Soul Fixin'

philly soul chick.
After a brief retreat from the spotlight, R&B newcomer Jazmine Sullivan has been busy applying the finishing touches on her as-yet-untitled sophomore album. The Philly native supplied a few details via Twitter. Check out her tweets below & listen to her lastest single, the Missy Elliott produced 'Hold You Down.'

Soul Fixin'

MJB Working On Fall Release
Mary J. Blige has been making moves at an unstoppable pace since her rise to mainstream stardom thanks to her breakthrough album, The Breakthrough. MJB is currently working on her ninth studio album. Mary expects the project to be available sometime this fall. November, to be exact. The forthcoming album includes collaborations with T.I, Drake, and Public Soul Announcement fave Jazmine Sullivan. Mary describes the album as "Crazy. Anything you could ever want or desire from Mary is on this album. Come November you're going to be happy again."

Soul Fixin'

Soul Sunday On TV One
Consider it Soul Sunday on TV One. Mary J. Blige and Melba Moore are the headlining acts for TV One's Sunday night programming. In the midst of working on her 9th studio album, MJB opens up to Cathy Hughes as part of the network's "TV One on One" series. Nowadays, Sister J. Blige has no problem talking about her life, career and the valuable lessons learned. Be sure to tune in @ 9pm EST.

TV One's critically acclaimed series Unsung takes a look at the life and career of Grammy-nominated and Tony-winning vocalist Melba Moore. I can't wait to learn about the woman behind the legendary voice. Check out the teaser below. Unsung airs Sunday night @ 8pm EST.

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'

Mary Sings At Lincoln Memorial

I was delighted to learn that our girl, MJB, would lend her voice to The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. The event was broadcast live on HBO, that channel is a luxury around these parts. Needless to say, I came across Mary's performance on YouTube. I expected to see this Obama supporter saaanging. Full of soul and emotion, wearing her heart on her sleeve. Cheesy song aside, Mary was Mary. The Obama family seemed to enjoy every bit of MJB. There is one problem, song selection. MJB played it safe, very safe, with Bill Wither's 'Lean On Me.' Why not 'People Get Ready' or 'Someday We'll All Be Free' or 'This Is My Country'?

Video Soul

"baby, I'm in need of your love
and you got that touch
that I need so much
and I am about to explode..."

Soul Fixin'

Aretha Tops Mag's '100 Greatest'Who is the greatest singer of all time? According to Rolling Stone magazine, Aretha Franklin is. The Queen of Soul ranked # 1 in a poll conducted by the iconic magazine dedicated to music. Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding & James Brown pulled in enough votes to occupy space in the Top 10. Rolling Stone recruited a gang of singers, editors, producers and music-industry insiders, which included Clive Davis, Alicia Keys, Etta James, B.B King & Mavis Staples - to name a few, to compile the list of 100 Greatest Singers. Mary J. Blige reflected on Aretha in a testimonial, "she is the reason why women want to sing." The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time issue, which includes four covers, hits newsstands Friday.

Soul Fixin'

Would You Leave Mary or Musiq?
In case you missed the premiere last night, here is Musiq's latest video featuring Mary J. Blige. New York City serves as the backdrop for the simple yet effective video for 'If You Leave.' I assumed that Musiq & MJB would portray a couple on the rocks in the video but I was wrong. Musiq, rocking a Mohawk, and Mary are both experiencing the realities of a possible break-up with their significant others. As the video begins each singer spends a few quiet reflective moments in a diner before going to Central Park to meet up with their significant other to work things out. Mary, fed up with all the drama, leaves her man behind. Musiq and his lady are able to salvage their relationship and walk off hand in hand. Check the video out and let us know if you are feeling it.

Soul Fixin'

New Musiq From Musiq
A new song from Musiq has hit the net. Actually, the song isn't new new. An unofficial version leaked a few months ago, the official version is now available for our listening pleasure. Believe me, you will not me disappointed. Even though Musiq disappointed us with his first single, 'Radio', the soul child is getting back on track. He smoothed things over with the Mary duet 'If You Leave' and now he is making amends with this track, the aptly titled, 'So Beautiful.' Give it a listen and let us know what you think. Don't forget to check out the premiere of Musiq & Mary's video for 'If You Leave' tonight at 7:30 on BET.

Saturday Soul

Jeff Chang Shares His Thoughts On John McCain aka Johnny Mac [VIBE]
The 411 On Kanye's New Album [RollingStone]
Barack's Letter To VIBE [VIBE]
They Just Don't Make Music Like They Used To [SoulBounce]
Michelle Robinson Obama's Roots to South Carolina & Slavery [Washington Post]
Tribute To Levi Stubbs [Detroit Free Press]

Soul Fixin'

Musiq & MJB Wrap Up 'If You Leave' Video
It's a wrap. Musiq and MJB have finished filming the new video for 'If You Leave.' The duet appears on Musiq's upcoming studio set On My Radio. 'If You Leave' marks Musiq's return to the neo-soul sound, a sound he abandoned on his first single 'Radio'. The video premieres Monday night at 7:30 on BET. The network released a teaser video, check it out below. From the looks of it, this video will be sure to please. On My Radio drops December 9. The soul singer is also working on a Christmas album, A Philly Soul Christmas, available exclusively at Target. This album is expected to hit Target stores across the country this fall.

Video Soul

"back when I was nothin'
you made a brother feel like he was somethin'
that's why I'm with you to this day, boo no frontin'
even when the skies were gray
you would rub me on my back and say 'baby it'll be okay'..."

Soul Fixin'

The Many Faces of Mary

Chevrolet has unleashed it's latest commercial featuring my main squeeze Mary J. Blige. In this particular MJB/Chevy collabo, Mary is joined by a few Mary's from the past. What's The 411? Mary, My Life Mary, Share My World Mary, No More Drama Mary and The Breakthrough Mary all join the sophisticated Growing Pains Mary J. for a ride in the all-new Chevrolet Traverse with 'Real Love' playing on the radio. After a quick ride through town, the current MJB stops the car to unload some luggage, a voice over says "The space to take everything with you. The wisdom to leave the baggage behind." Who said a masterpiece couldn't be done in a mere 30 seconds?

Soul Fixin'

Keyshia's Mary Moment
Yes, Keyshia Cole is having some sort of 'Mary moment.' The around the way girl from Oakland is doing like MJB did back in '99 and getting rid of all the drama. Keyshia intends to "lighten up and have a good time" for her third release, tentatively titled The Love Album. In a recent interview, Keyshia revealed "I’m just focusing on the subjects of love that make you happy. I just wanna switch it up a little bit. That’s all.” Has Ms. Cole found the love of her life? Has she reached a place of happiness and self love? I'm not sure, but I hope this new and improved attitude translates into good music. It's obvious this new attitude has blinded Ms. Cole from the dire realities of this country. Keyshia wants to sell a million records during the first week of release, doesn't she know this country is facing an economic meltdown? Keyshia, times are really hard and $15.99 is hard to come by nowadays. Keyshia's third album will hit the streets during the upcoming holiday season.

Soul Fixin'

Mary J. Blige is at it again. Months after wrapping up a tour with Jay-Z, Sister J. Blige is hitting the road again in support of her latest release Growing Pains. Soul singers Dave Young and Robin Thicke will join MJB on 'The Love Soul Tour,' which kicks off September 13 in North Charleston, SC and ends October 18 in Concord, California. Go check Mary out, you will not be disappointed. Click here for complete tour dates.

Soul Fixin'

Robin Thicke & MJB Create 'Magic'
While we wait for Something Else to hit store shelves, Robin Thicke has enlisted the help of MJB for the remix to his first single 'Magic.' The duo plan on shooting a video for the remix in the coming weeks. The blue eyed soul singer is joining Mary on the road performing spot dates throughout September.

Soul Tracks

There really is something about Mary. Mary J. Blige that is. That 'something' can be defined as the flurry of emotions one feels when listening to a Mary record. Wyclef once said "Mary doesn't sing to you, she sings through you." For the past 16 years Sister J. Blige has been singing through us. While many female vocalists have come and gone, MJB is still around. Reason being, Mary, an around the way girl from Yonkers, NY, reminds of us the women in our lives; our mothers, sisters, girlfriends, aunts, and cousins. We felt her inner pain and understand her sense of 'nobodiness.' We have experienced similar trials and tribulations. Now, we bask in her happiness and sit in awe of her success. Mary's seventh studio album, The Breakthrough, marked a transformation in Mary's life. Drugs and alcohol became a thing of the past and Mary was a happily married woman. The Breakthrough sold 727,000 copies in its first week, becoming the biggest first-week sales for an R&B solo female artist. Raphael Saadiq composed, produced, and played the role of background singer on the glorious 'I Found My Everything.' Saadiq was able to channel Mary's inner soul child evoking memories of a 70's soul ballad. It is safe to assume the song is autobiographical. Mary's everything is husband Kendu Isaacs, the man she credits for her transformation and breakthrough.

Video Soul

"loving you is wonderful
something like a miracle
rest assured I feel the same way you do..."

Soul Fixin'

Sister J. Blige On Oprah

While cruising the 'net this morning I came across something that is Public Soul Announcement worthy. It's a clip of Sister J. Blige performing 'Stay Down' on The Oprah Winfrey Show a few months ago. I'm not sure how this performance managed to evade my keen soul radar but I'm glad I found it. Dressed to the nines, Mary puts a hurtin' on 'Stay Down,' the album version pales in comparison to this live performance. If you are under the impression that MJB has lost a bit of soul with recent releases The Breakthrough and Growing Pains, this performance proves Mary is still the Queen of Hip Hop Soul.

Soul Fixin'

Big Boi & MJB Prove 'Sumthin's Gotta Give'

Here's Big Boi's video for his single 'Sumthin's Gotta Give' featuring fellow Obama supporter Mary J. Blige. The video opens with a poignant Obama quote "if you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress." The video is a perfect compliment to the social and political themed song in which Big Boi and Blige touch on everything from the war in Iraq to the dismal economy to the criminal justice system to high gas prices and the upcoming election.

Big Boi's solo album,Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, drops sometime late this year.