On Sunday, November 9th, the South African recording artist Miriam Makeba aka "Mama Afrika," suffered a lethal heart attack after performing a concert in Italy. Makeba has been credited with popularizing South African folk music, having lived in exile for over thirty years because of apartheid. In 1966, Mama Afrika was awarded a Grammy for her folk music album with Harry Belafonte. "The sudden passing of our beloved Miriam has saddened us and our nation," said South African Former...

On Nov. 19th, Decision Records & Purpose Music Group present The Revelations featuring Tré Williams at S.O.B.'s Solvillage, hosted by Eric Roberson. The Revelations featuring Tré Williams represent a new dawning in soul music, one that marries the concrete jungle grit of the streets to the midnight blues of the rural South. As some describe the group, the rawness of Stax and propulsive drive of Motown have been re-imagined for contemporary listeners. Their 7-track debut EP, Deep...

The 2008 Black Girls Rock Awards went down at Lincoln Center this past Sunday. The organization helmed by DJ Beverly Bond teaches hip hop history and supports budding b-girls with DJ lessons. BGR also hosts an annual event honoring the coolest Black women in music and entertainment. This year's honorees included Iman, Erykah Badu, Estelle, Pam Grier and Nicole Paultre-Bell among others. ...

I'm gonna miss Michelle . And David. And Jon . And Nicole. And even Marianne, although we've only recently become acquainted. On November 4th we'll have a new president but I'll no longer get eloquent emails addressed to me from the good folks at the Obama campaign .  Yes, most of the emails were like, "Mawuse-- With your contribution of $25 dollars we can make it rain on this...

Q-Tip, the legendary, highly influential artist gave J.Period an exclusive freestyle for the single "Q-Tip for President," to be released on this year's historical Election Day. Recalling Rakim's classic, the single keeps the theme of Q-Tip's new album The Renaissance , also to be released on Election Day. J.Period gained credibility for himself as a mixtape artist, but not in the typical way. (How many mixtape DJs can get Lauryn Hill to endorse them, and even give up a few...

Advanced tickets are going fast for the Global Lingo event at Le Poisson Rouge, NYC on November 13th. Project Ahimsa, House for Hope, Africa Live! and Education Through Music have brought together acts like Karsh Kale (Live with special Guests), Nickodemus (Wonderwheel Recordings/ESL Music), Trendroid (Transport) and others with a myriad of hosts. All proceeds benefit the aforementioned programs. More Info

Enjoy and remember to vote on November 4th!

Friday, Day 4 5:00 PM - Go to deposit check and realize ID is missing. Suppress bitch fit in Commerce Bank . Decide to do some CMJ stuff anyway. 5:45 - Indulge in industry perks at CMJ Lounge at Red Bull Space. Get Spaten beer and massage that makes me feel exhilarated...and somewhat violated. 6:40 - Luaka Bop ...

"Raise The Volume" has musicians like Questlove doing everything in their power to get people moving and voting. Club DJs across the country have joined in, and they're celebrating the upcoming Election Day with special playlists and events. The big event is DJ Rekha, DJ Ayres and Neil Aline on Nov 4th at the Virgin Megastore Times Square, while more events will be taking place all over the country, including 2 key states in the election- Ohio and North Carolina. Dates: ...

8:30 PM - Kick things off with a non-CMJ event: H&M/Comme Des Garçons preview at Espace. The collection is lots of polka dots and ambitious cuts. Clown couture. The space looks like a convention hall and the DJ set-up is in a high cramped corner of the club that was clearly not made for DJ set-ups. Pick up gift bag with a magazine and some perfume. 10:00 - At Ben Sherman store in Soho. Missed...