December 15, 2016
Complied by Shonassee Shaver
Contributing Writer
Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) performs at farewell concerts on his Run A Circle In A Straight Line Tour
Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) bids farewell to music and his U.S. fans with final performances on his Run A Circle In A Straight Line tour, a finality of his performing career. He performed at The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on December 13th and at The Crest Theatre in Sacramento on December 14th. The final shows will take place at the Apollo Theater on December 21st and at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. from Dec. 31st through January 2nd. Considered one of the most talented and influential MC's to date, he will perform songs from old classics to new and will create unique music performances nightly for fans. Bey dropped a new album with producer Ferrari Sheppard for his December 99th project and will release two additional albums: Negus in Natural Person and As Promised with Mannie Fresh. In January 2016, Bey was ordered to leave South Africa and not return for five years, having outstayed a tourist visa granted in May 2013. He was charged with using an unrecognized World Passport and having lived illegally in South Africa since 2014. Bey announced his retirement from the American music business early this year. After these final U.S. performances, he will return to Africa to focus on his arts, culture and lifestyle collective, A Country Called Earth (ACCE) which he founded with Ferrari Sheppard (www.acountrycalledearthcom) in 2014. Yasiin Bey will also continue to pursue his newly found artistic form of expression as a painter.
Music Superstar Kelly Rowland gets candid on motherhood in her first book “Whoa, Baby!”
Multi-talented recording artist, actress, and executive producer Kelly Rowland will add author to her long list of accomplishments with the upcoming release of her first book, “Whoa, Baby!”: A Guide for New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out (And Wonder What the #*@& Just Happened). Rowland writes a parenting book for first-time mothers, based on her own experience with her son Titan Jewell. According to the book synopsis, “[Rowland] was a little freaked out about what had happened to her body and the overwhelming new thoughts and emotions” after she gave birth to her son. The book will explore all aspects of motherhood, reports eurweb.com. The book, co-authored by her personal OB-GYN Dr. Tristan Emily Bickman, will be published by Da Capo Lifelong Books and hit shelves on Tuesday, March 28th. “Dr. Bickman and I wanted to create an answer to what to expect after childbirth. No one told me what to expect physically, emotionally, or mentally,” Kelly explains. “The purpose of Whoa, Baby! is to comfort the mother and give her knowledge of what’s going on with her. We cover everything!” When Kelly gave birth to her son Titan, it was love at first sight but she was also a little freaked out about what happened to her body—not to mention the overwhelming new thoughts and emotions. In Whoa, Baby!, Rowland and her OB-GYN Dr. Bickman team up to cover everything a first-time mom needs to know: the gross physical stuff, the hormonal and emotional stuff, and the just plain weird stuff. Whoa, Baby! is often hilarious and always honest and down-to-earth. From falling asleep with the pump on to swollen legs and lack of sleep, Rowland and Dr. Bickman cover every surprising challenge that new moms face. “Whoa, Baby!” is available for pre-order via Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Powells.com and decapopress.com.
Boyz II Men release new music from upcoming Holiday Special, “The Snowy Day” on Amazon, premiered by Essence Magazine
Iconic R&B trio, Boyz II Men are back with new holiday music. With classic Christmas song “Let It Snow” featuring Brian McKnight, the trailblazing group returns just in time with a holiday special, “The Snowy Day,” debuting on Amazon Original holiday special. Essence Magazine premiered “Snowy Day,” stating, “The track includes the same smooth vocals we've come to love from the group... ‘Snowy Day’ wraps around you like a blanket and makes you yearn for a cozy night with family.” “The Snowy Day” is an animated holiday special based on the award-winning book by Ezra Jack Keats. The book is well-known as one of the first picture books to feature an African-American protagonist, has won many awards, including the Caldecott medal–one of the highest honors in children’s literature, and was included in the Library of Congress’ list of “Books that Shaped America.” The special follows Peter, a young boy in a red snowsuit, as his mother sends him on an adventure to Nana’s house to retrieve their traditional Christmas mac and cheese dinner. Enjoying the snowy day along the way, Peter encounters friends from the neighborhood, including storekeepers and bakers to the older boys he admires – and a group of acapella singers voiced by Boyz II Men. When the neighborhood comes together to celebrate new traditions with Peter and his family, Peter realizes that the true meaning of the holiday is who you spend it with. Narrated by Laurence Fishburne (“Black-ish” and “The Matrix”) and featuring voice talent by Regina King (“American Crime”), Jamie-Lynn Sigler (“The Sopranos”), and Angela Bassett (“American Horror Story”), the special was executive produced by Fishburne and Helen Sugland (“Akeelah and the Bee”). “We are thrilled to be a part of Amazon’s holiday special this season,” said Boyz II Men founder, Nathan Morris. “We hope our fans can enjoy ‘Snowy Day’ with their family and friends as they celebrate this Thanksgiving.” Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, Boyz II Men, remains the best-selling R&B group of all time, with over 64 million albums sold. In 2013, the trio started their acclaimed Las Vegas residency at the Mirage Hotel & Casino. “Snowy Day” are available exclusively to download and stream on Amazon Music, both Amazon Music Unlimited and Prime Music.