POLITICAL | URBAN | ENTERTAINMENT | GOSPEL | HISTORY & CULTURE

buzzz worthy. . . Kanye, Jay Z and Beyonce lead the list of 2012 BET Awards nominees with 7, 6, and 5 nods repectively. Jay Z's nods are for collabos with Kanye on the album “Watch the Throne.”  Two of Bey's noms are for the Video of the Year ("Countdown" a "Love on Top.") a category where she faces off with her Kanye ("N--gas in Paris.) The Carters are co For the first time this year the highest grossing actor of all time (Guiness), Samuel L.Jackson will host the biggest night in urban entertainment live from the Shrine Auditorium on July 1.  Plus, be there will a long overdue tribute to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly , this year's recipients of the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award. The State Farm Humanitarian Award will be presented to Rev. Al Sharpton for his years of  tireless efforts to seek just for all, including leading the charge in exposing issues in the Trayon Martin case this year. The show is one of the highest rated awa...

buzzz worthy. . . Bishop T.D. Jakes and First Lady Selita Jakes on the red carpet at 35th anniversary gala. Thousands Gather in Dallas to Pay Tribute to Worldwide Spiritual Leader, Highlighted by  Oprah Winfrey Surprise Appearance, Moving Tributes and  Uplifting Performances DALLAS - June 11, 2012 - World leaders, dignitaries and celebrities from around the world gathered in the vibrant Arts District near downtown Dallas Friday to attend an historic event honoring global humanitarian and faith-based entertainment mogul Bishop T.D. Jakes ' 35 years of spiritual leadership and service. Aptly titled "A Triumphant Journey," the three-hour, black-tie celebration was hosted by director/writer/producer Tyler Perry and CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien at the state-of-the-art AT&T Winspear Opera House. The awe-inspiring evening was a surprise for Bishop Jakes and featured an unexpected appearance by entertainment icon Oprah Winfrey who congratulated him for be...

buzzz worthy. . . Last year, R&B star, Eric Benet, currently celebrating the release of his first CD “The One” on his own Jordan House recording label, made his debut as a leading man in the family film, “Trinity Goodheart” (Image Entertainment). The critically acclaimed movie is now available on DVD just in time for Father’s Day and it paints a positive picture of African-American fatherhood. “This was my first time doing a male lead in a movie,” Benet told the Associated Press. “It would ease my burden of trying to carry a movie if I had a script that was so similar to my life and my life experiences. It was one of the aspects of the movie that really attracted me, and the other aspect was how it was so beautifully written. … It just all resonated really strongly for me.” The movie does mirror his life. He raised his eldest daughter, India (now 21 years old), singlehandedly after her mother, Tami, was killed in a car accident in 1993. In the film, he plays a single fa...

buzzz worthy. . . Terrance J and Rocsi, long-time co-hosts of BET's 106 & Park announced yesterday they will be leaving the show. BET Vice President of Programming Stephen Hill released the following statement about their planned departure: “Today, after seven exciting years, 106 & Park hosts Terrence J and Rocsi announced that they will be leaving the show. It is no secret that there are a number of opportunities coming their way and we’re fortunate that they’ve been with 106 & Park for so long. They will be staying on the show for a while, so that we can have a “victory lap” — a celebration of their years at the helm of 106 & Park — before their departure. Terrence J and Rocsi are destined for great success and we at BET Networks will always take pride in being their original home — and be a place where I hope they’ll always feel welcome.”

buzzz worthy. . . AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH, 2012 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION As a long-cherished piece of American culture, music offers a vibrant soundtrack to the story of our people and our Union. At times when words alone could not bring us together, we have found in melodies and choruses the universal truths of our shared humanity. African-American musicians have left an indelible mark on this tradition, and during African-American Music Appreciation Month, we pay special tribute to their extraordinary contributions. Generations of African Americans have used music to share joy and pain, triumph and sorrow. Spiritual hymns gave hope to those laboring under the unrelenting cruelty of slavery, while gospel-inspired freedom songs sustained a movement for justice and equality for all. The smooth sounds of jazz and the soulful strain of the blues fed a renaissance in art and prose. The rhythm and blues that began in a b...

buzzz worthy. . .  Chaka Khan is on the move. Khan joined David Foster and Friends at the Kennedy Center Spring Gala in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, May 6, to raise money for arts education.   Foster’s other “friends” included singers Jewel and Peter Cincotti, along with trumpeter Chris Botti, violinist Caroline Campbell, soprano Angel Blue and a multicultural group of new and developing artists.   Chaka performed “Through the Fire,”   “I'm Every Woman,” and the newly penned “The Promise That We Make," which she performed for the finale with all performers and 40 wives of military servicemen. The evening before, Chaka electrified a sold-out crowd at the historic Howard Theatre.   Performing for an audience of loyal and devoted fans, she sang her signature classic hits, including “I Feel For You,” “Tell Me Something Good,” “Sweet Thing,” “Everlasting Love,” “Ain’t Nobody” and more. The Washington Post headline for its rave review read, “Chaka takes...

buzzz worthy. . . Pastors Defend the Hip Hop Artist and Encourages Congregations to Discuss Hypocrisy in the Church GRAMMY ® nominated hip hop artist Lecrae opens up about his latest song, “Church Clothes,” that was released last month as a part of his Mixed Tape. Hoping to inspire discussion about hypocrisy in churches, instead the track has caused quite a stir among the community. However, Lecrae stands by his lyrics and explains this song is not meant to accuse or attack anyone or any denomination but purely to voice the perspective of an unbeliever’s encounter and view of the church . “In the song ‘Church Clothes’ I was actually speaking from the perspective of a person who sees all the hypocrisy in church,” says Lecrae. “Many people have seen the hypocrisy and inconsistencies that have helped push them away from the church and God all together.” Lecrae admits that people have been hurt by churches who have told them that if they don't dress accordingly or...