Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Bow Down to Beyonce’ or Ascend With Tavares Stephens…

Hello World,

Since Sunday, social media sites, blogs, radio programs and television outlets have been buzzing about a new song Beyonce’ released on her Tumblr account. “Bow Down/I Been On” is a shocking departure from Beyonce’s female empowerment anthems and beautiful ballads. In this expletive-laced song, Beyonce’ commands women to bow down to her. And she raps although her voice is unrecognizable as it distorted. She pays homage to her Houston roots by shouting out the Geto Boys and UGK as well. If all publicity is good publicity, Beyonce’ is still running the world as she stated in one of her more radio-friendly hits. But the mom force is not to be trifled with either, and many mothers have stated that Beyonce’s latest song may get her banned from their children’s playlist…

Below is just a sampling of blog posts from mothers in an uproar…

OK Beyonce’ – First We Run The World, Now Should We “Bow Down?!” by Radio Host Mo Ivory on Atlanta.CBSlocal.com

Beyonce’s New Song is Bad News For Blue Ivy by Jeanne Sager on TheStir.Cafemom

and below is the perspective from a Christian publication…

NEGATIVE REACTIONS: Beyonce’ Says ‘Bow Down’ to Her Pepsi-Sponsored Throne by Rebecca Johnson on EEW Online Magazine

What do I think? There is a part of me that thinks that Beyonce’ should abide by the principle in Philippians 4:8″…Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” And then there is a part of me that says that artists should be free to express themselves…

At any rate, I love positive and uplifting music! One of my fellow Georgia Bulldogs Tavares Stephens will be hosting his debut concert on Saturday, March 23 at the 14th Street Playhouse, 173 14th Street, Atlanta 30309 at 7 p.m. He will be performing gospel and spoken word songs from his new CD The Ascension Project. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. To buy tickets, go to woodruffcentertickets.org.

“The Ascension Project reminds listeners that communion with God can ignite their faith in order to uplift, heal and overcome. It is a testimony of the love, grace, and redemption of God expressed as notes, melody, and verse.” For the record, I only bow down to my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…Can I get an “Amen?”

Listen and be blessed…

Any thoughts?

Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

My Top Seven List of Halloween Jams!

Hello World,

I know many Christians are against celebrating Halloween…In fact, my folks didn’t allow me and my brothers to celebrate Halloween as children…Instead we attended Hallelujah events and were given candy without the benefit of trick or treating…in a word LAME…Now that I’m an adult, I choose to partake in Halloween festivities in my own special way…To that end, I have comprised a list of Top Seven List of Halloween Jams that are sure to get you in a “boo”tiful mood….WAHAHAHAHA….my lame attempt at a Vincent Price evil laugh 🙂

1. Speaking of Vincent Price, I have to give the top honor to the King of Pop Michael Jackson. (I still can’t believe he is gone…) If you want to be scared and get your groove on at the same time, “Thriller” is the jam for you…And this video is still one of the best music videos ever made….

2. If you are a rap fan and came of age in the ’90s, then you’ve got to know about “Mind Playing Tricks On Me” by the Geto Boys…This song has a serious message, but the beat is so bangin’ it’s easy to ignore how truly poetic this jam is…”This year Halloween fell on a weekend, me and Geto Boys went trick or treatin'”…you know, the rest… 🙂

3. If you wore jelly shoes and collected “The Smurfs” figurines, then you probably loved the ’80s hit movie “Ghostbusters.” From that movie came Ray Parker Jr.’s hit “Ghostbusters,” which was on the movie soundtrack…This song is my third favorite Halloween Jam…

4. Will Smith is probably more well-known for his acting but back in the day, the Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff delivered hit songs…One of their hits was “Nightmare on My Street” which is obviously their homage to the crazy scary movie “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”

5. Rockwell was a one-hit wonder in my opinion as the only song I know sung by him was his jam “Somebody’s Watching Me” which came out in 1983…Just a little trivia: What blockbuster singer actually lent background vocals on this song? Michael Jackson! Extra side note: Rockwell and Stony Jackson, the actor, may have been separated at birth they look so much alike…

6. The Michael Myers’ theme song from the “Halloween” movies is sure to cause goosebumps…I LOVE scary movies…especially the campy ones….

7. This song probably shouldn’t have been made, but it was…M.C. Hammer’s remake of “The Addams Family” theme song for the 1991 movie “The Addams Family” movie based on the popular television show series….Did you see the movie?

What’s your fave Halloween Jam?

Any thoughts?

Posted on Sunday, September 30, 2012

Gospel artist Dietrick Haddon remakes Usher’s song “Climax” (VIDEO)

Hello World,

As I was perusing blogs and various news outlets, I came across this video of Dietrick Haddon singing R&B superstar Usher’s song “Climax” on The Gospel Guru courtesy of The Old Black Church! Instead of the original love song, however, Haddon has reworked the song into a gospel song…Check it out below…

Some people may have a problem with that, but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…In fact, Haddon says to Usher that he likes Usher’s song at the beginning of the video. And according to Ecclesiastes 1:9, “there is nothing new under the sun.” In fact, R&B artists also borrow from gospel. R&B legend Ray Charles was known for borrowing from gospel music. His song “I Got a Woman” is a reworking of the song “It Must Be Jesus” by the Southern Tones. (Remember that scene in the movie “Ray” when Della Bea criticizes Ray Charles for reworking the song? She says, “But it… it ain’t… It ain’t right to be changing gospel music into this.'”) Anyhow, take a look at the “It Must Be Jesus” video and then the video for “I Got a Woman.” Frankly, I like both songs…