BET MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE DISAPPOINTS!

Quite frankly, if you saw the award show lastnight with your own eyes, you saw exactly what happened. However, Im angry at myself for expecting anything different. I've been boycotting BET for a while now. Since the Debra Lee takeover, BET has been a platform for the exploitation of black culture, with 106th & Park being its saving grace. And even that hasn't been the same since the ousting of Free & AJ. So filling the void, I've been tuning into TVONE lately (as it might be quite clear now, we ALL may need to make that move). The BET awards lastnight just reminded me why.

I'm actually upset with myself, that I allowed BET's PR machine to pull me into all the anticipation of a "supposed" tribute to the King of Pop. But BET failed miserably! Between the live airing of curse words, inappropriate performances (shoutout to Young Money), breathlessly random speeches (Don Cornelius), false advertising and a host of other problems with the show, BET tragically missed the mark. The only bright side of the show were the performances, although some were still a little questionable.

For example, New Edition broke my heart. I mean, WTF WAS THAT?! The singing was god-awful, Mics were too low, and I thought Bobby was gonna collapse LOL. The only good about their performance was the precision of their dance moves, somethin New Edition has always shined in. But shouldnt there been more dancing tribute to mike? I mean, where was USHER, CHRIS BROWN, OMARION, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE? And Personally, if BET wasn't gonna let DAY26 perform on the show, they could have at least let them replace New Edition. Day26 would have ripped it! Even 5 of today's top R&B solo male acts could have been J5 for a night, and that would have been better than what we saw (Usher, Ginuwine, Neyo, etc.).

In addition, I'm sure BET intended for Tevin Campbell to be their SHOCKING awards show surprise, something they go for every year. And maybe Tevin even decided this could be a great platform to stage a possible comeback (I've heard he's been in the studio) but I mean, Tevin Campbell?! Where did they even find him?! However, I, for one was very excited! Tevin played a HUGE role in my love for music during my early childhood. And I must say, the grown Tevin Campbell looked and sounded excellent! It was great to see him shine again. However! If you're going to bring Tevin Campbell back, after years in obscurity, during a Michael Jackson tribute show, wouldnt it make more sense to have Tevin do a MJ song rather than an OJay's song?? Especially with the Quincy Jones link and all? *sighs*

What I saw lastnite was simply SAD. I mean, seriously, WHY DIDNT GINUWINE PERFORM? WHY WASNT THERE A STRING OF ARTISTS SINGING A MEDLEY OF HIS SONGS? WHERE WAS THE ACTUAL MJ TRIBUTE? WHERE WAS THE COMMENTARY RETROSPECTIVE? A couple of shoutouts or references to MJ throughout the show was not my idea of a tribute. Dressing up like Mike or wearing MJ tees, is not my idea of a tribute. People been doin that for years. WHERE WERE HIS CELEBRITY FRIENDS? WHY DIDNT THE OJAY'S SHARE MORE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES ABOUT MJ? WHY DIDNT CHRIS TUCKER SHOW N SPEAK (STILL HAVENT HEARD ANYTHING FROM HIM REGARDING HIS FRIENDS DEATH)...And we're not even gonna discuss Jamie Foxx as the host...hillarious for the most part, but constantly promoting your concert during what was supposed to be MJ's moment was the last straw for me.

BET, yall seriously need 2 step your game up. You have become an embarrassment for what is supposed to be an outlet for Black expression. As Jamie said, Michael Jackson belonged to us! And it was only right that we celebrate his life the CORRECT way. That's what I THOUGHT I was going to see. I have no idea what you thought you were doing with that show lastnight, but you have failed at the biggest opportunity in the history of your network, to not only push BET to a level of prestige, but in showing the World how to send the BEST ENTERTAINER TO EVER BE BORN, A BLACK MAN to his eternal home. And it's sad that it had to happen on such a public stage :( If we couldn't have done it correctly, it shouldn't have been done at all.

PEOPLE, if I were you, I'd seriously switch to TVONE, and make sure to look forward to the VMA's where I'm sure (its sad but true) that MTV, the network that at first refused to play black faces will send him home in style.

You know what...I actually read anotha article on this very topic that I want to pass along to you. Because he said everything I want to say and more:

http://hiphopandpolitics.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/bet-missed-the-mark-last-night-w-their-michael-tribute/

THE DAY THE MUSIC STOPPED...

LONG LIVE THE KING

It is with deep regret that I am writing these words. As a matter of fact, my mind feels like it’s in some foggy tunnel searching for light; a light that symbolizes the resurrection of the Genius that was Michael Jackson….I apologize if this blog comes across as scrambled as my mind is. It's usually moments like this that I am speechless, and this time is no different, however, I felt it would be disrespectful if I DIDN'T pay my respects the only way I know how - through my writing.

They say deaths come in 3. The Old, The Sick, and the Unexpected. Well I can say within this past week, all 3 have come to past. Ed McMahon, the Old. Farrah Fawcet, the Sick…but who would have ever thought that Mike would be, The Unexpected?? It’s a funny thing about Life…..we live knowing that we all have to die sometime. But it is deaths like this that feel like an assault on the human race.

It is unfortunate that the only Michael Jackson performance I ever got to witness was via tv screen or cd/album. But while pregnant with me, my mom attended the Jackson reunion tour. She always reminds me that while there, I kicked the hell out of her belly as if I was trying to mimic Jackson’s own moves. That was obviously a precursor to the connection I and many others have always felt toward Mike. I can recall as a child, crying hysterically and reaching for the tv set every time a simple MJ video went off, or a performance was finished and he left the stage. I can remember singing my own rendition of “Billie Jean”: “Billie Jeanest not my lover…” lol…or singing “Man in the Mirror” at the top of my lungs. I remember watching “Moonwalker” in amazement, and screaming every time he did the Moonwalk. Whatever Mike did, I was their in spirit, both as a child and as an adult. Some of my best childhood memories involve Mike as if he was a friend of the family, and now he is just suddenly gone. With no hint or sign that sumthin this sudden, tragic and unexpected was about to go down. We definitely were not ready for this.

Michael Jackson was, is and always will be a legend. His success and achievements go unparallel to the careers of those that have come before and after him. His talents, in my opinion, are incomparable and have always surpassed the idiocracy of the insensitive media coverage that plagued his existence. He is the “King of Pop”, or as Trey Songz said and rightfully so, the “King of Music".” His contributions to the music world as a whole have transcended boundaries crossing generations, culture (becoming not only the 1st successful African American mainstream artist, but becoming the 1st African American to get video play on MTV, which has since changed MTV forever). Additionally, his influence has crossed musical boundaries unmatched and unheard of since. He literally, changed music. I often joke around and say, Video didn’t kill the radio star, Michael Jackson did, and you can see his influence in all genres across the board, particularly in hip-hop & r&b with the likes of Usher, R.Kelly, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Ne-yo, Beyonce, and the list can go on.

There will never, EVER EVER be another Michael Jackson. He as well as his music was timeless and will live on forever. For 40years, we have watched him grow from a boy to a man. And my hope is that in death, although we should have done it a long time ago, we can give him the respect he so well deserved. There is no tribute anyone can do to even remotely come close to praising the influence Mike had on all our lives. He was an artist, a dancer, a singer, a songwriter, a humanitarian and most of all, he was a Man. An imperfect human being with flaws like all the rest of us. I will forever love and admire the man for his efforts, his talents, and the ability to withstand all of the media scrutiny for as long as he was able to. And now I pray that his soul is finally at Peace. We are truly blessed to have been able to witness such GREATness.

We Love you Mike forever and Always

REST IN PEACE

Aug 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009

"Gone Too Soon" - Michael Jackson

Like a comet

Blazing 'cross the evening sky

Gone too soon

Like a rainbow

Fading in the twinkling of an eye

Gone too soon

Shiny and sparkly

And splendidly bright

Here one day

Gone one night

Like the loss of sunlight

On a cloudy afternoon

Gone too soon

Like a castle

Built upon a sandy beach

Gone too soon

Like a perfect flower

That is just beyond your reach

Gone too soon

Born to amuse

To inspire to delight

Here one day

Gone one night

Like a sunset

Dying with the rising of the moon

Gone too soon

Gone too soon

A FOOTBALL REALITY - "4th & Long" on Spike TV

WATCH

"4TH & LONG W/MICHAEL IRVING"

MONDAY NIGHTS ON SPIKE TV!

Featuring
Steve "Speedy" Gonzalez

To the Graduating Class of 2009, Johnny Calls!

It's being called "The Season's Best Commencement Speech", and who would have expected such a strong message and delivery from an R&B star?

Well, since it's John Legend, I'm not surprised. Some of us may remember when Johnny wrote to the NY times in a POWERFUL rebuttal after they printed a racially controversial cartoon comparing Obama and his stimulus package to a monkey being shot down by "politicians". Now, he is challenging the American creed, and rightfully so.

It was today that John Legend delivered such a speech at his alma mater, The University of Pennsylvania, and as a recent college graduate myself, I must admit, i'm a little jealous I wasn't there to hear it. He has already been featured on CNN's Larry King live because of it, and has stirred conversation amongst those affected by his words, both online, on tv, and on video. What did he speak about? He spoke about truth and the lack there of in our country. He also spoke of the war, of the stuggling economy, and the fact that not only do we deserve the truth, but we should pursue it.

Now of course it goes deeper than anything I can explain, so you should just go watch it or read it for yourself. But I will say this...I hope sometime after his music career, he starts a writing career, because the man is fierce! All my writers kno exactly what i'm talking about.

So thanks again John for speaking up and speaking out. For being brave and mature enough to understand that as a public figure it is your responsibility to speak for the voiceless. Keep it up man...much respect :)

For more info on the speech, or to watch the video or read the transcript, visit:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/19/john-legend-commencement_n_205007.html

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG!

I made the change from a common thief

To up close and personal with Robin Leach

And I'm far from cheap,

I smoke skunk with my peeps all day

Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way

The Moet and Alize keep me pissy

Girls used to diss me

Now they write letters 'cause they miss me

I never thought it could happen,

this rappin' stuff

I was too used to packin' gats and stuff

Now honies play me close

like butter played toast

From the Mississippi down to the east coast

Condos in Queens,

indo for weeks

Sold out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak

Livin' life without fear

Puttin' 5 karats in my baby girl's ears

Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool

Considered a fool

'cause I dropped out of high school

Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood

And it's still all good

Uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga....

May 21, 1972 - March 9, 1997

R.I.P BIGGIE

When will this be considered GENOCIDE?

R.I.P DOLLA

I had the pleasure of meeting Dolla last year while working at the BET Awards. As a matter of fact, I was assigned to escort Dolla through the radio room, thus allowing me to spend practically the whole day with him.

Many may not know who Dolla is because he only briefly attained success at minor levels. However, the person I remember was a bright eyed hopeful artist, ready for the success he knew was awaiting him. At the time, I hadn't realized who he was. I had played "Who the f*** is that" ft. Akon many times, and had seen the video a handful of time. But by the end of the day, and all of his radio interviews, I was grateful to have been assigned to him. He was nowhere near allowing the current fame (at that time, "Who the f*** is that" was blowin up) to get his head. He met all of his elders (including radio deejays) as Ma'am and sir. And before he made his exit, he thanked me graciously, hugged me, and left. The whole day, I felt as if I was kickin it with a homeboy. He made my job easy.

The brief memories I have of Dolla will always remain with me because I was impressed by him. It is also because it was the last time I heard of him, until yesterday. Im sure many of you know by now that Dolla was violently gunned down in the Beverly Center yesterday. At the age of 21, he was shot 5 times, at least 1 of the shots pierced his skull and took his life.

The circumstance of his death angers me, as it should anger you. He was only 21. Two years ago, some friends of mine buried a friend who had been gunned down at the age of 22, also shot in the head. I'm only 23yrs old and I can't even imagine my life ending so suddenly. I can't imagine my future being so drastically altered. I can't imagine how the lives of those around me would be affected. And with so many mothers losing their sons, babies losing fathers, brothers and sisters losing cousins and siblings, uncles, at the hands of so many other black men, I want to know when the problem will become big enough for people to start caring. THIS IS GENOCIDE PEOPLE! And I for 1, am sick of it!

Whatever the beef was, I'm sure it wasn't worth taking a life. And I pray that Dolla's family, and the families of so many other slain black men somehow find retribution and a place in their heart to forgive. Rapper or not, no young man, in the prime of his life, deserves to be cut down like an animal they way he, Sean Bell and so many others have been. Not by the police, and DEFINITELY not by his own people. I love black men to much to not feel the hurt in my heart when things like this happen. Why do we have to constantly be the lead story on the 5 o'clock news? Where is the brotherhood? Where is the pride?

Rest In Peace Dolla

Rest In Peace Marquise

Rest In Peace Sean Bell

And Rest in Peace to all the rest of the fallen soldiers of the ghetto

Sorry 4 the delay, but I'M BACK! Finally!

Well wut to discuss?? Well first things first, for those on twitter, follow me at TWITTER.COM/MIZZBELL

Well, it's been a while. A long while. So I figured what better way to update than with something I hold so near and dear to my heart. Music, to me is necessary for life. Good music. The kind that penetrates the soul and touches the very essence of who you are as a person, a performer or whatever you might be; The kind that allows you to just fall....fall into the melody, fall into the groove.....That's what music does for me. It expresses everything I ever think and feel without me ever having to speak the words. The pain, the joy, the hurt....it's amazing, its effect....so amazing it brings tears to my eyes. It happened the first time I heard Jazmine Sullivan's album. I was proud that in such a wreckless music world that we live in, people still respect the craft enough to still make GOOD music, not jus to make money, because it just comes from their soul. Well, it’s happened again: No....you're eyes are not deceiving you. Many may not know, but as a genuine fan of R&B, Day26's first album was surprisingly (and vocally) impressive (for lack of a better word). It took a couple of listens, but soon I was a lifelong fan. At first listen, the 90's influence is evident. I would even go as far as to say, with the legacy established in the 90's, Bad Boy was the perfect label for them. Diddy is truly someone who recognizes talent. He isn't Diddy for nothing. So while their 1st album continued to burn a whole in my cd player, the release date of their second album was announced. I must say, I was ecstatic, curious to see if they could repeat the cohesiveness they had vocally accomplished with their debut.

When April 14, 2009 came, history in the music world was made. The words I write hear may not be relevant or recognized for years to come because of people's lack of respect and genuine passion for good music, but I guarantee, music listeners, real music lovers, and researchers, connoisuers of music, WILL recognize that "Forever In A Day" was that needle in the haystack of countless (seemingly effortless) releases within the last 10 years. It's not easy to live up to a legacy such as Bad Boy's and the past artists he's had on his roster. But! This album has to honestly be, one of the best of 2009, and it will be recognized as a classic for years to come. It is with this album that Day26 was able to achieve a feat many artists are unable to accomplish. Something people like to call the "sophomore album curse". The second album is what makes or breaks an artist. If you can release a quality second album, while feeding your audience what they want to hear, and keeping your image in tact, you succeed in securing a fan base and having longevity in the music industry. Well I'm here to give credit where credit is due. I confess, that it is with this album that Day26 stepped out of the shadow of being considered a "tv group" (and not a "real" group), and into a REAL Male R&B group, with longevity potential that I hope will somehow someday be recognized.

While it is evident that to remain relevant in this industry, you must serve a certain mainstream audience, R&B artists must always be careful of not falling victim to the current trends of, let's say hip-hop. So while songs like the lead album cut, "Just Getting Started", the T-Pain lended track "Shawty Was Up", and their lead hit single, "Imma Put It On Her" attract a new (club) audience, and offer possible radio potential, the TRUE essence of R&B is it's soul. It is a soul that is ever present in the vocals. This is what sets R&B apart from the rest and makes it special. So needless to say, as an R&B group the songs that shined the brightest were the ballads.

The thing about Day26 that makes them special is that, well first of all, all the members can sing. There is no lead singer. There is no member fighting for the spotlight. They all just fall so beautifully and gracefully into their parts on songs. Not to mention, their harmonies are literally music to my ears! Need evidence, just listen closely to "Your Heels", "Bi-Polar" and my favorite, the Neyo cover "Then there's You" (by the way, Brian completely murders the end of "Then There's You". His voice brings me right back to the days of Jodeci, Sisqo and so many other that lent their talents to the 90's. Stand up Houston!) Anyway, got side tracked lol....

The production on this album is excellent! There are some points when the vocal production was a little off, but not enough to mess up the album. With the only disappointment on the album coming from Jermaine Dupri's "Need That", everything on the album is a banger. Especially the B. Cox joints that we all love! I mean, this album is so good, it makes me want to hear the tracks that didn’t make the album. I also wanna give props to Day26 for writing a lot of the songs on the album. Writing to me is what shows true artistry.

Anyway, if you don’t have the album yet, please go get it. They deserve the record sales. Don’t download it, don’t burn it, go buy it, asap! Holla