OUT 34

Hello again cyberfans. This is yours truly, Ma'at, who is at it again trying to give you the skinny on the last seven days. Well, technically six, because as of this writing, I am posting this a day early because I nee dto prepare for a few events, One being the Schin Kerr party at the Loft and going to Chi-town this weekend to check out the locally-filmed movie, "Piecces of a Dream" at the Ice Theatres: Chatham 14 in West Chi-Town. Okay I gonna be like the Black Eyed Peas and get it started!

First off, I want to talk about how crazy the weather has been here in ST. Louis. Talk about fairweather! We got spoiled with all the 60 plus degrees until last weekend when the temp dropped from 60ish to 30ish and in between was a host of hailstorms (it blew past Belleville) and a tornado sighting in Madison County. Well, like I always say, it doesn't suppose dto be near spring weather in February and we definitely paid for it when Friday and Saturday came around and the temp was a low as the limbo. Single digit-snot nose, Chicago kind of weather. But did it stop me and others going out and socializing? Not one bit!

Let me first say, nice reporting from model Christiaan Cofield (did I spell it right this time? LOL). who attended one of comedienne Sommore's shows at teh Funny Bone in Fairview Heights. As promised here is very concise report of what went down:

"Sommore was really funny. She talked mainly about the relationship between men and women, then she went on to compare the differences between us. Lots of sexual connotations of course. Over all it was a entertaining show! The show started at about 10:15pm and went until midnight. The diva Millicent Jackson was there looking like America's Next Top Model...........SHE WAS HOOOOOOT. Turnin heads and stuff.......

Okay, I know what you're saying. What specifically Sommore talk about? Well, I was expeciting a lil' more, too, but what can I tell ya............................................

MOVIN' ON.....

Last Friday, Jewelanda Hodges and I attended one of the performances of Tyler Perry's "Madea Goes to Jail" that was playing Feb. 14-19 at the Fox Theatre. We were determine dto get there on time, because one of the infamous signature refrains in Perry's plays is when he breaks out of character, breaks the "fourth wall" rule in theater and call out people who come late to his plays (and he did so the night I went as well). And when it happens, it is like the Fourth of July of all the fireworks in laughter. Here is my review of the play:

MADEA COMMITS BUST-OUT LAUGHTER WITH 'JAIL' AT THE FOX

Every time I check out one of Tyler Perry's urban plays, I pretty much know what to expect: high falutin' urban sitcomery and the adlibbed jabs that Perry does as the wise-cracking, no-nonsense, sacrilegious middle aged women, Madea (aka Mabel Simmons). Thsi is what has made him a multi-million dollar man since the early part of the 00's and what makes people come in drives to check out his plays. This go-round was no excpetion as Perry's latest installment of the Madea series, "Madea Goes to Jail" hit the Fox Theatre, Feb. 14-19.

Like all of his plays, most of the storyline is your typical "my-man/my-woman done me wrong/change my life with a new attiude and relationship" plotline with some gospel-tinged vocals from the actors. The only difference in 'Jail' was what Madea was going to spew out in regards to funny-one-liners and soem mother wit, breaking out of the "fourth wall" and attack anyone that is needed of an insult or "signifying."

In 'Jail' the story dealt with a graduate student, Vanessa (played by R&B singer Cheryl "Pepsi" Riley) who does not appreciate her hard working husband, Sonny who is paying for her schooling through his job as a prison guard. Things go awry when it was discovered that Vanessa cheated on her husband with Sonny's friend and boss, Nate. And, the baby that Sonny thought was his tunred out to be not Nate's but Leo's (another prison guard at Sonnys' job), As a result, Sonny leaves Vanessa, who ended up in prsion for child neglect after one of her rendevous with Nate, and falls for his high school freind, Wanda, who is now an district attorney, who helped Madea get out of prison for not payng her gas bill at the pump.

The substory dealt with an inmate, Katie, who shared a cell with Madea, who wanted Madea to file for custody of her wild teenaged daughter, Toni, who is in the foster system.

The actors in 'Jail' were OK. No one was extra spectacular, the focus was mostly on how exaggerated they can be with their lines and physical comedy (epsically the actress who played Miss Ella, whose girth was used as a comedy device when she delivered her need-a-man lines and doing a split while visiting Madea after Madea told her to "drop it like it's hot'). The male actors in 'Jail", mainly the actors who played Sonny (the light-skinned pretty boy) and Nate (the rugged dark-skinned dreadhead), were mostly the eye candy in the play ( There first few minutes in the play, they had their shirts off exposing their well-chiseld chest and abs).

Besie an elborate two staged-set (which turned in a circle after each scene from the house to the prison) But the three things that made 'Jail' fresh and interseting were the power-voiced singing (especially the charcter Katie's last number, "Be the Best that I Can Be" after she got pout of prison and was able to take custody of her daughter. WOW--chills down your spine and teh white actor who played prison chaplain Jeremy throwing down on Maze's "Before I Let Go" ); Madea's spoofs and takes on hip-hop/pop culture (e.g. Madea saying Whitney's phrase "Hell to the Naw"; talking down about today's music including "Laffy Taffy" and "I'm in Luv with a Stripper" and comparing songs of the good ol days--even singing some of them him/herself like "Goin in Circles" and "Love Don't Love Nobody" which was something new for the MAdea character!) and of course, Madea breaking the fourth wall and talking to the audience (eg. talking about how bad the sound system was and saying jokingly that it as the white people he hired fault; telling some women in the front row to take out their gum out because they were distracting the show and had the actress who play Miss Ella to direct them to take their gum out with a piece of tissue Madea gave to Miss Ella).

It was amazing as far as how much stuff the Madea character was able to talk about (from how to detecet a woman is cheating to how to raise kids today) to the point that he went off script to "preach" to the crowd becasue he felt he/she needed to say things to someone in the crowd.

True, like most of Perrys' plays, 'Jail" is not necessarily theater, but an experience with down-home family witnessing something about themselves.

After the play, Perry, in a Jordan starter gear suit, said , "It took awhile to get to STL, but we're here...Thnak you for making "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" the No. 1 film last year...It's really hard to get a movie doen in Hollywood and make them say OK. Having all to to show up the first week meant so much to me. From the beginning , I have been changed."

He then talked about his latest film, "Madea's family reunion" (which will hit theaters this Friday), when he told people to "go during the first weekend. That's how Hollywood judge. You gotta pass the bootleg and go to the theatre."

Then he showed the crowd an extended version of the trailer (about three minutes) to Madea's Family Reunion. After the trailer was shown he talked about how Hollywood is trying to pit him and comedian Martin Lawrence after Lawerence debuted at No. 1 with his man-to-drag flick, Big Mamma's House Part 2. he said., "I called him and I congratulated him. I will not let Hollywood put us against each other. They won't get that."

After the play, I hit up the Jazz Loft on Olive to celebrate my big tax refund payoff. Man, you all just don't know to call your bank and Direct Deposit tells you so that you hit the jackpot without scratching or playing the numbers. All I can say is, it's time to chill, travel, pay bills and invest (Not all at the same time, though). I called up my boy Kameron (who had a chance to do message therapy with most of the cast from "Madea Goes to Jail" except for Tyler Perry who jetted with two bodyguards after each show in his BMW) to tell him I would be down there. I got there about 10:30 ish (He got there a twenty minutes later). I saw some people who were in some of my plays I produced in the early 2000s like Forest Park instructor Keith Batey and poet/author Lonnie Love (know you see me, you want something, LOL). I also ran into Tiffani Blackmore, my Hipster Mag gal (and bump and grind dance partner. LOL), and her pal Gina Wynn who was with her on/off man Carlos McClaurin (who is pictured above on my blog and will talk about later). Also up in therr were Christiaan, the Posts' Kevin Johnson and 104.1's Craig Blac.

On Saturday, I checked out Steel Magnolias, the play that is currently playing at the Belleville Center of Arts until March 5 (check my SCATHING review at kdhx.org).

On Sunday, I had a meeting with 104.9 personality Selena J at TGIF in Fairview Heights talking about being on her Saturday show. After two Hurricanes (drank by me). She is looking at April 2006 for my being on the show.

On Monday, I had a breakfast meeting with Swift Incentive's Brian Swift at Cummel's. True it was 9 in the AM, but I couldnt pass up free food. He's going to help make some t-shirts with my weblog site on them for more pub for this site. Good lookin out man (And you know you can put down some FOOD)!

Carlos McClaurin sent me an email to share with you all about teh snakes in the modeling industry. here is what he had to say:

" I have been inspired by actors such as Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Wesley Snipes & model Tyson Beckford. With these inspirations I started my career in the entertainment industry in 2003 at a St. Louis fashion show for an Urban Newszine. With the success of my first show I was invited to be in numerous fashion shows in the metro area. Most notably Haute Courte December of 2003, Famous Barr 7th annual Holiday Show in 2005, Grown & Sexy Fashion show sponsored by Anheuser Busch, and not to mention our own Marshall Faulk Charity event.
I was ripped off by a new management company in the St. Louis area. A gentlemen from the agency approached me to do a print add for one of the most successful magazines in the US. I was promised 80% of the fee. This was far from what I received. The fee I received was the 20% of what a print add would typically pay. Without a signed contract there was nothing I could do. This experience caused me to loose my car which in return I lost my job and with out money or a car I was homeless. I just want other models to know they need to watch out for scams outthere and get a signed contract for what they discuss.
Even though this was a negative part in my life I still keep pushing on with my passion for this industry. I am in the February issue of Ebony Magazine representing Anheuser Busch for black history month. With upcoming events such as a possible role in a feature film or a T.V. series on the W.B., Bacardi Promotion for St. Louis Mardi Gras and Muscle Mania in Miami FL this June. I try to make as many events in the area to promote my modeling and acting career. The events are also for charity which helps me give back to St. Louis for the support I am receiving.
I am no stranger to striving for success. I left my hometown for a football scholarship to University of Illinois. In my last year of college I had an offer to play for an arena football team. After much thought I decided to accept the offer and not finish my last year of college. I played for a few arena football teams such as Connecticut, Tennessee, Iowa, Florida, NY, and Kansas. With this level of success and dedication I know representing St. Louis in any facet I will be successful. I just want other models to be aware that these scam artists are out there. There are signs they can look for and if some one would like help with this please feel free to contact with questions or concerns at carlosmclaurin7@yahoo.com . Look forward to helping others reach their dream

TIDBITZ. No more Club Seven on Olive! It is now Dante's . I hear the former owner of Dante's has bought Harry Michel and Fred Finley out of Club Seven. Hmm, what's up with that? It did get at least two years out of the club life. Oh well. Local director Greg Carr will be staging the STL premiere of “JOHNNIE TAYLOR IS GONE”, The cast includes: Laurence Staples, Camille Morgan,>Saudah Johnson, Aja Moody, Paris Creighton III, Shawn>Guy-Pitts, Stuart Allen, Archie Coleman, Gwen Spicer,>and David A. N. Jackson. Performances are February 24-26 & March 3-5, 2006 8pm>(Sundays at 3pm) General admission $4;>students/seniors $2. Free with a valid SLCC ID. >314-644-9386 or 644-9388>> >>Performances held in the Mildred E. Bastian Center for>The Performing Arts 5600 Oakland Avenue...What was up with the BlackJack, Mo, family almost getting evited before moving into their dream home beacsue of an old ordinance in the city that says that her household fails to meet Black Jack's definition of a family? Or could be because the woman, Olivia Shalltrack is white and her boyfriend, Fondray Loving, is black? Hmm. This has got STL talking...Former STL actress Tann Moore will have a booksigning for her book, "The Cinderella Syndrome" at 3 p.m., Sat. Feb 25 at Afro World. Call 3314-389-5794 for more info... Despite all the criticism and all the haters, Chi-town native Shani Davis made Olympic history , becoming the first black person to win an individual gold medal in Winter Olympic history. Davis won the men's 1,000-meter speedskating race,. Davis was criticized for not competing in the team pursuit competition last week that would have given teammate Chad Hedrick a chance at five gold medals. Davis said he wanted to focus on his individual events. Hmm, I guess its fist in the air with a black glove time. Oh and whats up with Davis filing a lawsuit against the city of Chicago? Davis claimed he and some friends were stopped and searched for illegal weapons because of their skin color. These events occured about 3 years ago. Now that Davis is famous, it's all coming into focus. Hmm. I winder how his ticker tape parade will be in the Chi?...Good luck to Ingrid Owens who is ruunign for State Rep in the 74 th District. For more info on her campaign go to www.ingridowens.com. Was that sexy enough for ya, baby? LOL. Oh and before I go, did you all see the Fox File report on STL hip-hop photographer Suzi Gorman? It was off the chain almost. They got into what she does and she said that she is a drill sergeant and she has no problem speaking her mind. They had her saying, that she spoke to one female rapper (name not known) and said that she said to the rapper, "I may be a white girl, but I don't like your hairdo." Whoa1 Thats toooo much playing. The report also said that Nelly doesnt like to wear makeup or eyedrops when taking snaps with Gorman. He wants to keep it real with his stills. Suzi also says he likes IMos pizza while oing his shots. My question is how can he eat pizza with those platinum and gold grills in his mouth?

Well that will do it for me, if you have anything for me to place on my blog, feel free to contact me maatspear@yahoo.com!

out 33

Hello one and all again. This is Ma'at who is working overtime in cyberspace to give you all what has been going on with me since the last time you all eyed me on my website. Again I would like to thank everybody for checking out my blog giving me pointers including paragraph identation (LOL). As they say in the world of art, this is a work in progress and I am definitely taking to consideration of your feedback. Third time must be the charm because 100.3 The Beat's The Freeman Bosley Junior Show and its cohorts--Bosley, Pat Washington, Nicci Roach and Darion Phelps--keep giving me props on their Sunday morning show last Sunday. I am totally greatful to you all for pumping me up like you do. Thanks again and I am looking forward to actually being on the show for a possible guest spot (and my schedule is open. LOL). All right, let's get down to the beeswax...

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to check out local painter Cbabi Bayoc's new art showing called "Family Portrait" that is now being featured at Powell Gallery that is located at 3514 Delmar (www.portfolio-stl.com). But before I got there, let me tell my show drama. OK. My business partner, Jewelanda Hodges(who just got a grant to do a documentary for KDHX-TV--You go girl!) and I trekked over to the gallery and we wer walking toward it. All of a sudden, I felt the bottom of my black boot felt loose. My first thought was, Oh-oh. Ive had my big sole combat boot fixed about a year ago for the sole coming off. Well, I wish the shoe fixer was there when I was about to walk to the gallery. Next thing you know, the sole of my show just came off on the sidewalk, just two minutes away from getting to the gallery (I'm just glad it didnt happen inside the gallery)!!

Well, with anybody, a sense of troubledness came over me and I was like, "Man, do I have an extra pair of shoes in the car?" NOPE. Jewlanda tried to hold in her laughter, but she couldnt control herself. So, what I did was pick up my sole, told a few walkersby by that yes, I dont have a sole on my boot, and proceeded toward the gallery. Jewelanda told me to find somewhere to hid the sole so I can retrieve it when we leave the gallery, Well, good thing there was a hideout place which was right behind the Portfolio Gallery sign. I was too outdone, but I was liek, well, I just keep on walking and act like nothing happened. true, I felt like Quasi-Moto walking up in there, but I think I played it off to the point where nobody noticed becasue it was very packed up in therr with many of Bayoc's fans.

When Jewelanda and I got up in there, Bayoc was about to address the crowd about his paintings that were hung (He had his newborn strapped on his back--awwwww) Some of the usual VIPs were up in therr like ST. Louis American's Bill Beene, The Post's Kevin Johnson, local actress Fannie Lebby, attorney Cheryl D.S. Walker (It was soooooo good to see you !), Flo Valley Professor Laurencin Dunbar (My you are taaaaallllll), writer Byron Lee (thankx for the parapraph tip) , Allyson Price (you are lookin mighty happy these days) , Monica Tyson, and the FBJS's Nicci Roach (I'm waiting to to be on your TV show. LOL), to name a few. Portfolio curator Robert Powell into'd C'Babi (who has slimmed and buffed and cut off his dreads since the last time I saw him) and he thanked everyoen for coming. he said that he was painting even before the event. This brother is so underrrated and so modest. He was painted and sold paintings for the Roots, Erykah Badu (who I hear used to be an item when Badu was a student at Grambling State) and the one and only Prince. He even got a bit emotional when talking about his themed work, "Family Portrait" which deals with black family love. Afterward, I jibbed him and asked him if he remembered me. And he said yes, "the guy who writes." Then, I checked out the art work (one of his works that was not featured in the show is "Daddy's Love" which is posted on my blog). he has a jazzy, caricaturish flavor to his work. It kind of remind me of paintings that were featured on the show "Good Times": earthy, street with class. His works valued in proice from $85 bones all the way up to 2,500. If you want to check out his paintings, they will be hanging all this month and next month. After it was over, I ran into flymusic's Annie Burks who was carrying her few month old daughter Eden. She always gives me love telling folks about my writing, whoever is in her area of speak and I want to thank her for keeping me hyped.

Last Saturday afternoon, I checked out the local DVD, "Crunk"at the Tivoli Theater in the University Loop. It is a 60 minute "quasi-documentary" about the hottest new dance craze that's been been popping in the STL. It featured many local crunk "tween" dancers (including Little G, as in Ginuwine) and featured over 20 or so youngsters doing serious battling or "crumping" with each other. It was screened and produced by local music mover and shaker Sonny Metcalfe of Black Independent Film And Music (When you get the chance, check out the webcast on Uncle Rudy's Show(That's Nelly's daddy) at stlblackout.com) It was also hyped to see most of the audience were the dancers and their families and their cheering at the screen when they saw themselves (They will be doing a sequel of sorts with smaller kids called "Littel Feet" in the near future). Local talent scout Nate Jackson emceed the screening(I didnt know you had an office all up in Club Formula????) . They filmed most of the scenes at Club Dreams, and it really chronicles this new style of dancing which involves pop-locking, nino-poppin, some fast jitterbug leg work and full of attitude. Afterward, I went to an afterparty they had for the cast at Cicero's down the street from the Tivoli and it was cool. They served up some pizza and wings and I conversed with Jewelanda, April from JMPRODUCTIONS (who is PRing "Pieces of a Dream") and Marvin, who is a bouncer, at Formula, skater boi, and was an extra in the upcoming flick, "Pieces of a Dream," (that will be premiering in Chi-Town at the Ice Theatre Feb 27-Mar 2).

TIDBITZ. I checked out the Kimora Lee Simmons (who is pictured on my blog) interview done by KMOV's Donna Savarese (that she filmed in NYC during Fashion week earlier this month) that was on KMOV-Channel 4 Last Thursday and it was not what all the hype was. It was supposed to be about the controversy dealing with her "divaness" in the fashion industry being one of the top fashion deisgners in the country. What we got was a five minute or so fluff piece about her background growing up biracial -Asian and black(she grew up in Florissant and went to Lutheran North) with retro pics of her growing up, how she got into the modleing biz (House Chanel discovered her at age 13 anbd sent her overaseas), how she met her husband former CEO of Def Jam and Phat Farm Russell Simmons (at NYC Fashion Week in 1999) , and her selling her multi-million fashion line conglomerate Baby Phat for 140 million. Other than that, it wasn't really too telling. When Savrese asked Simmons--who is 30 years old-- about her being spoiled and she said that she wasnt and that she worked hard to get to where she is and said that she termed the phrase "hip-hop couture", oh, and they said that her "The Viewesque" talk showLIfe and Style on the Oh Network was cancelled, also pubbed her new fashion book on empowerment , "Fabulosity." I kind of figured the piece wouldn't be as juicy as once pumped to be. But I got to give Kimora her props. She is an STL native and she is definitely a fashionista pioneer. I have nothing bad to say about her, I just wished the piece was more E-True Hollywood Story than a commerical... ........Hip-hop is mourning the loss of hip-hop producer Jay Dee aka J Dilla who died last week at age 32 from the immune disease lupus. The musician – real name James Yancey – worked with many artists including De La Soul and The Roots. He was recently described by Rolling Stone as "a top-ranked architect of soulful hip-hop," while The Neptunes' Pharrell Williams named him his favorite producer. J Dilla was a member of rap trio Slum Village and released solo album Donuts just last week. Parts of it were recorded when he was in the hospital. He had also worked with names such as Common, The Pharcyde, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu and A Tribe Called Quest....Local socialite Jamie Spencer will be trekking to Chi-Town, on Feb 27 to audition as a background singer for newly Grammy winning artist John Legend . Good luck to ya!... Is it me or should Fox 2 Elliot Davis' "You Paid For It" segments should be expanded to 30 minutes, and and he should have his own show? What's going on with that? As of this writing, I would have seen the feature segment that Fox 2 will have on on local hip-hop photographer Suzi Gorman (who's motto on her biz shoots all of the hip-hop artist here in the Lou. Now Fox 2 has a bumper to get people watching about her shooting Nelly and the St. Lunatics and the thing that Nelly refused for her to shoot with him. OK. I'm sure it's not what we think. But I will be tuning in to see. Comedienne Sommore was in town this week performing at the Funny Bone in Fairveiw Heights, Ill. (Comic View's SheryL Underwood was up in therr a few weeks back), local model and actor Christiaan Coffield went and will hopefully give me a report on her show. ..Local attorney and Club Formula co-manager Kwame Thompson has a blogsite . It is legalrebellion.blogspot.com. I checked it out and it's quite a read. He talks on everyday subjects and politics from a black P.O.V. (I'm glad to be your inspiration KT. LOL)

MA'ATIDBITZ .I will be meeting with Majic 104.9 personlaity Selena J this Sunday to talk about appeearing on her upcomng Saturday evening radio show, "Soul ternatives" ...I don't know if I told you all, but I was a movie extra in the upcoming film, "Steel City." (You can check out more of this flick on imdb.com--the film's movie poster is posted on my blog on the right hand side) ) It was filmed in Alton, Ill. (a few weks after "Pieces of a Dream" wrapped ) December of 2004 and I was in the courtroom scene with actor John Heard. The film has been shown at the Sundance Film Festival last month in Utah and the director, Brian Jun., is Webster University grad hails from Alton. The film, which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, is a story about a dysfunctional family in Illinois who holds it together when their father goes to prison. I can't wait to see the film when it is distributed nationwide. I will keep you posted!

OK. Well, that will be wrap. If there's anything you want me to pub or hype, give me an email at maatspear@yahoo.com.!

OUT 32

Hola cyberlovers! This is Ma'at trying to give it to ya one more time. This has been a very impacted week full of stuff happening in the Lou and beyond so I want to go ahead and get into it.

Last Friday, I checked out the much hyped, sold-out Melba Moore one woman play, "Sweet Songs of the Soul." A gospel influenced stageplay that she has been producing herself since the mid 1990s.It was taged at the Terry M. Fischer Theatre at St. Louis Community College at Flo Valley. The event was free and I pestered Professor Laurencin Dunbar (who is an associate professor of Physics and Honors Program coordinator at Flo Valley) via telephone, who hosted and took care of the grunt work to get her to the STL (that is a pic of her on my blog on stage) . I really enjoyed this two-hour production. I knew that Ms. Moore was a dynamic talent (she sings, acts and is a business woman), but I didnt relaize how much of a supertalent she really is. Told through storytelling and song, Moore took her audience on a journey of her life first as a product of illegitimacy, living with her grandmother, and her dreams of singing just like her mother who was a famous jazz singer (Bonnie Davis). She also talked about hoew neighbors used to take care of her and her grandmother when her grandmother had a stroke and couldnt talk (her stories about the big and bossy Mamma Lu, were hillarious!) Then, she told the story of how she got to New York and got a degree in music and on Broadway in such musicals as "Hair" (she was the first African American sista to replace a white actress--then unknown Diane Keaton-- in the 1969 production ) and her breakthrough role as Luttibelle in the 1970 hit, "Purlie" , which garnered her many theatre awards including the Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Then, she talke dabout her tumultouous relationship with handsome actor, Clifton Davis. They were live-in-lovers making it on Broadway (he was in the Tony nominated" Verona") and had a short-lived variety show on CBS called, "The Melba Moore-Clifton Davis Show."(1972) . She quipped on their relationship," It was a lot of sex, a lot of drugs and a lot of parties." It got to the point where she had an abortion of their unborn child becasue of Davis' plea for her to continue her career. She then talked about her health scare when she was diagnosed with appendicitis caused by an infected IUD she had fitted as a form of birth control. It took her nearly a year after her diagnosis to recover, but to much to her loss, Davis had moved out and she was nearly forgotten in the entertainment industry. But the play took on another light in the second act when she talked about how she met her husband Charles Higgins and how they developed one of the most successful African American music production companies, Hush Productions. Sitting mostly on a stool and talking to the audience, Moore spoke candidly of how after 15 years of marriage how Higgins forged a divorce without her knowing it, causing a legal battle which caused her to lose her credibility (he spreaded viscous rumors to her friends that she was a lesbian and a crack addict) her luxurious home in NYC, her production comapny rights, their daughter resuting in her having to go on welfare and her now infamous media blitz to the entertainment talk shows in 1992 to tell about her misery. Well, with most womanesque stories such as this, it comes with a I-can-do-without-a-man-ending. Yes, she maintained and got back on her feet (most recently she was in the film, "Fighting Temptaions") and she ha sa story to tell and she survived. It was definitely a testimony that everyone, regradless of race or gender, can get a little morsel of what life can do to you and what you can do to pull through. On a sidenote, many of the songs taht were featured in her play were also worth mentioning. She chronicled her career through her early beginning thinking what her mother may have sounded like or places she may have sang singing such sings as Duke Ellington's "It Dont Mean a Thing," and Ella Fitzgerald's scatting jam, "Airmail Special." The highlights were when she sang songs from "Hair" ("Easy to be Hard") with high afro and all, and the song., "I Got Love" that was specially written for her in the play, "Purlie," wearing a black Pippi Longstocking braids wig, and when she asked the audience to sing the chorus to her sole No. 1 R&B hit, "Falling," whre she held the last note to that song till eternity. The opening act was the Flo Valley Gospel Chrous under the direction of Al Anderson (who used to teach gospel choir at SIU-Edwardsville when I was a student there).Afterward, Moore, signed autographs to her fans. One of which was Terry Freeman, who is a professor up at Flo Valley. He had an album jacket of Melba Moore's 1982 album, "The other Side of the Rainbow" (which was her lead off sing in her play BTW) and said earlier that back in his day, "he only would buy album if it had at least four cuts on it.' I heard that. Well, I didnt get a chance to speak to the music diva because I was ready to get my party on at teh Jazz Loft and 1st Friday at Club Seven. Oh, before I go any further, I must say that I had to take out my cornrows for this nite cause my sister was supposed to hook me up with my rows, but she couldnt do it cause she had "man problems", so I had to take them down and sport a Jimi- Hendryx style retro Afro. Well, you know me, I have to do what I have to (I got many compliments on it, so I wasnt complaning). I also had on some blue jeans that had paintings of clouds on them (You had to see them), with a long-sleeve white long john short , with a brown, bluish vest. I was retro all the way.

Okay, so I checked out the Jazz Loft and Club Seven that was putting on 1st Fridays this month. Both clubs are on Olive in Midtown St. Louis and are in cohoots regarding getting the clientele theses days. Seven has been the pioneer of sorts for upscale party events. Now with the Jazz Loft popping up, a few months in the game and they are giving Club Seven some serious comp. I think everybody had the same plan to go to Jazz Loft first, then Club Seven. I got to the Jazz Loft about 10:30 in the P.M and it was a nice and modest crowd. It wasnt as packed as the last few Fridays have been (people probably was preparing to go to 1st Friday ), but all, in all , it was a nice teaser for the clubgoers. Up in there were local singer Tina Pate (hint-hint. LOL), former Flipside Newzine editor Carlos Turner, St. Louis American's Bill Beene (Nice comeback from your combing my hair comment, huh. LOL) and Inkosi's Kevin Bryant (Yes, I know I was sharp. LOL). Around 12 ish, I got a call from my boy Kameron who was up in Seven asking where I was. I told him I was still at the Loft and that I was coming through probably in an hour so I could get in free. NOT (I'll explain in a few). Also in the Loft was Fox 2 sports' Rob Desir, who said that he checks out my blog and told me to keep it up and that he was going to post. Much love, man (Still waiting on your post. LOL). The music up in there was your typical crunk music (from D4L to the Franchise Boyz), then DJ Soundz got into some hip-hop house when he started playing the Fantasy Slide. You should have seen the scene when the brothers who were getting their dance on with the sistas flew to get off the dance floor. Suddenly, nothin but sistas ran to the dancefloor to do the accompanying slide with the song. It was a sight to see. Big ups to Soundz for trying to change it up. After that it was about 1:15 and I walked to Seven. I sa wthat it wanst a line and I figured that errbody who was going up in Seven were already up in there and that it was free to get in. Well, when I opened the door, one of the security guys said for me to come on in. I thought it was home after that. No. He then said, "step up to the window." Shyt, I said to myself. So, I said to the light skinned sista who was at the register and asked, "How much?" She said, "20." "20!" I exclaimed. There wa sno way I was paying that much just to party for about an hour. I then aksed if Harry (Michel) there. And she said that he was around somewhere. So, I walked back outside and called Kam and put on his voice mail,"There ain't no way I'm going to pay 20 dollars to get in and it's just an hour or so left to get in." Well, in my line of biz, there's always a way out of noway. Let me out it this way, if I told you how I got in free, I would have to kill you. LOL. (Let just say that it is good to know where to go to get some progress without trying.) So, I got up in there and it was PACKED like Amistad packed up in there. It made no sense how many people were packed on both the Art Bar and Club Seven side. I was able to walk from the Art bar to Seven, to the VIP area and saw Kameron walking down the steps of VIP. I was motioning for him to go back up in there cause I was going up in there. And there I stayed for about a half-an-hour. I saw a few people I knew up in there including local actor Paris Crayton (I saw you at the Mr. and Mrs. Contest. LOL). Afterward, we walked to the Art Bar saide and stayed near the DJ-booth area and just looked at the people. Nothing else, but look at them. Then, it dawned on me that everytiem I go to 1st Friday, thats all I do, look at people, talk, maybe dance and drink. Nothing else. I remember when FF used to drop a lil comedy every now and then for the patrons (last time I remember STL's Lavelle Crawford performed last year). But I guess Seven club owners Harry and Fred Finley think that as long as people willing to pay 20 dollars to get in a club, then pay for drinks, there's no need to give the clientele anything else. I'm not mad at them for it at all. It;s just interesting to me how STL partiers will do just to say they were there.

On Saturday, I got my hair braided!!! and I checked out Hipster Magazine's , Feb. issue Release party at 609. This was the first time I would go to 609 on Saturday. the other time swere on Thursdays with DJ Nappy Needles spinning (this 'Black night" at 609 LOL). Anyway, I got the email from Keenan Harris, who is the EIC at Hipster, a week back so I knew this had to be the place to be. And it was. I got there about 11 ish and it was a whole different vibe when I got up in there First off, it was free to get in (a plus),they had free Pearl Vodka samples (another plus), they had copies of their latest issue of Hipster(another plus--go to www.hipstermag.com to get more info about this tight mag ) and to top it off, the music was eccletic hip-hop at its best. Every Saturday, I hear my boy DJ Enoch spins the urban grooves on the 1s and 2s while poet David A.N. Jackson hits the congas, African style. Well, they definitely didnt disappoint. In the house were NBA's Jahadi White, Carlos Turner, Kameron Hopson, Rachel, Brandon, Robert Kirk, STL model Jamelle, Stlouis online.com's Jacob (let's hook up with the blogs, man), Brian Swift, Keith Harris, Christiaan Coffield (I saw you all hugged up on that sisats while I was leaving out. LOL), the Post's Kevin Johnson (Told ya R. Kellys concert was going to sell out in days. LOL)

On Sunday, there were many plaes around town to watch Superbowl 40(Some folks I knew were in Detroit for the Superbowl and I hate you. LOL) . I decided to check out Hipster Magazine's and Club Dreams' parties at Pepper Lounge and the other club;s namesake respectively. I got there about 5 p.m., so I can get a seat and watch some of the Pre-Game show with Stevie Wonder, Joss Stone, John Legend and India.Arie--and that's all I did was watch cause it was hard to hear Stone, Legend and Arie. Wonder was sounding good, though (The Aretha Franklin and Aaron Neville duet of "The National Anthem" was Ok. You could barely hear Neville and the Rolling Stones during Half Time show, well I think Delores Shante in PArtyline pretty much took care of that beef for all of us. LOL). It wasnt hardly anyone up in theer when I got there, but I just thought that I was just too early. I gave dap to Kennan and Keith Harris who put on this watch party and got a table in the corner to wait on Kam. In this case, Kam, and unexpected guests Jamie Spencer and his cousin Treanna(I didn't hardly recognize you with the Erykah Badu-1999-gelee on). Both of them had me in stitches clowining and talking about people (Jamie you should be co-hosting a gossip show with Wendy Williams for real). Before they came, I chatted with model Jamelle who was on her cell phone calling around Club PLush and Club Dreams to find out where the food was happening (Chips were all was was going on at the time at Pepper Lounge). She was ready to call up Imo's to order some wings at Imo's around the cause she was hungry. So when Kameron came through as well as the unexpected guests (Jamie called me via celly to ask if Pepper and Dreams were free to get in), she asked if anyone wanted to order something from Imo's. Kam ordered some wings as well and jamie and Treanna ordered a pizza. I was chill cause I ate a lil bit of mamma's cooking before I jetted and I was sipping on a Corona at the time as well. meanwhile, we were checking out the game and the commericals (My fave was the prehistoric Fed Ex commerical) and the folks who came up in there (I sa wyou Brian Swift up in theer for a minute). It wasnt a huge crowd, but it was about 20 or so who chilled out. Spencer bought us drinks (be careful with that eye, dude) and Jamelle told us that we were going to be treated with free Big MAcs and Apple Pies from Mcdonald's who help to sponsor the free event. My only thing was , "WHERE WAS THE FRIES!!!" You cant have Macs without fries. That's like Peanut butter without Jelly, or Ashford without Simpson! But it was all good though. I called comedian Maurice G who co-owns Club Dreams to tell him I wa son my way down therr in a few, but a few turned into the fourth quarter of the Seattle-Pittsburgh game. I was too busy jaw-jabbing with Spencer and Treanna that they were heading to comedian Darrius Bradford's comedy jam at the Improv. While I got my burger (I mean cheese burger) and apple pie, said my goodbyes to Keenan and Keith that was my cue to jet as well. So, I met Kameron up at Dreams and when I saw Maurice, I asked him, where there anymore food left and he was like, ah naw, dude, it;s all gone. I missed a sumptuous catered and FREE BBQ dinner with side orders spaghetti, potato salad and people were getting seconds becasue it was so damn good. My jaw could have dropped to the floor when I heard that. But, I didnt trip. I was a trooper and enjoyed the end of the game. In teh house were Mo Witherspoon (thanks for the info on the Eye Candy of the Month event you have at Formula), Chocolate Tai, Staci Static (who was emceeing at the DJ booth), and Bill Beene (who was having an interesting and sobering conversation with a sista up in therr about men cheating on women when I got therr). After the game, 100.3theBeat's DJ Cuddy set up and people were getting their After-party on.

GRAMMY FORECAST. Well, I sat up with my rabbit's foot in my hand Wednesday in hopes that all of my predictions of who were going to win at the 48th Annual Grammies (For my Grammy predictions background, check out my Blog-31) were going to happen . Well, like every year, I was about 60 percent right. I predicted who would win Record of the Year (Green Day), Pop Female Vocal (Kelly Clarkston), best New Artist (John Legend), Pop Vocal Group (Maroon 5), Pop Vocal Album ("Breakway" Kelly Clarkston), R&B Female Vocal (Mariah Carey), R&B group Performance (Stevie Wonder and Beyonce), Traditional R&B Performance (Aretha Franklin), Contemporary R&B Album (Mariah Carey), Rap Solo (Kanye West), Rap Duo or Group (Black Eyed Peas), rap Song (Diamonds' Kanye West),, rap Album (LAte Registration-Kanye), Reggae Album (Damion Marley) and Short Form Video (Lose Control--Missy Elloit, Ciara and Fat MAn Scoop). As fas as the ones I didnt get right were Song of the Year ("Sometimes" U2--who was the shockingly the big winner with Five and is pictured on my blog above during their Grammy sweep), Pop Vocal Male (Stevie Wonder), R&B Male Vocal (John Legend), Urban Alternative (Damion Marley), R&B Song (We Belong Together-Mariah Carey); R&B Album (Get Lifted-Joh nLegend), Rap/Sung Collabo (Jay z and Linkin Park); Producer (Steve Lillywhite) and Longform Video ( Bob Dylan, Matin Scorcesse) Well, so much for predicting the Grammies 100 percent. But for someone who's been watching the Grammies since 1982, I think I do pretty damn good!

TIDBITZ. When you get a chance, peep out STL's very own Committee members Chip and Jamie Price's Outflow Records Sample CD Vol,. 1 (www.outflowproductions.com). It has 19 killer tracks from some of todays hottest STL artists inclduing Joe College, J-Biggs, Toyy, Jia Davis ., Klassic and many more (My fave is Klassic's "Your Loss" -a sure fire radio hit for sure)...Communique PR's Renee Thomas Woods hip me to a book signing coming up this month with Belleville native and ex-FBI agent Cary Thornton, who just released a book, "Oath of Office" about his experiences growing up black in St. Louis and his experiences with the FBI. He will have two booksignings going on in the Lou. The first will take place at the Vaughn Cultural Center on Friday, Feb. 24 from 6-8pm and the other is at KNowing Books and Cafe on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 1-3pm. For more info on the booksignings, hit up Renee at or www.cqpublicrelations.com... Big ups to 87-year-old East St. Louis native Jacksie Mae King for protecting herself against attempted burglar Larry Tillman who tried to break in her home early Tuesday of this week on Gaty Ave in the Boogie. She shot him outside her door with one shot, killing him dead. Now teh beef now is thateh gun may not have been regsitered, but as of Thursday, investigators said that they have every reason to believe that King, was justified in firing a shot....More congrats to Pittsburgh Steeler Running back (and former St. Louis Ramser) Jerome "The Bus" Bettis (pictured on the left hand side of my blog) who retired on top this week after winning the MVP award and beating Seattle 21-10 at this year's Superbowl. He has played the game of NFL ball for 14 years(Now he can spend even more time on yachts. LOL) . What makes it even more sweet, he is originally from Detroit (I see that former Rams Coach Mike Martz is also heading to Detroit to work with teh Detroit Lions as well). Bettis, who will be turning 34, was a first round draft pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 1993. He finishes his career with 13,662 rushing yards and 91 touchdowns on 3,479 attempts and added 200 pass receptions for 1,449 yards and three scores...Also kudos to St. Louis model Carmen Currie (who is pictured on the right side of my blog). She has been chosen as a model for the Ebony Fashion Fair Tour (you can check her bio on jetmag.com) and I hear that she is doing her thing acorss the country. I sa wher in a fashion show with Vyaa at the W Hotel last fall and nwo she doing it up big time. Move over Kimora Lee Simmons, you got another St. Louis sista who's now getting ready to make a name for themselves as well (Oh, and speaking of Kimora, as of this writing, I would have seen the Channel 4 interview that would have aired Thursday night during the 10 PM news on Kimora an dher life as a diva model. I will talk more about the interview next week...Oh, and Khalill Van Zandt who was the photograoher with Rolling Out here in St. Louis for a few years I hear has now moved UPSOUTH to bigger money with Rolling Out in Chi-town....What's' up with my boy 100.3 The Beat's Hypeman Dwight Stone who I heard last Friday broadcasting live at the Spot all raunchy? I thought he stopped doing that scene a couple of years ago cause of his new found faith in the G.O.D. when I interviewed him for Flipside? Hmmmm. We needs to talk, brotha...Much love to my tax man Josh Beeks for hooking up my big fat tax return. LOL... I will be going to teh Ice Theatre later on this month in Chi-Town to check out the Alton-shot film, "Pieces of A Dream" , directed by Alton native Skee Skinner. It stars former B2K singer Raz-B and many STL actors like Joel King, Trevon Griffith and Dennis Lebby to name a few. For more info on this flick, go to imdb.com and type in Pieces of a Dream.

GRAMMY TIDBITZ....What was up with the uncomfortable I-can-see-you banter that Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder tried to do before presneting an award?...What was going on with that mess of a Sly Stone tribute with all types of singers singing snippets of his songs and then the man himself trying to a Prince 1984 American Music Awards move coming in at the last minute of the tribute and walked off stage before the tribute was over? And what wassup with him looking down at the time with that PLATINUM MOHAWK? I'm all about expression, but that was a bit much...Was it me or did Kanye West seem a bit uncomfortable kissing with his new model girlfriend when he won for Rap Solo performance (Oh and I was not feeling his black gloves, either)? But he mad eit up for that hellafied performance of "Goldigger" with Jamie Foxx with the whole Battle of the Bands theme (Broke Phi Broke is still resonating with genius) ! Jay Z was representing big time, got an award and had Linkin Park to speak, adn he was sharp in his money exec suit on...Did Destiny's Child look too skinny to you (Even Beyonce)? How come Dave Chapelle (who was looking dapper in his brown suit)didnt do a tribute to Richard Pryor as opposed to the Queen Latifah shout out that was off a bit? Were you feeling Bruce Springsteen's acoustic performanc eof "Devisl and Dust?" I was. Were you pulling for Mariah Carey, not just for winning awards but for trying to sing the notes that looked hard for her to sing? Was the Madonna opener with Gorillaz and DeLa Soul hot to death or what (And she still looks good for almost pushing 50)? Did Bono of U2 look stoned when he was up there saying his thank you speeches (especially during Album of the Year when he said thet Paul McCartney created the country? Even Paul looked confused at Bono's' comment as well when the camera shot to him).

Well that will be it. If anything that I may have missed or you woul dliek to see me put on here, holla back at maatspear@yahoo.com!

OUT 31

Hello one and all. This is Ma'at here and I wanted to post up a special blog two days before the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, this Wednesday (7 p.m. CST). I love predict who will win and then watch teh show and see how well I did. This year Mariah Carey , Kanye West and newcomer John Legend all tie for having the most nods this year with eight. Well, I picked out some categories that I am more familiar with and decided to give it a shot. I will also give a brief description of why I chose a particular artist who would win (My prediction will be highlighted in boldface):

Record Of The Year (Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s), if other than the artist.)

We Belong TogetherMariah CareyMariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri & Manuel Seal, producers; Brian Garten, John Horesco IV & Phil Tan, engineers/mixersTrack from: The Emancipation Of Mimi[Island Records]

Feel Good Inc.Gorillaz Featuring De La SoulCox, Danger Mouse, Dring & Gorillaz, producers; Jason Cox, Danger Mouse & Gorillaz, engineers/mixers[Virgin]

Boulevard Of Broken DreamsGreen DayRob Cavallo & Green Day, producers; Chris Lord-Alge & Doug McKean, engineers/mixersTrack from: American Idiot[Reprise]

Hollaback GirlGwen StefaniThe Neptunes, producers; Andrew Coleman & Phil Tan, engineers/mixersTrack from: Love. Angel. Music. Baby.[Interscope Records]

Gold DiggerKanye West Jon Brion & Kanye West, producers; Tom Biller, Andrew Dawson, Mike Dean & Anthony Kilhoffer & Ken Lewis, engineers/mixersTrack from: Late Registration[Roc-A-Fella]

Green Day will win because Grammy gave them many nods last year. And usually Grammy likes to continue serving up Grammies to those who may have released their product to late in teh year to be handed many. They only won one last year for Rock Album for "American Idiot". Hip-hop records usually dont get Recoird of the Year and all but Green day are hip-hop records.

Album Of The Year(Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s)/Mixer(s) & Mastering Engineer(s), if other than the artist.)
The Emancipation Of MimiMariah CareyMariah Carey, Bryan Michael Cox, Eric "Cire" Crawford, Jermaine Dupri, Young Genius, Scram Jones, The Legendary Traxster, LROC, The Neptunes, James Poyser, Manuel Seal, Kanye West & James "Big Jim" Wright, producers; Dana Jon Chappelle, Andrew Coleman, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Frye, Brian Garten, John Horesco IV, Manny Marroquin, Mike Pierce, Phil Tan & Pat "Pat 'Em Down" Viala, engineers/mixers; Herb Powers, mastering engineer[Island Records]

Chaos And Creation In The BackyardPaul McCartneyNigel Godrich, producer; Darrell Thorp, engineer/mixer; Alan Yoshida, mastering engineer[Capitol Records]

Love. Angel. Music. Baby.Gwen StefaniAndre 3000, Dallas Austin, Dr. Dre, Nellee Hooper, Jimmy Jam, Tony Kanal, Terry Lewis, The Neptunes, Linda Perry & Johnny Vulture, producers; Andre 3000, Andrew Coleman, Greg Collins, Ian Cross, Dr. Dre, John Frye, Simon Gogerly, Mauricio "Veto" Iragorri, Matt Marrin, Colin "Dog" Mitchell, Pete Novak, Ian Rossiter, Rick Sheppard, Mark "Spike" Stent, Phil Tan & Johnny Vulture, engineers/mixers; Brian "Big Bass" Gardner, mastering engineer[Interscope Records]

How To Dismantle An Atomic BombU2Brian Eno, Flood, Daniel Lanois, Jacknife Lee, Steve Lillywhite & Chris Thomas, producers; Greg Collins, Flood, Carl Glanville, Simon Gogerly, Nellee Hooper, Jacknife Lee & Steve Lillywhite, engineers/mixers; Arnie Acosta, masteringengineer[Interscope Records]

Late RegistrationKanye WestJon Brion, Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell, Just Blaze, Devo Springsteen & Kanye West, producers; Craig Bauer, Tom Biller, Andrew Dawson, Mike Dean, Anthony Kilhoffer, Ken Lewis, Manny Marroquin, Richard Reitz & Brian Sumner, engineers/mixers; Vlado Meller, mastering engineer[Roc-A-Fella]

Paul McCartney is a sympathy vote to win. Critics say this is is best work in years and he has been quoted to channeling his late band partner John Lennon for inspiration. Knaye West will not win in thsi cateogory ala Eminem. Too controversial to win thsi award.

Song Of The Year (A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Bless The Broken RoadBobby Boyd, Jeff Hanna & Marcus Hummon, songwriters (Rascal Flatts)Track from: Feels Like Today[Lyric Street Records; Publishers: Careers-BMG Music, Floyd's Dream Music, Jeff Diggs Music.]

Devils & DustBruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen)Track from: Devils & Dust[Columbia Records; Publisher: Bruce Springsteen.]

Ordinary PeopleW. Adams & J. Stephens, songwriters (John Legend)Track from: Get Lifted[Getting Out Our Dreams/Sony Urban Music/Columbia; Publishers: John Legend Publishing, Will.I.Am Music, Cherry River Music.]

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your OwnU2, songwriters (U2)Track from: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb[Interscope Records; Publisher: Universal Music Publishing.]

We Belong TogetherJ. Austin, M. Carey, J. Dupri & M. Seal, songwriters; (D. Bristol, K. Edmonds, S. Johnson, P. Moten, S. Sully & B. Womack, songwriters) (Mariah Carey)Track from: The Emancipation Of Mimi[Island; Pubs: Rye Songs, Shaniah Cymone Music, EMI April, Seal Music, BMG Songs, Naked Under My Clothes, Ballads by Design, Chrysalis Music, Sony/ATV Songs, Hip Chic Music, Mister Johnson's Jams, Warner-Tamerlane Pub., Abkco Music.]

John Legend will win this. Ordinary People was a great song. Great lyrics. Sweeping melody. Grammy love sthese songs. The other songs nominated were not as memorable.

Best New Artist (For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.)
Ciara
Fall Out Boy
Keane
John Legend
SugarLand

Bar none. John Legend will win this. He plays piano (Grammy loves soingers who can polay an instrument), he writes his own songs (another plus) and his album was critically and commerically acclaimed. Ciara? Maybe for Best New Dancer, but not artist!

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
It's Like ThatMariah CareyTrack from: The Emancipation Of Mimi[Island Records]
Since U Been GoneKelly ClarksonTrack from: Breakaway[RCA Records]
Good Is GoodSheryl CrowTrack from: Wildflower[A&M Records]
I Will Not Be BrokenBonnie RaittTrack from: Souls Alike[Capitol Records]
Hollaback GirlGwen StefaniTrack from: Love. Angel. Music. Baby.[Interscope Records]

Kelly Clarkson had a hell of a year last year and the song in thsi cateogory was the strongest vocally.

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance (For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
Sitting, Waiting, WishingJack JohnsonTrack from: In Between Dreams[Brushfire Records/Universal Records]
Fine LinePaul McCartneyTrack from: Chaos And Creation In The Backyard[Capitol Records]
Walk On BySealTrack from: Best: 1991-2004[Warner Brothers]
Lonely No MoreRob ThomasTrack from: ...Something To Be[Melisma/Atlantic]
From The Bottom Of My HeartStevie WonderTrack from: A Time To Love[Motown Records]

Paul Mccartney will get this. He has no competition in thsi category and Stevie is not "pop" enough to beat McCartney here.

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Don't LieThe Black Eyed PeasTrack from: Monkey Business[A&M Records]
Mr. BrightsideThe KillersTrack from: Hot Fuss[Island Records]
More Than LoveLos Lonely BoysTrack from: Los Lonely Boys[Or Music/Epic Records]
This LoveMaroon 5Track from: Live - Friday The 13th[Octone Records/J Records]
My DoorbellThe White StripesTrack from: Get Behind Me Satan[Third Man Records/V2 Records]

I think Maroon 5 will win this. Although the song nominated was nominated last year (They lost out by Los Lonely Boys, "Heaven"), they will still win. They picked up the Grammy for Best New Artist last year and I think Grammy will give them this.

Best Pop Vocal Album (For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
Extraordinary MachineFiona Apple[Epic Records/Clean Slate]
BreakawayKelly Clarkson[RCA Records]
WildflowerSheryl Crow[A&M Records]
Chaos And Creation In The BackyardPaul McCartney[Capitol Records]
Love. Angel. Music. Baby.Gwen Stefani[Interscope Records]

I believe its between Kelly Clarkson and Paul McCartney. Wow it's hard to say here. Kelly had more Top 10 hits on her album and was was the more adult contemporary of the other nominees, but I think she may take this one.

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
1 ThingAmerieTrack from: Touch[Columbia Records]
Wishing On A StarBeyoncéTrack from: Roll Bounce (Various Artists)[Music World/Sanctuary Urban]
We Belong TogetherMariah CareyTrack from: The Emancipation Of Mimi[Island Records]
Free YourselfFantasiaTrack from: Free Yourself[J Records]
UnbreakableAlicia KeysTrack from: Unplugged[J Records]

Mariah Carey will get this one. The song was No. 1 forever last year (14 weeks), she's a Grammy veteran, and she's a comeback story.

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
Creepin'Jamie FoxxTrack from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross (Various Artists)[J Records]
Ordinary PeopleJohn LegendTrack from: Get Lifted[Getting Out Our Dreams/Sony Urban Music/Columbia]
Let Me Love YouMarioTrack from: Turning Point[J Records]
SuperstarUsherTrack from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross (Various Artists)[J Records]
So What The FussStevie Wonder[Motown]

If Stevie wasn't in this cateogory, John Legend would easily get this, but with Stevie having asomewhat combeack (ala Prince's 2004 Musicology, Grammy gotta give him something, becaus eof respect.

Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
So AmazingBeyoncé & Stevie WonderTrack from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross (Various Artists)[J Records]
Cater 2 UDestiny's ChildTrack from: Destiny Fulfilled[Columbia Records, Sony Urban]
If This World Were MineAlicia Keys Featuring Jermaine PaulTrack from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross (Various Artists)[J Records]
So HighJohn Legend Featuring Lauryn Hill[Getting Out Our Dreams/Sony Urban Music/Columbia]
How Will I KnowStevie Wonder Featuring Aisha MorrisTrack from: A Time To Love[Motown Records]

I remember a couple of years ago when Luther Vandross won four awards in 2004 for his last CD, Dance with MY Father and he won in this cateogory with Beyoince for the remake of the song, "The Closer I gGet To you," now that the Luther Tribute CD performances dominate the R&B field (and the album itself was not nominated, what's up with that?). Well, Beyonce is a Grammy fave and so is Stevie, so quite naturally, they will both win in this category for singing aLuther song. Ya feel me?

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
Mine AgainMariah CareyTrack from: The Emancipation Of Mimi[Island Records]
SummertimeFantasiaTrack from: Free Yourself[J Records]
A House Is Not A HomeAretha FranklinTrack from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross (Various Artists)[J Records]
If I Was Your WomanAlicia KeysTrack from: Unplugged[J Records]
Stay With YouJohn LegendTrack from: Get Lifted[Getting Out Our Dreams/Sony Urban Music/Columbia]

Aretha is another Grammy vet and fave and she's singing a song on the Luther tribute CD. Enough said.

Best Urban/Alternative Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

SupaStarFloetry[Geffen]
Dirty HarryGorillaz Featuring Bootie BrownTrack from: Demon Days[Virgin Records]
DustVan HuntTrack from: Van Hunt[Capitol]
Welcome To JamrockDamian MarleyTrack from: Welcome To Jamrock[Tuff Gong/Universal]
Ghetto RockMos DefTrack from: The New Danger[Geffen]

Floetry was nominated heavily when their debut CD Floetic debuted in 2002, and with thsi being their last Cd as a group, Grammy, I believe will give them this one.

Best R&B Song (A Songwriter(s) Award. Singles or Tracks only.)

Cater 2 URodney Jerkins, Beyoncé Knowles, Ricky Lewis, Kelly Rowland, Robert Waller & Michelle Williams, songwriters (Destiny's Child)Track from: Destiny Fulfilled[Columbia Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tunes, Beyoncé Publishing, Kelendria Music Publishing, Michelle MW Publishing, EMI Blackwood Music, Rodney Jerkins Productions, International Music Publishing, Notting Dale Songs.]

Free YourselfCraig Brockman, Missy Elliott & Nisan Stewart, songwriters (Fantasia)Track from: Free Yourself[J Records; Publishers: Mass Confusion Music, WB Music/CraigMan Music, Dimensional Music of 1091/Nisan's Music, Universal Music Publishing.]

Ordinary PeopleW. Adams & J. Stephens, songwriters (John Legend)Track from: Get Lifted[Getting Out Our Dreams/Sony Urban Music/Columbia; Publishers: John Legend Publishing, Will.I.Am Music, Cherry River Music.]

UnbreakableGarry DeWayne Glenn, Alicia Keys, Harold Lily & Kanye West, songwriters (Alicia Keys)Track from: Unplugged[J Records]

We Belong TogetherJ. Austin, M. Carey, J. Dupri & M. Seal, songwriters; (D. Bristol, K. Edmonds, S. Johnson, P. Moten, S. Sully & B. Womack, songwriters) (Mariah Carey)Track from: The Emancipation Of Mimi[Island; Publishers: Rye Songs, Shaniah Cymone Music, EMI April, Seal Music, BMG Songs, Naked Under My Clothes, Ballads by Design, Chrysalis Music, Sony/ATV Songs, Hip Chic Music, Mister Johnson's Jams, Warner-Tamerlane, Abkco Music.]

John Legend will win this one. He is this year's Alicia Keys.

Best R&B Album (For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
IlluminationEarth, Wind And Fire[Sanctuary]
Free YourselfFantasia[J Records]
UnpluggedAlicia Keys[J Records]
Get LiftedJohn Legend[Getting Out Our Dreams/Sony Urban Music/Columbia]
A Time To LoveStevie Wonder[Motown Records]

Stevie will get this one. Ifhe wasnt in this cateogory, Legend would have goitten it...but then again...

Best Contemporary R&B Album (For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
TouchAmerie[Columbia Records/Sony Urban]
The Emancipation Of MimiMariah Carey[Island Records]
Destiny FulfilledDestiny's Child[Columbia Records]
Turning PointMario[J Records]
O, Omarion[Epic]

Mariah, no doubt.

Best Rap Solo Performance (For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
TestifyCommonTrack from: Be[Geffen]
MockingbirdEminemTrack from: Encore[Aftermath/Shady/Interscope Records]
Disco Inferno50 CentTrack from: The Massacre[Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records]
Number One SpotLudacrisTrack from: The Red Light District[Def Jam South]
U Don't Know MeT.I.Track from: Urban Legend[Grand Hustle/Atlantic]
Gold DiggerKanye WestTrack from: Late Registration[Roc-A-Fella]

Kanye will get this one. The song was No. 1 forever last year (10 weeks) Jamie Foxx does a cameo vamp vocal (why wasnt his name on this nomination for this? Hmmm) and teh song is nominated as Record of The Year (a shoo-in to win).

Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group (For duo, group or collaborative performances of Rap only. Singles or Tracks only.)

Don't Phunk With My HeartThe Black Eyed PeasTrack from: Monkey Business[A&M Records]
The CornerCommon Featuring The Last PoetsTrack from: Be[Geffen]
EncoreEminem Featuring Dr. Dre & 50 CentTrack from: Encore[Aftermath/Shady/Interscope Records]
Hate It Or Love ItThe Game Featuring 50 CentTrack from: The Documentary[Aftermath/G-Unit/Interscope Records]
Wait (The Whisper Song)Ying Yang TwinsTrack from: U.S.A.: United State Of Atlanta[TVT Records]

Black Eyed Peas are Grammy faves. They won a couple last year for the song, "Let's Get it Started" and their album "Monkey Biz" did even more sales, so Grammy will give them this because of that.

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (For a Rap/Sung collaborative performance by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)
1,2 StepCiara Featuring Missy Elliott[LaFace/Zomba Label Group]
They SayCommon Featuring Kanye West & John LegendTrack from: Be[Geffen]
SoldierDestiny's Child Featuring T.I. & Lil WayneTrack from: Destiny's Fulfilled[Columbia Records/ Sony Urban]
Numb/EncoreJay-Z Featuring Linkin ParkTrack from: Collision Course[Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/Machine Shop/Warner Bros.]
Rich GirlGwen Stefani Featuring EveTrack from: Love. Angel. Music. Baby.[Interscope Records]

Luckilly Common did a song with two Grammy multinominees (Kanye and Legend). This song, although not a hit, will be given the Grammy becasue of whose on the song (ala Back on teh Block with Big Daddy Kane, Ice T and Melle Mel in 1990)

Best Rap Song (A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Candy ShopCurtis Jackson & Scott Storch, songwriters (50 Cent Featuring Olivia)Track from: The Massacre[Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records; Publishers: 50 Cent Music, Scott Storch Music, TVT Music.]

Diamonds From Sierra LeoneD. Harris & Kanye West, songwriters; (J. Barry & D. Black, songwriters) (Kanye West)[Roc-A-Fella; Publisher: EMI Unart Catalog.]

Don't Phunk With My HeartWilliam Adams, Printz Board, Stacy Ferguson & George Pajon, Jr., songwriters; (Kalyanji Anandji, Full Force & Indeewar, songwriters) (The Black Eyed Peas)Track from: Monkey Business[A&M Records; Publishers: Careers-BMG Music, Zomba Enterprises, Saregama India, will.i.am Music, Cherry River Music, Printz Polar Publishing, Songs Of Universal, El Cubano Music, EMI Blackwood Music.]

Hate It Or Love ItCurtis Jackson, A. Lyon, Jayceon Taylor & M. Valenzano, songwriters; (Baker, Felder & Harris, songwriters) (The Game Featuring 50 Cent)Track from: The Documentary[Aftermath/G-Unit/Interscope Records; Publishers: Black Wall Street, Each1Teach1, 50 Cent Music, Dade Co. Project Music, Zomba Songs, Golden Fleece Music, Mured Music.]

Lose ControlM. Elliott, C. Harris & G. Isaacs III, songwriters; (J. Atkins, R. Davis & C. Hudson, songwriters) (Missy Elliott Featuring Ciara & Fat Man Scoop)Track from: The Cookbook[Goldmind/Atlantic; Publishers: Mass Confusion Music, WB Music, Royalty Rightings, Warner Tamerlane Publishing, Big Colorado Music, Deep Space Music, Publishing Corp. of America, Pure Energy Music Publishing.]

Although the song was not a major hit, Kanye's "Diamonds" was the most prolific rap song dealing with diamond mioners in the Motheralnd getting killed over making diamonds for teh world. Powerful song. And--its Kanye.

Best Rap Album (For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
BeCommon[Geffen]
The CookbookMissy Elliott[Goldmind/Atlantic]
EncoreEminem[Aftermath/Shady/Interscope Records]
The Massacre50 Cent[Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records]
Late RegistrationKanye West[Roc A Fella]

Kanye all the way.

Best Reggae Album (Vocal or Instrumental.)
Our MusicBurning Spear[Burning Spear Music]
Welcome To JamrockDamian Marley[Tuff Gong/Universal]
The TrinitySean Paul[Atlantic]
ClothesdropShaggy[Geffen]
Black Gold & GreenThird World[Shanachie Entertainment]

Well, Sean Paul was the most commercial, but for some reason, I think Grammy may pull an upset and give to a Marley. So, I think Damian Marley will win becasue of his last name.

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical (A Producer's Award. (Artists names appear in parenthesis.))
Danger Mouse• Demon Days (Gorillaz) (A)

Nigel Godrich• Chaos And Creation In The Backyard (Paul McCartney) (A)

Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis• Be Blessed (Yolanda Adams) (T)• Dance With My Father (Celine Dion) (T)• Harajuku Girls (Gwen Stefani) (T)• Never Too Much (Mary J. Blige) (T)• Nobody Cares (Deborah Cox) (T)• Pure Gold (Earth, Wind And Fire) (T)• These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Jessica Simpson) (S)

Steve Lillywhite• How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (U2) (A)• Mr. A-Z (Jason Mraz) (A)

The Neptunes• Already Platinum (Slim Thug Featuring Pharrell) (T)• Hollaback Girl (Gwen Stefani) (T)• Let's Get Blown (Snoop Dogg) (T)• On & On (Missy Elliott) (T)• Say Somethin' (Mariah Carey Featuring Snoop Dogg) (T)• Touch (Omarion) (T)

Jimmy Jam and Neptunes have already won in the cateogory in previous years and with Paul McCartney being the Grammy sentiment I think his producer will win this.

Best Short Form Music Video (For an individual track or single promotional clip. Award to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer.)

Lose ControlMissy Elliott Featuring Ciara & Fat Man ScoopMissy Elliott & Dave Meyers, video directors; Joseph Sasson, video producer[Goldmind/Atlantic]

Feel Good Inc.Gorillaz Featuring De La SoulPete Candeland & Jamie Hewlett, video directors[Parlophone/Virgin]

Feels Just Like It ShouldJamiroquaiJoseph Kahn, video director; MaryAnn Tanedo, video producer[Epic]

God's WillMartina McBrideRobert Deaton & George Flanigen IV, video directors; Mark Kalbfeld & Steve Lamar, video producers[RCA Nashville]

World On FireSarah McLachlanSophie Muller, video director[Arista]

Luckilly Ciara did a song with Missy cause this is the only time she has a chance to win and I think she will (ala Janet Jackson). The video was crazy hot and craetive and Missy is a Grammy fave so, there you go.

Best Long Form Music Video (For video album packages consisting of more than one song or track. Award to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer of at least 51% of the total playing time.)
No Direction Home(Bob Dylan)Martin Scorsese, video director; Margaret Bodde, Susan Lacy, Jeff Rosen, MartinScorsese, Nigel Sinclair & Anthony Wall, video producers[Columbia Legacy/Paramount Home Video]

Trapped In The Closet (Chapters 1-5 )R. KellyR. Kelly & Jim Swaffield, video directors; Ann Carli, video producer[Jive Records/Zomba Label Group]

End Of The Century: The Story Of The Ramones(The Ramones)Jim Fields & Michael Gramaglia, video directors; Jim Fields & Michael Gramaglia,video producers[Warner Strategic Marketing]

Devils & DustBruce SpringsteenDanny Clinch, video director; Lindha Narvaez, video producer[Columbia Records]

Brian Wilson Presents SmileBrian WilsonJohn Anderson & David Leaf, video directors; Dave Goetz, David Leaf, SteveLigerman, Maggie Magee, John Scheinfeld, Casey Sipes, Richard Waltzer & Brian Wilson, videoproducers[Rhino Home Video]

R Kellys "Trapped' was the most talked about and most strangest video (all 12 chapters), so Grammy will probbaly swing in Kelly;s favor here. Teh video was hard NOt to forget! Plus R Kelly has won before,so, I think he will get it.

Well there you have it. I will be tuning into theGrammys to see how well I done. I think I did pretty well. I will post up the winners thieThursday.

OUT 30

Hola cyberpeople! This is Ma'at here about to give it to your eye-hole again. My travels since the last time you read up on here. So let's be like a jackrabbit and hop to it!

First off, I would like to give the Freeman Bosley Junior Show another shout out for giving me another shout out on their show last Sunday. They acknowledged that I gave them a shout out on my blog a few weeks back and much love to FBJS co-host Nicci Roach for giving me that shout out. They are just giving me so much love and I appreciate it wholeheartedly because it is hard to try something new here in the Lou especially something like blog. A lot of people have told me they have been reading it and for me to keep it going. That just gives me more motivation to do this. I love all you for reading! Oh, and I am ready for my segment on "Nic at Nine," too. LOL Okay, let's get to the news...

Last Thursday I decided to go to 609 in the Delmar Loop to get a drink or two with my buddy Kameron. I got there a little early and ran into singer Coco Soul. We did the air kisses and shared niceties (I congratulated her on the play "Caroline or Change" that is being held over another week this week. She plays the Washing Machine in that production at teh Balck Rep. Check it out when you get the chance!) and proceeded to walk up to the door wheer the bouncers were to pay and the guy said, Ladies--three dollars, man, five. I reacted like, "What?" When did they start charging diffriently for the genders? I remember when it was just 3 bones to get in, nowtheir creeping up on the fee to get in. True, it is a popular nite with DJ Nappy Needles spinning (akin to Niks Wine Bar and Churchills on Thursday nights a few years ago), but to charge an extra two bucks for the fellas (and there are more hard legs up in there anyway) just let you know they dont want as many guys up in there. I'm not mad at them, but this whole gender price stuff has becoem an issue to me. Now, is it me or has 609 become thuggish ruggish bone up in there? All kind sof thundercats were up in there and I was starting to keep that vibe that if someone stepped on someone's new sneaks, a fight would have ensued. It didnt used to be that thuggish, but I guess if you got University Police swirling around there after midnite around there, you know that they are waiting for something to kick off. I saw Cleveland Cav's Jahidi White up in there in a suit. He looked very out of place with all the thugged out fashionados up in there. I guess he was in town to visit his cousin Wendell B, the local R&B singer who, both own the ST. Louis based Cuzzo Music label ( BTW, I did a cover story on Cuzzo about two years ago in the now defunct Flipside Newzine). I also ran into St. Louis American's Melequicia Meadows who almost didnt see me, but I made it known that I was in her presence when I told her I was going to talk about her. LOL. (Keep up the good work at the American. ) I also saw poet and Pageant ticket seller Invisible Man (bka Maurice Minor) sneaking up in there (Did your boss Mr. Joe Edwards know you were up in there that late? LOL) . By the time Kam rolled up and I got a Absolut and cran up in there, it was swole up in there and people wree getting there club on. I looked at my watch and it was almost 2 in the morning and rolled out.

Last Friday, I checked out this experimental play called, Ipi Zombi (see my review of it at kdhx.org) at the Hoschner Theatre housed next to the Edison Theatre at Washington University. The play is about the urban myth of what happened to 12 of the 15 South African boys who were killed in a bus crash in South Africa. The myth is that they were kille dby 50 naked witches. The play is loosely based and spoofed on the actual bus crash that happened in South Africa in 1995. The play is a combo of Rocky Horror Picture Show meets Sarafina--and check it out, most of the cast was white! They were doing Xhosa dances, rituals, chants and all the like. It was something to get used to (they even broke out in a drag show with the main actor Chauncy Thomas, who is an African American Wash U student) that started lip synching off of "Shake Your Blues Away" an old Doris Day song!!), but it will definitely get you thinking. The show is up until Feb. 5. Be sure you get there early, cause the how lasts only an hour and theres no intermission. (My date got their late and they didnt let her in so she went to London and Sons instead.)

After that, I stopped into Cafe Eau in the Chase Park Plaza for a minute to see what was poppin. It wasn't. they had some cover band called Gargoyle Lounge up in there singing songs like Steve Millert Band's "The Joker" and Dobie Gray's/Uncle Kracker's "Drift Away."' They were okay, but it wanst the type of music to get you crunk. The tripped out part was I ran into this guy, I forget his name, but he is an actor here in the Lou and we spoke and all. I stayed for about 20 minutes and right before I was about to leave out, I got on my cell phone to make a call. The actor guy then had walked to the bar with his friends and saw me walking out, he then bursted out, "Who are you trying to call on your phone like you so important?" (picture Blaine and/or Antoine form "In Living Color' saying that ). I stopped turned around and said, "Why do you care?" I chuckeled (and so did his friends) and I walked off. Now, dont get me wrong, I'm sure he was just being himself, but when someone try to show off in front of their friends, then it's time for me strike back like Star Wars, okay, and still be cool with it. I'm sure he will think twice before he try to front Ma'at. LOL. Anyway, I then drove to Rallys on Lindell to get me the fries that who can put cheese and ranch dressing on. Mmmm, talk about good when you hungry (Rememeber that Eddie Murphy routine in his concert film. Raw,when he was talking about how good a Saltine cracker is when you hungry, yeah, that same feeling). I was in transit to the hot new spot in the Lou, The Jazz Loft on Olive. It was about 10:30 in the P.M and I drive through there and it was already packed! That is unheard of for a St. Louis club to be already packed and its not even 11 p.m.! So, I got me a parking space on a street going north of Olive and proceeded to walk tot the club. As I was walking across the street, a Hummer Truck almost hit me. It was stopped near the club to get valeted, but all of a sudden it was about to drive off. You talk aboyt someone whose heart jumped in my right foot. He stopped in time and I put my heart back into its right area. As I walked up to the club, I saw fashion and jewelry designer Angelique Gray-Joseph on the cell phone outside cursing like a sailor's wife to somebody. She was letting whomever have it on the cell phone. I couldnt get all what she was saying, but I wasnt trying to speak then. She had her fangs out and I didnt want to get caught up in her bite. So I went inside (5 bones to get in) and it was like the flick, "Pandora's Box" only with people's clothes on and no one was getting their freak on. People were extra friendly with everybody up in there, saying hello, meeting and greeting to the point where I thought I had a spotlight on me when I walked around up in there. It was overwhelming at first, but I got used to it. For a place that is now the place to be seen, it was all good. I met a former high schhol buddy up in there, Karando Harris, who used to be like a black Alex P. Keaton at East Side High --shirt, ties, slacks and a breifcase(and he's about 5'4" tall). he was in the Top 10 of my graduation class, most likely to succeed, and all that I thought for sure he was going to be a lawyer, but come to find out I think he told me was working at the telephone company or something like that. I said to him, where's the briefacse? He said, "Oh, I left it in high school." Oh well, like Whitney sang, "Didnt We Almost HAve it All." I also ran into PR sista Marla Galloway whose from East Boogie(Aren't all the GAlloways from East Boogie?LOL). I havent seen her in aminute but she said she was doing some PR in L.A. for a minute and was telling about some stuff she's doing in the Lou. I first worked with her on the Miles Davis Festival celebration at the CAsino Queen in 2000. It was good running back to her. Other VIPS up in therr were Spin City Recordz' Cliff "Q" Wade ( I didnt know you were Omega?), Dr. Pam Jackson (Sorry I missed your X-mas party :o ( , Freeman Bosley Jr. (I saw you trying to hide withthat cap. LOL), Eric Rhone, Shakia, Coco Soul, Model/fitness trainer Charles, Boxing manager Kevin Cunningham (what was up with that cigar, player?) and a sista who I will say her initials are "AP" who used to married to a STL photographer who, after she asked who I was to her friend after I hugged her, was telling me that she was up in there celebrating her birthday and her divorce. Now what's really going on there? Also interesting up in therr were some of the Club Seven crew who checked out their comepetition. Club Seven owner Fred Finley and bouncers Al Wade (props to ya for that feature story about you in Hipster. BTW, Al and I go back to the 7th grade at King Junior High in the boogie.LOL) and Johnny were up in there--in dress clothes! (I guess they had the night off. LOL) I stayed inside til about 1: 30 in the morning and then decided to chill outside the club to get the atmosphere (which was all about the skins of course). One brother said to his crew, "Somebody's daughter is about to get fucced." Mmm, can somebody say, Whoa?" sme of Club Dreams' street team were also in front getting people to go Club Dreams which stays open til 3 in teh morning and to pas out fliers on what is poppin there (like MAdd Mondays and Open Bar Happy Hour on Friday nite). Party/event organizer Mo Witherspoon was also theer peddling brochures about his Eye Candy contest at Formula the following night (or shall I say day, caus it wa safter 1 in the morning). We greeted each other and he was like, "Man, how come you don;t put me in your blog, man? The American gives me love." Okay, here we go. But, Mo is my boy, so it was all love. I was like, "You still my boy. I mean, you got to have something for me to go to for me to write you in my blog." Then he gave me some literature about Eye Candy. I told him I would go and support, cause Mo have been hustling and flowing for a minute, and I can relate to what he does (I will give you my report right after this round up). It was now going on 2 in the morning and I was about to jet back to the East Side to the crib.

That Saturday, I got up around 10ish and got ready to go to Ballys Gym (oh and much love to hollabackboi for hookingme up for three free months of gym time afetr he became a member). I stayed for about three hours and headed to the crib to rest up for the night's festivities. Later on, I called up Kam to let him know I would be checking out Formula and agreed to meet me there. Before I got to Formula, I checked out jazz singer Erin Bode at Jazz at the Bistro. I'm doing an upcoming story about the MAXJAZZ artist in West End Word (I'll let you know when it will be published). She reminds me of actress Sally Field back in the day. She has a soft and mellow voice,kinda like the late singer Karen Carpenter (Okay, I'm a fun, so shoot me). Not much of aperformer, but her voice is impeccable. She has a new Cd out called Over and Over and it is very good. She will be peforming at Finale later on this month (check out her website at erinbode.com).........Okay, lets fast forward to 10:30 p.m. after I left the Bistro. So, I parked my car near St. Charles, and started walking to Washington to Leman Park. When I got there, I got hunger pains. Oh, I was starving and I only had five dollars in my pocket (And 8 on my ATM card). therr was no way I was going to a club and starving. If I was on the East Side, I could have just ordered some chicken or something, but not on the STL side. So I got inside and went straight to the restuarant side of the establishment. I saw that the cheapest thing on their menu were ONION RINGS (that's why you see onion rings as a pic on my blog. LOL)So when I got a waitress from the bar to take my order, she was like, "Is that all you want?" And she said it again. I was like "yes." What else did she want me to order? I would also like a million dollars after Uncle Sam but I'm sure she wasnt going to be able to get me that. So, she got my order together, and the total of the rings was 4 bucks. So I paid her and theer I stood waiting and waiting. And my stomach was getting weaker and weaker. About 15 minutes later, she had my rings for me in a bag. She said that they didnt have regular napkins, but got bar napkins for me and another hostess brought platic forks and soem packets of ketchup. I would have tipped, but I only had one buck and I didnt want my wallet talking broke all nite in my backseat. So I walked off and oen fo teh guys who was near the entrance of the club who carded me asked, "What's in the bag?" I just said, "Onion rings." I could have said countelss other things, but I played it cool. I got into them rings that you thought I was on Fear Factor, okay. After I ate the rings, I called up Kam and asked how long he thought he woul dbe and he said a little after 11 p.m. I wanted to get ther around tahttime caus efrom teh filer Mo gave me it was going to start at 11p.m. (well, techincially, but you know whats up when it comes to us and time. LOL). Anyway, I waited up front at Leman for kam and he got there about 11:15 and he had on a somewhat similar brown courduroy suit jacket like myself. From that point on, I knew someobody was going to comment about it, didn't know who or when, but I knew it was going to happen (And it did. One guy in the club asked us if we were brothers.). So anyway, we walked up to the front and Mo's sister, Miranda Witherspoon (Didn't you do a So St. Louis segment in the Partyline section of the American a few weeks back? Email me and let me know) was at the door. I greeted her and she smiled and then she said, "I see that you are on the list, but not with a guest." But she was cool about it and told me that she checked out my blog (See I told you I would talk about you in my blog. LOL) So after getting frisked, we went in and the crowd was kind of light which was not surprisng. So, while in there, I walked around to see who was theer already (One sista in a fatigue pants outfit and black soldier hat (ala Destiny's Child)was doing the chicken head or nino on the dance floor all by her lonesome). I ran into photographer Carlston Edwards who was snapping for the American (still waiting on my snaps, dude.) Before the Eye Candy contest started I ran into comedian Jessie Taylor who I havent seen or talked to in three months(Congrats on the upcoming newborn and youve picked up a few LBS, too, dude. What's going on, man, you know I'm concerened about you.) . He said that his celly was down and that people were calling other people to give him messages. Too much playing. But if you know Jessie, you know that he is sincere with anything he does and saids, so it was easy to brush it off. I told him congrats on his new gig with the 100.3 The Beat Dee-Lee Morning Show and he was telling about how he eeeeeeased into that gig. Then, he told me that he recently was at the House of Blues in L.A. and a several celebs were in the crowd like Alicia Keys, Jaime Foxx(speaking of which, the ratings are in and aaccroding to zap it.com, his Unpredictible didn't do well in the ratings last Wednesday. Here is a snippet of what they had to say: American Idol" continued its string of massive audiences at 8 p.m. with an 18.1/28. CBS was a very distant second with "Still Standing," 5.1/8, and "Yes, Dear," 5.3/8. ABC averaged 4.2/6 with "George Lopez" and "Freddie," edging out the NBC special "Jamie Foxx: Unpredictable." The WB's "One Tree Hill" posted a 2.0/3 to place fifth, beating UPN's "South Beach.",) Keysha Cole and Jeezy and...Eddie Murphy and Johnny Gill. Well, I'm sure everyone has heard the rumors about Gill and Murphy and I guess they do not care about those rumors (There is a picture of them together that the papparazzi took of them coming out of a supposed posh gay nightclub in Hollywood that you can see at jasmynecannick.com). Anyway, Taylor was telling that there was a particular comedian who was performing (I cant recall who it was right now), but he saw Murphy and Gill sitting together and he said to Murphy, "Man, you left your wife for thsi nigga" (paraphrase). Taylor said Murphy gave him a one eyebrow up look and didn't say anything. Well, when Jaime Foxx gets up to teh stage, he blasted the comedian for calling Murphy out like that. I'm like this. If the rumors are true about Gill and Murphy, I'd say SO WHAT. I dont think their careers are going to plummet because of such rumors (And from the reaction that the STL sistas gave him at the Body and Soul concert a couple of weeks ago at the Fox, they didnt care either. They screamed and shouted his name throughout the concert). If Murphy left his wife for Gill, That's all on Murphy. He's made his millions and he has shown the world that he is HOLLYWOOD. And if Murphy came to the Lou for a concert, I'm sure there would be a line wrapped around St. Louis to try and get a ticket. Enough said. Back to Eye Candy. The contest was OK. Nothing spectacular. It began about 1 in the morn. I was expecting something like a beauty pageant where the contestants will be judged by a panel and the host (they had two hosts by the way 104.9's BJ the DJ and 100.3's Dee Lee who was getting the crowd hyped, walking around Formula, while the 1s and 2s were played--uh, I guess)would ask questions to the contestants. Not quite. Well, they had about 10 sistas who was in the contest and their talent was shaking it fast to the camera (City 10 covered this event and I'm sure it has aired on their channel and you probably saw me on there, too). It almost became Girls Gone Wild for real up in there. Before I could asked Mo, when will the judging start. The contest was already judged and thsi sista named Ashley Johnson, 21, won (you can see her pic on stlamerican.com posing with Dee-Lee in the Partyline Photos section). She is a pretty girl who looked the most tastefully and classy dressed of the sistas who entered (Some of them were mos def ready for a Luke video). She won 100 bones and her pic in this week's St. Louis American. I like the concept of Eye Candy, but I think it should be more of a beauty pageant and to have City 10 to come through to tape it, I would have made it like an event not to be missed. But it was all good. I got love for Mo Witherspoon for what he tried to do (I want to be a judge next year. LOL). Also In the house was 100.3 the Beat's Bishop V-Luv (Sorry for mistakening you for the rapper Bishop who got signed with rapper Chingy's label.)

TIDBITZ...The world is mourning the passing of Coretta Scott King this week. She died of a respiratory failure. The 78-year-old matriarch died Tuesday at an alternative medicine clinic in Mexico. She was in dire health. She a few months ago. She also was dealing with ovarian cancer. I had a chance to see her speak when I attended the National Black Arts festival in the ATL in 2002 when I traveled with the Eugene B. Redmond Writers' Club to perform. She was the first speaker at the Opening Ceremonies at the Studioplex right next to the MLK Center. She was telling people to quiet down because the program was about to start before she brought on the mayor fo the city. I was so entraced by her becasue she was so regal and elegant--and is a part of American/African/World History!. Its ironic that her last appearance was during an engagement for her late husband Dr. Martin Luther King. After her stroke, King missed the annual King celebration in Atlanta two weeks ago but appeared with her children at an awards dinner a few days earlier, smiling from her wheelchair but not speaking. The crowd gave her a standing ovation. Her funeral was this past Wednesday and four police cars escorted her body to the Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home in the ATL. Her ashes were buried in the Doddridge Chapel Cemetery in Indiana. Her legacy will definitely live on and as we celebrate Black Histoiry Month, she definitely should be one fo the pillars who did something for the world. She will be greatly missed...What was up with the Mapleoowd police doing a "Rodney King" on 33-year old St. Louis County brotha Edmon Burns this week? (the pic of the beating is on my blog). True, he drove away from teh cops at a Quick trip in the town because of supposed warrants and chiuld support debt, but when I saw teh live footage from teh FOx 2 camera guy who was filming it in his helicopter. I couldnt beileve what I was seeing . For starters, Burns was in a van driving recklessley during morning hour traffic on the streets of Maplewood, running stoplights, and when he finally stopped in St. Louis, he got out of the van, and was surrounded by several Maplewood cops (all white) and one ST. Louis cop (who was black). Burns was "jogging away" and they tackled him and proceeded to kick him and baton him (the black cop supposedly was hitting his ankels and legs). All I had to say when I saw it was, "Oh I know this will not be over." And I was right. As of this writing, the Maplewood cops are suspended with pay and the STL cop is on adminstrative duty. The FBI and NAACP are asking for an investigation and firing of the cops respectively. They are trying not to make this a black-white Rodney King thing cause one of the cops was black. Well, if that is the case, then the issue at hand is, "Was excessive force used to capture Burns?" My answer is yes. If Burns was white, would the cops would have beat him the way they did. Probably not. Should this be investigated. Absoluely. Luckily TV captured it because it would have been just another person getting beat by the cops ( He was treated at a hospital and released, and was jailed). I'm sure this will go on for sometime. It should be interesting how this plays out now that this case has gotten national coverage...What happened to the huge picture of the beautiful braided-up sista whose face was used to adverstise St. Louis Community college-Forest Park on its building?. When I drove through 64 West and saw there was no more sista, but the rest of the billboard was there/ What is up with that?...Congrats to Christiaan Coffield for landing the gig pn maximumexposure.com. He will be one of the models featured on tehr einteractive website starting this Spring...make sure to check out Kameron Hopson on UPN;s morning show, "Enterate", hosted by Gilberto Pinella at 10 am this Saturday. He will talk about message therapy...To my girl Ingrid Owens who is holding it down managing more than 200 H &R Blocks trying to get peoople's taxes right and tight...Hollabackboi wanted me to tell you folks with those crumbsnatchers to stop bringing them into the movie theater. He and his date were trying to enjoy the No. 1 flick "Big Mamma's House 2" at the Jamestwon Mall out in Florrisant last weekend and couldnt hear the movie cause of all them Bebe Kids crying and talking...

Well, I think that will cover it all. If you have anything for me to pub or address, feel free to give me a email at maatspear@yahoo.com.