Just wanted to write a quick post to let you guys know that, as some predicted, BeBe & CeCe Winans won the NAACP Image Award on Friday night for “Outstanding Gospel Album,” for their reunion project, Still.

Also, as I joked but didn’t really EXPECT to happen, Mary Mary won “Outstanding Song” for “God In Me.”  The chart-topping single was up against Maxwell’s “Bad Habits” and “Pretty Wings,” Jamie Foxx’s “Blame It” and Jay-Z’s “Empire State Of Mind.”  And the Marys won.  That’s HUGE for them.  Whoo hoooo, ladies!

Side note–  Tamela Mann gave an awesome performance of her single, “Joy Of The Lord,” in tribute to Tyler Perry, who was honored with the Chairman’s Award.  She looked great and sounded great.

I’m more than a little miffed that the dude from the movie Precious arrograntly refused to stop speaking when they kept giving cues to do so– it meant that the LIVE telecast was cut off, and we only got to see the first verse and chorus of Mary Mary performing “God In Me,” which was the show’s finale, of sorts.

It’s like… this ain’t the Oscars, buddy.  The network isn’t gonna delay their scheduled programming for your speech or, as much as I love it, for the NAACP Image Awards.  And, as my wife pointed out, you made the Marys have to stand in position while you gave your lil’ speech– one is 8 months pregnant and the other had laryngitis.  Don’t mess with our Marys, dude!

*glaring at him, then realizing that I’m too invested in this*

Oh well.  Maybe he’ll send them a lil’ written apology for that move– maybe I’ll start a petition to encourage it. LOL  Kidding.  I’m sooooooo not writing anything else about this… I’m just sayin’.

Who else watched?  What did you think?

On Monday, some of the biggest names in the music industry were invited to re-record the global hit song “We Are The World,” to assist with relief efforts in Haiti and to commemorate the tune’s 25th anniversary.

An 81-member choir– comprised of The Jonas Brothers, Brandy, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, Celine Dion, Wyclef, Usher, Nancy Wilson, Jamie Foxx, Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight, Faith Evans, Pink and many others– gathered to record at Henson Studios in Los Angeles.  Included among them– gospel’s favorite sister duo, Mary Mary.

Lemme tell you… I half-way expected for them to get an Oscar nomination yesterday because Erica & Tina Campbell are, by God’s grace, UNSTOPPABLE.  Proud of you, ladies!  Thanks for representing Christ and the gospel community.

Peep a behind-the-scenes video right HERE:

NBC is expected to premiere the video for the song, “We Are The World – 25 For Haiti” in 3D on Friday, February 12th, during its coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It should be available for purchase after that and, of course, all proceeds will go to benefit Haiti.

Whatd’ya think???

I can’t even gloat about having an accurate prediction, cuz I think we all saw it comin’…

Mary Mary won the BET Award for “Best Gospel Artist.”  Jamie Foxx called them “the NEW Queens of Gospel” last night… I dunno if I’d go there just yet, especially since Albertina Walker holds the title and is still in the game, but the Marys are definitely making moves.  Let’s compromise at the “Queens of URBAN Gospel.”  Fair?

Anyway, the Marys performed “God In Me” live.  Kierra Sheard wasn’t on hand to perform the bridge, but Queen Latifah came out with a verse (rhyming, not singing).

It’s on YouTube (for now)… so watch here:

I’m not sure if it was the sound quality (mics were kinda low), or the lack of much stage action (in comparison to the other performances, their stage was kinda bare), but I wasn’t feelin’ this particular performance as much as some of Mary Mary’s other ones.  And the audience kinda just sat there like “okay…” until Latifah came out.

That said, people try to front on the ladies, like they’re not reppin’ Christ, but I give props to them– I felt like it was clear who they were singing about and who they were singing for… but I know y’all might not agree…

What did you think???

The nominees for BET’s 9th annual BET Awards have been announced.  Jamie Foxx will host the show, which will be telecast live from Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28th at 8pm ET.

The nominees for “Best Gospel Artist” are:

Regina Belle | Shirley Caesar | Mary Mary |

Smokie Norful | Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Ok, let me say this from jump:  CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF THE NOMINEES.  What I’m about to say is intended neither to discourage nor discredit you and the work you’re doing to advance the mighty Kingdom of God on this Earth…

Now… WHAT?!

Can ANYONE tell me when the eligibility period is?  I’m assuming that “date of album release” is irrelevant.  Smokie Norful’s album came out last month.  So, if he’s eligible, so is Donald Lawrence, Israel Houghton and Donnie McClurkin, as they each had first-quarter releases, too.  Were they considered?

Plus… is it just me, or is the entire industry playin’ Kierra Sheard?!  First, the Dove Awards and now this.

And didn’t James Fortune & FIYA just blaaaaaze radio and what not?  What’s a man gotta do?!

Anyhoo, I’m predicting Mary Mary for this one– they’re sweeping everything else and BET loves ‘em.  And so do we!