TODAY is Jackie Washington Day!!!

Jackie's Back is a 1999 television movie directed by Robert Townsend. It premiered on the Lifetime Television Network on June 14, 1999.

Presented as a mockumentary, Jackie's Back chronicles the life and career of Jackie Washington (Jenifer Lewis), a 1960s/1970s R&B diva. After several years of toiling in obscurity, Washington decides to organize her own comeback concert with filmmaker Edward Whatsett St. John (Tim Curry) filming the event. The film also features numerous cameo appearances by celebrities.

• Jenifer Lewis as Jackie Washington
• Tangie Ambrose as Shaniqua Summers Wells (Jackie's daughter)
• T.V. Blake as Antandra Washington (Jackie's daughter)
• Loretta Devine as Snookie Tate (Jackie's childhood friend)
• Tim Curry as Edward Whatsett St. John
• Whoopi Goldberg as Nurse Ethyl Washington Rue Owens (Jackie's sister)
• Tom Arnold as Marvin Pritz (Jackie's former manager)
• Robert Bailey, Jr. as Wilson Wells (Jackie's grandson)
• Alan Blumenfeld as Ivan
• Loren Freeman as Kim
• Johnny Brown as Reverend Eustace Barnett
• Julie Hagerty as Pammy Dunbar
• David Hyde Pierce as Perry
• Kathy Najimy as Lola Molina
• Kyla Pratt as Little Jackie Washington
• Isabel Sanford as Miss Krumes
• JoBeth Williams as Jo Face
• Mary Wilson as Vesta Crotchley (Jackie's 3rd grade teacher)

Our Divas Sing Together... 70's, 80's, 90's & TODAY

 

Brandy and Monica - 'The Boy Is Mine'

Whitney Houston and Deborah Cox 'Same Script Different Cast' 

Aretha Franklin & Annie Lennox - 'Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves'

Barbra Streisand / Donna Summer - 'No More Tears' (Enough is Enough)

Drake Covers GQ’s ‘Style Bible’… on Newsstand March 20th

by MUSED MAG ONLINE

There is no secret, GQ loves Drake. GQ managed to grab him for their latest issue… again. Sporting a slim ‘n’ dapper suit and striking a few famous GQ poises, Drizzy ditches his jeans and hoodies for this fashion inspired feature.

Drake also shares the spotlight with actors/directors Dave Franco and John Slattery for the April 2012 issue. The issue is set to hit newsstands on March 20 featuring the ‘Style Bible’ installment. During the interview, Drake talks about the hip hop culture, the effects his music has had on his life and finding ways to deal with fame.

On rap music today…
“Rap now is just being young and fly and having your shit together. The mood of rap has changed.”

Dealing with fame and finding inspiration…
“When I was in my mom’s house, I had nowhere to go, no real obligations. My girlfriend at the time, if she was mad at me, my day was all fucked-up. I didn’t have anything else. And that made for some of the best music, I think, to date. Records where I felt small. That feeling is hard to capture when you’re sitting out here in a space like this.” [gestures to the pool, the tennis court, the volleyball court, the stables] “It’s really difficult for me to find something that makes me feel small.”

On past promiscuity…
“There’s just a time where it was like, just getting p$%^&. Where I was in that sort of ‘I’m young, I’m going to disconnect from my emotions and just do what everyone else tells me I should do and just a be a rapper and have my fun.’ And for me as a person, it just doesn’t work. The seconds after a man reaches climax, that’s the realest moment of your life. If I don’t want you next to me in that fifteen, twenty seconds, then there’s something wrong.”

Nhojj LIVE @ Brooklyn Museum (Saturday, January 7th, 2012)

Nhojj

Brooklyn Museum

Nhojj January 07 Brooklyn, NY

The Brooklyn Museum is having a special "Out & Proud" Target First Saturday on January 7, 2012 to celebrate HIDE/SEEK: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture. Its the first major museum exhibition to explore how gender and sexual identity have shaped the creation of American portraiture.

OUTMusic Award winning artist Nhojj kicks off the Free evening @ 5 p.m. with a 50 minute set including his latest singles "Adam & Steve" and "He & Him."

His band includes:

John F Adams - Keys (played with Keith Sweat)

Marcelo Cardozo - Guitar

Clark Dark - Bass

Swiss Chris - Drums (played with John Legend)

Ishmael Jeffers, Cameron Bernard Jones, David Williams - Background Vocals

Seating is limited, so everyone is advised to arrive 30 minutes early.

www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit/first_saturdays.php

www.nhojj.com

Malachi Rivers Releases His debut single, Love & Music featuring U.K.'s Own Maria Bentley from His Forthcoming album Stereo Sound Escape

Natural gifts of artistic flare are rarely combined into one and allowed such vivid expressions of individuality as with the unique sound of Emcee, Malachi Rivers music. Behind a lion driven force to live out his dreams is the serene humility of a unique and ubiquitous individual.

Having toured the states and Europe with rising and notable Jazz star Marcus Strickland "Twi-Life" Group as the "God Voice" in support of their acclaimed live recorded album Open Reel Deck, Malachi developed the lyrical chops, musicality, and stage presence to hold down two to three shows a night. Working with such barrier breaking talent as Grammy Award winning rapper Cee-Knowledge aka Doodlebug of the Legendary Hip Hop Group Digable Planets, Spoken Word Star J.Ivy (Kanye West, Jay-Z, John Legend), and two breakthrough producers, Jazz trained female drummer turned producer JoVia Armstrong and House/Techno head Brandon Durrette, Malachi's debut album Stereo Sound Escapeembodies musicality, love, lyricism, and the privilege to hear music that crosses borders and not just the charts.

Born Greg Owens, Jr. In Prince George's County, Maryland, a suburb of Washington D.C., Malachi started from humble beginnings with a young mother and step-father who raised him to be a very spiritually aware, confident, and disciplined individual. "Growing up I saw it all drugs, abuse, you name it! However, when I heard music, especially Hip Hop, like Tribe, Digable Planets, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, and Arrested Development it was my escape. I started to feel like there was more to life than some of the things I saw. That's why I took on the name Malachi which means "my messenger" because I wanted to use music as away to get a message across. The last name Rivers came about because I wanted the message to flow like a river, sometimes its rough sometimes its smooth."

Malachi, began to take his love for music seriously auditioning and being accepted into a prestigious performing arts school in Maryland. Honing his craft vocally, Malachi studied Classical voice. "I was always told I had such a strong voice. I would sing Arias and Negro Spirituals all the time. Let's just say I was the young man who loved singing "Ol' Man River". After graduating Malachi, attended the University of Maryland where he developed an interest in spoken word poetry. Malachi, studied the craft, started a group with a female singer/poet and became one of the DMV's most dominant spoken word performers. Winning Slams, and performing alongside or for many outstanding performers including Saul Williams, Sonia Sanchez, Dick Gregory, and performing at the same spot on a weekly basis as R&B singer Raheem Devaughn.

After the group broke up, Malachi began to do some soul searching. Taking time away from the craft, Malachi enrolled in Broadcasting school, graduated, worked hard as an intern at Radio One in the DMV area and within a few months became the co-host of a talk show on a very new at the time XM Satellite Radio - "The Power". In less than a year Malachi was given his own show on XM Satellite Radio - "The Flow" called The "Nu Soul Lounge". The show played "Neo-Soul" Spoken Word, and "conscience" Hip Hop. Moreover, this was the blessing that got him back on track to his musical path. "I remember being behind the mic interviewing Dougie E. Fresh, and started "spittin" for him, being in a hotel room having a cypher with The Nappy Roots, being in a backstage dressing room rhyme fest with Eve and Beenie Man, vibing with India. Arie, talking to Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, John Legend, Q-Tip, and feeling like I never want this to end. So I left it all and moved to NYC to pursue my dreams as a emcee/poet."

Malachi delved right into the New York scene, with only $103 dollars in his pocket and a dream. Hitting up open mic spots and meeting an array of talent. Performing for a month in a musical at the legendary Nuyorican Poetry Cafe, frequenting the "mother of all open mics" Village Underground, and many other spots. "I remember studying what performers did to captivate an audience. By attending these spots it developed me even more as an artist."

Perhaps, even beyond the open mic scene the world of social media has done wonders for Malachi. "I've always been a person to network, so social media was a cinch for me." Through social media Malachi, met the man who he thanks as giving him the opportunity to perform at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club and to see the world, Jazz star Marcus Strickland. Strickland discovered Malachi on Myspace and sought after his talents for his project. Malachi, was also able to meet U.K. soul singer Maria Bentley, who he has two songs with to date, JoVia the amazing female producer who produced three tracks off his forthcoming albumStereo Sound Escape, including his debut single Love & Music with Maria Bentley, and one of his Hip Hop inspirations Cee-Knowledge aka Doodlebug from Digable Planets, whom has blessed Malachi with a powerful collaboration.

"Working on the album Stereo Sound Escape has been the most rewarding part of my career
so far. To put it quite simply I just didn't give a damn about fitting into any sound. I think the album is more of an introduction of what I have to offer as an artist who uses music and words to convey feelings, versus fitting into any genre. It's all a part of who I am."

Hence, the album's name Stereo Sound Escape. "Traveling the world and performing, I was exposed to different sounds and musical elements. I wanted to be true to the sound that I know I can perform with my heart in it. Not what someone said is hot or the trend right now. I wanted to give myself and my listeners an okay, to step away from what we hear on the radio. If my music charts what a blessing, if it doesn't the blessing is still there because I am doing what I love."

“Through music we are able to find ourselves in some shape or form. We are able to visit a place that has been revealed to everyone. It's a special place that the person in the hood has visited, the rich socialite has nodded her head in, and the poor child looking for food has only imagined. However, it is the one place that we all cross paths, regardless of our life story.”

Malachi Rivers, is what you would call a true artist. As an emcee he is compelling and as a performer engaging. Beyond any musical genre. He performs what is in his heart and that alone is a major hit!

You can check out Malachi's new single, "Love & Music" at:

Soundcloud: Love & Music featuring Maria Bentley - Produced by JoVia

YouTube: Love & Music featuring Maria Bentley - Produced by JoVia

iTunes: Love & Music Featuring Maria Bentley - Produced by JoVia
Amazon: Love & Music Featuring Maria Bentley - Produced by JoVia

WATCH: Video - The Talk Party Series: Gay in Ghana

Each month, ACCRA [dot] ALT hosts The Talk Party Series, a monthly film and discussion series in Ghana where the dopest artists and creatives meet over good cinema, talk, food and music.

Over the past few months, President Mills, preachers, and Parliamentarians have made vigorous speeches about homosexuality being ungodly and un-African. In contest to these public statements, September's Talk Party explored life in Accra for young gay men.

These men (from the Coalition Against Homophobia in Ghana) spoke proudly of their sexuality and answered questions from our curious crowd about the challenges of being gay in Ghana.

Produced by REDD Kat Pictures
Camera: Abass Ismael Edit: SelormJay

Jill Scott, 'Hidden Beach Presents: The Original Jill Scott From the Vault Vol. 1'

When Jill Scott emerged on the scene in 2000 with Who Is Jill Scott? Words + Sounds, Vol. 1, a heavy sigh swept across the country. It was the collective exhaling of thousands of women who'd found a kindred spirit; a home girl who understood the depths of their passion, pain, self-determination and other life challenges, housed within a refreshing sanctuary of R&B/soul, hip-hop, gospel and jazz. Scott still has the touch: The Light of the Sun, her first album for Blues Babe/Warner Bros., debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in June. But fans are in for an added treat with this collection from her former label. Comprising new tracks, alternate versions and bonus material recorded during her tenure with the label, the project (available in standard and deluxe editions) transcends the thrown-together, unfinished feeling frequently associated with from-the-vault projects. Hand-picked by Scott and Hidden Beach, standouts include the moving "Wake Up Baby," the empowering "I'm Prettier" and Scott's revamp of the Bill Withers classic "Lovely Day." The raw emotion and range of Scott's voice and her remarkable gift for wordplay are consistent throughout. It's the evolution of a career artist in the making.

We Remember The King of POP

MICHAEL JACKSON THE KING of POP

We Remember the Time

The Power of the Queen "B" Beyonce!!!

4Ever Queen B
by Deshawn Moody

Mrs. Knowles(Carter) has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue since her beginning Diva days with one of the Best Selling All Girl groups Destiny’s Child. But lately the Press has been all over her. With all the controversy from her leaving her Dad’s Management ties to the upcoming release(leaked) album from the Queen B herself. You may have started to doubt our Down-South Maven but as always, the Queen never disappoints her true die hard Fans.

The epic “4” starts off with a Beautiful Ballad where B teaches us all little about the Arithematics of Love in the song titled “1+1”. Ne-Yo was there to lend a helping pen on this one. Next up on the Ballad train is “I Care” which quite frankly my Dear, I do. B shows us why she may still be Dangerously in Love as she belts outs notes and riffs to confess how she really feels. Not only does she give us new music styles and beats but we also get a Duo with the ATLien himself Andre 3000. The catchy bass thumping “Party” is actually the only song on the Album that is not a repeat on the Playlist. We travel back to the 80’s with the mellow tempo of “Rather Die Young”. Another favorite is “Start Over” because love should never die.

The Club banging “Countdown” will be one of the songs for the Summer. It gets the crowd bouncing all the way down to number 1 and is very Ala Destiny’s Child. The funky Brazilian bass sparking from “End of Time” makes it the number one Favorite of all time. This one pays a keen tribute to the late great King of Pop Himself. “I Was Here” goes deep into the Real life of the Queen as she soulfully expresses how she has left her footprints in the Sand of Life. “The Best Thing I Never Had” is said to be Irreplaceable Part II. This tune lets the X Factor know that it sucks to be in his Timbs right now. “Love On Top” is an Old-School feel with an All-time Classic Boy band groups. It makes you want to snap and two step all while clapping and hand swaying. Rounding out the bottom is none other than “Girls Who Run The World”. This Girl Anthem was the first release of the Album with a Premiere of a new transformed Shasha Fierce and her girl posse as they let Us all know that they are women hear them roar. Overall the new album “4” is one of the Moth’s best. Bey embarks on new territory as we are exposed to eclectic sounds and techno beats mixed with Jazz and smooth Caribbean tones. Rated Grade A, Gays Approved. LOVE IT!!

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon getting well-wishes from celebrities on the birth of the twins

BY KATHLEEN PERRICONE DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon's twins aren't even a day old and already they're getting attention from some of the biggest names in the business. The singer, who gave birth to a boy and a girl on Saturday -- her and Cannon's fourth wedding anniversary -- has been re-tweeting the well-wishes she's received -- and there are a lot.

"Congratulations Mariah & Nick!!!!!!!!!," wrote a clearly excited Nicki Minaj. "The twins have finally landed on earth!!! Yaaayyyyy!!!!! @MariahCarey mmmuuuuaaahhhh!!!!!!"

From Carey's longtime producer Jermaine Dupre: "CONGRATS!!! to Nick and @mariahcarey,on the birth of a baby girl and boy."

"Congrats Mr and Mrs Cannon on ur twin babies!!," wrote a member of the R&B group, Boyz II Men.

"Look forward to sleepless nights for the next few weeks, trust me lol!" Even fellow mommy-to-be Alyssa Milano sent the couple her love by re-tweeting their birth announcement and adding "Congrats!"

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2011/05/01/2011-05-01_mariah_carey_and_nick_cannon_getting_wellwished_from_celebrities_on_the_birth_of.html#ixzz1L7X3sJAC

Baby It's You! The NEW Broadway HIT

You’ve seen Dreamgirls, you know The Supreme’s

It’s now time to experience The Shirelles in BABY IT’S YOU!

BABY IT’S YOU! is the original Broadway musical inspired by the true story of Florence Greenberg, a suburban housewife from New Jersey, who discovered one of the greatest girl groups of all time, The Shirelles, and created Scepter Records, becoming the music industry’s first female powerhouse.

SPECIAL DISCOUNTED OFFER!

Visit BroadwayOffers.com and enter code: BBHLM28

Call (212) 947-8844 and mention code: BBHLM28

Bring this page to the Broadhurst Theatre Box Office at 235 West 44^th Street

(Between Broadway & 8^th Ave)

For more information on the show, please visit http://babyitsyouonbroadway.com/

SINGLE TICKET DISCOUNT: CLICK HERE!

GROUPS RATES: CLICK HERE!

Read more: Jennifer Hudson says "I do" to Target when Lady Gaga wouldn't

by Ed Stych

Pop star Lady Gaga may not want to form an exclusive arrangement with Target Corp., but other music stars aren't following her lead.

Target announced Monday that Grammy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson had signed an exclusive deal with the Minneapolis-based retailer for a deluxe edition of her new album, "I Remember Me."

The deluxe edition, which includes four additional songs and bonus video material, will only be available at Target starting Tuesday, the company said in a news release.

It was widely reported earlier this month that Lady Gaga had ended her deal with Target for exclusively selling a deluxe version of her new album, "Born This Way." Lady Gaga said Target wasn't doing enough to help gay and lesbian causes.

Target was still offering customers the opportunity to pre-order the deluxe version on its website on Monday. But so were other retailers, such as Amazon.com. The album will be available May 23.

Introducing Frank Ocean: Nostalgia, Ultra

By Steven Hyden March 15, 2011

Much like the ’80s BMW on the cover of his debut album, Nostalgia, Ultra, gifted singer-songwriter Frank Ocean apparently is out of touch with the times. That doesn’t jibe with his résumé, a seemingly impeccable combination of mainstream R&B credentials (he’s co-written songs for John Legend and Justin Bieber) and underground cool (he’s associated with outlaw hip-hop collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All). But after going nowhere as a solo artist signed to Island Def Jam, Ocean decided to post Nostalgia, Ultra as a free download last month. Hearing the record, it’s no shock that Ocean’s label didn’t know what to do with him. Nostalgia is a moody, frequently downbeat character study, a sort of musical version of the Reagan-era confessional Less Than Zero.

Ocean presents himself as a troubled guy in his early 20s who does cocaine for breakfast (as he sings over an aestheticized shuffle supplied by superstar producer Tricky Stewart on “Novacane”) and can’t decide whether to rue or revel in his conflicted feelings about women (the hit-single-in-waiting “Songs For Women”). Sampling world-class sulkers like Coldplay and Radiohead, as well as Stanley Kubrick’s queasy dissection of marriage, Eyes Wide Shut, Ocean saves his boldest move for the 7-minute epic “American Wedding,” fantasizing about his nuptials as the ultimate hymn of coke-addled self-absorption, The Eagles’ “Hotel California,” plays out in its entirety. Like the rest of Nostalgia, it’s dark, playful, a little tasteless, and absolutely riveting.

PRINCE DONATES $1.5 MILLION TO THREE LOCAL HARLEM CHARITIES

Bleu Magazine Reports

Prince is continuing his mission to pay it forward and pave the way for the next generation to attain greatness. The seven-time Grammy award winner gave a $1 million line of credit to the Harlem Children's Zone and $250,000 each to the Uptown Dance Academy and the American Ballet Theatre .The lines of credit allow Prince to remain involved in and know the needs of the organizations as they draw on the funds to grow and accomplish their missions.

The announcement came yesterday during a press conference that Bleu attended at Madison Square Garden in NYC featuring Harlem Children's Zone's President and CEO Geoffrey Canada and 30 students from the community-based educational organization. The same night Prince concluded the first leg of his phenomenally successful "Welcome 2 America" tour, one of the highest grossing recent tours in the country.

Marsha Ambrosius - new video “Far Away”

Marsha sends a strong message about sexuality, suicide and bullying in her new video “Far Away.”

The video begins with Marsha beautifully sitting atop a piano, playing a particular note in red stilettos. Then Miss Ambrosius and who appears to be her boyfriend are walking through the park. He then comes to her house, and they share a glass of wine. Then, his boyfriend arrives! Blew my mind too!

Days later, the two gentlemen took a stroll through the park, hand in hand, and pass a group of “thugs.” Days pass, and the guy we assumed was Marsha’s boyfriend went through the park alone, and the thugs jumped him. Apparently, the bullying and rejection got to the guy, because he committed suicide by the end of the video.

Continue reading to view the message Marsha personally writes to the viewers and watch the powerful video!

Dear Friends,

Every year over 1 million people commit SUICIDE. Some were BULLIED because of their SEXUALITY. I lost a friend to SUICIDE, and I’m asking all of you to support alternative lifestyles.

Don’t put up with or join in with BULLYING. It’s time we became more aware in this WORLD. Take responsibility to make a difference. So if my MUSIC can save one life, I’ve done my job.

I love you all so much!

Marsha

We Want Peace by Emmanuel Jal

On January 9th, 2011 a referendum will determine whether Southern Sudan should remain a part of Sudan. 80% of Sudan's oil fields are in the south, making it a prime battleground to displace the indigenous people. Both North and South are preparing for war, leaving innocent people at grave risk of major human rights violations. The last civil war between North and South – in which Emmanuel Jal fought as a child soldier – claimed over 2 million lives (including that of Emmanuel’s own mother). Take Action.

The time to prevent another genocide is now. The single We Want Peace is a call for peace, protection and justice for all in Sudan and also for an end to conflicts affecting innocent people all around the world.

Watch the video with Emmanuel Jal - We Want Peace Official Music Video feat Alicia Keys, George Clooney, Peter Gabriel, Former US President Jimmy Carter and more.