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Legendary Jazz singer Al Jarreau is currently undergoing various tests at a cardiac center in Marseille, France after suffering breathing problems and becoming “weak from the altitude” while in the French Alps last week.

According to his publicist, the 70-year-old Grammy Award-winner became ill July 22 in the southern French Alps which forced the singer to cancel a string of shows in Germany, Azerbaijan and France.

“Mr. Jarreau hopes to resume his tour at the end of the coming week,” according to a statement posted on his website. “Meanwhile, he has been quietly serenading the hospital staff to stay on point.”

Jarreau’s cardiologist, Dr. Jean-Louis Bonnet stated today that the singer could possibly be discharged this weekend before continuing his scheduled European concert tour.

The doctor added that “everything’s going well” and that Jarreau’s “state of health is coming along quite normally.”

The world was Lena Horne’s stage, and she owned it!

A fearless performer and activist, her passing last month saddened those who respected her work and loved her talent.

The Brooklyn, New York native got her first stage job — at the age of 16 — dancing and singing at the legendary Cotton Club in Harlem, where she was mentored by the likes of Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway.

Her undeniable talent took her to Broadway where she was able to display her acting chops, and in the 1940s Horne signed a landmark deal with MGM Studios (becoming the highest paid black actor at the time).

Remembered for such films as ‘Cabin In The Sky,’ ‘Swing Fever,’ and ‘Stormy Weather’ (of which the title song became her signature song), the Tony Award-winning, Grammy Award-winning diva was adamant about not playing stereotypical roles.

In commemoration of what would have been her 93rd birthday, we celebrate the life and times of the late, great, legendary Lena Horne.

I took a poll of some of my industry homies last week to get a sense of how”Thank Me Later,” the debut album for Drake, was going to sell. It turns out that out of those bold enough to make a prediction, my friends Michael Bivins (formerly of Belle, Biv, Devoe and New Edition) and Vigalantee (a rapper in Kansas City, MO), were closest. Vigalantee predicted 450,000 units and Mike Biv predicted 400,000. No matter how you slice it, Drake is now officially the shizzle.

It’’s not as if anyone is surprised by Drake’s stellar debut. He and the rest of the Young Money clique did an outstanding job creating buzz for the album and Drake proved that even in the age of massive Internet pirating, he can still make his money.

Drake’s sales are impressive, but don’t match the sales mojo of Eminem, who pushed out 608,000 copies during the first week of his 2009 album, “Relapse.” He will also most likely never match the amazing performance of his mentor (and I use that term lightly) Lil Wayne, who was able to push over a million in the first week of his album, “Tha Carter III,” released in 2008. Either way, Drake should be congratulated for kicking some butt both here and around the world.

Most of Drake’s songs have been commercial hits, hardly earning the respect of hip hop purists. But what I like about Drake, as opposed to Eminem, Lil Wayne, Jay-Zand others, is that his music doesn’t come with a destructive gimmick. He’s not bragging about packing a gun, selling drugs or being more blinged out than a diamond mine. Instead, he’s just a young brother with a serious flow doing his thing in the studio. While some might think that Drake doesn’t represent the essence of hip hop, I might be inclined to agree: Instead, Drake represents THE FUTURE of hip hop, and that cannot be denied.

In a world where beauty and youth are idolized, it makes one question whether there really is a place for women over 40 in the entertainment industry.

Ten years into her career, Macy Gray found herself a free agent. She had sold 15 million albums world-wide, scored two Grammy Awards as well as two MTV awards, but at 40 years-old the acclaimed singer found that her age rather than her talent was being put into question.

In a recent article penned for the Huffington Post, the raspy voiced songstress discusses her on-going battle with age discrimination and why the entertainment industry should reconsider what it means to be young.

GRAY ON THE FIGHT OF FORTY
“‘I don’t know how to get a 40-year-old woman on the radio. If she was 20, 25 then this record would be incredible.’ This quote comes from a powerful record label executive, just before she said no to signing me for my fifth album. And who would fault her? Everybody knows that a 40-year-old female recording artist is ‘geriatric.’ While a 46-year-old president is the ‘new kid on the block,’ a singer over 30 is just a few songs away from the nursing home of music.”

GRAY ON YOUTH IN A BOTTLE
“The obvious remedies: Age defying crème, botox, face lifts, brow lifts, hair dye, Perricone Promises, super foods and denial. Lying about our age was once a quick fix, but Wikipedia has ruined that for everybody. Cosmetic touch-ups and diet discipline may take ten years off, but how do you go ten years back? How do you sing songs that are relevant to teenagers and who are you fooling if you try?”

GRAY ON BEING YOUNG AT HEART
“The truth is that as a mother of three teenagers, I can tell you that the music industry drastically underestimates the souls of the young. And that there are over 40 million women, in the United States alone, in their 30s, 40s and beyond, that are starving to be musically inspired and lyrically represented. While the fans miss out on great music because of age discrimination, there is still BEAUTY IN THE WORLD.”

NEW YORK – Actress Mo’Nique is all the rage in Hollywood, this after winning the “Best Supporting Actress” Oscar, for her role as an abusive welfare mom in ‘Precious.’ Monique beat Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Penelope Cruz to win the golden statute.

Congratulatory messages have been pouring in for Mo’Nique on numerous blog and social networking sites, while stars like Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman and Will Smith chimed in with kind words as well.

Reggae star Gramps Morgan, who is schedule to make a cameo appear on Monique’s BET TV show on Tuesday, March 16, had his own congratulatory message for the award winning actress, comedian and TV host.

“Congrats girl… I’m so proud of you. Your performances in the movie was hilarious, heartbreaking and groundbreaking. You truly have worked your way through so many things and to see now an Oscar win…wow! Again so good to be with you on that stage dancing on your TV show. Seems we were dancing a victory dance before it happened. I hope to be back on your show soon, singing songs of fun, joy and upliftment. Keep doing your thing. Love Gramps”

Basseterre, St.Kitts – Grammy award winning artiste Wyclef Jean joined rising Kittitian superstar, Infamus in what many termed the most memorable musical performance in recent times.

Wyclef Jean met Infamus when he was invited to be the headline act at a Concert held at St.Kitts’ Warner Park Stadium.

The Haitian born artiste during his astounding performance told thousands that he heard a song playing the previous night and liked it.

Just as the beat for Inafmus’ first big hit ‘21 Gun Salute (We Miss You)’ began playing the crowd reacted with a massive uproar as they were thrilled to see their very own being recognized by the megastar.

Infamus entered the stage letting the viewers know that he was there to represent as he shouted his now famous line “Infamus a Represent !!!!!!”

He performed his two hit singles and did a impromptu performance with Wyclef Jean for ‘Feel like Crying’.

“I like your songs,” Jean declared. “Them tunes need to be on 106 & Park, We gotta work on that. I got to go back and talk to them people and tell them I saw something tonight.”

Jean’s statement followed with an eruption of cheers once more from the massive crowd and both artistes continued performing together with freestyles and an on the spot remix for Jean’s hit ‘Sweetest Girl’.

This collaborative performance came about after a member of Jean’s band along with his manager made contact with Infamus the night before.

According to Infamus’ Manager Diego Spanner, Jean’s manager was amazed at the crowd’s reaction when the DJ played ‘Feel Like Crying’ during his set. They then observed a young boy singing the song as if he knew every word.

“He then asked the little boy what was the name of the artiste, because it appeared to them as if it was an international song as everyone was into it,” he said. “The boy then corrected their initial assumption by boldly stating, “He’s from right here! His name is Infamus!”

When Jean’s manager managed to get in contact with Infamus later that evening he expressed his liking for the music and thought it would be good to have him perform with Wyclef Jean.

Upon Jean’s arrival to the island the following day, Infamus was thrilled to receive a follow up phone call from the international star, which confirmed the collaborative performance.

Jean’s team also highlighted their anxiety to have the young artiste record in there state of the art studio back in New York along with the possibilities of being contracted to Yclef Records. Yclef Records is a record label owned by Jean and their aim is to showcase talents from all hidden corners of the world.

Performing live on stage with Wyclef Jean has been the greatest experience in the career of this young artiste, who possess a unique singing style he expresses as “Life & Times”.

Miami – The Best of the Best International Music Festival is taking over the entire Memorial Day weekend in Miami thereby dubbing it the Best of the Best weekend. Hosted by hip-hop superstar Diddy, this year’s concert is the centerpiece of a highly anticipated four-day weekend, filled with exciting events to entertain the thousands of tourists that deem Miami the top tourist destination for this national holiday celebration.

“Each year we plan events to give everyone journeying to Miami the experience of their life,” reveals JBJ Entertainment, the promoter of Best of the Best (BOTB). “This year we are making it official by extending the festival to four days of fun in the sun. We invite everyone to Miami to come and enjoy yourselves, either at one event or better yet, all of them. We wish to make your time in Miami memorable!”

The Best of the Best Weekend runs from Friday, May 28 to Monday, May 31. It kicks off on May 28 with the BOTB Official Welcome Party at Opium Nightclub at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida. On Friday, beach bodies can head to the BOTB All White Pool Party at the ravishing Deauville Beach Resort in South Beach. On Sunday, where else to be in Miami but at Bicentennial Park for the Best of the Best Concert, followed by the BOTB Official After Party at Bongos Nightclub at the American Airlines Arena. Then if that’s not enough, join the musical clash at the New York Vs. Miami showdown at the magnificent Mansion nightclub in Miami Beach.

MORE ARTISTS ADDED

Entering its fourth year as the major concert event during Miami’s Memorial Day weekend, this year’s Best of the Best is living up to its promise yet again. A slew of new artists have been added to the lineup, with more to come as we inch closer to show time. Music mogul Diddy is hosting the concert, alongside DJ Khaled and rap star Gucci Mane, who will see this as his first major performance this year.

Diddy, set to host the Best of the Best 2010 Concert
Traditionally presenting the best acts from the Caribbean, this year is no different as BOTB welcomes Mavado, Beenie Man, Machel Montano, Bounty Killer and Anthony B to the bill. The show also features Serani, Mr. Vegas, Baby Cham, Gyptian, Tony Matterhorn, Lady Saw, Ding Dong, Aidonia, Demarco, Chino, Pinchers, G. Whizz and RDX, rounding out the best in Caribbean entertainment today.

The show takes place at Bicentennial Park, located at 1075 Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami. Park gates open at 1:00 pm and show time is set for 1:30pm sharp.

Pop-reggae artiste Kaydonica Richards has been making waves with the combination single, Picking Up the Pieces featuring Jahmali. Ever since the music video had its offficial release, it has been receiving heavy rotation on all major local channels.

The song, according to the producers, is an emotional tour de force, especially for anyone who has ever undergone heartache, or families who had to rebuild after their lives were shattered by some unforeseen event.

“Picking up the Pieces really resonates with a lot of people, especially at this time with these earthquakes, and hurricanes. I have been getting a lot of positive feedback about it from people in all walks of life,” she said.

Kaydonica made her debut performance at Christopher’s last month, performing the song alongside Jahmali. She is eyeing a number of other musical projects and recently recorded two new singles — Locked Up in a Cell and Instruments of Love. Her biggest hit to date has been Colour of Your Skin which hit #1 on Roots FM radio charts last year.

“It’s just a beautiful song, and it addresses the stigma attached to the colour of your skin, the texture of your hair, and is critical of the level of prejudice in the society. The song lets you know that none of that matters, you can be anything you want, accomplish anything no matter where you live, the colour of your skin, your background, your hair…don’t see people and judge them, it’s a song for tolerance and the spirit of inclusion,” the 26 year-old said.

USHER’S latest disc, Raymond v Raymond, is a bit like déjà vu. It has all the elements of his earlier albums. There’s the less-than-subtle autobiographical relationship track — in this case, it’s a song about divorce (Papers). And in the vein of 2004’s Confessions, a woefully apologetic Usher spills the beans about cheating on Foolin’ Around. It opens with him saying: “I know I vowed to never do this again, but it seems to be the only thing I’m good at.”

While it’s clear he underestimates his ability to do better in the fidelity department, it seems the singer has limited himself musically as well.

The Jim Jonsin-produced There Goes My Baby is instantly appealing, but upbeat club tracks including Lil Freak, featuring rap “it” girl Nicki Minaj, and She Don’t Know, with Ludacris, are catchy but disappointingly safe choices for 31-year-old Usher.

So Many Girls and the will.i.am-produced OMG border on disastrous as far as sound and lyrics go, but the real letdown of Raymond v Raymond is that those who listen to it won’t know any more about Usher Raymond, as an artiste or a man, than they previously did.

Twelve Haitian artists will create earthquake inspired art during a three-month residency in Jamaica at Roktowa Gallery in downtown Kingston.

The residency, which starts this month will culminate in a local exhibition and international auction of 20 books of art created by the artists. The Roktowa residency is expected to foster art creation and offer a respite from the earthquake in Haiti which killed over 200,000 this January, the organiser said. One artist, Lionel St Eloi even had his multi-storey studio destroyed in the earthquake

“When you go to different place your work absorbs that reality. That is why residency is important not only for professional development but for cultural dialogue,” Melinda Brown, creative director at Roktowa and organiser told the Sunday Observer yesterday. The Roktowa residency is done with the support of the University of the West Indies which provides housing.

The artists are mainly from the Gran Rue and St Eloi Atelier communities in Haiti and the group includes nine sculptors, one flag artist, a novelist and a filmmaker. Many of these artists are respected with previous international exhibitions.

“When I went to Haiti last year and developed relationships with some eminent artists what became obvious was that despite adverse circumstances these artists still have international careers with shows in the UK, Paris, Washington DC etc.,” she explained.

The residency is expected to raise awareness of Haitian art for Jamaica’s artistic community and the public. Brown hinted at a truism that music is to Jamaica what art is to Haiti. Said she: “I am really not sure why visual art in Jamaica has not expanded more.”

The residency will include talks at high schools, the Edna Manley College and the University of the West Indies (UWI), which also will provide board. The residency is the first step in the cross-dialogue between Jamaican artists and those in the rest of the Caribbean, stated a release from Endz of the Earth which represents Roktowa.

Proceeds of the sale of the 20 books entitled From the Trembling Heart, will go towards the establishment of an art residency exchange programme between Haiti and Jamaica. It is envisioned that this first edition of From the Trembling Heart will be the incubator for subsequent editions which will be produced on other Caribbean islands helping to ground, centre and develop the Caribbean’s artistic identity, said Roktowa.

“The book will be a work of art, some pages will be made of wood and some of metal,” explained Brown adding that its very cover will be a sculpture.

The artists invited are diverse yet have a complementary range of skills. Sculptors from St Eloi Atelier include Lionel St Eloi, WabbaUpKing, and Nathalie Fanfan. Sculptors of the Gran Rue include Celeur Jean Herard, Chebby, Eugene Andre, and Guyodo. Non-aligned artists include Tirzo Martha, Tirzo, Myrlande Constant, Zaka Lalwa and Jean Euphele Milce.

The Roktowa is an art studio and gallery located at the corner of West and Tower Streets in downtown Kingston.