The Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation will be coordinating the deployment of teams of 8th Graders from the Oakland, California, East Bay Area to serve as your free “volunteer community service support team” on April 30, 2010 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
We are organizing the youth into teams of 4-12 volunteers and arranging for them to be available for your service to assist you in any way that they can- all free of charge. These youth are anxious to serve in any capacity that will enrich their experience with a particular interest in interpersonal dynamics that is rewarding to their souls- all free of charge.
They will provide support in any area from assisting clients, to simple labor or cleaning, to food prep and serving- all free of charge. The are eager to work with all ages from preschoolers to seniors, from grocery stores to bakeries, from soup kitchens to radio stations, homeless shelters to medical services- all free of charge.
We also will advance this effort in the media for coverage of this magnanimous gesture on behalf of these youth, the infinite good that it does for the organizations and people they will serve, and in society at a time of great need.
If you would like a group of these incredible volunteers for your service, please do not hesitate to respond to this email before April 21, 2010 so that we can facilitate a group of the volunteers for your organization- all free of charge. Remember that the groups will go fast so act NOW!
We at the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation are truly thankful for this opportunity to help you and these glorious young men and women in their quest to fulfill their personal desire to please a higher power and satisfy their own spirit in the process. Thanks again for the opportunity to serve you and let’s ALL do more and better for the youth and those less fortunate.
***PLEASE NOTE***
Due to the large number of calls in these very trying times, we have changed our Corporate telecommunications to better serve those in need. To Contact:
If you or anyone you know may be in need of food and/or clothing donations, private school and college admissions, scholarship educational opportunities; job traininig and placement, rental assistance, social services assistance, homelessness assistance, mental and physical health assistance, medical assistance and legal aid assistance for themselves or any others, you can advise them to go to the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation website at http://AMWFTRUST.ORG and submitt an online request form in a strictly confidential submission. There is much more coming to the site and they can also feel free to call the number (510) 394-4101 as well.
The Warfield
982 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Bud Light Concert Series
Smokey Robinson
Date: Sat, Mar. 13, 2010 Showtime: 9:00 PM Doors open: 8:00 PM Ages: All Ages On sale now You can win FREE TICKETS by going to any of the websites below and requesting them at the “I Want Tickets!” page at http://Superstarmanagement.com or twitter: @ajalil, at http://AMWFTRUST.ORG or twitter: @amwft, at http://Ex-Why.com or twitter: @ezwhy, or http://NowTruth.Org/ or twitter: @nowtruth www.smokeyrobinson.com
The dictionary defines the popular term “comfort food” as “food prepared in a traditional style having a usually nostalgic or sentimental appeal.” It has been known to have a buffering effect as it soothes the soul and spurs memories of more “comforting” times. If that concept holds up in the kitchen, then it makes perfect sense that it should hold true in the living room with its aural equivalent. While it’s already a known fact that popular songs often connect with listeners in a highly personal way, often recalled alongside life’s more personal moments, only a few distinctive voices in popular music can achieve that same effect with instantaneous familiarity.
With his eternally smooth and instantly recognizable falsetto alone – without the strings, bass, guitar or drums – legendary singer/songwriter/producer SMOKEY ROBINSON’s honey-coated voice absolutely is the audio equivalent of comfort food, comfort food for the soul, with soul. In following with the aforementioned definition, the Motown legend’s forthcoming ROBSO Records CD, Time Flies When You’re Having Fun has certainly been “prepared in a traditional style,” while that oh-so-familiar, highly identifiable crooning has an indisputable “nostalgic or sentimental appeal.”
Indeed, the “traditional” element of Time Flies When You’re Having Fun had already been determined while Robinson was recording his last CD, 2006’s pop/jazz standards collection Timeless Love. Just as that particular project had been recorded live in the studio with musicians – the first time he had recorded a full LP that way in years – Smokey knew he wanted to record his newly-written contemporary R&B songs in the very same fashion. In fact, he was so inspired by recording the “old school way” that the recording schedule for both projects actually overlapped. “I was having such a ball making that project (Timeless Love),” he explains. “I hadn’t intended on doing them simultaneously because I knew that Timeless Love was the one I was going to come out with. But things were going so well with that project that I said, I’m gonna start putting in some of the original material I’d written for my new CD (Time Flies When You’re Having Fun) and record it this way too.’ I knew I was going to do these particular songs, but I didn’t realize I was going to wind up recording them live like I did with Timeless Love. So I did and we had a ball.” Though he’s the first to acknowledge and appreciate the technologically advanced way that recording for most releases are done today, like the cleaner sound and creative lee-way afforded by ProTools, Robinson was steadfast in his penchant for live instrumentation for this CD. “I think that you still don’t get that feeling that you used to get in the old days when everybody was in the studio together,” says Robinson, whose early Motown classics were recorded in this fashion. “That way was like doing a concert, because everybody was feeding off of each other. It’s just that live vibe.”
Having incorporated the “traditional” ingredient of his comfort food recipe, even a casual SMOKEY ROBINSON listener would know that his oh-so-singular voice more than accounts for the “nostalgia” and “sentimentality” components. Whether it’s his signature languid, simmering slow numbers or a groove-driven midtempo, every song delivers what can best be described as “classic Smokey.” Better yet, Robinson – the primary producer, alongside co-producers Brian French and Gary Gold — brought on board the similarly recognizable talents of friends Carlos Santana, India.Arie and Joss Stone for the intoxicatingly smooth R&B/pop repertoire of Time Flies When You’re Having Fun. Completely written by Robinson (except for his sumptuous remake of Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why”), this most enticing set veers from the slow-simmering, Quiet Storm-worthy (“Time Flies,” “Whatcha Gonna Do” and “Love Bath”) and light-groovin’ pop/R&B midtempos (i.e., “Girlfriend”); to the old-school reminiscent (“You’re Just My Life,” with India.Arie) and even a red-hot double entendre slow grind (“That Place”). For the rhythmic “Please Don’t Take Your Love,” Robinson is joined by guitar virtuoso Santana, a 30-year friend/colleague he came up in the industry with. When asked about exactly where “that place” referred to on the steamy slow jam actually is, Robinson jokingly teases, “You tell me. It’s the same thing as Cruisin.’ People are going to say the same things as when they heard that song, so that place’ is wherever you want it to be. I’ve had two and three people approaching me at a time about a bet, saying, When you sang Cruisin,’ didn’t you mean this or that?’ I just said, No, I meant whatever you mean.'”
Given the sensitive nature of his music, the smoothness of his sound and the fact that he composed specially-written material for some of early Motown’s most familiar female voices (Mary Wells/Brenda Holloway/The Supremes), it’s no surprise that Time Flies When You’re Having Fun’s two duets – done with India.Arie and Joss Stone — come across so mellifluous and alluring. “I love India.Arie so much; she’s my baby,” Robinson says of his singer/songwriter friend. “I met her through Stevie (Wonder), so we’ve always vibed well since then. She’s just a beautiful and wonderful lady.” He’s similarly emphatic about Brit soulstress Joss Stone, whom he met when she was only fifteen years-old. “I met her in England,” he recalls, “and after hearing her sing I gave her a nickname. I told her she sounded like Aretha Joplin.’ We just became friends and I would see her from time to time, and I’ve basically watched her grow up. So, when I wrote You’re The One For Me’ I had her in mind to sing it with me.”
Given his legendary status in pop culture and his ever-personable nature, it’s no surprise that SMOKEY ROBINSON is not only still recording quality music as he celebrates 50 years in the music industry, but attracting top-notch talent to collaborate with as well. After all, this is the same singer/songwriter/producer/record executive who logged a hefty 37 Top 40 hits for Motown Records between 1960 and 1987. In fact, from “Shop Around” (1st Motown 1 R&B hit/1st Motown million-seller) to “Just To See Her”/”One Heartbeat” (both 1987 Top Ten smashes) Robinson began collecting accolades which never seemed to stop coming over the years. In addition to being one of Tamla-Motown’s first signings (as well as the label’s Vice President from 1960 to 1988), Smokey has been the recipient of a Grammy (for 1987’s “Just To See Her”), a 1988 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a 1991 recipient of the Soul Train Music Award for Career Achievement, a 1999 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a 2006 Kennedy Center honoree, a recipient of a Doctorate of Music degree from Howard University (2006), a 2009 recipient of an Honorary Doctorate degree from Berkeley College of Music (for whom he also gave the commencement speech), a Songwriter’s Hall of Fame honoree and a rare double-honoree of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (as a solo artist & member of The Miracles). Along the way, he’s also amassed the love and respect of his peers, from being lyrically lauded by Bob Dylan (who referred to Robinson as “the world’s greatest poet”) to being lyrically cited by 80s Brit-pop band ABC (on the smash hit “When Smokey Sings”), the Beatles’ George Harrison (“Pure Smokey”) and the Tom Tom Club (“Genius of Love”).
Hence, a much beloved SMOKEY ROBINSON fully intends to continue this wonderfully weaved music legacy with the sultry-sounding Time Flies When You’re Having Fun (set for an August 25th release). “The title of this CD depicts my life,” shares Robinson, “because I love my life. I love the fact that I’m extremely blessed, because I get a chance to live a life that I love. I get a chance to do a craft that I love. I get a chance to do a job that I love. When your job is something that you absolutely love, that’s a blessing. I have never taken that for granted. I don’t trip on Smokey Robinson.’ You talk about fifty years going by overnight? That’s exactly what has happened.”
***PLEASE NOTE***
Due to the large number of calls in these very trying times, we have changed our Corporate telecommunications to better serve those in need. To Contact: Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation: (510) 394-4101 Imam Jamil Film and Music Project: (510) 394-4201 SuperStar Management: (510) 394-4501 ¿eX-whY AdVentures?: (510) 394-4601 NowTruth.Org: (510) 394-4701
If you or anyone you know may be in need of food and/or clothing donations, private school and college admissions, scholarship educational opportunities; job traininig and placement, rental assistance, social services assistance, homelessness assistance, mental and physical health assistance, medical assistance and legal aid assistance for themselves or any others, you can advise them to go to the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation website at http://AMWFTRUST.ORG and submitt an online request form in a strictly confidential submission. There is much more coming to the site and they can also feel free to call the number (510) 394-4101 as well.
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CONFUNKSHUN
FRIDAY & SATURDAY MARCH 19 & 20 @ YOSHI’S SF
A-LIST FUNK SERIES! YOSHI’S SF
1330 Fillmore Street, San Francisco Ca. 94115
415-655-5600
I invite to our casting calls for our clients, email list, news letter and visitors to our website.
We have a HipHop Ad Agency, ¿eX-whY AdVentures? specializing in advertising, strategic planning, promotions and marketing targeting the hard to reach, but extremely lucrative, X-Y and Baby Boomer generations urban and suburban markets using Hip Hop culture, it’s sound, it’s fashion, it’s speak, it’s bravado, it’s image, it’s way, as the vehicle.
We have registered the services of Hip Hop, Rap and RB’s elite artists, producers, directors, writers, choreographers, dancers, graff artist, B-boys, photographers, actors, models, and professional athletes to participate in this ¿eX-whY AdVentures?.
We have been producing commercial ads from concept, to creation, to production, to placement in media, – the entire process-, while owning our product!!!
We custom design, write, direct, produce, perform and provide all talent for the motion picture or television project, stage play, entertainment event, commercial ads, film trailers, soundtracks, the jingle, voice overs, and all promotions associated with the product.
We develop jobs for actors, producers, directors, casting directors, and writers in the entertainment, commercial advertisement, stage, film and television fields.
To that end, our agency would like you to come to our Casting Page for a list of castings calls that might fit your description for consideration in placement for jobs that we have.
We provide access to anyone interested and qualified in any roles for anyone of our 10,000 Professional Atheletes, Entertainers, Celebrity, Musicians, and Actors direct email recepients; our over 250,000 list members; and our over 2 million total readers of the publications we submitt to.
As you can tell from our roster of talent, our Casting Division has a unique advantage in all forms of casting. With the growing popularity of “film and music video-style” products, we have found that directors and producers value our ability to call in seasoned, serious talent from the film and television industries to add depth and quality to performances in stage, film, television and commercials.
More than four decades of feature film, television and commercial casting experience has provided us with strong relationships with agents, managers and talent which helps us to find the necessary talent to create innovative, creative and one-of-a-kind artistic product.
We can send Photos, Bios, videos, Comp Cards, CV with samples of work and salary requirements, where necessary. We are members of the Casting Society of America (C.S.A.), Independent Film Producers (I.F.P.), Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.), and Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) to list a few.
Thanks, and don’t forget to check out our website at: http://eX-whY.com
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THE ORIGINAL KING OF COMEDY STEVE HARVEY LIVE @ THE PARAMOUNT SAT. JULY 31ST , 2010
You can click on any highlighted word to view or download that item
The Warfield
982 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Bud Light Concert Series
Eddie Griffin
with Kwame Siegel
Date: Fri, Feb 19, 2010 Showtime: 9:00 PM Days until show: 2 Doors open: 8:00 PM Ages: All Ages On sale now Ticket Prices*: $32.50-$45.00 You can win the tickets by going to any of the websites and requesting them at any page in the comments section at http://Superstarmanagement.com twitter: @ajalil, at http://AMWFTRUST.ORG twitter: @amwft, at http://Ex-Why.com twitter: @ezwhy, or http://NowTruth.Org/ twitter: @nowtruth
Eddie Griffin
www.eddiegriffin.tv Facebook Page
Eddie Griffin has become one of the most well-known celebrities in Hollywood. But his rise to the top of the industry has been an interesting one.
A popular comic turned actor who started his career on-stage as a dare, funnyman Eddie Griffin’s memorable supporting roles in such films as Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo have built the comedian an ever-growing fan base and a path to his first starring role in 2002’s Undercover Brother.
Born in Kansas City, MO, Griffin’s career began when he accepted a dare to take the stage on amateur night at a local comedy club. Soon developing a personal style reminiscent of such classic comics as Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx, Griffin gained further exposure opening for comic Andrew Dice Clay on a 22-city tour and later in a series of impromptu performances at Los Angeles’ popular Comic Store.
Quickly following with performances on HBO’s Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam and a Cable Ace Award-nominated special, Griffin began branching out into acting. Roles in such films as The Last Boy Scout (1991), Coneheads (1993), and Jason’s Lyric (1994) soon led to a sitcom (Malcom and Eddie) in 1996, and Griffin’s film appearances became more frequent. After headlining 2001’s Double Take alongside Orlando Jones, Griffin earned his leading-man status, and with his role as Anton Jackson in 2002’s Undercover Brother, it seemed as if Griffin had conquered not only the stage, but the silver screen as well. In addition to his comedic skills, Griffin is also a gifted dancer and choreographer.
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Look out for tix to future events:
Experience Hendrix Tribute Tour
Featuring Billy Cox (from Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys), Joe Satriani, Sacred Steel w/ Robert Randolph, Jonny Lang, Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shephered, Ernie Isley, David Hidalgo & Cesar Rosas (from Los Lobos), Brad Whitford (from Aerosmith), Doyle Bramhall II, Living Colour and Chris Layton (Stevie Ray Vaughn)
The Warfield
March 10th at 8pm
March 11th at 8pm (second show added)
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An Evening With
Smokey Robinson
Saturday, March 13 at 9pm
The Warfield
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Chrisette Michele
With Laura Izibor
Saturday, March 27th at 9pm
The Regency Ballroom
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Larry Graham
&
Graham Central Station
The Regency Ballroom
Friday, April 2nd at 9pm
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Corinne Bailey Rae
With Daniel Merriweather and Overtone (just added)
Due to the large number of calls in these very trying times, we have changed our Corporate telecommunications to better serve those in need. To Contact:
Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation (510) 394-4101 for Free Food distribution; free clothing provisions; housing assistence; private High School and College/University admissions and scholarship educational opportunities; job traininig and placement; medical and social services.
Imam Jamil Film and Music Project (510) 394-4201
SuperStar Management (510) 394-4501
eX-whY AdVentures (510) 394-4601
NowTruth.Org (510) 394-4701
Thanks,
*******
We are offerring two pair of FREE Tickets each to see Queen Latifah November 3, 2009 and Ice Cube December 10, 2009 at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, CA for the 8:00 pm shows. The tickets will be awarded via our Twitter or Blog, so if you haven’t already, you should join us on:
Twitter at: http://twitter.com/xzwhy , http://twitter.com/ajalil or go to the
Blogs at: http://superstarmanagement.wordpress.com or http://NowTruth.Org/ and leave your request in the comments box with your email address. Persona Tour Queen Latifah
Date: Tue, Nov 3, 2009
Showtime: 8:00 PM
Days until show: 11
Doors open: 7:00 PM www.queenlatifah.com
Queen Latifah: musician; television and film actress; a label president; an author and entrepreneur. Blessed with style and substance, Queen Latifah has blossomed into a one-woman entertainment conglomerate. Heralded by the press and the industry as a force to be reckoned with, Latifah has quite simply done it all and shows no sign of slowing down. Latifah has had amazing success in Hollywood in recent years, and became the first hip hop artist to be crowned with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 4, 2006. She received rave reviews, an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe nomination and a SAG Award nomination for her portrayal as Mama Morton in Miramax’s Chicago. Following Chicago, Latifah starred in Disney’s box office hit Bringing Down the House, on which she also acted as executive producer. In addition to music, film and television, Queen Latifah has also written a book on self-esteem entitled Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman. Queen Latifah is diligent in her pursuit of excellence, as is evident by the awards she has received for her work in film and music. Her sincere concern for others is revealed by the generous amount of time and money that she donates to worthwhile charitable organizations. Every year, Queen Latifah serves as co-chairman for the Lancelot H. Owens Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Established by her mother, Rita Owens, to perpetuate the memory of a loving son and brother, the foundations provides scholarships to students who excel scholastically, but are limited in financial resources. Ice Cube
Date: Thu, Dec 10, 2009
Showtime: 8:00 PM
Days until show: 48
Doors open: 7:00 PM www.icecube.com
MySpace Page
When rap exploded creatively and commercially in the late 1980s, Ice Cube was at the forefront of the expansion. As the lyrical brains behind N.W.A, the Los Angeles-based rapper instantly became a major player in the music game by leading a musical revolution with brutal, profane, politically-infused music that, for the first time in the genres history, sold millions of albums with N.W.As Straight Outta Compton. As a solo artist, Ice Cube became raps premier act with the release of the searing masterpieces AmeriKKKas Most Wanted and Death Certificate.
Now, after becoming Hollywoods most bankable actor thanks to his Barbershop and Friday franchises, Ice Cube returns to his first artistic love, rapping. Laugh Now, Cry Later, the multi-platinum, award-winning music icons first solo album in six years, simmers with celebration, as well as the rage, reflection and introspection that are the hallmarks of timeless music. I feel Laugh Now, Cry Later is the state of the world, of America, of urban America, of hip-hop, Ice Cube explains of his seventh solo album. It seems like everybody is playing and nobody’s worried about anything.
On the explosive Scott Storch (50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Beyonce) produced Why We Thugs, Ice Cube blasts an oppressive system that cripples Americas ghettos and fosters the perpetual ruin of such areas as South Central, Compton and Long Beach, Los Angeles metropolitan areas that have been war zones for decades.
Now, with the impending release of Laugh Now, Cry Later, his first solo album released on his own Lench Mob Records, Ice Cube is on top of his creative game and relishing in his ability to make his latest album at his own pace and on his own terms.
I’m putting my money where my mouth is because theres nothing a major label can do for me that I cant do for myself, he says. Not being signed to a particular label, putting it out myself, not having to worry about what a company or anyone else has to think about the record, being able to just go in and do it how I feel it with no timelines or deadlines, it made me comfortable. I was able to recommitment myself to rhyming and rapping. That all molded the way that this record sounds, which is important because I want my records to last the rest of the year when they come out.
Truth be told, Laugh Now, Cry Later will last well into the next decade.
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Please share this info with those interested in attending these shows and see the info on me below.
Peace
I have received many emails and phone calls from various people and organizations asking for a comment on the passing of Michael Jackson (”Al-hamdu Lillaah, innaa Lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon“ (‘Praise be to Allaah, Verily To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return’) and whether or not he was a Muslim.
For some of you, you know that Michael was close to Islam, many of his advisors were/are Muslims and have been for years. He was always a guest of the various royal families, and has Muslims in his family. It was stated that he had taken his Shahada as recently as 6 months ago during a recording session.
I have refrained from saying anything definitive for the following reasons and it gives me an opportunity to address some other issues that have disturbed me for many years about Muslims and the state of our collective iman and practice of this deen.
First, the family has requested that everyone respect their grieving and privacy at this time and who are we to demand answers of/to such a personal and private nature at ANY time! Next, was he Muslim? Allahu Alim!!! Whether he was or not, did he live in such a way that you would know it?
Whether his lifestyle exhibited it or not, if he chose to live in such a way that you would not know, or felt that he wasn’t, wasn’t that his choice? Does he owe anyone any open display of his beliefs?
How many ”Muslims“ do you know that you can tell they are a Muslim by their lifestyle? Does anyone really know by what you observe outwardly? Would that outward appearance allow you to know for certain and swear that person is or is not a ”Muslim“? Can you ”see and know“ that persons practice of their Deen from observing their outward appearance?
I suggest that no one can factually! Again, Allahu Alim!!! Which brings me to the issue that I have had with the state of our collective practice of this Deen.
Having been involved in this business of representing, managing, promoting, and advising many of the worlds most recognized Superstar professional athletes, celebrities and entertainers, I am intimately engaged in the reality of ”hero worship“ and the effects that it has on the public.
Friends and Clients: Hammer and MJ
I have expierenced many times over where someone has stated that even my own clients and friends were Muslims and I had to chastise some very well respected and known Islamic leaders because tht fact was NOT TRUE! I have had several Superstars that has worked with me for years and participated in various Islamic events and even professional performances for Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, a Saudi Arabian businessman, investor, philanthropist as well as other wealthy members of the Saudi Royal Family. Hammer even Co-Hosted and Co-Mc’d a National Islamic Convention with me on stage and participated in a three day International Islamic Conference! BUT, he is not Muslim and they both were dogged with this!
To a great extent, I created much of ”how it is done“ and originated the field over 35 years ago including the founding of Nike’s ”Pro Club“ which was the first group of professional athletes signed to exclusive contracts to endorse the brand.
This was the precursor and beginnings of the Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James branding divisions of today. But I digress. It never ceases to amaze and perturb me whenever I encounter someone that wants to find ”something“ to ”look up to/worship“ in a ”celebrity personality“ being ”Muslim“ just because they are a recognized celebrity.
They approach this phenomena as if it somehow is going to make them ”better“ in someway. We have witnessed the fervor that took hold of the Muslim communities when it was rumored that Denzel Washington had reverted/converted to Islam while prepping for ”Malcolm X“ and the same for Will Smith with ”Ali“, Princess Di in her relationship with Dodi al-Fayed, Samuel L. Jackson, O. J. Simpson, Mike Tyson, Ice Cube and M.C. Hammer many times because of his relationship with me and supporting Islamic events, and on and on.
I know some Shaykhs and Imams that have performed the alleged shahadah’s and I could not state with any certainty that the celebrity was ”Muslim“. What is this fascination with and what do we get out of these ”celebrities“ being Muslim, even if they are/were?
Is it the potential advantages for dawah that might be extracted from it’s proper use in marketing that fact? Does it somehow give you more ”pride“ in being ”Muslim“ because the ”celebrity is “Muslim”? Does it make you and/or the Deen of al-Islam more acceptable to some segment of society that you want to appease and be accepted by? Does this “celebrity” somehow make you a “better Muslim” in some way? Does this celebrity make your prayer, and/or service of sacrifice for Allah(swt) possible, easier or fulfilled in some way? Are you going to receive some additional blessings because they might be “Muslim”?
Do you gain any blessings because they are a “good” Muslim and/or do you also share/suffer the punishment if they are not “good” Muslims?
You see, ALL this is useless when it comes to you and Allah(swt) just as it is useless to them when it comes to them and Allah(swt). If at some point Michael’s family chooses to state that he was Muslim, and it has been rumored for years while there are other members of his family that openly proclaim they are, how can it help anyone then?
There are many “celebrity Muslims” that are alive and well here today that I don’t see how that fact is going to get anyone into Jannah. This brings me to the point.
IT’S NOT!!! It will, at best, only have a microscopic marginal effect on your existence and only Allah(swt) will know that. But if it makes someone feel good about being “Muslim” then that is a positive that we all will take.
But there is something patently wrong with the “hero worship” associated with celebrities in any form, of any stature, and this is from someone that helped create the business. There is a slogan from President Barack Obama’s campaign that when modified is so apropos for this concern. “You are the Muslim You that have been Waiting For ALL THIS TIME!!!”
What one needs, this will not come from anyone else, not your Shaykhs, Imams, nor parents! We need to stop looking for something in someone, something, anyone, anything else, that we can and must ALL inevitably find in ourselves thru Allah(swt), Quran, the Sunnah of prophet Mohammad(saas), Hadith and our practice of this Deen of al-Islam.
I pray Allah(swt) that I have answered those questions asked of me, insha’Allah. Here’s a link to a newscast regarding Michael’s reversion/conversion:
Muslims Doing Great Dawah In SF/Oakland Bay Area
The Free Food give-aways with KPFA Radio Station in Berkeley has been INCREDIBLE SUCCESSES masha’Allah.
You can listen to or download the broadcast of the PSA’s for the Free Food Donations by clicking the links below. Everyone came from miles around was treated with as much food and flowers as they could pack, including the staff at Pacifica Radio Corporate and KPFA al’hamdu’lillah. They now want to do this donation on a weekly basis after the overwhelming back-to-back-to back successes of the previous public food give-aways that had people calling and coming from as far away as Santa Barbara and north/east to Oregon and Nevada.
There are no words to express the sincere gratitude and “Thanks” conveyed on the part of the public and the employees and staff at Pacifica Radio and KPFA. JOB WELL DONE!!! These events was sponsored by Masjid al-Islam, Masjidul Waritheen, Oakland Islamic Center, Masjid Tasbeeh, The Muslim Community Center of San Francisco, Jama’atus Salaam, Go Wireless, Emad’s Tune Up, and The Justice For Ali Campaign- all of Oakland.
These type of promotions are impossible without their involvement in these efforts, insha’Allah. This is incredible Dawah! Jazzak Allah Khair Khayrun. The “Thank You’s” to the Masajids and Muslims businesses for their invaluable support in providing all the food and floral arrangements with 100’s of bouquets of flowers and more for the “Nadra Foster Benefit” at La Pena Restaurant in Berkeley was aired live on the “Full Circle Show” with Host Joy Moore on Friday, June 19, 2009 at 7:00 PM. Jazzak Allah Khair Khayrun. Oddly enough, while the broadcast was being aired, unbeknownst to the crew, Khalil Yasin was there providing food and refreshments for them for their enjoyment after the show.
They still have not stop thanking him and the above mentioned parties. You can listen to or download the broadcast of the “Thank You’s” mentioned above by clicking on the links below. Be sure and spread the word to support and acknowledge the Dawah these masajids and businesses are doing for our communities and Islam.
On several occassions I have pointed out to many people at Pacifica/KPFA, a young man standing next to Snoop Dogg in a framed picture proudly displayed on the main wall outside their main conference room, from a rally to save Tookie Williams from execution held in November 2005. That young man is Imam Abu Qadir al-Amin.
They were even more humbled when they acknowledged that he and the Muslim Community Center were one of the sponsors for this event. You can listen to or download the broadcasts of the PSA’s, the promos and “Thank You’s” for the Free Food Donations aired on the list of Pacifica stations, with over 100 affiliate stations worldwide, by clicking on the links below or on our blog at: http://superstarmanagement.wordpress.com/audio-and-new-submissions/
The Imam Jamil al-Amin (formerly H. Rap Brown) film, music, and entertainment project is based on and derived from his life of service, his writings and catalogue of material. We would like to discuss this project with those that are interested and can further assist.
This project is about the life of Imam Jamil (H. Rap Brown), known as the prolific civil rights militant revolutionary during the world altering sixties and seventies, Brown was known for his honest, incendiary speeches and advocating political demonstrations for change against racism and poverty that surrounded the African-American, minority, oppressed and poor communities all around the world during the civil rights era. Brown is often quoted from a speech that he delivered in the sixties when he said, “violence is American as cherry pie,” and “burn Baby burn!” Brown gave these type of speeches at rally’s when he believed that forcefu acts of racism must also be met with force itself. Because of his original style of poetry and rhythmic delivery, Brown is often credited by Hip Hop musicians as being one of the pioneers of the genre of Rap and Hip Hop music, hence the genre being call “Rap”. While serving a prison sentence in the seventies, Brown made the conversion to the Muslim faith and leads one of the largest Muslim organizations in the world. Now known as Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, Imam Jamil is sentenced to serving a life sentence in Reidsville, Georgia, for allegedly murdering a Fulton County, Georgia, sheriff’s deputy in March of 2000. After he filed and won several lawsuits regarding many violations of his civil rights, his presence in Reidsville lead to the conversion to many inmates to Islam, including some powerful former Arayan’s, and the public reacted to his mistreatment there, he was suddenly sent to the underground Supermax prison in Colorado where he is now being held as an alleged “high security risk”. The film amd music project is a bio-picture and docu-drama that will be a exhaustive, poignant expose into Imam Jamil’s life from the many varied videos and pictures for the day, re-enactments, commentary and interviews from the people he touched and knew him professionally, personally and spiritually.
This project is expected to have or has the support of Congressional Black Caucusmembers, (John Conyers, Bobby Rush and Bobby Scott among others), with some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, sports, Civil and Human Rights history! Harry Belafonte, Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, Busta Rhymes, Cornel West, Angela Davis, Mos Def, Michael Eric Dyson, Freeway, Dead Prez, Amir Sulaiman, Chuck D, Eric B, Rakim, Akon, Erykah Badu, T-Pain, Saul Williams, DaveyD, John O’Neal (SNCC), Charles McDew (SNCC), Bob Mantz (SNCC), Bobby Seale (co-founder of the Black Panther Party), Kathleen Cleaver (Black Panther Party), Mayor Johnny Jackson (Whitehall, Alabama), Danny Glover, Zack de la Roche, Pharaohe Monch, August Wilson, Wise Intelligent, Ghostface, Dilated Peoples, Jurassic 5, The Last Poets, Pete Rock, Nas, Mystic, Common, Lupe Fiasco, Q-Tip, RZA, Talib Kweli, Just Blaze, Hi-Tek, Beanie Segal, Scareface, many religious leaders from around the world and many, many others.
At the blog linked hereto you will find information we have researched and obtained regarding Imam Jamil’s film, music, and entertainment project that will be developed as much from his writings and catalogue of material as possible. You can access, read and download any document listed herein to give you some background and direction in your efforts to contribute to the project and submitt your works, whether it’s film, music or any other area that you may be able to contribute professionally. Don’t hesitate to contact us regarding your participation. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Abdul-Jalil
Wed, Mar 20 at Yoshi’s SF
Persona Tour
