Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (June 30, 1917 – May 9, 2010), Lena Horne was born in Brooklyn, New York and died May 9, 2010, at the NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

Lena Horne hailed from a family of the so-called “talented tenth” as W.E.B. DuBois had termed them — with historical family members on both paternal and maternal sides.  In fact, DuBois recites a lunch room encounter with Cora Calhoun in one of his books — I forget which.  More importantly, unlike so many black actors actresses and entertainers, Horne also dedicated her life to Civil Rights Activism even to the detriment of her career.

• She refused to preform to segregated audiences
• She preformed and aided the NAACP, SNCC, and NCNW
• She also worked with Eleanor Roosevelt to pass anti-lynching laws.

The new single “Beauty in the World” is an amazing addition to her collective groove. Her sound, her vocals are irresistible.A hypnotic trance that transports us to”Macy’s World ” The video (you tube.com) sends a positive message and gives emphasis on the Afrocentric era of these times. “Sell Out” the 5th album of her career - release date is slated June 22′ 2010. Gray performed at “ Webster Hall” in New York City April 19th 2010. With such a distinctive unique groove, and sound, that connects the audience to her essence and spirit.As far as  Macy’s vocal are concerned?Well we all know who it is when we hear the sound -not unlike divas of the past Billie Holiday, the Queen of soul Miss Franklin.The new cd:”Sellout”Born Natalie McIntye Gray became a singer-song writer,record producer.Grammy award winner best pop female vocalist. Not to mention her acting career: “Training Day” 2001, “Around the World in 80 days” 2004, “Idle wild” 2006. Macy is an extreme talent- I gotta check out the cd Source ConcreteLoop.com

The hip-hop artist known as Guru, an acronym for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal, and best known for his work with fellow Gang Starr member D.J. Premier is dead at 43 following a coma induced by a heart attack.  Elam died on Monday April 19th, 2010 of cancer related symptoms.  More to follow.

Fox News incredibly misrepresents Sarah Palin hosting “Real American Stories,” by trying to represent Palin interviewing guests such as:

Toby Keith — Country Music Star
James Smith (LL Cool J) — Hip Hop Musician
Jack Welch — Former G.E. C.E.O.
A Congressional Medal of Honor Winner

However, it turns out Uncle L blew the whole operation out of the water with a simple tweet:

“Fox lifted an old interview I gave in 2008 to someone else & are misrepresenting to the public in order to promote Sarah Palins Show. WOW” LL Cool J

To which Fox News, responded with class right? :

“Real American Stories features uplifting tales about overcoming adversity and we believe Mr. Smith’s interview fit that criteria. However, as it appears that Mr. Smith does not want to be associated with a program that could serve as an inspiration to others, we are cutting his interview from the special and wish him the best with his fledgling acting career.“

Brett Michael Dykes @ Yahoo.com [emphasis added]

Folks need to remember that Fox News behaves just like a political organization, rather than respond and say simply that James Smith (LL Cool J) was correct, Fox went out of their way to personally attack him even though Fox was clearly in the wrong.

HuffingtonPost has more:

Likewise, Toby Keith never sat down with Sarah Palin, Keith’s spokesman told HifFix. “We were never contacted by Fox,” Keith’s spokesman said. “I have no idea what interview it’s taken from. They’re promoting this like it’s a brand new interview.”
…
“If someone at Fox News Channel wishes you well, watch your back,” the AP’s David Bauder wrote in 2006. “The seemingly benign sentiment is a creative signature of Fox’s public relations, usually accompanied by a kneecapping. It’s something like a kiss from a Mafia don.”

I woke-up this Sunday morning and for various reasons felt like listening to black gospel music. Like a lot of families I imagine, there’s a split between Catholics, Protestants and Protestant Evangelicals. Oddly enough, regardless of the particular service people end up on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, they all have an appreciation for both older “Negro Spirituals,” and the modern equivalent of those ballads. Now, I can’t say that I have stepped into any kind of church in a long time, but I’ve always felt there is power within gospel music that’s similar to the redemptive power of the church. gospel music contains the same encouragement and often the same life lessons that we all need from time to time to know that regardless of the present circumstances that things will be okay. Simply stated, that is my approach to listening to black gospel music.

[...]