Song: Donald Lawrence “Encourage Yourself”

2010 also brought us scandals and former American Idol Winner Fantasia led the pack. She got involved with a married man, got pregnant, tried to kill herself and her married boyfriend’s wife took her to court. In between, she won her court case released an album and went on tour.

Anita Baker almost went to jail for not cooperating with a divorce decree. She divorced her husband of 23 years Walter Bridgeforth, who was demanding money from her in royalties. She cried to the judge, said she didn’t understand and was spared a jail sentence.

DeShawn Snow got dumped from The Real Housewives Of Atlanta and lost her husband former Basketball Player Eric Snow. He got his girlfriend pregnant and dumped DeShawn, but it was DeShawn who got the last laugh. She got paid, and now she is getting a new reality show focusing on her new life as a single woman with kids.

Late Night Talk Show Host and Comedian George Lopez announced he was divorcing his wife Ann Serrano after getting her kidney and 17 years of marriage. Speaking of kidneys, Comedian/Actor Tracy Morgan got a new kidney a few weeks ago.

Elin Woods divorced Golfer Tiger Woods and got over $200 million plus the kids. She made Tiger pay for his cheating.

Former Football Great Lawrence Taylor found himself facing a third degree rape charge.

Beyonce’s dad Matthew Knowles had to admit The Kid Is His Son. His mistress was able to prove he fathered a child by her and for a while Matthew and his wife Tina Knowles separated.

Tiki Barber found himself in hot water when he dumped his pregnant wife Ginny Cha, who was carrying twins, for a 23-year old blonde intern. He lost his gig on The Today Show and definitely got the title of Cad Of The Year.

Morgan Freeman divorced his wife of 26 years and she got paid. Myrna Freeman got a nice settlement: $400 million in cash and real estate. She put up with his cheating for a while. The 73-year old Oscar winner had been linked to various women.

Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s political career got railroaded when he admitted to cheating on his wife, Sandi.

Bishop Eddie Long made headlines when several young men came forward claiming the Bishop coerced them into sexual situations in exchange for money, jewels, cars, clothing and trips around the world. Bishop Long never admitted to any wrongdoing, but he is makings plans to settle out of court with the men.

The I.R.S. wants its money. They came after various celebrities including Actor Wesley Snipes, who went to jail, Comedians Sinbad, Chris Tucker and Katt Williams, Singer Kelly Roland of Destiny’s Child, Basketball Star Derrick Coleman, Singer Toni Braxton, who filed for bankruptcy for a second time, Actor Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, Singer Faith Evans and Actor Boris Kodjoe.

Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife Nicole is also in trouble with the I.R.S. The ex-Mrs. Murphy blew through a $15 million divorce settlement.

It was a good year for Talk Show Host and Comedienne Mo’Nique. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie Precious.

Patti LaBelle returned to Broadway in Fela.

Maxwell teamed up with Jill Scott and hit the road for an amazing tour.

2010 also served as the year of the comebacks. After a ten year absence, Sade returned. After 13 years and a short prison stint, El DeBarge came back with Second Chance. Kem, R Kelly and Ron Isley, all of whom returned from legal and personal struggles with new projects. In the literary world, Terry McMillan returned with Getting To Happy, a sequel to Waiting To Exhale, and Iyanla Van Zandt bounced back from heartbreak and loss with a new book Peace From Broken Pieces.

The Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin also made headlines. She went on tour with former U.S. Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice and performed at the Mann over the summer. Her oldest son Eddie was attacked in Detroit, and she had to be hospitalized for pancreatic cancer.

Singer Will Downing took a break from touring when he took ill. Downing is battling the muscle disorder polymyositis.

Let’s talk babies. Singer Alicia Keys got married and had a baby son with Producer Swizz Beatz, and Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon announced they are expecting twins next year.

Several stars returned to TV including Holly Robinson Peete in the daytime talker The Talk, Terrence Howard and Regina Hall joined the cast of Law And Order: Los Angeles, Michael Ealy joined the CBS show The Good Wife and Blair Underwood plays the president in the show The Event.

Michael Jackson made news. He is the top earning dead celebrity. Through various business deals, the Michael Jackson estate grossed over $285 million. Despite all that money, the Jackson family, led by Michael’s parents Joe and Katherine, are still at odds over money.

Actress Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for The Blind Side, and was blindsided herself when her husband was caught cheating on her. She kicked hubby Jesse James to the curb and adopted a beautiful baby boy Louis Bardo Bullock.

Steve Harvey had an amazing year with another best selling book, Straight Talk No Chaser: How To Find, Understand And Keep A Man, and he’s the new host of the TV game show Family Feud.

2010 also brought us instant celebs including General Larry Platt, a 63-year old civil rights activist who became an overnight sensation when he tried out for American Idol with the song Pants On The Ground.

The most watched youtube video was Antoine Dodson with The Intruder Song. He made headlines when he spoke out about a break in at his sister’s house. A pair of computer wizards put his news tape to audio and viral history was made.

Oprah Winfrey announced her next chapter and her plans to leave daytime TV. Oprah starts anew with her new network OWN in January 2011.

Two major tours are set to take place in 2011 including Prince with his Welcome To America tour, and Sade returns to America after an 11-year absence.

I have to say I love covering all aspects of entertainment, but covering death has to be the hardest part. The recent loss of Lady T, Teena Marie, still stings and oh how I miss Teddy…..Have a blessed New Year everybody…see you in the world of entertainment next year.

Terry Shropshire
Rollin Out

Teena Marie’s death could have been caused by a grand mal seizure — the same type of seizure she suffered a month before her death on Sunday, Dec. 26. Despite that, however, Marie reportedly stopped taking her medication because of the dramatic side effects.

Close family friends told TMZ that Marie has suffered other seizures in the past, but the November grand mal shook her up badly, even breaking two of her ribs.

“We’re told the L.A. County Coroner’s Office found the anti-seizure drug diazepam at Teena’s home, but friends say she had stopped taking the medicine because of side effects and began taking herbal remedies instead,” TMZ reported.

So frightened was she of having a seizure, Marie would have someone sleep next to her at night. Friends say on Saturday night someone slept in the same room with Marie and left in the morning. Teena was talking with her bodyguard at around 11:30 a.m. She went back to bed in the early afternoon — no one was with her when she slept. Teena’s daughter checked in with her at around 1 p.m. and Teena was fine.

But at around 3 p.m., Teena’s daughter checked in with her again, and found her unresponsive. The coroner has said signs point to death from natural causes. But “natural causes” could be death from a seizure. –terry shropshire

Sunday, 02 January 2011 14:46
By: Munson Steed

Rapper Kanye West might need to be placed on suicide watch. Most geniuses have the ability to destroy themselves without giving notice. When one watches the entertainer’s video for the “Monster” single, featuring vampires, an immediate revelation is the vulnerability of the vampire characters to the shedding of light, truth.

West’s fans all over the world typically elevate him above and beyond ascertainable heights as a hip-hop superstar. The emotional and psychological degeneration of African American men in the hip-hop generation manifest itself in self-destructive behavior. On stage, most notably, Mr. West shocks the MTV crowd by displaying inappropriate behavior. It appears contrived, like the relationships are pandered. His dark, raging lyrics are misguided.

The hip-hop genius’ persona is in the coffin, where the light of truth is hidden, as are drugs, sexual preference and emotional instability. These common traps, career bloodsuckers and nightmarish behaviors foster legions of copycats.

Monsters exist to play on the fears of those who attempt to rent space in the minds of common humans. Jay-Z’s rhyme illuminates how masterfully he’s controlled his psychosis, but the lyrics convey a desire to massacre individuals. The bloodsucking, torturing stick images, consumed by easily-impressionable and at-risk young hip-hop minds, spur them to forge urban massacres through copycat and idolization.

Given most of the massacres in Africa have been inflicted by black hands, the “Monster” video suggests feeding on the masses. The masses appear to want to feed on Mr. West, but what is stopping them? Not a door.

Rick Ross masterfully sounded off on his album that we should die young; suggesting to Mr. West, a fortuneteller with hip-hop credentials, that materialism and overconsumption are the vestiges of urban accomplishments.

The entire music establishment seems committed to raising Mr. West’s profile. Fame has created monsters of self-destruction. Considering the tethered relationship between Mr. West and reality, his continued success could create a Shakespearean tragedy. We loved Romeo and Juliet, but they both died. Denial of the truth impairs reality and judgment.

For all those who love Mr. West and see him traveling alongside them, musically in his own lane, we need only to remember that Michael Jackson left us with only a few individual albums to listen to while he too protected himself from the likes by creating façades, and hiding his demons from us. Hopefully those around Mr. West will protect our interests and those fans that are overzealous to hear great music won’t accept self-destructive negative image projection as sexy or current. The music business and entertainment industry is full of bloodsuckers that benefit from the demise of geniuses.

The women in Mr. West’s world of late don’t appear to be caretakers that loved him without any benefits. A pink-haired Nicki Minaj’s valuable appearance in the “Monster” video fosters female-on-female domination, an unnatural female dynamic being played out by many young hip-hop females — is this sexual confusion and shading the truth from the light? Ms. Rose, Amber, existed for the last year or so for what purpose?

Fabricated sex lives and relationships are like sex machines; you really make love to yourself. These women do not illustrate an appreciation for loving relationships.

Music is one of the most intoxicating drugs produced by humans and it devours the souls of geniuses who purge, falling brutally and sacrificing their lives.

Peace,

Munson Steed

(Warning: Explicit Language)

For Immediate Release

Date: December 22, 2010 Phone: (314) 612-1462
Contact: Robin Boyce Boycer@stlouiscity.com

Inc Yourself in the New Year!

ST. LOUIS, December 22, 2010 – Turn your dream or passion into a business is the call Comptroller Darlene Green is directing to the community for 2011. The four-termed, city-wide office holder sees so many areas where constituents could be making themselves valuable to the city of St. Louis.

“The new employee is the new entrepreneur of the 21st Century,” says Comptroller Green. “There is no time like the present to start realizing your dream.”

Thursday, January 20, 2011, Comptroller Green will present “INC Yourself in the New Year: Doing Business in the City of St. Louis.” This seminar will be held at the new William J. Harrison Center located at 3140 Cass Ave. starting at 5 p.m. The event will also feature Sandra Marks of Marks and Associates. Marks will reveal products and services in the city of St. Louis that are in demand. She will also share strategies for starting or acquiring businesses that can supply these products and services with high demand and limited competition.

“As you prepare for a new year, also consider preparing for a new career,” says Marks. “Positioning yourself to take advantage of many entrepreneurial opportunities in St. Louis can increase your earning potential and the earning potential of those in your family and community.”

“INC Yourself in the New Year” is a 45 minute free workshop. Whether you are currently happily employed, unemployed, underemployed, attending school, or just curious to learn more, you don’t want to miss it. Seating is limited. R.S.V.P. your space today by calling (314) 612-1462 or emailing boycer@stlouiscity.com.

This business seminar is sponsored by St. Louis Community College and PNC Bank.

Teena Marie left a sensational musical legacy. Making her debut in 1979, her sublime musical eclecticism took soul music in new directions, swiftly earning her a hallowed and singular place in the hearts of R&B purists. Throughout her groundbreaking accomplishments, Teena remained humble, unpretentious and refreshingly down-to-earth. Her talent was matched only by her kindness of spirit. She collaborated with musical giants throughout her career and they reciprocated with the kind of love and respect that indicated she was truly one of them.

“The enduring influence of Teena’s inspirational, trailblazing career, could only have been made possible through her brilliant songwriting, showmanship and high-energy passion which laid the ground work for the future generations of R&B, hip-hop, and soul,” stated Concord Music Group chief label officer, Gene Rumsey. “We feel extremely fortunate to have worked with a visionary who changed music in indelible ways. Our deepest sympathies go out to her family, friends and of course, millions of fans around the world.”

Ron Banks

Robert Wilson

Manute Bol

Lena Horne

Gary Coleman

Eunice W. Johnson

Benjamin Hooks

Dr. Dorothy I. Height

Ali Ollie Woodson Sr.

Al Goodman

Albertina Walter

Marvin Isley

Teddy Pendergrass

Harold Dow

Solomon Burke

Walter Hawkins

The Ivory Queen of Soul; Teena Marie

Katherine Jackson is making no friends with the Michael Jackson estate. Mom Katherine’s side deals are causing a lot of problems. Howard Mann is Katherine’s leading advisor, and the Michael Jackson estate wants him to stop making business deals immediately. The estate feels these dealings are robbing Michael’s children of their money. The estate gives Katherine money every month, but she feels it is not enough. She basically supports the entire Jackson family. She and Joe Jackson feel they should control the estate and handle the money. The executors know this would be a disaster because they know if that were the case, the money would be gone.

Halle Berry and Idris Elba have been nominated for awards at the 68TH Annual Golden Globe Awards. Berry is up for Best Actress for her movie about a woman with multiple personality disorder, Frankie And Alice, and Idris is nominated for his role in the miniseries Luther. The Golden Globe Awards air Sunday, January 16th on NBC.

Speaking of Halle, she’s headed to Broadway. She is set to star in the production Mountaintop with Samuel L. Jackson. Her new movie, Frankie And Alice, opens in theatres in February. She also has a new fragrance, Reveal, coming out this winter.

Is New Edition planning a comeback? Ronnie, Bobby, Johnny, Ricky, Ralph and Mike: the guys were spotted in California mapping out a strategy for a comeback.

Don King is mourning the loss of his wife Henrietta. His wife was 87, King is 79, and they were married for 50 years. Mrs. King had stomach cancer. They have three children.

Natalie Cole is back with a new holiday music entitled The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year. The 14-song project is filled with holiday classics and is her first since her life saving kidney transplant in May 2009. The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year will also be available on DVD.

The latest issue of People features Sandra Bullock on the cover as their Woman Of The Year. Inside, there are the exclusive wedding photos of Nicole Richie and Rocker Joel Madden. Lionel’s daughter got married over the weekend, and Reverend Run officiated the ceremony.

Little Fockers, the third installment of the Ben Stiller/Robert De Niro comedy series, opens in theatres December 22nd. After his run of comedies, I hear De Niro is headed back to drama to once again team up with Director Martin Scorsese for another mob drama. The movie would be based on the book, I Hear You Paint Houses, which is mob slang for contract killing. De Niro is set to play Frank Sheeran, a labor union official who was involved in over 25 mob related deaths. On his deathbed, he admitted his involvement in the disappearance and killing of Union Boss Jimmy Hoffa.

Janet Jackson is planning on a tour for next year, and she wants her fans to help her pick the cities and songs, for more info go to janetjackson.com. Check her out on the new issue of Health magazine. Janet is also teaming up with Barbie to create a Barbie Doll in her likeness called Divinely Barbie.

Whitney Houston is the surprise guest at the BET Celebration Of Gospel. During the taping, Houston stunned the audience by joining Kim Burrell on stage. The show, hosted by Steve Harvey, airs Sunday, January 30th at 8pm on BET.

Speaking of Steve Harvey, his book, Straight Talk No Chaser is in stores. It’s a follow up to the book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man. Also, check him out nightly on the Centric network with The Steve Harvey Project. Steve is also going on tour with Kirk Franklin. It’s a gospel and comedy tour which kicks off next March. Harvey is also on the cover of the new issue of Essence magazine and is doing very well with his latest job as the new host of the game show Family Feud.

Chris Tucker is ready to return to the big screen. Tucker is set to sign on for the movie The Rabbit, where he will play a Las Vegas magician who helps people break out of prison. Tucker was last on the big screen in 2007’s Rush Hour III.

Whoopi Goldberg is headed to Broadway. The Oscar winner will open the musical version of Sister Act as star and producer on April 20th, 2011. Sister Act was a hit as a musical when Goldberg first reprised her role as Mother Superior during a run in London last year. Producers are looking for the same success on the Great White Way. The musical is based on the hit movie that starred Goldberg in 1992.

Maxwell, Mariah Carey and Ellen DeGeneres are joining the first family for Christmas in Washington. The special airs at 8pm Friday, December 17th on the TNT network.

Keyshia Cole is on the cover of Jet magazine. She talks about being a mommy and her new album.

L’Oreal cosmetics recently unveiled their new ad campaign starring Beyonce.

Funkateer George Clinton is suing The Black Eyed Peas. Apparently, the group sampled Clinton’s 1979 hit Knee Deep, which hit number one back in 1979, and he is suing them in a multi-million dollar lawsuit. Clinton has fallen on hard times financially since he sold most of the rights to his music.

Bria Murphy, the 20-year old daughter of Eddie Murphy and his ex-wife Nicole, has been named the new spokesperson for Dark And Lovely. Bria is gorgeous. The new ad campaign kicks off next month.

Justin Bieber is about to embark on a European tour with ten-year old Willow Smith. The two young sensations have had an incredible year. I had a chance to meet Will and Jada’s youngest. She was lovely, very nice and well poised. I love Willow. What a year she has had with Whip My Hair.

Rapper Doug E. Fresh is having money problems despite opening a club and restaurant in New York. He owes the I.R.S. over $2 million.

NeNe Leakes of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta has filed divorce papers to end her marriage. Leakes, who’s set to appear on the new season Celebrity Apprentice, wants out of her marriage to Greg Leakes. He’s her real estate hubby who has fallen on hard times.

Lisa Kudrow of Friends fame has lined up Lionel Richie and Vanessa Williams for her new show, Who Do You Think You Are, which traces a person’s roots. The new season kicks of next month.

Actor Don Cheadle has signed on to star and be the executive producer of a new Showtime TV series called House Of Lies.

The new inductees into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame have been announced. Singer Darlene Love, Neil Diamond, Dr. John and the Alice Cooper Band all made this year’s cut. The big story is actually the ones who were turned away including Bon Jovi, LL Cool J, The J Geils Band, The Beastie Boys and Donna Summer.

Congrats to Chaka Khan! Khan is being honored at the 32nd Annual UNCF telethon, An Evening Of Stars. The show airs in syndication January 2011.

Patti LaBelle is on Broadway. She is playing the mother of the lead character in the musical Fela! LaBelle will be in the production through the first of the year.

Dr. J’s Utah house is in foreclosure. Julius Erving has been trying to sell that house for over a year. The asking price is over $2 million, and he owes more than it is worth.

Al Roker from The Today Show and Shaun Robinson from Access Hollywood will be hosting the 122nd Annual Tournament Of Roses Parade live from Pasadena, California Saturday, January 1st on NBC.

The 4th season of Kimora Lee Simmons’ Life In The Fast Lane kicks off January 9th on the Style Channel.

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards take place February 13th. Kem, Sade, Fantasia, Jaheim, Usher and El DeBarge are all up for awards.

Ne-Yo is known for his singing and dancing. Now he’s ready to put his acting hat on. The singer/songwriter is scheduled to appear on CSI: New York as a hit man.

D.L. Hughley is returning to TV in a new sitcom for the TBS network called Rabbit Factory.

Mike Tyson has been selected for the Boxing Hall Of Fame.

The new season of American Idol, with new Judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler alongside the returning Randy Jackson, kicks off Wednesday, January 19th. The new nights for American Idol will be Wednesday and Thursday with Thursday being the new elimination night. Congrats to Lopez, she recently joined Denzel Washington as a national spokesperson for The Boys And Girls Club Of America.

Get ready for the return of Jamie Foxx. His new CD, Best Night Of My Life, arrives in stores Dec. 21st. Foxx also has two movies lined up for next year: Horrible Bosses with Jennifer Aniston and Skank Robbers with Martin Lawrence in their female characters “Wanda” and “Sheneneh.”

The movie Takers arrives on DVD January 18th. The movie stars Idris Elba, Rapper/Actor T.I., Paul Walker, Matt Dillon and Chris Brown.

The King Of Pop’s videos are out on DVD. Michael Jackson’s Visions features over 2 ½ hours worth of classic videos. Also, get ready for the Cirque De Soleil Show coming to the Wells Fargo Center on April 10th, 2012. Michael’s music is also going to be featured in a special episode of the FOX show Glee. Glee has a special after the Superbowl episode on February 6th where the cast will be doing the music from the Thriller album. The Superbowl for 2011 will air on FOX and the special halftime guests will be The Black Eyed Peas.

Jennifer Hudson’s latest movie based on the life of Winnie Mandela hits theatres next year. Hudson will play Winnie and Terrence Howard will play former South African President Nelson Mandela.

The 4th season of The Game kicks off January 11th on BET.

Queen Latifah is hosting the People’s Choice Awards on January 5th.