was "My Funny Valentine" for the soundtrack of the Burt Reynolds film Sharky's Machine (1981).

Primarily remembered as a singer, London also made more than 20 films. One of her strongest performances came in Man of the West (1958), starring Gary Cooper and directed by Anthony Mann, in which her character, the film's only woman, is abused and humiliated by an outlaw gang.

She performed on many television variety series and also in dramatic roles, including guest appearances on Rawhide (1960) and The Big Valley (1968). Her ex-husband Webb was executive producer for the series Emergency!, and in 1972 he hired both his ex-wife and her husband Troup for key roles. London received second-billing as nurse Dixie McCall, while Troup received third-billing as emergency-room physician Dr. Joe Early. She and her co-stars Robert Fuller, Randolph Mantooth, and Kevin Tighe also appeared in an episode of the Webb-produced series Adam-12, reprising their roles. London and Troup appeared as panelists on the game show Tattletales several times in the 1970s. Julie London advertised for Rose Milk Skin Care Cream in 1978 TV spots.

London suffered a stroke in 1995 and was in poor health until her death on October 18 2000, in Encino, California, at age 74. Survived by four of her five children, London was interred next to Troup in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery, Los Angeles. Her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.

R.I.P. Nate Dogg

2011-03-16T04:20:00.000-07:00

Infamous hook singer and former Death Row artist Nathaniel D. Hale, better known as Nate Dogg passed away last night (March 15) his family announced. The news was initially reported by Long Beach, Calif. newspaper the Press-Telegram. The cause of death is unknown as of press time.

Nate Dogg had been suffering serious health issues the past years after he suffered a massive stroke in 2007 followed by another in 2008. News of Nate's death sent shockwaves throughout the music industry.

The Long Beach native made a name for himself in the rap game on Dr. Dre’s classic album The Chronic followed by a breakthrough performance alongside Warren G on the smash record "Regulate." Nate went on to release numerous solo albums including G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2 followed up in late 2001 with Music & Me and the latest self-titled solo album Nate Dogg. Nate also made a scene stealing appearance on producer Mark Ronson’s "Ooh Wee" that also featured Ghostface Killah.

Following his stroke back in 2008 a rep for Nate told MTV News the singer was on the mend and recovering.

"On behalf of Nate, he would like to thank all of the well wishers, both friends and fans," Rod McGrew said. "He appreciates it deeply, and he plans on fully recuperating and getting back in the studio."

"Time will tell everything, obviously. The doctor can only guess what the outcome will be," McGrew said. "But based on situations with similar people his age, and based on his health, the prognosis is good right now."

At the time, collaborator Warren G. was optimistic about Nate's recovery.

“Everybody’s just gotta keep him in their prayers, because he had two strokes and that’s real dangerous,” Warren G said. “A lot of people don’t come back from that. Luther Vandross did it, so hopefully Nate can do it. The game needs him. I need him.”

Early this morning Nate Dogg's sibling Samuel phoned in to LA based radio station KDAY thanking fans for their sentiments. According to Sam, he says he was feeling numb at the moment and that his brother had been struggling for the past three years due to his illness. Sam declined to speak on how Nate passed but said a more formal statement would be released at a later date. Rapper Snoop Dogg also called in to KDAY but spoke privately off air.

The rap star, born and raised in Long Beach, Calif. was 41.

POP Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!!

2011-03-14T04:17:00.000-07:00

Rihanna graces the cover of Vogue magazine, and she's looking like a million bucks. I wonder how does Beyonce' feel about her getting that magazine cover. The rumor mill is reporting that Jay-Z has asked RiRi to take a break from the scene, so that his wifey's lane is clear to return. Hmph

Charlie 'DUH WINNING' Sheen has been fired from 'Two And A Half Men', but his stand up shows around the country has sold out in 18 minutes. Go Figure!! He's SCREAMING out for help, let's hope that someone is paying attention.

Usher Raymond and his ex wifey Tameka, has a sex tape floating around, not sure If I would want to see two middle age attention whores getting 'it' in.

Battle:LA was #1 @ the box office this weekend.

UK singer Adele continues to kill them on the Billboard Top 200 chart where she remains #1 status for the second week in a row, bringing her two week total sales to over 500.000 copies(gold). Adele future looks bright.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are kaput, free to date whomever. Hey JT its time to get back to the music, I'm just saying!

Rapper Da Brat was released from serving a three year sentence for a brutality, last week. Though free, she will remain on house arrest for another six months.

While at the SXSW premiere of his film Source Code, Jake Gyllenhaal got in a scuffle with an overzealous fan who tried to take pictures of him in the bathroom. And yup, he was doing his business. Maybe the photographer was trying to get a 'Brokeback Mountain' sequel. LMAO

Nick Of Time/TGIF

2011-03-11T04:21:00.001-08:00

Happy Friday Everyone,
In the midst of a storm you must always put your best face forward and never let them see you sweat. Adversities will always arise, and through the many, many storms of your life, you will be severely tested, and pushed up against the wall. The saying of to whom much is given, much is required, has never been more accurate. Life takes its toll on you, and when you address each situation helps formulate just how far you'll go and how great you are to become. As you continue on you battle it may not be something that you share with the world, however sharing can be cathartic, surprisingly someone may be experiencing the same struggle.

When others around you are too busy starring in their 'me me' sitcom to take a moment to give you what you need, or be that friend that you've always been to them, it's not something that you should take personally, as character is not something that can be purchased, it's about the ability to sympathize with and in that understanding comes compassion and if your heart is in the right place it becomes organic. Just like playing it forward, what you give out, will always come back to you. Giving grace is easy to do when you know what your purpose and mission is, which is divine intervention, so when you hear screams and yelps, you must show up and be present.

What Are You Doing With Your Life?

More from Clive Davis Pre-Grammy party...

2011-03-10T07:43:00.001-08:00

I'm Just Sayin....Certified BANGER

2011-03-10T03:38:00.001-08:00

Britney is Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack and ready to state her claim, this lovely blonde bombshell has been through it over the last few years, but she's lived to tell and came out of the darkness....SMOKING HOT!!!

Command Performance

2011-03-10T03:16:00.000-08:00

Bill Withers a constant classic. This song is a staple for me, one for the simple reason that as a child growing up, my grandmother did all the things that this song reminisces about. She provided a very safe canvas for me to land. Bills approach to this song is very soothing as he takes you on a nice stroll down memory lane, and how lucky are we to have this lovely memory. Lastly if you listen closely, you'll hear where Black Street's "No Diggity" came from. Enjoy

circa 1974

2011-03-09T04:09:00.001-08:00

Fred Williamson,one of the most charismatic action stars, Fred is known for coming at you hard in-your-face action.

Being in the entertainment industry for over fifty years his legacy continues and he's still true to his image, you can find him presently doing exactly that in DOWN ‘N DIRTY, his second in a series of films in which he stars as street-wise Dakota ‘Dak’ Smith (first starred as “Dak’ in NIGHT VISION – which he received the Dallas Forth-Worth Film Critics Assoc. Award). Fred directs this action/drama which also stars Gary Busey, Tony Lo Bianco, and David Carradine. Need more action? Fred along with his wife/partner, Linda, have just completed production on the hot urban/action feature ON THE EDGE. Produced by their company Po’ Boy Productions that also stars, Bernie Casey, Jim Brown, Ice T.

Fred is currently prepping SPATS which will be shot in Chicago next year.
Fred starred in Warner Brothers STARSKY & HUTCH (Fred is the Starsky & Hutch's boss, Det. Doby) with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, and Fred as the Police Captain Doby, opened as #2 Box-Office with 29.2 million sales the 3 day week-end, domestically over 88 million, and internationally over 163 million.

He gained a new generation of fans when starring in Quentin Tarantino’s recent cult favorite, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN that also starred George Clooney and Harvey Keitel. A recent cult film of Fred’s is ORIGINAL GANSTAS (produced by his company) that starred Jim Brown, Pam Grier, Richard Rountree and Ron O’Neal.

A 1960 graduate of Northwestern University in Architectural Engineering, Fred was also well-schooled on the football field by Coach Ara Parseghian. After university, her went on to become an All-Pro defensive cornerback, earning the nick-name “The Hammer.” Playing for the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs, Fred had the distinction of playing in the Super Bowl One.

Arriving in Hollywood in 1972, he was immediately signed to play the lead opposite Dianann Carroll on her TV series “Julia.” He move fast up the ladder, Spearchucker Jones was his character is the classic Robert Altman film M*A*S*H, then he was in Otto Preminger’s TELL ME YOU LOVE ME, JUNIE MOON with Liza Minnelli. Working with Altman and Preminger sparked Fred’s interest in directing and producing. He studied the technical end of the business and launched his Po’ Boy Productions in 1974.

Since then directing and starring in close to 40 films under this banner. Po’ Boy has expanded from the seventies classics such as THREE THE HARD WAY and ONE DOWN TWO TO GO, to films with more slick action like SOUTH BEACH (with Peter Fonda). Po’ Boy has widen its base to include many international co-productions as well, resulting in exotic locations and talent. From this he has gained a substantial world-wide following as well experience in foreign sales. No stranger to television, Fred has tackled a wide variety of genres on television. Winning an Emmy nomination for his work on “Police Story,” he had a recurring role on “The Equalizer” and had a regular co-starring role with Joe Pesci in the Glen Larson series “Half Nelson.” His lighter side has been a hit on shows from “Amen” to “The Jamie Foxx Show,” and his quick wit has made him a favorite on shows such as “Politically Incorrect.” Fred was one of the original pitchmen for Miller Lite Beer, and more recently in a series of popular Reebok commercials. For years he was the national spokesman for Anheuser-Busch’s King Cobra Malt Liquor. Fred maintains Canadian status, allowing him to work in “Canadian content” projects. He was a regular (and sometime director) on the Toronto-based Showtime/Alliance series “Fast Track” and starred with Dolph Lundgren in John Woo’s BLACKJACK for Miramax.

He is a member of the DGC and directed and starred in SILENT HUNTER (New Line Cinema) shot on location in Quebec. He resides in Palm Springs along with his wife, Linda. He is an avid golfer.

Jill Scott.....says goodbye to Hidden Beach

2011-03-08T05:12:00.000-08:00

Jill Scott's new album 'The Light Of The Sun' will drop later this year, after the Grammy-award winning singer has just signed a new distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records.

The singer, who has sold over four million records over the past decade, has revealed that her highly anticipated LP will be an insight into her life and she's excited about sharing it with her fans.

Scott has said: "I've always looked to empower my fans through my message of love, independance and strength. A lot has gone on in my life since my last album, so I'm extremely excited to share the new music with all of the people that have supported me these past ten plus years. This album is very revealing, and I can't wait for everyone to hear it."

'The Light Of The Sun' is Scott's fourth studio album and fans were treated to a preview during her U.S. tour with singer Maxwell.

POP Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!!

2011-03-07T04:20:00.000-08:00

Chris 'Breezy' Brown can't seem to catch a break. When a judge reduced a restraining order last month, allowing him to resume contact with ex-girlfriend Rihanna(hot kooch), new photos surfaced of the badly beaten songstress, reminding the public why Brown had been forced to steer clear of the Bajan in the first place.

Now the 'F.A.M.E.' creator, who just released a video of himself rapping, has more negative press to deal with after a nude photo leaked to the Internet on Friday (March 4).
Brown apparently snapped the intimate photo of himself with a cell phone and sent it to an ex-girlfriend of his. There's no confirmation on whether the former flame he reportedly sent it to is in fact Rihanna. The image showcases the 'Look At Me Now' singer standing in a bathroom in front of a mirror nude. A full frontal view is exposed. Any publicity is good publicity, coincidence or not, it will help his CD sales!

The big winner this year at the NAACP Image Awards was the Tyler Perry film 'For Colored Girls,' which was honored with trophies for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress (Kimberly Elise).
Holly Robinson-Peete and Wayne Brady hosted Friday's ceremony in Hollywood.
Prince announced the Best Actress winner, according to CBS News, and presented the prize to Halle Berry, who won for her movie 'Frankie & Alice.' The film (produced by Berry) was honored as the Outstanding Independent Picture of the year.
Meanwhile, Denzel Washington was named Best Actor for his performance in 'The Book of Eli.'
TV excellence was honored as Vanessa Williams took the award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, thanks to 'Desperate Housewives'
The Image Awards could use a new voting academy, how in the hell can the "House of Pain" show and their actors be rewarded for buffoonery:( I just do NOT get it.

Reports are coming in from the UK which are stating that singer George Michael's partner Kenny Goss has left the singer.
The Sun is reporting that Goss, Michael's partner for more than 15 years, finally had enough of the singer's troubled lifestyle, especially his ongoing problems with drugs and Michael's infamous arrest and conviction last year. Hey George you might want to keep it in your pants, the word is out about you!!

Donald Trumps Apprentice returned to NBC last night with its new group of suspects, on the female side the battle is going to be between Lisa Rhinna, Star Jones and Nene Leaks, on the male side it will be between Richard Hatch, Jose Conseco and Gary(trainwreck)Busey.

DUH WINNING....the disaster known as Charlie Sheen continues to steamroll ahead. This weekend Sheen debut his self appointed talk show called "Sheen's Korner" where he continue to have diarrhea of the mouth.

S U S P E C T!!!!!!!!!

2011-03-07T04:12:00.000-08:00

HMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!

All Hail The Queen.....

2011-03-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

It gets NO better than the one and only Ms. Halle Berry. When perfection is this wonderful, you must recognize it and give credit where credit is due. Berry has been doing her thing in Hollywood for over twenty years,and is a constant on only Best Dressed list. Here she is captured Friday night @ NAACP Image Awards.

Going Home/TGIF

2011-03-04T03:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday Everyone,
Last week I talked about "endings" and the reality is about the new beginnings and whatever that journey takes you, The roads that led up to this point is because of growth, hardships, acceptance and understanding. Some say you can't go home again, and I believe that's really the only place you can go back again to, as it truly is your beginning, the teachings, the mistakes, the security that your foundation provided. We leave the nest for greater pastures and it's the wisdom that has been instilled, that insured your safe arrival as you take flight.

As I grow in life, the goal is always to be better than I've ever been, to seek truth and harmony, in all things that I do, and in knowing your true truth, it's about not always liking what you see in you or those around you, sometimes it's about your characteristic while at other times it's about other's characteristics, however it goes, paying attention will get you to where you need to be; If you should get lost again, when it's time for you to go back to the grass roots, ground zero place where it all began for you, the ones that should and have loved you all alone when you finally make it home, open arms are awaiting to greet you as the embrace is about a 'lovely welcome'.

What Are You Doing With Your Life?

Circa 1969

2011-03-02T04:10:00.000-08:00

Birth: Aug. 22, 1934
Death: Sep. 21, 1973

Diana Sands, acclaimed African-American Actress. From the Bronx, New York, her father was a carpenter, and her mother a milliner. Sands went to elementary school in Elmsford, New York, and racial discrimination forced her back to the Manhattan High School of the Performing Arts. After graduation in 1953, she toured with a carnival, returned to New York and began acting with the Greenwich Mews and in show tours while working night jobs to survive. She made her stage debut in George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara. Sands’ was spared from becoming a permanent keypunch operator at Con Edison with the 1957 role in "Land Beyond the River". In 1958 she appeared in "The Egg and I" and "Another Evening with Harry Stones". In 1959 she appeared in Daniel Petrie's film version of the Lorraine Hansberry play, "A Raisin in the Sun" (1961), playing "Beneatha Younger" beside with Ruby Dee and Claudia McNeil. 1964 was an exciting year for her. She won an "OBIE" for "Living Premise" and a Tony nomination for her role in James Baldwin’s "Blues for Mr. Charlie" and was then cast opposite Alan Alda in "The Owl and The Pussycat" which would have been unexceptional if portrayed by a white actress, but Miss Sands stepped into the role with no alteration in the script whatsoever, in a landmark performance introducing integration to the American cinema. In 1968, She garnered two Emmy nominations for "Beyond the Blues" and “Who Do You Kill,” She starred with Jeff Bridges in "The Landlord" in 1970, portraying "Fanny", a young ghetto mother who teaches her rich-boy white landlord what life is really all about. Diana performed at the Lincoln Center Theater as Cassandra in "Tiger at the Gates" and the lead in George Bernard Shaw’s "St. Joan." She and director Kurt Baker were engaged. and was to star opposite James Earl Jones in the production of "Claudine," but she fell ill during the summer of 1973, and died of cancer on September 21. She was just 39 years old.

Monumental................

2011-03-02T03:44:00.000-08:00

Not sure if I would want to be in this building, but it makes for a very nice conversation peace!!

Endings/TGIF

2011-02-25T03:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday Everyone,
Growing up I heard the saying of endings being the beginning of beautiful things, chances to begin anew, to chart unfamiliar territories, that speaks to the mysteries that are unknown. In life you will always have curve balls, so it's always about the adjustments that we make along the way. In adjustment it allows you to correct wrongs along the way, and it doesn't necessarily have to be a wrong, but in can be about rejecting patterns and habits that you tolerated previously. We hold all the tools that can refine our lives.

The creator laid out a masterpiece for us to partake in, and in all honesty it's a privilege, it's the thought process of being enlightened. More so than not, being ungrateful is the state of a lot of folk, well maybe that's the wrong approach, lets say that most of us could be more grateful than we are. It's the little things, that fine tune our lives for maximum gain. So when life closes one door, stop fighting the inevitable, you must know that the reason of this occurrence is for the abundance waiting in the wings, and the path needs to be clear in order for you to receive your blessings, as your new chapter awaits.

What Are You Doing With Your Life?

Just Because......

2011-02-24T04:48:00.000-08:00

No matter what.....'you'll always be my baby'. The one and ONLY Whitney Houston!!

Command Performance

2011-02-24T04:34:00.000-08:00

Blossom Dearie was a very talented pianist and vocalist, and her voice was very recognizable, because it was very small, but easy on the ears. She had a very easy way in her approach to her delivery. I love this performance, besides from it being very classic, she also let you inside her world, as she fussed an audience member out on stage, he took a picture of her as she was talking, she quickly pointed her finger at him and said 'no picture taking is allowed in here'.

Circa 1981

2011-02-23T04:25:00.000-08:00

Cicely Tyson is one of the premiere actresses of our time, she raised the bar for the approach to emotional layers in acting, and paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps. Having appeared in groundbreaking acting pieces such as Miss Jane Pittman and Sounder. Though not praised as much as a Meryl Streep, Annette Bening,Susan Sarandon,Sally Field, Shirley McLaine, but clearly she's in that league of her peers.
Tyson was born and raised in Harlem, New York, the daughter of Theodosia, a domestic, and William Tyson, a pushcart operator. Her parents were immigrants from the island of Nevis of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies; her father arrived in New York City at the age of 21 and was processed at Ellis Island on August 4, 1919. Tyson married legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis on 26 November 1981; the ceremony was conducted by Atlanta mayor Andrew Young at the home of actor Bill Cosby. Tyson and Davis divorced in 1988. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. On May 17, 2009, Tyson received an honorary degree from Morehouse College, an all-male college.

Grasping/TGIF

2011-02-18T04:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday,
Addressing issues, searching for answers while not always finding, but grasping the true understanding of tenacity allows us to continue on the path that's laid out before us, each encounter is not happenstance, Thirsting for knowledge continues to keep the blood flowing with desire to honor the moments that we're presented. I love the understanding that no one will know everything, which makes every new day an adventure, and the outcome only happens in that precise moment of realization.

Creating ideas, trying new things, instilling new concepts or business ventures shows strength and speaks to the pace of each individuals unique growth, as some will be leaders and others are there to follow. Like a blueprint, plans must be laid out to have proper foundation, and in life when you cut corners, be prepared for the outcome, short cuts are a sign of weakness an also shows a characteristic of someone who doesn't understand the meaning of completion and doesn't allow the growth process to see things into fruition.

Every road will not lead to a thorough path, and be it a road of gravel, dirt, shells or solid pavement, I've come to know that in life the road is long, disagreements are temporary, the path because it's unknown is invigorating, and the motivation to build new meaning foundations is uncanny. In order to clear your path, means that you must get out of your own way, and in doing so might mean that you have to let go of things that make us appear greater, better or more accepted, and grasping that thought process is giving yourself the greatest service of them all, you define your legacy, do not let it define you.

What Are You Doing With Your Life?

Command Performance

2011-02-17T04:29:00.000-08:00

It gets no better than Chris Breezy Brown. He's a true triple threat. In today's entertainment, he has much to offer, and I can appreciate his talent. Enjoy this performance, and continue to watch his star shine.

Circa 1975

2011-02-16T03:52:00.000-08:00

Tamara Dobson (Cleopatra Jones)was born on May 14,1947 - Oct 2,2006 in Baltimore, Maryland. This lovely beauty stood 6'2 a complete work of art, she was a model and actress.

She had a degree in fashion illustration and attended the Maryland Institute College of Art. Tamara began her career as a fashion model and posed foe famous fashion magazines like Vogue, Essence, Mademoiselle, Redbook and Ebony.

She wanted to be an actress and received roles at Hollywood in movies like 'Cleopatra Jones' in 1973 and 'Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold' in 1975.

On October 2, she died in Baltimore, Maryland because of complications from pneumonia and multiple sclerosis at the age of 59 years old.

POP Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!!

2011-02-14T03:21:00.000-08:00

The grammys happened last night as was boring as usual. A couple surprises were the tribute to Aretha Franklin, featuring Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Yolanda Adams and. Another nice moment was in the Best New Artist Category which rapper Drake and teen sensation Justin Bieber were nominated in, a little artist by the name of Esperanza Spalding, took home the coveted award, another nice surprise was Fantasia winning the Best R&B Female Award, after a year of personal turbulence, it's nice to see that she was reward for her 'talent' and not judged on her personal life. Pop Veterans were in the house on stage performing, Barbara Streisand, Mic Jaggar and Bob Dylan showing the youth how it's done.

Chris Breezy Brown performed on SNL and gave two knockout performances, his star is definitely on the rise again, and his new F.A.M.E cd drops on March 11-2011

L.A. Reid and Usher talk about the current success of Justin Bieber including his music, films and endorsements in the latest issue of the Hollywood Reporter. The tween who will premiere his first film Never Say Never this month is said to be worth an estimated $100 Million dollars.

Beyonce Knowles will headline the last day of Britain’s annual Glastonbury Festival this year with a 90-minute performance set.

Beautiful dancer/singer Ciara was dropped from her Jive Records label last week after the disappointing sales of her "Basic Instinct" cd release. Things are still looking up for the lovely beauty, she's in talks to join Interscope Records. Good luck Ciara!

After her own Lifetime movie, Life Is Not a Fairy Tale: The Fantasia Barrino Story, back in 2006, Fantasia is now set to play the leading role of another famous singer's life, she's going to play the late gospel legend Mahalia Jackson, and for her role Tasia has to gain 45 pounds:(

The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin made two recent appearances this past weekend, one was at a Detroit Piston's game in Detroit with opportunist Jesse Jackson, and another was a recorded cameo in honor of her tribute at the Grammys. Get well Ree Ree, we're all praying for you.

Though she debut @ the number two spot upon her album's release in November, Nicki Minaj has managed to remain popular - as she's now garnered the #1 position in Billboard's Hot 200.
Tweeting about the feat, the "Moment 4 Life" hitmaker tweeted, ""We finally did it! PINK FRIDAY is the #1 Album in the United States of America!!!!! *faints* thank u sooooo much for the continued support."

VIBE Magazine just got a new look....thanks to Magic Johnson just made a big move in the media world. He and Ron Burkle just put in major mula into VIBE Holdings company. And Magic has been named the Chairman. VIBE Holdings encompasses VIBE magazine, Vibe.com, Uptown mag, and the whole Soul Train franchise.

Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Bash....

2011-02-13T05:27:00.000-08:00

Only A-List celebrities were @ the Beverly Hilton for Clive Davis annual Pre-Grammy party. It's always the hottest ticket in town. The room was jammed with celebrities, from Cher (who came to honor David Geffen as an Industry Icon), to Monica, Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda, Quincy Jones, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher, Jon Voight, Neil Young, David Crosby, Usher, Brandy, Jackie Collins, Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson, Randy Jackson, socialite Barbara Davis, Carole Bayer Sager and Bob Daly, David Foster, Leona Lewis, Toni Braxton, Verdine White (of Earth Wind and Fire), Jane Lynch, Suzanne de Passe, Penny Marshall, Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Tracy Ullman, Gayle King, Ari Emanuel,Dave Grohl, Martina McBride, Bill Maher, Sharon Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Nick Lachey, songwriters Diane Warren and Desmond Child, Narada Michael Walden, Sam Moore, George Schlatter, Kathy Griffin, Nick Jonas, Les Moonves and Julie Chen,Tyrese, Dionne Warwick, Faith Evans, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, and Superstar Whitney Houston who was there to pay tribute to Warwick who is celebrating her fiftienth anniversary in show business. Houston sang Dionne classics like "Walk On By", "Alfie", "Say A Little Prayer" and "That's What Friends Are For" which was a duet with the honoree'. One last thing I'll add which the other publications will not speak on, because it's nothing bad to report on, Whitney Houston was in great vocal form, getting several standing ovations. Below is a little footage from Houston's performance and red carpet...no one can take it away from her, she commands ATTENTION!

Tantra/TGIF

2011-02-11T07:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday,
Love unconditionally is what we all strive and hope for, someone to complete us. Finding understanding above all understanding. Someone who makes you want to be a better person than you are, someone who will challenge you to be the very best 'you'. Everyone has experienced the other side of love, and often times how you look at life, is never quite the same. Teaching the survival of love would be golden, and whoever doesn't understand is someone who is afraid to address their issues.

It's Valentine Day weekend, when you have love, it takes you to a place of complete vulnerability, it always helps you to weave the art of love making and allows you to conceptualize the realms of unselfish love and the ultimate surrender. Sharing that doesn't want or need to adore another person while allowing that same energy to flow back through you in perfect balance so you both experience the essence of adoration. When chemistry occurs, you have to grab it, and go wherever it takes you.

What Are You Doing With Your Life?

Command Performance

2011-02-10T03:41:00.000-08:00

It get's no better than STING, always a sure bet when you see him LIVE in concert, and if live instrumentation is your thing, then you owe it to yourself to get into this man's catalog and DVDs. Enjoy!

Circa 1934

2011-02-09T03:47:00.000-08:00

Fredi Washington was a Multiracial (then commonly known as Mulatto) woman, living through a time when a Black ethnic label was forced upon her by the dominate culture. A fair-skinned women with green eyes, she was often equally disliked by both Black and White film fans. Still she got a chance to show her talent in films. Her first film performance was with Duke Ellington in a musical short, "Black and Tan", as a dancer. In Hollywood she was urged to "pass" for fully White by studio heads, who said they would make her a bigger star than Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford,Constance Bennett and Greta Garbo. Fredi refused. Her best-known role was as Peola in the film Imitation of Life (1934). She appeared with Paul Robeson in The Emperor Jones (1933) and in a few other films with her skin darkened. Her best work was on the stage, her best stage performance being in "Mamba's Daughters" with Ethel Waters. Fredi never made it to the top like her contemporaries Ethel Waters, Josephine Baker and Nina Mae McKinney because she didn't look black enough. But Fredi had what it took, and it is evident in the few films that she did do. Ms. Washington passed away on June 28 1994 at the age of 90. She left Hollywood in good hands thanks to the likes of Lonette Mckee, Halle Berry, Jasmine Guy and Mariah Carey who have all followed in her footsteps.

POP Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!!

2011-02-07T03:15:00.000-08:00

Janet Jackson kicked off her number one's tour last night in Manila and Ms. Jackson if ya Nasty, still has plenty of 'Control'.

Congrats goes to Packers, better luck next year Steelers.

Halle and ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry y'all can do better than this by your child. Playing grown up games gets you grown up results.

Another weak money weekend at the Box Office, the Roommate opened @ #1 with estimates of a 15 million dollar opening.

The Superbowl Halftime show with the Black Eyed Peas was just 'so so' Usher Raymond did kill with his OMG performance, and poor Christina Aguilera rendition of the National Anthem was flawed, that's why they always say practice makes perfect, with that being said, you can never deny the girls got a set of pipes on her, missing lyrics or not, the spirit of the song was there because she's a singer who can SING.

In the dumb ass department, it's a tie between Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen, both of this stars are SCREAMING out for help, is anybody out there listening? Just another case of a privileged life being taken for granted:(

Rihanna has admitted to giving brain to rappers Drake and Eminem, she also has stated lately that she would be open to dating Chris Breezy Brown, but Breezy if you know like I know......RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!! Ole girl isn't nothing but TROUBLE!!

Check out TVONE's Way Black When shows, which was Hosted by Sinbad, last week they covered the 70's with stars like Jim Brown, Denise Nicolas, Lonette McKee, Paul Mooney, Dick Gregory, singers Deniece Williams, Evelyn King, Freda Payne, Larry Graham, and Jody Watley(who brought the heat) singing groups the Hues Corporation and the Main Ingredients. Such an nice stroll down memory lane this week they are paying homage to the 80's with Niecy Nash as the hostess. Check your guilde for local listings and times.

Shia LaBeouf got in a bar fight Friday night and was placed in handcuffs, but was eventually released.
Hanging out at one of his favorite watering holes, the Mad Bulls Tavern in Sherman Oaks, California, things got a little out of hand and Shia was punched in the face by a local patron.

Dana Carvey returned to SNL for one night only and killed. It was so good to see him doing his thing again. Ahh the good ole days of SNL.

Theory/TGIF

2011-02-04T00:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday,
Welcome to Black History month, paying homage to those whose shoulders enabled us to stand tall, who stood up because they were wilingl to battle, and opted to champion a better life, and as you know the race is never about who was the swiftest, it's about the lessons and character that you illustrated along the way. Today we have certain luxuries that were not always afforded, still such a long way to go.

The theory to life is to dissect every opportunity that you encounter, to cease the moment, it's about an appreciation to the life that has been presented to you, and to challenge forward with the belief and wisdom that greater yet, exists in the unknown. With this theory is offers the betterment to the course of your life, and those who you encounter, as I spoke about last week, not everyone gets to tag along with you for the entire journey. Life's roadblocks is about manifestation, what stories can you share with lost soles?

We're on the information highway of life, and sometimes it will be fast, other times you will have to slow down, and realistically, sometimes you will have to come to a complete halt! Cautious is to the life of practicality, while admiration comes to the leaders who weren't afraid to direct their own traffic. In life we have one shell that carry us through the entire course of our lives, we're always looking for the best thing to put into our bodies, as you realize that everything will not work for everybody. When you walk past that mirror and notice a more pronounced laugh line, don't fret its called character, and theory teaches you that you've earned every line for the many roads that you've traveled.

What Are You Doing With Your LIfe?

Command Performance

2011-02-03T03:32:00.000-08:00

Miki Howard one of the most underrated singers of her day. She's still doing her thing, when I was growing up 'Imagination' was played by my grandmother, she used to love this record, and that's how I became familiar with Howard, and I've been a lover of her voice ever since. Enjoy this live performance, no gimmicks just live musicians and a true vocalist.

Mario Testino Shoots....

2011-02-02T22:18:00.000-08:00

For Burberry Prorsum’s Spring/Summer 2011 Collection....

Circa 1977

2011-02-02T06:47:00.000-08:00

Most people do not remember Janelle Penny Commissiong this lovely beauty, but she was truly a trailblazer and in a league of her own.

Janelle Commissiong (born 1953) was born in Trinidad and Tobago. Commissiong migrated to the United States at the age of 13, and returned to Trinidad and Tobago ten years later. After winning the Miss Trinidad and Tobago title, she went on to be crowned Miss Universe 1977 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

In New York City, she studied fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology, but returned to Port of Spain in 1976. The following year, Commissiong had been selected to represent the Island at the 1977 Miss Universe competition in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

She was elected Miss Photogenic four days before the final, becoming the second black woman to win the award in Miss Universe history. On July 16, in the National Theater of Santo Domingo, Commissiong was crowned Miss Universe, attracting international attention as the first black winner in the chronology of Miss Universe.

During her reign, she was an advocate for black rights and world peace. Commissiong was awarded the Trinity Cross, the country's highest award, in 1977. Three postage stamps were also issued in her honour.

Welcome to Black History Month....

2011-02-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

The journey to life is realizing that no one gets there alone, we all are standing on the shoulders of those who have come before is. So to Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King,Malcolm X,Julian Bond, Rosa Parks, Dorothy Height, Andrew Young,Harriet Tubman, Jane Pittman, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Muhammad Ali, Maxine Waters, President Obama, Charlotte E. Ray,Dred Scott, W.E.B. Dubois,Hiriam R. Revels, Denmark Vesey, to name a few who have made it possible for the equality of African Americans....We SALUTE you!!

New Faces....

2011-02-01T05:56:00.000-08:00

We have our eyes on South African model Candice Swanepoel who covers the February 2011 issue of Vogue Italia! Hot Tamale! This is cover is serving up mad flava, as it should be.

POP Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!!

2011-01-31T04:07:00.000-08:00

The Screen Actors Guide awards happened last night in Los Angeles and the stars came out in droves. The SAG awards pretty much tells you who will win the Academy Award, well 9 out of 10 times they are on the money, so we'll see how it plays out this year. Looks like Natalie Portman's performance in "The Black Swan" is a shoe in for the Best Actress category. As of Friday the divorce was official for Eva Longoria who stepped out for the first time as a newly single woman and she was looking like a million bucks, basically saying to her ex hubby Tony Parker, miss me yet?

The Boston Celtics put a whupping on the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday and sent poor Kobe Bryant home crying. Better luck next time guys, maybe the Lakers will get their revenge on their next meeting with the Celtics which will happen February 11Th-2011.

The Australian Open has two new champions this year, on the women side Kim Clijster took home the trophy it's her fourth grand slam win, and on they men side was my boy Novak Djokovic took home the trophy, it's his second grand slam win, congratulations guys you truly earned your strips.

On Friday,singer Chris Brown asked a judge to get the restraining order against him lifted.
Brown wants the order to change from "stay away" to "do not annoy" This would remove the part of the restraining order that requires him to stay 50 yards away from Rihanna. I personally think that Breezy needs to have a restraining order put on Rihanna, she's the truly crazy one, but I digress:)

David Arquette has completed treatment and checked out of rehab.
The actor checked himself into rehab over the New Year's weekend for alcohol and other issues.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you've had a drug problem for most of your life, can you realistically rid the problem at a six week stint at a rehab facility?

Charlie Sheen will be in rehab for the next three months(see this one sounds more realistic), derailing the next eight episodes of "Two and a Half Men" ... and possibly leaving the show's crew SOL. I'm glad that Charlie is finally addressing his demons.

It was a very slow weekend at the Box Office...Sir Anthony Hopkins' The Rite, which opened at number one, but below expectations with $15 million.

Hollywood continues to run out of fresh new ideas, so they recycle the old ones...The Tudors star Henry Cavill has landed the coveted Superman role in the upcoming Warner Bros. reboot.

Britney Spears was the maid of honor at her assistant's wedding yesterday at The Spanish Monastery in Miami, FL. I wonder what the first dance song was? Hmm probably Britney's "Hold It Against Me".

Recycle/TGIF

2011-01-28T07:04:00.000-08:00

Hello and Happy Friday,
Ever notice people who constantly complain about their lives and how unhappy that they are? If you continue the same patterns in your life, you will have the same results, and ultimately you have no one to blame but self, although those types of people, it doesn't go quite that easily,because blame has to be placed on someone, and maturity for that type of person is never where it should be.

A person can only do what you allow them to do to you, if you have no guidelines, and then they are no lines that can't be crossed. You owe it to yourself to stand and be present in your pursuit to a well lived life, it's your right to say that I can do better, or that I'm not going to accept this spin, fluff and recycle mode in my life.

Strength is not an easy place to get to, but with much practice and observation, you can arrive at a lovely destination, and that place of satisfaction may not have a lot of your immediate circle traveling with you, and that's basically called cleaning house, as you get closer to the page that you're suppose to be on, few can arrive with you, as growth happens differently for everyone, and then there's the one who just refuses to grow, and that person isn't worth the recycling, so you move in the path that was chosen for you.

What Are You Doing With Your Life?

Command Performance

2011-01-27T04:22:00.000-08:00

Let me present and introduce to others the one and only Mr. Dave Brubeck. This one is for my parents and my uncle Alvin, I owe my entire music repitoire taste to them. I would come home from kindergarten and my folks would always play the Dave Brubeck and "Take Five" was their favorite. Whenever I hear this song, and no matter where I am, I become that four year old again. The world was a much easier place to be and exist in then, aww the good old days...thanks Mom and Dad!

Circa 1956

2011-01-25T04:50:00.001-08:00

Cyd Charisse was an incredible dancer and very easy on the eyes, she graced many stages in hollywood, either acting or dancing. She truly paved the way for Jody Watley, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Debbie Allen, Paula Abdul, Beyonce, Ciara and countless others dancers in Hollywood!

Cyd Charisse (March 8, 1922 – June 17, 2008) was an American actress and dancer.
After recovering from polio as a child, and studying ballet, Charisse entered films in the 1940s. Her roles usually focussed on her abilities as a dancer, and she was paired with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly; her films include Singin' in the Rain (1952), The Band Wagon (1953) and Silk Stockings (1957). She stopped dancing in films in the late 1950s, but continued acting in film and television, and in 1992 made her Broadway debut.

In her later years, she discussed the history of the Hollywood musical in documentaries, and participated in That's Entertainment! III in 1994. She was awarded the National Medal of the Arts and Humanities in 2006.

POP Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!!

2011-01-24T06:51:00.000-08:00

Big mouth talk show hostess Wendy Williams is set to host "Love Triangle" on the GSN. I for one can pass on seeing Williams give us her opinions on what does and doesn't work in marriage, after all her husband Kevin Hunter is pimping her, if he gets her a job, then he doesn't have to work.

Britney Spears single "Hold It Against Me" debut @ #1, as her fans attest to her stature in music.

Soul singer Eric Benet is engaged to Prince ex-wifey Manuela Testolini.

Actor and Hip Hop star Drake is in talks to star in a new movie - a thriller called Arbitrage. The cast of the indie flick already includes Susan Sarandon and Eva Green, but there is no word on who Drake would actually play. The story centers around a "hedge fund magnate who is in over his head and desperate to complete the sale of his shady trading empire to a major bank before his fraud is revealed."

Despite passing on the David E. Kelley pilot last week,
NBC made the decision to pick up the show now that Comcast is taking over the network.
The network passed on the script due to costly licensing fees as well as having bad luck with superhero projects in the past (ahem, Bionic Woman).
However, now that Robert Greenblatt has taken over, the show just may have a chance after all. I'm hoping that Lynda Carter will be a part of this show.

R.I.P.fitness legend Jack LaLanne died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia Sunday afternoon at his home in California. He was 96.

Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to the Superbowl, wonder who should I place my money on, takers anyone?

Reverence/TGIF

2011-01-21T01:18:00.001-08:00

Happy Friday,
A sense of purpose a reason to be, things that inspire us are all things that we hold a certain reverence for, and in life all things are done in a certain order, and history books are bound to repeat, because all that we're experiencing, those that came before us had that same experience, but with completion because their chapter had an ending. As we come to acknowledge God's presence in our life we become centered and have proper foundation..

Leaning on others is a part of the journey, and knowing when it's your turn to let someone lean on you. The all about 'me' person is never one who will understand their purpose and their worth. To think outside the box means that you're open to a different resolve, some will criticize and the very one who wants to critique is the one whose life is on 'idle'.

Yesterdays is the past and cannot be recalled and those who have transitioned imprinted a staple on our hearts, which obviously left a lasting impression, and that's due to reverence, it's doesn't seem like the 'new breed' of today fully understand their history, but without the struggles and conquest, their world, our world would be a different reality than what we know it to be. We are vessels to serve, protect, teach and honor, remember to whom much is given, much is required.

Command Performance

2011-01-20T10:20:00.000-08:00

Charlie Wilson is one of the most underrated singers to ever live. He stayed with his brothers in the The Gap Band for years, but couldve easily gone solo and because a superstar. Here's a great performance of their classic "OUTSTANDING" which speaks to his great vocals and delivery.

Coachella is going down April 15-17...

2011-01-19T07:48:00.000-08:00

This years Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival will take place April 15- 17 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. In addition to Arcade Fire, Kings of Leon and Kanye West who will headline here is the very very long list of other performers......12th Planet, Afrojack, Alf Alpha, Andy C, Angus and Julia Stone, Animal Collective, Arcade Fire, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, A-Trak, Axwell, Beardyman, Best Coast, Big Audio Dynamite, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77, Bomba Estereo, Boys Noize, Brandon Flowers, Brandt Brauer Frick, Breakage, Bright Eyes, Broken Social Scene, Cage the Elephant, Caifanes, Caspa, Cee Lo Green, Chromeo, Chuckie, City and Colour, Clare Maguire, Cold Cave, Cold War Kids, Crystal Castles, CSS, Cults, Cut Copy, Daedelus, Death From Above 1979, Delorean, Delta Sprirt, DJ Hype, DJ Kentaro, DJ Marky, DJ Zinc, Duck Sauce, Duran Duran, EE, Elbow, Electric Touch, Eliza Doolittle, Ellie Goulding, Emicida, Empire of the Sun, Erick Morillo, Erykah Badu, Excision, , Fat Freddy’s Drop, Fedde Le Grand, Fistful of Mercy, Flogging Molly, Foals, Foster the People, Francis and the Lights, Freelance Whales, fun., G.Q., Gayngs, Glasser, Gogol Bordello, Good Old War, Gord Downie, Goth Trad, Green Velvet, Gypsy and the Cat.....other acts to be announced.

If you haven't attended before, I encourage to treat yourself to a weekend to remember.

Happy Martin Luther King Day....

2011-01-17T08:49:00.000-08:00

Because of this great man we are 'still' allowed to dream. Here's a story on how the movedment came about, and Julian Bond is still here to ensure that Dr. Martin Luther King's passing was NOT in vain.

..Oct 28, 2004 | Julian Bond, chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, has devoted his life to civil rights and voting rights issues. After a group of black college students refused to leave a whites-only lunch counter at a Woolworth's store in Greensboro, N.C., in 1960, Bond -- then a student at Atlanta's Morehouse College -- helped form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Famous for its "Freedom Rides" challenging segregation, SNCC also worked to register black voters in rural areas of the deep South in the early 1960s, with Bond serving as the organization's communications director.

Elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1965, the 25-year-old Bond was denied his seat by legislators angry about his opposition to the Vietnam War; he was seated after three elections and a unanimous decision of the Supreme Court. Chairman of the NAACP since 1998, Bond is now a distinguished professor at American University in Washington and a professor of history at the University of Virginia. He narrated the prize-winning documentaries "A Time for Justice" and "Eyes on the Prize."

Salon spoke to Bond on Wednesday by telephone about Republican attempts to suppress the black vote in next Tuesday's election, including the placing of 3,600 election "challengers" at the polls in Ohio. The Republican secretary of state in Ohio, a crucial swing state with 20 electoral votes, asserts the challengers are needed to prevent voting fraud. But Bond countered that if fraud is really the issue, why are the GOP challengers focusing on cities like Cleveland, which have large Democratic-leaning African-American and Hispanic populations?

Nearly 40 years after passage of the Voting Rights Act, dirty tricks and intimidation tactics against black voters are alive and well, Bond said. In Louisiana in 2002, he said, fliers were passed out in African-American neighborhoods advertising the wrong date for a U.S. Senate runoff election. In the 2003 mayoral election in Philadelphia, he added, men wielding clipboards and official-looking law enforcement insignia paroled African-American neighborhoods asking voters for identification.

Pop Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!

2011-01-17T05:15:00.000-08:00

Saturday night BET Honors hosted by Gabrielle Union featured tons of celebrities looking great on the red carpet. The 4th annual gala event, held Saturday night at Washigton, DC's Warner Theatre, honored legends in the fields of music, theatre, media, service and education.
The six honorees are Jamie Foxx (Entertainment), composer Herbie Hancock (Musical Arts), actress Cicely Tyson (Theatrical Arts), publishing exec Linda Johnson Rice (Media), supermodel Iman (Service), and historian Lonnie G. Bunch (Education).
Celebrity guests included Trey Songz, Keshia Cole, Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker among others. All looked amazing. The 4th Annual BET Honors will air on February 21 .

Pop Princess Britney Spears is back and hotter than ever her new single "Hold It Against Me" is blowing up all over radio waves and iTunes. Wonder if Gaga is shacking in her boots.

The Australian Open started yesterday, and Venus Williams is going for the title for the women and fellow american Andy Roddick is representing for the men. Good luck guys.

Academy Award winner Halle Berry is set to play the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in her biopic. The financing is finally in place and should begin filming within the next two years. Halle will play the adult version of Franklin.

Rapper bad boy Kanye West is spreadings his wings...Kanye has signed on to do some acting, in a flick about a GAY jazz band in 1939. He plays a gay band member, and there is EXPLICIT gay sex in this movie.
It is being funded by ALL of his buddies, Will smith, Jay Z and even Momma O' has put some money into this movie. its a 20 million dollar film.
The script won 9 awards, so i think it's good. The Oscars Academy has this thing called the nicholl, a competition for screenplays, and the script for the movie won there twice, so I guess that means it will be one of those oscar films. It isn't the typical hood movie rappers do.

Andre' 3000 makes a cameo appearance on Ke$ha's new song "Sleazy". Welmcome back Mr. 3000, we've missed you.

Hit sitcom The Game airs tomorrow night on BET, check your local listings, this show is on the money.

If you're in the Los Angeles area...this Saturday(Janary 22) will be a celebration of the life of the Late Ivory Queen of Soul Teena Marie at Oakwood Park in Venice, Ca. The celebration is from 11-4pm.

Ms. Jackson if you're nasty sold out her April 14Th Los Angeles show at the Gibson Theatre in 10 minutes, the promoters had to add another day April 15th to meet the demand. I can't wait to see Jackson do her thing.

Teena Marie A Celebration of Life...

2011-01-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

I hope to see you there, if you were/are a fan of Teena Marie our Ivory Queen of Soul, then this will be the celebration for you.

Before Wendy Williams sold out....

2011-01-14T04:07:00.000-08:00

When Wendy Williams was letting it all hang out, before she started lying about what "How You Doin" really means. I miss the old 'messy' days of Wendy Williams, most people 'still' believe that she's a man.....hey I'm Just Sayin...:)

Mystery/TGIF

2011-01-14T00:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday everyone,
It's such a lovely thing to be a part of the world living, striving and just privileged enough to see another day. Take a moment and bask in the idea of what the new year brings, with the new desires of your heart, the future still holds a certain mystery, and the day that your number comes up is the biggest mystery yet. While you're here maximize the 'now' and what that entails. When you take for granted of what's been afforded to you, I think that pattern of thought is an opening to the devils playground.

One thing I learned a long time ago, was that friendships can be mysteries too, sometimes you go your entire life believing your true blue was just that, but how life goes, a mystery could unfold, and it's revealed that your true blue, wasn't so true after all. We decides on whom our friends will be, unlike that of your family, we should not take others for granted and we can't become complacent in our application to dear old friends, to make room for the new. There's something to be said for longevity.

I may not always agree with you, and vice versa, but the art of communication is that of a good listener, and we should all be open and mature to take heed from anyone who is teaching us something, life evolves for the well read person, a close mouth is someone with nothing to say or something who misses out because they didn't know how to stand up and be heard, which one are you? Don't let that be the mystery, because that's only interesting for so long.

What Are You Doing With Your Life?

2011-01-13T01:01:00.000-08:00

New Edition is one of the baddest groups, especially of my childhood, and they really never get the credit that the deserve, but it never stopped them from doing their thing. They paved the way for NSync, Backstreet Boys, B2K, New Kids On The Block. New Edition is the real thing. Enjoy

As we say goodbye to Teena Marie.....

2011-01-10T20:58:00.001-08:00

Teena Marie who was one of my favorite singers of all time was laid to rest today at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Shanice Williams sang Ave Maria and was escorted by husband actor Flex Alexander, Doug Grisby led her band through some of her classic hits, Smokey Robinson sang a tribute in her honor, Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder and Marie's daughter Alia Rose were all speakers in tributes to the late singer. Also in attendance were actresses Debbie Allen, Sheryl Lee Ralph,Queen Latifah, Tichina Arnold, Lisa Raye, Sheryl Underwood, Kim Whitley, Sinbad entertainment correspondent Tanya Hart, Sinbad, singers Deniece Williams, Johnny Gill, Howard Hewitt,Ray Parker, George Duke, Val Young, Rick James ex wife Tanya James and basketball great Gary Payton.
Marie passed away on December 26-2010, she was 54.

POP Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!!

2011-01-10T00:16:00.000-08:00

The much anticipated tv show The Game finally returns to tv starting tomorrow January 11Th on BET. This show is smartly written and the characters have layers, and as I always say, life doesn't always have happy endings especially when it's a 22 minute sitcom. The racist CW network slept on this show and never promoted yet it founds it audience. I encourage to give this show a try, and you will be hooked just like me. Welcome back, Melanie, Derwin, Tasha Mack, Malek, Kelly and Jason. Let's Go!!

It's official actress Natalie Portman IS pregnant AND engaged. Congrats beautiful girl!

David Beckham and wifey are expecting their fourth child. I must commend him, sleeping with a stick doesn't seem very comfortable, but that's just me.

Drug Addicted Lindsay Lohan sat courtside at last nights Los Angeles Laker game. I don't get it, when will she really attend rehab and get the help that she so rightly deserves. This has Kurt Cobain Anna Nicole and River Phoenix written all over it.

Jermaine Jackson is stuck in Africa and cannot come back to the U.S. until he pays what he owes in child support - which is nearly $100,000! I think this is a blessing in disguise, Jackson always has a lot of drama going on in his life.

Are You Ready for new Britney Spears .....

2011-01-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

The 'hey yall' ditzy singer/lipsyncing Britney Spears returns to music with her new single entitled "Hold it against me". The cover art work is worth the money, so I'm on board, one thing that Hollywood loves is a little bit of crazy...and truthfully it keeps it all very interesting, another thing about this industry, is how fickle it can be, if you stay away too long, someone else is waiting in the wings to take your place. Stay tune and lets how this story unfolds to Britney...

Addendum/TGIF

2011-01-07T01:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday,

It's a new year, renewed hope, for all the things wonderful real and new. Of course we say that we'll be smarter and wiser this year, and then there's that ongoing diet battle or that appointment with the gym that just doesn't seem to happen as often as it should, that's life and I say you must maintain a positive, we should always continue to strive for new heights to soar, why because we deserve it. A dutiful life is one with an agenda, to spiral is wayward, life's attitude flows on gossamer wings because geography comes with paths and guidelines, and for those times that we may drift off course, it's only a temporary bump in the road.

A death occurs out of nowhere and it takes you breath away, reality hits you dead smack in the face, it's call life, who could predict it, NO one can, your advantage is to learn from example. God wrote the rules, Adam and Eve broke them, and from that moment on the history books constantly are being rewritten to suit whatever cultures addendum, and the blessing is the acknowledgement of the opportunity to breathe in a new day.

What Are You Doing With Your Life?

Oprah's OWN debut is a HIT...

2011-01-05T08:15:00.001-08:00

Oprah Winfrey's new cable network made a splash in its debut Saturday night, reporting more than 1 million viewers for its first prime-time shows over a holiday weekend.

Oprah Winfrey, during a segment of an episode of "Master Class."
The new channel, dubbed OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, launched at noon on New Year's Day, replacing little-watched cable network Discovery Health in around 80 million homes. At its peak Saturday night, the channel says more women between the ages of 25and 54 were watching OWN than were watching all but two other cable networks—Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN and General Electric Co.'s USA.

A 50-50 joint venture between Ms. Winfrey and Discovery Communications Inc., the channel is a big bet that Ms. Winfrey can convert the nearly 7 million people who watch her syndicated "The Oprah Winfrey Show." into loyal viewers of a cable channel. The network launched a big promotional campaign, and Ms. Winfrey devoted two episodes of her daytime show last week to plugs for the new network.

"The good news is people showed up when they marketed it aggressivelyand Oprah told them to go out and watch," said Rich Greenfield, a media analyst at brokerage firm BTIG. "The real question is how capable they'll be of sustaining the ratings over the coming months and years."

Ms. Winfrey was OWN's biggest draw, averaging 1.2 million viewers for the first two episodes of "Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes," a reality show that chronicles the final season of her daytime show, according to early Nielsen Co. data that the network released. Ms. Winfrey plans to tape the last episode of her daytime show in May, and its last episode will air in September.

On Sunday night, the network fared less well, averaging 822,000 viewers in prime time, OWN said. Its two-hour question-and-answer special, "Ask Oprah's All Stars," averaged 968,000 viewers. "Master Class," an interview show that featured ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer at 10 p.m., averaged 602,000.

Full Nielsen data on the opening weekend, including daytime shows will be available on Tuesday, OWN said.

Celebration of Life for Teena Marie.....

2011-01-05T04:41:00.000-08:00

Saturday January 22-2011 from 11-4 will be a celebration of life to the memory and legacy of the late blue eyed soul singer Teena Marie who passed away December 26-2010, Marie was 54. The celebration will be held in Oakwood Park in Venice, Calif. For more information call Vivian Young at 909-771-7487 or 909-863-1352

OOOPS...UH OH....and OH NO!!!!!

2011-01-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

Can we say a "HELL NO" to plastic surgery? What the hell was Vivica Fox thinking? Oh that's just is, she WASN'T thinking.

POP Culture at a glance....and not in a glass!!

2011-01-03T04:55:00.000-08:00

2010 witnessed the return of Kanye West, and welcomed rappers Drake and Nicki Minaj, both long awaited projects were met with a huge reception. Some misses last year were Christina Aguilera's "Bionic" and a Mariah Carey CD that never caught the attention of the American audience, so her record label decided to shelve it and a few months later, they released a 'so so' Christmas CD.

The Miami Heat met with The Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas day ONLY to silence the Lakers by putting a whomping on that *ss.

2010 gave us a big scare the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin was diagnosed with "pancreatic cancer" thankfully her surgery was very successful, and the Queen is resting @ home.

Lady GaGa ruled the music charts, but she's nothing new, and has Diana Ross, Cher, Barbara Streisand, Bette Midler and Madonna to thank for her success. The thing that I love most about GaGa is that she was discovered by rapper/singer Akon, so everytime she's gets paid...he REALLY gets paid!

Congrats goes out to Nicole Richie, singer Shania Twain and actress Valarie Bertinelli all said their "I Do's" recently.

2010 we said goodbye to legendary film and recording star Lena Horne, Elizabeth Edwards, actor Gary Coleman, the Golden Girls star Rue McClanahan, Mission Impossible star Peter Graves, The Gap Band bassist Robert Wilson, movie director/writer, Blake Edwards,singers Teddy Pendergrass and blue eyed soul starlet Teena Marie....gone but not forgotten.

Happy New Year.....

2011-01-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone, I'm happy to tell 2010 to kick rocks. Personally for me 2010 was the hardest year that I've ever had to endure, and when I speak to others, they seem to be in agreeance with me, the lovely thing about new years is the chance to begin again, a chance to set new goals, and also it's a spring cleaning of sorts if you will, but it's done in the winter time. I'm forever thankful to GOD for my life and for the people who continue to color my world. Life is constantly evolving and it's about the peaks and valleys, in which helps to season our lives.

My sincerest wishes goes out to everyone in the world for peace, contentment joy and goodwill. The world goes round in circles and often times the revisit has it's price to pay, and when a toll is requested, you must pay. Take time out to acknowledge the beauty, the presence of the here and the RIGHT NOW! Happy New Year!!!

Command Performance

2010-12-30T00:09:00.000-08:00

The world mourned the loss of our blue eyed soul sister Teena Marie this week. Her life and legacy, will always be remembered as a 'chosen' gift that she honored GOD with every day of her life. Teena always believed in soul music and never desired for anything but that. The life of a artist is one where you hope other's will receive your delivery and more importantly you hope that your delivery is understood. I can talk about Teena forever, I fell in love with her music as a kid in junior high school, and the love affair never ended. Her catalog is so deep with lyrical meaning, it's hard to choose just one, but what I decided to showcase today, is a tender moment in 1990 when she dropped by BET to promote her "Ivory" CD, she sang "If I Were A Bell" and the quiet storm classic "Casanova Brown" which is featured here on my blog, how exquisite was this performance, the simplicity of just a piano and Teena's voice....ooh la la, when it's real talent that's all you need. 'Casanova Brown' was about her love affair with Rick James, at the time few knew the 'true' story. If you're not aware of Teena's musical legacy, you should start with "Irons In The Fire", "Passion Play", "Naked To The World" and "Ivory"....and don't stop until you have her entire catalog.
Though her life was interrupted, the love affair with her music never has to end. Enjoy

R.I.P. Teena Marie...A True Soul Sister!!

2010-12-26T17:32:00.000-08:00

I wrote this article about six months ago, for a special that I had in mind for Lady Tee, a artist who was honest, pure and true to the art of soul music, unfortunately the special tribute was never materialized. Ironically she was to 'resign' with Cash Money records to begin working on her 14Th CD! Rest In Peace!!

30+ years of Wild & Peaceful
Born Mary Christina Brockert on March 5-1956. The blue eyed soul singer later become known to the world as Teena Marie and some affectionately calls her Lady T. Marie was always destined for fame an early appearance on The Beverly Hillbillies tickled her dreams of stardom. She grew up in Venice California. As a young teen she with guitar in hand traveled to Hollywood to get discovered. Luckily for us a man name Berry Gordy said yes and signed her to Motown Records. A few false starts in various groups, Motown didn’t really know what to do with their eager signee. Iris Gordy came up with the idea of having label mate Punk Funkster Rick James to work with Marie, though reluctant James eventually gave in and the rest is musical history. He went on to produce her debut LP for Motown called ‘Wild & Peaceful, which included the monster hit and duet with James, called “I’m Just A Sucker For Your Love” and the quiet storm sleeper “De Ja Vu”.

Next up came the “Lady T” project produced by Richard Rudolph the husband of the late singer Minnie Riperton, though a solid project it was met with difficulty at radio, the highlight of that project produce a life time friendship with Richard Rudolph, who Marie credits for teaching her how to produce a textured richness in her music. In 1980 came the release of “Irons In The Fire” in which Marie decided to be the sole producer, she hit pay dirt with the single “I Need Your Lovin” and watched “Irons In The Fire” achieve gold status, she established herself as a force to be reckoned with. This was a great time in her life with the success of “Irons” Motown wanted Marie back in the studio. This time the triumph was even greater she released“It Must Be Magic” in May 1981 and had major success with another top ten song called “Square Biz”was all the rage and revealed another side to the phenomenal talent, this time she was rapping. Striking while the iron was hot Marie team up with label mate Rick James and went on tour selling out stadium after stadium breaking Elvis Presley attendance records as well as the Rolling Stones record in concert sales. Summer of 1981 you could not go anywhere and not hear something blazes on the radio from the “It Must Be Magic” project.

Into each life some rain must fall, trusting that Motown would honor their word giving Marie a verbal agreement to renew her contract. When that didn’t happen things turned sour and Motown and Marie ended up in litigation. Being steadfast to her beliefs, all musical artists has Teena Marie to thank for giving them contract security which is known as the Teena Marie bill, which states that if a artist is under contract without product in the market place, their record label must pay them. Sadly this would end her association with Motown, the lawsuit was held up until 1984. Teena Marie signed on to Epic Records and released her debut LP called “Robbery” in March 1984 a solid project, unfortunately the sales were not as strong as her glory days at Motown. Bound and determined to be a success Marie went back into the studio and released “Starchild” another solid effort through and through, this time around she struck gold again, and had the biggest crossover single of her career with “Lovergirl” which peaked at #4 on the pop charts and garnered her a best female soul Grammy nomination. Marie was fully back in the swing of things. Her success is quite astounding, when you consider that here is white female singing R&B music. She could’ve easily chosen to do rock music and follow in the footsteps of Janis Joplin, but that wasn’t the love that Marie had for music, she always loved soul music. Her never wavering is why she has the legion of fans that has followed her over the 30 plus years of her career. Never one to rest on her laurels, the consummate artist Marie went back into the studio to record the follow-up to “Starchild” this time she decided to really push the envelope releasing “Emerald City” which was heavily saturated in rock and Brazilian overtones, one of the guest on her project was Stevie Ray Vaughn who passed away shortly after working with Marie. “Emerald City” wasn’t as successful as its predecessor. Deciding to go back to what worked best for her Marie released “Naked To The World” which consisted of two top 10 R&B hits “Ooh La La” her first and only #1 record which was later largely sampled by the Fugee’s on Fu-gee-la and “Work It”.

Epic wanted larger successes from Marie and had hoped that would happened with “Ivory” which had the makings of a blockbuster project, unfortunately Epic released the wrongs singles at the wrong time. With lukewarm sales Epic and Marie mutually agreed to part ways. This time around Marie decided to start her own record label called Sarai and released “Passion Play” this project is truly for the die hard Marie fan. It was an independent label, which couldn’t handle the marketing and push that an artist of Marie’s caliber deserved. Deciding to leave the recording process alone for a while Marie continued to tour extensively and her fans never disappointed. She was able to make a living without having product in the market place. Always in high demand Cash Money records approached Marie and convinced her to return to recording. In 2004 La Dona was released and became her biggest LP/CD peaking at #6 on the pop charts, and quite frankly overwhelming Marie, who really didn’t know how truly loved she was. “La Dona” quickly went gold and reestablished Marie’s place and legacy in soul music. Two more releases “Sapphire” and “Congo Square” is a part of her this great lady’s tapestry and shows that her body of work, is timeless, exquisite and genuinely soulful. There is ONLY one Teena Marie and African American culture has welcomed her into our homes for over thirty years and will continue to do. Thanks Lady Tee for being a true trailblazing Soul Sister.

Biography written by Kevin Knighton

Command Performance

2010-12-23T01:09:00.000-08:00

This performance is HILARIOUS to me, but it shows you the innocence of youth and how you can later become jaded, troubled and drugged to the life of Hollywood, nonetheless, it shows the early beginnings of hard work and dedication. Paula Abdul, though not a singer, in her prime should could dance her *ss off.

Where Were You The First Time...

2010-12-22T23:45:00.000-08:00

That you heard the scream of Chaka Khan's classic pitch perfect vocals? Not only is she beautiful, with a gigantic piercing smile, but her legacy in music is unequaled. She can sing ANYTHING. The greatest award to longevity is the ability to continue to create new vehicles in your music to continue to charter new territory, and to not sound dated in the process. Believe it or not this little lady got her start at the early age of 17 and fronted the group Rufus for almost a decade. We will never forget the lyrics .... "I will love you anyway, even if you cannot stay, I think you are the one for me, here is where you ought to be" yes "Sweet Thing" will forever be a classic for the history books. Chaka Khan has praved the way for Whitney Houston, Sade, Anita Baker, Rahsaan Patterson, Ledisi, Natalie Cole,celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Fantasia, Christina Aguilera, Tamia, Lalah Hathaway and countless others. Her voice is still just as capitvating today as it was when she first set foot on the music scene...we love you Chaka, Chaka Khan and we'll always 'feel' for you.

Where Were You The First Time...

2010-12-22T23:37:00.000-08:00

That you heard the voice of Anita Baker? Flashback of the times we had, some made us laugh and some made us sad...it's gets not better than those lyrics, listening to Anita Baker you always want that 'Same Ole Love'. When you hear her music its that of a familiar family friend. Her music has been the soundtrack to so many of our lives. You can always find comfort in her delivery and those timeless lyrics. She came on the music scene in the late seventies with her group Chapter Eight and in the mid eighties as a solo artist recording for the Beverly Glen record label which released her first single "Angel" and from that moment on started the love affair with La Baker!

Where Were You The First Time....

2010-12-22T23:28:00.000-08:00

That you heard the group Sade? Sade Adu came along in 1985 with her sultry smokey vocals, and she wrapped us around her fingers, her music is classic and timeless. She records her masterpieces then she's gone with the wind to resume her life. She always leaves her audiences with anticipation of longing for her jazzy delivery. Twenty fives years later, her music has stood the test of time and she will go down in the history books as a solid consistant contribution to the world of jazz, r&b and pop culture.

Where Were You The First Time....

2010-12-22T23:18:00.000-08:00

That you heard that magnificant voice.....and what has been your favorite memory thus far....
With record sales over 170 million copies sold Whitney Elizabeth History will go down in the history books as one of the best vocalist to have ever lived, and her contribution to the world of music can never be tarnished.

COMEDY.....

2010-12-22T09:35:00.000-08:00

I can't help but laugh when I saw this ad, having recently watched Oprah's interview on the former president. I found the interview to be very informing and I was enlightened, Mr. Bush came across very charming, educated and he seem to possess a sense of humor about it all.