On November 20, 2006 Gerald, was found dead bedside in his home. It seemed that his death was caused by a heart attack but it was later found out that it was because of a fatal combination of prescription narcotics and over-the-counter drugs.

Gerald Levert was apart of the R&B group LSG, alongside Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill and trio Sean Levert and Marc Gordon. You may know his brother from the group The O’Jays. Gerald had 3 children, one which appeared on MTV’s Super Sweet Sixteen.

On December 20, 2006 Gerald, Chaka Chan and Carl Thomas were nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo Or Group With Vocals for their collaboration on “Everyday (Family Reunion).” He won but had passed before he could accept the award– his brother accepted it on his lte brothers behalf.

Gerald Levert released 10 solo albums and wrote songs for artists like Barry White, Stephanie Mills, Teddy Pendergrass, James Ingram, The Winans and The O’Jays.

Gerald Levert had a truly incredible voice and is heavily missed by his family and fans!

Download Gerald Levert’s single “Can It Stay” here.

Here is one of my favorite LSG songs/ performances:

Gerald Levert was featured on Chris Rock’s- No Sex In The Champaigne Room

Cassanova was one of Gerald Leverts number 1 hits:

Mack 10 Hooks Up With Weezy On “Soft White”

You know it’s officially summer in Baltimore with the kickoff of the 2010 African American Heritage Festival at the M&T Bank Stadium. The eventful weekend opened its gates Friday afternoon at 4 and is scheduled to continue until Sunday evening. And it’s FREE before 4 pm.

Vendors from all over the city are stationed here for the weekend. There’s great food, fun, clothing, more fun, art exhibits, rides for the kids, extreme fun and of course LIVE MUSIC!

Friday’s lineup included the queen of DMV Paula Campbell, Ryan Leslie and Robin Thicke. Ryan Leslie rocked the crowd with “Addicted” and Robin Thicke wooed the ladies with heavy-hitting tracks from his latest album Sex Therapy.

Saturday Patti Labelle guest hosted the concert with performances from Leela James, Marsha Ambrosius (formerly of Floetry), and Fantasia. The legendary Patti Labelle graced Baltimore with her presence by bringing Fantasia on the stage. Both Leela and Fantasia were disturbed by the non-paying concert goers being kept behind a gate and made it their job to include them in the show. Leela walked off the stage and into the crowd hugging fans and kissing babies. Fantasia demanded the gates be removed and told thousands of screaming fans to come up to the stage.

Come out to enjoy the sights, wonderful sounds and delicious smells.

Check out some of the performances here:

Ryan Leslie

Robin Thicke

Fantasia

Marsha Ambrosius

Gallery photos courtesy of Edith Williams of Diamond Digital Portraits, Robin Razzi and Stevie Robinson.

For more information on the AAHF, click here.

Nearly 15,000 people heard the former president, known more for mangling the English language than for his eloquence, reminisce about his White House days. Bush, who is writing a book about the dozen toughest decisions he had to make, used much of his 28 minutes onstage to talk about lighter topics such as picking out a rug design for the Oval Office that reflected his “optimism.”

Perhaps in a nod to his dismal 22 percent approval ratings when he left office, Bush noted that “popularity is fleeting. . . . It’s not real.”

He beamed at the standing ovations from the friendly hometown crowd — he now lives in nearby Dallas.

Looking younger than his 63 years and relaxed, Bush did not appear to have an overarching theme, but strung anecdotes and jokes together and frequently mentioned his faith in God.

“I don’t see how you can be president without relying on the Almighty. Now when I was 21, I wouldn’t have told you that, but at age 63, I can tell you that one of the most amazing surprises of the presidency was the fact that people’s prayers affected me. I can’t prove it to you. But I can tell you some days were great, some days not so great. But every day was joyous.” That, he attributed, to the prayers of others.

His speech came after the crowd at the “GET MOTIVATED!” seminar stood up and danced to the Beach Boys’ song “Surfin’ USA” and batted around beach balls tossed into the audience.

The well-publicized event appears to mark the beginning of a higher profile for Bush.

Just last week he gave three speeches in Canada, and he has joined the Washington Speakers Bureau. He is scheduled to give another motivational speech next month in San Antonio. Former presidential adviser Karen Hughes said he has “quite a few speeches planned” during the fall.

Source: newsone.com

To read more, click here.

Check out this video: The Best of George W Bush

“Joining me now to talk about this and the nation’s real problem of joblessness, the Reverend Al Sharpton,” Brewer said.

“I’m Reverend, Jesse Jackson,” Jackson replied.

“Right, I’m so sorry,” an embarrassed Brewer responded. “The script in front of me said ‘Reverend Al Sharpton.’ I’m looking at your face. I know who you are, Reverend Jackson, we all do. I’m sorry.”

Source: huffingtonpost.com

As reported by eonline.com, U.S. District Court Judge Dale S. Fischer said that she watched both Rock’s film and Regina Kimbell’s 2006 offering “My Nappy Roots” and didn’t see significant similarities. “Good Hair” is now given the clear to go for a wide release.

Kimbell claims Rock copied the concept of his film from her idea. “My Nappy Roots” was named best documentary at the Hollywood Black Film Festival in 2007.

She requested for a preliminary injunction to thwart the limited release of “Good Hair” on October 9. The bid was denied and Rock’s film took $1.7 million in theaters.

She is seeking at least $5 million and wants the comedian and HBO Films to credit her film as the inspiration behind their project.

Watch the movie trailer.

Via: Elev8.com

From NewsOK.com

ENID – Thousands flocked to a Southern Baptist church in this Garfield County city Sunday to hear a Gospel message from the son of a radical Islamic group leader.

Mosab Hassan Yousef, whose father is a member of Hamas, told crowds at Emmanuel Baptist Church that he turned from Islam to Christianity after being drawn to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, among other Scriptures.

A Palestinian who has been living in America since 2006, Yousef said the words were a salve to his soul.

“I saw that Jesus says ‘Love your enemies,’” he said. “I waited and waited and thought about it for a long time.”

The Rev. Wade Burleson, Emmanuel’s senior pastor, said Yousef’s presentation drew about 3,000 people to the church’s three morning services.

An evening question-and-answer session with the former Muslim also drew a large crowd.

“He is refreshing to be around because Christianity has cost him everything, but there is an inner joy that temporal things cannot bring,” Burleson said.

The preacher said the church did not publicize Yousef’s appearance out of concern for his safety and that of attendees. He said he decided to ask Yousef to speak after seeing a Fox News story about him several months ago. (Watch below)