HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Back to School: The adventure continues

 I have been so busy this fall but hey I ain't complaining.  October was a very demanding month for me,  I had to prepare for a gospel concert, ( I had two solos), prepare my own solo set for the Sugar Bar concert,  learn my scenes for my acting class and try to maintain my A average at Berklee College of Music.   I don't know how I did it but I di it all. Everything turned out great.   I got standing ovations for my performances, great accolades  in acting class and I am maintaining my A average at Berklee.  This is what happens when you get focused and stick to you guns.  The point I am trying to make is to not get caught up in what you have to or how long it's going take to complete a task.  Don't worry yourself, don't talk about it be about and everything will be alright.

Albums you need to check out!!!

The holiday season is quickly approaching and some of the best in the business are offering up new albums, I've decided to highlight a few must haves.

Mary J. Blige: My Life II The Journey Continues  The Queen of Hip Hop Soul returns with the follow up to her classic My Life album.  Although Mary has been one of the most prolific artists in the game, her My Life  album  is considered her signature career defining effort.  Can My Life II measure up?  Mary rarely lets us down I'm sure this one will be another hit. Guest include Beyonce, Nas, Drake and Busta Rhymes. Go support the Queen!!

 Betty Wright & The Roots: Betty Wright The Movie    The clean up woman is back!!  Funky soul legend  Betty Wright has joined forces with The Roots  for this wonderful new album with a 14 tracks and a cool title.  This is truly a match made in heaven.  Betty Wright and The Roots blend the old school with the new with guest like Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg and Joss Stone, but the album stays true to Betty Wright.  This album is a must have.

Rhianna: Talk That Talk  The sexy pop diva offers up another album, this megastar turns has been turning out new albums every year racking up the hits and tearing up the pop charts.  One thing I can say about Rhianna is she always offers up some fun and catchy tunes. 

Eric Roberson: Mr. Nice Guy   I know many of you might be saying who it the world is Eric Roberson? No he's not as popular as some of the others on this list but he is truly worth the listen. This independent soul crooner has written some of the most heartfelt soulful music you ever want to hear.  Check this album out you won't be disappointed.   One of my favorites is the single Picture Perfect featuring Phonte.

Etta James: The Dreamer.   After 50 years in business the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee,  Etta James retires from the game with her final album The Dreamer.  On this album Etta puts her signature spin on classic Jazz and R & B tunes.  Some of the artist she covers on this album are the late great Ray Charles and the rock group Guns & Roses (Welcome to the jungle).  Trust me you won't be disappointed  Etta James sang these songs in a way that only she could. She's one of the greats and this album would  a nice addtion to your collection. Go out and get her final effort.

Rapper Heavy D. Remembered

The sudden death of  rapper Heavy D last week shocked the Hip Hop community.   During the late 80s and 90s Heavy D and The Boyz had a string of hits such as  Now That We Found Love,  The Overweight Lover, Black Coffee,   Is It Good To You, he also wrote and performed the theme song to the hit 90s show In Living Color and was featured on several  R & B hits with groups like Soul 4 Real and icons Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.

While other rappers were rising to fame in the 90s with their tales of gangster life, using profanity and violent lyrics, Heavy  D proved you could keep it clean and still be at the top of the charts without being considered corny.  Everybody loved Heavy D, he is one of the few rappers I know that even older people adored.    

Heavy who was born Dwight Arrington  Myers will be laid to rest next week  November 18, 2011 at Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, New York.    The rap legend died Tuesday November 4, 2011 after collapsing in the hallway of his Beverly Hills condo.  He was 44 years old.