Sept. 17, 2007

Dear Beyonce

Let me first commend you on your newest philanthropic endeavor, The Knowles-Rowland Temenos Apartments to help those needing assistance after natural and personal disasters. I'm sure the 43-unit; single-room occupancy housing for men and women will be a blessing to those in the Houston area.

I'm actually writing this letter out of genuine concern and I hope you receive it in the spirit that it is intended. At 26-years-old, you have accomplished things that your peers could only dream of. Both as a member of Destiny's Child and as a solo star, you have won Grammys and sold millions of records. Your strong brand has helped you to transition into Hollywood ('Dreamgirls,' 'The Pink Panther,' 'Austin Powers in Goldmember'), sell fragrances and beauty brands (Tommy Hilfiger, Emporio Armani, L'Oreal), appear in commercial campaigns (Pepsi, McDonalds) as well as launch your a clothing line with your mom, Tina Knowles (House of Dereon). Those are all significant feats!

But I recently became concerned when I heard that you intend to go back into the studio come November and plan to release a new album next summer. That's really disturbing to me.

If you take the time look those artists and musicians who are master's of their craft, you will see that most of them take a few years off between projects to (1) rejuvenate and find inspiration for their next endeavor and (2) not over-saturate the marketplace. You are without a doubt teetering on the brink of over-saturation and I wanted to 'Ring the Alarm' before you become an industry 'Bug-A-Boo!'

As an entertainment professional who respects your hustle, I tip my hat to your gifts and salute your accomplishments. I know its not just 'Me, Myself and I' who feels that if I see you on another magazine cover or hear you give another blah acceptance speech at an award show anytime soon, I'll 'Lose My Breath' and be full of 'Resentment.'

I can use Mariah Carey as example of an artist who waited too long to take a break and nearly ruined her career. Better is Alicia Keys, who brilliantly takes at least three years off in between CD releases and typically reinvents herself every time. It's clear that every great artist needs down time for longevity. (See also: Madonna, Tina Turner, Maxwell, Dr. Dre, Diana Ross, Outkast, Sade, etc.) I believe that an extended vacation is necessary for an artist, just even if to 'Upgrade U!'

In addition to giving the industry and the all-important consumer a break, I genuinely believe you did a disservice to your Destiny's Child group member Kelly Rowland, by re-releasing that deluxe edition of 'B'Day' just months before she was set to unveil her sophomore solo effort. How could anyone really expect her to get her career 'Jumpin Jumpin' with you still monopolizing the marketplace?

I know you are an 'Independent Woman' who may not want to take direction from this man you've only met in passing, but I really hope that you will take a couple of years off and consider not releasing your next CD until at least the fall of 2009 (and that's still pushing it). Make no mistake: I recognize that you're the premiere vocalist of this generation and a spectacular international brand. But I think the consumers are going to begin telling you, 'No, No, No,' and ultimately leave you 'Speechless' if you don't retreat for a while!

Getting Political

Prophetess Juanita Bynum is bouncing back from her headline-grabbing domestic violence scandal. This column and the 'BV Newswire Blog' producer Karu F. Daniels have covered Bynum's beat down by her husband, Bishop Thomas Weeks III extensively since news of the altercation broke on Aug. 22.

The 48-year-old evangelist has since filed for divorce (for details read last week's column here) and will detail the incident in a six-page interview for 'Essence' magazine's December issue. Though Bynum admitted that Essence has asked her not to disclose many of the details of her pending divorce and domestic matter with other media outlets until their cover story hits newsstands in November, the renowned and sometimes controversial preacher did appear on the nationally syndicated 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' last week. During the early morning interview, Bynum spoke generally about her ordeal, in addition to pledging her support for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

"I was supporting him privately. I went to Oprah [Winfrey's]; I was invited there before my incident occurred to personally meet him. I'm announcing for the first time on your show that I as recently as yesterday have been asked to join the rest of his campaign throughout 2008 until the election. I actually will be traveling with him and being one of his spokespersons on his campaign trail. I am definitely, definitely in support of him," Bynum told Joyner.

Though news of Bynum's soon to be ex-husband's business affairs have been widely reported -- court records show that he has upwards of $100,000 in unpaid debt in Washington, including 63,000 to Xerox Corp., $22,000 to Tiffany and Company, $13,000 in credit card debt and $6,000 Ford Motor Credit. I broke news on the 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' after learning exclusively that Bynum herself has about $90,000 in unpaid debt to Dallas-based promoter Al Wash.

Wash's company, ALW Entertainment, once included Bynum on its popular 'Sisters in the Spirit' tour and was planning to launch a national stage play based on her best-selling sermon, 'No More Sheets.' After accepting a $115,000 deposit from Wash's company, Bynum decided not to go forward with the play and did not return the deposit

ALW Entertainment filed an injunction against her to retrieve the funds and after a performance on the 'Gospel Goes Classical' concert in Dallas, Bynum was served legal papers by an attorney. "He acted as though he was getting her autograph, telling her how blessed he was by her ministry before letting her know, 'You've been served,'" a source close to the matter told me. Bynum has since paid $25,000 of the deposit back.

Buzzworthy

Oscar nominee Terrence Howard is a lifesaver. Margot Dougherty was interviewing the 'Hustle & Flow' actor for the cover of Los Angeles magazine at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills when she began choking on her sushi. Howard immediately jumped up and began performing the Heimlich maneuver on Dougherty. The writer lived and completed her feature story. Howard shared with her that he had never been formally trained in CPR, but learned to perform the Heimlich maneuver by watching the movie 'Mrs. Doubtfire.'

'The Parkers' star Dorien Wilson has joined the cast of the stage play, 'Divorce.' The touring stage play also stars Dawnn Lewis, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Ananda Lewis and Tatyana Ali. (Ali will likely have to leave the production because she was recently cast on CBS's 'The Young and The Restless.') 'The Divorce' is a Donald B. Welch production and kicks off Sept. 28 in Miami.

'The View's' new co-host Sherri Shepherd was among the many people who attended T. Faye Griffin's theatrical production, 'Spook Night,' at Hollywood's Lillian Theater. The play explores "rage, revenge and racism" in a contemporary production through the eyes of legendary vaudevillian Bert Williams. Kym Whitley, Rodney Perry, Tommy Ford and Buddy Lewis are among those who've seen the production. The show runs until Sept. 30. For details, visit www.spooknighttheplay.com.

Bishop Ernestine Reems Dickerson will celebrate her 50th anniversary in ministry in a major way. The Oakland-based minister will be saluted over three days of services by folks like Bishop T.D. Jakes, Bishop Walter Hawkins, Donnie McClurkin and Tramaine Hawkins, among others. Those seeking more details visit www.ecreems.org.

Veteran music executive April Washington-Essex has launched a new record label through Universal Music Christian Group called Habakkuk Music. The first offering from the label is Jessica Greene, a Baltimore-based singer who'll release her debut CD, '4 the World,' this month. Essex is also CEO of the Threefold Music Group Inc., a gospel independent promotions, marketing and special events firm.

Fresh from the release of her gospel debut, 'This Is Who I Am,' vocal powerhouse Kelly Price is readying her next R&B effort. The CD is slated for first quarter 2008 and Price is rumored to have struck a new deal with Atlantic Records.

Can't Say Names ...

A hip-hop star quietly snuck into jail last week to serve a 30-day stint on some traffic violations. Said rapper turned himself in to authorities and will sit quietly in a New York jail until some time in mid-October.