And The 2011 B.E.T. OMG Award Goes To…Ms. Kelly Rowland

The much anticipated 11^th annual BET Awards aired at 8:00 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, June 26, 2011 and was hosted by the hysterical and crazy comedian, Kevin Hart.  This year’s awards show was centered around who would Rock The Mic.  Everyone’s pre-show vote was Chris Brown and as expected, he did rock the mic with a killer performance.  However, viewers were not quite ready for what was yet to hit the stage.

Bringing More Recognition to Mississippi, It’s Michael Robinson

Back Story

Michael Robinson, affectionately referred to as Mike Rob is a native of Jackson, MS.  He is also the 10-year manager of Jackson’s very own recording group, Compozitionz.  Mike Rob became affiliated with the entertainment industry in 1989 when Derrick Martin (D’Mar) welcomed him into the band Full Circle, later renamed Infiniti.  Infiniti had the opportunity to record a demo and tour for six weeks with Jackson’s very own Dorothy Moore.  Determined to gain exposure, Infiniti traveled on this tour with absolutely no air conditioning.  However, this did not deter the group from this great experience.  Mike stated that although they returned home from the tour with less money than they left with, the exposure was priceless.  The group continued to perform at all types of local events for a while, but after not having much luck with being signed to a record label, the group eventually went their separate ways.  Not fully believing his own talents, Mike took a hiatus for a while.  However, in 2000 opportunity came knocking at his door. 

HELLO-ERR!! It's Tyler Perry Studi-ERRS (TPS)

Tyler Perry Studios (TPS) is an American film production studio founded by an American actor, director, playwright, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter, Tyler Perry (born Emmitt Perry, Jr.) in Atlanta, GA.  “The entire facility is 60 acres…30 of them are in development and the other 30 are a part of our future development”, stated Mr. Perry.  Tyler Perry started his studios from a vision lead by divine intervention.  He expressed that early on he went to the facility and turned away because he felt that it was too big.  However, that same night, Mr. Perry had a bout with insomnia and got back up and went back to the facility.  He spoke to this divine intervention saying, “…if this is meant for me, give me a sign and make it plain.”  As Tyler looked at the gate surrounding the premises, he began to see Bible scriptures and he knew at that moment that this was meant for him.  From then on, Tyler Perry Studios was born and Perry stated that he never looked back since then.  According to an interview Tyler had with Mo’Nique on The Mo’Nique Show, he chose Atlanta, GA as oppose to Hollywood because Atlanta is like home for him, individuals are honest, and these characteristics are important to him.

Historical Malaco Records, May Be History?

Malaco Records is an independent record label that is not only established in Jackson, MS, but is also near and dear to the heart of Jackson, MS.  It was founded in 1962 by Tommy Couch, Mitchell Malouf, and Wolf Stephenson and was originally a booking agency.  However, Malaco welcomed a recording studio in its facility in 1967.  Jackson, MS is proud to have such a historical establishment on its grounds.

TED.com Talk – Robert Gupta: Music is Medicine, Music is Sanity

Robert Gupta is a violinist with the LA Philharmonic and is also a 2010 TED Fellow.  According to TED.com, Gupta received his master’s in music from Yale University and was afforded the grand opportunity to obtain the extraordinaire, Nathaniel Ayers, schizophrenic musician featured in The Soloist, as his violin instructor.  In this TED talk, Robert inspires his audience through speaking about how music has such an influence; how music is medicine, sanity, and changes people.  He does this through elaborating on Nathaniel Ayers’ life, how Nathaniel influenced the life of Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times columnist and his own personal experiences with Nathaniel Ayers.

National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA)

According to www.ncta.com, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association formerly entitled the National Cable Television Association is the largest principal trade association of the cable industry in the United States. Its current President and Chief Executive Officer is Kyle McSlarrow.  NCTA with a Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code of 8611 was established in 1952 and is based in Washington, DC.  Its mission is to provide its members with a strong national presence by providing a single, unified voice on issues affecting the cable and telecommunications industry.  NCTA represents cable operators that serve 90-plus percent of the nation’s cable television homes and 200-plus cable program networks. The association also serves equipment suppliers and other services in the cable industry.  Now what is more interesting is that NCTA brings in $10 million - $49.9 million annually in sales.

A Male Dominated Industry: Women’s Fruition In Entertainment

In general dialogue, why is humanity referred to as man?  There is also WOman.  Furthermore, why are women objectified when it comes to entertainment, and portrayed as beings that are meant to be seen and not heard?  James Brown sang it best!  “This is a man’s world, but it wouldn’t be nothing, without a woman or a girl.”  Entertainment is a multi-million dollar industry that has been known to be a male dominated industry.  The likes of Aaron Spelling, Michael Jackson, Kelsey Grammer, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, and Bill Cosby, just to name a few, have dominated the many different aspects of the entertainment industry.  According to the article, Women, Sexism, & Hollywood: A Look At The Numbers, “Women don’t feel marginalized, but the fact remains, the most powerful positions on most shows are usually occupied by men.”  In my opinion, this is quite unfortunate.  However, over the decades, women have managed to break through the doors of male domination with dynamic creative strength demanding a place in the entertainment industry.  During this post, you will learn about the fruition of prosperous women such as Oprah Winfrey, Sylvia Rhone, and Mara Brock Akil.  Additionally, the thoughts of such women, especially that of the African American descent, express that acts of sexism, racism, and lack of creative freedom are some of the obstacles that women unfortunately face in the entertainment industry.

Oldies, But Goodies: The Evolution of Music

From the likes of The Temptations to Boyz II Men, The Manhattans to Jocedi, The Supremes to SWV, Labelle to TLC, The O’Jays to H-Town, The Marvelettes to Xscape, The Jackson 5 to Men At Large, and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas to En Vogue, they all illustrate the parents and offspring of music.  Over the decades, music has definitely evolved.  When I turn on the radio, very rarely do I hear the infamous and harmonious sounds and styles of such groups.  The mainstream rotation is flooded with the likes of Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Lil Boosie, Waka Flocka, and Drake, just to name a few.  Even the brand of rap music has changed, and in my opinion, not for the better.  I will admit that I sometimes enjoy listening to rap music from the 80’s and 90’s as oppose to the rap music of today.  However, this is my opinion and preference.  What is your opinion and preference?  I have to listen to a bunch of nonsense on the radio before I can hear something worth enjoying.  What has happened?  Old school music was not solely about making money, but it also truly meant something in the process.  However, now it seems that any and every thing is put to a beat, and money is all that matters.  This is the reason why I do not listen to the radio as much, not the regular stations anyways. 

Does The Music You Listen To Define Who You Are? Are You Stereotyped Based On Your Preference?

Often times, we as people feed into the stereotypes.  For example, you are a thug if you enjoy rap music or promiscuous if you enjoy sexually explicit music or even religious if you enjoy gospel music.  However, the situation could be the complete opposite.  For instance, there are some corporate professionals who may love rap, but how would you know they enjoy such unless they shared that information with you or you have heard them listening to such?  The outside world may stereotype these professionals as individuals who listen to classical music or something of the conservative genre.  Does it mean that those who do not prefer conservative music are less of a professional?  The same goes for a person who is always listening to gospel music.  This person is stereotyped as being a religious or a “good” person.  However, what if you ran into this person at a Luther Vandross concert or Betty Wright concert, or even a P.Diddy concert?  Does this mean that they are any less of a “good” person?

Does What You Post On Social Networks Matter?

Please be careful about what you post online.  After all, it is the WORLD WIDE WEB!  People fail to realize what 'www' means.  I have seen so many news stories on the Today's Show about how many employers do not hire candidates due to their facebook or twitter pages.  I have even seen stories of people going to jail for things they have stated or posted on social networks. I have also seen so many stories about youth committing suicide from being bullied because they trusted posting photos "in privacy" via inboxes, but somehow they were released.  My mother always told me, "Never post or write something you do not want to be read or seen, because as long as it is in writing or put on public sites such as emails, social sites, etc., it can be and most likely WILL be read or seen."
I take this advice to heart, and with my aspiring to be in the entertainment industry, this advice should be at the top of my list of priorities to abide by.  However, you do not have to be venturing through the world of entertainment to monitor what you post.  You should do this whether you are in grade school, college, your career, and in every day life.  Have fun, yes, but be tasteful.