You have 24 hours in a day.
Over 1400 minutes, around 86,000 seconds, and you still can't do everything you need to get done. Some days, you just want to clone yourself. With two of you, maybe you'd get finished. Double you, and you might actually get ahead. Cobi Winslow just found his doppelganger in the last place he'd ever think to look. And in the new book "No One in the World" by E. Lynn Harris and RM Johnson, it might be the last thing he ever does.
Cobi Aiden Winslow always had whatever he wanted – except for one thing.
From the moment he was adopted, he had maid service in a mansion in the best Chicago neighborhood. He had nice clothes, a law-school education, cars, and antiques, but he didn't have his father's acceptance. Cobi Aiden Winslow was gay, and his father hated it.
Oprah Winfrey is back in the USA after spending time with her "girls" at the school she opened in South Africa, but don't fear, ladies, Miss O will be returning soon in the role of teacher.
"They were all stressed for tests, but doing fine," Oprah emailed fans -- including yours truly -- about her students. "No major crisis this trip. I love being with them and talking to them about all things important. When I'm there I'm talking from the time I get up till I go to bed, about EVERYTHING teenage girls are going through. It's the same all over the world."
Oprah revealed that she would be returning this fall to teach a class called 'It's Life 101' about all the stuff she wished someone had told her about how the world really works.
"Should be fun since I love to teach. And they're like sponges," Oprah said. "Like 12th graders everywhere, this first class is both anxious and excited about going to college. Most will be the first in their family. So it's a very big deal for them, and they're feeling the pressure."
Adding that there is nothing like leaving the USA to get a deeper appreciation of the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.
"When Chris Rock was last on the show he said, 'real wealth is having options.' I thought that was pretty profound," Oprah says. "I now stress to my girls that education prepares you to have options. Without it you have none. Just took a walk around the neighborhood watching sprinklers on the back lawn ... (I love sprinklers) Made me think about the red dirt road I traveled from Mississippi (no sprinklers) to the here and now ... And how that journey could have only been possible in the USA."
Can being in prison add years to a Black man's life? Yes and no, says a study.
Public health researchers from Vanderbilt University studied death patterns among prisoners and found that Black men in prison die at much lower rates than Black men who are not in prison.
In the American Journal of Epidemiology, the authors wrote:
"Based on the relatively poor health of incarcerated populations and the high mortality rates seen after release, one might predict that inmates would also suffer from high mortality while incarcerated. A recent Bureau of Justice Statistics report, however, showed that while incarcerated, inmates aged 15–64 years experience 19 percent lower mortality than comparably aged controls in the general population; among Blacks, mortality for prisoners is 43 percent lower than age-adjusted mortality for the general Black population."
Aretha Franklin. /Courtesy photoDETROIT (AP) — A longtime songwriting partner of Aretha Franklin has sued her publishing company, claiming it did not sign a royalty agreement for a song on her recently released album.
The suit filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit by Norman D. West also accuses Springtime Publishing Inc., of copyright infringement over an earlier song and seeks unspecified damages to ensure future royalties.
West said no royalty agreement was signed for "Put It Back Together Again." That song and "New Day," which West said he co-wrote, appear on "Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love." The CD was released this spring — her first studio album in about eight years.
West, 45, and Franklin have worked together on songs for more than 20 years. His lawsuit asks a judge to order Springtime Publishing to sign the royalty agreement.
Gospel singing sensation Tre Thomas performed recently in D.C. at Blues Alley. /Courtesy photoAfter witnessing one of his awe-inspiring performances, it could be safe to conclude that gospel music hasn't been rocked quite as hard by an individual as singing sensation Tre' Thomas.
While the New Orleans-born but Washington, D.C. -bred Thomas has busy these days spreading the word of God through his music, it's been a clear and direct spiritual message that resonates with polish and professionalism.
"They like the context of my music," Thomas said. "Because of my approach, people have been receptive."
He added however, that in taking the Christian approach to his craft, "it can be a little hard because it's a different sound. More importanlty, "it hasn't been a challenge at all for people to relate to me," said Thomas.
The Howard University graduate, who majored in TV and Video Production, said that because the music industry can sometimes be fickle, he always had a back-up plan in mind. So following graduation, he immediately went to work for notable TV stations such as TBS and BET. But Thomas didn't just stick behind the scenes, having recently appeared as a new artist on the 30th season of BET's "Bobby Jones Gospel."
Thomas has also been reflective of a July 6 performance at Blues Alley in D.C's Georgetown, which he said was a major success.
"The crowd was very different," he said. "I wanted to expose myself to different crowds and I hope to take part in more venues that impact the city."
Meanwhile, Thomas pours his soul into every track he creates. He said one song in particular stands out from his freshman album, "A Natural Contrast." According to Thomas the song, "My First Love," which he wrote from the heart, "is very personal to me."
Another song from the album is, "Temptation," and Thomas said the interesting thing about it is that a lot of people aspire to do big things, but have too many distractions around them. His advice: "Just stay focused and don't let things sidetrack you."
Thomas said however, that music isn't the only thing on his mind.
He explained that he's been working tirelessly to give back to his community, and that the best way he knows to do that is through the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA).
The organization's mission is to educate, organize and empower African-American leaders -- including clergy, elected officials and medical practitioners -- to meet the challenge of fighting HIV/AIDS and other health disparities in their respective communities.
"My goal is to reach the 13-25-year-olds," Thomas said. "There is a lack of education in that age range -- a catalyst for conversation."
Thomas said he also wants to present a summit some time this fall where a variety of issues th timpact the community can be brought to the table.
As for the future of his music?
"It has really become my heart's desire to bring people back to loving each other ... We have lost that component," Thomas said, explaining that he wants to continue using his music as a format for attaining that goal.
Thomas, who is focusing some of his energy on his sophomore album which he expects drop later this year, will also concentrate on hosting his radio show, "Love Ludes."
In conclusion, he said there's one something he wants all his fans to consider: "No matter what your dreams are, go after them. Don't second guess yourself," he said. "And, remember, God loves you."
Paul Wharton recently debuted his single, "Hide Your Crazy." (Courtesy Photo)
District hairstylist Paul Wharton, who starred on Bravo TV's "The Real Housewives of D.C.," has stepped out into the recording world.
The de facto sixth housewife, who contributed some interesting moments on the show, hit the recording booth in May to record the single, "Hide Your Crazy." The song debuted locally, with reports stating that Wharton has been working in Ginuwine and Sole's D.C.-area- based studio. In addition to "Hide Your Crazy," another Wharton single, "I'm a Model," is reportedly in the works.
In an April 2010 interview Wharton, 33, opened up about another reality show he's landed. It's called "Model Intervention," and is reportedly set to air in the fall.
"D.C. Housewives" aired for just one season last year, and while the show's been cancelled, Wharton -- who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but raised in the D.C. suburbs -- has said he had no qualms being part of the franchise.
"I had heard around town that they were going to do "Housewives," and so I sent [the producers] my media kit," Wharton was quoted as telling Metro Weekly. "I was like, 'Look. I am the [stuff] in this town. If you want the right [personalities] on your show, you need to get me. I know all the fun socialites. They're my friends. And I think that we need to have it be my friends - and you can have me on the show."
Fed up with dismal ratings for her new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), the former daytime talk-show queen has decided to bring things into perspective by naming herself its chief executive officer.
Discovery Communications partnered with Winfrey to launch the cable network earlier this year.
"I am ready to dedicate my full creative energy and focus as the full-time CEO of OWN," Winfrey said in a statement.
Reports state that the decision for Winfrey's takeover was made just two months after CEO Christina Norman was forced out of the position in a management shakeup. Norman had been the network's third leader since the formation of OWN was announced three years ago.
Reports also state that the network has struggled to build ratings despite hundreds of millions spent on programming and promotion.
Winfrey has admitted that because she had been wrapped up in preparing the final broadcasts of her popular talk show, that she was not as focused on OWN as she should have been.
The Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum recently hosted “Evolution of the Go-Go Beat in Washington, D.C.,” the second in a series of programs devoted to the District’s homegrown genre of music.
Go-Go music, the history of which has been carefully chronicled in “The Beat! Go-Go Music from Washington, D.C.,” has West African roots and is recognized for its infectious heartbeat-based rhythm, courtesy of its signature instruments -- the congo, cowbell, and drum.
Kip Lornell and Charles Stephenson Jr., co-authors of "The Beat," in partnership with Teaching for Change (TFC), invited local teachers and the D.C. community to listen to talks from Go-Go artists.
There was no real need to widely publicize Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour's recent show in Washington at Lisner Auditorium. Followers of the ground-breaking African superstar were anxiously anticipating his return to the area—the first in three years—and sold out the concert in short time. But N'Dour's appeal goes beyond the area's African immigrant community, although Senegalese residents constituted most of the audience, because N'Dour is one of the rare African musicians who has crossed over into mainstream Western music.
Starting with his collaborations with Peter Gabriel (on his So album) and Paul Simon (on Graceland) N'Dour's distinctive tenor has become familiar to music aficionados on this side of the Atlantic, but not quite to the extent as in his native Senegal, where the 51-year-old is a veritable superstar. Moreover, when Neneh Cherry and N'Dour recorded the iconic "7 Seconds" in 1994, it remained on the charts for nearly half a year and reached the top three across Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Russia and Poland. The haunting melody stayed at #1 for 16 consecutive weeks on the French Singles Chart, which was the record of the most weeks at the top at the time. "7 Seconds" was released as a track on N'Dour's album The Guide (Wommat), shortly after the single and in 1996 it was included on the Neneh Cherry's album Man.
Since then, N'Dour has been the subject of two documentary films, "Return to Goree," and "Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love" which chronicled the making of his Grammy-award winning, yet controversial recording, Egypt. in 2004. Although the album was set for release in 2001, after 9/11 the singer delayed it, but still drew criticism as being an unsuitable representation of Islamic music, as it crossed over into the pop music genre.
Seven years later, N'Dour is once again, crossing boundaries and oceans, this time with his recent recording Dakar-Kingston released in the United States in June on the Emarcy label. As an advocate of traditional and popular African music, N'Dour sought to establish the relationship between reggae music and its roots in Africa, which includes new music (the opening tune "Marley" pays homage to the late Bob Marley after a musical introduction on the talking drum) and by revisiting his own hits in a reggae rhythm. The result is a totally accessible conglomeration of roots reggae and mbalax, utilizing the talents of the reggae music industry's most revered musicians; Wailer's keyboardist Tyrone Downie, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Bongo Herman and dub poet Mutabaruka. Although about half of the songs are sung in N'Dour's native Wolof language, the vibe is bouncy and familiar, even if the words are not. But many of the songs are sung in English, like the beautiful tribute "Black Woman," "Africa Dream Again," with Nigerian singer Ayo, and "Don't Walk Away," featuring Jamaican artists Morgan Heritage. He closes out the recording in the same mode as it opened with a cover of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song," which through the voice of N'Dour, takes on the same deep dimension as when Marley recorded it in 1979.
Named "African Artist of the Century," by England's iRoots Magazine and included in "TIME 100" Time Magazine's list of the "hundred men and women whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world," after 30 years of genre-bending, songwriting, recording and promoting Senegal's mbalax style of music, Youssou N'Dour still sounds as fresh as ever.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick / Courtesy photoFormer Detroit Mayor Pens New Book
DETROIT — Until the lion tells his story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
This African proverb has been a running theme for African Americans since their existence in the New World. It's no different today, especially for former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
Recognizing that even with the multitude of press Kipatrick has received since his entrance into public service almost a decade ago, the disgraced mayor's story was yet to be told in his own words. In his book, "Surrendered: The Rise, Fall and Revelation of Kwame Malik Kilpatrick!" released this month with journalist KharyKimani Turner, Kilpatrick finally gets to tell his story — "unreported, uneditorialized and uninterrupted."
Written by By Zenobia Jeffries-Special to the NNPA from The Michigan Citizen
You swore it was the last time.
Never again were you going to get in the middle of a friend's business. You weren't going to say a thing, you were just going to stay out of it.
Until the next time when she asked your advice, did something dumb, stumbled into something bad, and you were right back in the middle all over again.
Monica Cole knew all about that. She just couldn't keep her mouth shut when it came to her best friend Henna's affairs. Especially when, as in the new book "Three Chords and The Truth" by Cas Sigers, the affair hit too close to home.
Henna James was done.
She was tired of touring and sick of singing, even though that was all she'd wanted to do since she was skinny little Henna Marie Jameston from Mississippi. She had legions of fans and her concerts were usually sold out but she was taking some time off, starting immediately.
Maybe it all had to do with her former-boyfriend-ex-manager, Ahmed. Performing and keeping up appearances was too difficult since he'd hurt her so badly.
Freddie Jackson performs July 15 at DAR Constitution Hall in D.C. (Courtesy Photo)When Freddie Jackson brings his romantic, soulful ballads to DAR Constitution Hall on July 15 as part of the “Men of Soul” tour -- which also features R&B legends Jeffery Osbourne and Peabo Bryson -- fans can look forward to seeing an entertainer whose propensity for going full force, remains unwavering.
Known as a hard-worker who believes in giving his fans their money’s worth, Jackson said he was honored to be a part of the tour, having admired the works of Osbourne and Bryson since he was in junior high school.
“Peabo Bryson told me that I was like a little brother to him,” Jackson said in a recent interview with the Washington Informer. “I have learned a lot from these guys while on tour -- in fact, we’ve learned a lot from each other.”
However, the 54-year-old Harlem-born singer whose career began in the mid-1980s, attributes his longevity to “my amazing fans,” and feels blessed to have made “great” music for so long.
“I believe I have that special gift,” Jackson said, while crediting the late Luther Vandross for encouraging him to develop his niche.
But according to Jackson, the music industry is more concerned about what’s happening now, as opposed to expressing interest in music that lasts.
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