Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Soul Fixin'

Celebrating Black Music MonthI can still remember the day over 10 years ago when my mother purchased Aretha's Atlantic Records debut album, I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You. This was the album that made Aretha Franklin ARETHA. It would be days later before I decided to give it a listen. I immdediately fell in love with her voice, but when I heard the last track, a mind-blowing cover of Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come,'Aretha sent a chill through my body and gave me goosebumps. Aretha's voice is my Dr. Feelgood. Needless to say, I'm in love with ReRe. I'm happy to announce that in honor of Black Music Month, Aretha has written an essay for AOL Black Voices that speaks of the importance of Black Music Month. In her essay, which goes live June 15, Aretha discusses her thoughts on today's R&B, "At one point, I was very concerned when the hip-hoppers came in about the future of R&B," she writes, "But now with artists like Usher, Anthony Hamilton, Fantasia, Chris Brown, Raheem DeVaughn, Erykah Badu and artists like that let me know that R&B is in good hands, absolutely alive and well and mega-watt."

In addition to Aretha's essay, AOL Black Voices Black Music Month site includes:

  • An exclusive online "Jam Session" with Mint Condition paying tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire.

  • Female MC YoYo, current host of VH1's 'Miss Rap Supreme' will be the featured celebrity blogger on the "Supreme Journey" blog.

  • Black Voice users will be able to vote for the best albums of all time and participate in online quizzes.
  • Interactive profiles of individuals who have made significant contributions to black music.

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