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'

VIBE Endorses OBAMAVIBE magazine is not afraid to throw it's support behind Barack Obama. The monthly publication dedicated to urban culture, fashion, and music has officially endorsed Barack Obama. This marks the first time the magazine has endorsed a political candidate. The lady in charge, Editor-in-Chief Danyel Smith, had this to say "…I am clear about what must be done. The staff is behind me. This is a formal endorsement, by VIBE magazine, of Senator Barack Obama…” Mr. Obama graces the cover of the November issue and he urges readers to go out and vote for change,"We are at a defining moment in our history. I am running for president to take this country in a new direction. But I can’t do it alone. I need you. Whether it’s the first time, or the first time in a long time, I need you to register and vote on November 4.” The historic collector's issue hits newsstands nationwide on October 21.

Soul Fixin'

Thicke Claims VIBE Is Something Else
The album cover for Robin Thicke's upcoming set has surfaced on the net. Something Else hits the streets September 30th. Speaking of Robin Thicke, the blue eyed soul singer claims VIBE Magazine refused to put him on the cover because they have a strict policy against having white artists on the cover. Could this be a case of reverse racism? A strict policy that doesn't allow white artists on the cover? I find it hard to believe. In VIBE's 15 year history, The Beastie Boys, Eminem, Gwen Stefani and Michael Jackson have all graced the cover. Wait a minute, MJ is black, isn't he? Biracial acts such as Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, and Alicia Keys have appeared on the cover of VIBE. Could this be some sort of misunderstanding? Thicke's claim is based on a recent interview he did with the magazine, when the subject of Thicke gracing the cover came up, he was told "we don't put white artists on our covers..." Thicke harbors no ill will towards the magazine, "I respect that because I live in a house with a black woman. I won't use the word racism. I will say it's a tough, but rewarding, fight. I look at Mary J. Blige, somebody who has had only a few pop hits and yet has changed culture, generated new sounds and inspired leagues of artists. She's now a worldwide phenomenon. And it's because of what she stood for; she never gave up." I don't want to call Robin Thicke a liar, but his claims of "racism" seem to be untrue. What are your thoughts?

Saturday Soul

Betty Wright's Explosion[Okayplayer]
Perfect Combinations -- The Soul Duets[VIBE]
Smooth Soul Survivors [SoulTracks]
Q-Tip in Super Group with D'Angelo & Raphael Saadiq?? [The BoomBox]
Old School Friday: Hip Hop [Songs In The Key Of Life]
Snoop Dogg Goes Country [Billboard]

Soul Fixin'

VIBE Book List

VIBE magazine compiled a list of the "best" eight music books...READ A BOOK...READ A MUH'F*CKIN BOOK!!

Room Full Of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix by Charles R. Cross...chronicles Hendrix' rise from Seattle ghetto to rock god.

I, Tina by Tina Turner w/ Kurt Loder...Tina reveals the good, bad, and ugly..from growing up in Tennessee to getting her ass beat by Ike to her remarkable 80's resuscitation.

Divided Soul: The Life Of Marvin Gaye by David Ritz...in-depth analysis of Marvin's life...cocaine, underage girls and his untimely death.

ego trips's Book of Rap Lists by Sacha Jenkins, Elliott Wilson, Jeff Mao, Gabriel Alvarez, and Brent Rollins...compilation of lists..."10 Songs Marley Marl Wishes He Had Produced"..."Kool Keith's Favorite Places To Pleasure Himself In Public."

Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation by Jeff Chang...chronicles the events, ideas, music and art that shaped hip hop.

Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom by Peter Guralnick...documents the soul of the 50's, 60's and 70's while telling the story of a nation.

James Brown's Live at the Apollo (33 1/3) by Douglas Wolk...details what some consider to be the greatest live album of all time against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Flyboy in the Buttermilk: Essays on Contemporary America by Greg Tate...an eye-opening look at race, politics, literature and music.