::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

Faster than you can say "pacifier" Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey are both working on new albums after becoming first time parents on April 30.  It seems just like yesterday that the couple welcomed  twins -- a son, Morrocon Scott and daughter, Monroe -- but according to Billboard, Nick "is staying busy with a new stand-up special and forthcoming musical album, while Carey is working on a new full-length of her own." Nick (30) and Mariah (42) were also celebrating their third wedding anniversary on April 30 and renewed their vows at the hospital with assistance from Al Sharpton . The couple's high from this new chapter in their lives was interrupted by a call from the Child Protective Services.   “It all started where a nurse suggested to my wife that if you drink Guinness or a small amount of Guinness, the dark beer, that the yeast improves breastfeeding,” he told Piers Morgan on his CNN show. “I don’t know if someone overheard that, but then they were...

MAY 15, 2011 – The First Lady will address more than 500 graduates of Spelman College , a historically black liberal arts college for women who seek to change the world in meaningful ways.  Located in Atlanta, Georgia , and founded in 1881, Spelman College embraces a long-standing and life-changing commitment to academic rigor , community service and positive social impact. Please contact Tomika DePriest, Executive Director of Communications at Spelman College at (404) 270-5060 , tdepriest@spelman.edu for more information.   Mrs. Obama began her 2011 commencement addresses in Iowa last weekend, making her first visit as First Lady to a state she came to know and love during the 2008 campaign.  The First Lady’s final two commencement visits, to take place in the coming weeks, underscore Mrs. Obama’s commitment to supporting and highlighting the strength of America’s military and their families. Mrs. Obama will address the class of 2011 at the United States Mil...

Most Powerful Voices Volume 1 Hits Stores May 17   The 5 th Annual Power Awards' "You Are The Power Concert" Featuring   Chrisette Michele , Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Brian Courtney Wilson to Be Held at the Apollo Theater in New York on Friday, May 6 Most Powerful Voices Compilation Features Music by Kim Burrell , Trin-i-tee 5:7, Vanessa Bell Armstrong , Brian Courtney Wilson, Micah Stampley and Winners of the Most Powerful Voices   Gospel Music Competition Music World Gospel Partners with the American Heart Association and GMC ( Gospel Music Channel ) for Gospel Competition Music World Music/Music World Gospel releases the Most Powerful Voices Volume 1 compilation CD, in stores May 17, 2011 .  The compilation features ten songs by Kim Burrell ("Happy") , Trin-i-tee 5:7 ("I'm Still Holdin' On") , Vanessa Bell Armstrong ("It's Over Now"), Brian Courtney Wilson (" All I Need ") , Juanita Bynum ("Soul Cry, [Oh,...

Ricky Dillard and his long established choir New Generation Chorale (New G) are most well known for their energetic style and sound.   Multiple Stellar Award winner and nominee, Dillard has been credited as being one of the most influential choir directors in contemporary gospel music.  He continues to live up to that role on the new album, KEEP LIVING , with signature choir vocal arrangements and melodies taken to a whole other level.        Offering songs that are mature, discriminating and wise, it is clear that Dillard has grown in his approach to music.   New songs like "Keep Living," "He Turned It," and "He Reigns," are definitive and timeless offerings.  "The Sweetest Name" also features special guest Karen Clark Sheard, on which her incomparable vocals soar high.   The lead single, "God Is Great," is an instantaneous classic. Lyrically, the simplicity of the drive, 'God is Great', to the intricate verses, the...

Dawkins & Dawkins return to Gospel music scene after a 10-year hiatus with an all-new studio release, FROM NOW ON, from Light Records .  The highly regarded duo - blood brothers Anson and Eric - took a break from performing, yet their unforgettable classics have stood the test of time with national and international media success and continued ai rplay.   Since their eponymous debut in 1993, Dawkins & Dawkins have provided several memorable contemporary gospel hits like "Everybody Needs Somebody," " God In You ," and " I Will Rest."   They received mass attention for FOCUS, their last studio release in 1998.   That record landed in the Top 200 on the Billboard ch art and gleaned the hit songs " Need To Know ," "Wrapped Up ," and " Praisin' On My Mind." Fast-forwarding to 2011, their new project FROM NOW ON continues their contemporary flow and displays a more mature writing and musical style . It has t...

Prolific artist, songwriter, producer SMOKIE NORFUL releases, HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us, featuring the 12 th District A.M.E. Church Choir, honoring the African American church's most beloved songs.   HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us highlights the standards and hymns that have been the very backbone of the African American church.   Recorded live in Tulsa, OK at the 12 th District A.M.E. Church Conference.    The album showcases the commanding 12 th District A.M.E. choir, songs like "Trouble In My Way," "Amazing Grace," "Lord Will Make A Way," and "I Know It Was The Blood"   are meaningful and significant songs to the Black church.      HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us includes appearances by guest artists J oe Ligon, Melvin Williams, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Myron Butler and Sheri Jones Moffett. The radio single, "Sunday Morning Medley," which Norful performed earlier this year on BET's Celebra...

SR VP & General Manager of Light Records, James Robinson announced a marketing and distribution agreement with JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, to bring his new label, FIYA World Music to Light Records and eOne Distribution.   The three year deal, which was inked this week, includes the future recordings of James Fortune & FIYA as well as a number of other artists FIYA World Music is recording Under the terms of the agreement, Light Records will handle marketing and promotion while eOne will handle distribution. Fortune & FIYA introduced themselves to the world with their debut CD YOU SURVIVED in 2005.   They amassed recognition in 2009, with the award winning song, “I Trust You,” from their sophomore release THE TRANSFORMATION. “I am so grateful to Black Smoke Music and Kerry Douglas for all they’ve done for me … the platform they gave me was unbelievable and I will always be thankful to them,” said Fortune.   “For my family and me, I’ve decided it was time to...