Welcome Back Vinsanity!

Orlando Magic guard Vince Carter, who seems to have retired the Vinsanity moniker returned with a vengeance last night scoring 48 points to lead his team to a victory over the New Orleans Hornets. Since joining his new team, Carter has essentially been a zombie, and not displaying any of the explosiveness that has made him one of the best players in the NBA.

Perhaps last night was a sign of things to come. Carter is one of the most physically talented players in the league, but what's going on between the ears has always been the question.

Dr. Conrad Murray Charged In Michael Jackson's Death!

Dr. Conrad Murray was officially charged yesterday in the death of Michael Jackson in a Los Angeles courtroom. Bail was set at $75,000, and Murray faces a maximum time of 4 years in jail if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Chaos In Usher's Camp!

Now we apparently know why R&B singer Usher can't get his A game back. New York Daily News' Gatecrasher reports that Usher again has parted ways with his mother/manager Jonetta Patton. Patton was apparently not happy with Usher's reported girlfriend Grace Miguel's involvement with her son's pending album expected to be released on March 30th.

Jive Records has released two lukewarm singles, "Papers" and "Daddy's Home" and at this point Usher's camp has to really question whether the public is anxious for another release. At the end of the day if the music isn't any good, the public is not going to buy it. Usher's last album, "Here I Stand" was very mediocre. A second mediocre album could leave him as an afterthought.

Who Dat? Congrats to The Saints!

While I didn't pick the New Orleans Saints to win the Super Bowl last night, they played a great game and Drew Brees and Sean Payton proved that they're great at quarterbacking and coaching, respectively. Great game and great win. Definitely proves that you can't trust Peyton Manning in the clutch. He really is what we thought he was!

Michael Irvin Can't Stay Out of Trouble!

NFL Hall of Famer, former Dallas Cowboys wide out, and current NFL analyst Michael Irvin is being sued by a woman claiming that he raped her 2 and a half years ago in Florida according to the New York Daily News. Irvin's attorney denies the accusations, but the suit was prompted after discussions of a financial settlement didn't work out. Irvin was a great player, but he always seems to find himself in questionable situations.

Christine Beatty Headed To Atlanta!

Kwame Kilpatrick's sidekick in the text messaging scandal is headed to Atlanta for new job opportunities according to the Detroit Free Press. Beatty, with the assistance of sorority sisters and former classmates will be working as a business consultant. Her attorney states that while she will not be making a lot of money, it's a new start. So while Kwame Kilpatrick lives in a nearly million dollar home in the Dallas area, Ms. Beatty has to start from scratch with her two daughters. Hopefully this will be Beatty's opportunity to get her life back on track.

Farrakhan's Grandson Mustapha Has Hops!

This is a clip of Louis Farrakhan's grandson Mustapha dunking against N.C. State. Mustapha is a guard for the University of Virginia. The young man has some hops.

Jill Scott Being Sued By Hidden Beach Records!

Singer Jill Scott is being sued by her label Hidden Beach Records for breach of contract. The label, which filed suit in Los Angeles County states that Scott only released 3 albums of what has originally been a 6 album deal signed over 10 years ago. The label details in the suit millions of dollars in advances given to Scott over and above what was detailed in her recording contract according to abcnews.com.

Jill deciding to leave Hidden Beach after the success she's had is very interesting. She's one of the few artists who has a large enough fan base that she's probably at least guaranteed reaching gold status without much marketing. This one will be interesting to follow.

The Michael Vick Project!

I must admit that I wasn't really expecting much from "The Michael Vick Project" that debuted last night on BET. However, after watching the half hour reality show, I was pleasantly surprised about the honesty that Vick and his family displayed in his fall from grace. Vick took us to his hometown of Newport News, Virginia telling us about how he was an athletic phenom at an early age which ultimately took him to the riches of the NFL. Vick is also brutally honest about his fall due to his involvement with dog fighting.

While Vick is apologetic about everything that he went through, he also appears to be different man who has grown after serving a stint in prison. I now look forward to watching the show, and although it may not create any new fans for the embattled player, it does give us a glimpse into the man and his family.

Stars Remake "We Are The World"

Some of the biggest stars in the world gathered last night to remake "We Are The World" to benefit Haiti relief. Lionel Richie, who wrote the song with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, who produced the original version oversaw the proceedings. Entertainers as diverse as Barbra Steisand, Pink, Kanye West and Lil Wayne were on hand for the remake. The song will debut during the Opening Ceremonies for the Winter Olympics this month.

Taylor's Big Night!

Beyonce' had an awesome evening at the Grammys last night winning 6 awards (I believe that brings her total to 16). 20 year-old Taylor Swift, however, can say she won the big prize as she won Album of the Year for "Fearless." Wow, if only Kanye had been there to see the festivities. Depending on who you believe, Mr. West wasn't allowed at the festivities.

Joseph Lowery Hospitalized!

Civil Rights Icon Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery has been admitted to an Atlanta area hospital in intensive care, but the condition isn't considered serious. Lowery, who is 88, apparently has been having shortness of breath and some respiratory issues. Get well soon Dr. Lowery.

Contradictions of Our President!

I found this interesting article on the contradictions of our President following his State of The Union address in the Wall Street Journal. Can he make changes to his direction and style after pushing Health Care Reform for the first year. He's now apparently focusing on the economy and jobs, but the real question becomes in his heart does he really feel like these should be priorities when he's worked as a community organizer and seen what the lack of health care can do to a person and family. Time will truly tell, and time is of the essence for President Obama.

Arenas and Crittenton Gone For The Year!

NBA Commissioner David Stern laid down the expected hammer yesterday suspending Washington Wizard guards Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton for the remainder of the year for the two of them bringing guns into their workplaces. Depending on which report you hear, Arenas welcomed the suspension since he no longer is interested in playing for the Wizards any longer. Arenas is still owed roughly $80 million from the Wizards, and could be headed towards a buyout. Crittenton's situation may not be as secure, since he is in the last year of his contract.

Sadly Tyree Parks Couldn't Make It To 19!

Tyree Parks was a 18 year-old high school senior who had just received an acceptance letter to Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. His mother wanted so badly for September to come so that her son could escape the dangerous streets of South Philadelphia. Sadly, Friday night Tyree was shot and killed as he was walking home from a basketball game that he had just finished coaching. Apparently Parks had gotten into an altercation earlier in the day, and was so fearful that he was carrying a semiautomatic handgun at the time of his death. The Philadelphia Daily News provides additional details on this very sad story.

Lakers Visit The President!

The NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers and 150 guests visited President Barack Obama yesterday. Included in the guest list was Khloe Kardashian, who was escorted from the 11th row to the front row of the audience by a White House aid. Lakers star Kobe Bryant will also have the pleasure of having breakfast with the President this morning, which should be interesting since Obama is a devout Bulls fan. The Los Angeles Times provides additional details on the visit.

Jessica Simpson Wants To Send 50,000 Shoes To Haiti!

Singer and entrepreneur Jessica Simpson has set a goal to send 50,000 to Haiti. Simpson and 2 of her friends are teaming up with the Nashville Charity Soles4Souls according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. It's cool to see celebrities doing what they can for the less fortunate.

Wyclef Taking Corrective Measures For Foundation!

Wyclef Jean has been front and center during the Haiti tragedy, bringing renewed attention to his home country using his Yele Haiti Foundation as a means to raise donations for the country that has been devastated by the recent earthquake.

The foundation, which raised over $2 million in just 2 days almost immediately came under fire for possible irregularities. Wyclef admitted on "Oprah" last week that the foundation hadn't been run properly, but stated that corrective measures have been instituted. He's now appointed accounting firm RSM McGladrey to administer donation and pledges. Good move by Wyclef to be proactive in recognizing and correcting problems within his foundation, now he can focus on continuing to help the people of Haiti.

Why John Wall Spurned The Carolina Schools!

I found this interesting article from the Charlotte Observer regarding Kentucky guard John Wall, and why he decided to leave the Tar Heel state and attend Kentucky to play for John Calipari. Wall is widely considered to be the best college player in the country and expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft this year. The primary reason that Wall gave for playing for Calipari is the success that he's had with recent NBA first rounders Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans. Calipari has a history of leaving colleges before the NCAA comes lurking with violations, so I wouldn't be surprised what we may learn once Wall leaves school. He's obviously a great talent who may lead Kentucky to a national championship as a freshman. On first look he appears to have as much raw talent as any guard playing in the NBA right now.

Kwame Must Pay Detroit $320K In 90 Days!

Yesterday a judge ordered former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrack to pay $320,000 within 90 days or risk being returned to jail for failing to honor his restitution payments in a timely manner while apparently living a lavish lifestyle with his family in a Dallas suburb. Kilpatrick, who had a 5 year period to repay $1 million, also had that term reduced to 4 years. Kilpatrick was accompanied by high powered attorney Willie Gary at yesterday's proceedings, but obviously Gary's presence didn't help his cause. Kilpatrick is finally being treated like a regular person instead of a superstar politician. The Detroit Free Press provides additional details on the proceedings.

Waka Flocka Flame Shot In Suburban Atlanta!

Violence appears never to be far away from performers in the hip-hop community. Atlanta area rapper Waka Flocka Flame was shot yesterday while washing his car at a College Park, GA car wash. The apparent motive for the shooting was robbery, with the alleged assailant still at large. Atlanta area DJ Greg Street told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that the rapper is going to be fine. Hopefully this brush with violence will not be a regular occurrence for Waka Flocka Flame.

Is Barack Obama Already At A Crossroads?

Today is a critical day in the President Barack Obama as Republican Scott Brown battles Democrat Martha Coakley for the Senate seat held by the late Ted Kennedy. If polls are an indication, Brown is poised to beat Coakley and become the first Republican to hold the seat in decades. A Republican victory would essentially derail President Obama's health care bill, and become a referendum on Obama's policies on health care and the economy. If Republicans do win the seat our President's administration will indeed be at a crossroads.

Big Boi Helping To Raise Money For Haiti!

Outkast member Big Boi is the latest celebrity to hold a fund-raiser for Haiti relief. Big Boi held a fund-raiser in Atlanta last night to benefit the earthquake victims. It commendable to see that celebrities are using their influence to help the less fortunate.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - 2010

We celebrate what would've been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 81st birthday today (actual birthday was Friday, January 15th) with programs all over the country to recognize the great civil rights leader. Surely King would be ecstatic that we have our first African American President in Barack Obama, but conversely King surely would be saddened by the continued impoverished plight of many African Americans.

In many ways we continue to be our worst enemies, by not taking advantage of educational opportunities and succumbing to the lure of drugs and crime. We continue to have an underclass that will continue for generations unless a stronger fortitude can be found by our people. The progress that has been made by African Americans has been monumental, but the surviving underclass places a massive blight on any positive accomplishments.

Congrats To Mo'Nique!

Congratulations to comedian/actress Mo'Nique for her win in the Best Supporting Actress category last night at the Golden Globes Awards. Mo'Nique won for her haunting portrayal of an impoverished mother in the movie "Precious." This win bodes well for Mo'Nique's chances for a possible Oscar nomination and win.