10th February, 2009
Famed Singer Charlie Wilson Diagnosed with Cancer
I adore the 'Gap Band.' Songs like "Yearning for Your Love" and "Outstanding" get heavy rotation in my world. Every major R&B singer to date has bitten some nuance of this man's style----R. Kelly, Aaron Hall, etc. On top of Charlie's successes with the 'Gap Band', he's been able to reinvent in recent years himself working with artists like Snoop Dogg and Pharell. Let's hope for a speedy recovery!
With the release of his second solo album, 'Uncle Charlie,' less than two weeks away, famed R&B artist Charlie Wilson has announced that he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.The 'Yearning For Your Love' singer was diagnosed with the male-reproductive disease last fall and began therapy on Nov. 21. Wilson's sudden diagnosis has lead him to team up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to help raise awareness and research funds for prostate cancer.
"When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September, I thought to myself 'I'm too young... this isn't a cancer I should be getting,'" Wilson said in a statement.
"While I was surprised to discover that this disease strikes one out of every six American men, I was astounded to learn that African American men are 1.6 times more likely than others to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. My wife, Mahin, and I are very fortunate. I was lucky to be diagnosed and begin treatment early. My prognosis is excellent."
And 'Outstanding' he is!The former Gap Band front man has already started utilizing his Hollywood star status to help inform more African American men of the illness. Men are 35 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than women are to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
"I am excited to be working with the PCF. They are the cruising force behind many of the advances that have been made in prostate cancer treatment to date," says Wilson. "Their work has helped reduce the death rate by nearly 40 percent in the past few years. Together, I believe we can make an important impact."
The Grammy-nominated artist also noted that his wife's support has played a major in his recent campaign.
"We men don't want to consider or vocalize our vulnerabilities. It was my wife who kept after me to see my doctor for a screening," he revealed. "I thank God she did. Now I feel compelled to spread the word about prostate cancer."
This spring, Wilson will be taking his message on the road with him and overseas to U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait while touring in support of his forthcoming album. Charlie Wilson's 'Uncle Charlie,' featuring the top 10 single 'There Goes My bouncing baby,' hits stores and digital retailers on Feb. 17. (From AOL BlackVoices)
Posted at 12:17 pm | Comment (0)
19th November, 2008
UK Cops Learn Gangsta Rap To Combat Crime
LOL boy do I love it! Is that really what's standing in between law enforcement and youth throughout the world---ebonics?!
UK police have been studying gangsta rap slang in hopes to quell a growing narcotics problem, specifically in the kingdom’s prisons. The decree was issued by concerned officials in the Ministry of Justice, as reports indicate that more than half of England and Wales’ prisoners are jailed on narcotic charges.
Previously, officers were not versed in Hip-Hop slang, and dealers were able to conduct transactions freely in front of the police simply by using the coded language. Unfortunately with many officials now first being exposed to Hip-Hop as strictly a criminal element, visiting Hip-Hop stars are now experiencing high scrutiny and suspicion.
Earlier this year Snoop Dogg successfully overturned a visa ban that prevented him from entering the country. The UK instituted the ban on the Long Beach, CA native on suspicion of his involvement in a brawl at London’s Heathrow Airport.
In September, Busta Rhymes was denied entry into the UK for a scheduled charity concert to honor community volunteers. Officials detained Busta for 11 hours on the grounds that his previous criminal convictions in the United States made him a security threat. The issue was eventually taken before a high court judge who ruled the detention was unlawful and had the rapper immediately released.
Just last week, R&B singer TQ was also denied entry into the UK.
Even with these high profile problems, the Ministry of Justice plans to continue their experiment and will look to local authorities to use the information and modify it as they see fit.
Reprinted below are the top gangsta rap “phrases” officers have been supplied with by the Ministry of Justice:
Strap - gun
Five 0 - police
Creps - sneakers
Bate - acting suspiciously
Shotter - drugs dealer
Garms - designer clothes
Burned - to receive bad quality drugs
Blanks - drugs of bad, or poor quality
Travel agent - street drug dealer
Champ - a drug user who will not reveal his source (From Allhiphop.com)
Tags: drugs, jail, love, rap, snoop dogg, stylePosted at 12:15 am | Comment (0)