In honor of Erykah Badu's album release, I thought I would repost something I had on the site a few months back. It's a list of my five favorite Badu songs to date.  In stores today is Ms. Badu's latest, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War). It's her first album in 5 years.   It's rare that an artist comes along and totally changes the music scene the way Erykah Badu did in the late 90's. Though Mary J. Blige remains my favorite female artist, her contributions to the Black Music experience are not as significant as those made by Dallas' own E. Badu. As my college days progressed, female R&B was dominated by groups like SWV, Total, and Xscape while the aforementioned M.J.B. was just beginning to gain her footing as the queen of hip hop soul. Many of the songs when revisited today have suspect vocals and cookie cutter beats but still jam, if for no other reason than taking you back to where you were when the songs were hot. If there was a precursor to Ms. Badu's brand of "Neo Soul" it would have to be Zhane. The duo's sultry vocals backed by live instruments were unique ...

Dallas, Texas – Grammy Award winning artist and Dallas local, Erykah Badu, will be promoting her new album, New Amerykah, with a Late Night Listening Party and Signing at Bill’s Records and Tapes on Monday, Feb. 25 at 11:00 p.m. The first 100 people to bring a print out of their Myspace profile with Erykah Badu in their top 8 will receive a free ticket to her Jam Session at the House of Blues the following night Tuesday, Feb. 26. Jeff Liles will also be giving away his documentary, “The Last Record Store” featuring Bill Wisner, owner of Bill’s Records and Tapes, to the first 50 people. Located in the South Side on Lamar district of South Dallas, this amazing record store has been in business for almost thirty years. Bill's Records has always been ahead of the curve as evidenced by in store appearances by the legendary Eazy E, Geto Boys and Beastie Boys. The walls are covered with astonishing works of rural folk art, and the rare grooves are stacked to the ceiling. The store still features live in store performances every Saturday afternoon, with ...

Don't forget tonight at 7:00 pm is the screening of Banished at Friendship-West Baptist Church here in Dallas.  I will facilitate a discussion along with Danielle Ayers and Ski Chills regarding the ethnic cleansings that took place across the American South and Midwest.  We will also talk about how communities are still affected and modern day banishments as well. Friendship-West is located at 2020 Wheatland Road.  If you plan to attend, send me an email at shawn@dallassouthblog.com I look forward to seeing you there.

Get your ringside seats to TeCo's annual New Play Competition. Beginning February 14, 2008, six Dallas area playwrights will battle it out for a chance to win $1,000 cash and two roundtrip airline tickets. It's going to be a knock out so get your tickets early! The contenders are: *Ten At The End by Richard Carter Trying may have given them more than what they bargained for *Casting Stones by Paula J. Sanders Three cousins deal with the past and a body in the living room *Come Tomorrow by Alvinette Downing McCleave Take a closer look into to the world of secret agendas and lifestyle changes *Where Dogs Come From by Alex M. G. Burton A faithful representation of where dogs come from *Big Girls Need Love Too by Seneca Wills A gossiping granny and slim devious sister are no match for the full-figured beautiful Cathy *The World's Greatest Gameshow Ever! by linuslynell What would happen if a white suburban mom ended up being blacker than black people? Audience members are given ballots to vote for their favorite production at each performance. On closing night, we tally the votes and award the winning playwright with $1,000 cash and ...

          Steve Harvey is sporting a new look as part of his new "50 and Fly" campaign .  I heard Bro. Steve on his show this week talking about some of the changes  he has recently made in his life resulting in better health and a better outlook. Harvey appears on the cover of the forthcoming issue of Jet Magazine with a look he says was inspired by one of his listeners.  He turns 51 this year and is challenging everyone, including his morning show crew, to take control of their health. Not only is he promoting "50 and Fly" , but also "30 and Tight ", and "40 and Fit." According to the show, Steve has started a new workout program and is adhering to a new diet.  Check out The Steve Harvey Morning Show , featuring Nephew Tommy and the crew weekday mornings on radio stations throughout the country.

Having a young child, it's not often that my wife and I are able to get out and enjoy the city.  Over a 24 hour stretch on Saturday and Sunday, we were able to hit 4 Dallas locations near downtown and just outside the loop. I'd like to recommend all four to anyone looking for new spots to try or places to take friends and family. Texas Caribbean Food @ Southside on Lamar I ran across Texas Caribbean Food two weeks ago just before Christmas.  While there I met the own of the restaurant Ms. Jan Gore, a resident of Oak Cliff,  who made me feel right at home.  Ms. Gore said her theme for 2008 is "share the experience." My first time (and 2nd time) there I had the Jerk Chicken Wings.  When I met my wife there for lunch on Saturday I chose the wings again.  Served with brown rice, the flavorful wings are Texas Caribbean Food's signature dish. Texas Caribbean Food is a great spot for lunch and dinner that has free Wi Fi for laptop users.  Make sure to ask for your green punch card which makes every 5th meal free. 1409 ...

                          Jill Scott is nominated for 3 Grammy Awards .  Her latest album The Real Thing has been a hit with fans as well as critics.  The openness and vulnerability displayed in song by J. Scott answers the question posed by her first album, Who Is Jill Scott? Ms. Scott is nominated in the following categories:  Best R/B Album THE REAL THING: WORDS AND SOUNDS VOL. 3 Best Female R/B Vocal Performance “HATE ON ME” Best Urban/Alternative Performance “DAYDREAMIN” Lupe Fiasco featuring Jill Scott For those who anticipated The Real Thing, we weren't dissappointed.  Hate on Me is one of Jill Scott's best recordings to date.  The album itself explores themes introduced previously in greater detail. The 50th Annual Grammy awards will be held February 10, 2008 and will air on CBS at 7 pm CST.

Pikahsso of PPT fame is everywhere.  Earlier this week I posted his latest video "Faleyah."  Now our man on the street is making waves as a militant movie critic. Pik has entered a movie review segment called the "Militant Movie Moment" into VH1's eCritic contest.  He is one of 3 finalists in VH1's quest to find the best amateur movie critic. The Militant Movie Moment review of Rob Zombie's Halloween can be viewed at the VH1 eCritic Website. While there, you can vote for your favorite local rapper/movie critic.  Voting ends on December 15 and once you sign up for eCritic (takes 30 seconds) you can vote everyday until the deadline. I'm asking everybody to take a moment to click here, watch Pikahsso's review, and cast your vote (daily if possible) for his entry. Verb

December 5, 2007 (Dallas, Texas) – The Underground Hip Hop Academy, a 501(c) nonprofit organization based in Dallas, is hosting a youth outreach event called Break Out 2007. Created by Founder & Director Shanna Poteet, this charity event takes place Saturday December 15th, 2007 from 12pm to 5pm CST at Pike Park Recreation Center outside of Downtown Dallas. As the culmination of a life long vision and continued efforts by Shanna Poteet, the Underground Hip Hop Academy partnered with recreational centers in the city of Dallas for Breakout 2007. Free to the public, the children attending will be partaking in activities centered around the core elements of the Hip Hop culture such as choreographed and/or Freestyle dancing, various forms of spoken word poetry and DJing. There will also be fun workshops for the children as well. Hosted by Music Executive & 2006 Cambridge Who’s Who Finalist Vincent Tucker, Breakout 2007 will also feature appearances and performances by local celebrities and personalities from the Hip Hop community including Headkrack (KBFB-FM 97.9 Radio Personality) and Bruh N Law (of Kin Folk Kru). Phil Jordan, former head of the Drug Enforcement Agency and noted author, will serve as a public speaker discussing ...

In 2004, Bill Cosby sent shockwaves through the black community after a speech that he made at Washington D.C.'s Constitution Hall.  During his talk, Cosby seemed to lash out at Black America in general, poor black people in particular.   In response to Cosby's speech which was reported on by the Washington Post, Michael Eric Dyson wrote a book titled Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind?  Dyson highlights some quotes from Dr. Cosby's speech that made national headlines and angered a certain number of black folks.   From Is Bill Cosby Right? The venerable father figure also lambasted black parents who give their children "names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Muhammad and all that crap.." It (black children) can't speak English.  It doesn't want to speak English.  I can't even talk the way these people talk. (Cosby) Fast forward to the recent release of Come On People:The Path From Victims to Victors by Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D.  Dr. Cosby's website refers to book as "a powerful message for families and communities as they lay out their visions for strengthening America, or for that matter the world." It goes on ...