GUYS MEASURE UP IN HOT FILM

MEASURING UP
STARRING JOVANNE, CITY BOY, SHAWN LEGEND, SHAFT, REDD, KILLA, BRONZ STARR, RUN 30
PRODUCED BY PITTBULL PRODCUTIONS

IMPORTANT THIS IS A REVIEW OF AN ADULT FILM AND IS INTENDED FOR VIEWERS OVER THE AGE OF 18!!

Whenever a person hears a story about a person and their activities, they’re either told u gotta measure up and the actors in this latest release from Pit bull productions does more than measure up; they satisfies their partners by showing off their skills in the bedroom that will have viewers stepping up their sexual skills.
The film begins with Jovanne chilling at real life lover City Boy’s apartment where the latter is complaining about a female, and Jovanne suggest that Boy allows him to fuck him.
“I ain’t with that shit” Boy replies.
“So if I kiss you, would you let me?" Jovanne asks.
Jovanne leans over to and begins to kiss his friend, who doesn’t resist or hold back. Especially when Jovanne rubs his leg and continues to kiss before he removes City Boy’s pants and begins to suck his dick. Excited and enticed, City takes off his clothes and sucks Jovanne’s dick while he Jovanne holds his neck with his hand before they engage in a hot 69 session, with both men slurping and sucking each other off (who says that versatile tops can’t suck dick real good)?
Jovanne then fucks City Boy from behind causing him to moan the bed to squeak.
“You like it?” Jovanne asks.
“Hell yeah” City Boy replies as he moaning.
“Take it Nigga.”
Jovanne then fucks him lying on his side while holding both of his legs. What makes this scene hot are the close ups of City Boy being penetrated, moaning and the long shot of him being kissed.
“Whose is it?”
“It’s yours nigga” City Boy replies before he gets fucked missionary style. Twice with his leg on Jovanne’s shoulder.
“I like this shit” Boy says in between moans before Jovanne replies with ’take this shit nigga’ with the sounds of Boy moaning and the bed squeaking makes the scene hotter before they both lay on the bed and bust their nuts with Jovanne doing much of the moaning.
Scene 2 reminds me of a scene from one of my favorite urban novels where a two people meet in the laundry mat in their building and wind up having sex later on that evening. That’s what happens with neighbors Redd and Shaft; they meet, and gives each other pounds before Redd invites him up to his apartment and doesn’t waste anytime letting him he’s ready to get things up and popping, as he unbuttons his neighbor’s pants and begins to suck him off which pleases both of them.
“That’s right” Shaft says.
“Does this dick tastes good?”
“Alright nigga let’s move over” Redd replies as they moved to the futon bed, where Shaft returns the favor and sucks him off.
“You like that shit nigga?”
“Uh-Huh. Suck that shit” Redd says in an aggressive tones, that lets bottoms know that they can tell their partners how to please them as well as be just as dominant as tops. He also has a Destiny’s Child moment when he asks his neighbor can he handle eating his ass before he lays on the futon, and gets served with his Shaft’s tongue, who tells him that his ass tastes better than pussy and that he’s gonna replace him with his girlfriend (like he hasn’t had that though before).
Redd then turns on his back and throws his legs up in the air while keeping his black high top Nikes on, and continues to get his salad tossed before briefly sucking Shaft’s Shaft and getting hit from the back.
“Gimme that ass” shaft says smoothly.
“Damn that ass is tight” while Redd is having a Juvenile moment by backing his ass up on Shaft’s dick.
“Damn fuck that ass nigga’ Redd says
“Yeah. Gimme that ass” Shaft replies before he fucks him missionary style. After fucking they bust nuts.

Jovanne returns in scene 3 where he’s in his apartment watching television when his best friend Shawn Legend pays him a visit and asks how his day and relationship going. Jovanne informs him that he and his lover had gotten into an argument about the lack of time they’ve been spending together and being falsely accused of cheating.
“Have you” Legend ask surprised.
“Naw. I’ve been working” Jovanne replies before offering his friend something to drink.
Jovanne returns and gives the drink to his friend, who asks him what’s the status of his relationship while looking at him seductively.
“Fuck that nigga” Jovanne says before he asks Legend about his relationship, and is shocked to learn that his best friend’s lover had cheated on him twice and that his lover thinks that the two are having an affair, when Legend suggest that they have sex.
Jovanne resists, but changes his mind when Shawn rubs his leg and unbuttons his baggy short jeans and sucks him off lovely.
“Damn you got a big dick” Shawn says as he admires his friends dick with his eyes, hands and mouth before they remove all their clothing and begin to bump and grind before Jovanne, donned in a black du-rag, fucks his friend.
“What’s my name nigga” Jovanne asks he slaps Shawn’s ass twice.
Shawn is in so much pain that he can only answer with a moan. He’s still in shock that he’s getting fucked by his best friend, who’s blessed with a good heart, and a nice sized tool so he’s has to get used to it. After getting hit from behind, Jovanne lays on the bed with Legend lifting up his leg allowing the southern boy to have a Aretha Franklin/EnVogue moment by giving him something he can feel. Especially when fucks him missionary style while he holds Shawn’s legs in the air and rubs his right nipple simultaneously.

In scene 4, Sho-Nuff (a/k/a Carlito) is setting in the middle of his bed dressed in a black and gold short pajama set and black fitted cap playing with his dick, when his partner Killa startles him by climbing in bed with his lab top. Killa decides to give him the real thing by removing his shirt and sucking his dick. Enjoying his lip service, Sho-Nuff wastes no time in removing his pants and giving his boy easier access to his dick.
“Damn man” Killa says as Sho-Nuff faces fucks him.
“Slob this shit. Suck it like you want it” Sho-Nuff says before he stands up and turns his fitted cap backwards.
Killa then informs him that he wants to eat his ass, and he tosses his salad so well that Sho-Nuff tells him to sit on his face and allows him to suck his big balls before he gets face fucked while he’s laying on his back.
“I want some ass”
“Is that what you want nigga?” Killa asks.
Sho-Nuff tears killa’s ass up by fucking him various positions including doggy style, missionary and on his stomach to the point where both are sweating bullets trains. Killa also has a Pretty Ricky moment by Grinding on him before he gets hit from behind, while Sho-Nuff slaps his ass and fucks him to the point of submission before he shoots a creamy load on his face and licks his nipple, while Killa masturbates and busts his load.

The last scene features new comers Bronze Starr and Run 30, chilling in the basement where Bronze talks about plans he has to decorate his basement, while he denies his friends sexual advantages, though he’s cool with him being Gay. Persistence, a code of silence and offers to help paint and remodel his basements helps changes his mind, and before you can blink, he allows his friend to unzip his jeans and sucks him off to the point where he enjoys it. He enjoys it so much that he takes charge by slapping his friend’s nice sized ass, and fucking him in various positions including doggy style and missionary.

The guys in the film did a great job, but it would have been hotter had the camera person filmed a close up shot of Jovanne and Shawn Legend instead of the cut off shot. That would have really displayed the chemistry the actors had on screen, as well as having them talk after they finished busting their loads along with Shaft smacking Redd’s ass when he told him too. Those would have made the movie hotter, but all in all it was a good film that lives up to it’s title.

Measuring Up is in stores now and it can also be ordered at www.thugmart.com

ATTENDING MY FIRST PRIDE OUT OF NEW YORK

Yesterday I had the honor of traveling to Philly's Black Gay Pride with my friend Maurice Runae, and it was a fun event. I had always wanted to attend a Black Gay Pride outside of New York and I was grateful to do so.
After taking the China Town bus, to Philly, we walked to Club Shampoo, and saw alot of people dancing to Hip-Hop, Dance and R&B music (they only played one Beyonce song,which was cool. I do like her music, but I'm glad they didn't play her non-stop). While Maurice was sitting down and networking, I bumped into sexy rapper Bry'Nt, who greeted me with a pound and hug and rocked the crowd along with Miss Philly Pride 2009, singer Khalif, and other performers, who shared their God-given talents (That's right!! God created everybody and those who don't like Gays, Fuck you! I just had a Rick James moment. He was very Gay friendly.)
What I loved about the event was how they gave allow Gays Rappers and singers a place to perform, which shows that they acknowledge and respect those who performs other genres of music besides House and Club music. Hopefully other cities will follow suit and start to book and hire Openly Gay Rappers and singers to perform at their events to show diversity in the community.

I'M BACK

This month has been very hectic for me. In addition to helping with SOS's summit, and attending premieres, I just learned that my sister was ill and requred surgery, which was very succesful, but my grandmother, however, isn't doing as great. When I arrived back from Brooklyn after attending Philly Black Gay Pride, there was a message on my cell phone from my cousin, which sounded urgent. When I called her, she informed me that my grandmother was moved to the ICU unit after suffering a mild stroke. The news along with my sister's surgery being delayed, had me overwhelmed to the point where I couldn't decided on what to eat Sunday night. I sometimes wonder how am I managing to keep my head above waters knowing that two loved ones and family members are ill?
I guess it's God being my anchor and fairweather friend as well as my counselor, thearpist and mentor, and I thank him for being the achor that I require during this time in my life as well as my friends who's been offering my their love, support and prayers.

Song posted and inspired for this post

Fairweather Friend
Performed by Johnny Gill
Written by L.A. Reid-Babyface
Produced by L.A. Reid & Babyface for La'Face Productions
Co-Produced by Daryl Simmons and Kayo
1990 Motown Records
# 2 R&B/# 28 POp

FEELING BLESSED AND HAPPY ABOUT GOD MAKING A DREAM COME TRUE

Have you ever encountered a person who made a brief, but positive and everlasting impact on your life? If so, have you ever wanted to touch base with that person, but was unable to do so? Have you ever wondered what the person was doing and if you had the opportunity to see them again, would you wonder if they remember you?
In September, I wrote a blog about the time I spent at Shaw University and how a group of students had embraced me during my two week stay, but I wasn't unable to contact them because I had lost my phone book with their contact information and I was sad about it.
Well yesterday as I was on Facebook, I typed in one of the student's name, and not only did I find him, he replied to the email I send him, and wanted to know what I was up to, and he said that it was God's plan for us to reconnect> I replied and gave him updates of my life, and he replied saying he's doing well and said that he had love for me though our meeting was brief.
Yesterday, I ran around my crib crying tears of joy. I had dreamed of seeing him again and thanking him for the impact he made in my life. Now I have the opportunity as well as being able to build a friendship with him.
I shared the news with my Godfather Donald and Best friend Tonja, who were both happy for me. Especially Tonja who remembered my trip and how much fun I had with the students. I told her about another one, who's nickname was Quiet and she replied "Oh yes, I remember."
That gave me a renew faith and trust in God, and now I'm gonna show my appreciation for those who share love with me.

Songs played and inspired by this post

THANK YOU
PERFORMED BY BOYZ II MEN
WRITTEN BY NATHAN MORRIS-WAYNA MORRIS-MICHAEL MCCRAY-SHAWN STOCKMAN
PRODUCED BY DALLAS AUSTIN & BOYZ II MEN
CONTAINS SAMPLES OF LA-DI-DA-DI
PERFORMED BY DOUG E FRESH AND SLICK RICK
1994 MOTOWN RECORDS

ALL AROUND THE WORLD
PERFORMED BY BOYZ II MEN
WRITTEN BY NATHAN MORRIS-WAYNA MORRIS-MICHAEL MCCRAY-SHAWN STOCKMAN-JAMES HARRIS III-TERRY LEWIS
PRODUCED BY JIMMY JAM & TERRY LEWIS FOR FLYTE TYME PRODUCTIONS
1994 MOTOWN RECORDS

RIGHT HERE (HUMAN NATURE)
PERFORMED BY SWV
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY BRIAN MORGAN ALEXANDE
CONTAINS SAMPLES OF HUMAN NATURE PERFORMED BY MICHAEL JACKSON
1993 RCA RECORDS/1993 MJJ RECORDS

SECRET PLACE
PERFORMED BY COMMISSIONED
1991 BENSON/A&M RECORDS

HOLD ME
PERFORMED BY COMMISSIONED
1991 BENSON/A&M RECORDS

HAPPINESS
PERFORMED BY VANESSA WILLIAMS
WRITTEN BY JAMES HARRIS III-TERRY LEWIS-JOHN SMITH
PRODUCED BY JIMMY JAM & TERRY LEWIS FOR FLYTE TYME PRODUCTIONS
CONTAINS SAMPLES OF I CAN'T WAIT PERFORMED BY NU-SHOOZ
1997 MERCURY RECORDS

IF MARVIN WAS ALIVE

I've been in a Marvin Gaye mood for the past couple of days.
In addition to listening to his music, and copping a t-shirt, I was thinking about his music and wondering how music would be today if he was still alive.
Since doing research and listening to his "Live At The Copa" album (yes kids, I said album; I'm an classic soul and old school head and if u don't like it, too damn bad) I began to think about how things would have been had Motown allowed him to release ballads and had his brother and former secuirty guard gotten him into rehab before he was killed, and had his mother found the strength to divorced his crazed father?
I remember reading an issue of Ebony Magazine and a female wrote a letter about the story that was written about the late Motown Prince, and in the letter, she spoke about how the mother could have divorced his father, and used a scripture to support her claim, and many people I've spoken to said that the same thing; had she divorced that man, Marvin would have been alive today, and he probably would have gotten himself together, and would have made sure she was taken care of financially, spritiually and emotionally.
If Marvin was alive, he still would have been a sexy man. When I did a tribute to him on college radio years ago, my friend Fedencia spoke about his looks, and saying how females was attending his concerts just to look at him. Women would still be fighting to get a chance to hug and kiss him, while Gay men would be fantasizing about getting it on with him.
If Marvin was alive, he would still be making quality music and be singing with some of today's hottest female artists.

These are my choices of Females who Marvin would be singing with
1. Janet Jackson
2. Toni Braxton
3. Mariah Carey
4. Whitney Houston
5. Le-Toya Luckett
6. Kelly Rowland
7. Eryka Badu
8. Christina Aguleria
9. Dido
10. Chaka Khan
11. Regina Belle
12. Alicia Keys
13. Faith Evans
14. Angela Winbush
15. Stephanie Mills
16. Queen Latifah
17. Leonna Lewis
18. Natalie Cole
19. Sade
20. Jody Watley
21. Vanessa Williams
22. Jennifer Hudson
23. SWV
24. Jhane
25. Karyn White
26. Salt-N-Pepa

My Choice of Male artists
1. Ne-Yo
2. Babyface
3. Johnny Gill
4. Brian Mc Knight
5. Montell Jordan
6. D'Angelo
7. Aaron Hall
8. Jaheim
9. Usher
10. Gerald LeVert
11. Jamie Foxx
12. Common
13. Nas
14. Novel
15. Erick Sermon
16. Mario
17. Wayne Brady
18. New Edition
19. Boyz II Men

CELEBRATING MARVIN GAYE'S BIRTHDAY

70 years ago, Marvin Gaye had entered this world to touch the world with his music. Sadly his time on earth was short-lived, people still play and dance to his music as well as provide it as the theme for hot love making sessions. The first song I heard by Marvin was "Got To Give It Up" and I would have visions of people rolling skating to that song, having fun without a care in the world. 5 years later, he released his comeback single "Sexual Healing" and people would always try to figure out what he was singing. One of my cousins was saying he sounding like he wanted to take out his heart and cook it. Turned out that Marvin was hot and horny and he needed somebody to help him ease his sexual tension so he wanted have to resort to self-pleasuring himself.
After doings countless research on him and listening to his music, it seems that Marvin wanted people to celebrate their lives as well as have the freedom to expess themselves without feeling guilty.
That's what fans do whenever they play her music; they dance, laugh, reminisnce and make love. Not war.

How does Marvin music impact my life

1. Appreciating the love of music and not confirming to rules of society and ignorant people-As mentioned in earlier posts, I've always loved different forms of music, and it seems that Blacks are only supposed to listen to R&B, and Hip-Hop. Espcially hard-core and gangsta rap.
Like many artists who were born in the early 1900's, they were exposed to Gospel, Jazz, Blues and standards, and Marvin loved all those types of music and when he signed by Motown, he wasn't fond of getting up and shaking his ass. He wanted to be the Black Sinatra, and while he did record many ballads, they remained unreleaased until his death, and when he performed at The Copacobana, he was excited, and got excellent reviews, but the label inisted he record comptemporary material.
As I mentioned in earier posts, I loved all genres of music and I was criticized by kids and adults for not liking music and artists who they thought were hip.
I remember purchasing MC Hammer's classic selling tape "Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em" and one of the members of the youth group got pissed at me for doing so. He felt that I should have been listening to hard core and political rappers like N.W.A. and Public Enemy istead of Hammer who many felt was a sell out. One of my friends was like 'you listen to what you want to because it was your money you used and they wasn't cutting you a check.


2. Doing what makes you feel comfortable and what works for you. Marvin was known for being a loving, yet stubborn man, and while his stubborness was a pain in the ass for some, many realized that it worked for him.
Many Gay/SGL men are known for loving House music and voguing. I like to listen to House music, but I enjoy going to clubs that plays R&B, Hip-Hop and Reggae music and has exotic dancers. I recall meeting this Black ignorant ass moron who was raised in a Muslim/5 Percenter household, and he was attracted to me, until he learned what my likes were. Being versatile, reading, writing, music, looking at adult films and magazines and going to clubs that played R&B and Hip-Hop. This jackass freaked out and told me I was a slave because white man created sex and porn and that I wasn't being the nerd I was supposed to be. Nerds aren't supposed to be hip; in his ignorant mind, I was supposed to be dorky, and going to clubs where people vogue, and did runway. I have my dorky moments, but that doesn't mean I have to cater to what society wants me to like. I later met other people who are nerds, but you wouldn't tell because they don't act like Steve Urkel and Screech.
The first time I went to a gay club, they played different genres of music and though I like House music, nothing beats being a club that plays some nice R&B (though it would be nice if the set list would include some slow jams so the kids can learn how to slow dance and grind initmately).

3. Discovering and maintaining your creativity. Marvin was very excellent at creating melodies and lyrics as well as arranging harmonies, and when he decided to produce and write his own material, he decided that he wasn't going to be limited. When he recorded the classic "What's Going On" album, the executives refused to release it due to fear that Marvin would injure his sexy-symbol status. Marvin told them that he didn't care about his image and that he wanted to touch the souls of men and if they didn't release the album, he wouldn't record for them again.
I would write stories from time to time, but I didnt take it seriously until after I took my editing classes at junior college. Whenever I would tell people I wanted to study film, many asked would I have any gang-banging in my stories, and when I told them no, they'd be shocked. They assumed that because I lived in the ghetto that I was suppossed to write about drugs and gangs. The area I grew up at, I never saw people carry guns and if people did drugs, they did it very discreetly, and yet I was in high school when the crack epidemic occured, I never saw people smoke the stuff in front of me. Plus I saw many different aspects of life and from what I was told by mamy writters, you write what you know and you tell your story.

MARVIN GAYE: HONORING A SOULFUL AND SEXY LEGEND

25 years ago, I called my surviing grandmother to see how she was doing, and she had informed me that singer Marvin Gaye had died. I was shocked.
"He died?" I asked.
"How did he died?"
"His father killed him."
Unlike many fans who thought that the news was part of an April fools day joke, I along with many didn't believe it was a joke; we were shocked. "How could a father kill his own son?"
It seemed to many that Marvin had it all; Fame, fortune, hit records, and fans who adored his music and suave and sexy looks, but little did we know, he had gone through many trials and tribulations, which he expressed in his music that continues to touches fans to this day, and this article is to honor a Motown legend, who was shy, yet talented and stubborn.
Marvin was born in Washington DC on April 1, 1939 to the late Alberta and Rev. Marvin Gay, Sr. as the thrird of fifth children (his late mother had a son who was sent to live with her aunt), who raised their children in church, where Marvin's father worked as a store-front teacher. It was where Marvin got into music, and while the women praised him, his father resented the attention he was getting, which caused the two men to have friction between each other as well as act abusive towards him and his siblings.
"I loved my father" he told biographer David Ritz. "I also resented him." Marvin was also teased about his last name. Kids would put the word is in front of his name that would ask "Is Marvin Gay?" (He added the letter "e" to his last name when he began to perform professionally). When he got to high school, he began to listen to other genres of music including Jazz, standards and do-wop, which would include in many of his recordings, and he formed a singing group with Sondra Lattisaw, whose daughter Stacy became a star in her own right, but he dropped out after his junior year and enlisted in the Air-force, but got an honorable discharge. He later linked up with Havery Fuqua and the Moonglows, who signed with Chess Records and performed at many venues. In 1960, the do-wop era had begun to fade, so Fuqua disbanded the group and took Gaye with him to Detroit Michiagan, where Fuqua got a gig producing and writing for Motown Records, whose founder Berry Gordy, Jr had heard Gaye playing a Jazzy version of "Mr. Sandman" and felt that he should change the chords. In response, Gaye told him that he felt that the chords should remain the same way. After going back and fourth, Gordy decided to let Gaye play it the way he did and signed him to the label where Marvin did session work as a drummer, and when it came time for him to record his debut album, he didn't want to do Rhythm and Blues; he wanted to be a crooner. His debut album "The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye" featured Broadway tunes and standards, but it didn't sell, so Marvin wanting a hit record, began to record Rhythm and Blues music, and scored with "Stubborn Kind of Fellow" which would be his claim to fame. He followed with "Pride and Joy," "Hitch Hike," "Can I Get A Witness," "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" "I'll Be Doggone," and "Ain't That Peculiar" attracting a large female following with his smooth yet powerful tenor and sexy looks.
"Marvin was our Prince" former Supreme and labelmate Mary Wilson said in the liner notes of Gaye's boxed set "The Master 1961-1984." "He was sultry and soulful and beautiful to look at. He came on as the strong, silent type and everyone adored him."
"And he was so fine!" Aretha Franklin added on "Motown 40."
"Marvin Gaye was a big inspiration in my own sexual and romantic discovery process" Activist/radio podcaster BBOP said via text message. Gaye had also co-wrote "Beachwood 4-5789" for The Marvelettes and "Dancing In The Streets" for Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, which both became classics, with the latter being declared the consistently played dance records of all time by Billboard Magazine.
"When I heard Marvin's version, it was sung in a male register" Reeves wrote in her autobiography "Dancing In The Streets: Confessions of a Motown Diva." "I thought it was a good song, but not in my key. So they said 'OK Martha, give it your treatment.'"
Wanting to capitalize on his sexy symbol status, Motown had Marvin record duets with many of the label's female solo artists, and though he had hits with Mary Wells, Kim Weston, and later Diana Ross, his collaborations with Tammi Terrell was a match made in heaven. They're singles "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing," "Your Precious Love" and "You're All I Need To Get By" are still favorites among fans and peers including songwriters Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson, penned songs for the talented singers. "I think of essence of love" Ashford said in Terrell's sister's Ludie Montgomery's autobiography "My Sister Tommie." "They kind of represent that in their feelings towards each other, and there was a spiritual thing going on as well." Ashford's wife Valerie added "Tammi's vivaciousness made this a fresher experience for Marvin, she knew this was a great opportunity for her, whereas he done duets with female singers in the past." They're chemistry was great, that people couldn't help to wonder if the two stars ever had shared an romance outside of the studio. Marvin was married to Gordy's sister Anna who was 17 years his senior, and adopted a son Marvin III, while Terrell was involved with David Ruffin of The Temptations. They began to perform many gigs together, but in 1967 during a performance in Virginia, Terrell had collapsed in Gaye's arms, and was later diagnosed with a brain tumor.
The following year, Gaye released Motown's first platinum single "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" which topped both the Pop and R&B charts, and was dubbed as one of his best vocal performances to date, partly do in part to his collaboration with the late Norman Whitfield, who was known using aggressive tactics to get what he wanted from the artists he was working with.
"Norman and I came within a friction of an inch of fighting" Gaye told Ritz. "He made me sing in keys higher than than I was used too. He had me reaching for notes that caused my throat veins to bulge....but even though we fought like hell, I knew he was good for me." The success of the single inspired Marvin to become more involved in writing and producing for many of the labels artist including The Monitors and The Originals, whose single "Baby I'm For Real" topped the R&B charts, but his success was short lived, after he learned that Terrell had succummed to her brain tumor at the age of 27, which forced Gaye to fall into depression and seclusion.
During his seclusion, Marvin was deeply affected by the conditions that had occurred during that era and decided to voice his concerns. He returned to the studio to record his ground breaking album "What's Going On" which was the first concept album to be recorded by a solo artist.
"I think it was around 1969 or 1970, when I started to think about the war in Vietnam, with my brother who was telling me horrible stories about the war" Gaye said in a documentary in the 1970's. "I became quite affected by it. I sort of saw the country headed towards modern day civil war."
"When he made that change to being more political, it was so revolutionary, because while I had two sides to me that like Soul music and The Rolling Stones, and there's a part of me that likes protest music, so to have them come together, I though that was fantastic" Folk-Country-Blues singer/songwriter Bonnie Raitt said on
"Motown 40." Whenever label-mate Smokey Robinson would visit Marvin, he would say 'Smoke. God is writing this album. I'm just being used.' His label-mates loved the album, but Motown's executives didn't. "That sucks." "It's weird." "Not commercial" were the responses that Marvin receivied when he played it for them. Gordy didn't want Marvin to record protest music, fearing that it would hurt his image as the label's sex-symbol, but Marvin didn't care about his image and he gave his brother-in-law an ultinatium; "You have no choice. Either you release it or I'll never record for you again." Sensing Gaye was serious, Gordy gave in, and the album became a instant hit and classic scoring three hits including the title track, "Mercy, Mercy Me" and "Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)." In addition to singing about the Vietnam War, racism, sexisx, poverty, drug addiction and spirituality, Marvin broke ground as a producer by utilizing a techinuqe called multi-tracking, which enabled listeners to listen to him sing in different ranges at the same time as well as took the label from the era of producer to artist, where most of the artists began to write and produce their own material including Stevie Wonder.
Gaye had moved to California and recorded the soundtrack for the film "Trouble Man" and followed with the classic follow up "Let's Get It On" another concecptial album that focused on sex, sensuality and spirituality, and became another classic, that featured several hits including the top charting title track, "Come and Get This" and "Distant Lover" which would become concert favorites, followed by "I Want You" which took the singer thirteen months to record due to writer's block. While he was recording "Let's Get It On" he met and fell in love with Janis Hunter, who was 17 years his junior, and gave birth to his children Nona and Frankie and forcing Anna to file for divorce which wasn't finalize until 1977. During the late 1970's Disco was dominating the charts, and like many artists, Marvin wasn't too fond of the genre, but he decided to go with the flow and he scored with "Got To Give It Up" which topped both the Pop and Soul Charts, and became a huge hit over in the UK, where he toured after a ten year absence.
"I saw that the English People did understand me and I understood them" he told Ritz. "They're wilder than they let on."
By 1977, divorce proceedings between Marvin and Anna had gotten messy, and in order to smooth things out, Marvin's attorney Curtis Shaw suggested that his he give Anna proceeds from his next album, and though Marvin agreed to the settlement, he decided to do a lousy album to spite her, but once his creativity took over, he began to write about the joys and pains of their marriage, which resulted in "Hear My Dear" an album that was panned by critics, and sold poorly due to the Disco era. The album had classic tunes like the title track, "Anna's Song" and "You Can Leave, But It's Gonna Cost You" and would become a hit until after his death. Gaye had married Janis, but the marriage lasted only two years, and by that time, Marvin was battling the IRS, drug addiction and depression, forcing him to exile to Hawaii, then to Europe and Belgium, and adding insult to injury was when Motown released his album "In Our Lifetime" without his consent. Gaye decided to leave Motown, heal mentally, physically and spiritually, work on his autobiography and new material. While in Belgium, he signed with Columbia Records, and in 1982, Marvin released his double platinum comeback album "Midnight Love" which contained the classic gold single "Sexual Healing" which topped the R&B charts for 10 weeks and was the fastest raising Soul singer since Ray Charles hit with "Let's Get Stoned." The single also earned Marvin an American Music Award and two long overdue Grammy Awards for Best R&B Male Vocals and Best R&B Instrumental.
"I waited a long time to win" Gaye told the audience as he held his awards.
The success of the album and single made Marvin the toast of the entertainment world; he performed a moving version of the Star Spangle Banner at the Lakers game, joined Gladys Knight & The Pips on television to perform a "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" they had a fun, yet light-hearted argument about whose version to perform as well as his former label mates on the Motown 25 Special and embarked on the Midnight Love tour, which featured several sold out performances at New York City's Radio City Music Hall, shattering Barry Manilow's record, but self doubt and depression led Marvin to relapse. On April 1, 1984, Marvin was awaken to the sounds of his father verbally abusisng and scolding his mother. Marvin who had issues with his father mistreatment and not being around when his mother had major surgery, came to her defense by physically attacking him and ordering him to leave her alone. Gaye's father retaliated by shooting him twice in the chest, ending a collision course that was waiting to happen between the two strong head men. Gaye's father was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to probation and placed in a nursing home where he remained until his death 11 years ago.
Many were shocked and sadden by Marvin's death. Thousands had attended his funeral, while many recorded tributes to him including Diana Ross and The Commodores, who each scored # 1 R&B hits with "Missing You" (written by The Commodores former lead singer Lionel Richie) and "Night Shift" which earned the group a Grammy Award. Teena Marie recorded "My Dear Mr. Gaye" while Frankie Beverly and Maze scored with "Silky Soul" and Stevie Wonder recorded the song "Lighting Up The Candles" for the Jungle Fever soundtrack.
During the late 80's and 1990's, Marvin received many tributes and honors including being inducted into the Rock and Roll and Soul Train Hall of Fames, being award a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Grammy's Lifetime achievement and in 2001, Hip-Hop producer Jermaine Dupri gathered a list of R&B and Hip-Hop stars to record a new version of "What's Going On" with proceeds going to various AIDS charities and to the survivors of the terriost attacks. His music continues to be covered by many artists including Angela Winbush, Boyz II Men, Sarah Connor, Ne-Yo, El DeBarge and Chaka Khan, who teamed with Motown's legendary in studio musicians to record their rendition of "What's Going On" earning them a Grammy Award, while rapper Eric Sermon used Gaye's sample Gaye's vocals from Turn On Some Music for hit classic "Music." Dance-hall artist Shaggy had sampled "Let's Get It On" for his classic crossover hit "Boombastic" while Queen Latifah used "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" for her hit "Paper." Rappers Smilez & Southstar sampled the Gaye and Ross duet "Stop, Look And Listen" for their classic "Tell Me."
There are two films in the work about the singer's life with Roberta Flack producing the music score.
It has been over 25 since Marvin Gaye was taken away from us, and it leads to wonder how music would have been had he been alive to day. That's a question that music fans and critics ask whenever they hear his timeless classics, but it's a blessing to know that Mavin left an impressive legacy on Music history, and though he's in heaven giving crooning to the Angels, singing with Tammi Terrell, he will always be remembered as the Prince of Motown and the Prince of Soul.


This article is dedicated to the memories of Marvin Gaye, his mother Albertha, who showed him unconditional love, his brother Frankie, who admired him, his musical soul-mate Tammi Terrell, his ex-wives Anna and Janis, his children Marvin III, Nona and Frankie and grandson Nolan.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE SUPREME VOCALIST-DIANA ROSS

Another Supreme is blessed to be celebrating her 65th birthday. Diana Ross (Since it's her birthday and she finally acknowledged all of the Supremes including my idol Mary) I will honor her by refering her by her stage name.
Whether you like her as a person or not, many people (especially Gays) admire and love her for her sequenced gowns, voice, stage presence and hair (she made wearing a weave popular). Can't you believe that this lady was a tomboy who used to play sports and swim? Now she is an icon that everybody patterns themselves after her including Janet Jackson and RuPaul who appeared in the former Supremes' lead singer's video for her rendition of Gloria Gaynor's 1979 hit "I Will Survive."
The first time I came aware of Diana was in day care, where my mother and some of the teachers would play her now-classic hit "Love Hangover" and I would see myself dancing to the song. A few years later, me and my family saw "The Wiz" and we enjoyed it, but we had always tried to get tickets to see her live, but the tickets were sold out. In November 1979, my mother's boss at the time called to see if I got home, and when I spoke to her, she told me to do my homework because my mother had a suprise for me. I wondered what it was. When she came home, I saw her on the phone and when I went into her room, she showed me the tickets for Diana's concert at Radio City Music Hall and I was excited, though I fell asleep.
"Shawn. Don't you wanna see Diana Ross?" she asked.
I jumped up and said yes. We left and met my great-grandmother at the next station before meeting with my grandmother, aunt and cousin at Radio City Music Hall, and I was excited and anxious to see what was gonna happen. Diana came out wearing a silver ground and fur singing a Jazz song (thought I didn't know at the time) and though she's known for changing costumes, she kept the same gown on that night. When she sang "The Boss" the crowd was clapping and applauding and I couldn't wait to tell my teacher the next day and the class was excited.
As I'm listening to her classic voice, I began to think about the impact she has on people

1. Detertmination-Her late father didn't want her to pursue a career in show business. He would have preferred for her to enroll in college and get a degree like her sister Barbra, who's a doctor. Though she loved her father, and felt somewhat distant from him, she decided to pursue her a career in music by honing her craft by singing to Gospel, Jazz and Broadway tunes before linking up with her friends Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson (another Icon on mine) and join their group The Suprmes.

2. Making sure things are well-Though many didn't like her for poking her eyes out, she used that to her advantage to make people notice her, and once she learned that it was becoming a hit with fans, the label decided to let her do that move.

3. Having class. Most of the Motown artists had to attend artist development and charm school, where Maxine Powell coached the ladies on how to conduct themselves like ladies and to leave their ghetto attitude at the door. When she received her Lifetime acheivement award at the BET awards, she let the kids know that you don't have to bump and grind and use the "F" word to maintain longeviity, and the camera pointed at Beyonce who nodded. She's known for having moments but now she's mellowing out.

4. Taking control of your life. Most aries are known for being assertive, determined and secluded, Diana's declaration of independence kept the Civils and Women's right movement going when she decided to take control of her career and finances. In 1979 she re-teamed with singing-songwriting-producing husband & wife duo Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson, who wrote and produced her classic album "The Boss" which gained went gold and gained spins on the radio and in the clubs. A year later, she recruited Bernard Edwards and Nile Rogers of Chic to produce her classic album "Diana" which went multi-platnium, scored two classics "Upside Down" and "I'm Coming Out" which is still getting spins in clubs and has been sampled by Salt-N-Pepa, M.C. Lyte & Missy Elliot and The Notoroius BIG. When she met with the producers, she told them that she didn't her album to sound like a Los Angeles album. She wanted to have a New York vibe and she got more than that; she got a hit album. When she heard the playback, she noticed that the producers had her voice low, and when they refused to remix it, she decided to remix the album, and when Berry Gordy refused to give her and Russ Tilman credit, she decided to leave Motown and sign with RCA, who gave her the creative independence that she deserved, and it paid off. Her first self-produced album "Why Does Fools Fall In Love" went platnium and gained positve reviews as well as classic hits including the title track, "Mirror Mirror" and "Work That Body" which she co-wrote and became the fitness theme song of 1982. She showed the industry that she was able to succeed with out her mentor and baby father Berry Gordy, who was shocked at her decision to leave the label.

How has her songs make an impact on my life.

Learning to love myself. 11 years ago, I was suffering from depression, which I hid from many people, brought on by struggling with my being myself and being forced to be a person that I wasn't, and one day, the editor of the school publication I was writing for at that time, loaned me the Motown 40 CD set for me to review, and when I heard Diana's single "When You Tell Me That You Love Me," I fell in love with that song, and I would constant listen to that song in my grandmother's tape recorder I used to tape my school lectures on, and that song brought me comfort when I was feeling down and when I was pissed at certain morons who did me wrong. The lyrics are so touching and warm, that I would always listen to the last part of the song before I went to bed and it helped me see that God love is universal.

Moving on to something better. I posted a blog about how a certain lady tried talk me into staying at my former publication, despite me telling how 5 times how I was mistreated, and being prevented from growing professionally. When she said that she wasn't speaking to me as a child of God, I didn't speak to that heifer for a year, and though I was a little nervous, Diana's single "It's My Turn" helped forged ahead, and though I didn't win the election to become the publication's Arts Editor, I got praise and respect for my work, to the point where I was asked to cover many events including talent shows and listening parties.

Having fun. Though I walk with a cane, I manage to have fun and the songs I think of are "Work That Body" and "Take Me Higher" because there are times when I have fun, I don't care what people think about me dancing with my cane. I shouldn't be limited to have fun.

I wanted to wish Diana Ross a birthday and share my gratidue to her and her music.
I would love for her, Mary and Cindy to have a reunion tour because we are entiled to one.


SONGS INSPIRED FOR THIS POST

THE BOSS ALBUM
PEFORMED BY DIANA ROSS
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY NICK ASHFORD & VALERIE SIMPSON
1979 MOTOWN RECORDS

UPSIDE DOWN & I'M COMING OUT
PEFORMED BY DIANA ROSS
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY BERNARD EDWARDS & NILE ROGERS FOR THE CHIC ORGANIZATION
1980 MOTOWN RECORDS

WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE
PERFORMED BY DIANA ROSS
PRODUCED BY DIANA ROSS FOR DIANA ROSS PRODUCTIONS
1981 RCA RECORDS

WORK THAT BODY
WRITTEN BY DIANA ROSS & RAY CHEW
PRODUCED BY DIANA ROSS FOR DIANA ROSS PRODUCTIONS
1981 RCA RECORDS SINGLE WAS RELEASED IN 1982

WHEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME
PEFORMED BY DIANA ROSS
1991 MOTOWN RECORDS

WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GEESE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER

I said we out to tell them about their evil ways
I know they'll get and turna round and say
We're not alone out here
Cause women do it to
I said
2 wrongs don't make it right
They pay the price like you too.
Men
Performed by Gladys Knight

Turns you down darlin'
Says you're nothin' at all
(Nothin' at all)
I'll pick you up darlin
(When you fall, fall, fall)
When she lets you fall
You're like a diamond
But she treats you like glass
If I Was Your Womay
Performed by Alicia Keys

My man out fuckin' another bitch
Gonna come home and serve his leftover bullshit
I'm not the bitch that get mad
I get even
Kick him out bitch
Yea cuz I ain't leaving
Fuck A Man
Performed by B.W.P.

I can tell you're lying
Because when you're replying
You're stutter, stutter, stutter
Stutter
Performed by Joe

Since the situation that happened with Chris Brown and Rhinna occured, many celebrities, fans and community acitivists have voiced their concerns and opinons about the night they had that fight after the American Music Award winning couple music legend Clive Davis' annual Pre-Grammy Award party. Many celelbrities including Oprah Winfrey and her best girlfriend Gayle King has lash out against him (of course being that the're both narrowmined heifers) as well as Rhianna's boss, mentor Jay-Z who called Brown a walking deadman (he rarely gives interviews or statements) while many including Ray-J, Kimora Lee-Simmons and Natalie Cole, decided not to take sides and offer both of the Pop stars love and prayers.

I decided to name the title of this blog after a saying that means if you're gonna punish one person, then the other should receive the same amont as well as the same treatment. Many radio stations decided to ban Chris' music after the photo of Rhinna was released over the internet, and though I was shocked and upset at the photo and how he attacted her, I felt that it wasn't fair for radio to ban his music especially when other celebrities have been guilty for doing the same thing and worse.

Examples:
In 1989, Manager Sharon Osborne had her husband and client Rock star Ozzy Osborne arrest for assualt after he came home and choked her while he was high on cocaine and alcohol.

In 1991, Producer Dr. Dre attaced rapper/talkshow host Dee Barnes at a party in California. The former host of "Pump It Up" had interviewed him, MC Ren, DJ Yella and Eazy-E and asked them what down with former group member Ice Cube. She later interviewed Cube, who didn't hold back on what down, and wanting to be fair, she had asked her executive producer not to air certain parts of Cube's interview, but they aired it anyway, which cause Dre to get furious, and attack her when he saw her at a party. According to an interview on VH-1 and police reports, the award winning producer and rapper, grabbed her, slammed her against a wall and had security to prevent fans from rescuing her. When she fled to the rest room, he followed her and slammed her face against a mirror. After she filed her multi-million dollar suit. former group members Eazy-E and Ren went to the press saying 'the bitch deserved it, and we hope it happens again.
Their videos were played by BET, while the group's album "Niggaz4life" topped the Pop album charts, and a year later, radio played his solo single "Deep Cover."
Dre pleaded no contest, was ordered to pay a fine and was placed on probation, while Barnes received a six figure settlement, and an apology.
Rapper Tim Dogg addressed the issue in his solo debut single "Fuck Compton" which topped the Rap singles charts for three weeks and in interviews with the press.

Singer/producer R.Kelly marries teenage singer Aaliyah and is arrested for having sex with a minor.
When R. Kelly was asked to write and produce singer Aaliyah's debut album "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number," he did more than give her a classic album, he gave her his hand in marriage. He married the niece of Gladys Knight who was 14 at the time, and when the media caught wind, it was quickly and quietly annulled, and neither has ever spoke on the subject. 8 years later, a video tape surfaced of the singer having sex with a underage girl who he had also urinated on. While Kelly denined that him on the tape, there were many including his brother and former portuge Sparkle who comfirm it was him, with the later, testifying against Kelly as well as informing the courts and media about him having sex with her underage niece.
Result; many radio stations continued to play his music and videos, but when Michael Jackson was arrested for child molestation, many stations banned his music, which forced many fans to attack the stations (especially Black stations) for being unfair by playing Kelly's music, but banning Jackson's music.

Former childstar Mark Everett was wanted for killing his girlfriend and abducting their son.
Mark Everett had became a child star by appearing in numerous commercials and movies including "Pee Wee's Playhouse" but the time he reached the age of 18, his acting days came to an end due to his use of drugs. He later began to work odd jobs and later met and fell in love with Stepahnie Spears, who gave birth to their son Benjamin, and was unaware of his past of being a child star. Things began great, but later became rocky, when Spears began to excell in college as well as receive scholarships, which made Everett jealous and force her to end their relationship on fathers day in 2004. One night while she was sleep, he tried to take their son, but when she woke up and confronted him, he attacked and killed her with a dumbell and fled with their son, who he had living in bad conditions and places where roaches were at. John Walsh from America's Most Wanted wanted him to be arrested and for the past four years, the show have received many tips of their whereabouts, and in December of last year, the police was called to a Mexican resturant where people a man acting suspicious with a boy who turned out to be Everett, who according to reports held his son in a head lock and threatned to kill him during a hostage situation for 2 hours. Police evacuated the area, threw a bomb into the resturant and got involved in a shoot out that killed Everett and injured his son, who is being cared for by his maternial granmother who plan on having him seek theapry to heal.

For years, we have heard stories about men being violent people, but there are many females who abuse, and kill people, but the media doesn't report that as much as they report on men who harm and like Gladys Knight says in her # 2 R&B hit "Men," two wrongs don't make it right. They pay the price like you too.

The first time I heard about women beating their husbands was in 1985 when I was watching an episode of divorce court. A football player was seeking a divorce from his wife on the grounds of physical and mental cruelty and aduletry, while the wife was seeking on the grounds of mental cruelty. During the middle of the trial, the wife got mad when one of the witness had testified about her behavior. She was so loud that the Judge had to ask her lawyer to control her. She got up from the table, and ran towards her husband who tried to confront her, and she responded by punching him in the face and knocking him over the rail. Outraged and shocked, the judge ordered the baliff to restrain the wife, who was screaming 'Let me go!! Let me go!!
The judge granted both parties their divorce and with the behavior the wife displayed he was able to keep the house and cars, and most of the assets.

Ten years ago when Whitney Houston was interviewed by Ebony Magazine, she was asked if her ex-husband Bobby Brown ever hit her. Her answer was 'Bobby doesn't hit me. I hit him." Bobby added in an interview with Vibe Magazine in 2006 by saying that he had video footage of Whitney beating on him and he also added that there are men who are victims of physical abuse.

Last October, a Harlem was arrested and charged with killing her son's father while the son was in his room waiting to go trick-or-treating. The mother was mad because her ex-boyfriend didn't buy their son a winter coat, so she stabbed him with a kitchen knife and he died shortly after he fleed the apartment to try to get help. Prior to the incident, he had went to the police and informed them that she had threw bleach in his face and threatened him with a hammer, and when the cops told him to file a restraining order against the child's mother, he refused because he feared that the mother would be arrested and his son would be placed in foster care. The late father's family and friends were upset at what happened because he had planned on giving his ex the money to purchase the coat.

These are examples of things that occured and how people chose to show favortism of which story and person deserves symphaty and who's doesn't. The few times I watched Oprah's show (when my favorite celebritiy wasn't a guest), she always talking about men who treat women bad and always wants to blast Hip-Hop artists for degrading women, but she's never interviwed any of the rappers who record positive songs like KRS-1, Public Enemy, Common (who performed on her show with Jamie Foxx), Talib-Kweli and D-Nice. Plus she's also had comedian/actor Chris Rock on her show several times, who's known for using the term Bitch in his routines. What's the difference between him and rappers who use the word? She never got on Chris Rock for using the word, but she had the audacity to come down on Ludacris, who refers to both sexes with that word, but listens to 50 Cent on her I-Pod. I wonder how she feels knowking that Gospel singer BeBe Winans was arrested for assualting his ex-wife.


I remember the situation when Dr. Dre attack Dee Barnes. There were lots of Black males, who wrote to magazines and spoke among many about the situation and many of them was saying that if he didn't like what Cube said about him and the group, he should have stepped to him instead of attacking Barnes, who didn't want them to continue feuding. There were some jounralist, however who asked rapper Tim Dogg about him dissing Dre's ex-girlfriend Mich'elle in his hit "Fuck Compton" and Tim said that if Dre was a man, he would respond, but if he wasn't, he would keep quiet, and he also said that he was wrong for what he did to Barnes as well.

As for women, there are many women who commit crimes, (with the exception of America's Most Wanted) they don't get much coverage. Why is that? Is it because women are suppsoed to be preceived as being weak, timid and submissive? Please! There are many females who are very possesive, jealous, insecure and rude, and have this attitude that I can disrespect my man, but he can't do shit to me. Yet when the man strikes back, they call the cops and get them arrested, and they get pissed when the man decides that he's had enough and leaves, the chick gets mad calling him all types of foul names, and wanna disrespect his family, friends and new love, who most likely had gotten out of a bad relationship and decides to have his back like he has hers. For years, I've always heard chicks complain about the lack of good men in the world, but as soon as they find one who treats them good, they dog him out. Females are just as bad when it comes to stalking as much as men are when it comes to their ex's leaving them for being crazy as well. I've heard men always talk about being tired of women wanting money and sex from them, but yet, when they see a lady who captures their attention, they go all out to impress them buy spending money on them as well as laying down the pipe in the bedroom and bragging about how what they got as far as materialistic items and possessions. Plus they always say they wanna a chick who's mad cool, but yet they go after the wild ones who be making scenes out in public without caring who's noticing their immature behavior.

The purpose of this blog is to share my thoughts and not take anysides. I wanted to express my opionons about things in life and I feel that nobody has the right to be mistreated; a man ain't got no right hitting on a woman and a woman ain't got no right smacking and grabbing a man either. The common ground is respect for each other and to not attack one particular group of people without showing the other group's faults and flaws.

Songs played and inspired by this post

MEN
PERFORMED BY GLADYS KNIGHT
WRITTEN BY GLADYS KNIGHT & ATTA ZANE
PRODUCED BY ATTA ZANE GAINE
CO-PRODUCED BY GLADYS KNIGHT
1991 MCA RECORDS

IF I WAS YOUR WOMAN
PERFORMED BY ALICIA KEYS
WRITTEN BY
PRODUCED BY EASY MOE BEE AND ALICIA KEYS

FUCK A MAN
PERFORMED BY B.W.P.
WRITTEN BY MARK SEXX AND LYAND
PRODUCED BY MARK SEXX
1991 DEF JAM RECORDS

STUTTER (REMIX)
PERFORMED BY JOE FEATURING MYSTIKAL
2001 JIVE RECORDS

OOH BABY BABY-THE MIRACLES FINALLY RECEIVE A STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

With Motown Records celebrating it's 50th anniversary, one of the best celebrations so far has been The Four Tops FINALLY receiving a Lifetime acheivement award this year (I don't know what took them so long) and The Miracles receiving a star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Many had turned out to see Smokey and Claudette Robinson, Pete Moore, Sonny Rogers and the late Ronnie White become another act from the famous Detroit label receive an honor like this.
The Miracle was one of the first acts signed by Berry Gordy, Jr, who sccored many hits for the label including "Shop Around," "You Really Got a Hold On Me," "Mickey's Monkey," "The Tracks of My Tears," "Ooh Baby Baby" "My Girl is Gone" and their top charting classic "Tears of A Clown." When Smokey and Claudette left, the remaining group members recruited Billy Griffin as their new lead singer, who's youthful and sexy looks and songwriting helped the group score their second biggest selling hit "Love Machine." Smokey also had success as a solo artist with his classics "Quiet Storm," "Cruisin'" "Being With You," "Just To See Her" which earned him his first Grammy Award, "One Heartbeat," "Everything You Touch" and "Sleepin' In."
In addition to performing and writing hits for themselves, they (along with guitarist Marv Tarplin, who continues to perform with Smokey) wrote hits for Mary Wells, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and The Supremes.
The ceromony took place in Hollywood this morning.

COPING

Last Sunday, while I was in the spa, I received a message from my moms saying that my surviving grandmother was in the hospital. I called to find out what happened and she informed me that my aunt Linda had called to let us know that my grandmother (my father's mother) had been hospitalized and she was coming to see her this week. As soon as I got home, my mother gave him her hospital room number and two days later, I called to see how she was doing. She sounded well, but a little tired. I told her I would visit her the next day, so my aunt Shirley gave me instrucitons on how to get there, and I made my journey the following day to see her, and the visit was pleasant; I had met one of my cousin's who for the first time as well as one of my younger cousins who made her some homemade dessert and shared it was us before her boyfriend had arrived.
Two days later, I received a call saying that she was moved to a nursing home, so I decided to visit her, and my friend BBOP came along to give his moral support. I visited her the following day and she cracked a joke with me after I told her that my friend who I was supposed to have brunch with became ill.
"So this was your second choice" she said as she laughed and layed in bed.
Though I'm grateful that she's in a place where's shes comfortable and being well taken care of, it's hard for me to see her not moving around like she used too.
She was always working, attending family functions and cooking (my grandmother is a Southern Lady and we all know how many southerns can burn in the kitchen).
As I think about this, I can remember seeing both my grandmothers (who loved each other and got along) working, but when my mom's mom died in 2004, it was totally unexpected. It had taken me a long time to mourn her death, because at the time of her death, I was getting situated with my apartment and trying to secure an internship with a magazine to fulfill my graduation requirments, and though it was a sad event, I was grateful for the people who showed me their love and support during my time of grief, with the exception of one individual, who's misunderstanding forced her to end our friendship. (I'll post that another time. Naw what the fuck). When I got the word that she had been rushed to the hospital, I called her asking for prayer. She told me she was on the phone with her girlfriend.
I told her the situation and asked for prayer, and before I knew it, I had two other people calling my cell trying to contact me, so I tried to click over to answer the other call, but unfortantely, I lost conenction due to the number of people trying to call as well as the location where I was at. She must have thought that I hung up on her on purpose and that wasn't the case. After I learned that my grandmother passed, I tried to call to ask for prayer but the phone kept ringing, and I received calls from others who I left messages with.
Two days later, I called to apologize and give her the update, but before I could finsih she got pissed and said not to call her anymore and hung up on me.
I couldn't believe it. When longtime friends asked how I was doing and was I getting any support, I told them about that incident and they were pissed at her behavior.
"How could she get mad at you when you was calling to give her the update about your grandmother?" one asked in disgust.
"You need to move on and let her be" another said.
"She lost a good friend."
One was like "I can't believe that she would think that you out of all people would hang up somebody. The problem with her is that she don't know that cell phones do have the tendency to go out, but if you want, you should send her an email and explain the situation to her and tell her why you was calling. But since you decided not to speak to you again, not only won't I call you, I won't email you anymore. And by the way, thanks for being there during my time of need."
I did think about sending her an email, but I decided not to and I decided that God would deal with her and as they say 'Those who curse you will be cursed and those who blessed you will be blessed.

My surviving grandmother has always had a good heart, laugh and an ear to listen. We would talk about life, transit, the world events and music. In fact I learned that she's a huge fan of The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Supremes, Whitney Houston, Beyonce and Alicia Keys.
I was in contact with her from time to time and when I saw her in 2005 it was right before the subway strike. I had gave her some pictures of me at my graduation from Brooklyn College as well as pictures from my California trip I took with the disabilities club a month later, and she remembered when I called her from LA to let her know the trip was fun despitehaving the roommate from hell. (I won't get into that). 3 years later I visited her on Mother's day and it was a nice and pleasant visit, though she had slight trouble walking. Seeing her in hosptial is sad because I'm not used to seeing her lying in a bed, and being up and about. It's depressing at times, but I know that I have to be strong for her because she was able to come up north for a better opporunity for herself, and she was able to witness Obama make history by becoming the first Black President of The United States. She loves Obama for his character and strength and looks (Looks like Grandma got good taste in men)!

Song inspired by this post

Grandma's Hands
Performed by Gladys Knight
Written by Bill Withers
2001 MCA Records

REACH, BUT DON'T BE NASTY TO ONES WHO SUPPORT YOU

Check it.
You rolled into Brooklyn to compete in a contest.
You had to work hard to set yourself apart from the other contestants
You did. Actually, your set was hot, sexy. creative, and wet. (And you was looking mad hot in those Black Timbs).
You got lots of tips, touches, a couple of oohs and ahhs. I'm lying; you got lots of oohs and ahhs, from many in the club, including one male, who admired your performance as well as gave you a compliment while you ordered a drink from the bar.
"Good show" he said as he admired your nice pyshique
You thanked him, and asked for him to vote for you when it came time for the crowd to pick the winner.
"Of course" he said excitedly as the sexy bartender handed the admirer his Southern Comfort and Cranberry.
When it came time for us to vote for the winner, you got many screams from many admirers (including the admirer, who screamed a couple of octaves higher than the females in the club). Espcially when the sexy hostess asked you and another competitor to have an improtu dance-off. It's a shame that you didn't win, but there were many who felt you should have, and when the admirer complimented you for your performance, you seemed you took out your frustrations out on him for no appearant reason.
You may not won the prize money, but you won something else; a group of admires who will speak about your performance, and the hard work you did. Losing isn't fun for anybody. Including the admirer, who though put in hard work for many projects, that he has worked on, lost out and yes he was hurt, pissed and disappointed, but the thing that boosted his spirits was the love, and support he received from many who not only felt that he should have won or gotten a higher score, who also told him that his work was excellent and not to give up, and thoat motivate him to work harder.
Also remember those who showed you love and gave you support and money, instead of getting upset with them because they saw something in your performance that got them excited to the point of showing you love and support because word of mouth can be the best and worst form of publicity a person can receive.
Just Reach and keep striving for excellence, but never get mad to the point where you take your anger on your admires. Especially the ones who was impressed, captiivated and amazed by your performance.

Song inspired for this post

Reach
Performed by Noel Gourdin
2008 Epic Records

MARY WILSON: SEXY LEGENDARY SUPREME CELEBRATES 65TH BIRTHDAY AND HOW SHE MADE AN IMPACT ON MY LIFE

Have you ever wanted to meet a famous person so bad, and when you did, it was more than what you have anticipated?
That's what it was like when I met Motown legend Mary Wilson in August of 1998 after her concert at the annual Bandshell concerts series. I had arrived at the concert in Supreme fashion: red t-shirt, leather vest, black slacks and dress shoes (As I mentioned in past posts, I don't wear hip-hop attire when I attend any Motown artist concert), and waited online. As soon as I paid my five dollars, I bumped into Frances the President and founder of the now defuncted SMV-Supremes-Marveletes-Vandellas fan club, who was there with her sister Linda, and close friends Danny and Phillip Howell. After we spoke I had sat towards the back, and when she came onstage, I was in heaven; I was actually seeing my idol live for the first time, and when she asked some fans to get on stage with her for a medley of Supreme hits, I tried to get onstage, but she had enough fans on stage and I was pissed. After her set was over, I linked up with Fran, Linda, Danny and Phillip, where the former spoke to Mary's co-host, who got us backstage to meet the idol, and I was saying to myself 'I'm gonna be Mr. Professional' but as soon as entered her dressing room, she greeted me with a kiss.
"Hello darling" Mary said as she kissed me on both of my cheeks.
I was in shock! I couldn't beleive that I was kissed by the original Supreme!!
We all spoke, took pictures, and I asked her if I could interview her for my school newspaper.
"Do you have a business card" she asked.
"Sorry I don't" I replied.
"Don't go no where. You got a pen"
I pulled out my pad and pen, and she wrote her business number for me to call
"Call me" she said.
I was really excited, blessed and honored: most artists well tell a person to contact their manager, publisict and assistant, but for her to give me her number showed me how down to earth she was, and I was excited when I got the picture developed. A few months later, I send her a copy of my review of the concert along with the picture we took, and a few weeks later, I received a message that somebody from her office had called, and I spoke to her former assitant Yolanda, (who sounded just like her over the telephone) who informed me that Mary was interested in doing a telephone inteview with me, and I was gamed. 3 months later, I had my first telephone interview, and it was fun. I asked her about her career, fake singing groups who pretend to be members of groups they had no part in creating, Jean Terrell's contributions to the group, being a Grandmother, and what she felt about the current artists.
A few weeks later, I received a post card from her thanking me for the articles and interview.

"Dear RaShawn
Thank you for the newspapers
I sincerely appreciate your enthuasiasm and dedication to The Suprmes' Legacy and my current career.
Touch

From that moment on, I knew I was going to continue being a lifelong fan, and I have; I attened a few more of her concerts and actually got onstage with her during her Supremes medley, including in 2001 when she unbuttoned my shirt during a performance of "Stop! In The Name of Love" as my best friend Windel, who I treated to his first concert looked on in shock and amazement. He couldn't believe that she was that bold to flirt with me like that and we even cracked a joke about it

"Supreme Seduces Church Boy at Concert"

The first time I heard about Mary Wilson was in 1986 when I was watching the show "Putting on the Hits" where she was one of the judges, and she informed the crowd that she was writing a book about her life, and a few weeks later, I read an article Ebony did on her, and I knew I had to get her book and when my aunt asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told her Mary Wilson's book, and when I got the book, I read it in one day and did a report for my reading class and got and A, and began to get into Motown music, during a time when the kids were into New Jack Swing and Hip-Hop. I even did a presentation of her for my Boy Scout troop and got great feedback from the audience who was impressed with my love and knowledge of Motown and for memorizing my speech.

What do I admire about Mary Wilson? She has many qualities that I admire about her
1. Her beauty. This woman looks good, and you wouldn't think nor beleive she turned 65. She has an natural beauty that says I'm proud to be a beautiful woman. When my friend Brandon went to the premiere of the film "Standing In The Shadows of Motown" he was telling me how the thugs in Harlem was giving Mary her props by saying "Mary you still look good!!"

2. Her voice. Mary has a voice that is soothing, yet sexy. It made not be powerful, but she uses it to her advantage on material that it's well suited for including her live rendition of Sting's classic ballad "Fields of Gold" as well as the Joe Cocker classic "You Are So Beautiful" and her 1995 comeback single "U," but it was when I bought The Supremes 2000 boxed set that I became captivated by her voice after hearing the group's 1971 single "Touch" which Mary shared lead vocals with Diane Ross' replacement. When I heard Mary sing the opening lyrics "Darling just relax. You melt me like hot candle wax" I was like she better work!! I can see why Frank Wilson wrote that song especially for her, because she gave the song the sexiness and soufulness, and I'm pissed at the label for not promoting this gem, but it goes to show that people recognize a good love song when they hear it. I played it for one of my friends to get his feedback, and he told me he loved it, which is why I included it on his tape of love songs. I also have it in my playlist whenever I wanna relax alone or when a date comes by.

3. Her love for the fans. Whenever Mary performs at certain venues, she always takes time to greet the fans by signing autographs and taking photgraphs. Especially those she's known since the 60's, and there have been times when the secuirty had to rush her, she manages to stick around for a few extra moments to spend time with the old teenagers.

4. Maintaining The Supremes Legacy. For many years, many critics and industry people have always had their vision and conclusion about the Supremes.
Diane/Diana Ross was the one who rocketed to superstardom, while Florence Ballard died in poverty and Mary was the background singer. When Mary released her book, she gave the world and some narrow-minded critics a different look at the group, and let people knew that the world fell in love with three Black Females from Detroits Brewster's projects, and a female from the projects in Candem New Jersey-Cindy Birdsong, who replace Flo and became one of the world's famous and loved Supremes, though she's not an original member of the group.
Whenever The Supremes have been honored with Lifetime acheivement Awards, Mary has always accepted on behalf of the group as well as arragend for one of Florence's daughters to appear and accept on behalf of their late mother who founded the group, where as Diane has never appeared nor written a speech acknowledging her tenure with the group that helped her for her solo career.
The media finally saw the light when Diane planned the Return To Love tour, where she was receiving 15-20 million dollars, while Wilson was offered 2 million and Cindy was offered less then 1 million. In addition to receiving more money, Mary had every right to be more involved with the preparation of the tour since she was the only original member who stayed with the group until they disbanded in 1977 as well as hired former Supremes Lynda and Scherrie, who Diane asked to be a part of the tour a year before Mary and Cindy was asked. She and Cindy should have gotten an equal amount instead of chump change, and it's messed up when you have a bunch of baggy jean-timbs-nike-do-rag wearing kids saying that how Mary was treated was foul.
Yes Diane was the lead singer of the group's classic hits, but Mary, Flo and Diane all started out together as friends and bandmates, and when Flo was asked to leave, Cindy Birdsong filled her spot and contiued to perform with Mary though out the 70's.
Like my friend said; that tour could have went off without a hitch. All she (Diane) had to do was humble herself, but no it had to be her way or no way at all, so the Lord said No Way. In other words, her Karma caused the tour to be canceled. (Hopefully Diane will see the light)

5. Fighting to stop fake groups from performing. Mary has also been leading a crusade to stop bogus groups from pretending to be members of group they had no part in creating. For years, there have been groups pretending to be The Coasters, The Drifters, The Marvelettes, who perform the orignal and authentic group's material live, while the original and surviving members find it hard to get gigs because promoters purchased the groups names and hire young members.
I remember attending a Motown review concert in 1997, and when I learned that there was some fake Marvelettes performing, I became pissed to the point of speaking to my school newspaper editor at that time, who encouraged me to write an article about it, and I got some great feedback includind Frances, who asked if the article could be placed in the newsletter. I gave her permission to do so, because like I want to see the real thing. Not no fake ass bitches (I'm refering to both the men and females who claim to be members of groups they had no part in creating), and I'm so happy that the Truth In Rock Bill has been made into a law in several states including Las Vegas, which states that a group must have at least an original member performing. If not, they aren't allowed to perform, and the promoters can be sued and fined. If they don't have an original member, they must refer to themselves as a tribute band.

6. Her determination to realize her dreams and not to take things for granted.
One of the things I admire about Mary was her going to college to pursue her degree from NYU after the death of her youngest son Rafael. Though she was performing, and making money, Mary had always kept writing and reading, and she had always wanted to pursue her college education. She had spoken about how her late mother Johnnie Mae, who deprived of an decent education due to a childhood illness, always stressed the importance of education to Mary and her siblings, and one of her dreams was to see one of her children attend college, so in 1995, Mary moved to New York City, and enrolled in NYU, and received an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts at the age of 57.
Talk of determination; she was doing papers while on the plane, the bus, and in between shows.

Many people have always wondered why I admire Mary Wilson? Reading her books and seeing her live made me realize I was able to do anything I put my mind to, and there were times when people would get pissed at me for doing things that I felt was best for me and not them.
As a child, I was always into all types of music, and some of the kids used to tease me for being into Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Culture Club instead of Rap, and though I learned to appreaciate Hip-Hop, I always find myself listening to classic soul music.
When I was in boy scouts, I did presentations on many famous Black entertainers, and there were a few adults (including a school teacher) who would have preferred me doing presentations on Politicans and Scientist instead of singers. There were many
however, who admired me for doing presentations on musicians who they grew up listening to, and who have also made it.
One of the biggest things I did was leave that cult I was in. After being in that place for six years, I decided to leave to embrace my sexuality, and to focus on my education, and when I told the leader my reasons for leaving (which also included tired of being disrespected by members who had chips on their shoulders), he tried to get me to stay by saying they weren't like other churches, and I needed to seek the Kingdom. When I told him that I was tired of being disrespected and I was afraid of getting hurt again, he told me he knew it was gonna hurt, but the brothers missed me. When I told him I wanted to focused on my education, he said I was becoming humanistic, and tried to negoatiate a deal with me attending services days I couldn't attend as well as used a scare tactic that didnt' work. After speaking to a few close friends, and attending an after-party, I decided that it was time to leave (though it was hard for me to tell the leader no when he called the following day, but once I got an email to attend the screening of the documentary about The Funk Brothers, that made my decision a little bit easier; I decided not to return and didn't call either. Like Mary said in her book about her relationship with her ex-husband, he learned that I may not say much, but once I say something, I mean it. I'm still working in that area, but my actions spoke louder than my words.

One of the biggest things I did was perform a routine of her songs at a retreat three years ago. I usually lip-synch to songs by my favorite artists when I'm alone, or when I'm with friends, but I never had the strength to perform them live in front of an audience, but that happened when I attended a retreat three years ago; I had was excited, but scared because
1, It would be my first time lip-synching in front of a medium audience
2. I didn't know which songs I would perform
3. My knee was giving me problems
4. I was afraid of getting read (we all know Gays are hard to impress at times).

The days leading up to the performance, I listened to the songs and decided to do songs I felt comfortable doing, and when it came time for the talent show, I was the 3rd person to go on and the first performer, so I went for it dedicating my performance to my grandmother, Obie Benson and Laurence Payton of The Four Tops and Flo Ballard and lip-syncing to live versions of Mary's rendition of "Reflections" and her solo hit "U" and once the crowd began to clap, I had fun, and got lots of positive feedback.

"You're performance was ova!"
"You did good."
"Keep on praticing!"
One guy even called me Miss. Wilson.

Those are many things I admire about Miss Mary Wilson. She has inspired me in many ways and I've been blessed to have the opportunity to interview her twice and meet her 8 times, and I want to thank her and wish her a happy birthday.

Touch
Ra SHAWN-DA-PROFESSOR

SONGS PLAYED AND INSPIIRED FOR THIS BLOG

REFLECTIONS
YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE
COME SEE ABOUT ME
BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN
BABY LOVE
STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE
YOU KEEP ME HANGIN' ON
PEFORMED BY MARY WILSON-TAKEN FROM HER LIVE DVD
ALL TOP SONGS WRITTEN BY BRIAN HOLLAND-LAMONT DOZIER-EDDIE HOLLAND

FIELDS OF GOLD
WRITTEN BY STING

U
WRITTEN BY MARK SEXX AND SHEA
ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN 1995 AND IS FEATURED ON MARY'S CD "I AM CHANGING" WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON HER WEBSITE

WALK THE LINE
ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN 1992

TOUCH
PERFORMED BY THE SUPREMES
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY FRANK WILSON
1971 MOTOWN RECORDS
LEAD VOCALS: MARY WILSON AND JEAN TERRELL

HE'S MY MAN
PERFORMED BY THE SUPREMES
WRITTEN BY GREG WRIGHT & KATHY PATTERSON
PRODUCED BY GREG WRIGHT
1975 MOTOWN RECORDS
LEAD VOCALS: MARY WILSON AND SCHERRIE PAYNE

YOU ARE THE HEART OF ME
PERFORMED BY THE SUPREMES
WRITTEN BY M.L. SMITH AND EDDIE HOLLAND, JR
PRODUCED BY BRIAN HOLLAND
1977 MOTOWN RECORDS
LEAD VOCALS: MARY WILSON

FLASHBACK REVIEW: DISCO DIVA'S CLASSIC SINGLE HELPED LEGENDARY PRODUCING TEAM BECOME HOUSEHOLD NAMES

CHERYL LYNN
ENCORE
WRITTEN BY JAMES HARRIS III & TERRY LEWIS
PRODUCED BY JIMMY JAM & TERRY LEWIS AND CHERYL LYNN

1983 COLUMBIA RECORDS

By 1983, singer-songwriter Cheryl Lynn had made a name for herself by scoring several Dance hits including "Got To Be Real" and "Shake It Up Tonight" as well as a top ten hit with Luther Vandross with rendition of the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell classic "If This World Were Mine." She had also worked with some the industry's top producers including David Foster, Ray Parker, Jr and Vandross, but her second # 1 R&B hit was written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis who were beginning the new stages of their careers as producers and songwriters. Jam & Lewis had got their break in the industry as members of the R&B/Funk group the band, who scored several hits with "Cool" and "What Time It Is," but they wanted to work on outside projects with other artist including The SOS Band andLynn, who they met while they were on tour in Long Beach California. A few months later the duo had missed a gig after being stranded in Atlanta due to a snow storm, forcing their former mentor Prince to fine them $900.00 each and firing them two days later. "I don't think they were supposed to be there" the Dance music hall of famer said in the Book of Rhythm and Blues Number Ones. "I think they snuck in from doing the show with Prince that night." The duo tried to come up with a song on the spot, but couldn't, so they told Lynn they would work with her the next time they got a break in the tour, and they stayed true to their word; not only did they come up with a hot song, it also helped the singer become more known as a R&B singer instead of the Dance Person that she was dubbed by the media. Jam added "We were trying to come up with a beat that was so funky that even if we didn't put any music to it, it would still be cool."
That's what makes this song the classic that it is today; the beat, keyboards, synsersizers, percussion, the live audience affects, and Lynn's vocal performances which captured her ability to sing different ranges as well as her sassy seagments and ad-libbing. The song also has mysterious lyrics that made me think that she was going to see her favorite male performer in concert, but after listening to the song for the first time in years, I gagged when I learned that she was singing about giving her man an encore for pleasing her sexually!!! (In other words, she's was gonna request another hot love making session and give him a big tip. If you know what I mean)!!
This song is still hot as it was when it was first released, and not only did it become a classic, it also helped launched Jam & Lewis career as Grammy-Award winning producers who would score twenty-five # 1 R&B hits.

FLASHBACK REVIEW: PATTI LABELLE SCORED FIRST # 1 SINGING SWEET, YET POWERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL

PATTI LABELLE
IF ONLY YOU KNOW
TAKEN FROM THE PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL RELEASE "I'M IN LOVE AGAIN"
PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
WRITTEN BY CYNTHIA BRIGGS, KENNY GAMBLE, DEXTER WASEL
PRODUCED BY KENNY GAMBLE & DEXTER WANSEL

In the winter of 1984, singer Patti LaBelle had received a telephone call and learned that her single "If Only You Knew" had topped the R&B charts. Girlfriend was so excited, that she ran around her house screaming, and waking up her friend and former make-up artist Rudy Calvo, who had spend the holidays with the powerhouse vocalist.
"Get up, Get Up" I screamed, jumping on the bed LaBelle wrote in her award-winning autobiography "Don't Block The Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime." "I'm number one!"
The powerhouse vocalist had every reason to be celebrating; it was her first # 1 hit as a solo artist, and it became a favorite among her fans, and peers, who play this song at family gatherings, dinners, and while they're making love.
After the break up of her group LaBelle, Patti had released several albums and singles on Epic Records including "You Are My Friend," "Music Is My Way of Life," "Release" and "I Don't Go Shopping" which didn't do as well as it could have. She later signed with Philadelphia International Records, run by the talented team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who had helped put Philadelphia on the music map, and was eager to have LaBelle on the label. Especially Gamble, a childhood friend who knew he could give the powerhouse vocalist a number hit, and his goal was reached when "If Only You Knew" topped the R&B charts for four weeks in the winter of 1984.
What make this song beautiful is the rhythm section, strings, lyrics about being afraid to express true feelings to a person that you love, co-written by Dexter Wensel and Cynthia Briggs, and mellow, yet soulful vocals by Patti, who recorded the song in a midrange, yet powerful style instead of singing in the powerful style she's known for.
After twenty-five years, this song is still beautiful as it was when it was first release, and it still provides the soundtrack for those who dreams about being with a person that they admire, but still don't know how to express their feelings to them.

Unknown Facts about "If Only Your Knew"

Though the song was featured on Patti's 1983 gold album "I'm In Love Again," the single was originally recorded in 1981, for her Philly International debut album "The Spirit's In It." Gamble put it in the can (a term for storing it in the vault) and wanted to wait for the right time to release it.

The song's co-writer Dexter Wensel had Patti record the song smiling so she can sing clearly.
"There were some takes when she was mulching the words abit" Wensel said in the Book of Number one Rhythm and Blues Hits.
"I said Patti when you're smiling and singing, it seems that the words came out so clear. So I asked her to smile when she sang a couple of takes, which she did and the words came out as clear as a bell."

This song has been covered by several artists including R&B group Soul For Real and R&B/Jazz singer, who each recorded their renditions of the classic on their albums "Candy Rain" and "Pure Pressure", with the latter becoming a radio hit.

Singers Mariah Carey and Brian Mc Knigt have each performed this rendition of this song while paying tribute to Patti. Carey performed it when LaBelle was honored by Essence Magazine in 1998, while Mc Knight performed this classic when she was honored by the United Negro College Fund.

SWV lead singer Coko usually performs this classic during her solo tours and solo seagments, and always gets a wild round of applause from the audience who loves her live rendition of the classic.

NOTOROIUS FLICK SHOWED SLAIN RAPPER'S CHARACTERISTICS

Last monday, me and my brother went to see the flim "Notoroius" and while we sat and wached the film, we were both impressed with the cast (Naturi did a damn good job playing Lil'Kim, and the insustry would be foolish not to give the oringianl 3LW member any nominations for best supporting actress, as well as actor Jamal Ward who played the talented and influencial rapper), the story, cimeotography, and legacy. It also showed the chareritics his displyed as well; talented, smart, quick wit, charming to the ladies, and loyal to his loved ones. One of my favorite scenes in the movie was when he made his math teacher feel and look like an ass, when he answered the math problem correctly, and showed him and the class that a garbage man makes more than a public high school teacher.
Another charater that Big had was turning a negative into a positive. Particualary his dark complxion and his stature. In the scene when he was asked to battle a local Brooklyn legend, Big not only shut him down, he got respect, and mad love from people from the hood inlcuding Lil' Cease, who would become his right hand man, and a full-figured dude, who thanked him for repping the big dudes at his CD signing.
Doin' things his way. Big also had an independent streak, and it showed thought iut the film, when he decided to remove his father from his memory, and when he began to hustle to get money, look fly, and ecord his hit records his way (with women and smoking lots of weed).
Ability to help one reach their potential. When he discovered that Lik' Kim could rap, he was impressed, and decided to mold her into the Black Madonna of Hip-Hop, by encouraging her to write raps about being a powerful Black woman who could dress fly, and not be afraid to express her sexuality and abilty to be sexual without feeling guilty.

Watching the movie about The Notorious BIG gave me, (and hopefully other viwers) the opportunity to see Big's other characteristics he was blessed with along with his ability to rap; he was a talented rapper, and cool person, who left a legacy that inspires people to reach for their goals and to dream big and don't let any haters prevent you from doing so.

CHRIS BROWNS TURNS HIMSELF INTO POLICE AND POSTS BAIL

R&B Singer/songwriter/actor Chris Brown was a no-show at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards last night, which was due to the LAPD seeuinging the sexy hearthrob for assualting a female Saturday evening. According to reports, police received a 911 from a female caller, claiming that 19-year-old had assualted her. Her idenity hasn't been revealed due to domestic violence laws and cases. The singer was released after he posted a $50,000 bail, while his girlfriend singer Rhianna's publicist issued a statement stating she was well and thanking the public for their concerns. The Bajan vocalist was scheduled to perform with her beau at the ceremony, but didn't attend either, forcing the producers to have Al Green and Justin Timberlake give a improtu performance of Green's classic hit "Let's Stay Together" (which was horrible, and leaving the public to wonder who was the lady who called on Brown?
I hope and pray that the issue gets resolved, and that both can weather this storm, because domestic violence is a serious crime and has extremley negative affects on the victims and suvivors. When Brown appeanred on the Trya Banks show in 2007, he revealed to the audience that his mother was the victim of spousal abuse by her ex boyfriend for two years before she finally have him his walking papers, and he would sleep under the covers just to avoid hearing his mother scream. He said that watching what his mother went through helped teached him how to respect women. Prayfully this issue will be resolved.

CONTEMPORARY SOUL SINGERS ROCKED LEHMAN COLLEGE WITH VOCALS AND SEXINESS

R&B/Soul singers and songwriters Pleasure P. and Bobby Valentino rocked the Bronx this past weekend where they peformed at Lehman College for the crowd of one hundred, who showed the two R&B stars love. (We applauded so loud that you would have thought the theatre was filled beyond capacity).
Before the headlners took, stage, the crowd was entertained by rapper Jason Fox, who performed his hit "Aunt Jackie" with a dancer who did the famous Harlem dance, followed by a new tune from his up and coming debut release. After a rap group performed, singer Bobby Nova a new artist singed to Akon's Konvict Music, took the stage and captured the crowd with his sexy looks, braids, and his smooth vocals, that will dominate the airwaves this year. After a brief intermission, the former Pretty Ricky lead vocalist appeared on stage donned in a leather jacket, beige hoody, scarf, baggy jeans, glittery shoe boots and shades, and had the crowd screaming as he performed a tune from his upcoming solo debut, followed by a medley of Pretty Ricky songs including "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number" and "On The Hotline" where he made the latter sexier by singing former group member Baby Blue's part in mid range, that showed cased his capability to sing in other ranges besides his trademark tenor and falsetto, that he's become known for. Pleasure P then took paid homage to the late Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. before he performed he had fun with the crowd during his performace of "Grind With Me." He was impressed with how the crowd reaction as they sang along with him, but when he discovred they were singing the radio version of the song, he decided to remind us the original title of the song.
"My song is called 'Grind On Me'" he told the audience as he and his sexy assistant looked for females to bring on stage for his traditional "Grind On Me" contest where five females, appreared on stage in an attempt to turn him on sexually with their sexual moves and those chicks did their best (One light skinned female put put it on him so good that he almost lost balance, while two thin chicks tried to tag team him), but he the winner of the contest was a full figured female, who Pleasure grind against and lifted up in the air.
He then performed his single "Did U Wrong", and spoke about the importance of making relationships work and not letting small things be the cause of it ending, and ended with his current single "Boyfriend Number 2."
Valentino's set started with the intro from him stolling on stage in a black leather jacket, black t-shirt, baggy jeans and nike sneakers (I didn't know he was short), and performed his hit "Tell Me" where he and his DJ asked the crowd to bounce and say his name. What made this performance hot was how Valentino's DJ pulled the played and muted the instrumental track while Valentino sang giving it a live band break affect (He did sang live). Valentino also performed his hits "My Angel," "Annomyus," "Pimping All Over The World" and "Slow Down" where he showecased his vocal skills by singing falsetto in a higher register. He also showed his romantic and freaky side when he pulled a female named Jasmine on the stage, and seranded her with his single "Lights Down Low" and pretended he was going down on her as she sat on a chair. He later gave flowers to the females as well as put the last rose stem in his jeans, and throw it on the audience, as well as lifted up his tank stop, and closed his set with his current single "Beep."
Both performers did an great job with their sets, but it would have been better had Pleasure would have included "Love Like Honey" during his Pretty Ricky medley, but all in all, the show was great, and despite the low attendance, they showed that they can put a good show and that R&B music will never go out of style.