Soul Cities with Nelson George VH1 Soul gets 2nd Season!

Here's quick response on from Facebook from Nelson George about the good news!

Soul Cities - Season 2

"Just got the word today, even before the show debuts on VH1 Soul, we've
already been picked up for season two! The exe's there are so happy with
what they've seen that they gave us the go ahead to prep more shows for
2009. So far we've agreed to do Miami, Detroit, Atlanta and Brooklyn. If you
are in any of those cities and have restaurants, singers or soul landmarks
you want to highlight,please let me know on this page. If you want your city
on the show, please send me some recommendations and links to places and
people. We should have the full line up for season two by January. In the
mean time, remember the show debuts on VH1 Soul November 11 at 9pm with a
look at Philadelphia. peace"


Soul Cities
with Nelson George

A VH1 Soul Original Program

'Soul Cities' fuses elements of a travel show, music interview series, and personal essay into half hour broadcast aimed at the adult audience that grew up with r&b/soul culture. Each week host Nelson George visits a great American city in search of its "soul" by visiting musically important sites, eating and drinking at local hang outs, interviewing musicians associated with the city, and turning viewers on to great parties and new music. The broadcast will blend travelogue footage of each Soul City with sit-down interviews and tips on places to shop and dine. The accompanying Soul Cities website will deepen viewers immersion in this soulful experience.

George, who co-executive produces VH1's Hip Hop Honors, is one of the nation's leading authorities on black music, so he brings years of knowledge and credibility to Soul Cities. The pilot is being shot in Los Angeles. Subsequent shows will emanate from musically important cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Memphis, Atlanta, New York, New Orleans, and San Francisco/Oakland.

George's company Urban Romances will be executive producing with Jac Benson's BlacJac Productions, who's done a variety for show for VH1.

Videos: Anthony Hamilton & Nikka Costa

My favorite male vocalist Anthony Hamilton is back with a new single & video "Cool" feat David Banner from his upcoming album "The Point of it All".






Also Nikka Costa's new video "Stuck On You" from her new album "Pebble To A Pearl" out now. Loves me some Ms. Costa. She's on tour, I missed her when she came thru Dallas. The album is pretty good, she stays true to her roots and gives you the smokey, funky soul she's known for.

Colin Powell Endorses Barak Obama & Early Voting

Not only did a high profile Republican endorse Obama, but people are going out to vote early in record numbers. Today in Texas, there were long lines with there being few and far between places to park at all the early voting stations. This is great in theory I just hope there is a trickle down effect where we get the right people in the office in house and the senate as well.


Click here for information on early voting in Texas.

New Musiq Soulchild Video feat. Mary J. Blige "If U Leave"

Here's Musiq's new single off his new album "On My Radio" in stores 12/09. The title track didn't far that well with his fans so he's come back with the bangin ballad.

Terrance Howard is replaced by Don Cheadle in Iron Man Sequel

By Borys Kit

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In a surprise move, Don Cheadle will replace Terrence Howard as Robert Downey Jr's best friend in "Iron Man 2," the sequel to the superhero saga.

In the Marvel Studios summer smash, Howard played Jim Rhodes, Tony Stark/Iron Man's future armor-clad hero War Machine. One scene featured Howard looking at a silver suit of armor and saying "Next time," a line that caused great delight for fans.

But there will be no next time for Howard.

Marvel had no comment, but sources close to the deal said negotiations with Howard fell through over financial differences, among other reasons.

Marvel, which had wanted to work with Cheadle, then decided to take the role in another direction and approached the actor, who is shooting
Antoine Fuqua's "Brooklyn's Finest" with Richard Gere and Ethan Hawke.

The Rhodes character is expected to play a larger part in the sequel, which is rumored to go beyond high-tech villains. Justin Theroux is writing the screenplay.

Jon Favreau is returning as director, and Downey is expected back as billionaire industrialist Stark/Iron Man. Gwyneth Paltrow also is expected to be back as Stark's assistant, Pepper Potts. "Iron Man 2" is scheduled for release on May 7, 2010;

Cheadle most recently starred in "Traitor," a thriller on which he was also a producer. He will next be seen in DreamWorks' "Hotel for Dogs."
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Emmett Till Law Passed

I guess our reparations are coming late and in small steps. It seems as if America is always a day late and a dollar short. Now when we need to be focused on 14 year old black youth killing each other we are focusing on 53 year old crimes. Another distraction and a way for white america to feel like they've done the right thing. Clap, clap, bravo, bravo.....




Taken from the ACLU press release:
The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act authorizes the attorney general of the Department of Justice to spend $10 million annually over 10 years to investigate and prosecute these cold cases.

The legislation is named in honor of Emmett Till, a 14 year-old African-American teenager whose 1955 brutal murder for allegedly whistling at a white woman remains unsolved today. After passing the House in June 2007, 422-2, it passed the Senate by unanimous consent on September 24, 2008.

The following can be attributed to Deborah J. Vagins, ACLU Legislative Counsel:

“The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act addresses the long overdue investigations into civil rights era murders. Time is of the essence in these cold cases, where witnesses and suspects are aging and physical evidence may be scant.

“With the passage of this act, the Department of Justice has the added resources to finally resolve civil rights era crimes. This law, which bears the name of a young boy whose horrific death 53 years ago helped propel the civil rights movement in America, will finally ensure that those guilty of civil rights crimes will be held accountable. This law means justice delayed, no longer has to be justice denied.”

Writer of "If I Was A Boy" BC Jean

"If I Were A Boy" Beyonce

I really like this video

Mary Mary The Sound 10/21

F. Gary Gray to direct Marvin Gaye Biopic

F. Gary Gray is set to direct "Marvin" - a biopic of iconic singer Marvin Gaye with C. Gaby Mitchell signed on to write the script.

Variety reports the film will be produced by David Foster with Duncan McGillivray. The duo are planning to shop the film to studios and financiers next week and the production does have complete music rights to Gaye’s catalog of songs –including his biggest hits "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Heard It Through the Grapevine," "What's Goin' On" and "Let's Get It On."

Filmmakers are planning to have the movie’s star lip synch to Gaye’s original recordings.

Gray (“The Italian Job”) has wanted to get a film made about Gaye, but the project hung on the music rights. The director will have competition for Gaye’s life story with the James Gandolfini produced “Sexual Healing” also in the works.

"Sexual Healing" (which stars Jesse L. Martin) is said to focus on Gaye’s declining years in the music industry due to the film only receiving the rights to Gaye’s post-Motown career.

Gray’s “Marvin” will cover the singer’s entire life including his rise at Motown, his defiance of Berry Gordy with the recording of "What's Goin' On," and his death in 1984.

U-N-I Soul Hop: I LOVE THIS!

In stores now "Fried Chicken & Watermelon"
www.myspace.com/unimuzik

John Legend & Raphael Saadiq Tour Announced

John Legend kicks off his new album "Evolver" with a tour w/Raphael Saadiq. JL's "Evolver hits stores 10/28 and features guests Andre 3000, Estelle, Brandy ("Human" 11/11) & Kanye West. Check them out when they come to a town near you.

11/19 in Minneapolis, MN @ Northrop Auditorium
11/20 in Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
11/24 in E. Lansing, MI @ Wharton Center For Performing Arts
11/26 in Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre
11/28 in Toronto, Ont. @ Roy Thompson Hall
11/29 in Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
12/1 in Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
12/2 in Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
12/5 in Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theater
12/8 in Baltimore, MD @ Lyric Theatre
12/9 in Washington, DC @ Constitution Hall
12/10 in Greenville, SC @ Peace Center
12/12 in Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
12/13 in Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center

Diamond Empowerment Fund comes to Dallas!

Dallas Rocks 2008:
Diamond Dinner will be a premiere fund raising event featuring an excusive seated dinner for 300 guests, followed by a festive after party for 500 total guests. Hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Russell Simmons, proceeds will benefit the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

November 7th, 7:00pm

Diamond Empowerment Fund
The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) envisions a future when poverty in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource is dramatically reduced through successful fund raising initiatives by the diamond jewelry industry to support projects that educate and empower... Africans locally. D.E.F. envisions an effort involving the following:

* Diamond jewelry industry supporting D.E.F. through the sale of their products with donations to the Fund;

* People donating to the Fund and also choosing to purchase diamond jewelry products that support D.E.F’s mission;

* African individuals, educational and service organizations, and government entities addressing poverty and education in keeping with D.E.F’s mission

Can A Sista Rock A Mic? in D.C. Oct. 8-10

Washington DC's all-woman urban music and arts festival makes it's 4th annual return October 8-11th 2008. The festival features some of the nation's most talented, emerging performers in art, music and beyond. Check out the schedule of events

www.bgirlmanifesto.com/casram

SoulTracks 2008 Readers Choice Awards Winners Announced

This is one event I did not want to miss, but due to work and family I just couldn't make it happen. I attended the 1st one last year and it was magical so I know this year's event was amazing. Please visit one of my favortie music sites to get the 411 on the event and the who won their covet award and the categories. Click here for the list of winners.

D'Angelo Buzz Single "I Found My Smile Again"

Let's hope our favorite soulster is back in the game. This is a great start just to hear new music from D. It's not mind blowing but it's not bad at all.



Music provided by Singersroom.com