Mary J. Blige Does Her Thing at the Kentucky Derby

Looking regal in red, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul pulled a fast one at the 2012 Kentucky Derby by singing the National Anthem with style, grace and soul as only she could.  Initially, many people were vocal in their objections to Mary singing the anthem after the Burger King situation, but nay sayers be damned, Ms. Blige received a rousing round of applause after belting her personal heartfelt rendition.  I am sure if Queen Marie Antionette had heard the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, she would have said, "Let them eat cake".  I say, "Let them eat crispy chicken wraps".  

Forever Young?

Damn what they sell late night on QVC, I want some of what this cat is using and will up my entire next paycheck to get it. How is it that a man 52 years old, can look like like a 15 year old dolled up for her Quinceñera? I am soooooo jealous even if he look like he should be a character on the next "Pirates of the Caribbean" installment.

BTW Prince, Anita Baker wants her old wig back.

LOL

YOU GOTTA ADMIT, THIS IS PRETTY FUNNY!

What's Going on Here?

Don't get me wrong, I do love Madonna (always have) and I take my hat off to a chick over 50 that can hold her own. But if this is what a Material Girl looks like, I have to ask, "Is she made from Burlap?" Even photoshop couldn't save her on this one. If I tell you, she looks like a 75 year old run down hooker, that was killed by a serial killer in 1983, but rose from the grave to get vengeance on her murderer by tricking him into thinking she’s a missionary.

ARETHA!

Now everyone knows I do love me some Aretha Franklin, but she really tickles me. She's like the aunt that just cannot seem to get it right or like the woman in the washateria that is washing 10 baskets of clothes but refuses to sweat while eating a bag of spicy pork skins and drinking and ice cold coca-cola. I love her! And the "get it girl", "round the way", "Shaniqua Grandmama" hairdo puts the file' in the gumbo. Check her out (she's still our Queen though).

Welcome Back, Sade Adu

After a very long hiatus, Sade is coming back with a new CD to be released around Valentines day, February 2010. I am sure that after all these years, she needs her coins, so please order it or buy it from a local music store and not bootleg it. (But just in case you get your sticky fingers on a copy before I buy mine...)

Tina Knowles: Cougar or Jaguar?

Is it me or does Tina Knowles look as hot as Beyonce’ in this picture? If you are this old and this fine, but married, can you still be considered a Cougar?

2009 Soul Train Music Awards (I Really Expected Better)

Looks like the Soul Train Music Awards has caught the "Boogooloo Fever" like the Ozone Awards, BET Hip-Hop Awards and all the other awards show that cater to certain people in certain ethnic groups that just happen to perform certain types of music. With that said, blog reports are abound with stories of inappropriateness and stereotypical buffoonery. Slaves to the industry, slaves to the industry. Will we ever learn? Pictures coming soon.

Michael Jackson’s, “This Is It”, really is “It”!

Greatness in itself, only comes along ever so often. When that greatness comes in the form of the legendary musical perfectionist known as Michael Jackson, the anticipation mounts with each second up until the moment you reach its helm. This past weekend I was fortunate enough to go to the movies to see, Michael Jackson’s final concert documentary, “This Is It”. I went into this adventure with skepticism because of the rumors surrounding the movie. Rumors like; a double was used, it wasn’t very good, MJ looked weak, etc. People let me tell you, for almost two hours, I set mesmerized, hypnotized and mystified as a 50 year old Pop legend, danced, sang and commanded the stage during every performance in the movie, in the company of dancers well under half his age. Shot in a combination of scenes from various rehearsals, Michael delivered the magic that he did during the height of his stellar career, without missing a single beat. With the exception of struggling through some of the old classic Jackson 5 songs, vocally, Michael delivered with perfection, every note that we hear on some of his most popular albums like “Off The Wall” and the history making “Thriller”. The movie opens with footage of some of the concerts background dancers and singers telling how Michael had influenced them and how fortune they were to be able to perform with Michael on what would have been his final concert tour of his career. Shortly therafter, Michael, looking strong, svelte and very much in control both emotionally and artistically explodes on stage with his hit, “Jam” like a General in control of his Army. The choreography is on point, the lighting and pyrotechnics are queued so that with each turn or beat of a drum something announces that Michael is back with a vengeance. The excitement to me was reminiscent of the day I rushed home from school to see the world premiere of Michael’s industry changing music video for the song, “Thriller”. This tribute was befitting of the King of Pop and rightfully so because on every song, you thought to yourself with mental awe, where and what you were doing when you first heard that song. However, never to remove yourself from the essence of the movie one can only wonder, what it may have been like to take part in such a historical celebration. Although the ill-fated tour never materialized, Michael left us with something that we can all truly say to each other, that he was indeed back! When watching the movie, you are engaged in a supernatural experience that in an instant you already know that those that were not even born when Michael reigned supreme, can now live the breathtaking excitement that those of us over 40 years old, did 25 years ago. The man… sheer talent, the movie…sheer brilliance…the legacy, endless. A must see. Long live the King of Pop.

WYLD STYLZ

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Poll)

You know, I am really not a fan of reality television, but it seems as though that is all there is on television these days. Even if you have bootleg cable (insert Aunt Esther face here), or if you are one of those honest, paying customers like myself, you want to feel as though you are getting our money's worth. Strangely enough, one of the shows I found myself actually liking is, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta". Not because any of these women are talented (Kandi excluded), inspiring or even discussion worthy. It's just fairly interesting to watch five ambitious, uncanny, messy and back stabbing women who hug and kiss each other whenever they meet, vie for the title of Miss Hot Mess (call a spade a spade). I can't wait until Frankie ties the knot. I can see it now, all the ladies are at NeNe's house and the doorbell rings. They look at each other as to say, "who could that be"? NeNe opens the door and all you hear is, "HOLLA"! In walks Frankie and her cover shaker to tell the ladies that the producers said that the show needed some life and that she will be starring in Season 3 (Dwight Eubanks faints). Anyway, I want to know who is your favorite Housewife (see the poll to the left)?

Please Pray For Frankie Y'all

I know that with all that's going on in the world right now, I could find something so more appropriate to write about, but every now and then we come across a soldier in distress that needs us. Right about then, in walks Miss Frankie Lons and your spirit tells you right then, this is that soldier. You say hello, you smile, you say nice things about her and even laugh at her jokes but in your mind, you are saying, "Lord, please help this poor woman". This is Miss Frankie at the BET Hip-Hop awards this past weekend.

When I tell you, she looks like they laid her to rest last month and she said she wasn't having it. So she moved dirt, crawled out, found her grill, borrowed an outfit from Melba Moore and hit the BET red carpet. I do love me some Frankie though! Oh, don't act like you don't.

JANET!

When I tell you, Janet Jackson has more beauty comebacks than any other woman I know. Just a few months ago, when she issued a statement on behalf of the Jackson family at the BET awards regarding Michaels death, she looked chunky, tired and lifeless. But look at Janet now! It's in the genes y'all.

(whispering) You know they say, she has some ribs removed! (LOL) Don't believe that foolishness.

Well, what do you expect?

If you looked like this and someone thought you may be born biologically male, that's one thing. But if your name is Caster Semenya, that takes things to a whole different level. This chick has been blazing on the track & field scene for the last couple of months, killing the competition and making a sack full (term used lightly) of money at the same time. The results are still out on her tests but I just want to know if there is a law against just giving her a good old physical examination since the test they have conducted won't be concluded for six more weeks. What do you think?

New Whitney Houston Single - "Million Dollar Bill"

This new single is really good. It has a retro sound to it almost like something off the Michael Jackson, "Off The Wall" record from years ago. I really like it. Listen to it courtesy of www.concreteloop.com.

http://concreteloop.com/2009/08/new-music-whitney-houston-million-dollar-bill

Katherine Jackson Releases Official Statement

"Damn What You Heard, Mama Don't Play That"! This might as well have been the words straight from Katherine Jackon's lips before or after releasing her official statement today. Read it for yourself:

Mrs. Jackson continues to serve as her son’s most trusted and loyal advocate even in death. In an effort to gain more facts concerning a suspicious circle of relationships, unnotarized will and an undisclosed trust, both drafted in 2002, which grant the executors and trustees thereunder very broad powers, Mrs Jackson has sought formal discovery of the temporary special administrators of her son’s estate. The Court has made clear that it will consider Mrs. Jackson’s demand for expedited discovery, and all other serious issues relating to the estate, on August 3rd. We are confident that at that time the court will allow Mrs Jackson full discovery.
To be clear, neither Mrs. Jackson nor her representatives seek to re-write her son’s will. Her concerns are and remain the welfare of her son’s surviving children, the preservation of his legacy and the protection of his estate. Unfortunately, and contrary to their public statements, lawyers for John Branca and John McClain have either denied Mrs. Jackson access to critical information or insisted on such onerous and unreasonable restrictions on her access to and use of such information as to be tantamount to an outright refusal of certain agreements, such as the AEG agreement . The contract in question is of great potential significance to the estate, and the matters currently before the Probate Court, and yet the confidentiality terms presented to Mrs. Jackson by the temporary special administrators and AEG would have required her to accept greater confidentiality obligations than the temporary special administrators and greater than what her son agreed to. This was unacceptable. Such unreasonable demands, coupled with the special administrators’ apparent concern for protecting AEG at the expense of Mrs. Jackson, raise serious concerns. Mrs. Jackson is looking for transparency in terms of the administration of her son’s estate. Because this transparency has not been forthcoming, she was forced to resort to making formal discovery requests. Such measures will not be necessary if Mrs. Jackson is appointed a co-executor of the estate.‬ She was the only person who served as a trustee and/or co-manager of Michael’s business interests at the time of his death and over the past four years. The will expressly allows for an appointment of the vacated third member. No one should deny Mrs. Jackson the right to help preserve and administer Michael’s legacy especially those whom had almost no contact with Michael for numerous years prior to his death.

I know Joe Jackson is sticking closer to her now, than a mouse on a glue trap.

Welcome Back, Ms. Houston

Now I can officially say that Whitney is looking good these days and that this is supposed to be the cover of her upcoming CD titled, "I Look To You". What do you think?

Another MJ Bombshell! (UPDATE)

I posted this story on yesterday with high hopes that it was true. Unfortunately not. It was a hoax. Other MJ untruths are:

*Debbie Rowe denied wanting the children.
*Grace Rwaramba having to pump Michael's stomach because he was full of pills.
*Michael's body was beat, bruised and bald as initially reported by the LA Coroner's office.

People will lie about anything these days. I can only imagine what they will say about me when I punch my timecard and clock out for the last time.

It is being rumored that the kid that accused Michael Jackson of molesting him back in 1993, Jordan Chandler, is now recanting his story and saying that Michael was innocent and he only made the accusation because his father, Ivan Chandler told him to. I am not sure if this story is true but through my extensive journalistic investigating (searching the web...LOL), I will get the 411 to you with accuracy.

Farrah Fawcett

Actress and 70's icon, Farrah Fawcett passed on today after a lengthy battle with cancer. I remember back in school every girl wanted hair like Farrah. You can call her what you want but she's still Jill Munroe to me.

Blues Legend, Koko Taylor Dies

I received an e-mail late yesterday evening from Alligator Records that my favorite Blues artist of all time, Koko Taylor, had died on June 3, 2009. I can't put into words what this woman meant to American music as she had expressed to me in an interview in 2004, her lifetime goal was to keep the blues alive. I am deeply saddened over this news being the ultimate Koko fan that I am. Here is the release from her official website www.kokotaylor.com:

“QUEEN OF THE BLUES” KOKO TAYLOR 1928 - 2009 posted: 06/03/2009
Grammy Award-winning blues legend Koko Taylor, 80, died on June 3, 2009 in her hometown of Chicago, IL, as a result of complications following her May 19 surgery to correct a gastrointestinal bleed. On May 7, 2009, the critically acclaimed Taylor, known worldwide as the “Queen of the Blues,” won her 29th Blues Music Award (for Traditional Female Blues Artist Of The Year), making her the recipient of more Blues Music Awards than any other artist. In 2004 she received the NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award, which is among the highest honors given to an American artist. Her most recent CD, 2007’s Old School, was nominated for a Grammy (eight of her nine Alligator albums were Grammy-nominated). She won a Grammy in 1984 for her guest appearance on the compilation album Blues Explosion on Atlantic.
Born Cora Walton on a sharecropper’s farm just outside Memphis, TN, on September 28, 1928, Koko, nicknamed for her love of chocolate, fell in love with music at an early age. Inspired by gospel music and WDIA blues disc jockeys B.B. King and Rufus Thomas, Taylor began belting the blues with her five brothers and sisters, accompanying themselves on their homemade instruments. In 1952, Taylor and her soon-to-be-husband, the late Robert “Pops” Taylor, traveled to Chicago with nothing but, in Koko’s words, “thirty-five cents and a box of Ritz Crackers.”
In Chicago, “Pops” worked for a packing company, and Koko cleaned houses. Together they frequented the city’s blues clubs nightly. Encouraged by her husband, Koko began to sit in with the city’s top blues bands, and soon she was in demand as a guest artist. One evening in 1962 Koko was approached by arranger/composer Willie Dixon. Overwhelmed by Koko’s performance, Dixon landed Koko a Chess Records recording contract, where he produced her several singles, two albums and penned her million-selling 1965 hit “Wang Dang Doodle,” which would become Taylor’s signature song.
After Chess Records was sold, Taylor found a home with the Chicago’s Alligator Records in 1975 and released the Grammy-nominated I Got What It Takes. She recorded eight more albums for Alligator between 1978 and 2007, received seven more Grammy nominations and made numerous guest appearances on various albums and tribute recordings. Koko appeared in the films Wild At Heart, Mercury Rising and Blues Brothers 2000. She performed on Late Night With David Letterman, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, CBS-TV’s This Morning, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, CBS-TV’s Early Edition, and numerous regional television programs.
Over the course of her 40-plus-year career, Taylor received every award the blues world has to offer. On March 3, 1993, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley honored Taylor with a “Legend Of The Year” Award and declared “Koko Taylor Day” throughout Chicago. In 1997, she was inducted into the Blues Foundation’s Hall of Fame. A year later, Chicago Magazine named her “Chicagoan Of The Year” and, in 1999, Taylor received the Blues Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2009 Taylor performed in Washington, D.C. at The Kennedy Center Honors honoring Morgan Freeman.Koko Taylor was one of very few women who found success in the male-dominated blues world. She took her music from the tiny clubs of Chicago’s South Side to concert halls and major festivals all over the world. She shared stages with every major blues star, including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, Junior Wells and Buddy Guy as well as rock icons Robert Plant and Jimmy Page.
Taylor’s final performance was on May 7, 2009 in Memphis at the Blues Music Awards, where she sang “Wang Dang Doodle” after receiving her award for Traditional Blues Female Artist Of The Year.Survivors include Taylor’s husband Hays Harris, daughter Joyce Threatt, son-in-law Lee Threatt, grandchildren Lee, Jr. and Wendy, and three great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced.

Eminem

The media is all a buzz about the following video. In the video, Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat, Ali-G) makes his entrance as gay guru, "Bruno" at the recent MTV music awards. He makes his entrance via wires suspended from the ceiling and in mid flight experiences some problems and asks to be lowered. However, he is lowered right in the lap of Eminem. Now here's the the weird part; he lands right in Eminem's lap head first which puts his business (booty, etc) all in Eminem's face. Visibly upset, Eminem leaves the theater with his entourage.

That guy is a character and took a real serious chance on this gig because Eminem is supposedly homophobic. The video is being taken down left and right but you can see it right here (LOL):

I bet he would not have done that to Pitbull. He laid a guy out at his concert last week.