MrsGrapevine.com

My favorite duets come from one man, and that’s Ray Charles. I’m sure you’re all familiar with the first song, in fact just to remind you, I posted the clip. The second song is also a favorite, It’s Cold Outside, featuring Betty Carter…

-Electronic Village - Chatting Over Cocktails - Ms Grapevine - Quick - Marcus LANGFORD - Cassandra - Danielle -Lisa C -Chocl8t - DP - Kreative Talk -MarvalusOne - Regina - LaShonda -AJ - Sharon - Invisible Woman -Believer 1964 - Dee - SJP - sHaE-sHae - Songs In the Key of Life - Hagar’s Daughter - freshandfab - Thembi - Clnmike - Kim - pjazzypar - Kimberly - Malcolm

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

If you haven’t registered to vote, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? At this point there could only be two reasons: you just don’t care or you’re don’t know how. I hope it’s the latter because I can help you get registered, it’s really simple. However, if you don’t care, I don’t know what to say or do to make you realize this is a historical race, and the future of our country is on the line. Every vote counts and every vote makes a difference. Kennedy won the popular vote by 9,000 votes against Nixon. Out of millions of people it came down to 9,000, and the fact that he won the right states. Speaking of states below is map of the United States, click on your state and register to vote. It’s just that simple. It takes 5 minutes or less and it’s painless. For more information go to Proud Black Voter Blog.

PLEASE REGISTER TO VOTE BELOW:

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

I just got back form church and the sermon was very interesting. It made me wonder, how many people know their calling in life, their life’s purpose. No matter who you are you have a purpose, you are uniquely designed to fulfill something special. I’m 30 now, and I love to do so many things, and I’m good at them, but I feel like I’m missing my life’s purpose. I know my heart is drawn to helping others, but we live in a time of wealth, and part of me want to pursue money before I do what I know I’m rightfully designed to do. So, how do you step out on faith, and just give your life over to it’s calling.

This really became apparent Friday when we were discussing hip-hop over at Hagar’s Daughter Blog. I take offense when people talk about hip-hop, and I know it’s not perfect, but I think I’m much like David Banner in this way; I understand it’s music of inflicted people, people that are dispossessed. This is not a means to justify it, but those that are the most critical seem to do very little to help or educate the youth, instead they talk down upon them as if they should just know better for the sake of knowing better, instead reaching out a helping hand to enlighten. I can’t look down on the music or the rappers because I feel our inner city youth have been let down, and we blame the music because it’s so easy to do, but what does the music really say about us, all of us as a whole. It reveals some serious truths that we as a community don’t want to deal with publicly or privately. Why are our children rapping about drugs and not about Christ? Why are our women being disrespected instead of lifted up? How did music come to this? Who are our rappers’ heroes? Is it you?

My life purpose is to be the light, to offer hope in a child’s life where there is none. I will give the youth something different to sing about, because I believe they are better, they can be better, and they are asking us how. This doesn’t mean I’m going to listen to rap music and support it, this means I’m not going to degrade the people accused of degrading other people. Everyone is human and redeemable, and I believe that as much as I believe in Christ. I don’t care if people don’t agree with me, I don’t care if people see it as the music of the devil, I don’t care if people boycott it, I don’t care if people turn their radio off when they hear it. But I do care, if you sit on the sidelines pretending it’s someone else’s problem when it’s our problem. People can continue to hear the trash in the music, I will continue to hear - S.O.S.

I will heed to the calling…

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

I forgot to post that I would be out of town last week, but I’m back now, after a great trip despite the nightmare I had with the airlines. My flights were canceled Sunday and Monday, and delayed twice on top of that. I was originally scheduled to return home Sunday night, but didn’t arrive home until Tuesday 2:30 AM. I’m back for a short break then it’s on to Wisconsin for a family vacation. Even with the bad airport experience, and missing my husband and boys terribly, I still had a fun time with my best friends…

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

I’ve been tagged by Quick to do a music meme, and also big thanks to Regina, SJP, Ada for the Share the Love award, which will be my next post. The rules to this tag is very simple:

1. Put your Music Player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT! After you’ve answered all of the questions, tag 3 other people and then let them know they’ve been tagged to do the MEME themselves!

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
Cadillac on 22’s - David Banner (I know, don’t ask. All I can say is that I’m a southern girl. I hope Gina don’t read this.)

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
I Know - Jay Z (It’s so true, I’m a little know it all)

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Glamarous - Fergie

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Let It Go - Keshia Cole (That should be my motto, just let it go)

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Party Like A Rockstar - Shop Boyz (This is too funny)

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Buy U A Drank - T Pain (That’s what friends are for)

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Don’t Stop the Music - Rihanna (It’s more like don’t stop the music only playing in her head, boy she’s special)

8. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS
All I - Jill Scott

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Gotta Go Gotta Leave - Vivian Green

10. WHAT IS 2+2?
Time of My Life - David Cook (Again, don’t ask)

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Best of Me - Chrisette Michelle (Awww, that worked out good.)

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
International Player’s Anthem (my husband downloaded that song)

13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Superstar - Lupe Fiasco

14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Bust It Baby - Neyo & Plies (I have to veto this one…that is certainly not my goal in life)

15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
How Do I Breathe - Mario

16. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Teach Me - Musiq

17. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
My love - Jill Scott (I’m already married)

18. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Lollipop - Lil Wayne (Oh! I hope not that wouldn’t be good)

19. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Celibacy Blues - Jill Scott (That’s a big difference from #18)

20. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Clumsy - Fergie (But I don’t think it’s a big secret, everyone knows I am)

21. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
I Luv It - Young Jeezy

22. WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?
Big Girls Don’t Cry - Fergie

…MY TURN TO TAG: Regina, SJP, Ada, & Marvalus

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

Yes, blogging is hard, and I will be on hiatus for the next two weeks until school is finished. I will post lightly here and there any breaking news. I plan on making a few minor changes to the blog including a refreshed look for 2008, and hiring my first staff member. If any of you are interested: I will be hiring a new blogger. Yes, hire. This is a paid position and the starting fee is $50 for 10-12 posts. This person will be in charge of the Top 5 Headlines in entertainment news, click here for an example. Pay increase will depend on performance. If you are interest or know anyone please contact me at admin@mrsgrapevine.com with the subject line “For Hire”. Please submit a bio about yourself or your blog with any pertinent experience. Below are a list of qualifications:

1. Must have Wordpress experience
2. Must have Photoshop and reasonable Photoshop skills to adjust pictures to size
3. Must have a Paypal account

About this blog:

This an urban entertainment news blog with a sophisticated twist. MrsGrapevine.com does not make up rumors or intentionally report sensational stories without a credible new source. This blog has an Alex.com ranking of 82, 433, with over a 120,000 pageviews and 97,00 unique visitors. I’m hoping to take it to the next level and need someone to help fill in the gaps.

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

Precious lives that want their voices heard speak with the pain of their eyes

A pain so real that tears grow in drought, but it’s there in the eyes

In the eyes of the helpless mother questioning the value of her child’s life– less than fossil fuel?

In the eyes of a child only knowing the world to be cruel but still keeps hope and the power to love in the iris

In the eyes of you - hearing with your heart and using your voice to speak their truths - you value the breath we all share

Quiet now, I can hear their whispers, shhhhhh we all can - if we would just listen with our eyes

HOW CAN YOU HELP? IT’S VERY SIMPLE!

1. Educate Yourself & Your Friends: Commitee of Conscience

2. Dedicate Your Money & Your Time: 24 Hours for Darfur, Darfur Genocide, Amnesty International, Eyes on Darfur, Human Rights Watch, Crisis Group , United States Holocaust Museum, Dream for Darfur

3. Motivate Others: Spread the word, Express yourself, Get Creative: If children can do it, so can you.

4. Activate: Write to the Ambassadors of the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and France and send it to the United Nations; E-mailor call the Olympic Corporate Sponsors. China plays a major role in the genocide in Darfur; Pledge to turn off the commercials of Olympic Sponsors during the Games; Write to the United Nations Special Advisor on Sport for Development and Peace; Petition the International Olympic Committee.

 Modern Musings, All About Race, A Political Season, Black and Missing But Not Forgotten, BlackPerspective.net, Black Women Blow The Trumpet, Black Women Vote, CEO Mum, Darfur: An Unforgivable Hell on Earth, Eddie G. Griffin, Electronic Village, Mrs. Grapevine, Musings of the Night, My African Diaspora, Opinionated Black Woman, Regina’s Family Seasons, Slant Truth, Sojourner’s Place, Take Political Action, The Jose Vilson, The Unapologetic Mexican, Trav’s Thoughts, UltraViolet Underground, Vanessa Unplugged

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

I couldn’t just pick one. This first song has been with me since I can remember, but fortunately I got married on the beach and didn’t need a song, but if I did this most certainly would have been top choice. The group is Shai, and I’m not sure what happened to them, but I thought they were the bomb back in the day.

[coolplayer width="480" height="380" autoplay="0" loop="0" charset="utf-8" download="0" mediatype=""]
Shai-Together Forever
[/coolplayer]

Since I am an hopeless old school romantic, I had to include some Teddy Pendagrass. I skipped my obvious choice of Lionel Richie to play this song because it’s just a feel good song…

[coolplayer width="480" height="380" autoplay="0" loop="0" charset="utf-8" download="0" mediatype=""]
Teddy Pendagrass - Latest Greatest Inspiration
[/coolplayer]

Last but not least, I had to play something by the Lady of Soul, Anita Baker. The words of this song is powerful, don’t make crazy promises just vow to give your best…

[coolplayer width="480" height="380" autoplay="0" loop="0" charset="utf-8" download="0" mediatype=""]
Anita Baker - Giving You the Best That I Got
[/coolplayer]

Please, make sure to link back to all these great participants if you are not using the OSF Linky:

-Electronic Village - Chatting Over Cocktails - Ms Grapevine - Quick - Marcus LANGFORD - Cassandra - Danielle

-Lisa C -Chocl8t - DP - Kreative Talk -MarvalusOne - Regina - LaShonda -AJ - Sharon - Invisible Woman -Rosemarie

- Dee - SJP - sHaE-sHae - Songs In the Key of Life

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

Sorry, I had to take a small hiatus to devote time to my family. My son turned one, and my family came to visit. Keeping with tradition, the baby got his first haircut. Now, back to business as usual…

Pictures of Angel Lola Love in SSX Magazine… [Necole Bitchie]

Blogging Ain’t Easy, But It Pays the Bills…[Necole Bitchie]

I Just Thought You Should Know…[Blogxilla]

Outlandish Hustles In Urban America…[Blogxilla]

The Muppets Join Kanye West On Tour… [Style Razzi]

Toni Braxton Hospitalized… [Celebrity Blitz]

New Video From Kelly Rowland, Comeback…[Fresh & Fab]

Solange Knowles Has A New Look To Go with Her New Song…[Quick's Catch-Up]

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

Usher & Stepson on the Set of Love In the Club… [Necole Bitchie]

Tocarra Rips the Celebrity Fit Club Judges A New One…[Pop Junkie]

How Smart Are You - Take the Test … [That's Not Hot]

Which Lil Woman Will Play Lil Kim…[Blogxilla]

Trina Has A New Video Featuring Keyshia Cole…[Str8 Outta NYC]

TI Coming to An Easter Service Near You… [Style Razzi]

Tameka Raymon Still Won’t Smile… [Celebrity Blitz]

Candids: Kelly Rowland and Estelle In London…[Urban-Hoopla]

Mariah Carey Promo Ads for Macy’s…[RBTF]

The Kardashians Celebrate Their New Season…[Kreative Talk]

Photos of Amy Winehouse with Crack…[Quick's Catch-Up]

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

	1. Vivca Fox will not be coming to a blockbuster near you in yet another straight to DVD release, she will however join the VH-1 list of celeb-reality on the new show, Glam God. Vivica Fox will serve as the host of Glam God, a show that casts 20 stylist competing for a $100,000 contract as a personal stylist to some unknown A-list celebrity. I never thought of Vivica as a trendsetter, but maybe she has an eye for fashion when it comes to others.
	2. I knew there was a reason why I like this young lady. Jurnee Smollett is in the process of creating a $2 Mill scholarship fund at Wylie College in honor of the late Henrietta Bell Wells, played by Ms. Smollett in the movie The Great Debaters, and in honor of her mother Janet Smollett, a humanitarian and civil rights advocate. With tears in her eyes Smollett said, “I’m told I’m a statistic, I’m told that my young black sisters are disease ridden…but we are greater than what society tells us we are.”
	3. Diddy says the rumors are false, he did not have anything to do with Tupac being robbed or shot 5 times, despite a recent article published in LA Times that linked Diddy to crime as reported by jail house informants, “The story is a lie. It is beyond ridiculous and completely false.” He maintains that he nor Biggie, “had any knowledge of any attack before, during or after it happened.” Well we know he’s lying about part of the story, we all know he knew of the attack after it happened.
	4. Big Boi from Outcast adding ballet to his resume. Big Boi and the Atlanta Ballet Dance Compnay have teamed up on a project entiled, ‘big’. [Excerpt] Staged at Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre, the unprecedented collaboration between Atlanta Ballet and Big Boi, marks the first time hip-hop and ballet have been combined on this level. Fusing Big Boi’s own sound of music with Atlanta’s professional ballet, the show will feature new and never heard material intertwined with the classical masterpiece of Verdi’s La Traviata…[Source]

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

I need something I can dance to, no sad music here today, we are getting our grove on. If you don’t know where Mary J Blige got the words and inspiration from her new song, then let me take you back.

[coolplayer width="480" height="380" autoplay="0" loop="0" charset="utf-8" download="0" mediatype=""]
Michael Jackson - Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough
[/coolplayer]

This song was played every Friday night, because Friday Nights were card party nights. We use to sneak a peek at the adults dancing, and you know there was always that one freaky old woman who wanted to dance with all the men at the party married or not…Because of our OSF, I have decided to throw an school card party complete with catfish, jambalaya, and spaghetti to honor my mother and to celebrate spring.

[coolplayer width="480" height="380" autoplay="0" loop="0" charset="utf-8" download="0" mediatype=""]
Marvin Gaye Got To Give Up
[/coolplayer]

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

I miss the days when people could sing. I do have faith in some of today’s singers. I think Jennifer Hudson just may bring sanging back, but so for no one can do it like this…

[coolplayer width="480" height="380" autoplay="0" loop="0" charset="utf-8" download="0" mediatype=""]
Shirley Murdock
[/coolplayer]

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

I have the privilege of being tagged by Marcus Langford and Lisa C, and I couldn’t resist putting my babies on the cover of a magazine. If you can’t tell, I’m a proud mother. This tag is real simple, go to MagMyPic.com, create a cover, post it, and tag someone else. I tag Regina, Sincere, Rosemarie, Deidra, and Hotsauce.

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

I have been tagged by Marcus Langford and Cassandra of Celeb-Blitz.

The rules are simple: You will have to tag 5 other bloggers and just keep adding on to the list. (Do not replace, just keep on adding! Yes we hope it will be a long list!). It’s real easy! Tag others and see your Technorati Authority increase exponentially! I’m always down to increase my stats!

The benefits of Viral Linking:- One of the fastest ways to see your technorati authority explode!- Increase your Google PageRank fast- Attract large volume of new traffic to your site- Build your community- Make new friends!

Now here we go…
The Strategist Notebook, Link Addiction, Ardour Of The Heart, When Life Becomes A Book, The Malaysian Life, Yogatta.com, What goes Under The Sun, Roshidan’s Cyber Station, Sasha Says, Arts Of Physics, And The Legend Lives, My View, My Life, A Simple Life, What women REALLY think, Not Much More Than This, Jayedee, Jenn, Beth,Christie, Marla, Cailin, Simone, Flip Flop Mom, Katrina, Gill’s Jottings, Work Of A Poet, Wakela, Modern Day Goddess, Livin With Me, A Simple Life,Verb, Random Thoughts, I’m Running To Win Two, Regina’s Family Seasons, Lifesong, The Laughs Will Go On, Military Mom, The Vasquez 3, Brik-See-Us, Five Dollar Shake, My Three Wisemans, You Betta Recognize, Miscellaneous Matters, Opinionated Black Woman, The Happy Go Lucky Bachelor, Slausin-Ass Slausin, Word On The Street, Invisible Woman, Dark Brotha, The Black Actor, The Happy Go Lucky Bachelor, The People Who Could Fly Project, The Luscious Librarian, Sincere Thoughts, That Hotness, Celeb Blitz, Lisa C Writes, Mind Of Marcus, Raw Dawg Buffalo, Kreative Talk, Real Stars Don’t Struggle To Shine, BlogXilla, Mrs. Grapevine, Repping Beantown, Famous Kroegers, What would Thembi Do, Style Razz, Marvalus One, Invisible Woman, Yobachi, Villager, Jimmy

I added the following:

Marvalus One

Invisible Woman

Yobachi

Villager

Jimmy

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

I started this post for Ms Marvalus, Regina, Villager, Yobachi, Lisa C, Sheila, AJ, Marucs Langford, Thembi, and Invisible Woman. Also, it’s just another way for me to share some link love. Anyway, I want to test how much you know about real music, and to see how many of you are true “juke-joint” and “card-party” babies, or apart of the real thing.

This is one of my favorite songs. The artist name is J Blackfoot, so what you know about that:

[coolplayer width="480" height="380" autoplay="0" loop="0" charset="utf-8" download="0" mediatype=""]
J Blackfoot - “Taxi”
[/coolplayer]

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

I’m so excited, I live in Texas and can’t vote until March, but you beautiful people who live elsewhere please go vote. I can’t tell you who to vote for, but you should feel compelled to make history by leaving your computer and going to the nearest precinct. Do me a favor, if you live in one of the lucky 19 states and you voted today or in early voting drop me a comment. I want to see all my voting friends.

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine

Season of Divalicious quotes… [That's Not Hot]

Beat Your Kids…[Blogxilla]

Amy Crackhouse Goes Platinum…[Str8 Outta NYC]

New Edition Planning 25th Anniversary Album…[Pop Junkie]

Sleeping wit the Devil: Kimora For PETA [Necole Bitchie]

Tyra Banks Covers Essence [Cake & Ice Cream]

Question: Does Jay-Z buy all his chicks the same gifts [Style Razzi]

Buddha of I Love NY…Puts “The Chump” On Blast [Celebrity Blitz]

Post Created by: MrsGrapevine