It was only a little bit surprising when it was publicly announced a few weeks ago that rap star Lil Wayne (real name: Dwayne Carter) was going to receive a jail sentence (for weapons possession) on Feb. 9. He did a “farewell” concert in his native New Orleans.
Wayne is just the latest in a long string of highly influential rap stars who have had to do time. You would think that this would be hurtful to their careers but, as disgusting as it is, serving time does not have much effect on a gangsta rap star’s popularity. In fact, it might even increase it.
The list of rap stars who have been jailed, for an array of offenses, is long and continues to grow. In addition to Lil Wayne, that list includes T.I., Lil’ Kim, Shyne, The Game, Mystikal, DMX, Tupac Shakur, Foxy Brown, Busta Rhymes and more.
As sad as it is to have to admit, so many young African-Americans — especially males — look up to people who are essentially hoodlums, and being a “thug,” in those circles, is considered a plus.
If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were here today, he might be in tears. But, as Rosa Parks said so succinctly, “You can’t expect kids to know what they haven’t been taught.
Despite the progress we as a people have made — including the country electing a Black president — we are bogged down by a lot of extremely serious, largely self-induced problems. It’s painful to accept but, among young Blacks, street violence, gunfire and even murder have lost their ability to shock — and that is an indictment of our community and society at large.
I am among those trying really hard to think of reasons to believe there is hope. Decent, intelligent, conscience-driven Black people have got to do something because the lowlife element is pulling us all down.
ON THE PLUS side, Darius Rucker is to be applauded for being the first Black artist to win the prestigious New Artist of the Year award from the Country Music Association, based on his megahit album “Learn to Live.” Rucker is the first Black superstar in country music since the groundbreaking Charley Pride in the 1960s.
Granted, most Black people are not into country music, but African-Americans are not monolithic. There are Black people who like every kind of music to one degree or another. My music collection includes R&B, jazz, pop, blues, rock, country, reggae, gospel, classical, hip-hop, show tunes and more. It’s all good.
Most people are not aware of the fact that Chris Williams, the brother of actress, singer, dancer and former Miss America Vanessa Williams, is an accomplished actor. His film work includes “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Dodgeball.” Chris’ most recent credit is an appearance on the hit TV series “Ugly Betty” in which Vanessa has a starring role.
New albums are on the way from Usher (“Raymond v. Raymod,” Feb. 16), Toni Braxton (“Pulse,” March 2), Jamie Foxx (“Body,” March 2) and a best-of collection by Detroit’s own Was (Not Was).
Jamie Foxx, to the surprise of many, is actually a classically trained musician. He received a scholarship to the United States International University (interestingly, located in Kenya), where he studied classical music and composition. And you may not have known that Foxx’s name is actually Eric Bishop.
THERE ARE two actresses who look similar, like they could be sisters, but no one ever acknowledges resemblance: Jada Pinkett Smith and one of the stars of “Avatar”, Zoe Saldana.
And there are two couples that a lot of people had doubts about — even though people should mind their own business — who are doing quite well and, in fact, radiate happiness. They are Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, and Jay-Z and Beyoncé. We hope they continue to enjoy each other and together overcome whatever problems come along.
In case you were wondering what ever happened to Rudolph Isley, an original member of the Isley Brothers, he left the group in 1989 to become a minister.
Interesting quote from bandleader Paul Shaffer: “Celebrities are a funny lot. You can never tell what will trigger a celebrity or what the result will be.”
IN A RECENT column I wrote about some of the most outstanding film performances, based on their quality and effect on me. Reader Gregory S. Holder e-mailed some of his choices (we don’t have enough space to list them all):
Denzel Washington (“Glory” and “X”), S. Apatha Merkerson (“Lackawanna Blues”), Morgan Freeman (“Street Smarts”), Katharine Hepburn (“The Lion in Winter,” “The African Queen”), Robert DeNiro (“Cape Fear”), Andre Braugher (“Glory”), Forest Whitaker (“The Last King of Scotland”).
Oprah Winfrey (“The Color Purple”), Humphrey Bogart (“Casablanca”), Gregory Peck (“To Kill a Mockingbird”), Sidney Poitier (“In the Heat of the Night”), Jeffrey Wright (“Boycott”), Don Cheadle (“Hotel Rwanda”) and Jack Lemmon (“Days of Wine and Roses”).
On one of the morning news shows, it was said that it had been basically decided that this year would be identified as “Twenty- Ten.” Well, who makes these decisions? We never said “Twenty-Nine” or “Twenty O-Nine.”
People’s sexual orientation, which is not an option, should not be joked about anyway, but Wanda Sykes was out of line to make a joke about Adam Lambert on her Saturday night television show. Especially since she, too, is gay.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that in 1943 MGM cut out a scene in “Cabin in the Sky” with Lena Horne taking a bubble bath because they felt the public would not accept a Black woman being presented that way. It was considered “too risky.”
MEMORIES: “Cowboys to Girls” (the Intruders), “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)” (Kim Weston), “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” (LL Cool J), “Dreamin’” (Vanessa Williams), “Push It” (Salt-N-Pepa), “Take Me Home” (Cher), “My Baby Loves Me” (Martha & the Vandellas), “She Works Hard For the Money” (Donna Summer), “I Got the Feelin’” (James Brown), “Our Love” (Natalie Cole).
BLESSINGS to Shirley Branham, Carol Smith Dixon, LaDonne Young, Renaye Coles Millie Scott, Thomas A. Wilson, Rita Griffin, Robert Kerse, William Staiger, Chuck Young and Mary Grace Wilbert.
WORDS OF THE WEEK (submitted by reader Renaye Coles): “The power within you is greater than the problem in front of you.”
Let the music play!
(Steve Holsey may be reached at Svh517@aol.com and P.O. Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.)