Logo

Rhythm and Blues legend Teddy Pendergrass, whose musical career spanned four decades, died Wednesday after a long battle with colon cancer. He was 59.

Pendergrass, also affectionately known as “Teddy P,” began his musical career as a drummer but eventually became the lead vocalist for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. As a member of the Blue Notes, Teddy P sang such classics as “Wake Up Everybody” and If You Don’t Know Me By Now.”

As a solo artist, Pendergrass recorded more than a dozen albums including hits “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” “Close the Door,” “Turn off the Lights” and “Love TKO.”

His life changed forever in 1982 as he was involved in a car crash that left him paralyzed from the waist down. After his accident, Pendergrass became an advocate for those suffering spinal cord injuries and started the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance to benefit paralyzed people.

He retired from the music industry in 2006.

Source: Blogs.Bet.Com

I made my annual trip to BET, Sunday Night, to watch the an award show that has been sliding in the wrong direction for a while now. My main reasons for watching were: 1) To see if they did a proper tribute to Michael Jackson, 2) To stock up new material for mocking artists. The show provided an overflow of #2, and left me disappointed with #1.


I am not even going to attempt to try and give a run-down in any kind of order. But lets first get to the gripes:


#1-New Edition. What the freak was that? Their MJ-tribute performance could not end fast enough. A frown has instantly placed on my face. Is it just me or does it seem like everytime they pop up...they get less recognizable?

#2-Jamie Fox Opening. I am fan of Jamie's, but thought he may have come out a little flat, mainly because it seemed like he was trying really really hard. His first performance seemed half like a tribute to MJ, and half like a mockery. Is it too soon to joke? (This is the first time I noticed Joe Jackson is in the crowd...*speechless*)




#3-The Jamie Foxx Show-Jamie was everywhere...I mean, hosting, presenting, and performing on about every other song. Is there a shortage of male R&B singers? (Where the heck was Usher?) Ginuwine has an album out (as of June 23rd), and all dude can get is a presenter spot? (In all fairness though, that suit Ginuwine had on...clashed with about...everything! so maybe it was a safety precaution). All that darn self-promoting was a little tactless too...

#4-Keri Hilson. Um, I love my fellow Atl-ien. But, I swear chick can not perform worth crap. I really wished Kanye would have gotten up there with her.




#5-the BET Soundsystem. By far the biggest perpertrator at the event. Artists went in out and in and out, throughout the whole night! Could they not find another mic?! And...I'm sorry why do their mics not automatically adjust (these things do exist people), the poor Don Cornelius looked like someone was going to after rub him down in bengay after he got off that stage...sad! I wont even count on the lack of censoring, without it I probably would have turned a long time ago.


#6-Drake & Lil Wayne Performance. I heard that Drake had pulled his ACL, and thats why he was stool-bound during his performance. If only, that was the only issue! He is ugly to me, and I get offended when ugly dudes talk about f*ckin' girls (have some self-esteem ladies), and was that make-up?!?. Why the hell, were there little girls on the stage surrounding him, during the performance. I mean what the hell!!!! The run-through of "Always Strapped" was aight...but how old is Birdman exactly?




#7-The Commercials. BET showed us their line-up for the upcoming season, and I cant be the only one who felt a little sad. What happened to orginality...does it not fit in their budget? and OMG, Tiny..Tiny..Tiny!!! I dont even know what to say. Black people be prepared to go to a new low...that show looks a hot ghetto a** mess! (Will I watch?...maybe...lol)...I hate to ask this again (because I asked several times via Twitter yesterday.....but wth is wrong with Tiny's eyes?



#8-Don Cornelius. I understand showing respect and I tried yall I really tried! But, I seriously wanted The Sandman (...from the apollo...) to come out and sweep his a** off the stage. He reminded of that old people at the family reunion, always want to talk..half the time you cant make it out...so all that really happened was you losing 1 hour of your precious time. Clearly he was the only reason for the show running long...because it sure wasnt..because of ...


#9-The MJ Tribute. Or should I say the lack of the MJ Tribute. I understand that they only had 2 days to put it together. But, should putting a tribute together for his death, be so obvious of an inconvience?! I would put money on MTVs ability to pull it off.


#10- I actually intended to stop at 5, but apparently there was some issues I had suppressed. Did anyone notice the silence that came over the audience, when Jamie said he was hetero... And was Joe Jackson, on the red carpet, promoting his new record label...I will leave on that note.

Tell me your gripes and click here to read what about the good parts of the show!

There were a couple of good performances sprinkled in the mix (again in no partic order):

#1-Jamie Fox. The "Blame It" performance. I'm not sure why Snoop came out on the stage..to crip walk...but its Snoop, so its okay. Despite his faults, T-Pain is entertaining. And Travis Barker killed IT! I loved the rock breakdown.

#2-Keisha and Monica. Chicks can sing, I loved every moment of it. Monica's hairstyle and Keisha's capris were a little distracting at times, but their talent is undeniable.

#3-The OJay's Tribute. Johnny Gill, Tyrese, and Trey Songz. Say what you want about Johnny G., but brother man can sing! They did a wonderful job making us reminisce over O'Jay tracks...I had to download "Stairway To Heaven".



#4-The O'Jay Performance. They dont make 'em like this anymore. Money, Money, Monnney!

#5-Don Cornelius. LMAO still. He would not walk off the stage! After he noted he was having trouble reading the teleprompter, how come they didnt provide him with cue-cards. Always the entertainer...

#6-Eddie Levert. This one should make it on the BET Highlights Countdown! "Dancin' and Sh!t..." freakin classic!



#7-Taraji P and Tyrese. BET does keep Baby Boy in constant rotation. "I hate chew Jody"..lol loved it!

#8. Ne-Yo pullin an Alicia Keys. Keith Sweat...I want to blame it on the sound-system. It was BBD I was excited over..."...me and the crew used to do her..." (love it!). I would have screamed if they had mixed in Boyz-II-Men's "Motown Philly".



#9-Jay-Z's performance. Everyone was on their feet, for the "D.O.A." performance. I dont think it was the best performance of the night...but the best song performed...



#10-Janet Jackson. She owned the night. She came out on stage, and you could see the hurt in her face. She (her face) said everything that needed to be said, at a MJ-tribute, before she said anything at all.



Noteables: #11)Why was Tyra Banks' date mesmerized by Maxwell? #12)I have a soft spot for humanitarian work, so Alicia Keys and Wyclef get love.

Tell me your favorites..below!