Search Results for: blog rapper proves he has heart and sole

Oh No, We Won Best New Artist – Part 1

I often wonder if this is what a singer or band thinks when they win this award. After all, many have received the Best New Artist award only to go on to … obscurity. Oh sure, they may still put out records or tour, but somehow they never live up to the potential that is associated with the Best New Artist moniker. I know you are thinking “Libby, give us some examples,” so give I shall. Here are some of the MTV Video Music Awards Best New Artist (BNA) winners that charted higher before their award than they did afterwards: … Continue reading →

Check Your Foot Shape To Get The Right Kind Of Shoe

Footprints show us where we’ve been… but they can also help point you in the right direction going forward. Your foot shape can show you the way to the right kind of shoe to reduce foot pain and body strain. So how do you figure out your foot shape? It’s quick and easy! Take off your shoes and socks. Wet the bottom of your foot. Step onto a fresh, clean piece of paper. Check out the imprint you’ve made. You have a high arch if the imprint has only a narrow band connecting the ball of the foot with the … Continue reading →

The Concert That Keeps Giving

If you find yourself near the Atlanta area this week—consider yourself lucky. That’s where you will find what is being billed as the “World’s Largest Open Mic Night.” Only instead of one night, the concert will last 10 straight nights. Ten nights of music featuring 500 bands and solo artists performing hits from a variety of genres–rock, R&B, rap, and bluegrass–but, with a couple of twists. First, the tunes will be performed, in order, each of the 500 greatest songs of all time, as ranked by Rolling Stone magazine three years ago. The other twist: the songfest’s goal is to … Continue reading →

Musicians To The Rescue

It’s considered one of the country’s premier musical events, but many of the hottest acts performing at this year’s New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival weren’t wielding microphones and trumpets; rather they were grabbing paintbrushes and swinging hammers in a part of the city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Last night on the news I watched one of my girlhood crushes, Harry Connick Jr., trimming a bedroom window with fresh paint. Meanwhile, another shot showed R&B heartthrob John Legend washing clothes as part of a free mobile laundry service for families still living in federally issued trailers in hard-hit St. … Continue reading →

Musicians With Heart

Less than two weeks after a gunman unleashed his anger on students and teachers at Virginia Tech, a famous R&B singer has put his feelings about the event into song. According to his publicist, R. Kelly has written a new song, “Rise Up,” about healing in the aftermath of the shootings that snuffed out 33 lives. The new song will be available (digitally) beginning May 15th, and according to Kelly’s record label, 100% of the net proceeds from its sale will go to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. (The fund was created to provide assistance to the victims of the … Continue reading →

Unique Donations From Household Names

He’s the “Grey’s Anatomy” star who has landed on the cover of multiple entertainment magazines. He’s no stranger to controversy and recently (perhaps as a result of the controversy) he has become a familiar face on the celebrity charity circuit. These days actor Isaiah Washington is making headlines once again, but this time it’s for a very unique donation he made to aid a project that aims to detail the Atlantic slave trade. Washington told news reporters he traced his ancestral roots to Sierra Leone through DNA testing, consequently he decided to donate $25,000 to a computer animation project that … Continue reading →

Celebrities, The Environment, and Human Rights

Celebrities and their pet charities are a popular topic in this blog. Libby and I have written about stars lending a hand to the homeless, the innocent, and the sick. But, this week the spotlight focused on a growing concern among politicians, actors, and musicians—the environment. Actress Cameron Diaz, hip-hop producer Pharrell, and former vice president Al Gore joined forces to announce an international campaign to promote global warming awareness. The monster event to be held this summer is called Save Our Selves – The Campaign for a Climate in Crisis. It features a 24-hour “Live Earth” concert, which will … Continue reading →

Valentine’s Day In Hollywood—-Celebrity Make Ups and Break Ups

Ah, young love. It can be so fickle… it hurts. (Take it from me, if you are trying to keep up with young love in Hollywood, prepare to suffer from severe whiplash.) To spare you from the neck pain I nurse on a regular basis trying to keep track of who’s “in love,” “just friends,” “taking a break,” or “not together, but still deeply care for each other,” I have compiled a list of celebrity couples who you won’t be seeing dining together this Valentine’s Day and others who despite rumors of the contrary will have someone to send a … Continue reading →

The Police to Reunite

Oh, the music gods have answered my prayers – the Police are going to regroup for the February 11th Grammy Award ceremony. This has started rumors that after the award show, the band will plan a reunion tour. I will not hold my breath on that one. The band, one of the most successful in the early 80s, broke up due to tension among its members. The band consisted of drummer Stewart Copeland, singer-bassist Sting, and guitarist Andy Summers. Along with The Clash, they were one of the first conventional bands to use reggae beats and lyrics in their music. … Continue reading →

Famous Tenor Helps The Hearing-Impaired

Placido Domingo is adding his name to the growing list of celebrities lending a hand to those in need. The recipients of the tenor’s latest project are the hearing-impaired. Domingo is teaming up with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for a global effort called “Hear the World.” The project is designed to raise awareness about hearing loss and to offer the latest technology to those in need – especially in developing countries. Domingo hopes his efforts will be music to the ears of the hearing impaired: “Music is my emotional need. I therefore feel sad for anyone who cannot hear music,” … Continue reading →