October 26, 2017

By Amen Oyiboke

Contributing Writer

 

Taste of Soul (TOS) 2017 was nothing short of spectacular. On October 21st, more than 350,000 festivalgoers filled up Crenshaw with high anticipations of soul food, free concert stages, and community fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most popular stages was the KJLH Radio Free Music Stage, presented by Toyota, which had some of Hollywood’s hottest emerging talent.

 

 

 

This year’s line up included performances from Adrian Marcel, Yuna, Kid Capri, MAJOR., Eric Bellinger, RaheemDeVaughn and Lalah Hathaway.

 

 

 

 

 

“We are very excited about the artists performing at this year’s Taste of Soul. KJLH’s history is just like the Sentinel’s history—it’s one about serving the community and always making African Americans the priority. So, we are excited to have KJLH as a part of Bakewell Media’s 12th annual Taste of Soul,” said Danny Bakewell, Sr., creator and founder of Taste of Soul and chairman of Bakewell Media. He believes it’s empowering to have a great partnership with the station.

 

 

 

 

KJLH is no stranger to the Taste of Soul Festival; this year the station made sure to help celebrate TOS’s 12th anniversary with artists who have compassion to empower the community.

 

 

 

 

“I just love Taste of Soul because it’s about building the community and eating good food,” said singer MAJOR., after his performance of his new single “Honest” on the KJLH stage. For the second year in a row, the singer captivated the TOS ’17 crowd with music that literally spoke to the soul, all while singing to audience members individually, while moving in and out of the crowd. “I just want my music to shift culture, I want people to actually listen and find their own voice. That’s what my song ‘Honest’ is about.

 

 

 

 

The day kicked off with popular on air personality Tammie Mac introducing the KJLH gospel choir, followed by singer Yuna, who performed her songs “Crush” and “Best Love”.

 

 

 

“You know this is my first time at Taste of Soul and I just love the family vibe. It reminds me so much of my home in Malaysia,” Yuna said. The Malaysian-born singer-songwriter loved that the atmosphere of TOS is focused on building up unity in such a crucial time, period for the community. “You know, this festival is a way for everyone to just come together and be a big family.”

 

 

 

 

In between performances, KJLH’s own DJ MaL-Ski kept the crowd hyped and focused by spinning some of today’s greatest hits mixed in with Motown classics.

Following the trend of keeping the crowd moving, Eric Bellinger performed his popular hit “I Don’t Want Her”, Kid Capri smashed the DJ tables playing old school classics and Adrian Marcel kept the crowd dancing with his popular hit, “2 AM”.

 

 

But, the change of message and atmosphere came when R&B singer RaheemDeVaughn featuring The CrossRhodes took the stage to perform their latest single “America”.

 

 

It was the perfect gateway to introduce the last and final act of Lalah Hathaway. The GRAMMY Award-winning singer, who is scheduled to release her latest album “Honestly” on November 3rd, used her infectious voice and style to calm the crowd as the final goodnight to the Taste of Soul festivalgoers.

 

 

Category: Arts & Culture

October 19, 2017

Aries  

March 21 – April 19

The week ahead could encourage you to look deep into aspects of your life to find answers to some of your bigger questions. With expansive Jupiter now in your sector of transformation, you might enjoy this process. At the same time, the presence of lovely Venus in your sector of relating encourages you to listen to others and pay attention to their needs as well as your own. The new moon in this same zone could ring in changes regarding a key connection.

 

Taurus

May 21 - Jun 20

With a lovely focus enhancing your relationships, you may find that this very positive blend of energies helps smooth over problems, as well as create opportunities you’ll relish. Meanwhile, lifestyle issues could be very much in the fore, and you may be aware of what needs to be done to get yourself in tiptop shape. This week can be a good time to gather with friends and support each other on a wellness journey. You’ll soon feel motivated to look your best.

 

Gemini

May 21 - Jun 20

Romance could be sweet with luscious Venus now dancing through your leisure zone. If you’ve been working hard, this week can be an excellent time for a short break and a chance to put your relationship on a new and exciting footing. A social event could see you becoming romantically interested in someone. But there are deeper currents as Mercury, your guide planet, enters Scorpio. This could be your cue to connect with someone who can help you reach your full potential regarding your health.

 

Cancer

 Jun 21 - Jul 22

With sociable Venus in your home and family sector, you may have more thoughts of entertaining. This doesn’t have to be a grand occasion, as even a small get-together with close friends or family can be a lot of fun. The cosmos also encourages you to get involved in hobbies and pastimes that you enjoy. Anything that gets your creative juices flowing can be therapeutic and restorative. Later, a desire to get your place shipshape could inspire you to deal with clutter.

 

Leo

Jul 23 - Aug 22

With optimistic Jupiter and chatty Mercury in your home zone, you might be making plans to expand your house or be eager move somewhere that gives you more opportunities. You might even be thinking of buying a property in another country or relocating abroad. Ethnic decor and cuisine could feature in your home, bringing a taste of the exotic your way. This is great, as you’re also in a very positive networking phase. Bringing people together in your home can foster great new relationships.

 

Virgo

Aug 23-Sep 22

The week ahead brings many chances to work on some great deals and opportunities. The people you connect with may be very open-minded and willing to consider some fascinating options. The coming weeks are excellent for marketing your business, using social media, and getting your message out to the world. You’ll also be eager to make a fresh start where finances are concerned. Go easy around Thursday, as an impulsive purchase could prove costly. You might quickly lose interest in the item, too.

 

Libra

Sep 23 - Oct 22

With lovely Venus, your personal planet, now in your sign, you may feel truly in your element. This upbeat influence could encourage you to smooth over any difficulties as well as reach out to others for friendship and support. This week also brings a new moon in your sign, which can mark the start of a new phase. Whatever ideas or projects you have planned, particularly if they’re exciting, should be started on or shortly after Thursday for the best outcome.

 

Scorpio

Oct 23 - Nov 21

Now that lucky Jupiter is in your sign with chatty Mercury, you might begin to feel more relaxed and confident. If an issue has been bugging you for some time, this fortunate influence can encourage you to have faith that it will all work out well. To reach your fullest potential, the cosmos encourages you to release and heal those issues that have been draining you for some time. You’ll be motivated to start by the end of the week.

 

Sagittarius

Nov 22 - Dec 21

With optimistic Jupiter, your personal planet, now in a more secluded sector of your chart, you can learn a lot from your dreams and find success by following your intuition. The coming week, particularly Wednesday, could bring an insight or revelation that helps you move forward with an exciting personal project. Also, the new moon in your social sector brings an opportunity to move in new circles. This is also a good time to connect with someone you sense could become a close friend.

 

Capricorn

Dec 22 - Jan 19

There are plenty of stirrings in your sector of goals and ambitions, especially with delectable Venus encouraging you to lay on the charm. The more gracious and helpful you are to your boss or superior, the more you’ll benefit. And with a new moon in this sector on Thursday, this can be a golden opportunity to take a step toward a career or business dream. Forging new friendships could also be very important, with your social life bringing some key opportunities your way.

 

Aquarius

Jan 20 - Feb 18

The coming weeks and months could be superb for you if you’re willing to put in a bit of extra effort. By doing so, you can take advantage of optimistic Jupiter’s presence in the topmost sector of your chart. Here, it could lead to empowering opportunities and a chance to enhance your reputation. The cosmos also encourages you to take on new ideas and keep on learning and upgrading your skill set. You could benefit very much from doing so.

 

Pisces

Feb 19 - Mar 20

It wouldn’t be surprising if you felt like setting sail and traveling to someplace exotic to unwind and soak up the vibes. In fact, you might be called to take all kinds of adventures over the coming weeks and months, especially those that encourage you to delve into the mysteries of life and better understand your true nature. Change is also in the cards. It could be the reason you decide this week to drop the past and embrace the future.

Category: Arts & Culture

October 12, 2017 

By Lapacazo Sandoval 

Contributing Writer 

 

We live in an ugly world and as human beings, our very survival means the death of another species.  To say it’s a “dog-eat-dog” world where only the strongest survive is saying it very mildly. For the past 30 years, award-winning journalist Ed Gordon has been reporting the good, bad, ugly, and the hopes of the world—he is a walking and breathing living legend and he’s known and regarded for his no-nonsense interview style and his ability to land exclusive interviews with top headline makers.

 

Perhaps the name doesn’t ring as loud as Oprah Winfrey but I suggest that you take a second listen.  Mr. Gordon has covered stories for BET, Dateline, NPR, and 60 Minutes Wednesday, among countless others. Thank the heavens for the world-wide-web because you can go back and listen to some of his most notable interviews, which include an exclusive with Janet Jackson discussing her secret marriage, one-on-one interviews with Presidents Obama and Clinton, and the highly anticipated first interview with OJ Simpson following his murder acquittal. He’s also sat down with the late actor/director Sidney Poitier, and rapper Tupac Shakur, and the late singer Whitney Houston.

 

Ed Gordon is a very tall man with light soulful eyes and a voice that drifts into your ears and settles in your soul.  He is the voice of authority and we trust him because—frankly—he’s truth-worthy and in these curious times, finding someone that speaks “the-truth-the-whole-truth-so help me God”—is needed like air in the lungs.

 

Mr. Gordon is back with a new newsmagazine show, “Ed Gordon”, which airs on Monday nights on the Bounce network.

 

Keeping it 100—I was not familiar with the network which is six years old.  According to their press release, Bounce is the nation’s fastest-growing television network designed for African-American audiences.

 

Make no mistake, Mr. Gordon will be bringing the fire to every episode, he told me as much. The October 2, show featured a well-documented conversation with famed comedian and talk show host Steve Harvey, outspoken U.S. Congress­woman Maxine Waters, rising star of ABC’s Black-ish Yara Shahidi, and GRAMMY®-winning singer-songwriter Gregory Porter.

 

In New York, I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Gordon about the direction of his show — Ed Gordon, while waiting inside the sales offices of the Bounce network. 

 

Here is a very brief excerpt from my hour-long interview with living legend—Ed Gordon.

 

L.A. Watts Times (LAWT):  What do you want people to know about your newsmagazine show, Ed Gordon, which is on Bounce?

 

Ed Gordon (EG): Bounce has given me a great opportunity to do the kind of show that I’ve always wanted to do. I hate to use this as a comparison but the format is like 60 minutes. In the 4th edition, we decided to do some profiles. Very eclectic the people that we have.

 

LAWT: Eclectic is right.  I’d never think that I would see a show with [U.S. Congresswoman] Maxine Waters, and a teen actress.  Miss Yara Shahidi has received a lot of love from the media, and the First Lady Michelle Obama providing her with a college letter of recommendation.

 

EG:  Yara Shahidi (Black-ish) is a remarkable young lady. She and I have gotten to know each other over the last year-and-a-half.  I was so impressed the first time that I met her. [I] loved her on Black-ish but I wanted to sit down and show people who she is, not [the character] Zoie, but who she is.

 

LAWT: It’s interesting that you choose to highlight an artist like GRAMMY®-winning singer-songwriter Gregory Porter. Why?

 

EG:  People are now just starting to him in America. He’s one of those voices that come along, once in a generation.  I told him that the first time that I heard his voice, is reminiscent of the first time that I heard Luther’s [Vandross] voice.  It stops you and you say, ‘who is that.’

 

LAWT: It is exciting to introduce new talent, it’s one of the things that I enjoy about being a journalist. Hard news is too much for me, frankly and I have severely edited reading the negative news.

 

EG: I understand. There should be a balance but I don’t think we should shy away from the negative. It’s certainly more pervasive in our society and our communities, unfortunately, than it needs to be. 

 

LAWT: Yes, Mr. Gordon you are right but I must protect my soul.  Good news deserves more attention and this “fake news” statement makes my blood, just boil. It’s called a lie. A lie. It's just lying. 

 

EG: There are many people doing good for our community and we need to highlight them more. We are doing a one-hour special that will air in December or January, and we’ve entitled it: “Am I Black Enough For You?” 

 

LAWT: Brilliant title. What’s at the core of this one-hour special?

 

EG:  What I am doing is asking the question, for us to define how “we” define “Black.”  It’s not just the color issue, but we deal with that too.  But, it is an issue of what makes you Black and who gets to decide, what it is?  So we deal with the color issue still; that is still very prevalent in our communities, but we also deal with the idea of interracial dating and marriage. We deal with the idea of an interracial Black person.  Why do we except some of them as fully Black?  President Obama is an interesting study in that, because in the beginning, there were some people that said: ‘he ain’t Black enough.’  By the end of his terms, he was the iconic Black person that Grandma put on the wall next to Jesus, King [Martin Luther].  and Kennedy [John].

 

LAWT: Can you share some of the guests that will appear in the winter, hour-long special on race? 

 

EG:  Sure. We are still booking the guests and it will run the gamut. I am going to sit with Samuel Jackson, he will be a part of it.  Wayne Brady, for instance, who was close to tears when he spoke to us.  He said ‘here I was from the poorest section of Oakland [CA]. No one knew my backstory and because of the way that I presented myself and the show that I was on, everybody thought that I wasn’t Black enough. It wasn’t until I did the Dave Chapel show that people came over to me and said, ‘ahh man you are cool.  You are down. I didn’t like you until then.’ He talks about how he had to explain this to his daughter, why they were saying that he wasn’t Black enough and she is bi-racial. We talked with Taye Diggs and we are going to talk to Boris Kodjoe and just regular folks that we are building stories around. 

 

LAWT: Regular folks are interesting. Can you share a bit about that?

 

EG:  We have two young girls. One who is mixed and very light and a sister whose family is from Cameron [Africa] and they sit together and they talk about how within our community, both of them get grief from two separate sides of the coin; one, because she is ‘too dark’, and the other because she is ‘too light’. And it’s interesting to see how many of their stories intersect.  You could see the connection that they were making, immediately.

 

LAWT: So viewers should expect a well-vetted show on Ed Gordon and may I also say, we should expect to be surprised?

 

EG:

 

(smile)

 

On Bounce, the new newsmagazine show, Ed Gordon http://www.bouncetv.com

Category: Arts & Culture

October 12, 2017 

Aries   

March 21 – April 19 

Getting someone to see things your way may not be easy at the start of the week unless you can put yourself in their shoes. While it’s possible to compromise, this might seem like a stretch too far unless you can find a very good reason for doing it. The good news is that lucky Jupiter enters your sector of shared resources and transformation on Tuesday, boosting opportunities regarding business and enhancing your income. It’s beneficial for coaching and counseling, too.

  

Taurus 

May 21 - Jun 20 

You could be your own worst enemy at the start of the week, especially if you’re holding back from an opportunity that would be good for you. However, talking about your feelings with another might help if it allows you to understand where you’re going wrong. As optimistic Jupiter moves into your sector of relating, this expansive influence is positive for all your business or personal relationships. As it will be here for a year, this side of your life could soar.

  

Gemini 

May 21 - Jun 20 

You might be putting too much pressure on yourself, which could get in the way of accomplishing something that should be easy. Give yourself a few days’ grace and you may find it isn’t as complicated as you thought. Key news this week is that lucky Jupiter moves into Scorpio and your health and wellness sector and stays for approximately one year. During this time, your energy could be higher than usual. You may have more opportunities to progress at work, too.

 

Cancer 

Jun 21 - Jul 22 

With expansive Jupiter entering your leisure sector on Tuesday, the coming year could see you eager to get out and enjoy life. If you’ve been very busy, the cosmos urges you to make more time for yourself to unwind and get involved in those things you love to do most. Romance may come knocking at your door, too. Regarding other matters, don’t try too hard midweek, because it won’t help. Relax your grip by the end of the week and things should seem easier.

  

Leo 

Jul 23 - Aug 22 

While disagreements are possible over this week, try not to let them spoil what could be a productive time. Use such opportunities to engage in heart-to-heart discussions and find out what you have in common and how you might work together. Much can be achieved through negotiation. Fortunate Jupiter enters your home and family sector on Tuesday for an approximately one-year stay. This can bring a chance to make positive changes at home, perhaps to expand the family or move somewhere bigger.

  

Virgo 

Aug 23-Sep 22 

You might find yourself trying to persuade a family member to go along with your way of thinking. However, he or she could prove very determined, especially around midweek. Let it go for now. They could reverse their stance by the weekend. Expansive Jupiter moves into your sector of communication and networking on Tuesday, and this can bring fabulous opportunities for businesses involving technology, writing, and media. As it will be here for a full twelve months, the world is your oyster. 

  

Libra 

Sep 23 - Oct 22 

Your negotiating skills may be needed this week, especially if you are pitted against the stubborn desires of another. Constructive conversation can do a lot more for you than overt persuasion. You may be pleased with the way things go, too. The good news is that optimistic Jupiter moves into your sector of finances on Tuesday. It remains here for one year, bringing opportunities to enhance your income in various ways. You could overindulge, though, so be aware of this tendency.

  

Scorpio 

Oct 23 - Nov 21 

Whatever tensions seem to be present in your life, the good news is that positive Jupiter enters your sign on Tuesday for a yearlong stay. This can enhance your confidence and bring lively opportunities to help you fulfill your dreams. Regarding any conflicts you may face, handle them with grace and goodwill and you’ll find that they can be resolved in a way that works for everyone. Don’t be tempted to do too much over the weekend. Time to yourself can be valuable.

  

Sagittarius 

Nov 22 - Dec 21 

With adventurous, lively Jupiter, your personal planet, changing signs this week, you may notice a shift in your focus. It moves into your spiritual zone for a twelve-month stay to encourage you to release those limitations and live to your fullest potential. This can be a time when a coach or mentor has a profound effect on you, helping you soar to new heights. Meanwhile, the week ahead could reveal differences of opinion that can be resolved with careful handling.

  

Capricorn 

Dec 22 - Jan 19 

You could clash with someone in authority early in the week. This is due to aspects that will last a few days, so it would be wise to handle this with care rather than come across as too intense. A diplomatic touch can help you find a positive solution. On another note, lucky Jupiter moves into your social and networking zone on Tuesday, bringing many opportunities to connect with people who can bring positive associations and prospects your way.

 

Aquarius

Jan 20 - Feb 18 

Could the coming year be the one in which you make a big splash? With expansive Jupiter entering your sector of career and ambition on Tuesday, anything is possible. This week marks the start of a very positive phase when the sky’s the limit. Over the coming days, however, you might have to deal with some stubborn people, and the way you handle it will either impress others or not. Tact could be key when it comes to stating your case.

  

Pisces 

Feb 19 - Mar 20 

If a certain friend appears stubbornly stuck in their ways, it could cause a clash of views and values unless you can be willing to have a heart-to-heart chat. On another note, someone closer to you might disagree about a goal or ambition, and this may also need careful handling. It can work out well with the right approach. The good news is that Jupiter enters your sector of far horizons, and you could see an increase in travel and other adventures. 

Category: Arts & Culture

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