Heavenly 85 Angelic ...

M I S S I N G - Y O U - L O V E L Y #Heavenly #Happy85thBirthday You were truly ONE of a kind.  Y O U ARE EVERYTHING #diahanncarroll #Class #Elegance #style #sophistication #trailblazer #excellence #elevation #civilrightsactivist #ebonymodel #singer #broadway #Julia #dynasty #claudine #noradesmond #sidneypoitier #Cancersucks #differentworld #thedelanceysisters #tonyawardwinner #sister,sister #fiveheartbeats #agnesofgod #evesbayou #Model #Ebony #kevinknighton360

Kelly Preston dead at 57 years old

D E L I G H T F U L - K E L L Y #kellypreston #cancersucks #fighter #mother #wife #actress #philanthropist #warm #Kind #loving #understanding #gentle  #johntravolta #GoneTooSoon #kevinknighton360 #jerrymcguire #restinpeace

Never EVER Be Another - EVER

For every Michael Jackson that you were, during any era.  You were Genius and Loved!!! #gonetoosoon #KingOfPop #Legend #Thriller #TrailBlazer

Diahann Carroll ... what a life!!

LEGEND - ICONIC - TRAILBLAZER - GODDESS One of the MANY extraordinary times in the life of the Lovely, Regarded, Revered Diahann Carroll.  Pictured here, is her, singing at President Kennedy’s 45th Birthday.  Notice Marilyn Monroe in the audience.  WOW talk about a life, talk about class, talk about status.  Rest well Ms. Carroll ... we WILL never forget you, and the barriers, that you knocked down, so that we may, champion through.

Baby Baby, Sweet Baby ... Loving Aretha Franklin

Hits, Hits and More Hits.  That VOICE, That DELIVERY, was unparalled .  The daughter of a Preacher man, lost her battle to Pancreatic Cancer, on August 16th 2018.  It was a very sad day for the Entertainment Industry and Global World.  The death of Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, was the end of an era.  A singer, songwriter, producer, social and civic activist, and philanthropist.  

Performing for Kings, Presidents, Heads of State and the Global world.  Franklin was a blueprint staple for any female singer, covering all genres.  Tweets came in from all over the world, Former Presidents, Bush, Obama, Clinton, Mic Jagger, Lenny Kravitz, Anita Baker, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Annie Lennox, Britney Spears, Smokey Robinson, Pattie LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Carole King, Tony Bennett, Time Magazine, Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, Maxine Waters, Bonnie Riatt, Cyndi Lauper, Nas, Stella McCartney, Lionel Richie, David Foster, Wynonna, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Ledisi  and many others. 

As a black male, growing up, the legacy of Franklin always provided comfort for me and my family.  I can never recall a day in my life, where her music wasn't showcased.  Saturday morning chores, her beautiful vocals, was always showcased and highlighted.  Having realized that I got to roam the earth at the same time that Aretha Franklin was a creative force, brings such warmness to my heart, she was a prominent force in the soundtrack of my life.  Thank you Aretha Franklin … I'll "Never Let You Go". Rest In Peace.  KK

Remembering Powerhouse Vesta Williams ...

Close your eyes and resonate on the voice of Vesta Williams. Take a stroll with me to Oprah Winfrey's mini-series 'The Women Of Brewster Place'. A song with no words just 'moans' and you're drawn into the vocal stylings of the singing chanteuse, then flash to rock singer Sting's song 'We'll Be Together' you hear the background vocals again of Williams 'wailing'. As a session singer she sang jingles for 'Revlon', 'Diet-Coke', 'Nike'. Having backed Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Sting, Stephanie Mills, Anita Baker and Gordon Lightfoot, earning her chops.

Her debut album was released on A&M entitled 'Vesta' was warmly received. Her debut album '4 U' featured the single 'Sweet Sweet Love'. She was known for her four-octave vocal range. Although Williams never had any albums certified gold plagues, nor any Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. She scored six Top 10 hits on the Billboard R&B charts. Williams best known for songs "Sweet Sweet Love", "Don't You Blow A Good Thing Baby", and her signature song "Congratulations". During her A&M records stay, she released four CD's. The singer's weight was always the issue that her Record label focused on, instead of her voice, which made things difficult, for Vesta at times. A&M’s last stitch effort for the powerhouse singer, was teaming her with then 'new' come singer and record producer Brian McKnight, along with  Anita Baker's producer Michael Powell, for her 'Everything-N-More'  project, though a 'very' solid offering, it went nowhere.

After being dropped from her label, Williams very frustrated, she lost over one hundred pounds (going from a size 26 to 6) thinking this would satisfy label and marketing heads. A few years later signed to a new label Williams released her 'Relationships', another stall. Needing to bring money in, she became a radio jock. It would take almost a decade before she recorded another CD on ANOTHER new label0  Her 'Distant Lover'  project was released.  Vesta was now older, and her audience was older too, the climate had changed. Yes though STILL a great singer, with no airplay. Later years found Williams depressed, she lost her residence after 18 years of living in the 'Miracle Mile' section of Los Angeles,

On September 22, 2011, Williams was found dead living in a hotel room in El Segundo, California. The coroners ruled 'her death of 'natural causes' from 'hypertensive heart disease'. Take a moment and close your eyes, lets remember the beautiful song stylings of Vesta Williams. A voice like hers, comes along only once in a lifetime. Truly "Gone Too Soon".

Missing You ...

It's hard to believe that my Grandmother Oleava  has been gone five years today.  Seems like only yesterday, my life is forever changed, and unfortunately her death took me on a survival mission, a road full of challenges and uncertainties, but through it all, I'm here by the Grace of GOD.  

Always In My Heart .. RIP Grandmother

Phife Dawg transitions RIP

Peaceful Journey - A rap pioneer has transitioned Phife Dawg of legendary hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, has died at 45. Although no press release has been issued as of yet, several sources have taken to Twitter to express their respect for the fallen MC, including Questlove of the Roots and Chuck D of Public Enemy.

Phife, born Malik Taylor but known as “The Five Foot Assassin” (he stood at 5’3″) had battled health issues in recent years, including diabetes, and had a kidney transplant in 2008. He told his story of his health struggles in the 2012 Tribe documentary Beats, Rhymes and Life. 

He kept a mostly low profile after A Tribe Called Quest broke up in the late ’90s, releasing just one solo album, 2000’s Ventilation: Da LP. 

A Tribe Called Quest was formed in the late 1980s by Phife, Q-Tip (aka Jonathan Davis), DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White. Their debut album was 1990’s game changing People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.

Tribe Called Quest got me through school and has remained one of my favorite in rap history.  Always socially conscious always spoke wisdom and empowerment. The group broke through the color barriers and elevated cultures.  Rest In Peace PhifeDawg

60

Forever a 'Lovergirl' ... (60) Happy Birthday Teena Marie.  She would have celebrated 60 today.  Gone but not forgotten.  Truly one of a kind. #Truesoulster

So Long Mr. Bond ...

Civil rights activist and former NAACP chairman, passed away in Fort Walton Beach, Florida Saturday after battling a brief illness. Bond was 75. The legendary civil rights leader's death was first announced by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the nonprofit advocacy group where Bond served as founding president in 1971 and remained on the board of directors until his death.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of legendary civil rights activist Julian Bond," the SPLC wrote in a statement. "From his days as the co-founder and communications director of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the 1960s to his chairmanship of the NAACP in the 21st century, Julian was a visionary and tireless champion for civil and human rights."

As a member of the Civil Rights Movement in the early Sixties, Bond, then a student at Atlanta's Morehouse College, formed the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which led protests against segregation and Georgia's Jim Crow laws. In 1965, following the passage of the Voting Rights Act, Bond was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, where he served four terms. Bond would next spend six terms as a member of the Georgia Senate from 1975 to 1987.

"Julian Bond was a hero and, I'm privileged to say, a friend," President Barack Obama said in a statement (via CNN), praising the activist's lifetime mission of justice and equality. "Julian Bond helped change this country for the better. And what better way to be remembered than that." Bill and Hillary Clinton said of Bond, "Julian lived his life at the center of the fight for civil rights, equality, and justice. Julian helped us to become a more perfect union and always pushed us to do better. We will miss him."

Remembering

Robin Williams, I hope that your soul is at rest.  I understand the devastation of suicide all too well. Rest In Peace!

Rest In Peace ...

Audigier began working in the fashion industry at the age of fourteen. He designed a line of denim that was inspired by his love for rock and roll-specifically The Rolling Stones. Christian Audigier’s designs became so popular that a top executive from Macken jeans took notice of Audigiers talent, affording him the opportunity to create with the company and travel the world. He moved to New York in his early twenties to expand his own brand.  While in New York, Audigier worked with top brands such as Guess, Levis, Diesel, American Outfitters, Fiourucii, Bisou Bisou and XOXO.  He then moved to Los Angeles where he would achieve most of his success as a fashion designer.

Rest In Peace

Omar Sharif, who won acclaim in such films as "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Doctor Zhivago," has died, his agent told the Associated Press. He was 83.

Black Music Month

Depression and Chemical imbalance is real, if not recognized and treated, it could lead to many dark days.  I still remember where I was June 30, 1995, when I received the phone call, that one of my favorites singers had passed away from suicide.

It's hard to believe that today marks the 20th anniversary of actress, model and soul/jazz singer Phyllis Hyman's untimely passing. The often troubled chanteuse, left a wonderful body of work.  Her most successful album release was her 'opus' Living All Alone it was the seventh album, and her label debut released on Philadelphia International Records in 1986. The album contained the title track, which peaked at #12 on the R&B charts and has become one of Hyman's well-known hits of her career.

(http://youtu.be/1hH0xl2lt34)

(http://youtu.be/eZ7JGzTlD9g)

(http://youtu.be/NeSeA5ghT7s)

(http://youtu.be/qNbYbxS_nS8)

(http://youtu.be/7gMEjzzFDe0)

Rest In Peace!!

One of the best to EVER do it. Rest In Peace Ms. Ruby Dee, you and your husband Ossie Davis was a true Hollywood Couple with a 50 plus year successful marriage. You addressed Hollywood on your terms NOT theirs!! Today the ENTERTAINMENT Industry has lost one of its true soldier, who was always in the battlefield championing causes for the unsung heroes.

Ruby Dee, an African American actress who defied segregation-era stereotypes by landing lead roles in movies and on Broadway while maintaining a second high-profile career as a civil rights advocate, including emceeing the 1963 March on Washington, died June 11 at her home in New Rochelle, N.Y. She was 91. Today Ossie Davis has welcomed you once again, WITH OPEN ARMS!!

Mr. and Mrs. Ossie Davis ...

Just Because ...

I MISS WHITNEY!!!!! This shit sucks that she's no longer with us.  The absence of her presence is felt daily, and today is NO different. 

http://youtu.be/PVZTide-lWk

Her sparkling smile ....

Rest In Peace!!

Rest In Peace Ms. Juanita Moore who is probaly best remembered as 'Annie Johnson' the mother of 'Sara Jane'  in the classic movie 'Imitation Of Life'.  That movie was one of my grandmother and my mom's all time favorites. She passed away today, she was 99 years old. Thanks Ms. Moore for blazing the trail and for opening doors for other African American actresses, that had it not been for you, might have remained closed. Your memory and your body of work will not be forgotten, and will live on forever. Wishing you a Peaceful Journey!

Gorgeous as ever until the end.

R.I.P. Uncle Phil ...

Rest In Peace Uncle Phil!!

James Avery, known for his role as Uncle Phil on the hit 90s sitcom “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” died on New Year’s Eve, his rep confirmed to the Daily News.

The 65-year-old actor reportedly recently underwent open heart surgery, and died from complications from the procedure on Dec. 31. 

Avery’s wife, Barbara, was by his side before leaving for a brief moment to get food. Upon her return he was dead.

Avery was born in Virginia and raised in Atlantic City. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Vietnam War. 

We will miss you Uncle Phil!