On February 12th, exactly one month after the Haiti earthquake, the world premiere remake of  "We Are The World" aired during the telecast of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. For the second time in 25 years, 70 (new) superstar singers, rappers and actors checked their egos at the door prior to re-recording this history making song. Often times when something good is attempted (all proceeds from the sale of the song and accompanying video will go to a newly established foundation in Haiti), chords of discontent or resentment is expressed.

Fantasia for Real Episode # 3 opens with Fantasia and her mom (Diana) shopping. She says Fantasia loses her mind while shopping, forgetting that she once shopped at Goodwill stores.

Last night's episode of Fantasia for Real was a hoot! Fantasia meets with her label to discuss her new cd and new single "Move on Me" with manager Brian. Brian has Fantasia's best interest at heart as he makes sure she stays focused and makes the right career choices. She flies to Washington, DC to perform in The Color Purple and works with the musical's director on her acting and singing. He gets the most heartfelt emotional performances from her even in rehearsal. While in her hotel room, she receives a call from her mom Diane. She calls just to check up on her and tells her that sooner or later Fantasia most talk to her brother Teeny. Fantasia still not ready to deal with him, tells her mother that she can't do that right now and gets off the phone. Her brother Teeny is seen reading a text message received from Fantasia that tells him to pack his stuff and get out the house. Upset he packs and leaves stating that he not going to stay anywhere he's not wanted. He acts like the world owes him something!  

American Idol hopeful Jermaine Sellars (Joliet, IL) is no stranger to auditions and singing competitions. In 2007 he finished 3rd in  BET's search for the best gospel singer on Sunday's Best (Season 1). Gifted with a high beautiful tenor, he impressed American Idol judge Randy Jackson so, that he said "church boy" was the biggest talent and best vocal of the season so far. He auditioned singing a soulful rendition of Joan Osborne's "What If God Was One of Us" that was amazing.

Although he may appeared to be an aspiring singer to the judges and AI audiences, he actually has signed a number of record deals as early as 14 yrs old. He never produced a finished album, which I believe will keep him in the competition. It would be a shame to have him do well in the competition only to have American Idol producers kick him off the show. It seems that AI loves to dig deep in the contestants past to discover things to give them the boot.

Yesterday the world lost R&B soul crooner/legend Teddy Pendergrass. He was only 59 yrs old..He died in Philadephia, Pennsylvania, losing a battle with colon cancer after having surgery early in 2009. He died much too soon. 

R&B songtress and Broadway actress Fantasia has written another chapter in her "Celebrified" life as she became the lastest Reality Show subject/star on VH1 Monday night. "Fantasia for Real" , eight 30 minute episodes will show you a glimpse of how Fantasia "rebuilds" her empire..

Anyone that knows me know that I think Neo-Soul, Jazz, R&B singer Ledisi can do no wrong! To me she's a singer's singer. Flexible voiced and musically trained, she knows how to caress a note and when to wail if needed. She's destined to become one of the classic vocal greats. Trust me there are not too many current singers who will live up to this accolade. The Ciara's and J-Lo's will not be included in this category. You know how some singers do so many runs (endless vocal tricks that never seem to end), that drive you crazy? No auto-tuning for this beast! Ledisi is not one of those singers (although can do vocal riffs like no other)! What she does is stand flat footed and deliver. Well not exactly stand still. The music makes her move! Ledisi has recently earned two Grammy nominations for Best R&B Album "Turn Me Loose"and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for her single "Going Thru Changes". She recently appeared on the 2009 Soul Train Awards in a musical tribute to icon Chaka Khan in a segment that was too darn short. Yet while singing a snippet of Chaka's "Through the Fire" she killed and left you begging for more! Has anyone noticed her new look? She's looking more toned in her 4 inch stiletto's and her glam squad has given her a new do. I guess Ledisi says it's time to "bring it" on all accounts. Scheduled to appear on the Monique show Dec. 14th, Ledisi will perform "Higher Than This" (written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis) and "This Christmas" from her 2008 Christmas cd. Let me say this, while singing "Higher Than This" this pass August @ The Music Experience in Chicago, she delved into her spirituality and took the audience to church! Her Christmas cd is a gem. A new age classic! It's probably the ONLY Christmas cd I can listen to all year long. She's taping the BET Celebration of Gospel 10th Anniversary Special in LA on tomorrow and I can't wait to see it when it airs January 10, 2010 on BET. If you have not jumped on the "Ledhead" bandwagon, I advise you buy a ticket and come along for the journey!

Sade (Shar-DAY) is armed and ready to do battle on the R&B Charts again after going AWOL almost 10 years ago. The Nigerian-born, London-bred chantuese whose birth name is Helen Folasade Adu, walked away from the music scene at the height of her career after selling more than 17 million units (CD's) in the U. S. alone and over 50 million units wordlwide. I anticipate this new music like a kid on Christmas day! Sade's music is a timeless blend of bliss for your ears and spirit. R&B, soul, jazz, adult contemporary are just a few elements of what this 5 member group is known for.

Who can forget "Your Love is King", "Hang on to Your Love", and "Smooth Operator" all from the band Sade's debut album Diamond Life in 1984? After releasing the southmore CD Promise in 1986 which spawned "The Sweetest Taboo", "Never as Good as the First Time" and "Is It a Crime", Sade was nominated for 2 American Music Awards and won a Grammy for Best New Artist.

The last time I saw Sade perform was actually my first. In August 2001 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, this "Smooth Operator was off the chain! Sophisticated, sexy and spontaneous, Sade mesmerized us. I was surprised that the band was so soulful live. She danced her way around the stage while singing all my favorites, "Paradise", "No Ordinary Love", "Kiss of Life" and "Cherish the Day". It was a birthday memory I'll never forget. I anxiously await "Solder of Love" scheduled for release in February 2010.

I've heard nothing but glowing reviews about this new project. Music Editor, A. Scott Galloway (Urban Network Magazine) writes "A techno-soul KO -- absolutely astounding and unexpected. Singer Maxwell, fellow Sony artist and friend, collaborator says " Soldier of Love" will have you shaking in your shoes". What's your favorite Sade song? Your fondest concert memory? Let me know how glad you are to know that Sade's back with a vengeance!

A few days before Christmas, Walt Disney Pictures will introduce the newest Disney princess, Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) to the world.  Set in the legendary birthplace of jazz - New Orleans French Quarters, The Princess and the Frog opened to limited release in New York and Los Angeles on November 25, 2009. It will be released nationally on December 11, 2009. 

After watching Whitney perform on the Oprah Show, Good Morning America, The American Music Awards and Dancing With The Stars, I doubt it..As the lyrics to the song states, she lost touch with her soul, lost sight of her dream, survived her darkest hour, her faith kept her alive, she picked herself backup and held her head up high. She was not built to break and she got to know her own strength. Yeah! Yeah! Blah! Blah! Blah! BUT did she realize that if you're a singer and you don't take care of your gift (voice), you will lose some of it's NATURAL potential if not all or most of it...By now everyone has read of or seen Whitney's "Comeback"..She's been trashed and glorified by the media, hailed as the Greatest Singer in the world by her die hard fans (even those who turned a death ear to her now lackluster vocals) and heaven forbid if MADtv was still on television would be the subject (portrayed by Debra Wilson) of many comedy skits. I'm not saying that Whitney has completely lost her pipes. It will take some time for her to get back on top of her game. That is if she can or even want to. Hopefully she will not continue to crash and burn with every performance.

During the 2009 Soul Train Awards telecast Sunday night on the BET network, R&B Superstar Toni Braxton found a way to humilate her soon to be ex-husband Keri Lewis (Mint Condition)by engaging in a tongue duet (new single Yesterday) with singer Trey Songz. The opened mouth passionate kiss was viewed by Keri as he sat in the front rows of the audience during the "choreographed" performance.

Recently disclosed ("by Essence.com) that the 8 yr marriage was on the rocks, the kiss was said to be the final straw that broke the camel's back. The marriage was said to be over 3 days after the show. As I watched the show, I thought why would a singer of Toni's calibre stoop to such a level of ... I can hardly find a name to describe it...Girls Gone Wild?  After selling over 40 million records worldwide, winning 6 Grammy Awards, several American Music Awards and a successful Broadway and Las Vegas career, I wonder if this is the type of behavior that she believes will get her singing career back on track (or on the charts)? Well after her stint on ABC's Dancing With The Stars last season, she was slowly getting back in the public's eye and nabbing media attention...But I guess if your career is not moving as fast as you would like you have to do your own PR sometimes.......