Endings/TGIF

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......

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

Command Performance

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

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

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

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

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!!

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....

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

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

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

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!!

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

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

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....

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

Circa 1977

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....

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....

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.