ThE vMa'S 2011 hAd A lOt BrEwInG iN tHe PoT tHiS yEaR!

Among the many faces that stood out at the VMA 2011 awards (Video Music Awards), Beyonce's face seemed to stick out the most. Or maybe it was just her belly! Beyoncé (seen above) and hubby Jay-Z are having a baby! This news has been much anticipated for years now! Congrats to the elated couple!

The performances I most enjoyed:

1)  Beyoncé delivered an exhilarating performance! Hitting every note on key and still partaking in a little booty shaking. I was nervous for her the whole time in those heels. In pregnant women the equilibrium could be off a bit, so I was hoping she wouldn't hurt herself.

2) You always expect Lady Gaga to come out with an original outfit every time, and this night she definitely did. Her performance was the true work of an artist. She is very talented.

3) Adele's voice was angelic and strong. I love listening to her sing, and even though she doesn't move around on stage a lot, you still feel her obvious passion and emotion with every verse.

4) I enjoyed watching Kanye West and Jay-Z's incredible energy on the stage. Especially with them sampling one of my favorite Otis Redding songs!

5) Last but not least, I enjoyed watching the little kids perform for Britney Spears' 'Michael Jackson Vanguard' award moment. I had almost forgotten the many songs Britney sang over the years, and I thoroughly enjoyed being reminded of them. Britney is an excellent performer who gives 100% to her craft. I'm glad to see her back on the right track.

BUT! We do have to give it up for rapper Nicki Minaj, (seen above) who took home the moon man award for 'Best Hip Hop Video'! Minaj went on to say this after winning:

"Oh my god!" Minaj screamed. "Southside Jamaica, Queens, underground female rapper, Young Money, Cash Money ... I want to thank God. I want to thank my family. I want to thank Sanaa [Hamri] for directing an amazing video.

"And the Barbz. I love you, Barbz. I love you so much. And MTV, I thank you."

In the category for 'Best Hip Hop Video' Nicki Minaj won over:

Chris Brown's "Look at Me Now" (featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes)

Kanye West's "All of the Lights" (featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi)

Lil Wayne's "6 Foot, 7 Foot

Lupe Fiasco's "The Show Goes On"

Actor Russell Brand delivered a heartfelt tribute to singer Amy Winehouse (seen above), and spoke of her in such a way that you knew he personally related to what she had gone through. He sincerely felt the young singer's pain and at the same time praised her artistry, and compared her 'old soul' voice to the likes of Blues singers Billie Holiday and Etta James. This is an enormous compliment, and Amy Winehouse will go down in history as being uniquely known for her bluesy, jazzy and soulful voice. R.I.P AW.

Overall, the VMA's were exciting this year! I did miss Alicia Keys and Pink (both of whom recently had babies, congrats guys!), but maybe they'll make a cameo next year.

VMA 2012 let's go!

2011 LA

'The Help' CoTiNuEs To RaCk In MiLlIoNs!

Going to see "The Help", the most talked about film since its debut August 10th, I felt in the back of my mind that I'd already be familiar with the concept of the movie although I hadn't seen it. I figured it would be like the 'Rosa Parks' story, or another civil rights film that would yet again reveal the ugly past of American history.

I was correct with the concept of the film, however, I didn't expect a strong-minded, young and Caucasian writer would give a voice to the voiceless African American maids in the deep South of Jackson, Mississippi! That was definitely a great way to shake things up and cause A LOT of drama!

In the 1960's, the state of Mississippi was one state you absolutely didn't want to visit or live in if you were Black. Of course you can't change the color of your skin, but during this period of time African Americans were being treated as if they should have been able to change their skin color, and because they couldn't they were treated like second class citizens -- worse than dogs. 

Things haven't changed much in Jackson, Mississippi, with the latest news just this month of a hate crime against an African American man named James Craig Anderson, who was murdered by the hands of a young, Caucasian teenager named, Deryl Dedmon.

In the film, listening to those maids tell the young writer EXACTLY how they felt; it felt like a release for me. Which actually surprised me; then I realized I equated my personal experiences of racism and discrimination, to those maids personal stories. When the maids expressed their anger and rage of how their employers treated them, it felt like I was venting my rage against those employers that discriminated against myself as well. It felt good.

All in all "The Help" starring Emma Stone (Skeeter), Viola Davis (Abilene) and Octavia Spencer (Minny) was funny, emotional, deep and painted a vivid picture of the mistreatment of African Americans by the hands of White people during the 1960's in the South. Although the mistreatment was much worse than the film depicted, it still displayed the root of the problem. 

I would see this film again and when it comes out on DVD, it will find a place on my movie shelf next to the other classics.

2011 LA

"The Help" gets five stars from me! Check out the trailer below.

ThE lAtE gReAt NiCk AsHfOrD dIeS

Another great Motown legend passes on the torch. I remember growing up in a home, that played Ashford and Simpson music faithfully! 

Who can forget such amazing songs as, "Is it still good to you" and "Solid as a rock"!

Ashford and Simpson was one African-American group that helped to break the mold, when being black seemed harder then making a record.

I take my hat off to such great artist's as this. Ashford and Simpson, we love you and your music will forever live in us.

Check out a tribute and blast from the past below. 

2011 LA