Usher picks up where he left off in 2004 with more awards
Usher's monsterous year of winning awards after awards last year seems to continue in the new year of 2005 with 2 more awards for his mantle.
The reigning R&B singer/songwriter was the big winner (along with Sheryl Crow) in the 31st Annual People's Choice Awards, held last night (Jan. 9) in Pasadena, Calif. The R&B superstar took home the award for Favorite Male Singer and shared the favorite combined forces honor with rappers Lil Jon and Ludacris for his single 'Yeah!'Also winning on the night was Usher's duet partner on his hit 'My Boo', Alicia Keys, who took home the Favorite Female Singer award, while Irish rockers U2 won for Favorite Musical Group. Sheryl Crow's rendition of Cat Stevens 'First Cut Is the Deepest' was chosen as the favorite remake.
For the first time in its 31 year history, the People's Choice Awards were decided solely by Internet voting. More than 21 million votes were cast for this year's winners in music, film and television categories.
source: billboard.com
__________________________________________________________________Martin Luther King birthday celebrations
The struggle is still ongoing in today's society but back in the 60s it was unpresented and the biggest of the fighters for black human civil rights, was Martin Luther King.
Mr. King was killed in 1968 and in the early 80s singer Stevie Wonder protest his birthday to be a national holiday and won. Since then Mr King's day has been celebrated on the 3rd Monday of January with various parades throughout the world and Miami is no exception.
The 26th Annual Martin Luther King Parade is celebrated to share the richness of African American culture and to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his involvement in promoting equality among all cultures. As being an event in commemoration of the Black History Month, everyone within the City of Miami will experience African American art, live music, and entertainment for people of all ages. It is an educational experience, conveying a positive message of peace, harmony and equality for everyone to enjoy.
- Source: ci.miami.fl.us
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Locals come together for 'Soul on 7th Ave'
Whether it’s the Blues, Poetry, BBQ, Junkanoo, Fried Fish or Art with a funky vibe, local restaurants, businesses, artists and musicians participate in an evening that promises to be full of surprises.
The event in question is the Soul on 7th Ave and it takes place the last Friday of every month between 54th and 62nd Streets on 7th Avenue right here in Miami. The event is sponsored by Miami-Dade, Miami Dade Community College, the Vanguards of 7th Avenue, and Tools for Change, Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation, Timbuktu Market Place, BlackHistoryTours.com and the Liberty City Community Based Organizations to stimulate the economy in Liberty City. It's a evening of full of food, music and fun so see you there.
- Source: ci.miami.fl.us
The lady 'Boss' pulls out of Cosmetic venture__________________________________________________________________
Supremes singer Diana Ross has pulled her support from her upcoming cosmetics line. London's Sunday Mail reports that Ross has backed out of a multi-million dollar partnership with Mac Cosmetics to promote her makeup line.
Sources say Ross pulled out of the deal because she hated the names of the colors picked out for the collection. A Mac insider told the Mail that, "There is tons of publicity planned (including) parties, events and television." The insider went on to add: "They're trying to convince Diana to be part of it
again."
A Mac spokesman says that plans are still underway announcing that, "We're launching worldwide (at the end of the month) with photo (ads) and products." A spokesman for Ross refused to comment. Ross was originally supposed to appear in all the commercials and print
ads for the line. It's still unclear as to whether Ross has filmed her commercial spots already
- Source: spotlightonR&B.com