Recording artist and philantropist Alicia Keys hosted her annual Black Ball for the Alicia Keys Foundation, which helps children with AIDS and HIV in Africa and India, last night at the Apollo.  The event, called Black Ball Redux, was originally supposed to take place Thursday, November 1, 2012, but was postponed because of Hurricane Sandy.  Though Beyonce, originally slated to be on the bill for the event, was unable to perform for the scheduled makeup date, the night was filled with a lot of excitement, information about the needs in Africa, as well as  great music.

The highlight of the nonmusical part of the evening was Alicia Keys introducing Oprah Winfrey, who she called an inspiration to her.  “It’s a universal truth, Oprah makes change happen,” Keys said when talking about the Oprah.  Once introduced, Winfrey talked about many entertainers launching charities, but recalled seeing something special in Alicia, and gave the organization some financial support in its infancy.  “I’ve known this girl was on fire for a while now,” Oprah said, with a play on words to Alicia’s current hit.  “You try to keep a child alive and I try to educate them as best as I can,” Winfrey said, alluding to her school in South Africa, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.

The musical highlight was a duet between Keys and legend Bonnie Raitt on the country star’s smash hit “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”  It was a spectacular performance with lots of emotion with the live band playing the perfect companion to the voices and Keys playing the piano.  It was not the first time the PAIR have performed together, as they also did a tribute to Etta James at the Grammys earlier this year. Keys performed her hits “Girl On Fire” and “New Day” to close the show.

Earlier in the evening, Jennifer Hudson performed “Angel” with Alicia Keys playing piano.  Angélique Kidjo was honored with an award, then later took the stage to perform African songs.  Keys danced on stage and performed a duet with Kidjo to end her set.  Brittany Howard of the Alamba Shakes also performed.

The first half of the show was hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, who entertained the crowd with her humor.  As the auction was set to begin, and the audience was instructed on where to get the paddles, Goldberg interrupted with “I read ’50 Shades of Grey’ so I stay away from paddles,” to the delight of the crowd.

During the auction portion of the program, one man was willing to increase his bid for a trip to South Africa if Alicia Keys attended as well.  “I’ll go for a little more” Alicia Keys challenged, and the challenge was answered.  The man, Stewart Rahr, a billionaire in the pharmaceuticals industry, later pledged $1 million to the charity.

On a personal note, a highlight for me was running into one of my brothers from my college days at New York University, City Councilman Eric Gioia.  We have spoken via email, but not in person for quite some time, so it was nice to see him, and finally meet his wife, Mrs. Lisa Hernandez Gioia for the first time.  She actually sits on the board for the Alicia Keys Foundation, so if I do not run into him again, I can look forward to our annual meeting at an amazing event.

With the smell of jerk chicken in the air and drinks courtesy of Grey Goose and Bacardi being served, a press conference was held Wednesday evening with International Reggae Superstars Shaggy and Maxi Priest to discuss their upcoming show next week at Barclays Center on Wednesday, December 12, 2012. Shaggy and Maxi Priest will be joined by two more International Reggae Superstars on stage at Barclays Center, Beres Hammond and Ali Campbell’s UB40.

During the press conference, Maxi Priest was asked if he ever thought one of his biggest hits, “Close To You”, would do so well.  His answer, in a single word, was “Never.”  He didn’t expect the single to be as big of a worldwide hit as it was, but he was able to capitalize on it with other big hits.

Speaking of big hits, not too many in music, let alone reggae, have had the type of success that Shaggy has experienced.  From “Oh Carolina” and “Boombastic” to “Angel” and “It Wasn’t Me”, Shaggy is the only certified Diamond-selling Dancehall Reggae artist of all time.  Diamond certification equals 10 million records sold.

Shaggy discussed the strong West Indian, or Caribbean presence in Brooklyn, where Barclays Center is located, and the Brooklynite talked about the “opportunity to make our presence known” for the Caribbean community at the arena the night of the show.

With all of the success that the four artists performing next week have had, Shaggy pointed out that there is still no major station that has a reggae format.  That means that stars in the genre have to produce what Shaggy called “undeniable hits” that will enable the songs to crossover.  Fans will be treated to four artists who managed to accomplish that success time and time again.

There were rumors that Maxi Priest was supposed to replace Ali Campbell in the band UB40 when Campbell left.  He addressed the rumors head on, saying “From the horse’s mouth, not that I am a horse, I am not UB41″ to laughter and cheers of the crowd.

Shaggy pointed out to those in attendance that this is a “quality show with quality performers” that will bring a “quality audience.” Indeed, this is a show with artists with numerous hits, who will be joined by other big artists on stage (as they both agreed would happen at the show) and all of those in attendance should be in for a treat at the very first reggae concert at Barclays Center.

Contributor Derrel “Jazz” Johnson
The Razz and Jazz Sports Blog
for eveerythingYNTK + VIBE Vixen

Jay-Z and Beyonce were two of the many celebrities at Hova’s House, aka Barclays Center, for the initial Battle of the Boroughs between the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks.  Singer and actress Naturi Naughton [formerly of the group 3LW] and from the film “Notorious” gave the sold out crowd of 17,732 a stirring rendition of the National Anthem before the game. 

The atmosphere of the game was electric from the beginning, with Nets fans outnumbering the Knicks faithful by about 60% to 40%.  Live with Kelly and Michael co-host Michael Strahan was in attendance with his girlfriend Nicole Murphy, as well as Michael’s former teammate Justin Tuck from the New York Giants.  Jason Pierre-Paul from the Giants was also at the game, as well as former New York Met pitcher and current baseball analyst Ron Darling.

Hop-Hop legend Slick Rick performed at halftime, and the Roy Orbison classic “Pretty Woman” played as actor Richard Gere was announced to the crowd.  Newscaster Charlie Rose was also in attendance, as well as the Billionaire Mayor, Michael Bloomberg.  It was a stellar crowd for a game that went into overtime, with Deron Williams, Kris Humphries and the Brooklyn Nets defeating Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith and the New York Knicks, 96-89 in overtime.

Contributor Derrel “Jazz” Johnson
The Razz and Jazz Sports Blog
for eveerythingYNTK + VIBE Vixen

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