Black Music Notes Feb. 2

2/02/10: Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin has been proactive as of late. In addition to assembling gospel's elite singers a few weeks ago in support of a special Haiti tribute song, the seven-time Grammy Award winner finally gives fans a inside look on his life in the forthcoming book, 'The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life's Storms.' In the Gotham Books publication Franklin sheds light on how he turned negativity, stemming from drugs, an absent father, and teenage parenthood among other things, into a successful notable Gospel singer. The tome hits book shelves May 18.

Black Music Notes Feb. 2

1/28/10: Mariah Carey
Despite Diddy declaring himself as the self-proclaimed originator of the remixes, there's another Pop superstar vying for his throne. On Mar. 30 Mariah Carey will debut her very own collection of remixed duets entitled, 'Angels Advocate.' The Grammy Award-winner's 13th studio project features the R&B songstress collaborating with some of her favorite artist to record some of her favorite songs from her Sept. 2009 release 'Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel.' 'Angels Advocate' features two new songs including 'Angels Cry' with Ne-Yo and 'Up Out My Face" featuring Nicki Minaj.

Black Music Notes Feb. 2

1/28/10: Drake / Lil Wayne / Jamie Foxx / Roberta Flack
In addition to previously announced performers Beyonce, Maxwell, and Mary J. Blige gracing the stage this Sunday for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, fans can now expect a star studded event. Today it was announced that nominees Jamie Foxx and T-Pain will hit the stage with Slash and Doug E. Fresh along with hip hop stars Drake, Eminem, and Lil Wayne teaming up with Travis Barker. Not to mention the latest addition of four-time Grammy Award-winner Roberta Flack making a special appearance. The 52nd Grammy Awards will take place live on Jan. 31 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m./ET. Check back during this year's event for BV Newswire's exclusive live blogging coverage.

Black Music Notes Feb. 2

1/26/10: Doug E. Fresh
Long before 'American Idol' – and even 'Star Search' – became the popular place where stars were made, the world famous Apollo Theater was the premier destination of discovery for talented music acts from across the country via its legendary "Amateur Night" competition. As a part of the historical Harlem landmark's 2010 season, the signature talent showcase gets back into full swing on Jan. 27, hosted by local comedian Capone and featuring a performance by with hip hop legend Doug E. Fresh. For the new season, new "Amateur Night" highlights include theme nights, and "open mic" component and prizes totaling $40,000 grand prize. For more information, go to www.apollotheater.org.

Black Music Notes Feb. 2

1/26/10: RZA
Legendary hip-hop producer and Wu-Tang Clan founder RZA has managed to leverage his talent and passion for music into other art forms. In addition to making his way into Hollywood via film-scoring and acting, the world-renowned musician is making a foray into visual arts with his new project, 'When Art Imitates Life.' The Staten Island native is one of many artists featured in reworked historic images on canvas, such as such Emanuel Leutze's 1851 timeless piece featuring George Washington crossing the Delaware River. "Sometimes we see things in our life that's revealed through art," says RZA. You could look at a picture that had nothing to do with you, but yet describes everything that you're about. That's when you see a true evolution." An accompanying disc of photographs comes with each canvas. For more information, head over to the official site.

Black Music Notes Feb. 2

1/26/10: Erykah Badu
Contrary to previous reports, Erykah Badu's Feb. 23 album 'New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh,' is now delayed until Mar. 30, according to Billboard. The 11-track Universal Motown release, which features production from the likes of 9th Wonder, James Poyser and J Dilla to name a few, finds the singer-songwriter tapping even deeper into her emotional side. "I called it 'Part II: The Return of the Ankh' because this album is the sister of the left side of my brain -- it is the right side," she explained to Billboard. "'Part I' was the left side of my thoughts -- it was more socially political, and my thought process was more analytical. This time, there wasn't anything to be concerned with. The album is more emotional and flowy and talks about feelings. It reminds of the days of 'Baduizm.' This is just about beats and rhymes in a cipher."

Black Music Notes Feb. 2

1/26/10: Swizz Beatz / Shyne
Since his release from prison last fall, Jamal "Shyne" Barrow has had hip-hop's elite eagerly anticipating a collaboration with the Bad Boy MC. You can now add Swizz Beatz to the growing list of producers ready to work on the Belize native's highly anticipated comeback album "I'm rocking with Shyne," the hitmaker recently told 'MTV News.' "I need him to find himself a little bit. Not to say he don't know who he is. I just need him to vibe off a couple beats and be like, 'Swizz, these are four joints right here I been rocking with, me and Scott Storch or whoever. This is the lane I wanna go with.' Then I could digest those things and then I can come up with the best records." As of press time there's no official release date for Shyne's forthcoming album.

Black Music Notes Feb. 2

1/26/10: Chrisette Michele
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Chrisette Michele is hitting the road once again, beginning Jan. 28, in support of her number one album, 'Epiphany.' In addition to her 23-city trek, which ends March 27 in San Francisco, the songstress will be making an appearance at this year's annual Essence Music Festival, set to take place July 2 in New Orleans.

Black Music Notes Feb. 2

1/21/10: Quincy Jones/Lionel Richie
A 25th anniversary re-recording of the charity anthem 'We Are the World' is being planned by Quincy Jones and Lionel Richuie. Roger Friedman of The Hollywood Reporter said the duo is summoning talent from Grammy weekend to come to the Los Angeles' Nokia Theater on Feb. 1. So far, artists invited include Usher, Natalie Cole, and John Legend. Originally, this anniversary celebration was to be held on Jan. 28 but since the catastrophic Haiiti earthquake, plans changed. Now proceeds from the song will go to Haiti relief. In 1985, 'We Are the World,' raised money for Africa relief.

Black Music Notes Feb. 2

1/21/10: Dru Hill
Kedar Massenburg, the man who launched the careers of D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Joe and India.Arie, has signed multiplatinum R&B group Dru Hill to his Universal Music-distributed label Kedar Entertainment. According to the recently reunited group's spokeswoman Gwendolyn Quinn, Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz and new member Tao (pronounced Tay-oh) are back and will release their fourth project, titled 'InDRUpendence Day,' on April 13. Dru Hill's new single, 'Love M.D.' will officially hit radio on Jan. 26. Later this year, the group will star in the reality series, 'Sweat's Platinum House,' produced by label mate Keith Sweat and airing on CENTRIC. Quinn also revealed that plans are currently underway for a 25 U.S. City "House of Blues" tour scheduled in March with Joe and Keith Sweat.

Black Music Notes Feb. 2