Three of R&B’s most remarkable voices have joined female forces for a noteworthy cause — empowering millions more to use their voices to bring about positive change. “The power to move the world begins with a single voice, and a single voice can be the match to light the fire of hope, love and progress for women and the world,” a statement from the Queen Project team. That’s the mission for The Queen Project, a pro-social movement started by award-winning R&B/soul singers Tamia, Deborah Cox, and Kelly Price. “We all share the same passion for music but it was our pro-social and charitable work that bought us together,” says Grammy-winner Kelly Price.
Superstar philanthropist and humanitarian Wyclef Jean performed at the Nokia Theatre in New York at an exclusive lunch time jam session for the media and a handful of adoring fans. Wyclef was joined on stage by none other than New York's own Maino!! Of course, Red Carpet Shelley was invited and the team was on the scene!
This lunch-time jam session with Wyclef was sponsored by Western Union who also gave a huge check ($225,000) to Wyclef's charity Yele. Yele is a Haitian grassroots movement inspiring change in Haiti through programs in education, sports, the arts and environment. I love this guy! Wyclef has single-handedly put Haiti on the philanthropic map. He works tirelessly to raise funds, awareness and love for Haiti. Keep up the good work Wyclef!
The 37-year old Grammy Award winner is promoting his new CD project “From the Hut, to the Projects, to the Mansion”, which was released on November 10. He partnered with mix tape master DJ Drama, a New York hip-hop DJ who is synonymous with all things hip hop in New York. He opened up with a guitar solo singing “No Woman No Cry”. He also performed Fugee songs and old songs “Hips don’t lie”. He even had a professional belly dancer, in lieu of Shakira, give a few handpicked fans lessons on stage! It was bananas! At the end of the concert, as promised, Wyclef gave out $50.00 Western Union cards to fans. It was the best free lunch I ever had! Check out the video footage (click read more).
Last night Atlanta played host to the 2009 Soul Train Awards which returned after a two year break. The who's who of the black music industry attended the event including, of course, co-hosts Taraji P. Hensen and Terrence Howard, Charlie Wilson, Chaka Khan, Toni Braxton, Keri Hilson, Monica, Chrisette Michelle, Keith Sweat, MC Hammer, Fantasia (who has lost much weight and looks great!), Chico DeBarge and the list goes on. However, there were quite a few big no shows as well. Among the no shows: Beyonce, Kanye West, Maxwell, Mary Mary, Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson and Drake. The absentees were glaring because many of them won awards but were not present to accept. Beyonce won several awards including Best Album. Mary, Mary and Maxwell also won awards. Some of the moments of note, Charlie Wilson receiving the Soul Train Legend Award and a special tribute performance. The tribute included performances by Keith Sweat, Genuwine, Raheem DeVaughn, Brian Mcknight, K-Ci and JoJo and Kandi. Angie Stone did a tribute to Chaka Khan by performing "Ain't Nobody". The act was highlighted by Chaka jumping in at the end to duet with Angie spontaneously (hope this isn't edited out!).
Recently, the New Jersey ReggaeFest was held in New Jersey at Bears Stadium. Fabolous amongst others performed at the venue repping for his Dominican heritage. As usual, Mr. Throw in the Bag's, casual, laid back flow is captivating. Enjoy and keep checking back for new, hot videos!
Facing another possible concert cancellation on his "Rasta Got Soul" tour, reggae icon Buju Banton sat down for a meeting this week with leaders from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities. Buju Banton's concert stop in San Francisco had been highly protested and set for cancellation so Buju along with his manager Tracii McGregor made the decision to participate in the face-to-face meeting. The issue at hand is the lyrics to Buju's 1992 song "Boom Bye Bye". The song has been described by gay activists as inciting violence against the LGBT community and fostering homophobia. On the subject, Buju stated "I don't perform the song anymore. The reality is, I've gone past that." Last week after a canceled L.A. concert Buju said "At this point, I can only hope that my body of work speaks for itself and that anyone still offended by the lyrics of my youth will take the time to explore my catalog or come to one of my shows before reducing my character and entire musical repertoire to a single song." I agree with Buju in that one song does not an artist make.
From my perspective, the meeting was necessary however, I'm not sure if anything new really came out of it. Buju has been asked by the LGBT leaders to take a stand in support of gay rights issues even possibly hosting a town hall in Jamaica (I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that one!). Buju didn't make any such commitments. Instead, I think Buju is hoping his life's body of music will be the example and not one song written 17 years ago. "I've been actively doing some of the stuff you mention,"referring to his his anti-AIDS organization called Operation Willy founded in 1994.I am an avid fan of Buju and have been following him for quite some time. I cannot recall ever seeing him perform the song including last month's performance at the New Jersey Reggae Fest (pictured above). "I don't advocate violence, Rastafari is not about that". Nuff said Buju!
Superstar philanthropist and humanitarian Wyclef Jean performed at the Nokia Theatre in New York at an exclusive lunch time jam session for the media and a handful of adoring fans. Wyclef was joined on stage by none other than New York's own
