Happy TGIF ...

Time does not come with entitlement.  Make the most of every waking opportunity. #TGIF

Remembering Tammi Terrell ...

Remembering - Happy Birthday Tammi Terrell sadly the good always die young.  Lucky for us her fans, actress Kat Graham is set to star, in her Biopic.  It will become a reality within the next 18 months.

Tammi Terrell was only 24 years old at the time of her death, but she already had more than 10 years of show-business experience behind her. By the age of 13, working under her given name, Tammy Montgomery.

Over a span of just 12 months beginning in April 1967, the duo of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell enjoyed a string of four straight hits with some of the greatest love songs ever recorded at Motown Records. Sadly, only the first two of those four hits were released while Tammi Terrell was still well enough to perform them. In October 1967, just six months after the release of the now-classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Terrell collapsed onstage during a live performance at Virginia’s Hampton-Sydney College. Two-and-a-half years later, on March 16, 1970, Tammi Terrell died of complications from the malignant brain tumor that caused her 1967 collapse.

Initially Terrell’s illness was at first downplayed by the Motown Records publicity machine while new material by the duo of Gaye and Terrell was still being released. Many of the singles released under their names were created by laying Marvin Gaye’s vocals over existing recordings of Terrell made prior to her illness. Gaye scored one of his biggest solo hits ever during this period with “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” but following Terrell’s death in 1970, he stopped performing live for the next three years.

SLAYING ....

Nicki minaj

Praying for Frankie Beverly ...

Get well soon Frankie Beverly!

Happy (99) Birthday Ella ...

First Lady of Song - Ms. Ella Fitzgerald would celebrate birthday 99 today.  The Queen of Scat, Articulation and Tone.   She was an American jazz and song vocalist who interpreted much of the Great American Songbook.

Following a troubled childhood, Ella Fitzgerald turned to singing and debuted at the Apollo Theater in 1934. Discovered in an amateur contest, she went on to became the top female jazz singer for decades. In 1958, Fitzgerald made history as the first African-American woman to win a Grammy Award. Due in no small part to her vocal quality, with lucid intonation and a broad range, the singer would go on to win 13 Grammys in total and sell more than 40 million albums. Her multi-volume "songbooks" on Verve Records are among America's recording treasures. Fitzgerald died in California in 1996.

Mother, Mother ...

Happy (70) Birthday to my Beautiful Mother Hazel Caroline.  Mom would celebrate 70 years of age today, however GOD had a different plan.  Not a day goes by that Im not reminded of the beautiful life and legacy that my Mother lived and the examples that she put in Place.  Her laughter still resonates, purple was her favorite color, Purple Haze by Hendrix was one of her favorite songs, not to mention that she could sing the bottom out of any song that she touched.  Missing, Wanting, Needing and Loving you everyday of my existence.  Happy Birthday to my favorite girl My Mom.

Prince was Here ...

'Do you know how many hits I got' - PRINCE

The stage was set, the Superdome building  in New Orleans was colored Purple, that's when I realized what my friends Annias Bernstine, Sharon Green, Rahsaan Patterson Chucky Hughes and Melanie Taylor knew All along, that I was truly in the presence of Royalty, where respect must be given.

Prince was the Friday night headliner and the crowd went bananas.  The diehard fans kept screaming out titles of different songs, Prince quoted that now infamous line 'Do You Know How Many Hits I Got' so

That's the line I'll remember most from the musical GENIUS.  He teased and taunted the sold out crowd, as he performed various selections from his musical catalog.   PRINCE turned out The ESSENCE Superdome Friday night  July 4-2014.  Immediately upon learning his fate on Thursday, my heart immediately went out to my family, I knew that they would never be the same, because for as long as I could remember, Prince was always a part of their life, which in turn, made him a part of my life, whether we debated on who was greater, or when would groove to one of his selections, of my being so absurdly bold, as to try and turn a die-hard Prince fan on to a rare Prince song 'Dont Play Me' only to be set straight.  LoL  Annias, Sharon, Rahsaan and Melanie, I get your loss, tak by our time, mourn, remember, reflect, react, heal ... The whole realm of loss, because I truly understand.  Thanks for sharing your musical unconditional love  of for Prince with me.

Affirmation

Happy Sunday Everyone ...

Rejoice Rejoice Rejoice ... 

My Heavenly Father. I Thank You ...

'Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty' 

Psalm 91:1

Heaven Must Be Like This ...

TGIF

Generate Light, Exude Light and BE Light. #TGIF

Sweet Dreams Prince ... RIP

Book of Genius - PRINCE

Remembering Luther (65) Vandross

Remembering - Luther Vandross on  his 65th Birthday.  Gone But Never Forgotten!!  Below is the original article from 2005 when he transitioned.  

(CNN) -- Legendary R&B artist Luther Vandross, whose smooth, silky voice gave soul to songs about life, love and relationships, died Friday. He was 54 years old.

The popular crooner suffered a debilitating stroke in April 2003. Even so, his album "Dance With My Father," co-written with Richard Marx, sold nearly a million copies in its first month of release that June. The following year, that album won three Grammy Awards, including song of the year.

His eighth and final Grammy came for best R&B performance by a duo -- the remake of "The Closer I Get to You," sung with Beyonce Knowles.

Vandross died at JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey at 1:47 p.m. ET, surrounded by family, friends and a medical support team, a statement from the hospital said.

Alluding to the stroke, "which he never fully recovered from," hospital spokesman Rob Cavanaugh said, "Throughout his illness, Luther received excellent medical care and attention from his medical team. Luther was deeply touched by all the thoughts and wishes from his fans."

Vandross' songs and emotionally charged ballads carry a signature sound. During his four-decade career, Vandross sold more than 25 million copies, each one of his 14 albums achieving either platinum or multi-platinum status.

Luther Ronzoni Vandross was born into a New York City family steeped in the traditions of gospel and soul. He began his career writing and performing jingles for television commercials. He even appeared on "Sesame Street" in October 1969.

It was after a chance meeting with David Bowie at a recording studio in 1975 that Vandross was asked to sing backup on Bowie's hit album, "Young Americans."

Later, Vandross served as Bowie's opening act. Vandross also sang backup for Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand.

When record companies rejected him, Vandross used his own money to produce his 1981 debut album, "Never Too Much."

It went on to top the R&B charts and sold 2 million copies.

By the end of the 1980s Vandross had nearly two dozen smash singles, including "Give Me the Reason," "Stop to Love" and "There's Nothing Better Than Love," made with Gregory Hines. Arguably his most memorable hit was the 1989 classic, "Here and Now," which has become a wedding staple.

The momentum carried into the 1990s, with Vandross recording "The Best Things In Life Are Free," a pop duet with Janet Jackson that hit the Top 10 and No. 1 on the R&B charts.

He followed that in 1994 with "Endless Love," a duet with Mariah Carey that reached No. 2 on the pop charts.

"I was Luther from day one, from the day I began, and I think that's a very important thing," he once said. "I think that's what sustained my career for so long is that when I start, you know it's me."

Vandross struggled with health and image problems, claiming that he lost 100 pounds -- 13 times. He suffered from hypertension and diabetes, which killed two siblings and his father, but refused to slow down until his stroke two years ago.

Of "Dance With My Father," he once said that title song "was very emotional for me and, yes, it is based on my own experience.

"It's not just about losing one's father, but about missing someone who is gone -- for whatever reason -- and the longing you feel for that moment in the past when you were together," he said.

CNN's Brooke Anderson and Todd Leopold contributed to the report.

Just Blaze it's 420 Day ...

Puff Puff give ...

Elle recognizes ...

Strength - *Former MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry has joined Elle.com, where she will serve as editor at large, reports TVNewser.

Elle.com editorial director Leah Chernikoff says Harris-Perry “will focus on the intersection of race, gender, politics, and yes, even fashion, telling the often-overlooked stories of women and of color.

“Joining Elle.com is an opportunity to combine my expertise as a scholar, my commitments as a public intellectual, and my interests as a woman,” Harris-Perry said in a statement. “Politics, economics, and inequality will be important to the stories we tell, but so too will culture, community, family, and even fashion. I am thrilled to tell my loyal television audience where they can find me and to introduce myself to brand new audiences, all while telling the stories of extraordinary women and girls.”

Harris-Perry left MSNBC after an internal memo became public in February. In the memo, Harris-Perry accused NBC News chairman Andy Lack and MSNBC president Phil Griffin of taking away her weekend morning discussion program. “I will not be used as a tool for their purposes,” she wrote. “I am not a token, mammy, or little brown bobble head.”

Harris-Perry’s first column, about HBO’s film “Confirmation,” was published Monday.

Moving on Up ...

Moving - Michael Strahan Is Leaving 'Live With Kelly and Michael' for 'Good Morning America'.

But he's still on the up and up! Michael Strahan is leaving Live with Kelly and Michael, ABC confirmed to Us Weekly on Tuesday, April 19 — and he's joining Good Morning America full time!

"I look forward to continuing to work with the incredible team at GMA," Strahan, 44, said in his statement to Us. "It is an exciting opportunity to be able to bring unique stories and voices to the audience." He will start his new gig at GMA in September.

Strahan, who joined Live back in 2012, got sentimental about leaving his namesake show with co-host Kelly Ripa. "My time with Live with Kelly and Michael has been transformative, and my departure will be bittersweet," the former NFL player noted in the release. "Kelly has been an unbelievable partner, and I am so thankful to her and the entire team. I am extremely grateful for the amazing support I've received from all of the fans."

ABC News president James Goldston first announced Strahan's new role in a memo to ABC staffers Tuesday morning. 

In the note obtained by Us Weekly, the exec wrote: “Michael has been a stellar addition to the broadcast. Over the past two years on GMA, he’s proven to be a tireless and versatile broadcaster with an incredible ability to connect with people, from veterans to American pop culture icons and newsmakers. He will end a four year run as Kelly Ripa’s co-host on Live!, where he has honed his skills as an interviewer with genuine warmth and a quick wit. At GMA, he’ll now have even more opportunities to tell stories that inspire, inform and empower people."

Strahan has appeared on GMA twice a week starting 2014. His addition to the crew (Robin Roberts, Lara Spencer, George Stephanopoulos, Ginger Zee and Amy Robach) comes at a pivotal moment in morning television as GMA and NBC's Today show continue to battle for ratings.  

Strahan permanently replaced outgoing Live co-host Regis Philbin in 2012, after a 10-month search.

Hello My Dear ...

Ryan Reynolds the new era breed of cool.

These are the Makings of You ...

And a little sugar ...that's what you did Mr. Kobe Bryant.  You sparkled gold moon dust in our eyes.  Ever the clever player filled with wonder for 20 years.  Thanks for the memories. KK

(CNN) Fans' final vision of Kobe Bryant in a purple and gold uniform was like many before as the Lakers' legend scored a spectacular 60 points in his farewell NBA game.

The third-leading scorer in NBA history, hit in recent years by injuries that made too many of his final contests a struggle, completed his glorious 20-year career with the style that made him a five-time NBA champion.

The 37-year-old showed the tenacity, toughness and talent that made him one of the all-time greats in basketball history. And unlike many games this season, Bryant's heroics helped to bring victory. The Lakers trailed the Utah Jazz for most of the night, but Bryant sparked the Lakers in the fourth quarter, rallying them single-handedly to a 101-96 win.

Bryant, who left the game with 4.1 seconds remaining, was swarmed on the court afterward by former teammates and coaches.

Goodnight Doris Roberts ...

Legendary Film, Television and Stage actress Doris Roberts passed away late Sunday.  

She won 5 Emmy awards, 4 of them for 'Raymond.' She's also starred in tons of other TV shows and movies, like "Soap", "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "Grandma's Boy."

She's survived by her son, Michael Cannata Jr., who she had with her first husband. Doris' second husband, William Goyen, died in 1983.

Thanks for the memories Ms. Roberts.  Doris was 90 years old.

Perfection

Let the Hunger games BEGIN!!!

Halle Berry still WINNING!!!

ICONIC - Academy Award Winning actress, producer, model Halle Berry.   The mother of two continues to defy the aging process.  Berry is almost a half century old, Classically Beautiful, STILL sexy, STILL contending, STILL WINNING!!

Affirmation

Happy Sunday Everyone ...

GOD please have mercy on my Soul ...

I give GOD all the Praise and Glory ...

'Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need' Hebrews 4:16

Me and Mrs Boo Boo Kitty ...

Mr and Mrs Trai Byers - EMPIRE stars Andre and Boo Boo Kitty met AND fell in Love and got married.  Clearly their love is in FULL-BLOOM!!! Trai Byers and Grace Gealey tied the knot in a very real wedding ceremony.

The private ceremony and reception went down Thursday at a mansion on Grand Cayman Island ... the guest list was limited to close friends and relatives ... none of their "Empire" co-stars attended.

Guests dined in style -- steak and lobster -- and danced to hip-hop, disco and, of course, reggae.

TGIF

When you trust your instincts, Yout soul will Guide You. 

Happy #TGIF

Bryant said goodbye HIS way ...

Kobe Bryant's 20th and final NBA season came to a close on Wednesday night. He finished it exactly as he spent most of it: remorselessly and gleefully gunning.

And everybody loved it, because it was perfect. It couldn't have been more perfect.

In his last game as a professional basketball player, Bryant fully embraced the Viking funeral that began when he announced on Nov. 29, 2015, that this would be his last ride. With Los Angeles Lakers fans, NBA legends, former teammates, Hollywood royalty, his wife and his children watching his every move, Kobe entertained us all one more time with a performance that seemed, even as it was unfolding, like the stuff of fiction.

Thanks Kobe!!!!

The End of and Era.  Tonight Kobe Bryant says goodbye to Basketball.  The Lakers magic was some of the best Basketball that I've ever witnessed.  Lucky for me, I was one of the lucky ones who had season tickets a few seasons ago.  It was the most exciting time, always a star studded arena, always the best party atmosphere, it was truly magic, sexy and overtly sexual.  The best memories with my clothes on.  The Lakers at the Staple Center was Heaven on Earth.  Thank you Kobe Bryant, your Greatness was always on display.  

A trailblazing Rap BOSS ...

Boss -  A true trailblazer ... *The legacy of the late Sugar Hill Records founder/CEO Sylvia Robinson*  will be explored and celebrated in a new documentary from Black Starz Music Television.

Best known for her work as founder/CEO of the hip-hop label Sugar Hill Records, Robinson is credited as the driving force behind the classic landmark hip-hop singles “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugar Hill Gang, and “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

Prior to founding Sugar Hill, Robinson was an established singer as part of Mickey & Sylvia. The duo’s songs included 1957 R&B hit “Love Is Strange,” and “There Oughta Be a Law.” In addition, Mickey & Sylvia sang background on Ike and Tina Turner‘s hit single, “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine”

As a solo artist, Robinson recorded four albums. Her hits were “Pillow Talk,” “Sweet Stuff” and “Pussy Cat.

In addition to Sugar Hill Records, Robinson and her husband Joe formed All Platinum Records back in 1966. Acts that recorded on the Sugar Hill label included The Sugar Hill Gang as well as the all female rap/funk group The Sequence. During its heyday, Sugar Hill Records put out “Rapper’s Delight” and “The Message,” in addition to the hit song “Funk U Up.”

After Sugar Hill Records folded in 1985, Robinson went on to form Bon Ami Records in 1991. In 2011, she died at the age of 75.

For those not familiar with the great Sylvia Robinson, here’s some background on her via Wikipedia:

She was born as Sylvia Vanderpool (aka Vanterpool) in 1936 in New York City. She attended Washington Irving High School until she was 14,and began recording music in 1950 for Columbia Records under the billing, Little Sylvia.

In 1954, she began teaming up with Kentucky guitarist Mickey Baker, who then taught her how to play guitar. In 1956, the duo now known as Mickey & Sylvia, recorded the Bo Diddley and Jody Williams-penned rock single, “Love Is Strange,” which topped the R&B charts and reached number eleven on the Billboard pop charts in early 1957.

After several more releases including the modestly successful “There Oughta Be a Law,” Mickey & Sylvia split up in 1959 with Sylvia later marrying Joe Robinson that same year. Sylvia restarted her solo career shortly after her initial split from Baker, first under the name Sylvia Robbins.

 

In 1961, the duo reunited and recorded more songs together for various labels. They are most noted during this period for singing background on Ike & Tina Turner‘s hit single, “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine“. In 1964, frustrated with the music business, Baker moved to Paris.

In 1966, the Robinsons moved to New Jersey where they formed a soul music label, All Platinum Records, the following year, with artist Lezli Valentine, formerly of the Jaynettes, bringing the label its first hit with “I Won’t Do Anything.” In 1968, the duo signed a Washington, D.C. act named The Moments, who immediately found success with “Not on the Outside.”

Within a couple of years and with a new lineup, the group scored their biggest hit with “Love on a Two-Way Street,” which Sylvia co-wrote and produced with Bert Keyes and (uncredited) lyrics by Lezli Valentine. Other hits on the label and its subsidiaries, including Stang and Vibration, included Shirley & Company‘s “Shame, Shame, Shame,” the Moments’ “Sexy Mama” and “Look at Me I’m in Love” and the Whatnauts/Moments collaboration, “Girls.” Robinson co-wrote and produced many of the tracks, although later she was supported by members of The Moments, Al Goodman and Harry Ray, as well as locally based producers, George Kerr and Nate Edmonds.

 

In 1972, Robinson sent a demo of a song she had written called “Pillow Talk” to Al Green. When Green passed on it due to his religious beliefs, Robinson decided to record it herself, returning to her own musical career.

Billed simply as Sylvia, the record became a major hit, reaching number-one on the R&B chart and crossing over to reach Billboard Hot 100 (#3), while also reaching #14 in the UK at the beginning of 1973. She was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in May 1973. 

Robinson recorded four solo albums on the Vibration subsidiary and had other R&B hits including “Sweet Stuff” and “Pussy Cat.” “Pillow Talk” has been called an early example of prototypical disco music and went on to sell two million copies, The vocals are replete with moaning and heavy breathing, predating Donna Summer‘s orgasmic moans on “Love to Love You Baby.”

Coming Soon ...

Starring Usher and Robert Deniro

Mr Seduction sooo Suite ...

Soul Seduction - Mr. ' Urban Hang Suite' Maxwell is back with a vengeance.  His new album drops July 1, that same night he will be the Headliner at the Essence Festival in New Orleans.  To ensure that his 20th Anniversary Celebration is a mega-hit, Maxwell is already on the promotion trek.  For seven years, we basically heard nothing, from him, now he's EVERYWHERE and radio is loving his new single 'Lake By The Ocean'.

Damn not AGAIN ...

Damn Damn Damn - More senseless nonsense.  When will it end?  April 10, 2016: Former NFL defensive end Will Smith was MURDERED last night, in an apparent ROAD RAGE situation. And it gets worse, the former Saints defensive end was with his wife, who was also shot multiple times, by the assailant, pictured below.

Smith's wife was wounded and was taken to a hospital. As of last night, the shooter was taken into cutody for questioning. The shooter is claiming a 'TRAYVON MARTIN' style of self defense.

Here's what happened, according to authorities. Will Smith, 34, and his wife were driving along in their luxury Mercedes Benz SUV, when it was rear-ended by a Hummer H2.

Will Smith left hs car to confront the Hummer driver, and police say the two men "exchanged words, at which time the driver of the Hummer produced a handgun and shot the male victim (Smith) multiple times and his 34-year-old wife twice in the right leg."

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife was transported to a hospital, authorities said. Police said the 30-year-old driver of the Hummer is in custody and being interviewed by investigators. The gun used in the shooting has been recovered.  Is this foul play or more to the story???

Affirmation

Happy Sunday Everyone ...

Always seeking Truth and Wisdom ...

GOD First and Foremost ...

'Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see' Hebrew 11:1

TGIF

Power is Infinite, Possibility is Endless.  Opportunity is Yours.#TGIF

Hero's Inside Entertainment

The legendary Jackie Wilson, collapsed of a heart attack while performing on stage for Dick Clark’s ‘Good Ol’ Rock and Roll Revue’ at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, N.J on September 29, 1975. He quickly lapsed into a coma and was in a virtual vegetative state until his death on Jan. 21, 1984.

Wilson was singing his hit, “Lonely Teardrops,” when he suffered the massive heart attack. When he collapsed on stage, audience members initially thought it was part of the singer’s act.

Dick Clark saw that something was terribly wrong and told the musicians to kill the music.  Cornell Gunter, the lead singer of the group, Coasters, was backstage and saw that Wilson wasn’t breathing. Gunter was able to revive him and Wilson was rushed to a nearby hospital. Medical personnel worked for a half-hour to stabilize him. However, the lack of oxygen to Wilson’s brain caused him to slip into a coma.

Wilson briefly emerged from his coma in early 1976, and was even able to take a few steps. Unfortunately, he slipped back into a semi-comatose state and he ultimately died from complications due to pneumonia on Jan. 21, 1984, at 49.

Many have said that Wilson was broke allegedly because his manager, Nat Tarnopol, jacked millions of dollars from him.

Now here’s the thing that most people never knew happened with Dick Clark: During Wilson’s comatose state, Clark found out that Jackie was broke. So after receiving word of that, Clark REFUSED to sit by and watch Wilson’s health be compromised because of financial deficiencies, so he committed himself to paying Jackie’s medical bills all the way up to the very day that Jackie died, which was 8 years and 4 months after his heart attack. Incredible!

Who would’ve thought that this unlikely match up would have ended up happening? At that time, Dick Clark was just known as the dude on American Bandstand, but he was obviously a real stand up guy for doing what he did. There’s no telling what would have happened to Jackie Wilson soon after his heart attack, had Clark not have stepped up.

Do Your Thing Alia Atkinson ...

Jamaica's own swimmer Alia Atkinson is the first Black woman to win the World Title.  The expression on her face says EVERYTHING!!! Congrats Ma.

WINNING!!!

Merle Haggard Mr. Country Cool

Country Cool - Rest In Peace Merle Haggard, the country music outlaw who lived the life he sang about in his songs, died Wednesday on his 79th birthday after losing a battle with double pneumonia.

His death at his home near Redding, California was confirmed by his manager in an interview with NBC affiliate WSMV.

Haggard, best-known for songs like the anti-hippie anthem "Okie From Muskogee," "Mama Tried" and "Workin' Man Blues," had been sick for some time.

He had just canceled his April concert dates as he recovered from a recurring bout of double pneumonia. He had also nixed dates in February and March.

Born on April 6, 1937 in Oildale, California — inside a refurbished railroad boxcar — Haggard's life had all the elements of a classic country song.