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Urban Music Video Rewind: The Reigning King of R&B

Having established more than 70 singles on the R&B charts since his 1991 debut, R. Kelly is the undisputed King of R&B music today. Fans are certain to argue that the title should belong to legends such as Luther Vandross, Prince and Michael Jackson as well as current stars Usher and Brian McKnight.

According to the "bible" of the music industry Billboard magazine, which keeps tally of sales and radio airplay for artists, R. Kelly is currently the 11th most successful R&B artist since 1942 as far as hit songs. The top ten includes James Brown, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Louis Jordan, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, The Isley Brothers, and Fats Domino. All the aforementioned artists, with the exception of The Isley Brothers, have not created music that interested the mass R&B market over the last decade. Nonetheless, R. Kelly and his songs have appealed to the R&B audience much stronger over his career than the careers of Michael Jackson, Prince, Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Barry White, Smokey Robinson and surprisingly Luther Vandross, all whom have careers which have lasted at least seven years longer than Kelly.

One of the main attributes to Kelly's success as of the recent years has been his ability to deliver hit-worthy songs of different musical styles. With a catalogue that contains hip-hop ("Fiesta" remix), reggae ("Slow Wind"), inspirational ("I Believe I Can Fly"), gospel ("U Saved Me"), pop adult contemporary ("I'm Your Angel"), ghetto love ("Half On A Baby") and soul ballad ("If I Could Turn Back The Hands of Time"), R. Kelly is undoubtedly the most versatile artist since the styles of Michael Jackson and Prince during the 1980s.

Check out the many styles of the self-described "Pied Piper of R&B"

"If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time"



"Down Low (Nobody Has To Know)" remix



"Thoia Thoing"

Connie Chung's Bids Viewers Farewell In Song

MSNBC has cancelled the weekend commentary program Weekends with Maury & Connie, which featured real-life married couple and TV personalities Maury Povich and Connie Chung. The show, which debuted on January 7, 2006, failed to attract more than an average of 250,000 viewers.

The news of a cancellation would seem like a depressing situation to handle, but it was not the case for Connie Chung. The well-known and respected TV broadcaster for ABC, CBS and NBC decided to end the last episode with a event that will undoubtedly be unforgotten by its viewers and members of the YouTube and iFilm website communities.

At the final television episode, Chung wanted to part ways with her viewers by performing a parody of "Thanks for the Memories," a song popularized by Peggy Lee during the early days of Rock-N-Roll. Dressed in a beautiful, fitted white gown, Connie Chung sings the standard in a comedically creepy and tone-deaf version. Those who have a good sense of humor will find a few laughs while watching this video. Chung channels Madonna (a la MTV performance of "Like A Virgin") and Marilyn Monroe's infamous interpretation of "Happy Birthday" to JFK. This act could pass an act at a drag show.

Could this be the beginning of a comedic career for the 59-year-old news veteran? You be the judge.

Meet The Real O.G.G.: Original Gangsta Grandma

Cops: Woman Sold Crack At Day Care
by Seth Voorhees
photo courtesy: Times of Wayne County
Published Jun 19, 2006



Police liken the house on Woodruff Road in Wolcott to a drive-through for crack cocaine. But their investigation into Carrie Ingram’s alleged dealings turned up something even more disturbing.

Ingram, a 72 year old grandmother, is accused of selling crack cocaine. Police allege she sold the drugs at her home, and at a Head Start Daycare where she volunteers.

“If you were one of her regular customers, rather than purchasing at the residence you could actually go to the day care center and place an order,” said David Miller, Wolcott Police Chief.

Parents with kids at Head Start were shocked to hear she may have used the day care to sell drugs.

“It's very disturbing,” said Robert Paul, whose 4-year-old son, Kevin, attended the day care.

Wayne County Action Program oversees the Huron Head Start. CEO Janelle Cooper says there were no prior signs that Ingram was dealing drugs at the location.

“We're startled by it, obviously,” said Cooper. Confused. Concerned.”

Ingram was arraigned Friday night in Huron town court, and sent to the Wayne County jail. Bail was set at $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond.

Police say they're familiar with Ingram. She's been arrested before, including a 1999 drug arrest. That arrest should have made Ingram ineligible to volunteer at Head Start. The state conducts background checks on all applicants.

Cooper says the agency is looking to see how Ingram slipped though the cracks.

“That's what we're looking into right now, how could she have been in the program if there was a prior conviction?” said Cooper. “That shouldn't be happening.”

Wayne County Action Program is sending letters home to all parents of children enrolled in Huron Head Start.

Police, meantime, say more arrests are possible.

ProfessorGQ Music Review: Janet, Beyonce and Ciara

"Call on Me" - Janet Jackson (featuring Nelly)
[click here to download]
If you were expecting Janet to deliver an uptempo, club track as the first single for 20 Years Old, you'll be disappointed. However, that disappointment should last for only a second after getting a listen of "Call On Me." This breezy midtempo combines Ms. Jackson's vocals with Nelly's sing-songy raps so beautifully, almost reminiscent of Nelly's duet with Kelly Rowland, "Dilemma." Kudos to Jermaine Dupri's excellent production for being one of the few producers outside of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis that can fit a song that fit the seasoned chanteuse. Expect this song to dominate radio.


"Deja Vu" - Beyoncé (featuring Jay-Z)
[click here to download]
Honestly, I expected more than this from Beyonce, but then again I didn't. While the singer has some great songs in her catalogue, none, with the exception of "Crazy In Love" compares to the classic R&B songs of the last four decades. Fault her songwriting skills and possibly her age although the greatest songs ever written are mostly written by artists in their 20's. I'll go back to "Deja Vu" now. Her lead vocals appears to be too much to handle as the background vocals, courtesy of Beyonce, are on point. Like the song title, we are experiencing another Bey-Z (Beyonce & Jay-Z) collaboration, and the song sounds like Crazy In Love Part 2; however, Jay-Z rhymes worse on this song than the predecessor. The struggling with the vocals in the bridge definitely shows that the song is bigger than Beyonce; however, that does not mean the song is bad at all. The rhythm will get people dancing. Beyonce is a radio darling, and it is a no-brainer that the song could climb to #1 on the charts, but hopefully second single "Ring Alarm" sounds much better than "Deja Vu."


"Get Up" - Ciara (featuring Chamillionaire)
[click here to download]
Ciara has found her niche in music style with this song, thanks to her producer/mentor Jazze Pha. Picking up from previous singles such as "1, 2 Step", "Lose Control", and "So What", "Get Up" is another high-octane dance single that allows Ciara to stay within her range vocally, as minimum as that range is. On paper, the pairing of Ciara and rapper Chamillionaire sounds odd at best; however, Chamillionaire rides along the best with his rhymes so effortlessly and sticks to the subject of the song, which is a rare thing for rap collaborators to do. If this song is a single for Ciara's upcoming album, it will become a great song to get fans to want more.



Feel free to download Beyonce's "Woman Like Me" from the Pink Panther movie.

How Popular Are You?

How popular are you? The following quiz will suggest how well you get along with people and/or if you have the potential to boost your social skills.

Answer true or false to the following statements:

1. In the past month, I have received two or more social invitations personally.
2. My friends seek advice about their problems.
3. When the joke is on me, I usually laugh along with the rest without feeling resentment.
4. Some friends divulge their intimate secrets to me.
5. When something is bothering me, I readily turn to friends for help.
6. I have participated actively in at least two social groups for the past two years.
7. I usually make friends through people I already know rather than on my own.
8. I choose to be friendly with someone mostly on the basis of common interests.
9. I am late for at least one out of three social engagements.
10. I don’t like to be dependent on others and don’t encourage others to be dependent on me.


To tally your score, give yourself 1 point for each response that matches yours.
1. True 2. True 3. True 4. True 5. True 6. True 7. False 8. False 9. False 10. False

Read on to see where you see on the popularity meter.

8-10 points: You are, or have the potential to be, above average in popularity and enjoy a wide circle of friends.

5-7 points: Like most of us, your popularity is solidly in the average range.

0-4 points: You are more of a private person than the popular type.

ProfessorGQ scored 9 points.


from The Big Book of Personality Tests

Rapper Jay-Z Urges Black People To Boycott Cristal

(from Allhiphop.com News)

Industry rap giant Jay-Z has joined the ranks of those boycotting high-end champagne company Cristal, in response to the negative comments made by Frederic Rouzaud, managing director of Louis Roderer Cristal.

In a special summer edition of The Economist magazine, Rouzaud commented on the Hip-Hop community's patronage of the champagne brand in an article titled "Bubbles and Bling."

Rouzaud stated that he observed the rap community's constant patronage of the pricey drink with "curiosity and serenity."

Rouzaud further stated that other brands like Dom Perignon and Krug "would be delighted to have their business."

Jay-Z has announced that he will no longer support or distribute Cristal champagne at his 40/40 sports bar/restaurant.

"It has come to my attention that the managing director of Cristal, Frederic Rouzaud views the 'Hip-Hop' culture as 'unwelcome attention,'" said Jay-Z. "I view his comments as racist and will no longer support any of his products through any of my various brands including The 40/40 Club nor in my personal life."

Jay-Z, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and several of the Hip-Hop industry's biggest stars have supported Cristal through patronage and homage in rap lyrics.

Jay-Z and his popular 40/40 Club will now be serving only Krug and Dom Perignon to their customers seeking high end champagne products.

---

ProfessorGQ is thinking:

"How come no one boycotted Tommy Hilfiger (ever or still) about his alleged comments of the hip-hop consumption of his brand?"

"Is this the precursor to the end of brand name dropping in rap songs where rappers 'who are representin' the streets' will stop giving shout outs to Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Marc Jacob, Jacob the Jeweler, Merecedes, Bentley, and Courvoissier when they are not receiving endorsements by these companies?"

"Exactly what point is Jay-Z trying to make? Apparently, Frederic Rouzaud's message was louder and clearer; thus, he received his wish."

"This is just another self-serving and confusing attempt to 'help' the Black community and be featured on the news without actually achieving a notable accomplishment by Diddy and Jay-Z. The average Black consumer who is a hip-hop is still being taught that one of the components of being a real man is to be able to buy expensive brands, regardless if the prices are within their means."

"Shouldn't Jay-Z focus on finding [at the least] decent talent to put on his roster at Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam Records rather than crying foul about Cristal and start a boycott? Kanye West and Mariah Carey are talented people whose talents in their field and writing skills promote themselves; whereas we, the public, are still being forced to listen to junk-food music by mediocre artists like Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Teairra Mari, Young Gunz, Peedi Crack and Memphis Bleek. I was about to add Chrisitina Milian, but they dropped her Beyonce, Keyshia Cole and J.Lo-imitating ass."