Sound Off, Read On
Since the sun stays around to play a little longer in the summer, you can catch up things you’ve been meaning to do but
had no time to– like read a book or update your ipod’s playlist with the latest tunes.
Music
The season’s already fired-up with new music from the industry’s veteran artists and
newcomers alike. Usher’s Here I Stand, the most anticipated album
of the year is on shelves now. Music lovers have been waiting
four years for Hotlanta’s prince turned king of R&B to crown
radio waves with some hits. The single “Love In This Club” with
T.I. and Young Jeezy is steadily climbing the charts along with its
spicy remix with Beyonce and Lil Wayne, which is sure to be one
of 2008’s summer anthems. Lala Hathaway
Lyfe Jennings serves up more food for the soul with his third
studio album Lyfe Change. Fans have been hook on his down and
dirty, tell-it-like-is delivery, and this album is no different. Jennings
comes down hard on the fellas with his “boys to men” type is first
single “Never, Never Land,”
Lala Hathaway, daughter of soul icon Donny Hathaway, touches
upon multiple facets of the human experience –Love, self acceptance
and personal growth – on her latest album Self Portrait. “Tragic
Inevitability” and “Little Girl,” a song recounting the story of her
Chicago upbringing, are standout hits. The album features production
by the artist and producer Terrace Martin and the first single, “Let Go”
is currently on airwaves.
London-bred sensation Estelle gives off a sound reminiscent of the long lost
Lauren Hill, but has definitely made her own mark on the American music
scene with her debut album Shine. “American Boy” featuring Kanye West is
in heavy rotation on the airwaves and the tube, and the follow-up single “No
Substitute Love” is sure keep up the buzz for this newcomer.
Sizzling Summer Reads

Honey Flava by Zane
Zane takes Black erotica to new, sensual heights with her latest collection of erotic fiction Honey Flava. The stories ignite
passion in the most frigid personality with tales of lust and sex between Black and Asian characters.
Keeping in fashion with her erotic stories of the past, Zane takes no prisoners with direct and graphic descriptions of the
character’s sexual exploits, all the while maintaining an interesting plot. Honey Flava is a must-read for those
balmy summer nights spent alone or for couples looking to add spice to their relationship.
Too Little, Too Late by Victoria Christopher Murray
Victoria Christopher Murray’s Too Little, Too Late draws readers into the lives of Jasmine, a
born again Christian and former seductress, her spiritually charged husband Hosea, and the gor-
geous woman from his past determined to ruin their happy home.
Too Little, Too Late is a sequel to Murray’s “A Sin and A Shame,” which follows Jasmine
through her infidelity, lies and tears before coming to Christ. Each page offers an exciting
twist of fate and ironic look at the troubles facing many real couples in Black America.
36 Trends A publication of the Afro-American Newspapers
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