GRAMMY-nominated Ledisi Performs Live at Street Date « GRAMMY Awards – GRAMMY Radio Celebrates the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards: Photos, Polls, Videos, and Exclusive Interviews

Wassup Family? Check Out this interview and perfomance from 2 time 2010 Grammy Award Nominee LEDISI! and that's ...THE READ! want to wish her the very best and say CONGRATULATIONS for this well deserved honor.


GRAMMY-nominated Ledisi Performs Live at Street Date « GRAMMY Awards – GRAMMY Radio Celebrates the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards: Photos, Polls, Videos, and Exclusive Interviews

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HAPPY 56th BIRTHDAY LADY O!!!

I want to wish OPRAH WINFREY a HAPPY 56th BIRTHDAY!!!!
She is what we all should aspire to be : PURE SUCCESS!

WTF is wrong with THIS Pic?

Okay...Now THIS is the most ridiculous ish I've ever seen. Can I please have some discussion on this one? I was(still am) blown away!!

To Be or NOT To Be...GAY!

Since the early part of this month, there have been rumors on the radio and written on diverse blog sites about Trey Songz being either Bi, openly gay or a brotha on the DL. He is one of many celebrities whose sexuality has been questioned. Along with Trey, you have Rockmond Dunbar, Will Smith AND his wife Jada Pickett-Smith, Missy Elliott, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, The Late Great Luther Vandross, Freddie Jackson, Queen Latifah and the list goes on and on...

All of the celebs listed have fought to prove they are not.When a black celebrity is listed as gay it's like they become black balled from the black community and the entire industry; case and point Tevin Campbell. Tevin Campbell was an extraordinary talented vocalist. When he first sang (I Hope) Tomorrow Will Bring, the critics deemed him the next Michael Jackson! In 1999, while he was riding high on his career, he was arrested for soliciting oral sex from an under cover police officer posing as a male prostitute. He was what I call snatched out of the closet and wasn't given a fair chance. Sadly, his career came to an abrupt end. No one was checking for Tevin anymore; he was shunned away by the black community; his own people.

This is the very reason black celebrities who really are gay can't come out to the public; it's the same reason why so many ordinary black men and women stay hidden in the closet or in an unwanted heterosexual relationship because the black community will disown, and disgard them like yesterday's news. It would be like committing career suicide. For years people have speculated about Queen Latifah's sexuality;
and I love her for not telling one way or another and why should she?
It all started when she played Cleo in the movie Set It Off. I actually had conversations with people who said " NO! she played that part too good!"...WTF is that? correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't she paid to act? If she had not been convincing, the same people would've said " They should've got someone else to play that part!" You just can't please everybody.

Now here it is, Trey Songz is riding high on his new CD, he's in high demand, and he's making good money. Someone or some people are not happy for him, so what do they do? they put out the rumor that he's gay and is in a committed relationship with inde singer/songwriter Brandon Hines.(Allegedly) People have brought proof of this relationship to a certain blog who is constantly writing about this. They're claiming they have pics of them together and naked pictures of Trey Songz (I'll keep my thoughts to my self about the latter..whoo)! These were submitted by someone who claims to have been a "friend" of Trey Songz. They told stories of how Trey carries on around Atlanta,How he cheats on Brandon and what types of guys he likes.

The alleged information was submitted to the black owned blog by a black straight man. Children, listen to me good... IF he has that type of information and he knows for a fact all that went on in the alleged relationship between Trey and Brandon, that man is NOT straight! My guess is, he's jealous that Trey's career is taking off and his is still at square one, he hasn't passed go and he hasn't collected his $200.00. It's a shame that we as black people try to destroy one another instead of building one another up.

Perhaps, if the black community were accepting of gay people, no one would have the power to attempt to destroy another's career.For some odd reason, in the black community, being gay is the absolute worst thing you could be. When people come out, a lot of times, their family and (so called) friends ostracize them and turn their backs on them. If a black celebrity who is considered a star to us came out, we would stop purchasing their music, books, or whatever else they had for sale,
wouldn't go to their movies, we would just stop supporting their career period.
When a Caucasian celebrity comes out, they are supported the more (IE: Rosie, Ellen and Elton John). and I ask, WHY IS THAT?

What does one sexuality have to do with ones talent? Who they're sleeping with does not affect how well they sing a song or act in a movie. I've been told "It messes up the fantasy." For real? That's the best one can come up with? Well, since it's a fantasy, why not fantasize he's straight? It's just silly to me. I don't know if the rumors about the Queen, Will & Jada or Trey are True or False, all I care is that they give me what I expect and pay for and that's excellent entertainment.

So, I'm asking you to give me honest feedback, does it matter if your favorite or a celeb is gay or not?... Holla @ me somebody!

Donnie Simpson FIRED!

Donnie Simpson, The original green eyed bandit was a fixture in my household from 1982 until the end of Video Soul on BET in 1996. Donnie is a legend in his own right, being in radio for over 30 years, making waves and setting trends for up and coming radio personalities was recently fired from his extended tenure at WPGC because of low numbers and failure to appeal to a younger audience. This decision was brought about because of ratings declining and conflict between Donnie and the managers of WPGC who started adding the latest hits of today's (and I use the term loosely) artists to his playlist; which was tuurning away loyal listerners.

I honestly feel the entire entertainment industry disregards those of us that fall into the 35 and older bracket.Donnie Simpson is a soldier (in my opinion) he declined a party to be hosted in his honor in mid March. He began last week telling listeners what the real tea was. I'm sure DC and everyone who listens to The Donnie Simpson Morning Show will miss him greatly.

If you want to make a difference, let your voice be heard! send emails, make phone calls, write letters to WPGC. Here's the address for those of you in the DC area.
The business office is open daily from 8:30am to 5:30pm. WPGC 4200 Parliament Place, Suite 300, Lanham, Maryland 20706. You can contact WPGC 95.5 at (301) 918-0955 Or since they are owned by CBS you can go to www.cbsradio.com and shoot them an email.




Here is retro Donnie Doing his thing w/the late Great Phyllis Hyman. ..Enjoy

Who's Going To Protect Us From The Police?

On the evening of Janurary 11th, around 11:00p.m. in Pittsburg, PA 18 year old Jordan Miles decided to take a walk from his house to his grandmothers house because that's where he spent most of hs nights. Walking past a white care with three caucasian men sitting on the inside, Jordan thought nothing of it until one yelled out "Where's the money?" as he kept walking, the men got out of the car yelling for him to stop. Once they approach him, they ask "Where's the money and the drugs?"

He decided to turn around and go back to his mom's house, but trying to run away from them, Jordan slipped and fell on the icy sidewalk. Once the men caught up with him, they began to kick, punch, choke and beat him; even giving him a knee to the forehead.
Once that stopped him from "resisting" they put him in handcuffs, never once saying they were police officers. They claimed they were taking force with him because the object in his coat was believed to be a gun, but after the investigation, they found out it was only a bottle of Mountain Dew. Now here's the tea... Jordan says there wasn't anything inside of his pockets and he hardly ever drinks Mountain Dew.

Something just ain't right! This type of shit is happening in every city across the United States! Jordan is 5'6" and weighs approximately 150lbs, He's a student at the Creative of Performing Arts; He plays the Viola. Why would it take three well built men to bring him down IF he had anything to begin with? Watch this video as Jordan tells his story and Let's Dish...

A Woman Scorned

There's an old saying, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! 41 year old YaVaughnie Wilkins has given that a whole new understanding. After an 8 1/2 year extra marital affair to Charles E. Phillips, President of Oracle Software and a member of President Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, Ms. Wilkins world came to a crashing end. In an anonymous sent to her, someone told her that Mr.Phillips was making amends with his wife and was in the midst of reconciliation; Even though he shared an $11,000,000 home with Ms.Wilkins.

Taking matters into her own hands, she invested $250,000 in a website and billboards with their pictures and the words "YOU ARE MY SOUL MATE FOREVER" writen across. These Billboards were plastered in several cities across the country. My question is, Did she take matters too far? Should she have expected more from whom she considered to be "her man?" Let's Talk about it.

Helping Ourselves vs. Helping Hati

ON Tuesday Janurary 12th, an earthquake registered at 7.0 more than shook the very foundation of Port-au-Prince, Haiti; knocking down concrete buildings, power lines and claiming the lives of nearly 200,000 people. A catastrophe to say the least. Countries have come together to give aid and try and rebuild and restore what's left.
Acording to reports given by CNN, Several eyewitnesses reported heavy damage and bodies in the streets of Port-au-Prince, where concrete-block homes line steep hillsides. Seeing this on the news was a devasting site, I couldn't imagine being over there and seeing it in person.

People from all over have come together to aid in rebuilding, restoring and rehabing what's left from this fatal disaster. The United States is leading the pack, with The Red Cross (whom I do NOT Trust) Several Banks,Churches,Wyclef Jean (who has been accused of mishandeling funds for this project) and a host of others who have set up funds.People are flying over there, making their way by any means necessary.As of this past weekend, The United States alone raised a total of $437 Million Dollars!

On August 29th, 2005 in New Orleans, LA and parts of Mississippi, a catagory 3 hurricane named Katrina broke through the leeves and by August 31st 80% of New Orleans was flooded! Some parts had at least 15 feet of water; leaving residents to swim for their very lives. The Flood waters lingered for weeks; This was deemed the largest natural disaster in the history of The United States. The estimated damage came to over $100 Billion dollars. It has been 4 1/2 years since this tragic incident and there are still families living in trailers along Louisana and Misissippi. Thre are certain sections of the southern portion of Louisana that are listed in the Army Corps Final Techincal Report NEVER TO BE REBUILT! and there are still buildings that need to be elevated in case something like this happens again.

On top of that, according to every financial expert and the White House, WE ARE IN A RECESSION! According to Forbes.com " This will be the worst global recession in decades as the fallout of the most severe financial crisis since the Great Depression took a toll first on the U.S. and then--via a variety of channels--on the rest of the global economy. The United States economy is only halfway through a recession that started in December 2007 and will be the longest and most severe in the post-war period."

People are being laid off, companies, factories, automotive plants have all shut down or downsized, Financial Aid has been cut almost completely out and it's all because we the United States do not have any money to clear any of this up; Really?

Seems to me we have a lot of unfinshed business here at home. Now I'm not against helping Haiti, but like my mama taught me, You take care of home first! We still have families not placed from the Katrina catastrophe;The Federal Emergency Management (FEMA a.k.a. Fucking Every Minority up the Ass) dumped them in various places, without any type of system; Families were seperated and some of those people went through pure hell. Now they want to bring a lot of the victims of Haiti and dump them in various places, seems like a repeat of 2005 to me.

I just honestly feel The United States need to clean up and get ourselves together. If We can raise that type of money in that short amount of time, then why do we still have homeless people in EVERY city? Living under bridges, begging for food to feed their children; we have a hunger problem right here! Our unemployment rate is steadily climbing to new heights. Last month alone, Washington, DC and 43 out of the 50 states saw their unemployment rates increase. New York lead the pack with 36,400 jobs lost; Texas came in second with 27,000 jobs lost; that's within ONE MONTH!

So They say this is The Land of Opportunity, Land Of The Free and the Home of The Brave...Really? Because people are scared shitless that they will be given a pink slip or see on the news that their place of employment will be closing down in a matter of months,weeks or days.

So what do you all think? I need to hear from you. Am I wrong for feeling we need to clear up this unfinished business or what? ...Let's Dish!

Will-Day 26

Here is (in my opinion) the sexiest member of Day 26 WIll with his new unreleased song SEX CONVERSATION. This will be released on a mix tape on Valentine's Day; Now how that's possible? I dunno because Valentine's Day is on a Sunday. In my opinion, the idea of this concept came from the controversial nude pictures that he took for his wife and someone (allegedly)hacked her email account and distributed the pictures for the entire world to see; and the pics are nice if I say so myself! I'd give them a That's Wassup!... Well, here's the song. rate it and tell me what you think.

WTH happened to The Church??

When I was a teenager, you could find me in church EVERY Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and some Friday's; now that's all changed. I (along with countless others) barely get up and go on Sunday mornings.Church has become a joke and it's truly NOT what GOD intended for it to be. You have all types of Foolery going on and it needs to stop! You have all types men and women giving themselves titles (Bishop, Bishoptess, Arch Dioceces, Elderess, Prophet, Prophetess, etc) and who appointed them to be such? Being Christians (so they say), they're supposed to follow the guidelines of the Life of JESUS CHRIST.

Now, I've read the bible, and no where in the book does it says JESUS Hates, yet I have heard minsiters of the gospel say the exact opposite. I watched a man (via video) who claims to be called of GOD tear singer/songwriter Kelly Price to shreads standing outside the church where she was to minister in song, calling her a harlot and screaming she has NO RIGHT to gospel music! He quoted the scripture "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?" (James 3:11)

Excuse me,but by callin ger her names aren't you going against that very scripture? where was the love? all he gave was rebuke and judgement. I watched this same man attend a gay pride event on a beach carrying a huge sing that read GOD HATES FAGS!! and used the scriptures to back his hatred. Now, out of all the things listed in the Bible that GOD hates, "Fags" was not in the listing; However, a lying tongue was listed twice! So all you liars out there spitting hatred and judgement in the name of Jesus, I hope you're telling the Truth at all other times in your life or you will be in the same hell you're casting others into!

Look,this is one of the very reasons peopel have not a desire to step foot in a church, who wants to come to a place where they'll be judged and ridiculed? especially by someone who's doing the same things and more than they are?!
The objective is to WIN SOULS NOT REPEL THEM AWAY! The key to draw men unto HIM is LOVE!

REAL LOVE is what's missing from the world and the church. The church is suppose to be a place of refuge, a place where one can come to receive comfort, help, and even chastisement as long as it's done with and in love. 2nd Timothy says " Preach The Word! Be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- WITH GREAT Patience and careful instruction."

I've seen many openly rebuked and there was absolutely NO ENCOURAGEMENT. A lot of times pastors are going on hear say and not what GOD says. Matthew 7:1 " Judge NOT lest ye be judged" in other words, you too will be judged in the same manner by GOD if you keep up your shenanigans!

Pastors, stop running after the prestige, clout, offering plate and the titles and go after GOD! Go out and really win souls for the Kingdom! There is a dying world and the biggest concern is " I hope we raise enough money for..." Really?

And please will a real MAN or WOMAN of GOD stand up! Some one who cares about the people and not the paper chase. I guarantee so many people will come in flocks to the church if they felt or knew someone truly cared.






This is another reason why people do NOT attend church, people such as THIS!..This is a HOT mess! Please comment and let's discuss WTH has happend to the church!

New Music Coming in 2010

Wassup People? I see 2010 is the year for GREAT music! There are artists coming out with new material who we've been waiting on for awhile. For instance, Tweet! WE haven't heard from this Southern Hummingbird since her 2005 release of It's Me Again... This time she's bringing us "Love, Tweet" with the lead off single being Love Again produced by Charlie Bereal and Craig Brockman. Check it Out and give your input. I for One think this song is the shit! So I'mma give it a That's Wassup!...remember children, here at and that's...THE READ! you will only see and hear from REAL Vocalists! I do NOT deal with mediocrity PERIOD!

Introducing...DEANA DEAN

Ladies & Gentlemen please allow me to introduce to some and present to all...Spoken Word Extraordinaire Deana Dean. Who Is Deana Dean? she's a No nonsense type of sistah who hails from the south-east side of Chicago. Deeming herself as a strong woman, mother, and nurturer; Ms.Dean got her start into poetry very early in life. "When I was in the 7th and 8th grade, I had a teacher named Mr.Bennett who put the love of poetry in me! We had to memorize a poem every week for the class." she says. "My family would put me up to speak at funerals and my speeches always came out in the form of a poem." The people loved her! and told her she should get out there and allow others to hear what she has to say. And that's just what she did.


Taking heed to their urging, Deana met a now defunct group;started out with them, then went on to Java Oasis which was hosted by Danny Devine and Khari B. There is where she honed and sharpened her lyrical and writing skills. Ask what poets she listens to:" My favorites are : HB, Moe-Mentum, TheeAlias, KLove, Khari B.,Celeste, 13 of Nazareth, and of course Triple Blak"

In talking to Deana, you will see her and her poetry are one and the same. They're candid, straightforward, truthful and to sum them both up into one word..REAL! Deana speaks the truth in every word she speaks."I like to think of myself as a voice for sistah hood." And even though she speaks to and for the sistahs, she'll give that same gumption to and for the brothas as well!.

I asked if she has any advice to any up and coming writers, poets, and spoken word artists and this is what she had to say; " A good writer is one who keeps your attention, never get addicted to the applause. Don't lose your own voice...always strive to write your best piece, if you think you've already wrote it then you should stop writing!". Deana is force to be rekoned with! traveling the US doing her thing, but in due time this sistah will be traveling the world because her message needs to be heard by the masses! If you want to see what I mean and you're in the Chicago area, come on out on Monday nights to see Deana as she host her set The Lyrical Workout Sessions from 7:pm.to 10:pm @ DeDa's Barbershop 2045 E. 83rd St ($7.00 cover). Check out the video below, this is just a taste of what this sistah is all about.