Why is it still men dominating the music biz. The women are so much better. They say so much more with so much more meaning. They need to finally get their props. The women are doing so many more interesting things that the fellows. Finally, at least 1/2 to 3/4 of all records on the Billboard charts are black records or imitation R&B or hip-hop. That is good news because black artists don't have to cater to whitey. Now if these kids would only start knowing their soul music history (this includes race records, the blues, jazz, "the Gospel Highway", "the chitlin' circuit", deep crate, norther soul, motown, soul cities, lost labels, and sampled soul). We can hope for revived careers of all our favorites returning from the shadows. Since the field is wide open and the desperation and aching need of real soul in the lives of everybody (some just don't know it or believe they don't like it), many of these women can fine the respect they have long deserved: quite a few from Motown have found acceptance in Europe especially Chris Clark and Brenda Holloway; while, here in the USA second-tier artists (often out of lack of chart success or support from their labels) like Irma Thomas, Sharon Jones, and Bettye LaVette have found great success and validation, Marva Whitney in Japan, and Spanky Wilson in the UK. Some have continued to work like Etta James, Mavis Staples, and Denise Lasalle. Yet, others have influence on another generation by crafting the best records young folks such as Betty Wright has done with Joss Stone. Plus, we can look forward to the re-formation LaBelle album. Miss Patti said on Tavis Smiley that Lenny Kravitz was able to get Nona, Sarah, and Patti to record together.
Gosh, 30 years. I remember crusing to LaBelle. They were the soundtrack to my high school. I couldn't have made it through high school without my crushes some were life long like Betty Davis, Millie Jackson, Laura Lee, LaBelle, Genya Ravan, and Roberta Flack, but others like Linda Ronstadt, E.L.O., Sparks, T.Rex, The Soul Children, and Linda Jones. I know I listen to the ladies. There is something about the quality of the female voice that I love (especially the black woman's voice). What can I say? I am a "ladiest" like Maria Bamford even a "womanist" like Alice Walker says (because the word feminist had no connection to the woman of color's liberation movement); what ever the term I play women to men on my show 3-to-1. Even my fans and steady listeners know it. I love the men, too; I have my favorites: Johnny Bristol, David Ruffin, Levi Stubbs, Ivy Jo Hunter, The Dells, and William Bell, but the ladies do it for me. I identify with the lyrics they sing. After-all Sister Ree is the voice in my head. When ladies sing about "bitches" they are on an even field. When men do it is hurtful, degrading, and misogynistic. Sarah says, "That is actually good that you play the ladies almost exclusively because most people play mostly men. It is not intentional. It just works out that way." If I can give a forum for all those great women then I am pleased to do so. I just think about how when I was a kid I wish I would have heard more Kim Weston, Freda Payne, Lorraine Ellison, Laura Lee, Betty Davis, The Voices of East Harlem, The New Supremes, and The Soul Children on-the-air if I even heard them at all on the radio.
So everybody watch: June 24th @ 8:00 p.m. on BET.
Nominees:
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Missy Elliott
Eve
Kid Sister 
Lil Mama
Trina Best Female R&B Artist
Mary J. Blige
Mariah Carey
Keyshia Cole
Alicia Keys
Rihannahttp://www.bet.com/specials/betawards08
