This June marks the 30^th anniversary of BlackMusic Month. Kenny Gamble of the popular R&B songwriting and productionteam Gamble & Huff is responsible for encouraging former President JimmyCarter to officially designate June as a time to acknowledge the contributionsBlacks musicians have made to the art form.

While most of the emphasis on Black music today is placed oncontemporary artists, the original intent of the proclamation was to rememberthe evolution of Black music in America.

As enslaved Africans were brought to America musicplayed a significant role in communication. Listeners and speakers continued toexercise the call-and-response exchanges that were common practice in West Africa during musical, religious, and politicalassemblies.

During the 17^th and 18^th centuriesslaves who attended church also applied the call-and-response style of musicwhen singing hymns and psalms. This approach extended to singing that occurredin the plantation fields and eventually created the Negro

There's no need to front. Billy J loves fun, upbeat hip-hop,rap, whatever you want to call it. No doubt, "You're A Jerk," by the Los Angeles based New Boyz crew featuring members Ben Jand Legacy, is the hottest song on Los Angeles radio.

 
They remind me of both Digital Underground and Pharcyde. Ifirst heard the song when watching a YouTube clip of Diddy's son Christiandancing. The kid can dance, but the track behind him is what caught myattention.

After hearing the song blow up on KPWR 106 in Los Angeles, I did alittle research to track down the guys. Ironically, they had just been pickedup by Asylum.

My folks at Asylum invited to their half time show at Los Angeles' University High School last month. They were ona tour with KPWR, performing 8-minute half time sets at celebrity basketballgames KPWR hosted with high schools around the city.

I was impressed by how "ready" these young dudes are. Theyhit the court and effortlessly worked the crowd that already knew and lovedtheir song

T.I. is scheduled to begin serving a sentence in alow-security prison in Arkansas' Forrest City at noon Tuesday, May 26, the Associated Pressreports.

In March, the Grammy winning artist pleaded guilty toattempting to purchase unregistered machine guns and silencers from undercoverfederal agents. He was sentenced to serve one year and one day in prison.

R.D. Weeks, a spokesperson for the facility located 85 mileseast of Little Rock,said that T.I. would likely be housed like other inmates.

"Unless there are custody or security concerns, all incominginmates are placed in general population," Weeks told AP. Weeks added that thecells are furnished with bunk beds.

T.I. will have access to the correctional institution'srecreation yard, counseling services and 14 organized religious groups.

After his incarceration, T.I. will be required to be onprobation for three years. He has also been fined $100,000 as part of hissentence.

These terms actually look good considering what T.I.initially

I figured you guys were like me and had waited long enough for details on Maxwell's new album, BLACKsummers'night The record has been described as a trilogy with a new installment released each year beginning this July 7.

I attended the album listening party Sony hosted Monday at the swank Montage hotel in Beverly Hills and tweeted about the 9 impressive tracks. Just so you know, Maxwell delivers on each song. Check out my rundown.

@y_billyjohnson is about to tweet about new maxwell album, track by track. at listening party.8:05 PM May 11th from web B1     

@y_billyjohnson Playing Pretty Wings video now.8:06 PM May 11th from web         

@y_billyjohnson He's in bed with women of dif shades like Legend's Save Room video.8:08 PM May 11th from web       

@y_billyjohnson BLACKsummer's night starting now.8:11 PM May 11th from web  

@y_billyjohnson Maxwell: bad habits: nice easy rocking mid tempo. feels good. no auto-tune. refreshing.8:13 PM May 11th from web    

@y_billyjohnson oh oh