'87 | Some Kind of Lover

I loved me some Jody Watley.

'09 | BLACKsummers'night, Maxwell

Take a break from your scavenger hunt for Michael material to be blessed with what will be one of the best R&B albums of the year. Yesterday Maxwell released the highly-anticipated BLACKsummers'night, his first studio album since 2001's Now. The nine-track set envelopes listeners to a sound of R&B from the past, similar to the work of Al Green who Maxwell honored in his comeback performance at last year's BET Awards. On the push of the first single "Pretty Wings," a somber swan song to a lost love, Maxwell works effortlessly to evoke such emotion and honesty in his lyrics that current R&B has missed. In "Cold" he urgently describes the woman whose frozen his heart on top of warm horns. And with "Fistful of Tears" he tackles the lamenting compromises it takes to keep a relationship's love alive. Even the ending instrumental "Pheonix Rise" is electrifying, signaling the return of a true artist and the return of R&B music to the fullest. No featured rap artist or auto-tune.

Chubb Rock & Wordsmith - Bridging the Gap | Hip Hop Songs HipHopDX.com

Chubb Rock & Wordsmith - Bridging the Gap | Hip Hop Songs HipHopDX.com Shared via AddThis

411 | Michael Jackson's Memorial

Noon today Michael Jackson will grace our television screens for the last time, but will remain in our hearts forever. Jackson's memorial service will be held in LA's Staples Center and could possibly be the most watched televised event in history, ironically surpassing his own Super Bowl Halftime show. The ceremony is being compared to that of Princess Diana's in its global appeal.

'01 | Even though he's thuggin'

Does anyone else remember this soulful single from LovHer. I remember seeing the video on BET all the time. I guess it was on the Rush Hour soundtrack.

illlist | dangerousNEGRO

An apparel line for the "talented tenth" in all of us, dangerousNegro replaces the normality of urban wear with knowledge food for the mind and soul. In the mist of ignorance and thug culture, dangerousNegro focuses on re-educating the minds of young African Americans to pursue more enlightened ventures in life. Their organization not only reaches aspiring future leaders across the country, but has also penetrated the world of hip-hop. They've most recently established dangerousNegro ENT. and signed their first artist, Rhymefest. Get familiar.

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SICK | Lanvin Grey Canvas High Top Sneakers

Click pic for more. Shout to Sneaker Maniac.

GNR | Offering time Soul Train line

That's it.

411 | Former Bad Boy new Islam convert

Remember Loon. Well he's taken the same road as Ma$e did, but I see this being a long term thing.

'97 | I'm scared to fall in love

Ms. Jackson with "Everytime" from The Velvet Rope. I totally forgot about this video.

New New | West/GaGa U.S. tour dates

Spotted @ pleasedontstare.com The closest he's coming to Indiana is Cleveland and Chicago; and the tickets are already sounding pretty steep. Start your financial planning now!

• Oct 04, 2009 HSBC Arena Buffalo, New York
• Oct 07, 2009 TD Banknorth Garden Boston, Massachusetts
• Oct 10, 2009 1st Mariner Arena Baltimore, Maryland
• Oct 11, 2009 Wachovia Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Oct 13, 2009 Xcel Energy Center Saint Paul, Minnesota
• Oct 15, 2009 Madison Square Garden Arena New York, New York
• Oct 16, 2009 Nassau Coliseum Uniondale, New York
• Oct 17, 2009 IZOD Center East Rutherford, New Jersey
• Oct 28, 2009 Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland, Ohio
• Oct 29, 2009 Verizon Center Washington, District of Columbia
• Oct 31, 2009 Palace Of Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, Michigan
• Oct 31, 2009 Palace Of Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, Michigan
• Nov 02, 2009 United Center Chicago, Illinois
• Nov 05, 2009 Toyota Center Houston, Texas
• Nov 07, 2009 New Orleans Arena New Orleans, Louisiana
• Nov 08, 2009 American Airlines Center Dallas, Texas
• Nov 10, 2009 US Airways Center Phoenix, Arizona
• Nov 11, 2009 Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl San Diego, California
• Nov 13, 2009 Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas, Nevada
• Nov 14, 2009 Honda Center Anaheim, California
• Nov 16, 2009 Staples Center Los Angeles, California
• Nov 18, 2009 Save Mart Center Fresno, California
• Nov 20, 2009 ARCO Arena Sacremento, California
• Nov 21, 2009 HP Pavilion At San Jose San Jose, California
• Nov 22, 2009 HP Pavilion At San Jose San Jose, California
• Dec 02, 2009 Pepsi Center Denver, Colorado
• Dec 03, 2009 Tingley Coliseum Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Dec 03, 2009 Tingley Coliseum Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Dec 05, 2009 Sprint Center Kansas City, Missouri
• Dec 06, 2009 Scottrade Center Saint Louis, Missouri
• Dec 09, 2009 Bank Atlantic Ampitheater FT Lauderdale, Florida
• Dec 11, 2009 Philips Arena Atlanta, Georgia
• Dec 12, 2009 Greensboro Coliseum Complex Greensburo, North Carolina
• Dec 13, 2009 Norfolk Scope Arena Norfolk, Virginia
• Dec 15, 2009 Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, Connecticut

411 | Stopping the cycle

NY Times story detailing the risks of those children whose parents spend time in & out of jail. Those most affected: African American and low-education families. Click above for complete story. I think I'm going to limit the 411's to a "News Story of the Day." Still pending....

'98 | Aha, what's that fuss?

Classic banger and breakout hit for the ATLiens. OutKast's Aquemini was their foot in the door even though they got no love amongst the East coast/West coast beef.

'91 | Its so hard, to say goodbye, to yesterday

Thought this quite fitting for the week we've had. McMhaon, Fawcett, Jackson, Mays & McNair. You will be missed.

411 | Steve McNair found dead

Former football quarterback Steve McNair was found fatally shot in an apartment complex in TN Saturday. The 3-Time Pro Bowler and 2000 Super Bowl champ had been visiting his girlfriend, who was also found shot and later died. Details are still unknown. A terrible loss for the sporting world. McNair was 36.