SEXY SUPREME'S NEW UPLIFTING SINGLE

MARY WILSON
LIFE'S BEEN GOOD TO ME

True Motown fans love and admire Original Supreme Mary Wilson, for her sexy looks, sultry voice, and for working hard to keep the Supremes legacy. She's also shows all of her fans love by allowing them to join her onstage for a Supremes medley during her concerts, and greeting them afterwards. Well Wilson is continuing to show fans love with "Life's Been Good To Me" her first single since 1996's "Turn Around" which is getting lots of positive reviews from fans and critics, who is happy to see her recording again. Her latest single has a great mid-tempo, R&B/Dance vibe courtesy of the live audience affect, guitars, strings, keyboards and the call and response with her and the background vocalists. The song also has inspiring lyrics, about reflecting on how good life can be despite obstacles that often block one's path.

I've traveled from country to country
Was only trying to make it out the city
Never ever in my wildest dreams I would make history
I guess you can say this project girl got lucky
Life's been good to me.
Even though the sun didn't always shine
It's still be sweet.
Life's been alright with me
And I'm thankful for the life
I got to live my dreams.

Mary Wilson's latest release is a great song and it shows that she's more than a pretty face and a former background singer. She's a legend who can make great music that touches and inspires fans to enjoy life.

FLASHBACK REVIEW; SLICK RICK & LADY-TEE'S CLASSIC BALLAD

FIRE & DESIRE
PERFORMED BY RICK JAMES & TEENA MARIE
WRITTEN & PRODUCED BY RICK JAMES
1981 MOTOWN RECORDS.
RELEASED LATE SUMMER 1981

Former label mates and soul mates Rick James & Teena Marie had Black Radio and the concert trail on lock. James was flying high with his Classic award winning album "Street Songs" while Marie grooving with her classic masterpiece "It's Must Be Magic" but they two made magic on the classic ballad "Fire & Desire" a radio hit, that got major play on Black radio, and was different any other ballad released on Motown; it was a song about bumping into a former lover, who had helped them give up their days of sleeping around and reflecting on the magic they displayed during their first kiss. What makes this song magic are the music, the lyrics and the ending of the song, where Rick speaks and Teena sings, with so much soul and passion that it makes you wanna find love.

A beautiful love song by two Soul mates, who put their passion in their music.

FACTS ABOUT FIRE AND DESIRE
1. In his memoirs, Rick wrote about how an Ethopian Princess he dated was the inspiration for the songs lyrics, and how she changed him with her love and sensitivity.

2. Teena Marie was Rick's first choice to record the duet with him, but unfortantely, she became ill and was hospitalized with a fever. Rick was going to have another female singer sing the song, but when Teena learned he was going to get another chick, Teena got up from her hospital bed, went to the studio, and recorded her part with one take. Afterwards, she returned to the hospital and made a full recovery.

3. Fire & Desire was the highlight of the Street Songs tour in 1981. Their romantic relationship had ended and while they was performing, Teena would curse Rick out under her breath and during the song's bridge.

4. Rick & Teena performed this classic on the 2004 BET Awards, and got a standing ovation. Sadly it would be the last time they would perform the song, due to Rick's death two months later. Teena continued to perform the classic live during her tours.

5. In 1997, Singers Johnny Gill and Coko remade this song for the Booty Call soundtrack.

MY CHAT WITH BRITISH SOUL VOCALIST ENRICO DELVES

About two years ago, I was on You Tube checking messages, and one of the messages I received was from a guy named Enrico Delves asking me to check out his page and music. I did and I was blown away by his vocals and British accent, and his rendition of Michael Jackson's classic "Butterflies." I have a strong appreciation for British artists, so I sent him an email telling him how much I loved his music, and if he ever comes to the United States to perform, contact me, so I can check him out live. Two months ago, I learned that the talented artist was going to be peforming at the legendary SOB's, and I made sure I got my ticket, and when I sent him a message informing him I would be checking him out, he was excited to know that I was going to be in the house to give him the support, and I was excited that I was going to finally meet the talented vocalist, who has been the toast of the UK.
Born in South London, Delves started performing at the age of 10, and has been honing his skills eversince. He's performed at various cafes and coffee shops in London and around Europe, but his big break came when he won the opportunity to perform at the 2008 MOBO (Music of Black Orgin) Awards, which enlarged his fan base, and created a buzz in America, where many celebrities including Tom Cruise has asked him to perform at parties. After soundtrack, we met, and I found him to be extremely out going, fun loving, down to earth and at times dramatic (in a good way). After seeing him perform, I learned that he was going to be performing at Best Buys two days later, so I managed to score an interview with this talented and fun vocalist, where he spoke about being in New York, performing at the Mobo Awards, the challenges that many Black U.K. artist face, and his future goals.

DA-PROFESSOR: How does it feel to be back in New York?
ENRICO: Oh yeah. It's my second tgime. Well the first time I was doing a musical of an comtemporary version of A Midnight's Summer Dream. I'm selfish. Now I've come back it's about me, my solo songs and everything. It's really good. I got to perform at SOBS. I got to perform at a school called Grand Campus and today I performed at Live at Best Buy, which was a really good experience. I'm loving New York but the weather is killing me.

DA-PROFESSOR: How did you become involved with Music?
ENRICO: I realized I can sing at age 10, and I was praticing to Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror" instrumentals. So I kept singing over and over and over and I was like 'oh I like the tone of my voice when I do that.' So I kept on singing the hell out of that song until my mum over heard me and she's like 'Enrico is that you?' I said 'yeah,' so she started the track again, and asked me to sing and she told my dad 'you got a talented child' and this and that, so it was nice to know I got something.

DA-PROFESSOR: Besides Michael, who else influenced you?
ENRICO: Ooh. I love alot of artist. I'm a huge fan of Rashaan Patterson. He's one of my favorite vocalist. Maxwell. I love Maxwell. Tao Cruz. He's from the UK. He does Electro Pop. Usher. Aaliyah. I love old school artists like Otis Redding. My influences are truly wide. Even down to Jazz and an artist called Liz Wright. It's truly wide (laughs).

DA-PROFESSOR: I saw a clip of you performing at the MOBO Awards. Congratulations. How did you become involved in that contest?
ENRICO: Oh Thank you. (Laughs) I was part of competition; it was Western Union competition. There were hundreds of artists who applied to get the chance to open for the MOBO Unsigned Awards. It got narrowed down by a group called In Doves in the U.K. I was one of the final ten and then I had to go in front of a panel whiche was like Universal A&R's and perform for them accoustically, and they said they would call me a few days later, but they called me in a couple of hours and told me I was the winner, so I was screaming and the rest is history.

DA-PROFESSOR: What was it like peforming on the MOBOS?
ENRICO: It's not cracked up what it's make up to be. It looks glossed. You're on stage and you got the make up, the sound is pumping through the speakers, but for someone on the outside, you'll be like it looks good. It looks great, but as an artist in the U.K. and you're unsigned, there's a stigma like 'ooh, you're unsigned. Without status (Enrico pronuced the UK pronounciation of the word Stay-Tus), or in this country it's called status, Without status, you're seen as a nobody but it has helped my growth in the industry.

DA-PROFESSOR: You got some hot tracks. I like the song "Room 143" What was the inspiration for that song?
ENRICO: "Room 143." You actually remember that? That was a really old song. I did that back in Norway. I did that back in 2008, back when I did the Mobo's, but yeah, it's been years since I did anything with that song. I recorded a verse, pre chorus and a chorus, even though it wasn't fully writen.

DA-PROFESSOR: Another favorite is "Role Play" What was the inspiration for that song?
ENRICO: Thank you. Sexual frustration, like (in a a dramatic voice) Yeah! Want you want me to be? I'll be anybody. I'll be a doctor. I'll be a teacher. I'll be this and that. The song concept is being comfortable and able to play different characters in the relationships. Being able to tell your girl to wear a nurse outfit and to say it's OK. It's cool. I won't take it personally if she wants me to be a fireman. I'm not gonna take it personally because I'm a singer and be like you want me to be a fire man. You don't like me, it's only role play.

DA-PROFESSOR: You also did a Dance Song I like.
ENRICO: "Fairy Tales"?
DA-PROFESSOR: Yeah.
ENRICO: That's a song I recently did, and now I'm talking to different publishing companies. That's a song they picked. For me writing it became very personal, so I ended up taking it for myself. Rather than giving it to another artist. I'm very selfish, but not it's my song. "Fairy Tales" is my song!

DA-PROFESSOR: You made a great point about publishing. How important is it for an artist to own their own publishing?
ENRICO: Ooh. I thing it's the biggest thing in the industry. There's alot of money to make in the right avenues. So for instance, you're making moeny from performances, PRS. You're making money from publishing. Whether you're writing by yourself or writing with somebody, and you're able to make money off of sales and royalties, so you're pretty much covered (laughs).

DA-PROFESSOR: I notice that you perform with a live band. What is it like to perform with a live band and backing vocalists?
ENRICO: Ooh. I love it because it makes it more authentic. You're able to play around with it and being an artist, you're creative. When you're creative, you're always wanna tamper with certain parts of the beats and backing vocals. You wanna tamper with the chords and it makes it more authentic and intimate for my audience who are listening to me at that moment.

DA-PROFESSOR: How's the U.K. music scene for Black U.K. Artists?
ENRICO: There's a scene in the U.K. Defintelty, but it's a small scene in the U.K., because in the UK, because in the U.K. the Black population only count for 2 or 3 percent of the whole U.K., but the population is small, the support of Black artists is extremely tiny. I say the U.K. is crap for Black artists if you're doing Soul. I think you can make it if you're doing Pop, but again it goes into racial things on the sense of skin complexion if you're lighter or darker and the politics, but I woulse say the U.K. is harder to break.

DA-PROFESSOR: That was something I was unaware of, but the one thing I admire about U.K. artist is how you love the American Artist more than Americans. How important is that?
ENRICO: Ooh yeah. It's true. I would say from the 90's and 2000's the airwaves has been overloaded with American artists and alot of British influences have come from America and because we've heard it so much, it's like psychology if you hear alot of one thing, that'w what you get into, so American music is big in the U.K.

DA-PROFESSOR: In addition to singing and acting, do you plan on doing any acting?
ENRICO: Yes. I do plan to do some acting. As I said. when I first came to New York before I was doing a musical. It's something I want to look into once my music takes off.

DA-PROFESSOR: If you have the chance to work with any artist, British and American, who would it be?
ENRICO: Chris Brown. I'm really a big fan of Chris Brown. Like I said Tao Cruz. I'm a really big fan of his. Bruno Mars. Artist too many. I work with every and anybody! I'll be like a musical whore (laughs).

DA-PROFESSOR: How do you think you're making an impact ong the music scene?
ENRICO: The U.K. It's really taking places in the U.K. I'm a perfectionist and I'm aiming for higher heights, so I wass ba be massaive. I wanna be a universal brand. It's opening up in the U.K., but we've got alot more grinding to do.

DA-PROFESSOR: Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?
ENRICO: Whew!! Winning Brit Awards in the U.K. Winning Grammy Awards here. Performing everywhere. I wanna be universal. To see that in the next few years.

DA-PROFESOR: What advice what you tell a young kid who wants to pursue a career in music?
ENRICO: Go for it. Go for it whole heartly. Go for it with everything and take up everythign. Take up songwriting. Practice on the vocals. Pratice on the performance. Even though you're an artist, it's always good be an entertainer. Engage your audiences.

To check out Enrico Delves' music and videos Check out the following sites

http://www.facebook.com/enricodelves
http://www.twitter.com/enricodelves
http://www.youtube.com/eme10d1c
http://www.myspace.com/iamenrico

ESCULITA'S NEED TO GIVE STAFF TRAINING IN CLASS, PROFESSIONALISM AND RESPECT.

From 2002, I have attended Esculita's several times, and I've always had a great time listening to the various genres of music, as well as watching performances by Harmonica Sunbeam, and the various exotic dancers, who have made my feel good and shown me respect. Esculita's have had a great rep, but it's also gotten several bad reps from party goers, and unfortantely, I'm one of them, who received a bad taste of the staff's lack of professionalism, so I'm about to go into my Millie Jackson mode, and express how I felt about the staff's shadiness.
On Saturday, July 25, me and my Gay son had arrived at Escos (the nickname for the club) at 11:12 PM, and waited on line along with other party goers, who had arrived early to get in for free. After waiting on line for 28 minutes, security outside the club checked our ID's, and said we could go downstairs, and when we got downstaris, the guy sitting at the cashier had checked my ID and text, said I was cool, and gave me a wrist band. Great for me, but not for my son. The cashier had told my son that he couldn't get in the club, because his ID and text was not legit and that he would have to pay an admission fee of $ 20.00. He explained to the guy that his ID was legit, but the shady guy didn't believe him and insisted that he pay $20.00. Outraged, he stormed out the club, upset and with good reason. He had a legit ID and text that had the address and invite that said free b-4 12. I called my best friend Author/Blogger Donald Peebles, who gave me Esco's number to contact the manager to get the issue resolved. I called and left a message. My son suggested that we go back and speak to the secutity outside about the situation. I spoke to one Afro-Latin guard about the situation. He then called an Black African American guard over for us to explain, and he asked my son did he had another form of ID on him. My son explained to him that he had gotten his new ID in him homestate, and that it expires the following year. After looking at his ID and seeing it was legit, he and the Latin guard wanted to know was the guy who gave my son false information large or slim. I told him slim, and they both said Fernado in unison, which meant that other party goers have had issues with his lack of professional attitude. The Black American guard told us to let the cashier know that we could enter the club and if he had any problems or questions was to send for him. We returned downstaris and that's when the drama began. The guy was trying to rush me into paying quickly by asking for ID and after showing him he told me I had to pay the admission fee. I had to ask him let me finish to speak to him because he was cutting me off and cross talking me. I explained how my son was mistreated earlier, and that security said we could go in. The kid checked the ID and after seeing it was legit, he insisted my son pay. Me and my son were like we shouldn't have to pay. The kid was saying it's a few pass 12 and that he had to pay. I explained to him that he shouldn't have to pay due to their error, and he kept on saying we don't have no more wrist bands and that it was after 12. I told him that despite that, my son shouldn't have to pay being that he came with me the time that my ID was checked and being that I got a wrist band and they made a mistake. We went back and forth, and then the kid went into shady diva mode by doing the neck twirl and raised his voice a few octaves high. I felt threatned because he looked like he was going to attack us, and it's rare that I go off, but after that, I went into Millie Jackson mode and said 'you know what Bitch, I got ties with media! Not only am I gonna write you up, I'm gonna put you on blast!!. He had a attitude like whatever. Me and my son left the club pissed and upset at the mistreatment, and I felt bad because he was in town to celebrate his birthday, and for that shady bitch to act the way he did was more that upsetting. I called Donald, my son's Godfather and he was even more outraged; he actually expressed how he felt on Facebook, and gave us comfort and support. The next day at pride, we were watching the parade, and a guy was passing out flyers from Escos, and when Donald spoke to the guy about the way we were mistreated, the guy revealed that he knew what happened and that he took my son's ID and that his name was Tee-Tee. Both Donald and I try to explain to him about the situation and instead of apologizing, and listening, he constatnly cutted us off saying that it was past midnight, and that we could come to Escos as his guest that night Things got hotter when Donald told him about how he tried to attack me. The guy got silent and stiff, and when I reminded him of how I felt threatned, he quickly walked away.
How do I feel about the mistreatment of the staff? It don't see what the fuck the problem was in the first place! If the first security guard saw that my son's ID was valid and legit, then why did the cashier down stairs couldn't see it was legit? And why after being told that it was legit and it was OK for us to enter, why didn't the shady bitch listen to the situation and tried to resolve the issue by allowing my son free admission to the club. Especially since they were the ones who were at fault in the first place? Why did the kid feel the need to try to cross talk me? To brag to his friends? Was he having a bad day/Night? Was he upset that he had to work instead of shaking his ass at the club?
Well my thing is that had the staff in the basement were being professional and mature, I wouldn't be writing this blog and putting people of blog, but as Millie Jackson said in her 1981 hit "I Had To Say It!"
The purpose of owning a club is to make money and to make customers happy to the point of them spreading the word and coming back bring you more revenue. We could have been investors who were looking for clubs to invest in. The staff didn't think about that. All they thought about was getting money by being shady and unprofessional, which makes me wonder do they do this to avoid letting people get in for free before the midnight? Was that kid being selective? Well all I got to say is that regardless of what job you have, everybody deserves to be treated with respect, the way that you would want somebody to treat you and your family and friends and I would like for the owner and manger of Escos to give their staff some training in hospitality, listening and anger management, because word of mouth can help boost and end your career, and what I've heard recently heard about the way the club is, many people will avoid going, so my advice is for you to use some of that money and give the staff,(especially Tee-Tee-if that's his real name) some lessons on how to listen, and know when to leave the (so-called) Diva attitude outside the club because one day he may come across the one patron, who may hurt more than his feelings, and that would be a good look for the club, the staff and the Gay community, who despite recently having Gay Marriage legal in New York, is still fighting for equality, respect and justice. How can we get respect from the mainstream people, when there are many Gays still throwing shade at each other? Most of the times for unnecessary reasons?

DA-PROFESSOR SPEAKS WITH CHICAGO GAY RAPPER/SINGER

Shortly before the Chirstmas holiday in 2008, I was surfing You Tube for the Brandy/Monica video "The Boy Is Mine" and during my search, I found a link to a video titled "The Boy Is Gay." Curious, I decided to check it out, and while I was watching the video, I was shocked and impressed to see somebody doing a Gay version of the Grammy-Award winning classic. Well the artist who decided to give the song a Gay Twist was Gay Rapper/Singer/Songwriter/Producer/Entreprenuer JR, who's been making music for the past decade. Born and raised in Chicago, JR, had began performing in his teenage years, landing a deal with Jive Records, but like many who were signed to the label, he never got to opportunity to record due to the label putting it's focus on R. Kelly. Frusrated, JR decided to strike out on his own, and he hasn't looked back. He's been making music and connecting with the Gay community. I had the opportunity to speak with the performer via telephone about his career, friendship with porn star Mr. Sauki.

DA-PROFESSOR: How are things going?
JR: Things are going great. I have a new CD out. My new video and single is out. I'm happy.

DA-PROFESSOR: How many CD's have you released?
JR: This is CD # 9.

DA-PROFESSOR: How did you get involved in music?
JR: As a child, I grew up listening to Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson. All of the greats and I wanted to be a singer, so I just did what I had to do to get there.

DA-PROFESSOR: What other singers influenced you?
JR: The # 1 singer would be Janet Jackson. I love Johnny Gill's voice. He's a great singer to me. TLC was my favorite group at the time.

DA-PROFESSOR: What do you admire about those performers?
JR: Janet Jackson. I admire her ability to put on a show. Her singing, her dancing, he businessmind, when it comes to how she works her contracts. Johnny Gill for him is more about his vocal ability. I don't have that, but I wish I did (laughs). TLC I love their personalities and their work ethics. Paula Abdul, she was an excellent cherographer. She still is very creative and that's what I love about her.

DA-PROFESSOR: How long have you been performing professionally?
JR: Professionally, I started at 19. I still have very old footage of me doing shows when I was 19.

DA-PROFESSOR: What made you decide to pursue a career as an openly Gay Performer?
JR: I was making music and a friend of mine said wouldn't it be funny if a guy was singing the song you're writing to another guy. And I said it would be funny.
The first CD was a joke. I was speaking my mind, but I was really serious about pursuing a career in it, but I got such an major response to it. Everybody love the idea of a guy singing to another guy, so it turned into a mission to give gay people a voice. When listening to the radio today, they're into singing songs that we can relate to. They don't know about being homeless because you told your mother you're gay.

DA-PROFESSOR: The first song I heard from you is "The Boy Is Gay" a remake of the Brandy/Monica duet "The Boy Is Mine." What prompted you to redo that song?
JR: (Laughs) One of the stories that needed to be told and again, it was meant to be fun. There was a time when i wasn't trying to be famous. I switched it around to the woman saying my man's not gay and I'm like sorry to tell you he is. Did you like the song?

DA-PROFESSOR: Yes. That was the first time I learned about your existance (both laugh). I remember speaking to you two years ago and you told me you started out as a child performer. Am I correct?
JR: Yes I was. Talent shows. Church. And when I was 15, I was signed to Jive Records. Nothing came out of it because at the time I was about to do my work, R. Kelly had released his "12 Play" CD so that was it. Everyone focused on that, and that taught me not to wait around for anyone, so that's when I started trying to get stuff on my own.

DA-PROFESSOR: Did you have problems getting out your contract with Jive?
JR: I never got the chance to record anything. I never even went to the studio, and it wasn't just me. There were about 6 or 7 of us who were waiting to get signed, but we were waiting indefintely. Then they also released Aaliyah, and she was with Jive at the time, so that's where the money and budget went.

DA-PROFESSOR: I like your song "Addicted To Boyz" and "In Love With a Porn Star"
JR: Competition, actually. There were individuals who were going towards me prior to releasing those songs. It was a competition thing. I had no idea it would take off the way it did because I made a video, and it wasn't one of my favorite songs to be honest, but I made simple, because people would love it. It's a easy hookd and there you go.

DA-PROFESSOR: I watch your videos and I notice that you features guys who are masculine, feminine, and in between. What prompted you to features all types of Gay models in your videos?
JR: Because there's more than one group of Gay individuals, period. I so that because mainstream, straight America have always put in media one type of Gay person and I don't that's a great representation of the Gay community. There's masculine, thugs, ultra feminine. Trangsgender, and that's why I do that.

DA-PROFESSOR: You also did a video with Mr. Sauki, who is one of my favorite porn stars. What was it like meeting him for the first time?
JR: For the first time I met him, he was nice and sweet, and I was very happy because he told me he masturbated to my music videos and that was all I needed to hear (I laugh). I was chubbier back then.

DA-PROFESSOR: What do you admire about his work?
JR: We're friends now. He's been like it's very professional. There are other people who are in it for the sex, and just to have sex, and they're passionate about the sex. He was like this is work for him. He's very pretty to me.

DA-PROFESSOR: Another song I like is Hatrix. What made you decide to perform to Janet's "Feedback?"
JR: "Hatrix" Oh wow. The word "Hatrix." The word hate mixed with the Matrix. I feel like I'm on fire all the time, even though it was a long time ago. I still feel like I'm caught up. And I guess that's good thing. It's OK to talk about me, but hatin' and conspirin' agaisnt me is another thing.

DA-PROFESSOR:I see that your shows features you dancing with dancers. What made you decide to dance instead of walk back and forth?
JR: Janet Jackson (laughs). I admire her concerts and I saw her live, and with this CD/DVD, all the videos will have dancing. I have a crew of dancers adn we're rehearsing. I'm hoping that next year we can do a tour, and at the end of the it, make a DVD of the tour and sell it. I didn't dance as much then than I'm dancing now.

DA-PROFESSOR: I also admire that you're also extremely smart and business-minded. How important is it to be business-minded?
JR: Extremely (laughs). I gotta say when I was at the Out Music Awards in 2009, I met Tori Fixx, and talking to him helped me a bit. Meaning he was telling me you have so many CDS you should have your music on I-Tunes. It would be a great thing to have your music on I-Tunes basically because I was selling my CDs on my website strictly from me, but now I understand to have my music on I-Tunes other than that contacts and business needs to be taken care of. Business and entertainment is what I'm all about.

DA-PROFESSOR: Which cities have you performed in?
JR: Atlanta, New York, Dallas, Florida, Ohio, Indinapolis, Portland, Oregon, Those are big cities. Last year, I was supposed to go to Brazil, but I couldn't go because for 1, I didn't have my passport, and # 2, there was some crazy things they wanted me to do.

DA-PROFESSOR: Last year, there were many Gay Teens and Adults who were being bullied and committing suicide. How did that affect you as a person?
JR: That's why I made a song and video about this. It affected me deeply, because I personally know a few people who were Gay bashed in Chicago. I don't wanna say it gets better, but people needs to be involved and try to look out for each other.

DA-PROFESSOR: There are many Gays who wanna see LGBT Rappers and singers perform at their Prides, yet many pride organizers don't wanna recruit them. Tell me from your prespective why?
JR: If they don't wanna book you, then they don't wanna book you. I'm not sure why they don't wanna book you. It's Gay pride and you have Gay performers; that doesn't make too much sense. If they don't wanna book you, there's not much you can do about that. I don't know if it's a bad repuatation that make people not wanna book you.

DA-PROFESSOR: You have several artists you're working with. Who are they?
JR: Melanie. A singer. I'm working with a young man, who's sings on my second single. His name is Tristan. There's Kyle Daquan. Domonique. Those are my artists and they're not all Gay.

DA-PROFESSOR: What other business ventures you're working on?
JR: There is a sitcome that I'm currently creating, tentatively called "Boys Town" and hopefully be recording by the end of September.
There's my second season for my dating show "R U The Boy?" I'm filming that now and that would be released in September. Then there's the Talk-show I'm looking to start towards the middle of the summer. I have a porn company that I'm putting on hold. People keep asking me to make a movie. I'm not in the movies. Recording the album. I produced a couple of tracks for Cat-Eyez.

DA-PROFESSOR: Do you plan on having a clothing and fragrance line?
JR: Actually I tried to do the fragrance line a few years ago. I took a haul back because it took alot of money to do. I didn't know about how getting it into the store, so I'm trying to stragetically do this. I did make one bottle for myself.

DA-PROFESSOR: You lived in Chicago all your life?
JR: Yes. I also lived in Atlanta for a year and a half.

DA-PROFESSOR: What was it like living in the ATL?
JR: Difficult. Very difficult. I'm a brown-skinned boy and most of the boys who are worshipped are light-skinned boys with pretty skinn and they weren't checking for me. You had a few people who were digging me, but most people are very pretty and light-skinned and I'm not a pretty light-skinned boy who's skinny.

DA-PROFESSOR: JR Me and my best friend Donald Peebles an author and blogger speaks about this issue alot. Me personally, I'm not a color-stuck person. I like both Dark and light-skinned men, but it seems like many wanna get with a light-skinned person, though they may or may not be a good person, and when light-skinned guys wanna get with dark-skinned men, many of their associates get mad. How does it feel to know that people are still color-struck?
JR: You know it's so weird. My friends who are light-skinned were on my dating show, but what I'm trying to explaint it to them they act like they don't know what the hell I'm talking about. And I hate to put this in this context, you know how there's White privilage? They don't really know they have the privilage to everything because of their skin color. Look at Beyonce. She's talented, but come on. If she was dark-skinned, it would be the bigger issue that now. So that's what I really feel. They don't realize they have privilage and they actually saying they're realizing it now since I bring it to their attention.

DA-PROFESSOR: You're from a city that has major history and where talented artists like Chaka Khan, Jody Watley and Da-Brat's from. How does it feel to come from that city and how do you plan to keep their legacy alive?

JR: Well, being an Out performer, very difficult. The new single is getting attention from mainstream America. My goal is to get people to unnderstand that Gay people are just as talented obviously because not everyone in the straight world is necessary straight. And if I kicke the door down, i can give Chicago the attention it has. Alot of people don't know their history very well cause they say I'm the first Gay rapper there is and I'm not; there was a few people before me but I would say rapper/singer alot of people don't think that Chicago people are talented.

DA-PROFESSOR: If you have the opportunity to work with any mainstream artist, who would it be?
JR: (Laughs) There's only one; Janet Jackson. I really don't need to do a song with her. I just wanna get on one of her the stages and do the dances with her. That would be enough for me (giggles). That's all I need to do.

DA-PROFESSOR: You know Janet and Michael teamed up to film the classic "Scream" video. What did you like about the video?
JR: The dancing!! I love the break down scene when they did the dancing together. That was so epic together. I really wished that they would have danced more in that video. I really do. Michael was known to be the dancer and for the females that would be Janet. I loved the weird music. I really want to make a song like that with an open Gay artist in regards to Gay bashing.

DA-PROFESSOR: Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?
JR: In 5 years, I would hope to have cracked the mainstream a little more. I got a message from Trey Songz a few weeks ago saying he liked my music video and my song. I hope to reach people like that and they give me a chance to be in that creative community to share my music with the world. 10 years, I should be sitting on my ass behind the scenes, running stuff beign a puppet master.

DA-PROFESSOR: How do you think you're making an Impact on the Gay Music Scene and Gay community?
JR: The impact is very strong. It's so shocking. I have to question 'Are you talking about me? because unfortantely when "Addicted To Boyz" came out, You Tube shut my page down due to the sexual nature in the song and everytine I put up a page, they would take it down, so I lost alot of people. I'm searching people and they're searching for me. I get messages from people in Africa. Japan. Austrialia. It doesn't reflect on my twitter page. It reflects on my I-Tunes page. When I see who brought what. There are a couple of young guys from Chicago who told me I told them something, they got their act together and now he's pursing a career as a professional artist. One guy told me he was scared to come out and after seeing one of my videos and it influenced him to tell his father who he was and what he wanted to do.

MY FUN AND BOLD CHAT WITH HOUSTON-BASED GAY RAP DUO THE QURE

When I first heard The Qure's single "Baby Mama," my mouth didn't hit the floor. It went through the ground. I couldn't believe how bold, raw and talented this Houston Texas based duo were. Well it's suits them well because many fans can't get enough JAPAN & APOLLO who's debut mix tape received thousands of downloads upon it's release, having fans want more. The duo met through a mutal friend and after getting their hang ups about each other, they clicked and became tight friends and music partners, who's personalities (JAPAN is the wild one, while Apollo is the mellow member) work well and it shows on their music.I had the opportunity to interview the talented duo via telephone and this was one interview that kept me on my toes.

DA-PROFESSOR: How did you two meet?

JAPAN: I'm from California.
APOLLO: I'm from Tennessee. Two different spectums of the world.
JAPAN: We were introduced by a mutual friend and we didn't like each other at first.
APOLLO: I didn't like him. (All three of us laughs).
JAPAN: We're just keeping it real. Now he's my brother from another mother. I wish a nigga would!

DA-PROFESSOR: So Apollo you're from Cali?
JAPAN: I'm originally from Cali. I'm a Cali boy.

DA-PROFESSOR: What part?

JAPAN: Sacremento born and Oakland raised. I flew back and forth between Cali and Texas and ended up going to the University of Austin for journalism and moved on from them.
APOLLO: I'm from Nasville, Tennessee. Home of country music. That don't make me country.
JAPAN: Yeah he country. (both laugh).
APOLLO: I came here for work and ended up meeting Japan and here we are.

DA-PROFESSOR: What prompted you to perform a career as an Gay Hip-Hop group?
JAPAN: It was accidential. Both of us love music and we're really, really competive. Not with each other, but anything we see another person do, we can do. If they're steam rolling, we can do it.

DA-PROFESSOR: Who are your musical influences?

APOLLO: Mine are more singer based than rap based. Old School.
JAPAN: He's the Black dude. I'm the White dude. We call it melodic and infusion. Olaot of our songs, "Revenge," "Turn Off Da Fans," and stuff like that we build on inspiration. James Brown, Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff." Those things. Dionne Warwick for "Walk." If you hear something Black, it's Apollo. If you hear a White voice, it's JAPAN.
APOLLO: Don't push it (All three of us laughs).

DA-PROFESSOR: I LOVE THE Mix-Tape. What was the concept and inspiration for the title "Gay 4 Pay?"

JAPAN: Honestly, we put the album together accidently. We were listening to tracks and we put songs to them and we started playing them in clubs here in Houston. Then in the end, we were like "Gay 4 Pay." If you wanna do anything with me you gotta pay me (All of us laugh out loud). That's real talk.
APOLLO: It kinda started out as a joke. Then we were listening to tracks, then we were like I can write to this. It started out as a joke, then we started taking it quite serious.

DA-PROFESSOR: One of my favorite joints is "Baby Mama." What was the inspiration for the song and what inspired you to rap over Lil' Kim's hit "Whoa?"

JAPAN:I'm glad you like that. I cringes sometimes when I hear that song. Believe it or not, more females love that song, more than anything. Females love that song. We thought we were gonna be pissed, but they loves that song more than anything on the album. I guess it's because 9 times out of 10, they're fucking with a dude with a baby mama.

APOLLO: Everybody's boyfriend got a baby mama.

DA-PROFESSOR: Another favorite is "Milk & Cookies." What prompted you to write about your favorite entertainers and how would you think they would react if they were to hear the song?

JAPAN: We love them all!! That was a ode. That's like an ode. That's like paying homage.
APOLLO: The sexy above the sexy.
JAPAN: If you wasn't on that list, you ain't shit. If they hear it, they should be proud of that shit (all three of us laugh).

DA-PROFESSOR: Revenge is antoher favorite. I love how you incorporated The Human Leauge's "Don't You Want Me" and Oran Juice Jones' "The Rain." He's from Texas too.

JAPAN: I didn't know that. That goes to show you Apollo again. I'm the Human League. Apollo you're so Black dude.
APOLLO: Get on my nerve. (I laugh).
JAPAN: It's one of our favorite songs.

DA-PROFESSOR: Alot of people can relate to the song because it deals with I can't believe that Bitch Motherfucker did this to me and I held you down and you're gonna cheat on me with some tired bitch! (All 3 of us laughs).

JAPAN:We love that song. Everybody can relate to that. Everybody can relate to that whether it's Apollo's verse or my verse, and in all honesty, that song is a piece of art to me. The way that we fused "I will follow him.'I think that shit is gangsta.

DA-PROFESSOR: I like the lines I called your mom's crib and told her you know your son is gay/Takes dick in the ass in the bed where you lay.

APOLLO: I was speaking from real experience. I was quite mad during that relationship.
JAPAN: Apollo's mean.
APOLLO: But I'm really the nice one. I'm America's sweetheart. I'm not a vengal person.


DA-PROFESSOR: You also did a sexual song called "Turn On Da Fans."

APOLLO: I'm pretty mild compared to Japan. He is pretty explicit.
JAPAN: Well the truth is when we wrote that it was a heat wave here, and there was a thunder storm that knocked out all the lights and in the apartment we were in at the teime was very fucking hot and it was nearly 100 degress. We wrote that song that night.

DA-PROFESSOR: JAPAN, you're from California. Oakland has produced many talented artists including MC Hammer, Oaktown's 357, En Vogue and Toni, Tony, Tone. How does it feel to be raised in a city where the Black Panther movement and those talented artist came from?

JAPAN: I gotta show up and show out every single time. En Vogue. Too Short. E-40. Ice-T. Ice Cube & N.W.A. D.J. Quick. Those guys influenced me. Being from the West Coast, they are great influences. If you ever get the opportunity to see us live, you'll see exactly what we bring every (single) time.

DA-PROFESSOR: Apollo You're from Tennessee. In additional to Country music, Tennessee is also known for producing several Blues and Soul artists such as Issac Hayes and Stax Records. How does it feel to come from the state that produces great soul musicians?

APOLLO: That's what I'm about. I love soul. I love harmonics. I love melodies. I'm a rapper and a singer, but I love to sing and I love to rap as well. We're entertainers.

DA-PROFESSOR: You're very active in the HIV Community. How important is it for you to be active in the community?

JAPAN: We want to bring more attention to that and do it in a positive way and not be demonized. That's extremely important the activism. That's the most important thing. At some point we want to bring together some kind of foundation where we can bring boys that's been newly diagonsed in our spot to give them HIV 101 and teach them it ain't over. Alot of those boys can't pick up the pieces. And that's what we wanna do for them. We also understand we gotta get their attention and get their attention through music.

DA-PROFESSOR: The South is known for people being friendly, but it's also know for people throwing the bible belt at gays. Have you ever had to fight homophobia?

APOLLO:I've never encountered it. Being in the south that's weird to hear it. But me personally I've never encountered. JAPAN have you?
JAPAN:I haven't neither.The truth is I'm like an Lantern. I've never been gay bashed and I've never been called a nigger. I've been in Texas half my life on and off. I've never experienced anything like that. Not even online.

DA-PROFESSOR: You're coming out with a new album am I correct?
JAPAN: It's called "The Virus" We are super, super, super, super stoked about this album, because it's our first original. There are ten songs on the album (and) everything is us.
APOLLO: The Virus is more mature. The songs everything can realte to. It's very emotion driven.
JAPAN: It's alot darker and not darker in a bad way, but "Gay 4 Pay" was inspired by people, places and things. "The Virus" is inspired by emotions, situations and feelings and relationships. Not even relationships with men and women, but relationships with God. Relationships with your best friend. Actually the lead single from the album is "Made To Ride."

DA-PROFESSOR: So Apollo you're the laid back one and JAPAN is the wild one.
APOLLO: He's a shit starter.
JAPAN: Apollo's the good cop and I'm the bad cop. Apollo's absoultely the ice and I'm
absoultely the fire. We feed off each other. Apollo's my favorite rapper. I'm inspired by him single everyday. That's real talk. I feel like I'm blessed to be in a group.

DA-PROFESSOR: Where have you performed at and do you have plans to do any touring?

JAPAN: We've performed all throughout the south. We got the change to play with Last Offence and Twizza' We got the chance to rap with them. After we drop "The Virus," we're putting out a remix album with ten songs and we're picking the hottest Gay Rappers. Regardless of whether they came before us or whether they came after us. I have a collabolation with Sonny Lewis. Sonny Lewis is a good guy. Apollo has a collabulation with Tim' M West.
We love Tim' M West.
APOLLO: Nobody better not say anything bad about Miss Jenkins.
JAPAN: Nobody better not say anything about Tim. I love Tim Dirty Dawg. That is my big brother. Tim has shown us n a very short period of time, how to make it happen. When Tim speaks. I'm hard-headed. When Tim speaks, I listen. Because of Tim, we did a show with him and at that show, there were producers from the Austin Music network there, and they called us a few weeks later and ask us to do a TV show. It's a 16 piece episode with musics all over Houston.

DA-PROFESSOR: What prompted you to do a remix album and reach out to the hottest Gay Rappers?

APOLLO: I think that everybody thinks we're stuck up.
JAPAN: While part of it may be true, we wanted to reach out to our brothers. Everybody's putting out really good music, you know what I mean. We're very impressed. I really wasn't really impressed at first.

APOLLO: I made him listen to the music
JAPAN: He had to literally strap me down and make me listen to shit. Not so much now.
We wanted to reach out and show love. We're all in a race to see who's gonna be the first to get signed to a major label. May the best man win. That's real talk. In the meantime, we wanna have some fun.

DA-PROFESSOR: I like for yo to give me a real answer on this one. It seems that most Pride Organizers will hire Drag Queens, but not reach out to and hire Gay and Lesbian artists. How does it make you feel?

JAPAN: In my opinion, I think that in order to embrace things like this, you have to be visionors. If a person denies us, depress us. I kinda blame it on them. It's like the first female rapper and the White rapper. There's obviously gonna be a Gay Rapper. If you don't see that and if you can't feel us and you don't wanna deal with us, like my partner used to say a bitch don't like me, they don't like themselves.
That's real talk. You have to be a trendsetter.
APOLLO: In the south, they're quick to put on a drag queen or transgender. I'm not putting down drag queens or transexuals, but they're quick to put them on insread of live entertainment. They rather see lip-synching.
JAPAN: I'm a steamroller. and I really don't accept no for an answer and wherever we go, we get in. Houston has showed us an incredible amount of love. We're the dukes of Houston. We're gonna start filming our reality show "The Dukes of Houston."

DA-PROFESSOR: If you have the opportunity to work with any mainstream artists, who would it be?

JAPAN: I wanna piece of Rhianna. I wanna piece of Rhianna. I like Rock & Roll. I like the White Boys.
APOLLO: I like more singing type dudes. I like Ryan Leslie. Big shout out to Ryan Leslie. He's a Harvard graduate.
JAPAN: To be honesty, most of the people I wanna work with are dead. I'm inspired by Old School. Bob Marley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones.

DA-PROFESSOR: What else do you have planned besides the album and reality show?
We're thinking we're doing one more mix-tape, and shortly after that I'm gonna do a solo project "Made In JAPAN" and Apollo's gonna do a solo project "Showtime At The Apollo." We're busy boys. We both have strong work ethics. We are both furiously competitive.

DA-PROFESSOR: How did you come up with your stage names and what do they mean?
APOLLO: Apollo's Greek. Apollo the God, little G of music. The sun. He keeps it happy. He keeps it going. He's musically incline.
JAPAN: I'll keep that real. Fuck that. Apollo call himself Apollo cuz he think he fine. That's why. He think he fine. He think he got the body of a Greek God. (We all laugh).
APOLLO: Mind your business (Laughs).
JAPAN: Then JAPAN is an acromyn for Just A Pretty Ass Nigga.It's a big name, but it is what it is. I make no apologies for that. That's the name of the mix-tape "Glamour By Glamour." That's like a movement because there's too many youngsters are afraid of being themselves. Fuck youngsters, there's grown niggas who are afraid to be themselves. That's what we're talking about. That's a lifestyle. We wanna empower and embrace those who are afraid and empower themselves.

DA-PROFESSOR: How do you think that CD is gonna inspire listeners to be themselves?
JAPAN: Even before the CD, I think that everything we put out there. The pictures and everything. We are not afraid to be who we are You know what I mean.
We lead by example. To much is given, much is required. God has given us everything we asked for. Literatually. Winners think about winning all the time. We wanna win.

DA-PROFESSOR: How do you think you're making a impact on the Gay Community and Homo-Hop scene?

JAPAN: I hope we can inspire. Apollo and I challenge one another other. And we inspire one another. There's always gonna be competition, but we love each other. When one of us gets signed that's a beautiful thing. When one of us gets signed, you're turning the light on and when you turn the light on, there's a whole bunch of us in the room.
APOLLO: When one label gets one, the next label is gonna want another. It's gonna be a domino effect.

DA-PROFESSOR: What advice would you to a kat who wants to pursue a career as an openly Gay Rapper?

JAPAN: Bring it! There are two words; bring it! The world is listening to us. There were some kats who got to do somethings with Kay Slay and that's a good luck. If we come to the game talking dumb shit. Talking about sucking dick and getting fucked all the time, that's what the world's gonna see us. I think the world knows we are extremely talented and the truth is we been behind the scenes doing hair and everything. We're trailblazers. We're pioneers. We're trendsetters and I mean that.

BLACK MUSIC MONTH CLASSIC FLASHBACK REVIEW: SONGBIRD NIECY'S SOULFUL UPLIFTING DEBUT

DENIECE WILLIAMS
FREE
1976 COLUMBIA RECORDS
WRITTEN BY DENIECE WILLIAMS, HANK REED, NATHAN WATTS, SUSAYE GREENE
PRODUCED BY MAURICE WHITE AND CHARLES STEPHANY
# 2 R&B/# 25 POP/# 1 UK

Being a member of Stevie Wonder's backing group Wonder Love was beneficial for Soul singer/songwriter Deniece Williams. Not only did she have the opportunity to tour the world with a Motown legend, she was able to develop her vocal and songwriting skills. The result: "Free" her debut single that became an international classic and favorite among music lovers, who still plays this classic at parties, weddings, and while dancing, cuddling and making hot passionate love with their partners. Co-written with Nathan Watts, Hank Reed and former Supreme and fellow Wonderlove member Susaye Greene and Earth, Wind & Fire members Maurice White & the late Charles Stephany, this classic mid-tempo ballad is a well written and well arranged song that touches the heart, mind and soul with music and lyrics that inspires people to be free to be themselves without restraints.
The classic opens with the keyboard performance followed by the drums, bass and cymbals. Afterwards, Niecy sings the opening line

'Whispering in his ear/My magic potion for love
Telling him I'm sincere/and that there's nothing too good for us
But I got to be free, free, free.

The song then goes into a smooth and funky, mid-tempo groove, courtesy of the bass, drums, horn section as well as the keyboard solo and ad-libs by Niecey towards the end of the song, which gave listeners a sample of what she had instored for her fans.

Deniece Williams' debut single still sounds as great as it did when first released during the Disco era, and after 35 years, fans still play that song when they want to be free.



FACTS ABOUT FREE

FREE has been remade and sampled by several R&B and Hip-Hop Artists.

Jazz/R&B singer scored a minor hit with his version of "Free" on his debut album.

Rapper Mic Geronimo sampled "Free" for his 1994 hit "Shit's Real"

R&B Singer Debelah Morgan scored a minor hit with her cover of "Free" in 1994.

R&B Singer Chante Moore remade "Free" on her 1994 "A Love Supreme" and while it never was released as a single, Chante performs this during her live concerts. She also incorporated The Commodores' 1980 R&B/Country hit "Sail On" at the end of the song giving it a Gospel feel, which is why her version is titled "Free/Sail On." In addition to singing lead, she sang background vocals with Phillip Bailey, lead vocalist for Earth, Wind & Fire, who worked with Deniece in the past and is one of her good friends.

Rap Trio Lords of The Underground sampled "Free" for their 1995 hit "Faith." Deniece appears on the song and the video singing a re-written hook 'Let the faith set you free.'

Rapper Lil' Kim sampled "Free" for her single "Can't Fuck With Queen Bee" with singers Govenor, Shalenna Thomas and Full Force.

SINGER'S VIDEO RELEASE PARTY HAD A CLASSIC DANCE FEEL

Singer/songwriter/dancer Farrad hosted a party to premiere the video for his new single "The Way You Do" last night at La Pomme NYC, and I have to say that this performer knows how to throw a party. Dance music came out the speakers, while waitresses served us mini-burgers dressed as waitresses (I had 4 of them and don't try to throw shade at me for doing so either. I know many of ya'll who would be doing the same thing). After greeting and posing for photo opts, Farrad appeared on a stage and thanked the crew for putting his video together and after counting down, the video came onto the screen and it was a hot and cute piece which featured him in dressed as a chef in a diner and riding on a boat and car, giving it a Archies and Josie & The Pussycat feel. After the premiere the performer took to the stage to perform his single with his male dancers donned dressed as waiters performing various forms of dancings from the different eras, while his female dancers were dancing with blouses and mini-skirts on another portable stage gaining attention from the crowd. One great moment was when Farrad took off his shirt and threw it into the audience.
Farrad is a talented performer who knows how to throw a party and knows how to be the life of the party (he got loose when the DJ played a House version of Bell-Biv-DeVoe's classic "Poison.") and from the loved he received from the crowd, he should throw more parties more often.

LGBT MUSIC FAMILY TURNED OUT FOR AWARDS SHOWS

For the past twenty years, the Out Music Awards have honored many talented Openly Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender artists, for their music and living in their truths, and Monday's night award ceremony was a great event to attend, seeing those being honored for their talent. When I heard about this event I was determined to go, and I'm sure glad that I did because it felt like being a family reunion and I have to add that everybody was looking fierce! When I arrived I saw LA Based rapper Foxx Jazell looking like a Supreme with her hot Pink dress being interviewed, and after greeting each other she asked was I doing press. I wasn't; this was my first time attending and my goal was to enjoy the ceremony and do some networking, but that changed towards the middle of the ceremony where I started to post bits of the event on facebook and while I didn't have my notebook and pen, I'm gonna do the best I can to write about what I remember and liked.
Rock singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge was honored with a award and she send a video message taped from her home where she expressed and gratitude of being honored by the organization, as well as stating how she wished she was able to attend, but was unable due to business she had to tend to on the West Coast. Jazz Legend Paula Hampton was also honored for her career in Jazz and she expressed how she felt about being honored. "It's about time" she said while she accepted her award followed by hostess comediene Tammy Peay, adding that at 73 years old she can say anything she wants to and that she was glad that she wasn't honored when she was dead. Speaking of the famous comediene, she kept the crowd in stiches with her outspoken sense of humor, and when I tell you she didn't hold her tongue, she didn't. In fact, she constatly reprimended the audience for not applauding loudly when she introduced the acts who was about to perform. She also spoke about how she has gatherings where the only genre of music that is being played is those by Out artists and when guest asks her to play artist like Nicki Manaj, she tells them of Nicki's being gay when it's convient for her. Another highlight was when Deepa Soul the head of the Out Music awards came onstage, and performed a tribute to the Freedome Fighters with a group of LGBT youth she mentors at an organization, and when I mean they performed, they rocked, singing background, playing instruments and dancing earning a standing ovation. A great and crazy moment was when DJ Baker host of the award-winning Doo-Dirty Show presented the Best R&B Single to Nhojj with Lovani, but another highlight was the tribute to Sylvester where singer singer BSlade performed the late Icon's classic award winning classic "You Make Me Feel Mighty Real" and when I say he turned it, he turned it out! From dancing to jumping into the middle of the audience. Nobody was out their seats. Other great moments was seeing Rock/Pop singer Lori Michaels perform as well as the Hip-Hop seagment where rappers Foxx Jazell, Shorty Roc, Last Offence and Milan performed their award-nominated hit "Ride or Die Boy" with Infinite performing her joint and Baron closed the set performing the remix of his hit "Party With B."
The show also honored Former Villiage People member Randy Jones for his career and he accepted his award with a cocktail and spoke about the honor and how he was greatful for being able to be 59 years old and still doing his thing as well as sharing how far the Gay community came from the past with it's activism.

I had a great time attending the event and it showed me that being a Black Gay Man with a learning disablity shouldn't stop me from living my life and pursuing my goals.

ONE OF HARLEM'S FINEST RAP DUO'S RELEASE HOT SINGLE

CAM'RON & VADO
HEY MUMA
10 ON A SCALE OF 1-5

For the past nine years, Harlem-born rapper/actor/executive Cam'Ron had recorded several hot hits with rappers Juelz Santana and singer Mariah Carey, which gained lots of heavy rotation on radio. Well Killa Cam joined forces with fellow Harlem-nite Vado for their single "Hey Muma" which is already getting spins on radio and downloads from kats who like hot joints. What makes this joint hot are the Middle Eastern beats, strings, flutes, bassline and a hot hook that men will be saying to sexy women and men who cathces their eyes at the clubs throughout the summer.

Hey yo, muma!
I'm saying
Can I come over? Cause
I'm not playing
Bend your ass over, uh, I'm not waiting
And if I'm sober, I'm blazing. Hey!

The song also showcased each of the rapper's individual flow with Cam rhyming mellow, and rapsy while Vado comes hard and rapsy which makes the song even more hotter.

One of the hottest joints of 2011.

BEYONCE'S NEW SINGLE SHOWS HER LACK OF UPGRADE

BEYONCE KNOWLES
GIRL (WHO RUN THE WORLD)
COLUMBIA RECORDS
2 On a Scale of 1-5

In 2007, former Destiny's Child lead singer Beyonce had scored a hit with her single "Upgrade." Well it seems that she failed to follow her own advice on her current single "Girl (Who Run The World)" which sounds like a mash up of "Lose My Breath," "Get Me Bodied" and "Single Ladies (Put Your Hands Up)." Since she released her 2003 debut single "Crazy In Love" Knowles had became popular with releasing tunes that makes people dance, which is cool, being that she's been in the game since 1997, you would have thought that she would have did something that was more mature. Instead she did something that an average and up and coming artist would have done for their debut single. Not Beyonce who feels like she has to keep doing song that can make the kids dance. There is nothing wrong with Beyonce releasing somne hot dance tracks, but it would have been better had the song had more instrumentation and it would have been better had the lyrics been more mature (come on B you're gonna be 30 years old this year and you're a married woman. Don't you feel it's time for your music to mature)?
I feel that whenever an artist comes out with new material they're supposed to evolve and/or adapt withouth losing their identity, and it seems that Beyonce did something really quick to keep her name out in the public, but this single doesn't cut it and it's about time for her to listen to her advice and "Upgrade" her style and sound.

AWWWWWWWWWW..........A COOL AND HISTORIC CHAT WITH LEGENDARY AND NOW OUT HIP-HOP PRODUCER

Whenever you’re in the presence of Producer/DJ Swanny Rivers, you’re automatically drawn to his Latin Accent, swagger, charm and is trademark scream “AWWWWW! YEAH!” He’s also a man that has a great legacy as well as a great love and appreciation for Hip-Hop, which is something that he and many feel are missing from the music industry. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Rivers was surrounded by music through out his childhood, but quickly fell in love with Hip-Hop, and like many kids who saw the birth of this popular genre, he became involved by DJaying, making beats and producing for many of today’s Hip-Hop legends, but when he decided to come out as a Gay Man, he was shunned by many due to their ignorance and homophobia. Down, but not out, Rivers began to search for openly Gay Rappers, and after discovering that Brooklyn-based Gay Rapper Shorty Roc was emerging on the scene, Rivers reached out to produce some tracks for him, but that was only the tip of the iceberg; Roc introduced him to fellow Hip-Hop head, DJ Baker, host of the award-winning DA-DOO DIRTY Show, who added him to his staff as a producer and co-host giving the show more heat and listeners. “Swanny is not only a super producer, but a super producer, engineer and a super friend” Baker said via text message.”I love working with Swanny for his work ethic. That’s why he is a part of the show. He also puts in long hours of work for Da Doo-Dirty Show and him.”
I addition to working with the show, Rivers is also running his record label with several talented artists, who will help keep his name in many music listeners and musicians mouths. I had the opportunity to chill with the outgoing Legend during a break at the BCAT studios in Brooklyn where he spoke about his career, his feelings on the state of Hip-Hop and working with the LGBT music community.

DA-PROFESSOR: Hey Swanny how’s it goingDA-PROFESSOR: Hey Swanny how’s it going?
SWANNY RIVER: Everything’s good. Working an a new project (and you know) trying to do some positive things. I’m trying to leave the negative behind me. Staying in the positive.

DA-PROFESSOR: How did you become involved with music?
SWANNY: Let me tell you something brother. I’ve been doing music since I was in the crib. My mother told me I used to get excited when my father used to play records. OK? And in my house there was always music playing. I learned how to DJ and my mother and father brought me my first turntables, and I learned to DJ from this crew from my neighborhood called the Dance Masters and DJ Scooter Love. I learned from him and I just learned to do blends. Then scratching came around. I saw Grand Master Flash for the first time. It was an instant love affair. Then I brought my first drum machine and started making drum beats and putting accapellas over it adding that to my mix and here I am (laughs).

DA-PROFESSOR: Which producers influenced you?
SWANNY: Oh. Dr. Dre. Just Blaze. Swizz Beats. The one and only Quincy Jones. I love me some Quincy Jones. I just love him period. That’s about it. The newer dudes, everybody sounds alike.

DA-PROFESSOR: How did they influence you?
SWANNY: They influence me with their style alone. Dr. Dre is that West Coast flavor that make you wanna sit back, smoke a blunt and bop your head. I like that. Swizz Beats with your club shit. I love that! Then you got Just Blaze. When he samples and how those hard drum rolls. All that good stuff. When I hear one of those joints, makes me wanna make a beat and get my artists to do their thang.

DA-PROFESSOR: What was it like being a Gay Latino in the Hip-Hop industry back in the day?
SWANNY: Well, I didn’t come out until the early 90’s. I’m not gonna say who, but I was working with certain kats and when I finally came out, they turned their backs on me. It was hard. It was hard. But now I’m happy where I’m at you know? In the Out Hip-Hop industry. I’d rather be here because I’m among my peers. I’m around people that are just like me.

DA-PROFESSOR: What prompted you to be a apart of the Out Music Industry?
SWANNY: When I was at home one day (and) I said to myself “I wonder if they’re any Gay Rappers. So back then there was my space so I went on my space and I typed in the search Gay Rappers and the only one that came up was Shorty Roc. So when I hit him up and he hit me back and were talking for a bit (and) I invited him to my studio and I heard him do his thing. Two weeks later, he introduced me to DJ Baker and DJ Baker doing Da-Doo-Dirty show and I loved it! I wanted to be involved with it. I’ve been doing that ever since. It’s the love for Hip-Hop really and I think Hip-Hop losted it way because everybody’s too commercialized. I like that real gritty, back packing, that real Hip-Hop. Not that (other) stuff you hear on the radio.

DA-PROFESSOR: Which Out Rappers have you worked with?
SWANNY: I worked with Bry’nt. I worked with Boneintel. I worked with Sonny Lewis. I did a track with some new rappers Splash Tea, who’s my artist. I’ve done work with Quentin Adams. He’s my artist. I’ve done work with Kin4Life, Shorty Roc, Tim’ M West, Verbal Science. Anybody else you wanna know (both laugh).

DA-PROFESSOR: You have many artist. Do you plan on forming your own label?
SWANNY: Well I’m working towards that. I used to have SR Productions, but I changed it to SR Music; Swanny River Music and I have Splash Tea. I have Bille Bad. Dirty Hanna. I call them Dirty Hood because of their name. Then I have Clover B. I have my songbird Quentin Adams. This kid is amazing!

DA-PROFESSOR: It was interesting how Quentin was searching for you. How does that make you feel having an artist seek you out?
SWANNY: It’s amazing. It’s bugged me out. I hit him up on facebook without hearing his music and he hit me back and when I heard him sing, It was like wow, he can (really) blow. And he sounds better than anybody I heard in the R&B world. I’m not gonna sugar coat it. I’m gonna tell you straight up. It felt so good and I’m willing to work with anybody, but you gotta be up to par.

DA-PROFEESOR: You brought up a good point about Hip-Hop past and present. Many artists wanna be original, but they can’t due to the corporate politics and bullshit. Tell me from your opinion why is that?
SWANNY: It’s sad. I can bring it out of them. They can do anything they want, but you got to work hard. Those straighties. Those heteros, they’re not gonna accept us, but if we put in the hard work and we put out good music. Stop talking about nonsense like what goes on in the bedroom. That’s why they’re not gonna give us any respect. Talk about everyday stuff like your block, the club and I’m sure if we work hard, they would respect us. They’re looking at us now.

DA-PROFESSOR: It seems like the industry accepts Gays who are flamboyant, hair dresses and fashion stylists,
SWANNY: They think we’re all hair dressers and fashion stylists. That’s what they think. We’re rappers, we’re doctors, we’re politicians. We’re all over the place. Those heteros need to open their eyes and see that we’re the next big thing.

DA-PROFESSOR: Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?
SWANNY: 5-10 years. Honestly 10 years, I’ll be retired by then. My company will be a driving force for the LGBT community as far as my music is concerned because that’s what I’m aiming for.

DA-PROFESSOR: How do you feel that you’re making an impact on the LGBT community?
SWANNY: I don’t know if I made an impact yet, but if I did, that’s good. I want everybody to step their game up (you know). I mean Da-Doo-Dirty show. I don’t see it yet.

Swanny River's mixtape "It Is What It Is: When The Beat Drops" is avaliable for download.

DA-PROFESSOR SPEAKS WITH RAPPER FOXXJAZELL

L.A. Based Transgendered rapper Foxxjazell has been becoming a hit on the
Gay music scene for the past few years. The Alabama born rapper has appeared on the Tyra Banks Show as well as performed at various Pride events around the world, and to top off her success, her single “Ride or Die Boy” got lots of air play on MTV last year, earning her several award nominations.

I met with the lovely rapper at the famous Starbucks Café while she was in New York to discuss business and to attened the Out Music Awards, which was unexpectedly canceled.

DA-PROFESSOR: How does it feel to be back in New York?
FOXXJAZELL: It’s amazing. However the weather I can do without (both laugh).

DA-PROFESSOR: How did you become involved in music?
FOXXJAZELL: Howe I get involved with Hip-Hop? I got involved at a very young age. 16. I always had a love for Hip-Hop, so therefore it’s only natural it engaged me and I was attracted to the art form.

DA-PROFESSOR: Which female rappers inspired you?
FOXXJAZELL: Salt-N-Pepa, M.C. Lyte, JJ Fad and Lil’ Kim.

DA-PROFESSOR: What make you admires those rappers?
FOXXJAZELL: I admire their overall confidence. Their female swagger. Their ability to push personal issues and make them social issues.

DA-PROFESSOR: Was it hard entering the industry as a Transgender?
FOXXJAZELL: When I was rapping at the age of 16, I was a part of an all-male Hip-Hop group. None one knew about me at that point and that is when I decided to become a solo artist. I did face some challenges as a Transgender artist.

DA-PROFESSOR: What are the challenges?
FOXXJAZELL: Some of the challenges overall is Tran phobia. Homophobia. Something the Hip-Hop community is plagued with. And overall ignorance.

DA-PROFESSOR: What prompted you to keep on doing your thing?
FOXXJAZELL: The fact that it was challenging, and the fact that no one was rocking the mic as a transwoman, and the fact that I had social issues that needed to be address and why not address them through the art form I fell in love with?

DA-PROFESSOR: I gotta congratulate you on your single “Ride or Die Boy”
FOXXJAZELL: Thank you.

DA-PROFESSOR: What prompted you to contact Shorty Roc, Last Offence and Nano Reyes for the remix?
FOXXJAZELL: “Ride or Die Boy” was written because of the fact that was my way of paying tribute to the dream boy that I always wanted to have; somebody who’s gonna ride or die for me through thick or thin. As far as contacting the other artists, I wanted to have each of those artists because they (each) brought an different element to the remix that wasn’t on the original song.

DA-PROFESSOR: The video was hot. Whose idea was it to have ya’ll kiss the sexy guy in the video?
FOXXJAZZELL: (Laughs) That was me. I actually directed the video. It was my directorial debut.

DA-PROFESSOR: That was good to see that. I hear its gotten lots of nominations for awards and play on MTV. How does it feel to get all the accolades?
FOXXJAZELL: It feels really good. It’s a music video that will look at as a piece of LGBT Out Music history, but I don’t wanna be stuck in the mode of trying to out perform it with my next project.

DA-PROFESSOR: Are you releasing any other singles from your CD?
FOXYJAZELL: Hold up with Ashley Breathe

DA-PROFESSOR: You’ve been performing at various Gay Pride events. What’s that been like?
FOXXJAZELL: It’s been really well and I’ve been well received. I’ve stepped up my performance game as far as making sure that I had a strong performance element with my dancers and having a visual for my songs so they can get the same feel of watching a video in the comfort of their own home.

DA-PROFESSOR: I know you heard about the number of Gay Teens and young adults who have been bullied and committed suicide. How does it affect you as a person?
FOXXJAZELL: It affects me as a person, dramatically and it wounds my soul because of the fact not only as an artist, but as a person I have an duty to uphold of putting out a positive image and uplifting role model that LGBT youth and look up to and see their own kind and see inspiration to see another day.

DA-PROFESSOR: You’ve made a great point about LGBT youth having models to look up to. There are many LGBT people who wanna see openly LGBT singers and rappers perform at Prides, but the artists have problems getting booked. Do you feel that now Pride organizations will be more willing to book LGBT artists?
FOXXJAZELL: I think with the downfall of the major labels we’re definitely seeing more, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I definitely feel pride organizations are gonna go with major label acts or the acts that are gonna guarantee big crowds first before putting on their own.

DA-PROFESSOR: From your perspective why is that?
FOXXJAZELL I think it’s part a lot of them are not educated on other LGBT artists. If they don’t see them on MTV. They’re not gonna take a change on booking a Foxy Jazell opposed to Nicki Minaj that’s gonna guarantee and the only disadvantage about that is when you book a major act like that, you tend to attract a lot of people who aren’t gay and gay friendly.

DA-PROFESSOR: Which artists mainstream and LGBT would you like to work with?
FOXXJAZELL: Nicki Manji, Ari Gold and this is a far fetch one. George Michael and Tevin Campbell.

DA-PROFESSOR: What do you think of George Michael’s success as a member of Wham! And as a solo artist?
FOXXJAZELL: I think his success based on pure talent and he was a teen idol who appealed to both women and men.

DA-PROFESSOR: What about Tevin Campbell do you admire?
FOXXJAZELL: Well honestly, I’ve met Tevin Campbell a couple of times. Never really had a deep conversation, but I admire his genuine spirit. I admire the fact that he was a really great amazing voice. As underrated he is, he’ll be always be one of my favorite male artist singers of all time.

DA-PROFESSOR: Mines too. What do you think about Nicki Manji? It seems that there are people who love her, but there are also some who thinks she’s trying to be the next Lil’ Kim. What do you think about the public not giving her a fair chance?
FOXXJAZELL: I feel that her PR team behind is a very clever smart team because they were able to put it out there she was bisexual. They were able to convey and captivate the gay audience by putting out that she was bisexual and when she got mainstream success she was cleverly pulled the bisexual card away. I feel it work for us and again it works against us, deceives once again it puts it out there that bisexual people can turn it on and turn it off

DA-PROFESSOR: Do you plan on acting?
FOXXJAZELL: I do. One of the most interesting things about that is that when I first came to L.A. I started off as an actress, but the music just happened. I was drawn to the music but my background in acting is first.

DA-PROFESSOR: How do you like L.A.?
FOXXJAZELL: I love the weather. I love the energy. The people I can do without (both laugh). They’re not as genuine as people on the East Coast. However I live on the outskirts, so I usually don’t deal with the L.A. state of mind/mentality as much as others have to.

DA-PROFESSOR: Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?
FOXXJAZELL: A very successful entrepreneur.

DA-PROFESSOR: How do you feel you’re making an impact on the LGBT community?
FOXXJAZELL:I feel that it’s still too early for me to see what type of impact that I am making, but I d get lots of trans women that hit me up whether it be email, Face book or whether they see me in the street telling me they appreciate what I do, and I’m setting a good example for them. I feel from that aspect I’m making an impact but I definitely feel to see the overall picture you would have to ask me that question 5-10 years from now.

DA-PROFESSOR: What advice would you give to any LGBT artist who wants to pursue a music career?
FOXXJAZZELL: I would say go based on your talent. Don’t try to do any silly publicity stunts; any sex tapes (laughs). All those things will wear off. I’ve had my own personal reasons for doing them which I can’t condone someone else for the fact that they’re doing it for some other reason.

DA-PROFESSOR'S FAVORITE PLAY OF 2010-CYBERSEX

Since the internet was invited in the late 1990's, many people have used it for many reasons including crusing for dates, sex and both, and that's what the theme that writer/actor/realtor Jason Duvall Hunter used in his play "Cybersex" which had a large turned out on it's debut last summer.
The play featured Drag Queen/Performer the legendary Harmonica Sunbeam dressed in a robotic suit hosting and playing the space android who provide the cast to enter the chat lines and recite lines about various topics dealing with sex and sexulaity including romance, sensuality, lost of innocence.
What made the play hot was Hunter featuring the music of several openly Gay artist including Foxx Jazzell as well as the dance number cherographed by cast member Cisco.
The play and script was very hot, innovative and deep and it had the audience members laughing, crying and sexually enticed, and hopefully the play will continue to be in production for years to come.

DA-PROFESSOR'S FAVORITE POP SONG OF 2010

I also love Pop music and there was one artist who made a hot Pop track in 2010

TINO COURY-DIARY

The talented singer/songwriter from Pittsburg released a hot song about accidentaly stumbling on his girlfriend's diary and learning that she not only was she creeping, she wasn't really in love with him.

Coury made the lyrics about infidelity fun to listen to and the music and vocals give it a sweet edge.

DA-PROFESSOR'S FAVORITE PORN STARS OF 2010

Since I've formed this blog over three years ago, I've also conducted several interviews with many in the porn industry as well as reviewed several porn dvds, and in addition to getting off, I also take watch how the star's dialouge, swagger and their sexual performances, which I based my decision on how I rate the porn stars and the movies. So here are my favorite porn stars of 2010

FAMOUS TOPS

1. TYSON-STAR OF THAT GOOD DICK TYSON AND MIXED NUTS 2
Though Tyson has Street and Thug appeal, I love the fact that he isn't afraid to display his sensual and romantic sides in his performance which includes kissing his on-screen partners.

2.Loco-STAR OF SOLITARY
Loco maybe young looking, but he's very mature and he knows how to tear up some ass. Since his began to work with Real Urban Men Productions, Loco's dialouge and character has mature along with his sexual performance and what I admire about him is how he play roles so well that you sometimes forget he's doing porn.

3.MEMPHITZ CREAM
Like You Tube, many aspiring porn stars has became famous by using the internet to get their product out their and Californian Memphitz has been one of X-Tube's most famous porn stars, who's taking his game to the next level with the formation of his own production company. The thing that makes him hot is how he uses the nut from ejaculation as cream on his food (I guess that's where he get's his stage name from) to talking dirty while jerking off and fucking his on-screen partners (it's a shame how he was dissed by Pretty Ricky member Diamond Blue). He's gonna be one of the porn's hottest new stars of 2011.

FAVORITE BOTTOMS
1.SHAWN LEGEND-STAR TWISTED THUG
Many masculine bottoms have been emerging on the porn scene and Shawn Legend is one who enjoys getting plowed on screen and when he moans he moans in his natural voice. He also loves to keep it ghetto by getting fucked wearing a pair of uptowns on.

2. BLOOD-STAR OF NEW THUG CITY 1 & TWISTED THUG SERIES
Many gay men loves guys with Southern accents and Blood's accent along with his neatly short dreads, he knows how to take dick well

FAVORITE VERSATILES
1. SKITTLES-STAR OF SWAGGER 2
When I was watching the first scene of Swagger 2, I couldn't help but to laugh at how Skittles was able to display both his masculine and femine side when he was arguing with his co-star, who called him a power bottom. He showed him that he can take dick and give dick just as well.

2. SOULJA BOY-STAR OF BLACK BY NATURE TWISTED THUG SERIES
Since he emerging on the porn scene in 2008, this porn star has been adding thug appeal in his work, which turns on lots of fans, who love fucking and getting fucked.

DA-PROFESSOR'S FAVORITE ALBUMS/CDS OF 2010

This list was very hard for me to put together because I love music so much. (No one said being a music critic would be easy) but I gotta follow my heart and love for great music.


1. CRAIG DAVID-SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED-Craig David did a great job covering several Motown classics as well as adding his own flavor to them. His midtempo version of The Temptaions' "Just My Imagination" is cool and has a bluesy feel, while his rendition of Papa Was A Rollin' Stone has funky breaks during the third verses. He also rips "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by having a hot call & response with the background vocalists. I also love how he pays tribute to The Four Tops by sampling their vocals on the album's lead single "One More Night (Standing In The Shadows of Love) which was tearing up the clubs last spring with the hot House beats. The album also showcased David's ability to sing higher ranges.

2.MICHAEL JACKSON-MICHAEL-Right before MJ died, he had recorded lots of songs with his lead vocals, and to complete the album, many producers did what they could to bring the songs to life and while it couldn't be great being that MJ had left us too soon, it showed where he was at musically and lyrically and the direction he was headed. Songs like "Hollywood" showed that MJ knew about the glamours life, while "Monster" featuring 50 Cent, who's vocals didn't need to be computerized and "Breaking News" dealt with Jackson's trademark lyrics of deceptive people and the tabloids. Albums highlights-"Hold My Hand" with Akon and his colabortaion with Lenny Kravitz on "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" showed that Jackson had never lost his Rock Edge.

3. Miguel-All I Want Is You-When Miguel tried to secure a record deal during the Latin Explosion era, many executives didn't want to market him because of his ethnic features (some actually told him he looked like he was part Japanesse) so he was pushed in the background as a writer. After years of being in the background, the talented African American/Mexican singer/songwriter decided to come to the forefront and now he's winning fans with his mixture of R&B/Funk and Rock. In addition to his vocals, Miguel has tight pen game that will sets him apart from many of today's R&B singers.
Album highlights: Quickie, Vixen, My Piece

4.EL DEBARGE-SECOND CHANCE-When El peformed at last year's BET Awards, everybody was happy to see that he still had the pipes and showmanship that made him a class act. Well the former lead singer of the family group DeBarge wasn't done there. He landed a deal with Geffen Records and the week after Thanksgiving, he dropped his long awaited album "Second Chance" which started to sell very fast to the point where record stores had to request several more shipments. The CD has the classic El DeBarge sound; inspirtational lyrics, smooth melodies, his trademark falsetto and nice piano riffs. He also honored his family and their legacy by sampling their classic "Stay With Me" for the song 5 Seconds with Fabulous and for a limited time he released a bonus CD of Christmas Tunes.
Album Highlights-"Lay With You (With Faith Evans), "5 Seconds" (With Fabulous) "Second Chance," "Joyful"

5.THE TEMPTATIONS-STIL HERE The Temptations are still tempting fans all around the world and they released a hot CD last year which was their first album of original material since 2004, and it has that classic 5 part harmony that made them famous in 1964. A mixture of love and political songs, the Emperors of Soul are showing the world that they still have the capabilities to put out great quality music.
Albums Highlights-"Change Has Come," "Let Me Catch Your Diamonds," "Shawtyismygirl"

6.ANYE ELITE-SNEAK PREVIEW & JESSE-O-LOVE AND GO CRAZY (TIE)
Anye Elite dropped a hot mix tape of hot party jams and love songs with lots to Gay themes and references including the first single "I Got Him" where he show his ability to rap as well as sing. He also did a Rock flavored song called "My Name Ain't Shawty" and an inspriational song "I Should Be Crying"
Anye's album highlights-"I Got Him" (Original and Remix), "Icon," "Exclusively," "I Should Be Crying," "My Name Ain't Shawty"
Jesse-O returned with a hot CD that has listenings dancing and thinking about love. Teaming with legendary producer Tori Fixx, the Out Music Award Nominated singer/songwriter/cheographer step up his game vocally and lyrically following with songs about being persued, falling in love with a Island Man, and dismissing a cheating lover after catching him in bed with a trick. Jesse also recorded some songs inspriational songs as well.
Jesse's album highlights-"Holla At Me," "Island Luv," "It's Over," "Sober,"

7. RON ISLEY-MR I. When Isley was released from prison, he hit the road and the studio to give his fans a hot album that has the classic Isley Brothers feel; timeless love songs. The CD is great, but what was lacking was brother Ernie's guitar riffs. The digital ones took away from the live feel, but the CD is great and it show why Ron has been able to stay in the ever changing music industry for over 6 decades.
Album's Highlights-"Put Your Money On Me," "No More," "Take It How You Want It," "Dance For Me."

8.CHRIS BROWN-In My Zone 1 & In My Zone 1 (TIE) Chris Brown did the smart thing by taking the mix-tape route to showcase his versatile singing style and rapping as well as keep his true fans talking about his talent.
The first mix tape showcased his sexual side with his versions of Trey Songz's "Say Ahh" and "I Invented Sex" with the latter being retitled "I Invented Head."
Album Highlight-"Glow In The Dark."
The second mixtape had more diversity and it could have done without much of the synsersized vocals, but he did have some hot joints including "Talk Shit"

9.JEREMIH-ALL ABOUT YOU-The Chicago native who created the hit and term "Birthday Sex" came back with the conitunation of where his self-titled debut left off. The talented singer/songwriter also featured some songs about heartbreak and pain as well as collaboarated with 50 Cent and Ludacris. For his next release I'm looking forard to seeing more from this talented performer
ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS-Take Off, "I Like," "Holding On."

10. THE QURE-GAY 4 PAY-This Texas based Openly Gay Hip-Hop duo came hard with their debut displaying their individual flows and style over some hot beats.
ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS-"Baby Mama," "Take That," "Milk & Cookies," "Revenge," "Turn On Da Fans," "Gravediggers."

DA-PROFESSOR'S FAVORITE COLLABOLATIONS OF 2010

Many artists have teamed up to create hot jams and 2010 was no exception. Classic Soul and Comtemporary artists teamed up as well as several talented openly Gay performers got together to create some hot joints that have many of the smart kids talking and pumping on their Ipods and MP3 players and here are my favorite Colabs of 2010

1. LAY WITH YOU-EL DEBARGE & FAITH EVANS
2010 was a big year for El who was released from prison for parole violation, and was eager to get back to the stage. After doing some gigs in LA he was signed to Geffen Records and went to work on his comeback CD "Second Chance" which has been getting lots of great reviews from critics and fans who are happy that he's bringing quality music back. One of the jams that has people buzzing in the album's second single "Lay With You" with Faith Evans, who does a excellent job blending her soprano with his famous falsetto. The song has a great grown and sexy vibe and lyrics about wanting to spend the time laying in bed, and is the 3rd DeBarge connection Faith has had. She sang the hook of her late husband's Biggie Smalls' "One More Chance" which contains samples from DeBarge's hit "Stay With Me" and in 2002, she sang the hook of DeBarge's classic "I Like It" on Boyz II Men's hit "Relax Your Mind."

2. GLOWING-REALZ FEATURING ASHER D.
The music industry always has a Birtish Invasion and this talented young UK based rapper has been getting a great buzz with his debut single. What gives this song fire is his flow, lyrics and colab with mentor Asher D, who bring a smooth yet hard flow while his artist spits fire with his vocals. The hook is hot and inspirational and should be as a theme for those who are gonna to shine.

3.RIDE OR DIE (REMIX) FOXXJAZEL FEATURING SHORTY ROC, LAST OFFENCE AND NANO REYES
With people still having doubts and ignorant views about Gay Hip-Hop, these four talented rappers teamed up to record one of last year's hottest joints that has been getting lots of air time of MTV and Logo. The beat is hot and smooth and each of the rappers bring their indiviudal styles to the track while Nano Reyes sings the hook with fire. The song shows that Gay are capable of doing more than fixing hair and designing clothes and shows that all almost every gay guy wants to have a thug in their life.

4. HOLD MY HAND-MICHAEL JACKSON & AKON-When the King of Pop decided to resume his music career, he enlisted the services of several hot artists and one of them was Akon, who's making a name for him self with his smooth tenor voice, lyrics and sexy African looks. In fact MJ gave him props in his last interview for Ebony Magazine in 2007. They first worked together when Akon did a remix of Jackson's classic "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" for the re-released of the now classic "Thriller" album. Impressed, MJ requested more material and when Akon presented him "Hold My Hand" MJ fell in love with it and informed his staff and crew that was gonna be the first single released on his new album and true to his word it was. Sadly MJ isn't alive to see how his fans are responding to it, but he's in Heaven smiling down and seeing how people are loving the song that has a nice smooth arragnement of string and lyrics about love and harmony.

5. CALL ME-JOELL ORTIZ & NOVEL-A hot joint is all I can say about this colab by these two talented stars. Joell lyrics and smooth yet hype flow blends with Novel's tenor and falsetto and the horns and strings making it a true Hip-Hop/R&B collabo. Joell's lyrics on this track will make people think about their first loves and the ones they losted. They need to receive nominations for Best Colabo if they didn't already.

6. EXCLUSIVELY (REMIX) ANYE ELITE & KAOZ-Being influnced by Mariah Carey, it was no suprise that openly Gay singer/songwriter Anye Elite would recruit a hot rapper do appear on a remix of one of his single and the rapper he chosed was Kaoz, who adds some hot Midwestern flavor to this hot Pop/Dance track about being the one who catches the boy.

7. PUT YOUR MONEY ON ME-RON ISLEY & T.I. & GET BACK UP-T.I. & CHRIS BROWN (TIE)
T.I. was all over the headlines last year for his release from prison, his movie and his marriage to longtime girlfriend singer/songwriter Tiny Cottle from the R&B group Xscape, who's been riding with him for several years. T.I. also put in hard work in the studio and he was recruited by the legendary Ron Isley to join him on his comeback Album and it's no suprise that they did a song about being able to provide a shorty with the good life and hot passionate love making. The joint has the classic Isley Brothers sound which would have been better had Ron's brother Ernie been avaliable to play the electric guitar live instead of having the guitar riff done digitally. T.I.'s work with Chris Brown is a great inspriational song that inspires people not to let their mistakes and pitfills bring you down. You can learn from one mistakes.

8.MY GIRLS LILE THEM GIRLS-CHRIS BROWN AND J. VALENTINE-When Chris Brown dropped his second mixtape, I couldn't help to listen to this song about a guy's fantasy of particpating in a threesome as well as watching two women get it on in the bedroom. What makes this song good is the lyrics about how he's watching his girl roll up in the club like a playa, and making both the men and women look with awe and hate. The vocals didn't need to be synsersized that much, but the song will be a theme used for guys who loves to get turned on by having a women Mack and freak.

9.STATE YOUR NAME-LAST OFFENCE & BRY'NT-The rapper from St. Louie once again joined forces with the Shemar Moore of Gay Rap to record a hot club banger, where each showcases their ability to spit over a hardcore track. Giving the track it's fire is the intro with a gay claming that gays can't rap and Bry'nt going in hard rhyming in Spanish while Last O comes in and letting the haters know that he has no fear.
"I have no fear of hell
I am a Buddist"


10. I LIKE-JEREMIH & LUDACRIS-Many were suprised that the Chicago native who created the song and term "Birtday Sex" would team up with labelmate Ludacris for a hot and sexy single. Though it sounds like the continuation of "Birthday Sex" and "That Body" Luda's wild style and word play gives the song that edge while Jermih's tenor adds Pop/Soul flavor and innocence.


11.MAKE ME SAY-TYDIS FEATURING THE NEW BOYZ-What can I say, I love Pop music. A great debut from an talented singer and a cute and hot West Coast duo. Cute beats and lyrics about seeing a hottie that makes you say different things. I would love form them to do a remix to this song in a ballad form.

12-MY SECRET LUV-JESSE-O & BARON-A hot track by these Out award nominated and winning artists who joined forces to perform a hot track for those who are in secret relationships (I'm not talking about being adultrey either). Produced by Tori-Fixx this joint features Jesse's smooth vocals and lyrics and Baron's flow.