If he were still with us, today Michael Jackson would be 56. He’s still so loved and so deeply missed, and still so ubiquitous in pop culture. This summer, Love Never Felt So Good was part of the barbecue playlist and in regular rotation in TV commercials. MJ is still with us. Another way he’s… read all

I didn’t watch all of the Billboard Music Awards, I was just waiting for the Michael Jackson performance. For a while now they’ve been promoting the Michael Jackson performance as something new, unprecedented, one of a kind and spectacular, so how could I not watch? My formative years were studded with similar moments, gathering around… read all

Do you remember where you were, when you heard the news? I was at a liquor store with my husband, when I checked Twitter and saw the news unfold on my timeline. I couldn’t keep it to myself, and told the cashier. I still remember the disbelief on his face as he shouted to the… read all

In the music industry today, finding artists who truly understand the importance and effect of their image is rare. Even moreso when it comes to females. It can seem like socially conscious musicians like Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill, Tanya Stephens, and India Arie are anomalies of the industry. Compare their success to the stars who… read all

In case you’ve been wondering — what’s Afrobella up to? I’ll tell ya. Grustling. Real hard. I’ve been working my fingers to the nub to keep the fires blazing here at Afrobella while writing at AOL Black Voices and tah-dah — just last week I wrote my first article for Ebony! Yup, it’s about Michael… read all

I know there’s been overwhelming coverage here, there, and everywhere else. But today, a legend will be put to rest. And from the comments I keep getting every day, I know I’m not the only one who’ll be feeling the loss. So here — leave your comments, express your sadness, share with me. And if… read all

Like many of my peers in the blogosphere, I’ve been trying my best to move on. But it’s hard. I still can’t quite believe — a week ago, Michael Jackson passed away. Even typing that phrase feels wrong. I wrote a tribute from the depths of my heart and then tried to look away from… read all

I was an Eighties baby but the last of the family. So many of my childhood memories are Seventies leftovers from my sister and brothers. And like so, so many black families around the world, the Jackson 5 were a part of our lives. I don’t recall exactly when my love affair began, but it… read all