LE'ANDRIA JOHNSON & SNOOP DOG 2018 GOSPEL/ HIP HOP TOUR (27 CITIES) - (MY IDEA)

LE'ANDRIA JOHNSON & SNOOP DOG 2018 GOSPEL/ HIP HOP TOUR (28 CITIES)-(MY IDEA):

***** PROJECT IDEA - FULL MUSICAL TOUR OF GOSPEL/ HIP HOP ARTISTS, HEADLINED BY GOSPEL SINGER LE'ANDRIA JOHNSON & HIP HOP LEGEND SNOOP DOG.

***** DATES: AUGUST THROUGH NOVEMBER 2018

***** OBJECTIVE:

THIS 28 CITY, SOLD-OUT TOUR WILL BE USED TO INTEGRATE GOSPEL AND HIP HOP MUSIC TO REACH ALL AGES, ESPECIALLY PASSIONATE GENERATION Y POPULATION MUSIC LOVERS.

*******GET OUT THE VOTE:

THIS MULTI-CULTURAL MUSICAL TOUR WILL ALSO BE USED TO REGISTER VOTERS FOR THE 2020 NATIONAL POLITICAL ELECTIONS.

****** ELIMINATING POVERTY:

AT EACH LOCATION A CANNED FOOD DRIVE WILL BE HELD TO HELP FEED THE POOR.

CONCERT GOERS CAN BRING ONE CAN OF FOOD EACH TO DEPOSIT INTO LARGE BINS.
THOSE BINS WILL LATER BE TRANSPORTED TO FOOD BANKS IN EACH CITY.

FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES CAN ALSO BE DONATED.

******* LOCATIONS:

ATLANTA, GA
ATHENS, GA
AUSTIN, TX
BALTIMORE, MD
BROOKLYN, NY
MANHATTAN, NY
CHARLOTTE, NC
CLEVELAND, OH
COLUMBIA, SC
COLLEGE PARK, MD
DETROIT, MI
DURHAM, NC
GREENSBORO, NC
LAS VEGAS, NV
LONG ISLAND, NY
LOS ANGELES, CA
MEMPHIS, TENN
MIAMI, FL
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN
NEW ORLEANS, LA
NEWARK, NJ
ONTARIO, CANADA
PORTLAND, OR
RALEIGH, NC
SELMA, AL
TORONTO, CANADA
TULSA, OK
WASHINGTON, DC


Post Sources: BET, Christian Post, Youtube


~ ~ ~ Le'Andria Johnson's Pastor Asks Church Not to Ostracize Gospel Star for 'Misguided Passion'


Gospel singer Le'Andria Johnson's pastor, Tim Rogers, says her irreverent criticism of the Church was "misguided passion" and he hopes Christians don't "throw her away altogether" because there is a place for her in the Kingdom.

"The Bible says if a brother be overtaken in a fault, if you're really spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness considering yourself," Rogers, a fellow gospel singer who leads The Hope Church in Blytheville, Arkansas, told The Christian Post earlier this week.

"A lot of preachers have called me to say she said things that they can't say. And they are sick of the politics of the church. Me and her did have a talk about her passion being guided because that's what I understand that it was the other day. It was misguided passion," he added.

Johnson won the hearts of Christians nationwide with her talent and candor when she won the BET gospel singing competition "Sunday Best" eight years ago.

Her turn in the spotlight has been punctuated by behavior that some Christians say is unbecoming for someone who professes to be a practicing Christian.

Johnson recently slammed the Church and Bishop Marvin Winans in a scathing expletive-laced critique. She also vented her frustrations with a Christian culture she described as hypocritical. Her outburst caused her to lose a booking for the recently concluded Essence Festival in New Orleans.

"You know what I'm tired of though? ... I'm tired of being Le'Andria Johnson that y'all know of," she said. "And Ima tell you like this: I could be on a Kirk Franklin level. I could be on a Mary level. Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond. All the gospel greats ... all the R&B. Beyoncé, Brandy. ... If I played the game, I could really be on that level. I could, but I'm not 'bout playin' no games, though."

It was after that outburst that Essence organizers reportedly removed Johnson from a slated tribute to Dottie Peoples. She said she wasn't going to pretend to be someone she wasn't just to become a gospel superstar and called out Church leaders for being hypocritical while dismissing the Church as a business.

Johnson apologized on Monday for her delivery but remained unrepentant about her criticism of the machinery behind Christian culture.

"You know Christianity, it's just a lot that's going on. So the way I said it, using the F-bomb, I apologize to the fans of mine that do go to church. I do apologize if I've offended you," she said.

Rogers explained that while he had not seen the videos of Johnson's rants online, he spoke with her about them and said he encouraged the apology.

"She is a member of our church. So she called me and she told me what happened. She told me what she said. She asked me did I look at it. She told me she was coming home to come to church. We had a chance to sit down. I know Le'Andria. I know her heart. A lot of people in the world they only know her by her gifting. And this is something I'm learning about the Church," he said.

"The Church will accept your gifts but they really don't want that person. That's why when the person is singing you ignore the gifts. And the gift is alright. It makes us feel good until we know who you really are. Le'Andria is a nice person. She means well. She just doesn't have a filter. And she has a lot of learning to do," he said.

"I think she is a wonderful person and I still think she has a place in the kingdom. She just doesn't fit well in a box. And you know religion has a way of boxing you in that you can only be this. You can never be anything other than that. In order to be accepted in this circle you can only be this and you can only talk like this. Well Le'Andria is not that person. But she's learning. I just hope the church doesn't throw her away altogether," Rogers said.

Alicia Keys Falls Flat @ 2010 Essence Music Fest. (Video)

Alicia Keys Falls At Festival


Alicia Keys fell over whilst on stage at a festival this weekend, according to reports.

But the pregnant singer was luckily unhurt in the incident at the Essence Festival in New Orleans.

A source told the Media Take Out website: “She had on high heels and never seemed to have her balance all night. And as she was walking across the stage she slipped and fell.

“She just kept singing on the ground, like a real pro.”

Keys announced that she was pregnant in May and also confirmed that she is engaged to producer Swizz Beats.


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Sources: Essence, MTV, Straight From The A, World Star Hip Hop, Youtube, Google Maps

Janet Jackson Rocks 2010 Essence Music Fest., Performs "Discipline"

Janet Jackson Rocks Essence Fest In New Orleans


Janet Jackson, Trey Songz, Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, Earth, Wind and Fire.

There was something for all ages at the Essence Music Festival Sunday night as it closed its 16th annual celebration of empowerment, enlightenment and entertainment in the Louisiana Superdome.

"Mary Jane Blige tore it up," said Kevia Stroder, of Richmond, Texas. "That's what's up! No More Drama in my life."

Stroder said Blige sang from the heart. "She gave her soul during the performance and kept the crowd on their feet."

The Grammy Award-winning singer had two surprise guests for the audience: Trey Songz, who performed as the night's opening act, came back on stage and electrified the crowded Superdome even more with their duet, "We Got Hood Love."

T.I., known as the King of the South, later joined Blige on stage for a few songs, elevating an already high-energy act when he rapped on her song, "Good Love."

"That brought me to my feet even more," Stroder said. "When they came out, I was like 'Wow!' It was a great experience."

Jill Scott took the audience on a soulful trip, through a song list that included "Crown Royal," "Long Walk," "Hate on Me," and "The Way You Love Me."

"I really liked the different feel she did with it," said Brittany Reid of LaPlace, La. "She did this kind of opera version and she had to laugh at herself because she knew she was doing it. We were really feeling her."

Earth, Wind and Fire was the three-day event's last act and for some, well worth the wait.

"This has been a long time coming," said Seressa Allen of Atlanta. "They needed to be here and they need to come back next year."

Earlier Sunday, spirit-filled worship rang through New Orleans' convention center as part of a star-studded program honoring Pastor Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin and Bishop Paul S. Morton and Pastor Debra Morton of Greater St. Stephen's Full Gospel Baptist Church.

Thousands packed a seminar hall to hear Pastor Marvin Winans' sermon and performances by Marvin Sapp, Ledisi, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Juanita Bynum and The Clark Sisters.

Michelle Walker, of Columbia, S.C., said everything about the festival was awesome, from the uplifting and inspirational moments at the gospel tribute to the useful information received at the education summit and seminars on relationships.

"The spirit and atmosphere is so easy," she said. "There's nothing negative about it. Total strangers are coming up to you and embracing you. It's a good way to spend the Fourth of July."

"This has been an absolutely great and wonderful experience," said Angela Eubanks, of Durham, N.C., while standing in line at one of the festival sponsors' booths, steps away from the tribute area. "There's so much packed into just a few days."

First-time festival-goer James Palmer, of Atlanta, watched hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh perform on one stage in the convention center while actor Boris Kodjoe signed autographs in an area nearby. Both areas were surrounded by fans standing 10-to-12 deep. "I think this is just an awesome event," he said.

Of the acts he'd seen so far, Palmer said Janet Jackson's performance Friday night in the Louisiana Superdome was most memorable for him. "I don't think anyone is going to top that. I'm definitely returning," he said, smiling.

Jerome Lykes of New York, another first-timer, said he loved Charlie Wilson's act on Friday the most. "He's gone through so much in his life and to see him come through that adversity is really a testament to those struggling with drugs or whatever and example of look where I was and look where I am now," he said.

Annette Cardoza, of Toronto, said this is the third time she and her husband had experienced the festival.

"This is a way for us to embrace our people," she said. "All of this," she said gesturing around the environment, "we don't have in Canada. Everyone's happy to be around each other, happy to come together. The unity is just amazing."

Regina Tilley, 16, of Watson, La., said she, too, was having a fabulous time.

"It's a good way for people from all over to get together and have a good time," she said.

Tilley was at the festival's marketplace with her mom, Theresa Tilley, and 17-year-old sister, Stephanie.

Stephanie Tilley said the event is not just entertaining but also cultural. "It really makes you proud of who you are as a black person," she said. "It's an inspiration and one of the reasons why we came to check it out."

Throughout the event, fest-goers were treated to cooking demonstrations by chef G. Garvin, book-signings by several renowned authors and opportunities to experience Ford's new line of vehicles

Alicia Burbank, of Snellville, Ga., said the convention atmosphere was a nice prelude to the closing night's performances.

"There's such a family feel here where you can come and enjoy yourself, stress-free, while supporting the businesses, whether that's food or retail," she said. "There's just enough activity to keep you wanting more and making you want to come back so that next time you can do something you didn't have a chance to do this time."


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Sources: AP, CBS News, Essence, Rap-Up.com, Straight From The A, Youtube, Google Maps

Michelle Obama and her Mother Marian Robinson Covers Essence Magazine

Once again First Lady Michelle Obama graces a magazine cover with her illuminating presence. However on the May issue of Essence magazine she also appears with her mother Marian Robinson.

The Huffington post provides us with an excerpt from the interview Mrs. Obama and her Mother granted Essence.

Check out some of their quotes on Women's issues and Parenting below:

"FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA ON...

* ADVANCING THE ROLE OF WOMEN WORLDWIDE: "We have to talk about flex hours and exercise and nutrition and health and what that means. And we have to talk about values, and about our relationships with men. All of those are part of the conversation that I think we need to have, not just in this country but around the world."

* combating stereotypical images of African-American women: "The women in videos and the stereotypes are just not the truth of who we are as a community. We already know that because we are living these lives every single day. It's nice to have this reminder in the White House, but I would say we don't need it...all you need to do is look around your own community and you will see this same family in churches and in schools."


MRS. MARIAN ROBINSON ON...
* advice on raising children: "The main thing that I think needs to be taught to children is the ability to think and make decisions. You don't have to have a lot of information, but you have to know how to get through the process. If you make mistakes you don't [just] decide I will never do that again."


* enjoying life in the White House: "...I really am. You want to know why? Because my children are good parents. It makes it very easy to be a grandmother when your children are good parents."



Sources: Essence, Huffington Post