Fashion Forward

Little Man, Big Mistake
Dating Janet Jackson; good idea. Collaborating with New Era; bad idea. Jermaine Dupri and New Era have released a pair of signature collection fitted caps, the Gold and Platinum “A-Towns”. Who is responsible for designing this f*ckery? Fire them immediately!!!

Rapper's Delight

When Rap Goes Wrong
File this under, WTF??? It seems like so called rappers Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer held a one night only concert in, of all places, Utah. Don't be surprised if Coolio and Kriss Kross are performing at an arena near you.

Rapper's Delight

T.I.'s Sweet Deal
I'm sure you've heard the news, T.I. was sentenced to a year and a day behind bars. The Atlanta native will report to prison on May 19. T.I was arrested back in '07 after attempting to buy unregistered machine guns and silencers. In the coming days and weeks, I'm sure we will all see 'FREE T.I.' t-shirts and headlines on MySpace that read 'Free T.I.' Unlike others, I have no sympathy for Clifford Harris. I'm sure he feels the same way. T.I.'s lawyers were able to work out an extraordinary deal with prosecutors. 1,000 hours of community service and a light sentence serves as a reason to rejoice. The average man would have received a much harsher sentence. I commend T.I. for his community service, visiting 25 states, speaking at 262 events and spending 1,030 hours  preaching non-violence and respect for the law.However, before you decide to buy a 'FREE T.I.' t-shirt or post the words 'FREE T.I.' on your MySpace or Facebook page think of our brothers and sisters who truly deserve freedom. Mumia Abu Jamal, is one of those people. Google the man and support a worthy cause.

Video Soul

Soul Fixin'

Has Kanye Lost His Mind?
I was a fan of Yeezy before his debut album, College Dropout, dropped. I was anxiously awaiting for him to drop his debut while he was grinding out beats for Roc-A-Fella. Lately, I've been wondering about his sanity. Most of his behavior & words are questionable, at best. In the new issue of Complex magazine, Kanye announces that he will change his name to Martin Louis The King Jr. A combo of Dr. King and his favorite designer, Louis Vuitton.  The Chicago native demands everyone "address me as such." In the words of Jay-Z, "Fame is the worst drug know to man/It's stronger than, heroin."

Video Soul

Soul Fixin'

A Madea Sized Mistake
Everyone who knows me is aware of how much I love and appreciate MJB. I've been a fan since I heard my mother's copy of What's The 411? back in '93. In recent days, I've been asked my opinion on Tyler Perry casting the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul in his latest film, 'I Can Do Bad All By Myself.' Mary will portray a night club manager with a passion for singing. I can't help but laugh. With all the love I have for Sister J. Blige, I am well aware that she ranks as one of the worst actors in the world. Did you catch Mary's Oscar-nominated performance in 'Prison Song'? Do you remember her one time role on The Jaime Foxx show? I've heard Mary express interest in enrolling in acting classes. Let's hope she has.

Soul Fixin'

Chrisette Discusses Epiphany
I was captivated the very first time I heard Chrisette Michele's amazing voice. The Def Jam darling's voice is a breath of fresh air in the saturated market of mainstream R&B. Chrisette, along with singer/songwriter/producer Ne-Yo, sat down for an interview with Billboard to discuss her artistic growth, the direction of her upcoming album and much more. Chrisette's sophomore set, Epiphany, hits store next week, March 31 to be exact.

Soul Fixin'

Happy Belated Birthday, ArethaForty two years ago, Aretha Franklin became a household name around the globe after departing Columbia Records for Atlantic Records. Aren't we thankful? The preacher's daughter from Detroit by way of Memphis ushered in a new era of soul music. Aretha's soul is raw and emotional. Erotic and seductive. At times, down right heartbreaking. Aretha was and still is the epitome of soul. Fifty five years after recording her very first album, Aretha and her music is still celebrated. We celebrate Aretha for being a voice when we had no voice. For easing the pains of life with her amazing angelic voice. There is an Aretha song to describe each and every emotion known to man. 'Angel,' 'Call Me,' 'A Rose Is Still A Rose,' 'Ain't No Way,' 'Don't Play That Song,' the list goes on and on. As we celebrate the birth of "our sister beloved, the one who wears the coat of many colors," as described by Rev. Jesse Jackson, let's enjoy a classic Aretha performance.

Soul Fixin'

Leela James Covers James Brown

The pressures of everyday life have forced me to neglect Public Soul Announcement. Needless to say, I'm back. Soul sensation Leela James is back on the music scene as well. The Los Angeles native's debut video for her latest release, Let's Do It Again, is available for your viewing pleasure. Conjuring up images of 1960's juke joint snuggled in the backwoods of Mississippi, Leela keeps the video simple and soulful. Leela can do no wrong in my eyes. Hit play and enjoy.

Soul Heaven

Uriel Jones (1934-2009)
Motown's Funk Brother Uriel Jones Dies [Detroit Free Press]

Video Soul