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.

OUT 29

Hello cyberfolks....This is your cyber-reporter Ma'at about to give you the happenings going on in my world...of the past 7 days.

Well, let's be like a sex escort get it started!

First, off, I would like to thank the Riverfront Times News for selecting my blog as Local Blog O the Week in the "Unreal" section in this week's paper of Jan 26-Feb. 1 2006("Trick or Treatment" is the main story on the cover and the blog is on page 10--www.theriverfronttimes.com for you cyberheads). They took a glimpse of my site from Jan. 12th edition when I spoke on the Washington loft house party I attended, going to First Fridays and commenting on rapper Chingy trying to get his work out on at Ballys in Clayton. I was very much surprised that it was chosen. I have submitted myself in the running, but that was just the most of it. I guess whatever I wrote must've peaked their interest. But I'm not complaning. Much love to the RFT. I guess they know the real thing when they read it!

OK back to the biz........................................................

Last week was quite interesting because I lost something that was very dear to me and I had to replace it. But I will get to that in a minute. I started off my travels last Friday when I attended the Happy Hour at Formula Nightclub on Washington in downtown ST. Louis. This was my first time checking it out. I had promised manager Miss Kay that I was going to check it out, but never had the energy after hustling and grinding trying to make a dolalr to even go. But I made an effort to go this time and I liked it. I went at about 7 ish (It started around 6) Although it wasnt a lot of people there, it was still a nice hang out to wind down, They had free food there (chicken, meatballs, dirty rice, fruit), $2 beer and two for one specials. Well, you all know me, I had to par-take in what was offered. I chilled a little bit with Post Pop Critic Kevin Johnson who was on his way to see comedian David Alan Grier at Touhill. We chatted a bit and he was about to give me the scoop about some hot R&B singer that is suppose to be blazin throgh teh Lou in two months. He was tight lipped about it and said he would let me know before it hits the streets. But from what he almost told me, it will be the concert of the yar. Hmmm. I'll keep you posted. Anyway, I thought Formula owner Sonia Brascomb or Miss Kay was gonna be there but they must have chilled elsewhere planning the next event at Formula(I guess they are still recovering from all the menses that performed at the Body and Soul Tour that rolled through the Fox Theatre last week! LOL) . In there, I also met up with Ingrid Owens who usually helps out Formula at the door. She was the sista who use dto throw those bachelor auctions and beauty pageants back in the day. yeah, her. She also is doing her thing at H& R Block in Dellwood. It is there when she was on camera with Fox 2 funny guy Tim Ezell last week on Fox 2 in the Morning SHow (along with American Idol contestant and east Boogie boy Deandre Perryman) when people were singing for theri taxes (I havent forgot to pout you on my malier, ya know). Much love to her. I stayed till about 9p.m. and thought I was going to go to Cafe Eau in the Chase Park Plaza but was getting tired after the Corona and Absolut and cran I had drank, so I just did like a bad check and bounced.

And now to my drama. Well, pre-drama.

The next night, Saturday night, I was on my way to the SOSY CD listening party at Formula and I was walking toward the club when this homeless guy came up to me and was telling baout this guy who had a Tommy Hill coat that we didnt want to sell to him. At first, I was like, okay, just ask me for some money that I will pretend I dont have any change for, but he was like, "Man, this dude got this bad coat, I want you to check it out." Huh? I was like, now whats the deal here. There was no way I was going with him. Over a coat? Anyway, He was hollering at the guy who had teh coat who was traveling with two other people. The homeless guy was like, "Hey man, my man right here (meaning myself), wants to see the coat!" When the guy with the coat turned around, I gave him a "No" signal and the guy kept on walking. At this time, I was nearing Formula and was sucking on my second to last lollipop (my trademark these days). He was like, "Man, he's probably going to buy some crack with that coat." I was grunting in agreement. then, the homeless guy asked me if I had another lollipop. Huh? I was like, "Yeah." So, I gave him my last lollipop. He was like, "Thanks man" and grumbled something else under his breath. Is that all it takes to please a homeless man who begs? A lollipop? Man, If I had a whole sack full of them, I might have become his candy pimp. Just kidding. Anyway, into the club, I went to the listening party for hot local new teen girl group, SOSY. These early teens were in the house, sisters Brooke and Brittney Jones and family friend Jasmine Cain (who couldnt attend was dealing with a family tragedy) and they were gracious with those who were attendance. It was held at the Formula (two for two) and I attended to support my former SIUE collleague Damon Green who told me about this party a few weeks back when I ran into him at the Health's Fair at the America's Center. It was a nice intimate crowd as people listened to a sample from their upcoming CD. There are some pretty hot tunes from what I heard (and I guess thats why Damon and his crew were passing out small bottles of SOSY hot sauce to the crowd). They remind you of a younger version of SWV. I relly liked the cut, "How Much Shake" which is their lead off single. I'm sure this club/CD woofer banger will be rolling pretty soon on the local stations. Their manager, Tiffany, who is the sister's mom should be very proud of her girls (and dont be nervous, LOL). The two members who were there performed as well and theyre very spunky and have pipes to back it up. Much love to SOSY and their whole promotions team on a very well put event. If you want to get a smaple of theri CD, contact Femminique Music Management at FM2@femminique.com. In the house were 100.3 the Beat's Bishop-V-Luv,
Raw Soul's Terry Stevenson (thanks for helping with my collar), The Post's Kevin Johnson, talent scout Nate Jackson (I didnt know you had an office all up at the Formula?)St. Louis American photographer Wiley Price, Kameron Hopson, and Majic 104.9's Selena J. Afterward, I talked with Selena a bit and walked her to her car as we conversed about my soon to be upcoming appearance on her Saturday night show "Soulternative." Soon after, I drove to Hampton to check out Jacque and Leata Price Landevent at the Carpenter's Hall where Leata was celebrating her b-day. It was a BYOB occasion (and I definitely brough my B, as in beer, as in four cans of KAMO-8.0 proof!). I met up with my boy Kameron and we went up in there. It was 10 bones to get up in there and I was expecting more of a big turnout, but I think that had to do with some fo the publicity to some of the print media had the date wrong according to Jacque about when their party was going to be. But it wa sstill a nice function. Let me back track--I had on one of my conversation outfits up in there. I had on a light brown Nehru dashiki with belled sleeves and custom made jeans with African applique stiched on them (as designed by STl attorney and former literary collague Sheryl Johnson). When I walke dup in theer and greeted the LAnds, I walked toward a table and former Alderwoman Sharon Tyus, who was sitting with a group, stared me down from head to toe, as though I was some superstar alien who came from another plant. Her look was priceless. I wanted to say, "take a picture, sweetheart, it's me." Anyway, they had a nice spread of food, cake, and liquour. The dee-jay up in therr of course played all the versions of music for people to get their slides on for the partiers and even some latest cuts from Nelly and the like (or something like that. I was too buzzed by then to really know what was played). In the house were Wiley Price, Mary Winbush, Eric Rhone, and Christiaan Coffield ( I got your drunkie!...LOL) . But here come sthe second part of my drama...when I was about to roll out, I went to the restroom, to relive myself of the alcohol I had drank. Well I got a text from a booti call that said that they couldnt kick it and I responded with a "k." Upset, I walked out of the restroom, saw Kam and Floy (a sista who works with Jacque and Leata) chilling out, saluted them, walked to my car, drove off and went home. Now mind you, I was still half-buzzed so there's no telling how I was walking or looking when I went to my car. So, I slept it off, woke up around 8ish Sunday morning listening to the Freeman Bosley Junior Show and hearing that co-host Pat Washington was running for a seat on the St. Louis Public School Board and I was about to check my messages on my cell phone, so I checked near me to check them...couldnt find my cell phone. I called on a resgular phone to hear it ring...didnt hear it ring, but I heard the messages left. I got some clothes on and went to my car, checked inside there, no cell phone. Checked the crib again of where I might have had it, found everytthing but my cell phone (Isnt that always the case). Checked my car again, Checked the yard. Checked under my arms (LOL). NO CELL PHONE. Then, it dawned on me, "Oh shyt, I must have left it in the restroom at the Carpenter's Hall!" You talk about someone who was starting to get sick. It was a very bad feeling to think that something that you have grown accustomed to (Four years now) , like a celly, and to have it lost. It was like losing a loved one almost. Anyway, I called my cell phone about 10 times to see if anyone would pick up the phone and hopefully be a Good Samaratin and say that they had it...NOPE. So, for the next two hours, I spent trying to call Sprint and told them that I lost my SAMSUNG! They had me on hold for near an hour holding for them. I ended uup going to a nearby SPrint store to get my cell phone deactivated so no one could use it if anyone had it (Good thing I lost it over that weekend caus eif it was Monday through Friday before 7 p.m., my phone would probably be out of minutes due to someone calling from Seoul, China somewhere). A rep thatthe Sprint store said that I had insurance (GREAT), But (BUT!!!!), I had to pay $50 nonrefundable deductible for a replacement phone. What the fuck!!! I have to pay for a phone and I have insurance already! What was going on! Well, I was desperate as Terri Hatcher and went on and called the 1-800 to pay for a another phone. It came this pat Tuesday. I called the Carpenter's Hall just to see if they reported any lost cell phones, and they said, no. So, theers no telling where that cell phone was. Now I have to start all over again and program the many many many numbers I had stored from my old phone. So, all of you all who I have called, call my cell phone so I can program your number again into my phone--and this time, I am leaving a paper trail as well, just in case this happened again.

CRAZY LIKE A FOXX...I got a email from one of cyberbuddies singer and producer Aaron Foster earlier this week about this campaign for black folks to tune into Jamie Foxx's NBC special "Unpredictable: A Musical Journey" because of the supposed boycott of sorts from NBC to not publicize his special becasue he refused to put white people on his show and two of his surprise guests (thugged out Snoop Dogg and the Game) didnt fit in NBC's friendly mode (It has even become Urban Legend already) . . The email had it where very black person watch the show because NBC was trying to sabotage the show do to the color thing and they were intentionally puttingit on last Wednesday head to head with Fox's megahit, "Americna Idol." First off, I saw the show--on tape cause I was at Ballys getting my work out on. Secondly, it is not enough black people in America who are even hooked up to a Nielsen's Box that tracks TVs watching certain shows in order to get a Nielsen's rating. Thirdly, I think this was all great publicty in itself, for people of all parts of the rainbow to watch this show in order to get more people to watch it--and for what I saw it was just OK. The show was more like an informercial for Foxx's No. 1 megaselling CD, "Unpredictable," as he sand several songs from it(including the CD's lead off single, "Unpredictible") It played off like a autobiographical stageplay (it was written, produced and staged by urban stageplaywright David Talbert). I was expecting Foxx to clown up a taste . I mean, he is a comedian, but I guess Foxx now wants to be seen as a serious singer (ala Eddie Murphy). The special had taped segments of Foxx's talking about his childhood, growing up with his now deceased grandmom who raised him, being raised in church, and becomg a father at ayoung age. It also cut to live skits of his childhood with two actors who played his grandmother (played by Bebe Drake--go to google images get who she is, she's a good character actress who played in such films as "Boomerang' and TV shows like "Good Times") and Foxx as a kid (I didnt get the young guy who played him). Then they had the musical acts which were rapper, Common, Stevie Wonder, Mary J Blige (who sang a killer duet with Foxx on the classic R&B jam, "Love Changes"), and Angie Stone (where was Kanye for Heaven's sake!). His surprise guests rapped with him on the cut. "Wanna Be with you." It was just OK, Nothing spectatcular or anything to knock your socks off. But it was cool to see thug rappers get air time on NBC like that, though. The highlight was when he sang "I Wish You were Here" in dedication to her grandmother who passed just before his Oscar lauded film, "Ray" came out. He was almost in tears as well as the audience. Powerful stuff. Overall, it was a nice concept and it was a first for NBC to have ever aired an entire young urban African American cast on a music special and my hat is off to Foxx for stepping his grounds on who he wanted on the show(I guess if he couldnt get Tookie Williams from getting out of death row, he was going to at least control the content of his show.), but I was expecting more flash and dash and comedy (some of the skits that were funny, did not have anyone laughing in the background which was odd), especially with it being his first special on NBC. Oh well. If you missed it, the show will air again this Friday on NBC, check your local listing for showtimes.

TIDBITZ. When you get a chance and if you have Charter Cable, check out, "The Set," a music show that airs on the local access Channel 8 (Charter Communications Channel), Thurdays at 10:30 p.m at it repeats until Sunday...Black rep actor/singer Chuck Flowers will have a concert at Alvin's Coffee House this Saturday located at 1508 Grand Ave at Park. The show starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are 10 bones. for info, call, 314-664-7050...I forgot to mention last time that I saw my former classmate Montina Singleton at the Body and Soul concert at the Fox. She was shocked when she saw me and vice versa (got a little thick in the hind parts but she still is a hot girl)...Fashion desginer Skylar and his tie jacket suit(the sleeves were made out of different ties) was to kill for when he wore it at the Loft last week...the St. Albert the Great Church was torn down Thursday in Fairview Heights, Ill. in order to make room for a new strip mall right next to the St. Clair Square Shopping Center...Kudos to my father, Colonel Herman Atkins for being apart of the Malcolm Martin Park expansion as part of the Metro East Park and Rec District plan to expand land the East Side of the Riverfront. My dad is manager of the Water Geyser that shoots up as high as the Arch that will be a part of the park exapnsion there...What's up with Dee Lee Morning SHow co-host Ebony Walker who is all foulmouthed now on that show on 100.3 The Beat and from what I hear used to be the Hallelujah Girl on Gospel 1600?...What's up with a new law that could pass in the STL about having loud speakers in your car? From what I hear if your woofers are more than 10 inches, and you blast them, you can be fined $250 bones ...Hmmm, I smell DWB--Driving While Black....The STL has become a hotbed recently of national comedians and rappers coming to the Lou, David Alan Grier and Ice T. was here at Touhill Performing Arts Center last Friday and Saturday respectively and Comic View hostess Sheryl Underwood was spittin comedy at the Funny Bone in Fairview Heights, Ill last weeekend as well (Renee, I'm still waiting on your review of that. LOL)...Be looking out for my profile of jazz chanteuse Erin Bode in the West End Word next month who is having a 3-dayCD release party (beginning this Thursday) for her new MAX JAZZ CD "Over and Over' at Jazz at the Bistro . I will also be on KDHX Radio (88.1 FM) next week to give my review of the play, "Ipi Zombi" that is will start playing this Friday at the Hotchner Studio Theatre...

On a serious note, I got an email this week from my buddy local author and actor Lonnie Love about a missing girl. Her name is Mia Carter (she is pictured on the right hand side of my blog) She is about 5' 7 and 117 lbs. She has long wavy black-brown hair usually up in a ponytail or bun. She was las seen on June 19 2005 in Glenarden Maryland. She has a light mole on the left side above her lip if you have ANY info about her please call Megan Battle at:301-773-3799

Well, that is it for me. If you have anything for me to plug or mention on my blog, contact me at maatspear@yahoo.com!

OUT 28

Hello again my cyberfriends, this is your man on the town, Ma'at here one more week with more stuff for you to check out and "eye-tate"on. OK, let's get right to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope everyone had a great MLK holiday. It was a lot of activity going on. From the march from the Old Courthouse to Powell Symphony Hall to the MLK Celebration at the Pavillion Hotel downtown (I'm so glad they moved it from the Adam;s MArk Hotel on Broadway in downtown STL with all of its racial baggage). There were also a few celbrations on the East Side as well giving honors and respect to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Me,. myself, I did a non-traditional celebration of MLK by going to see local author and Forest Park College professor JK Dennis speak at the Schlafly Library last Saturday afternoon on Euclid about his new book "9 Lessons for a Meaningful Life." Although six people showed up (including myself), he talked about the 9 lessons in his book and the colorful charcters in it. For those of you who don't know about thsi book, it is a "fictional" story about Southern people in a fictictious town called Moon County, Ga. and how they deal with their problems in a small town (For more info on this book, go to my story on JK Dennis at www.westendword.com) Dennis talked about the the role of poverty in America as well as what it means to learn how to love someone. The brother is deep, and very analytical. He also talked about the fascination America has about gettiing instant gratifcation on success and how our culture devours peopel who try to reach for that quick fix. After his speech, I congratulated him on his lecture and he said that he was used to speaking to a bunch of empty seats. I reassured him on that and told him, what my mentor Professor Eugene B. Redmond told me, "It's not how many seats you fill, but how many peopel knew about it." Dennis is good people and I think we will have a budding intellectual relationship with each other. Its far and few in between finding brothers who are on a higher level of thinking and still are cool and relatable. Kudos to ya, man After I left the library, I discovered I got a 10 dollar ticket for parking at a meter without money. Huh? On a Saturday? I keep forgetten, that I wasnt downtown where they dont give tickets and I was in Midtown where they do. Oh well. That wasnt going to spoil my day because this was the day that the Fox Theater was going to hold the Body and Soul Tour featuring 90s superstars Johnny Gill (pictured in the center), Bell, Biv , Devoe, Blackstreet and Guy. Talk about a concert! Those artist are from my college days in the early 1990s and when hip-hop and R&B still had meaning and some substance. Here is my review of the show:

The Fox was the place to be to get a touch of body and soul when the Body and Soul concert tour rolled through the Lou Saturday, Jan. 14. Although only half the arena was full (over 2,500), those who were there got a chance to reminisce for three hours with singer Johnny Gill, New Edition off-shoot hip-hop group Bell, Biv, Devoe, and Teddy Riley creations, the Grammy winning Blackstreet and Guy who all had 30 minutes to groove-up the stage. The event was hosted by legendary comedian and "Good Times" star Jimmie Walker. To stall for the latecomers, Walker did a 30 minute stand-up that was semi-funny. More amusing than anything else. It took awhile to really come to grips of how much Walker has aged and gained weight, but his irritating voice was definitely all "JJ", with the zany, loudness that made him famous (I was waiting for him to say his famous catchphrase--Dynomite, but to no avail). His routine started off OK when he asked the ST. Louis crowd, "Who is in charge of the road construction in this town? I was on 70 (West) today and I saw nothing but potholes. One pothole had a Vietnamese family living in thre." Then, the rest of his routine was more on playing the dozens with teh crowd, espcecially the one sin front who were weraing way out furs and a lady with big breasts.

The first on the bill was Gill, who was about a couple of minutes late getting to the stage as Walker had to walk back out to teh stage to stall and say "G-I-L-L!" and he finally appeared as his female fans jumped up to their feet , cheered and screamed when he "Karate danced" toward the front of stage as the three member band (2 keys and a drummer who was the house band of all the acts) played as he performed a few minutes of his first song, "Fairweather Friend" off his 1990 eponymous album. Dressed very casually in a jacket, white long sleeve shirt, jeans and sunglasses, he addressed the lively crowd by shouting, "How many come to party?" then he went into Usher's "Caught Up." This was a puzzling move for him to perform someone else's song especially a young protege of his. During this sone, he took off his shades causing more screams from his admiring female fans who now was lined in front of the stage hoping to get a handshake or a kiss from the handsome singer.

He then slowed his set with the Quiet Storm jam, "There You Go," from the "Boomerang Soundtrack." causing more female frenzy. After the song, he said, "I need something string to drink." Then he went into his background where he was from (Washington D.C) and that his dad was a minister and that he wished it was more time to sing. Then suddenly you heard a female chorus in the audience scream, "I Love you Johnny!" Then one woman shouted, "Sing that red dress!" that caused quite a chuckle from the audience.He also commented how young artists on award shows today "dont realize how artist from the past has helped them get to where they are today" which caused the audience to clap in agreement.

Suddenly, Gill set turned into a Luther Vandross tribute as he sang three songs from the late crooner, "Superstar," "A House is Not a Home," and "Never Too Much" (where he flubbed a line on this song and acknowldged it). On Luther he said, "He's gone, but he;s up there...I remember when Luther and I were in the same category at the Grammies and he beat me. Everytime I would go to his house and I look at the Grammy and I say to him. 'that;s the Grammy that you stole from me.' Then he would say, 'Security!' he was a great human being. I miss him so much..." For someone who was short on time, the Luther tribute was a bit much, but it was heartfelt.

Then it was back to Johnny's hits when he performed, "My , My My," (which caused several women to literally throw themselves on him when he walked into the crowd), taking off his jacket (more scremas from the females); "Rub You the Right Way (which was interloped nicely with Gap band's "You Dropped a Bomb on Me"). Afterward, he jumped back on stage, a threw a couple of towels in the auidience for his many female admirers to fight over. With the alleged rumors of Gill's sexuality and love affair with comedian Eddie Murphy, the female fans, like Luther in a way, did not care of those rumors and loved him as a singer and sex symbol of their imaginations.

The Body and Soul tour went into hip-hop mode as Bell, Biv, Devoe took to the stage. Opening with their hit, "BBD--I Thought it Was Me," along with some tween hip-hop dancers, from their multiplatinum album, "Poison." Dressed in various hip-hop graffiti gear, glittery New Edition t-shirts and leather, BBD (Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie Devoe) had the crowd on their feet for most of their set.Unfortuntely, singer Bell was not in top voice, pleading for the audience to help him out singing and that the "doctor told me not to sing, but I couldnt let you all down." That got the crowd even more hyped and in the group's corner. They perforemd all of their hits from that album inclduing, the title cut (that was performed with Gill who joined BBD on stage) , "Do Me Baby (the infamous "smack it, flip, it, rub it down" mantra had everyone chanting), "She's Dope," and the ballad, "When Will I See You Smile Again" (which was mostly sang by the crowd).

The group asked if the crowd saw them on the BET Silver Anniversary show and let the audience know that New Edition was going to be back on tour as a group in early Spring and they were also coming out with another album, and a movie on their life as well as counting the days (two years to be exact) for a New edition 25th reunion..

"We are coming back to the STL and do it the way it should be done," said Bivins, causing teh crowd to erupt in applause and cheers.

A shocking moment occurred when Devoe walked out to the audience and jumped and stood on a row of seats while performing "Posion." (Good thing he didnt fall because I'm sure the females around him were not going to try and break his fall) And a puzzling monet happened when Bivins told the crowd that they were about to get into the hotel business and then acknowleged UPN-46/WS Hotel/Orpheum Theatre co-owner Mike Roberts from the crowd and said that "He was the man doing it up big in the Lou." (I wonder what wassup with that? Any BBD--Roberts ventures getting ready to happen? I know Devoe has his own successful real estate biz in the ATL, so, I gues she just have to see).

After intermission, it was the Teddy Riley hour as Riley and his off-shot group Black street (sans Dave Hollister) was next on the bill. The stage got dark and a series of lights danced acros steh stage as though it was a sceen from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Then a robotic voice said, "We got Blackstreet in teh house tonite." After the lighting show, the stage lights went up and the quartet walked on stage in black velvet jackets with white shirts and jeans. Riley walked toward a keyboard/voicebox on stage (a strapped keyboard was also around his shoulder) as he claimed his spot as the musician svengali of the group.The group started off its set with the lesser known song, "This is How we Roll" from their multiplatinum CD, "Another Level." Next up was the showcase of tenor singer, Mark Middleton (I'll get to him later) singing the ballad, "Never Gonna Let You Go," from "Another Level" and "Joy" from theri eponymous debut. It was during "Joy" that Middleton took off his jacket and shirt to expose a very buffed frame with an 8-pac 9as well as exposing the top portion of his buttocks (and causing much ooooohs and aaahhhhhs from the mostly females in the crowd) ). Much to the female's delight, Middleton, with a secutiy guard next to him, walked out into the crowdas teh aldies enjoyed being seranaded by a half-nude man. The group also performed their biggets hits, "Before I Let You Go," and the No. 1 Grammy Award winning smash, "No Diggity" (that was performed mostly with the Bill Withers sample, "Grandma;s Hands) and its rendition of Roger's "I Wanna Be Your Man.". Soon after Riley said to the group, "Man, we are running out of time, but we gotta give the peopel what they want" which caused even more erution from the crowd. Balckstreet exited from stage and Riley then said, "I Love working with Blackstreet. I'm a team player. I'm not a solo singer. I just act a fool." And that he did. he did some serious breakdancing, pop-locking moves and teased the audience with the into to "Teddy;s Jam." Then, broke off some of Wrekk's N effect's 1991 jam, "Rumpshaker."

Soon after, the lights faded and the stage was dark. Then, there was music from the intro to Guy's hit 1992 album., "The Future" with all of its futuristic. comic sound effects letting the crowd know that Guy was about to perform (the highlight of the concert). Also, in the background was the song,."Wheer Did Our Love Go", also from "The Future." Suddenly, Riley along with brothers Aaron and Damon Hall (remember that rumor a couple of years back that he died under the Greyhound bus section where people put their luggage?)graced the stage in white and black suits, as the crowd gave tehm astanding ovation acknowleding the orginal kings of New jack Swing. They had SFX of them walking up to the stage, then Aaron shouted, "It's been 15 years since we;ve been togther," causing more cheering from the crowd.

The rest of its set was all about Aaron and Riley, They cruised trhough many of their hits from their "Guy" and The Future" CDs, including, "Spend the Night," "My Fantasy" (from the "Do the Right Thing " soundtrack and Riley playfully reminisced about the tight spandex shorts they had to wear the video and then said, "Remember the song, not the video"), "Teddy;s Jam" (a crowd fave"), the ballads, "Piece of My Love," (which caused Aaron to take off his shirt and pump the floor) "Forever My Love" (which got Aaron to walk into the crowd to find a single lady to sing to on stage with no success--he spanked a lady on the bottom, though), and "Let's Chill.."

A highlight was when Aaron started doing his crazy backward running man dance half way across the stage during "Teddy's Jam" which was unbeleivable!

After the love fest, Riley said, "Did y'all feel that? can we take it to the first song? It took a year to get us on top." That's when the group and band performed, "Groove Me", the 1988 jam that started the New Jack Swing era.

Just when the crowd thought the show was over, Aaron suddenly started singing one of his hits from the early 1990s, "I Miss You." But at that time, most people were looking for the exits. It would had been nice to have seen all the acts perform at the end, but that would have been too much like right, oh well.

In the house were Platinum Group's Jacque and Leata Price (I hope to get to your b-day party Saturday!), dancer Lisa May (who was my date), Freeman Bosley Junior Show co-host Nicci Roach (bet you were glad you didnt act up in the concert! LOL), Post Disptach Pop Critic Kevin Johnson (Your comment about my blue courduroy overalls I was wearing was not cute and I quote: "1987 called and they want their overalls back."), model Christiaan Coffield, Club Formula's Sonya Brascomb and Miss Kay, singer Silky Soul (I saw you trying to get freaky with Aaron hall!) and Herbert Hoover's Indigo Sams. When I was leaving out, I saw American Idol contestant Nikko Smith out in the lobby. I guess he was trying to get on as an opening act on the show. Who knows.

After the concert, I was preparing to walk Lisa May (who was working those black knee boots) to her car. While going there, I ran into Communique PR's Renee Thomas Woods and her husband. She made the comment, "Ma'at, you;re not dead!" I thought that was funny. yeah, right. (Just kidding) Oh and speking of Renee, kudos to her with her write up in this month's Essence magazine. She was quoted in there about black history lessons and how she teaches her kids about black history. I met up with my boy Kameron to the newest hot spot in the Lou, The Jazz Loft on Olive across the street and catconer from rival club Club Seven. I called my boy Ramey to see if he was coming through, but all I got was voicemail. While driving down there, around 11:30 p.m. it was a line of cars waiting to get valeted. I parked two streets over cause I was not feeling trying to get into all that traffic headache).I could have parked in teh Club Seven parking lot. It was a lot of room to park. Just kidding. ). Anyway, they wer charging 5 bones to get in (last week it was free, soon its going to be 10 when it becomes more popular). I think there was acharge last week cause of the concertgoers coming there in droves. Most of the people I mentioned who I saw at the concert was cramped up in the Loft. Others there were Spin City records CEO Cliff Wade, Clayton Bally trainer Deanthony, Mike Roberts (trying to be young in a tan leather jacket), Cedric the Entertainer's manager Eric Rhone, Edwrad Jones broker Roger Macon (who says althoughhe had to pay to get up in the Loft, he thought the club was tight),St. Louis American Graphic Artist Melvin Moore (I saw you dancing with the blonde sistas), singer Tiffany B. (one of the blonde sistas who was wearing a low cut shirt with her cleve out and who told me got a Cd coming out in March)., Robert Kirk and STl rapper Tiffany Foxx (who just got signed with Snoop's label). It was definitely the place to be seen. They even had some chicken wings and raw veggies for those who was getting teh crave to eat. Now my only beef was with the bartending service. Firts off, its only one bar there (and a small bar off to the side). To accomodate over 500 people in a small spot liek the loft was like trying to get Monique to run through a needle. the walking barmaids were not taking anyomore orders and it took me amost 20 minutes to get a drink from the bar and one of those bartendar chicks had teh nerve t have an attitude when it came to fixing people's drinks. Do you think I left a tip, yeah, "Check your attutude." That was my tip. Around 1:30 in the morn, people were calling for last call for alcohol. Around that time, people were getting their last minute hook ups on and where they were going after they left the Loft.

On MLK day, I chilled out for a minute and decided to work out at Ballys for my photo shoot at the Anheuser Busch Brewery this past Wednesday. Before I headed to the gym, I ran into a documentary on the Independent Film Channel called, John Henrick Clarke: In My Own Words. Made in 1996, Clarke (who is pictured on the left of my blog) is the late great Africanist who knew everything and anything when it came to black people and their legacy without holding his tongue. He talked about everything from how the slave trade really began (the Arab Muslims then capitalized by white Europeans acorss the world), Marcus Garvey, the Civil Rights Movement, MLK, the Theory of Turning the Other Cheek(He believed it should have been a strategy not the ends to the means, Malcolm X, the Black Panthers, the Rise of Farrakhan (Clarke believed Farrakhan caused teh atmosphere of Malcolm getting shot and killed) and the Million Man MArch (Clarke beleieved teh MArch was mostly showbiz revolution). If you get a chance, check out this documentary or rent it at the library or request it at Blockbuster. Especially now with Black History Month coming, this documentary is a telling a true picture of a man;s point of view of what it means to be black.

TIDBITZ: Congrats to Gary Johnson, owner of Magnolia's for a very entertaining Mr and Mrs. Newcomer Pageant last Friday....Thank you to Jenny and Rommie of Rio Creative for making my 8 hour photo shoot at Anheuser Busch (Hopefully I will be on billboards in downtown STL starting in March)..I will be talking with Majic 104.9 personality Selena J in hope sto being on her Saturday nite show, Soulternatives in late Feb....Message Therapist Kameron Hopson will be on the guetss on the Saturday morning show, "Enterate" Feb. 4 on UPN-46...Kudos to American Idol contestant and East Boogie native Deandre Perryman for singing for his taxes on Fox 2's morning show Thursday at H and R Block on Dellwood....model Carlos Mclaurin can be seen in an Anheuser Busch ad in this month's Ebony Magazine (go on sexual chocolate!)What's up with this rumor about someone stealing cases of Nelly's energy drink Pimp Juice at the Fillmore Brewery and seleling them in the Black Market? Accoridng to gossip diva Wendy Williams that is what is happneing. In other Nelly news, Nelly and his boys, The St. Lunatics are getting redy to open up a restarant and bar called MACKS (the acronym for Murphy Lee, Ali, Cornell (Nellys; real name), Kyjuan and Slo Down. it is supposed to open up in early spring of this year and it will be located on Howdershell in Ferguson (or is it Hazelwood?)..If you're ever on the East Side and vist Belleville for whatever reason, peep out the Shrine's fried cod fish sandwich plate. It is to die for! They serve it in rye bread, with tomota and lettuce and it will give your taste buds a work out!...local actor/singer Chuck Flowers is doing his thing singing in the Lou on both sides of the water...my SIUE colleague Damon Green is having a listening party this Saturday for local singing girl group SOSY (pronounced Saucy) at the Formula from 6 pm until 10 pm...Oh and thanks to Terrance Cochran for hipping me to how to do a hot link. LOL

Well, I guess that will cover it for now. If you have anything that you want for me topost, cover or talk about, feel free to hit me up at maatspear@yahoo.com.

OUT 27

Happy 2006 to all of my cyberfans. Its been good and hope that you all are still on your New Years resolutions and havent broke any of them yet. One of mine is to make this blogsite one of the hottest sites in the Lou. Another is to keep my blogs more concise and reader friendly. Those who have been keeping up with it say that they enjoy it and want me to keep pushing the envelope with it. And as they say in America, as well as the O'Jays, give the people what they want!

Well for starters, I didnt do too much on New Year's Eve. I chilled out and didnt go celebrating as some club. One of my friends, Ramey, says that his lady went to Chi-Town and peeped out Teena Marie for New years. I'm sure that was hot to death. OK lets get all into it.

Last week, I started my journey last Friday when I attended the Black Rep premiere of the Tony Award winning play, "Caroline or Change" about a black maid, Caroline, played excellently by Anita Jackson, who works for a Jewish family, The Gellmans in the 1960s and her inner turmoil of being a maid (the pic of the play is the one in the center). This play, has to be the best play that the Black Rep has put on its stage ever since Ive been reviewing plays for publications five years ago. And I am not putting that out there lightly. The 10 plus cast also includes Jazz diva, Denise Thimes as Dottie, Caroline's friend; local gospel singer Karen Hylton, as The Moon; R&B chanteuse Coco Soul as The Washing Machine; and new sensation, Naima Carter, who plays Emmie, Caroline's oldest daughter. Great singing, great story and dramatics goes on in this 2 1/2 hour extravaganza. Opening night was packed to the raptors from the balcony to the floor! I wouldnt have minded seeing this play for all of its run (until early Feb). I would not be surprised that this play would be the one to beat at the Black Rep's annual Woodie Awards. To check it out, call, 314-727-0888 and tell them that Ma'at recommended you see this play! Afterward, I went to a house party for a guy named Darrin at a loft on Washington downtown who was going away to be a fireman. Well, I hope that he doesn't breathe on the fires that he puts out cause homeboy was sho-nuff lit with octane when he left the party. But congrats to him. It was about 1:30 in the morning and I decided to meet up with my boy Kameron to catch the last few minutes of First Friday that was held at the Ritz Carton in Clayton. I need to get there as extremely late again cause for one, its free after midnite and everybody is still hanging out after the party is over. I saw a few celebs like Fox 2 sports guy Rob Desir and rapper Chingy. And speaking of Chingy, he has been bulking it up at Ballys in Clayton for the past two weeks. Its so funny to see him without his hip-hop drag cause without it, he looks like a little boy trying to lift weights. He was chilling with three guys in his posse trying to get him in shape. It has been interesting cause with him being so skinny and the guys that he hangs wioth being buffed and ripped, I'm sure Ching a ling must be intimidated. It was also tripped out when Chingy and his boyz left out one night and the Bally music machine started playing his rap vamp on Houston's song, "I like That." That was too funny.

On Saturday, I checked out some of the Health Fair that was going on at the America's Center. My boy Kameron was at the Ballys booth giving free 10 minute messages for people. I have never seen him in action, but my boy had foilks hypnotized with his messages. They were in a trance! It was too deep. I checked out the scene a little bit seeing who was there. I saw SIUE buddy Damon Green who was there with his organization, Missouri Foundation for Health. he was rappin to me about his idea to create an artist development company in the Lou. Yes! Yes! Yes! That is definitely needed!. I was telling him that its so many people in the LOu who look at Nelly and Chingy and say, "Hey I can do that." But they fail to realize that it takes more than a dream to get in teh game. It takes, skill , drive, and longevity--and a gooooood lawyer. Okay. I also saw Annie Burks of Flymusic. She just had her baby (A beautiful baby girl) and she was at the Oxygen Network booth who was giving 30 minute messages and a aerobics class to its patrons. She said that she was trying to raise ends for her trip to USC to go to film school. I'm glad she is still grinding. She also had a spritual experience after her message when she bursted out crying!. She was like it was the first time that she has had some time to herself since her child wa sborn and to have a message like she had was movinbg for her. Whoa! That's heavy.They also had other health related booths like 24 Hour Fitness, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Lupus Foundation and Wild Oats Market. Eternity Restirant was also there giving away free samples of their veggie dishes. They also had a mainsatge going on giving talks about various health issues like diabetes. What was funny , well, shall I say unfunny was when the host of the Mainstage, comedian Thor Ramsey was bombing more than Iraq! If my mamma would have saw him, she would had said, Oooh, I'm so shame for him. He had one funny joke when he said, why is it when you go to a brand new Wal-mart, its clean, but when you leave, its dirty. Now that got a chuckle out of me, but after that---flatline. The health fair's celeb that day was wrestler, Diamond Dalls Page (who is pictured on the right of my blog), who I hear is suing Jay Z for the Rockafella symbol. He was giving tips on yoga and to pub up his new book, "Yoga for Regular Guys." It was interesting to see a man who is famous for screaming at his challengers try to speak to "civilized" people about a quiet sport of yoga. I also met an interesting brother and sister team, Andrew and Allison Zanowsky who was promoting a tasty protein shake called Max Muscle. They were stationed right next to Ballys. I struck up a conversation with them (Allison was giving you light skinned black girl for real) and they are building a Max Muscle shop in front of Ballys in Dorsett in February. Kudos to them 9and to Allison for wearing that string thong while getting a message from kam--ooops!) Later on that night, I checked out the new Jazz Loft on Washington, catacorner to Club Seven and next to the Amoco there> I was really feeling this spot. When I got there, they had a b-day party for the Capricorns there. It was free to get in and everybody was getting their elecrtic slide on . The first person I noticed there was my boy Pete Foggy and his cuzzo up in there chillin. I barely recognized him cause my sunglasses started to fog up from being in the chill outside, but I wa sable to maintain and started my way through the crowd. I also ran into gospel singer Joseph George was clean as a sheet of paper with that white Lutha suit he was sportin. he was up in there serenading the b-day girls up in the joint. And he then said to me, "You;re a bad man." I didnt know what he meant by that, but I took it as a compliment. I then walked to one of the VIP areas and ran into Christiaan who was chillin with his friends. He told that Joel" Mr Theater" King was also up in there and I saw him getting his Fantasy Slide up in there (Too much playing) I talked to my buddy Curtis (what's up with the white Hummer dude!)who was coming up in therr with his out of town buddy Paul. We all chilled up in the VIP like the VIPers we were. I tried calling Kam but he didnt answer his celly (He was probably poope dfrom all thos emessages he was laying down earlier that day). It was hella up in there and the Dee-jay up in there, named Sounds, was mixing hip-hop and house giving yopu straigt up Chi-town up in there. American Idol finalist and East Boogie boy Deandre Perryman (hope I'm spelling your last name right) was up in the building (damn dude, you staright up diesel with the muscles now!) who serenaded the Capricorn sistas up in there with "Happy Birhday" (the traditional one not the Stevie version). Now my thing was like, he was doing his thing, and some fo the crowd started to boo! Now what was up with that. That was not cute. That was ugly! Fortunately, the claps drowned out the boos. He then came up to me and asked how he performed and I told him he was on the mark. Keep up the good work and tell your manager to send me that info on your upcoming stuff! We all left out of there and decided to go to another spot, but I jetted cause a brother wa sgetting hungry at 2 in the morning, so I trekked to Club Illusion to get that dirty rice and fried chicken, awww, talk about finger lickin!

TIDBITZ. Next Wednesday, I will be doing a photo shoot for Anhueser Busch's Brewery Tours for their billboards and mags in the STL area as well in markets such as New Jersey, and Florida... Check my stories on author JK Dennis and the Black rep at www.westendword.com.... Model Carlos Mclaurin's Busch spread in mags and bilklboards will be up next month. The local movie Pieces of a Dream, (you can get mor of a descript at imbd.com and type in Pieces of a Dream) that was filmed in Alton , Ill, last fall will be premeiring ion Chi-town in February and St, Louis in MArch from what I hear. it was the flick directed by Alton born Skee Skinner and starred some of STL's actors inclduing Joel King, Dennis Lebby and kid actor Tre'von Griffith(who can now be seen in Caroline or Change).... The Adam's Mark and the Pavillion hotels will be the site for the Martin Luther King Celebration. Celebs like Judge Mabeline and Omar Tyree will be in town on various panels and a hair show that will be going down thsi coming up weekend. For more info contact Gary Boyd at 314-514-0678 and peep out their website at stlmlkdream.com.... Kudos to East Boogie native Reginald Hudlin for his new gig as head of programming at BET. I can see it now, a marathon of all the flicks he and brother Warrington directed or produced on the network. I hope he can do more original programming to uplift our people beside the Laffy Taffy videos and gutter comedy.... Much love to St. Louis American Entertainment Editor Bill beene for holdinghis won when he rebuttled a member of the Slu Crew on Sunday Morning Live last Sunday on a segment called "Responsibility of the Media." It all started when Beene talked about Big Will, a rapper from the Slu Crew, who went on 106 and park (he was also the one who battled Scooby at the Jay Z concert at the UMB Bank Pavillion two years ago) and he was winning the show's Freestyle Friday segments (he has now retired and has become a 106 and Park Free style Rapper Hall of Fame inductee) and Beene wrote about Big Will saying he is good but therr are other rappers doing ther thing as well and he isnt THE ONE. Well, Big Will didnt like what Beene had to say and he made it known to him at a Unity PArty that STL rapper Ebony eyez threw at Dreams Shante threatening Beene to not write about him the way he did. Well, Ive been knowing Beene for years, even worked with him, and I know Beene wasnt going to stand for that. A Challenge! Thats what hip-hop journalism is all about.. Well, he did and thats what brewed up the debate on Deneen Busby's Sunday Mornming Live show. I say that it was good dialogue. More stuff like that should be addressed and it brings more attention to the ST. Lousi Amerian, Bill Will and Slu Crew, and as they say in the biz, "any publicty is good publicty!."

A HUH FOR YA? What was up with a sista on the Tony Scott Breaking Crew Show this Thursday who was reppin her shop, Butterfly Braids, during the Crew's remote show and said that she can braid hair faster than those Africans! Huh? What was up with that? Sista, arent you African, I mean, your ancestors came from Africa. See, that is too much playing and for her to say it on air was downtright puzzling!

Well, that will do it for me. Until teh next time, Stay in teh mix in 2006 (God thats corny).