KIRK FRANKLIN

• Interviews
• July 9th

He has shared the stage with some of the biggest superstars in the world and coincidentally he’s a mega super star himself. The difference between Kirk Franklin and his elite comrades is that you can hear his music in any church on any given weekend, but also right after Jay-Z spits 16 bars on one of his many hits on the radio. But, the biggest distinction is you always know who he’s singing about and who he’s living for!

Now, Kirk Franklin is adding another notch under his belt by adding author to his long list of accolades and accomplishments. “The Blueprint” is Franklin’s help guide to improve your life’s journey with a few useful tips from Kirk and of course, Jesus Christ!

What are we going to learn about Kirk Franklin from “The Blueprint?”

The book is not autobiographical. It’s more about life lessons I’m sharing. I believe there are biblical principles that have a swag to them that can entertain while inspiring and creating a strong dialogue about God’s plans for our lives. I talk about how we can live out God’s plan in singlehood, in our marriage, sexuality and in our faith. So that’s my goal. The book is not necessarily to give you a deeper insight to Kirk, even though I use a lot of personal illustrations.

What did you learn about yourself from writing this book?

I learned I have a lot more growth to do when it comes to discipline. It was hard as all outdoors writing this book. This was one of the most challenging projects I’ve ever done because it takes so much discipline. It’s not like writing a song. Writing a song is work, but this a whole different type of work. You don’t have a melody or a beat to inspire you. It was just me in a hotel room or upstairs in my room with my computer, digging! That takes a lot of discipline. I’m learning more from the book now than I did when I was writing it because I was just regurgitating and dumping stuff that was in my mind.

Within the last year what has been one of your biggest storms?

My greatest storm to always overcome is myself. I’m a lot to deal with. Just learning how to rest and be able to trust that God knows exactly what He’s doing and having faith and giving up my will and power for His is a job in itself.

What is your blueprint for your 4 children as a father?

As a father I want to be their blueprint, until they are able to walk on their own. I want them to be able to learn from my life. It’s easy to put on the “Jesus stuff” for those who don’t know you, but the ones who do really get to see the real thing, that is the greatest job and call ever, to be a light in your own home.

Do you have days when you feel you weren’t the best father or husband you could be?

Yes, of course! You always look in every area of your life whether it’s a father, husband, friend or a musician, especially for my personality. I’m always second-guessing and double-checking, almost like a maniac. It’s like I always overanalyze every little move and detail.  What I always come back to and rest in is that God is sovereign and even in my mistakes God takes them and uses them for His glory.

Do you ever go back and listen to your music and think it wasn’t as hot as you thought it was?

There have been many times I’ve gone back and listened to something and wasn’t feeling it like I was when I recorded it. There are times when I feel really disconnected or feel like I’m performing more than I’m being inspired. It can get dicey because you can start moving in the flesh trying to make a hit or crossover. The greatest thing I appreciate about the walk is the opportunity of grace. It always gives me the opportunity to confess my wrong and know that He is waiting to give me forgiveness and mercy. God exists to give me grace. That is so dope to me. And for humans that is so far beyond our understanding.

You’ve had a sister who was addicted to crack, a near death experience, a mother who abandoned you and didn’t want you, yet the public sees you as a big superstar. How would you encourage someone who thinks Kirk Franklin couldn’t possibly understand my struggle?

Behind every song is a story. Whoever you see publicly is because of what I’ve gone through privately. Endure what you’re facing privately because it makes a stronger public person, so if and when you do stand publicly to defend your faith or testify about your faith and believe what you believe about why He’s been so good to you. Those pink slips, those difficult times, those times you wanted to drive your car off the cliff, those lonely nights, the difficult phone calls are the times that develop the deeper character in you.

Who or what inspires you?

To be honest right now, and this not to sound deep or anything, but I listen to a lot of preaching and teaching. I listen to Tony Evans, Charles Stanley, David Jeremiah, Chuck Swindoll, Jonathan McArthur…these cats inspire me with a little meat on the bones. When it comes to music, I listen to music to unwind and relax. I listen to Coldplay, David Crowder Band, Yo Yo Ma, Fugees, James Brown, Michael Jackson and the edited version of Jay-Z. Even though I don’t agree with his lyrical content, I think he’s a great talent the same way I appreciate Denzel in “Training Day.” I don’t agree with the character, but I can identify that he’s a talented actor. Because I travel a lot and I don’t get to church often, I try to keep myself fed. We live in a world that takes away so much from that.  It’s very important to stay fed.

What do you want people to take away from “The Blueprint”?

I want them to feel like Kirk Franklin came over to the crib and we sat for hours and talked about marriage, family, sex and dating. I want it to feel like a friend stopped by and was hard on me, but still showed me love and dropped some jewels that I needed in my life.

To hear the complete audio of this interview click on this link: http://churchbeatradio.com/wpmu/blog/2010/05/15/exclusive-kirk-franklin-interview/

ONE TO WATCH! NEW ARTIST DAYNA CADDELL

• News
• March 15th

I had a hunch I needed to keep my eyes on this lady named, Dayna Caddell. And I was right…of course! (lol) I really took notice once I realized she was nominated for a Grammy for co writing my favorite song “Every Prayer” which featured Mary Mary on Israel’s Houghton’s latest release “The Power of One.” Actually that was one of the only songs I liked off that CD. But I digress…ANNYYYYYWAYYY…I’ve been told God willing, there will be a full release from Dayna before 2010 is over. She’s worked with some big names in the lab, so I’m expecting some incredible material. No pressure Dayna!

Dayna is still relatively unknown to the masses, so I wanted everyone to get a glimpse into who she is so you’ll be anticipating her upcoming release like I am!

1. You were nominated for a Grammy this year. How did the song with Israel come about? Aaron Lindsey and I were in a writing session for my project.  We came up with the basic hook for “Every Prayer,” when Israel and Ricardo Sanchez stopped by the studio.  One thing led to another and we all collaborated on “Every Prayer” and “Power of The Cross” that night.  At the end of our session in the wee hours of the morning, Israel asked if he could put the song on his CD.  I was a bit reluctant at first, but prayed on it and realized it would be a wise decision.  Believe I was correct J.
2. What are you most nervous about as a new artist? Wow!  Performing in general tends to make me a bit nervous.  There are so many things that go through your mind as a new artist.  Will people get me?  Will they love my music?  Will I sell enough units?  Will I succeed in relaying my message?  The usual I suppose.
3. Tell me 3 things about yourself that most people don’t know? I’m really funny, a bit goofy!  I’m a partner in an Interior Design firm – Two2tango works Interior Design. I’m a good cook!
4. What producers did you work with and what is different about you than other female Gospel artists? On my project I worked with Warryn Campbell (whom I’ve dreamt of working with since he worked with Shanice Wilson back in the day), Eric Dawkins, Aaron Lindsey, Vann Clayton, Kenny and Charlie Bereal, and Gromyko Collins (vocal production). I think what’s different about me is that I didn’t come up singing in church.  My father who was in the music business exposed me to a myriad of music as a child and my older sister, who sang, played keys, and is an all around music connoisseur. I’ve been influenced from Rock to R&B.  My music is no doubt faith based!  My mission is to spread the word and love of God.  However it’s more Urban Inspirational than Gospel.
5. If I scrolled through your ipod what artists would I be surprised you have on there? Chick Corea, Adele, Barbra Streisand, Chaka Khan, Lupe Fiasco, Mint Condition,  Rascal Flatts, Pink, Rahsaan Patterson, Jay-Z, Sarah Vaughan!!
6. Do you ever get discouraged with the whole business side of the industry and if so how do you stay motivated? ABSOLUTELY!!  You grow up as this kid with a dream to sing (thank God my father and sisters experiences schooled me on the politics), and are rudely awakened by all of the red tape you have to fight your way through just to be heard.  Truth be told, it really sucks!  If you’re not determined and prayed up, you can really become completely discouraged.  No matter what genre you’re in.  At this point, I simply wait on God. Sure, I do the work, but he makes it all happen.  I stay motivated by believing and trusting in the word of God, and knowing that he will fulfill the desires of my heart according to his will.

For more information on Dayna Caddell go to http://www.myspace.com/daynacaddell

Jawn Murray

• Interviews
• December 21st

I actually have a nickname and theme song for the man I am HONORED to call my mentor in this business, “HOLLYWOOD!” (Thanks Jay-Z & Beyonce!)

Entertainment journalist guru Jawn Murray – despite living in Washington, DC – is truly Tinseltown’s finest!  It’s one thing to meet one of the people you admire, but to be able to call them a friend is a dream come true.

Jawn is more than an entertainment personality you hear on the radio or read on the internet.  Jawn is a shrewd business man that has strategically, successfully and prayerfully climbed to the top with all the integrity in the world.  There are not too many people in this business who are genuine, real and not threatened by someone else’s success.  But that’s why he stands out among the crowd and why God continues to bless his ever-growing empire!

What exactly do you do? What does your job entail?

I do a bunch of stuff. Most people kind of surmise that I’m a celebrity journalist. But I have my deal with AOL for the column BV Buzz under their Black Voices division.  My other deal is my twice-weekly spots on the Tom Joyner Morning Show.  I also make television appearances as an entertainment and pop culture subject matter expert.  I also do a lot of consulting for record companies, corporate brands, artists and other entities.  I’m my own CEO, which was unconventional when I first started out.  Luckily the way I structured my business, I haven’t been affected by the recession and the changing business.  It’s been 10 years as of May ’09 that I’ve been in this business.

What was your first real gig in the business?

I took a year off from school in ’99 and I started interning at a local Washington, DC radio station, WPGC.  I didn’t necessarily want to be in radio at the time, but I wanted to be diverse.  One of the mid-day radio hosts,Michel Wright, took a liking to me and she started letting me produce entertainment news segments on her show.  When I left the station to go back to school, she kept me on retainer and I continued to produce entertainment segments.  Michel really encouraged me to brand myself and get aggressive about making a name for myself.  At the time the internet was taking off real big and I created this e-zine called Garek News.It was basically an entertainment newsletter that was patterned after a popular news wire called EUR, which now only exists as an online website.  I used to send out emails to a small database of people in the business and it just grew from a few hundred to several thousand in a short time.

How did you get all your information since you were new to the scene?

In a matter of three or four months from working at the radio station, I had established a lot of relationships with industry people.  Then I started traveling doing all kinds of press junkets right from my dorm room.  By the time I had left Norfolk State, I had a meeting with EUR.  I disbanded my Garek News e-zine and adapted it into a column called Jawn’s Juice. The reason I called it Jawn’s Juice is because I had been doing local radio show in Norfolk with my good friend Phil Thornton, who now is a television and music mogul in Hollywood.  So the column was birthed from the radio segment.  EUR took my career to a whole new level.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part is dealing with crazy celebrities. The reality is celebrities can be temperamental, sensitive, manipulative and controlling.  They want to have their cake and eat it too.  They want the press, but they also want to dictate and control how it’s told.  In addition, the ex-wives, the entourage and all those extra “hanger-ons” who are trying to be famous or live vicariously through the celebrities are even crazier.

Do you remember the story that put you on the map?

The first big story I ever broke was with my column Garek News and it was that Destiny’s Child was breaking up.  I had done a radio event where original D.C. member LaTavia Roberson had expressed some concerns with things going on behind the scenes.  For whatever reason she connected to me and I knew the breakup was coming even before Mathew Knowles knew.  That was the first story I ever broke and people started doing pickups on it and really crediting me for getting that exclusive.  Honey magazine interviewed me about it and everything. That’s when I realized my voice carried legs.

Why do you think so many celebrities respect you and treat you differently than other entertainment journalists?

That used to be a question I asked myself all the time because I didn’t understand why celebrities took to me the way they did.  When I started in this business, there were all these misnomers about journalists like; nothing was ever truly off the record.  But, I would interact with an entertainer or celebrity and literally after one or two conversations they would tell me all their business.  But it wouldn’t just stop there, they would give me their home number to stay in touch and just deal with me on a personal level.  I think they found it comforting to talk to me.  It was really just the favor of God that people took such a strong liking to me.  People would be surprised at some of the conversations that I’ve had.  I’ve been part of some celebrities’ major life-changing decisions.  They know when I’m not working and my tape recorder isn’t on, I’m just their friend.  I’m not a name-dropper.  I’m a real dude who happens to work as a journalist.  I know the difference between having real time and operating in industry time.

How do you maintain a spiritual relationship with such a demanding career?

My relationship with God is everything to me.  It’s the reason why I’m in this business and why people have taken to me.  My relationship is so emanate with God, I think people naturally gravitate to that.  They recognize something different about me.  I’m a bonafide church boy and I’m very comfortable dwelling in a church setting, but I can also be in L.A. at an industry party and be comfortable there too.  I just may not be doing everything everyone else is doing.  Sometimes you deal with these crazy people in the industry and you want to fight back.  So there is a big battle between the spiritual me and the flesh in me who wants to just cuss some people out.  But my relationship with God has helped me make a lot of mature, imperative decisions.

How much of what we see and hear in the media is true?

It’s hard to tell. I tell most people to consider the source. A lot of what we see and hear about celebrities is fabricated to sell a product. We’ve heard countless stories of rappers saying they’re a gangster and they’re from the hood, but they really went to prep schools in the suburbs.  There are a lot of actors and actresses who on the surface look like millionaires, but really they are living with four other people or moved their parents in to help pay their rent.  So it’s a lot of smoke and mirrors.  With blogs being an intricate part of where people get information now, it compromises the traditionally journalism rules.  But as a rule of thumb, I tell most people that if the blog isn’t written by a respected journalist or attached to a credible news source, then the news should be processed accordingly.

I know you love music. Who are some of your favorites?

I’m a church boy, so I like singer-singers. They are currently joking me on my morning show because I am NOT a Sade fan!  But I do love real vocalists like Ledisi, Coko, Jennifer Hudson, Dave Hollister (really happy he’s doing R&B again), Lalah Hathaway, Shanice, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, Gladys Knight, Beyonce, Kelly Price, Ann Nesby, Kierra Sheard, Eric Benet, Ruben Studdard, Deitrick Haddon, Rahsaan Patterson, Anthony Hamilton, Johnny Gill, Nikki Ross, Tank, The Clark Sisters, Kim Burrell, Charlie Wilson, New Edition and so many more.  I could go on all day about singers.  But recently I’ve really gotten into U.K. artists too so I’m digging singers like Mica Paris, Beverly Knight and Lemar. I’m a Brit at heart!

How do you feel about artists who go back and forth between R&B and Gospel?

I don’t have a problem with it. As long as the lifestyle is intact, I don’t have a problem with what you sing. You can’t have vulgar lyrics and sing inappropriate songs on Saturday night and then sing sacred songs on Sunday. That’s just inconsistent. I’m a big champion of PJ Morton right now because I like the fact that he stepped out and said it is ok to sing about love. You can have integrity, be saved, go to church and sing about love. Just because you’re sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost doesn’t mean you’re called to sing gospel music. I think it’s a misnomer that you should only do one thing. There is a market for clean music and I think people who are saved can also sing that music. A lot of times I find mainstream artists are way more effective than some of the full-time Gospel artists because they are coming from a sincere place about their issues and struggles. That’s why there’s a connectivity that you may not get from a Gospel artist. A Gospel singer will sing and shout you into the ground and then get backstage and cuss you out because the offering isn’t what it’s supposed to be. I know many secular artists who tithe and actually belong to a church where they are not on staff as minister of music, unlike many Gospel artists. Some of the same Gospel singers, who complain about artists singing both, if given the opportunity, would sing “secular” music themselves in a New York minute. The very ones protesting the loudest are living the worst; having babies out of wedlock, cheating and everything else under the sun.  I get real passionate when I talk about this because there is so much judgment in this area and most of it is unwarranted.

What advice would you give to up and comers who want to do what you do?

I get emails all the time from people saying they want to do what I do. I tell them you see the glory, but you don’t know my story.  I love what I do, but there is and was a lot of sacrifice and heartache that went into this.  Let’s not mention the countless hours of prayer.  I’ve made some good decisions and some bad ones; but in the end it’s about being the tortoise and not the hare.  I’ve been blessed for it and it’s earned me longevity.

JAWN’S 10 RANDOM TRUTHS

1. Favorite TV show? “The View”
2. Favorite SWV song? “Weak.”
3. Would you ever bungee jump. Yes and I want my best friend VaShawn Mitchell to do it with me.  Plus, I’m afraid of heights!
4. How many kids do you want? Zero. I don’t like kids.
5. Favorite American Idol. Both Fantasia and Ruben Studdard.
6. Favorite award show to attend? The NAACP Image Awards.
7. Mac or PC? PC.
8. Favorite male R&B group? New Edition.
9. First car? Mazda 323.
10. Mary Mary or BeBe & CeCe? Mary Mary

For more information on Jawn, check out his column at www.BVBuzz.com.

LOVE TRIANGLE TAKES ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING! THE STORY UNFOLDS ABOUT TYE TRIBBETT & DA’ T.R.U.T.H.

• News
• November 12th

When I started this blog one of my initial intentions was to do my part to keep the Gospel music industry entertaining.  As of late, I haven’t had to do much of anything and things have progressed from entertaining to outright shocking.

The men of the Gospel industry have been keeping me VERY busy fielding emails from readers who are catching wind of their questionable actions.  I’ve pondered for a while now about whether I should address this topic, but I guess I won’t prolong this.

Everyone has been whispering about – though most media outlets have refrained from covering – what is going on with Gospel singer Tye Tribbett and Christian rapper Da’ T.R.U.T.H. Like me, I am sure the other gospel sites have seen the countless queries in the search engine where readers are looking to find out details about their quiet scandals.

As unbiased as I can be, let me attempt to report the facts from what I’ve gathered thus far.  Earlier this year, Tye, one of the industry’s top Gospel acts was apparently caught having an extramarital affair with a member of his choir.  Supposedly his wife discovered the affair around Mother’s Day, of all holidays.  The girl wasn’t just a member of Tye’s Greater Anointing choir, but she also happened to be the baby’s mother of one his best friends, who also sings in the group.  Made your eyebrow raise, huh?

After getting caught, Tye went on a 60-day sabbatical of consecration in an effort to get right with God.  The question most people were asking was simple, “Did he take the sabbatical because he felt guilty for participating in an ongoing affair or was this a real attempt to repent for his backslidden state?”

The problem here is that Tye had been extremely vocal (read: judgmental) about a lot of things, particularly things pertaining to mainstream music and culture.  For nearly two years, Tye preached a sermon during concerts where he openly rebuked everyone from Beyonce to Omarion as he told concertgoers that their “secular” music would cause them “death.”  His “Life or Death” message also challenged believers not to wear clothes by rappers like Sean “Diddy” Combs (Sean John) and Jay-Z (Roc-A-Wear) because you “carry their spirits” and “you don’t know the spirit behind these guys.”

There are several ironies here.  One being that Tye himself built his career on working with “secular” acts ranging from Faith Hill to Justin Timberlake. His deal at Sony Music came via a production deal with the same R&B label that signed neo-soul singer Vivian Green.  Additionally, the other irony is that apparently for a good portion of the time in which Tye was casting stones at mainstream music’s finest, he had some extracurricular spirits of his own that he was participating in – the main one being adultery!  (The old saying goes: “What’s done in the dark will come to the light.”)

If you have noticed, we haven’t heard so much as a PEEP from Tye since about May, except that awkward video interview with The Belle Report where they danced around the issue and his CNN appearance where he challenged PJ Morton’s music.  I find it very interesting that the man crowned as one of the most outspoken Gospel artists in the industry hasn’t mumbled a single word about his own transgressions.  For even the Bible in Revelation 12:11 says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”  Translation: If he can call out other people’s sins, the least he could do is come clean about his own.  Wouldn’t that be true ministry?

Since Tye never publicly addressed this issue, most media outlets ignoring the story, and Tye’s publicist not honoring requests for comment, I figured things would quiet down and folks would move on.

Well, apparently not.  Last week my search engine was abuzz again with queries about Gospel rapper, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. For those who don’t know, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. is a Stellar Award winner who happens to be Tye’s mentee.  On his personal website, the rapper posted a message that he was taking a sabbatical.  He announced that he was removing himself from the limelight for an indefinite period of time because of a “moral indiscretion.” (See his full statement on www.DaTruth.net )

I am not a fan of Christian Hip-Hop and couldn’t tell you the name of one song by Da’ T.R.U.T.H., however, I was aware that he, like Tye, had a pretty vocal stance towards mainstream music and during an interview on BET’s Lift Every Voice, he spoke about music producers who create both gospel and non-gospel music and declared God wasn’t pleased.

Apparently Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s “indiscretion” was an extramarital affair of his own.  As the facts are slowly unfolding, and as much as it sounds like an episode of the Young & The Restless, the affair was allegedly with Tribett’s wife Shante.  Yes, you read that correctly!

Confused? Well, here’s the recap in a nutshell: Tye cheated on his wife with a choir member who was his good friend’s baby’s mother. Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Tye’s mentee, cheated with Tye’s wife.  And it’s all going on in gospel.  Who would have thought?

Though I wasn’t a participant in any of these outrageous affairs, I know I’ll get countless e-mails from readers telling me I’m wrong for writing this story.  I was almost hung and dang near shot for writing an unfavorable CD review a few weeks ago.  But criticism aside, the bigger picture here is that none of us are exempt from the deception of the devil.  We are all sinners and the devil’s goal is to get us off course and make us look like fools; some of us just make it a lot easier for him to do it!

I hope that in the end, other artists and ministers of the gospel will learn from Tye and Da’ T.R.U.T.H. and stop condemning and judging people so radically without compassion.  But now, both of these brothers need everyone to forgive them and not forever hold their sins over their heads.

We serve a God that has the power to redeem us from our sin sick ways and God’s grace is enough to forgive us for ANYTHING we’ve done.  There is nothing we can do or say that will separate us from the Love of God.  Now, that doesn’t mean God isn’t disappointed with our actions and there won’t be consequences, but we will be forgiven.

So as you read this, I hope your first reaction is not to condemn the parties involved or even condemn me for speaking on it, but to pray and lift everyone up in prayer that God will renew a right spirit within each one of their lives and that they will repent and come out pure as Gold.

Scriptures to reflect on:

But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:5-6) NIV

For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23) NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2) NIV

See also Colossians 1:9-11 & Colossians 2:6-8

For more stories on Tye Tribbett go to www.dagospeltruth.com/?p=1566

NEW FEATURE! NEW FEATURE! “LET ME INTRODUCE YOU” RAE ELLIS MEETS GOD’S CHOSEN & WENDI WILLIAMS

• News
• July 13th

I came up with this idea to try and bridge the gap between artists in the Gospel Community! I’m still the new kid on the block on the Gospel media circuit, but as I’ve have had the awesome pleasure of interviewing some of my favorite artists, I’ve come to realize something?!?!?! There are so many artists that have not heard each other’s music. The Gospel community actually isn’t very big, but it seems like everyone is stuck on the usual suspects (i.e. Kim Burrell, Mary Mary, Karen Clark Sheard, Smokie Norful, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, etc.) and while they are all AMAZING artists, there are so many new artists and independent artists that are doing their thing!! So this new feature, “Allow me to re-introduce myself my name is HOV”, Ooops that’s Jay-Z! Work with me everybody! (lol) But seriously, “Let Me Introduce You” is my effort to expose other Gospel artists to artists they may not have ever listened to.  Who knows maybe a hot collaboration will come from my introduction!

I’m starting off the introduction with one of my favorite new Gospel Neo Soul divas, Rae Ellis (http://www.myspace.com/raesings), who you will be hearing more from in the very near future!! She is the DATRUTH and she has a very compelling interview coming soon! I am introducing Rae to my favorite independent Gospel female trio, God’s Chosen (http://www.myspace.com/gc3music) and newcomer Wendi Williams who has a hot song on the Oakwood USM Compilation CD.  Rae “Let Me Introduce You” to God’s Chosen and Wendi Williams.

Have you ever heard of God’s Chosen or Wendi Williams?

No, I had never heard of God’s Chosen, but heck people haven’t heard of me! (LOL) I’ve heard of Wendi Williams, but I’d not had the chance to hear her.

What do you think of God’s Chosen songs “God Changed My Life” & “Love Medley?”

“God Changed My Life” put me in the mind of the Dawkins…like a lost family   member! LOL I really thought they were pretty cool.  The “Love Medley” was such a great choice of songs! Gospel music at times gets lost lyrics. Sometimes they make it about what God has done only and not who he is! Worship is all about HIM! This was a good example of pure exhortation!  I was in a good ol fashioned cry fest! (I put it on repeat) I wish they would have just had a reprise let me get some burn! (LOL) I was feeling that!

What do you think of Wendi Williams’ song “Everyday”?

OMG I love it! She kind of puts me in the mind of KiKi …a lot actually, but she has her own spin. I don’t know if it was the speakers I was listening to the music on, but it seemed as if her mix didn’t really do the song justice. If that’s the only negative thing to say, then she is ahead of the game in my small opinion. I love her!

Would you encourage others to go out and support their album?

Yeah I sure would!

Are you glad I made the introduction??

Boy quit playin! You know you’re the TRUTH! I’m so glad! I need to get both projects on my iPod!

JOANN ROSARIO WEDS COCO

• News
• April 5th

Get your mind out of the gutter people. I’m not talking about Coko who gave us hits like; I’m So Into You, Weak, Sunshine and Clap Your Hands, but Coco Brother! You know the host of BET’s “Lift Every Voice”! By the way does anyone still watch that?? I turned to BET one morning and Gerard Henry was gone. (LOL What happened??) But, again I digressed. I must admit I love Joann Rosario, so I’m happy for the newlyweds! I don’t know if anyone cares about this story, but it is my duty to report it!! And like I said in the previous week, I need something to talk about so work with me people!!!  We can crown them our new Beyonce & Jay-Z. If anyone can think of a nickname for them let me know.