John Conyers Trying To Put Black Radio Stations Out Of Business?

Michigan Democrat John Conyers is head of the House Judiciary Committee, and advocate of "marking up" the Performance Rights Act which who require radio stations to pay artists who have performed on a record that's being played. Opponents of the bill include Rev. Al Sharpton who says that the bill would increase expenses of black stations, which are already struggling in tough economic times. The New York Daily News reports:

The fate of the bill in the full House is uncertain, but it seems to have its best ever chance to pass. It is expected that amendments will be added to make it more palatable to opponents, and Conyers offered one of the first on Friday when he proposed small stations pay only a $500 annual blanket royalty fee. "Small" stations are now defined as those billing less than $1.25 million.

Tom Joyner stated on his show that if the bill passes that black stations will no longer play new music, and would focus on the music established artists. In these times, this bill doesn't sound like a good idea. Music on black radio is already too monotonous, I would hate to see it become even less diverse.

Mark Cuban! Do The Right Thing!

Mark Cuban is a self made billionaire, and up until the the last week one of the coolest owners in sports. Cuban is one of the most passionate owners in the NBA, constantly feuding with commissioner David Stern over something that he feels isn't fair and affects his team the Dallas Mavericks. However Cuban's behavior in the last week is highly questionable and over the top regardless of wealth and status.

Depending on which version you believe, Cuban told Denver Nugget Kenyon Martin's mother that her son was a thug. This set the fans of Dallas into a frenzy which led them to verbally harass parents, fiance's and wives of the visiting Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. Cuban has since apologized, but he did it via his blog instead of personal apology. Cuban and the Mavs misery will end tonight when the Nuggets unleash their frustrations on the Mavericks in Denver. I hope Cuban does personally apologize to all persons who were harassed. It's just the right thing to do.

Michael Jackson Getting Ready!

As Michael Jackson prepares to take the stage for his first extended tour in 12 years. I have no shame in saying that Jackson is my favorite artist of all time. Whether Jackson, now 50, can pull this off beginning July 8th in England is anyone's guess. Jackson is presently preparing in a Burbank sound stage 4 mornings a week for 6 hours, and the Los Angeles Times reports that the production budget for the tour is $20 million. Either Jackson will flake out and not make it through the tour, or he'll have one of the greatest comebacks of all time. I wish I was optimistic, but MJ's track record recently doesn't breed confidence that this will end well.

Love Amongst Brothas!

While Wanda Sykes is getting plenty of play for her Rush Limbaugh joke at Saturday's White House Correspondents Dinner, The U.S. World & News Report posted this quote from President Barack Obama directed at Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele:

He did, of course, take swipes at his foes like Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, and even Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele. Taking aim at Steele's hip-hop image, Obama said: "Michael Steele is in the house tonight. Or, as he would say, 'in the heezy.' Wassup? Where is Michael? Michael, for the last time, the Republican Party does not qualify for a bailout. Rush Limbaugh does not count as a troubled asset. I'm sorry."

So how did Steele react? "It was much love between brothers," says Steele, who said he simply appreciated a presidential shout-out.

Steele has had his challenges as he's gotten into verbal barbs with Limbaugh. At the end of the day brothas have to show each other love.

Wanda Sykes Coming Under Fire For Limbaugh Joke!

Wanda Sykes performed at the White House Correspondents' dinner on Saturday and made the following joke about Rush Limbaugh:

"You know, you might want to look into this, [President Obama], because I think maybe Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker, but he was just so strung out on OxyContin he missed his flight. ... "Rush Limbaugh hopes the country fails? I hope his kidneys fail, how 'bout that?"

Mike Lupica from the New York Daily News doesn't think that Sykes should get a pass for the joke. I'm sure Limbaugh will have something to say today on his show.

Ulysses Bridgeman, Jr. One Of The Richest Black Americans!

Ulysses Bridgeman, Jr. was known as Junior Bridgeman when he played in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks. Bridgeman quietly parlayed his basketball career into becoming one of the richest Black Americans. He's listed as one of the top 20 "Richest Black Americans" and Forbes describes how he built his wealth:

Bought five Wendy's franchises to generate income while planning his next career. Today controls 161 Wendy's and 118 Chili's restaurants. Total payroll: 11,000 managers, cashiers and cooks. Sales of holding company Manna Inc. in 2008: $530 million. Sits on board of PGA. Also owns small stake in Milwaukee soda bottler Black Bear Beverages.

Bridgeman Jr. who is now 55, accomplished this when players weren't making what they make today. He should give a class to today's athletes on wealth building, so that they can be prepared when the cheering stops.

Hey Bud Selig......Everybody's On Roids!

Manny Ramirez got busted yesterday after Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), a female fertility drug that is also used by steroid users to fight side effects at the end of a cycle was found in his system. Hey Bud Selig, let's finally tell the public the truth and admit that probably every player in baseball has either used steroids, or presently using it. I know that admitting the truth would take too much effort. If a person has a chance to make $25 million in a year as Ramirez is doing this year, most people will take the risk of not being exposed. Even with Manny taking a $7.7 million hit with the suspension of 50 games, I'm sure it's all worth it to him and all of the other players.

Soulja Boy Proving He's Here To Stay!

Soulja Boy is quietly establishing himself as a viable force in the rap game at 18 years old. 2 years ago he could've been described as a "one hit wonder" with his hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” but with his second cd release “iSouljaBoyTellem,” Soulja Boy has crafted two hits, “Kiss Me Thru the Phone,” featuring Sammie, and “Turn My Swag On,” that have made hm a force to be reckoned with throughout hip-hop.

He tells the Atlanta Journal Constitution how he's dealt with the criticism from "haters" and emerged ready to take on the world with his talent.

Oprah's Blackberry Moment!

Oprah Winfrey agreed to write about Michelle Obama for Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People" issue, and had proceeded to write the article in the memo section on her Blackberry. Unfortunately, the Blackberry wasn't as cooperative, as Winfrey recounts:

"I had written the whole piece on my BlackBerry, and I was feeling really so great about it," Winfrey told us at the Time Warner Center gala event Tuesday night. "I wrote it in the memo section, and I went to hit save and I hit another key — and it disappeared. I lost the whole thing!"

She continued, "I had been writing it for a long period of time. I'd add a line when I heard someone say something that I liked, and this is how I wrote it for, like, a month. I figured I would sit down the day it was due and polish the whole thing, but it was just gone!"

"I just stared at the BlackBerry for about 30 minutes," she laughed. "I hit every single key to make it come back. I called the IT guy and then I sort of stared at my computer. I couldn't even think of a sentence or a word [I had written]. It was like, 'Oh my God. This has never happened to me, but of course it happens for [Michelle's piece].' I had to start all over. I was panicked. It was an absolute deadline, so it was crazy."

Thanks to the New York Daily News for the article. Too cool that Oprah is still grinding after accomplishing so much.

Dave Bing, New Detroit Mayor!

Dave Bing stunned Ken Cockrel Jr. yesterday in the special election for mayor of Detroit. Bing defeated Cockrel Jr. running as a "change" agent and stunned the city with his victory. Bing brings to the position, a previous Hall of Fame basketball career and having established himself as a successful businessman in the Detroit area.

2 Bone Marrow Transplant Matches Found For Jasmina!

The New York Daily News reports that 2 matches have been found for 6 year-old Jasmina Anema who has been hospitalized since January with a deadly form of leukemia. If cancer cells are once again undetectable in Jasmina, and either of the donors passes a medical screening, prepping for her transplant will likely begin in a few weeks. Prayers continue to go out for little Jasmina.

Ola Ray Wants Her "Thriller" Money!

Ola Ray who is famous for appearing in the "Thriller" video with Michael Jackson filed a lawsuit yesterday against Jackson claiming she's owed royalties from the 14 minute video that celebrated it's 25th anniversary last year. Ray, now 48, and raising her 14 year-old daughter in Sacramento, CA is a stay-at-home mom. Thanks to the New York Daily News for the article.

LeBron Not Obama Is Proof Anything Is Possible!

Yes, he's been blessed to be 6 ft. 9 in. and weigh 260 lbs., but LeBron Raymone James was born to a single mother in Akron, Ohio and could have made all of the bad decisions that youngsters make while navigating his way through sports at a young age. He made all the right decisions, and yesterday the work paid off with him being chosen the Most Valuable Player of the NBA.

All you need to know about LeBron is that he chose to receive the award at his high school, St. Vincent-St. Mary, and requested that only faculty and students be admitted to the festivities. This article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer shows how LeBron really hasn't forgotten the people who helped him get to where he is today. Just a brief section of the article below:

As Barbara Wood listened Monday, the school's librarian remembered how a young James would walk into the library and sit on her desk to talk. They'd Google his name on the computer, how there were only a few mentions at first -- then thousands.

She thought of how she corrected his grammar: "There is no such thing as fiddy cent. It's fifty cents ... with an S. It's more than one S."

She fought back the tears as he spoke with such poise, usually keeping the syntax and sentence structure together.

"He didn't have it easy growing up," said Wood. "But he wanted a better life for himself and his family."

James stops by the school a few times each year, "just him, not with his entourage," said Allison. He still wanders into the library and sits on Wood's desk. He also visits Beth Harmon, an English teacher for the last 11 years at the school.

"I had him as a freshman and sophomore, he was a solid B student," she said. "He was a pleasure to have in class, punctual and polite. As a senior, he'd come to my room and grab some of the candy on my desk. I used him to help me grade papers. We stay in touch, we text 2-3 times a week, and he always answers quickly."

After winning the Olympic gold medal, he brought it to the school on Maple Street to show the teachers and some students. He comes in private, not wanting the media or anyone outside of the Irish family to know he's there.

While our president, Barack Obama is inspirational for what he's accomplished, LeBron James was the product of a broken family, teenage mother and didn't waste the talent that he was given. All of us have talents that are never developed, thus we become disillusioned and despondent because of the pressures of our environments. Youngsters, please look at what Mr. James has been able to accomplish and say "Yes I Can!" Take the beauty of learning seriously and develop your God given talents to the fullest. Riches and money shouldn't be the goal, but simply doing in life what makes you fulfilled.

NAACP 54th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner!

The NAACP held it's 54th annual Fight For Fund Dinner yesterday in Detroit. Rev. Jesse Jackson was the keynote speaker, and Rev. Al Sharpton an Aretha Franklin were among the honorees. Jackson stated the following during his speech:

"One hundred years later, we're free, but we're not equal," "The banks are too big to fail; the neighborhoods are too small to matter. Don't be silent."

It's hard to believe that Rev. Jackson has essentially become irrelevant in our community. I guess when you become a millionaire on the backs of your people, becoming irrelevant is just reward.

James Stewart: Motocross Champion!

James Stewart is 23 years old, and escapes the public consciousness even though he is the premier motocross rider in our country. Like Tiger Woods, his father introduced him to the sport at an early age, and he's taken his talents to unsurpassed heights. Stewart won the 2009 Supercross Championship this past Friday. His website can be accessed here.

John F. Thomas, 72 Tied To Los Angeles Serial Killings!

John F. Thomas, 72 could be the most prolific killer in the history of Los Angeles. Presently linked to 2 killings, when all of the investigations are concluded, Thomas could be linked to over 30 killings according to the Los Angeles Times. Glad it didn't take too long to find Mr. Thomas since the alleged killings took place over decades.

Kid Cudi!

Being a lover of music sometimes puts you in touch with songs which are just very infectious. Kin Cudi has delivered one of those songs with his single "Day 'N' Niight" which sits at #3 on the Billboard 100 charts. A Kanye West protege, Cudi's cd will be released in August. He's also a burgeoning actor, appearing in a Mark Wahlberg-produced show for HBO called "How to Make It in America."

A Diverse Mr. Timberlake!

Justin Timberlake continues to diversify his business portfolio in a manner that brings very little attention to himself. Timberlake already has a clothing line (William Rast) and restaurant (Southern Hospitality), now he's rolling out a tequila called 901 according to the New York Daily News, which is getting favorable reviews. Justin's business acumen is rivaling his singing talent.

Gotta Love K.G.'s Intensity!

A picture is worth a thousand words, and even though Kevin Garnett isn't able to play in this year's playoffs due to injury, it hasn't taken away his intensity. Last night Garnett was all over the Chicago Bulls' guard Ben Gordon during last night's overtime victory by the Boston Celtics.

Arlen's Defection!

Yesterday Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter defected from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party altering the landscape of national and state politics. Specter's move was largely done for political survival as he was facing the political fight of his life with U.S. Rep Pat Toomey and stands a better chance of of winning a sixth term as a Democrat. The Republicans will fume over Specter's move and Democrats will rejoice, but Arlen simply said "I want my job." Simply can't hate Specter for wanting to survive, and completely forgetting about the people who voted for him. Politics is a dirty, nasty game.

Obama's Liberal Arrogance?

I always try to look at two sides of every opinion, and it's interesting that Jonah Goldberg writes in the Los Angeles Times that President Barack Obama's liberal arrogance will be his undoing. He closes the article with the following:

On social issues such as abortion and embryonic stem cell research, Obama has proved to be, if anything, more of a left-wing culture warrior than Bush was a right-wing one. All the while, Obama transmogrifies his principled opponents into straw-man ideologues while preening about his own humble pragmatism. For him, bipartisanship is defined as shutting up and getting in line.

I'm not arguing that conservatives are poised to make some miraculous comeback. They're not. But American politics didn't come to an end with Obama's election, and nothing in politics breeds corrective antibodies more quickly than overreaching arrogance. And by that measure, Obama's first 100 days have been a huge down payment on the inevitable correction to come.


President Obama's arrogance got him elected. Whether it will be his ultimate undoing, only time will tell. There's no doubt that his style is clearly "get in line and follow me" and if you can't go along with the program I have very little use for you. At the end of the day, that's politics as usual, and he's not different than any other politician, good or bad.

How Will It End?

Peter Vecsey's take on the embattled Jayson Williams who was hospitalized yesterday after he was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital after he went into a suicidal rage at a New York hotel. Jayson Williams obviously has a ton of demons that he's trying to overcome. This story probably will not end well.

Beyonce' Can Sing!

Beyonce', who is riding high after her new film "Obsessed" blew away the box office this weekend to the tune of $28.5 million was the butt of a practical joke last week when Matthew Zeghibe a Connecticut college student altered her vocals recorded from a "Today Show" appearance. Howard Stern took the performance as legit, along with countless other media people. When you're at the top, folks always want to knock you down, but Beyonce' is only doing what she was born to do, sing her behind off.

The Real Kobe!

Spike Lee has produce a documentary on basketball superstar Kobe Bryant titled "Kobe: Doin' Work" which will debut on ESPN on May 16th. However Kobe apparently put Spike through a few changes before agreeing to be filmed according to Page 6:

But suddenly Bryant said he wouldn't cooperate unless he was granted creative control, sources said. Lee tried several times to call Bryant, who wouldn't accept his calls. So Lee, at the suggestion of ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith, drove to Bryant's house in a gated community, where Bryant refused to see him, sources said.

"It went so far that Lee had a last-minute plan to substitute Spurs star Tim Duncan for Kobe and make the whole documentary about Duncan," said our source.

But Kobe and Spike somehow worked it out, and Lee is being a good soldier promoting the Kobe picture, which screened Saturday night at the Tribeca Film Festival.

"Spike Lee completely yielded," said one insider. "And at the start of the film, when Kobe arrives at the Staples Center and sees Spike with the camera, he gives him a big smile and thumbs up, showing he knows he won the battle."

The documentary is supposed to be exemplary, and shows Bryant in a very favorable light, but if this story is true, Kobe really does believe his hype and is a true diva.

Tony Dungy To Visit Vick In Prison!

Former NFL coach Tony Dungy will be visiting Michael Vick in prison on May 5th in an effort to give Vick some constructive life lessons as he prepares to leave prison, and enter home confinement as early as May 21st according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. It's no secret that Vick is trying to get back into the NFL. Having Dungy as a supporter will not hurt, I just hope Vick doesn't let his new supporters down as he did Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank.